"I don't care about any dragon. I'm helping TD."
Twilight and Zecora look at me uneasily, but I don't falter for a moment. "I'm getting that flower. I don't care what it takes."
"Cheerilee, you realize that we're not talking about Spike or even those teenage dragons that TD ran into on his journey? This is a 'you are smaller than just one of his scales' kind of dragon," Twilight said.
"Oh, well that changes my mind! I guess I'll find my best black veil to wear to TD's funeral!" I retort. "A widow after two years. What a delight! I guess I'll just have to get used to my students calling me Miss Cheerilee again!"
"Cheerilee--"
"Don't 'Cheerilee' me, Twilight!" I glare at the two of them, making them take a few steps back. "TD would do the same for me! Heck, you'd do the same for Spike or any one of your friends! I'm going to go talk to that dragon, and I'm going to save TD's life!"
"But there has to be another way!" Twilight replied. "I mean, what about the bracelet the two of you use? Maybe pony medicines would work on him then!"
"It doesn't work like that," I mutter. I go back to a conversation that Discord, TD and I had earlier. "The bracelet really only changes the form of whoever wears it. It doesn't change the essence. Discord doesn't have that power. Biologically speaking, he'd look like a pony, but still be a human. It's..." My mouth goes thin and a pair of tears drip from my eyes. "It's the same reason he can't get me pregnant."
That certainly triggers an awkward pause from the three of us, but I put a stop to that quickly. Every second I waste is one less second I have to save TD.
"I'm doing this with or without your help," I continue. "If you magically stop me, I will never forgive you, Twilight. I will never say another word to you again." I take a deep breath, and I know my next words are a mistake even as I say them. "And TD's blood will be on your hooves."
Twilight flinches back as if I've slapped her, and Zecora's absolutely glaring at me. I don't really care in the moment though. I'll certainly apologize later, but TD is more important than Twilight's feelings. I know that much.
"So how about the name of that mountain?"
* * * *
I hop off the train carrying me to Zebrica and look at the horizon for any sight of my target. Bliss Mountain, they call it. I find it ironic given the creature that inhabits it, but I suppose it is more likely a reference to the Neverherb.
I have nothing but my saddlebag at my side and a few bits. I don't know if they take that kind of money here, but I'll figure out something. I have to get to that mountain as soon as I can.
"Excuse me, miss?"
I turn my head to see a local walking up to me with a grin that all but telegraphs that he thinks I'm some weakling with an easily taken bit bag. Oh I am so not in the mood.
"You look lost, miss." He stops in front of me, that insufferable smile not fading at all. "Is there anything I can do to help you? I assure you that I know my way around."
"Not interested," I say, walking toward the exit of the train station. "I have to get to Bliss Mountain."
"Ah, you're in luck!" The zebra says, his face lighting up. "I run a ferry service that will take you right to the bottom of the mountain. I feel like it would be your best bet. There are dangerous things around here that could take advantage of a pretty thing like yourself."
"Yeah, like you," I snark. "Oh, and I'm going to the mountain to talk to a dragon. I think I can take care of myself."
That gets him to shut up for a moment. Not long enough, though. His oily smile comes back just as quickly as it left.
"Ma'am, I would advise against that. You see, the dragon is sleeping right now. He will be more receptive tonight when he's woken up. In the meantime, for a few bits I can take you to a hotel and get you onto the first available shuttle to Bliss Mounta--"
I probably shouldn't do it. But I'm past the point of caring. This bozo is just in my way.
I wheel around and cold-clock him. Not very hard, but I hit him hard enough to know that I'm not going to tolerate him. Stupid con artists.
Well, of course, the zebra falls down clutching his muzzle, wailing like I just threw him underneath the train. Great. His cries attract the attention of a few nearby guards armed with bladed boots. He alternates between pointing at me and his bruised muzzle and babbling about assault and attempted murder. I don't even think that the guards who came to help even knew what he was saying. They got the gist, and they surrounded me, one of them pulling out a pair of hoofcuffs.
Just peachy.
* * * *
If the parents of my students ever get ahold of any copies of my mugshots, things will go poorly. As a teacher, I'm supposed to be better than that. Never resorting to physical violence is something that I impress upon my students, and it has lessened the consequences of many a schoolyard argument.
Although, I'd never admit it to any of them, but sucker punching that stupid con artist did feel rather nice. Unfortunately, I'm now sitting in a Zebrican holding cell with a chain on one of my hind legs keeping me secured to the wall. It's not like I'd try to escape anyway! How could I? I groan and sit down on the uncomfortable bed in the cell. Every moment here is one less that I have to save TD.
And I've been in here for hours.
The door to the dungeon opens, and I let out a quiet sigh. Probably some official here to tell me that I'm going to be deported back to Equestria tomorrow, or even worse, that I'll be standing trial here. My jaw wobbles at the thought, and I put my head in my hooves.
"Mrs. Powell, I'm here to discuss the incident," said the voice of a zebra who stopped outside of my cell. "Now if you--"
"I just want to help my husband," I say quietly. "That's the only reason I came here. I just want to get to Bliss Mountain, get something, then go home."
"Er... yes, I've heard something to that effect." The zebra clears his throat. "But, ah, assaulting known con artists isn't the best way to go about that."
"He wouldn't leave me alone. He wasn't going to leave me alone until he got every last bit in my coin purse," I growl. "I know it was wrong, but I can't afford to waste any more of my time. I have too little of it as it is."
"I figured. If you're here for the Neverherb, things must be dire for your husband," the zebra says, sympathy in his voice. "But there are certain regulations for this kind of thing. We've already begun preparations for your deportation back to Equestria. I'm sorry, but that's the way it has to be."
"I can't accept that!" I screech, shooting to my hooves. "I have one shot to help TD, and I'm not going to let it slip by me because some... some... f-fucking prick couldn't leave me alone!"
Not helping, Cheerilee. Goodness, I never swear. This isn't going to help TD. I think I've even managed to scare the zebra official standing outside my cell. He's looking at me like I'm some kind of madmare.
"Uh..." He blinks once. "Look, I'm sorry about what you're going through. Really I am. But do you realize what's on Bliss Mountain anyway? A giant, fire-breathing dragon! Our kind has been trying to get rid of it for centuries, but it's never gone for more than a few months or so. Even when it is gone, we don't take any of the Neverherb. We tried that once, and it didn't go well. It just seems to know when its mountain has been disturbed. After a few hundred years, we've stopped trying."
"Interesting story, but I have to do it," I say through gritted teeth. "You would too, in my position." I get up off of the bed and walk over to the bars. "In fact, what do you have to lose by me going over there? In fact, you'd have everything to gain. If I'm successful, then we'll just go our separate ways. If I fail, well, you don't have to do a lot of paperwork to deport me back to Equestria, do you?" I shoot him a half grin. "I'm a teacher. I know what it's like to have to do a lot of paperwork."
The zebra hesitates for a brief moment. "Well, I don't know, Mrs. Powell. I'm not the kind of zebra who would let you throw your life away like that. Are you sure Princess Celestia can't do anything?"
"She's doing all she can right now," I reply. "She's pumping magic into him as we speak, but it's just delaying the inevitable." I frown at him. "If you really don't like it when ponies throw their lives away, then let me try this. Otherwise you're sentencing my husband to death! You have the power to save his life. Just let me go, and I won't bother you again."
"Well..." He bites his lip. "I don't think that it would..." He sighs and lowers his head. "I'm so getting fired for this. They're always telling me that I'm too kind-hearted."
My heart leaps for joy, and I step back from the bars. "So you're letting me go?"
"I will escort you to Bliss Mountain, but only to the base. You'll have to climb the wretched thing on your own. If you really are set on doing this, don't just take an herb. You'll have to get the dragon's permission, and he rarely gives it. Only when doing so would work to his advantage." He opens the door and unlocks my chain. "So I hope your husband is really important."
"He single-handedly wrecked Griffonia's economy, and changed Schunie's for decades, if not centuries." A wry smile crosses my face as I rub my leg. "That's the kind of thing he does by accident."
The zebra sighs again. "If you say so."
* * * *
Five hours later, the zebra and I are standing at the base of Bliss Mountain. I look up as much as I can and can barely see the peak. This... might be more difficult than I thought. The zebra gives me a tired look.
"His cave is just straight up. If you're successful, it would be best if you leave Zebrica immediately and not return for a while. If that con artist sees you at the train station, he's going to cause you problems."
"I have every intention of making it back to Equestria today," I respond, trying to find the safest possible route up. "You don't have to worry about me."
"Good." The zebra points at a large opening about two-thirds of the way up the mountain. "He's in there. Sleeping, most likely. I hope the mere act of waking him up doesn't anger him enough to burn you alive. Though if it does, his fire is hot enough that you wouldn't even feel it. One moment you'd be looking into the cave and before you can even blink, you're in paradise."
I gulp, but it doesn't deter me. "Thank you. I can take it from here."
"I hope so."
Without another word the zebra turns around and walks away, leaving me alone to scale the mountain. It doesn't appear to be a difficult hike per se, but it's relatively steep. It will be a strain on my legs.
No sense wasting the day about it.
I begin the climb, my eyes locked on the cave above me. I look away from it for a few moments to see if my path is clear. I don't see anything that could be the Neverherb, but I'm not even sure what it's supposed to look like in the first place.
Time passes quickly as I continue my journey. I can feel evening falling on the land. I don't want to be here at dark, but if I have to be, I will. The cave is getting closer as I'm walking up the mountain. So far nothing dangerous has appeared. I suppose that's the one benefit of the dragon living on this mountain. Nothing else dangerous would live here, for fear of being hunted.
My legs are starting to hurt after a while, but I don't stop to rest. Every time I feel like my legs might give out, I remember TD in the hospital bed, and I get the strength to move forward.
I don't know how long the hike takes. Hours, I'd imagine. I still have sunlight when I reach the mouth of the cave, but that hardly seems to make a difference. I look into the cave, and it is pitch black inside. The light doesn't reach more than about ten hooves into the cave. I won't even be able to see the dragon.
"Uh... h-hello?" I call out, my voice echoing through the cave. I set one hoof inside, and a chill runs down my spine. Every instinct I have screams that I'm in danger and I need to leave.
No, I can't leave. TD wouldn't leave. He'd be brave and charge right in.
Before I can do anything else, a loud booming voice echoes from the cave.
"Come inside or go away."
I flinch back at the powerful voice. I can just imagine the size of the dragon that produced it. But he did invite me in. I take a few deep breaths and slowly begin walking into the cave. Soon I can't see anything in front of me.
"Why have you come?"
"Please..." I gulp and swivel my ears, trying to pinpoint the exact location of the voice. But it seems to be coming from all sides. "I'm here to ask about... about the Neverherb. I was told you have it and don't let anypony take it. My husband is very sick. He'll die without it. So--"
My breath dies in my throat when I see a giant ball of fire rushing towards me. I squeal and throw myself to the ground. The ball of fire splits in two and forms a semi-circle behind me, completely blocking my exit. I can't go back now.
I look away from the fire, and I'm forced to confront the reality that I am a small, insignificant part of this world. Before me, lying on a pile of gold and jewels so massive that it would make even Canterlot look like a slum, is a gigantic black dragon. His eyes, easily twice my size, are open and staring straight at me. I want to speak to him, but I can't. I have no doubt that he could kill me without having to exert himself in the slightest. The ball of fire lighting the cave is the least of his efforts, I'm sure.
He shifts, and I hear the treasure underneath him clink as it moves with him. He doesn't stop staring at me.
"I do not give away the Neverherb lightly. I have done it three times in the past century. Once for your princess, once for my mate, and once for a griffin king. Why should I give it to you?"
"My husband is sick, and he'll die without it."
"You have already said that." His reptile head moves closer to me, and I can see his fangs. The smallest one is easily three times my size. "Many have tried to have me give them the Neverherb. Many have tried to steal it from me. Many mothers and wives have come to beg my help. Why are you different from them?"
"I guess to you I'm not, but you've just told me what an uncaring, selfish being you are!" I growl, giving him my best glare. "Do the lives you end mean nothing to you?! Do you care at all that you're sentencing innocent beings to death?!"
His eyes narrow. "Do you care about the ant that scurries around beneath you? Do you weep for every leaf that dies in winter? Your life on this planet is meaningless to one such as myself. Only your precious pony princesses have seen the time past that I have." He chuckles, and another shiver rolls down my spine. "When I blink, you, your husband, your great-great grandfoals will be nothing more than dust. Such is the briefness of your time here."
"Why did you give the herb away those last few times?" I ask. "What was so important then?"
"I like the climate as it is," the dragon responds. "My actions ensured that my interests would be furthered. Your husband has no such claim." The dragon closes his eyes, curls his head and neck around his treasure, and idly flicks a claw in my direction. "Go away. Should you disobey me and try to take the herb, there will be nothing left of you before you make it five steps, Mrs. Pony."
"That's Powell, to you!" I growl, desperation creeping into my voice. "Not 'Pony’, Powell!"
"Powell?" The dragon's eyes snap open, and his head snaps over to me, close enough that I can see my reflection in his eye. "Mrs. TD Powell?!"
"Y-yes..." I slowly begin backing away. "Yes, we've been married for a few years now." I tilt my head. "How do you know him?"
The dragon doesn't respond. Instead he lets forth a booming laugh that begins shaking the cave around us. A few rocks even fall from the ceiling.
"Your husband is a most interesting being, Mrs. Powell," he responds after a moment. "He ran afoul of my great-great-great nephew some years back. Or should I say, my nephew ran afoul of him. He still can't see out of that eye."
"Oh..." I gulp and back further away from him, but not too close to the fire. "I'm... sorry?"
"Don't be. That boy is an idiot." The dragon lets out another throaty chuckle. "He made my entire collection of Gryphs useless. Completely threw Schunie into disarray for a few months. Your husband is quite the unique being." He grins at me, and I can't tell if it's supposed to be comforting, or if he's about to eat me. "A being as chaotic and stubborn as him deserves better than to die young. If for no other reason than I'm curious to see how he shakes the world up next."
For the first time, a glimmer of hope appears, and I stop backing up. "So you'll help us?"
"A being like that has to be saved. Maybe he'll accidentally make my bits worthless, while making the Gryphs worth more than some of my gems." His expression turned serious as he straightens up. "Leave my cave. Just above me is a small patch of bright blue flowers. They are what you seek. Take one, and only one, or I won't care what kind of being he is. He'll be the one to join you in death."
"I understand," I reply, tears of joy nearly falling from my face. "I'll only take one and then leave your mountain. Thank you."
"Go, then. Do not interrupt my sleep again."
"I won't I promise!" I say, backing away as the fire behind me begins fading. "I'll leave as soon as I can! Thank you! Thank you!"
* * * *
Oy. I have to say, I've felt better. I've felt worse once or twice, I think. Being shot in a death match would definitely rank pretty high, but I've felt better.
I groan and bring a hand up to my head. It feels really heavy and stiff, like I haven't been using it in months. I hear a familiar chirrup behind me, and a small smile crosses my face. I crack one eye open to see Oswald perched on the bed, nuzzling my shoulder. I quietly chuckle and reach out a hand to scratch his head feathers.
"Hey, buddy," I say in a gravely voice. I don't miss the IV in my hand either. Guess I was sicker than I thought. "How's it been?"
Oswald chirps something I can't understand and hops closer to me, resting his head on mine.
I groan again and try to sit up, but that doesn't really work, so I try opening my other eye. Geez, it's really bright in the room.
"How long was I out?"
"About a week or so," a familiar voice beside me says.
I manage a small smile and turn my head to see Cheerilee sitting beside my bed, holding one of my hands in both of her hooves. She looks like she's been crying.
"Hey, Cheers," I mumble. "You doing alright?"
She lets out a half laugh/half sob and nuzzles my hand. "I am now. We were worried that we'd lose you."
"If I was sick for a week, I can imagine why."
"Even once we got the Neverherb, it was kind of touch-and-go at some points, but we saw improvements almost immediately."
A slight frown crosses my face. "Neverherb? What's that?"
"It's what I had to go get to make sure you wouldn't die." A tear streaks down Cheerilee's face and she nuzzles my hand again. "Even with Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Oswald helping you, we would have lost you without it."
"Oh." I blink and let my head sink deeper into my fluffy pillow. "So how did you get it?"
Cheerilee smiles at me and runs a hoof through my hair. "Do I have a story for you."