Chapter Text
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Cynder woke up with a pounding headache, the pounding of her head matched her heartbeat. As Cynder slowly opened her eyes she saw an intricately woven roof and plants hanging to dry, beads and other baubles hanging from the roof.
Slowly turning her head Cynder saw a fire pit with wooden pots. Cynder brought her paw up to rub her eyes but stopped when she saw not a black scaled paw with sharp claws but a blue scaleless hand with blunt nails. Panicking Cynder threw the blanket that was on her off and she panicked more when she saw the rest of her body. Blue with darker blue stripes and no scales to protect her, and a slim tail with a small tuft of fur at the tip.
Now in even more panic Cynder got up on shaky legs and tried to go to what looked like a door to the hut. But as in her panic she forgot that she did not know how to walk on two legs and as Cynder got to the door she fell through the curtain that covered the door, startling a group of whatever they were, that was on the other side.
Cynder looked up at the group and she felt something on the side of her head flatten. She watched as Some of what looked like males, eyes widened and looked away, their cheeks turning slightly purple in a blush. A female that was next to the male rolled her eyes and bent down to a smaller version of the taller ones and whispered to them and the little one ran off.
The female walked over to Cynder and sat down next to her on her knees and draped a blanket that she was holding over Cynder and helped her set up. Cynder sat on the side of her hip, her legs curled up and she was leaning on the female that was moving the blanket around Cynder’s shoulders and to her front.
Cynder looked around and the small group that she startled had turned bigger as more stopped to see what had happened. The female that was helping her huffed and said to them all. “Don’t you all have something to do?” and they all walked off, being called out for being noisy.
Cynder flinched when she felt a hand on her arm rubbing it and when Cynder flinched long black strands fell in front of her face. “Don’t mind them, the clan is only curious. I am Ninat by the way. What is your name?” The female, now named Ninat said. And Cynder now slightly calmer said in a whisper “Am Cynder.”
Ninat smiled at Cynder, but Cynder’s focus was on the black strands that were in front of her face. Cynder reached up with her new blue hand and took a hold of the strands. And with the tips of her fingers the Black strands felt silky. Cynder then took her hands and felt the rest of her face. Her chin was pointed, her cheekbones high, her nose small and flat like the cheetahs of Avalar and she had ears like them too.
Ninat watched Cynder, her green eyes wide as she felt her face with her hand and ran her fingers through her hair like she never had them before, but in a more childlike way. “Cynder!” called out a voice not that far off.
“Spyro.” Cynder whispered as both she and Ninat turned to the where the voice had came from, Ninat sees Mo’at, a male around both her and Cynder’s age and little Neytiri who was holding the teens hand.
The male teen dropped Neytiri’s hand and sprinted to them. When he got close to them, he slid on his knees and came to a stop in front of Cynder. The male had a dimple chin, somewhat high cheekbones, and a medium size nose, he also had purple eyes, In Ninat’s opinion he was quite handsome, but he was not her type.
Cynder, still freaked out by all that was happening, hissed and tried to scoot back but couldn’t because of Ninat who still had an arm around her shoulder.
“Hey, it’s ok Cynder, it’s me Spyro.” the male said in a calm tone of voice as he held up his hands, behind him Neytiri popped her little head over Spyro’s shoulder, her smile bright and her eyes curious. Cynder looked at the little one, the same little one that Ninat whispered to and had run off.
Spyro turned his head to see what Cynder was looking at and saw Neytiri right behind him. Spyro smiled and reached around to his back and grabbed her and put her on his lap and said to both her and Cynder. “Neytiri this is my dearest friend Cynder, Cynder this is Neytiri. Her, her sister and their mother found us and brought us to their home.”
Cynder smiled at Neytiri, and she smiled back showing off her little fangs as she did. “I see you Cynder, I like your eyes there so pretty.” Neytiri said and Cynder smiled and said, “Thank you Neytiri, I like your necklace.” but Cynder’s smile fell as an older female walked up to them and looked at them and smiled at Cynder and then said to Ninat and Spyro “Ninat can you help Spyro get Cynder back into my hut. Afterwards Ninat, you can get back to your chores.”
Ninat nodded and with the help of Spyro, they got Cynder up on her shaky legs and took it one step at a time. When they got inside Mo’at’s hut Ninat and Spyro sat Cynder down on a mat. Cynder brought her knees up to chest and her tail wrapped around her ankles and her arms around her legs. Ninat adjusted the blanket and before she left Ninat said to Cynder “It was nice to meet you Cynder, I hope to get to know you more later.” Cynder smiled at Ninat as she walked out of the hut.
Cynder turned her head to the older female in the hut. She watches as she puts plants in a wooden pot and talks quietly to Neytiri. Neytiri nodded and ran out of the hut, the female turned to Cynder, and she spoke as Neytiri left.
“Hello young one, how do you feel?” Cynder shrugged and whispered, “My head hurts.” The female nodded and looked back at the pot, stirred it and then looked back to Cynder. “Your friend told my mate and I what happened to the two of you. I imagine that you have questions?” The female said.
Cynder nodded and said in a soft voice “Who are you and where are we?” The female smiled and told Cynder “I am Mo’at Tsahik of the Omatikaya and you and your friend are in the Hometree of the Omatikaya clan.” Mo’at turned back to the pot and with a spoon she put some liquid in a small wooden cup and then handed it to Cynder saying to her “Here this will help with your headache.”
Cynder took the cup, the blanket sliding down one of her shoulders and she took a sip from the bitter drink. Spyro laughed at the face Cynder made at the taste of the drink that Spyro himself had “I know not the best tasting, but it helps.” Spyro said to Cynder, and she gave him a look and finished her drink in one go.
“What kind of creature are you and what dark magic did you use to change us into your kind?” Cynder asked as she fixed the blanket to back over her shoulder. Mo’at laughed at Cynder’s accusing tone and said to Cynder “No magic, just the will of Eywa. And I am like you, are a Na’vi.”
Cynder confused looked at Spyro and then back to Mo’at and asked her “What and who is Eywa?” Mo’at smiled and then said to her “Eywa is the All Mother she watches and protects us.” Cynder was still confused but before she could ask more questions Neytiri came back in, but she wasn’t alone. Neytiri came back with some cloth and also with someone else that looked like Neytiri but was slightly older than her.
Neytiri walked up Mo’at and gave her the cloth then walked up to Spyro grabbing his arm and pulling it while saying to him “Come on Spyro, father still wants to talk to you.” he laughs as he got up but before walked out of the hut, he turned and asked Cynder “Will you be ok with Mo’at and Sylwanin without me here?” Cynder nodded, giving him a small smile.
Cynder’s smile drops as she watched as he walks out of the hut, and she turns her attention to the other two that stayed behind. Mo’at handed the cloth to the girl that had to be Sylwanin and was walking up to Cynder. When she got to Cynder she helped her to stand up on her feet.
Cynder was still shaky on her legs but not as bad as when she first woke up. Mo’at then took away the blanket and placed it to the side, she then grabbed what looked like a loin cloth from Sylwanin. As she put it on Cynder Mo’at told her how to put it on. Mo’at then grabbed a feathered necklace and put it around Cynder’s neck moving her hair to secure it in the back.
Cynder looked at the clothing that she was given. The lion cloth was nothing special; it was a plain green and a little tattered at the end. The feathers on the necklace were yellow and there were beads in different colors, the necklace itself covered her chest.
As Cynder was looking at her new clothes Mo’at folded up the blanket that Cynder had around her, that Ninat had given her. Mo’at then gave the blanket to her eldest and told her “Give this back to Ninat and meet us back with your father.”
“Yes mother.” said Sylwanin, she then walked out of Mo’at’s hut. Mo’at made her way over to Cynder and lightly put her hand on Cynder’s shoulder and said to her “Come child my mate will want to talk to you as well.” Cynder nodded and Mo’at guided Cynder out of the hut, Mo’at kept a hand on Cynder’s back and held Cynder’s hand with her other hand. Cynder was still shaky on her feet and Mo’at didn’t want her to fall again.
As Mo’at guided them to see her mate Cynder looked all around the village. This village was nothing like the cheetah village, there were no wooden huts or a wall of logs. But it looked like the whole village was in a tree. Cynder sees males coming back with kills, females with baskets of fruit and little ones running around.
Some of the little ones ran in front of Cynder and Mo’at causing Cynder to stumble and almost fall but Mo’at caught her before she did. “Sorry Tsahik.” said one of them as they ran off. Mo’at just smiles and shakes her head in amusement.
When they began to walk again Cynder asked “I know you told me that you are Tsahik, but what does it mean?” Mo’at smiled at Cynder and said to her “I am the spiritual leader of the clan. I guide the clan spiritually, interpret the will of Eywa and perform ceremonies.” Cynder nodded and then asked, “If you are the spiritual leader, then who is the chief?” The two stop to let some males with fresh kill's pass.
“That would be my mate, Eytukan the Olo’eytan. You will be meeting him shortly.” Mo’at said and they continued the walk in a comfortable silence. They soon came to a large spiral and at the foot of the spiral was a pole with a huge skull on it.
Cynder let go of Mo’at and walked up to the skull, it was big. There were four eye sockets, two blue crests one on top and one under the jaw, the teeth were black and sharp, it even had a beck. Cynder ran hand the top of the skull, it radiated grace and respect. Cynder was mesmerized by the skull.
Mo’at walked up to Cynder as she looked at Toruk. “That is Toruk, I will tell you more later. For now, you need to see the Olo’eytan.” Cynder slightly nodded and Mo’at led her up the spiral. They climbed to the second level and when they got there Cynder’s legs burned, she was not used to her weight being on only two legs.
To the right of the levels entrance is a large fire pit where there were some females tending to what looks like food. Cynder’s stomach began to tighten in hunger at the smell of cooking food, the last time she ate was the night before Malefor sent out his message to the citizens of Warfang.
Mo’at then turns to the left of the fire pit, and they walk for a bit more before coming to a beaded curtain. Mo’at parted the curtain for Cynder to walk in first.
In the room Cynder had walked into was Spyro and Neytiri and an older male, if Cynder had to guess he was the same age as Mo’at if not a year or two older. ‘This must be Eytukan.’ Cynder thought. Eytukan looks up to Cynder and Mo’at as they walk through the door.
“Come child seat and we will speak.” Eytukan said, Cynder nodded and walked to where Spyro was and sat down on her knees. Neytiri walks up to her and asks, “Can I braid your hair?” Cynder looks to Eytukan and Mo’at who was sitting next to him, to see if it was ok for the little one to do so. Both leaders nodded. “Yes, but nothing too fancy, ok.” Cynder said and Neytiri smiled brightly and began her work immediately.
Eytukan clears his throat and says to Cynder “Your friend told us his story and how you both came to be at Vitraya Ramunong. But I would like to know your side.” Cynder bit her lower lip and took a glance at Spyro. He looked at her with gentle eyes, he reached over and took her hand into his and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
Then Cynder began her tell. “I was taken from a place that was believed to be safe from war. But it wasn’t safe. The opposing side raided the place and destroyed it, and they took me. They then brought me to where they lived, and they did unspeakable things to me. They turned me into a monster sending me out to do their bidding, I had no control of what I did, I was stuck inside my own mind. I was like that for twelve long years and one day I got word of someone killing parts on our army in the swamps. So, for days I looked for the one who was causing me heart ache and at the same time kidnapping leaders and taking their powers from them. Then a week later I found the one giving me grief and it was Spyro.” Cynder looked back at Spyro and gave a tight lip smile, and she then continued her tell.
“I chased him through an erupting volcano before I was stopped by the head leader and Spyro got away but the leader did not. I took the leader to my home and laid a trap, and then Spyro showed up and we fought and Spyro won, and he broke the curse placed on me and brought me back to the place I was taken from.” Cynder stopped for a moment to look up at Mo’at and Eytukan to see their reaction and both of them paying close attention to her words.
Eytukan gestured for Cynder to continue, and she did. “Months later I felt guilty for what I did so I ran away in the dead of night. Spyro did find me and tried to convince me to stay but it made no difference to me. It was a few days later I was found by pirates and was made to fight. Many days later and to my surprise, I saw Spyro there too and we were made to fight each other. It was then that the pirates were attacked by the army that I once led. I was once again taken by that army and was taken to a place called The Well of Souls to see the return of the Dark Master, also known as Malefor.
The next day Spyro showed up and as we were going to fight instead of going for Spyro I went after the king of the army and was knocked out. I don't know what happened in that fight between the king and Spyro, but Spyro was not himself when I came to. I was able to bring him back around but not before the mountain that we were in started to collapse in on itself. Spyro saved us by encasing us in crystal for three years. And I am sure Spyro told you what happened to the both of us.” Cynder finished and she looked up and saw that Sylwanin had come in and was sitting next to Mo’at.
Eytukan had a hand on his chin and was deep in thought, thinking over Cynder’s words. Mo’at was looking at the two teens in front of her.
“Done.” said Neytiri as she stepped back to look over her handy work and Cynder put her hands on top of her hair. There were three braids on each side of her head that came together at the back of her head and were held together by what feels like beads and feathers. Cynder smiles at Neytiri and says to her “Thank you Neytiri, it is lovely work.”
Neytiri gives Cynder another toothy smile and walks over to Eytukan and sits on his lap. Eytukan smiles and nuzzles the side of her head making Neytiri laugh. Cynder smiled at hearing Neytiri laugh, her laugh was sweet and innocent; it was something Cynder wanted to protect for as long as she could.
“Spyro said that the two of you can control elements. He told us what he can control, but what can you use?” Said Mo’at breaking Cynder out of her thoughts. little Neytiri gasped and said with excitement that only a little one could be able to achieve. “Yes, yes what can you do? We saw Spyro lift his hand and WHOOSH fire came out of his hand! It was so amazing.” as Neytiri was saying that she was also acting out what happened, she flew back into her father's chest.
Eytukan laughs and says to his youngest “Calm down my little kenten and let our guest speak.” Neytiri nodded and her full attention was on Cynder.
Cynder never had anyone look at her like Neytiri was. All her life Cynder had only gotten looks of fear, hatred and disgust. But Neytiri was looking at Cynder with wonder and excitement. It warmed Cynder’s heart to see one so little look at her like that.
“Because of what I had been exposed to when I was small my powers are what some would call dark. I do not like using half of my powers. The powers I have are Wind, Shadow, fear and poison.” Cynder said she looked down at her hands in her lap and awaited the harsh judgment that always came.
“I bet you are a great hunter. You can use the shadows to stay hidden from prey, the wind to blow away your scent and fear and poison to keep the palulukan away from the clan hunts.” said Neytiri as she got off of her father’s lap and was now sitting in front of Cynder.
Cynder looked at Neytiri and Cynder bit her lower lip and blinked her eyes to keep the tears away. Cynder could feel Spyro rubbing her back to help her calm down and it helped. Spyro always knew when CYnder was being overwhelmed.
Neytiri’s ears flattened to her head, and she looked back at her parents and asked them “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, you didn’t say anything wrong Neytiri, it's just no one but Spyro has ever… has ever had faith in me like you. I am not worthy of it.” Said Cynder tears now going down her cheeks. Neytiri’s ears laid flat on her head as she lessoned to Cynder.
Eytukan cleared his throat and both Cynder and Spyro looked to the olo’eyktan. When they gave Eytukan their attention the chief began to speak. “Before you came in and joined us Cynder, I was telling Spyro that the two of you will stay with the Omatikaya and be one of the people.”
“Why? Why help two complete strangers?” ask Cynder, she does not trust strangers easily. For someone of high states to just give them a home out of the goodness of their hearts made no sense to Cynder.
Eytukan looked at Cynder, her question was one of coition then one of rejection. “Even though I have no doubt that the two of you can take care of yourself, you both are still children. Every Child Eywa gives us is precious and needs to be protected and taught the way of the people.” Said Mo’at and Eytukan continued “It is the way to help all that needs it.”
“Do you mind if we step outside and talk?” Spyro asked and Eytukan nodded and Spyro and Cynder got up and stepped out of the room. When the curtain closed Spyro spoke softly so no eavesdroppers could overhear them. “Cynder, I think we should stay here.”
Cynder looked at him and then nodded saying “Your right, even if we left this place, we wouldn’t know where to go. We don’t know where Warfang, the Dragon Temple or even the swamp are.” Spyro looked at Cynder and smiled at her saying “Hey you never know; this could be good for us.”
Cynder rolled her eyes at Spyro making him laugh and in turn it made her laugh. Spyro saw Cynder smile a true smile and to him it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in a long time.
“Come on, let's tell them we are staying.” said Spyro as he held the curtain open for Cynder to walk in first. Both of them sat in front of the clan leaders and Spyro spoke for the both of them “We will stay. What will we need to do?”
“For now, nothing. You will be given a week to settle and then the both of you will be given a teacher to help you learn the ways of the Omatikaya.” said Eytukan and both teens nodded. Mo’at then clapped her hands together and then said to all in the room “Now that’s all settled let us go. It is time for late meal.”
The clan leaders lead the way to cooking fires. As they got to the fire pit it had seemed that half the clan was already there.
“Cynder!” called someone, Cynder turned to see who called for her, it was Ninat. Ninat ran up to Cynder and grabbed her hands and said to her “You must come and sit with me and my friends, your friend can join as well.”
Cynder looked at the smiling girl and nodded. Ninat smiled more showing her teeth and dragged Cynder off to sit with Ninat’s friends with Spyro following after them. ‘Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to stay here.’ Cynder thought as she and Spyro sat and ate with Ninat and her friends.