Just like fire, burning out the way

If I can light the world up for just one day

Watch this madness, colorful charade

No one can be just like me any way

("Just Like Fire," P!nk)

Chapter 17: Here There Be Dragons

I stood in the middle of the library, staring at Zelena in shock. "You…you kidnapped me?"

She rolled her eyes. "Technicalities, Regina."

"Technicalities?" I shrieked. "You took me from my bed, from my house, from my family to fight a fucking dragon!"

"Well, if you had just given me an answer when I asked, you could've driven yourself here in that metallic death trap," Zelena said, looking disgusted at the thought of a car.

I raised my eyebrows. "How do you get around without using a car? Do you use magic all the time?"

"Of course not," she said. "While people in Storybrooke are aware of those with magical abilities, I don't want to show mine. Someone might remember and everything would be ruined. Keith drives me wherever I have to go. He is a public servant after all."

"That's not what a public servant is supposed to do!" I screeched, shaking my head.

She crossed her arms. "I didn't bring you here to question my leadership. I brought you here to fight a dragon."

"I'm not doing that in my pajamas," I said, motioning to the long-sleeved shirt and flannel pants I wore. "And I'm going to need a weapon. Maybe a suit of armor."

Zelena rolled her eyes. "You have magic, Regina. We both know that. So use it to conjure up whatever you think you need. Just be fast about it."

"Can I get some privacy?" I asked with my arms crossed.

She huffed but nodded. "Fine. You can change toward the back. Keep in mind there is only one exit and I'll be blocking it. And I cast a curse to keep you from using your magic to escape as well."

I nodded, understanding I was trapped. My only hope lay with Robin realizing I was no longer in bed soon enough and figuring out I had been taken by Zelena. He had found and saved me from her once before so I knew he would do so again. I just had to be patient and try not to go down to where the dragon was before then.

Knowing Zelena was watching me like a hawk, I retreated to the back to change my outfit. I took a deep breath and cleared my mind, trying to figure out what I should put on in order to deceive her into thinking I would fight a dragon.

Raising my hand, I engulfed myself in my familiar purple smoke and changed out of my pajamas. I chose something similar to my Enchanted Forest clothes—one of Robin's white shirts, a tight leather vest and black pants paired with boots. My bow and a quiver appeared as well and I picked them up, ready to face Zelena again.

"Okay, I'm changed," I said, walking back to the front of the library.

Zelena looked me over, smirking. "You're from this world yet you chose the clothing of another realm?"

"I'm fighting a creature from another realm," I pointed out, putting on my quiver. I also felt more comfortable in these clothes but I wasn't going to discuss that with her.

"And you think arrows are going to take down a dragon?" she asked, almost mocking me.

I shrugged. "They're the weapons I'm most comfortable wielding," I told her. "In addition to my magic, of course."

She rolled her eyes. "Seriously, Regina, do you have a death wish?"

"No," I replied, annoyed, "but I get the feeling you'd be happier if I died."

"You wound me." Zelena placed her hands on her chest and tried her best to look hurt at my words.

I rolled my eyes. "So, is there anything else I need to know before I go down to fight your battle for you?"

She nodded. "There is a special weapon down there for you to use but you have to find it first."

"Are you dropping me into a video game?" I asked, incredulous. I had to find the weapon I would need to attempt to slay the dragon? What was going on?

"A what?" she asked, confused before shaking her head. "Just find the weapon and then defeat the dragon, retrieve the treasure she's guarding and return it to me."

I sighed. "And where exactly am I going? The nonfiction section?"

"Follow me," Zelena said, walking away from me.

"Do I have a choice?" I called after her. She just glared at me over her shoulder and I sighed, following her deeper into the library.

She stopped against a far wall by what appeared to be an old-fashioned elevator, judging by the ornate iron railing that covered its doors. Her hand grazed a lever as she looked at me. "This will take you down deep under the town, into the mines down below."

"Mines?" I asked. "Are they safe? Do I need a canary with me?"

"A canary? Why would you need a canary?" she asked, confused.

I sighed. "It warns about methane levels in the mines."

"What is methane?" she asked. "And why would you need to be warned about it by a bird?"

"It's a dangerous gas that can build up in the mines. It can kill you and is highly flammable too. One spark and the whole place goes up." I opened my fists to simulate an explosion.

She shook her head. "I think you'll be fine. Now, quit stalling with these made up words. It's time to head down into the mines."

Zelena pulled the lever and I heard gears groaning to life as they pulled up the elevator car. She opened the gate and motioned for me to step inside. "After you."

"Is that safe?" I asked, looking uncertainly at it. "It looks like a death trap, if you ask me."

"I told you to stop stalling." Zelena shoved me into the small carriage before climbing in herself, closing the gates to lock us in. "Going down."

She flipped another lever and the carriage shook as it jolted downward. I clutched onto the wall, trying to find something to hold on to as we rocked with each inch the elevator moved down the shaft. "I knew this was a death trap."

"Who knew you were so scared of a lift?" Zelena asked, taunting me.

"Only of how old and rickety it is," I shot back.

She pulled on the lever again and I fell to the floor as the elevator came to a halt. Groaning, I sat up. "You did that on purpose."

"No," she said, too giddy for me to believe her. "It was just an added bonus."

I picked myself up off the ground without any help from her. She opened the gate and stepped aside, arm outstretched. "After you."

"Nothing is going to jump out me, right?" I asked, hesitating. "This place isn't boobytrapped, right?"

She shrugged. "Maybe. I don't know. I only made sure the lift works. I didn't actually get off it."

"So you have no clue what is out there? How do you even know there is a dragon down here?" I asked, wondering if this was some elaborate plan to kidnap and kill me.

Oh, wait. It already was since the ultimately goal was for me to fight a dragon.

Zelena rolled her eyes again. "How about we go out together? Will that make you feel better?"

"I guess," I replied, trying to figure out how she could still screw me over this way. "But we hold hands. If you let go, I will step right back in the elevator."

"Fine," she sighed, taking my outstretched hand. She held on tightly as she sneered at me. "Happy now?"

I was far from it but it was the best I could do now. Together, we stepped out into the hallway and looked both ways, seeing only darkness. I conjured up a flashlight and turned it on, trying to get my bearings. When my beam hit a string of lanterns, I motioned to them. "We should try to light those."

"We have magic, Regina," Zelena reminded me. She wiggled her fingers and the lanterns lit up, one by one. They cast an eerie orange glow that did little to dispel the shadows but allowed us to see the path we were on.

Looking left and then right, I sighed. "Okay, which way now?"

"Let's try this way," she said, pointing to our left. "We can always double back if I'm wrong."

Knowing I had no other choice, I nodded and took her hand again. "You're not leaving me alone just yet."

"Fine," she huffed again and we started off, unsure what we would find at the end of the long tunnel under Storybrooke.

I didn't know how long we had been walking and I didn't want to conjure up a watch. So Zelena and I kept walking in silence, both of us growing angrier with each step. She no doubt was growing frustrated that I was keeping her with me when she could be off lounging, letting me do the hard work. And I was angry that she had put me into this position, wanting me to do her dirty work for her.

I also thought of Robin and our family, wondering what was happening back at home. No doubt they had to realize I was gone. Had he called the police? Cousin Barb? Our friends? Would Harold be able to pick up on any linger magical traces to help explain where I had gone? Or would Robin just know? Would he come storming into Storybrooke to try to find me?

Who would help him though besides David? He couldn't go to the Sheriff and no one would believe that their mayor kidnapped me to fight a dragon. They would think he was crazy. He would have to rely on David and their own hero skills. I would have to rely on them.

"Ugh, are we going to have to trek the other way too?" Zelena groaned. "Because these shoes were not made for walking."

"Then change them. You're a fucking witch, Zelena," I snapped.

She stopped, forcing me to stop as well. "Someone's rather testy."

"Someone was kidnapped from her family, forced to march through a dark tunnel and is facing fighting a dragon," I replied, wanting to rip her to tiny shreds. "I think I'm allowed to be testy!"

Zelena held up her hands. "Okay, okay. Maybe I should just send you back to Robin and let him deal with you."

"Please do," I countered, crossing my arms.

She sighed, leaning down to magic her heels away and replaced them with a pair of sturdy black boots. Zelena straightened up. "There. Much better, right?"

"I guess so. Are we heading back?" I asked, shining my flashlight toward the path we had just taken.

Zelena scowled, looking both ways. "Let's go a bit further. Maybe we'll find something."

I sighed. "Or maybe there's nothing down here. Maybe this dragon is a complete figment of your imagination."

"Oh, trust me, this dragon is not a figment of my imagination," Zelena replied, walking away. "I know she is down here."

"She? You know the dragon is female?" I asked.

She paused before shrugging. "It just makes the most sense."

My suspicions grew stronger and I crossed my arms. "What aren't you telling me about this dragon? What else do you know?"

"Nothing," she said far too quickly for my liking.

"Zelena!" I snapped. "I'm the one risking my life and my family—and not willingly, I might add. I think I deserve the truth!"

I stomped my foot and felt the floor give out beneath me. Before I could try to move, I found myself in a free fall, legs kicking as my arms tried to reach out for something to grab onto in order to stop my descent. There was nothing and all I could do was brace myself for an impact.

How I wished I had a mattress or something soft to land on at that moment.

I landed on what felt like a pile of feathers. Scrambling to my knees, my heart beat wildly as I realized it was a mattress. What was a mattress doing down here? It made no sense…until I remembered a very important fact: I was witch.

A cloud of green smoke appeared next to me before dying down to reveal a scowling Zelena. "What did you do that for?"

"It was an accident," I told her, glaring at her. Hadn't that been obvious? Or did she really think I meant to fall through the floor?

She let out an exasperated sigh before kicking at a rock. Zelena shone my flashlight around the room to examine it.

I conjured up another flashlight for myself, shining it down what appeared to be another tunnel. "Maybe we need to go this way?"

She groaned. "Great. Another tunnel. Wonderful. We'll be down here for days."

"Well, if you had let me do more research and come up with a plan, we wouldn't be in this mess," I told her hotly.

"You were just dragging your feet. I'd never get…what I need you to get from the dragon…if I left you to your own devices."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. We can stand here blaming each other all day or we can keep exploring the tunnels. I vote for the latter."

"Fine," she said, motioning for me to start walking. "Lead the way."

It felt like we had been walking for hours when my stomach growled, making me realize that I hadn't eaten yet at all that day. Zelena stopped when she heard the sound, frowning. "What was that?"

"My stomach," I told her. "I require food, you know. Aren't you hungry?"

She glanced down at her own stomach and shrugged. "I guess so."

"I doubt you packed food though."

"I didn't think we'd be down here this long!" Zelena narrowed her eyes, glaring at me accusingly.

I closed my eyes, counting down from ten. When I reached one, I let out a calming breath. "Fine. But we still need food."

"Well, as you keep reminding me, we're fucking witches," she spat out at me. "Conjure food if you're so hungry."

Rolling my eyes, I flicked my wrist and a sandwich appeared. I bit into it, relishing the taste before my hunger took over. Within minutes, I had eaten it all and was working on a bottle of water I conjured up next.

"Did you breathe?" Zelena asked, staring at me in horror.

"I was hungry," I protested, making my garbage disappear. "Did you have something?"

She nodded. "An apple and some water. Some of us have figures they are trying to maintain."

I rolled my eyes. "Some of us actually have appetites and busy lives, including three children to take care of. Children I would like to get home to."

"Then we should continue our trek," Zelena said, shining her flashlight down the corridor. "It has to go somewhere…right?"

"You're the one who created the town. Shouldn't you know?" I believed had I been a mayor, I would've known every inch of my town. Especially if it was as small as Storybrooke.

"The curse created the town. I had little control over that," she replied, sounding annoyed as we continued down the corridor.

We reached the end, once again facing a rock wall. I glanced down at the floor, nervous. "I hope that the floor doesn't give out again."

"You and me both," Zelena said, shining her flashlight there. She bounced a few times before nodding. "Seems solid enough."

I sighed, now staring at the wall. "Either we have to turn around or we need to use our magic to get through this."

Zelena put down her flashlight and held up her hands. "I guess it's going to have to be our magic then."

"Agreed." I set down my own flashlight and held up my hands as well. "On three. One…two…three."

We blasted the rock with our magic and I had to look away as shards flew back toward us. I felt them hit my body and winced, praying there were no discernable bruises—though those would probably be the least of my problems.

Dust floated through the air as we looked back, picking up our flashlights again. I shone mine into the hole, revealing a room there. "This is odd," I said.

"Well, let's see what's inside," she replied, motioning toward the hole. "After you."

I rolled my eyes, taking her hand. "I'm still not going anywhere without you, Zelena. Not until we get out of here."

She gasped, digging her heels into the floor to make it more difficult for me to drag her. Zelena's eyes grew wide. "That's not part of the deal! I brought you here to fight the dragon so I didn't have to! You can't make me!"

"You're making me!" I yelled back, tugging on her arm. "If you want whatever the fuck this dragon has, you're going to get it with me."

"Fine," she huffed. "Let's check out this room and see if your weapon is in here. Hopefully it is because I want to get out of here."

We stepped through the hole and into the room. Shelves full of different items lined it and I approached one, picking up a china tea cup. Its rim was chipped and I frowned, wondering why someone would keep it. And why was it hidden away?

I set it back down and turned to Zelena. "See anything?"

"Not yet," she replied, moving deeper into the room. "But it's bigger than it appears. I think there's more back here."

"More items or just more room?" I headed toward where she had walked, wondering what else waited for us.

Zelena had stopped and appeared to be staring at something against the far wall. I stood next to her, shining my flashlight in the same direction as hers. The light glinted off something and I gasped. "Is that…?"

"It's your weapon," she said, grinning. "We found it."

I stepped closer, staring at the gold hilt of a sword as it protruded from a rather large stone. No jewels adorned it but there was an inscription of some sort on it. Frowning, I tried to read it but I didn't recognize the language. "Do you know what this says?"

"Step aside and let me see," she ordered, coming closer. I did as she asked, watching as she leaned in to examine the hilt.

She frowned. "It's elvish and just asks that a general blessing from the gods be bestowed on whoever wields the sword."

"Oh." That seemed anticlimactic and I felt a sense of disappointment wash over me as I stepped forward again. I guess for a moment I thought it was Excalibur after everything I've been through but it was just a regular sword. "So I guess I just take it?"

"Appears so." Zelena took a step back and motioned toward the sword. "Well? Go ahead. Take it."

I took a deep breath and grabbed the hilt. With a good tug, it came loose from the stone it was stuck in and I held it aloft. It appeared to be a good blade and it felt light, unlike other swords I had used it. "This seems good," I said.

"Good. Now you have to find the entrance to the dragon's lair," she said.

I placed the sword into the scabbard I had attached to my outfit and frowned. "We're going to find the entrance, remember?"

"Right, right." Zelena huffed as she turned back to the entrance we had created. "Do you think we need to go back into the tunnel?"

A feeling washed over me and I shook my head. "No, I think the entrance is in here. It might even be behind this stone."

I turned around and studied the stone, trying to see if there was an opening behind it but couldn't see anything. Still, the feeling told me that I was on the right track. "Stand back. I'm going to use my magic to move it."

"You don't need to tell me twice." Zelena held up her hands and stepped back, giving me plenty of room to work.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath to clear my mind and calm myself down. I would need all my concentration to help me move the rock and didn't want to take any chances. Once I felt ready to proceed, I opened my eyes and shot my magic at the stone.

Purple tendrils curled around it and helped me lift it off the ground. I carefully moved it into a far corner, each inch requiring a great exertion of energy on my part. Sweat beads trickled down my face as I got it where I wanted, letting it down carefully.

"There," I said, breathing a sigh of relief. I turned back to the hole, frowning. It was big enough for us to fit but not standing. "I think we're going to have to crawl."

Zelena shook her head. "You just used your magic to move a stone and now you think you have to crawl, Regina? Really?"

"I used a lot of energy to move that rock, Zelena," I argued. "If I want to have any magic left when I face that dragon, I need to preserve my energy."

"Fine." Zelena flicked her wrist and I saw a dark green cloud of magic engulf us. It felt like I had become a cartoon character, crushed by an anvil yet still alive, as a strong wind blew me away as if I had been caught in a tornado like Dorothy and Toto.

My feet hit the ground again and the weight was lifted as the green smoke died down. Zelena and I stood in a dark room. She flicked her wrist again and torches along the walls lit up, revealing we were really in a hallway that led to a staircase.

"I guess that leads to the dragon," I said, taking one of the torches. "You should grab one too."

"I'm good with yours," she said. "Besides, I'm probably going to have hold yours while you fight the dragon."

I realized that she was right—Zelena was probably going to cower in a corner while I did the hard work. At least she would then have the torch to scare off the dragon. So I nodded. "Fine. Let's go."

We walked down the corridor, her heels clicking against the stones that created the floor while my boots crushed little rocks that covered it. The staircase was narrow, forcing us to go down single file. I handed Zelena the torch and made her go down first to make sure she didn't bolt on me. She rolled her eyes but started down the stairs, one hand clutching the torch while the other clung to the wall.

I threw out my hands to brace against the wall as well, afraid that one wrong step would send me tumbling to my death. At least I would take Zelena with me, I though with a wry smile before shaking away those thoughts. I was going to get out of this and return to my family. I just had to stay positive and be careful.

The steps spiraled downward and I felt as if we were descending into the bowels of the earth. I wondered if it was really getting hotter or if it was all in my mind. Or perhaps it was just how close I was to the flames of the torch.

We reached the bottom, staring at a stone door. "How do we get in now? I don't see a knob or handle or hinges," I commented.

"It's guarding a dragon," Zelena reminded me. "It's probably enchanted by ancient magic that could exist in this world even before I brought magic to it."

"Ancient magic? Do you know how to counter it? Or are we stuck here?" I asked, fuming at her.

She rolled her eyes. "Relax. I know how to open the door. It's why you have to be the one to fight the dragon—your light magic."

"Right, of course," I murmured. "Fine. I was trying to save my energy but I guess I can blast the door…"

"You don't have to blast anything, Regina. Just touch it," she told me, annoyed.

I tried not to glare at her as I pressed my hand to the cold stone door. My palm heated up and I saw a soft glow between my fingers before the door shimmered like beams of light. It disappeared, revealing a cavern behind it.

"Here," Zelena said, handing me the torch.

Holding it out, I let its flames illuminate the room. A dark purple, scaly blob lay sleeping in the corner and I knew that was the dragon I was to fight. I swallowed and held the torch back to Zelena. "Well, here goes nothing."

Instead of taking the torch, she pushed me into the room. "You're on your own now," she said.

"What?" I exclaimed, rushing toward her. "You can't leave me."

She gave me a wicked smile and a wave before the door reformed, preventing me from killing her momentarily. Annoyed, I pressed my hand against the door and waited for my light magic to dissolve it again.

Nothing happened.

"What the hell?" I yelled. "Why won't it work now?"

A low growl reminded me I wasn't alone and I pressed myself against the door, holding the torch out with a shaky hand. The dragon lifted its head, yellow eyes blinking open as it searched the room. I knew when its gaze fell on me for I swore the creature smiled as it rose to its feet. It probably thought I was going to be a nice snack, an easy kill.

Well, it was in for a rude awakening.

The dragon was upright now, its tail swishing in the air as it lowered its head. It stuck out its forked tongue a few times before turning its head, breathing out a fireball. The flames ignited a moat of some sort of accelerant and I was surrounded by a ring of fire. No longer needing my torch, I tossed it into the flames and stepped forward as I conjured up a shield with the Locksley crest on it.

"Okay you," I said, pulling out my sword. "Let's dance."

It roared and swung its tail at me. I jumped out of the way, rolling a bit before making sure to stop before I hit the flames. Sweat rolled down my face and my heart pounded. Every nerve in my body was firing and I was ready for anything.

Despite its size, the dragon moved almost like a snake. It slithered and almost flew around the room, eyes always on me. I had no doubt that it was trying to find the best way to just snap me up but I had no plans to go down easily. Digging my shield into the ground in front of me, I conjured up a bow and arrows, nocking one and taking aim.

Charming told me I had to first try to tire it out before I could get even a chance at a kill shot. My goal was to essentially play fetch and chase with it, hoping it would tire before I did. Hopefully my adrenaline would keep me going for a long time.

I let the first arrow fly and it hit the dragon's neck. It roared—either in pain or displeasure—and swiped a claw at the spot. After a couple swipes, it managed to dislodge my arrow but I had had enough time to move my position and disorient it for a few moments.

We did this dance a few times—I fired an arrow and ran while the dragon was distracted. It didn't try to charge me and I wondered if it was playing with me, trying to tire me out as well. This couldn't last forever, I worried, and I still didn't know what I was supposed to take from the dragon for Zelena. Many ingredients for magical spells came from the creature—tongue, scales, claw, heart. It could be anything.

Something glittered from the firelight, drawing my attention to where the dragon had been sleeping. Blankets lay around the spot, forming a bed of sorts. And lying on it was a large egg, mostly purple with some golden specks on it.

I then knew that was what I needed to get for Zelena.

My attention had been diverted far too long and I barely had time to duck behind my shield as the dragon sent a fireball in my direction. The heat was unbearable, making me feel as if I had fallen into the sun. I closed my eyes to protect against the intensity of the light and pressed myself against the shield, which heated up as the fire continued to stream past me. A searing pain ripped through my arm and I cried out as I clutched it close to me, knowing it was burnt.

There wasn't time to heal it, though. I heard the dragon moving closer to me and I knew I needed to move. With my arm out of commission, I had to abandon the bow and arrows. It was time to rely on the sword instead as I made my way toward the dragon's nest.

It realized where I was heading and dove for me, screeching as it hurdled through the air. I fell backwards, swinging my sword as I went down. The blade hit something hard and I pulled down, slicing a nice wound into the dragon's shoulder. It cried out before flying off.

Not sure if I injured it or pissed it off—most likely both—I held my sword tight as I approached the egg. I reached out for it, running my hand over the smooth surface and finding it warm. Something moved inside and I frowned, wondering what the egg contained.

The egg began to shake violently and I took a step back, holding out my sword. Cracks formed on the surface and I wasn't sure what was going to come at me. I had to be prepared for anything.

Part of the shell fell away, leaving a hole that I used to peer into so I could see what lay inside. I gasped as I saw a human baby covered in some sort of goo, almost like the plasma that had covered Rachel when she was born. Like Rachel, this baby white skin with pinkish undertones as well as dark tufts covering her head. I couldn't tell the gender yet as the baby wave his or her little fists around, letting out angry mewls.

I sheathed my sword and reached in to take the baby into my arms. He or she was warm and writhing, now crying in displeasure. When a little leg kicked, I realized the baby was a girl. Rocking her, I started to make the same soothing sounds I had with Emma and Rachel.

"Don't hurt her," a woman's voice said, sounding desperate yet threatening at the same time. I looked up to find the dragon gone and instead a blonde woman wearing a long purple dress with a large black collar that covered her neck. She leaned on a long black scepter with a glowing purple orb at the very top. A nasty gash covered her shoulder, blood staining the dress there, and I realized I had done it.

She was the dragon.

A/N: Yes, I've changed Lily's age—she's now younger than Emma, but I hope you all can forgive me that. This also seemed like a good place to end the chapter, so we'll get some Dragon Queen friendship interaction in the next chapter and hopefully Robin coming in to "save" his wife.

And since someone asked this on Curious Cat: Yes, I do want to write a companion piece where we get Robin's perspective on this little episode, where he wakes up to find his wife gone. That will be coming…soonish.

Happy New Year, everyone!

-Mac