A newly made airship that looks like it’s been in the works for the last three to four years. On the ship are the friends the hero made during the first few months of her journey. But flying the airship is a mare that the friends met only days ago. Standing on the edge of the stern of the airship is Cranberry she watches while the water below them slowly calms while they fly back to the land surrounded by the Storm King’s shield keeping them out. The poor former Enclave doctor looks at every scar and wound she got over the last three years. It took so long to get the friends of the hero back together.

She turns her head to look at her friends. The friends of the hero and the friends she made herself. Looking past all that to behind the airship itself. A small army of HIppogriffs and some airships following behind them ready to join in the broken resistance that has been forming ever since Ruby failed and fell. She turns her eyes back to the storm that is getting closer. She closed her eyes, remembering the years she had to go through, and lifted her left hoof, and what is there is a metal pole that is left behind. She closed her eyes, sighing remembering the years before and how it all started.
__________________________________________
Three years before the eyes of Cranberry.

I stare and watch my adopted daughter Ruby hover in place. The Storm King and Wheel Tread express what they wish to do. Then the others around me and the others get ready to fight back. Then all I could remember is Dunewalker betraying us and causing us along with the Enclave and applejack rangers that made it through the army that kept SilverGunner and the others from making it here. The enclave and the rangers are lifted and tossed away in my direction as my commander flew away from the desert and tossed towards the island and then vanished from my sight.

The fear in my eyes could be seen and I am forced to kneel to the Storm king.

“Now it’s time for the judgment of the hero and her friends. But first I wish them to see the judgment of their friend before I send them on their way. Ruby Glide for all your evil and for daring to be a hero. Your judgment is death.” I quickly tried to get up behind me. Inyanga kept me from moving with her staff shaking her head.
“There is nothing you can do my friend.” She softly spoke loud enough that I can hear. I look back tears slowly falling down my face and nodding. Then look back to the Storm King; it was now our judgment.

“Now the judgment of the friends of the hero. They dared follow her and join her in a crusade of thinking they could control this land. But I shall give them mercy, death won’t be for them just going to banish them.” I don’t fully remember what he said. His magic formed around us and I was lifted and we started to get tossed while I was flying off towards the mountains and the water. I could make out some music and I felt my left hoof smash hard into mountains.

I blackout from the pain and I don’t even know where I landed.

_________________________
The location is unknown.

I must have woken up many times. All I remember is my vision is blurry and somepony or some creature carrying me. I don’t know what day it was or if it’s been months but I woke up in a bed and a house that looks like it has been built in a quick rush. But it’s so loving and inviting I try to move but a deep groan comes from me. I felt nothing but pain in my entire body. My vision is very hazy. I swear I could hear a voice. Staring at the pony or creature that did their best to help me.

I felt myself drifting off again and suddenly I woke up at the sounds of heavy winds. Slowly lifting my head off the pillow groaning and stroking my head with my left hoof and noticed the metal pole. My hoof was gone and all that is left is this metal pole.

“Ah, you’re finally awake.” I turned my head to see a blue dragon. Beside me in the other bed is my commander but he is either dead or he is asleep. The dragon walked over and crossed her arms staring at me.

“Why is a dragon living” I went silent a moment and looked around in fear. “Wait where am I?!”

The dragon sighed, shaking her head.

“You’re on an island meant for those outcasts from the desert. Now maybe you can explain to me what is going on on the mainland? A strange magic storm is forming and I have seen smoke forming in many areas of the desert and heard gunshots and screaming.”

I took a deep breath looking at my commander again and was a bit worried about him. I did my best to remember what happened but all I could remember is what the Storm King did and what Ruby did so I explained to her what happened and she sighed and shook her head.

“The fact that a hero is hated when my kind respects heroes. Now a hero brought the end of a peaceful well not always peaceful desert..”

I tried to get out of bed. It wasn't easy but I was able to stand on my weight and grunt staring at the beds of many wounded and dead. I had no idea why so many are broken and dying. I finally felt maybe I could do some good here.

“I am a doctor. Is there a reason why so many here are dead and sick?”

The dragon had a smile form on her face. I could tell she didn’t know what to do. But it didn’t affect her but it would affect me. Before I could do anything else another dragon came up behind me and forced me to drink a strange fluid.

“I am sorry.” The other dragon added. “But we need your help and the only way you can help us is by drinking this and going into an old lab that has been on this island for years. This island is what is causing the other outcast to get sick. So if you clean it out. I and my friend here will help you.”

I finally broke out of the grip of the other dragon. She only had one arm and her body is decaying. Like she is already close to death or died before. In her chest is a strange glowing gem. I look back at the blue dragon. She sighed and I looked back to my commander.

“I know you wish to help them miss. But we can’t do a thing for them till we destroy whatever is releasing that sickness here. Most just come here to die. But a lot of them are here because of either ship on the coast crashing or those that want to vanish.”

I didn’t know how I could help. I wasn’t trained to fight but I need to do something. All these creatures. It looks like I have no choice in the matter. But before I could do anything the decaying dragon walked away looking like her body was given out for a time.

“Look I wasn’t trained to fight… But I have a feeling if I wish to find my adopted daughter’s body and bury her and then move on with my life. I am going to do what I can.” The blue dragon nodded and opened a door with her claw asking me to come with her.

I followed her into a basement and in this basement are so many weapons even an old enclave armor that I would never see outside a museum. I have a feeling she wants me to take something with me.

“Take what you want. You won’t be going alone I will be going with you.” I lift my head looking at the dragon. I didn’t know what to think or why she wants to do this now. But I have a feeling that It’s the only way too many look sick and I have a feeling that the undead dragon is part of this.

I have never been trained for heavy armor. So I get the lighter enclave armor and connect the battle saddle to my sides. The guns on my side are machine guns. Connecting another weapon to my side an enclave captain sword. Turning to see the dragon in heavy armor and carrying a giant hammer.

“Before we go I need your name.” The dragon finally asked me my name.

“I’m Dr. Cranberry former Enclave dr or what is left of them in this land. I’m hoping that my commander that is in the bed is not dead if he is. Then I shall move on and try my best to honor his spirit.”

The dragon put her gloved claw on my shoulder and I stare up into her eyes. I finally see peace it’s been a while since I have seen peace. But peace will never be normal till we get rid of the Storm King and the judges.

“My name is Gem. Before you say anything I was raised by Zebras and then I got banished here during the war. Because I defended my adopted family. I have been here since the war and doing what I can to protect those that end up here. Most of what ended up here are ponies that didn’t fight.”

I took a deep breath. I never thought that the war would have been that bad. Of course, being Enclave we kept ourselves away from the issues of those on the ground. I’m starting to wonder if it’s wise that we don’t allow ourselves to help fix some of these problems.

“I don’t know why you asked me to help you. I wasn’t trained to fight like this. I was trained to heal.”

Gem shook her head and she didn’t say a word and we walked out of the basement opening the door to the outside. The shield around the island is causing strange storms and a storm formed over the island itself. It’s not raining but heavy winds and red streaks of fire coming out of the sky.

“Listen I understand that you didn’t train in battle. But if you wish to survive this coming war. You will need to get used to the fact you will get scars and wounds. You will even get to the point that ending life will come as second nature. It’s not something that most want to do. But sometimes you can’t stop it.”

She is right. Enclaves like me are kept away from battle unless I am trained for battle. I am trained to heal the sick or help the dying die in a more peaceful gentle manner. I can do all that but being the one to end life is not going to be very easy for me.

“I don’t know if it will be easy for me to kill another soul. It seems I have no choice in this matter now.” After my comment, we finally leave the building and walk along the very old path heading towards the lab. The labs are not even hidden from the world. Alot of the old machines and items normally stay hidden from the world. But this one is just there like it wants to be seen. When we get close enough the land and the trees are all dead. The soil in the ground looks so decayed nothing would ever be able to grow here again. I didn’t bring a helm but Gem put one over my head and turned it on and put one on herself.

“We don’t want you getting sick. This doesn’t kill you, it does what a zebra necromancer does. Brings some creatures back from the dead like my undead friend you have seen.”

I have heard old stories of zebras using necromancer magic to fight during the war. I have never seen it myself. Now that I have seen what I could of it. I am unsure what to think of it. The two of us ignore the walking bones of ponies and zebras that turn to look at us. Each time they stop they look at each other and then start fighting. We finally got to the door and Gem placed the code to get us inside.

“I warn you it’s not pretty inside here. But if you want to be able to help the souls of this island. I don’t know what is causing this sickness but it’s deep in there. This is not only a lab but they also built other things but I don’t know. I had to get out of here quickly.”

I took a deep breath from the flirted air coming through the helm breathing the fresh air to fill my lungs and then blow out to allow it to get filtered back into my lungs again. A want to panic and just run is washing over me. I can’t stop now I need to stop this and try to make friends and find the others and the body of Ruby.

I stay silent and walk inside the very building or lab that is scaring me.

_____________________________
The lab

The two of us walk inside the lab. Gem looks at me and a deep sigh comes from her helm. I could tell in her eyes that she didn’t want to show me what is in there. But I have a feeling I am going to learn.

Gem clicks a switch to turn the lights on and I finally see that it’s nothing but strange dark magic flying through the air on the walls it looks like an everyday lab. When the magic fades it causes strange dust and brings the bones back to life and they fight each other again.

“Why did you tell me that it’s worse than it looks in here?” I Turned to look at Gem who chuckled softly.

“It gets worse closer to the source. So are you willing to fight through undead creatures or do you want to leave now? If you stay we might find you something to get you off this island and if you do. Take me with you of course and please.”

I glance at Gem again. Why would she wish to leave this island? But I should agree I am going to need help to find Ruby and the others. I doubt I will find Ruby alive. I don’t know her species well at all. I just know that they can do powerful things but I don’t fully understand her even after all the testing I did on her.

Gem and I walk through the bone-riddled lab watching the dust get thicker causing the bones to form into various creatures and they leave us alone like we aren’t even a problem to them. The hate for each other is what causes them to fight. Some would think they would fight me. But this seems to be a battle that has gone long enough

We made it to a computer that is pretty clear of the dust and the bones have stayed as they have for so long. Gem went on ahead to check things and I looked through the computers all of them were unlocked and I found a few files that made me question my dragon friend. A lot of what was written is from her. Most of what was written years ago before the war ended.

“Come on Cranberry we need..” She noticed what I was looking at and she took a deep breath.

“Who are you Gem?”

Gem sighed put down her weapon and sat down looking at the computer seeing her name and the files she put her life into. These files are so old that some of them are even corrupted and hard to read. But she knew she had to come clean.

“My real name is Flametongue dragons had awful ideas on names sometimes. I was adopted by zebras of course. My family was killed during the war and zebras adopted me and raised me. After I defended them I was sent here. I changed my name and the look of my scales from a spell they taught me. So I wanted to betray the ponies that hired me.”

She puts her claws on her helm and took it off and sighed. She looked up at me with a weak smile.

“Then I noticed I couldn’t do that. The war had gone on for too long. So I did my best to help them do what they wanted to extend the pony way of life. They found an old necromancer book. The spell was on how to use soul shards to extend life. The spell mixed with tech and magic t caused the magic to backfire. My undead friend you met. She was what was formed from it. When I stop the spell she will be fine but sooner or later she will die.”

I wonder if there is more to this than she said. Spells don’t always backfire when tech is brought into it. Maybe something caused it to go nuts. I look through the computers to see if I could find anything trotting to each one. But all of them are corrupted or the spell caused them to fail.

“I guess you’re telling the truth Gem. It seems that I can’t find anything on why the spell backfired so badly. It’s like it was either meant to fail or just fate. If its fate then trying to use necromancer magic caused a problem.”

A crash and screeching sound out through the area. Gem places her helm back on quickly. I got the automatic triggers ready just in case something came in to attack and the windows and doors break open with undead storming in and I fired my guns at whatever I could. Of course, I was firing at things already dead.

Gem used her hammer to smash and break every bone of the undead causing a few heads and skulls to fly away from us. Gem opens the other door that heads to the spell. I went on ahead and she stayed behind.

_______________________
The Science room.

I closed the door behind me after getting through an insane amount of undead creatures. I leaned back panting hard while the filter in my helm worked overtime trying to make sure the air in my lungs could keep up with it. It wasn’t easy it also made my lungs hurt but I needed it for this second. My eyes in the helm are closed and I open up seeing a dark room with a window not far off.

My heart slowly calmed with my breathing and I stood on my hooves going to the window. A book floating in a tube opened and cast random spells thanks to a beam of magic going into it endlessly and a computer voice reading off each spell.

The spell forms into strange magic and goes through the open doors. I look back at the door I locked that is getting smashed into by many creatures even if at times they slow down and stop. I doubt they have enough power to get through this door.

Before I could do anything the computer voice stopped casting spells for a second and the cams turned to the window and the ones in the room turned to look at me. I didn’t like this feeling I was having.

“A creature of flesh and blood wishing to come inside this lab? Tell me are you here to try to stop this experimentation of making a life through death?”

I took a deep breath.

“Whatever is going on here is causing the land outside this lab to die. It’s also making ponies and creatures of the island very sick and dying because of these spells.”

I didn’t hear the computer voice for a while then one of the cams turned back to the book and then back at me.

“Did those that started this experiment back then even think of this? No, they wished to extend the pony way of life, and to do that is to cause death. If I wanted to stop it I wouldn’t anyway if this spell goes my life ends.”

I wish I could find a way to stop whoever this is life from ending? It’s odd to me though why would a computer come to life unless. The spirit of whoever cast this spell is in the computer? But that is a bit dumb at least in my mind are things that simple?

“How are you alive? Are you the one that cast the spell or just a computer that was programmed to cast the spell with magic?”

The cams turn and look right at me. A couple of robotic claws come out of the walls to grab my helm and take it off and the cams stare close at me. They study everything about me and look at my body. I didn’t know what to think. I held my breath trying to not move at all. It made my stomach twist up and lurch a bit. I felt sick never been good at things like this. I felt I was being judged.

“A simple middle-aged mare. Pegasus of the enclave, From the looks of you a mother and a very loving mother at that. One that cares about those around her. Willing to risk their lives to protect themselves and make the world peaceful around them. Am I correct?”

I cough blowing the air out of my mouth and nose. Shifting on my hooves and the metal hoof taps on the floor. I grunted feeling again I am being judged. I coughed shaking my head looking away from the cams or trying as they stare right into my eyes. Does this thing know me just from looking at me? I don’t know what to think.

“Listen...yes I am Enclave or now former. I lost contact with them after the Storm King returned. I adopted the hero or former hero Ruby. A magic eater that got controlled and then used in a scheme to turn the heroes into the villains and the villains into heroes.”

The computer creature stays silent for a great amount of time. The cams turn back to the book and another spell is cast and more dust is sent into the open doors. I could tell that this creature couldn’t break its programming to stop this from happening. I had to find a way to help them.

“I care about the lives of many even yours. Maybe I can find a way to bring you back. Unless you have an idea just I need you to stop these spells and allow the land to heal. Maybe it will also help the rest of this island heal.”

The computer stays silent. Then a screen turns on and that screen is a very old experimental Pegasuesless wagon. But looks like a raptor without the clouds and only two can ride it. It’s so rusted and parts of it are falling off it. Needs some work.

“Take a copy of my files and then destroy the core. I warn you though it will cause the security of this lab to go haywire. So you’re going to have to fight through it I hope you understand this. I want to be free like I used to be when I was a zebra mare.”

This computer used to be a zebra mare? Now it’s making more sense maybe she can explain to me why this spell went wrong. I doubt they will wish to explain to me why it went wrong. I had to ask and then break this spell.

“I...um.”

I didn’t know how to ask it. I tried my best but the computer didn’t get upset and didn’t even ask. So I left it alone and I heard heavy smashes on the door that I closed and suddenly Gem comes in the door falling on the floor and she lifts it back up using fire to fuse it to the frame.

“Come on Cranberry we need to shut this down.”

I turn my head to look at Gem. She notices from the look in my eyes I found out what this computer is. A zebra I am also guessing that this zebra is someone that Gem knows. I sit down on my haunches staring at Gem while the door this time is being smashed into harder than it was before.

“Cranberry let’s go we can’t just sit here we need to get going and shut all this down.”

She walked over to me and tried to get me up but I was being a bitch that she screamed right at me like she tried to get me off my ass in two minutes. I growled and grabbed her hammer and the claws from the computer pull the hammer out of her claws and she looks at the cams and her eyes behind the helm opened wide.

“Took you long enough to save me as you promised. Oh, wait you never came back to save me. I have been locked in this core casting these spells for so long that I forgot what year it is. So don’t you dare push around this kind wonderful mare?"

Finally, I got the truth and stood on my hooves nodding to the cams and she gave the hammer back to Gem. I look towards the door that opens up putting my helm back on while old bodies and dust fall into the room and the bodies don’t get up.

“We will talk about this later Gem. After we download the mind of your friend here into a flying machine. Also no more lies, please. I don’t wish to hear any more lies about why this happened or why”

Gem didn’t like what I said her eyes look to be angry but it’s hard to tell through the visor of the helm sometimes. Her body movement and how she is holding the hammer shows that she wants to smash the hammer in my head. I have a feeling though that this zebra was close to her or betrayed her.

I didn’t focus on it moving through the door and walking over the brittle bones. I could hear Gem growling and I turn my head to her and stare at her. Gem and I right now don’t seem to be getting along but I don’t want to harm her.

“ I still trust you Gem just you could have told me the truth.”

Gem finally calmed down and shook her head.

“Yes I know I could have. But how would you have acted if I told you? I almost did the revenge and then backtracked and the spell still went off and every creature got in the middle of it or corrupted like my undead friend.”

We walked on to get to the core. It wasn't easy. All I gave her as an answer was a shrug of my shoulders and we fought through larger undead beings and some bones I have never seen. From what I have seen I know nothing of magic. So many of the bones had rotted flesh connected to their bodies one of them even had a full rotted flesh head. The creature stood in front of Gem and me.

“Traitor!!”

The creature pointed at Gem and kept yelling the same words to her. It formed a large sword made of bone. For so long I wondered why I never got attacked by these creatures and left alone. These creatures remember their last days. Gem looked at me and grabbed me with her claws and tossed me into the air I spread my wings and I had to test this and I flew to the other side of the room nothing attacked me. I landed right by the door looking back at Gem.

Gems armor was broken. She is crushed under the fist of the large creature. I had to save her so I didn’t think what I was about to do was a good idea. I looked up to the bad roof and how it was about to cave in. I lifted my guns and fired to try to cave in the roof to save Gem. I hit a weak point in the roof above the undead mess. It caved in bringing desk and whatever else was up there smashing down on the creature. It didn’t destroy it or kill it but it gave Gem enough time to crawl into the other room and close the door and lock it. I am worried about her she had a trail of blood following her.

I knew the monster would now go after me out of spite for protecting its target. I turn as fast as I could to the next room trotting down the halls as fast as I could following the signs to the core. Come up to a large sliding door that leads into the core. On the wall are the words free her. Looking back to the door took a deep breath and clicked the button. The door opens to a large hall with a door called the core at the end. Undead creatures within in pain and shambling around looking at me and then going back like I am not what they care for.

____________________
The core

Finally, I make it into the core. The lab is powered by a simple core that is used to power old pony war tech. Looking towards the back of the room I see a tube and strange magic runes all over the tube. Clicking on the button and the tube opens up a deep gasp comes from my mouth backing off and inside is a zebra mare.

She is connected to a bunch of tubes and one tube going down her neck feeding her food. I put my hoof to the prison and the mare opens her eyes. All I can think of is now helping this poor mare. This is not right who would do this to her?

“I...this is you ain’t it?” The cams come down to look at me and the tube.

“Yes.. and Gem betrayed everypony here to save me. But she failed and I have no idea what happened after that. All I know is I have been here.. Tell me what happened did the war finally end?”

Takes a deep breath sighing deeply. Another creature of old not knowing that the war is over. I didn’t like explaining it. I sat down on my haunches taking my helm off so she can see my eyes. I didn’t like explaining the end of the war it wasn’t easy.

I explained to the poor zebra how the war ended. The fact that the bombs fell and that the Enclave closed up the sky. I even told her about the hero that brought back the sunshine and rainbows. The stories of other heroes.

“That’s all I can tell you for now. But.. is there something in here I can download your mind and then allow your body to die?”

The cams look right at me and then a claw lifts my helm. I just have to jerry-rig a connection and download the device. Looking around I found some connections and connected them the best I can I doubt I could get everything. I connected to the slot that would allow me to download the brain. I was told many old pony techs from the war had this. Just in case the body was too far gone.

Looking through the helm to see if there is anything I can do to delete a few unneeded memory in or anything in the helm. Putting it on to check through the memory sighing deeply not very happy about all this but I don’t find anything that important in the helm. It’s brand new and I set it back down connecting the downloading device with the helm.

Clicking everything and getting it ready. Downloading the mind of the zebra into the helm. I didn’t enjoy watching her go brain dead. Looking away hearing the scream of the undead creatures in the lab and a giant undead dragon made of various other bodies. The dragon stares at me, anger filling its eyes.

“Traitor!!”

The dragon ran to me on its four legs I have to protect the body while the downloading of the mind is complete. I had no way to beat this thing I stood there ready for my life to end. Closing my eyes hearing the stomps get closer hearing the roaring.

“CranBerry RUN!!” I heard the screams of my commander. Opening my eyes watching while he flies into the mouth of the dragon allowing himself to die for me. I turn around and quickly trot away and hide behind a power box waiting for my friend to blow. I heard the scream from both him and the dragon. Blood and body parts fly everywhere. I turn to look seeing what has left of my commander nothing but his wings.

The download finally ended. I look back to the body of the mare. The body is still connected to the computer. Looking to the helm and it’s now at max memory. Looked around for a large object to break the glass to get the body out.

I found a button and clicked on it the old water seeps out with the body. Before I do anything I need to find Gem. Walking through the halls seeing all the old bones and bodies finally vanish and turn to the dust.

Finding the trail of blood that leads into the room that Gem is in. I find her and thankfully she is still alive. She had magic bandages all over her body to heal herself. But I can tell most of her wounds are too far gone for them to help her. I haven’t looked at the medical part of this lab. I am sure I can turn this into a hospital.

“C...Cranberry I am sorry.” I shushed her.

“ I am going to keep you alive so you can help me make this into a hospital. I hope you understand that? Since many will find ways out of the mainland they will need help. Now, are you going to give up?”

Gem shook her head. She got on my back I carried her back through the lab and loved the idea of making this place into a hospital. Gem passed out on me I put the helm back on. Turning it on so I can finally hear the voice.

“Thank you. At least I think. I don’t think everything about my life was downloaded. But you could get what you could and got me out of that prison. Now place me in that creation I read the files I can connect to any computer. So I can help you do what you want to this place.”

I had to get to the hanger to find this creation. When I finally got there I noticed that this creation looks brand new but I am sure there are a lot of bugs and issues within it. On a table beside it, I found a book to help me learn how to use it. I had no idea how to open it. So I read on ports to download the mind into this.

‘Welcome to owning the first and only ever built stealth Eagle. A two-pony cloudless air flying marvel. Let’s see if these Stripes will beat us at this war now. Now the way to open it is if the AI for this marvel is downloaded inside. To finally download it open the side up a port should be there ready and able.’

Attaching the cord to the port allows the mind now that is an AI to download into the system. Looking at the time it will take an hour to download the entire thing. Looking to Gem from what I see. I have no way to check. I have a feeling I need to go take her to the medical part of this lab. I place her back on my back and look back at the Eagle.

“I will let you know when I am done. Downloading. Please keep her alive..” I nod trotting off with the dragon on my back. I race to find the medical rooms. It takes me a while to find them but I finally find the medical room. Everything is in good shape. I lay her on a bed and do what I should have done a while ago. But life shall either end for me this day. I feel I need to change my name for now. Since those of the hero might be hunted down.

___________________________
Months later.

Time has flown. I have been called the healer. Everything in the former lab is ready to go. The eagle does what it can to help those that wish to escape or need help. But I keep myself hidden. I can’t allow anyone to see me that knew Ruby. if that happened this island would get attacked.

I feel that my old life ended. I mounted the wings of my commander on the hospital and put under them hope has wings. Gem survived everything and she helps fly the eagle. I told her if she finds my friends not to tell them about me. What’s happening the first few months many sick and broken come to hide or to get healed and then head to Peace Rock or get away from here.

A makeshift dock was made so we can have trading as well as get the ones that wish to escape to leave. There has been no contact with anypony from any of the towns. I heard of stories of Hard rock getting attacked but pushing them back. I keep to myself most of the time. I only come out of the hospital when I need to. I have become the silent healer.

Everything I have done I even drifted away from Gem. She and I don’t talk that much anymore. I have been staying in this hospital for too long. Going into my private room I look at my body of scars. Not all creatures that come here want to be healed some get so scared that they attack me. I look closer in the mirror my beautiful red-furred body is now all tangled my mane is a mess my face has many scars even down my lovely body to my flank. My cutie mark on my right side has been cut into and part of it is no longer there.

Gem walks into my room and she looked at me. She and I have become close to the point we share a bed at times. Now I am thinking of something more hot with her but not yet. I look at her while I look into the mirror.

“Cranberry things aren’t going very well on the mainland. But I did find the tunnelers they will get her the medical supplies we need. Also..” Gem walks closer setting down a crossbow that has been almost broken in many places. It’s the crossbow that I have seen Ruby with.

“Is...that all you could find?’

Gem gives a weak nod.

“Yes there are stories of her armor and many things of hers showing up in areas but I can’t go everywhere. But listen Cranberry I haven’t even been able to find your friends either. Every contact we have made. Has not even heard rumors of them. If they still live they’re very good at hiding.”

Looking back at Gem. She has put on heavy armor ever since we started all this. She is worried that an attack would happen very soon. Those in that land don’t want any hope and they will do anything to crush it.

“What about the water hunters have you been able to contact them?’

Gem shrugged.

“If they wish to contact you they will. They have been.” Before Gem could finish a frantic knock is on the door and I quickly put my armor back on and helm. No one can see me just in case they know I am a former friend of the hero.

“Come in!”

A mare opens the door.

“Miss Healer, a stallion named Rex has come. He said that he just escaped the former enclave base.”

I give a nod not wishing the other former Enclave members to know that I am here. I write down what I want Rex to do. Make him the cook again in the kitchen to help this town with cooking their food and making sure they don’t get sick from food poisoning. The door closes and Gem removes my helm staring into my eyes.

“I know that look Gem we won’t have this conversation again.”

Gem holds my cheeks in her claws staring into my weary eyes I haven’t been sleeping well. She has done so much to be there for me. My cheeks glow brightly from a blush forming on my face. I know full well what she wants to talk about.

“Listen Cranberry I want you as my life mate. I know I am not kind to you but you don’t make it easy hiding too much. I do understand why but don’t hide your kindness and beauty from me, please.”

It’s not hard we have been working together for a long time she is still recovering. From the wounds that she suffered freeing this land. I took a deep breath nodding.

“I agree to this but you know I can’t be seen without my suit and helm. The minions of the Storm King and the judges know I am a friend of the hero and like you told me. They’re searching for any of the friends if they survived the judgment.”

Gem nods leaning to kiss me deeply my cheeks glow brighter from the blush getting deeper on my face. I didn’t allow my pain and my sadness to get the better of me. Finally after so long it felt like hours we broke the kiss.

“Also before you say it we can’t have foals. We will adopt those kids that need parents. Meaning those that come without parents we will adopt. So you can enjoy being a mother again if you wish to do so.”

I like the idea of being a mother again. But first, the two of us have to get married and I have a feeling we will be doing that sooner or later. But right now we need to get everything ready.

____________________________
The first year passes

We finally built the island up to what it meant to be from what we learned from an old report we found. A lively flourishing port town had finally been built over the year. Things haven’t gotten any better on the mainland. I heard stories that things have gotten so bad that the ones running are running from thieves and raiders that formed during all this. The army that was meant to protect them won’t even lift a hoof. I have heard stories of the judges killing and fighting each other. Each town they have taken over is always on fire.

The only free town that is left is Hard Rock Pinda and the former Queen has gained so much support even a rebellion. But all I can do is stay here where I belong helping those that come that need to get out of this land and to Equestria if they can even make it.

Stories of pirates from the waters have been talked about. Zebras and other creatures pray on those escaping this land. Now it’s the middle of the second year since Gem and I have been here together. We got married at the start of this year. We adopted many foals and she is a wonderful wife. But she will never be able to fly again her wings. Never healed right and now she just uses the Eagle to get around.

It is the middle of march and I went to the market to look for some food and medical supplies for the hospital. On the table of the vendors is an old rusted cam that looks like it has been in the water for years.

“Excuse me how much do you want for this?” A mare looks up I have never seen her before. But she gives a sweet smile.

“For you healer free. There are more cameras I found with this. They ended up on the beach for a month or so ago.”

The unicorn mare puts the box of the parts on my back. She spoke softly at first I could hear what she said. But I look back in my thoughts and I heard everything she said. ‘Hero please save us. Bring them all back.’ But all I remember hearing was. ‘Thank you, healer.’

I took back the parts since we needed new more cameras for the nursery and to keep an eye on those that might want to ponynap our little ones. For now, our home in the home in the hospital is empty Gem took all the little ones to teach them since the school is not open yet. The only one here is the receptionist. A large female dragon is larger than Gem made a home here to protect me and my family after I saved her life.

“Excuse me Fromra.” The large orange dragon looks up at me from her nest she even had eggs. She told me her mate died thanks to the Storm King they both had been living in those mountain caves away from everything and when everything was said and done they attacked and killed her husband. She barely escaped with the eggs before she laid them.

“Heh no Cranberry the kids haven’t returned and every creature is asleep. I got your surgeries set up for tomorrow and the check-ups. But for now, it’s been very calm other than stories of how bad it’s getting on the mainland.”

A deep sigh came from my lungs shaking my head.

“I am going to head home.” I snicker to myself since I am home just we made part of the upstairs our home. “If you need me or the eggs hatch call me” She nods and I went upstairs with setting the box in the front room we made. It’s a cozy little place it felt more like home than I have ever felt.

Lifting the three cams out of the box taking a cloth and cleaning the rust off. I saw some words that I found confusing project mech? I clicked a button and the cams came on. At first, all I heard was a code of beeping. A green light on all three of the cams glowed and blinked I didn’t know what to think of this.

I set the cams down back in the box placing them in the closet. A deep yawn comes out of my mouth. Before I could even think of laying in the bed that Gem built for the two of us a scream came from downstairs.

“Healer!!”

I quickly went downstairs and I didn’t have my armor or helmet on. Standing right infront of the dragon is one of the Flores judges being held by one of the Storm King troops. It's the Rose Flore I gulp deeply

“Please help… he was attacked by a group of rebels on the mainland. I was told that you’re an amazing healer.” I didn’t want to help one of the judges. I took a deep breath leading the Storm King soldier to a bed and looking back at him.

“I will help you if you promise not to raid or harm anypony here.”

The soldier stares at me nodding.

“I understand that you don’t trust us. But we aren’t the only problem with the mainland. The hero gave so much hope it’s causing more problems than good.”

Two of the guards that we trained a while ago come in and aim their weapons at the two. I lift my hoof shaking my head at them.

“If we do this for you. Tell those you work for this island is an island of peace if any of the judges try to come in here and try to enslave or attack us all bets are off and we will do our best to fight you.”

The Storm king minion gives a nod looking back to the judge he is not doing too good his petals are wilting. So many burns on his stem-like body. I had no idea how to even help him. Many hours or so past maybe a day has even passed. I did all I could for him Gem finally came home with the kids.

“Cranberry?” Gem walked in after getting the kids upstairs. She stares at the Storm King soldier and one of the judges. The poor creature tried to gasp for air. It was all I could do I was even shedding tears for him. A leaf grabs my hoof and the judge held my hoof tightly looking into my eyes and smiling.

“I have done so much harm to ponies of Dream Valley and destroyed their lands. I was hoping someday I could redeem myself. But maybe this is my redemption dying to those protecting their land from tyrants that pretend to be the true heroes. Please little pony save your land save your world from the darkness coming.”

Tears stream down my face while Gem and the Soldier leave the room. I can’t promise this to him.

“I can’t promise this. I am not a hero. Not like..”

The flower lifted his other leaf my mouth hushing me.

“Ruby was a figurehead to give the hope you all need. She is like the Lightbringer a figurehead and the other heroes. They’re just figureheads that do their work but they bring hope to the land. She gave me.. Hope even when we tortured her. I thought she was going to beat us. But we beat her. Maybe the hope she left behind could fill your hearts.”

He coughs grunting.

“Please tell those that come here.. What I did tell them all the evil I did tell them everything and please. Let them judge me for I deserve every moment of it.” He has deeper issues breathing gasping for air.

“Please!! Promise me…”

I softly whisper I promise. After my words, the second judge passes away. My wings droop closing my eyes thinking back on everything and thinking back on Ruby. Most would tell me I have a great deal of pain in my steps. In my eyes and I could never tell them every time I think of Ruby I feel hate fill my heart.

The soldier lifts the body in his arms. He looks down at me I couldn’t tell if he was frowning or sad.

“My entire troop is dead along with him. I am told you’re the leader of this community. After I take him to bury him I got a request for you.”

I just kept looking down. I have lost others before but this one hit me harder. I don’t know why maybe because I could feel deep in my heart I wanted him to die.

Gem walks into the room stroking my back Looking up at Gem tears still streaming down my face. She didn’t need to say a word she just needs to hold me close and stroke my back to help me.

A deep loud sob rang through the halls. Fromra and the two guards look in. The two guards are former Enclave-like me that escaped Kludgetown. They didn’t know what to say or do. When the Storm king minion walks back in kneeled after I finally stopped crying staring right at him.

“I wish to join this community as a guardian. I will protect the outskirts and if I see any other willing to join. I will bring them to join us till you trust us in this community.”

I didn’t stand but I had to ask him if he has seen my friends.

“I will allow this but. Have you seen any of my friends? A zebra named Iyanga or a siege breaker Magic eater. A mech named Hawk have you seen any of them?”

He looks away sighing softly.

“No, if they’re still around in the mainland they kept to themselves. I heard stories of the power of friendship in this world. If you hope enough the power of friendship will help you find them. Of course, that is what this mare told me once.”

He left the power of friendship would help me find them? I doubt I ever will.

_____________________________________________
In the middle of the second year.

It’s my second year of being on this island. Gem and I have gotten closer. To the point, we had a dragon marriage. The marriage of both our species makes it more for us. But things have gotten worse outside the island. The storm that is surrounding the mainland is now worse enough it’s harder to get past it.

It was early July and a very warm summer. I was asleep with my dear Gem. She held me tightly I have been crying myself asleep a lot to the point I have worried her. This great want to find my friends again has driven me crazy. Finally, though I was able to sleep. But soon I would hear the closet in our room go thumb.

Gem and I woke up opening the closet and those three cams crawled out. I look at Gem and we both followed them. A large group followed other parts forming into something. A deep gasp filled my lungs seeing a dome holding a brain. The parts connect and finally one of my friends has returned Hawk.

The mech stood up looking around at all of us. I have a feeling she was unsure all the group till she spotted me.

“I….Cranberry?”

I rush in hugging the leg of the mech feeling part of me complete. I didn’t care how strange I look hugging a large mech leg. One of my friends is finally here. The two of us from what I was told glowed. I have a feeling that is how the others found us being drawn to our friendship.

“I have… been on a journey. My body parts kept moving. So my self-repair lead me to some odd places even some war and some battles. I have even made friends they told me they will meet me in a year at mount Eris after in their words find the rest of my soul.”

A smile creeps over my face looking to Gem who stands beside me.

“Hawk please meet my wife Gem.” Hawks Cameras turn to look to Gem and then to me. I explained to Gem about all my friends. The fact that Hawk is even a living creation of the war long past.

“Greetings dragon. Cranberry before I well go to recharge myself. I haven’t recharged my batteries in so long. Have you seen the others?”

I shook my head no.

“Oh.. well I have heard stories that a siege-like Magic eater has been fighting with the rebellion on the mainland. But I haven’t heard anything about the others. Not even….Ruby is dead..” She whispers the last part to herself.

Hawk looks back at me and walks away. Her cams droop like she is sad. I watch while she stands in the middle of the town opening up her core and allowing it to charge. I lift them into the air watching her shut down the brain dome closing up to protect the brain. Looking at how long it would take her to recharge and repair whatever. It saids ‘Till friendship is magic.’

I had no idea what it meant. A few more days passed after Hawk showed up with the magic of friendship. I never understood those words. Many told me that is what brought Equestria back to its sun and the moon. Even if it caused the Enclave to go into a civil war. I will never forget that war. Even when we had Celestia one used on us.

These are the days I spent mostly in the hospital. I didn’t go to town much. After what has been happening I heard others telling me they were searching for the friends of the hero hunting them down. After how Ruby brought so much hope to those still fighting.

It’s gotten worse for me. I have lost track of time. The days just become almost every day to me. But it’s close to the end of another year. I just see roots and other plants grow on Hawk's motionless body and not doing anything to counter this.

“Excuse me, Healer.” I didn’t turn to whoever the voice was. I had my helm and suit on just it’s become second skin to me. “Healer I need your help my friend lost half his face.”

Standing up on my hooves looking at the cloaked pony. I have no idea why this pony was hiding. But I must have ignored those walking in and out. Following the cloaked pony to the ward. I didn’t even care what it would be.
Then I noticed that the doorway has been broken to help this creature in. Gem looks at me anger has filled her eyes. I have never seen my wife so angry.

“Gem what is wrong?” I stood close to her nuzzling her side trying to get her to relax.

“That… thing in there. It won’t stop yelling and screaming. He is calling his Queen his mother.” I didn’t know what she meant. I finally made it into the locked room looking at the cloak-wearing pony. When the door opens up my eyes go wide.

“Let me go!!” The large magic eater yells they have him in a large tank he keeps trying to smash through it. Half his face has been blown off what is left is what is inside a magic eater. Most of his left legs are gone.

The cloak-wearing mare lifts off her hood showing that it’s Tick Tock.

“I told you Roll Roll relax. We are guests here till we find the others.” The clockwork mare looks so much different than I could see that she has been through much in those eyes of hers. I see no wear and tear I am sure wherever she went to or has been treated her well.

The other doctors and my nurses tried to get close enough to get into the glass cage with Roll Roll but every time they tried he chased them out. They look to me like I should try getting close enough that I put my metal hoof on the cage.

“Listen sir will you trust me enough to let me help you?” Roll stares at me with his good eyes and he gets ready to attack me. Till Gem finally comes in.

“Cranberry enough to toss them out for the damage they have caused.”

Rolls features go very soft and stare right at me. Tick Tock looks right at me as well. I felt a deep blush forming on my face. Taking my helm off showing who I was finally to my friends.

“Yo...you're alive.”

Tick Tock sounds very choked up for a robotic pony. She trots over to me wrapping her hooves around me. This is the first time she ever hugged me we never got that close. But I am sure this is the only way we can get closer to Ruby. Before Roll could say anything he passed out from the blood loss and the pain. I look to Gem pointing my hoof to the cybernetics I need from Peace Rock.

Before Gem left she held my face in her claws.

“I will return from there my dear wife.” A smile forms on my face. Gem leaves while I sigh happily she always makes me feel better.

“Wife? It seems you have gotten along well during this entire time.” I wish this was true I wish it was. It’s been harder for me than she thinks. My nurses and other doctors I hired a while ago opened the door to the glass cage allowing me to go inside.

“I wish that was true Tick Tock. But maybe you can explain what happened to you and Roll here? It’s like he has been in many battles.”

Tick Tock shook her head. “He got found by slavers and then sold to Rock Ball teams in Nirik. He was one of the best on the team. Then a rebellion happened caused the leadership to use the team members to fight them off. So he had a peaceful life being part of Rock Ball. The rebellion crushed and now a hero to the town.”

She went silent. I think something happened that is even worse than she is letting on. I have a feeling I am going to learn with the help of my nurses and other doctors we got rolled on a large bed and start to clean up the wound on his face. Felt bad that he lost his eyes looking towards the stumps of his left feet on the left.

“Please Go on Tick Tock.” I nod to a doctor who got an IV through the shell of Roll Roll, Roll is going to be out of it for many days I am sure it won’t be very hard to get the cybernetics from Peace Rock. Just I don’t know how long it will be till this island gets attacked.

“Well, the teams learned that he is one of the former heroes that roamed with Ruby. So all the teams even his own turned on him. He just lost his legs and beat them all down running. But what caused his face to become like this. A group of angry rebellion members surrounded him and told him they told the teams. Then while they pretended to talk to him. A sniper they put up above shot him. After that, they ran calling him a traitor.”

My helpers and I did what we could for him. We cleaned up the wounds and set him in another room keeping him in a medical coma till Tick Tock gets back. I clean up my hooves seeing that it’s been a few hours since we worked on him. I told the other to go home and come back tomorrow.

“Come with me, Tick Tock. I need to check on my children.” She follows me upstairs and the older adoptive foals are taking care of the younger ones. A lot of the foals Gem and I are adopted are mostly zebra.

“Kids it’s time to go to bed. I have to talk with an old friend of mine.” The foals nod to be heading to their bedrooms. Of course, it’s not always this easy. It could be because Gem kept an iron claw.

“Tick Tock are you willing to tell me what happened to you?”

Tick Tock shook her head.

“No, I can’t. I haven’t been able to recharge and fix my shell for so long. I have been either on the run or in the middle of so many battles. It’s not good Cranberry days before Roll and I came here. Wheel Tread told ponies to turn in their friends if they have hope that a hero will save them. You can’t just stay here. We have to find the others. I haven’t seen Hawk.”

I gave her a smile leading her to the balcony that looks over the middle of the town pointing my hoof at the frozen mech in the middle of the city with moss and birds and other wildlife using her as something to live on.

“She came here almost early this year. Her core saids she won’t be fully charged till friendship is magic.” Tick Tock looks towards me after those words looking back to the mech and then hugging me a glow comes over both of us then dims. I felt magic but it was not strong enough at least in my soul.

“I… need to recharge. I haven’t had a chance to just rest and wait. I will be in a dark room Cranberry. I have so much to think about too. I… I hope the others come. Ruby...No..she is dead.” The clockwork pony trots off as quickly as she could to a dark room.

___________________
When friendship is magic.

It’s now the third year. Roll Roll took to his new parts very well. He and I were the only ones the friends still active. Hawk is now fully covered in plants and whatever else. The storm around the mainland is now so bad that random bits of lighting smash into the coast of the island.

Roll and I haven’t talked since he got out of the hospital he stayed as far away from me as he could. I didn’t blame him there are too many memories between us. Gem and I allowed some of our little ones to be adopted by full parents. We now have just three that wished to stay with us. Three zebra fillies.

They’re a big help around the hospital and keep me from breaking down when Gem is not here. One night though on the anniversary of Rubie’s death in late March. I was given a letter to meet by a restaurant that was recently built right in the shadow of Hawk. Even at this time, Tick Tock was awake but she stayed in the darkroom.

It was very late at night. Most of the customers have gone home. I took a deep breath having my armor and helm on. I notice that Roll Roll is waiting he had his cybernetics painted his shell color. He turns to look at me he just didn’t say a word. Our friendship hasn’t healed. I doubt it will ever heal. This is the time our friend had judgment passed on her.

Tick Tock walks up into the ramp to get inside. I notice the two just stare at each other Tick Tock going over to another part of the area staying away from the two of us.
I notice at a booth a zebra mare sits with a water hunter. They both look at us staying silent. I know those two.

“For the heroes that wished to defend this land. You sure won’t even work at fixing your friendship.” All of us look towards a mare. A mare that sold me the cameras I could tell the others knew her too. A very strange unicorn a silver unicorn with a crystal ball for a cutie mark.

“I help lead you all here. I help you find each other and all you can do is hate each other. Look at yourselves it’s the anniversary of the one that tried to bring hope.”

“Oh shut up you fucking mare.” The mare looks up to Roll Roll. “You have no idea what many of us have been through. Cranberry over there has had an easier time than any of us. She finds a family and a wife and becomes a leader of an island town. Look at me I am a freak!!”

Inyanga and Water spout stand on their hooves. Inyanga looks the same beautiful zebra mare she always has been Water spout stares at me with tears dripping from her eyes. I can’t come to show them I care for them still.

“I understand this perfectly. You’re all scared that your friendship will end in death. But that is the price you pay for protecting a land such as this. You need to allow your friendship to heal. Cranberry you need to stop hiding.” The unicorn mare walks toward me lifting off my helm with her magic. I had more scars on me than ever. My face of beauty is now very scared up. She even removed the armor showing that I had even more scars and a metal left hoof.

I stay silent I couldn’t handle being without Gem I need her. I sat in the spotlight closing my eyes tears falling from my eyes.

“You think it was easy for me? It hasn’t been oh yes I am married I have a family. But I still have nightmares about Ruby. I still wish I was better at spotting her problems. Nothing has been easy for me.”

Inyanga nods she and I used to be good friends and the unicorn sighs looking up to Hawk. Who hasn’t moved an inch?

“You did what the mares of old did. They forsake friendship and they never fixed their friendship and they all died but Fluttershy. All of them will never know what happened. Do you want this to happen to you? I see it in your eyes you want to just break down and be the friends you’re meant to be.”

We all look at each other.

“I agree with her, my love.” I turn my head to see Gem. I turn to look at her she holds my cheeks in her claws. “You need to come together again to bring hope. Help our little ones get land that they can grow up in."

I took a deep breath looking at the others while they all stay silent.

“What must we do?” I knew I would regret asking but I had to.

“Simply just let go. Let your emotions release and embrace.” I simply do just that I trot quickly to Inyanga tears streaming down my eyes and embrace the zebra mare. I held my forelegs around her tightly while she used one to hug me. Tick Tock came over next doing the same. Roll Roll joins into the hug along with Water spout was still new to all this. She joined in the hug and our bodies glow.

We rise into the air our eyes closed I was in the middle. When even finally Hawk waking up we all float our bodies glowing with great power. It shines through the land and a beam points right to a place we need to go. It points right to mount Aris.

When we lower back to the ground. I feel it I feel what I was meant to feel.

“Now that you have accepted the Magic of friendship again. You may have the magic but you aren’t as strong as those who wield the elements. But you can be strong another way of saving this land. First, you must form an alliance that can destroy the Storm King once and for all. You must go to Mount Aris. Meet with the Hippogriffs and other races. Once you do this you can start the quest to defeat the Storm king. In that, you need to find Ruby.”

__________________
Mount Aris.

We took a boat while I remember what was said.

“Head to mount Aris offer yourself in an alliance do what they ask you to do if you can prove to them that you’re worthy of an alliance they will help you. At the end of the third year, Gem will bring that Airship from Peace rock to you with the creator of the airship. I know this is too much.”

I took a deep breath as we shove off to the land ahead. Looking back at Gem and the mare. I am going to miss my wife. But I knew full well that she will be waiting for me when I get back.

“But I thought. Ruby died.” Inyanga had asked.

The mare shook her head.

“No, you seem to forget a few words she said to Yanari if she ever listened to that broadcast. If she is taken out in a way that draws her blood. A red shell forms around her body showing that is evolving into something more to fight. If this didn’t happen she would be dead. I have heard stories of Water Hunters carrying this red orb from home to home to keep it away from those searching for it.

I close my eyes falling asleep thinking of everything and knowing I have a journey ahead.

Footnote: Max Level

Perk: The healer: You have become a healer of an island town.When you’re near others their health doubles in size. When you help your friends with their wounds their wounds heal faster. But one downside to this. When one dies your sadness doubles.

Next Chapter: Chapter: Twenty-two: Metal walker Estimated time remaining: 34 Hours, 44 Minutes