Chapter 1

Sequel to Forgetting Who You Are. Read that first

Sacrifice is never easy, it's never given. It's not always selfless, but it always carries weight

"Good evening. What will you be having to drink today"? Asked a deep blue dragon to a couple. On the right was a beautiful dragoness, black and magenta with green eyes and gold jewelry. On the left was a purple and gold dragon. They sat at an expertly set table, in a restaurant far beyond anyone's price range.

"Bring us your finest wine"! Said the purple dragon, a certain vigor in his voice.

"Very good, sir. I shall bring it right away".

He went to fetch the bottle. "Ooooo, Spyro. What's the occasion"? Asked the black dragoness, fluttering her eyes.

"Nothing special. It's just that we haven't been out like this for so long. I'm amazed we found a sitter at such short notice".

"Flame sure is one hell of a friend".

"And I thought being the fire guardian was tough"! They shared a laugh. "Cynder"? He asked as the laughter died down.

"Yes"?

"What would we ever do without each other"?

She shrugged. "Not sure. Maybe find someone else. Stay alone. Who knows".

The server arrived with the wine, opened it, and poured them each a glass. He left the bottle and they raised their glasses. "A toast, to our night out"! Exclaimed Spyro.

"Wooo"! The glasses clinked and emptied the red liquid down the throat of each dragon. "It's so good to have time alone. I love you".

"I love you too". He felt her tail scrape at his leg underneath the table and his body froze. She leaned in over it and spoke into his ear seductively.

"I say we finish the bottle, go to our usual spot, and we put this to the test". She had slid her tail between his legs, and began prodding.

"Are you kidding me?! Again"!? A voice came from the doorway, Spyro spun to look at the figure. As he did the world around him began to flicker, and faded completely. He landed on the floor with a thud. "How many times is that now"? Asked the figure. He wore a blank, featureless mask and was wrapped in bandages, covering his body and face from view. He jerked his head to side and raised a hand over his eyes. "Oh come on! At least cover yourself

Spyro was quick to cross his legs, hiding himself from view. "Ash! What the hell are you doing? Why'd you stop it"?

He rolled his eyes. "Please. I can only watch a train wreck happen so many times before I step in and help. How long have you been in here anyway"? The restaurant had disappeared, and was replaced with an endless white room. The only color being Spyro, Ash and the doorway.

"Not that long. Maybe twenty minutes".

"Uh-huh. Right". He waved his hand, a floating control console appeared before him, covered in various forms of crystals. In the center was a timer. "Four hours. Seriously? How many times did you run that? You know what, never mind. Did you reorder the books"?

"I did that yesterday". He whined.

"It has to be done everyday. Ignitus says so".

"I'll do it later. Just give me a few more tries with the simulation".

The console disappeared, and Ash crossed his arms. "Eighteen thirty-seven".

Spyro raised an eyebrow. "What"?

"That's how long it takes you to choke and give up. On the dot, every time. It's pathetic". Spyro denied this. "Look". He waved his hand and a small screen hovered in front of the purple dragon. It had logged every simulation he had run, each ending at precisely the same time.

"Okay. So maybe I'm a little out of practice. I haven't had many others to talk to. Maybe I'm going crazy".

Ash grabbed him by the horn and dragged him out the door. "You realize that room's for training, right? Not living out your personal fantasies of screwing up royally".

Spyro fought his grip to no avail. So instead he laid down, and gathered dust as he was dragged through the halls of time. "So what if I use it to be happy? So does Ignitus".

"At least he trains in it. The last training session you clocked in was over thirty years ago. You suck at fighting". They arrived in a circular room, where the floor was covered in books. Ash tossed the purple dragon inside and sat on a desk off to the side. "Now I have to babysit you while you do one of your only duties. Outstanding job, oh great purple dragon".

Spyro rolled his eyes as he picked up books and placed them on shelves, muttering insults directed at his company. "You could help y'know".

"Not my job. Ignitus asked you to do it". He tossed a smaller book into the air and caught it. "Why can't you just do your chores first? It would make everything so much easier".

"In case you haven't noticed, I haven't been in the best mood lately".

"Ha. I wonder why. Is it because you suck at dating? Or even in your fantasies you reject her".

Spyro slammed a book onto the ground, causing Ash to jump. "I have a family out there! One that I can't be with but see everyday! Why can't you just let me be happy?! Why is that so much to ask"? His head fell as he thought of Cynder and his children. "I just want to see them. I want to raise my children. Tell them stories, kiss them goodnight".

"Then why didn't you wish for that"?

"Because... Because my life isn't worth all of theirs".

"You know that, but you have yet to understand it. I'll let you finish up here, then meet Ignitus and I in the main library. We have some things to discuss". Ash stepped out of the room, leaving Spyro to tend to his duties.

"Done. Took long enough". Spyro wiped sweat from his brow, stepped out of the room, and directed himself to the main library.

"Finally. Couldn't stop day dreaming, could you"?

"What did you want, Ash"?

"Right to it, huh? Fine". He waved his hand, a vision of Warfang floated between them. The city was readying itself for a festival, and had decorations set up everywhere. The main color was purple. "The festival of The Hero's Passing is coming up. And as with all celebrated heroes, you are allowed to visit the hosting city for the duration of the holiday".

Spyro nodded. "Last year Asling hosted it. And this year is Warfang. Odd how they haven't hosted it for so long".

"We know. Which is why you aren't going".

"WHAT?! That's not fair! It's my duty as the celebrated to attend! Ignitus said so"!

Ash stepped back, giving Ignitus his turn to speak. "You're right, I did. But we've both noticed that you haven't let go of your life".

"Yeah, for good reason! I would have visited my family during a different festival, but I'm bound to the city hosting. Now I have a chance to finally meet my children and you're going to take it away from me"?

"We aren't trying to upset you. Ignitus and I just don't think that you're ready. You never came to terms with your death. You haven't accepted that there's no going back".

"Because I didn't want to die! I just want to live the life that was taken from me. Even if it's just for a day. That's all I want. Is that too much to ask"?

Ignitus considered his proposal, thinking back to when he himself died, and how much he wanted a second chance. "Just a day"? He asked.

Ash's jaw dropped. "You aren't seriously considering this?! It was your idea to keep him away from the festival"! Ignitus ignored the thrask.

"Just a day. That's all".

"Then you can go". Spyro jumped in joy as Ash groaned in anger. "And Ash will be your handler".

"Why are you dragging me into this? I already didn't want to go. Now I have to go with a date"?

Spyro snickered. "You wish it were a date".

"Shut up. I'm not going".

Ignitus shook his head. "You are. I haven't had a moment of peace since you two came here. Always bickering and complaining about one another. This will give you a chance to rekindle what friendship you had".

"You do realize he tried to resurrect the dark master, right"?

"Tried to? I did. I even punched him".

"ENOUGH! I've had it! You're both going and that's final! Now leave me in peace. I have things to attend to".

Ash leaned down to Spyro, whispering quietly. "Attend to himself".

"I heard that".

Ash and Spyro stood before a portal to Warfang, both polar opposite emotionally. "Remember, you have one day. After that I'm bringing you back. Understood"?

"One day, got it". Spyro was excited to say the least. Ash snapped his fingers, a ghostly chain sprang from Spyro's neck and into the thrask's hand.

"Let's get this over with". Spyro leapt through the portal, pulling Ash along with him.

On the other side was a grassy field of rolling hills. They had arrived at the very edge of a tree line, and only a short walk to the gates of Warfang, rebuilt in all their glory since the siege of the great beast. Ash and Spyro did not look like themselves. They were both their respective species yes, but they had alterations done to them so they could blend in.

Ash no longer wore bandages or Koma's mask, instead he wore fine silk robes beige with red accents. His body was not scared, and he had several finely carved horns jutting out from the back of his head.

Spyro had changed color. Instead of his classic purple and gold, he now had an white hide, and electric blue underbelly. Along with horns shaped like the letter C, curving forward.

"Time to celebrate. I'm going to the tavern. That place has survived more than anything in this city". As Ash moved toward the gate, he was jerked back by the chain wrapped around his wrist. He pivoted on his heel, glaring at Spyro. "What"?

"What if I run into someone I know?! What am I supposed to do"?

"Forget you know them. It becomes easier if you get wasted first. Speaking of which". He returned on his path, the spiritual chain that connected them growing in length as he walked away.

"Thanks for the help". Spyro shifted his sight to the gates of Warfang, standing in all their imposing, massive glory. He squeezed through the crowd and beyond the cascading stone.

Beyond them the city truly shone in its beauty. Warfang had become a marvel of old world values and new world engineering. From elevators to indoor heating, it towered over the rest of the dragon realms with its ingenuity.

The dragon city was decorated for the purple dragon, the same that walked among the crowds unseen, hidden behind a fake body. He walked past the market district, rebuilt to look less like a slum, and more of an actual market. Featuring stone buildings four stories high, each floor occupied by a different vendor. From many windows a purple drape hung. Some had the four element sygils embroidered on them in gold, others were simply purple and gold.

The dragons, thrask, gryphons and moles were all accommodated very well, and the two species had been integrated into society with little outcry. Of course there were those who judged all thrask as though they were Ash, but those who did so were so rarely taken seriously.

The now white dragon passed the tavern, where he saw Ash talking to other thrask, who rolled their eyes and stepped away from him and his jokes. Spyro smiled as the thrask pouted and ordered another drink.

Continuing on his path, he made it to the templeary stairs, where the guardians stood, their scales now faded and dull. Beside Terrador and Volteer stood two younger dragons, matching the element of the guardian they accompanied. They were close to Flame's age. Cyril was without an apprentice, most likely due to his strict standards.

Flame had grown quite a bit from when last Spyro saw him. He hadn't grown very much, and Spyro stood a few feet taller than the fire drake. Regardless of his smaller stature, he wore the title of fire guardian with pride, and it showed. His scales were as bright as ever. To the side of them sat the pink and beige dragoness named Ember, now appointed to the title of seer to the guardians, she looked happy, as though she had finally earned what she desired most.

The one Spyro had hoped to see was not with them. He looked around, but could not see any signs of the mother of his children. Or the gryphon that helped to raise them.

"Hey! Ice dragon"! Shouted the fire guardian, looking at Spyro.

He checked around him, being sure it was him Flame was speaking to. "Me"?

"Yes you. Ember says there's something about you". Flame ushered him forth. "What's your name"?

Spyro froze. "I never thought of a name"! The world stopped before him, and he breathed a sigh of relief. "Glad I'm not that out of practice. Now what would a good name be? Something cool, something... ice dragon-y". He thought back to the transcripts of famous ice dragons, one name stuck in his mind. With a nod he undid dragon time, looked to Flame confidently, and spoke his new name. "Nivalis".

Cyril had his interest peaked by the name. "Quite the legacy that name carries. Your parents must have been well taught to hear of her accomplishments. Odd that they'd name their son after a female though".

Spyro gritted his teeth as he smiled. "They always wanted a daughter".

"That's... good to know? Still, quite strange. Tell us, is this your first time in Warfang"?

"Uh.. yeah. I haven't missed a festival yet, and it's been so long since it's been in Warfang. I thought I'd stop by and pay my respects. Give my offering to his passing".

"Not many come to remember him. It's mostly just a reason to get drunk, high and into a fight". Chimed in Ember, circling the ice dragon before her. "I was under the impression that something was off about you. You seem very powerful. As though more than one element resides within you. Am I right"?

"I know gravity"! He blurted out, earning a silent gasp from those who heard.

"Not too often you hear that. Where did you learn it? Who taught you"?

"I was.. uh... I was taught in Lourndas. My teacher came with me and is currently drinking his fill at the tavern". He smiled as a drop of sweat fell from his brow.

That would explain your aura. It feels... odd. Like a necromancers pet. Then again, you are the first dragon I've met who knows gravity. So that could be why". Ember looked him over more, pausing at his neck and poking at it with her claw. "Interesting".

"What did you find"? Asked Cyril, intrigued.

"Nothing. Just surprised is all". She found her way back to the guardians side, and sat down, never taking her eyes off of Spyro.

"So are you gonna show us"? Asked Flame impatiently.

"Show you"? He asked nervously.

"Well, yeah. We can't just take your word for it. Gravity's too rare to just believe out of the blue. So show me. Just don't go too crazy. I like my knees".

"O-okay. Yeah. I can do it. Do you wanna go to the training grounds or something"?

Flame laughed. "Seriously? Come on, just show me here. Make sure you don't kill me though. Gravity's some strong magic".

"Alright". Answered the purple dragon, closing his eyes and concentrating. "Fall".

Flame expected a great force, but was treated to nothing. He waited a little while longer, though was soon left with doubt. "Care to try again"?

"Of course". Spyro concentrated harder, remembering what Ash had taught him. "Fall".

Flame braced himself. But was once again left with disappointment. "Still not feeling it".

Spyro shut his eyes harder, focusing all of his energy on his friend. "Fall".

Flame did not prepare himself, and because of this, was forced to his stomach, unable to move. "Enough"! He surrendered. Spyro opened his eyes, breathing a sigh of relief. "Sorry for doubting you. You know your gravity".

"Thanks. It took a longtime".

"Well then", said the ice guardian, "you've proven yourself, so there's no point in keeping you any longer. Go enjoy your day. And if you plan on staying the night, we do have an extra room. Unless you already have plans. And considering the rarity of your element, I'd love to see more of it".

"I don't know if I'll be staying. My teacher is rather picky about where he sleeps".

"Well he might be swayed if you tell him it's the old fire guardian chambers. Took quite the hit in the war all that time ago. Never has felt quite the same. At least according to Flame".

"It is! I don't know why, but it feels... weird".

"Well no matter, we should let you go. Enjoy the rest of your day, and try to not use that gravity magic. Some don't take kindly to it".

"Will do, thank you. Have a great day". Spyro rushed away as fast as he could without looking like he was trying to rush. He made it to the courtyard that housed his and Ash's bodies, before he stopped and thought everything over. "Wow. That was close. Gotta get my story stra"... His thoughts were interrupted by a voice near the statues of him, Cynder and Ignitus. Under the cherry blossom tree that stood in the center, was a gryphon and dragon arguing. It seemed to be rather heated.

"I don't care"! Screamed the gryphon. "I don't want you walking around here alone".

"I can take care of myself! I don't need you to watch over me all the time! I've fought off worse than a potential thug".

"Fine". He gave up. "I won't bother you anymore. Have fun". His words were cold, harsh. The gryphon took off in a huff, leaving the dragon at the statues, staring at them.

Spyro moved around, the marble statues blocking the dragon in question from his view. As he circled, feature became visible. A black hide, gold shackles, white horns, long slender frame. "Oh no". He thought as the dragoness finally came into view. "Cynder"!

She snapped her head in his direction as he moved. She looked to him, embarrassed. "I take it you heard that"? He tried to speak, but was unable. She was just as he thought she would be, large like she had been while under the dark masters control, and just as beautiful as ever. "Sorry. He's got a lot going on right now. We both do".

"Don't worry about it". He said nervously.

Cynder raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here? Not many care enough to come to his grave".

He shrugged. "Just trying to get away from the crowd. Heh".

She became very serious. "Well you should go back. If you aren't going to pay your respects, leave. He isn't buried here to make YOU more comfortable". She turned her head to his statue. As she looked on, Spyro met at her side, looking over her stone portrait. He chuckled, trying to break her anger. "What's so funny"? She asked in an irritated tone.

"This looks nothing like you".

His words shocked her. "Well... yeah. I'm older now. Of course it's not gonna look like me".

"No, I don't mean like that. I mean it fails to capture your beauty".

She moved away from him, repulsed. "Who the hell do you think you are"?

"W-wha"? He stammered.

"I don't even now you, and you start hitting on me? At his grave no less! What's wrong with you"? She turned away and took off, steaming angry.

"Cynder! Wait! It's me! Don't leave". His head hung low and his wings fell to the ground.

"Smooth". Came a voice from behind him. There stood Ash, as disappointed as ever. "So much for first impressions. At least you can try again in the simulator, let's go".

Ash tugged at the chain around his wrist, which caused a terrible pain in Spyro's neck. "Hey, Stop!". He resisted. "You said I get a day"!

Ash stopped pulling. "Yeah, to enjoy the festival. Obviously you have other plans. Other plans that I thought we agreed would not happen".

"We never said I couldn't talk to her"!

The thrask tilted his head, going over the conversation. "I think you might be right".

"So let me go". He ordered.

Ash sighed. "I hate being wrong". The chain that connected them faded, a relief washing over the purple dragon. "Go screw it up more. I can't wait to see how badly this goes".

"I didn't screw it up".

The thrask chuckled. "Oh yes, hit on by a random dragon by the grave of her mate. How romantic".

"Do you always have to be so sarcastic"?

"Of course I do". He answered sarcastically. "How do you plan on making this right? Are you going to go apologize? Normally saying sorry isn't enough to un-creepify yourself".

"I... have no idea" His head hung low. "I screwed up. What would you do"?

"Try again. You should be able to. If you've been reading Koma's notes, that is".

"You're right! How could I forget"? He closed his eyes, concentrating on the past. "Wish me luck".

"Not gonna happen".

Spyro rolled his eyes as time rewound. When he opened them, he had moved back to the other side of the tree. He saw the gryphon take off angrily. He walked around the tree, Cynder coming into view.

She snapped her head in his direction as he moved. She looked to him, embarrassed. "I take it you heard that? Sorry. He's got a lot going on right now. We both do". She turned back to the statues, looking over Spyro's.

The purple dragon in question stepped beside her, a smile curling up his lips. Cynder noticed this, and started a frown. "It's crazy how everyone's here for him, and don't even bother paying their respects".

Her frown faded instantly, surprised at his observation. "Yeah". She spoke slowly, trying to gauge his intentions.

"You're Cynder, yes"?

"Oh.. yeah. What gave it away"?

"You seem devoted to him. Like you were close. That and I already met the others. They didn't seem like a Cynder".

She chuckled. "They're unique. That's for sure. So you know who I am. Who are you"?

"Nivalis".

She held in a laugh. "Interesting name for a male".

"It's not my fault my parents wanted a daughter". Spyro joked.

"You're right, I shouldn't judge". She managed to calm herself. "How do you know they wanted a daughter"?

"They made sure I looked good in pink".

She fell to pieces imagining it. When she pulled herself together, wiping a tear from her eye, she apologized. "Sorry, sorry. I don't know why that was so funny".

"Don't worry about it. It as meant to be a joke. They didn't make me wear pink".

"So it was your choice then"?

"I'll have you know I make pink work". He moved his head in a zigzag pattern, adding to Cynder's laughter.

As it died down, they found themselves stuck in an awkward silence, glancing around the courtyard. "Sooo", Cynder broke it, "are you here for the entirety of the festival? Or just today"?

"The whole thing". Spyro screamed at himself in his head as he spoke.

Cynder seemed happy about the news. "That's great. Where are you staying"?

"Cyril offered me the old fire guardians chambers. Shut up shut up shut up. Just stop talking"!

"Odd for him do that. I guess he must sense something inside of you. I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other then"?

"I guess we will. Just stop talking. It's so easy".

Cynder looked to the sky, the sun still high, but the hour growing later. "Well I have to go. School is almost done, so I have to be there. It was nice meeting you, Nivalis".

"Goodbye, Cynder. I love you". He exhaled happily as she flew away. Ash however looked just as disappointed as ever as he stood behind the not-so purple dragon.

"Eighteen times that took, and you still screwed up. You are a master". His sarcasm was ignored this time.

"Yeah".

"You do realize we're leaving soon, right? So go get drunk and be merry".

Spyro snapped out of his trance-like state. "We can't go. I just said hi. I haven't even met my children yet"!

"Not my concern. Learn to let go. Accept that she's gonna be with Ciezan until their bones rot in the ground, and move on. The dead have no need for love".

"But I'm alive! I have a body"!

"It's not real. It's a puppet. You need one to even materialize here. I do too. For extended periods anyway".

"This body is plenty real! I can feel and breath and taste". He punctured a hole into is arm, drawing blood. "I even bleed. How is that not real"?

"Fake blood to fool the living. You also have no organs. Especially not the one you're thinking with right now. We're leaving". Ash conjured a portal to the chronicler's home, and began tugging on the chain. As he walked forward, about to step through, he felt a force jerk him back.

"I'm not leaving yet". Said a pained Spyro, as he fought the thrask for control over the chain.

"You aren't going to win this fight". He yanked and Spyro yelped, but didn't give up. They tugged it out, Ash moving closer to the portal, and the purple dragon in the opposite direction. "Just... Give... Up"!

"Not.. Gonna... Happen"! Spyro cranked his neck and grabbed the chain with his maw. He used his mouth to pull back, and lessen the pain on his neck.

"You're gonna break your teeth. Stop this and come with me"! Ash yanked one more time as Spyro bite down harder.

There was a loud metallic snap, and Ash was gone. Spyro looked around as the chain vanished from his neck. "A-Ash"? His voice was shaky, scared as he scoured the area frantically. It was pointless, Ash was gone. And Spyro was alone.

Yay! Chapter 1 of a story with no plot! I need some ideas for one. I planned on making it a 'falling in love' story, but that's shallow. It wouldn't be long. So of course he can't let go. That's a big thing. Then again, there's nothing wrong with wanting to raise your own children. I had an idea where his son would resent, then come to love him slowly, and accept him as his father. Another idea is 'good guy becomes the bad guy' where Ciezan goes crazy and tries to kill everyone. But that's kinda dumb. I don't want another 'Threat looms over the land' deal. I did that already. So if anyone has any ideas (And I want some), send me a PM, leave a review. But not anonymously. I can't reply to those.