The book opens with a pen writing on the pages.

“When they came they fell from the sky in the middle of an endless sea of sand and sun. Sometimes fate is a cruel mistress. We all see fate as something that the path will lead us down. Things did change for good and some for bad. I wish I could tell you what but death awaits us all.

The book closes
___________________

I open my eyes coughing up a great deal of sand. I try to move I can’t with a great deal of weight on my body from the wood of the ship. I hear groaning from the others, none of them are even speaking. I worry about them I cough trying to move. I hear steps in the sand not far from me I look to see a shadow.

“Hello, I am here!!”

I feel the weight lift off me. I see the camels lift the wood off me with their teeth. I buzz nervously looking around while a white camel helps me up. Another camel a black one looks at me. I have a feeling she is their doctor.

“Don’t worry I understand about being nervous. We saw your ship fly out of the sky and hit. Was there anyone else with you?”

I look around buzzing in fear.

“Yes, three others, do you see them?!”

The large white camel holds me in place. I stare into his eyes and he smiles sweetly trying to comfort my heart to make sure I don’t go too crazy. When I finally calm down he looks around nodding at the others with him to look.

“I am known as Pinda, there is no need to panic. We will find your friends. I promise we will do our best.”

I hear a robotic scream and guns firing off seeing Hawk come right out of the sand. She looks around staring at the camels. She gets ready to fire at them then notices me. Her guns go back into her shell while she relaxes.

“Well, this is a fine mess.”

More of the wood moves and Roll Roll rolls out of the large part of the boat rolling on it to break it apart and stomp on it more. He chitters growling deeply looking at the camels who come over to look him over.

“Hawk, Tick Tock are you two okay?”

I sighed, shaking my head.

“I am here to Roll.”

Roll looks at me.

“Yeah I know I don’t care right now. You will always find a way to get your ass out of the fire.”

Those words hit me harder than they should. I get it he cares about me but he cares more about the feelings of Tick Tock and Hawk than me. It could be what happened back during the old battle for Cliffside. I help the camels look and after that Tick Tock comes out of the sand by herself. She shook her body removing the fake skin from her head.

“WHOA!!”

Pinda Exclaimed.

“Wow, you four are impressive.”

I glance at the camels and I am unsure what to think about them. What confuses me though is the land we find ourselves in. Looking down at the desert sand I see fresh grass growing from the water which came with us and soon after it dies.

“What is wrong with this land?”

Pinda glances at me.

“This land has been cursed by Nightmare Moon herself. Back when the rebellion happened she cursed the land to turn it from a pure living jungle to a desert of death. Those before us remember everything about it.”

Do they remember everything about it? How old are these camels? They don’t seem that old at all? I glance at my friends who are talking among themselves.

“What do you mean you remember everything?”

Pinda chuckles.

“Ah, you’re not from this land, excuse me. My species have genetic memory. We remember everything from those who came before us. We need to get going, we can't stay here long or we might get attacked.”

I got confused but I didn’t want to cause any problems. Pinda leads the four of us through the heated land. I look up at the sun. It beats down hard on us. I feel my buggy skin burning looking over at the others.

“This sand and heat screws up the connections to my brain.”

The camels had to help Hawk walk since it was getting harder for them to walk. I wonder if she has to repair herself and the heat is not allowing her to do it. The sand gums up her hydraulics system.

Roll seems to be the only one of us who is not having any problems. He spreads out his bag to bring out his wings to fan himself. Since he can’t fly he uses the wings to cool himself off. Tick Tock uses the large bug as shade since she is having problems herself the skin is making her hotter than normal.

“Wait.”

Pinda makes us stop. He looks around tossing a rock into some soft sand and we see a large creature come out of the sand and fall back into the sand roaring in pain and hunger. Pinda moves us away from the soft sand heading back on another path.

“What in the world was that?!”

I buzz concerned, feeling scared about something like that showing up again and harming me.

“One of the desert dwellers you can communicate with them. But we sadly don’t have the time we need to get out of here before we get attacked by Water Hunters.”

I am confused about water hunters?

“What are Water Hunters?”

Pinda glances back at me.

“To some deadly killers. But to them, they’re what remains of Luna’s lunar rebellion in the past. Since it’s very hard to find water in this desert. They hunt and kill others to steal the water from their bodies.”

I was confused. I was about to ask something else when a horn sounded. We stop looking around and hear more horns. I look around frantically as a camel tosses me a rusted sword. I catch it in my buggy hands holding it tightly with all my buggy hands.

“Bellatores Lunam oppugnate! Aquam caballis nostris opus est!”

A group of ponies in strange robe garb. They charge us. There are many of them holding swords and strange badly made guns. While they fire the badly made guns at us. One of the camels with black fur reaches behind their back pulling out a large staff from behind their backpack. It folds out into a large metal staff and they stab it into the sand.

The camel chants in a tongue I have never heard of before.

“'awh , eashiqat alramala. 'aetini quatak lihazimat hawula' al'aeda'”

Magic runes glow on the staff and her entire body has runes formed on her body. She keeps saying the same words over and over while the ponies get closer. Hawk fires on one of them who gets close to her. Tick Tock quickly jumps around using her body using robotic claws which come out of her skin. Roll rolls into a ball and attacks them with his large body. One gets close to me. I can only see her eyes. Our weapons hit tightly the blade I hold cracks and the anger in the eyes of the creature.

The camel finally finishes the spell. A hand of sand forms from the spell and it grabs many of the group who haven't been harmed by me or by friends. The hand holds them and then buries them into the sand.

“Recepto receptui relinquit vulneratos.”

The group of ponies who aren’t wounded run off leaving the wounded behind. The mare I have been fighting tries to get the upper hoof on me. I quickly bring out my stinger and stab into her side. While I may have stabbed into her she was able to cut into my body. The mare falls paralyzed she is still able to move her head. While she watches the camels kill the others who are left. Hawk stomps on the ones who are left.

I stare at the mare. She looks scared Hawk comes over lifting her foot to stomp on her.

“STOP!!”

I get under the foot to stop Hawk from killing the mare. Hawk lowers her foot while the others come to me to look at the mare. The mare is shaking tears falling from her eyes. I can see she is scared and in fear.

“Misericordia... Misericordia”

I don’t understand her looking at Pinda and the other camels shaking their heads. They don’t seem to understand her. Roll Roll comes back he has blood and gore all over his body. I am sure he enjoyed smashing the poor ponies. Hawk robotically growls.

“What are we going to be like the ponies of old and not kill those who deserve it?!”

Tick Tock comes over to the mare stroking her side.

“It will take me a while to learn her tongue. But I think she is speaking old ponesh words that haven’t been used since the old times. I think she is saying ``Mercy'' if I can understand it correctly, Mercy.”

Hawk stomps on the sand, her temper taking over.

“We aren’t going to forgive a pony who just tried to attack us?! Are we that fucking dumb like Twilight and the others?! You seem to fucking forget Tick Tock I am from the same time you are. The ponies forgive too easily!”

Tick Tock sighs.

“Listen if we kill her like we did the others. We are no better than them. Now Hawk please relax before you blow a connection. I will take care of her and learn to talk with her so I can understand her.”

I stare down at the pony. I was silent and I moved her cloak to look for her cutie mark. I see water spouting out of a hole. Normally ponies name themselves after their cutie marks or their cutie marks can sometimes be formed through the magic from the name they have.

“Tick Tock please ask her this. Is her name Waterspout?”

Tick Tock takes a moment to speak. It’s not clean and it seems some words are a bit confusing but I am sure she can speak to the pony.

“est nomen tuum Waterspout?”

The mare can stand after the venom runs its course all she does is nod, bowing her head in defeat. I look at the camels who talk to each other. Pinda seems to be nodding and they seem to be staring at the mare.

“Nuncne ego servus tuus?”

Tick Tock’s eyes open wide. I am sure she understood the last word she said. She shook her head, her voice box finding it hard to express her view. She grunts more coughing loudly as she feels she can’t speak very easily.

“Nullus amicus tuus, non servus amicus.”

Tick Tock spoke the words and the mare looked at her confused. She looks back at me then back at Tick Tock. The mare relaxes and hugs the robotic mare tightly. Tick looks confused at this and she just holds the poor mare close to her. The poor mare sobs and Tick Tock moves the cloak just a bit. We see the wounds left on the poor mare they’re not fresh.

“She has been whipped”

When I hear this I feel enraged when Pinda comes over nodding and patting the back of the young Water hunter.

“There are some of our kind who can speak to water hunters. We have been told mares are used as breeding fodder and if they refuse that role they get whipped and forced to go on raids. It’s a way of their life, don't be upset about it. You can’t change it unless you prove to them their way of life is wrong. Good luck trying to convince them.”

Hawk sighs Roll Roll pats Hawk's leg. The mech looks down at her friend. She feels relaxed when Roll Roll is around so it’s good she is here. I just stare at the mare confused and upset. Maybe I have no right to be upset?

“Excuse me miss.”

I turn my head to look at Pinda.

“You didn’t tell us your names. I may have heard them over the craziness of the boat and what just happened but could you please refresh our minds?”

I float there buzzing my wings.

“I am Ruby Glide, just a simple magic eater. We are kind of off-course and wanted to find a mare who freed us from the evil of our island. She is in Equestria and from what I can see we are pretty far from Equestria like there is no way to even go there from here.”

Pinda smiles weakly.

“I can’t help you, Ruby. I doubt anyone could help you here. This land is full of poor and weak or the rich trying to control those below. It’s what we have been used to for so long. All I can do is bring you to the town of Hard Rock and you can find yourselves some work there to be useful.”

We follow Pinda and his group to Hard Rock. I look back at the area we came from, this desert is vast. I am worried about what we might find here.

_________________
Hard Rock

A page turns in the book a pen written down on the paper.

“Hard Rock is a city made by ponies. They drilled into a mountainside to protect themselves during their war of destruction. I didn’t know it at the time but when they came they would change the path of the city with their bringing of hope. To those who see this lovely town protecting the gate are camels and deep inside are various stores and a church with a strange golden horseshoe above the door. Deeper in is a bar called Goldie's bar and deeper still is a museum of the Sand walkers and a hospital”

A page turns and more writing.

“In the market, many souls sound off.”

“Fresh fish!!”

One vendor saids showing off their fresh fish from another area of the land. The fish has been dipped in pickle juice to keep its freshness. Another vendor shows their wares of gems and crystals.

“Magic crystals give something to the love of your life. Show them your love and your peace for everything around you.”

One more page is turned.

“Then five strangers found themselves in a town of the dying, the dead, and the depressed. They walk through the very gate to find themselves in a broken-down city of those who are broken. Those with the will to help can start the fires of change or death.”

The book closes.

________

I look around while the others go ahead of me. Pinda stands there waiting while I see a large camel with cybernetics on her body looking at the group walk past. She turns to look at the white camel.

“So we are allowing Water hunters in the village now?”

Pinda stares at the camel.

“We allow you here, Dunewalker. You’re lucky we allow a betrayer like you within our walls.”

Dunewalker laughs.

“You seem to forget Pinda. I didn't do what those before me did. I am just named this because of our species' idea of punishment. Now again am I going to have to double the guard to protect the pony?”

Dunewalker looks down at me snorting.

“A magic eater here?”

I stare at Dunewalker and Pinda looks down at me.

“Do you know what in the world she is?”

Dunewalker laughs.

“Yes I do Pinda you seem to forget many of her kind have come through here. Even though they keep to themselves. I can tell something is odd about this one. This one is a weak pointless shell. Kill her now before she causes us more problems than help.”

Dunewalker walks off to talk to another guard. I notice she lifts her foot to her head like she is listening to someone. She nods, heading to leave. Pinda stays silent for a moment watching her leave. He sighs, shaking his head.

“I am sorry about all that. I tend to forget that many don’t understand how we camels live. Now I got a question for you: are you looking for money to find a ship to lead you and your friends out of here?”

I was confused about everything. I need to make money or whatever to pay for a ship. I take a deep breath sighing.

“Do you know a place I can go to help others then?”

Pinda nods, lifting his paw to a bar called Goldie's bar.

“Down there you will see a bar. In there you might find some looking for others to help them with jobs. I need to get back to my museum and see if I can find others to help me with another journey to get more water.”

Pinda bows his head to me walking off. I look around lost. I am about to fly to the bar but I turn around feeling powerful magic attracting me. I turn to see a door leading into what looks like a church?

I head inside, look around and see a gold mare with the name Mimic below her. She looks like she is healing the sick using these golden horseshoes to bring glory to all around her. I turn to see a camel in a white cloak standing beside me.

“Welcome to the order dear little child. All who come here are lost looking for the glory of the food of order of Mimic. She has done so much for us she brings glory to us with her golden horseshoes and rejoices in her glory!!”

I stare at the camel.
“I am sorry who?”

The camel stares down at me.

“Don’t you want to learn about the glory of Mimic?”

I shook my head.

“I am sorry I just came in here because I felt powerful magic. I am more looking to find a job. I am sorry if I caused any problems coming in here.”

The camel relaxes.

“Oh don’t worry little creature. I can understand not wishing to learn the order of Mimic. Now you’re a magic eater from Devil’s Due are you not?”

I am confused.

“How do you know I am from Devils Due?”

The camel smiles.

“One of us went there many years ago to help the island. I am sure you met the creature. He is a lizard and calls himself the merchant.”

The merchant who caused so many of the problems on the island is from this order? I take a deep breath turning around to fly out. I stop quickly turning back to the camel. I bow to at least the best amount of respect I can.

“Listen, thank you so much for your kindness miss. I may take you up on learning about the order. Right now though I need to find something to do.”

The camel smiles.

“May Mimic’s horseshoes light your path.”

I head back out of the church looking around for the bar. I notice my friends are gone. I haven't seen them since I got here. Then I turn down an area to see a building being put up with Hawk being used to help lift some of the parts of the building to the other workers. Roll is helping by tearing down an old well. Tick Tock and Waterspout are helping dig the new well.

I look up seeing I am right in front of Goldie's bar. I take a deep breath blowing the cool air out of my mouth with a gentle buzz. Heading inside to look around. When I get inside I see it’s just a simple bar. With drinks and food, I look to the stage seeing a mare singing a song.

“Oooo under the moonlight of the desert there is a song in the sand. The rain pours down on us like a soft beer in the night. We swim together to get drunk together.”

I go to the bar to sit on a stool. I am sure the golden camel is the owner of the bar, mixes drinks for the others, and comes up to me.

“Hello Miss, how may I help you?”

I sigh hoping there are some drinks with at least some magic in them. I look at the menu and I just shake my head.

“I would like some water and if you can place some magic within it?”

The camel smiles, pouring some water into a glass. I stare at the water when she places it on the counter. I see bits of blood and strange bugs swimming around in the water. I look up at the camel.

“What in the world is this?”

The camel chuckles.

“That is our water. We don’t have the luxury of fresh water. So to those dying or criminals, we remove their water from their bodies. Some are sick and have some nasty creatures in their body. I am sorry I can’t give you anything fresher.”

I sigh I doubt the bugs will bother me. I took a deep drink and it tasted pretty good. These bugs taste like they have magic inside them. I set the empty glass down looking back at the camel.

“I am looking for some work. Do you have a board to show you have work posted there?”

The camel lifts her paw to the board on the wall near the bar. I head over to look and I see a posting about going into a place called the salt flats. I read up on who I am asked to meet. The name is Yanari. It saids I will give you all the supplies. I just will need to talk to you and see how serious you are with it.

I take the paper off the board flying back to Goldie.

“Excuse me, is the one for this job here?”

Goldie nods pointing her hoof at the back and I see a large turtle creature. The turtle creature looks to be eating a big meal. I take a deep breath and fly over to her looking at the creature. She turns her head to look at me.

“I am here to apply for the job.”

The big turtle looks at me.

“Hmm, you’re a pretty shrimpy creature. Are you willing to go through hell and back to get to what I need?”

I sit at the booth she is in and she clicks her fingers for a waitress to come over.

“Give my friend some food and something to drink. She and I will talk about this job.”

We wait for food and tea to come over before we even start talking about the job. I look around at this place of sin or what others would call a place of sin. The turtle creature pays with a strange currency that looks like coins. Star Shooter told me Equestria pays for goods with bottle caps.

I eat and drink tea to relax my mind. While I wait for the creature to speak to me about what she wishes to do.

“Now before we do anything. I am known as Yanari. What is your name bug creature.”

I look at the turtle. I try to sense if she has any magic in her system. I even use the vision of magic my species have which was somehow given to Star Shooter. To see if this creature has any magic. This turtle creature has no magic well magic I know off I can just tell she is pretty old.

“I am Ruby Glide. My species are known as magic eaters. Most of the time my species don’t have genders or emotions. My brood queen made friends and if my kind makes friends. They gain emotions like love togetherness and gender. I was made a female and my brood queen told me someday I will become a great brood mother.”

Yanari smirks

“Hon I didn’t ask for much. I am happy you’re able to trust a soul you barely know. I have heard of species like you before. Just never had the pleasure to speak to one like you before. Now we shall talk about the job.”

She grabs her bag from her shell, opens it up, and brings out a map. She sets it down. I look at the map of the entire desert. I see the many towns Hard rock, Hard shell, Nirik, Kludgetown, and a place called Hope.

“Now we haven’t been able to find everything in this desert. We know there is a place called Peace Rock and an area only for exiles and many of the desert dwellers have homes they won’t let us find. Now you see these salt flats here?’

I look at the map again, nodding.

“I see it, what about it?”

Yanari smirks.

“There are old stories of a building deep in the salt flats. It holds fresh pure water. Water is so pure that it was built to protect the water and to keep it clean and pure. It was built to keep the water protected just in case the end happened like it during the war.”

I was confused about what she meant. I come from an island where there is tons of fresh water. Then I realized they don’t have fresh water here. They don’t even seem to have gardens to grow food here. I look around at the patrons. These ponies and camels seem so much in high society.

“So you notice then?”

I look at the turtle shrugging my shoulders. I don’t know what she meant. I just see these are higher on the hog.

“Ah, I see before we leave I will have you take a look at something. I need to know, do you have a heart, Miss Ruby?”

I take a deep breath blowing out the cool air and buzzing my wings. It’s a hard question to even ask someone you barely know but I deserve every moment of this. I am sure she has asked many others this before and never found any willing to take a task.

“I do regret a lot of what I was forced to do back on the island.”

Yanari nods.

“I see. Then you’re my choice to go with me. Before we leave though I need to get you a weapon and some armor which can fit you.”

Yanari sets down some money for the waitress and she bows her head to Goldie. I follow the turtle creature. She leads me outside to the vendor to a cart full of weapons and armor made by the blacksmith. A mare looks up at the large turtle leaning on the counter.

“How may I help you two?”

Yanari smiles looking at the armor, weapons, and bags I can use.

“I would like some armor my friend here could wear. She will need one bag as well and at least one weapon.”

The mare takes a look at me with her hoof and asks me to come over to the counter. She uses a measuring tape to look me over with it. She sighs heading inside the blacksmith building. I look up and see the name of the store. It’s called the Blackstone. She comes back out with armor made for a foal

“This is all I got for you. I am sorry I hope it works and I got a weapon and a bag which could work for you.”

I am not too upset by this. I put the helm on my head. Strangely, I can’t let my feelers on my head come out. Before I place the armor on I poke holes in it for my wings to fly with the weight and I attach the bag to the armor. The mare then gives me a crossbow. It's a very badly kept together crossbow.

“I am sorry again for all I can give you. Also, take a few bolts and it’s all I can give you. We barely know you here little bug so it’s all I am allowed to give and you’re a question in itself.”

I take the crossbow and place it into my bags and the bolts. Yanari nods, setting down more coins. Yanari looks at me nodding to me.

“Now come with me.”

I followed Yanari to an area behind the blacksmith shop and in the area of the blacksmith shop. I see ponies young and old bleeding and dying. Some even die as strange creatures suck the water out of their bodies. I watch while the mare we just paid quickly goes to the market and comes to try to feed at least one soul.

I stare at all these broken dying souls. Tears fall down my eyes as I feel myself wanting to just break down and sob at the sight. Yanari glances at me. I notice a smile on her face with her hand she asks me to follow.

“That is all I needed to see. I won't be able to bring back any of the water. But you can do something for me. I will explain to you when we get to the destination of the area we will go.”

We head towards the gate noticing the camel who is Dunewalker talking to a pony in a wheelchair. They both look at me and I notice the pony in the wheelchair. I don’t know what is up about him.

We head out of the gate to head to the destination of the salt flats.

_____________
The salt flats

The book opens up with a pen sliding on the paper.

“The salt flats are a creation from the curse of Nightmare Moon so long ago. The curse screwed so many of the areas in this land. It caused more problems for the ponies of old and the stories of old. Creations made by the ponies during the war house themself to protect a powerful building that housed water. Then they came a hero who would bring hope and hope in a land hateful of heroes.”

_____________
Salt Flats

It took about three hours of constant walking and drinking water. Thankfully at the moment, the sun wasn’t beating down on me as much as it was. We stood on the outside of the salt flats and I could see the salty powder blowing in the wind. It hits my eyes and it burns so much I cough after the wind dies down.

Yanari sets her bags down.

“Alright I have been told by others who have been here we have to use a type of fluid to get through here. Also Ruby stays close to the ground to the point your ass is dragging on the sand. Be careful though, just a little strange vibration can awaken them.”

I want to ask why I look up, noticing strange creatures in the sky who seem to fly down to the salt to lick it up. They have sharp teeth. I am sure they eat whoever comes through here. I notice the fluid it’s strange looking.

“Okay, I am going to douse you in urine from both sexes. I warn you if you move wrong a female or a male might come down and try to breed with you.”

I glanced at her confused when she said one of the sexes could come down and try to breed me. I blink quickly a few times. I buzz angrily upset I have to do this. Yanari pours the fluid into her hand, stroking it all over my body. Then pour it all over my armor. She brings out two more vials doing it to herself and wow it stinks I take a breath coughing feeling I would get heavily sick from this.

“I got a few more vials in my bag and don’t ask how I got them. It wasn’t pretty.”

She smirks.

“I see what is the reward for what I get for this.”

Yanari shrugs her shoulders.

“You didn’t ask so I could give you nothing but you’re fulfilling something I have been trying to fulfill for years.”

I glance at her.

“What is that?’

Yanari sighs.

“You will learn when we get there.”

I don’t understand why she is not telling me anything. I get on all my little buggy legs walking with her through the salt flats. We say no word since from what she told me any vibration can cause something crazy to happen.

Yanari looks at me making a sign with her hand. She points at the ground and I notice a fin coming out of the sand. A shark jumps out of the sand trying to chomp one of the creatures in the sky. Then it falls back to the ground. Oh my gosh, sand sharks?! The shark when it hits the sand goes right back into it like it was water.

She hushes me. She brings out the map from her bag and looks at it and farther away. The heat makes it harder to see there is a building right in the middle of the salt flats. She smiles, rolling the map up and placing it back into her bag.

It takes us another hour to get to the building. She lifts her hand to stop me and shakes her head. She mouths. ‘Let me go first.’ She gets on the cement leading to the building looking around to see no defenses guarding the area. She swings her head to tell me to follow.

I get on the hot cement grunting getting my little buggy legs on the cement and it burns. I quickly walk through the cement with Yanari not far behind me, and she laughs. I could tell the heat doesn't bother her large feet.

“Before we go inside Ruby. I have a personal question for you.”

I sit fully down relaxing even if the heat is bothering my buggy body. A personal question for me?

“Do you have any deep personal relationships? Like if you had someone who loved you back at the home you had would you have left?”

I felt the question hit me hard. Star Shooter told me relationships helped her survive the battle on the island. The world is not only battle and death. She told me it’s those we meet along the way the souls we touch with our kindness in our hearts. The ones we give our sisterly love to.

“I do consider Hawk, Roll Roll, and Tick Tock friends. But I am not close to them per se. We just look at each other as good friends. It took a lot for me to convince them to join me on this trip. They were going to have me come on my own even though we live on the same island. We just look at each other as friends nothing else.”

Yanari frowns

“So even though you came with those you trust. They don’t have a personal relationship with you?”

I shake my head.

“I don’t understand what you mean by this. Even if I meet my species and I feel myself falling in love with him. He gives me eggs he could just then leave after filling me with eggs and then I will be used as the female of my species tends to be.”

Yanari sighs.

“I see that a personal relationship for you will never happen, a deep good honest loving relationship. Unless you seek it yourself and do you see yourself seeking it?”

I shook my head.

“I don’t know. I am not looking for love or looking for anyone to join with my heart. I may find it someday or die allowing my brood name to fully die. Glide is my brood name. Ruby is my real name.”

Yanari turns her head to look at the building. It’s just a normal building with a tower on top of the roof. There is no name on the building at all. She swings her head for me to follow, the armor is starting to get very hot but I don’t feel like it’s time to take it off.

The large turtle looks at the door seeing no number codes heading inside. She looks down at me, sighing.

“Many have never been this far. Old stories and rumors talk about this being a military base. I highly doubt this is true. Whatever we find in Ruby, whether it's armor or a weapon, I will allow you to have it. I am here for something else.”

Yanari opens the door and we both go inside. I take a deep breath in the air. It smells old and decaying. Looking around Yanari turns on the light and the lights turn on. There are large webs all over the place. Yanari swings her head for me to follow. We sneak through the area while we hear skittering all around us.

Yanari opens a door and we quickly go inside and lock the door. Inside the room, we find a bunch of scattered armor, and on the wall is a gun in a case.

“I am going to take a look around.”

Yanari heads back out of the room. I take a deep breath looking at the armor. I have no idea what to do with the armor. I look over at a desk I see a book on the desk and it saids making armor for dummies.
I open the book to read it. ‘Welcome to building a suit of armor from various parts found around your workshop. Now look around for armor which would fit you and when you do make sure it’s something you want.’

I do what it saids looking through the armor. I find many helms which have hud and visors in them. I bring them over to the workshop table. I then grab the many batteries which would work with the armor and body armor. I look at the door quickly to lock it even though I worry about Yanari.

I go back to the book to read it. ‘Now use the workshop with the tools you find. Take apart the parts of armor you feel would work. Now some armor will come with the ability to attach weapons to them and bags inside the compartments of the armor. Now if you do this all correctly the armor will work like brand new. For some armor, you can add a filter for your urine to turn into water. But it would take too much power in your armor. The best thing to start with till you find a better battery is to use the medical system. Now get to it you dummy and remember if you fail the first time it’s just the object of learning. YOU DUMMY!!’

I buzz angrily trying to keep calm and do what it’s said to do. Taking the various pieces of armor. Setting them together. After a few minutes, I got the armor setup. I place the battery in the spot it asks me to and the visor of the armor glows. It said something about a name for the armor but I don’t see myself doing such a thing yet. When everything is set the hud comes on showing my bags and that the medical system is empty.

I look at the case where a machine gun is within the case. Looking through the case I take a deep breath sniffing in the fresh air so I can get away from the mustiness of the air. Looking through the desk I find a key with ammo for the gun and open the case. When I take out the gun a how to fire a gun for dummies card comes out. I look at it and read it closely.

‘To those who read this and it’s your first time firing a gun for Celestia's sake make sure you don’t aim at anything. Make sure the safety is kept on and make sure if you do have ammo in it don’t spray and fire. That is how innocents can be harmed. Now again follow these words and every dummy can be safe from harming others unless they deserve it.’

I haven’t heard from Yanari in a while. I head back out of the room heading upstairs. I notice a giant spider right in front of me who is asleep and a hand from the shadows grabs me and pulls me into another room.

“Shhh. I learned what this place is. It’s an old radio system to talk to the rest of the desert. First, though, we need to clean this place out before we do anything else. We need to take care of that spider and any other spiders which might be in here.”

Yanari reaches into her shell this time pulling a strange apple from her shell.

“I need you to be bait, Ruby.”

I stare at her and she can’t see my face since I am wearing the helm. I use my body language to show I am not happy about this. Yanari smirks

“Too bad Ruby you’re smaller than me and you will have an easier time attracting them.”

I grunt, sighing and shaking my head. Opening the door, lift the machine gun cocking it after I load it, and fire at the giant spider. I am sure this is the mother. When the bullets force themselves inside the creature she screeches in pain.

“FOOOOOOD!!”

The spider screams. Oh my, they talk I could try to reason with them. I could try and I see many other spiders coming around yelling ‘FOOOOOD’ I gulp flying quickly down the stairs many spider webs are shot at me and one of them finally sticks while my gun flies out of my buggy hands. They drag me to their mother and I try my best to fight them to get away reaching for my gun. Before the mother gets bites me I hear a click and see a web with the apple attach itself to the large spider after it hits I break free from the bomb and it blows up. I am tossed with many body parts of the spiders and I smack into the wall. My hud comes up with warnings of parts of my body showing pain and aberrations in my exoskeleton.

Yanari picks up the gun and helps me. We look at all the body parts of the spiders and we no longer see the big mother. She gives me the gun, smirking.

“Good job ruby.”

I remove the helm and it’s attached to the armor. I stare at her, the anger in my cute buggy eyes makes her just chuckle.

“Ruby, you don’t have a very angry look. Now let's..”

The body parts shake and the mother of the spiders comes out of the pile of the bodies and she screeches heavily in anger.

“CHILDREN!! You will pay!!”

Yanari reached into her bags quickly grabbing a machine gun herself and firing at the spider. Ignores her looking at the turtle growling.

“I will deal with you later turtle..”

The mother charges at me through the door. I fly quickly out the door. She attacks me with her leg and I notice one of her legs is barely attached to her leg. I quickly back away firing at it and it breaks off flying into the salt flats when it hits one the sharks come out quickly eating the leg. I got an idea then. I fly around the spider quickly firing all the ammo I have in the machine gun and it breaks through much of her body. She screeches in pain. It's harder for her to stand after I shot off one of her legs. She turns quickly around to aim her ass at me and fires more of her webs and it attaches to me.

I quickly flew around her to use her web to try to trip the spider up and I tie her legs tightly with the web and I have a chance to use her weight to do something very stupid. I turn back at her and smash my body into her hard with all my might using my little bitty body with the spider's weight and she falls on the salt flats. I groan in pain falling on the hard cement and feeling my body in such pain.

When the poor creature hits the salt flats many of the sand sharks come out of the salt eating the poor creature and she screams in pain. I wish I could save her but I don’t have a choice. I groaned trying to drag myself away. But one of the sharks tries to pull me in with the web. Before I even get close to the salt flats Yanari cuts the web with a knife picking me up away from the flats. She takes me inside, closing the door and we both relax.

“That was the dumbest thing I have ever seen a creature do. You could have not only died, but you could also have been a meal for a shark and no one would have known since I wouldn’t have been able to tell anyone that you died.”

I take my helm off again, groaning.

“Fuck you..”

Yanari smirks

“If I was into my sex I would allow it.”

I stare at Yanari like she is insane. I have never heard of the same sex being together well I have but it’s strange to my species. I have heard of it happening with my species but it’s very very rare. I grunt, feeling so much pain.

“I have a question before we go on.. Do you have any pain killers in that bag or a potion?”

Yanari opens her bag bringing out some Med-X and potions to open up the medical system to inject all her potions and med-x in there. I feel it working hard as the painkiller and potion go through my body. I groan feeling the pain vanish from my body.

“Ruby, that machine gun you found where did you find it?”

I look at the gun.

“I found it in a case, why?”

Yanari smirks.

“It could be one of those specially made weapons for someone in leadership. You will find these types of weapons around these areas. You might even randomly find some in trash bins and random boxes. It should also have a name, take a look.”

I look at the name. ‘Spes solis’ I don’t know what it means. Then I noticed the name it’s called Hope of the sun. I attach it to my armor, grunting still a bit of a pain in my wings. Flying into the air.

“I am going to head back to the radio room. Why don’t you keep looking around? Maybe you can find a way to get power into the system.”

Yanari heads her way and I head fully upstairs. I notice there is a heavily locked room and it’s locked because there is no power to get into it. I look into the window of the room and I see a skeleton inside the room. I head back up another set of stairs noticing the power room. Heading into the room I see a system connected I am sure to the one below and looking at what I guess is the generator? I am so used to the alicorn magic-tech systems from the island.

I noticed a book it’s not called How to work a generator for dummies. It’s a book on how to do it safely for dummies. I buzz angrily feeling so upset about every book I have found lately it just talks about the dummy this dummy that. I opened the book to read it. ‘Now this is pretty simple to make sure it works to make sure the entire system is connected.’ I look around to make sure it’s all connected. ‘If it’s all connected then all you have to do is push the turn on the power button.’

I turn it on and the system starts to work and I notice power going through the entire system. While it takes a while for the power to go through the system it’s going to take a long time for the system to become normal again. I look at the radio system.

“Hello?!”

I hear a crash below Yanari’s voice coming out of the system.

“Don’t do that!!.”

I chuckle

“I found the power system and everything should be working. Is there anything else you need before I head downstairs to see you?”

There is silence for a bit.

“If you don’t mind I need to talk to you about something before you fully leave.”

I turn off the system heading back down to the locked room. I open it up and look inside. I see the poor creature looking around the body of the pony. I see what looks like a tape? I place it inside my helm to download what’s on it. It fully goes into my system and I start it.

“I am told the world is ending. So much is going on the spiders broke out and caused so much death. I no longer can handle it and I hear the stories of bombs exploding all over the world. I don’t think I can handle it anymore. I… I don’t know if I can do this but this is the last thing I will leave behind. I will not even say my name in this and remain nameless. Goodbye.”

I hear a gun go off the recording ends.

I sighed, shaking my head. Heading back down the stairs to the main radio room, Yanari is working on the systems.

“I can use this and bring hope to this broken land. Have you ever thought of calling yourself a hero Ruby?”

When Yanari said the word Hero. It felt a bit off. Why do you need to be called a hero to help those around you? I take a deep breath and take the helm off fully to place it on the dusty counter looking at Yanari.

“I am sorry Yanari, I don't consider myself a hero. I doubt I would ever consider myself one.”

Yanari looks at the system turning it on.

“Ruby, before I say anything in this system, what am I about to say? It might trigger a reaction to many looking for hope and some of them might call you a hero. Not all of them will say it with respect since some hate the idea of a hero.”

I take a deep breath nodding.

“It’s a risk I will take. So go ahead.’

Yanari clicks the mic and it makes a loud sound all over the desert radio towers littered throughout the land of sand; she takes a deep breath before she speaks into the mic.

“Hello everyone I am known as DJ Mixer. I am coming live to you in the salt flats in an old pre-war building. Now I will be doing the news of this land and sending what I can see here drones to go around the area to find the news and to talk and spread music.”

She takes a deep breath.

“I am here with a creature called the buzzer. She helped me find my way here. Without her, I would have died. She knows while I am talking like this about her. Many would see her as a hero and cry for her help. I am going to have her speak.”

Yanari moves back to let me speak.

“HI, I am um the buzzer. I can’t promise I would be able to do much for your broken land. But I would give it a try. I can’t promise my friends and I will be able to help with everything but we will do what we can. Thank you so much.”

I back up from the mic and Yanari speaks in the mic again.

“I am going to be cleaning this system up and then learning how to use it more. I will be silent for a while and when I finally get things to normal I will start playing music. There are many old records from what I can tell here. I won’t be able to put any in right now.”

She turns it off and then swings her head.

“We got to check one more thing. There is a basement in this building.”

Yanari stands up and we both head to the basement. She opens the old door and we head down the stairs. We both notice old gardens which haven’t been used in years but the biggest thing is a large reservoir of water down another set of stairs. Yanari heads down the stairs and puts her hand into the water taking a sip.

“Pure water. This is why I came here to find water, the life, and the blood of this broken land. Ruby, I have a question for you: how powerful do you think one could be with this water?”

I am confused. I have no idea what she means.

“I don’t get it.”

Yanari sighs.

“Food and water can be used to have power over the broken. It can be used to sell those as slaves to one who has the power and food. Having that power over the population is called progress in some minds. Now Ruby I want you to remember this if you find any pure water find one you trust with it.”

I quickly go get my helm and come back down putting it on. Yanari stands hugging me tightly.

“Thank you Ruby for fulfilling my dream of finding something worthwhile in my life. Now I don’t need you anymore for now. Please head back to your friends.”

I wave bye to Yanari.

____________
The Enclave

A book opens up again on another page written by the mystery writer.

“The grand pegasus Enclave. Years ago they caused a war to try in the minds of some to take over the land of Equestria. Most seem to forget that progress and the future are needed to bring forth the truth. Now not everyone will accept this truth and in the stars, no one will ever accept it.”

Another page turns.

“Ten years ago a group called the Hardliners was under the control for a time by a mare named Winter Breeze and the gentle soul of this mare. Won so many hearts and she tried her best to be right and peaceful with all those around her. Even so, the Enclave or a group did betray her, and then it took Scootaloo with the help of another group of friends and heroes to fight them off.”

The turn of another page.

“To this writer, she should have allowed them to win. Of course, this is my opinion because I feel it will be the only way to be strong in the battle ahead. The path of the end is coming and the final journey shall come. In the name of a Blue undead goat when he finally returns.”

The book closes

___________
The Enclave base

I fly away from the building which I learn is an old military base. I grunt. I am still in a great deal of pain before I can fully get out of the salt flats. I see strange black armor flying towards me and see two ponies buzz by me quickly.

As an instinct, I quickly try to get away as fast as I can. The ponies are faster than them I am one of them fires at me and I stop quickly as the laser goes right past me and I take off my helm looking at the ponies.

“Why are you shooting at me?!”

I pant trying to stay relaxed and a black mare stops in front of me. They look at each other talking into mics from what I can tell and the black mare turns her head to look back at me.

“We just want to talk to you. Come on, let's get away from the salt flats.”

I am surrounded by the ponies while I fly with them. I watch them lead me to a strange old run down the base. The base looks like it hasn't been used or upgraded in years. When we land I look around feeling a bit concerned. I look around studying the base built into a mountain side and when I finally get close I hear weapons cocking with all the ponies aiming their guns at me.

I stand still looking at them all. I spread my wings out, my stinger coming out of my ass and it glows. I hear them getting ready to shoot at me.

“You brought me into a trap?”

I try to stay calm while looking around.

“Of course not. We just brought you here to talk to our commander.”

I try hard to stay calm. I buzz my wings heavily enough like I am a bee. I can tell from the movement I make that in everything I do they aim their guns at me. I hear hooves coming towards me and the stallion smirks.

“May I ask how you ended up here?”

I sighed, shaking my head.

“A strange magic wind put me and my friends off course and some strange machine in the sky sucking up the water tossed our ship here into the desert. Now I am about to leave because a mare I met ten years ago told me never to trust anyone from the Enclave.”

The commander sighs.

“I see so it means the Light bringer is not controlling the weather out in the middle of the sea.”

I look confused.

“Who is the Lightbringer?”

The stallion chuckles.

” Oh, yes I forgot you’re not from this land. Now before you leave I need to talk to you about something.”

I listen closely to the stallion.

"The Light bringer is the one who helped the land of Equestria. She pushed back the Enclave and made them rethink how they work. But we have a problem. I am sure you heard of Kludgetown."

I nod I have heard of it but I haven’t been there yet.

"Well, there is a large group of Enclave that has been there since the end of the war. They took the idea of Rainbow dash and left with their families and all the gear they could steal. During this time things were so crazy they couldn't be stopped. Thankfully for them, they can't hear the outside world and what happened 10 years ago with Scootaloo and Winter Breeze. But I won't go into that."

He lets out a weak sigh.

"Let’s just say the Enclave has been through much. Some see us as evil. Some see us as Villains. Granted I won't argue with that. But we do care about Equestria and our world Equis. But the problem is most of our old leaders. Winter Breeze did an amazing job for many of us. Of course, no matter what we do all the souls who watch on the outside see us as evil. So we could use your help.”

I am flabbergasted. Why would a big army need the help of a simple little bug like me?

“But you have all these resources and you need my help?”

"We want your help in the name of the Enclave to help us. See we used to not want the help of the outside world. Our pride and our stupidity kept us from asking those to help us. Now we won't force you to do this. But all ponies and races need to work together as one.”

He takes a deep breath looking at the others around him he lifts his wing to tell them to lower their guns and they do.

“Even though the Lightbringer did all she could to save our world. Old projects and creations of the war are turning themselves online or coming out of hibernation doing what they were created to do, destroying those they consider a threat.”

I sigh, buzzing my wings and flapping quickly to relax.

“I doubt I could do much for you all. The only project I know of is my friend known as Hawk who was project mech. The next project I met was with a stopwatch.”

The commander stared at me for a moment

“So wait, was the project stopwatch used on the island?”

I nod.

“Yes, the hero who came to our island had helped kill it. At least I think he was killed. We have no idea if he was killed or went into the future.”

“I guess you saw the corpse of Dr. Slice?”

I shook my head.

“No Dr. Slice stuck his mind into a robot body to force himself into a punishment so yes. He is very much alive. I guess with the others he is at the town Tria’s heart. I was on my way there by myself.”

I can tell from the looks of anger on their faces these ponies had a history with the area called Tiria’s heart. I stay silent for a moment and the commander lifts his wing to get the ponies to relax.

“I can tell that saying that name seems to upset you. So the truth I heard from Star Shooter Tiria did screw you all up?”

The commander nods.

“It was more our stupidity and thinking we could take on anything. The enclave of the past was not only full of themselves thinking they could do no wrong. They took on communities thinking no one would have the guts to take them on and win. Many proved us wrong.”

I think for a moment, nodding.

“Stay away from the Salt Flats. I don't want you to harm a friend of mine. No matter what I will never trust you Enclave to me you’re just like Majesty proving to me otherwise. Now, do you need anything else before I head back to Hard Rock?”

The commander shakes his head.

“We might later but if you find a way for us to help please let us know.”

I take a deep breath putting my helm back on and flapping my wings to fly myself back to Hard Rock. I look back watching the base vanish from sight as I head back to the place I found myself in here.

________
Return to Hard Rock City.

I had to rest a few times on the way back. I finally made it back to the city. On my hud, it saids it’s nine in the morning. I get into town and I notice Pinda is awake and he is talking to one of the guards. I land down beside him and he looks down at me.

“Well hello, Ruby it looks like the job you took panned out. We now have a radio DJ and someone to spread the news about what is going on in this land. I also see you found armor before you go too deep into what you’re about to do. Some might see you as a bringer of hope, a hero. Heroes in this land don’t only bring hope, some feel they bring pain.”
I have a feeling many are going to see me as a hero. I doubt I will be able to stop them from thinking of me as such. I don’t know if it’s going to be easy to remove myself from this idea and see myself as someone powerful.

“Where are my friends?”

Pinda points his dirty paw to a set of stairs. I look up the stairs and see a sign. ‘Hard Rock Research center. The future is now!!’

“I felt since the building up the stairs has been empty since the ear. I felt why not allow you and your friends to live there. Just do me a favor if you see any info about old weapons or see any lab creations let us know we will come and take care of them.”:

I was confused. I buzz confusingly.

“What do you mean old lab creations, old weapons?”

Pinda smiles weakly. I could tell from the look in his eyes he is stressed about many things. I don’t have a right to speak to him about it. He looks towards the blacksmith store looking back at me again.

“Head up there and talk to your friends. I need to talk to some folks to see if I can convince them to help.”

I was even more confused after he just walked off. I turn my head a bit noticing Dunewalker up on the roof and when I set my eyes on her the strange pony in the wheelchair just wheels out of sight. Why am I being watched? Why do I feel many are watching me? I shrug my little shoulders heading up the stairs to meet my friends.

I get up the stairs panting a bit since I have overly been working my body grunting. When I get to the top of the stairs I see my friends talking to each other. I slowly skitter toward them feeling my body screaming in pain.

“Ruby is that you?”

I grunt taking off the helm and armor and coughing deeply at the stink from what was doused on me. I set it all down, letting it recharge. I look at my friends.

“Yeah, it’s me. I just got back from the job I took this morning. I need a good bed to relax in. What’s going on with you guys?”

Waterspout points a hoof at me.

“Putet”
‘
She swings her hoof across her nose as if to say I stink. I don’t blame her, I can smell myself and I do stink. I need a long cold bath to just relax my brain and my body.

“She is right you do stink Ruby. May I ask something though did you have to make some look at us as heroes after everything you said? I am not upset with you no. You didn’t do something dumb and told everyone we would drop everything to help them. We don’t even belong in this land.”

I glance at Tick Tock. She is correct that many would have thought we are heroes and we should help the entire land. I don’t wish to do that, I just wish to get enough money to get a boat and head to Equestria to meet up with Blaze and the others.

Before I could say anything else. I see a group of ponies and the same camel I saw in the order of Mimic. They walk up the stairs with little foal ponies who look extremely weak and they come up to us dancing around us.

“What is going on?”

Hawk seems a bit concerned. Roll tries to back away from the little ponies who look like they’re on the verge of death. Tick Tock stays silent and Waterspout hides behind the clockwork mare. All I do is notice the camel from the order of Mimic.

“Here they are, children, heroes who have been brought to you by MImic herself.”

Hawk suddenly turns her cameras to the camel. Roll taps her leg and shakes his head knowing what is about to happen to keep her relaxed. I have a feeling the five of us have been forced to volunteer to help this land. I fly to the camel and quietly speak to her.

“May I talk to you privately please?”

The camel nods, bowing her head to her friends and those children around her. I brought her over to my friends.

“Listen, we are not here to help. We are here to get enough money and then leave for Equestria.”

The camel smirks.

“I am sorry to say Mimic herself has other plans for you. You follow what she wants or I could just say a few simple words to the children with the others of MImic over there that you would refuse to help this town. Oh, I am sure their little cries of sobbing and pain will not stop you from feeling something.”

Tick Tock chuckles.

“You have every corner and every trick ready in the book. To force those who have no idea how to help this land and you use children and Mimic’s name to force us into an evil ball of evil and hate.”

Roll and Hawk stay silent. I could tell from the anger Roll felt. Hawk would have started shooting but we are guests in this land and this city. If we started shooting because of what is going on we would be considered a threat and tossed out or worse killed.

“What tricks miss Tick Tock? I am just doing what is best for the families of this community. But all you seem to care about is you and yourself. Now before I get your answer I want you all to know. These children are dying. I am sure your robotic friend there with the cameras can take a look inside one of them.”

I glance at the others. Waterspout stays silent and Hawk looks over to one of the little foals. The color of one of her cams changes and she lowers it so we can see what is in the little foal. When we see the holographic image of what she is seeing we stare at the insides of the poor creature. There is a strange worm in this poor foal they’re suffering from worse things than these creatures.

“I have no emotions or feelings. If my old body and emotions were still with me I would feel something about this. But I can’t stop myself from feeling awful for these ponies. Ruby I am going to hate myself for saying this but we need to at least help long enough. Then leave and get back to our task.”

I nod to Hawk looking at Tick Tock to see what she saids.

“I still have emotions. I have been told never to care for foals who aren’t your own but I am from the past like Hawk. I would say we do what we can for them. If I could cry still I would and I would try to hug the little foal.”

Roll Roll growls

“How magic eater species works. We eat and kill the weak and make an example of them. At least that is how Majesty did things in the past. Ruby and I did it ourselves we have a lot of murders of species like us because they were weak. But now…I feel my heart screaming at me to do something for these little ones.”

I sigh, nodding in agreement. I guess I have no choice. I could tell from the eyes of Waterspout she was crying and she kept saying something in her way of speaking.

“Merunt aliquo auxilio saltem cor meum fractum esse, ne videre illos hoc modo.”

Tick Tock glances at Waterspout then back at the image nodding to her.

“Conabimur eos adiuvare.”

Tick did her best to speak back to Waterspout. It took the mare a while to understand what she meant then it finally hit her nodding. I look back at the camel swinging my head to her to follow me inside without the others. I head inside the old research station with the camel behind me and I look back to see if my friends could hear what I am about to say.

“Why are you forcing this on me and my friends? We didn’t even want to come to this land and now you’re promising these little foals we can help them?

The camel smirks.

“Oh but little bug you seem to forget. You spoke on the radio saying you would do what you can. You seem to not understand how empty many of the souls of this land are so desperate. Just hearing the voice of someone willing to help makes them focus on your good graces.”

I buzz angrily.

“Besides Mimic herself and her shoes work in many ways to convince those of little faith that when the order can’t help them a hero can do it.”

I growl deeply.

“Alright, I see we will do it at least for now.”

The camel smirks and she walks back out with me not far behind her going back to the children and the others of her order.

“Come along children, the heroes who wish to help you and this city need some rest. When the time comes Mimic shall call on them to bring them to help you and then do more for all of you.”

The foals leave while we watch the camel leave with her followers and the children. Hawk robotically growls. I watch her head to an open area and fold down to power down to rest her body. Her brain dome glows and it’s like she is sleeping. Her cams keep her alert of anything going on.

Tick Tock and Waterspout head inside to find a place to rest and sleep. Roll Roll follows them and I am left alone. I head inside to at least get a shower before I go find Pinda to speak to him. The cool feel of the water. When I look at the water I notice it’s pure and clean. How is this water pure and clean?

I head out feeling fully clean now to go find Pinda. I see Pinda talking to the guards and Dunewalker is standing not far from him. I swear she is staring right at me again. I look into her cold eyes when she stares at me. I don’t pay any mind to it looking at Pinda.

“Pinda my friends and I seem to have no choice but to stay here and help you and the others of this town at least for now.”

Pinda smirks laughing.

“Let me guess the order of Mimic pull at her heartstrings making you cry for the little foals and the dying?”

I nod, buzzing angrily. After a while, Pinda frowns and smiles again.

“I am going, to be honest, Ruby, we are lucky the non-camels of this land can survive at they are. To others, the camels were here first and they have a right to kill and destroy everything to get back what is theirs. But I am one of those who feel we need to be kind to all. I won’t expect much from you to do what you can.”

I take a deep breath taking in the hot air.

“I can’t promise anything Pinda. But I will do what I can.”

Pinda nods.

“That is all you can do. Look around the bar, look around the souls, ask them what they need but for now Ruby. You need to relax and allow yourself to just become a normal citizen of this land and don’t force yourself to become empty. The bar will have more jobs if you wish to take them now, please go rest.”

I head back to the research building sighing. Here I am 1000 miles from Equestria in the middle of a desert of death. I have been pulled into something great or something awful. I am being watched by a camel and some strange pony in a wheelchair who I get a glimpse of now and again. I land on top of the roof of the research building watching the sun. I hear Yanari speaking from the Radio tower.

“Hello, Every creature is Dj Mixer. I am coming to you live in this land's new radio station. I will do my best to bring you the news I can. The biggest news I have right now for you: The Enclave has returned to try to bring back a chapter or version of them that broke off 230 years ago. The Enclave that caused that stir ten years ago. If they offer to help you be weary till they prove they won't backstab you. But in other news, I found some music which I will let you rest your heads to. I promise you all I will do my best to bring the news to you.”

The music on the radio slowly begins to play. I listen to it as I relax on the cool roof. It feels hot but the roof is cool enough to get some sun and rest within it. I lay my entire body down feeling the pain entering me. As I let the sun relax me and I drift to sleep with the music in my mind as I do from the radio.
"Stone by stone

Cracked, crushed, fallen

Beauty burned, erased

But not forgotten

I’ll take your melodies

May your last breath

Fill the air with embers

I inhale"

________
The book opens up again as the same pen slides on the paper.

“A hero has been found even though she has been forced by the order of Mimic itself. The poor heroes have no idea what is ahead or what they see is to come. The pain of the star's death and broken hearts. Progress and the idea of heroes are only myths and legends stories to be told by a campfire or in a book. Let it be said those you come soon will understand the path these heroes shall follow to stay relevant in the eyes of the old.”

The book closes.

Footnote: Level Up

New Perk: Magic eater exoskeleton: You were created as a worker of an evil Queen. But honing your skills has given you a magic-resistant shell. Be careful with this though sharp objects can still break through it.

Quest perk: Friend on the Radio: You gained a friend through your journey they will sing of your praises but also sing of your failures. Even though you have been talked about, you're neutral to the citizens of Hard Rock.

Armor perk: You created yourself a suit of armor from various parts of Pegasus gear. You gain 5+ armor while you wear it. But you're 2- slower. The helm is very useful. It will tell you your life signs and injects you with potions and med-ex warnings though it can run out so keep filling it.

Weapon perk: You found a powerful weapon in the waste. While you use it you gain 25+ damage. But for how small you are while holding it. you lose another two speeds. So you can't dodge fast enough. So use the gun when in a jam.

Next Chapter: Chapter three: Secrets and unknowns Estimated time remaining: 51 Hours, 8 Minutes