Nirik is a town built by survivors of Peaks of Pearl. During the war, the Peaks of Peral got destroyed by a gas bomb. The Wheel Tread family and many other ponies including princess Luna helped the Kirins find a new place to live. Luna and those helping the Kirin helped them and thanks to a forced cease-fire between the ponies and zebras in Widowmaker Desert.

They all agreed to help the Kirin dig into the Desert of Widowmaker near a bunch of mountains to make a large valley. It took at least a year and here they built a town named after what they turn into what they get pissed off at everything. One big law was in place only Kirin can be leaders of the town but every race is allowed to live there.

A family of Kirin known as the Diamond hooves made a secret deal with Wheel Tread that no matter what they will always have a personal deal with him. Later before the end of the war, the secret deal caused the Diamond hooves to be an outcast family of Nirik. Even though the Kirin still treated them with respect since the Kirin no longer want to deal with another moment of silence.

When the war ended Nirik like every other town in Widow Maker just kept moving on even when the lone Balefire bomb hit the salt flats. There may have been magic radiation storms and radiation sickness but they didn’t care. A little after the war a large group of pony raiders took over the town and still allowed the Kirin to keep what they have been doing for years.

This group of raiders was known as Rolling Rocks, {Their founder was named this after he got his brain scrambled by a cave-in. Point of reference. ‘The pony writer seems to rush this writing so as not to insult them.’ Every twenty years the raiders vote for a new leader. A raider leader forced the entire town under his hoof for fifty years. It took the son of this raider to bring the old ways back. Soon he will retire and give full power back to Nirik.

Fully written to Ruby from Wheel Tread

I read the endless book Wheel Tread wrote for me while I went through the old war tunnels. I finally got to the end so now I understand why he wants to do what he wants me to do. I need to go through and kill those who aren’t connected to Flame

The old tunnels of the war dried blood bones and old stories of old that could be here. I don’t have time to listen to the stories. Even if I wish to learn. I have a job for my master’s. I can’t just sit here and watch the past. I feel my mind fighting with itself. I ignore the thoughts I feel, voices talking in my head. I try my best to ignore the voices. It's a lot harder than it is. But then I notice it’s not even my head the voices are coming from, it's the radio. I turned it up and I finally heard someone calling me.

I bring up my hud to accept the radio call? I am receiving what the heck is a call? My mind is so scrambled after everything.

Ruby, it’s Watcher.”

Deep in my head, I feel at ease. I want to tell him what is going on. I can’t do either. I want to tell the truth and I want to scream what is going on. I am trying to fight the programming in my head. After a while, I finally talked after so many pregnant moments.

“Hello, Watcher I normally call you. Something very bad must have happened if you’re calling me.”

Watcher goes silent after I speak. He is giving me the silent treatment again. Maybe it’s because I don’t know how long it’s been since I have been in Wheel Treads tunnels and bunkers. I hope I am finally able to tell him the truth.

“I have been told you have been missing for almost two months. What happened to you?” Finally, I could. I wanted to tell him the truth. My mind said the words. ‘I have been brainwashed’ But what came out of my mouth was a lie.

“I have been hired by the raider leadership of Nirik. I need to make sure the transfer of power back to the Kirins goes off without a hitch. Please let no one else know the raider leadership is worried that slaves may try to cause some issues and cause the raiders to demand to stay in power. No one can know I am here not even my friends.”

No, that is not what I wanted to say. NO!! I am not a minion of this monster. But I couldn’t fight the mind control just like last time when Majesty had control of me. Now I am being forced by a mad pony who wants the world under his hoof.

Watcher goes silent again for a moment. I have a feeling that he is trying to see if this is true or not. I doubt he will be able to tell if it is or not. I want to scream to him again and tell him I need help but the programming fully takes over again.

“If you say so, Ruby. Your friends and family are very worried about you. While you were gone they had some arguments and fights because of the stress of looking for you. Their friendship may be a bit strained but no worries they’re still caring deeply for each other.”

He went silent a moment before speaking again.

“Cranberry and Inyanga are going to many towns to try to help every doctor here. Roll Roll and Hawk patrolling with water expeditions and they’re avoiding Kludgetown from the war brewing there. Tick Tock and Waterspout are helping the guards of Hard Rock. Dunewalker is training guards to be ready I guess.”

I am happy my friends are doing what they can while I am not there. They’re being better guardians and healers of this land than I am.

“Do you want me to tell them you’re alive?”

My mind was in battle again and the programming was not only winning it was pushing down the real personality, the personality which wouldn’t allow this I took a deep breath shuddering to myself.

“No, this needs to stay hush. They must never learn I am alive. I had to change the name of my armor and the color of it. So I need to stay hidden. If you hear anything on the radio don’t call me again. Just call me if things are very bad.”

Watcher went silent again.

“Ruby, are you sure about this? Things are getting bad out there. Silver Gunner told me every time they even try to get closer more Storm king monsters keep showing up. I know you are busy but when you have a chance you need to contact your mother. Please contact her.”

I am now feeling very guilty. Cranberry needs to know I am alive. I can’t allow her to know I am alive. I can’t allow her to get hurt and I am sure my programming would feel the same way. Can’t allow anyone to get in the way even if I love them.

“I will try to contact her Watcher. Now please if you hear anything the next few days don’t assume the worst.”

I was hoping maybe that was enough to get him to understand I am under mind control again. I highly doubt it though since most don’t understand what I act like, to begin with. I come off as snarky and rude most of the time and over-impulsive at worst. Wow, did I just insult myself?

“Alright, Ruby if I hear anything that I don’t like but I don’t get transmissions from over there for maybe many days. So, whatever happens, might be over already. Just please don’t do something stupid. You have done what you can to give them hope.”

Deep in my soul, I was happy that I gave them hope.

“Thank you, Watcher. Now I need to get back to my mission and talk to you later.”

Watcher went silent. I stood there a moment unsure of what to think. I felt tears streaming down my face. Am I crying because I am locked inside my mind again? Removing my helm and removing the tears from my face with a little leg. Putting the helm back on and looking up I saw strange cracks in the wall. Walking to the wall I tap it and rammed into the wall after it falls and shows a door.

I went inside and found one of the weapon caches he wanted me to find. I sighed and clicked the button to let my master know that one of them had been found. But I found an upgrade from my pistol and SMG. For the Pistol, it was a scope. For the SMG it was a new stock and right there thankfully was a workstation. Why were these all over the place? ‘Placed here by the ghost of the waste?’ Huh, what the hell?

I also found one of those books for dummies. The title of the course was very insulting

"How to upgrade your weapons for dummies." I

I didn't wish to open it up but I had to. I had to learn how to use this and I started to get angry at that fact. I wished that I could do this without reading it. I set the new upgrades of my weapons on the workbench and then noticed I have no idea what I am doing. I had a new set of pride. I refused to allow myself to be insulted by whoever wrote these books.

I look up hearing hooves behind. I turn and see my mother. How is she here? My mind is going into overdrive. How is she here? She just walks over to me wrapping her hooves around me. I didn’t know what to do. All I could do was cry.

“Shhh, Ruby. I am so proud of you. I am always going to be so proud of you, my little daughter.”

How can she be proud of me? How can she even be here? I just stare at her and start to notice it’s not her. It’s my mind trying to regain control. It’s using my friends to regain control. I just pushed her away watching her vanish again, for now, the mind control and brainwashing defeated my mind.

I shook my head, everything went back to normal. I was back at the workbench. I took my helm quickly off panting hard and my heartbeat quickly. I didn't know how to feel right now. After a while, I placed the helm back on and my hud showed that my heart has been beating a bit fast. So it injected me with a relaxer. I didn't feel it at first but when I did my brain finally stopped being so fuzzy.

"Welcome to upgrading your weapons for dummies. First things first for upgrading if you find a scope. You might find something other than a scope but for right now let's say you found a scope. Make sure it has its screws and that you attach it. Now I understand that whoever has been reading these and placing them in their bags. I wish to thank you it's making me write more of these. We will meet sooner or later. But when we do I expect you to be on your best behavior. Now when it's fully attached take a look at your scope and it should have an easier path to your target." After I was done I looked at my work and I was amazed I did well.

I placed the pistol back on my armor and it attached with no issue. Looking at the new stock The stock was used to be able to go on the shoulder of whoever used it. This one seemed to be made for me? Well, maybe it wasn't, it was a mistake why it was locked in here. I have a feeling if I look more in here I might find more upgrades to my weapons. But for now, I just wish to use this stock and scope. I turned the page to stocks and looked at it closely so I didn't do it wrong.

'Take the stock and remove the other but don't toss it or throw it away. I detached the stock I had set it down and attached the other stock that seemed to be made for me. Of course, I am wondering if this was a mistake on the stock and they never tossed it away. 'After it's attached, try to use it and see how it fits you.' I did what was said and it fits me very well and I felt that it was going to be useful. Remember to keep all the parts that you have. They could be used as spare parts or they could be taken apart for some other gun.'

I closed the book and put it in my bag and I felt it get a little heavy but I knew that was going to happen. I had a task to do and the task was to disrupt leaders to make sure that Wheel tread has chosen to get in. Maybe I will get to go back to the island and live out my life. I dropped a marker behind knowing this is one of the caches I found. Went back into the cavern I didn't even see the way out of yet. I looked at the map in my hamlet hud to see if I could see the outside map but I had no idea. I was still stuck here for the time being. No light at all I felt that I was in the darkness of my very own mind.

“Oh, little bug so scared so scaredly of the world around her.”

I shake my head and keep moving. I didn’t care who I would see and all of a sudden I feel myself getting side-swiped.

“OI OI stop right there little buggy”

I felt Dunewalker hit me. How did she hit me? She is not even real. I turned to look at her. I felt her holding me down but I am sure I am not being held down. She stared at me with her cybernetic eye. I could tell she was angry. I could tell she didn't wish to do this.

"Listen to my buggy. You need to find your friends before you go down this road. If you go down this path you will never be able to get out of it. You will be branded as a failure. If you can allow yourself to see that fact then you know it will never happen. You will fall and then you will be killed. You know full well that you will be killed. The fact that the Storm king will never share his power with Wheel Tread you both will be either killed or tossed somewhere."

I knew deep down she was right. I knew it so far deep down that it made me feel sick. But I had to keep going I felt every time those in my mind fought this. But I have been so brainwashed that my brain won't even let me tell the difference. I looked her right into the eyes, removing my helm and staring at her.

"DuneWalker I can't... I can't... I can't stop myself. I can never stop myself from seeing this. I will always be known as the controlled minion of the Queen."

I stroked my head feeling the chips that are part of the crown that controlled me so long ago. How they found so many of these pieces worries me well. It would worry me if my mind wasn’t so conflicted.

"Oi take those out of your head. This is what is keeping you at bay." I felt a sudden charge in my head and I screamed in pain. Dunewalker vanished with Wheel Tread forming in my vision.

"Now my little minion, none of that you are fully under my control. If you even try to remove those from your head. will know it will destroy your mind. It will leave you dead. Do you wish that little one"

I didn’t know what to say. I shook my head and feel anger building deep within my core and I don’t stop myself.

" Good now get up like a good little bug and do what I asked. My minion can only do so much to keep the voting and the speaking on hold. So when you get there the first thing you do?"

I look back at my programming.

“I need to make sure that all those who had dealt with you in the past fulfill those deals. I need to make sure I destroyed all the weapons so if there is a riot they can’t stop it. Then force the guards through harsh means of threatening their families' blackmail. Kill Captain Bubbles and make sure it looks like murder from her second in command. Then destroy their main HQ and kill all the guards and leadership. Make sure Flame is the only one who runs. That also means killing or scaring all those who are running to win too.”

Wheel Tread stares at me.

“You forgot something NO!! I mean no harm to any children if you find a pregnant mare. You will not hurt her or kill her child. If you kill her child then you’re no better than a monster?!”

I nod knowing deeply I may have to scare them a bit I will try not to harm them and I know full well if I do there is no coming back from that.

I put the helm back on and I groaned just a bit. I had no idea I was going to be in the middle of a war with my brain. But I needed to get out of this tunnel. I looked at the map on my hud it said just a few more miles and I will be outside. I started to feel hungry though. I looked through my bag for some food and I oddly found some that Wheel tread gave me. It is what is left of that unicorn. The unicorn I killed lifting the helm back off I reached in my bag and held the food in my little legs and ate slowly.

I felt the magic inside the meat. I felt it slowly ease into my body. It felt wonderful, it felt loving, it felt so wonderful. I wished I could have kept eating but I tossed what was left of the leg onto the ground to let whatever comes through here eat it or rot. I burped, placed the helm back on, and went on my way. I had a job to do and my job was to get the desert ready for the master's return and the master’s return would be soon. All we had to do was just be ready.

_______

In the town of Nirik middle of the day

Finally, I made it to the other side and I ended up in the Kirin town of Nirak. Before I went into the town I had to make sure I found Flame first. I looked at the Map and kept myself from being seen. I didn't want the guards or so on to know that I am here. Till I am asked to do what I must. Looking at the hud in my helm. I was led to Flame's house and I quickly opened the door and went inside.

Looking around I was in a giant house and when I fully got a good look a floating broom smacked me across the room. Looked at the mare I was meant to meet but she smacked me with the broom again. I had to finally speak but It was hard. I removed my helm so I could talk.

“Hey, I am here under orders by Wheel Tread to meet with you. Can you stop?!”

The broom no longer snakes me and I feel like I am finally no longer being treated like a mutated dust bunny. I turn to finally see Flame. She looks like a fiery-furred Kirn. The beauty in her eyes makes me remember the beauty of my mother's eyes. I feel like I am seeing my mother again and I shake my head.

“I am here to help make sure you become the leader of this town.”

Flame tilts her head, staring at me for a moment. I can tell she has a lot of thoughts in her head. So many thoughts in her head that make her wonder if she is doing the right thing. Most of us wonder if we are doing the right thing.

“Well then.”

She helps me up and dusts me off and she closes her door and I look around. This is a pretty lovely home. She has done pretty well for herself. I wonder if it’s from the deals her family had with Wheel tread at least it’s what I think.

“Wheel Tread promised me Flame that if I can do this for you without a hitch he won’t need his army to come here and force his point of view here. He will let you run on your own as long as you follow what he wants.”

Flame smiles. I can see a big relief in her eyes. After a while, a large stallion walks in from another room using his magic to look through my armor. I could tell he wanted to do something with this armor and I know I am going to need it upgraded.

“If you wish to do this mission, little bugs need to do some heavy upgrades to your armor here. I hope you have no issue with being forced to stay here?”

I nod to him and he leaves to go work on it. I have no idea what he will do but I feel it would be good hopefully. I take a deep breath feeling at ease at least for now. I can at least be by myself for now.

I heard strange sounds outside and I heard voices.

“Vote for Rocky is the right Kirin for the job to make sure we find all the water we all need.”

I was watching the caravan and he goes by seeing another of a Kirin mare in a military outfit she didn’t say anything and her army with her didn’t stay anything all I saw on her caravan was many slogans that worried me. ‘Vote for the military to protect our lands from all threats.' I now see what I am going to have to deal with. I have a list and I am going to have to add them both to it.

The door opens from the stallion's workshop. He comes back out and sets down my armor. There are many new features to it. I am worried I have no idea how I am going to be able to use all this.

"I updated this to have a drug chem department. I put in the dash that I had left. There are many other drugs you can find. Now I warn you only use these when the HUD on your helm tells you to."

He taps the visor on the helm with his hoof.

" Updated the map system and put where there are some extra water sources just in case Wheel Tread asks you to find them. Because whoever controls the water can control this land."

I nod looking more at this armor.

“I am Sprocket by the way.”

I wish I could smile I nod to him and he takes out a silenced pistol from this holster and fires at least one spot on the armor I notice that spot on the armor stops the bullet but then it slowly caves in like it was padding to stop the bullet but could only work a few times.

"I put in new padding of the armor that is lighting but can stop bullets and other weapons like a barding. There are a few weaknesses but I am sure you're smart enough not to be harmed by whatever. Now try it on."

I slowly tried it on getting into the armor letting my legs get used to the padding. It felt wonderful and it made it easier to move my legs. So I am wondering if this was meant to be the armor at the start but the armor I found didn't get the update or the war ended in the bad way it did. Maybe there would have been many more upgrades.

Putting the helm on it was still the green hue but I had two different selections: the stealth device that was in the helm. Along with the drugs. I read the drug one it had a warning not to use unless you feel you have to. Don't push yourself too far with them. It might make you feel that you're too strong and then you get taken down by a small gust of wind.

Finally, I am ready. After a while Flame comes back in from the other room and sets down a list for me so I know who I need to take down or scare or do worse to like blackmail or destroy their very lives.

“On this list are those in the army that can’t be bought. The guards as well. If you go for their families, threaten them, even kill them. But no matter what, children are innocent. So we will lose support from those that support Wheeltread if any child dies. Now make sure you do what you can to take them out or force them in exile with their children.”

I look at the list more and make sure everything is set and then I surprise myself deep into my core what I say and I feel like I could cry.

"Now the ones with families do you want me to harm their families?"

Flame just stares at me with an eerie look. From the look in her eyes, she didn't expect me to just come out and say these words. I see tears welling up in her eyes and Sprocket I must look so innocent. I am being used for a monster's pleasure and I can’t stop myself from doing this. I can feel the mind control from Majesty lingers inside my brain it's enough and it's there.

"Little bug I don't want you to harm them at all. I was promised none of the ones with families will get hurt. Just threaten them to be in line with notes, maybe kill a pet of theirs and then say this will happen to your family if you don't get in line. Now the ones that don't have families you may do whatever you wish to. But if they have a child with them, no. I refuse to get that dirty bug. if you do anything to harm these children I will break it to Wheel tread that the deal is off."

I nod. I feel my heart shatter just from hearing my words.

“I am sure Wheel Tread has some plans in case you break the deal.”

Sprocket laughs very weakly

“Oh, he has a very nasty plan too.”

Flame turns her head to look at her husband, the one she loves dearly. Her eyes were on the verge of leaking tears.

“What kind of plan?

Her voice is quivering just on the verge. Sprocket frowns and lifts his shirt with his magic. On his body is a bomb that is not ready to be set off yet.

“He placed this on me when I went to work on something in his bunker. He had to knock me out and demanded I follow his plans. It seems his plans went into overdrive when the bug ended up here. In his wildest dreams, he had his puppet. He even said if any children are killed he will set it off.”

Flame gasped tears streaming down her face.

"F...Fine, you may do whatever you want to the families just to keep my love safe. But please keep the children from being harmed, just make sure you scare the children to make their parents back off. Just please no deaths of the children."

I gave a nod with a smirk. I knew my master would have everything ready. But deep in my heart, I have a feeling I shouldn't be doing what I am doing. Suddenly when I had the thought to remove the chips in my head. A shock into my brain to remove that feeling. I felt such a pain in my stomach and felt a needle go right into my side to dead-end the pain.

"Alright I will go in at night but first I am going to eat the rest of the food. Then I will take on the army they have and then get you the leadership role. Are you ready to become the leader of this entire city?"

Flame nods and she wipes the tears from her eyes.

"I have been ready for years. Wheel Tread told me he could do it in a way that no one will ever get in my way. He even said he could do the same thing the stream of silence did to my kind in the past before the war affected our world."

I wanted to cry hearing what my mind is about to say when it comes out of my mouth.

"I was stuck on an island before any of that happened. I would have seen how this world was before the war. I know it's healing. I know many heroes like Scoots have done something. But to my master, they made it worse. I have to agree and after what Star Shooter did to the island she made it worse for all of us. The zebras are far too free; the ponies have too many families. The Clockwork ponies aren’t slaving as they should be.”

My heart broke with what I was saying. I knew I didn't think like this but my mind is too controlled to say otherwise. I am sure I would break Star Shooters’ heart if she knew I was here.

So I had to wait for nightfall to start the first phase, break the morale of the army that is not under Wheel tread's hoof and then make sure the citizens of this town give their undying loyalty to Flame. I pulled my guns from my side and started to make sure ammo is in all of them. The stallion took my pistol and then came back later with a silencer on it.

Sprocket came close to me and whispered.

"Kill all the parents and keep the children alive. The forest walkers will come and adopt them and then take them away from this nightmare. The camels aren’t happy about what is going on here. So remember no children’s deaths or the camels will break it off too. Wheel tread has no control over them.”

I nodded, I knew he was that bad I whispered back.

“Do you have any ideas to make sure I don’t have to kill the parents so I can keep the families alive?”

Flame nods

“If there is no other way you will find a bunch of that stone dust which was used on your friend. If it's the only way you need to turn them to stone and then do what you can to kill every single criminal you find in the jail you can’t keep them alive. The filth must be killed including every single one of the army. So Flame can train those loyal to her.”

"So the war of the past is going to come again after Wheel Tread gets what he wants? What is going to happen to this land?"

Sprocket looks at me and a weak smile forms on his face.

"This land will be blocked off from the rest until the Storm King feels its time to retake the world. But the issue is I have even asked Wheel tread if we can trust him? He said that no we can't but we must destroy any chance of a hero trying to bring their pointless hope to this land. He said maybe we could use one of the heroes to have all the ponies turn on all the heroes."

I get it makes sure the image of heroes looks awful to the rest of the world. The rest of the world won’t accept this view. It will just be this part of the world unless the views spread like wildfire. It would make it so one trusts a random stable dweller. They keep a random mare from the past in the tube. That no hero will ever be asked to help again and the citizens of the community will rise to fight. Too much to hope for in my corrupted mind.

"I do understand his issues with heroes. I used to have the same feeling back on the island. Then she freed us I wish.." I

groaned as the chips in my head kept me from saying how I truly felt.

"But she did free me from the queen. I'm happy but part of me is not happy. I have too much on my head right now and I thought I could handle it all. I don't think I can."

The stallion took my helm off the hose detaching and he stroked my head with his hoof. I could feel he was trying to do something and I knew what it was. I need to tell him to please free me from this hell.

"Most never understand what is given to them. It's hard for them to understand. You have a choice here Ruby. I could remove these chips and let you be free. Then this place will be forcibly taken over by Wheel tread. He wants to do this without as much blood as he can spill. Even if he dies he has those that are willing to follow him and follow him to the end."

Then I can’t be free. I need to do this to save it from bloodshed. I will leak the blood on my own. I will cause more death than what is needed. I will feel what is to come. I know full when my crimes are brought up if I am ever brought up on court charges murder will be the biggest thing. Even if I was controlled I will still deserve it.

“Is there a bar here with an inn I could stay at after all this is said and done so I don’t have to return here?”

Sprocket nodded and he noticed from my reaction he stops stroking my head and puts my helm back on.

"The bar's owner is under Wheel Treads hoof. She will give you a room and never tell anyone you're there. But a warning: there are cameras in towers. If you're seen by them, Dj Mixer will tell everyone that you're here. Oh and I recorded this."

He offers me a recording tape and I take it looking at it.

“What is this?”

"It's a recording of your friends asking if anyone sees you that they tell them."

Looking at the recording, I'm not sure what to think. I am under so much pressure as it is and it’s harder and harder to fight it.

"Listen to it before you leave. It might help you to decide if you want to keep up with this path. If you do what do you think your friends will think of you? If they learn that you did all this and it's not going to be the only thing you will be doing. So go to the back and listen if you change your mind. I will tell Wheel Tread and he will send an army to take over by force."

I nodded and went to the back taking the recording and my helm. I put on the helm and inserted the recording, letting it download. I knew whatever I heard my heart would break. I don't wish to hurt my friends or the ones that adopted me. I care so much for her. Even though I feel I am controlled like I was by the Queen. But I think the reason I have the chips in my head is to make sure I don't break the brainwashing. It finally downloaded. I didn't know what to think. I wanted to listen but I knew I wouldn't be able to. I turned on the recording.

"Greetings Widowmaker Desert this is Dj Mixer. I have friends from Buzzer here. She vanished after she went to save her friends from a bunker. She has been missing for almost two months and they implore and ask if you see her let them know. All of them are going to speak their peace. I want to bring her first friend Roll Roll."

The bug growled softly and hissed as he spoke

“I’m Roll Roll I am in a way the same species as Ruby. I will be honest I haven’t been happy with Ruby since I have been in this land. I have had a great amount of hatred for her. But to be even more honest I love her as my sister. She and I have been through so much. I came with her just to see Star Shooter and the rest of us like fate got forced here. She tried to be a guardian or a hero. But when she saved us we never saw her again. I am worried about her. Our kind is easily mind-controlled but enough of that. There are many here with me who wish to talk about her.”

"Next is her friend Tick Tock."

“Greetings, I am Tick Tock. I am going, to be honest, like Roll Roll. I have been upset with Ruby for a while. I kind of got very cross with her and I treated her so awfully that I made her cry many times. To be honest, though, she is the most gentle little bug you will ever meet. She treated me like I am a living creature and not some monster because most can see through me. I haven’t had the time to tell her how I feel I love her like she is family. But I could go on more but her adoptive mother wishes to speak.”

"Hello, I am CranBerry. I am from the Enclave. I adopted Ruby as my daughter. I missed being a mother so I felt maybe I could teach her right. But right now I miss her so much. We all do this strange pony that causes her to lose her mind. She feels she will never be herself again. I told her this alot. But I love her. She is a sweet little creature that allowed me to learn so much about her. I just feel if she gets hurt and whoever took her hurts her. I would never forgive them. My only sad issue is that she may say she loves me as her daughter. But I don’t see it in her emotions.”

I stopped right there. I knew I would be conflicted when I heard Berry speak. She adopted me to give me the love I never had before. I felt my heartbreak shatter a bit. I wanted to show her that love back. But now I can't. I groaned and felt something grab me and I was face to face with Cozy Glow

"Failure... Failure... Failure: He will return and you can't stop us. He can't be stopped. You will always see your faults and how he will tell you you failed now wake up!!"

I woke up and I saw Flame over me. "Oh I am sorry I was listening and I fell asleep."

Flame smiled. "Look little Bug you don't need to do this for me. I don't wish to have power but it would be safer than having the entire town taken over in a battle."

I sighed, shaking my head.

"I have to miss Flame if I harm other souls then it would mean the rest of the town won't get hurt in the battle. I know it might make them easier targets for water hunters. But that is a risk that is needed. I know whatever I do my friends might show up, you need to promise me to miss Flame so that they don't get hurt."

Flame gave me a nod.

"I will make sure they don't get hurt. I will warn you though not all of Wheel Treads' minions will care. That's the thing I may be on his payroll to get him power. But I have a small heart, a little bug. None of us wish to see children harmed. Their needs outweigh the rest of this town.”

I nodded and got up from the desk and made sure everything was ready.

"Alright, I am ready to do the ones that don't have families first. I will leave notes saying if you don't want this to happen to your family too. Then get in line and only support those that have your best futures in mind."

She nodded and I could tell she was not happy about this. I can tell she is going to tell me something harder for her to explain than most things. Then again maybe not since it's harder for me to understand.

“Listen Ruby I am not happy with the fact my family made a secret deal with Wheel Tread. The old books I read said during the war our home got heavily destroyed in the fighting. So Wheel Tread many others including Luna herself brought the remaining Kirin here and with the help of the zebras because force ceasefire camels are crazy. They built this place just for us. But I am part of the generation who has never seen our old home. I am hoping to someday.”

This is an interesting history I am learning. I wonder if the Kirin joined any of the sides in the war. It would be interesting if they did.

“Did any of your species join the war at all?”

Flames sigh deeply and look at a strange helm on the wall. There is a zebra sword and the helm has kirin marks.

“Both sides tried to get my kind to join them. But after the attack that destroyed the entire Peaks of pearl causing, everything went bad for us. Both sides agreed, including Tread and Luna they had no right. So again they brought us here and a zebra gave this weapon and helmet to my ancestor as a way of saying we are sorry for everything.”

"Do you know who Whee? "

I groaned at the Chips affecting me again but I had to fight it.

"Do you know...Wheel.?"

I groaned in deep pain feeling my stomach lurch and I was about to vomit but I stopped myself. Flame stroked my back. I could tell she had a motherly heart then why would she be doing all this. I think Wheel Tread has more on her family than she is letting on.

"I don't I sadly don't and Wheel Tread feels that we owe him for what he did for us. All of us thought he was dead before he came to my door to show me he was still alive and the deal was still in swing. We did the deal in the blood to make sure we would never break the deal. All my species did but they don't know this and they will know this after he takes over this land. He feels this entire world owes him for in words warning the world of the threats to ponies."

I blinked in the past. Wheel Tread warned the world about something? I have to know maybe if I get his trust he will tell me someday. I will learn and maybe I can convince him to stop this path. But that's if I can break through the defense and I need to learn this I need to know who he was and why he knows Twilight and why he has been such a threat to them.

"Alright, miss flame I will go do the deed. I promise you I will try to keep families alive if I can. But that is if this crown on my head doesn't force me to do his deeds in the way he wishes me to. I don't like it, but that is the sad thing and the deal I have to do. Maybe someday I will know more and fully understand his plans so I can understand them."

I went out the door so I did my task. I feel this night will be a night of blood for I must be the monster I don’t want to be. A monster who will do whatever they can do to a task for a master that I have no love for.

_____________

The night

It was deep into the sleeping cycle of the creatures here. I was given a list and how to get to their houses. The first house was one of the stallion guards that didn't have families. I walked into the house of the first stallion. I couldn't read his name. It was something Kirin. Looking around though I saw how most of his home was part of his family. I saw him standing over a fire

He looked through the flames while I sat there watching him. He came around the flames to look at me. I look into his eyes I can tell he has been crying and I know full well I am either going to have to kill him or convince him to kill himself.

“I am the one that Wheel Tread sent.”

The look on the stallion's face turned from horror to acceptance. He looked at his home and then back at me with a weak smile, his eyes filled with tears. I think he knows what is going to happen and he knows he can’t stop it.

“When I do, some will be brought in line to heed your master's wishes. You have a choice of how you want to do this little creature. Before you do it though, may I take off your helm and see what you are first?’

I nodded and he removed my helm looking at what I am. He could see the gentle heart I had and noticed the ways to keep me under control. I saw the pain in his heart. He felt sadness for a creature like me going to make others of my kind be questioned.

“I see one of those magic eaters. I want you to do it by your choice if you want to string me up or whatever. Just do it burn my home do it. I already have a note ready to be sent to others in the event of my death.”

I see that he has everything planned. I no longer feel my real thoughts coming to the service. I think my real self went to hide to cry.

“Anything else you need to tell me?”

The stallion nods.

“There is a mare who is waiting for you with some of the army's weapons. She has no family either like me so you will have to string her along even though there will be many who won’t fall in line. You will have to show them too.”

I put my helmet back on. I felt the only way to do it was to let him burn his home.

“Go back in and sit down. I will burn your home with you in it. It’s the safest and less bloody way for now.”

It would affect me for the rest of my life knowing that I did this. I took the log and started the rest of the house on fire. I looked back to the stallion who sat in his chair and closed his eyes to allow the fire to get to him. He breathed slowly and was so calm he lay his head back in the chair. I watched in the window as the fire slowly engulfed him and he burned. He didn't even scream. All he did was look back at me with his dying eyes and he smiled. That smile was going to haunt me for the rest of my life. The fact that he accepted his death just because of the will of Wheel Tread. Even though I knew who he was. My mind focuses on Wheel tread.

I moved away from the burning house to make sure I didn't get captured or found out. But I looked back seeing that I never will be the same again after all that. It's not something I was hoping to learn or to see. The fact that I wanted to be part of something. I am part of something now alright. I know now what heroes mostly are: we are killers. Well to some minds we are killers. I am one of those that might be a killer. I don't wish to be a killer. But I need to make sure that I get ready for the battle ahead and one of the battles will be dealing with the next one. The mare that has no family. I don't know why I am not given their names. I remember a story that names have power in them and you can use them.

Now it's time for the next one. While the other building burned behind me I went to the other house. I saw many guards protecting her. So I knew I had to do many things for them to get inside. I sneaked up to the side and made a few sounds causing a few of the guards defending the house to come toward me. I took each out one by one with My sting pulling them into the darkness taking off my helm and biting into their bodies taking the magic that they had. I left what was left of them in the darkness. I had to make sure to clear the rest of the guards outside.

I grabbed one of my metal apples and I looked around to see if I could find the rest of the guards but I didn't see them. I saw them running towards the burning building. I put the apple back in my bag and sighed, shaking my head feeling a bit upset at the fact I just killed a bunch of ponies or whatever creatures they were. Putting the helm back on and feeling the magic inside me it was pure magic not raw magic like the island. Now I had to break into this building. I went to the main door. Coming outside of the door was a large stallion in armor. I quickly flew up into the air looking for a weak point.

"Come out a creature that wishes to harm us. Come out, little creature."

He was looking for me. I didn't know how to fight him. But the only way I can think of is using my sword. I removed Spitfire from my side. Holding the blade and I charged down from the top and the stallion turned fast lifting an armored hoof to block but I did cut right through. Blood sprayed all over the ground but the stallion laughed.

"Hmm hello, little bug or should I say minion of Wheel Tread. I was once one of his minions as well. I am a creation of his. Now I will make sure your friends find you. I will make sure to keep you alive. So they can help you."

First I just stood there not wishing them to know that I am here. "How did you know that I am under his control and you didn't tell them, did you?"

He sighed.

"No I haven't and how do I know? Some of us know that he is trying to tell us that we owe him and we do. I am thinking of taking you down. I.."

I just buzzed, grabbing my sword tightly and before he could finish I attacked him and he blocked me with his sword. I felt the fact that my sword didn't cut through the sword. I didn't know what to do so I needed to get through. I placed my sword back on my side grabbing the red ruby dagger. I have to get through fast and I need to fill the gem with blood.

"Look, I don't want to kill you, sir. I want to get through so I can finish my mission for Wheel Tread. So please let me through."

The stallion just looked at me through his helm. I knew he could have been smiling at how silly that sounded. I could have done more to stop him from doing this. But I knew I knew what he wanted to do.

"Why did you break her heart, Ruby?"

I felt my body shake

. "Why did you break your mother's heart? She loves you, she is searching for you, they all are. I could tell them you're here and free you from Wheel Tread. Do you want that little bug? Do you want your adopted mother to be a disappointment ?"

Tears fell from my eyes and I felt my body shaking. I fell to the ground crying, removing my helm showing. The stallion removed his helm and lifted his hoof stroking along me. I could tell he didn't want to hurt me. He looked at the crown but he knew it wouldn't be wise to remove it.

"Listen little one. I am sorry you had to go through this. Here Let..."

He gasped and his eyes bugged out. He tried to breathe. I had stabbed the knife deep into his neck. I Just chuckled weakly. I never knew I could be so evil. I kept cutting into his neck letting the blood drain into the gem as it glowed. I didn't know what would happen. The gem is removed and given to whoever. I pulled the knife right out of his neck watching him reach for me. I held on to his hoof. I knew he could no longer speak but I saw in his eyes that he didn't want me to become like this.

"I am sorry...I am very sorry."

I didn't want to kill him. But I had to stop him from telling my friends that I was there. I put my helmet back on to hide my crying. I let him die and sat outside for a while before going inside. I had to think. but the mare I was here to kill came out and sat beside me. I looked up at her and I knew I had to kill her.

"I can no longer run from the truth, little bug. I have seen what you did to get to me. Now I am going to go into exile. When I leave, burn my home down and like the one before me, a letter would be sent to the newspaper and the guards with families will be put in line. But the army will be on full alert. But still, it might be best for you to go check on the families and maybe take care of them harshly. Then the Barracks and the weapons will be empty. It will not be easy for you to take care of it but you will be able to."

I nodded and sighed looking at the mare. She had on a set of armor and a large bag. She stood up and looked back at me, bowing her head and walking away. She just simply left the town so I grabbed one of the bombs I was given. it would cause a fire after I tossed it into the building. I tossed three of them into the window and the house started to burn and I quickly left into the night turning back watching Kiran try to help whoever was inside. I knew there wasn't anyone inside now. I have two more to take care of and they have families.

___________

Families.

I don’t know what makes a family. Maybe the broods to my kind are families? Maybe the brood mother and brood kings are the families. It could be those who are friends. I will never know if I ever get a family myself. I want to make sure it’s far away from this very land I know full well I will not be welcomed if I ever return here.

I have no idea what a family is. I do know that most of the families are what I saw back on the island. So I don't know much about how families work. Cranberry did adopt me and now I know when she learns that I did all this she would just look at me with her loving eyes and tears would be in them. I landed on one of the houses I needed to go to. I looked into one of the windows looking for a young one. I found a foal or is it a baby? I opened the window and went inside looking at the baby in the crib.

I grabbed the hilt on my armor feeling I have to do this. I felt the crown pieces in my head trying to fight me on this. I think they have been programmed to make sure I don’t do this. I feel a painful buzz in my head.

“Oi please don’t do this little buggy you will never forgive yourself.”

I stare at Dunewalker. I could see her in my head again. I must care about what this camel thinks if she shows up. I then see a red hoof on my shoulders. I pause knowing who this No please don’t.

"Please don't do it, Ruby."

I turned again looking at Cranberry. They can't be here. How are they here? I didn't want them to be here. I grabbed my head with my little legs and tried to ignore them. I couldn't allow myself to see them or for them to see me as I do this.

I felt hooves wrap around me seeing Star Shooter. She had a gentle smile as she held me. I needed to talk to her. I needed to learn what was wrong with me. She took my helm off and all I could think of was her talking to me in a great amount of anger. But I am not sure what is going to happen and then I feel that this is going to be a long talk.

"Hello, Ruby. I see that you have been dealing with some strange things in your head there. I can tell it's not an easy time for you.

She looked up to the foal and she sighed.

"I have a feeling that you're in here to do something very bad. I can't stop you little Ruby. You're going to have to stop yourself. But from the crown on your head. It looks like you won't be able to do that easily."

"I never wanted... my time as a hero I wanted to see you but.. fate seemed to have another idea for me. The idea is I need to be part of this land and part of the issue that is not willing to allow me to move along. I got captured by Wheel Tread and he... He.."

I started to sob softly.

"He went deep inside my mind and did the same that the Queen did. I hear her. I hear them all. I can no longer hear Glendo. He normally helps me through all this. But these chips from the crown block my ability to fight this.

Star Shooter sighed and stood up.

"Look Ruby, I am not here again. I doubt you will be able to fight it. It's something I want to do but I am still asleep and broken in my bed with Blaze holding me. I wish I could help but all I can do is be here for you in your mind."

I opened my eyes, after all, and I was in the room while the baby was asleep. I had to do the unthinkable and harm the child. I stood up and removed the ruby knife from my armor holding onto it I knew I am about to murder a child. It will haunt me for the rest of my life. I lifted over the baby and tried to stab but I was fighting it. I felt a hoof grab it trying to stop me. My brain was using my adopted mother to stop me.

“There is another way, Ruby. Those guards you killed take their head and place it in the crib and then give the child to the camels. Don’t kill this little one remember let Neighsay do what he must but you’re still a hero even under his control.” I look back to the baby putting down my knife and I nod to the ones in my head. This time my mind has won. Even though the Wheel tread well Neighsay didn’t want me to do this. The Queen herself wanted me to do this. The fact I have been injected with the former crown. The Queen didn’t care who I killed in her name. I fly back out and find those guards I took out not too long ago. I took Spitfire. I no longer heard it leading me or guiding me.

Maybe the spirit whoever was in the blade thinks I am no longer worthy or maybe I can’t hear any longer. Taking the sword and slicing the head of the guard. I had no emotions while doing this, no glee, no sickness. I just felt it was normal to me like it used to be. Maybe I never removed myself from what Majesty did to me. Maybe my kind is always a creature of control. Lifting the head I knew it would leak blood so with my other six hands I held the dagger to let it absorb the blood.

Carrying the head into the little one’s room again. I set it down on the floor letting the blood pool. I look at the child again putting both weapons away. I try to lift the little one gently so it wouldn’t wake. Taking the bedding and placing the little one on the floor with the bedding hoping the change doesn't make it wake. Take the head and place it in the crib and put the blanket over it.

I lift the bloody dagger and coat the blade with blood and go to the wall to write in blood. ‘Remember the pact with Wheel Tread you made ages ago. Ago I have your child to protect it from the evil ahead. You will thank me for saving it from the threat ahead. I will give the little one to the Camel I promise you. You will see it again.’ I let the rest of the blood be absorbed into the gem and lift the little one. The baby woke up and started crying and screaming. I had to get out of here. So I quickly got out and closed the window. I heard the parents screaming and crying for their baby. I just flew away into the night.

I had another task to do but I must give this little one to the camels. I looked down at the baby who no longer cried but just stared up at me. I could see the fear in her eyes. I don’t know why she is not crying. I found the Forest Walker camp outside of the city. When I got there they knew I was coming.

“So… he was right, you would do it. I can’t say I am happy that you kidnapped a little foal.”

The female camel takes the little one from me. She looked at me and I could tell she wasn't happy with me.

“Please don’t become too much of a monster little bug. We are going to need someone or your friends since you might be too far gone to help us free this land.”

I could think normally here why? Looking over the camp I felt a natural calm presence here. I could finally speak my mind.

“Why. am I not controlled here?”

Another camel in a wizard cloak looks down at me. He had a bunch of books strapped to his body. He held a magic staff in his paw. I could tell this one has had a long family line of magic.

“Technology may be powerful. But some are not a match for simple spells. A spell is placed here to make sure. Everyone speaks the truth. If no one speaks the truth and everyone lies then how do we know their true intent?”

“Then please let me contact my friends.”

The camels just shook their heads. I wanted to be upset but I couldn’t. I wanted to demand it. I wanted to harm them but I felt my natural mind telling me maybe it’s not wise.

“We can’t allow you to have one.”

The leader of this group finally comes out of the larger tent.

“You have no knowledge to give us and we know everything about the island. We have no stake in who wins this coming war. Like we have no stake with the war Scootaloo did or the war from two hundred years ago. Wisdom and knowledge are all we seek. We put the zebra and ponies in their place here. After they tried to enslave us. They learned the hard way we aren’t pawns.”

I didn’t have time for this. I had to get out of here and I lifted my wings and the leader of this group put his paw on my shoulder. I turned to him and I could see hope in his eyes.

“You made us hope. Camels have never had hope before. Please don’t become too much of a monster, we need you to come back and save us.”

I nodded and when I left the spell my mind was controlled again. I had no idea why these camels just didn’t care, maybe they do.

I started to feel sick of guilt that I kidnapped a little foal from her parents. I went to a house that had one of the ones on the list I needed to take care of. I noticed it wasn’t a nice area either. So many hungry Kirans. I landed in front of them as they looked down at me. I could tell they were poor while they stood in front of a campfire.

"Excuse me. I need to break into that house so you can take all their food. Don't ask what I am doing, I just need to get in there."

The ponies looked at each other, they looked hungry and some looked sick. I could tell if they did enter there they would need the food worse than anyone.

"We will for the food, yes."

I nodded. "Just whatever I do in there, don't run for help or anything." The ponies looked at each other. They huddled together to whisper and then they looked back at me.

"You're a minion of Wheel Tread?"

The question in my head wanted to question how they knew this. But maybe it’s not wise to ask.

"Yes, I am.”

I am a minion of a crazy pony that is willing to destroy every pony that he sees and comes across he did so much to the ponies and creatures of his camp he has been around for years and I never know what I will do it will be harder to know if it's something I want to know. I am scared of this but I need to know. "How do you know?"

"Most of the ponies and Kirin know that they owe Wheel Tread for what he did for them in the past and their families. We know what he wants to do here. Go ahead, we won't stop you." The ponies stood up and one of the mares looked at me with a weak smile.

"I look up to you Miss Buzzer please don't become a monster I want you to rise to save us when the time comes."

She gave me a nuzzle and walked to the building and broke down the door and broke in there screaming and fighting. Now it's time for me to do what I must. I quickly looked at the windows and the stallion was fighting them off but his family was deeper into the building. I looked into another window and found them. I needed to take care of them and it made me wonder if I had a right to do this.

But the window was open. Who would keep these windows open? I went inside and the children and the mare stared at me. I lifted the dagger and I didn't want to do it but I can no longer fight it. I could no longer fight the fact that I was a minion. If I do this I am fully under the control of Wheel tread till the battle is ended and the battle in my heart is all I have left.

The mare lifted the gun and I just hovered there as if I wanted her to shoot me. She didn’t fire but she just looked at me. I put the dagger away, maybe there is another way to do this. I flew to the mare who shook, dropping the gun from her magic and holding her in her magic and I took my helm off looking at them.

“Listen, I don't want to harm you or your children. I don’t have the will to fight my master much longer. So please let me at least cut you and then you leave. Leave with your husband and go to Hard Rock city. Let the ones attacking your husband have what food you have. Go with the camels and just go.”

The mare looked at her children and then at me.

“Minion of Wheel Tread, why would you let us live? You could just kill us in his name. You could have just ended it right here.”

I just smile I know I may be under his control but I did promise him I wouldn’t murder any of the children. Also, this mare is innocent as well.

“I promised my master… I wouldn’t hurt the innocent to me if your family is innocent and your husband is not. I am sure he has done some questionable things. I just need the guards with families to play ball. I doubt one will be missed.”

The mare looked at me with horror but from the look in my eyes, she knew she had no choice. I would either kill them or him. She had to make a choice.

“I am not one from an idea like this. I can tell I have no choice. It’s either leave him or die by your blade.” She looks at her foals who are shaking and crying. “Come little ones we need to go, we have a journey ahead of us.” I watched the mother gather what she can and food. They head to the window to leave. I heard small little voices that made me sad.

“What about daddy?”

The mother had tears in her eyes. She looked at her little daughter and just nuzzled them and she carried the two little ones on her back and just trotted off as the battle outside the room subsided after I heard gunshots. The hungry Kirans are all strewn all over the floor, their blood guts all over the floor, and all this for a lie of giving them food.

I hide in the closet waiting for the stallion to come in. He had many stab wounds all over his body and he was in heavy guard armor. I could tell that he would have fought to the death for his family. I grabbed a spitfire looking at the blade. I just heard the words. ‘Don’t do it.’ I couldn’t listen any longer. I am too far gone. I am happy I could stop myself from hurting those children.

“Holly?!”

The stallion screamed. I gripped the blade tightly and charged out of the closet and the stallion lifted the gun to block me and I sliced through the gun and he pulled a sword out of the scabbard on his back. Holding it in his magic. I didn’t even place my helm back on. He knew who was.

“You were a hero buzzer. How far have you gah?!”

I took Spitfire and cut into his throat before he gave me are you falling spiel I stare into his eyes looking at him like a monster out of hell I open the visor so he would see I am crying I want to sob I am conflicted I could only get a few words out.

“I am sorry.”

I am surprised he pushed me away; he was able to fight me still.

I added when I charged and our blades smashed again and we fought like it was hell on Equis. I wasn’t strong enough to fight this stallion but he was holding back. I could tell by every movement he did. He wanted to lose, he could have just taken me out right now if he wanted. He wasn’t even guarding his legs and grabbing the dagger in my other six hands and blocked with the sword and sliced down at his unarmed hooves cutting into them and he screamed.

He backed up. I just looked up to him and he backed up into the fire as it started to burn his skin. I put away my blades and then I was about to head out and then looked back. I can’t let him just die like this. His family needs him. I quickly fly to him.

“Let me help you please!”

I reach for him and while his body burns he uses his magic to pull me close to his face. I could see the fire burning his flesh as he just stared at my helm. I am sure he could see my eyes.

“My time was already coming to an end. I stole and hurt many. It’s one of the reasons that Wheel tread targeted me. He is saving the pony kind from itself and he goes for the ones that harmed and stole. I am one of the ones that did such a thing. I even cheated on my wife. So I deserve this. But know this. He is just going to toss you away like trash when the time is right.”

He uses his magic to toss me out of the building. I just looked into the window of the burning building watching him burn. He had his eyes closed like he had wanted this. Tears just fell from my eyes as I heard screaming and calls for putting out the fire.

I flew out into the night. I look through my nightmares. I am going to see those who burned and I feel it’s going to be hard to accept what I just did. I want to cry, I want to never forgive myself for what I have done and I haven’t even started yet.

______

The prancing Kirin inn

I flew into the inn. I cleaned my armor and my weapons off to make sure if anyone saw me here they wouldn’t know what I had just done. It was a pretty empty night since everyone went out to help put out the fire. There was one lone mare at the counter. She looked up at me, her eyes full of sadness seeing me. Maybe if I killed the children she would have anger.

“Ruby, he said you would come. I may not be happy to see you after what you did. You took a child from her family and you killed a family's father just to prove something. But at least you didn’t kill any of the children. There is a room all set for you. Food and drink will be waiting there for you.”

I fly up the stairs.

“Oh, and Ruby, was it worth it?”

I took my helmet off and she saw the tears streaming from my eyes. I wish I could tell her how I really felt but maybe this time I can break through the mind control just enough to say it.

“Doing..”

Groans grunting, feeling the pain.

“Doing what I just did. None of that was worth it. But like the master saids. Ponykind is lost; they need to be saved from themselves.”

Deep in my mind I know he never said that. But somehow the control made me keep up that lie.

“I hope Ruby, in the end, it’s worth it. You do understand what you just did: children will die when the election is over. I hope you understand this and no tears or want to change anything will fix that.”

I just put my helmet back on and I knew she was right. This would haunt me for the rest of my life. Even if I stood up and fought for what is to come. I would be put on trial or either put in jail or put to death.

“Ruby, if I am alive after all this is said and done I will be one of those that makes sure you’re brought to justice.”

I turned to her. I just flew to her and she had fear in her eyes and I hugged her tightly. She hugged me suddenly and I felt her sadness for me.

“Please do, I.”

Groan fighting the control one more time.

“I don’t deserve to be free after my sins.” I

let her go and flew up into the room and locked the door. I took off my helm and tossed it and then my armor and I just slid along the wall and sob hard. After the helm bounced it turns on the radio

“This is DJ Mixer. I got bad news, my friends. There has been a great disturbance in Nirak rumors of some pony or creature going around killing the Kiran there. No one is talking about what they say they refuse to. But whatever happened they’re scared but the leader of the army, a camel named Bullet, had this to say.”

“Whoever did this will show up again. I don’t think this has anything to do with the election. I think this is a minion of the Storm king. I shall do what I can to protect the kirins, the race that turned my family into slaves a long time ago. But not for ill intent but knowledge. I have learned what I can and I promised to protect the knowledge. We shall be here and win.”

The recording ends and Yanari returns.

“Thanks to everything that is going on. The enclave speeds up the construction of a ship for the heroes. But for now, Porchina and Pinda are sending one hero to Nirak to learn what is going on. This interview is from just an hour ago.”

“From what happened we are sending Hawk to Nirak. She will go and report back to us what she saw. Porchina and I are doing what we can to defend the children here. We are using Subira and Slither as extra guards. Having depression vipers as guards is going to be helpful to stop anything that comes. They have been a great help and Hiss the other creature is defending the hospital. A hate viper working with us? Amazing.” Porchina then chimed in.

“We all demand justice for whoever did this evil. We won’t stop till they’re brought to justice and no we don’t want them dead. We want them to suffer for the pain they have caused. We are even asking Diamond Cutter and Hiss to protect all the little ones. We will not allow this to happen again.”

Porchina sounds upset and angry.

Another recording comes on

“Hi, darlings, this is Diamond Cutter. I am here with Hiss. We are doubling security with Slither and Subira. We won’t be allowing anyone near the future or the sick in this town. Hiss has some things to say.”

The snake speaks

“Ssss I speak for the other two snakes in this town. We will do everything we can to protect the children including Subria and Slithers. We will not let this happen again.”

Back to Diamond Cutter.

“Thank you goodbye darlings from your friendly neighborhood Assault Hound” [Assaultron]]

The next interview is with Hawk

“Greetings, I am Hawk. I think I know who is behind this. One that said 200 years ago he would cause all this. But I can’t say for I am not sure that he's even alive anymore. But I will say that we won’t be redeeming anyone. Friendship failed in the past because we redeemed too many. Starlight Glimmer deserved death for what she did. But a lot of us had no choice. Now we do.” The interview ends.

“I hope cooler minds heed my friends. This is Dj mixer and I will have a song playing for you all. This was sung by warriors of the war back then. It didn’t make it to Equestria too painful I guess. Stay in the good fight Dj Pone 3 would say. Stay in the fight.” Static comes up and the music comes on.

“I spoke to God today and she said that she's ashamed

What have I become

What have I done

I spoke to the devil today and he swears he's not to blame

And I understood 'cause I feel the same”

The music hit my heart and soul hard. All I could do was sob and cry as the town around me was reeling from what I did. Slowly outside the sun came up to a town in turmoil as my turmoil has just begun

Footnote: Level up

Perk: Gult: You feel heavy guilt for what you have done. It will haunt you for the rest of your life. One honest thing about this perk though you will never be able to lie to families again and tell them that you will defend them you will have to prove it.

Next Chapter: Chapter Thirteen: Rock Ball Estimated time remaining: 41 Hours, 23 Minutes