Ever take one of those naps where you wake up and realize you can’t remember your own name? Yeah, same here, until a few minutes ago when I woke up suspended from the ceiling. For some reason I decided to take up a monologue as soon as I came to. That’s annoying... Currently, I have no recollection of whom I am, what I am, why I’m here, or where here even is. All I can tell is my head hurts really badly. The monologue isn’t helping the pain either.
I opened my eyes and saw only darkness. I would say that I’m blind, but I can see shapes ... barely... I tried moving my legs, but nothing would budge. I bent down ... up ... to inspect my legs and only heard a tap as I reached further. Something made a loud noise and I stopped for a moment. That’s when something went up my nose. I fell limp and noticed I was covered in water. The ceiling was using me as a focal point for trickling water to the base level. That’s disgusting...
It took me a moment to think of what was going on. The only thing that came to mind was I was in some sort of cave. I figure everything is so dark because I must be deep inside the cavern. If I’m not that deep then it must be pitch black outside. Which is odd, I can’t recall a town with enough light to block out the night sky. How did I recall that? Ah, why won’t this pain stop? Besides, there's an even better reason that it can't be light pollution blocking the stars. If there were towns close by with enough light to block out the sky, it would be visible in this cave! I should really be concentrating on getting rid of this headache.
Not only do I have all these uncertainties racing through my mind, but I can hear this odd rumbling noise. It almost sounds like breathing, but nothing could be that big to make a noise like that while breathing. Slowly my eyesight returns enough for me to make out the entrance to the cave. Right outside is a huge figure, fuming from the mouth. That must be a dragon laying down right outside the cave. Now, once again, the most important question is why my head hurts so badly.
I reach up to message my brow, when I realize: I have hooves! This explains the tapping when I was inspecting my extremities. My options to what I am have now diminished to some sort of … hoofed animal…. Wow, my head is killing me. Probably explains my … uh … what is it called? That thing where the person inflicted can’t remember…“Amnesia! That’s it!”
The dragon brought its head up and took in a shocked breath. Why would I decide that screaming was a good idea only seconds after discovering a dragon? “Oh good, you’re awake Silver Stream,” came the deep rumbling voice of my captor. At least now I know my name, so I can die with that out of the way. Although, I hope this is quick. His voice isn't helping that pain any.
“I didn’t want to have to devour you in your sleep. It would have been unworthy for our friendship.” Now I’m really confused, because last I checked a dragon doesn’t eat his friends. Wait, or does he? Now that I think about it, I’m too disorientated right now to know how a dragon’s friendships work. I really should stop thinking so much... Ow...
“Excuse me, but who are you and what have I done to deserve the death sentence?” At least if I’m going to die I’m going to get some answers from my executioner. Speaking of answers, the smoke started evaporating above the cave and light shone through the entrance. I can see mounds of treasures scattered all throughout the cave; about five large stacks if I can still add right, which I doubt. These aren’t anything to laugh at either! Each one is about three times the size of a normal dragon. Whereas my assailant is gigantic! Usually a dragon's hoard is larger than the beast itself. Whereas, now that I can see him straight, he’s likely five to ten times larger than a full grown dragon.
“Oh, poor little Stream. Lost his memory on that last blow to the head? A real shame seeing as I was hoping you’d die with your guilt still intact.” He was now moving his way into the cave, blowing small red flames out his nostrils, and using that blasted feminine aspect to my name. The dancing red lights helped illuminate his features. His underbody was red and the rest of him was black. He stared at me with glowing red eyes. His head was compact, like a hydra’s, and his wings looked immense, even while wrapped about him.
I stopped gaping at my assailant and used the flames to help me investigate my surroundings better too. I could see my prison used to be a stalactite. He must have sliced the tip off and stuffed my hooves in the cracks running along the base. This was a pretty tight fit, so I'm surprised he didn't break my legs doing this. It seems like after he forced me into place here I endured a barrage of brutal beatings... Actually, now that I think about it, there’s no way he could have been hitting me without instantly killing me. Wow my curiosity is not helping my throbbing head.
“Yeah, I guess that last blow must have knocked a few screws loose. What did you hit me with anyways? It doesn’t seem possible that a dragon your size could hit me without killing me.”
“Oh, I struck you with the tip of my tail. It was the only way to not pop your head off. Although, seeing as you’ve been unconscious since morning and lost your memory of one of your oldest friends, I’d say that blow was still too much for you.”
“Yeah, best not do that to me again if you want me alive … for … my death….” Well, this isn’t getting any less awkward as the time goes by. Not to mention less painful. I'd rather just die now then have to deal with his booming voice with my constant pain.
“Quaint,” was all he replied with. This brings me to believe he has a sense of humor. A sense of humor finalizes my belief that he's more intelligent than just a speaking lizard. Usually a greater level of intelligence in a dragon comes with age, so it’s safe to assume that this one is obviously old! The hoard he has stacked up is for show; not to increase his size with. It is one thing to be dealing with a mindless beast, but this guy obviously outclasses me in every way possible if I'm right. Actually, that may be a good thing. If he was just a beast, he would have devoured me without even chewing. He wouldn't even consider going back on his word of killing me by the end of the day. But with intelligence comes pride, and arrogance. Something I can use against him. Something, if I play my cards right, I can use to change his mind on what he's doing.
“Better yet, how about we try to work around this amnesia, so you can enjoy killing me that much more? Apparently my name is Silver Stream, and you are?”
“I am Schwarz Jugend! The youngest of the five dragon sons of old, and Ageless Master! I am an Ancient, and you would be wise to remember that name this time around, for you owe me much of your life, Stream!”
“Schwarz… That does sound oddly familiar. How is it that we know each other?”
“You met a colleague of mine and had him bring you to me. We slowly got to know each other over the decades and we became close to one another. At the same time you stole his friendship away from me, being that you were both ponies.” Okay, so I’m apparently a pony! Who … enjoys … getting to know dragons. Not only that, but I like to steal their closest friends from them. I say again, I am screwed!
“Oh come on Schwarz, I’m sure we could work something out. I didn’t mean to take your best pal away from you, honest.” Okay Silver, flattery and humility are your greatest allies at this moment in time. Hopefully you can get him to let you go by using them.
“THAT’S NOT WHY YOU’RE HERE STREAM!!” The force with which he spoke was powerful enough to push me back like a torrential wind. Somehow my back leg strength was enough to keep me suspended from the cracks in the ceiling. Well, there went that plan. Along with my hearing apparently, because everything went ring-y. His voice also did a number on my eyesight. I can’t see straight anymore and it feels like my eyes are rotating in their sockets. I’m honestly surprised his booming voice didn’t send me back any more than it already had. My hooves should have broken off, and sent me crashing towards the ground. Besides some head trauma though, I seem alright. This also brought back that annoying pain in my head. I thought I had finally ignored it, but this incident changed that presumption.
What I can tell is that he backed off afterwards. He could apparently tell what damage his voice alone caused and waited for my eyes to stop spinning. Once my focus returned, I noticed a grim look on his face. Even though my hearing hadn’t completely returned, I could still hear him boom the word, “Sorry…”
Wait, he just apologized to someone he’s about to kill. That means he wasn't lying about viewing me as strong friend at one time. Maybe I still have a chance. Though I have to keep two steps ahead of him and compose three strategies at the same time. Ow. There's no time for pain! “Not a problem, I’ve had worse,” like waking up after being unconscious for a day because I was slapped by a dragon’s tail, “but if stealing your pony friend isn’t why I’m in this predicament, then what is the reason?”
Plan one --- try to get him on my side so he’ll let me go --- was underway. All I had to do now was figure out why I was in this situation and work from there. If the issue was too great to wiggle my way out of, I’d have to move on to plan two.
“You dared to enter into my cavern and steal from me, multiple times I might add, without giving me any explanation for your actions. Not just any treasure, but my most prized possessions. Then, when I tried to get the information out of you, you merely spat in my face and told me to mind my own business.”
Okay, things are looking bad. Knowing how a dragon is with his hoard, I may have to go with plan two. Though I may still have a chance if he’s as intelligent as I think he is. I’ll just keep things flowing with a bit of sarcasm. That way I don’t come off as pleading for my life. After all, he is a dragon, so I’m sure he’ll pick up on me being too kind towards him. “Oh come on Schwarz, that doesn’t sound so bad! I stole a few little trinkets out of this whole assortment of goods? You could easily get some more. Plus, I could return them to you.” Oops, that came off less as sarcasm and more like arrogance. This pain in my head is certainly going to cause some issues.
His snout lifted up, and flames spewed from the small openings in his mouth. It was like watching red ribbons slide their way out from between his teeth and dance across the air. These beautifully glowing ribbons traversed their way over to me. A wave of heat seared my face, and the temporary lights gave way to Schwarz squinting in displeasure. Yeah, sarcasm wasn’t the best route to go with at the time with my head causing this much of an issue. With his little fire show complete, he stated bluntly, “You did return them. It’s not the thievery that has placed you in this condition, Stream. Do you honestly believe that a mere pony stealing from my hoard would lead me to slaughter them?” Suddenly his anger became more obvious.
I dared to ask my follow up question, “Then what is it that placed me here?” At that he opened his lips wide, showing the full extent of his teeth. His neck craned back, and his snout and brows furrowed in deep anger. Smoke bellowed forth from his nostrils, and I could tell it was taking all of his will to keep himself from charring me to the bone right then and there. Before he even began screaming at me, I knew I would have to go completely with plan two: get him pissed enough to hit me again, in the hopes he’d miss and break the stalactite I was hanging from.
“You used those very items to slay my only son!” On to plan three: he’s going to eat me and there’s nothing I can do about it.
“I did what? But I’m only a pony! How could a little pony like me kill a dragon born from the seed of someone as great as you?”
The anger drained from his face, and he moved it away from me. He was trying to hide all the pain hidden in his eyes, and gave a little chuckle at my response. His eyes drifted up to meet me, and he simply stated, “Because you knew him well enough to catch him off guard.”
It was at that very moment I knew I could go with plan number two and survive. I had to play with his emotions to keep him angry enough to want to kill me, but not enough to just chew me off this rock. I hated myself so much for what I said next, but it was the only way to make sure I could escape with my life. I chuckled weakly like he had and took a wild swing at him. “Well, serves him right for being foolish enough to befriend a pony like me.”
His head veered back as though he had been shot. Right then and there, all thought had left his being. In that instant I had insulted him for trusting me as a friend and at the same time mocked his fallen son for that same trust. Anger exploded from every orifice as he lost all control; he couldn’t even look at me anymore and broke eye contact. He was too close to hit me with his tail, so the bulk of his tail swung right at me. He hit the stalactite before his tail came close to me. The whole stalactite broke from the ceiling with me still stuck on the tip.
As soon as I felt his tail hit the stalactite it felt like I hit the cave. I thought I would be crushed by the wall, but luckily the great weight at the other end of my prison took control and spun me around. Before I even realized I was facing away from my target I went flying into it. My rock shattered into sweet freedom. There was a lot of force behind Schwarz’s attack, and I was still being propelled through the air until I hit the wall myself. I’ve got to say, hitting the inside of a cave is not my favorite form of escape, but I’ll take it under certain circumstances. At the moment, I can’t even see straight. My muscles argue for me to stay still and stop using them, but the will to live is a crazy feeling that pushes you to do what was originally impossible.
As the dragon turned to see what just happened, I jumped to my hooves and ran for an exit. I fought against the severe pain in my head to survive. The world kept spinning, and my legs couldn’t make sense of which way was forward. I soon found myself running for the closest pile of treasure before I could figure out what to do next. I took a shot at where my feet were leading me and figured my only way of getting out was by tunneling through all his greed. All the gold and gems like to make a loud rustling noise as I try to get through them all. My situation just keeps getting better! I wasn’t even that deep; I just placed myself in enough to not be seen, and changed my position so I wasn’t right where I jumped in. Schwarz had no idea where I ran off to since I was too small for his frantic eyes to find, but his sensitive dragon ears told him I went for the closest pile of treasure to my location.
He looked over to that pile angrily and started balling up his fist as his next words came forth. “Oh, so now we’re going to play hide and seek, huh? Let me just warn you now. I’m not a very patient player!” His fist came screaming down on his last word and plowed into the base of the treasure. The entire mound went flying into the air and scattered violently. I was sent with it, but the dragon couldn’t see my tiny figure past all the flying glittery objects. I hit the ground hard, and stumbled to my hooves. I took off as fast as my legs would carry me. Large gold objects of all sorts were falling all around me, and I was doing my best not to get crushed. Every object that fell to the ground made an agonizing noise. My head was screaming at me to make it all stop, but I was going to live!
I was able to wheel around the mountainous stacks of goods and get two thirds through the cave. About that time I recalled just how big he was, and turned towards the last pile in front of me. I dove right in, and dug my way towards the door. Eventually my hiding place was secured and I stayed as still as possible, waiting for his next move. I already knew he heard me enter another pile, which was evident with each step he took towards me. He couldn’t see me because of all the treasures he sent everywhere, but his ears were able to pick up the sounds of his treasures being dug into again. I tried controlling my breathing, but I was in too much pain to concentrate well. Supposedly I did a lot of running in my day, because, even through the pain, I was able to slow my breathing to a weak level.
“Now where exactly did you decide to hide?” He stopped at the mound right next to the one I was in, waiting for the slightest shift in movement. I prayed that something would take his attention, and finally the stack next to me gave way on one side. Apparently one of the flying pieces of gold hit it and shifted the weight on the bottom. Right as Schwarz stepped up next to it, the rumble from his weight forced a small landslide of gold. “There you are!”
An inferno spewed from his mouth, and devoured the entire stack. To my horror, the mountain began to melt from the sheer heat. I decided that while he was busy making that much noise and light, I could steal away before he would notice. Every inch of my body demanded I’d stop the crusade, but I pushed my way out of the hiding spot. It didn’t take long for me to reach the end of the cave, but wow was it big. The mouth itself was about a third of a kilometer long. I guess that’s as big an opening a beast his size would need.
The cavern was at the base of a mountain. It was like staring down a slab of rock leading to a forest. The forest itself was within sprinting distance, but I had no idea how long I had before Schwarz would notice. I sprinted towards the tree line, trying to get away from the cave. The closer I got, the more trees clouded my vision of the forest. They were so stacked it was to the point they shunned any light from above trying to make its way into the forest. What I could tell was that where there was not a tree there was heavy vegetation riddling the ground. Halfway to it I could hear Schwarz’s flames dying down.
The treasures kept burning, and he started talking before the fires got quiet enough for him to hear me. After that, I was lucky enough that his words kept him from hearing the clop of my hooves on the base of the mountain. Though in order to enter the forest I’d have to fight my way through the bushes. “Well, I really wanted to give you the honor of suffering through my digestive tract, but I guess being fused with my belongings is the next best death for you, my old friend.”
Right as his statement ended, I jumped into the brush of the forest and took off like the birds scattering around from my approach. Obviously he heard me with those sensitive ears of his and turned to see the mistake he made. “Perhaps I can still give you the honor of being my next meal!” I knew after a statement like that something was to follow. I turned and started running parallel to the forest’s entrance. In a swift leap he was on the edge of the forest spewing great flames at its base. I barely got out of the way of his attack.
When I first entered, there were sets of eyes behind almost every tree. The darkness shrouded my vision, but I could tell creatures of all shapes and sizes were watching my every move. I was too busy worrying about the dragon to pay much attention to the wild life, and I could tell those unknown beasts were about to take advantage of that fact. Lucky for me, the great inferno took precedence in their minds too and everything began to scatter. Large creatures were fleeing in every direction trying to escape Schwarz’s wrath. I think I even saw a hydra waken and take off into the darkness.
If not for being so scared that my survival instinct were in full control, I probably would have released all control over my bladder right then and there. For all I know, I did, but at the moment that wasn’t top priority in my head. I needed to get away, and quick. Although, it was pretty obvious that I now had the advantage in our little game of cat and mouse. Better yet, of tiny mouse and giant tiger! Schwarz was literally so big he couldn’t see below the trees of the forest, and with all those animals scurrying all around he couldn’t use his ears to pinpoint my location. This left him with one option; it was the same one he used from the start: fire!
Gallons of flammable liquids spewed their way forth as he tried to douse every possible piece of foliage that could hide me. Too bad for him I was too busy galloping to let a little bit of fire distract me. I was also too busy moving to keep track of where I was going, but who needs direction when you’re trying to survive? Pretty soon I had gone so far that I couldn’t hear his flames leaking into the dense forest. When I finally ran out of breath, I found myself in a little clearing on a hill. This activity was not good for my head.
I turned to see a mountain range, with billows of smoke rising before it and covering what little was visible of the night sky in this forest. A dark silhouette of a gigantic body with a distant head flew through the smoke, wings protruding out of the smog, until it perched on a mountain and screamed, “You can’t get away from me, Stream. I will hunt you down and get my revenge. Don’t you dare show your face to me again! Or your next adventure will be in my stomach!”
I squinted at his voice and turned back around. "Yeah, I'll keep that in mind." I started limping away with a hoof pressed against my head. My eyes were welded shut, trying to block the pain out. My hoof failed to find the next step, and I slipped down the edge of a hill I was too in pain to see was right in front of me. After tumbling down the steep slope, I finally hit the bottom with a thud. My chin was solid on the ground with my front hooves lying behind me. My stomach and my two back legs were sprawled up the wall I just tumbled down. “This looks like a good place to get some sleep,” I added before I finally passed out.