Water Hunters are normally known as raiders. The difference between them though. The Water hunters will not rape or murder. They take what they need and they don’t kill unless the need is dire. They mostly go for the exiled and take their water. Think of it as they remove the water from the body. A desert needs means to have water. Sometimes the water is so scarce you must get it other ways. I have known many tribes but most of them are not warriors. They’re just simply followers of Luna. They follow her words and they keep following till the end. They leave us camels alone. I don’t understand why I think it has something to do with the fact the camels joined Luna. Our old alliances are long dead. lt is time for us to regain all of them.

Unknown Camel founder of the rebellion

On an airship leaving the mountain of Aris. A group of friends whose friendship has been strained beyond compare. One of them a native to this very desert land. Her name is Water Spout a pony race known as the Water Hunters. Hiding her entire body in a cloak and hood. An old cloak and hood that had been given to her at a young age.

To her, since she is married and it’s to keep her clean for her camel husband. In her hoof is a golden pendant from her husband she looks back to the island again and then back to her friends. She wants to be with them but she fears what will happen to her new family if anypony learns about the island. She stares at the pendant looking back in her memory of how everything started.

__________________________
Three years ago.

My vision had been fuzzy at most. I have heard of the Storm King in stories. It was hard for me to fully understand him. In my mind, though he did speak old poneish so I could fully understand his words. I tried standing up but the magic held me down. I did make out a few words that scared me.

“Take back… Equestria from those that ruined it. Of course, they won’t listen for they have hope. This land has no hope. Show them the truth about heroes. Show them the endless pain they bring.” He stares at me like he knows that I wouldn’t listen. At least this is how it felt in my mind. I heard more than the others did. The rest of us were lifted into the sky by the Storm King’s magic. I tried to yell at him to say I will help you. I will join you. Out of my fear.

“Now for their judgment….The hero shall watch. For joining the hero and bringing hope to a land that doesn’t need it. Your sentence is exile.” Again things changed in my head about what he said he could have said something different than what the others heard.

He tosses us in many different directions. I don’t even remember what area he sent me to. I just remember falling deep into a dune. The sand did little to break my fall. I felt a few bones in my body. My vision goes fuzzy while I try to stay awake. I see a creature slithering towards me.
It must have been days or a week. Opening my eyes I was in an underground cavern hearing water dripping not far from me. Looking around grunting feeling my left foreleg looking down to it seeing it wrapped in a split along my stomach and chest groaning softly. The bandages felt old, some felt new.

“Ah, you’re awake.” I look up quickly seeing a nurse naga. She wore an old and worn nurse uniform. It didn’t fit her too well some parts of it ripped and the old name tag of a pony still hanging off it. The water hunters and the naga have no issues with each other. I am trying to remember how to speak in her tongue.

“Wh..” Coughs make it harder to speak to them than others. The nurse puts her claw to my mouth. To stop me from speaking.

“You’re a water hunter.” I give a quick nod now that she is speaking what my kind speaks like old poneish. She removes her claw and I try to move but she doesn’t allow me off the bed. Since I am sure I am still too weak to move.

“You need to rest, our queen will wish to speak with you.” It’s been a while since I learned of the naga race. They have a king and a queen. Normally the queen does most of what the king does if the king is either dead or too weak.

“What happened to my friends? The bringer of storms has returned and he killed the hero of the water.” The naga knew what I was speaking of since all of us of the desert had a legend and myth of the one who would bring back the water. When I said the bringer of storms the naga quickly slithers off and sounds an old horn that we all gave each other if the Storm King ever returns

All I heard outside is screaming and the sound of armor and weapons being tossed about. The panic in the voices.

“He has returned quickly. We need to protect the queen and the eggs. The king needs to be told!! Get him back from the meetings with the other desert dwellers quickly!!” The myths have spoken the truth so long ago. The coming of the one that would bring back the water. Is also the coming of the one that shall kill the bringer of water. But the story always ends with the death of the bringer.

Legends and stories always fall short even with me. I never fully believed the idea of this story. Ruby was a great hero. Just the fact she allowed herself to be controlled like she was is not something I was happy to learn. I wish I learned more about her during all that time. I would maybe understand it more. But I followed her because of the stories and legends of the water returning

“Excuse me…” I lift my head looking towards another naga her scales are pure gold. She is wearing a crown made of gold that looks melted on her very body. She has deep cuts into her scales filled with gems. It’s a way to show that she is of royal blood. The gems glow brightly deep in her scales. She lifts one of her glowing diamond claws.

“Forgive me, water hunter. I am dressed for meetings of alliances. I shall fix that another time. But you said the bringer of storms has returned? If this is so then we must be ready for such a fight.”

It took me a while to speak. It was hard for a water hunter like me to speak to those of royal blood. Our minds focus on Princess Luna and honoring her. All I could do was bow down my head.

“Yes, he killed the hero of the water. The one is known as Ruby and tossing me and the rest of her friends across the very land. She was meant to bring back the water this is no longer a legend or myth. In truth, he wishes to bring back the water but under his control.”

The naga queen didn’t like the idea of another controlling the water. The balance has been gone for so long. What if somepony controlling the water meaning the law even the way to grow food could control the lives of many.

“I wish I could help. I am going to be stuck here awhile I am sure. My kind is going to think I am dead. At least that might be wise for now. They weren’t happy that I followed Ruby, to begin with. They told me if I ever returned I would be forced to breed with any male they picked.”

The naga queen stares at me. I could tell from the movement of her legless body she didn’t like what I said. She snapped her claws together and two guards came in. She hisses at them and I couldn’t make out the words. But I have a feeling she said guard me. They both nod and head outside.

“Yes for now that might be best. I have a feeling things are going to get worse. If the bringer of storms is back and he is going to do what you said. There might be rumors of you and your friends surviving the judgment. Now since you will be here with us for a while. I am Emerald I shall treat you as our guest.”

I quickly got off the bed and on my three legs bowing despite the pain. I felt I had to be respectful to the queen. Even though Luna is still my leader. Well, at least she would be if she was still alive. But she hasn’t returned as she told us she would years ago. We have been waiting and then the war started.

“I shall do what I can for you. For now, though I feel it might be best to heal and then go on my way when the time is right. I do wish to find my friends if they survived at all. Just like me, I am sure they all didn’t find a soft place to land. I am sure I was one of the lucky ones. At the moment I am sure of this.”

Emerald nods clicking her claws again.

“I may need you to come with me to the meeting of all the desert dwellers. We will give you a new cloak and a mask to fully hide who you are. Also, we will dye over your cutiemark as well till you’re ready to return your own.”

That idea didn’t sit well with me changing the fur color I was born with. My cutie mark as well. But maybe it’s the right thing to do for the time being. When she clicked her claws she called someone else into the room. A tailor I didn’t enjoy what was going on after that. I had to find a way to stand on three legs while I was measured and sometimes they touch tender spots with the tape.

It took a few hours for them to make the entire new outfit for me and then they dyed my sun brown bleached fur and dyed it light blue and then paint a new cutiemark that is no longer a water spout and now a bloody sword. After a while, I was led to a meeting room with my mask covering my face. Sitting at each table is every desert-dwelling creature. The queen of the tunnelers had her guards with her. The nomadic zebra tribe is known as the sand hooves. The leader of them took off his hood. The next is another group of strange bugs that used to be praying mantis. Thanks to experimentation in the desert and taking them from their land. They were created to be weapons to fight the zebras.

A camel sitting in one of the chairs. This group is known as the keepers of history and they left so other races don’t find camel’s secrets.

“Now...I know not all of us are here. Some are dealing with their little wars. “ I look over to like six seats empty. “Someday we will all get over our little wars. But I called you all here because...The bringer of storms has returned.”

The zebra stood on his hooves and slams his left hoof on the table.

“If this is true then we must get ready for battle!”

I took a deep breath I notice that a pony walks in. The leader of the entire water hunter tribe. He sits down and stares at the female leaders. The tunneler queen stares back at him not liking the look she is getting along with the female leader of the large praying mantis creatures. The queen of them stabs her bladed arm into the table.

“Do you wish to say something about breeding stock?!” She hisses and Emerald lifts her claw.

“Verde” The praying mantis turns her head I finally got a good look at her. She is not green like the others. She is pure blue and has a bunch of bug shells that adorn her large body.

“Forgive him. He follows the old ways.” The pony glares at Emerald. He didn’t let it bother him but the look on his face. He wanted to turn the entire females in this area into breeding slaves. He sighs deeply.

“Okay, why are we all here. Also, who is that in the cloak and the mask?” I got pretty scared that I was going to get betrayed. I took a deep breath doing my best to stay silent. I sat on my haunches since it’s getting hard to stand on three hooves.

“This mare...is a former friend of the hero known as Ruby. She came to warn us. The warning is the hero has been killed and Wheel Tread brought back the bringer of Storms.” The group of desert dwellers has no fear on their faces. The tension could be cut with a sharp knife to bleed it.

“I see. Does this mean the dwellers will get over their little wars and start fighting to protect the desert itself or will we go into hiding?” Emerald sighs shaking her head.

“That is the question Maerifa. The fire ants are still wanting their land back from the stone backs. The only faction that has stayed silent is the forest dwellers of the desert. I heard stories that they got very angry at the fact Ruby went there. Then nothing I wonder if she found a way to fix their problems at least for now.”

The meeting went on and it was mostly arguments about how the alliance would go. I did bring up Hard Rock and how they would join and maybe some others would join.

“The bigger issue with some of the towns. Ruby did get mind-controlled by the one known as Wheel Tread. What he wished to do is to control the flow of the water on this land. Knowing that the ability to grow food would be the same as well. Then I went silent again after I spoke getting a lot of stares.

“If that is true that Wheel Tread is finally making a move. Then we won’t be able to easily counter this. Since he helped many of us over the years. He knows my tactics well. Since he is the one that showed me most of the tactics in battle. So I am going to need to get other Naga tribes to help."

Verde sighs softly clicking her large blades on the table. From the looks of it, they all owe Wheel Tread one way or the other. I don’t know why the water hunters would owe Wheel Tread. But I know why the Kirin owes him.

“Could we expect anything from the Kiran or are they completely under the control of Wheel Tread? I heard some nasty stories of what went on there. I am hoping non of them were true. But I am guessing they all are.” Verde looks at me.

“Are they?”

I remember the stories myself and then when we went there. I remember what Cranberry told us. That Ruby was there undercover but then she vanished soon after the attack on the captain and after the attack on the army base. I just wish I could have helped then instead of not understanding anything.

“I don’t know. I know from the stories I heard that one of them is under the control of Wheel Tread. But I am sure without me you could find ways to get others on your side. I doubt I will be of use with half my body in a cast.”

Thankfully they couldn’t tell from the cloak and the mask. The pain was getting harder to bear. I had to stay here though just in case of more questions.

“It’s time for us to go. Our breeding season is in a few days.” I look to Verde. “Since a war might be coming we won’t eat our males this time. Now we need to get going. I shall do what I can to convince the rest of my kind not to eat their breeding partner.” The large praying mantis queen leaves with her guards.

“It seems I have to hatch many warriors.” The Tunneler queen lifts from her chair. Before she could even move she collapses her guards help her. She softly sobs she then stands up rubbing her eyes. “Sorry Ruby.. was like a daughter to me. Even if I held her in my arms only once as she slept. She promised me that she would return. She reminds me of my past as well. Since I was part of her race in the past.”

I watch while the grieving queen leaves the meeting room. I turn to my leader who gets right in my face and stares right into the holes of the mask to see my eyes. I freeze in place not sure what he would do to me.

“I’m sorry for your loss.” He puts his hoof on my shoulder nodding to me. “All I did was harm a friend of hers named Water Spout. I seem to forget at times the old times no longer work. But it would take too long for the other water hunters to learn this. Maybe when I give up my leadership the idea of moving to another way of life is best.”

He turns to leave I felt bad that I wasn’t going to tell him that it was me. I feel if I did he would turn around and expect me to return. He gives Emerald a gentle bow of his head. He leaves the room and the only one left is the leader of the nomadic zebras and the camel they both stayed silent looking at each other.

“What about you two then? We can normally count on you, Axel?” The zebra lifts his head to stare at me then Emerald. He stands up from his chair turning his head to look at me.

“When the time comes we will come and the sand shall sing for us when you do. I shall gather my warriors and contact the other zebra tribes. But we can’t contact the ones in the cavern. We have tried and they refuse to allow their caves to open. We can barely even get into Hard Rock. We shall do what we can even. If we have to contact the traitors of the Kludge.”

He stands up from his chair walking over to the Queen of the naga smiling.

"Are you still up for tea with my wives dear Emerald?"

The queen of the naga chuckles nodding.

"Looking forward to it tell Isla I am looking forward to it. Take care Axel and please stay safe."

Axel leaves waving and Maerifa finally stands up from her chair setting down a scroll. I am sure it has powerful magic within it since knowing the Lore-keepers from the old stories they have very powerful magics with them in their books. She bows her head after and moves from her chair.

“When the time comes, cast this spell and call us through the storms of night. We shall come and become one with the fire."

The female camel stares at me. I got her name she is Lore-keeper Maerifa. She looks over at me and I can tell she looks like she can see right through me. I knew camels were smarter than they looked but I didn't know they were that smart. Maybe they have seen it all before.

"Maybe telling those around you who you are little pony could have been wise. Telling a lie is bad in the eyes of the sand speaker. But I can't tell you what to do and such only the maiden of the sand can do that."

I stood up from my chair after Maerifa puts her paw on my shoulder. I look into her eyes as she looks into mine. I can tell she knows who I am just from the windows of the soul. At least that is how camels explain they see through things. The camel leaves. Those who follow her have weapons but books attached to their cloaks.

After that exchange Emerald clicks her claws once again to call the guards to come and protect me.

“I want you to double the guard on our friend here. I don’t want her to go anywhere without protection. Also, servants, I want you to clean her feed her and wait on her every whim and she may be here a year or two. We may have her for an extended time.”

I didn’t want to be here too long. I had a feeling though I wouldn’t get a right to argue with her. Maybe she is right that I should stay here and wait to see what happens. I am led to the guest room that is made just for me. Inside is everything a Water hunter wants good desert food. Smooth fresh water from a body with some of the blood still in it and a simple soft smooth bed.

“Now I am Longtail. I am the captain of the guard.” He smiles sweetly at me taking my good hoof and kissing it. “So please do expect me to show up more often maybe to even help you test that bed.” My cheeks glow brightly red from the flirting.

“I um. It’s unheard of for a Water hunter to mate outside their species. Of course, I am not new to that pleasure. I could give you a try.” A smirk forms across my face. I need a good romp with a male. It may not be proper, but at least it would give me something to do over the time I am here.

“So again big guy I don’t mind just don’t expect much from it.” I give a quick wink and chuckle

“Oh not at all it would be completely out of pleasure. Even if it means making you a very happy mare the entire time you’re here.”

A giggle comes from my lips looking away from bashful while he walks away and I sit on the bed I have been given to relax. It’s nice to relax and to just allow myself to rest. I lay there and listen to the sounds of the underground. The underground is mostly silent with a few drips from the water. The silence allows me to think more than I used to think. Since my old home, I had to be there for the leaders and follow their every whim.

“Excuse me, miss.” I lift my head from the bed looking at a naga servent. The naga has faded scales. From what I can tell she was treated better than the slaves or in a kinder way of saying it servants.

“I am here to clean you up and change your bandage dressing. Then we got dinner ready for you. I know you’re a unicorn but you will be fine with me cleaning you?” I didn’t wish to tell them no this is their job and they’re meant to be at my every whim. I don’t want to get used to this though. I am going to have things myself.

“I don’t mind...I was raised to learn to take care of myself even though we do have servants, they're mostly the females who can’t have foals.” I look back at what I just said feeling disgust for what my tribe does to the females that they don’t consider useful anymore. It made me feel awful at this fact now.

I lay my head down to close my eyes and finally rest.

_________________________________________
A few months later.

It’s been a few months. I had most of the bandages removed from my body. The issue is my leg and hoof were both broken from when the Storm King tossed me. I can walk with a limp. I was in the room I had been given a few months ago and rest and relax. The guard and I have been getting together now and then and having a few small dates. Nothing real pleasurable yet. I think he is waiting till I am better. Emerald opens the door. I could see the fear in her eyes when she saw me.

“Please stay here Water Spout don’t leave even if you hear any sounds. We have a group of Storm King minions looking for you. There is a bounty on you and the others. It’s because they don’t think Ruby is dead. So please for now stay in this room. We will cover this door up with sand and mud so they don’t find it. So again please whatever you hear stay. I will let the captain of the guard in to protect you.”

Longtail comes in and closes and locks the door. He shouts it's fine to cover the door up. He looks at me and a smile forms across his face. He slowly slithers to me and wraps his large strong scaled arms around me.

“Well, we have time to get to know each other now. Since I will be busy protecting you from the bounty hunters looking for you.” I didn’t follow the hero of the water that long. I do worry about the others though. I stood up from the bed pacing I felt stressed and worrying about my friends. It wasn’t easy to pace with a hurt leg.

“Water Spout… you should relax.” I stop turning to look at him with a weak smile forming on my face.

“It’s hard I had friends that joined me with Ruby. I haven’t seen them since all this happened and I am worried about them. I am worried that the hate sickness will affect those around them. I don’t want any of them hurt.”

Longtail sighs. He shifts on his body looking towards the door and then back to me. A smile forms across his face again. I could tell though he wasn’t very happy about a lot of what is going on.

“I am sorry Water Spout I am focusing on the fact I want to have sex with you. Rather than caring about your feelings. It’s hard not to want to be with such a sexy mare like you. I do know what you mean though about the hate sickness. Many of us are worried that it will hit us and we will have to get you out of here.”

I giggle softly at the fact I am so attracted to this Naga.

“I am very flattered you want to take me that badly Longtail. I would love to have you do so. Just for the moment, I feel it’s not easy to think of breeding. Mostly because what if they catch us together. It would make me so red in the face and I am sure you wouldn’t care and say hey come and enjoy the show.” I giggle more.

We heard shouting outside and the sounds of each room around us and next to us being broken into and searched. I relax while I hear all this. Longtail grabs his sword getting by the door even though on the outside it’s blocked and not able to be seen.

“Heh after all this is said and done let us celebrate with a good hard mating, my dear Water Spout.” I give a quick nod staying silent since they’re searching for me screams outside are getting closer.

“We know she is here!!” One of the bounty hunters screams. “If you don’t let us find her and bring her to the justice she deserves then we will destroy everything.” It’s gotten to the point that they even shoot off their guns. I want to go out there and help. I can’t though and after a while there is silence.

“STOP HER!!” One of them screams and a shot is fired and the other bounty hunters sound angry at their friend.
“You killed a child!!” I heard the words you killed a child. The hate sickness starts to fill my heart my eyes go red. I could see the goat the warning that tells us that if we start to hate. He will start to spread the sickness around us. My horn glows brightly to grab Longtail's hilt of his sword in the power. He did his best to stop me I push him back with my magic.

With all my anger all my hate from the sickness. I tear at the door with my magic and the sword. I feel the music in my heart. It beats like its music. Taking a deep breath the song of what I am feeling fills my entire soul.

“I shall bring forth justice. Justice shall be brought!!” I break through the wooden door. The bounty hunters turn to stare right at me. There is a group of five. They’re all the storm King’s minions. They all set down their weapons grabbing swords and shields.

“Finally a battle.” One softly whispers. The leader of them the largest of them all stands right infront of me. He joins in with the song.

“I don’t know… what is causing us to sing. But we shall fight!!! We shall sing and make this battle be art!!” The others smash their arms on their armor making drums and stomping their feet.

“We shall fight to make the battle right!!” The second one sings. “We will carry on!!” They smash their armor harder as drums. I stomp my hooves joining in with the drums my heart dancing with them.

“I shall never fall!!. I shall always be free to fight!!” The drums get louder. Oh so beating the drums oh so the tongue shrilling music is that calling to them. As if birds sang a chorus oh the blood the gore to come. Eyes not far watching the young the old the warriors of naga. I finally charge at the main warrior our weapons smash hard the sound of our blades rings with the music.

“Come peacefully, little Water hunter. Come and follow the balance the king has set. Bring forth the peace so others may be free!! If you don’t you will fall!! You all will fall in the balance of the Storm King. He shall bring back this land for us!!!!” It’s not as hard as many would think fighting and singing at the same time. The hate sickness glowing brightly in my eyes.

“The stars… Sing for your death. The bringer of water you killed. The stars scream for blood in my heart. So Ruby will return from death. The balance shall never be broken!!!” I could swear the stars are singing now. I hear them I see them.

“We judge… we sing. We cry for blood. In the name of those that wish for death. The judges scream. The one of our will we shall rise!! We remain in death. Come little warrior give it to us or be judged.” Our blades smash hard together sparks fly from the heating blades. I quickly turn on my back hooves and buck him. He tries to block with the shield and it gets a dent in it.

“There is no..balance with how the Storm King wishes to do this. Stealing the water stealing the food of the land. Giving it back for lives!!. There is no way ponies will go for this!!” I felt the music getting wilder and wilder. Some of the nagas smashed their tails on the walls and join in the battle of the music. The storm king’s minions smash their hands on their armor to the point of it starts to crack. The leader of the minions tosses his shield and sword to the ground with a tunk. He reaches behind him grabbing his hammer. He smashes the hilt on the ground to join in with the music.

“Scootalooo failed. BlackJack failed. All heroes failed to understand they were the cause of the problems of the world. Wherever a hero goes the land becomes death. Admit pony admit it.” He screams at me no longer singing the music getting louder. “Heros have become the threat to this land. Accept your new heroes. Accept that fact pony accept it now!!” The hammer smashes down and naga and the Storm King’s minions sing as we fight.

“Dance dance to the fight. Dance to the drops of blood end. Whoever wins we shall remain. Whoever ends. We shall sing. We shall sing. We shall dance. In the name of blood.” Our weapons smash into each other even though he is stronger I may be getting weaker from overdoing it. But the music is causing my body to strain.

“I will not fail. I shall fight in the name of Ruby. I shall never fall I shall always fight... I will never end!” I slash into his side causing a deep bloody gash. Blood drips to the dirt and mud below. He holds his side holding the hammer in his other hand. He stares at the blood dripping from his side. He smears the hammer with his blood all over the head and he stares back at me his eyes glowing brighter.

I didn’t expect what came next he charges right at me. The drumming and screams of blood keep sounding. He hits me with the pummel of the hammer hard enough in my chest to crack a rib to also get the better of me and then he swings the hammer I try to block and I fly from the hit causing me to slide along the sand. The Storm King bounty hunters and the Naga sing.

“Water Hunter Rise… Water hunter sing.” The leader stares at the soldiers that came with him. He looks at them confused then he remembers I am a water hunter. We fight in the name of honor. He joins in with the others.

“Rise, water hunter. Fight in the name of honor.” I grunt blood draining from the wound in my chest. Blood leaks from my mouth. I try to stand on my hooves even though the hate has finally left me. I stand with the sword it’s broken in many pieces I hold the broken hilt.

“I..” Cough up some blood. “Will not fall. I will not break. In the name of Ruby, The bringer of the water. In the name of Nightmare moon. I shall ..” I cough deeper more blood falling onto the sand and mud below. The large Storm king minion walks to me standing over me. His blood dripping and mixing with mine. He gets on his knee forcing the hammer down and bows his head.

“Oh, great Water Hunter showing me honor. You have won this day and you shall rise!! You shall rise you shall rise.” He looks to the others behind him that came with him. They walk over bending their knees and setting down their weapons.

“The water hunter has proven to be the better. You have reminded me of what we are fighting for in this world. We are fighting for honor. We are fighting to protect. We are fighting to protect. My bounty hunters and I shall go and when you call we shall come for the final battle.” He sets down his hammer and stands They smash their arms on their armor again.

“You have risen!!!” They walk off chanting those lines till their voices vanish in the darkness. I fall to my knees panting and coughing, No one came to help me at all. I tried to get up on my hooves I fall on my side grunting in pain. All the naga came to me and lift me, non of them said a single word. All of them carry me while a group of younger ones whispers.

“Hero….hero. Bringer of hope.” I am put down on one of the beds the hammer set down beside me.

“I think you made a mistake there Water Spout.” Emerald is staring down at me. She is not happy with me from the look on her face. She shook her head she looks up at the doctor. Who comes into view cleaning my face and the sweat on my body.

“At least she proved that she could do something. Even if they stood larger than she was. She just proved why so many hope for the heroes. Even though she will no longer be welcomed here with how you’re acting my queen.” The two females stare at each other. The medical naga hisses deeply at her queen. The medical naga I finally got a good look at her. She is pure white and has pink eyes.

“Don’t test me, doctor.” She hisses deeply. The doctor stares at the queen moving away from me they both stare in their eyes.

“Test you, my queen? If you had your way you would just let them walk all over us. Because you’re worried that the Storm King will attack us. If you do anything he will walk all over you. Just like what happened.” She points to the body on the bed. “One is dead because you refused to do anything. How will more die for you to get it through your damn head.” She hisses deeper. I finally sit up in my bed groaning

“Enough… please..don’t fight because of me. I will leave please don’t fight.” The doctor forces me down staring at the Queen.

“Listen Emerald if we keep this up we might as well start a civil war between us and those that wish to fight. But you need to understand. She fought to protect us from those that wanted to harm us. Making them into guardians for a later battle. So you can let her stay. Let her stay till she is fully healed.”
I have a feeling that these two have been going at each other for a long time. Turning my eyes to each of them the anger and hate that comes off them. I felt the rage of each I see the goat forming not far his eyes glowing as well as his giant horns. The hate sickness seeps into the room Emerald reaches for the hilt of her sword. While the doctor reaches for a gun. Quickly I sit up it causing my stomach to lurch and my head to throb.

“Stop!!” They turn their hateful eyes towards me. “The hate sickness.” I cough very hard blood flying out. “It’s taking control of you… please don’t. You need to be...strong.” Coughing hits me harder more blood comes out of my mouth. They look at each other then at me. I fell on my back panting hard not doing so well.

“Emerald we will argue later I need to save her life. I don’t have anything that could remove the pain. The only thing I know we can use is...those memory orbs in the museum.” Emerald nods looking at her servants.

“Go get all of the orbs you can find. We need to keep this hero alive. She can teach us more about her powerful heart later.” My vision slowly gets dark I hear voices trying to keep me awake. I feel an orb touch my horn and my vision finally goes dark.
____________________________
Memories

I was in the memory of a stallion? It felt like that at least to me. My host looks into the mirror and I see a white face stallion with a long black beard. He is wearing a cloak and a medallion of a symbol I have never seen before.

“It seems that many ponies are starting to hate non-ponies after the attack of the Storm King. But is it wise to cause more of these problems sir? We all have to work together even though the Storm King wasn’t a pony.”

The unicorn didn’t say a word while a mare behind him just went on about everything. He uses his magic to clean his beard and looks at the mare in his mirror.

“That is the question. I don’t trust non-ponies more just because of the Storm King. It’s because the danger to our land shows the truth. The changelings pretend that they changed. They never came to help. The dragons never came to help either. We were on our own.” He turns his head to look at the mare.

The mare has a smile form on her face.

“That is the issue though. That princess of a friendship wishes to get to know other races and species. I have a feeling maybe we should. I don’t agree with opening our schools to them though. If that happens what will you do?”

The white stallion turns back to the mirror. He didn’t say a word for a second and I felt the memory slowly fade. The memory ends feeling myself go into another memory. The memory is of the same stallion. I could tell I was in his body. I have a feeling that I am going to learn who this is. He is standing right beside an alicorn. Wait he is standing right beside the great princess Luna!! I am not worthy I kept saying to myself.

“Now thank you for meeting with me Chancler Neighsay. Ever since Twilight closed the school of friendship I would like to spread her teachings to the schools of cantorlot. I know well old stallion you have been very outspoken since the war. You don’t trust other races but we need to find a way to get peace.”

The stallion paces around the throne room. I could feel his hatred for all things non-pony. It wasn’t easy for him to swallow this pride and accept those back into these lands. He keeps pacing not wishing to anger princess Luna.

“Princess I am not sure it’s wise. We can’t trust any of the non-pony races after what the Storm King did and the war. We need to make sure that we focus on our own..” He turns while the door opens and a group of camels walks in.

“Excuse me please.” Luna walks off the throne to talk to the leader of the camels. Neighsay stays close enough to at least hear the conversation. “Hello, walkers of the sand. What have you brought me?”

A pregnant female camel bows her head in the back walking up infront of the others. She leans down to allow her stomach to be fully seen. On her side is the name Dunewalker. It’s branded in her side and the poor camel has been through much.

“I have come to offer the next Dunewalker to you, my queen.” Luna frowns and in the darkness watching is the stallion that is my host. I am not happy with the feelings I feel. The hatred he has for the camels.

“The next Dunewalker will be honored like the rest of you Dunewalker. May he or she follow in your hoofsteps and help defend in the name of Luna. Someday you will go to the forest and then…” Luna looks away she wasn’t happy with her words. “Become one with the forest.”

The dune walker of the past bows her head. Her eyes turn to look right at my host. My host is taken aback by the look he is given by the walker. Her eyes are full of peace even pain for what is coming up in her life. My host comes out of the darkness.

“Have you ever thought of removing yourself from the curse of the walker? That curse has been forced on you for many years even before I was born along with your genetic memory. Why must you allow yourself to become part of those evil trees in the forest?”

He notices Luna is not amused at his question. He keeps his eyes on the camel. The hatred he feels for this creature. All I could feel for him is hate for other races and beings. This camel shes a threat to him.

“I can see you haven’t changed a bit Neighsay. From the entire time, I knew you or those before knew you. Your ponies will never get over your xenophobic nature. You like to think you’re above other races. It’s why this silly war started and why you thought you could enslave the camels and the zebras thought the same.” She gets right into my host’s face.

He backs up ending up right behind Luna and his behind smacks right into Luna’s chest he looks back over his shoulder at Luna. The look on her face she is not amused even more. He gulps deeply.

“I have changed...even though I am not fond of the fact the zebras have harmed so many ponies. Ponies never asked for this war. Ponies never even wanted this war.” The Dunewalker looks at her guards and then up to Luna craning her head back down to Neighsay.

“The war happened little pony. We camels want nothing to do with your silly race war. We will kick you both out of our desert again and again and allow you to stay in the cities you created. But if you try turning us into slaves again or the zebras doing the same. We will in the name of Queen Luna kill you.” My host looks back at Luna. Like he wants her to say something. All she did was stare at him.

“Princess, shouldn’t you say something?”

Luna turns her eyes back at Neighsay the beauty in her eyes. My host didn’t feel anything but I did. Just to see the creator of the water hunters. The creator of the moon and the stars. Oh if I could just bow to her and worship her. I want to control this host to do just that but I can’t. She just has a simple calm gentle stare. Her mane flowing like the wind is blowing through it.

“I have no words to say. Dunewalker in a way is the right little pony. We had no right to invade that desert. We have become no better than the Storm King thinking that all lands should bow to us because we need their resources. If they capture more ponies and use them for hard labor maybe it will teach them to not anger the desert dwellers.”

My host quickly gets away from Luna and the camels. The fear he feels is so great all he did was trot as quickly as he could. The vision slowly ends with the final door and him ending up outside.

______________________________
The waking world.

I open my eyes the lights blinding me for how sensitive my eyes are right now. I hear soft voices I can’t make any of them out. I try moving my legs but I can’t all I can feel are straps holding me down. Blinking my eyes a few times my vision very slowly comes back to normal. A naga hovers over me a gentle smile forms on her face it’s the doctor. The doctor I never got the name of. She gently places her claws on my chest to relax me stroking my stomach.

“Shh you’re fine but I had to open you up to remove some of the broken ribs. I put in metal ribs that will feel strange to you for a while. Everything else is fine now Emerald is going to let you stay for a year. Her mages want to even teach you to use your powers to be ready just in case the time comes to fight. When you feel you’re able to be moved I am going to take you to the blacksmith and he will make you a weapon.”

I could barely nod or speak for now. I lay my head back down groaning softly. Feeling like my entire body is on fire from the pain and being opened up to remove broken ribs. It took a few hours or so but I finally feel myself regaining a little bit of mental ability. After a while, she removes the straps from my legs and helps me sit up.

“Make me a weapon and mages teach me? Could they teach to use magic and infuse them with a type of magic that could be powerful magic?” The doctor shrugs.

“I am just a doctor. I know next to nothing about magic. I keep those around me alive.” A wheelchair is brought in by Longtail and with the help of the doctor I am gently sat in it and they put my weak body on the chair.

“Now before you leave little pony. I am known as Curadora. We shall meet again till the year is up. Then when the final battle starts expect me to be there. To help heal those on both sides of the battle. All life is the same we can’t forget that. Even if the hatred doesn’t allow us to do so. We got to remember we may be different species but we are all beings of this world and all came from the dust of it.”

After all that I am wheeled through the sandy halls. The tunnels look to be made of sandstone bricks. A wonderful inviting community waves to me while I come through in the wheelchair. I get some cheers and claws up. A couple of guards slither beside me to protect me they said in their own words.

Finally, I am led to a strange building that is in this underground community. Most of the homes and stores are built inside the sand walls. This building though is built out of various sandstones and iron. It’s in the middle of the marketplace while some other stores are just stalls. I have a confused look on my face.

I am led inside it’s so warm in here like it’s part of the desert and right by the anvil is a large male naga he has heavy armor all along his left arm and his left eye is gone. He turns his good eye to stare at me. He sets down his large hammer slithering to me along his armored tail.

“Welcome.” I finally get a good look at him. He is black-scaled and soot-covered most of his body is strong each muscle ripples through his arm. He looks back to his hammer then back at me. “The queen wishes me to make you a weapon.” He leads me through a bunch of items and various irons. One thing caught my eye like it was calling to me. I stare at a pure grey metal item lifting it in my magic and looking at it. I heard of these things a space probe. Something that was used all the time before the world ended.

“I will use this. Please could you make me some throwing knives?” The blacksmith turns his eye to look at me an evil smirk comes over his face. He takes the probe looking back to the anvil. He gives a quick nod.

“Throwing knives hmm? You do know this may have absorbed the powers of the moon since it crashed oh like 20 years ago and my father found it. No one has ever taken interest in such a creation. Now it will do its last mission and be a weapon for you. So please sit in the waiting room.”

Longtail pushes me into the waiting room it’s not much of a waiting room it was more to keep us out of the way of the blacksmith. I took a deep breath-taking in the air from the magic filters and enjoying the calm air.

“You look nervous Water Spout.” My ears perk up turning my head even though the pain is insane. I grunt at the hurt mussels in my neck stroking it with my hoof. I guess being nervous is going to be even more normal at the fact I had to deal with bounty hunters. That just turns around and lets me live. I didn’t want to look weak to a male beside me. At times though it is best to show weakness you can’t always be strong for all those around you.

“I am nervous. After what happened do you expect me not to be? Just the fact I am being hunted for following Ruby into battle. I didn’t know what was going on most of the time since I was protected by Tick Tock and since my kind aren’t well-liked by many of the villages. I don’t blame them. We do tend to hunt for water.”

Longtail nods sighing.

“That is the issue most of the time Water Spout. Most of the outsiders of the deserts don’t understand those that live within the desert. Of course, I think most of the time they’re dealing with their problems care. It’s something I never really expected myself when I went on my journey to become the captain of the guard. I had to prove myself on the surface. I met so many who refused us. I met many who just feared us but learned who I was over time.”

I did all I could to listen to him. The hammer smashing the anvil even became a normal thing to me with Longtail’s deep voice. I wish I could have done what I wanted and spent that time with him. Enjoy a loving moment of love and peace. Looking towards the naga blacksmith whose hammer smashes harder on what he is creating for me. It’s so amazing I have never seen a blacksmith at work before.

“I don’t know, what to do at all Longtail. All I can think of doing is well finding a place to hide and then waiting for everything to end. Maybe I am too scared about everything that is going on. I am just a simple water hunter mare. I should do what my leader said just be a mare that holds the future.”

Longtail looks over at me while I speak my words. A frown forms on his face. I could tell in his eyes that he felt bad about how he acted toward me. He wanted to in his words have sex with me. Now I am sure he is understanding that I have been treated that way my entire life. Even though I would have loved to do the same with him. Just hard to do so when you’re stuck in a chair such as this.

“I can understand perfectly Water Spout. My race well my tribe is focused like this. The males are breeding fodder the females are normally the warriors. Since I am sterile Emerald felt bad for me and let me be trained to be a warrior. So I will never get a female to fall for me. If I do then we will have to adopt. That won’t be a bad thing but to some females of my race. It’s not a status symbol thing. I am sure though I will meet some female that is willing to adopt non-naga to.”

My respect for Longtail doubled tenfold at his idea of adopting. I have a feeling that someday he will find that one that wishes to love him for him and not because he is some male with a body. Well, a strong body. The fact I wouldn’t mind my cheeks burning hot from my thoughts. I need to ignore my want of being with somepony at the moment. It’s not the right time to do so. I am unable to hide my face.

“Well, Longtail I am sure you..” I look up at the blacksmith who just got done with my weapon from the looks. He has a smile on his face and leans down to look at my cheeks. “Um…..”

“I am sorry just I have never seen a pony blush before. Anyway, I have finished your weapons from what I see with them. If you use them enough they will absorb your magic and allow you to be able to use less magic to control them. Now let me help you out of this chair.” He gently grabs my forehooves and helps me out of the wheelchair I am finally able to stand on my own. Still, I feel the pain still going through my body.

He leads me to the knives laying on the anvil. There are six of them lifting them in my magic. It’s so easy to lift them. I feel the magic of the moon itself filling my very magic core. It was so much that my magic explodes causing me to toss the knives all over the room. The knives stab into various parts of the wall and one ends up in the arm of the blacksmith. The blacksmith stares at the knife while Longtail hid behind the counter. He pulls the knife out of his arm and stares at the knife.

“Huh, it seems your magic core couldn’t handle the magic of the moon for too long. You will need some longer training to make sure you can. Now all you have to do is name them. Think hard and knowing the magic of the moon it will forge the words in the blade.” Closing my eyes tightly thinking and the name finally forged on my weapons. Looking down at them seeing the words Cultri.

“Now they’re named. Water Spout you will be taken to the wizards or the spellcasters of the naga. They will teach you how to use your magic core the best way they know-how. They will turn you into the magic user you’re meant to be. Now forgive me we will never meet again I am sure. I have to make armor and weapons for the war ahead. I am sure there will be a war to come. A war over ideology and who can heal this world better.” From those words, it hits me harder than I thought it would.

He is right this is about who can bring the balance back to the world better. The heroes that are now the villains and the villains that are now the heroes. If it’s the way of morality and the sense of justice then we got more to work towards. The idea of social justice but that way of justice never fully works. There are more senses of justice.

I heard screaming outside and quickly went outside to see what is causing this screaming. Outside I saw another group of bounty hunters looking for me. This time they haven’t given the right of way but they were too strong for the naga warriors to handle with heavy armor and the weapons they carried. I had to finally make a stand again even if it killed me this time.

I didn’t have any weapons and the pony bounty hunters turn to look at me. Despite the dye, they know who I am pretty easily. Just from the look, I give them I am giving those around me hope. It’s seen in their eyes. The ponies turn their weapons and one of them holds a large mini-gun it slowly turns ready to fire its bullets. There are five ponies they all have heavy weapons. The others have machine guns ready to fire on me.

“It’s now time to prove yourself Water Spout.” The knives are tossed to me while all six of them fly over to me. I have to make sure my magic core is not overworked my magic glows over the knives and I have them float beside me. They glow brightly in my magic the power of the moon filling my core I struggle to hold this magic in my core.

“You must be the hero we have been sent to look for. I am sorry I am not fond of doing this. But you’re a hero a threat to a land healing from what the last hero brought. Wheel Tread is offering a great deal of money and water for your capture even your death. He would rather you’re alive. If you make this hard we will kill all these nagas you’re a hero you can’t allow that to happen can you?”

I didn’t even flinch at those words. I doubt they know it took years for the water hunters and naga to even come to the table to talk. I had to allow myself to be the water hunter again. I can’t just allow them to get to me.

“I am a water hunter. You may kill all the naga you wish to. It won’t affect me but you’re after me if you need to threaten those around you to get to me. Then you have already failed.” The ponies stare at me then at the naga. This race used to be being backstabbed by my kind. I will not backstab them this time. Standing not far from us and I notice just once many robe-wearing nagas not far from me.

“I see now come with us then peacefully or we will kill you miss hero. Unless…” Before he finishes speaking one of my knives hovers right at his throat and he stops speaking. The other knives are doing the same to the others.

“How about this you leave because one a hero doesn’t murder even though sometimes they do remove threats of this world. Most of the time water hunters don’t wait to kill. Since we do it to get the water. Now” I walk towards the stallion who I am sure is the leader. I stare at him right in his eyes.

“Listen handsome you want to live on to spread your seed? You’re a stallion you want to extend your family line. Just like all stallions wish to do unless you just wish for a fling. Look at your friends I don’t mind harming them.” I heard a sigh beside me

“Just kill them.” I turn my eyes to see one of the naga mages. “Remove the trash and prove to us that you’re worth training.” More mages and those users of magic came over to watch to see my choice in this matter.

“Yes come on little pony prove to us you have what it takes to win this battle. Even if it means letting go of what it means to be a pony. Even if it means you become the monster. The monster that is unwilling to allow this sickness to continue.”

I turn my eyes back to the stallion. To win a war do I need to become like the monster? Should I be willing to let go of being a hero? I remember stories of other heroes having this problem as well. They could have ended a threat so long ago but most of the time they let them go. Taking a deep breath closing my eyes.

“Listen…” I open my eyes back up looking at the stallion again. “I got a family a young colt that was recently born Please. We aren’t bounty hunters. We are just wanting the food and water and money we would get for turning you in alive or dead.”

One of the nagas laughed.

“Oh, what lies they spread.” One adds. “Yes, such wonderful lies. Would the pony fall for it?” A second one saids. “Spreading the fear will make them fear little pony. Make them cry for you to kill them!!” Another naga hisses. They all say the same things over and over.

“ENOUGH!!!” I finally scream floating the knives back to me. Looked to the mages that would soon train me and the ponies. The magic filling my heart and core disrupted and my knives fell to the ground with a ting.

“I will not be a murderer. I will let them go.” I turn my head to look at the stallion and those that came with him. “Go.” I lift my knives and walk away showing my back to the stallion. Then the final horseshoe drops. He charges up his mini-gun and before he could fire a shot rings out blowing his head up into chunks. I turn quickly seeing the others with smoking guns and they nod to me. The only mare with them turns her pure red eyes to me. I notice the symbol on her ear. It’s the order of mimic. I heard of them before she smiles sweetly at me. While the others leave.

“The order wishes to see you alive little water hunter.” The little blue mare comes over to me setting down her smoking gun. “No need for this anymore.” She kicks the dead stallion. “He was part of us once.”

I had no idea what was going on. I know the mages haven’t left yet so I didn’t upset them by not killing the stallion as they wanted me to. While I stare at the mare I notice from behind her one of the mages or magic users of the naga I have no idea what they’re called.

“What does the order want from me? All I know about the order they follow the one known as Mimic? So why would the order be interested in me?”

The mare walks closer lifting my knives with her strange magic. I notice a ring around her neck that gives her unicorn abilities but they look weaker than normal unicorns. She licks the knives tasting the metal.

“Hmm, I have never tasted such a metal before. Maybe I will have to learn what it is sooner or later. Now I am sorry that I had to show up with such a group. He was a good father and a good stallion. But he wanted to be looked at as a hero by Wheel Tread and the Storm King. So I agreed with the others if he didn’t get us killed. We would turn around and kill him.”

I did notice she never answered my question.

“Again what does the order of Mimic want from me?” This order normally is not around unless they want something.”

Her red eyes look right back at me. A deep gulp comes from me while I stare into those eyes.

“The order of Mimic wants you to find Ruby. Then we want to bring back the balance. The balance that the Storm King wants to bring back but how he wishes to do it. It by having every pony stomped under him like a piece of shit. The real balance is progress but the progress that is good for all and every pony that gets what they need from it. Not to be used to just destroy the communities in the desert. Now I must be going. We will meet again in three years.”
“Why three years?” I ask while she walks away. She never answers me and all I can think of is I need to find Ruby. But she died? Before I could think about it anymore. One of the mages tilts their head looking at me a smile forming on her old face.

“You didn’t do what would have been best for all of us. I do see we should train you though. Without training, you could become a problem to those around you. Now come and learn to be a mage in a year. It maybe takes longer to learn more but you will learn those on your own.”

I am taken to the biggest building made of magic sandstone. The stone glows brightly I feel the magic filling my core taking a deep breath. When we go inside the large building. The magic fills my core even more. It’s so intoxicating that it’s insane of course they didn’t let me carry my knives they took them because of how I could lose myself.

“Now first test of your training.” I look up to the mage who sets down my knives on her desk. She sits down and I stare at her. I felt so drunk on power. I had no idea what to do. My brain is chocked full of this magic. The magic that makes me want to force it into my core and become powerful.

“You need to learn to control this magic. So this won’t be easy for you little pony. I hope you understand you will fail and then fail more. It’s not going to be so simple for one that is a pony even a unicorn.”

All I could do was nod and with the clap of her clawed hands, I am lifted by one of the wizards and put into a closet. The door locks from the outside and I am now stuck in this room. Looking around the closet I finally see what is in here. Powerful magic fills the closet I see it in my eyes like it’s alive.

“A victim… a unicorn no less. The power wishes to be part of your little one.” My ears perk up at the voice. I had no idea the magic of the world is alive. Backing up my backside and hitting the door a great deal of fear filled my very core. My body shakes from the feeling of power trying to enter my body. I didn’t enjoy that feeling at all.

“Who...who are you?” My body violently shaking now. I have never felt this magic. It’s like a great power that I will never lose. I must take it. I must bring it into my body. My eyes grew bloodshot at the feel of the magic trying to entire my body.

“Who am I? Why I am just a simple being of magic. I can be found anywhere just a spot that has full magic. The war destroyed the lay lines so long ago. The core of this magic has been disrupted because of your silly wars. I could give so much power to those who deserve it.”

The magic laughs and it forms a being I stare at the magic claws that grab me and pull me to it. It grabs onto my horn I shiver and scream in pain. So much too much magic. I am showed images of Star shooter in the past I even showed images of Tiria. She turns to look at me I see the wolf creature. Her glowing eyes stare at me for I must be seeing an image of her. But the hate for my kind is so much. I have never seen a creature so hateful of ponies.

“You destroyed...this land.” She growls showing her sharp teeth. The hate coming off her and she jumps at me and vanishes from my sight. I turn to see Star shooter one more time and she stares at me with her soft gentle eyes.

“So.. another finds themselves in the trap that I willingly put myself in to protect my friends.” The black mare walks to me looking me over. “Very strong with magic. I will tell you though don’t fall into the same trap. I couldn’t stop myself I had to protect those I cared for. You have another way. I am cursed to forever see memories for many years.”

She looks away from me and walks towards the darkness. I see pure red eyes coming out of the darkness white teeth forming as a mouth. Its black horns glowing oh no..it’s him.

“Grogar.” My voice weakly squeaked out.

“I see...I am still well known.” He comes out of the darkness he towers over me staring down at me. “Hmm, a minion of Luna. I can see her power all over you little one. So is Neighsay still thinking that his project will stop me? I have seen what he is doing little pony. He is filling those in these desert lands with faults and hope. The idea of heroes has been around since my time. A hero stopped me from controlling Equestria so long ago.” He looks away sighing and then back to me with a hateful look.

“I was promised so long ago ponies never would be weak. Weak to fight me ever again. All I see are creatures fighting each other. In the name of water and food.” He laughs darkly. The power wields the fear he brings just with him. He is the father of all monsters. Quickly another naga mage opens the door.

“BACK!!! Monster!!” The female mage cast her spells into the magic. “Go back to your hell!!” The magic she uses pushes back the spirit of Grogar but he laughs darkly his powers fighting back at her.

“You will not stop me from returning my daughter. I am your father you will never push me back!!” The Mage is not able to break the spirit. She tosses one of my knives to me. I grab it in my magic I have no idea what to do with it.

“Use it on the magic!!” Closing my eyes tightly and stabbing the magic with my knife. I feel the magic exploding and the creature known as Grogar laughing loudly. I open my eyes and the magic builds and expands the laughing growing louder. Then explodes I am thrown into the wall my knife falling to the floor beside me.

Opening my eyes the magic goes back to its normal mass and just flows in the room like it was before when I first entered. I am confused about what happened looking over at the female mage who gets back on her tail looking down at me.

“It seems there is more to worry about than just this battle ahead. The creator of all monsters and beings like me is about to return. If he can use the magic to his whim then it may be too late to stop him from returning.”

I stood up lifting the knife and offering it back to her. The magic takes the knife and then nods to me.

“You have proven yourself. So we will train you. Then after the year is up you will be leaving back for your tribe.”

_________________________________________
A year passed.

It’s been a year for me. I was mostly trained in the basics of magic. I have learned to use my knives as conduits for my magic instead of my core. I got so good on my final day at training. I am floating in the air and spinning my knives around staring at my trainer. A wonderful female naga with who I became close friends.

“Now Water Spout I want you to throw every single knife one at a time. I want you to fill it with as much magic as you can and break through my shield.” I stare at her worried I am floating like some unicorn can do if they’re trained to do. It is not as taxing for me as it used to be. I get ready to toss my first knife staring at them. I have been with them for over a year now. They’re like another part of me. Taking a deep breath and looking at my friend.

“Ezot are you sure? I am very worried I will hurt you.” My silver-scaled friend smirks showing her pure white teeth.

“Don’t worry about me, my friend. We have been training for a year together. I would have wished it would have been more. But your tribe wishes to speak with you. I don’t know what they want but knowing that tribe of yours it may not be happy.”

I gave a quick nod and throw the first knife with my magic. The knife sang in the air and flew quickly when it hit the shield it went deep into the shield but didn’t even break through and then falls to the ground with a soft metal Klang.

“Hmm not bad now toss your next one but put more magic into that one this time.” I didn’t want to hurt my friend but she insisted. Lifting the second knife and filling it with a little bit more magic. I then throw the knife with all my force and it sings through the air hitting the shield but going deeper into it. Then dropping back on the floor.
“Hmm, this is not working so take your remaining knives. Fill them with as much magic as you can. Then throw them right at my shield. If you do hit me I promise I will not get too badly hurt.” She smirks. I don’t feel happy about this I am very worried that I would hurt her. As she told me though do what the teacher wants.

Lifting the four remaining blades. I infuse them with my magic they glow brightly and I throw them with all my might. My four knives finally make it to the shield only three of them hit it the last one goes right through it and stabs her right into the chest. She gasps in pain holding the spot the knife stabs in and pulls it out groaning. She has a deep wound that she uses a spell to heal.

“Okay, that is enough training Water Spout.” She smiles weakly and with her claw asks me to follow her. I follow her while she lifts my knives and I am led to her office. I look at the others that I trained with and they wave to me. I made so many friends during this training. I will miss them all.

I am led into the office and there is a painting of me and all of us together with our queen Emerald. She lifts my old robe from my tribe and gives me a belt to hold every single knife in it. I use my magic to cover myself in the robe and then wrap the belt around me. Placing every knife within the belt.

“Now I don’t have to warn you. You’re still being hunted but I found you a place you can stay. There is an island pretty far from the mainland. You will meet up with one that will take you there. Her name is Gem. Just it will be a few days before she is there. Now I want you to protect yourself. Your tribe is very angry with you. The leader can’t keep the others from going after you. Defend yourself.” I nod to her. I go up to her and she gives me a tight hug.

“I will be fine I promise. If they harm me all I need to do is show them my power.” Soon after all that I said my goodbyes. I am led by a naga guard to the entrance of this lovely home. I had for a year. At the entrance are my father and his warriors waiting for me. They were her to take me home. I betrayed him because I followed Ruby.

“I am sorry for betraying your trust father.” I softly said. He looks at me with a smile forming on his face.

“Betraying me? No, you proved to me that you’re strong. I brought the warriors who are loyal to our family to help you. I warn you though when we get home. I can’t protect you. I will lead you to the housing for breeding females. That is the only place you will be protected.”

The housing for breeding mares. That is not the ideal place but the guards and midwives will defend me with my dying breath. Since the guards are only loyal to the breeding mares. They get tired of being treated like pure trash. So the guards defend them when they have been beaten. The midwives defend them from their males.

I put on the mask I was given. We go through the desert it is silent. The desert dwellers look at each other as another past. They all are heavily armored and ready for any battle ahead. The camels that go by are getting ready for their journey to their sacred place.

I watch while many of the Storm kings airships fly over and they seem to avoid Hard Rock because I notice when one gets even close to it from over there they start firing on it and they quickly fly away. It took like two days and a half to get back to my home.

When we get there my father uses water to get the guards and others to ignore that I am here. He nods to his warriors. I am led by the warrior while he tries his best to get others to ignore me. Lead to the breeding house and sitting infront of the house is an old mare.

“Oh, there she is bring her in quickly.” The group of warriors nod and lead me inside I am put into a private room and the door closes. The old mare inside with me. She wraps her hooves around my neck hugging me.

“I never thought I would see you again Water Spout. But ever since the bringer of water died. I need to warn you. After the bringer died they placed a red orb in a shrine. They say it’s her in the orb. But if that is true then we need to find a way to bring her back.”

I shook my head at the idea of bringing her back. I feel it might be too soon and my friends need to come together again. I remove my mask but not my cloak. I hear a loud thump outside. The old mare quickly pushes me into the back of the building and stands there. I see Inyanga a smile forms on my face.

“Hello, my Zebra friend.” We stare at each other our friendship is strained. I can tell we are still friends. Just our friendship is very strained. We say what we wish to each other. But we didn’t have much time to do anything else. We are led to a crate of supplies and we are put in it. The pony doing this.

We are flown to the island and when we are let out we are face to face with a dragon. She stares at us and she shook her head.

“So you must be the two I was expecting the two other heroes. You must be Inyanga a stallion known as Rex is here. I am told you would be happy to talk with him. Also, miss WaterSpout is it? A camel is here willing to help you learn to speak like the rest of us.” I give a nod since I can speak my speech to others that know it.

“Hey Soft paw.” The black camel comes over he looks down at me and smiles sweetly.

“Well howdy madam I am Soft paw you must be Water Spout.” He takes my hoof with his kissing it gently. My cheeks burn bright red. He leads me to teach me poneish I only know the old tongue and I look back at Gem. Who nods to me with a gentle smile.
_________________________________
Two years past

The last two years to many would have been very boring. But for me, I got married and had children with Soft paw. He and I got married the year after I came here. He was so kind to me and I have never gotten too used to that.

He called me his little water jewel. A year after we got married I gave birth to our foals. A little filly named Water Song and a little colt named Desert race. They look just like ponies but they have his fur and his genetic memory. They remember my past too and even tell me about it. They even remind me of things I forgot.

I watched Inyanga and Rex's wedding I was invited along with the rest of the time. I became part of the hunters and those that get the fish from the water. We have a lot of hunting on this island. Thankfully we don’t go crazy hunting and get too much and allow the things we hunt to gain again. I of course never let my water hunting ways go. I would gather all the water from the bodies I could get.

Later by Inayanga, I was told it was time. It’s for us all to meet up again. I was not happy I had to let go of my little ones and my husband. I was expecting he would fight me and get upset with me because I had to leave.

“You must go my love. I will join you for the final battle but for now, I must stay here with our children. I love you so much Water Spout just remember. Don’t be scared to use your new tongue. Even if you have your old one.”

Tears fall from my eyes I don’t want to lose him or my children. I look outside seeing the storm getting more dense and dense. I have seen so many escaping the mainland in the last two years. The stories they told of how bad it’s gotten and how the desert dwellers are helping all they can.

I go find Inyanga and I sigh deeply.

“ I had to leave my husband and children. I am not happy about this but we have a duty.” Inyanga nodded to me we all have a duty. A duty that we never asked for. A duty we now have because we are all friends and watched our former friend who is still our friend die. We both walk to the restaurant that is built beside Hawk. I am told she has been offline ever since she got here.

When we go inside it’s empty and we go find a place to sit and after a while, the others come in. Roll Roll has changed so much. Half his face is now metal and on his side is a folded scyth that looks made from the same metal as my knives. Inyanga has two weapons I notice under her cloak a zebra-made sword and a powerful-looking staff. When I see Tick Tock she hasn’t changed at all. On her hip though is a gun that looks made from the same metal.
Cranberry finally is the last to come in she looks at all of us and she didn’t look happy to see either of us. We say no words till a mare comes onto the floor and stares at all of us.

“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 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!!” I look to Roll Roll I frown at his words. He is not a freak to me I wanted to say but I couldn’t find the words.

“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 to Cranberry lifting off her helm with her magic. She has so many scars. her face of beauty is now very scared up. The mare even removed the armor and shows the metal hoof.

I watch while Cranberry stays silent. I was worried about her so much. I didn’t have the words to speak I wish I did.

“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 looking towards me and then back to Cranberry. But again non of us spoke but the mare with us.

“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 seeing the one known as Gem coming up to Cranberry putting a claw on her face.

“You need to come together again to bring hope. Help our little ones get land that they can grow up in.”

“What must we do?” Cranberry asks and we all listen to the mare.

“Simply just let go. Let your emotions release and embrace.” Cranberry trots to Inayanga and she hugs me and Inyanga. Tick Tock came over next doing the same. Roll Roll joins into the hug. Our bodies start to glow I swear I hear the words in my head. ‘Friendship is magic.’

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 Erise.

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.”

Then it is the next day after our meeting again and bringing Hawk back from what in the words the dead. We get on the boat while Hawk walks into the water. I say goodbye to my new family. Inyanga saids goodbye to Rex. I wasn’t happy again that I had to say goodbye to them. I took to Inyanga my eyes full of tears but I kept silent.

I close my eyes tightly and then open them seeing the rest of my friends tired and falling asleep. It was happening to me even Tick Tock was falling asleep it was odd. I have a feeling it was some magic sleep. I did all I could to keep that sleep from making me fall asleep. I am losing the battle.

I finally fall asleep and then the journey ahead of us is Mount Aris.

Footnote: Max Level

Mage: You have become a water hunter mage. You have learned how to use the power of this land to use your knives. When you’re near your friends your damage is doubled and when you finally face the threats together your knives will sing your song of friendship.

Next Chapter: Chapter: Twenty-five The Clockwork mare Estimated time remaining: 31 Hours, 54 Minutes