Chapter 18: Wrath of the Dragon

Meanwhile, within the sea of thorns, Jamie and the others were getting closer and closer to Blue Diamond's castle, with each swing of the stable boy's sword, slashing at every bramble that still stood in their way.

"It shouldn't take too long now," Jamie said. "Once we chop these next few thorns, we'll be out of here in no time."

But just as the rest of the rescue party agreed with him, a flash of piercing white light appeared, causing them to take a few steps back. Once the light cleared, White Diamond was standing before them, blocking their path to freedom. Content in wanting to save Lapis, everyone stood their ground, ready to deal with whatever magic the wicked fairy would throw at them. Although, they hadn't predicted what she had planned.

"It's time to finish this foolishness once and for all!" the wicked fairy shouted. "For now, you shall deal with me and my greatest power!"

With a stamp of her staff, a flash of lightning struck, and, White Diamond disappeared into the dark sky, with the sound of her echoing laughter occurring. Standing in her place, was a tall menacing white dragon with sharp teeth, wings, and horns on its head. Everyone was left shaken, especially the fairies, for they knew that the wicked fairy would only utilise this form, as a last resort to defeat those who opposed her. The dragon stared angrily at Jamie, frustrated at how a lowly stable boy like him, had become such a bother for her and her minions. Without warning, she began violently snapping at Jamie with her mouth, whilst also using her claws to swipe at the fairies, cutting some of the thorns in the process. In response, Jamie began using his sword and shield to defend himself from the dragon's attacks, whilst the fairies, sans Steven, tried to use their magic against her. Alas, the latter had little effect on the dragon, who shook off the magic as if it were nothing.

"It's not working," Bismuth said to the others. "This seems to be beyond any magic we've gone against before."

"Pathetic fairies," the dragon spoke telepathically with White Diamond's voice. "You really believe your weak magic has a chance against me, well think again."

And with that remark, she gave one huge swipe at the fairies, knocking some of them around and hurting them on the thorns. Meanwhile, Steven, along with Connie and Lars, was trying to create a new path in which Jamie could get past the dragon, using his magic to shrink more of the thorns.

"Quickly Jamie!" shouted the stable hands as they went back to alert him. "Follow us this way!"

So, Jamie ran along the new pathway, until he eventually reached Steven. Unfortunately, the fairy prince's new path led to the start of a small rock face, meaning that the stable boy was now trapped. To make matters worse, the white dragon, who sniffed Jamie out, caught up to him. Outraged, the reptilian beast began to breathe sharp bursts of white fire at him, and Jamie used his shield to protect himself from the flames.

"Just give up," the wicked fairy turned dragon teased mentally, as the stable boy struggled against her. "You'll never save your beloved princess."

"That's not true!" shouted Jamie in desperate reply. "I will never give up, and I won't stop until I free Lapis from your wretched curse."

"Then I'll ensure you will die trying!" White Diamond roared, who with a fast swipe of her claws, knocked Jamie's shield out of his hand and into the sea of thorns. The stable boy was now left defenceless as, without his shield, he couldn't successfully protect himself from any more of the dragon's long-ranged attacks.

Elsewhere Rose Quartz, who heard White Diamond's laughter from earlier, had left the tower room, only to come across the thorns surrounding Blue Diamond's castle. However, as she flew above the thorny sea to get rid of them, she spotted the dragon from a far distance and could see that her airborne subjects, who had since regained their composure from earlier, were struggling to combat it.

"Oh no!" Rose cried, knowing full well who the dragon was. "That young man must be fighting for his life down there. How can I help him?"

Suddenly, the fairy queen hatched an idea that would assist Jamie and the others, in a way that would require a unique form of magic. Quickly, she flew back into the highest tower where Lapis was still sleeping, as her idea required the princess' assistance.

"Forgive me, Your Highness," she said hastily as she sat next to Lapis' bedside. "But I need your help in this urgent time of need."

So, Rose closed her eyes and cleared her mind once more to speak to Lapis in her dreams. Once inside, she could see the princess was still blissfully dancing with her true love, with the fairies, her mother, and the duchess, praising and blessing them.

"Even when I eventually wake up," Lapis thought to herself. "I hope this dream never ends."

Suddenly, everything in Lapis' dream stood still as Rose appeared before the blue girl. Although the princess was taken aback by this, she asked the concerned fairy queen what the matter was.

"I'm afraid there's not much time to explain, Your Highness," Rose informed. "You have to see this."

It was from the fairy queen's tone, that Lapis sensed something terrible must have happened.

"Are Jamie, Steven, and the others, okay?" she asked nervously. "Please, tell me."

The fairy queen could only look at her solemnly as she presented the princess with a projection, showing the rescue party and their current situation involving the dragon. Lapis could only gasp in horror, as she saw her true love fighting for his life, using only his sword to withstand the reptilian beast's attacks, whilst being backed against a rocky wall. All the while, her fairy guardians were struggling to inflict damage upon the dragon with their magic.

"No!" she cried, fearing for everyone's safety. "This is terrible! Isn't there anything you can do to help them?"

Rose was quick to give the princess an answer. "Indeed there is, my dear," she responded. "But I request your assistance to realise it."

Lapis was confused at first, for she had already been told by Rose that she couldn't do much due to still being under the sleeping spell. But then, things became clearer to the princess when Rose explained her idea to her. This made Lapis smile in great relief, to which she agreed to help the fairy queen and in turn, the rescue party. Back outside, the fairies were still trying their hardest to aid Jamie by projecting their magical dust at the dragon to distract her.

"It's no use," gulped Peridot begrudgingly. "She's too powerful for us to attack, especially in this form."

Although the other fairies tried to ignore this statement, they knew deep down that this was true. Jamie, meanwhile, was starting to lose his strength, even as his friends chanted encouragement to him, whilst Steven had managed to diminish more thorns to allow Jamie to climb up on the ledge above.

"I have to keep fighting," Jamie said to himself. "I must rescue Lapis."

"Foolish boy," the wicked fairy taunted psychically as suddenly, she pinned Jamie to the rocks using one of her front claws. "I might as well of put you to sleep as well, at least then you can be with your precious princess and cease to be a thorn in my side."

"Never!" cried the stable boy in response as he started losing his breath. "I'll be by Lapis' side awake, for I intend to reach her!"

Just then, the entire rescue party began to hear a strange voice in their heads. Whilst they were initially puzzled by who was communicating with them, Jamie and the fairies soon recognised who it was.

"Please, don't give up," the voice called to them. It was none other than Lapis, the kingdom's princess, Steven's best friend and Jamie's true love. Unbeknownst to everyone, Lapis was encouraging them telepathically via Rose Quartz's magic. This had been the fairy queen's idea to allow Jamie to regain his strength and confidence, whilst also giving the fairies and his friends the motivation to assist him.

"I know you can do it. You've all come so far to help break the spell," the slumbering princess continued. "Defeat the evil that has overtaken this kingdom, for I believe in you all."

"Lapis is right," Steven said to himself, turning towards the others. "We've already come so far to save her, so let's not let her down now."

"Agreed!" shouted everyone else in return, reminding themselves of the fairy prince's words from earlier.

Just then, Jamie had an idea. With every ounce of strength left, he took one swing of his sword and managed to strike the dragon's angle, thus freeing himself from her grasp. Then, with the fairies keeping the beast distracted, he climbed up on the ledge as quickly as he could and called to the fairy prince.

"Steven!" he shouted. "Why don't you and the others use your magic on my sword. That way we could defeat White Diamond more easily together."

"What ridiculous talk," the wicked dragon spoke telepathically. "As if the combined efforts of five common fairies, a weak prince and a puny stable boy stand a chance against my power."

"We can if we try!" Steven cried in response as he flew quickly towards the other fairies and whispered Jamie's plan to them.

Then all six of them shot a great sprinkle of magical dust onto Jamie's sword, making it more powerful than before.

"From the combined use of our magic, and strength of this young man's sword," proclaimed Garnet. "We will ensure that your evil won't tarnish this kingdom anymore."

Then, when Jamie found the perfect opening, he threw his sword at the dragon. Suddenly, the beast screamed in agony, as the blade had pierced its chest, thereby allowing the combined magic of Rose Quartz, her son and her five faithful followers to seep in. Suddenly, the dragon collapsed to the ground, as the wound inflicted proved to be fatal.

As Connie, Lars and Steven helped Jamie down from the ledge, they and the fairies watched as the dragon began to disappear. All that was left was Jamie's sword along with a dark grey patch on the ground, implying that White Diamond, had been vanquished for good. Relieved that her terror was almost over, the rescue party embraced one another greatly, before continuing their journey to Blue Diamond's castle, as by now, nothing stood in their way.