darkSpyro

This is a side story to my main one; Gateway to Destruction.


"C'mon Tech, what are you dragging your tail for?" Tilla called back to the dark green scaled dragon nearly a quarter mile behind her. The sky blue dragoness curved her wings to brake until Tech had caught up.

The green dragon leveled with the dragoness and matched her speed. "Sorry," He apologized. "I just have a lot on my mind at the moment."

Tilla laughed loudly and bumped into Tech's side causing the both of them dropped several feet. They had to regain their balance, but Tilla continued to laugh. "You have something on your mind?" She asked once they were back together. "What could you possibly be running through that thick skull of yours, eh, pebble brain?"

Tech rolled his eyes. "You know I hate it when you call me that." He said irritably and stuck his tongue out childishly. "And I'm not thick headed. If I do recall correctly, I did graduate close to the top of the class!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Tilla waved a paw to him. "So what was it you were thinking of?"

Tech heated up. "If you must know what I was thinking of then, well, it was you."

Tilla's blood rushed to her face. She tried her best to force her voice to remain calm as she acted upon a dirty thought that crossed her mind. "Thinking of me, eh?" The dragoness spun around let her momentum and wings carry her through the air. "And what exactly were you thinking about, huh?" She asked and trailed a claw down her chest. She flicked out her tongue and licked her lips seductively.

"N-nothing like that." Tech turned his head away from the dragoness. His green cheeks became bright red. "I-I think we're almost there."

Tilla craned her head and saw the boxed canyon city bustling with all kind of life. She flipped back around and gave Tech a sly wink. "Well get your tail in gear then, big guy!" She giggled. "Let's head down."

Tech's face flushed even more after the wink and he rolled his eyes. He banked downwards to the city below and lifted up just a few meters before he hit the ground. He skipped a few steps when he landed and stretched his sore limbs. A near full days flight had left his wings worn and wind beaten.

Tilla walked up from behind him and patted his back. "What's up?" She looked at his face and noticed that he was still blushing. "Why are you so nervous? I was only joking."

"Sorry." He whispered apprehensively. He looked away again and sighed.

"Oh stop it with your timidness!" Tilla scolded fiercely. She cocked her head away and eyed Tech through her peripherals. He looked hurt. "But I guess I can live with it, besides, it's kind of cute how you act." Tilla gave Tech a light kiss on his cheek and turned away.

Tech nudged Tilla's side. "Thanks." He looked to the hidden city behind the gates. "Come on. Let's head inside." Tech walked through the gates and nodded to the two guards that stood on both sides of the gate.

Both of the guards bowed their heads. "Master Technis." They hissed.

Tilla jogged through, but both guards blocked her with their heads and threw her back to the gates entrance. The two guards were not of the dragon race, not entirely anyway. The two were twins and were both half bloods. Fur broke through their scales at many points and they did not walk on all fours but stood on their hind legs.

"And where do you think you're going miss?" They bared their teeth and stood up even higher. A good ten feet taller than herself, the two guards forced her to her backside. "I don't think that we gave this little dragoness permission to enter, did we, brother?" The halfbreed on the right asked.

"I don't think that we did, no, brother." The twin answered.

"What do you think we should do with her?"

"Hang her by her tail?"

"Peel off a few scales?"

"Take her things, perhaps."

"That sounds good, but before we do, maybe we should find out why this litle dragoness is actually here." The twins cackled together.

The two halfbreed's hissed out a venom from the mouths. "So young miss, why don't you tell us why you are here?"

"I-I'm with-" Tilla began, but was cut off by the guard on the right.

"We have been having issues with the apes around the area as of late." He said whispered.

"We must keep records on all who come and go through here, and you are just making our job more and more difficult the longer you stand here." The other twin stated.

"But what about hi-" Tilla was interrupted once again.

"Do you have any identification, or family here?"

"Hurry it up already." The two pushed her back even further and hissed in her face.

"I'm trying, if you would just listen I-" Tilla was coming to tears.

"If you do not have any proof of residence here,"

"Then you should move along."

Tech cleared his throat loudly. The two guards turned to him and bowed. "Yess, Master Technis?" They both asked simultaneously.

"She's with me, so let her pass." Tech demanded firmly.

"Y-Yes sir!" The guards backed away to their original positions and bowed to Tilla. "Forgive us for any inconvenience, madam." They grinned devilishly. "Have a nice day."

Tilla walked through and wiped the tears from her face. "I guess it's my turn to thank you," She sniffed. "So, yeah, thanks."

"I will make sure that they never forget you, no matter what problem the city may be having." Tech looked back and saw the guards stopping another group of dragons coming in to the city.

Tilla let out a short laugh. "I wonder what the deal is with the apes they were talking about."

"Dunno', I never heard of any problems with the apes." Tech shrugged his shoulders. "I bet it's nothing, probably just a simple quarrel.

"Perhaps we should ask the elders tomorrow?"

Tech groaned. "More political crap that I need to go to? No thanks. I'll leave whatever doesn't directly involve me alone, thank you."

Tilla giggled. "But hey, you never know what might happen and I've always wanted to go inside the counsel building, too, so can we go?"

"How about tomorrow then?" It hurt Tech to suggest it. "We can confirm the arrangement while we are there, but as for right now I would like to get some rest. My wings are killing me."

"Oh you big baby." Tilla rolled her eyes. "Fine, but I'm holding you to it!" She coiled her tail around Tech's and pulled him with here. "I don't really know where your new house is, so you lead the way."

Tech took his lead in front of her but kept their tails connected.. "Alright, follow me."

Continued-

Nice
Keep going...

Cool! Carry on!

Tilla and Tech walked side by side through the hidden city's streets. They felt like the center attraction of a freak-show. Street urchins, shopkeepers, both the higher and lower class dragons stopped, stared, and whispered to whoever was closest to them as the two dragons passed. Tilla was beginning to feel slightly overwhelmed from the attention they were getting. Tech noticed and pulled her through an alley.

"Hey, are you alright?" He asked.

Tilla was trembling slightly. "Yeah, just got a little hot is all."

A few dragons and half bloods were crowding around the alley's entrance murmuring to each other. Tech kicked a pile of trash at the group and growled. "Get out of here, now!" Tech bellowed and kicked a pile of garbage at them. Though the dragons that got hit by the trash were twice his size and much older than him they scattered and dispersed the rest of the on-goers quickly. Tech did not break from his aggressive stance until he and Tilla were the only two left in the alley. Tech sat down next to Tilla and draped a wing over her and pulled her close. "Come on, it's getting late. We should go."

Tilla sighed heavily but obliged. She followed Tech as he led her through a system of alleys that were connected together and only once exited once they were on the upper most part of the city. They stepped out and were greeted by a tall building made of blue marble. Many of the higher class dragons walked in and out of this building, carrying an assortment of scrolls and books with them. Each one wore some sort of jewelry or accessory to show their importance. Cloaks made of pure silk, jewels and shining gems embedded into elegant horn rings or bracers.

Tech spotted a fire dragon and his friends walking the streets and coming towards him and Tilla. "Go back in the alley." He pushed her back just before the fire dragon could see her.

"Good evening, Technis." The fire dragon greeted him with a bow. His voice was sly and charismatic. "I hope that things are doing well for you."

"Very," Tech answered without blinking. "And yourself?"

"We were just dealing with a few of those filthy half blooded freaks when we noticed you coming out of this alley." He wore a very smug grin across his lips. "If I'm not mistaken, I could have sworn I saw you with someone."

"Well then you were mistaken because the only ones here are you, your friends, and myself." Tech tried as hard as he could not to lose his temper. "If you have nothing more to say to me than meaningless greetings, I think that we're done here, Naga."

Naga sneered at Tech. "Very well then." He shoved him out of the way and waved a wing for his small posse to follow. "Come on then. He isn't worth our time."

All but one of Naga's friends shoved him as they passed. The small blue dragon bowed to Tech and apologized for Naga's behavior.

"It's okay." Tech dismissed his apology. "I don't know why you hang around them, though."

"Me either." The blue dragon sighed. "I guess I should hurry along then. See you later, Tech."

Tech nodded and pulled Tilla out from the alley. "I didn't want them to see you, sorry for that."

Tilla bobbed her head. "You wouldn't hear the end of it if anyone from this district saw you with me."

"I guess I wont hear the end of it starting tomorrow when we get it finalized."

"But I'm sure you'll cope." Tilla smacked Tech's side with her tail.

"Maybe." Tech teased. "Come on, the house is over here." They walked towards where Naga and his gang were previously. In a small park there were three unconscious and bleeding dragons. A group of medical professionals picked them up and flew them to the city's hospital.

"How could they have done that to them?" Tilla watched the bodies fly away. "It's just sickening."

"I bet Naga didn't lay a claw on them." Tech spat onto the ground. "Making his cronies do his dirty work just like a true coward. I bet those three would have no problem if it weren't for the numbers against them."

"I bet they didn't even try to fight back. They looked like they were from the lower district. I can't imagine how much trouble they would be in if they tried to fight Naga."

"I'm glad they didn't. I cannot wait for the day that Naga get's his ass handed too him on the silver platter he thinks he deserves." Tech shifted his feet and dug his claws into the stone. "Man I hate that brat."

"I second that." Tilla coiled her tail around Tech's again. "Just another thing that we have in common; a mutual hate for a bastard dragon." Tilla smiled showing her teeth and winked.

Tech couldn't help but laugh. "Come on, let's head inside." Tech motioned her attention to a gate across the street. Tech's "house" was actually a mansion. Large statues of his ancestry followed the stone path to the front doors. A pool, a garden, even a greenhouse fit into the side yard. The grass was emerald green even though winter had already made it's way in. It was a sight to behold.

The two walked side by side through the gates, passed the statues and to the front door. Tech had to use his tails blade which fit inside a specialized lock for it to be opened. Once the lock had clicked, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Like magic, candles that were out became lit and illuminated every nook and cranny of the home. Tech pulled off the jewel encrusted leg bracers and the gold plated chest piece. He put both sets on a hanging rack by the door. The silver cufflink was a little bit of a nuisance. Tech had to fiddle with a broken latch on the side with his talon to release it's grip. When he removed it, he flipped open a small secret compartment on the inside and pulled out several jewels and accessories.

Tilla walked around him and removed her beige cape, hanging it next to Tech's finer things. She wiped her paws on the rug and swept out the remaining dirt and snow. "Why is it that you wear all that fancy stuff, yet you don't give two tails about the other things."

"Like what?" Tech asked as he counted the assortment of colored stones at his feet.

"Like wiping your feet before you enter your home." Tilla lifted up Tech's paws and brushed them off.

"I guess it's because I grew up with a wealthy family." He answered spitefully pulling away from her grip. "Their habits kind of rubbed off on me. Being well known doesn't help either. Always needing to present myself in a proper manner to a group that I've never liked. So I like to keep my personal life and my public life separate. My personal life being who I really am. Lazy."

"So you don't like being rich, eh?"

"Not at all."

"Well then if you don't like being rich or having nice things, why do you keep them around?" Tilla pointed to the dozens of rat like creatures running about, washing the windows, picking up things on the floor and putting them in their places, dusting, and sweeping. One was even cleaning off Tech's feet, scrubbing down his talons until they shone.


Continued~

SIQUE!

Tech cleared his throat loudly, just as he had with the two guards at the gate. All of them stopped what they were doing immediately and listened in to his words. "Thank you for all the cleaning you all have done." Tech bowed to the servants in gracious appreciation. "You may all take the next few days off. You will receive payment on the day of your return." Tech smiled as all of the servants' faces lit up from his offer. "Spend time with your families, take a vacation, whatever you wish is up to you. Have fun."

The Ratlings finished what they were doing and exited the home. One of the younger servants hugged Tech's leg and thanked him before he left. Before the last rat left, Tech stopped it. "Excuse me," He said. "If you wouldn't mind doing me a favor before you clear off?"

"Not at all, sir." The rat replied.

"There are three new patients that have just been taken to the hospital and they may not be able to pay for their treatment. Make sure to let the staff know that I will be taking care of any and all expenses while they recover."

The rat bowed. "You are too kind, Master."

Tech closed the door and locked it once the rat had left. He turned to see Tilla beaming at him.

"That was very sweet of you, Tech." Tilla walked to his side and licked his nose. "I bet your parents would be furious if they found out that you did that."

Tilla bumped his hips and rubbed her side against him, trailing her tail against him. Tech laughed and walked with her around the main foyer of the house, making sure to wipe his feet before he did so. "Well, I'm just glad I can live and make my own decisions now. Sort of."

"Oh ancestors, do they still make you go to the meetings." Tilla rolled her eyes and laughed.

"Why do you think I ran away to try and find you? Writing could only last me so long. I needed someone to help me get away from it all and then I finally got the guts to ask you," Tech laughed with her. "Plus if I let my mother keep them then they would be worked to death."

"Eh? I haven't seen you in nearly a year because of some silly trip you had to take and the only reason I'm here is to help you?" Tilla stopped laughing and punched him in his arm. "Although, that's very sweet of you. I'm glad that you aren't like them." She bit her lip and looked around. "No offense."

"Don't worry," Tech stopped in the middle of the main room and rubbed his arm. "If anyone was listening in they would agree." He sighed heavily. "They re horrible, selfish, greedy, disgusting bastards, both of them." Tech looked up above the fireplace that was next to him and Tilla. Above the mantle was a portrait of a large green dragon that bore a very canning resemblance to Tech. Next to the large green dragon was a red dragoness who, unlike the other dragon, looked nothing like Tech. Together the two wore blank expressions on their faces. Below them their son played with a multicolored ball. "I put this back up every time they come to visit me." Tilla remained silent while Tech continued to vent his anger. "I can't stand to look at it every time they are here. I hate it and my parents." Anger crossed his face. His eyes filled with hot tears. He slammed his tail into the ground and sent his energy to the back of the portrait.

The frame banged loudly against the opposite wall and the glass shattered and scattered across the room. The picture slipped out from the frame and landed face down. A signature was written on the bottom left corner along with a little not attached . The note read, "Fear is nothing more than a trial we must all face. ~N."

"I never knew what it meant, all I know is that my father stuck it with the picture whenever he forced it on me." Tech slumped to the floor and trembled lightly.

"Tech," Tilla draped her wing over his side and cooed into his ear. She rubbed her nose against her head. "I'm sorry."

Teched wiped his nose and looked into Tilla's forest green eyes. "For what?"

"For you," She answered. "It must be hard for you, and I can't imagine how you feel. So I'm sorry."

Tech nuzzled the dragoness' neck. "Thank you."

Continued~