Tampered Gems

The Rebuild

After a week and a half of recovery, each Skylander had finally woken, though each of them seemed to constantly apologize. Flameslinger walked through the courtyard, a frown visible on his face as the ash on the ground turned his brown boots a dark grey color. The remains of the academy had been cleaned and removed from the area, he stared at the empty space, knowing this was his doing. He jumped at the sound of footsteps right behind him, he turned his head to see Master Eon standing next to him, staring longingly into the empty area. Flameslinger looked down, his ears lowered sadly before he began to walk away.

"Flameslinger, please don't leave, you can avoid everyone forever." Master Eon said, causing the elf to stop in his tracks. He didn't say a word but he slowly joined Master Eon's side once more. "You remember what I did, don't you?" He asked, Flameslinger felt a pain shoot through his chest.

"Yes..." Flameslinger answered, the word seemed to pain his throat, he did remember that it was Master Eon who had to stop him.

"I'm sorry... I've promised you many times that you would no longer be tortured and bound in chains... it seemed I couldn't keep your promise..." Master Eon said sadly, Flameslinger felt guilt, he shouldn't let Master Eon feel that way.

"It wasn't your fault." He said, Master Eon looked down at him with a soft expression.

"Then you understand that this wasn't your fault?" He asked, gesturing to the empty space, he looked at it and nodded.

"I do..." He wheezed, he couldn't help but want to cry each time he thought about it.

"Then don't let it upset you. Building starts later, I hope you're there to help." Master Eon said with a smile before leaving, Flameslinger smiled back, this time it wasn't forced. He looked at the empty lot once more before turning away, Master Eon was right. He walked home instead of running, he was avoiding people thinking they would be scared, though they noticed he change and smiled at him, he would give back a small smile until he reached home. He entered the two story house, his smile faded, this was the only one he couldn't help but avoid, it was his own wife. He was afraid of hurting her again, he held his breath to stop the tears from even forming, guilt pained his chest.

"Sparx, please..." was all she said, his ears stayed lowered sadly, he looked at the ground instantly. His ear twitched as she approached him, he tried his best to stay there, but he couldn't help but press his back against the door. He flinched as he felt her hands in his face, he couldn't even use his mind's eye, so he was blind to whatever she was doing, until she lifted his blindfold, her cheeks placed on his and pulling him down. He felt her kiss him, after this he couldn't help but kiss back, pulling away his stared down at her with a saddened face.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered, she held a finger over his mouth.

"No more apologizing." She said, he tried a smile before giving in, he pulled her into his arms instantly before his grip tightened. Who knew he missed her all this time.

                                        ~•~

Each Skylander had decided to help with the building process, the thick wooden beams outlined the area on the ground for the shape, all stared at it. This was going to take a long time. Soon, anyone who could fly and was strong enough lifted pieces of wood and transferred them, Spyro flew above the edge where the large set of doors would be, using his fire to mend the metal ends of the wood together, this was something Master Eon had thought of. Each part of the academy will be made of magic, if it gets destroyed somehow, it can easily be rebuild in matter of seconds with everyone focusing on it.

He looked around at he outline for it finished, moving to mend more. It almost seemed as everything was normal, everyone was laughing and sparring during their break, a smile on each of their faces. Spyro smiled down at them before he was called for his break, he landed next to Cynder and Stealth Elf, Flameslinger had run to get their food and was back before Spyro even sat down. They each ate in silence as they watched the process of the academy being built.

"So, who do you think is having the first baby?" Cynder randomly asked, surprising the rest.

"I bet it'll be Flame and Stealth." Spyro replied, Flameslinger grumbled before swallowing his food.

"We got married first, someone else can have that honor." The archer said, Stealth Elf stared at him in disbelief.

"Oh come on Sparx!" She whined, he attempted to hide his smile behind his gloved hand as she lectured him about something. Spyro smiled, he was glad the corrupted were healing, despite still feeling weak with their magical powers, Spyro seemed to have enough to help out. Flameslinger, not so much, he relied more on his enchanted items until his power came back, he had used up most of it, enough to cause the lightning.

"So, that's a shame." Spyro said, the elves stared at him in confusion.

"What it?" They asked in unison.

"Flame can apparently wield lightning." Spyro replied, Flameslinger's ears lowered more in embarrassment.

"Yeah! You've been holding back on us!" Stealth Elf yelled, glaring at the archer. He only gave Spyro a look, one that made the dragon chuckle.

"Yeah, my lightning is better." Cynder joked, Flameslinger vigorously nodded. They laughed and chatted some more before they were called back, their break being over. Stealth Elf happened to be in charge of the nature around the new citadel, each captain was to turn one smaller island, that isn't as big as the one holding the academy, and turn that into an elemental zone for each Skylander to practice their powers on. The smaller islands were connected by chains, a door with the element to it, only that specific element was allowed on that island, it only opened for them. The bridge would form for them, otherwise the large bulky chains connected the each of them.

Spyro liked that idea, he smiled as the academy was slowly behind built again, it was going to be much bigger than the last.