A Riddle by Nature

Chapter 6: To Steal a Flower

Ashley was slightly confused when I told her my plan. “Wait so this plant has memory healing properties?”

“Well no not exactly but I can make it matter of factly,” I explained. “The plant known as the Jade Vine a plant of blue so rare, so fine. Mixed with more herbs it will heal the mind but it will not be so easy to find.”

She sighed, “So you can mix this thing with your other herbs and make the potion?”

“Yes that is basically it, and that’s all I’ll need I do admit.” I looked toward the town. “The botanical gardens is where it will be, but no one can notice that’d be bad you see. For if we are captured the future projected would be one where we are most likely-” I paused -“Dissected.”

Ashley’s eyes flashed with horror as I said this got. “Why would they want to dissect us?”

I frowned, “I don’t know for sure that they actually would but when it comes to differences humans aren't that good.”

She grimaced, “You’re right.”

I then said, “Don’t worry my friend, for in that city zone to find the Jade Vine I will roam alone.”

Now she was shocked. “What!!? David you can’t just go in there alone! You could get caught!”

“I know I could, but I must take the chance to break us from this mental trance or leave Zecora and Spitfire alone, lost within our memory zone,” I stared toward the horizon. “I can't do that. No matter what happens to me these little ponies will finally be free.”

It was later that day and the sun was setting when I made my way to the edge of town. Fortunately the gardens were only about a two-hour walk into town and I needed to do this before the night was over, Ashley said. “David it’s a two-hour walk there and a two-hour walk back, plus however long it takes to get into the gardens, find the plant, and get out. What if that’s not enough time? If something happens to you…”

I looked into her eyes, “Don’t worry my life long friend I will return, I’ll be fine in the end.” I hugged her and began a slow, careful walk into the city of Rockford hoping that everything would be ok. Thankfully, it was...until I reached the gardens.

It took almost three hours to reach the gardens since I had to keep dodging cars and, at one point, C.I.A. operatives on foot. Fortunately I managed to get to the gardens without any incident, that didn’t last long.

As soon as I reached the gardens I ran into my first obstacle, I couldn't open doors or pick locks with hooves so I had to wait until someone came out. About an hour later a young woman walked out, she was about to lock the door when I walked up to her, “Excuse me ma’am but I must go in the garden I know it’s late but please do pardon, for it is a matter of death or life and if I don’t stop it there will be much strife.”

She turned around and saw she was being addressed by a Zebra, her eye twitched and she said. “You, Zebra, talking, rhymes…” she fainted immediately.

I sighed, “Lucky for me she dropped her key, so I can get in and the next part can begin.” I managed to pull the door open with my mouth and once I got inside it only took a few minutes to find the plant. “There you are my little flower, now to steal your unknown power.” I dug out the Jade Vine and moved it into a nearby pot for transport but my luck didn’t hold out long. I guess the woman had woken up at some point and called the cops, but when she mentioned talking Zebra the C.I.A. showed up. “Oh that’s just great, I’m already too late. The C.I.A. is here and now I should fear.”

That’s when they started calling over a bullhorn. “Alright come out with your hands, um, hooves up!” I managed to find a back door that apparently wasn't blocked yet but it was locked.

“Alright I’ll just kick it down then I can escape this horrible town.” One well placed kick and the door shattered unfortunately it also set off the alarm.

BOOWWEEP BOWWEEP...

The C.I.A. took notice immediately, I took off as fast as I could run with about twenty government agents chasing me but I easily left them in the dust. The real problem was when they got a van after me at which point I had to take evasive maneuvers, by running through someone’s house.

There was a lot of screaming, swearing and man asking, “Zecora?”

It was almost an hour later when I finally lost the C.I.A. and an angry mob that had tried to catch me after running through several houses. When I managed to get back to where Ashley and I had agreed to meet I didn’t find her immediately so I started to get worried.

“Ashley where are you my dear old friend I back for my trip, with an unfortunate end.”

“Up here David.” I looked up and saw Ashley sitting on a low floating cloud. She flew down to me, “Did you get your plant?”

I smiled, “Yes I got the Jade Vine and now it is my moment to shine.” We made our way out of the city and, once we found a secluded spot I began grinding the Jade Vine’s petals, along with other herbs, plants and spices into two potions. “Now I need the last ingredient and it must be added at the immediate.”

            Ashley, who was leaning against a nearby tree, asked, “And what is tha-OW!”

            The cry of pain was because I pulled a hair from her tail and mixed it into her potion, and then I did the same thing to me and mine. “That was to match our D.N.A. or the potion wouldn’t work anyway.”

            I pushed Ashley’s potion to her and told her, “Alright just drink it all and then in your mind something should call.”

            She seemed a little unsure. “David if this is the end of us...I just want you to know...you made my life worth living.”

            I smiled, “The same to you dear Ashley, and just so you know I will really miss thee.” I looked at the potion on the ground and sighed. “Over the lips, past the gums look at stomach here it comes”. With those words I bent over, picked the potion up in my mouth and drank it.

And with that I died.