Creation can be a fickle thing. Maybe for a goddess or a god. But for an Alicorn, you can make what you wish. Most would never learn the truth about creation. Make a weapon make a figment of one’s mind. To become a problem. Make hope, make understanding in the mind. I Majesty has done the unthinkable. I have made a new species. Of course the magic of this creation. Has seeped into the magic stream. Creating other life that has mutated. Salamanders and other races.

Maybe I shall put them under hoof someday. I don’t know for sure if the case rises. The old land the old creations. They made a legend around a hero that will come and save them from this prison. Such a legend it shall never come to pass. I have created my minions my toys so to speak. If it is a sin to create a monster or a minion. To only be beholden to you then it’s a must.

No one shall ever stop you in your goals. Not even your own family. I have been betrayed by the other Alicorns. I am nothing now but a former Queen of Dream valley. The first pony land of darkness and evil. I gave it my judgment. I did my spells and poems. I turned those that didn’t deserve it into trees. I turned many into bubbles. I made them my minions. I forced them to bow!!

The old ways are gone. I shall now be the creator of a new way. A new life I give thee the magic eaters. The flying works and the flying warriors. But there is another one that is needed. The siege breakers and makers. Now I shall bring my sin to the forefront. I shall destroy all those that wish to become an enemy.

Now for the task, I shall crush this land under my hoof. Of course, I got to deal with the warden first. But I shall wait. I shall follow this legend of theirs if a hero shows up. In the time they say then we shall have fun. But if it’s all a lie after the time is over. I shall crush them.

Written by Majesty written many years before the hero of legend.

Three years it has been. An airship holding the friends of the hero Ruby. Flying away from mount Aris to go find the one they must speak with and finally learn. The friendship between all the heroes is so strained that they keep away from each other. Fights they had during the time they stay at Mount Aris and regrets.

One of these friends the siege breaker is known as Roll Roll. The poor creature has had worse of all happen to him. He holds a scythe in his bug-like hands. The scythe has a name that he stares at endlessly. Of course, he is the only one able to see the rune of a name. A red bolt of lighting quickly comes from the storm that formed around the island. He lifts his scythe to block the bolt.

Of course, the bolt misses him and goes over the bow of the airship. He feels his heart beating hard looking down at the scythe again. Its sharp blade is coated in dried blood. It gives him a memory of what he remembers of his three years. Closing his eyes he starts to remember the path he was led down. That gave him his cybernetics and wounds that caused him great pain.

______________________________________
Three years ago. The Judgement.

I am normally a very calm siege breaker. I don’t normally feel betrayed as I feel right now. I want to scream and curse at Ruby and Dunewalker for betraying us. I don’t understand much. I just go what place am I needed to roll at and what needs to be destroyed?

But here I am almost ready to be judged by a long-dead tyrant that recently returned. Now he is judging Ruby and then us. I try so hard to fight his magic while it pulls us into the air. I can hear myself wanting to scream and curse. But my vocal cords won’t work from being in the cone of airlifting me up.

“Now for the judgment of you all. Ruby will get death, a death that she deserves. You all will be tossed across the land.”

All of us are tossed away from the airship. The ship we came in falls to the ground with a great thud and blows up in many pieces. Then before I am fully out of earshot after we are tossed. I hear the gunshot going off with the music.

I must have been flying for the better part of many seconds. I tried to use my wings to stop my flight. I couldn’t and finally, I feel myself smashing in the middle of an arena. I find myself in a Rock ball arena in the middle of a game. My body thudding into the sand below causes the crowd to scream and the players to stop and rush to me.

“Oh wait Rose we got something on the field. It’s Oh my Goddess. Everypony finds the doctors and players to protect that bug. It just came in the Storm King has returned to protect the hero from the king.

I was in such a daze I knew I was Nirik. Why couldn’t it be the island? The players stand around me to protect me. Just in case some of the storm king minions wish to pick me off. Raiders protecting me?

I try to move. I feel a tinge of pain going through my body. I think my exoskeleton saved me from the fall. But I think I think I would be moving for a while unless I am given magic. I try to lift my legs I notice the front legs are snapped off from the fall

It was getting harder to stay awake. I could feel myself losing a lot of magic blood. The vision in my many eyes starts to dim. I can finally make out the ponies or whatever coming to my aid. I hear them, I swear I hear them.

“Stay with me big guy. Stay with me!!” A mare shouts as I feel her injecting me with something. Finally, I pass out the pain subsiding at least for now.

______________________
Dreams

It was back when I was younger and not a siege breaker yet. You have to do a lot to get the honor of becoming a siege breaker. You had to impress the queen that laid your egg. That was easier said than done. I was in a group of others who wished to join me in that honor. While one of the oldest known of the Siege breakers. They normally don’t live a very long time. Since war can normally kill them.

“Now all those here wish to become like me? I warn you it’s not easy to be a siege breaker. You’re normally the first line of defense and battles. We haven’t had a war on this island for many years. Still, some wish to destroy the queen’s rule. So our birth queen gives us to that queen. Not all of you are going to make it. Many of you will fail and go back to being what the queen birthed you as.”

I stood there on all my legs. I was birthed to be a weaker version than Ruby. I am known as a scout. The scouts are smaller and weaker. I would have to do a lot to prove myself to this old bug.

“The training I am going to subject you to will be hard. It will break you and maybe crack your shell. If you don’t get this path you can still follow the path you’re set. We have many here and some that already look like they will fail.”

He looks up at me it was hard to tell how emotions don’t work well on our faces. I could tell in his eyes that he took pity on me. The day of the training oh the day of the training a harsh mistress. We had to go through hell and back just to impress him. Some of us died during the training. I watched while my brood brother and sister fall to their death from the strain of their bodies.

I didn’t shed a tear we all knew the strain it would be on our bodies. I must have been under the goddess’s eyes for I only had a broken shell. What we had to do was fight each other sometimes to the death.

I fought a warrior to the death it wasn’t easy for me to beat them. All I could do was be speedy and they could be slow. A warrior of my species is very slow but extremely deadly. Even if you give them a weapon. Our fight went on for the better half of an hour. I was bleeding and my magic blood drains to the ground.

The warrior was a lot better off than I was. After a while, the old siege breaker broke up the fight and looks at the two of us.
“I have forgotten to tell you both the other thing that happens. Two souls are placed in a cocoon and they merge.” The warrior and I stare at each other. We didn’t know this it started to worry me if I would never be myself again.

“What does that mean master?” The warrior asked.

“It means in the cocoon you will fight to have full control over the body that is created. Whoever wins will become the new siege breaker. You will have memories of the one that was lost. You will never be the same again. So you two from all that have died and given up will be who I pick.”

I don’t remember much of what happened then. All I know is that the two of us were wrapped in a cocoon. I felt the pain returning like I am finally waking up and all I could do was scream from the pain.

_______________________
Nirik hospital

I open my many eyes looking around. An iv bag hangover me it was full of magic. Looking at my legs they just start to grow back. The door opens up soon after I see standing there a Kirin. I didn’t know much about that race. Most of them started coming to the island a few years ago.

“Hello, I am Flame. I am the leader of this town. You kind of gave the crowd a scare. So we had to protect you just in case the Storm King came looking for you.”

Closing my eyes tightly remember it all now. It wasn’t going to be easy for me.

“Ruby is dead..” I softly add. Flame stares at me her eyes fill with tears while they fall to the ground. I didn’t think anyone else knew Ruby. But this kirin did.

“Wheel Tread did was he said he would then. I would make her pay for what he forced her to do. We know you’re one of her friends. I… when Dj Mixer started crying on the radio about someone close to her dying. I’m sorry for what happened to her. I was… one of the few that she met here. That took advantage of her. Learning how kind and gentle she is. I regret everything...and I will have to announce this..”

I took a deep breath I didn’t enjoy being in beds like this meant for ponies. It was hard for me to lay in these. I was alright of course but still. Shifting my head to look at Flame. I felt no pity for her. She helped create this issue that Ruby had to go through.

“You know you could have saved her. You could have pulled her aside and stopped her from doing what happened. You say you cared but all I see is a Kirin that is a leader. Are you a leader because of her? Are you a leader because this town fails to vote real leaders in?”
I am a bit cruel to her. The stress my body is going through right now repairing itself and the hate I have for her. It doesn’t help I already had issues with Ruby. The fact that she allowed Ruby to do all this and not stop her is amazing to me.

She softly sobs.

“I did try to stop her I tried everything to stop her from doing what she did to this town. It was because of her I am a leader.” She took a deep breath trying to stop her sobbing.

“But we can’t allow you to leave. Bug. If we let you leave the Storm King would hunt you down. You bring hope like the others. He wasted no time even though it’s only been a week to put bounties on you and your friends.”

Bounties have already been placed on me and my friends? He took care of us why are we such a threat to him now? This I will never understand. I took a deep breath unsure what to think. I have a feeling I am not going to like what is going to happen to me here.

After a while, a mare walks into the room looking at Flame and then at me. A smile formed on her face.

“I have been told you worry about my master coming for you. Don’t worry I have a way to protect you from my master the Storm King. You will be sold to one of the team's rock balls. Then when the time is right. You will leave.”

I look at the symbol on the cheek of the mare. I have never seen that symbol before.

“What does the order of Mimic want with him?”

The order of Mimic? I look to Flame and them to the mare. I have no idea who this order is. But I have been seeing this symbol a lot since I have been here. I again didn’t like how or where this was going.

“The order wants him to for many reasons. For what I can’t say yet. The order wants all of them to be ready for the task at hoof. I can’t explain the task yet. But the order is within almost every branch of power. Even in Wheel Treads' midst and he knows who we are but doesn’t care.”

I hate this land even more now. Too many orders too many laws and rules. The fact that we got forced here because oh Ruby had to see our savior and hero Star Shooter. Closing my many eyes feeling the anger of all this land getting to me.

“Listen I don’t care what order you’re part of. If I have to do this to protect myself till I can get back to the island. I am going to do so. I will be no one’s slave or anyone’s servant. I will fight in the name of Ruby and then give her a proper funeral back on the island. Now please get me out of here.”

It didn’t take them long to get me out of the hospital. Of course, I was led through the town that Ruby from what Flame has been telling me almost fully destroyed.

“It’s taken a while to get things back up and running. She did a big number on everything. I didn’t expect her to go this wild to get things done for me. But she almost even killed some little ones. She promised me she wouldn’t even put them in harm’s way. But I think the control had her before she was able to fully get control back. Please tell me did she… die peacefully?”

Looking at Flame I didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth. Of course, I had to since it’s harder for me to talk about it than I thought. My emotions are so hard to read for all my kind. It’s a strange thing I am hoping someday we get the ability to smile normally.

“She was shot in the head with her gun. She fell to the land below and vanished from sight. I hated her for bringing us here and making us heroes. But I would never wish this on anyone. She is and was my friend. We both fought and bled together on the island.”

Flame went back to being silent and we both walk to a podium that was set up. So she can speak to the crowd that has formed. I feel that this is not going to be easy for her to talk about. Since Ruby was her friend from the sounds of it. She cared deeply for her I think this entire land loved the little bug.

I stand beside the stage not liking the looks I am getting from the Kirin and ponies that many are giving me. I have a feeling the bounty is huge for all of us. The hope that we gave to this land must have been a threat to this wheel Tread.

Flame sighs looking to the crowd that has formed.

“It is with a heavy heart to express that Ruby has been killed by the Storm King. I know many of you didn’t care for the little bug and know what happened to get me in power here. After it came to light what she did. I couldn’t lie to you any longer but this little bug brought hope to me and others. She even saved two mares who refuse to come. Since they knew what it was about. I am sorry for what has happened and I will break off from Wheel Tread if I have to. But we can’t do it publicly. Now we must be hopeful. Soon I will have to call on you to fight. But for now. We must wait.”

So they know what happened and don’t care? Maybe they don’t have a choice maybe she promised them when this is said and done that Ruby will be brought to true justice. I for one agree that she deserves true justice. I took a deep breath not enjoying the stares again I am getting.

‘For now my friends...we need to accept the fact. That I am sorry for what I was asked to do and I am sure you will forgive me when Wheel Tread is brought to the justice he deserves.” Flame walks down from the stage looking at me.

“They just accept that you’re a leader not by their choice. “

Flame shrugs her shoulders.

“It’s hard to tell most are silent about it. I know that sooner or later I might get a knife in the back. But for now again I told them when the time is right. We will fight and we can’t do that too soon. I am sure they already are looking for Rebellions.”

Looking towards the crowd leaving it’s getting harder for me to accept this land. I could see this land turning on each other sooner or later but. I must get over that since I am thinking of the land I came from.

“Miss Flame. If you please we need to get our friend out of the open and get ready to be bought by a team.”

Flame nods I heard the word bought I didn’t care for that but again I had no choice in the matter. I am a stranger to this land and town. Flame leads me to her house and I look at the door to the side when I walk in. I could sense that Ruby was there looking in the room.

“She was here. I can tell from the magic. But all I sense from her emotions in the magic stream is sadness and fear. She didn’t want to be this monster that she was created to be.”

Oddly, my kind can sense the emotions of others through the magic stream. If we had the ability to we might even sense unicorns and Kirins. But it takes a lot of concentrated magic to do so. It will never be that easy and never get to that point. I turn my head to look at Flame.

“Now what did that mare mean by bought? I know I have to do a lot to hide from the Storm King and his forces. But why do I have to be bought to do so?”

Flame sat in a chair to relax and strokes her hooves on her temples. I could tell the stress was getting to her and it was not healthy. She had to take a few deep breaths and breath out steam. I heard stories of her kind turning into fiery creatures. From stress and anger, it’s not going to be easy for me to understand.

“That’s what I have to talk to you about. A group of Rock ball owners will be here in a day or so. They will force you into a contract for at least two to three years. You may die but if you survive or the order of Mimic finally tells you the time is right.”

So I had to wait for the right time to escape and finally, I took a dream breath and a scream of anger and pain comes out of my mouth. No one would stop me from feeling this. All the rage I have for Ruby. The fact I will never see the others again. I screamed so loud that I broke some glass items inside the house.

Then everything goes dark.

_________________________________________________
The next day.

It must have been either the fact no air got into my lungs. I think it was more the stress that I went through and the scream. I did wake up again in a bed that I didn’t know even though beds don’t work for me.

“You gave me a scare there.”

I got out of the bed looking at Flame.

“I am sorry. Just I don’t know what came over me. I think it was more the stress and the fact that I am going to miss Ruby. Now I am not happy with the fact that I am being bought by a team owner.”

Flame nods.

“It wasn’t my choice the leader of the raiders that founded this town years ago. Feels that it’s the only way to protect the citizens of the town. Keep you from getting in the middle by becoming part of Rock Ball. I have something to give you though it’s an old family weapon.”

Flame leads me to the basement in a glass case hanging on the wall is a scyth. I stare at the creation. I could sense a powerful magic dormant within the scyth. Flames magic forms around the glass case she opens it up and sets the weapon down at my legs.

“This is an old scyth that was created at the kirins old home before it got corrupted because of the war. It was formed from ore from space or from what I was told was a botched satellite flight. There is a legend to this weapon. To that one that wields it will give it a name and fight to protect us. It’s an old legend and I have been wishing to get rid of it.”

Legends and I don’t get along. Of course, the island was saved because of a stupid legend. Looking at the scyth down lowering my bug hands into the holes meant for hooves and lift it p staring at the scyth.

“I don’t know about legends Flame. But a legend helped save the island that Ruby and I came from. A legend that never wished to be a legend. It was meant to be a joke to most of us but it was a real legend.”

I attach the scyth to my side. I will name it another time. Thankfully I didn’t have to do much to connect it to my body. A knock on the door upstairs sounds. I follow Flame back upstairs I am unsure what to think.

Flame opens the door and walking in is a group of elites one being a camel. Another is a zebra in tribal armor and stallion. I didn’t care for the looks of them but I trust the zebra more than I trust the others.

“So. I say..so.” The stallion got on my nerves. He was a red stallion with a red mane and red stomach.

“I say boy you should join my team the foghorns. We will always defend you boy!!”

“Um, sir Foghorn. I am sorry that he might not join your team if you act like that.” The flame from what I saw didn’t care for this elite stallion. I could tell he is one of those that gets what he wants. I didn’t care for that either.

“I say... I say.”

I groan not caring for this stallion. I look to the zebra to please help me out of this. Thanks to how the zebras treated me back on the island. I respect them so much more so I am sure she would offer me a better deal.

“I am sorry for my friend here sir bug. I am known as Star wave. It’s rare for my species to name their young after the stars. But these aren’t normal times. I tend to use my money and riches to help the weak and the broken. I see you’re broken and I use my team to give them freedom. Even if it means death then freedom comes. I won’t pay you anything though I will feed you and when you wish to leave you can leave.”

I look over at the camel.

“I can’t give you a good offer as she did. I will be honest. My team has won a few games. I am here to mostly learn about you. Since I heard stories of those you traveled with including the betrayer Dunewalker.”

The betrayer? I have a feeling that the Dunewalker name has done much in the past. From what I have learned from other camels I met over time. They told me never to trust a Dunewalker. They will either backstab you or get you into a rebellion.

“I didn’t know much about Dunewalker the fact she betrayed us or seemed to during the return of the Storm King and his judgment on us. I have a feeling she had been working for them for a lot longer than I thought.”

The three look at each other I have a feeling they weren’t very surprised at the fact that Dunewalker betrayed us. I will never understand the camels either since they have that genetic memory thing I have been told about.

“I am sorry you went through that with Dunewalker. My kind never wishes others to understand our problems. Dunewalkers family would have been removed from camel society but it takes 400 years or so to get the council of the leadership to meet. It has to be something very bad to get them all in one room.”

It must be wonderful to have leadership that never wishes to do a meeting with others to talk about those that cause problems in the society of camels. I am starting to wonder if leadership in all groups of species is this bad. I miss my queen who just told me what to do.

“Now mister Roll. We need to know what team you wish to join. Again you won’t be paid you will be kept protected till the time is right for you to leave. I hope you understand this.”

I glance at the zebra nodding to her. I didn’t care for this idea I had to be part of some team. I trust the zebra more than the other two Since again the zebras on the island treated me with the utmost respect. Then most of them left to head back to their home. It’s been ten or so years since we heard anything from them.

“Okay, I am willing to join the zebra’s team. Just please don’t order me around. I will do what I can for you. Just if I am told it’s time to go then it’s time to leave. I will respect you since I respect zebras more than ponies.”

The stallion pony took issue with my words he was about to say something. He stops soon after I stare at him. The hatred in my many eyes gets to the point he backs off and gulps. I quickly nod looking at the zebra.

“I promise you the others on the team will treat you with respect. I do understand if you don’t wish to live at the stadium. I can make a deal that you live here with Flame. Then guards come to get you and bring you out to play. Flame do you agree to this?”

Flame nods.

“I agree to that besides I feel he would be better protected in my home. Just in case the Storm King and his minions come looking for him. So I will do my best to protect him. I feel we should all do the same even the team members. If you all agree.”

The other two nod.

“I say I say. I built an underground railroad not too long ago to get the slaves that the raiders had now with them being allied with us and no longer raiders. Of course, I don’t blame them for wanting to keep their old sports after we took the town from them.”

I still do not like this.

“It will be a few days before the next game stars Roll. So I got some tasks I need you to do for me.”

My many eyes glance at Flame. I didn’t like this idea of tasks. But I am sure she won’t force me to do anything that would be bad for me.

“We shall take our leave then.” The three owners leave. Leaving me and Flame to our own devices.

“Forgive me Flame if I don’t trust you. I understand what Ruby did wasn’t your fault. But you did use her for your power. I am sure now you regret that. I will maybe forgive you one of these days. For now, though I will not trust you or anyone that cares for you. I hope you understand this.”

I could tell I did hurt her feelings. I am sure she didn’t mind me feeling like this towards her though. It’s not going to be easy for me to fully trust her after what happened to Ruby. But for the moment she let me be at peace. I went into the room that Ruby spent a few nights in. I could feel her sorrow here. I notice a radio and take a deep breath since. I haven’t heard from Dj Mixer for a while. Clicking on the radio.

“I...didn’t want to make this..announcement but…” The Dj went silent while a few soft sobs can be heard in the background. It sounds like she was even on the verge of breaking down herself. I have a feeling it wasn’t easy for those that grew to know Ruby. I remember hearing this Dj MIxer praising Ruby.

“It’s true...that Ruby is the one that caused all the problems in Nirik. She helped bring back the Storm King. But.. don’t lose hope my friends. She..wasn’t fully in her right mind. I have been told by many sources she was under control and broken. In.. fact I got a recording from one of them today..”

It was nothing but static for a time. It took a while for the DJ to regain her composer since she kept touching the wrong buttons. It was getting harder for her to work this job because of Rubie’s death.

Finally, after a few tries to get to the right button a dim interview begins to play.

“I regret my hand in what I did to the poor bug. I was hired to break her. I did everything I could to make sure she was strong enough but everything I did made her weaker and weaker. I am guessing it’s from what she went through on the island. It wasn’t hard to mind control her either. He wanted her to do more than destroy Nirik as she did. He wanted her to go to every town. He wanted her to destroy the stone heroes. He wanted her to go to Hard Rock and kill Pinda. I think he was getting upset at how long she was taking to do her job. So he had to speed her up and get the time right.”

During the interview, it took a while for the Dj to speak back to him. I think it hit the poor girl harder than she realized. After a minute it was nothing but the two breathing.

“Sorry. I am taking this hard. Why did you do that to her? Is there a reason you did it a reason you got off on it?”

The anger and sadness in her voice. I think she was about to kill that creature right at the studio. I have a feeling that others around her did what was best and stop her from doing so. It wasn’t going to be easy for her.

“Like I told her I followed Fleur on her cruise ship. Because I needed to get the spirit of the Storm King at least to his brain. The ending of the war didn’t help matters. But I did this in my master’s grand design no matter what happens now. No one can stop his return.”

It was starting to get very tense I am sure for the Dj. I could hear shifting and the sounds of some weapons cocking.

“Lower them please.” She speaks to that in the studio with her.

“Just who is your master sir Minotaur.”

The Minotaur laughs softly he stands on his hooves of a cane tapping the hard ground. From the sound of it, He was walking around the Dj. The tension got even worse that I could feel the stress myself from this creature.

“Just the creator of all monsters. Your father misses Dj. The true master of evil. The true monster that shall make you bend and fight for him. The master of all that is evil and you heroes have thought him beaten years ago. Gusty the great tried to push back my master. She tried to make him weak. Then Discord the lad he was. Helped break him free. Just a little lie there is a little issue there. Causing some issues in the past. He never was fully redeemed. He was still at the master’s beck and call!!”

The sound of him smashing his cane on a table and everyone jumps and more guns cock and get ready to fire at him. The Dj I am sure knew who he was talking about. A deep gulp comes from her throat.

“Grogar will return and will come. You see Ruby didn’t cause this every Wheel Tread before this one that brought him back did this. Every soul that followed him did it. It’s just like old stories. Those who worship evil want evil to return. As for me, I have done my deed. I shall go off to the forgotten darkness of the universe. Where all those you have done their deeds and lived their lives. I am sorry I won’t be here to see his glory. But again most corrupted and those like Ruby will make the path there someday.”

He sounds like he is walking away from the mic with more guns armed to fire at him.

“But I shall say this. Before I fully leave. Know this, the one who told you all this has a name. I went by the name Little Hoof. I watched while...in the darkness the hero known as the wolf died. Then I vanished becoming who I am again. But call me.. Sesbastion.”

After that, the interview is over.

“As you can hear from all that. It seems the one that did this to her. Didn’t wish to do it to her but he had no choice. He even told me something that made me feel better just. I can’t say it on air. I hope everyone is okay. Don’t allow the truth about Ruby to ruin your hope for heroes. The heroes are still needed and I for one will fight for them. Now I helped record a new song. I even sang in a part of it. It’s called don’t let go of hope..”

After a second a piano gently plays. A soft horn blows.

“Oh, I feel I have lost hope in my heart. I feel like a zebra I have lost hope in the stars. We will never know the truth. All hope is lost for we have become lost in our journey. We can’t wait any longer we must find our hope again!!”

Another voice breaks into the music. It sounds like the Dj.

“We must find our hope again. Oh please give us our souls again. We can’t allow ourselves to be lost in this empty life of pain. Ooooh hoooo forgive us goddess for we have sinned. The war may have ended but it never ended in our hearts.”

The voice went silent while a saxophone plays through the music loudly making it very upbeat and slow as well as soft. The piano adds to it along with the french horn. I could just hear it gaining up in the beat.

“For we have lost our paths!!!. For we have never found the way again. Oh please, princess of the night even though you have lost your life. Please give a sign that our hope is not gone. Oh for the love of our hearts. Please never forget us.” The zebra mare sang.

“We both know…” The Dj and the zebra sing.

“That our path of hope will never return..” They both sang.

“It’s only time for us to walk our path. Even if the princess forsakes our hope. We must believe the heroes will come and defend us We must never forget their sacrifice and their ability to fight for us.”

Then a stallion starts to sing.

“Even though we have been forgotten it’s not our path to know why. It’s our time to become what we shall know. We shall fight for what we stand for. We shall never give up and give in. if a bomb blows up we keep fighting. We keep bringing forth our dreams and we shall never end this battle.”

Then all three of them sang again.

“All we can do is bring the magic of friendship back to the world. the magic of friendship can be brought back to our hearts. We might bring back hope into our hearts. It’s never too late to bring such a wonderful idea back into being.”

Then all they did while the saxophone deeply played a deep tune. Then a softer voice starts to sing. I know that voice It’s Blaze. How did they get Blaze there?

“In the name of the heroes of legend. We have brought the magic of friendship back to an island far in the sea. We helped and fight in the name of peace and hope. To bring back my love’s idea of peace. But in her battle, she lost herself in an empty mind of memories. I for one miss her. But I for one wish to fight a battle to save this world. To bring the magic of friendship back to my hearrrrrt.”

They all slowly sing their words mixing so well together. It was a perfect harmony I know full well I would never be able to sing myself. It’s not in my nature to sting. I know Ruby sang many times it was a way for her to forget what she did during the battle of Cliffside.

“We must bring the magic of friendship back to our hearts. For we are all lost if we don’t. So we must do what we can to bring it back. None of us know for sure if we can stop the coming storm. The coming war if we never forget the idea of friendship. We shall win this coming war and then we can bring back the magic of friendship to our hearts.”

“We must.” Blaze sang.

“Bring the” The zebra sang.

“Magic of friendship.” The stallion added.

“Back to our hearts.” The DJ added then they all sang.

“We must bring the hope of the magic of friendship back to our heartssss”

The song ends after a while and I turn off the radio. It was such a wonderful song. I felt much better after all that. I don’t feel the magic of friendship. I felt it a few times on the island. Ruby helped me feel it. Just after being betrayed by Dunewalker and learning the evil that Ruby caused. It’s harder to feel the magic of friendship. I have much to think about really.

___________________
A day later

It was the middle of the day it took me a while to wake up. I wonder if I am having a depression issue after all the songs and love I heard last night with that music. I followed Flame to a blacksmith I had to make myself an armor that I could use for Rock ball. I wasn’t allowed to use the scyth because the watchers wanted hammers and railway guns.

“This sounds so barbaric why just those weapons? Hammers cause so much more pain and railway guns could cause death. Is that all the watchers of this sport care about death?’

Flame chuckles softly.

“You got to understand Roll we are now civilized enough that their way of life won’t work any longer. Well, not fully civilized if we were we wouldn’t be having the issues with food and water we are having now. But to keep them from rioting and well raping like they used to. We need to allow them to enjoy Rock Ball. It’s sadly one of the ways to keep them happy.”

I just roll my many eyes I couldn’t stand the fact that this game was so awful. Maybe I should just accept the fact I am in a land full of mad creatures and mad ponies. I should for now just accept it if I can.

“But what kind of armor do I need to be made? Wouldn’t my natural armor be enough? Unless what they use can break through it?”

Flame quickly nods.

“They had to give armor to your friend Ruby as well. If they didn’t she would have died worse than getting shot by her gun.”

When we got into the blacksmith building we heard loud angry voices.

“I will not be paying anything extra you damn dragon. I told you before when I pay you off I will pay you off. If you can’t wait till I get the money then you will never get a coin.”

A deep growl sounds it sounds like whoever the blacksmith is talking to is angry. When the bell rings their argument goes quickly silent. I am not sure if us walking in made that happen or if the dragon didn’t want to cause a problem.

“Fine. Coal the order is willing to look past the fact that you owe us. I will come back many times. To make sure you give the money that you owe the order. Mimics may be gentle and kind. But I am not.”

After a while, a medium-size green dragon comes out from the back. She turns to look at me with her dark red eyes. She stops to look at me and I finally notice the symbol on the left part of her chest. It was cut into her scales.

“It’s you.”

I just stare at the dragon and go along with it.

“It’s me I guess. I am the bug of the hour I guess. Now before I go because I can’t stand you. Can you please go and not bother me and Flame here? Go on your way little dragon. I got enough to worry about then a bitch like you.”

I had no idea why I was so angry at this dragon. I just felt a great hate for her. She hasn’t done a thing to me. The rage fills my heart like just being near her makes my hate grow. I could swear I see a goat with its horns glowing. The dragon frowns shaking her head.

“It seems you heroes have fallen far. If the hate sickness can get to you like it with you then. The order has alot to work for to get you all back together. If Ruby is alive.”

When she saids that name. The hate fully triggers me can no longer hold back how I feel. I don’t know why I suddenly have this hate for my dear friend. She did make deals without our okay. She did offer our help without our okay. She did so much without even consulting us. I quickly turn into a ball rolling into one of the big displays and smashing it.

“STOP!! Talking about that worthless BITCH!!!. She is the reason I am stuck here.. She is the reason I lost all my other friends. It’s her fucking fault that she is dead. She allowed herself to be controlled and then Flame here this fucking bitch allowed her to go on. But no she had to have power…”

I was about to lose it more when a heavy metal hammer smashes into my head. I am finally hit out of it looking towards the Minotaur. I stare at the large green Minotaur who has half his face missing and replaced with metal.

“You need to relax boy. Flame may have done many things. But she is not at fault for what your friend did. Flame has been accused of many things the past few days. Just we have accepted that right now she is the leader we need. Not all may agree but some have been told it’s for the best. Also Ruby was your friend. You don’t need to blame her for everything. She did mistakes she did some things. But she is not at fault for everything.”

I look to Flame who is not upset and just stands there the poor red mare has been through so much. I am sure she used to fall apart and not allow others in her life. I feel awful to the point I roll myself up back into a ball just to relax my mind for a second.

“I am sorry….I didn’t mean to lose it… I have no idea why I lost it. I feel awful.”

The dragon shook her head. I felt her claw on my hard shell. I could feel a calming warm presence coming from her just from touch. I wish I could have been kinder to her. I roll out from the ball hugging the dragon in my many arms.

“Good now listen big bug. I am Nuri I may be part of the order of Mimic. I still have my temper though and demand that the money that our order gave to the blacksmith here be paid back. Now I will come back to you when the time is right. When it’s time for you to leave. I will come for you. Then when friendship is needed.”

The dragon leaves the store and I turn to Flame. Who just sat there watching. I could tell that her cheeks are a bit wet. I think she did cry for a bit. She rubs her hooves to get rid of the wet fur. I feel even worse now because of that.

“I am sorry Flame…”

Flame smiles weakly showing that she has had an awful time. Since it came to light that she worked for Wheel Tread. Coal stands beside Flame stroking her back with his large hand. He seems to be ready to protect her just in case I attack.

“It’s okay I can understand that you’re upset. Even though this hate sickness has been seeping into our land for years. Just Ruby and your friends release it from our hearts. The order of MImic has been warning us about this for years. So have the camels. But after we ignored them the camels just said We will watch you kill each other. So we can have our land back. So yes the camels could care less what happens to us.”...
I took a deep breath feeling the air fill my many lungs. Closing my eyes trying to release my anger in another way. I blow out the hot air to release my stress. I feel that the only way to relax is by doing this. Looking to the blacksmith.

“Are you going to cause more problems here youngun? I don’t want to have to kill a friend of Flame. I have deep respect for her. I have deep respect for anyone able, to tell the truth, and show their true heart.”

I gulp deeply watching the minotaur hold his hammer tighter. I could hear the leather of the hilt of the hammer crack. I feel If I don’t speak I will get attacked by this large creature. I close my eyes to try to at least regain my brave mind.

“No sir. I just need some armor made as well as a hammer. I even need a railway rifle made.”

The minotaur shook his head looking at Flame.

“He doesn’t seem to understand anything about a job like this does he?”

I was very confused about what he meant. He just stood there folding his arms and setting the hammer near his leg. I just felt a bit insulted at the look in his eyes. He didn’t seem to want to make me anything.

“First if you want me to make you something for rock ball. I need the ore I need a blueprint of what you want. But I will not be gathering the ore. This is my punishment for you. I demand that you work for me. While Flame makes the blueprints for me you understand these terms correct?”

I nod quickly grabbing one of the pickaxes unsure how to use this. Since I have never done a task such as this. I look at it unsure how to work it. I guess I will learn when I get there. Heading towards the door.

“Hey, bug do you even know the way to the mine?”

I turn on my legs looking back at the minotaur. I feel stupid for how he is treating me at the moment though I feel it’s deserved. I wait for him to insult me waiting for the insults to come.

“No, I am sorry I don’t. I just don’t want to get any more insults from you, sir..”

Coal finally smiles nodding.

“It’s not hard to find it at all. Follow the path out of town and you will find an underground mind. Just be prepared there are some nasty things down there. So you may need to use your scyth. So I am sure you understand how to fight right?”
Oh boy, he was getting on my nerves I couldn’t talk back to him though or he wouldn’t work on what I needed. With a quick nod. I head to the door to leave the blacksmith shop but before I could the Minotaur tosses a piece of metal at me. I turn to look at him again.

“I would say if you want some money as well since some towns use different ways of money. This one uses gold from the mine. I would say if you want to eat something. Go to the tavern and there should be some jobs on the board there. Many want the mine cleaned out and the best way you can do that is by getting hired.”

Why would I wish to? I just sigh shaking my head. I remember back on the island the inn in Cliffside did the same. Because sometimes we had to go clean out what was left of the evil versions of my kind. It wasn’t fun or pretty taking out others of my species. Ruby didn’t care much for either. I am sure it will help my reputation in this town.

“What can you tell me about this mine then?”

The blacksmith shrugs his shoulders.

“I don’t know all I know is a big battle from the great war that happened down in there. A battle that most don’t even know the history of. Again the war did happen here just all we know is that the ponies and zebras fought over the ore and oil in this land. Of course, if there was any oil here good luck finding it.”

I head out of the blacksmith shop and head to the tavern too well I got to find it first. Of course, it could be that giant sign on the front of that building called ‘The sexy mare’ Oh Roll you’re such a dumbass.

__________________
The Sexy mare

Walking inside the bar looking around. I see mares dressed up in strange outfits showing off every part of their butts. I also see a few of them dancing on the dance very sexually. I watch them hold their hooves on a pole and shake their butts at the crowd. I even see a few stallions tossing money at them.

I felt my face heating up looking away and quickly looking at the job board.

“Excuse me.”

I turn to look at one of my race behind the bar? I stare at her so confused about why one of my kind is behind a bar.

“Oh my… there are other magic eaters here. A siege breaker no doubt.”
I stare at the female of my species. She is silver and has black eyes. She even has a collar around her neck. It’s a sign that she has been claimed by another magic eater. I had no idea others of my kind are here.

“Forgive me I didn’t know others of my kind lived here. All I know about is the tunnelers that used to be species of my kind.”

The silver bug laughs shaking her head.

“There are many of us that live in this land. I am part of the silverfish brood that came here over 200 years ago. It was more of an invasion force that came here. Well, it was but the war was going on so my queen dug herself in part of the city that was being built. We were found many years after the war was over. They didn’t attack us but the raiders allowed us to live here. My grandbrood mother built this with her mate.”

I was about to speak but a female zebra walks behind the bar. The zebra kisses the silverfish worker. This is new to me my kind mated to a species outside of their race. It’s not unheard of but very rare.

“Forgive me for staring just. I haven’t heard of others of my kind living here. All I know is that Ruby came here and if she knew another of her species was here. I think she wouldn’t have done what she did.”

The silverfish magic eater shakes her head. The zebra mare has a disgusted look on her face at the name of Ruby. I am starting to wonder if many of the species here will never trust Ruby again or at all.

“It’s alright if Ruby did come here. I doubt I could have helped her. I heard stories of a pink magic eater. My mate and I didn’t trust her or respect her. Since she had connections to the Wheel Tread family line. The Wheel Tread line has destroyed many families over the many years. My love here lost her entire family line because of them.”

The zebra gives a quick nod.

“Yes my family line used to be very peaceful with Equestria but the Wheel Tread line refused to respect our lives. Even before the war, his line didn’t trust zebras. A mare of his line caused many problems for my line. I was born before my entire line was killed by my kind because of a deal they made.”

Great…. I thought I hate Wheel Tread even more now.

“Now forgive us. I am Isiliva. This is my wife or how our kind says it.”

The zebra bows her head.

“I am Savannah. I am working on a potion so our eggs can mix and she can lay a mix of our species. There is a spell that makes females able to mate and well form a child. We have tried that it won’t work because of our species.”

I took a deep breath trying to ignore what was just said. Looking back to the board of jobs for the mine.

“I am mostly here looking for jobs for the mine. It saids that here someone is willing to hire to learn what happened in the mine and then mine whatever ore they find along the way. Is that one searching for all this here?”

Isiliva points one of her silver wings at the table in the back. Sitting there is a minotaur with a science outfit and wearing glasses. Looking back to them taking a deep breath unsure how to put this.

“Why is this place called The sexy mare and why are there mares dancing very sexually?”

Savannah giggles.

“Well it’s not just a bar it’s also a brothel. So big guy if you need to ease yourself I am sure some of our girls would love to do so.”

The zebra smirks and Isiliva laugh at her wife’s words. My cheeks burn hot I didn’t want to think of that right now. I haven’t thought of that in years. Shaking my head to ignore the fact that I was offered to ease my lust for a female.

“I am sorry I don’t wish to do so. I just find it strange that one of my kind built a brothel bar.”

Isiliva nods she shifts on her legs while she takes orders and still talks making and mixing drinks. She looks back at me giving the drink to the stallion who was flirting with her wife. Isiliva didn’t seem jealous that her wife is getting hit on by a stallion.

“Yes I know it’s again my grandbrood mother built it that way. She felt that this town could use ways to ease their stress.”

I watch while Savannah goes to the back with the stallion. I felt this is strange my kind mate for life and they stay purely loyal.

“Are you okay with her doing that?”

Isiliva watches her mate go into the back with the stallion and she shrugs her shoulders. My many eyes go wide so confused at this. I have never seen any of my kind so open to stuff such as this.

“I do the same we are married and mates. It doesn’t mean we can’t ease ourselves. I love her she loves me we trust each other with everything. So if she wishes to enjoy herself with a stallion I let her. She lets me do the same. I have lived among ponies and zebras all my life. Their ways are normal to me now.”

Took a deep breath nodding.

“I am sorry then. I guess I am too used to the way of the island. Do you have rooms here since it is a tavern?”

She gives a quick nod pointing her left leg upstairs.

“I am told you’re staying with Flame. But she did tell us if the Storm Kings minions show up. We are asked to accept you. Don’t worry I will do anything to defend my species. Now you said that you came here for work? You better go speak to the poster for that job. Since they will leave soon. Now if you wish to go to bed with me how about hmm?”

She smirks my cheeks glowing brightly. I gulp walking backward on my legs shaking my head to regain my composer my cheeks still a bit red. I cough look away and sigh. Turning to the table looking back at her with a smile on my face.

“I am very flattered. I thank you so much for the offer. I may take you up on it when I get to know you more. But for now, I must decline.”

I give a respectful bow and quickly walk away hearing her giggling like a pony. I felt happy that I was hit on. I may have felt uncomfortable, to begin with. But maybe I will find happiness in this land. I will have to talk to her and Savannah when I feel I can. I walk past many tables mares are dancing on. At the table, the minotaur sits. I finally get a good look at them.

The red fur minotaur looks up. She is female and she looks at me with studying eyes tilting her head. She has one of her horns missing. She stands on her hooves and with her hands, she looks at my body and lifts my legs.

“Ah, so you’re a siege breaker that Isilvia showed me before. Her brood still lives in the same area of the city. I see them a lot defending the building and I heard if they ever saw your friend they would have killed her themselves.”

I back away and the minotaur laughs.

“Sorry about that. My science mind took over. So why do you approach me, Roll Roll? Don’t be surprised this entire town knows your name. I’m Vonea.”

I lift my leg and point to the board.

“I wish to help you with the mine. I need to get iron to make weapons and armor for the rock ball. So I am willing to go with you at any time. If you give me any of the money that is used in this town as well that would be wonderful.”

Vonea takes a finger pushing her glasses back up looking me over. I don’t know why she is looking me over like I won’t be able to handle all this. She lifts my shell to see my wings. I can’t fly that well. I don’t know why kind has wings.

“Hmm, you seem strong enough. I have tried to get many to help me with this. Too many are scared because of the fact one of the bloodiest battles happened down in there. Or at least the history tapes we found saids that. The miners do still mind out of it. Just not too deep in the mine. So we will be going deeper into the mine. “

Giving a quick nod.

“So we will be going soon. I need a stiff drink. Do you wish to drink with me Roll?”

I tilt my head to drink? I have never drunk anything from a bar before. I have drunk soda before and maybe a beer but never from a brothel bar. I shift on my legs looking to the bar and seeing Isilvia mixing drinks.

“I am a bit shy of her. Since she has been hitting on me since I came here. I need to focus on what I need to do here. So I will if I can get to the table I will sit there and you can get me some water.”

Vonea lifts an eyebrow a sly smirk forming on her face.

“I see she does that to almost everyone. But you’re her species of course you got to understand. If you and her breed she will finally lay her eggs. She wants to continue her brood. I am sure sooner or later a moment of breeding will happen you can’t ignore it forever.”

She is correct I can’t ignore our breeding cycle forever. I can try but if a female of my species is near and the cycle starts. I won’t be able to ignore my want to breed with her. Took a deep breath trying to get into the booth so I can without destroying the table. Sitting there ignoring my want to be closer to her. I never felt this way when Ruby was around. I have a feeling if she was alive still I would feel this way around her.

The music starts to get intoxicating that I felt it made me drift a bit. I could see ponies and other creatures cheering at the dancers and some stallions kissing mares or females of other species. After a while, Voena comes back with two drinks. A glass of water and a large mug of beer.

“Is there any other reason you wish to go down in the mine? Is it just to learn what happened down there or is there more?”

The minotaur takes a long sip from the mug of beer setting it down.

“There are rumors of necromantic magic that was used down there. There is more though descendants of both sides are looking for family members that maybe have died down there during the war. Most want to see if any of the weapons down there are salvageable. Me I wish to go down there to see if any projects or information on old and maybe new ideas of healing could be found down there.”

I never thought of that. The old ways could have better ways to take care of sickness wounds maybe even ideas to help take care of those very badly ill. Finishing my water standing out of the booth Voena stands as well leaving some money.

“Oh and a little advice. You seem alone here. I would do what you should do. Mate with Isilve and Savannah be claimed by them. Become their mate and never feel alone again. Even if you have to leave to meet up again with your friends. I know they will support whatever you do.”

My cheeks burn bright red. Maybe she is correct maybe I should accept my instincts and mate with the other of my species even with the zebra. If they accept the fact I may have to leave when the time is right. Then I will be happy to do so.

“I am not used to the idea of mating with a non-bug species. I may have to get used to the idea if I want to enjoy life.”

Voena and I get ready to leave. Heading to the door Savannah stops me real quick.

“I need to speak to you real fast.”

Voena leaves mouthing ‘I will wait for you.”

“Okay, what’s up?” I tilt my head looking at the zebra.

“My brews won’t work easily. So to give my wife her dream of having her brood. I request that you mate with her. I will allow you to claim us both as well. So you could be happy and something to come back to. I know what the order of Mimic wants from you. The entire town does. We will wait for you to return I promise you.”
I didn’t know what to think at all. It would take a while for me to think about this. Soon though the mating cycle of my species will happen. I look up at the silverfish magic eater. She reminds me a lot of Ruby. Of course, she is ten times smarter than Ruby ever was.

“I am flattered Savannah. Just it’s hard for me to accept since she is so happy. Are you trying to make me happy as well?”

Savannah smirks

“I am more trying to show you that you will be cared for. Unlike Ruby, we won’t lead you astray and then bring back some crazy evil monster that tried to create a giant storm to control the world. So my promise as a zebra we will treat you as our mate. But you have to accept what we do here understand? But of course no rush.”

I was confused but I did have to accept their way of life. I can’t just do this and then expect them not to do what they have been doing all their lives. I turn around to head out the door. I didn’t know how to answer yet. I do want to be happy I don’t want to be alone for the rest of my life. I want to have something to come back to when the battle is over.

“Voena come on big guy let’s go. You have a lot to think about while we have a job to do.”

I give her a nod and we head out of the town to get to the mine.

__________________
The mine of the lost

It took an hour to get out of town and get all the supplies we need. She told me we might be down here a few days. I see a sign. ‘Beware ghost and weapons of old below.’ Ghost and weapons of old? I took a deep breath the air in the mine smelled very stale. We head down the stairs made during the water. Looking at the bones and blood of the war that happened before.

When we get down the old mine has an odd scent of old magic. Vona sets up her gear and sets it on an old table. Setting up our tents we had to wait for what she told me the magic to get thicker. Thick to the point that we can’t see anything for a time.

“When the time is right there will be the sound of gunfire screaming as well as a spell being cast. You can even speak to the ghost and they will act like the war is still going on. Now some of them can be reasoned with. Maybe we can free them from this curse but before we do we need to learn about them and where their secrets are hidden.”

I had to question if this was wise or not. I did notice a bunch of iron laying all over the place. Like the miners already had a big load. I lift the ore that was left. I am not sure if it’s enough I place it in my bags looking back to Voena who is making some tea.
“Use your pickaxe I will call you over when tea and food are ready. Do what you feel you need to do.”

I spent many hours chipping away what the ore I could find. It wasn’t easy as I thought it would be. It was tough work sweat pouring off my face. It was getting hotter and hotter in here. I guess from what I have been told it’s normal for a mine to heat up like this.

“Hey, big guy tea and food are ready. Sorry, it took so long.”

I stabbed the pickaxe into the stone leaving it there. Heading back to the minotaur sitting down in the chair she had just for me. I lift a cup of tea in my bug claw or some would call it hand. Taking a sip feeling the tense muscles in my body ease finally.

The food she got for me is full of magic. From what I can tell it’s hydra meat infused with magic from a unicorn.

“How did you know that my kind needs to have meat with magic.” I then realized that was the stupidest question I ever could have asked. Because of course, there is another of my species living in this town.

“It’s been a normal thing for years. Unicorns have been infusing their magic into whatever they have been eating. They even do it for us. It’s a very rare thing these days though. Since we have magic eaters in this town we do it a lot more for them.”

It’s good to know that this town respects the magic eaters. I do know the reason they didn’t trust Ruby was because of her connection to Wheel tread. I am starting to wonder if I am going to have to study up on the history of the Wheel Tread name.

“I knew of your friend Ruby being here. The tavern even closed for a time because of her being there. The other magic eaters vanished and I went with them till she left. The thing is we all knew what she was there for. We felt it your lovers to even know. One of Wheel tread’s minions even warned them to hide.”

That surprised me even more. One of the Wheel Treads minions warned them to hide? I wonder if he has been searching for that brood colony and wanting to bring them under his power. It must be tough for him not to have a brood under his control.

“Why would any of his minions want to help this land? I get it this land needs the power to control it and control it peacefully. It won’t happen for many years maybe.”

Voena shrugs her shoulders.

“I don’t know just it saved us from all the problems your friend caused. I do hope you understand she may never be trusted at all.”

I am not surprised that she may never be trusted again. I am sure she is alive since there is a chance that her transformation was starting before she was shot. If that is true then there is hope for her. I have given it thought to settle down with those two. It might be the best idea to do. Just when the battle is said and done. I have something to go back to and settle down till another battle rises.

I was about to speak with gunfire starts to sound through the mine itself. The sounds of screaming and a battle of endless torment and death. We finally saw the zebras fighting the ponies. Unicorns casting spells to fight zebras wasn’t a pretty sight. After a while, though they all stopped for a second, and a zebra mare ghost looks at me.

“Time has vanished in the darkness of doom. If there are any ways to sing the song is no longer there. It’s but the magic of our hearts that shall end the way home. The magic of war has come full circle and seeks the ending. Bring forth peace of the ending.”

After all that they quickly go back to their battle like nothing ever happened. I turn to look at Voena so much confusion in my eyes and my brain. It made no sense to me those words at all. I wasn’t sure what to say after all that.

“What did you make of that Voena?” The minotaur stands on her hooves sipping the rest of the tea thinking a bit as she sets the cup down.

“I am thinking that she is speaking of the spell that is keeping them trapped here. Now I am not fully sure on this but...wait.”

We both watch as a stallion with an odd hat runs through the crowd of the fight. He is carrying a strange gun. We go follow the ghost of this pony. We run fast to make sure we keep up with it. The battle is getting worse the deeper we go.

The bones that many died at they fight again to the death and they stay dead their ghost over the bones so many screams so much blood and the smell of gunshots. We finally get to below before the stallion makes it to his target.

We stare seeing the sick and the dying of both ponies and zebras. A doctor who is wearing bones of the various beasts. Using what looks like necromantic magic to heal their wounds. I have never heard of this magic being used like this before. The magic would remove the flesh of the dead and with the help of a pony medic, they would magically make the skin and flesh living. The stallion that we were chasing makes it to his target. He lifts the strange weapon and the stallion medic helping the zebra confronts the other pony.

“No stop this madness they’re dying they’re sick. Don’t do this!!”

The stallion wearing the strange blue hat cocks the weapon as it powers up. The hate the anger in this stallion’s face. I have never seen such hate for a zebra and ponies before. I could feel the magic from that weapon building.

“The blue hats of Wymarnic send their regards to you traitors. You could have just allowed us to destroy this threat once and for all. But no we had to have some bleeding hearts in our species. Say hello to the abyss.”

He fires the weapon it sends a great beam of energy into all the dying and the sick and it hits the book. They all scream along with him as an explosion from the magic and the weapon fill the very mine itself. Then time freezes for the ghost and the zebra necromancer turns to look at us.

“You can see me?”

A ghost asking if we can see them I have seen it all. Well of course there was a ghost back in the forbidden lands so this is not fully new to me. I am a bit worried there is going to be more about this than we know.

“Yes, my friend we can see you. We have been tasked to come down here to learn and to understand. I have never heard of necromancer-type magic being used to heal.”

The zebra frowns I can tell she is female from her voice. But there is more to her than meets the eye.

“It’s not wise magic to use to heal. But the Blue hats created a sickness that could only attack zebras. It started to jump into ponies as well. The Blue hats are military from Wymarnic a mountain community. They made many things to make this war worse. The spell that was cast because of the explosion is the reason for us. We will never be free even when the spell is broken. We have to all work together for a great cause before we can be free.”

The poor zebra necromancer goes back to what she was doing before the attack and I turn seeing the ghost of the blue hat watching us.

“So the war did end in fire and death like I warned it would. Not because of the zebras not because of our stupidity. I had a lot of time to think. I am not happy with what I did. The blue hats created that experimental weapon to only target zebra DNA. But it mixed with the magic. She is right of course. We wouldn’t be free to go into the afterlife. But destroy the weapon so no one else can see it. Destroy the notes of her way for healing as well. It did wonders but healing with that magic can kill somepony without the power to use it.”

Looking at the stallion’s bones the weapon covered in dust lays there intact. Looks over to Voena who just shrugs her shoulders.

“It might be wise to destroy it. I don’t want to allow Wheel Treads minions to get ahold of it.” I went to go pick it up and before I could destroy it after picking up a large robotic arm comes and smacks Voena in the face knocking her down.

“He has risen. Oh goddess the king has risen” A group of robots behind the large sentry robot chant the same words.

“He has risen oh praise him honor him.”

The large robot stands over us while they all aim their weapons at us. I hold the weapon tightly helping Voena up her glasses are broken and she is not in a good mood from the snort of blood that comes out of her nose.

“Ah, one of the monsters that the king removed from the world. My brothers and sisters!! Shall we cleanse this land in his blood can I get he rises?!”

The robots cheer and spout different phrases.

“He rises. He shall cleanse this land in holy blood oh goddess. The storm king loves us. He loves us all and he shall bring balance!!”

The sentry laughs softly stomping closer to us. We both back up as the ghost break off a bit from their normal spell to look at the commotion. I took a deep breath Voena reaches into her pocket bringing out another set of glasses.

“I Glademane shall help the king spread his holy word of balance and progress. Wheel Tread himself sent us to hunt you down here we find. A weapon that could bring this land to heel!! IN the name of our Lord give us the weapon.”

Voena snorts again. She pulls out from the back of her coat a large broadsword. She clicks a button and it glows brightly. I set down the weapon behind us near the large pile of bones. The many broken trapped souls have broken through the spell that kept them in place for a time to watch.

I grab the scythe that has no name as of yet. Taking a deep breath holding it tightly when I grab it with the holes made for my bug feet. The blade glows in the little light it has down here. It would be my first time using it. Voena took no time smashing the robots that attacked her with her blade. There are too many mister gutsy robots with programing in them to make them act alive and worship the Storm King.

I finally swing the scythe for the first time. It cuts through many of the robots. Of course, there are far too many for any of us to handle too long. After almost an hour of fighting these endless robots. Our blades are covered in oil and some blood since some did have brains. We both pant as it’s getting harder to keep our weapons swinging. I quickly try to swing and the scyth is grabbed by the sentry housing the brain of the one named Glademane. He punches me with that claw and I slide a bit falling to the ground and dropping my weapon.

“I can’t allow you to have that…”

Voena screams when she gets surrounded by many robots and they sent a charge through her body. It wasn’t lethal just it made her fur stand on end and she falls to the ground. She pants trying to get up as I do as well. The robots hold us down as we listen to the Glademane.

“Now let’s do this right uh huh huh. You see the king needs that weapon. He must bring this land to heel and who cares about ghosts. They’re history dead and should stay that way. Give my regards to your friend Ruby big bug.”

The large sentry gets ready to kill me and Voena. Before anything could happen a spell is cast and a shield forms on us. A light spell and that dragon of the order of Mimic quickly fly in behind here is a big group of the order of Mimic. Of various creatures and they all-out attack the robots. Nuri lands infront of the two of us and kicks back the sentry.

“I have been searching for you freaks for ages.” Nuri attacks the sentry and it’s an all-out war. I stand on my many legs. Looking down at the weapon it’s all I can think of. Grabbing it in my claws looking at how it is used. I click the button screaming in pain as it absorbs the magic within my body’s core to fire the weapon. Nuri and the other orders of Mimic seem to back away after a while I fire the blast and the gun lets out a magic stream of heavy energy into the robots. Some of the order of Mimic getting hit in the blast.

After a while, some burning robotic parts and smoking bodies of the order got into the middle of it. Of course, they aren’t all dead thankfully some are or are very badly burned. The sentry holding Glademanes brain vanished soon after the blast. I am sure we haven’t seen the last of him. I stand there groaning. I fall to the ground from the energy being drained from me. Looking at the weapon and Nuri picks it up tossing it to a minotaur in the order of Mimic.

“Make sure this can never be found again.” Nuri leans down looking at me and Voena who groans and tries to stand but she can’t.

“Relax you two rest. We will deal with this spell when we are able. You’re lucky that you have someone that cares for you in the Sexy mare big guy or we wouldn’t have found you down here.” I give a very weak smile my eyes slowly closing as the world around me turns dark. I feel my body and mind going into a stare of emptiness. I have no idea what was going to happen next but ooo boy it was going to be fun I am sure.
_____________________
Two weeks later.

Everything finally calmed down over the last two weeks. For my kind, I pursued that mateship with Isiliva and her wife. It was interesting to be with two that oddly cared about me. Savannah did tell me that she met her wife through the same situation of a random sexual meeting. The sad thing is about my species. Love normally doesn’t form it’s a flight of expanding our brood eggs. I have done this many times. But now it felt right to me to do so. Now and then I stay with them at the tavern.

That is the biggest part I love. So soon since I did mate with the magic eater. She will lay her eggs maybe in a year or so. Since some broods take a while to lay their eggs. It takes a while for them to make a nest. To some, a song and a mating dance are all I needed to gain mateship with the magic eater. But like Savannah said it’s going to take more time for her to fall in love with me.

I am willing to wait for both to do so. I am doing the same we only did one sexual intercourse since one was enough. I do enjoy their company it makes me happy. I am open to them about my feelings and what I think. The first game I go to is pretty soon. I was meant to go to a sooner one. But it took a while for the armor to be made.

While I wait to go to the first game I am expected to be in. I fix some of the buildings that the two needed to be done. With my ability to lift some things I can do my best to help.

“Thank you, big guy. I just need to tighten this bolt just a bit.” Savannah takes the wrench and she fixes a pipe and the water smoothly goes through the pipe after the water is turned back on. The tired mare stands up yawning shaking her head.

“I am happy to help. Just it’s surprising how quickly things fall apart when you aren’t even expecting it. Now, do you need anything else?”

I shift a bit on my legs. Looking at the crowds at the bar getting drinks from the silver magic eater. Her exoskeleton at the end of her ass grows like a queen. Of course, she can still fly with no problem.

“How is Isilva handling the eggs growing inside her?”

Savannah stands fully on her hooves looking up to me. Looking over at her wife. She shifts on her hooves as she is in a bit of pain from a pipe falling on her leg. She looks up at me with her very tired green eyes.

“She is handling it well. She is also enjoying the fact that another of her kind is taking time to care about her feelings rather than expecting a one-time stand to spread the brood. I am sure you felt the same for a while. Just I hope my talk to you before you gave us both a good time worked.”
I give a quick nod.

“Yes, love is not normal with our species. I used to be that way with other females that wished to either become queens or form their broods. But you two give me what I haven’t ever had. Friendship even though I have had friends but friends that I feel close to. As well as slowly developing love.”

A smile forms on the zebra’s face.

“Yes, now you need to get going to your first game big guy. We will be cheering for you.”

I head to the room they gave me. Since the room they have is not big enough for all three of us. They told me when things become smoother between the three of us. They will make it bigger and then wait for me when I leave. I put on my armor leaving the scythe behind. Connection the hammer and the railway rifle to my armor.

I look into the mirror to see if I am all ready taking a deep breath. I don’t know if I am ready for this. I leave to go to the first game of my life. Many hours later I return and it went amazingly. Of course, I got a few knicks and scraps. From what I understand that is very normal. Now all I need to do is relax and enjoy the rest of my time in this town.

___________________
A year passes

Things here have been very calm here. Isiliva has finally built her nest in an extra room. It’s not just a normal nest and done. She sprays a strange substance all over the walls and in the middle of the room. It will take her many days to lay her brood. Some matings can cause thousands of eggs. That is if the male is lucky enough to not fight other males for the same female.

Ruby did almost come of age before she was killed. She would have had to find a male. Our kind used to fall apart and die if they didn’t breed or mate to find that one that was willing to lower themselves. After Majesty got removed from our lives we found a way to evolve that out of our genetic makeup. I am sure they found a way first way before the ones on the island.

But that is not all that is happening soon there will be a meeting of all the teams of Rock Ball about something bit going down. Much really hasn’t happened here just that storm that the Storm King promised so long ago is happening.

I am inside that very room with Savvanah helping Isiliva with all this. I am relaxed and I got married to them as well after everything was said and done. We did fall in love with each other. To some again this would seem rushed. But in a world such as this, you can’t seem to wait for happiness to come to you. Till the world fully heals I think the only way we will know is if we wait.

Each egg that Isiliva lays I lift and place in one of the nests. Savannah does her best to help Isiliva by cleaning her sweating head. The look on the zebras features she is very worried for her. I don’t blame her if our species doesn’t mate like this regularly it is not so painful.

“She will be fine Savannah. Just if our kind doesn’t breed like every ten years. The laying process gets harder for the females. I have seen this happen with my former queen. For a male though it used to be ten times worse. If we didn’t breed every ten years we would die.”

Savannah sighs.

“I understand just she is in such pain. I have never seen her like this.”

Before I could stay and help more with this. The time finally comes for the big meeting. I look to Savannah. Before I could say anything Flame knocks on the open door walking in. She is not alone Nuri is here too.

“We came to help. What do you need Flame and me to do?”

I explain to them I need them to put all the eggs that come from Isiliva into the nests. I had to quickly leave and get my armor and weapons. The armor has so much wear and tear. The hammer is nicked beyond repair and the railway rifle has broken many times. They told me to bring my scythe for this. I attach it all to my armor looking back into the room before I leave. Isiliva is now sobbing and crying. Savannah held her tightly her emotions have been very strange during all this. She even told me she is worried about this meeting.

“I will return. Isiliva I will be fine. I promise you.” I give her a reassuring smile. All she can do is try to smile then scream. I leave feeling awful that I have to do this. I look to Flame who looks up to me. I heard stories that the stallion she used to be with died after Ruby did everything Wheel Tread wanted her to do. She found another stallion married him and now they’re close to expecting their first foal.

I have met the stallion he is very kind. He considers me and the other’s family. I walk out of the closed tavern heading to what could be a very interesting day maybe? I am not sure but It could be an interesting something.

___________________
The stadium

Every team was here. Heavily decked out in armor. I have made friends with most of the hellhounds on the teams. I sat with my team since I couldn’t use a chair like the others I just had to make due.

“Hey, Roll Roll I heard about Isiliva. Good job plugging that hole eh?” The stallion smirks
I just smile at the stallion unsure what he means by that. There is so much conversation here voices carrying and before I could get into any conversations myself. The creator of Rock Ball the former leader of the town the biggest badass raider around.

“Before we do this meeting my friends of the blood. Let’s sing our song. The song that brings us to our deaths!!”

Standing near a large surround sound is a unicorn mare with a Guitar and the music plays heavily. Flame shoots out of her guitar drums beat hard. We all stand and shout stomping our feet.

“Come children bleed on the ground!! We don’t ask to be accepted we don’t care about your rules or your weak stomachs. You will fucking bow to us as we crush you under our hooves. We are the fighters of the sands. We are what shall win this fight. We are raiders and we play Rock ball to always win!!!”

We all yell cheering it took me a while to get in the middle of this. The song always got us pumped up. It changed now and then sometimes it was about bashing skulls. Then it was about crushing the weak. Then it was about protecting the young. They may be raiders but when it comes to children oh they are protective.

“We seek the truth through death and blood. We shall sing we shall win and we shall never fall!!!!!”

The song finally ends and we all shout.

“WE SHALL WIN!!!!”

The mare then takes the guitar and smashes it on the ground and tosses the remains to the ground. As we finally relax and our hearts beat like crazy. It was the way to get us ready and charged for whatever is ahead.

“My brothers… and sisters.” The leader known as Stone Biter speaks.

“Cancer has formed in Nirik, my brothers and sisters. I have heard a band of rebels has formed to fight the Storm King. But no.. they haven’t been attacking the Storm King and his minions my friends. We want to know what their attack will be. So if you can dig it!!! We know the way to their base. So sing my brothers and sisters can you dig it? Can you fucking dig it by taking it to these monsters?!”

All of us shout all at once.

“We can dig it!!!”
“Good they have been found in the old burnt down military barracks. How do we know? Eh, stallions do get horny for some mare pussy you know. They tend to spout it out during the sex my brothers.”

The females laugh at this. I just chuckle knowing how that is. I have mated with my two lovers more than once now. They spout some pretty wild things when they wish to. Of course, I have to keep my mind on this battle.

“So..” I softly bring up. Rock bitter turned to look at me.

“Yes, brother Roll Roll?”

“Are we going to charge in or are we going to do this the smart way?”

Rock bitter nods as he shifts on his hooves. The stallion is old and has a lot of metal in and on his body. He didn’t care about the pain since it gave him a rush. He shifts and paces around for a moment.

“There is a back way in. Roll I want you to make that back way in. While the others go in first. With your team. You will smash it down. Do you dig it, my brothers and sisters?! Do you dig it?!”

We all shout yes and stand up. Rock bitter lifts his giant bat. It was time for us to do what we had to do. Without the guards or the military that used to be here, we are the first and last line of defense now. Ruby caused this city to go into hell.

_________________________
The rebel base.

It was early morning the sun just coming over the rise. I was waiting on the other side of the city. Watching the burnt outbuilding. I could see ponies and just ponies going through the building with strange weapons and a great number of supplies it’s like they were going to hold out longer than most thought they would.

A horn sounds on the other side the ponies drop whatever they are doing. It didn’t take long but the battle started on the other side of the building. The sounds of screaming and laughter as the rock ball fighters enjoy their slaughter.

“It’s time for us big guy.” I turn my head to look at a female camel who got to known as Chain. She had chains all over her body including her legs. She used them to fight.

“Brothers and sisters are going to allow these monsters to stay here and harm our city? If you say no then come with me!!”

I roll into a ball and we all rush from the other side. The ponies on the other side see us and fire at us. The bullets bounce off me while the others shoot railway rifles causing some of the ponies to get stuck. I roll over a few ponies not killing them I leave that to the others behind me I crash through the building grabbing my scythe. On the other side, the others finally make it in.

“We need to find what they’re up to.” Rock Bitter shouts while his group heads upstairs we are given the downstairs. Chain and I go on our own since the others wanted more blood. I got used to this since this wasn’t the first time we fought like this. There was a group holding hostage a few months ago and we had to do this ourselves.

“What do you think big guy head downstairs?”

I look over to Chain.

“That seems a bit too easy to me. Of course, sometimes the basement is the best place to put supplies. We might learn what they’re doing and why.” We head down to the basement I found it strange we didn’t have to deal with many. It’s like down here wasn’t that well protected that was until we got to the first door.

I open it and I am hit by a strange beam that drains my entire magic and I groan falling to my side very weakened. They have weapons to fight my kind. I don’t like this and they try to hit Chain with the beam and she just stands there staring at them. They lift what looks like bats.

“Oh come on you can do better than that boys.” She smirks and charges I watch while she uses her chains to smash the stallion’s heads in and then tosses me the mare who is sobbing. I look at the mare and I wrap my legs around her.

“What is the security of the other room tell me now and I won’t feed on you to get my magic back.” The orange mare cries till she regains herself just a bit to try to at least tell me what is going on here.

“I don’t know. Just know the code. It's six, two, three, and then five. You promised you would let me go!"

I force my jaw on her neck feeding just some magic as she slowly drains off her magic. I feel myself getting stronger again and I only took a bit. I don’t need that much thankfully. I stood on my legs letting her get away. If I need to feed I will find more later. We get to the door that leads to whatever they’re defending. I click into the code and then when we go inside. I see everything all the weapons.

“This… this is used to take down my kind.”

I hear clapping and my eyes go wide when I see him. The merchant the creature that hurt Star Shooter so many years ago. The one that she fought and lost to.

“Good you learned these many years. I would explain and boast. But we do need to destroy all of Majesties creations before he returns of course. For we are The pact.” I finally get a good look at all the ponies. They are a mishmash of parts and faces. The merchant doesn’t even have his real face. He is using a pony face mixed with his lizard face.

“Now say goodbye to..” Before they could fire everything they had on me and Chain. One of the hellhounds falls through the floor hitting the bombs meant for my kind and they start a chain reaction now, of course, they don’t cause much damage but it causes more of us to start falling from the ceiling with the bodies of ponies. It wasn’t a pretty sight and I was forced out of the room by Rock Bitter.

“We can’t have the father to be getting killed now. We will take care of this.” It ended in death the merchant was left for me. So I could understand how he survived the fight with Star Shooter and learn what this is all about. He is tied in the middle of the room and was the only one who was kept alive funny enough. I walk toward him looking down at the creature.

“Okay speak. How did you survive the fight with the heroes of legend?”

The merchant laughs.

“Oh it was easy Grogar has many ways to keep his minions alive. So after I was thought to be dead he distracted the warden and I escaped found my way to Cliffside and got a ship heading to this very land.”

Great, he survived the battle with the heroes of legend. I feel bad for Star Shooter now she became what she is for nothing almost. She did free us of course. Now the other question needs to be answered.

“Who gave you these weapons?”

The merchant smirks.

“Your creator of course. She is looking forward to seeing you again. When the time is right. Oh, when Grogar comes back you will all kneel to him you will all.” Rock Bitter takes his weapon and smashes the merchant dead and smashes his body till he is nothing but a bloody mess.

“Let’s blow this bitch up and go home for pie.” Charges were set to destroy all the weapons I was sent home early since. I could feel the effects of the weapons meant for my kind going off if I was near them. I felt everything was peaceful then I went back home and all the eggs were laid. Then I went to relax alone at a thinking spot I found out of town.

“Thinking?” I turn to see the dragon.

“Yes, what do you need?”

She frowns shaking her head. She didn’t seem to want to tell me what was going on. She sat beside me looking over at me with a weak smile.

“In the middle of next year you will need to head to a city called hope there you will find your friend Tick Tock and then there you will leave for an island. It’s almost time for you all to meet again. You got to let them know when you leave. I will help watch your family that is a promise.”

I stood up and went to go tell them they didn’t take it well but they told me they would wait for me. We spent the night together not sexually but holding each other. As we know sooner or later it will be that time.

____________________
The island

Things were calm I was getting everything ready to leave. I was helping Savannah since the eggs wouldn’t hatch for about another year. I was stopped in the middle of the town in a place that is not normally heavily trafficked by a group of ponies.

“You and your friend Ruby betrayed us. We have been searching for you for ages. We want you to feel the pain that we have felt.”

I reach for my scythe and held it tightly in my claws waiting for them to make the first move. Of course, the first move was something I wasn’t expecting. A heard a shot far up above and before I could act the left side my face and two of my eyes were clean shot off and I screamed in pain loud enough to be found. The pony standing over me.

“You now know our pain. We will join you in the battle ahead. But to make sure you understand not to betray us again.” He cuts off my left claw and takes it with him and they vanish like they were never there. A small group of Rock ball guards found me and took me to get me fixed up.

I woke up a few hours later. I had a new cybernetic face and leg. Of course, he told me it wouldn’t hold. I didn’t take this well nor did my mates. They did their best to help me clean up the wound since it could be removed. But they told me when I get to the place I need to go get a better job.

It’s now the middle of the year and it’s time for me to go. I give them both a big kiss smiling weakly at them. As I make my trek to the city of hope. It took about six days to get there and the cybernetic was already wearing out.
I made it to the city called hope and I had to sit and wait for my friend Tick Tock an hour later she came out of town. We greeted each other and I mainly explained to her what happened to me and why I had this look and I didn’t go into the fact I have two lovers now. I didn’t wish to do that.\

“Alright, I am going to have to Tie you to the side of the jet.” Gem ties me to the side of the jet and we fly off to the island. I am taken to the hospital and I lose my mind. I wasn’t happy with what is going on.

After a while, though we finally see Cranberry again and I am then taken care of. When I wake up I hear that Tick Tock is shut down in a closet. I didn’t want to talk about what happened to me. I told Cranberry that I missed her and then we went our separate ways for a time.

_______________
When Friendship is magic.

I didn’t speak to Cranberry much but all I know is it was time and we all would meet in one spot. I went with Tick tick to finally learn she went to go hide in the bushes for a while and we waited and just look at each other Tick Tock finally got here and I stayed with Tick Tock but we didn’t speak.

“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 over at me. “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 hate the fact I didn’t tell them that I have two wives. But my anger for this is too much. I am starting to feel I was forced into this and I could be home helping them with the eggs. I took a deep breath calming down.

Inyanga and Water spout stand on their hooves. I watch the two as it’s amazing to see them. I wish I was happy to see them. I did miss them but it’s harder to want to talk to them. I just can’t handle it right now. I miss my mates too much.

“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 more scars than I thought. Her face of beauty is now very beat up She even removed the armor showing that the poor pegasus mare has a metal leg and more scars on her body.

Cranberry stayed silent she didn’t seem to want to talk about all this. I for one didn’t blame her it wouldn’t have been easy to see your friends again and then never want to speak to them because we didn’t exactly leave each other on good terms.

“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.”

Cranberry sounds like she was close to breaking down and crying from her words. The mare snorts and speaks loudly to 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. She is right we have forsaken our friendship. Because of a little bit of pain over the death of Ruby. I will never understand that and it’s something I wish I could. I miss her even more now. I want to show her the family I created.

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

“What must we do?” Cranberry simply asks the mare.

“Simply just let go. Let your emotions release and embrace.” I felt the pain subside for now. We all hug and hold each other tightly in a tight embrace. It was the only way we could finally be at peace. I felt myself floating as we all floated and have great power. As 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 Arise

“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.”
It was the next day we took everything we were told to heart. I got into the boat watching Waterspout and Inyanga say goodbye to their families. It was not going to be an easy journey but we had to take it. I took a deep breath and when we finally left the shore I felt a magic spell coming over me.

I couldn’t wonder for very long. I fell asleep dreaming of those I love.

Footnote: Max level

Perk Rock ball fighter: you use brute force to protect those you care for. When you’re with your friends your resolve to protect them is even greater. You can take on more damage and pain. But the fact your cybernetics can’t take on everything. You will have to take a quick break so they don’t fall apart.

Next Chapter: Chapter Twenty-seven: Dunewalker Estimated time remaining: 29 Hours, 33 Minutes