Flying For Freedom

Chapter Twenty (The Final Step)

My wings start to droop, aching from the strain of flying for so long. But I must, or I will be trapped forever.

"I was hoping you'd give up, but I see that you're not going to. Now I just have to wait. There's no use spending energy while I don't have to. Fly little dragon. Fly until your wings give out." That can't happen. I can't falter, or I'll be in big trouble.

"You'll never get away with this." I growl as fiercely as I can, but he only laughs at the words.

"A cliche really. It makes you seem boring. When you say something, say it so it leaves an impression. The classic answer for me is, 'I already have'." Why must he make fun of me like this? Why is he even doing this?

"Why?" He looks at me calmly.

"It's a long story. I will start in the beginning." Even trapped, Bluescold is still sarcastic.

"Will it bore us to sleep? I want to hear something interesting."

"No. It is not boring. In fact, you might learn something new." My wings tire even more. I have to keep flying, or I die. I must stall him. I might get a chance to land while he's talking. It'll be risky, but it's the only way.

"How long is it?"

"Very long. Now be quiet. All of you. You two annoying children may still be spared." I can't feel my wings anymore. I'll only last a few more minutes.

"After peace was made, a group formed. They were not bad. They knew that it was not true peace until we were united, as we were under Flame. Like you, we believe he is the greatest ruler of all time."

"Who is we?"

"You'll learn eventually, if Flame cooperates when I tell him to do something. What did I tell you to do?"

"Be silent. But-"

"Then stay silent. I will not tolerate you talking. If you are not a nuisance, you will survive." I'm shaking now. I just need a few more minutes, then I can land while he's distracted. "

"We want that back, a ruler. Someone to unite the people. We have chosen the leader of all of Akr, and it is not you, Flame. You're far too soft to be a uniter. We need someone who is strict, someone who can tell others what to do, or make them do it."

"So you're planning on letting the entirety of Akr become slaves to your leader."

"That is not how I would put it. We are not in a time of peace, as many would say. We are running a knife against our skin. Any moment it could cut. The delicate skin could break, and there would be no peace. We are doing the world a favor. Now. If you want to hear anymore, Flame will drop down. He will give in." Darn it! Now I'm stuck or he's ready for me.

"Never!"

"Fine. I'll just wait till you have to stop flying, and your friends will die." I fly for another minute, then my wings falter. I slowly sink towards the ground. "Your friends will be punished for this." Suddenly, I look up. I feel a burning sensation in my gut. I release it.

The pressure leaves me like a breath, and I gasp from the release of power. I watch as the vines turn to harmless threads, the snakes shrink until I can no longer see them. Outside, the spiders turn to feathers. The webs break apart. The monster that Stormbreaker had called "Special" disappeared in a flash of light.

"You think that can stop me. I'm much more powerful than you. You have no idea the door you just opened." I open my mind, and see everything I can do. I can do anything I want, not that I'm planning on that. Power like this can be very dangerous.

"Yes I do. I know the way to open the doors."

"Liar. Even I can't open the doors to beyond. That was only accessible by Flame and Chaos. He took years to master the art."

"I am Flame." And I know I am. In some way, I'm connected to him. He'll show me the way. "Thank you." I can feel his spirit in my head. The power I called upon was from him. He gave me my gifts. He's what I felt every time I tried to use it. He was waiting till I would understand truly what I have, and what I need to use it for.

I look at Stormbreaker. His eyes are wide, staring at me. I look down at my feet, but they're not there. I shuffle to the right, and he keeps looking forward. I'm invisible. Somehow, I achieved Flame's great power. His greatest abilities were invisibility and foresight. I didn't need to see the future, so he guided me through invisibility. We are one now. I go behind Stormbreaker, and touch him. The power in my hand causes him to collapse, unconscious.

I return to the visible world. My two friends gasp.

"How did you do that?" They ask it in awed voices, and at the same time.

"Flame. He came to me. He worked through me, guiding my every move. Somehow, Flame and I are connected. We are connected through something bigger than the mind, or even all of Akr."

"That's nice," Firefly interrupts. "But we need to help all these pegasi first. Come on."

"Let's go." I say.