TLoS: Challenge of Hearts (Chapter 19)
Chapter 19: Public Display
The head guardian's speech had left the entire audience at a loss for words. There was so much that the entire dragon populace didn't know how to react to the new rules, that the population didn't know whether or not to revoke, or ignore the newly-set guidelines, and after spending several minutes in complete silence, two by two the dragons slowly left the main foyer and headed off to their usual daily activities. But, instead of heading to either one's room the respective couples left the temple and headed off into the vast forest that surrounded the temple itself. Finding their own little sanctuary away from the others they lived with. Spyro and Cynder however, headed back through the corridors towards Cynder's room, as Spyro's still hadn't been repaired since Flame had broken it down only yesterday.
"Wait Spyro, are you sure we're allowed to do this?" Cynder had taken a seat on her bed, watching as Spyro decided whether or not he should join his future mate.
"Cyril said it himself. 'I trust you two enough to be able to stay together'." Spyro tried his best to impersonate the Ice guardian's voice. "Besides, when was the last time Cyril actually punished someone on their first mistake?" The purple dragon stepped towards Cynder and lay down at her side, draping one of his wings over her in the process.
"As long as you're sure Spyro. I don't plan on doing anything 'terribly humiliating' in the near future." Cynder slowly dropped her head onto her bed, Spyro's quickly following beside hers. Cynder took a deep sigh and licked Spyro's cheek. "It certainly makes you think though, doesn't it?"
"What does?"
"Well, if Flame and Ember are now mates, I wonder how much differently they will act towards each other."
"It shouldn't be any different to how we act towards each other now Cyn."
"But what if... I mean, when we're mates, something changes between us."
"I wouldn't change a thing Cynder. And when that day comes we'll both be ready for it." Spyro returned Cynder's affection with a lick of his own, both dragons drifting into silence as voices faintly echoed down the corridor.
"Now Volteer, Terrador. Isn't this better? The temple is dead silent. Nothing can happen here without any of us knowing about it." Cyril lead the other two guardians around the long sweeping corridor of rooms.
"But who will stop them from acting inappropriately outside?" Volteer replied.
"Nothing can happen outside because they're all exposed to the elements. Every one of those dragons hate nothing above all else than being watched. And while their outside, everything is open to the world, which will prevent anything happening." The other two guardians had to admit. Cyril really had thought his rules through quite thoroughly. There really was nothing that could happen without them knowing about it. "Now all we have to do is inform Flame and Ember of the new arrangements." And not a moment later were all three guardians standing before Flame's door. "Although I don't recall seeing either Cynder or Spyro leaving the castle. Terrador, Volteer. Just inform these two about the happenings of this-morning. I need to go check up on a few things."
The remaining two guardians glanced between each other, before knocking lightly on the young fire dragon's door. "Flame, Ember... We need to talk to you two for a moment..."
Cyril strolled down the corridor with his now regular up-beat tone, trying to remember if both Spyro and Cynder had actually left the temple like the others. It took the head guardian several minutes to reach the final room on the corridor, but he wasn't surprised when he found Spyro and Cynder laying together on her bed. "Well, Spyro, Cynder. It seems that what I said today didn't get through to you."
Spyro immediately stood up. "You told us yourself the other day that it was fine for us to be like this ever since Flame broke my door. You said that until it was repaired I could stay with Cynder."
"Not every room in this corridor is occupied you know Spyro." The head guardian watched as the purple dragon stepped towards him. "And here was me thinking that you would've been one that would at least follow my rules."
"Cyril, don't punish Cynder for this. It was my idea, and my fault. Do whatever you have planned with me, not her."
"Hmmm, so very noble of you Spyro." The ice guardian turned around and exited Cynder's room. "But unfortunately for you, even if one in the couple breaks a rule, they both have to suffer." Cyril paused just as his tail left the black dragoness's room. "And Spyro, that means you need to leave her room, now."
The young purple dragon glanced back towards Cynder. "I'm sorry Cyn... I should've listened to you."
The black dragoness didn't bother to reply as Spyro left her sight and started talking with Cyril once more. Cynder didn't really hate Spyro for what he had brought upon them, she just wished that he would listen to her more often than not. Although she too would've gone against her words if given the opportunities. It wasn't an issue that should be played around with, but sometimes Cyril pushed his power a little too far.
"Prepare yourself Spyro," The Ice guardian said to Spyro. "You and Cynder have quite the presentation to practise."
"What are you talking about?"
"You'll find out soon enough Spyro. But don't worry. The entire temple will be there to see it." The ice guardian gave a light chuckle.
"So we're going to have to do a play in-front of the entire temple? What's so hard about that?"
"It's either you both do the same thing, or, you go one at a time to each respective group."
"Each group? What are you talking about?"
"Tomorrow Spyro. Everything will be revealed for both you and Cynder."
* * *
Everything was peacefully quiet. The sun had just set, and the final meal of the day had been eaten. Spyro and Cynder had regrouped and promptly left the temple just moments after. The purple dragon had relayed everything Cyril had told him, and they both decided that it would be better if they got it over and done with together rather than one by one. No others knew about Spyro and Cynder's predicament. All they knew, as by Cyril's announcement at the evening meal-time, was that there would be another meeting of the entire temple the next morning. Both Spyro and Cynder assumed that was when their punishment would take place. However strange it might've been.
Flame and Ember had spent the day together, and after being removed from Flame's room and informed of the new rules, they too took off away from the temple and found their own little spot in the forest away from the others. As strange as it might've been, Ember had changed completely from the previous day. After 'thanking' Flame for everything he had done for her the pink dragoness was more than happy to oblige with almost anything her secret mate came up with.
Everything was actually functioning well within the dragon temple despite the extreme lengths the three guardians reached to make sure nothing happened between the seemingly countless couples within the dragon temple. But Cyril himself was surprised that both Terrador and Volteer didn't inquire as to what happened last night between Flame and Ember. But that was irrelevant either way. Because what happened can't be reversed. And all Cyril, Flame and Ember could hope for was that their actions didn't have a consequence. That Ember would remain childless, and Flame wouldn't be a father just yet. And that much all three were thankful for. Also both Flame and Ember were grateful about the fact that neither Volteer or Terrador knew about their relationship, meaning that there wouldn't be a bombardment of questions, from them at least.
After Cyril had addressed that there would be another meeting of all dragons Both Ember and Flame were approached by several other couples inquiring into what happened last night, and all of them received the same answer. The two apparently had a fight between themselves, which was why Cyril got attacked by fireballs each time he tried to open the door. And after they both had collapsed exhausted was when everything came out. Everything they had kept secret from each other for the entire time the war had been over. Both Flame and Ember knew that it was an elaborate lie, but everyone else seemed to accept it nonetheless. Because it was the only answer they gave to anyone, which only strengthened the chance of the others accepting it. Although both Ember and Flame were surprised that Neither Spyro, nor Cynder had asked about what happened last night. Although they hadn't seen the two all day, it was likely that the thought had never crossed their minds. Not that it bothered them either way. Flame knew that only Cyril knew of what happened. And Ember thought it was a complete secret to the world. The elaborate tangle of lies was holding well, and neither party was even considering telling the world. Not until it was going to be official anyway.
As the night wore on, and all dragons were inside their own quarters. Spyro excluded as he was given a new room until his old one had been repaired. The doors were sealed shut and the guardians headed off to their own places of refuge. It had been a very long day for Cyril who wanted nothing more than to reach his bed. It had been a full two days since the ice guardian had received any substantial sleep at all. And at the moment, he looked forward to nothing more than to feel sleeps embrace once more.
* * *
The sun rose over the horizon, revealing the dragon temple to the world once more, and not a moment after the sun's rays reached the highest pillar of the temple all doors were unlocked and allowed the free-movement of each young dragon living in the ancient temple once more.
It took several hours from dawn for everyone to be assembled in the main foyer once more. No-one knowing exactly why they were called back here again so soon, other than the guardians, Spyro, and Cynder. But the young couple wondered what the ice guardian had planned for them both as 'terribly humiliating' and what Spyro had assumed would've been a show of some sorts. Although nothing Spyro could come up with fit with anything the guardians were doing at the time. He was truly afraid at what he and Cynder might've had to do. Either way, the sooner everything was over, the better.
"Is everyone here?" Cyril asked towards the gathered crowd, and after doing a quick once-over of the population, Cyril believed that everyone was indeed gathered before him, Terrador and Volteer standing off to a side wondering what the ice guardian had planned. They both knew that Spyro and Cynder were involved, they just didn't know what Cyril had planned for them. "Now, for the most part, I am greatly pleased at watching you all get out once in a while and enjoy the scenery." There was a slight grumble from the crowd at that last comment. "But, unfortunately, not all of you could follow the rules entirely. There was one couple that decided to stay indoors for the day, and just as proof that I am completely serious about this issue, I would like to ask Spyro and Cynder up here."
Both dragons glanced towards each other, and slowly made their way towards the elevated platform where Cyril stood. And once the two had made it up to the platform, the ice guardian lowered his voice for the two younger dragons.
"So, have you made a decision Spyro?"
"We both figured that it would be better to get it over and done with together."
"Good, that means I don't have to make up another reason for making this gathering." The Ice guardian stepped towards the edge of the platform and looked over the gathered populace. "Now, as I am trying to prevent anything inappropriate happening between you all, I have decided to make everything much clearer for you all. At least we have two models to provide demonstrations on what not to do."
Both Spyro and Cynder looked at each other in shock. "Surely he doesn't mean that we have to..."
"Show everyone what you shouldn't be doing? Of course that's what I mean." Cyril Interrupted the purple dragon. "I said that the punishments for breaking the rules would be terribly humiliating, and what better way to tell the others not to do anything than with a demonstration so they know exactly what I'm talking about."
"So you want us to mate on stage?" Cynder refused to believe the words coming out of her own mouth.
"No, of course not. That's what I'm trying to stop. I'm sure Spyro can control himself. It's either you do this, or you'll be doing things one at a time. And believe me, you don't want to know what you have to do then."
"This is crazy! No way am I going to pretend to mate Cynder!" Spyro's outburst was far from discreet.
"Look, Spyro. You either do this now, or you do it tomorrow. Only if you wait until tomorrow you both will have to do it together, then by yourselves. Either way, you aren't getting out of this unpunished."
"You can't be serious about this Cyril!"
"Oh Spyro shut up. It's your fault we're in this mess, so let's just get it over with. It might not be so bad anyway." The black dragoness leant in towards Spyro and lowered her voice. "Besides, I've wanted to know what it would be like for a while now."
"Y-you have?" Cynder nodded slightly
"Ever since the first night we spent together." Cynder took a step back from Spyro and turned to face the other way, if not only slightly.
After the sudden revelation by Spyro he struggled to keep his composure. Under the strength of all his willpower, Spyro managed to contain himself and stood slightly beside Cynder, his shoulders at her hind legs. The purple dragon took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Shutting everything out of his mind but Cynder and himself, Spyro pushed off his forelegs and rested himself onto Cynder's back. Cynder dropped slightly at the sudden increase in weight but she held firm pushing back against Spyro's weight as if it were natural to her. Spyro shifted his forepaws onto her shoulders and pushed into her with his hind legs if not just purely by instinct. But the purple dragon's will held strong as he managed to suppress every urge that came to him. His mind was blocked off from the outside world, ignoring everything but Cynder underneath him, and his complete will to remain true to his words.
Cynder just stood firm. She knew that there were difference between this 'demonstration' and if it were actually happening. If they were to mate Cynder would've moved her tail to one side or curved it up completely, she would've pushed back against Spyro to counteract the forces he was pushing towards her, Cynder would've done any number of things to try and make it feel at least a little less 'put on' and more natural. But for the moment, it would do.
Spyro was still detached from the world. All he had to do was mount Cynder and supposedly hold that position until something was said or Cynder moved away from him. The purple male hoped that Cynder would move away from him because all of his attention was placed elsewhere.
"Alright, that's enough you two." Cyril finally spoke, causing Cynder to step forward much to Spyro's relief and after walking a near-complete circle Cynder rubbed herself against her future mate's side, an alluring growl escaping her at the same time.
"Now, I did this for two reasons. One is that I'm serious about these rules, the punishments will become worse as each offending couple is caught. Secondly it was because you are all equals now. There is nothing different between you, Spyro, or myself. There will be no special treatment for anyone living within this temple." Cyril waved off Spyro and Cynder who turned away and left the foyer via the back entrance.
"Cynder..." Spyro said quietly. "I'm sorry I had to put you through that."
"Don't be." Was her quick reply. "As I said before, I always wanted to know what it would've felt like for us to actually mate. Although that is hardly something to go off, I wouldn't have known what I needed to do to compensate for when you're on me." Cynder blushed slightly at what she had said. "Besides, all I had to do was stand there. It would've been harder on you than it was on me."
Spyro turned his head away and smiled slightly, his self control being stretched once more. "You don't know the half of it."
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Do you believe my last chapter's note yet?
no?
well... that's it.....
Now that you're all 'up to speed' with this story there will be delays from here-on-out...
(as by the way that I haven't written it yet)
I should get an update out every so often.....
depending on how busy I get.....
oh well....
check back in about a fortnight or so.....
no guarantees....