Sweetie walked down the dust caked ground, a stray gust sending it in the direction she was heading. Everything had an orange quality to it, and she coughed as her dry throat reminded her she was out of water. Trees were completely dead, and any signs of life were long gone.
Sweetie pulled out her map, calling upon her magic to start charging up her water spell. Due to the lack of moisture in the air, it would take more out of her than normal, but it was necessary. Sweetie considered herself lucky her magic water was drinkable. Pulling out her bottles, she cast the spell, quickly filling them up.
Sipping her drink, she continued up the sharp incline, her destination bound to be in sight once she reached the top. Glancing to her map as she walked, Sweetie nodded, putting the map away. Eventually, she couldn’t pull herself up the side without resorting to climbing, so she concentrated, levitating herself up to the rim, landing on the edge.
Dragons, and all of them looking toward her. Most of the adults quickly looked away, giving a yawn and settling back to sleep. It was only a group of teenagers that approached her as she descended into the bowl. None of the adults moved, waiting to see what her reasoning for coming was.
“Well well well, a namby pamby pony. Who’s hungry boys?” The leader, a crimson dragon standing on two legs with a yellow underside, approached. Sweetie looked evenly, despite the shaking slowly trying to escape. Even with many Loops of experience, instinct prevailed. Standing proud, a bead of sweat slid down her face.
The two other dragons, one a pale blue and the other a dark purple, approached, licking their mouths as they punched a fist into their hands. Sweetie breathed in, closing her eyes as she calmed herself. This was her time, her chance. Yes, she had put a protection spell on her saddlebags to ensure they didn’t get burned for as long as the magic lasted, so it was time to brave her goal.
Two dragons leaned back, and fire enveloped her. Horn sparking, Sweetie easily kept her shield up. After a moment, the two ceased, and all three leaned back in shock. Sweetie inspected her hoof, and looked at them with a bored expression. Challenge accepted, the leader pointed at her.
“Grrr! Get her! She’s just using some pansy magic!” Folding his arms, he smirked at Sweetie. Surprisingly, the pony merely smiled sweetly in response. Mind slow to absorb this fact, it wasn’t until his lackeys were already diving forward that he realised this pony was different. But by then, it was too late.
Teleporting, Sweetie avoided the two dragons, standing on her back hooves and giving a twirl. Turning, she fired a bolt of water, sending them crashing into the side of the bowl, leaving an indent in the wall. The two rose, and roared. The leader knew there was no way they could defeat the strange pony, and glanced toward the adults watching.
Sweetie teleported behind the two dragons, and then teleported once more as they anticipated her action. Calling upon her magic, she pulled out her blade of glass, and swung it at their weak undersides, aiming for non-serious spots in case she went too deep. The two howled in pain, and dived for her again.
A huge thud sounded, and the three teenagers immediately ran behind it, cowering in confusion and fear. Sweetie turned, inspecting the dragon in front of her. He was coal-black in color, with his underside being a light gray. Eyes of molten fire glared her down, and Sweetie nearly gave into her instinct to run right there and then. But, forcing that feeling down, she breathed in and out, and met the dragon right in the eyes.
Sweetie bowed low, showing respect in a way she hoped would transcend any language barriers. The dragon made no move for a moment, and Sweetie slowly raised her head to meet his gaze again. The teenagers were smirking, expecting her to be killed. All the other dragons watched on, curiosity nearly all-consuming.
“You, pony whose blade pierces teenage flesh. You show us humility, and yet see yourself as our equal. I will overlook your transgression against the hatchlings, but choose your next words carefully.” The dragon’s voice rumbled around Sweetie, nearly deafening her. Thinking for a moment, she stood up straight, and raised her voice to speak as loud as she could without shouting.
“I am Sweetie Belle, a filly who is stuck in a Time Loop.” As Sweetie paused, a few of the adults shared a glance, but the black dragon didn’t even flinch.
“II know not why or how I got trapped in such, but it has granted me the ability to slowly grow my battle abilities to the point you saw just now.” Pointing toward the teenagers, Sweetie closed her eyes, breathed in, and continued.
“I do not know if you believe me, but that is unimportant. My reason for being here is simple, and I understand the ramifications of such a request requires combat. I wish to ride a dragon. I would be honored if you would consider my request.” Sweetie bowed once more, opening her eyes, as the majority of the dragons reared back, roaring at the insult. The black dragon leaned back slightly, looking at the adult dragons, quickly silencing all the commotion.
“We are aware of this time loop you are in. Our magic resistance affords us considerable resistance to most of your magic. This spell, while powerful, is nothing that we can be affected by.” The dragon paused, watching Sweetie’s reaction. As her eyes widened, he saw the questions appearing on her face, and leaned in closer.
“While we cannot detect the source of the spell, it does not affect us. We do not care for ‘weeks’, ‘months’, or even ‘years’. Our lives go on, and your Loop does not change anything for us.” Satisfied he had answered the majority of the questions, he waited for the pony to speak.
“But my town has a baby dragon, and he’s not aware of it. And what about those three?” Sweetie didn’t understand. Was this something she could use to get out?
“A dragon’s age is directly proportional to how much magic resistance they have. While those hatchlings can absorb most of the damage incoming from low level spells, their scales are weak, their minds unclear. At most, your baby dragon would suffer from a minor case of deja vu, I believe that is what you call it?” Pausing, the dragon watched Sweetie nod.
“One last question. What would you do if it was affecting you?” Sweetie tilted her head, and the dragon leaned down, one huge eye covering most of her vision.
“Raze Equestria to the ground,” he spoke seriously. Gulping, Sweetie nodded as he leaned back. That was fair, considering what their race was like. Sweetie was certain if it had of been the case, she would already be gone. The dragon shifted, flaring his humongous wings. All the adults roared at once, and Sweetie winced, covering her ears. After a moment, it was silent again.
“We have discussed your request, and have agreed to grant you the chance, granted you defeat the dragon in combat first. I trust that is to your liking?” The dragon tilted his head, and Sweetie nodded, gulping as sweat began to fall down her face. This was it, finally. The dragon made a sweeping motion with his wing, motioning toward the adults looking at her.
“Choose your opponent. Sweetie of the Glass Blade.” While she didn’t entirely care for the dragon’s nickname for her, she wasn’t going to say that. Turning, Sweetie looked over the many dragons, noticing one’s that looked sickly, and some that were sleeping. If she was smart, she should go for one of those.
And yet…
“I choose you.” Sweetie turned, and smirked at the black dragon. Blinking, he reared back, and laughed. Sweetie noticed dragons begin to carry gems around. If she had to guess, it was likely they were taking bets. On the other side, she noticed the teenagers run toward a female dragon with rose-red scales.
“Oh, it has been a while since someone has dared to challenge me. Please be aware I won’t go easy on you.” The black dragon moved, taking his place at the other edge of the clearing. Sweetie gritted her teeth, nerves quickly consuming her. What the hell was she doing!?
’Calm down, you can do this. Death is only temporary. Just make sure you don’t get swallowed up by the magic-shield. Also called dragon.’ Lowering herself down to the ground, she began to shake in fright. All around her dragons began to laugh, all except the coal-black dragon. After a moment, his voice rang out from the other side of the bowl.
“It is not too late to back out, young one.” The dragon’s voice carried a tone of concern, and that touched Sweetie greatly. Here in the middle of nowhere, a dragon was caring about her, even slightly. All at once, her fear faded, and she stood back up. Opening her eyes, she smiled at the dragon, and he gave his own dragon smile in return.
“Very well,” he spoke, cracking his joints as he prepared to to battle. Sweetie stretched out, breathing in as she took a battle stance. This was going to be one of the hardest things she ever did.
And yet, Sweetie had never felt more alive.