TLoS:AoH – That's What Friends Are For

It was a late, starry night in the city of Warfang and the full moons were out.  On the roof of a large building sat a white dragoness, Ivory, sadly gazing up at the dark, luminous night sky.  She had been sitting there for some time now when she heard a voice behind her saying:

"Hey, Ivory."  She turned to see that the voice belong to Cynder, as she also observed the black dragoness approaching her.

"Oh, hi, Cynder," replied Ivory, as the black dragoness positioned herself next to the former.  A few hours earlier, Ivory and her son, Flush, had arrived at the residence of Spyro and his family to have dinner together and stay for the night.  Both the adults and children present had a wonderful time this night and the dinner was exquisite.  At present, most within Spyro's residence were already fast asleep, except for Cynder and Ivory.  The black dragoness focused one emerald eye toward Ivory and observed that she had a sad expression on her face.

"Are you feeling alright?" she asked with concern.  Ivory gave a sigh before replying:

"I couldn't sleep.  I felt like coming out here."  Cynder then focused her full gaze toward Ivory as she spoke, in a more sympathetic voice:

"You're thinking about him, aren't you?"  Ivory of course knew what and who Cynder meant and gave out a sad sigh.

"Yes," Ivory softly replied.  There was a long pause before she spoke again. "It's been five years.  Five years since Flush died.  For all of my life, I have always loved and protected him.  Yet, when he was murdered, I was deeply devastated…as if my whole world had been crushed.  I know I've moved on since then…but there are occasions where…I still feel lonely and empty without him."  Cynder then observed a single tear falling from one of Ivory's eyes.

"I know how you feel, Ivory," replied the black dragoness compassionately, draping one wing on Ivory's back.  "Believe me, I truly do.  During the conflict against Liun some years ago, when Spyro kept getting weaker from losing his powers, there were moments where I felt that I was going to lose him forever, which almost happened a few times.  I love Spyro. I've loved him ever since he freed me from Malefor's corruption all those many years ago. I'm eternally grateful and thankful to have him in my life, and I've dedicated myself to protecting him, even at the risk of my own life."  She paused for a moment, sighing, before resuming.

"I would never forgive myself if anything terrible ever happened to Spyro. I'd be just as devastated as you were when you lost Flush."

"I know," replied the white dragoness sadly, nodding in agreement.  "Except one thing though: you've managed to protect your mate so far, while I failed to protect mine."  There was a long moment of silence between the two dragonesses before it was broken by Cynder, as she spoke again:

"That maybe so…but don't forget, that a part of Flush still lives…"  Cynder then motioned one forepaw over Ivory's chest for a moment. "…here, in your heart, Ivory, where he will always be, and that he also lives within your son as well.  As long you remember that, you'll never be alone."  Seconds later, Cynder then observed that Ivory's muzzle crease into a smile as the latter then glanced at the former.

"I'm glad to hear you say that, Cynder," said Ivory joyfully.  "For you are right…there are often times where I do feel his presence while dreaming about him in my sleep.  And my son does greatly resemble his own father in so many ways.  There are even moments where I feel Flush's presence in my son, and it brings me great joy knowing that too.  They both have been such a great blessing to me in my life.  I feel I've been given another chance to start everything once again. For that this time I wouldn't fail Flush. I will not fail, no matter what."

"Indeed," said Cynder in agreement.  "Just like how both Spyro and our daughter Zealous have been a great blessing to me."  She then heard the white dragoness giggling joyfully before the latter replied:

"We sure do have much in common, Cynder."

"We certainly do, Ivory."  They both shared a moment of mirthful giggling together before embracing each other in a friendly hug.

"Thank you for comforting me, Cynder," said Ivory in a kind voice.

"No problem, Ivory," replied the black dragoness gently. "That's what friends are for after all."  They then separated from their embrace.  "Now, how about we head inside and get some sleep?"  Ivory nodded in agreement as they both sequentially headed inside the draconic domicile.

Later as Ivory slept peacefully in her room, she was smiling blissfully as she dreamt about her beloved mate Flush.