Legend of Spyro AoH BkII Ch.33

Tremor waited until he was certain the black dragon was gone. He sneezed from the chill and shook himself. The wet sand clung to his scales and it made him feel uncomfortable. He backed up into slightly deeper water and let the waves wash over his body. The wounds he had received burned and his side felt like it was on fire. He ducked his head beneath the surface and let the water clear most of the sand from his face. When he broke the surface he heard a voice call his name. The sound of the crashing waves made it hard for him to hear the voice.
Candice bounded up to him and splashed through the shallow waves until she was close enough to see Tremor clearly in the moonlight.
"Tremor, are you alright?" She leaned in close to look over his wounds. "Dear ancestors! You're a mess!" Tremor had cuts and gashes on his face, shoulders, arms, legs and back. The exceptionally large wounds were the slash marks across his left cheek and across his forehead. The torn skin on his neck was already turning sickly yellow-green and pus was starting to form over it. The lightning burn in his chest didn't hurt as much as his right side. Tremor's paw was relatively unscathed but his entire arm from his wrist to his shoulder and down his right side had been charred black. The pain was incredible and Tremor did his best to hide it as the waves brushed against them.
"Meh. I've felt worse pain." He shrugged and was about to walk around her when Candice stopped him.
"Hold on!" She ordered. "Let's try and get that sand out of your eyes first."
"It's alright Candy." Tremor tried to move around her again.
"No it's not, now sit still or I'll kill you myself!"
"Ugh! Fine!" Tremor sighed irritatedly. Candice stood on her hind legs and placed her paws on Tremor's cheeks, paying special mind to his cuts. She froze them over to keep infection out and allow her to continue with her work. She gently coaxed Tremor's eyes open. They were red and bloodshot from the stinging sand and lack of sleep. The ice guardian opened her mouth and breathed softly into Tremor's face. The vapor cooled the burning in his eyes and he began to relax.
Back at the cave entrance, Flame and Stella watched the two dragons in the surf together. Flame noticed the way Stella looked at them and bumped her side.
"Hey. Are you alright?"
"I don't know." Stella sighed. She suddenly felt drained; physically and emotionally. "I need to think for a little while." She turned and headed up the beach towards the forest.
Candice exhaled for almost five minutes before taking in another breath. Tremor's eyes were wet from the melted ice particles, allowing his eyes to clean themselves of sand and salt. Candice stopped when the earth dragon finally blinked.
"How's that? Feel better?"
Tremor blinked the excess water from his eyes. They felt refreshed and he almost forgot about the pain that coursed through his body. "A lot better." His vision cleared and he was able to see the ice dragoness clearly. The waves seemed to have settled down as they washed against her sides, causing the water droplets to shine like diamonds in the moonlight. Tremor felt his heart skip a beat. She seemed almost magical, the way the light reflected off her scales and her eyes looked as if they were glowing themselves. "She really is beautiful." Tremor thought to himself as he began to lose himself in her stare. Then he had a sudden flash: Her reaction when he had confronted her with his feelings. Tremor's heart sank and he looked away sadly. "You know, you didn't have to." He said.
Candice only giggled slightly. Her cheeks flushed but Tremor was unable to tell in the darkness. "I suppose not. But it's the least I could do. I mean, you didn't need to jump into a fight with Liun to defend my honor. I could have easily handled him myself."
"Of course I did." Tremor muttered. He looked back to her. "I won't let anyone say that you're anything less than the fantastic dragoness that you are. You've dealt with the guardian's training, the wolves, and even more you've dealt with me. To say that you're anything less than amazing I view as a personal insult."
"Tremor." Candice felt her heart begin to race again. The feeling she had felt when she had kissed Tremor was beginning to swell up inside her again. "He...He really...really likes me after all." She stammered to herself. "Maybe..." She let her mind drift into a fantasy. She and Tremor stared deep into each other's eyes. Feeling bolder, she slowly began to lean in closer to Tremor's face. The earth dragon took the hint and began to move closer to her until his chest was just barely touching hers. Candice leaned in and rubbed her snout against Tremor's. He growled softly, content with the contact. Candice took a deep breath and pressed her lips to his. The two dragons stood together in the moonlight, the ocean rippling around them, in a loving embrace that Candice would have been happy to enjoy the rest of her life.
While Candice stared at Tremor in her little daydream, the earth dragon's eyes caught sight of some movement behind her. He broke his gaze and spotted Stella disappear into the trees. She hung her head and her wings drooped sadly and Tremor instantly felt sorry for her. He gave Candice one last glance before moving out of the surf.
"Hey, where are you going?" Candice asked in surprise as she snapped out of her fantasy.
"I think I should go." Tremor sighed sadly. "I think I should go apologize to Stella. Especially after I kicked her boyfriend's..." He shook his head and corrected himself. "Ex-boyfriend's tail. I just want to make sure she's okay." He hobbled up the beach with Candice following him closely.
"But you're hurt!" Candice protested. "You need to rest! Stella will be fine. You can ask her later."
"I'm going to make sure she's okay now." Tremor turned to her and gave her a stern look. "I know you don't like me the way I..."His voice trailed off. "I know she's just a friend and a fellow guardian, but I care about all of you. And I don't want to wait and risk losing another friend." He looked back towards the trees and spread his wings. With a limp leap he got himself airborne and flew off leaving Candice behind, wet and alone.
The ice guardian felt numb and her body was trembling. When Tremor had disappeared over the treetops she finally got herself composed. Her talons dug into the sand and a furious snarl ripped from her jaws.
"I was trying to help you! Ass hole!" She shouted. Flame had been watching by the cave entrance and even he shrank back at the guardian's display of power. Candice whirled around in a flurry of snow, ice, sand and sleet. She opened her jaws wide and unleashed a beam of ice energy. The waves stopped where they were, frozen for over a quarter of a mile. The fire breather gulped loudly and slunk back into the cave.
"What's going on out there?" Ember asked. She had her paws hovering over Spyro who lay, half-conscious on the floor. Sparx hovered at his brother's side relieved that the were both still alive, but not at the price.
"Eh, I have no idea." Flame shook his head. "Long story short, I guess, Liun is gone. Stella needs some alone time. Tremor has pissed off Candice again. By what means? I have no idea."
Ember sighed sadly and shook her head. "I hope this doesn't mean the end of everything."
"Me too Ember." Flame nodded and sat down next to Spyro. "Me too."


Tremor glided over the treetops. The wind felt even colder than the ocean. He had found no sign of Stella. After some time the trees disappeared and he came to the vast grassland where he had been hunting earlier.
He spotted Stella about halfway out across the plain, sitting beside an apple tree staring up at the starry sky. Tremor descended towards her and came to a clumsy landing a few yards away from her. The sudden noise of his arrival caused her to jump in surprise.
"Tremor? What are you dong here?" She got up and rushed over to him as Tremor picked himself up off the ground.
"I saw you disappear and wanted to make sure you were okay." He groaned and winced as he set pressure onto his burned leg.
"I'm fine." Stella assured him. "You really shouldn't have come here in your condition though."
Tremor gave a half-hearted laugh. "Clearly Candice hasn't told you how stubborn I can really be."
Stella raised a brow thoughtfully. "I guess not. But even still."
"I just felt I should apologize now for...well...you know." He turned away slightly afraid of catching her eyes.
Stella sighed and smiled softly. "You don't need to apologize. Liun was out of line. I know I wouldn't have had the nerve to do what you did."
"You mean you're not mad?"
"No, not really. Not at you anyways." Stella shook her head. "I'm sure everyone else would have just stood there getting mad at each other."
"Well, I'm sorry to say it, but that jerk had it coming."
Stella just shook her head. "I think it was really sweet of you."
"Huh?" Tremor cocked his head, confused. "What do you mean? You thought it was cute that I kicked your ex's butt across the beach?"
Stella only giggled. Candice had told her about her conversation with Tremor and how he pointed out Gaia's ability to make everyone smile. Apparently Tremor had acquired the same gift. "No silly." She wiped a tear from her eye. "I think it was sweet of you to jump in and defend Candice."
"Hm." Tremor's smile faded.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing." Tremor sighed. "I'm just tired."
"You know I can tell when you're lying right?" Stella narrowed her eyes at him. For a moment Tremor felt afraid that she knew about him and Candice. "Did something happen between you two?" Stella's expression switched from inquisitive to concern.
"What do you mean?" Tremor took a cautious step backwards. His heart began to race in his chest; it hurt.
"You two, mainly Candice from what I've observed, have been acting strangely ever since Dante's Freezer."
"Uh..." Tremor's mouth suddenly felt dry. He felt as if the lightning dragoness was staring right into him.
"Are you two okay? Neither of you seem like yourselves lately."
Tremor paused as he thought that through. The dragoness had always been very observant and this time was no different. There wouldn't be any use in lying to her.
"We're about as okay as the two of us can be." Tremor's smile increased by a fraction of an inch. "We haven't killed each other yet and we're both alive and well."
"Sorry, Tremor." Stella gave a half snort, half chuckle. "You can't tell me you're doing well when you look like that."
"Within reason." Tremor rolled his eyes.
"Alright, alright." Stella settled down to try and keep from aggravating the wounded earth guardian. "In any case we should get you back to the others so Ember can heal you up."
"I was thinking of just staying out here tonight." Tremor shook his head. "Ember already has her work cut out for her with Spyro again. I don't want her to worry about fixing me up when she'll probably be exhausted from healing Spyro."
Stella sighed and smiled warmly at him. "You're so cute Tremor."
"Huh? What? Why?" Tremor jolted from the suddenness of her words. She had never spoken to him like that before.
"Because you're always putting your friends first. I think it's cute that you're concerned for them so much." She stopped giggling breathed deep. She suddenly felt much better. "You really are a sweet dragon Tremor."
The earth dragon's temperature and heart rate skyrocketed as Stella moved closer to him so her chest was nearly touching his. Stella leaned in and gave him a loving kiss on the cheek, being careful of his horns and cuts.
"Stella..." Tremor gasped as she pulled away. He reached up and felt his cheek tingle.
"Don't worry." Stella giggled. "I'm not into you like that. I couldn't do that to Candice. It wouldn't be fair to either of you."
Tremor seemed to settle down at that. He sighed and watched as Stella walked past him and stopped a few feet away from him. Tremor noticed the way her hips and shoulders swayed gracefully with her tail. As the lightning dragoness stared up at the stars Tremor envisioned Candice standing where she was, her icy blue scales glimmering against the night.
"Stella?" He called softly. His cheeks began to burn from thinking about what he wanted to ask.
"Yes?" The dragoness turned with a smile on her lips. She was completely at ease with him around.
"Do...do you...um..." Tremor's claws flexed and relaxed anxiously. "Do...do you think...that...maybe...well...possibly...you know..."
Stella just rolled her eyes and giggled. "Tremor, just spit it out already before I die of old age."
Tremor took a deep breath. "Do you think that I'm worthy?"
"Worthy?" Stella peered at him sideways. "Worthy of what? Being a guardian? Because that's just a silly question to ask. Our elders wouldn't have chosen you, or any of us, if we didn't possess special traits essential to be declared protectors of this world."
"No, I know that. But.. I mean... worthy as a dragon." His cheeks were deeply flushed. "Do you think I'd make a good mate at all?"
Stella was a bit surprised by his question and she fell silent for a moment. She hadn't expected him to ask for such an answer from her; ever. Stella stared at him thoughtfully as she pondered the answer. The word 'mate' didn't pass around the group in casual conversations or even in private. Meanwhile, Tremor stood stiff, waiting for his answer.
At last Stella bobbed her head and smiled. "I think any dragoness would be lucky to have you." She gave him a wink. "Despite you're habits and shortcomings."
"Oh..." Tremor wasn't sure how to take the last half of that comment.
"But you know what..." Candice continued as she started to turn away. "I think even Candice would be happy with you too." Tremor gave a subtle jump at this. Stella continued to smile up at the stars. "I always thought it was cute when you and her argued with each other over the littlest things." She looked back at him again. "I know it contradicts what you both said before, but it's my strong belief that you two would make an outstanding couple. Probably as much as Spyro and Cynder."
Tremor's heart was doing backflips inside his chest. Was the dragoness really that serious? Stella's eyes seemed to be able to read into him like an open book. Did she know something that he didn't? Did Candice really feel the same about him? Even in the slightest? He had to find out.
"How would you know? How do you even know if I have feelings for her or not?"
Stella just gave him a flirty know-it-all look. "Come on Tremor. Why else would you pay her so much attention?" Tremor stood still with his mouth slightly hung open. He honestly had no good argument against her.  Seeing that she had won, Stella smiled and opened her wings, letting the breeze fill her leathery membranes. "Don't be out too long. You don't want Candice to worry now do you?"
"No, I suppose not." Tremor smiled softly. Stella nodded and jumped into the air. She hovered in place, staring back down at Tremor. She was about to turn back towards the beach when Tremor spoke again. "Hey Stella?" The dragoness looked back at him. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." The dragoness's eyes seemed to glow like golden orbs in the moonlight. "Just don't let me down." With that she turned and flew back towards the beach.
Tremor just sighed. Somehow he felt lighter; fresher. "No pressure, right?"