Skylands Legends

3.1 Skylanders Unite!

Two years. It had been over two years since the last time Spyro and Stealth Elf had seen each other. Ever since she had left the Skylanders she had been going on expeditions looking for the eternal life source. Her last trip was the longest she had ever done. He really had missed her.

"It's so good to see you, Elf," Spyro said, pulling her in for a hug. He felt the muscles on her back tense up momentarily before relaxing as she hugged him back.

"Wow," Spyro said as he pulled back from her. His mind was racing as he looked her over. "It's been so long, what have you been up to? Did you find it?"

Her eyes met his for a brief moment before glancing off into the darkness. "No," she said.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Elf."

She gave him a tired shrug. "At least I know it's not in the Pirate Seas now." She strode over to the tree and sat down against it, leaning her head back against the bark.

It was then that Spyro noticed how tired she looked. Shadows were under her eyes that looked to have been made permanent due to lack of sleep. Her ears were wilted and held lower than they used to. New scars marred her skin everywhere and a white bandage was peeking out of her shirt sleeves.

"Clouds, Stealth Elf, are you okay?" He asked, rushing to her side.

"I'm fine," she said as Spyro tried to get a look at the bandage. She quickly slapped his hand away. "Stop it, I said I'm fine."

"Sorry," Spyro muttered as he withdrew from her. "I just... What happened? If you don't mind me asking."

Returning her gaze to the horizon she shrugged. "The Pirate Seas are a lawless land, the Skylanders hardly go out there anymore and there's more pirates than ever there."

"Eruptor was saying something similar." Spyro said quietly, backing up from her.

Stealth Elf nodded. She suddenly looked over at him and sighed, her face softening a bit.

"I'm sorry, Spyro," She said. "I shouldn't have snapped at you like that, I'm just... on edge, I guess."

"No you don't need to apologize," Spyro responded, deciding to take the high road. "I get that it's been rough for you."

Stealth Elf just stared at him for a minute before sighing and looking out into the darkness again. "Is family life the soul sucking void it was always made out to be?" She asked.

Spyro could tell by the tone of her voice she was trying to lighten the mood and change the subject, something he wasn't opposed to doing. "No, or not yet at least. Spry just turned ten a few weeks ago, he's a little erratic and has enough confidence to turn a dozen bashful mabu into a bunch of loudmouths, but we've managed to keep him alive this long, so that's something."

A brief smile touched Stealth Elf's lips. "So nothing has changed since the last time I saw the kid."

"Not one bit," Spyro laughed. She joined in for only a second before it all died off and they both just sat there in a comfortable silence.

Bouts of glow bugs began floating up from the grass around the hill. Spyro shut off the lantern and let them be the one thing that lit up the night. He positioned himself against the tree and just laid back in contentment with the night, enjoying the presence of an old friend. He fell still and let his eyes rest, ready to fall asleep under the stars.

"Ahem," Stealth Elf cleared her throat.

Spyro opened his eyes and found her moonlit shadow standing over him.

"I should be going," she said.

"Going?" He sputtered, sitting up. "You just got here! And where do you have to go in the middle of the night? You know you're welcome to stay here."