There are many ways to extend the poney way of life. You could turn creatures into robotic cyborgs. You could remove their freedom fully and make them powerful minions. You could save a soul from death. Remove their hearts from sickness. Now I only know one other who tried this. Dr. Slice is a pony known as a powerful wonderful stallion. He risked his life his soul and his heart and even started Project Mech. I must go. I can no longer sit and wait. I must take him and myself along with my followers of the clockwork and finally do our plans. I shall write in my journal again when it’s done.

Written by Doctor Maezono

Journal entry many years later.

It has worked. But we have lasted for so long. That I lost track of time. We can now live longer than most ponies ever could. Is it worth it though giving up the ability to eat and the ability to sleep? Just to recharge if the time calls for it. I...feel I have made a mistake. To extend the pony’s way of life. It’s a goal but to some, it’s a trap. A trap that I and my followers will never escape from. The only solace we have now is this hero. This hero came to tell us what happened. The war ended in fire and death. Then maybe what we did was right. If that is true then why do I have guilt?

Written by Doctor Maezono

On the airship leaving mount Aris the friends of the dead hero stay away from each other. They have their problems to deal with. Deep in the bowels of the old airship. One of these souls works to fight the pain. Looking down at her gun a gun was created to fight the judges of the stars. Of course, it wouldn’t be enough without all the friends together.

What happened to all the friends hit her harder than the others. She felt more betrayed by Dunewalker and she also felt betrayed by Ruby. Looking back on when they found her at the arena.

“I have been told they have seen a creature like Ruby flying through the halls captain.” She watched while the captain was going to put her friend to death. Then after everything, that happened Ruby betrayed her and left her with the dying captain after fate. The lights above broke and stabbed into the side of the poor mare.

Then her biggest nightmare of all the Storm King. She did her best to fight but the Storm King's spell shut down her ability to move. She was lifted with the others and watched while Dunewalker didn’t only betray them she was lifted with them. At the time she didn’t know that Dunewalker betrayed them.

But she would learn the hard way that Dunewalker did so. She is now tossed everything shut down including her ability to listen. She would be tossed so far off the beaten path to a town there is no path. But a town she would spend most of her time in. When she crashes right in the middle of the town. The creatures of the town couldn’t do much but scream and run while. Guards aimed their weapons at her and her vision slowly went dark and turned off.

___________________________________

Unknown time unknown place unknown.

I open my clockwork eyes feeling my clockwork heart turning back on. Siting up real quickly my joints wiring slowly I cough up great amounts of dust and sand. Looking around the very room it’s very dark and a door is locked to keep me from leaving. Getting out of my bed I knock my hoof on the metal door.

A door window opens up on the door looking inside. I can see the eyes of a strange creature. The window closes and the door opens coming inside is a storm king minion he is not wearing the armor or the mask. He looks like a creature that is yeti without the mask.

“Are you the ones that brought the king back? The greatest threat to my kind and your kind?” I tried to speak but my voice box refuses to work. I stroke my throat coughing up more dust. The creature looks at me and notices me stroking my throat.

I turn away and cough more clicking my hoof removing the fake skin and fur the creature’s eyes open wide. He finally can see me for what I am. I am unable to see anything since I am full of dust and sand. I can feel not all of my clockwork parts are working.

I turn trying to ask for help. The creature smashes me with a large board that was left in the prison and then locks the door back up. I don’t remember how long I was in here it felt like days but it was hours.

Many hours later a zebra opens the door and comes inside. She left the door open I got a very good look at her. She had three legs missing. She wore prosthetic limbs the poor zebra mare has been through so much.

“I see you’re being mistreated creature. I know someone that can help you. It would mean though you would have to follow me. I wish to learn what and who you are. Most of the town wishes to know who you are.” I try again to speak more coughing up dust and sand happens. I am led through the town I notice something strange though coming out of a cellar in the ally. A group of ponies rushes out and one of them drops a bloody knife.

One of them turns to look at me. I could see the guilt on his face. Looking to the cellar for the time I could not see anyone else come out of it. It goes from my vision while I am led to a large building that looks to be a meeting room. I am brought into the middle of the room. It’s like the old meeting room back on the island. In the chairs are various races and creatures. Standing in the middle of it all is a rat creeper. I heard of them.

“Here is the creature my friends. Some kind of pony. But also a monster a threat? No, we have no right to treat this creature as a threat. Like with my race you all thought my kind was a threat many years ago. After a lot of us left reaper fields and you brought us into this community. I am now the speaker of all here. This is just another lost soul.”

A pony walks in he had a long black beard and with his magic he strokes it. He looks like the other speaker but he eyes me with hate and fear.

“My friends miss speaker” He stares at the rat creeper who I just learn is female. She stares back at him with a great amount of distaste. He stands on his back hooves using a strange cane to let him walk on his back legs.

“You see the creature that came before us and dropped out of the sky. I have learned this creature is..a hero a friend to that Buzzer we heard so much about. Despite my feelings and the feelings of many others. I say we let her stay just like madam speaker wishes. We need to learn if she will be a threat to us.”

So my life is on the line. I try to speak again coughing up more dust. Sparks fly out of my mouth this time. Lucky for me I don’t have to breathe. Waiting to see what happens to me. I hear all the voices some worried some upset.

“Alright order everyone.” Looking up at the sound my eyes go wide. I finally see the leader of the town. A mix between a zebra and a camel. Stripes all over her body and she has no other zebra features but her stripes.

“We will bring her to my place. We will get our doctors to look her over. But she will be my guest.” The camel added. “If anyone mistreats her you will all be placed in contempt for a few days. Now guard please escort her to my home.”

Many different species of creatures in guard uniforms stand around me. I can make out a female zebra. A Centaur male pats my head with his hand. The next creature is known as a roc. They used to be larger in the past but things changed so much. Then the last is a pony in an NCR uniform with a red star on its helm.

The door opens up and I am led through the town. I notice a Steel ranger in a very old power armor suit. Sitting next to a zebra in old Rome armor. They’re drinking beer together and a dragon turns to look at me she waves. The dragon with her has zebra stripes and a zebra mane. This is a town of mixed races. I already love this town. It’s very friendly and open. A pony stops and looks at me. A smile forms on his face using his magic he bows his head and removes his hat in a kindful bow. It didn’t take us long to get to the home of the leader of the town. The door opens up and standing there is a Kiran butler.

“Ah yes, the madam told me about you. Come in come in.” The guards stand by the door while I am brought inside. When the door closes my eyes find it hard to adjust from the endless sun of the outside to the calm lighting inside.

“Now I have been researching into what you could be little pony. So please come with me and maybe you can help me.” I quickly nod trying to show yes I would love to help. The kirin turns back to me laughing. Since he is a little larger than me he pats my head with his hoof.

It didn’t take us long to find the study. All the books of old and books of new. Just I need to find the books of the old doctor. We spent hours every time I move I cough up more dust and sand. The poor kirin is going to need to clean up when I am done.

After another hour I finally found it and jump up dancing taking the book in my mouth and showing him. Orange magic envelopes the book and he opens it up. “The story of Doctor Maezono and his journey. I have come far in this journey. I write this even though I am sure the ministry of the image will destroy it. I found out how to do it. We need to be far from Equestria before we do. No one will hear from me again. If they find my journey look for the clockwork.”

The butler lowers the book looking at me. A smile formed on his face. Before he could say anything the zebra camel walks in. I try to avoid sitting in any of the chairs when she walks into the study.

“Did you find anything Gentle wind?” The gentle wind must be the butler’s name. He lifts the book. Lifting a pair of reading glasses with her paw. Looking at the book now while it’s put on a stand. She mouths what she reads looking at me. Read through the rest looking back at me. I could tell she is thinking in her head. Since she is mostly a camel and still has the genetic memory.

“Ah, so you’re that creation. Everyone thought the Doctor back in the day was insane. Now I don’t remember much about it. Just that my kind tried to avoid him. He was talking about destroying the body of the spirit. Turning those that follow him into machines. Now I see what is wrong with you. You have too much sand and dust in your system. Now let’s see here Gentle Wind please if you can open her up. But be careful with the clockwork parts.”

The stallion nods. He had an idea though he lifts me with his magic. All I could think about was oh no not again. What he did though was use a vacuum cleaner that I saw hanging on the wall and shove it in my mouth turning it on. It felt strange and after a while, it took all the dust and sand out. After a while, I cough and finally find my way to speak again.

“Ugh.. thank you. I am Tick Tock. I am sorry for just falling out of the sky like that. The Storm King thought it would be great if he was the judge of my friend Ruby killing her. Then tossed me and my other friends all over the desert. So I ended up here.”

The camel Zeb. I have no name for her she didn’t even show surprise in her features she lifts an old phone that I haven’t seen in ages. I can’t hear what she is talking about because her butler keeps me from listening. After a while, she returns staring down at me frowning.

“So you’re the friend of that bug that was bringing hope to the rest of the desert. This could be bad. You see Tick Tock there is a movement building in this town. A movement to unseat me. The ponies of this town feel threatened by all the mixed breeds. They wish they controlled it all. It’s the war all over again. It means we could have a civil war because of you showing up.”

Her eyes are full of stress the poor thing. I think I just suddenly fell out of the sky. I heard screaming and I look out the window to see a group of ponies with signs walking through the town.

“The Storm King wishes to help us. To bring us ponies back to the rise of kings we are meant to be. There is an election in a couple of days vote in mister speaker and we shall bring ourselves back above those below us!!” The crowd outside watching it was getting worse. I could see a fight starting. I want to do something I try to jump out of the window. I am held back by a spell groaning laying my head on the sill till I see a wounded Upholi walking by. The crowd stares at her.

“I want to do it...again.” She walks through the group that just lowers their signs to stare at her. A trail of her blood follows her. I want to yell at them to help her. The leader of the protesters drops his sign along with others from the other group to catch her before she passes out.

The leader of the protesters looks to his followers.

“If any of you did this. Then you don’t follow this path. You’re a threat to this land. If I hear any of you stabbed this creature that the Storm King said that is below us. Even so, we aren’t monsters to harm them.” He snorts and helps the group carry her to the doctor.

“Now you see the issues we are having.” I look over my shoulder to see the leader. I still haven’t got her name. I took a deep breath again I don’t breathe. Just the feeling of holding my breath and exhaling helps my stressing brain.

I look back at protesters dispersed. I remember the past during the war. How so many hated the war and then how many wanted the war. Looking back on how the zebras used to be treated makes me regret how I acted towards many of them in the past.

“How long has this been going on?”
The camel sighs. “Way before the Storm Kings return. It started happening about oh six years ago. A strange group of robots came storming in. They kept yelling he is rising. Rejoice he is rising. Many at first didn’t even listen to them. Then it got to the point many did. They started to spread. That the pure can only control this land. The issue is they don’t understand that no one is pure in this town.”

A sigh comes from me shaking my head. The idea is that being pure is the only one that gets to lead. This is what many ponies fought in the past. If no one here is pure. Then who is pure? This dessert didn’t get hit by the war as badly as the others. But no one is pure.

“There is no way any ponies in this town are pure. I am sure this town has been here way before the ponies showed up. I am sure many of them have mixed families. So from what I have seen here, almost every pony has another race in them.”

The camel sighs and sits in her chair near the window stroking her head with her paws. The poor creature looks very close to a breakdown. I have a feeling there is more to this than I know. I sit down beside her putting my robotic hoof on her lap. I don’t know the best way to help someone that has this much stress.

“These ponies showed up here like four years ago. The sir speaker is one of those that came here four years ago. At first, he didn’t act like this. We have no idea where these ponies came from and why they’re so anti-other races and feel they’re above them. So if I don’t do something soon a war might break out. This war would break up this town and they would force themselves into power. Your showing up didn’t help at all.”

I turn to look at the window seeing that NCR ranger again with the red star on their helm. I remember stories in the past about a hero known as the red star. The creature takes off its helm and sets it down. I stare seeing a brown roc looking back at me. Her eyes looked tired themselves.

The roc comes in through the window and wraps her wings around the camel holding her close. Her wings stroke the poor tired creature’s face.

“We learned who that Upholi was. She is a doctor that left Kludgetown before the war. She told us she met the hero known as Ruby. From the sounds of it, Ruby did everything she could to help the doctors from lives being lost. Then she learned that she was addicted to stems. She said sadly she still is. She warned us in a few days she will go through bad withdrawal and then she can help us.”

The camel smiles weakly.

“Thank you, my love. I...This is Tick Tock. Just…” She sobs softly finally the breakdown is happening while the Roc holds the poor camel tightly looking at me with her head asking me to leave.

“Before you leave. I am known as Red. This is Oasis.” I didn’t know what to say or do after that. So I just walk out of the room and the kirin closes the door. He turns to me and he weakly smiles.

“I don’t fully agree with what madam loves. But she has done well in keeping herself happy. Just I worry that madam will lose her mind someday. Come with me I need to give you something that has been in my family for years.”

I follow Gentle wind up the stairs. Looking at old paintings of other Camels. Even one painting of the old war before Nightmare Moon had been trapped on the moon. It wasn’t just one camel though it was many in the armor. Standing on a rock is a camel is known as Dunewalker I stare at the painting causing Gentle Wind to stand beside me.

“Hmm, I see you found the first known recording of a Dunewalker. They one knew for betraying their kind or others around them every chance they got. There is something most don’t know either. Come with me you will learn something else.”

With how confused I was right now. I follow Kirin to his room. On the wall is a painting of a kirin. He looks like a powerful pony but the name struck me. I look closer to the plaque of the name. ‘Wheel Tread.’

“That is my great great great grandfather. He died years ago and I learned not so long ago that some pony is using his name to hide their true intentions. Wheel tread indeed made so many deals. He even had ideas if you look through his books.”

Opening up the journal on the table and reading through it. ‘I feel the best way to handle great threats to our land. Is forcing and using mind control magic on villains of our past. I will call it the storm watch. This means though we have to destroy the ability of the villain to think so they don’t betray us.’

I lift my head looking at the painting then back to the kirin.

“I knew a wheel tread as well. I have no idea how he survived all these years. Since I saw him just recently before Ruby was killed. It turns out he was Neighsay. I am guessing there is more to this than I know. I am guessing many more kirins in your family have had that name?”

Gentle wind sighs and nods. Using his magic lifting many photos and old paintings of many with the name Wheel Tread.

“Yes many names and many deals made. This pony you talked about must have somehow learned of these deals. This is not it though I got something for you.” He opens a case bringing out a pistol. I stare at the pistol and notice the name. ‘Silver Tread.’ He hovers it over me in his magic setting down the holster with the gun right down infront of me.

“I want you to take it. It’s made from objects from space years ago. I will not use it since I have no need. There are times when the wisdom of the past is needed to be removed. This gun was used in many of those deals. Use it to clear my family name. Starting with trying to stop a war in this lovely town.”

Looking down to the holster that is around me now. Taking a deep breath again to try to relax my brain. I haven’t fought like this since the war on the island. Closing my eyes my brain feels like it’s panicking it’s not it’s more of me thinking all this.

“I’m sorry but you have the wrong pony. I’m no hero I have never been a hero. None of us ever really were a hero. All of us failed to follow the main step of being a hero. Never allow a villain to destroy us. The villain did that in kind. He broke us he strained our friendship. He used Ruby to destroy my reputation. It was just one death that still follows you. So…” I grab the strap with my mouth pulling on it and letting it drop from my side.

“Find another I am going to take time to recharge and then find a boat to head home.” I lower my head down feeling the sadness in my heartless shell. The gentle wind didn’t even stop me. I found a dark empty closet. Standing inside the darkness and my body fully shut down. I wish I knew another way to recharge but this is the only way.

________________________________________
A heroes dream

I don’t know how or even why. But I seem to be dreaming. I haven’t dreamed for so many years that the feeling of it has never come again. Standing right infront of me is a mirror. I see my old body a golden earth pony mare. I remember the feeling of the cool air on my fur. The wind going through my mane.

“I see that you’re dreaming.” I turn from the mirror seeing Star Shooter. Tears fall from my eyes. Why am I crying? I am seeing the hero of the island standing awake. Not a comatose mess of a shell.

“You have forgotten yourself!!” I turn to the other voice seeing Blaze the Salamander.

“You may have never forgiven me for helping the good Dr. But you worked to fight as a hero. Even if those times never came for you.” I turn to the next voice seeing Dr. Slice in his old pony body shifting from that to the robot.

“Puh.. you ponies I will never understand you.” Hovering above them Black feather. He stares down at me. I hear heavy steps behind me turning my head over my shoulder and seeing Skull Crusher.

“Why little pony are you bringing us in your empty head? Why are we your figments are you that lost?” The minotaur simply asks.

“It seems she needs us for the moment.” Star Shooter sits infront of me more tears falling from my eyes. I can cry again the fact I can feel sorrow and cry again. Makes it harder for me to accept that I see my hero.

“I want...to go home..”

I weakly spoke those words. To the heroes of the island the heroes of legend. The heroes that risked everything to fight for me and the others on the island. I know I said the same thing Star Shooter said the entire time she was there. Looking up at Star Shooter her features turn from soft to angry. The rage in her stared at me.

“Did you think after all my whining, Oh, I want to go home? That I went fucking home?! I was talked into staying on your goddess-forsaken damn island. Your island full of death and creatures not even fighting under the hoof of Majesty.”

Blaze places a claw on Star Shooters’ shoulder shaking her head. Star Shooters' rage subsides nodding to her. Looking to the others. The others walk forward leaving her behind them just for a moment. For a second I felt I was in the shadow of true heroes.

“The journey of becoming a hero is not an easy one. I had to leave my entire species behind. My entire species all died but the children. I sent them all back to return without me. I doubt they would survive without an adult. So I asked your kind to teach them to raise them to be wise. Still, I am the final red fire Salamander. If what I wished to do never worked. Then I would be the least Salamander.

After what Blaze said she stood there her chest expanding with pride. The same pride she always had.

“Your plan worked Blaze. Your kind is strong once again and doing fine. Another tribe or pace cavern had been found. Full of more of your species. They had been banished years before. Since many of them had the same elemental powers that you had.”

Blaze smirks the pride in her eyes. I can just see her about to spout the sexual intercourse pushed onto Star Shooter. I never understood her kind need to boast.

“Then you see what I worked for. My hero’s journey was for my kind. Was for my love here Star Shooter. There are times you must do what you can. A hero’s path is always filled with sorrow. My sorrow was. Watching Star Shooter become… become. That brain-dead body of mush. But I will not allow that to stop me.”

After her words, Blaze vanishes, and I turn to see the cavern wall and see the heroes of legend glowing slowly again. Hovering in front of me next is Dr. Slice. The one that caused so much for me and Hawk. I could tell just from his eye stalks he didn’t want to be there.

“I am in the jail I deserve for my sins. I did so much to everypony in the past. I made weapons of death to take on the zebras. I even helped the blue hats to destroy the ability for food to grow in Wymarnic. I caused the life of my friend Smoke Pipe to be as bad as it was. Stealing his memories. I am sure… we have spoken again when I got back to Equestria. But if he destroyed me I would have deserved it.”

He went silent for a while turning his eyes to look at me.

“Doctor. I don’t know everything that happened with you and those back in Equestria. You did many things to me and the other clockwork ponies. But you did protect us and never told us the truth. I feel the one that needs to be talked with is Hawk. But I am sure if she allows it she will forgive you. Forgiveness will never be a simple path. I wish I could say I forgive you but I fully can’t. But I can thank you for fighting for me and the others.”

Dr. Slice stares at me with his eyestalks. Maybe it was enough for the memory after a while. Dr, Slice vanishes, and the next one hovers above me I look up staring at the Griffin. The large creature lowers itself to stare into my eyes.

“I was hired to hunt your hero. I was hired to kill your hero.”

He turns his head to the cavern wall. That is what is confusing me here. I see the zebra symbol but I don’t see Jonon in this group at all. I am guessing maybe I didn’t have a problem with her. But her symbol is not glowing.

“I knew of the heroes of legend. I was raised on the legend. Of course, the Minotaurs were too. But the two of us are always ready for war. Always ready to fight each other. Your hero saved my feathered butt. She saved me and it got to the point when she didn’t only save me. She saved my feathery hide. I stayed loyal to her till the end of the war. I followed her to Equestria. I will stay loyal to her till my death. That is my path I have nothing to forgive with you. Just that you need to stay loyal.”

The griffin vanishes after his words. I roll my eyes oh that was extremely helpful. That was just some griffin saying oh he cares more about his friends rather than caps or bites or devil’s gold. Heavy stomps come towards me looking up to try to look at the large Minotaur in the eyes.
“ I fought your hero in the prison. I was there when her mind was broken. I was there when almost everything they did to her caused everyone else around us pain. We wanted to save her. We wanted to rescue her. None of us could be watched as they broke her. They shattered her they abused her with magic. The idea of a hero is that you never think that will be you. You do things that anger others around you. As a minotaur just existing near a griffin village angered them.”

He stomps his left hoof many times on the black empty ground smacking his chest with his arms.

“There are times you have to be ready to battle. No matter what you have done. You’re a hero you do many vile things in the name of peace. Not everyone will agree with you. You don’t wish everyone to agree with you. If they all agreed to you then nothing will ever happen. The idea if they did then sunshine and rainbows from Equestria would have happened without deaths.”

That is not easy to think about whether that is true or not. But these words are coming from a minotaur. That is the thing that most will never understand. Most never asked those questions. If we all agreed on what we fought for. Then things would have always been easy to win. This idea was around during the water. If zebras and ponies hated the idea of the war they would come together to try to stop it.

“Someday you will learn this. You have failed for now but the path is never easy. If you think running back to our home. Will make it easier for you. Then you should do so.. Leave the idea of the hero to those that have the heart to do it. If you feel you have to go home then do so..”

After a while, Skull Crusher vanishes from sight. I hear hooves behind me a staff quickly smacks into my face. Causing me to fly onto the ground groaning. Looking up after stroking my face. I see Jonon in her cloak. She is standing on her back hooves ready to train me.

“You proved yourself to use during the siege of Cliffside. You proved yourself as a hero. Then Ruby did so after she finally came back to her senses. You shouldn’t allow yourself to become like Majesty. Just because one battle or more fails to be what you want. Most battles will fail you will lose the battle. But war will always be ready to be won. It’s a matter if you have the want to stay alive and not become the target.”

Jonon took no time to quickly use her staff to get to me and attacks me with her hooves and her staff. I quickly try to dodge out of the way. I am having issues doing so since I never was trained. I was never trained in this type of battle. I was always ready to fight in the way of an earth pony. Come in quick or shoot from afar. The staff hits me even harder I felt the pain it came so quickly and went away just as quickly.

Finally, I stood on my hooves and quickly buck at her and she dodges with ease. Taking my left back hoof and twisting it tripping me back onto my back. Groaning deeply feeling the pain in my leg as I stare up at her.

“I trained the hero of legend. I became a hero of the legend. We fought to bring peace to the island. Because you and the other Clockwork ponies refused to fight the queen. It took just a simple hero to get you all together. If we did what she asked she wouldn’t be laying in a bed. Braindead”

Jonon takes a deep breath looking away. Tears fell from her eyes. I remember in the past how she always regretted convincing Star Shooter to stay and fight. The reason to fight is to bring not only peace. Also for the want of freedom. It’s always freedom a choice. If the choice is never given we become death ourselves.

I..”

I try to find the words but I can’t I want to leave and Jonon is trying to show me that leaving. Is not going to not be a wise idea. Slowly standing on my hooves and staring at one of the heroes of legend. That mostly stayed to herself.

“I wish I could be a hero such as you Jonon. I know fully I won’t become that. I am no hero of legend. We just ended up breaking apart because of the Storm King. Then...I feel betrayed by Ruby. Because of her, I was forced into a cavern and all of us demanded to leave. Just because she had to...get herself controlled.”

Jonon eases herself back on her four hooves staring at me. Her old wisdom-filled eyes stare back at me. She walks close to me standing beside me while I look at her tail looking at her from over my shoulder.

“Being a hero is not an easy feat. Stress and sometimes the ability to fall will always be there. It won’t take much with all the stress and being there for an entire land. Sometimes a hero may just want to be there for the money. But not every creature gets that luxury. Heroes are sometimes forced into situations because fate wishes to smile.”

After the words, Jonon just leaves and vanished. All that is left is me and Star Shooter. Then standing beside her is a large wolf who sits down. It’s not just that wolf it’s a robotic pony. Another griffin and teal mare.

“Why are all these voices and souls wish to speak to me? I just wished to go home. All I am doing is dreaming. I am allowed to go home ain’t I?!” I have anger? Why would I have anger? I scream at the ghost of my dream.

“Oh SHUT UP.”

My ears perking up and I stare right at the wolf. Who comes walking up to me staring down at me.

“Again shut the fuck up with this woe is me..shit. Oh, I failed once. Oh, my friend fell in such a way. My friend is dead. Well, hoopty doo!!. Do you think every hero has had an easy time?! I was known as the wolf in my time. I am fucking dead! I died giving birth to the future. I risked my entire life. So Star Shooter could come to your island. I am sure Scootaloo would have still met Silver Gunner without him meeting me. I am sure KipKipe would still have a happy life. I am sure Shadow would still get free from Gawd. I’m just a small-time hero.”

I heard a crash I was waking up.

“Listen, Tick Tock. I was never the hero I wanted to be either.”

Star Shooter yells.

“I did what I had to even if it took longer than I wanted. But it sounds like you need to wake up..”

______________________________
Two weeks later

I wake up looking at my clock. My eyes go wide I was out for two weeks? I heard more crashing and quickly the door to the closet I was in opened up and Gentle Wind stumbles in closing the door. I use my hoof to turn on the light and I finally see the poor creature. Gentle wind has been stabbed in many places his left back leg is completely gone and he is holding the gun with his magic.

“Tick…”

He coughs up blood. I quickly go to him and try to hush him.

“Shh, I will get you to a doctor. There has to be a way. To.” He shook his head.

“It’s too late for me. They have been looking for you why they try to take over the city. Red and Osises are leading the fight. It wasn’t you showing up that caused it. The speaker… made his move. He...he killed the entire cabinet. He killed the madam speaker. Now he is using his minions to take over the city. Fight for them...become the guardian… become...what you kind was made for. To protect...lives.”

With what is left of his magic. He wraps the holster of the gun around my body looking at the pistol. It looks like the trigger has been remade for an earth pony in mind.

“Pl...ease...fix...my families...honor.” He gives his last breath and dies with a smile on his face. Using my hoof to close his eyes. The door swings open I see those ponies that call themselves the pure ones. They didn’t even speak all I saw in their eyes was hate pure hate. For a creature that is not pure. I swear I could see a goat with bright red eyes releasing magic to cause this.

“Kill the non-pure..” One spouts out with a neigh.

“Kill the weak..” Another adds.

“Come or die.”

Looked down quickly at the pistol if I could remember my training with a gun. I quickly grab the trigger in my mouth and with a quick movement of my tongue, I fire blasting one of the ponies in the chest. The other two charge at me with hammers. I dodge out of the way while their hammers hit the poor Kirins body.

It gave me a chance to buck the other pony into the ass. When I did his hammer hit the other’s hoof. They both groan in pain as I quickly turn around and fire two into the one I bucked. I got his two back legs and he screams in pain passing out. The other turns as I quickly spit the pistol back into the holster and pick up the hammer. My new hammer smashes into the others.

I may be a clockwork mare. I may have a stronger jaw than him. It’s all in the training and how I never was trained to battle like this. Our hammers keep smashing into each other. I felt my grip on the hammer growing weaker. He hit me with the butt of the weapon and it hit a vital point in my system. I fall onto my side dropping the hammer. Thankfully he didn’t break anything. Now I am at his mercy. He stood over me lifting the hammer.

Quickly before anything happens to me a roman-dressed zebra storms in with one swoop of her hooves. She slices the throat of the stallion and he gasps for air. She quickly jumps to the other knocked-out pony and cuts his throat as well. Heavy stomps not far behind her as I see an Applejack ranger with an Enclave power armored soldier.

“Quickly secure this building.”

The steel ranger nods to the mare-shaped armored enclave. She salutes him and quickly flies through into the other room screams sounding out. The zebra stands beside me looking down at the poor kirin her eyes welling up with tears.

“Clockwork mare you got us into this mess. Even though this would happen years later if you didn’t show up. Now you help us get out of this mess. They have taken over half the town. We are about to make a big attack to go after them. They have been asking the Storm King for help. But they have no luck on that yet. He seems to have another task he wishes to do. Like making sure that bug friend of yours is dead. Now we need to get you out of here. It’s safe for now.”
I felt awful for all this. War was caused just because I have shown up. This is strange though I have never seen these groups working together. A zebra roman soldier an enclave and a steel ranger. This would be the ideal time for a joke. One of the ways I would calm down I doubt right now it’s for the best. I stand back on my hooves groaning a bit.

“Why do you think it’s wise for me to help you? I am the cause of this war after all.” The steel ranger turns to look at me. He takes off his helm and I see an old stallion. He looks like he is in his 70s.

“Because Red asked us to recruit you. She also told us if you said no then to force the issue. So miss Black Rose shall we force the issue.”

Before I could act the zebra’s hooves wrap around my neck on both her hooves are two knifes able to cut through my hard shell. The way she held me did bring pain. She found a to get to my pain receptors.

“If you don’t come willingly we will kill you. Then give those that caused this war your body. To do with what they wish. Then if we do that we will leave here and leave them to destroy this place in the name of the Storm King.”

Fear fills my eyes at the words of the Steel Ranger.

“Okay fine…. I was going to join you anyway. Now please call of the zebra.”

The steel ranger gives the zebra a nod behind me. She removes her hooves from my neck and stands beside the steel ranger. The ranger places his helm back on and I follow them through the mansion. All around us are bodies from both sides of the battle. Many of them were the pure ponies that got taken out by the non-ponies.

On the way out of the building. The mare in the enclave armor lands beside us walking out with us. When we got outside a lot of the town is on fire and the roads are covered in blood and gore from the battle. This part seems to have been taken back by those that welcome all into the town. I am led to the inn in the middle of the town. It’s heavily guarded and on the side of the road, I see many bodies of the young covered in body bags.

“I am sorry for what I caused..”

For a time non of them spoke.

“Don’t allow yourself to be in pain for our problems.”

The zebra turns her head to look at me. I finally get a better look at her. She is younger than the rest of them. In her eyes, though she is older than they are. It’s like some nasty spell was placed on them that made them older and younger.

“This land and town. Has been through hell and back. It was the first one created during the war. From ponies and zebras who didn’t wish to enslave the camels and the desert dwellers. I am Black Rose. We are a story in ourselves one that Red can tell you.”

____________________________
The Rose of peace Inn

We walk into the inn. The town has a rich history from what I see that goes on from 200 years and..wait. I look at the paintings on the wall and see the three that brought me here. It was taken 200 years ago. Standing right in the middle of them is Red.

“I see you found our greatest story.”

I turn my head to see Red.

“You and the others are as old as the war itself. How...does that even work?” Red sighs and stands by the others. They were there during the war. They helped found this town. Then why are they still alive after all this time?

“That is a story a long story. But we will give you the gist of it. We heard a story that dream valley is real. The land of the ponies of old. When we got to the old land. We found a dome that protected the land known as pony land. We could see the old castle there and its riches and history. But there was a cost to every adventure or here that wanted to go in there. Had to give something up.”

They all took every bit of their armor off. All four of them are old older than I saw. The zebra may look young it just hasn’t taken her as much as the others. I could still make out the blue fur on the pegasus on the tip of her fur. Her eyes are full of age.

“When we went inside the magic magically changed us. It made me a 70-year-old Roc at the time 15 years old. It made Black Rose. who was 90 at the time and still in her prime 13. While the others beside me were Speedy and Brick who both were 20 100 or more. Thankfully it didn’t kill them because of the spell. Just that is the price you pay going in almost dying.”

I sat there listening to this. I felt bad for them they would have watched the world end unless they stayed in this land.

“It took us almost a year to find a way out. When we found a way out. We broke the spell long enough for all living in there to leave. But they didn’t wish to leave. Then we came to this area we heard stories of a peaceful town being founded. Black Rose here was considered a traitor to her species. So without any issue, they told us how to get here. Then we waited to die from the spell. We heard the world ended during this time. We thought we would die. But no. We aged normally and I am aging back to my proper age. My body age is 50. Black Rose proper age.”

She went silent for a while looking at Brick and Speedy. Who I can tell are slowly aging back to their younger selves. I heard stories of Dream valley the fact it is real and not a legend means a lot of old legends and stories might be real. Now is not the time to think about that.

“Now how do you plan on getting the town back in one fell swoop?”

Before anyone else could speak. A heavy armored Storm King minion stands infront. He held a giant weapon that looks like a fire sword. He looks at the others. He is not the only Storm King minion that comes up.

“We are members of this town. We broke off from the king himself after the first time he was defeated. Now we will help save this town. But you Clockwork mare. We are going to give you to them. So you can take care of the problem from the inside. Also, don’t worry we know they won’t kill you on the spot. It seems the Storm King wants all the heroes after he tossed you all away like dolls.”

The large creature laughs snorting. Great I have a bounty on my head. That means the others have a bounty on their heads. The idea was foolproof in their heads I am sure. But why give me up I haven't been here that long. It sounds like the only way to get me in this cell is to just give me up.

“But...we have to make it look like we roughed you up. Since all of them haven’t seen you out of your fake fur and skin. We have it here with burns and blood all over it. To mimic wounds on it. So act as we beat you to an inch of your life.”

A deep sigh comes from my throat. So now I am going to be used as bait to get them to put down their guard. Since they want to make it look like I was beaten badly. I kept my holster with my gun wrapped around my robotic body to make it look like a bad knot. I come out from behind a wall after I am done.

“Well. I feel strange about this. So how are we going to do this?”

The large storm king minion. Who I haven’t gotten the name of yet. Puts his hand on my head he lowers down to look into my eyes.

“We will have to do this the easy way. You can be knocked out correct?”

I give a quick nod and then wait I am going to be knocked out that is the easy way?! The large creature takes his hammer and with one swoop of the head of the hammer, he smashes it into my face. Thankfully the good doctor when we got these bodies. Made sure the face is more guarded than other parts of the body. After that hit, I fall to my side and my vision slowly goes dark. As I see in my vision repair mode is active.

My vision goes in and out while I am carried put into a strange box. I am left in the middle of the road while I can see most things. A large group of those everything must be pure ponies. They lift me and what I can make out while I am shut down. That is what they carry me into. Then my vision fully goes black.

____________________________
Unknown

I open my eyes I am in a dark cold cell. Slowly standing looking around the cell room. It looks like an old law station. I see no guards at all just many non-pony creatures locked in cells like me. A lot of them have been badly beaten.

I heard a door open and somepony coming inside. A large lava demon looks down at me and then around. He leans down to look at me.

“Listen I am a minion of one of the judges. The Storm King is not happy with these ponies. He may have done some evil things in the past. He may have done much. But even he is not fond of this idea of pure or non-pure. I will let you go and the Storm King will deal he will never attack this place. He only will if he gains wind of a rebellion forming here. He also said if you help your bounty is lifted.”

So I have to choose between an evil and well another evil.

“How will I know that the great king will keep his word.”

The lava demon smiles.

“He already made a deal with the citizens of this town while you were out. That he will not destroy their food production or water production this town is free from that. As long as you’re this town’s guardian he will accept the sovereignty of this town. Now we have to shake on the deal. Even though you and I know someday we will fight on the battlefield. For we all know a hero will rise again soon. To take us on and if that means you and your friends. Then let’s leave as friends now and enemies on the field of death.”

He offers his lava hand I place my robotic hoof in it. As we shake the deal is done. My entire fake skin is metals off and the fur burns. He opens the door and I look at the Lava demon. He and I stare at each other for a while.

“The citizens of this town are on their way. Can you help them get in? We both know this will only end in death for the speaker. I must deal with him. Even though we only saw each other once. I feel this is a chance to prove to this land not all heroes are threats.”

The lava demon nods.

“The issue is for now till the time is right. They must think all heroes are evil. The citizens of this desert need to be broken. But we both know when the battle settles. You and your friends will be tried for many things. Since the leaders will need a scapegoat. It’s the way of things.”

Yes, it is the way of things. He is right if Ruby is alive and she helps fight this threat. She will be the one they go after. I do hope if we find her she understands this when we convince her to fight. The lava demon clicks a button opening all the blocks and a siren goes off.

“The speaker is in the meeting chamber. With all the heads of the ones, he’s killed. He is speaking to them like they’re talking back to him.”

There is screaming and yelling while every able-bodied non-pony escapes and there is screaming and the sounds of gunfire. The Lava demon nods to me while he leaves the room and I go the other way to the meeting room. I went through my head on how this could be handled without death.

_________________________
Confrontation.

I walk through the halls of the meeting room. Looking at the walls of all the leaders that lead this town. Many of them are ponies or race mixes. Then later down the wall, it’s non-ponies, and funny enough this wall is left alone. Looking outside seeing the battle getting worse. Gunfire and battle like the days of old. If I didn’t show up this wouldn’t have happened so soon and they could have stopped it.

While I walk I hear a giant boom looking to see the radio tower that normally keeps the town informed falling from the roof to the ground below. The deal I made with the devil? The storm king was not as evil as he was. Maybe he wasn’t that evil from the start. He had to prove something. Of course, we will never know.

When I walk into the meeting room the speaker is on a stand speaking to the audience he created with the heads of all he killed. Even some of the ponies that followed him are there dead and they all stare at him.

“This war shouldn’t have ever happened. If we all agreed that ponies deserved the power more than non-ponies we would have had peace!!”

He lifts his hooves like he is hearing cheers. The door closes when I fully walk in and he stands back on his hooves.

“So he did betray me. The king refuses to accept we are pure.”

He turns to look at me. He comes down from the stand removing his cloak. I see the swords he lifts from his side tossing one to me.

“We will do this correctly. In the old days of this town, we fought. In the old days of this town, we did much. My father and grandfather would hate me for my words today. Just the idea of purity is not popular as it was in the past. Just you were there you know how it was then.”

Looking down at the blade I wanted so hard to not fight him. Looking back up at him a frown formed on my face. The fact I care so much when some would say a clockwork mare has no emotions. Oh, we have emotions it’s just hard for those to see us show them. I took a deep breath I swear music stars playing. A start to sing.

“Let this go. Speaker, I am not here to kill you. I am here to set you free!!”

The windows behind me shatter from the fight outside. The glass flies all over while the battle gets more intense outside. He lifts his sword in his magic. The speaker has unicorn powers. He is not a unicorn though. I finally see it under his mane. He is half kirin. He is not a pure pony.

“I am too deep into this now. I have lied to my followers they will never know. That I am not a pure one. I have hidden the fact from them no pony is power in this town. Oooo ooo the king has betrayed me. He will allow his most powerful general over the years. To die. Once again.”

I shift on my hooves moving around the glass. The music gets louder with the battle outside. I didn’t again want death but I am sure I may have no choice.

“You don’t need to die!!! This battle can be over there is no more need for war. The war ended the world years agooooo.”

The fighters outside begin to sing.

“Pure non-pure we are all brothers and sisters in the same. Light. But here we are battling in the name of a goddess. Here we are battling leaking the same blood the same dust into the sand below. Oh, the goddess above forgive us for we have sinned. We have no choice since the battle is to protect the future of this town.”

I listen to both sides singing those words. It seems this battle has taken its toll. This battle should have never happened words should have been spoken first.

“We can work this out. Speaker. There is no need for blood!!!”

He turns back to the heads of those he killed. He turns back to me. I could see the sadness in his eyes.

“I doubt. They agree with you.” He sang back to me.

I look to the head who is speaking of. There are even children here. I can’t allow there to be more death. I can’t allow it. I take a deep breath closing my eyes. I lift my hoof and offer it to him.

“Please come peacefully. Let’s not allow more death to come. Be placed on trial and put to death or exile. Don’t allow more blood to be spilled. “ The speaker stares at me while the music slowly fades. He comes closer while I didn’t notice the blade he held behind him. He quickly moves the sword from behind and comes down to slice me and my leg gets sliced all right through. I scream in deep pain groaning holding onto the broken clockwork stump. Oil seeps through the wound.

“I can’t...allow it. The only way this will end is in death. Stand up and fight me..” The music finally ends groaning I lift the blade into my mouth. It won’t be easy for me to fight like this since I am missing a leg. It’s strange though how did he know… wait. The book on my species. I am sure he gave that book a once over to learn to fight me.

We had no words our eyes said it all. Our blades even though from how weak I am with the leg being cut off. I feel that I have the ability to fight this stallion. He lifts his blade and our blades glow hot from them hitting together.

“From what I see you’re not a strong creature like the others should have been. Unless the good doctor failed to make the warriors he was meant to make. So I promise you this if I win this battle. I will leave and let them take the town back. I will go into exile.”

Our blades ring again and with the swoop, he had with him being a unicorn he cuts at my shell many times. Causing many painful knicks in the shell. I was able to finally get a hit slicing deep into his chest and blood falls to the floor below staining this lovely meeting room. He turns his sword and smashes the hilt into my face causing me to lose my grip. I fall to the floor below dropping the sword. He stabs the sword into my side making it go into the ground under me pinning me there. I scream in pain oil pooling under me.

“If I remember reading about your species it would take me going for the vitals. Of course, you could stay alive forever if I keep you this way. But I need you to listen before I kill you.”

I groaned trying to move my can though from being pinned. He removes the magic from the hilt and thinks of what to speak.

“You see those of the court and all the land. We must control…” He heard my shell breaking while I tried moving from the pinning. I couldn’t just every time I move it causes more pain my body can handle it but I can’t. My pain receptors make it harder for me to do so.

“You could have just given up..” I shout the venom in my voice with an immense feeling that this could have been taken care of without what I am about to do. Reaching under me to the gun I can grab it thankfully and bring it out from under me. Putting it under my good leg to hide it.

“Ah, so you wish to kill me now. Let’s see I wonder if I stab you in the brain. Will you still live?”

He lifts the sword that I dropped. He looks at the blood that coats the blade. He lifts the blade getting ready to strike. Before he could though I quickly lift my pistol in my mouth aiming for what I can. I shoot his left foreleg firing as many bullets as I can still the chamber clicks. He screams in pain. Each bullet hit its mark even if I miss it. Some of the bullets lodge in the leg. While some go through to his back then.

Too much causes him to drop the blade. He groans deeper the pain too much causing him to drop the sword to the ground. He falls to his side I didn’t hit anything too vital that would cause him to die.

“I guess this is the final meeting for the day my friends.” A shadow comes over us the lava demon that spoke to me looks down at me. A frown on his face. He didn’t seem happy with what he was about to do to the speaker.

“I know you wished to do this without death Tick Tock. It’s something I wish I could make up to you in the future. But the king has made his judgment. The king may have caused a lot of pain himself. This idea of pure and non-pure will not work in his world of progress. For that, you must face judgment’

The lava demon lifts his hand.

“But before this tell your ponies to surrender. Tell them the king will not follow their ways.” The speaker groans and he turns on a pa system that he uses a spell for the magic he has left in his core.

“This...this is the speaker. I have lied to you, my followers. I am not pure non of the ponies that have lived here over the years have ever been pure. I thought the king would love what we are doing. But he frowns on what is said. It doesn’t fit in with his idea of progress, I am sorry to Osies and all the families that have lost a loved one because of me. Accept the clockwork mare make her the guardian of the town. For she will be needed for the battle to come. For his return…”

The battle outside dies down and the side of the winners cheer outside. The battle is over without more bloodshed. The Lava demon finally looks at me with a frown mouthing ‘Sorry but it’s time.’ I give a nod.

“In the name of the Storm King. Your judgment has been passed and it is death.”

He places his hands on the speaker. He screams pain and his body catches fire while his entire body burns away. It bubbles and burns. The smell of flesh burning it would cause a hungry raider to blush. Finally, every bit of him turns into a smoldering spot on the floor. He stood up and nods at me.

“Tell them that you won. That he killed himself. They need a rally right now. You’re that rally, Tick Tock. We will meet again. Next on the field of battle. Our battle will be sung in glory in the books of history. Expect a mare or a stallion or whatever to come from the order soon.”

He lifts his left hand and he has a symbol of the order of mimic. He is part of the order he walks out of the back. It has taken a while though the repair alert comes over my vision. Low oil and system shut down.

Finally Red and the others storm in. The four survived and I told them what they wished to hear. After my words felt my system shut down. I don’t know how long it took but they repaired me. I was told when I was brought back on it’s been a month. Things have gotten back to normal and they wish to honor me with the title of a guardian.

_______________________________
To honor the ones that live and those that died.

It’s a few days later. I have had new parts and a new shell around my old one made. They read how the good doctor created us all. My shell is now pure black rather than see-through. Of course, I still ask for fake skin and synthetic fur. Standing at the podium is Osies she kept herself as the leader of the town. Two new speakers have been voted in. One of them is a zebra known as Mixer. Another is a kirin stallion with the name of Autumn.

“We are here to honor all those that lived through the war and who died. War is not something we want. It is sadly what we had. Most still blame Tick Tock. But she saved us so did everyone else that fought. For that, I give her the name Guardian of the town. She will fight for us. She will be treated with respect. We need to get back to our words and fix this town. Most children lost their parents on both sides. We must find them, families”

The camel zebra singles with her hoof to come and speak. I give a quick nod and walk to the stand taking a deep breath. My clockwork parts felt so new that I could feel the friction each time I breathe it’s just a feeling I need to feel from time to time.

I come to the podium looking at all the eyes staring at me. No eyes full of hate or anger this day like they had when I first showed up.

“I am sorry for what I caused a month or so ago. I will take this idea of guardian and protect everypony. It will not be easy for me. But sadly one was lost. Our doctor the doctor that she rescued and helped from stims will take over in her name. I will be here till the time is right to find my friends.”

They all look at each other nodding. All the storm King minions that broke off from the storm king even the one that met me in the cell all died during the final battle. It hurt me knowing so many I didn’t even get to know got killed and wounded. Looking toward the tired leader of the town. Who had to be helped to her home.

“I will do my best to help with protecting this town and help to bring the future and. To help the Upholi who got saved by the old doctor. For we bury them all out of town.”

I get down the stage and lead a caravan of many bodies from both sides. They have their names but their bodies are covered. No word needs to be spoken we walk on the path and the sides of the path into the town are being converted into the graveyard. So many that come to this town understand the blight.

It took many hours to almost two days to bury all the bodies. Even if the others left to get some sleep. I kept burying the dead the last ones were the greatest heroes of all the doctors. I never got to know the storm minions I never got to know either and many on the other side. It was fair that they got buried in the same row as heroes. During this the only Minotaur who was forced into hiding before I got to this town.

He lifts a sign on a post and we all look at the sign that has the words. ‘The enemy and heroes are buried here. We judge non of them for each path is what they wished to follow. For all are one in death.’

We walk away from the newly buried path leading into town for all to see. I have been given a small house on the outside of town. Since many don’t feel right for me living in the town yet. I go to rest inside and inside is a large white camel.

“It seems everywhere a hero goes the dead follow. Oh, excuse me I am snowy of the order of Mimic. I have been told to speak to you. I see they didn’t give you much but that was the deal. You will have to lie to others when they ask. They can’t know how easy it has been for you.”

I have had an easier time than the others? Soooo causing a war getting my body chopped cracked and then being used as bait means my life is going easier right now? I guess I will have to listen.

“My question for you all though. Why is the order of Mimic even caring? They didn’t even care in the past. You all ignored us in the past and warned us. Now you care what goes on here? What happened did the order of Mimic get called out for their lies of the past?”

The camel didn’t seem to argue with me about this. I could tell that he felt I wasn’t wrong. In the past, the order of Mimic did many things to get bits. They even stole money from those that believed in the order.

“I can’t argue with you about the past. For sadly it was true. We didn’t do anything to help the past. But for our gains. But now the order cares about the balance of the world. The balance of the world is out of wack. The progress wheel Tread and the King wants. Is not a bad path. But it would ruin the balance of good and evil in this land. We need the balance back to normal. So.. in a year or two, you will leave here. To find your friends.”

After his words, he left. I had no idea what he meant. I didn’t care I was about to go get some rest I heard a soft knock on my door. Opening the door standing there is Black Rose the zebra. She comes in.

“I don’t agree with the others on how you’re treated. I do understand why you’re treated this way. Like how my kind used to be treated. We are one in the same old part of the old world. I wish...to get to know you the pony that you used to be.”

A frown forms on my face. Did she want to know the old me? I don’t remember much of the old me. I just remember I hated the war of the past. I took a deep breath I sat with her on my couch. I explained to her.

_____________________________________________________
In the middle of the second year.

It’s been one and half years. I got married to Black Rose after the two of us fell in love over our meetings. Of course, she got over the fact the two of us can’t have foals. So what we did was we adopted the little ones that lost their parents. It wasn’t easy but they built us a larger home inside the town limits.

The reason we fully got married is the fact I did fall in love with her. It was more that I would be respected by those that had issues with me. Of course, It was more that she fell for me over the last year and a half. I couldn’t tell her much about myself but it was late august and I heard stories of a strange creature causing problems outside of town. When I get outside of town I hear an argument.

“I get it you can’t let me inside here. But I heard my friend is inside here.” I finally see who is making all the problems staring at who it is. My eyes go wide I feel my heart shatter it’s Roll Roll.

“Roll…” I soft yell to him. I trot to him as the large creature hugs me. His body is very bloody and half his face is missing and it’s infected.

“Listen...there is an island and...I told one that will get us there. That well we will be flown there. So the healer can repair my wounds.”

Finally is this what the order of Mimic camel meant?

“When will this one to get us there be here?” Roll Roll sighs.

“Pretty soon she is flying some machine to pick us up. Some order of mimic crazy contact them for me. “

I didn’t like this I promised my wife that this wouldn’t happen maybe for a long time. Looking towards the town seeing the machine land finally and it was too soon for me way too soon. Looking back to Roll Roll

“Tell them to wait for me. I need to speak to my wife.”

I walk away from Roll Roll while he was finally let in and I close my eyes tightly. What do I tell Black Rose? I didn’t want to argue with her. Finally getting into my home looking at my mixed-race children. Seeing a growing young dragon male running around playing with his adopted siblings.

“Blackie sweetheart.”

The zebra looks up from helping with one of the kid’s homework.

“Come with me we need to talk.” She nods heading outside with me and we close the door I look at my children I feel the sorrow filling me it may be a while before I return to them.

“Tickie what is wrong?” The zebra has a worried look on her aging face. I didn’t care that she was getting older each year. It didn’t stop her from moving.

“One of my friends that joined me and Ruby has found me. He wants me to take him to the island and...this may be the time the hero wakes back up and we fight for this land. I don’t want to leave you. I could ignore the call and let him go on his own.”

After I said those words a swift hoof smacks me right in the face.

“No, you will not ignore the call. I fell in love with the brave mare that helped rescue this town from the ponies that attacked it. If you have to go you have to go. I will be here to wait for you. We all will the entire town will be here for you. We will pray for you.”
I look up at the town behind her it seems they know that it’s time.

_______________________________
The island.

I had been given a goodbye from everyone in town and of course before I am allowed to go my wife and I kiss for almost minute

“Ahem..”

I break the kiss turning to look a the dragon known as Gem. Who tosses me a cloak. I place it on looking to Roll Roll who has been strapped on the outside of the machine. He couldn’t fit inside the machine but he can still fly.

“Look we need to get going. I doubt your friend has much more time. My wife will do what she can. I think we need to go now.”

Looked back to my wife stroking her face with my hoof.

“You almost forgot this, my love.” She lifts the holster holding the pistol. I nod and she goes under the robe to wrap the holster finally my gun and everything I own. What is mainly nothing. Looking at the gun in my robe remember the words from Gentle Wind. ‘Please bring honor back to the Wheel Tread family.’

I get into the machine and it takes a while for the machine to start and we fly off while I watch my new home. Fade from view again I lost another home for now. I feel I will go back there and live there for the rest of my life. Gem and I didn’t speak a word to each other. Just I notice a photo on her window. It’s of a mare I swear I know with a bunch of children.

“That looks like Cranberry.” Gem turns her head to look at me.

“That’s because it is. But please don’t tell her you’re here. She doesn’t know you two are coming. I want it to stay that way. It will be a surprise for her for now. But if you two hurt her at all. You will deal with me. “

I gulp or tried to since I had great fear when it comes to dragons. After a few hours, we made it to the island. Looking back I see the storm King’s spell getting thicker. I didn’t see that spell very well from the town I was in. Of course, I think he was making it so the spell wouldn’t block my town. I heard that other parts of the town aren’t getting that lucky.

When we finally land Gem points to the hospital. I hope Roll gets to the hospital after he is released from the flight. A nurse looks up to him and me. She quickly helps him into one of the rooms. I ask where I can find the healer and I am shown.
“Excuse me, healer.” The one in the armor suit didn’t turn around. He or she didn’t even give me one look. I felt it was rude. I wasn’t going to give up. I tap my hoof on the shoulder of the healer and I had to make sure they knew I was here.

“I need your help my friend lost half his face.”

Finally, the healer stands and I look to see Gem. Who is so upset like she is about to kill something. I didn’t like that look and it’s like she wanted me and Roll gone. Quickly the healer trotted to the dragon.

“Gem what is wrong?” The healer nuzzles the side of the dragoness.

Gem snorts smoke coming out of her nose.

“That… thing in there. It won’t stop yelling and screaming. He is calling his Queen his mother.” Oh, great Roll did you have to. I follow the healer and she quickly stops seeing who it is. The large Magic eater beats his body on the glass thankfully there is nothing broken.

“Let me go!!” The creature screams.

I lift my hood from my head. The healer now looking at me like they have seen a ghost. I quickly trot to the chamber putting my hoof on the glass.

“I told you Roll Roll relax. We are guests here till we find the others.” I watch while doctors and nurses try to get close to him while he is in the cage. He chases them out and they all run out of the door screaming.

The healer puts her hoof on the glass cage.

“Listen sir will you trust me enough to help you?”

Before the large magic eater could say anything. Gem the dragoness came back in very angry at all the noise going on.

“Cranberry enough to toss them out for the damage they have caused.” Roll Roll finally relaxes and so do I turn to the healer. It’s Cranberry she is the healer. The healer that has made a name for herself after being here for almost three years? Wow, she sure has had it easy but I need to lie.

She takes her helm off and sets it down. The poor mare has been through so much. I see so many scars on her face. I see why she hides now. I feel bad for what she has been through. I wish I could have been here to help but I understand why I couldn’t be.

“Yo...you're alive.”

I was able to choke out. I have no idea why I cared so much about a pony I didn’t even know that well. I quickly trot to her hugging her tightly. We never got that close that is sadly true we only knew each other for a few months. But we all have the same friend the one that got us together.

I look back to Roll Roll after getting out of the hug I don’t know why it took so long. I do forget though when it comes to blood loss for his species it takes longer for blood loss to take effect. I felt bad for the poor creature. Cranberry points her hoof to Gem and she nods. Before she left though the dragoness holds Cranberry's face.

“I will return from there my dear wife.” I could see a blush form on Cranberries.

“Wife? It seems you have gotten along better than most.” Again I didn’t like the idea that I had to lie. It was the only way to protect my family and my home. Just in case the King lost his temper because I told them the truth.

“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.”

He didn’t tell me much from what I remember. Just it wasn’t pleasant from what he said. I felt awful for that fact and now I know that I may lie a little bit but I am sure I won’t fully lie.

I shook my 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.”

I went silent finally. I watch while the other doctors and nurses finally come back in and help Roll Roll get on the bed and clean him up. I feel again bad for the big guy. Maybe he will tell us what happened to him. I need to learn where he got that scyth he carries with him. Of course, Gem took it from him and put it somewhere for the time being.

“Please Go on Tick Tock.” I nod quickly trying to remember other things he told me before we fully left. While I watch Cranberry putting an iv in Roll Roll and now I finally feel better to fully speak what he told me.

“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.”

Finally, I was asked to leave after a while and it took hours for the treatment to get done. I must have lost track of time. I have no idea why at all that it took so long. Well, they had to clean him up and I am sure he is now in a coma. After a while, Cranberry comes out of the ER and she smiles the scars on her cheeks make her look odd to me.

“Come with me, Tick Tock. I need to check on my children.”

Children? I follow her up the stairs to her home. I see all her children. She adopted as me and Black Rose did. Oh, I wish I could tell her the truth now. I sadly can’t this land will be protected like my home from the Storm King.

“Kids it’s time to go to bed. I have to talk with an old friend of mine.”

The children quickly hug their adoptive mother and they all quickly go to sleep. I think Gem has taken care of them in a good way and made them make sure to listen to Cranberry. A smile forms on my face Gem is so much like Black Rose.

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

I shook my head. I again wish I could tell her the truth.

“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.”

Another set of lies I can’t tell or show my new shell. But it is true I haven’t been able to get a good recharge. I look at my power core and it saids that friendship is magic. That is all I see and maybe it means something. I am led to the outside to a balcony and I see Hawk. So many plants form and grow over the poor mech. I do understand that something is wrong with her.

“She came here almost early this year. Her core saids she won’t be fully charged till friendship is magic.”

I look at my friend and hug her. The two of us for some odd reason start to glow. I remember this glow. It’s the glow when the friends of old that held great power worked together. All friends had this power. It was the best way to learn about others. After the hug, the magic dims

“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.”

It was time for me to rest and hopefully this time no dreams. I walk to the closet and close the door finally shutting down. In my vision the words when friendship is magic. It shines over my vision many times. I have no idea what it means and my body shuts down.

________________________________
When friendship is magic.

I hear a hard knock on the door as I did back in the older town when it came under attack. I grab my pistol and slowly allow the door to open. I see that it’s Gem and she smirks. I am sure she could tell I was about to shoot her.

“I see living in that town and what happened to you there really turned you into a paranoid little pony.”

She laughs. I learned the time and the month it was the date that Ruby died. I go outside not liking this and when I see Roll Roll he is giving back that scyth and he looks down at me. We both look at each other and how we feel.

“I guess it’s time.” I nod to him after he spoke those words. We both knew what time it was. We head down to the road to the restaurant that had been built around Hawk. I took a deep breath not liking this at all.

“I am not sure I want to be a hero Tick Tock. I wish I could go back to the island. I just wish to skip all this life and go back and wait for the end to come in that place of peace.” I did agree with him. I wanted to go back to that island too. I feel for now though we need to get done with this. Then we either go back to the island or stay here.

“I don’t feel it’s wise to go back. We could miss many things here Roll. We could lose on the adventure. An adventure that we could gain much power for. I do feel and understand how you feel. It’s an idea that we all have to understand down this path.”

Roll look at me smirking.

“When did you turn into a fucking smart ass?”

I laugh at his words.

“I became this way after getting married to a zebra. She helped me through so much about myself and I would never understand anything about myself without her.” We finally get to the place of the meeting. We stop watching unsure.

“But Roll you need to go first. I need to think.” Roll nods to me and he goes up the ramp and I quickly go hid in a bush. I look at a photo that my wife gave me. I had to speak to her at least once before I go on this journey.

“I feel...this may be my last time talking to you my wife. My love. So many words left unsaid.” I took a deep breath and before I could say anything else Gem taps my shoulder.

“It’s showtime it seems.”

I walk up the ramp and all of us are here. I stay away from the others including Roll Roll I didn’t know what to think. But deep in the pit of my core. I wasn’t happy about all this. Meeting on the day of Ruby’s death.

Finally, a voice breaks the silence.

“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. It looks like they’re about to leave. I get ready to leave myself this was a mistake and no pony should even try to get us back together like this. I took a deep breath getting ready to turn.

“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.”

I finally get to see Cranberry more than I thought the poor mare had been through so much. She didn’t seem to take it well that this unicorn was prying into her privacy but I feel this was the push we all needed.

“I agree with her, my love.” We turn our heads to see Gem and Cranberry finally hearing the words she needs to. “You need to come together again to bring hope. Help our little ones get land that they can grow up in."

Cranberry takes a deep breath. “What must we do?”

“Simply just let go. Let your emotions release and embrace.” We all come together to hug to let go of the past. It may not be easy there will still be problems. We may fall we may rise. But for now that we allow this we must finally become one again.

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 that the time is right and we must go to Mount Aris again. We look up to see Hawk finally working again and she stands beside us.

“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.”

Do we need to find Ruby? We all look at each other and then the next day we are on the boat leading to the said place. We all get into one little boat and I watch while the others fall asleep and my entire body shuts down like magic is washing over us. I feel it is time for us to become heroes.

Footnote: Max level

Perk added: Guardian of the town of hope: You become part of a town that calls themselves hope after you joined it. Around your friends, you feel your hope rise and your protection for them grows by each time you’re near. Don’t take your friends for granted you will lose them.

Next Chapter: Chapter: Twenty-Six: The other bug Estimated time remaining: 30 Hours, 50 Minutes