“Chess holds its master in its bonds, shackling the mind and brain so that the inner freedom of the very strongest must suffer.” – Albert Einstein

Kings, Queens, and pawns. Those that try to fight don't know the truth. Sometimes those that try to protect the world from a king a Queen or just a pawn. They're at fault a hero walks through the land to protect? No, they don't they take the world for granted thinking that they have a destiny. All heroes are villains. We are in the right when we fight them. There is no true path. For all to follow for all to win. The hero must die or the hero must conform. If they bend and break to the true path. They admit they're a villain and we are the heroes. The true saviors of this world. Then the world will follow. Crush them and show them the hopelessness of it. If they can't if they're to set their blind eye to justice. Their fake ideal of justice. Then they have no place in our true world. To save the world you must break it. Then mold it to bring peace.

Written by Wheel Tread,

Here I am locked between two doors trying to find those I deeply care about as good friends. I wonder if someday I am going to learn what got them and how they got captured. I am hoping I get to them before anything bad happens to them it’s gotten to the point I am worried about it. I just need to do what I must

"So what brings you here bug?"

“I am sure you already know the voice coming from nothing,” I replied.

I look up to the camera lifting myself into the air. A turret comes out of the roof and shoots me with anti-magic bullets. I drop to the floor with a thud feeling my magic drained from me not allowing me to fly.

"Now can't allow you to get through here that easy. You are my pawn for the moment so are you up for a game of chess hmm?"

I didn't know what to think. The fact that I have been led to this cell, the door locked not allowing me to leave. Hearing at the other door opening up and a chessboard comes out with my friends and his minions at the pieces. I have heard of this game and I have seen it back on the island.

"Move your pawns." I looked at my Pawns; they are my friends. Why are they my pawns? It made no sense to me at all. What is with this chess game anyway? I have never played and... Wait, the pieces are just the normal pieces. But mine are my friends?

"Why must we do this?"

"Move your Pawns or forfeit. Allow the Storm King to come back and don't get in our way. If you will just sit there gawking like that. Then you don't have the right to be here to face me. You're just a pawn of heroes that Equestria needs too much. I can prove that Equestria doesn't need heroes or ponies like Red Eye. They just need a move and then become part of the norm. Become the same and never move on. Equality is all there is."

I had a questioning buzz come out of my mouth. What did he mean by this? We aren't Equal I don't get that. "What do you mean by this?

A sigh of frustration came over the PA system. "This is the way of the wasteland bug. I know you don't understand being in a land of peace for the last ten years. But this land and Equestria never went out of the war. Of course Scootaloo and her friend's others. Known as some of Tiria's friends helped end a war. But more coming ponies don't understand peace anymore. War is most only know."

Lifting my leg I saw the pawn that looked like Roll Roll So I moved him to a space I was allowed to. The board vanished into the door and it opened. It opened into a very large room. Still, I couldn't even fly and I had no idea what to do or even think. But then I saw him standing in the middle of the room and Roll Roll chained. He looked cracked and bleeding in many places.

"Roll!" I trotted to him or skittered to him on my little legs. The eyes of my friend open up staring at me. He didn't even speak to me. But I felt something was wrong.

"Ruby... Is that you?"

"Yes Roll it's me... Let me get you out of there." I reached up to try to remove the chains.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." The voice on the PA sounded out. "The chains are set up to blow up if you touch them. Now the only way to save him. Is to entertain me."

At first, I didn't understand what he meant about entertaining him. Many turrets came out from above us. They got ready to fire but they didn't do anything. They just waited for something. I didn't know what to think really at all. I felt like I was led into a trap looking for my friends.

"Now without your flight little bug. Remove these turrets from the room. But I do have a question for you first."

I looked up to the PA system. "What is your question?"

"Have you ever thought of just giving up and joining me? Think about it, you will join the winning side. I'm sure I will win and remove the enclave and everything from Kludgetown. There are many riches there in weapons bugs. Weapons that both sides put there during the war. I'm sure you would love it if I got them first and used them to clean up this land of filth. The Camels might join me."

"Don't listen to him, Ruby." That surprised me. I turned to look at my friend Roll Roll. "He hurt Hawk badly. He has been trying to brainwash her. He has done so much to her that she can barely do anything without her body."

When he spoke a strange charge of power went through the chains and he screamed in pain his body smoked after it was done.

I roll my eyes hearing him that I will fall. I get it some ponies or whatever want to smash it into my head that I am some guardian or hero who will fall and I am getting tired of it. When I see them I am going to laugh at their face. Another charge goes through Roll Roll now which pissed me off.

"STOP!!" I yelled in horror at seeing my friend smoking and even having many burns along with his shell and body. I didn't know what to do anymore It made me feel like I was hurting my friend.

The PA system went silent again for a time. "I don't wish to hurt any of your friends' little bugs. But the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. You and your friend are the few. The many need no war but the war will come to get the real power in power. Now again entertain me. if you can't fix this bug then I will kill your friend. Are you willing to have a death on that brain? Hmm?"

This was hard for me. I didn't know what to do. I do know from Roll told me I spent a while thinking while he was chained there. He didn't stop telling me how I just left him there longer than I should have. I had to think of something to do so I looked up at the turrets. After a deep sigh then I did what I had to.

Lifting Truth Seeker out of its home.

"You made your choice I see. Now there is no time you will have places to hide. But if you hide for too long the turrets will turn on your friend. Now don't allow these turrets to harm you. They can kill you so clean them out and then I will let your friend go. But I do warn you he has been here a while. He hasn't been fed either."

Roll Roll hasn't been fed? He doesn't eat only when it's season time for him. I think whoever ever does this doesn't understand how magic eaters work. He removed the magic from allowing me to fly. So I am still fine just blocking my ability. The turrets start firing on me. I skittered quickly through the room to hide. I found a box to quickly hide lifting the gun to fire on the turrets that are firing at me. I took one out but there are many more that I couldn't even count.

Skittering a bit, firing again on the turrets but I got hit in the back, my armor taking some damage causing the fabric to rip a bit and the magic repair system started working. I felt med-x and a potion being injected into me. I groaned in pain. I hated this suit of armor for how it treated my body. Thankfully for me, I got used to it but Cranberry told me that is not a good thing.

This was a pretty boring moment. I didn't want to write it in my journal but I wanted to keep my entire journey in this journal. I fired my gun on each turret. I had many bullets from these turrets that did make it through the armor and went through my body. I didn't allow the pain to get to me. It wasn't a very wonderful thing trust me. I hid to reload and the remaining turrets turned onto my friend and they stopped firing.

"I think you're taking too long. But it is entertaining to see you get hurt. Poor little thing now I will allow him to leave but you need to put those chains on and then you will go to the next room."

"You told me if I touch those things they explode or are you lying?"

The voice laughed. "It's more than a half-truth that they will explode if you touch them but I can turn that off. Maybe I have maybe I did before and You didn't need to do this. Now of course you just need to place the chain around your neck to keep you from moving." I sighed I didn't think this was wise.

"You don't need to do this Ruby.." Roll Roll yelled. Roll didn't want me to get hurt. I need to save him for what I did so I would speak to him before I did this.

"Roll I need to help you... I feel awful for not talking to you and Hawk before I offered ourselves for help. Will you at least forgive me?"

Roll stared at me. "Seriously? Have you been feeling guilty because of me and Hawk getting upset? Ruby, we have been friends for ten years. You do stuff that pisses me and Hawk off all the time. So you need to get over your guilt." A smile formed but since I wore the helm. I helped him to get out and he was able to move even though he was weak.

I helped him to the door leading back to the others. Then the door closed with him behind it. I went back to the chains looking down at them.

"Such an amazing friend you are. You're willing to take their punishment for what you have done. I'm impressed I never thought I would see somepony with that great ability to understand that their choices are their guilt." My guilt I had no idea what he meant. I just made a choice that offered help to others. I put the chain around my neck and the platform started to go down.

"Now your poor friend Hawk has been through so much. I know what she looked like. But I have been enjoying our little talks."

A screen came up with what he had done to her. She was out of her dome in a casing. "Wh...y are you doing this to me?" I heard her ask and a charge of electricity went through her and she screamed in pain.

"Why? Well, Hawk or should I say Hope Feather. You have changed, you have become something you never wanted to become. The ponies of the past turned you into a weapon child. I can make you what you wished to be. Just a normal pony."

I could hear sobbing but I didn't see tears just hearing my friend sobbing made my heartbreak. it was so awful. "I did...didn't wish to become this.. but Star Shooter helped me get over the fact that I am just a brain in a mech body... My body, where is it?!"

The voice laughed softly. "Oh, it's around I wish to open your mind, Hope. I know that it is hard for you to understand. But we need to work together in this world. This world is still broken. Those heroes think they have helped it. The Light Bringer she helped fight the Enclave. Then the Enclave caused so many issues through the years. Security killed Light hooves and then vanished for ten years."

He kept trying to say that the heroes that fought and saved and bled for this land didn't do it right. "Then your little Star Shooter fought the Queen. The Queen should have stayed in power. But no legend that was made up gave her the ability to become a hero. Then there is Scootaloo and her friends as well as the Alliance. Fools... But we can't forget one another hero. The heroes that fought during the war. The endless you are nothing you heroes are nothing but fools. The real heroes are the ones of the past. The heroes of the past are the villains that should have won. They would have brought this world to heel to be better!!”

This was getting very tiring hearing this nut talk about the heroes that defended and saved their homes and lands. He kept ranting about how stupid everyone is to make the land weaker than it already was. So protecting what you want and how you protect your lands and your friend's your family is a bad idea?

"Now don't worry your friend is alright. She has been screaming for you to come and save her though. I hope you can since the next test is to see how strong you are, little bug."

0000

The next pawn.

Finally, I made it into the next room after listening to whoever this is rant and rant about how stupid the ponies and heroes have been. inside the room are many cells of many long-dead creatures inside. Some of them hold those bears we fought to get in here. I felt wonderful, that's not going to be easy. In the middle of this very room is a brain in a jar and cameras look at me from it.

"Ru..by?" I tried to get to her but walls came up to block me from her. I didn't know what this guy or female wanted. Maybe it's a female pretending to be a guy. I am not sure even now when I wrote this in my journal I was very unsure how it would work. I feel that every time I tried to get past the wall another wall came up and it made me very upset and I yelled at the PA system.

"Why won't you let me help her?!"

"Why if I did let you help her first. I wouldn't be able to hold over you the fact that. I can control this. Now I'm not evil, miss Ruby. But I am what most would call a villain. Now if every villain allowed the hero to do their job without a little challenge then what is there to be a hero? It would be too easy a bad story and the fact that the hero needs to be told they can't win everything. So you wish to be a hero. You wish to have everything that comes with it?"

He had a point I look back on while I wrote this. I'm thinking that if maybe I did it without the challenge I wouldn't be a hero just a simple bug trying to save her friends. It's what I learned down the line you can't just do it how you want to do it. You need to do it in a way that makes your journey the best journey. Now I have learned this but this was when I didn't even understand the path of the future.

"No...no...that wouldn't make me the hero I wish to be. It would make me just a pawn." I said with a soft buzz.

The voice in the PA system paused a moment. "Look I wish to protect my world, Ruby. You're part of this world even though I don't think you are. I wish to challenge you even if it means trying to kill you. I won't take advantage of the fact that you aren't understanding how a hero or battle works. I was there during the war Ruby. I was there when both sides killed each other for nothing. Scootaloo had it easy. She got to fall asleep and then wake up. I had to see it... awake. Something that I don't wish to do again."

This is the confusing part of my journey. He kept bringing up this pony I knew nothing about. I wish I did. I wish I knew. But Star Shooter just told me about how Equestria is healing. I watched how the ponies fought while I was there during the battle. He didn't understand the fact I was controlled by the Queen to be one of her captains. I tried to kill the hero So yes I do understand even if he felt I didn't

"You don't understand I do know. I was there when we battled the Queen. I watched Blaze and Star Shooter marry in the middle of a battle with blood and gore all around them. The legend came to pass. Even though it turned out to be fake. You don't understand creatures or ponies. Stop your whining about the fact that someone else had it easy. I am sure this pony fought with all their heart. I'm sure if I ever met them. I would ask for their story. I'm just a simple Magic eater. A bug to some a pest to most."

I took a deep breath. I was about to prove myself to whoever this was.

"We all have a path that we are set on. I have been told stories of Tiria this Light bringer Security and this Scootaloo I don't know her story. But that's the thing. Her story is like the others. They are all written into a book of all of our lives. This world is written by the souls that fight for it." I started to become bolder and bolder. " I will become part of this book of lives. That risked everything. To prove themselves by fighting creatures such as you! Now release her... Or I shall kill you when I meet you."

The voice from the PA system took a while to speak again. I'm sure I surprised this one who is speaking. I may have gone through an awful time seeing figments. I think he went silent and then the voice just started laughing. It made me wonder what the joke is. But finally, he spoke.

"Oh, how rich you think that all the lives and heroes link into one story? " I grew pretty upset. I lifted my pistol and fired a few bullets into the PA system. They danced all over the place and hit a strange button not far from us. It said 'Alert POW Camp of an attack.'

0000

Tira's heart

Long ago this camp was a former prisoner-of-war camp. The old home of a pony named Wheel Tread. The old camp housed many prisoners of war. Then one fateful day a creature, a wolf came to the camp. With a group of pony named Kipkipe, Silver Gunner, and Shadow. She was meant to become a bodyguard for Wheel Tread. But she fought the enclave and lost.

She spent two weeks trying to get back to her friends. She saved them and then as if fate a hero passed. Her daughter now feels she is in her mother's Shadow. But for this moment much has changed for this little town. Silver went off on an adventure to meet a pony and he did much to help.

The former grave of Crow is empty since they thought the project iron wolf killed him. But no one understood changelings. So he dug himself out and then after something happened. He was banished from this lovely home. He wanted to prove to himself that he could be welcomed again. But he felt that he was needed elsewhere. So his grave changed from here lies crow. It's changed to Crow, our friend now the guardian of a wonderful group of ponies. But something wakes them from another slumber of peace and harmony. This group normally doesn't get that harmony but lately, they have gotten peace. Crow is now the guardian of Scootaloos town known as Crusader town.

Silver Gunner over the last ten years has had his body changed from heavy armor to a smooth body. He even put up his gun. Remembrance hangs with the other weapons. He felt the reason he was created had now ended. That he would just protect the future like his creator wanted him to. Thanks to the meeting with a mare that he needed to speak to. In his robotic mind. He feels full and ready to watch the world grow old around him. All those around him grow old and die. The only one without a soul walks this land. Watching everything

But an alarm rings through the very camp. The alarm is loud enough it sounds to Reaper Fields. It woke the king of rats from his slumber. The ponies of this very camp look at the alarm they know who has sounded it. The one they have been searching for. For many many years. Silver when promised many that he would never take up a weapon again. Broke that promise.

He went into the armory taking the weapon and cocking it. He had his armor placed back on him. A group of ponies, Hellhounds, Griffins, Rat Creepers, and even some changelings hold weapons as they wait for Silver to say the words. Not far from this is Kipkipe who is now a pretty old mare. Her teal coat is slowly fading. Her mane is all white. She has glasses to help her see. But for how old this mare is she is still strong.

Silver stood there looking towards the way out to Bulwark who lifted the very gate.

“The gate is open Silver. Patch and I will stay here and guard the town.”

Silver looks at the orange mare and the scared mare. He trusts Bulwark with the future of the town the future of the children the pure of heart.

“I got her back Silver”

Patch smirks

"Ponies... Creatures I come to you now.. ready to fight. I may have said the war was over after the enclave again was beaten. I may have had Scootaloo's help to set things in motion that brought peace to this land. But I fear that the Alliance, the enclave, and Scootaloo won't understand the battle we face."

"Why don't we ask them for help?" Shadow simply asked.

Silver sighed. "This is our fight, Shadow. We all know who helped create this POW camp and why we protect it."

While the words were spoken a young wolf stood beside her adopted mother.

"Mother... what is going on?" Crystal asked Kip.

"Shh Crystal."

Silver spoke again. "There is something here in this camp that can't be allowed to be seen. A project that is not the iron wolf project. Project Storm Watch is here. The reason this is our fight. The reason we can't allow others to get hurt is for our stupidity and what we have done to protect it. We can't allow them to know what is below our very hooves."

"We already know what is below our very hooves, Silver. That pointless Iron wolf project, not some project storm watch." Shadow pointed out.

"No Shadow. Tiria and I went through the stable and found more than that. Someone has started the process of starting it up. Again this is our fault, our mistake. For not destroying it when we had the chance. We must go to the desert. If only Crow and Peach didn't leave. But we have others who will come."

RA Proto stood fully up along with Fleur and her crew. One Applejack ranger stood there.

“Fleur I need you and your crew to stay here and keep your inn open. It’s the only way to keep this place at peace. I want you to make sure no one drives Kipkipe too crazy please don’t allow them to upset her.”

Fleur chuckles

“Okay Silver just this once.”

The lanky ghoul mare and her crew head back into the cavern to run the inn made from her old cruise ship. R proto and the other troops including the Griffin Shadow waited.

"Soda.. go Crusader town and see if you can find Crow. If you can’t then just meet with us near the border of WidowMaker " The Apple Jack ranger nodded and walked away. "Let's go if anyone comes from Crusader town or any town. Kip, please tell them the truth. Tell them of our failure and why we must take it upon ourselves to fix this failure."

Kip nodded. while they left a pony in the stable guarded what it was. In a very tube floating was the brain of the storm king. Slowly thawing out after the button was hit. Above the brain Project Storm Watch. It said fully on there. "To protect Equestria you must make a deal with the devil. Even if that devil is a former evil. To fight a devil you need to join the devil."

0000

Back underground

"NO!! you started Storm Watch... You started Storm Watch." The voice started to laugh. "Oh this is interesting I know where the brain is... Thank you, Ruby."

This is what some would say to me. You have made an awful mistake Ruby Glide. An awful mistake but that is the thing. I had no idea what he was talking about. What brain did I do? I knew what Project Storm Watch was. But why did this guy or girl want to use it? I get it they feel that the world is still at war. But who would it be at war with? I'm adopted by an enclave Medic. Who told me there is peace?

If there is peace in their battle?

"I don't get it... Voice of the system. I am adopted by an enclave medic who helped both sides of the war they were in. They didn't care what side you were on. They helped you because they felt it was right. She told me that there is peace. Are you telling me that you're willing to destroy this peace because you feel that this world is not fair to you? I don't mean to be rude... But pathetic?"

The voice went silent again. "How dare you!!" Wow, I hit a nerve when I called them pathetic. I didn't mean to be rude or anything. But to me, it's the truth in the matter. You can't just force those around you to follow you blindly just because you feel the world is not kind to you.

"It's the truth though sir miss whatever. You act like the world owes you because oh no you watched the world die. Good for you I guess. But that shouldn't matter. The fact that someone else got lucky and didn't see the end of the world. You just sit here acting like pawns and rooks and that you deserve to win."

The voice from the PA system took a deep breath. I think the one behind it knew what I was doing. I was trying to anger this mind. This creature has been after me since I came here. But then he did it...

"The hero always must fall Ruby. You will fall, all heroes have an Arbu, and all heroes have a broken time. Little Ruby, I see you fall I see you break. I don't see you ever coming back from it. But maybe you could surprise me.”

"Don't listen to him, Ruby. AHHHH" She screamed in pain while the electricity went through her brain.

"Stop!!" I yelled to nothing but the PA system. There is no way I can stop this. I am fully at the mercy of this creature or pony talking to me.

"Then you do what I say. You again entertain me to free your friend. Then I will let her go. Then you are mine. I am going to enjoy breaking you. For I have already won this battle, Ruby. You may save them, you may rescue them. "

I Buzzed in anger. "Enough of these games. You shouldn't play with the lives of those I care about."

"Why Ruby if you cared about them. You would have talked to them before offering to give help to this land. Don't you understand that little bug? You angered them to the point that they were so easy to hurt and capture. Because of their anger for you."

"Don't listen... R.AHHHh." I heard Hawk get hurt again. It started to anger me that he kept it going to hurt her more. She was trying to counter what he was saying. But he didn't wish her to. I had to try to get him to stop.

"Okay okay, I will do it... Tell me what I must do!!"

"You must...wait.." A camera came closer to me and looked at the dagger. "Hmm" Then the Camera went back up. "You will be fighting creatures of this forest that we are in. Guns won't work on them so you need to use a blade that will take them down quickly."

A wall slid down allowing me to see inside. It looks just like a maze. I didn't understand why he wanted me to do this. I felt that maybe I would learn what the hell is going on. I'm starting to wonder why am I here. I grabbed the dagger from my armor looking at it closely. The blade that I have used so much. The gem glowed gently Looking again inside the maze.

"You need to find your way to your friend. But there are many creatures from the forest inside here. These creations of ponies of the past to fight the war. But you see this land never really got into the war. It was so peaceful this land was. But both sides had to destroy that when they fought over Kludgetown. Now if you wish to save your friend go through it."

Slowly started to walk through the maze. I didn't know what I would do if hawk got hurt anymore. This gave me more of a chance to explain what I have thought during this. I had so much going on through my mind during this part of my journey. The fact that I felt that I would have a very bad fall. I turned to the left staring face to face with a wolf, one of the wolves I met outside. So I did the best thing I could think of.

"Hello."

I tried to speak to this one as I did with the others. This one just attacked me as quickly as it could. I lifted my blade blocking the claws. I wasn't that strong. I felt the blade slice through the poor creature's claws. The blood sprayed all over my armor and helm and then slowly dripped into the gem of the dagger. I didn't wish to kill this poor creature but I had to. While it was in pain I quickly sliced deep into the heart of the creature. The blade started to drink its blood. The gem started to glow even brighter. I pulled the blade out not caring about the Gem. But I took a good look at it.

I didn't know what it was but I had to save Hawk before I could look. Before I could move on though a paw smacked me in the back causing me to fly into the wall with a thump. Thankfully the armor and my exoskeleton protected me from the blow. Turning around quickly to see another wolf. It slowly tried to wake up its mate. Did I just kill a lover for this one? It made me feel bad the wolf looked up to me with so much pain in its eyes. It didn't even wish to attack me but a charge of electricity went through it. It caused so much pain that the creature's eyes glowed red with anger.

It charged me and I couldn't move fast enough to stop it from attacking me. The dagger itself was up; I didn't want to kill the poor creature. The sound of flesh cut by the sharp dagger while it was inside the dying wolf. It started to shake and whimper. I took my helm off stroking the poor creature. I pulled the dagger out. Why did I kill it? Why did I hurt such a beautiful being? Tears slowly streamed down my buggy eyes as I stroked the wolf.

"Shhh, I am so sorry beautiful creature..."

A charge of electricity went through the body of the wolf. It whined in pain. The creature was dying now it was being tutored just because it failed in killing me. I tried to cut the collar on it. But the blade could cut it.

"Stop!!" I yelled I sobbed softly holding the creature. Why did I feel so bad for doing this? This pure innocent creature just was defending itself. I killed its mate.

"You care about these creatures?" The voice went silent again. But it didn't stop the collar kept arcing through it the body of the poor creature. I heard the click of a button and the collar went off the poor creature. I held the head of the poor being close to me. Stroking it slowly, singing to it gently.

"Close your eyes little creature. Don't allow the pain to control your little being. Follow the path that is given to you in the next travels of life. Forgive the ponies of the past for what they have done to you. Forgive those souls that made you for war. Follow your pack of old that died during the very war that you were used to."

The poor wolf slowly died in my legs. I lay the dead wolf on the ground placing my helm back on. My heart broke my will strong even though I felt I killed a lover of another. I could hear that creature that sent me through here laughing.

"Ha hahaha. You felt bad for doing what is right Ruby? These creatures don't have feelings for anything. They deserve to be killed. They were created by ponies of the past that wished to kill zebras. But when it comes to me. I kind of wish to force both sides under a strong rule."

This pony or whatever that is talking to me. This creature wanted to rule the world with an iron hoof. I didn't understand the issue of this creature. I turned to see Mix again sitting there.

"Hello, Ruby.." I just kept moving and the fake image of my mind grabbed me? Wait, it could grab me? I turned to look at MIx. He stared at me. Was he here? I looked at the stopwatch in his chest. The stopwatch wasn't even there. It looked like it was sliced out. "Listen to me close before the magic causes me to go back into the past again."

I removed my helm again staring at Mix. My former enemy in the past, why was he here. I looked around for Doc. "Doc is not with you?"

Mix frowned "Ruby Doc is dead. Now I need to warn you... " He starts fading. " No, I need to warn you..." he vanished fully.

Now I knew that Doc was fully dead. He vanished with Mix after he was beaten. He no longer had the stopwatch in his chest. I remember seeing it on the ground when he vanished. He didn't die like I thought he did. I didn't know what to think anymore. Placing my helm back on and closed my eyes sighing lifting the blade and looking at it for a while. I felt that this blade was made to kill whatever came close to it.

Now it was time for me to move on in this maze. I went through it and went left and found a pit of spikes that made me drop in. But thankfully I grabbed the edge with my knife pulling myself up and looking down into the pit. I noticed that there have been creatures in here before that have died because of this maze. Grabbing the blade it has done so much to help me I could tell I was getting close I could hear the sobbing of my friend. But when I turned I saw something big, a bear.

It growled at me as well as roared. I doubt I could switch my weapons quickly. But I stood my ground on my little legs. I knew if it hit me once It would hurt badly. It did a swing of its paw smashing in the ground in front of me making me fly back a bit of the shock wave a bit. The bear's teeth dripped with a strange venom. When it reared up again to attack me. I quickly struck and sliced into its stomach leaving a deep gash. But it healed quickly. The blood on the blade sizzled and burned. But it didn't harm it. I knew what I had to do. It felt pain so It backed up quickly. So as fast as I could I put the knife away and pulled out the sword.

The blade glowed in the light. I could feel the spirit of spitfire in me. Telling me to swing. It was a good thing I could hear that. Because the large paw came down with claws out and tried to strike. I blood the paw and the claws with the blade. The flat part of the blade. It was hard to push back with me being so small. Closing my eyes I heard a voice in my mind. 'Push him back with his weight. Even with your small weight, you can do it.' Finally, I did a push back on the bear before he could strike me again and skittered back quickly. The bear growled and roared on its hind legs.

Holding the blade out. Voice came to my helm. It was Yanari.

"This is DJ Mixer the news is the battle has started again for Kludgetown. The search for Pinda is about to be put on hold since no one can find him. Now there is something else The Buzzer she went into the forest, the very forest that has all those creations. Our hearts go out to her. As we hope that she comes back. I found a song that never was sent to Equestria but kept here. It will be played for her." The song played in my helmet I didn't know what to think but when it came on. The spirit in the sword felt stronger. I could feel the spirit of Spitfire telling me to swing.

"A warning to the ponies, the good and the evil

This is war

To the soldier, the civilian, the martyr, the victim

This is war"

The bear started to charge at me. I could hear the song still beating in my helm while the battle went on. I swung the blade but the bear blocked it. The strength of the bear took over while I felt the might of the bear. Ignoring that I was way over my head. I kept with the battle the bear swiped causing me to fly back a bit into the wall and I looked up to the bear as it came to me.

Flapping my wings I was able to get myself off the ground but I wasn't able to fully fly. But I moved quickly from the attack. Landing on the back of the bear. Slice into the bear I didn't hear the cries of anger, the cries of pain. The blood splattered all over my visor. My heart pumped the blood through my body. Causing the magic Adrenalin to cause my little legs to swing faster. I did another swipe but the bear caught the blade in its mouth. It did a few burns on the poor bear. But it tossed it out of my legs and it stabbed into the wall. I flew off the bear to land on my feet grabbing the knife.

Hearing those words made me wonder. There was a war ten years ago. Did that mean there is a brave new world in Equestria? How come this brave new world never came to this desert? Is there a place that the ponies didn't care about or is it too far outside of Equestria? Maybe that's the reason I never fully understood. I might never understand the way these ponies think. But writing this I understand why this land didn't get the protection that it did. It made me wonder if whoever would have won that war. Would they have been ready for whatever threat would have been in this desert? One there is barely any water. Two all these factions and I think the fact that most of the ponies that care about Equestria don't wish to protect another land after a war. But eh I won't understand I'm not even a pony just a simple bug.

Before I could move the bear smacked me in the helm causing the music to stop playing. I flew into the wall with a thud. Thankfully it didn't hurt me that much. It cracked the visor that slowly started to repair. I felt two injections into my side. But I knew I would be able to hear the rest of the song. Holding my little dagger tightly in my leg. I charged at the bear feeling more of my speed grow. I didn't wish to stop this charge of the battle. The need of killing this bear was becoming what it needed. The idea of it made my body warm up. I needed to fight. I need to sing. Well thinking of that I allowed myself to get hit again. My dagger flew into the wall and I was on the ground.

The bear stopped attacking me; it turned to walk toward me. But I heard a charge go through it. It roared in pain. It didn't want to attack me at all. I just got in its way.

"You will fight for me you damn bear!!" The voice from the PA system yelled. The bear kept fighting whoever this was. I could hear the charge of electricity getting stronger and the bear roaring more in pain. Then I heard a beep and the head of the bear exploded. I watched the poor creature fall and die. Never I thought this would happen. I never wished for it to happen and it angered me. Slowly stood on my legs grabbing my two weapons.

"So you don't care about the pawns you just wish to murder and run with an iron hoof." Placing my two weapons back into the holders made me wonder if what I am fighting is a former dictator that felt the world owed him. Maybe in his mind, the world does owe him. I will make sure what he is owed is a slice in the neck. Turning around to the next spot I finally got to the middle of the room that held Hawks' brain.

"Ruby it's a trap!!" A shadow came over me and I turned to see a larger bear. From what I know it's called a Yao Guai. It roared louder than ever before. I was frozen in place from the fear. "Ruby!!" Hawk kept yelling but I was too frozen to move. It lifted its claws then quickly swiped at me but when the dust lifted from my vision it had missed and broke the wall. '

"Damn you, stupid creature, attack her!!" I noticed something this creature was blind it couldn't see me. But it turned its paw to try to swipe at me again I ducked out of the way. Feeling that I had to kill this creature before whoever set all this up does. It made me feel awful again. But I have to protect these creatures even if it means killing them. I grabbed my dagger again climbing on the back of the large bear and it tried to shake me off. But after a while, it shook me off and I landed on my side. The bear fell on its back and I tried to move quickly to get away but it landed right on me.

Thankfully it didn't break anything. But damn did this hurt. My exoskeleton shielded my insides from the weight. My armor added to that but it also made me feel bad. I felt a needle going into my side. Damn these hurt so much still slowly wiggled my way out of the creature. I looked at my armor and it was soaked in the blood of the poor creature. Looked at the blade of the dagger and it was soaked as well. But then I finally watched the blood go into the gem. It glowed brightly and I stared more into it. A flash from the gem made me have a vision.

0000

The vision

I stood on a hill watching all of Equestria burning. I heard steps behind me and turned to see a pony with many runes all over her body. She had the same look like the water hunters. She stared at me with gem eyes. Their eyes looked into my soul. I could feel her judging me. But I looked back to the burning Equestria. Then the gem it's her eyes. But then NIghtmare Moon landed beside her.

They spoke in old poneish but I could understand them.

"My Queen Equestria burns as you have asked." The mare bowed to Nightmare Moon, the dark evil mare had a smirk showing her sharp teeth.

"Very good my dear. Now things have been set in motion." Nightmare Moon lifted the blade that I held. It was the same very blade. She grabbed the mare. "You will now get the honor you wished." She stabbed the dagger into one of her eyes. Taking out the gem. The mare didn't scream the mare didn't cry. She just had a smile as she lay there dead. The other gem was taken out of her eye.

Then the vision goes forward many years to the desert or to the land that is soon to become Widowmaker Desert. The battle between Celestia and her army was going very badly. She used the spell to turn all the army of both into the desert destroying it. She lowered herself. I could tell she didn't wish to do it. But she had to in her mind. She gave the dagger to a camel.

"Dune Walker. Hold this dagger till you or your descendants find a hero that could clean this land.. for my failure." She sounded like Luna, not NIghtmare moon.

"It shall be so my Queen." Nightmare Moon turned to her army that didn't get into the middle of the spell. The ones that would become the water hunters.

" I won't return my children. But life in this desert till Dune Walker finds the next one. That will call the rain back to the land."

They all bow to her placing on scarfs and holding the old blades that I have seen them use. They open a door into the sand. So these ponies have had a home built underground just in case it looks like the army vanished to become the water hunters of the future.

Dune Walker walked away holding the blade.

It went forward again to the battle between Celestia and Nightmare Moon. This is the first time I have ever seen the battle. I couldn't believe how the battle went. Sister vs sister.

"Luna you must lower the moon, it is your duty. The moon has been in the sky for almost a year. Ponies have been dying Luna you can't allow this to happen any longer."

Nightmare Moon laughed loudly.

"Oh, Celestia we had this talk before. Dear sister. I'm No longer Luna. I'm Nightmare Moon" The battle went on every time they moved somewhere else I flew with them trying to make sure I could see everything of this battle. It made me wonder what I would see next. But it ended before I learned how she was sent to the moon as I have been told.

It went during the war. A group of Camels in the throne room with a model of one of the projects they wanted to create.

"My dear Princess Luna. I give you Project Rainfall. It will bring rain to Widowmaker desert and it will help you gain allies for your war."

Standing beside Luna is Twilight Sparkle.

" I see so it will bring rain to your land?" The Camel nods.

"But Princess I must talk to you privately" Luna nodded. She followed the Camel to a private room. She locked the door. Luna sat down on the crystal from the eye of the mare.

"Ah, you do have it. I hope this doesn't mean the nightmare had control of you when you took this eye."

Luna sighed. "No, I was mostly in control of some of the things she did. But what else do you need for this?"

The Camel looked away a moment and sighed. "We need the staff that the Storm King had. It's the only way we will be able to make it fully rain. But you do know right without the hero. To fill the blood of the other gem. Rainfall won't fully work correctly."

Luna nodded. "I know this... This war... I never wished to be in this war. I never wished to do what I did with girls either. But. I was given the pieces by Celestia. All I have done I will answer for.."

"Very well Princess. I shall go to the forest and place myself within the cursed forest that the zebras made to punish myself for this."

Luna frowned and she knew that this would happen. The vision went to the creation to be built fully in the sky. The staff was placed in the middle of the machine. It kept it powered and Luna placed the gem that would connect to the knife to bring back the water.

"He who controls the water of this land. Will control it all." She turned to me, frowning. "I wondered when I would see you, Ruby."

I blinked looking at her. "You can see me?"

Luna nodded. "Yes I saw you the last time I was here. It's fate Ruby that we come back to this. You hold the knife. I held the gem."

Now I could finally ask my questions. "Why didn't you stop the war? I'm sure you could have done everything to just surrender or give up to them."

Luna just stared at me. She closed her eyes looking away at the creation that she helped the camels create. "The nightmare was never fully removed from me, Ruby. But Most of what the Nightmare did is not what she did it's what I did. Some feel that evil controls you and that you have no power over it. But that's the thing you do have power over it. You have more power than you think."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It made me feel upset. But I had to know. "So you did some of this to destroy Equestria?"

Luna stared at me and her face grew with anger. "No!! I never wished for this to happen. The war ended in a way I never thought it would. If I could go back and fix it I would. But Look none of us knew this would happen. But that's the thing. I wasn't fully under the control of the nightmare. Some of what I did was because of my own choices."

"Then why did you allow all this?"

Luna sighed and tears fell from her eyes. "Sometimes I look back and I don't know Ruby. I see everything. I see what Twilight did. I see what the other girls did. I see how the zebras were treated just because of this war. It made me upset. I couldn't stand it anymore. But the Camels. They wished to bring life back to their land.."

"So. You knew Dune Walker's mother. She created rainfall then?"

Luna's ears perked up staring at me. "Dune Walker or whatever she would have been named. Has been cursed like her great-great-grandmother. She is in there. Along with her mother. Soon Dune Walker will mate and then go to the cursed lands. Place herself in one of those trees to fix the curse. Then the child will take on her curse. It will go on forever until the curse is lifted."

I had to ask before the vision ended. “How are you able to see me? How am I able to see you?”

Luna sat in front of me looking down at me. “The gems connect us. You’re in the past, I am in your future. No, you can’t tell me of the future. I won’t remember when I leave this vision. You tried last time. But we are locked at this time because of the gem and the dagger. It’s cruel fate that we both have crystal eye ponies pupils.”

I wanted to try so things would change. But it seems no matter what this time is fixed and we are both doomed to repeat this in every lifetime. The vision ended as it started with blood. As if it was fate or this vision wanting to show me how hopeless it was. I saw the end and most know how the end was. Streets always ran red with blood. So is the nature of war and the nature of what some say doing the right thing. There are no heroes in war. Just those on the wrong side of heaven.

0000

I finally came out of the vision. But something was wrong. All I remember is the fact that I talked to Luna but I remember nothing else. Looking around seeing Hawk looking at me with her cameras. I didn't know if she was okay or not. But I'm so happy to see those cams.

"Ruby?" Her voice sounded so happy to see me. I walked toward her hugging the dome and looking at the PA.

"You told me you would let her go now let her go."

"Like I said you can take her now." The platform moved to allow Hawk in a smaller body to move. She was attached to wheels. I lead her out. The door opened for her to get to the others.

"Come on Ruby." I was about to join my friends. Then a robotic claw came from the room and pulled me inside closing the door.

"Ruby!!" They all yelled. I was pulled into another room and kept in the middle of a room with a set of glass there. But I didn't see anything or the speaker.

"I can't let you go yet, hero. You need to see the pawn." The doors opened up and I heard many steps. Zeb that zebra I saw earlier came out holding that satchel that stole the Shadows. Erebus floating beside him. Crunch the Rock Dog and his minions, even the one I met in that factory smoking the cigar.

A green goblin creature that I am sure is Beezen. They all stood there waiting for the others. I saw the other threats walk in. All these villains from the past.

Then a few more came out of the darkness. Three birds I came to learn later named the Raptorians. Beside them living flowers known as the Flores. A lava demon Lavan I heard of him on the island. The only lava demon kicked off the island by Majesty herself. Next to him Catrina and her minion Hip. Next to them is a group of bees, a queen known as bumble. I swear more surrounded me.

I was surrounded by many that could just kill me. I saw collars on their necks keeping them under his control. This creature had control of all of them. These are his pawns. So I must make a move.

“SHOW YOURSELF!!” I shouted.

"Oh, you wish to see me?" The creature laughed at this. "Come to me then Crunch bring her." The rock Dog lifted me into his mouth. I was carried through a door up many stairs to get to them. "Before you get to me There will be some testing to see if you can do it. Meaning..,

I was brought into an arena. I was tossed into the middle of the arena. All my weapons with me still as I heard the voice speak.

"Villains of the past." I looked around seeing an army of Villains nameless mooks most of them. The storm King army those rocks. "Villians of the future. I bring you a hero. Well, a hero that wishes to be one. They wish to meet the boss. Let's show them what they must do to meet them.

I stood there trying to grab my weapons. But something didn't allow me to.

"Now hero, this is not a battle to the death. This is a battle to who will be beaten to the ground first. So your first match. You all love him, he is the leader of the rocks. He is an amazing rock monster. You all love you all know him. The leader!! Geode!!"

The rock monster I saw the other day slowly comes out with a cigar in his mouth. He takes a few puffs. "Well like I told you before bug I made you the offer you couldn't refuse. Now that you're fighting me I make you another offer." Two staves drop from above. I pick up the staff looking towards the rock monster.

"Now that you two have gotten your weapons to fight!!"

The two of us charged at each other. Our staff weapons smashed into each other. He hit me hard in the side and I felt so much pain. My exoskeleton kept much of the damage at bay. The fact I was fighting a rock monster made it feel like this was going to be a one-sided battle. Finally, after that hit, he tried again but I moved out of the way. Then I smacked my staff into him. It caused him to shake and he groaned.

"Damn your bug...My offer still stands surrender. Then I won't kill you." I smacked my staff into him again and he groaned again. Our battle still was very one-sided. He jumped into the air smashing me down with his large body causing me to be crushed. I felt a bit dented but It didn't hurt that much. Slowly moved out away from the rock monster groaning and shaking my head. My visor was cracked. I removed my helm since. I got no potions left inside it. Blood drained from some of the cracks in my body. I took the full armor and let the armor repair itself.

Now I can finally speed through this battle faster without the armor keeping me down. "Now I am not going to back down." I quickly smacked into the head of the rock creature and he bounced up I smashed him and he flew to the ground smashing into his group.

So many boos sounded out. "Oh, this is a big disappointment. The hero beat Geode. No matter the next fight shall be what brings her down. You know him... You all love him. He is known for fighting Princess Twilight Sparkle. I give you Tirek!!!"

The crowd cheered and the gate opened coming out came a medium-sized centaur creature. He stood there and stared at me.

"Creature creation of Majesty. I shall beat you and then steal your magic!!"

"Now now Tirek. I just need you to beat her and then bring her to me.."

Tirek growled then sighed. "Yes, master."

Tirek galloped to me he held a staff since It looked like his magic was blocked from being used. I lifted my staff and did what I could to smack block him. He was stronger than I was. I didn't even know what to do with him. But I did my best to block and try to push him. But he tried to crush me I couldn't breathe then I remembered I have a stinger. I could sting him. Lifting my ass part and forced the sting deep into his arm.

He screamed in pain as his arm well limped. Finally, I could move away from him and I smashed my staff into his leg. I hit the leg in such a way that it caused a great amount of pain. But I doubt I would last long with this fight. He quickly used his good arm to smash his staff into me hard enough to cause me to fly into the wall and be lodged there. I tried to pry myself off the wall but I couldn't move.

He limped to me since I did hurt him pretty badly in the leg. He smashed his fist into me. I screamed in pain and the crowd gasped laughing. He punched me again with his giant fist. My vision went dark as he hit me again But I could still see everything was fuzzy as he pulled me out of the wall and lifted me like a trophy.

"Ah, Tirek has won." The announcer yelled and the crowd cheered but the master over the PA system spoke.

"Bring her to me Tirek."

I was being carried from the arena through a hall. I didn't know what I was seeing but they had a group of ponies down here. They looked like children weak and dying. I saw so many in a strange city. I didn't know what was going on. But I was set down. While the Rock creatures jump on me once each. I screamed in pain shivering. To them, I wasn't innocent. I was just another criminal to them.

"You're the lucky bug. If we had our way you would pay for your crimes. Before your small bug brain ask. Your crimes are trying to stop us from saving this world. " The rock monsters laugh. I was being carried by Geode and his minions. I went into a room and they tossed me to the ground and I groaned in pain. A mare trotted to me pouring some healing water on me to help me and helped me drink it. They said they're trying to save this world? Am I a hero then? Do I have a right to stop them? What if they do a better chance than others?

"Slave help her and bring her to me." I saw a chair sitting near a glass window." The mare lifted me and carried me to the window. I saw a giant army of the storm king and many others. "My army miss Ruby, my pawns. That will save this land from those that wish to destroy it.

He finally turned as I saw him.

"Allow me to introduce myself." I stared at the pony I knew who he was. I knew him. He has done so much to many. A pony that caused so much pain over the years. The one that caused Project Storm Watch. "Wheel Tread is my name.."

“No…” I cough softly, weakly smiling. “I know a fake body when I see it tell me who you are.”

The unicorn in the chair smiled. “Ah, I forgot only a few could see through my ruse. That detective Smoke pipe and many others. Most think of me as dead for the last 200 years.’ The ruse finally vanished. The pony is a white pony with a long beard and a strange red cloak. The chair glowed with magic and technology and it kept him alive after all these years. I noticed the old magic medallion around his neck. It screamed of magic and power.

“My real name? You will learn my name when the time is right. Now be a good little bug and follow what I say if you don’t you will be punished.”

Cozy Glow left to start a sermon for her followers

“There she is, my brothers and sisters. Her soul has been damned. She shall get to be redeemed soon. Praise him!!”

“The Storm king shall bring his storm!! Oh, praise him. His glory is amazing. Oh, he is praised. Cleanse this world of the filth in his name!!.” Her followers boasted every word. and Cozy went to the army below.

“The storm king is returning!! She is the key; she shall bring it. The world is going to change my brothers and sisters and when it’s said and done. We shall be its masters!! LONG LIVE THE STORM KING!!” The entire army cheered and I watched. All I heard was praise him and death to the heroes die to the world. Bring the world to Heel. I looked to Wheel Tread who had the pure joy on his face. I didn't know this stallion.

“Just like nature intended. Twilight had it right. But she did it wrong. Bring enemies together. To not spread friendship but to make an army of all races. It will be you my friend who shall bring me that dream. The dream I have been longing for since the war.” I slowly get on my buggy legs and Cozy comes over with a needle. I noticed the piece of a chip.

“Now we just need to have the finishing touches of my grand design. First this tomorrow forcing you under my service.” I felt the needle go into my head and I heard every word. “For the next coming days or months, I shall break you.” Fear and tears fill my eyes.

“Oh don’t worry I am just doing nature's duty. Saving this world from the heroes so the villains can have their day in the sun. Welcome to the start of my age of glory. I shall bring the world back to its glory days. Even if I have to crush every hero to do it.” The pain was too much but before I finally passed out from the pain I heard these last words.

"Like miss Fluttershy said. DO Better I plan to do better this way." I know those words. But before I could counter I just face-planted into the floor again.

Footnote: level up

A new perk was added.

Evolved Exoskeleton: After all the beatings you have got. Your exoskeleton keeps you from getting dented and your insides from getting damaged. Blunt weapons can't hurt you as badly anymore. But if a sharp knife goes through you it still will harm you. But if it's a dull knife it won't.

Arc one done.