The Darksield Chronicles, Book 1: Legend of Spyro

Chapter 10: The Plan

Then Flame pointed out that something was happening with the Pool of Visions. Everyone immediately crowded around. They watched as Wraith's memories flew through the pool. They watched as he talked with the Chronicler. He could hear startled exclamations as the Chronicler revealed himself to be Ignitus. He watched as Spyro knelt on the ground, tears of joy running down his face.

Wraith walked over until he was on the opposite side of the pool. Then he resumed watching. He watched himself checking out his new gear and then going off to help Cynder. He watched himself arrive at Warfang, and then he turned his attention back toward the guardians. I wonder? He started pushing the memories that were playing toward the others in the room. He could hear startled exclamations as each them felt everything he had been feeling while running from the guardians and defending himself.

Several minutes later, after he was sure that they got the message, he released them from the memories and watched as each of them turned back to normal. Spyro, Flame and Hunter stared off into space while Cyril and Terrador looked down at their claws, ashamed. "Do you get it now?" Wraith asked. Everyone jumped and stared at him. "Do you get that I only defended myself and that I didn't mean any harm?" If it were possible for Spyro to look more ashamed, he did. As did Terrador.

"Wraith," Terrador said slowly. "I apologize for assaulting you. And I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are all sorry."

Wraith nodded and waved a hand dismissively. "It's all right. No harm done or anything like that." Everyone stared at him.

"How are you so calm about this?" Cyril asked incredulously. "I shot you with an icicle, Spyro tried to blowtorch you twice, Terrador tried to kill you with a boulder multiple times, and Hunter tried to shoot you with arrows. How can you act like it was all nothing?"

Wraith shrugged. "Living on the streets taught me a few things, one of those being that sometimes you need to let go of anger. Trying to live with anger is like living with boiling oil dripping down your neck every time you take a step. It's better to just let go. Trust me. Not many people can, and they end up not living their lives to the fullest. And that's what I try to do, so I learned to let go of anger and forgive."

He noticed that Flame's jaw was open. "Hey, Flame," he advised. "If you don't want a bug to fly in your mouth, you should probably shut it." Flame nodded and closed his mouth.

"Wraith..." This time it was Cyril who spoke up. "In all my time as a guardian I have never heard anyone say anything like that."

Wraith shrugged. "Thanks." Then he glanced around at everyone and noticed how tired they all were. "You guys look ready to drop," he commented.

Hunter shook his head. "Sorry, we were all caught up in the day's events, so I guess we all forgot to get some sleep." The others nodded in agreement.

Wraith stretched. "Well if you guys don't mind, I should probably tell Cynder and Volteer that everything worked out for the better." With that, he walked out the door.

He was about to walk down the hall when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned and saw that it was Terrador. "I should probably tell them that you are no longer a threat." Wraith nodded his thanks and stood by the wall while Terrador spoke to the cheetahs, telling them that everything was all right and to spread the word that the creature was harmless. He watched as the cheetahs all left. Then he saw Cynder run up to Terrador with Volteer in tow and ask where Wraith was.

Wraith stepped forward and waved. "Over here!"

Cynder and Volteer ran over. "Wraith," Cynder growled. "That was probably the dumbest thing I've seen you do yet." She punched him in the arm.

"Hey," he protested, but then she hugged him.

"I'm just glad you're alright." She stepped back and smiled at him. "You incredibly huge idiot."

Wraith grinned, then glanced up at Volteer. "So, how is everything on your end?" he asked.

Volteer shrugged. "So far so good. I'll admit, I was impressed when Cynder told me your plan. Brilliant, excellent, extrav—"

Terrador clapped a paw over his mouth. "And that is enough for one day." He nodded toward Cynder and Wraith. "I will see you in the morning once I deal with this chatterbox." He dragged Volteer down a corridor with Volteer complaining the whole way.

"So...." Wraith and Cynder faced each other awkwardly.

"Where are you going to stay?" Cynder asked.

Wraith shrugged. "I don't know. But what I do know, is that I'm going to go and get my stuff. I'll be back by tomorrow afternoon." He turned and headed toward the door. Just before he stepped through the door, he heard Cynder call his name. He turned. "Yes?"

Cynder seemed to be trying to say something. She finally settled with, "Don't do anything stupid."

Wraith grinned. "No promises." Then he turned and walked out into the night. Now where did I hide my backpack?