Crash and Spyro, A Friendship Across Lifetimes C21

Chapter 21: A Gnasty Friendship

CRASH and Spyro sat inside the castle in the Peace Keepers Realm once again, and after two hours of sharing stories, they both knew a lot about each other.

“I’ve never told anyone else about this. I only remembered it happening today. Ignitus meant so much to me growing up. How could I forget about it? How could I forget about him?” Spyro looked to the floor ashamed, Crash, meanwhile, stood up from his resting spot and approached the young dragon. He placed his hand on Spyro's shoulder, and he looked up, not expecting the gesture.

“Wherever Ignitus is, whether he is alive or dead, he is your family. And family’s look out for one another, no matter how grim or bad things get. From what I’ve heard, he risked his life getting you out of that town, and did so because he loved you as much as you love him. Though you may never see him again, honor the Dragon he was by showing that same courage he did and free you people. And once all the Dragons are free and Gnasty is taken care of, live your life by his example.”

Spyro got up and blinked away a tear. Sparks golden color had also returned, to Crash and Spyro’s surprise.

“Thanks Crash.”

“It’s what friends are for.”

Crash and Spyro walked out of the castle again and made their way towards the portal they used to get here. Crash walked up to it, and felt Aku-Aku do “something” which activated the portal. Crash wasn’t really sure how Aku-Aku did the things he does, he just always seemed to help Crash whenever he needed it most. He may have only known the man who crafted this talisman for a minute, but his magic had certainly been helpful all these years.

“This should take us to the Realm of the Gnorks, or at least the location from where the Gnorks had been teleporting from when we were in Artisans.”

“I’m ready when you are, Crash. Gnasty’s toast after I’m through with him.”

They both walked through the portal and ended up on a pier surrounded by boats. There were Gnorks all over the place; loading cargo onto the ships, checking supplies on said ships, and several other’s on the mainland. As soon as Crash and Spyro emerged from the portal, they knew they might have walked into a trap. Their presence immediately alarmed the Gnorks in the surrounding area, and soon enough every solider in the area was alerted that there were intruders present.

“We need to get out of here fast!” Spyro yelled as a group of armed Gnorks approached to apprehend them.

“We should head to higher ground in the forest.” Crash responded with his SAD.

“Hop on; I think I can fly us both out of here.”

Crash spun into the first Gnork at the head of the group and sent him flying back into the others behind him. He then ran towards Spyro and mounted onto his back.

“Are you sure about this…” Crash said as Spyro vaulted into the air. Riding bareback wasn’t practically exiting, since Crash was struggling to maintain his grip. The added weight of Crash didn’t make things easier for Spyro.

“Will you quit fidgeting up there; you’re throwing of my balance!”

Crash hung on for his life, as Spyro dodged a cannon fire coming from one of the ships.

“Fly lower and follow the coastline. Once we’re clear of the Gnorks, we can find some cover and hide out in the forest.” Spyro nosedived towards the ocean, and Crash almost fell off. It took a minute, but Crash and Spyro were able to get away from the shipyard. They were most likely being followed, but Spyro’s pace was putting water between them and the search parties.

“That went well.” Crash said as he tried to catch his breath.

“Why are you out of breath, I’m doing all the work.” Sparx flew to the right of Spyro’s passenger and glanced over at Crash.

“That… was… terrifying. If you can, fly higher now so we’re not spotted by anyone on the ground and we’ll look for somewhere safe to land.” Spyro flew to his left to get over land and raised his altitude.

“We need to get to Gnasty Gnork, which is probably in the direction we just came from.”

“True, but it would be nice to have an element of surprise so where not overrun with Gnorks. We’ll wait for a while and return to the shipyard on foot.”

“Let’s land over there.”

“Okay.”

Spyro descended into the woods and landed gently. Crash got off Spyro and woozily walked forward until he grabbed a tree for support.

“First time flying?” Spyro asked jokingly.

“On something living, yeah. We should do that again some time.” Crash said somewhat sarcastically as he leaned against a tree.

Spyro laughed for a second before resting for a few. He could manage carrying Crash around, considering how small and light he was. But it defiantly took some effort. Maybe he’d get better at it given time. The thought of flying anyone around was an interesting concept. Spyro first thought it would be degrading having to lug someone around, but it was actually kind of fun. Like a challenge. Just then, Spyro heard Crash stomach growl and was reminded himself that he hadn’t eaten in a while.

“I guess neither of us has eaten anything in a while” Spyro said.

“Well, when you live alone for as long as I have, you get pretty good at finding food.”

“I never said I couldn’t find anything to eat.” Spyro responded competitively.

---

“What do you mean there’s a Dragon here?” Gnasty asked concernedly. The spell the Sorceress showed him was supposed to entrap every Dragon in the Dragon Realms. He used the spell when he was supposed to, but he hasn’t heard back from either Red or the Sorceress. This was a problem.

“A purple dragon appeared from the portal at the shipyard along with an orange creature about his same size.”

“A ‘creature’ the same size as a Dragon?” Gnasty thought to himself. Any adult dragon would prove to be a challenge to a handful of Gnorks. However, the Sorceress had given him the advantage he needed to tackle any Dragon.

“Reports confirm that this is the same young Dragon that was seen in the Artisans Realm before he disappeared after entering the portal. All other search parties of Gnorks who are in the other four Dragon Realms have not reported any signs of living Dragons.”

So this was an adolescent Dragon. The other creature’s size made more sense. “What exactly is the other ‘orange’ creature you’re talking about, sergeant?”

“I’m not entirely sure. None of us have ever seen anything like it. It isn’t that tall, yet somehow it is able to defend itself from our soldiers quite easily. And the creature defiantly is working with the Dragon.”

This ally of the young Dragon could be a problem. Gnasty had hatted Dragons all his life, and was now so close to finishing them off for good. And with the help of the Sorceress, he should have already accomplished his life’s ambition. Red the Elder Dragon was able to drop the barrier that kept the Sorceress out of the Realm of the Gnorks. His people were a little concerned with having the creature that had confined them to this island all those centuries ago being welcomed here. But Gnasty was confident that he could strike a deal with her, especially after his conference with Red. Red said he no longer carried about Dragons, but instead sought to wield the same power as the Sorceress, and knew he could only drop his ancestor’s barrier on this Realm without it being noticed. And up until now, his plan had been working perfectly. But one Dragon had escaped, and that was one too many.

---

Spyro and Crash met back at their camping spot in about thirty minutes. Crash had managed to scrounge up some wild berries and nuts; while Spyro had a whole doe lounged in his throat and flew back to the spot shortly after Crash had returned. The sight was quite grizzly, Spyro had caught the deer and clamped down on its throat to stop it from breathing, and then flew it back here. The blood, the empty expression on the doe’s face, and the limpness of the rest of its body was quite offsetting. Crash was reminded of just how powerful and dangerous his knew best friend was.

“Told you I could find something to eat” Spyro said gleefully. He used his front paws to slice open the deer’s chest and abdomen and began to rip flesh and meat from within. He scorched the tissues with his flame breath before consuming each bite. The sight was gruesome.

“Oh, do you want some, Crash?” Spyro said with blood covering his face and front paws.

“I…” Crash gulped to keep from vomiting, “don’t eat meat.”

“Suit yourself.” Spyro continued to devour the dead animal, and Crash backed away and stood a ways back to avoid seeing but still hearing Spyro consume his prey.

Once he finished, Crash asked if they could move away from Spyro’s dinner to avoid the flies that were sure to come. Spyro agreed, and they moved a distance away before stopping. The sun had set and they were left in the dark. Crash and Spyro set up a small fire pit before Spyro lighted it. The temperature had dropped to a cold chill.

“In the morning, we’re heading back” Spyro said.

“Alright.”

Crash began to ask Spyro about his life here to pass the time before they both went to sleep. The subject shifted to his friends.

“Well, I know almost all the Dragons of my birth class. Although I’d have to say my three best friends are Flame, Ember, and Cynder.”

“Was there any particular reason Cynder was with you when you were trying to capture me yesterday?”

“Well, she was with me because we both were spying on the Council of Elders meeting before you ‘crashed’ it.”

“Very funny. And you said that her friendship with you was different than that of your other friends. That she was as strong willed and independent as you were.”

“Wait, I never told you that!”

“You didn’t? Oh, that’s what you said to Cynder while I was unconscious.”

“So you heard that entire conversation, then?” Spyro said blushing.

“Yeah.” Crash thought back to some of the moments he had with Tawna before she died. And for once, he could focus on the good moments. “You were being fairly honest with her. Must have taken a lot of courage to say stuff like that to someone you have feelings for.”

Spyro was about to correct Crash for saying he had feelings for here but stopped. Was he right? Crash spotted a worm near his leg and grabbed it. He tossed it towards Sparks, and he happily began to eat the unfortunate worm. Spyro looked at his best friend, and then looked at Crash. Crash had kept saying that they were friends, but now Spyro knew that it was true. They soon fell asleep close to the fire to keep warm.