Breakthroughs: if you are separated from yourself, you start walking and you keep walking until you meet yourself. Then you sit down and have a long talk. You talk about everything that you've learned, everything that you .. felt. And you talk until you run out of words. Now, that's vital, because the real important things can't be said. And then, if you are lucky, you look up and there's just you, and you can go home."

-- Dr. Franklin to Garibaldi in Babylon 5: “Walkabout"

I took a deep breath standing by the door of the glassblower. Closing my eyes thinking hard. I have no idea what I can do anymore. I have so many thoughts in my mind but all I can think of is…

Before I could finish my thought the door opens up. Standing in the door is a small little creature that calls himself a furbob. From what I learned about him. He is a race that came from Dream valley. His kind used to never agree on anything since though he is the only one here he agrees on everything.

“How can I help you Dunewalker?”

I look down at the red-furred creature with a large green nose. I just stare at him for many pregnant moments. He leans on the doorway looking outside left and right. Like he is searching for something.

“Dunewalker, is this meant to be a joke but you forgot to run?”

I sigh deeply.

“No, I am sorry Reddie. I didn’t mean to act like I wasn’t here. Now I got something I need to be made or if you have already made it.”

I reach in my bags bringing out plans for magic enchanted glass that looks to be used as a trap.

“Oooo Dunewalker this is not going to be easy to make. It needs powerful magic. Now I have already made this type of glass bottle. I think if you give it to the Naga you can get them to enchant it. This can be used to house only certain magics. I don’t know why you want this made. But I won’t ask.”

I sigh, reaching in my bags again offering some coins that we use as money in this community. Reddie stares at the money shrugging his shoulders and walking back into his store. After a few minutes, he walks back out offering the large fat bottle to me. It has no cork right now and he gives me a cork. I place them both in my bags.

“Thank you Reddie, I am sorry for bothering you. I’m just not myself right now. It’s why I am going on a walkabout. I need to find everyone I know or met recently and talk to them. It’s all I can do. I don't know what to do, just unsure.”

Reddie smiles.

“What my family used to say. Just do it, don't think about it. Don’t allow yourself to keep thinking since the brain won’t ever agree with your heart. So do what your mind tells you but then allow the heart to at least offer some help.”

Looking away I am so unsure what to do or to think.

“Dune please go enjoy your walkabout you might find the song in your heart. A song that will help you through this journey. Whoever you speak to please give them the hope they need. I know you’re no longer a hero who is willing to give hope. Just give the hope you can to those who need it.”

I stood there thinking he was correct. I need to at least give hope to those who need hope. After what Ruby did many don’t have hope anymore. I consider most of it my fault too. I study and look through my bags to make sure I got everything including the glass.

I glance at the others who are staying here while they explain to their families what is going to happen. They hug their families since they’re allowed to tell them. They all look at me and I give them a sad nod. I know many of them will never see their families again.

I walk through the cavern that leads to the home of the exiles. I take a deep breath unsure what to think. Looking at the light at the end of the tunnel and before I can fully leave Black rain and the camel from the order of Mimic are waiting for me.

“I was told you wish to do a recording Dunewalker. I got an idea so we can thin their numbers and make it easier for whoever comes later to pick them off maybe.”

I stop in my tracks looking over at the two camels.

“You want me to say something that would cause more of his troops to die?”

The camel from the order shakes her head.

“No, I have been speaking to many of them. Many of them are following the Storm King blindly. So many of them though don’t feel what he is doing is well honorable. So many of them are willing to see at least a small group of heroes beating the judges back for a time so many of them will join us in the final battle.”

I glance at the order of Mimic camel again.

“What does the order of Mimic get from this?”

The camel shakes her head.

“We get nothing. I know you still don’t trust us Dunewalker. Maybe someday you will trust us and you will see that we aren't evil like most orders or religions are.”

I shake my head.

“Black Rain I will be heading out to every town and find the naga. Do you need me to tell anyone what is going to happen or ask the desert dwellers to come to protect those that leave before everything happens?”

Black Rain sighs, shrugging her shoulders.

“Do what you feel is right, Dunewalker.”

Do what I feel is right? I am sure if I did what I felt was right. I would have asked an entire army to be in the waiting to kill the Storm King. There is no way I can do it. Since I doubt many would even join me in battle. I am the one who helped bring back the Storm King.

“I will return when I can Black Rain.”

I glance at the camel in the order of Mimic.

“Please protect my wife and her hatchlings?”

The camel nods.

“I will do it without the order of Mimic knowing.”

I cock an eye ridge tilting my head at those words. I will do it without the order of Mimic knowing? I have a bad feeling this order is not as pure as she lets on. Maybe I am overthinking it since I do that and well I remember the pact.

“Thank you. What do you mean by not letting the order of Mimic know?”

The camel shrugs her shoulders.

“I am the biggest sinner in the order Dunewalker. I don’t let them know everything I am doing. I could go to a brothel and enjoy a good romp of sex and not care what they think of me. I will not be like the others and tell the order everything we are doing. I have my own private life and I enjoy that life. Mimic herself said when she found this order ages ago. I don’t need you to follow me like a drone. Follow my words as you see fit and many take it too close to heart.”

A deep sigh leaves my lungs out of my mouth. I can now get behind this camel. I have a feeling though that someday we will learn what this order demands. I look towards the north the way to that little village I was told about called Hope. I need to speak to my friends. I haven't been fully forgiven. I feel that it’s time that I talk to each of them.

“Will you ever give me your name?”

I glance back at the camel.

“I have given it to you before. I shall give it to you again. Light Step I used to have a real name. I have been with the order of Mimic most of my adult camel life. So I forgot my real name and took the name they gave me.”

A smirk forms across my face. Our kind can live pretty long. Some can live to be 400 to even 500. Only a few have lived that long. I am guessing that Light step is one of those since they act like they have seen so much and have done so much.

“I will not ask the age of you then. I am sure you’re one of the rare camels to live pretty long. Now I better get going or I will not follow this path to find myself or those before me.”

Light Step silently nods.

“I promise my sin-riddled soul. I will not let the order know that I am watching your children. Mimic is the only one who may know. I doubt she will care either way. She understands the idea of family and the idea of family is powerful to her.”

I quickly nod heading north towards the village of Hope. It will take a few days for me to get there. Thankfully for me though I have enough water and food to get me through the desert of madness.

I felt the sand on my fleshy foot looking down while I took each step. I took a deep breath feeling my heart beating. I am unsure if I could even feel the song in my heart to help the trip take less time. A song can do that now and again. Closing my fleshy eye allows my cybernetic eye to be the one that leads me.

My cybernetic eye looks around seeing what is in the sand. I could see at least one trap door leading down to the water hunters. I could tell this door hadn’t been used in many years. So If I do need to hide I can go into one of their old tunnels.

Before I could do anything, movement in the sand made me quickly stop. The door opens up and what comes out are a few water hunters. The leader of them looks at me and all I could do was wave my paw.

“Ah, we have been told you would come this way. Are you heading towards hope?”

Wait, they aren’t speaking old poneish?

“Yes, I am heading towards hope. Why do you ask?”

The pony smiles.

“Well, we are all allied now my friend. So we allowed ourselves to speak the tongue of those Nightmare Moon curse. For now of course, since many of us already knew how to speak like you. The way is clear the Storm King is more focused on the rumors of a strange hero that showed up in a land a month away from here.”

The pony comes out of the tunnel with a group of heavily armed warriors. They have a caravan from the looks of it and they’re heading towards Hard Rock with weapons, food, and water on their backs. The stallion stays to speak with me.

“The rumors have been pretty rampant about this hero. They won’t even say what this hero is, only that she helped free the Abyssin city. That is all he has been told. Then stories that she left and went to another land.”

A hero in another land? A smile forms across my face. Ruby, I am hoping she finds what she needs and then returns soon. It might be another year or two but I doubt I will be here when Ruby comes back. Maybe if I do die in this battle ahead my death will help her.

“Thank you for telling me, have you ever heard of a camel having a sand dream?”

The stallion frowns, nodding.

“I have talked with many camels who had this dream. Some of them died from the dream itself. Some of them even had the dream that drove them insane. I never saw them again after it was said and done.”

I take a deep breath in some of the sand from the wind blowing because of the storm picking up again. I glance at the cage around us, the storm growing even more deadly. I have a feeling this hero is worrying the Storm King.

“This hero must be bothering the Storm King. His cage is becoming even worse. He knows he won’t be able to steal any more water from the citizens of this desert. The Dj turned her home into a fortress; it's hard to even for normal folks to get there. The village of Hope has heavy protection and Hard Rock has become harder to break through. I am unsure about the other places though.”

The water hunter quickly nods.

“Yes, the alliance has been proving to be a help to a lot of us. Even convincing some of his minions to do things behind his back. I think mostly what is upsetting him. A new hero is rising and she might end up here. I hope we need the hope before the dawn ends.”

I sigh deeply that he is correct. I look at my robotic paw. I remember when I got this. It was the time I was down in Detrot and I met four creatures from the past. A zebra, a diamond dog, a buffalo, and a pegasus. It’s amazing the journey they went on.

“Hope is something we all need. I lost all hope back in the day when I got this. I already had the eye from a battle I almost lost. Hope is all we need now. Are there any rumors going around I should know about?”

The pony shrugs his shoulders.

“All I have been told there is a rumor about the heroes of stone in Hard Shell. The citizens there are looking for a spell to break them from their prison. We need all the heroes we can get. We all know that there is a traitor among them. If the heroes are brought out of their stone prison then that is great. I just doubt any of us water hunters could trust them ever again.”

I am unsure what to think of all this. Are the heroes of stone coming out of their prison? So many years have passed since they have been stone. What caused them to become stone is because of a war. A war we camels don’t care talking about since we hired Crunch to fight for us. We of course won the war. We didn’t want too much death but Crunch refused to turn anyone back from their stone prisons. I think there is a tomb full of those from both sides in stone.

“I need to be heading out camel take care of yourself.”

The water hunters finally leave like they were meant to do. I just watch them vanish in the flowing sand. I look up in the sky seeing many of the airships that the Storm King has been building. Many of them crash from the sky, and most of them aren’t ready for flight. So many of them fall into cities and towns harming others.

Glancing towards the way to Hope again. Closing my fleshy eye again to walk through the blowing-forming sand storm. I am trying to remember the past. I am trying to remember the zebra and the others I met. I haven’t seen them since then. I hope the journey they went on had been peaceful.

It took me at least a day and a half to get to the town of Hope. The antlions took over much of the path. It was hard to get around them thankfully though they didn’t try to attack me. They’re just over-mating because of the battle ahead. The Storm King hasn’t had issues with them breeding like this.

When I get to the gate of Hope. I just stare at the newly built gate. It opens letting me in since I am well known here. Even though I have been banished by my species. I am still allowed here with no issues.

“So what brings the recently banished camel?”

I glance at the roc in the NCR armor. The red star glows in the sun which sits on the forehead of the helm itself. I never fully got to know this bird which is called a Roc. I just know she is a hero that walks from place to place.

“I am here to speak to Tick Tock. I have been told you and your friends are no longer wandering heroes. The wandering heroes' days behind you?”

The roc takes off her helm a couple of feathers coming with the helm falling out of the helm. She places it on the ground. Looking up at me it’s hard to tell what her color is. I could never tell thanks to my eyes.

“Tick Tock went to the caverns below with her wife to check the wells. She should be back soon. So you’re here to talk to her because why? I don’t know if you noticed Dunewalker, many here don’t trust you.”

I don’t blame them, I don't consider myself very trustworthy.

“I have come to talk to her about my sand dream I had.”

The roc shifts a bit; she knows what a sand dream is to a camel. Normally a sand dream tells the future and the future will never be the same as a camel’s sand dream. She puts her helm back on so I can’t see she is uncomfortable being around me now.

“I see I wish you luck.”

The red star hero. The hero of dream valley is one of the few creatures who have been there and come back. The one with her friends forgot. I finally saw Tick Tock. I took a deep breath breathing in some of the sand. She kisses the zebra she got married to. The zebra Black Rose nods to me walking back to her home.

“What can I do for you Dunewalker?”

I sigh.

“I have come to say I am sorry for all I have done. You have been off that island for a while I am sure you have learned what a sand dream is.”

Tick Tock stops in her clockwork hooves turning to look at me.

“Was it about Ruby?”

I shook my head.

“The dream about me betraying the exiles allowed the Storm King and his minions, even Wheel Tread to kill everyone and steal the water. I am doing a walkabout too well. Make sure the dream doesn’t happen. I will do what it takes to fight them..”

Tick Tock’s ears pin to the back of her head. I didn’t know she could do that with her fake skin. I am guessing the new body gave her the ability to be more alive. I have seen her new shell. It's pure black and whatever it’s made of, it's strong.

“So you’re going around telling everyone you knew you’re sorry for what you did to Ruby and us? Well, I may not be able to forgive you for everything you did or what you did to Ruby. I can forgive you for what you did to me. I can also forgive you for what you did to the captain.”

I tilt my head captain? I had no idea what she meant. Then I remember the poor captain, the poor mare that Ruby killed. I know I did nothing to the poor mare. I feel that maybe Ruby will never be forgiven for a lot of what she did is normal.

“I may have done nothing with that poor mare. You and I both know that Ruby will never be forgiven for anything. Is it true the leadership of Hope will turn on her after everything is said and done?”

Tick Tock nods.

“I can’t do anything to stop it even if I wanted to. I don’t think the others and I will ever work together again. Our friendships are kind of broken. I haven’t even talked to the others. Our friendship is just so strained. I am just starting to wonder if we are the real heroes to protect this land.”

I quickly nod. I have been wondering if Ruby is even the real hero. Storm King and Wheel Tread have been trying so hard to say that Ruby is the threat when to some folks here the Storm King and Wheel tread are the real heroes.

“I am sure sooner or later. We will come back as friends at least for the final battle. I am unsure how this will happen. I am sure that Ruby will be the one to bring us back together. I am not sure it will happen. But I do hope I will see what is coming.”

Tick Tock nods.

“I hope you survive your sand dream. Are you only here to talk to me or was there another reason?”

I nod.

“Yes, I would like you and the heroes of Hope. To make sure those who survive the battle get her or to Hard Rock please do this Tick Tock.”

Tick Tock shrugs her shoulders.

“I have no say in anything here. I would say you better go talk to the leadership of this town. One of them should at least be at the meeting hall. Each morning we all go to that meeting. So if you can catch him or her before they leave for home. Then you could maybe convince them to help.”

I shake my head.

“Be prepared though Dunewalker. Many of the leaders in this town are camels. So just the fact you’re here may upset them. Many learned over time what you did. I even told them the truth and I will not take any of it back.”

Closing my eye tightly. My other eye shutting down like it’s closing the lid. I am just unsure how to handle this. I take a deep breath filling my lungs with the very dry air. Blowing out the air trying to open my fleshy eye back up.

“Okay, can you at least lead me to the meeting building or whatever is used as a meeting area?”

Tick Tock sighs.

“Listen Dunewalker. I will do this for you after everything we have been through. I feel you at least deserve this. I will say one last thing before this is all said and done. When the battle fully comes don’t expect me to join. The others and I had no desire to be a hero. Ruby I am sure never wanted to be one either. Just the hope she brought.”

She went silent for a moment leading me to the large building in the middle of the town. I glance around the town. I swear I saw something I never thought I would see again. I see the buffalo known as June. I shake my head and when I look back they aren’t there. Tick Tock stops right by the door.

“I will stay here and when you’re done I will lead you back out of the gate. I never want you to return or tell the others to see me. I will make an exception for Cranberry or Inyanga and Water Spout. If you see Hawk or Roll Roll I want nothing to do with either of them. Roll wishes to head back to the island with his new family. Hawk is just being rude and harsh. I refuse to accept her as my friend anymore.”

I look towards the door looking back to Tick Tock. I feel bad about all this. I see Wheel Tread has not only won. He has won on the level of the heroes refusing to even talk to each other anymore. It was something I hoped would never happen and it did.

“Tick Tock Hawk and Roll Roll are your friends. I thought you all worked so hard together on the island. What caused all this to happen?”

Tick Tock shrugs her shoulders.

“We moved on really. Roll Roll has his two mates now. Hawk is getting married herself. I feel that a lot of what happened with Ruby caused our friendship to break. I am sure someday I will go back to them and talk with them. I doubt it though now, please go talk to the leadership whoever is in there.”

Sighing feeling disappointed I helped destroy friendships in the name of progress. I open the door heading inside. Deep in the meeting room are two as a podium with a camel sitting above and a crowd watching. One of the speakers is a female rat creeper who is speaking loudly to the rest of the crowd.

“Hope is a town it should stay neutral. If the Storm King tries to invade we should force him out. I know we have some supporters of the Storm King. Even though they support him they agree. Even if you support him we have to stay out of this.”

The other speaker nods. I get a good look at them from what I can tell they're newer. The speaker is a pony from what I can tell.

“I know I pushed many away from our cause so long ago. The pureblood and all that bullshit. I regret pushing it. I see now we need to work together and never allow ourselves to be broken again. If we can’t work together and have these ponies try to force pure ideas. With the Storm King not wanting that. Something has changed with him, not as evil as he was. Before we can go on though we have a soul wishing to speak with us.”

I thought it was my turn then I saw a zebra come up to the podium in the middle. I stare at her. It's that zebra I met many years ago in Detrot. Desert Rose her legs are full of metal and her other friends are with her.

“Miss Rose, you wish to speak to us?”

The zebra nods.

“I am here to talk about allying with your humble town. Of the desperate citizens of Detrot. The war between both factions of robotics. I have been asked by the new leader of the entire community to ally to help with rebuilding.”

The camel takes a moment to think, opening her eyes.

“We will have to think about this Miss Rose. I am sorry if you have been pushed away from the other towns. Right now we have a bit of a problem ourselves. We can barely keep our water supplies up. We also have to deal with the Storm King. Even if he is not as evil as many say he used to be.”

Desert Rose nods, stepping down from the podium. I stand at the podium.

“I have come to speak to the leadership of this town. I am.”

The camel sitting in the main seat in front of me hits down a gavel.

“We don’t have time to listen to betrayers. If you think we will take what you say seriously then you have another thing coming.”

I shook my head.

“So you will ignore a sand dream?”

The camel is about to smack the gavel on the table again. Stop when she hears the words Sand dream. I have never met the leadership before. I just know Tick Tock is good friends with them after what she did here so long ago. I wish I could learn more.

“What happens in this sand dream?”

I explain to them what happens and what I plan to do.

“I just want to make sure all those that leave are given a home. I don’t know what is going to happen to me. I frankly will do anything. Anything to redeem the name Dunewalker and to make sure the little one that comes next after me. Is free from this curse.”

The others went silent for a time. The first to speak up is the rat creeper.

“Miss speaker.”

The creeper looks at me and the pony. He nods to her like he is telling her to go on. The camel sighs, stroking her head like this is causing her a lot of pain.

“I for one this time feel it’s unwise not to get involved in situations that may cause the Storm King to get upset with us. I doubt it’s the right to put the King in his place.”

The pony nods.

“I may follow the ways of what the Storm King wants. I don’t agree with everything he wants. We have to admit though he hasn’t done many evil things as of late. He showed up and brought a type of peace that many love. Even though some towns may have had to kill some of the weak in his name or force some of the dying out or the poor. Progress it’s not always going to be peaceful or easy to do.”

They all stay silent as the speaker stands up coming down from where she is sitting.

“I may not respect you Dunewalker. You’re a betrayer and the reason for a lot of the problems we face now. We camels have banished you from entering any place that we are in. Though it’s not just us that live in this land anymore. So the idea of banishing everything no longer works. I will not do this for you. I will do this for your family and friends.”

I sigh softly looking away from the camel nodding.

“I understand. Thank you for finding it in your heart to at least help those that will come this way. At least if you don’t do it for me you do it for those that need it.”

The speaker nods.

“Now to be honest I am going to ask out of kindness. I want you out of here now and if you return. I will have you arrest you and make sure you’re flogged for breaking the banishment. Guards, please get this betrayer out of my sight.”

The guards come to try to remove me. I didn’t fight them while one of them put a cuff chain to my neck. They all have me in chains while I am led to the gate. Tick Tock glances up at me. A frown forms on her fake skin face. I have a feeling she knew that I would get tossed out of here.

When we got to the entrance of the town, Hope the guards unlock the chains. The kirin looks up at me with a weak smile.

“I wish we didn’t have to do that to you Dunewalker. I wish we could welcome you here more. Just after we learned what you did to Ruby. I highly doubt you would be welcomed anywhere else. If you could before you go anywhere else. Maybe the citizens of Peace rock could help you?.”

I tilt my head Peace rock? I haven’t been there in a long time. I just know it’s full of former murders killers and so on really. I sigh I have many other places I can go to be kicked out of. I feel the next area I should go to is Hard Shell.

“Thank you, I will think about it. I am sorry for what I did to the hero.”

The kirin nods.

“I can understand why you did it. I am not fond of heroes myself. To be honest the Storm King hasn’t done much that is bad. I know he has asked us to remove the weak and those who can’t take care of themselves anymore. I do understand it’s a problem to some and a problem to many others. “

I sigh deeply they don’t fully understand at all. If Wheel Tread has his way things would be much worse than they are now. I believe the Storm King is waiting for something and Wheel Tread is angry since I heard rumors Wheel Tread wants things to get harsher for those that don’t follow his path of change.

“I haven’t been around the outside much lately. I have been sticking with my family and keeping to myself during my walkabouts. I have been hearing stories. Stories that the Storm King tells the judges to protect the weak from Wheel Tread. I have a feeling the howling dance has messed him up.”

The kirin shrugs.

“I am unsure. He came here a few days ago though. I don’t fully know why he came. He just came to speak to Tick Tock. He told her from what I heard that he was sorry for what he did to Ruby.”

The Kirin shrugs their shoulders again. This entire thing confuses me. I have no idea why he is acting like this. I might have to ask Wheel Tread himself or maybe the Storm King ain’t as evil as the others have told me he was. I am guessing he believes he is freeing Equestria and the world from the heroes that bring pain.

“This is more confusing than I thought it would be. Wheel Tread wanted to change this land into a beacon of hope. A beacon of hope in his way of progress I am guessing now it’s not working his way. Who knows I am so confused now.”

The kirin sighs heading back through the gate. Before I leave though Tick Tock stands right in front of me.

“So you have been told the Storm King himself came to talk to me? He went to go talk to all of us, Dunewalker. He wanted us to know he didn’t want to do what he did to Ruby. Just the stars at the time gave him no choice from what he said. He said ever since he came back he feels the want to be evil had vanished. I don’t fully buy it really since looking at the storm he created to keep us here.”

I shrug my shoulders.

“I don’t fully trust the Storm King Dunewalker. I don’t believe he is sorry for what he did to Ruby. But if I can live in this land without having to be a hero I welcome it. If I have to be a hero again when the final battle comes. Then so be it right now though I'd rather just have a peaceful life and not care what is going on in this desert. I may never forgive Ruby for turning us into heroes.”

I shake my head.

“Tick Tock I am sure you won’t trust what I have to say. I doubt the Storm King has turned over a new leaf. I even doubt the howling dance is talking to him. I will never trust him even after I helped bring him back. I regret everything I did even more now after the sand dream. I am sure when it comes down to it. You and the others will fight him when the time is right.”

Tick Tock shrugs her shoulders.

“Anyway, what is the next town on your walkabout?”

A deep sigh releases from my mouth. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I am heading to Hard Shell to try to see if the heroes of the old times have been freed from their stone prison. We need more heroes than just these heroes. Heroes like these gave up and I know I am to blame for it. I will always be to blame. My child-to-be will feel that guilt. Just when he or she is born. The curse will finally be removed from my bloodline.

“Hard Shell there are many from an old war still encased in stone if not just the heroes you all saw. Those heroes hopefully will find a way or the others will release all those souls. All those souls will join us in the fight.”

Tick Tock nods.

“I am sorry for cutting this conversation short, Dunewalker. I must be going. I need to be ready just in case what you do causes a problem for the rest of us.”

Tick Tock turns around to go back into the town. She won’t even look back at me. I could feel the hatred coming from her. I am starting to wonder how the others will handle talking to me. I am unsure and worried. I get ready to leave, closing my eyes tightly knowing I will be on my own.

“Hey, miss, are you heading to Hard Shell?”

I glance behind me noticing a caravan of many odd creatures coming out of the gate of the town of Hope.

“Uh yes, why do you ask?”

The large turtle creature chuckles.

“A mare told us you’re heading our way. You’re heavily armed as well. We could use you. Just in case the antlions get a little hungry from their crazy mating.”

I take a deep breath noticing there are no camels with them. I see a turtle creature, a naga. A Ferrum as well as a sand hoof. I am unsure what to think. I sigh knowing if I don’t have anyone with me while on this path. I may lose it and try to talk to myself.

“I will come with you. Forgive me though if I don’t say too much to either of you.”

The turtle laughs.

“Don’t worry about that Miss Dunewalker. We have been working together since the alliance was formed. Also yes we know who you are and we don’t care what you did. Heroes are heroes but sometimes a hero needs to get out of the way.”

I did agree with how they felt. Heroes need to get out of the way. Not every land wants to be rescued by a hero. I am sure sooner or later though they will demand to be. I wouldn’t fault Ruby for just returning to the island after everything is said and done and never looking back.

It didn’t take too long for us to get going along the path to Hard Shell. I have noticed since the Storm King took over. Roads have been made and they have to remove the sand off them. Thankfully they have them marked if they’re covered.

“One issue with these roads we have learned. That the water hunters get braver and we have raiders showing up now. These raiders showed up from outside. How they got in here we don’t know. Some think they went through Peace Rock.”

I shrug my shoulders.

“I have been to Peace Rock. I highly doubt they would have come through there. I am sure of the storm which is around us. I am sure it’s not as strong as the Storm King himself thinks it is. I am sure he thinks he is stronger than he is.”

The turtle nods.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if there are weak spots in the storm. I have been near the storm. There are some areas in the storm that just have rain in them and sometimes some of the clouds just up and vanish for a time. I am wondering if later he will fully encase us in this storm and we won’t be able to leave.”

It didn’t take us too long to get on the path. We spent most of the day walking through the desert. We are silent mostly for the fact that there are rumors that the Storm King's return woke up an old nest of creatures long thought dead in this desert. It surprised me when I was told this as well.

“If what you’re telling me is true. Then that means the Tunnelers and those strange blind mole rats. Moved on from the old nest they destroyed. I have never seen the creatures they talked about. I have been long ago by Pinda some old creatures call the desert home. They haven’t been seen since the end of the war.”

The turtle nods.

“These creatures are scorpions; they haven’t been seen here from the rumors. Is because they got overly hunted and killed. Some think they found a way back and are being led by a talking queen. A queen from what I have also been told is not evil, just wants to survive.”

I am confused again about why this is happening. I do wonder if the tunnelers gave up some of their home for this queen. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes. It was time to sleep and all I can think of is my next path.

“Dunewalker, I got a question for you.”

I open my eyes heading to the sleeping bag. Looking at the turtle who will be sleeping near. I lay down in the sleeping bag.

“What’s the question?”

I finally get fully under it laying my head down making sure my weapons are close to me. So I can get them right away.

“What was your name before you were called Dunewalker?”

The question alone hits me by surprise. I have never had anyone ask me this question before. It’s been so long using that very name. I am unsure I will remember it in my various memories. Even so, I dig into my memories.

“My name I don’t remember it so well. I became a Dunewalker at a very young age. My mother couldn’t handle the treatment of the Dunewalker very long. So she went to that old bunker area and fused herself into the trees like the other Dune Walkers before us. Many of them are still there forced to watch the world burn and age around them as punishment.”

The turtle blinks his eyes.

“Wait excuse me? Do you mean to tell me those trees have been like that even before the war which ended the world? Wow, it must have been some nasty magic to cause it.”

I laugh nodding.

“It was the cure for the Nightmare Moon placed on this land. The reason for our curse is because those that came before me joined Nightmare Moon in her rebellion and convinced the camels to join. After Nightmare Moon lost my entire line got cursed. Even though the curse happened it wasn’t hard for either of us to find a mate or love at all. Till recently when some camels have been trying to remove us from the land. I am the last of the Dunewalkers they kind of murdered all the others.”

He shook his head.

“I am sorry I wish I could help you.”

I quickly nod.

“The only help I need from you. If you see anyone from the exile home I am sure you have seen the place. I want you to protect all those that are running. Soon something will happen and I will either see my death or the sand will sing me to my fate.”

The turtle shakes his head.

“Your kind confuses me. I have never understood why camels focus on the sand. Does the sand speak to you or are you connected to the sand in some way?”

I open my mouth to speak. No words came from it. It’s a good question: why are we so connected to the sand? The lore keepers never tell us why. They keep a lot of things to themselves. I have to wonder if I will get the right to learn during the sand walk. The meeting of those before me.

“I don’t know why we are connected to the sands. I have never asked or even looked in on it. I never had to before. I just know when I speak to those who came before me I will learn much and I will use them to help me survive this coming battle or die.”

The turtle sighs. I still haven’t got his name.

“I am SilverShell. I am what you call or what most used to call a war writer. I have seen many battles and wars. I am 1000 years old like most of my race. How I survived the last many years. I followed the rest of my kind. We left to stay deep into the water. We came out after we learned the war was over. We stayed around here though because it wasn’t hit as hard.”

A deep sigh leaves my mouth. I remember his species very well. It's not surprising to me that his kind can live a very long time. He must know many stories and I doubt he wishes to speak about these stories.

“I am sure living so long it’s hard to remember all those stories. Have you ever thought of going around writing the stories which will show up if the heroes get their acts together and fight the Storm King?”

SilverShell shrugs his shoulders.

“I might think that the Storm King and Wheel Tread aren’t the real threats behind all this. I feel something is controlling even those two. Of course, it could be my 1000 years of living. So I am not sure if I am right about this or not. Just with the Storm King allowing the alliance in his ranks.”

He went silent for a moment to think about the last few things he was going to say. I am unsure what is going to happen. He reaches into a few of his bags. Brings out a scroll it’s pretty new and tosses it to me.

“Wheel Tread as well as the Storm King caring about some rumors about a hero that just showed up. A hero that is not even in this land. I highly doubt they will end up coming here and removing their ideas of progress. Even to one like me it’s full-on tyrants and forcing those under your heel.”

I look at the scroll and open it up. It looks like a map of the entire desert of all the towns, including project Rainfall. What’s odd about this map though it shows ways to get to underground water sources I had no idea existed.

“My grandmother before she died of old age. Yes, it happens, it's rare these days. She mapped the land after the Nightmare moon cursed it and found these patches of water. She placed protection spells on them so no one can ever find them. Unless those that are of her blood can find them. Someday we will go to these places and bring this land back to splendor but only when this land is ready for peace.”

Rolling up the scroll I give it back to the turtle.

“I feel the only time this land will be ready for peace. Forgive my words with what I am about to say. Placing.”

I go silent for a moment and go closer to him so the others don’t hear and get hope in their hearts.

“Something is going to happen. When Ruby returns the battle is said and done. The leadership of this entire land is going to turn their back on her. Using her as a scapegoat put her up in court and blame her for everything. Blame her for everything Wheel Tread and the Storm King did. That will mean Wheel Tread fully won if he dies or follows her. That is the biggest thing he wanted to do. Make heroes look like a threat and try to stop a hero from rising ever again.”

I move away from SilverShell, the frown forming on his face. Tears fall down his eyes. I knew this was something he is not happy about.

“So it’s true that she is alive. Just to come here free this land and then be placed to death. Because the leadership and many are too scared to admit they failed.”

I so heartedly agree with him. I doubt even if I survive what is to come. I won’t be able to stop them. I have to hope that Ruby is willing to do what many before have to do.

“Can you do something for me SilverShell? Could you please write a letter for me?”

SilverShell nods, bringing out a bare scroll and pulling out a pen from his bag.

“Alright.”

I dictate the letter when it’s all said and done. We both fall asleep to get ready for the next leg of our journey.

_________________

The next day halfway to HardShell.

We are surrounded. I don't know what happened. We just got back to our travel to get to Hardshell when a bunch of scorpions came out of the ground around us. The thing is though they aren’t attacking. They back away as a large giant scorpion comes to us. The many eyes stare at us chittering.

“No need to worry. We come in peace unless you shoot my children. I need to speak to the one known as Dunewalker alone.”

I am led out of the group by the large creature. I look back at the others and allow this to go on. I am not worried about large creatures like this.

“I have been hearing stories about you Miss Dunewalker. You betrayed the hero known as Ruby Glide. A creature that is a lot like I am. I am not going to put you in your place for that. At the sake of the other insectoid races of this desert.”

I took a deep breath blowing the air out to relax.

“I have been told about you. What can I do for you?”

The Queen shifts on her many legs, her claws clap, and clatter.

“To my kind, I am Venom Spit. But to those that raised me, I am Softwinter. I was raised by Magic eaters. Magic eaters like Ruby Glide raised me and even showed me how to read and talk. Before you ask how that works. All I was told was that the magic in their systems mutated me in some way.”

How many magic eaters are in this land?

“I won’t ask since I don’t understand Ruby Glides’ race at all. I doubt I ever will. I just know that Ruby was one of the kindest creatures. I never wanted to harm her but. Why are you here and why talk to me?”

SoftWinter looks at her children more than at me.

“The Queen of the Tunnelers and I have been talking for a while. She gave me and my children some of their unused tunnels and the blind mole rats protected us. Now before I leave please don’t let anyone know that we are out here. We don’t want the Storm King or someone else to think they can claim our singers. We will come when the battle fully starts.”

I nod walking back to the others and the queen waves her claw while they tunnel back underground.

“Sooo I have a feeling we will have another force to help us when the battle comes?”

I shrug my shoulders.

“I will never understand bug creatures. They will always confuse the shit out of me and how they take insults and laugh at them.”

I glance at the Ferrum who I got to know as Blaze claws. She just looks back at me like she is smiling.

“I don’t mean to offend.”

She lifts her fiery claws. She just laughs.

“Eh don’t worry. If you offended me, Dunewalker, I would call you worse.”

I just smirk and laugh. I enjoyed this trip with them. I am going to miss them since they’re just heading to Hard Shell and will be staying there for a while. It may have taken the rest of the day but we finally made it to the gates of Hard Shell standing guard. It was Tirek, not the younger grandson the older one

“Welcome.”

Confusion took over me. Why was Tirek one of the judges being so kind? He looks at me with a frown forming on his face.

“Dunewalker, do you mind if I talk with you?”

I look at the others nodding my head to let them know it’s fine. I stand beside the centaur. He looks calmer than he used to. I have a feeling that after all that happened he has had a change of heart. Well here is hoping he had a change of heart.

“I am going to be blunt with you camel. I am still evil at heart. After being awakened from the stone prison. I won’t go into it just being freed, then put into some program called Project Stormwatch to take on the real Grogar and then see what the evil of war did to Equestria. I feel that the revenge I wanted after I learned what happened to the elements was not needed.”

I tilt my head nodding.

“I noticed you didn’t want to fight Ruby though.”

Tirek smirks

“I am no longer free anymore, Dunewlker. I am now a slave to Wheel Tread I am the only one that feels this way. I am going, to be honest with you. When the final battle happens, I know there will be a final battle. A hero always finds a way to get back from the dead or a new hero rises. I will either die by them or be captured and then either put to death finally or put back in a cage.”

A deep sigh leaves my mouth. I understand what he means.

“I guess you met your grandson then?”

Tirek nods.

“When I saw him after I came here to ransack and try to steal all the magic here. I got stopped by him and learned my wife died in the war. She wasn’t attacked by ponies. Not even zebras went after her. It was your species I wanted to go after for that reason. He then told me she didn’t die because your kind attacked her. They told her it was either her or him. So she picked him and let the ponies raise him.”

Tirek sighs, stroking his head.

“I wonder what would have happened if my father didn’t raise me. I have no idea if my father king Vorak is even still alive. I don’t even know if my father’s old kingdom even still exists. Things have become too calm after we won. Wheel Tread wanted to force this land under his hoof. Instead, Wheel Tread and the Storm King won’t even leave project Rainfall.”

He looks up and we can make out the floating rainmaker. Just a bit since it’s pretty far away from this town. It’s close to Nirak and that makeshift town. I have been hearing stories from others about Wheel Tread not wishing to leave.

“I have a feeling he never found a way to turn it on to bring back the water as he promised.”

Tirek nods.

“He learned who created it. He never knew it was created by camels. An old recording from the creator said it didn’t even work before the war ended. They have no idea what they did wrong and they expect that Luna did something to make sure it would never. The only thing he got is these words.”

I wait to hear what Tirek saids.

“Those in hearts and bound together in love and friendship and brotherhood and sisterhood. Can bring back the rain. The rain of life of blood of love. Those who have connected hearts bring their power to charge the rain to return and break the curse.”

My ears pin to the back of my head. I know what those words mean. I deeply sigh.

“I know what those words mean and it means I ruined any chance of it happening because of the will of Wheel Tread.”

Tirek tilts his head looking down at me.

“It means the tight friendship I and the others used to have while Ruby was alive. If Wheel Tread would have gotten over that he had to break the hero and her friends. Then he would have gotten the rain he wanted.”

Tirek frowns.

“So Twilight was right then. The magic of friendship was far more powerful than I thought. If I would have gotten over myself I would have become friends with Cozy Glow and Chrysalis. I wondered after they both vanished and I learned what happened to Cozy and Chrysalis. Miss Changeling’s bitch got her head lopped off and her head is picked in a cavern somewhere. Cozy got her brain removed and put into a robot.”

So that is what happened to the changeling queen. I wonder if her kind found her and took her out. I shake my head.

“I will never understand anything anymore. I did try to talk to those I betrayed a while ago. They won’t forgive me for what I did. They won’t and my kind banished me. It will be hard to keep the Lore keepers to let me speak to those who came before me.”

Tirek shifts on his many hooves.

“You had a sand dream didn’t you?”

I glance up at him nodding.

“Yes I did and the dream was of the judge’s Wheel Tread and the Storm King killing everyone in my community and then me. I betray my community. I am telling you this because I didn’t see you in the dream.”

Tirek laughs.

“You wouldn't, Wheel Tread no longer controls me. He may control the others. I just refuse to listen to a pony who has a stick up his ass. I learned who he was in the past. He fell so hard he had so much power to help teach the ponies of old.”

I nod.

“I need to be going. I need to speak with the heroes in stone and then head on my way to Nirak. I am going to say goodbye to all of them and then break into Hard Rock and steal Rubie's armor and use it to piss Wheel Tread the hell off.”

Tirek laughs.

“Do what you have to Miss Walker. Just for me and others, he has been harmed in the past. I may agree with what he did with Ruby Glide. She was weak and needed to be put down. I feel he ruined his chance to bring the water back. Anyway put him in his place or put him down a peg or two.”

I quickly nod.

“Yes, I have plans to do so. I hope I never see you again, Tirek. If we do, I hope it’s me giving you the killing blow when the time comes.”

Tirek smiles.

“I will hold you to that.”

Walking into the town itself. It’s pretty busy. Many citizens are running around building up their defenses and I notice many Storm King minions who just give me a nod. I am starting to wonder if any of these minions are even on his side anymore.

In the middle of the town, the heroes of stone have been put back in their homes. They aren’t alone anymore though. Heroes of stone I wish I could remember their names. I know their species just by their names. I am wondering if their names were removed from the annals of history. I kneel to the one known as the leader. A larger stallion in old pegasus armor his wings spread wide open like about to attack Crunch.

“Oh, the great leader of the past. I am lost. I wish I could get your wisdom again.”

I kneel for a few pregnant moments of silence.

“Heh, I am sure they can hear you miss Dunewalker.”

I lift my head looking at the gang of rock creatures. The one that fought Ruby with the cigar in his mouth smirks. I was about to grab my sword.

“Relax, we aren't enemies anymore. There is no money in evil deeds. There is money in many other things though. My gang and I have left Crunch because this idea of hate has not gone over well. It hasn’t made any of us rich.”

A deep sigh leaves my mouth.

“I see. Is it all of your kind or just your gang?”

The gang leader chuckles.

“It’s just us. The others are too brainwashed by the great Crunch. So I highly doubt Ruby herself is dead. I made a bet with Tirek that she was dead. He said she is not dead, a hero doesn’t fall that easily.”

I don’t say anything and the gang leader laughs again.

“You don’t need to answer. I have given myself a name. I am Kuz. This is my second in command Dragon. My third Mad Dog.”

I glance at the stone-faced second in command he doesn’t say a word. Then I look at the other who I can’t read at all.

“I just.. Hope that these heroes will wake up.”

Kuz smirks.

“All stories have an end. Their story hasn’t even ended yet. I am sure when the time is right they will come back. Then end their lives in the way they wanted to. Creatures of old fighting and then ending to become legends.”

I stood back up on my paws.

“What do you and your gang do here right now?”

Kuz frowns.

“Right now making no money because helping the sick is all we can do for the time being. The Storm King promised so much to these souls here. They won’t give up on him and they still curse you heroes. I highly doubt they will ever accept life without him.”

It’s the sad truth about life. These citizens have been given it easy till they don’t have it easy anymore. Free water-free food. Even free everything without working for it. It’s going to cause this stagnation and again Ruby or someone else will be blamed for it all when the battle ends.

“Do what you can Kuz. Now I need to go again. I...need to talk to many more.”

I get ready to leave to head more on my walkabout.

“Before you leave Dunewalker. I got something to say.”

I turn my head just a bit to glance at Kuz.

“Don’t trust the order of Mimic. They aren’t what they seem”

What did he mean? The order of Mimic has been very helpful in these parts. Of course, many worry that they’re not helping. There are rumors that the order is doing what it can to get souls connected to them and then do something.

“I will keep that in mind Kuz. I have many places to go before I go back home.”

With that, I leave and head to the next leg of my journey. It took a day or two to walk through the gates of Nirak. Standing beside the newly built wall and gates of the town are two camels. They just stare at me. I doubt they care if I am here or not.

I do my best to keep to myself and walk right into town. The town sure has changed from the old raider town it was. It is now a bustling city. I can see that rock balls are still a thing. I took a deep breath unsure where Roll Roll would be. Since he is the only reason I am here.

The only idea I have is to head to a place I have heard about that is in the red-light district of this town. It didn’t take too long to find what I am looking for. I look up at the sign The Sexy mare. I head inside to see if I can find Roll.

__________________

The Sexy mare.

When I get inside it’s pretty busy. I see the dancers and I just shake my head. I head to the bar sitting down. I don’t notice anything out of whack at all. I just keep to myself not paying much attention to what is going on.

“Excuse me, what can I get you?”

I lift my head then my eyes open wide staring at the silverfish magic eater.

“Are you Isiliva?”

The silverfish magic eater has a look of confusion on her face.

“Yes..who wishes to know?”

I sigh deeply.

“I am Dunewalker. I am looking for your husband Roll Roll.”

Isiliva stares at me. The silverworker bug just like Ruby backs away a second to open a door to call to someone. I don’t hear anything rushing out of the door, some zebra comes out of the room. The zebra looks like she is about to attack.

“Whoa whoa whoa!!! I am not here to fight, I just want to talk to him.”

The zebra stops before she attacks. I have a feeling this is a normal thing. The zebra lifts her head asking me to follow. I follow her and Isiliva through the door. When I get into the door I see many growing magic eaters. I glance at the little ones learning to fly and eating the magic they find. I could see the zebra spell of a forcefield keeping them in and me out.

“Before we say anything. Roll Roll did what Savannah wanted and he married the two of us recently. Just that is not all we asked him to tell us everything about what happened. Everything including what you did.”

Savannah nods.

“Frankly miss Walker, how do we know you just want to talk to him?”

I take a deep breath sighing. I knew this was going to come to bite me again. Even though we have moved on I doubt Roll ever will forgive me. We have at least come to an understanding.

“We did in a way have to forgive each other. I just doubt it lasted long. The hate between us all still lingers. I am trying to make amends as much as I can before my final journey. So I promise by the sand I won’t harm him.”

Isiliva looks at her wife and Savannah just shrugs her shoulders.

“Alright, he is in the house making dinner for the two of us. Don’t make us regret trusting you.”

Isiliva leads me to the door leading into the house. I watch the zebra who is known as Savannah head back out to the bar. When we get to the main door of the house she opens the door. I don’t say anything at all, let her do all the talking.

“Roll Roll my love. There is someone here who wishes to talk to you. Are you willing to talk to them?”

There was silence for a moment and a small clatter of plates. None of them breaking more like he was cleaning them as well.

“Sure!”

Isiliva turns to me, her silver eyes staring right at me. Like right into my soul. I gulp, take a deep breath and go into the kitchen. I watch the large blue bug clean and cook for his two wives. I don’t say a word.

“Hello, Dunewalker.”

I had no idea how he knew it was me. Then I notice he is holding up a polished pan and there is my reflection in it.

“I have come to tell you something before I head out again.”

Roll lowers the pan looking back at me. The cybernetics have taken to his body well from what I see. I see that he has gotten used to them as well. It took me years to get used to mine. Of course, that was my fault at the time.

“I had a sand dream. I am sure you don’t know what that means.”

Roll smirks.

“I know what a sand dream is Dunewalker. We have many camels come through here. I have learned much about your kind. I have even been told more than the lore keepers wanted to tell everyone. Since my wives love giving themselves to customers I forced him to tell me what he could before I let him have my wives in bed.”

Well, that is surprising no wonder it is called the Sexy mare. They’re not only the owners of it, they also kind of run a brothel. It made me wonder why it was called that now I know. I take a deep breath trying to remove the image from my mind. I explain to him everything that happens in the dream and what I do.

“I see so you wish to make sure it comes to that but you will not only be ready. Do you wish to weaken the judges and their minions enough for Ruby when she returns? Even if it means your death. Oh, Dunewalker I didn’t know you had it in you girl.”

I sigh I deserve that. I got many places to go. I still need to see the naga and enchant the bottle to lock the cloud wizard in it. I head back to the door sighing looking back to Roll Roll a weak smile forms on my face.

“Have you talked to Tick-Tock?”

Roll nods.

“We are working on getting our friendship going again. I have even talked to Hawk. She is even willing to try to. As long as we keep Ruby out of it and never speak to her again. I highly doubt either of us will do that. Hawk is still very upset at Ruby and what happened to her. I could never forgive her. But I could be her friend again. I just doubt we would ever be heroes again.”

I agree I doubt either of us would ever try to be heroes again. I don’t think we would do it again at all. If I ever was a hero again. I would just allow myself to accept the fate I will be accepted soon. I sigh deeply knowing if I do this right. I may see Ruby again or I may not. I just hope she takes the letter I asked Silver Shell to write to heart.

“Alright, I wish to say it again to you. Roll I am sorry for what I did to you all.”

Roll smiles.

“This time will forgive you Dunewalker. You felt what you did was right. Ruby and I were kind of controlled into doing the Queen's wants. We had no choice in the matter. You did have a choice. You just felt very strongly about what he wanted. I think if Ruby and I had a choice we would have fought with her.”

I might have joined in Majesty’s battle too if I was there. I don’t know if there are a few more places I have to go to. I need to get to Kludgetown to get a boat to mount Aris. But there is something else I need there as well. I need to find a naga who is willing to let me talk to Emerald

“Dune listen when or if Ruby returns from whatever journey they pushed her on. I hope she understands none of us will fight with her again. I doubt the others want to even be in the middle of this again. I would be like my two wives just sitting back and watching the battle.”

A sigh left my mouth. Again I feel guilty about this.

“I know now I need to be going again.”

Roll chuckles.

“No, you’re staying for dinner at least Dunewalker. I don’t want you to feel you aren’t welcomed here.”

I didn’t argue with him. I helped him set the table and we talked about our journeys with Ruby laughing about how Ruby acted so shy about many things around her. I do miss the Ruby I met before we broke her. I even told him how far it went to break Ruby. Roll didn’t get upset. I have a feeling meeting these two females calmed him down.

From the looks on the clock, the sun has gone down. Savannah and Isiliva walk into the dining room. I bring out empty plates for them and set the table bowing my head to them. Savannah and Isiliva stare at each other confused. Roll Roll comes out of the kitchen with all the food he made.

“I asked Dunewalker to stay for dinner. I know I have said many rude things about her. I feel happier after being with you two and well the little ones. My heart has calmed down and now I feel that I can forgive.”

Savannah smiles.

“I am happy to hear this.”

I sat at the table eating and laughing and talking with the three lovers. They told me stories about how Roll got jealous a few times and then joined in after he got over it. Then how he offers himself to females now and then.

“Well, you have changed. Anyway, I am happy you three welcomed me. I do hope love and hope like you three have will spread to the rest of this town. I do have a question for you though. When the battle happens will you three join in or stay back and help the wounded of both sides?”

Isiliva lowers her magic drink looking back at me with a sweet smile on her bug face. She can use her bug face to show her emotions. I could tell from the look on her face it took a while for her to use the muscles on her buggy face to do such a thing.

“Yes, we will do that. Even give them sexual favors if they wish them. Savannah and I are very active women. Roll Roll can never stay awake long enough to give us enough.”

She giggles and Roll smirks.

“I will try, of course. But I doubt she came here to learn about our sex lives. I will be honest with you Dunewalker. We got a lot to think about rather than fighting a battle. We got young ones to protect. Now if these two feel I should join the battle then I will do so only if they feel its’ wise to.”

Savannah nods, lowering her cup of tea, and setting it on the table.

“I wouldn’t mind joining the battle myself. I got more to think about though. I may not be able to get children from being with Roll. But I consider the ones that Isiliva laid and hatched are mine as well. Now miss Walker will you tell us about yourself?”

I sigh explaining to them about my dragon wife and we mixed our eggs with a male dragon. Then when I got to the sand dream. The two females frown; they know what a sand dream is. I told them the entire sand dream and what I plan on doing.

“I see so you wish to still have the dream come true. Just even though it might come true you wish to weaken Wheel Tread and his judge minions.”

I nod looking over to Isiliva who is confused as well as very sad from what I said.

“If your wife comes this way we will do everything we can for her. We will even help her raise her hatchlings if need be. It’s how this town is Flame may have caused many issues to become a leader. But all the children of this town are our children. The biggest thing she did is that the children of this town need to be protected more than adult lives. I agree with her stance on this. Many help take care of our little ones.”

I nod

“There is one question though I have for you, Miss Walker.”

I glance over at Savannah.

“What does it mean to be a Dunewalker?”

I sigh deeply.

“The Dunewalker curse was placed on my family line back during the Lunar Rebellion and that is why. The first one had to lie to his kind about why to join Luna. If he didn't, his wife and her unborn children would have been killed.”

I sigh while drinking a cup of tea.

“The issue with camels is that we know so much about the past. Sometimes we want to forget those who came before us. We never will be able to. I hope that I do with the sand dream. I will finally break the Dunewlker curse and my family line will no longer be treated like betrayers.”

Savannah shifts in her chair. I know she had something on her mind. I looked over the silverfish magic eater who didn’t say anything. I have a feeling they know what it’s like to be thought of as betrayers.

“Now we better get the little ones ready to sleep. Roll can you please see miss Walker out and give her food and drink for the rest of her journey?”

I glance at the silverfish magic eater. I smile standing up from the seat and hugging her. It surprises her at first till she hugs me in return. I now see why Roll fell in love with these two. They may be wild sex-hungry slutty gals. I have a feeling though he no longer cares about it.

“Of course my dear silverfish mate.”

The two females leave the dining room and there are sounds of the two singing to help put the hatchlings to sleep. Roll and I clean up the kitchen and he gives me two thermoses of tea and enough food to replace the food I ate over the last few days.

“I would ask you to spend the night. I don’t think you wish to and need to get back on your journey. Who are you going to talk with next then?”

I need to find the naga. I don't fully remember the way to get to their main cavern to talk to the queen. I need to go there to enchant the glass bottle I have been given.

“I need to speak to the naga. Do you know the best way to find them?”

Roll chuckles.

“Of course, they have an embassy built near the rock ball stadium. Go there and they will take you through tunnels to get to their queen. I.. Dune, will we ever see each other again?”

I stay silent for a few pregnant moments and I just give him a tight hug before grabbing everything and heading back out on my walkabout. I don’t know if I will survive or not. Do I have a right to survive? I don’t know at all if I do have the right to survive at all.

“Take care Roll Roll”

I wave goodbye to him and head on to the next part of my journey. I follow the directions he told me to go to. I found the stadium after a thirty-minute walk. I take a deep breath standing outside the embassy and standing outside are two guards.

“Excuse me, I need to speak to Emerald and meet someone who can enchant this.”

I pull the glass jar out of my bag.

“Oh, Miss Dunewalker Emerald said you’re always welcomed here even if you hurt the hero. What do you wish to talk to her about before we let you in?”

I am unsure what to say and all I can think is two words.

“Sand Dream.”

The two guards look at each other and quickly unlock the door to let me in. I head inside and the door is closed behind me. From what I see this is just a simple building and there is a tunnel leading into the kingdom of the nagas. Why most of these sand dwellers live under the sand is kind of impressive to me.

“Before I let you through. I need to speak with you.”

I look around trying to see who is talking to me. I finally turn around seeing a living suit of armor. My eyes open wide and then I remember Beezen’s magic. I sigh softly, shaking my head. I am sure there is a reason this suit of armor is sitting here.

“Let me guess one of Beezens magic creations?”

The suit just nods its helm.

“You could say that. Now Emerald is a bit busy. It's mating season so do you need to come down here?”

I shake my head again.

“Listen, I need to speak to her about my dream. It’s not just that I need a glass jar enchanted so if it’s okay to go please let me.”

The armor well I can’t tell if it’s unhappy or happy. It lifts its floating armor leg telling me to go. I walk towards the way into the tunnel. I look back at the suit of armor then look down the tunnel what am I going to see down here.

“What you will see down there miss will be well mating and sex and all that rot. It’s not something I understand really but I guess it’s a normal thing with living flesh creatures.”

The last time I was in the middle of a breeding situation I got fucked by a stallion. That was an interesting evening many years ago. I try so hard to forget about that moment even if I enjoyed the entire thing.

“Um thank you…”

Heading down into the tunnel I walk through them knowing it may take a while to get into the town or whatever Emerald calls her kingdom? After a two to four-hour walk, I find a resting area? I glance over to the side of the tunnel seeing a large resting area. A place to sit in what looks like fresh water waiting for whoever is willing to just wait and rest.

Sitting down on the bench leaning back to relax. It didn’t take long though for a naga guard to slither down the hall. The guard turns to look at me and he looks back down the tunnel he came from and then back at me.

“Are you here to see anyone?”

I glance at the guard.

“I am here to see Emerald.”

The guard laughs getting on the bench curling up like a snake.

“I hope you don’t mind talking to her while she is having sex with whatever male she picks. It takes alot to give the queen eggs and well she has to get taken a lot. So just be careful where you walk unless you want help getting through there. Since some males of my species are sex blind right now.”

I glance up at the large naga male.

“Then why aren’t you trying to stuff yourself inside me then hmm?”

The guard chuckles.

“Those who already have a mate don’t have these problems thankfully. So are you the one known as Dunewalker the one that betrayed the hero known as Ruby? Am I correct?”

My ears drooped to the sides of my head. I am getting tired of so many bringing it up. Yes, I did betray Ruby and help the Storm King kill her in the name of giving the lands back to those that deserve it and not the heroes or those above them.

“I know I did some awful things. I did it because at the time I believed every word that Wheel Tread said. After you have lived as long as I have and have those who came before you and remember everything they said and did.”

The guard nods shifting on the bench.

“My kind may live a very long time. I was even around during the end of the war and saw it end. Even so, we don’t remember those who came before us. Who knows it could be a good thing we don’t remember or it could be a bad thing. It’s why we write everything down.”

Maybe if my kind did the same we wouldn’t have to worry about holding every single memory, feeling, and thought would be easier to handle than having to have them sitting in your head for so long.

“I do have one thing to do before seeing Emerald. I need to have a glass bottle enchanted. I am told you have an enchanter in your kingdom.”

He nods.

“Yes, I warn you she might be busy behind her counter getting the living daylights screwed out of her. So she will be able to help you since we have to be trained to work during times like this. Are you prepared for this?”

I laugh loudly.

“Hon I remember every sexual moment those who came before me have done. Do you think that will bother me? I remember every moment and all the feelings of it and I have been taken by a stallion. During the pony mating season.”

The naga laughs.

“That must have been strange getting plowed by a pony.”

I shrug my shoulders.

“It was better than some of the camels I have been with.”

He chuckles.

“I am Curly by the way. If you think I got the name for how my tail curls. You would be correct when it comes to our names. Our mothers are a bit dense with it.”

His tail curls. I swear I have seen many of his species do the same thing. I wonder if it’s just a trait they name most of their hatchlings after. I am unsure whether it’s my place to ask though. Got off the bench looking down the tunnel.

“Well, I am ready. I am ready to see the den of sin. The den of such evil”

I laugh a bit. Curly snickers getting off the bench. He leads me down the tunnel to the community of the Naga. I don’t think I ever got the name of their community. I glance at the sign on the wall. ‘Welcome to our lovely city ‘SandStone.’

_______

Sandstone

Curly leads me to the door which leads to Sandstone. He turns back to me and I see the wooden door. ‘Warning Naga mating season. We aren’t going to be blamed for you getting fucked and making friends through fucking.’

I cock my eyebrow at the warning tilting my head.

“So how is this sign a warning? It’s like you’re daring some female or male to walk in here. How many times has a species not a Naga came in here?”

I just realized what I said. I face my paw hard. I just said the word came and many are already doing so. I groan at my thoughts now even more.

“Choose your words better, Dunewalker.”

He laughs.

“Okay, I am ready.”

He opens the door and I glance up at the roof of the sand ceiling. Some crystals make it bright enough like it’s a Sun. He leads me through the sand-made streets looking around. I see why he warned me. I look over to a bench seeing a female get her brains screwed out. My mouth gaps open watching this sin.

“Excuse me Dunewalker. Some don’t enjoy being watched.”

I noticed I stopped following Curly. I blush deeply thankfully my fur is thick enough that he can’t see me blush. I go back to trying so hard to ignore hearing the moans and the groans. It’s making me miss my wife and want her so badly now.

Curly led me to the enchanting building which is connected to the blacksmithing store. When we get inside an orange female naga leans on the counter looking toward me and Curly a pleasurable smile forming on her face.

“Hi Curly and..camel. I am.” She grunts trying to hold back moans. I will not look over the counter. Curly looks over the counter. He laughs

“Enjoying yourself Coal?”

I see a black naga arm lift from the back of the counter, his arm is covered in armor. All he does is give a claw up. Curly laughs my cheeks burn brightly again so thankful my fur is so thick so no one sees me blush.

“Do you mind if we borrow Umtha just for a few moments if you keep doing what you are doing?”

Coal waves his hand in a way I am sure means he doesn’t. Curly smirks looking toward the orange naga. I step forward remove the glass jar from my bag and place it on the counter. Umtha glances at the jar more than at me.

“I need this enchanted so it holds a strong wizard and no matter what he does it doesn’t break and please make sure the enchant lasts at least a full year can you please do it?”

Umtha grunts, nodding. She reaches for Curly whispering in his ear. Curly leans in to listen and nods a few times.

“Oh really?”

Umtha nods, whispering more.

“I see.”

I tilt my head.

“What did she say?”

Curly smirks.

“She can do it but she is telling me how this situation happened. Coal here is already mated with another female. But she allowed him to claim another and it seems he picked Umtha here. Also, this is not a new thing for us. For a male to claim two females. So yes she can do it and Coal will help her with adding a stronger cork. Just let’s allow them to finish their sin. Do you two need anything before we leave?”

Umtha shakes her head. Coal lifts his hand to the counter waving goodbye to the two of us. Curly leads me out as I lean on the wall and he slithers away to get some water from the fountain near us. I take a deep breath in the cool air. I glance up at the crystals. I wonder if the crystals give fresh air. I am just trying to keep my mind off what I just saw.

Curly returns offering me a metal flask. I take a deep swig from the water inside it. I feel the heat in my body dim for a few moments. I pull the flask away from my mouth, setting it back down.

“Better?”

I nod quickly standing back on my paws and he smirks. I look over to the next area he is leading me to. Built on the side of sandstone is a strange castle. Curly nods to the guards who just stare at me. I know my reputation is very bad here. One of them grabs the hilt of his blade, nodding to me.

“Don’t try anything betrayer.”

I gulp deeply heading inside the castle or newly made. I am unsure from what I am told by Curly this place wasn’t around back when the Naga first got here. The castle was built so long ago after Emerald became queen it was made for her.

When we make it to the throne room Emerald is on her throne but under her is a male. My cheeks burn brightly. I hear her grunting while the male under her thrusts his meat deep into her. She positions herself so she can see me better. Oh, I will never be able to unsee this ever again.

“Hello, Dunewalker, what brings you here during our mating season?”

I took a deep breath. I didn't want to ruin her fun. I close my eyes a moment to think if it’s my right to tell her this.

“Sand Dream.”

Emerald forces the male to stop staring at him, slinging her head and telling him to go for a while as he nods slithering away. A servant slithers to Emerald; she offers her a towel and she cleans the sweat off her scales.

“I see, does this have anything to do with Ruby being alive?”

I was about to say something.

“You can’t lie to me, Dunewalker. I know she is alive, no one would be crazy enough to head to Abyssinia and free it. If not then tell me what is this dream about?”

I shake my head explaining to her about the dream.

“I see so you want my naga and I to go and make sure your plans worked? If we find you dead, what do you want us to do?”

I take a deep breath unsure.

“Just tell the truth about everything I did. If you don’t find me it could mean someone took my body. Just please look for survivors and make sure it can be rebuilt later. I know it would take so long to rebuild and remove the eels. It may never be able to be rebuilt after all this is said and done. Now I am sorry for coming in at a time when you were breeding.”

Emerald smiles.

“Oh don’t worry he wasn’t good enough. Besides, I need a strong male to be my king. Not just some male leaving because I ask him to because you came in. if a male was strong enough to be my kind. They would have stayed and kept having his way with me.”

I laugh, shaking my head.

“Before I leave, is there a shortcut to get to Kludgetown?”

Emerald shakes her head.

“Sadly no though Curly can take you to the tunnelers. It would be at least an hour from our back way out. It’s safer at least after what Ruby did. It's much safer than heading through the main way to Kludgetown. But why do you need to go there?”

I sigh.

“I remember stories of trinkets from Dream Valley or AKA pony land in the hotel there. I need to go there and gather what I can. I know what I need, I just don’t feel it will change anything. I hope it does change things.”

Emerald gets off her throne coming up to me hugging me tightly. The stress and tense muscles of my body. I wonder if she saw that. I also wonder if she knows I may never return from this. I hope I will see my little one grow up.

“I wish I could help you Dunewalker. I can’t do anything because my claws are tied. Many feel the alliance betrayed them since we aren’t saving them from the Storm King. We can't because he is too powerful and we are doing what we can to infiltrate and bring a lot of his minions to our side. It’s not as hard as you think either. Please stay safe Dunewalker and don’t allow anyone to tell you you’re a betrayer. You would have done what a lot of us would have done.”

Curly smiles leading me back out while a larger male naga nods to me. Looking back at the door closing and smirking knowing Emerald will be enjoying herself the rest of the day. We head back to the enchanting store. Coal glances at me as he sets down the newly enchanted glass jar with a metal cork.

“She enchanted this too. Also, don’t worry about paying. Curly can pay her later. I tired her out and I think she won’t be awake for at least a few hours. Oh, and Curly, your wife was looking for you. She said something about wanting a new egg?”

Curly laughs, shaking his head.

“That would be, I think, our tenth egg? Anyway, if she returns, tell her I needed to take our friend here to the tunnelers. I will return soon after alright? Also Coal I hope you’re going to get used to having two females that will love the living shit out of you.”

Coal shrugs his shoulders.

“Wouldn’t be the first time. Anyway, stay safe, Curly you as well Dunewalker.”

I place the jar in my bag and Curly leads me out of the back way out of the tunnels. Guarding the back way in it surprises me with a large storm king minion. He looks down at me bowing his head in respect to me.

“Hello, Dunewalker, a friend of the great warrior Water Spout.”

I stare at the creature while we walk out of the tunnel. I was confused, how is Water Spout a great warrior? I look up at Curly who's laughing now. I have a feeling I have no idea what is going on.

“Back before everything happened and the alliance formed. Water Spout came down there and took him and his minions on and fought them. He won of course but her bravery and the guts she had to fight him made him impressed by her.”

I smirk happily. Water Spout proved herself to those who aren’t even other water hunters. I am happy for her. I do wonder how strong she is now being a mother. I haven’t seen her and the others for a while after we all left and allowed Ruby to do what she is forced to do I think?

“Curly I have a question: what is your take on heroes?”

Curly glances down at me a weak smile forms on his face.

“To be honest I am unsure. I think some people put too much faith in heroes. They’re just like every other creature wanting to live and sometimes trying to do what others are too scared to do. Look at those that came before Emerald. They had to survive and had to survive from those in fear of them.”

He is correct. It's hard to trust heroes sometimes because heroes wish to change things. Trying to force change doesn’t always work. Sometimes forcing change is not always a good idea. It’s best to allow the change to happen when those who want it. Want it. At least that is how my kind looks at it.

“When I first met Ruby. I thought she was just a pretender but her big heart proved to me she had what it takes. But I was too blinded by Wheel Tread and he wants to bring progress back to this land. So I betrayed them at the right time and then I watched the Storm King kill Ruby. All I remember him telling me is he is sorry for what he had to do in the name of the stars. I have a feeling he wouldn’t have even done it. If the stars didn’t have full control of him. I have a feeling they will lose control of him.”

Curly nods.

“So do you know the next areas you’re heading to?”

I take a deep breath nodding. I didn’t want to tell him I have to trust someone though. It’s hard to trust anyone lately. This walkabout has shown me that I need to trust everyone. If I can’t trust everyone I will never be able to get this curse off my family line.

“I'm going to go to the inn and then Peace Rock. Two more places after that. Hard Rock I need to talk to the one that banished me. Then I need to go speak to Dj Mixer. I hope she is willing to talk to me and allow me to record what I need to.”

Curly nods.

“I hope you’re able to do what you need to do, Duenwalker. I enjoyed our talks and I do hope to see you again. If I don’t I will be there for your funeral I promise you.”

A smile forms on my face. We finally get out of the tunnel heading back into the fresh air. Looking back at the tunnel and when we leave I see it vanish by strange magic. I wonder if many of the dwellers have been hiding their homes from spells.

“Okay even though there are clouds above us. We still get sun madness. Many of us are starting to wonder if it’s part of Nightmare Moon’s curse. I had a friend recently get so bad he sang himself to sleep.”

Not surprisingly Nightmare Moon would have found a way to keep this land safe. Even if some would say it’s not safe. I glance over to the rocks. I swear I see raiders waiting to jump us. Curly looks over to the side to see the same thing I see.

“Oh, they’re not even waiting for us. Those raiders are scared of me and the other naga. Also, they seem scared of you.”

The raiders look at me and nod to each other. They move away from the rocks coming towards us. I stop in my tracks while a large raider mare comes out of the group staring at me. I wait to see what is about to happen.

“Ey. ya Dunewanker?”

Dunewanker? What the hell?

“Uh, I am Dunewalker. How can I help you?”

The raider smiles moving away from the group letting us go. We walk in the middle of them. I watch the bloodshot eyes and the mare lifts her hoof to look at me with an evil smile forming on her face.

“Ye on the sam sied. At least for now”

I have no idea what in the world she is saying.

“Mame I doubt she can understand what you’re saying.”

The mare glares at the stallion he gulps.

“I could translate for you.”

The mare growls back into the crowd pushing the stallion in front of me and glares at the stallion with her body movement. She is telling him to tell me now or she will kill him. He gulps laughing.

“Anyway this is our leader Bone Spur. She is saying we are on the same side. At least for now and she would be able to say it. But she wants to know what it’s like to betray a hero and then put them in their place.”

My nostrils flare with anger in my eyes. I felt rage building in the core of my heart and soul. I want to scream at this mare and tell her it’s heartbreaking and I caused so much pain and hurt for this land.

“Do you want to know what it’s like betraying a hero and putting them in their place? You know what heartbreak is right and showing that you’re below the hero and that they have done nothing but try to hope for the land?”

The mare nods.

“Double that then watch her get shot because made yeti or whatever he is controlled by the stars. Does that help you or do I have to spell it out for you?!”

The mare shakes her head.

“She didn’t mean it in a bad way, miss Walker. We all look up to heroes ourselves, just our lives have been this way for so long. It’s hard for us to remove ourselves from being raiders. We try to protect the young we see here.”

He glances at the mare she nods.

“Now we will let you go. I um… look up to you miss Walker. I hope you can redeem yourself.”

Curly and I just left and it was an hour later. We didn’t talk to each other for the entire hour. He could tell though running into them angered me so much that I am too angry to talk. I will never be able to get past what I did. So many will keep bringing it up. What surprised me though I could swear I heard music.

“Oh miss Walker. Don’t be so down we are here on the right path finding the right way to free the land from the Storm King.”

Are we doing this right now? Are we singing? I grunt and try to ignore the want to sing. Closing my eyes, grunted, trying to ignore the want to sing. It’s harder said than done when you feel the pressure to release your soul.

“Oooh, I am lost. I have a broken heart. I look back on all I have done. I look back on all those that came before me.”

I see a flash of the camel that came before me and got the curse first. He sang as well to bring peace to his heart after losing his name and family. His family even left him after he became Dunewalker

“The lives of those I see every time I close my eyes. Every time I hear their voices I feel their pain. Every time I see what was in their hearts and their souls. I see myself and I see myself falling down the pit they fell inside.”

Closing my eyes tears fell down my cheeks. I look back on everything and the last and final memory of seeing Ruby facing the Storm King. All I remember is the gun going off and everything else is a flash while I watch Rubie's body fall to the sand below.

“We all have pain we can’t let go of. I am the only guard who almost didn’t survive the training of being a guard for Emerald. It took me almost five hundred years to spread my seed in a female willing to lower herself for me. We all have our pain, and we all have our broken hearts. We must move on and it’s all we have left in our lives”

The music grows much louder, adding to the music. Looking around to see if I can find where the heck this music is coming from. I will never understand why this land or Equestria itself has this magic music.

“I will never know I will never see her return. If I survive I may return for the final battle. The final way to end this cold war. I ain’t sure no more I am lost I am broken. I am searching for myself in this walkabout. It’s time to let go and allow the end to come. Even if it means I never see my little one grow.”

Curly and I sing together.

“We have to work together to fight for our land. For our home, for our way to sing and to fight. The only way to dance together is to allow ourselves to never see the end. We must sing, we must fight. The drums of war shall come towards us within the end. It’s time to end and for the magic of friendship. It’s time and we must go.”

The music ends and the two of us stop singing. I close my eyes, sighing softly. After the song was over we finally made it to the tunnels leading into the tunneler’s home. I glance at Curly who turns around to head back home. He stops to turn his head just a bit to look at me. A weak smile creeps onto his face.

“I hope to see you again. So please survive the battle if you can. If you can’t then I will do my best to honor you.”

I don’t say anything and just watch him leave. Before I could turn around. I see one of the tunneler warriors come out of the tunnel. She looks up at me lifting her leg like saying go on in.

“Has your queen been told I am coming?”

The bug chuckles.

“If I told her you are coming to see her. Dunewalker she would have come herself. I need you to speak to her though since she hasn’t gotten over what happened to Ruby. I am hoping you can help her get over her depression so she can lay eggs again.”

It’s odd to me how close did Ruby and the queen get? I know she treated Ruby-like one of her little ones. I am starting to wonder if she felt connected to Ruby. I wish I could understand, maybe someday I will highly doubt it though.

I am led into the tunnels wondering how I will be able to help. All I can think of is just talking to her about why I did it. Maybe it’s not wise to do so I feel I have to-it’s sad to me I will never understand it at all.

____________

The tunnels.

I glance around watching the tunnelers helping other insect-like creatures through their tunnels with weapons armor and even food. I have never seen a place like this so busy. Of course from what Ruby told me places like this are always busy.

The warrior leads me to a heavily protected chamber. I glance at the guards I gulp feeling I am about to get attacked. The warrior looks up at me lifting my leg for me to go first. I nod heading inside and looking at all the broken eggs. I see the queen laying in the darkness in her nest. I look at all the dead eggs that she laid a while ago but they never hatched.

“Excuse me Phammaxia. I have been asked by one of your warriors to talk to you. Are you willing to talk to me?”

The body of the large bug shifts, turning to look at me. The gentle eyes of a broken mother stare at me. I couldn’t tell if she was upset or happy to see me. I can’t tell with the darkness. Also, it is very hard to know the feelings of these bug creatures.

“Are you here to break my heart even more Dunewalker? You didn’t even give the poor little one a chance. She wanted to save this land and all you had to do was break her. Are you here to break another? Are you here to destroy an entire race for your master?”

I took a deep breath trying not to get upset.

“Phammaxia please don’t tell anyone else but she is alive.”

She stares at me in surprise, quickly coming out of the darkness and staring into my eyes to see if I am lying or not.

“You’re telling the truth. Bu..but why haven’t I seen her or has she come to see me?!”

I am unsure how to tell her all I can think of is the truth.

“Beezen and many others went with her to find Dream Valley. There is a rumor a weapon could be found there. There is also another rumor about it. The rumor was that the good stars gave up on zebras and the entire world. I am unsure about the weapon, I have no idea.”

Phammaxia sighs, shaking her head.

“I just wish someone would have told me. It might be made easier not to lay eggs and watch them die.”

A frown forms on my face. I wish I could help her more. All I can think of is hugging her tightly and pulling away soon after.

“If you could, I need to find a way to get into Kludgetown. Do you have any tunnels heading right into the city?”

She thinks for a second.

“The city is not very safe right now. They did many things to fight and get the two under the alliance’s control back when Ruby was alive. It’s more of the remnants of the fight and the clean-up. There are some very hungry souls up there who will do anything for a meal. So I can ask my warriors to dig you a tunnel right into the cellar under the inn.”

I quickly nod.

“I need to get in there anyway. How long will it take to make this tunnel?’

Phammaxia shrugs her shoulders.

“It could take a day. Unless the soil around the area is soft and brittle. I will ask them to do it right away. Please stay and relax. I want to talk to you anyway.”

The large queen leaves quickly. I have never seen such a large creature leave so quickly. I look away from her ass smacking myself. I keep saying to myself just a little longer and I will be back home with my wife. Maybe one last night of magic and I can get her to leave. She then comes back.

“Alright, they’re working on it now. Now would you like some tea?”

I quickly nod.

“Sure would love some tea, what kind do you have?”

The large queen bug leads me to a chamber connected to her breeding chamber? I look back at the large room full of eggs and broken shells. I swear this is a sex room. Maybe it is since I have been told by Ruby before that a queen will mate with many males. She said she could have been a queen herself. From what I am seeing here I don’t mind the idea of all the males. I just don’t like the idea of being so big. Of course, the other part of her just seems connected to her.

Phammaxia grabs a hot kettle she has had sitting over a strange hot rock. Place some strange leaves into the tea to let them soak for a bit. She glances at me with a smirk forming on her face. Now that I can see.

“You have questions?”

I am unsure what to ask.

“Well, I notice that you have this strange large ass. What is it for?”

She glances at the large pouch which hangs off her ass leading right behind her. She laughs, shaking her head. I felt I would have offended her with such a question. I am happy I didn’t offend her.

“It grows out after laying so many eggs. It makes it easier at least. Now I could remove it and grow the eggs another way. Even though I have this it cleans the eggs and removes sickness from the eggs that could kill them. It’s a process I haven’t been allowing my body to do. So some eggs are already dead or the little one is so weak. I guess my depression was harming my species.”

She offers the cup of tea with a leg. I take it in my paws while drinking it.

“Now you said you had questions for me?”

She pours herself tea for herself taking a sip sitting right beside me.

“Well, why are you species so protective of their history? I mean I can understand if their history is full of warmongers and racists and killers.”

I shrug my shoulders.

“I may be part of the camel race but a Dunewalker is never told. Like many outsiders don’t understand, a Dunewalker is a blemish on the camel race. A blemish they don’t only want to remove. Some camels get very upset and try to remove them from the face of the world. I am the only one left as far as I know. I will never be told if I have any other family.”

Phammaxia sighs.

“I see so I am understanding why you treated heroes like you did. I would feel the same way if my species treated me like an outsider because of someone before me in the past. I have been told by a camel about it.”

I shift a bit, sighing. It’s hard to talk about this. I wish I could understand why the Dunewalker cures had been made. It’s gotten to the point I doubt any even remembers why or even where the curse came from.

I was about to say something else and before I could one of the warriors came in, chittering to the queen she smiles then frowns again.

“Oh, they’re already done. It must be weaker soil than I thought.”

She looks back at me after the guards leave. I could see the tiredness in her eyes. I think the tea is at least boosting her from this stress.

“It’s been at least an hour and they had help. So it’s why it got done faster. I am guessing my species feel you might hurt me. So they gathered others around them to get the job done faster.”

I felt my heart sink by the word betrayer just hearing it. It’s starting to make me feel it’s all I am going to hear till I finally break the curse. I stood up, staying silent. I felt broken just by the word. It’s starting to eat at me more and more.

“Dunewalker…”

I don’t say anything going through the tunnels leading me to the cellar. I glance at all the bugs around and they start poking me with their legs angrily chittering. I swear I see their eyes glowing. Oh, it’s the hate sickness. I look above seeing the full body of a ram standing right behind them. A dark evil smile on his face while his horns glow.

“Get out!!”

Many of them scream at me. I just stare at Grogar while I walk past them. He just winks. I wish I could bash him in his goat face. He vanished soon after I left the tunnel. All I could hear behind me were the bugs upset with themselves.

“Why..was I so angry at her?”

Before I fully get out of the tunnels into the cellar in front of me a portal opens up beside me just enough for the head of the evil goat to edge his head out. I stare at the goat. The spell keeping him back is getting weaker.

“Well, you must be Miss Dunewalker.”

I took a deep breath.

“Grogar, the father of monsters. The shogun of the hate sickness. The monster of the past who got his ass kicked by a mare named Gusty.”

Grogar snorts.

“She was lucky and hmm Discord pretending to be me in the past helped break the spell just a bit. So I could see those so-called evil try to fight the magic of friendship. I was able to watch now and then. Some years I never saw a thing the last thing I saw was the glory of the bombs.”

I just stand there deep in my mind all I can think of is how boring he is.

“Are you done?”

Grogar just stares at me.

“Huh?”

I laugh softly

“Listen Grogar I get it you’re evil and all that rot. I get it you enjoy gloating but all I am seeing is an old evil goat that needs to force his ego around. You can’t do anything right now or at all till the spell is fully broken. You think I am not used to being hated?!”

Tears fell down my face. He is winning and I am not about it. I can no longer keep in touch with how I feel. I have been called so many things since this walkabout. Grogar just stares at a smile creeping on his evil face.

“Oh, then why are you crying, Miss Walker?”

He leans toward me whispering.

“Could it be because everything they say is true? Soon I will return and I will make sure of those you love. Bow to me and make sure no one ever beats me again. For all you can do is watch me as you can’t even protect this land. Take this deep in your head.”

He touches my head and all I see are dead bodies all over the ground. Screaming souls reaching for freedom and little ones trapped in cages. While they watch their parents are guardians tossed into a pit below and they scream.

I scream looking at my fleshy paw and seeing my skin and muscle burn. Feel spiders eat my body. Seeing myself laying in the pile of bodies with my friends and those I love. I reach my broken paw for my wife. She is tossed into the pit while Grogar stands there laughing and my world goes black.

_________

Capper’s inn.

I open my eyes looking around in a cold sweat. Phammaxia standing right infront of me. The same warriors who attacked and insulted me act like they’re guilty of what they said to me. Even if it’s all true

“I am sorry Dunewalker for what my children said to you. We heard you screaming ``what did you see Dunewalker?”

I close my eyes. Should I tell them who I saw?

“I think it’s all the stress. I want to thank you for your kindness. I need to get going just the same. I hope you find peace, Phammaxia. You need to keep your heart strong and your species alive. This might be the last time we see each other. Since I got one more place after this inn. The island Hard Rock. Then the Dj and then the final place I need to go to. The place it all started for the camels. I need to speak to those before me.”

I walk up the stairs not looking back at the souls who were kind to me till Grogar spread his hate sickness. I get to the door leading to the main hall of the inn sighing unsure what to do. Opening the door heading inside.

When I get in there I stare at the long legs looking at Hawk. She stares down at me lowering herself fully to see me with her cams.

“So you’re the one screaming down there. Before I shoot you, Dunewlker why are you here?”

A robotic hippogriff pushes Hawks guns away from me. She stands fully back up looking down at the robotic creature. He turns to look at me smiling.

“Forgive my wife. She needs to learn manners.”

Wife?!

“Wait Hawk, when did you get married?”

Hawk just leaves ignoring me while I look back at the Hippogriff.

“Forgive her, she is still upset about Ruby. She wanted to be able to say goodbye to her. Now may I ask why are you here?”

I shake my head, getting my mind back to normal.

“I came here to find Capper’s old office. I am very surprised to see anyone here. Why are you two here or is there more than just you two?”

The robot glances around shrugging his shoulders.

“Hawk and I kind of live here. Many live here since the new Queen wants to rebuild the mountain. So she asked everyone to leave till then. Also, the office hasn’t been used since Ruby was here. So I doubt anyone has gone in there since then.”

I nod walking through the old inn and looking at the old paintings on the wall. Seeing the princess and the six friends who caused so many of the issues in the past. I get to the door leading to Capper’s office before I get inside though a large metal foot stops me. I look upright at Hawk.

“I have a feeling you have some harsh words for me correct?”

Hawk just stares at me with her cams.

“I have been hearing stories about a hero. Could it be who I think it is?”

I quickly nod.

“Yes, now may I go in?”

Hawk arms her guns priming them to get ready to shoot me. I just stare into her cams. I knew I would deal with her sooner or later. All I can think of doing is saying a few words. I am unsure how to say it but here is the way I should. ‘ I am sorry I should say.’

“Listen Hawk. I made some awful mistakes, I know. If you still feel you should kill me for everything. Then please go ahead but you will be leaving a dragon without her wife. A pregnant wife who I mixed my eggs with and is going to carry the egg. I know full well this little one will grow up without me.”

Hawk just keeps staring at me with her cams. It’s like she is looking right into my soul. I don’t blame her for being upset. I don’t know what happened to her during the three years. I know all of us went to hell during those three years.

“I will never forgive you for what you did to Ruby. My friendship with the others will never be the same. Just please leave. I never wish to ever talk to you again. Maybe someday I will forgive you but today is not the day.”

I just shrug my shoulders. I am the cause of everyone’s problems I guess. All I see is Hawk still not getting over her issues. I doubt she ever will with what the ponies of the past did to her. I still don’t blame them for what she did to their others.

“Let me go in here and then I am gone. You will never see me again, do you agree?”

Hawk moves her leg out of the way. She moves behind me and I look at the old door. I haven’t seen a door this well kept in a long time. When I look back at Hawk. I softly sigh.

“Hawk I had a sand dream.”

Hawk just looks at me again.

“I don’t fucking care if you had a dream with you fucking a pipe. Just get out of my sight and do it quickly.”

My ears pin to the back of my head. I should have seen just a reaction from her coming. I have no idea what Ruby ever saw in her. I know full well Ruby loved all her friends. Including Hawk even though most of the time Hawk insulted her and treated her awful. I always wanted to bring it up but how do you say it to a killing machine?

Opening the door and heading inside. I turn on the light after I close the door. I see everything from Dream Valley in some cases. I heard stories about these objects. I look at the old Sunstone from Flutter valley. It has heavy cracks through the entire stone. I wonder if this stone was used for something in the past.

Looking through more of the cases. I see the heart stone. The heart stone of the creator of Crunch the Rock dog. I open the case pulling out the stone heart. It felt warm and it beat gently in my paws like it was a real heart. I don’t know how to use it. I was just told Crunch the Rock dog is scared of this. I place it in my bag, taking a deep breath and sighing.

I glance at another case. Heading to it seeing some strange star wands. I read the card on the case. ‘The wands of the pony princess. The magic from the wands stolen from Lavan.’ I remove the case looking at all the wands. I could tell great magic went through these. I am hoping I could use them to weaken Lavan at least till Ruby can deal with him.

I place the wands in my bags. I look around to see if I can find anything else. It seems nothing else is here but paintings. I could see the eyes staring at me. I could see these are souls trapped by the one known as Majesty. So the stories about her are true: she trapped poor creatures, turning them into trees and placing them into paintings. I glance at the wall of an old painting of ponies of the past. The painting is so badly kept I can’t make out anything.

I leave the office with everything I came for. Waiting beside the door is the same hippogriff who is Hawks hubby.

“Found everything you need?”

I look at my bags. I didn’t say a word. I turn to head out but I know no way to get to the island. I look back at the griff.

“Are there any ships you know of heading towards the island outside the storm?”

The griff smirks.

“Of course, I asked one of the alliance airships to wait for you. I had a feeling it’s what you would have needed.”

I was confused about why he is helping me.

“Why? Why would you help me?”

He shrugs his shoulders.

“My wife asked me to. She had a feeling you would be going to the island next. She is outside waiting for you since the city is not safe anymore. The poachers and others have been trying to keep the peace. But too many raiders and gangs have been taking hold of the areas. So make sure you’re armed.”

I reach for my sword with my metal cybernetic paw it turns to fingers. I grab the hilt of the sword holding it over my shoulder. I look back at the inn remembering this place from another one before me. She stayed here and had her first night of love and sex here. It was amazing to her that she never got married but still had children. Three of them only one of them got the curse and that was me. I was born here I guess when she had nowhere else to go. Heading to the main door watching zebras redo a spell to keep the inn protected. I walk out the door into the city known as Kludgetown.

__________________

The coastal city of Kludgetown.

Heading outside and waiting for me is Hawk. She is looking around with her cams. I look around seeing Ponies and many other races on patrol. The city looks empty and lifeless. I see parts of bodies and bloodstains all over the place.

“Follow me, we need to get to the docks.”

I held onto the hilt tightly while she led me through the city. I look in the window seeing many families closing their blinds and turning their lights off. They seem more scared of us than they are of the gangs.

“When Ruby came here and did her oh so amazing heroism. She caused more problems than she helped. Now thankfully the gangs and the raiders haven’t done much as of late. If they do attack, don't kill them, try to scare them off.”

We walk through the broken city. I see many bodies still decaying with flies over them. It’s like they haven’t had the time to come through here to clean up or maybe they don’t have enough to do so. I have smelled it so many times it no longer bothers me. I look up to Hawk who is trying to stay silent.

“Hawk, why did you offer to help me?”

It takes a while for Hawk to say anything. She keeps an eye out for any gang members or raiders. She looks down at me with another cam. I know it will take a while for her to trust me again. She quickly turns her body up to see a bunch of gang members on the roof looking down at us.

“Dune…”

A pegasus from the gang flies down on the ground in front of us and she opens her dark blue eyes. She looks very well kept and clean. She sets down her weapons like she is not wishing to attack us.

“I am the leader of the gangs. I wish to ask why are you here alone? The betrayer and Hawk. The friend of the former dead hero.”

Hawk is about to fire her weapons. I put my paw on her leg shaking my head. She lowers her gun and I move forward holding my weapon tightly. I look down at her and she just gives me a sweet smile.

“I need to get to the island beyond the storm. I have been told that raiders have been causing problems for the citizens of this place.”

The pegasus laughs

“It’s neither of us or your friend’s alliance here. We came here to help but all sides seem to have a misunderstanding when it comes to what is going on. To tell you the truth it’s not fighting it’s the hopelessness. The bodies we have been finding are those who have lost hope. The raider leader showed me this. I figured we could work together to get to the real enemy of this.”

I need to get going. I can't deal with this now.

“Then who is the cause of this problem?”

The pegasus is about to speak when the raider leader comes out from the side of the building.

“Bray the donkey. Grogar’s second in command. It will be a while before we can get to him. He and Grogar’s minions who many of us have fought are the cause of all this. They’re held up in one of the buildings.”

I sigh deeply.

“Listen, I already have more to deal with than this. Do you think you can deal with this without me?”

The pegasus cocks her eyebrow staring at me.

“What don’t you care about the souls of this community?”

I blow air out of my mouth.

“Listen, I am on a walkabout because of my dream. I need to focus on my journey. I can’t just stay here and fight Grogar’s minions or second in command. I am sure you could take him on with no problems. Just get me to the docks and then I will be on my way.”

Hawk agrees. I now have a larger group leading me to the docks. I have heard of the minions before. Grogar enslaved them long ago because they have useful hands to feed Grogar. When we get to the dock I finally can say what is on my mind.

“So Grogar allowed the Troggles to leave their pens hmm?”

The raider leader and pegasus stare at me.

“You know what they’re called?”

The pegasus seems very surprised.

“Yes, my kind have run into them before. It’s not the first time Grogar has tried to break through his seals. Now listen, I am sorry for not helping you. Maybe Hawk can but I need to get back to my journey.”

“Before you go. I am Rash the raider leader.”

I chuckle under my breath.

“Oh hush your name is Dunewalker that is odd too.”

The pegasus mare gets on her hind legs.

“I am the only Zipper!! The great-granddaughter of the mare Whizzer.”

Whizzer? She is the granddaughter of one of the Dream Valley mares. It would mean many dream valley ponies found their way here. I look at the airship which would fly me to the last areas I need to go to.

“It’s nice to meet you two and great to see you again Hawk. I am sorry I can’t stay and help you deal with”

Before I could finish I went silent seeing a large army standing on the roof surrounding us. On the roof is the Donkey. He smirks and laughs, his voice sounding so dorkish it made me almost laugh. But seeing his army of troggles had me worried.

“Well well. The leaders in one area I am sure would love to see you fight me and this army!!”

He is gloating?! He is just standing there ready to attack us and he is gloating like some super villain in those comics. Okay, that’s since no one is willing to take this shot. I stab my blade into the ground pulling out the shotgun from the hilt of my blade.

“Hey ASS HOLE!!”

Bray stops his boasting and laughs.

“Huh?”

I smirk aiming the gun at him.

“Did anyone ever tell you the first rule of being evil? Don’t gloat and laugh, some won’t just sit there and allow you to do it!!”

I fire and a troggle general pushes Bray out of the way. At least one is hit and dies on the roof. I keep firing at Bray. While many bodies keep him protected and the only way he gets away is I run out of ammo. Bray pants looking back at the army who are firing arrows at us.

“Don’t just stand there, retreat, we will deal with them another time!!”

Bray and the army ran away as fast as they could. . While Hawk nods her Cams to me and the other two waved goodbye to me while they charge after the army and Bray. I look back at the airship a rat creeper is waiting for me in a chair he didn’t seem bothered by everything that went on. I walk to the small airship which looks like a small flying boat. I found it funny and laugh to myself.

“So you’re the one I am going to be helping? I am Hitch and before you say anything I heard all the jokes before. Please get on and we will get going.”

I nod getting on the deck of the little ship. On the deck is a small basket I can lay in to relax. I need to rest my paws anyway. I make sure I get my sword and open the hilt of the blade placing more shells in. HItch flies the ship into the air while we fly through the storm. It feels weaker than I thought. No lighting or rain is coming down. It won’t even put a stop to us getting through now.

“I have to warn you Dunewalker you aren’t very popular on this island. So are you coming there just to meet those who are your friends?”

I glance over at him nodding.

“Alright, the girls are having their tea meeting at the healer’s hospital. So please don’t do anything stupid. Cranberry misses her wife and it’s going to be a year before she sees her again. Inyanga is also pregnant. So please don’t upset her and Water Spout is very protective of her friends.”

I nod happily for them. I watch the island of the outcast at least it’s what the camels have called it in the past.

_________

The island of the outcast.

The airship lands on the roof of the old hospital. I get off and look back at him with a weak smile on my face.

“I got at least two more places to go. I need to get to Hard Rock and then Dj Mixers studio. Are you willing to take me to both?”

Hitch shrugs his shoulders.

“I have nothing else to do really. I would have just taken you to Peace Rock. But I remembered you’re like Enemy number one there. I am sure you know why you’re enemy number one there. Because of what you did to Ruby.”

I wasn’t happy to hear about this. Of course, Peace Rock is known to hold old killers murders spies, and so on. I know very well and a few zebras there are ruthless killers and if Ruby made friends with them. Then yeah I will never last one minute there. I took a deep breath, blowing the hot air out of my mouth.

“Ruby had to be pretty popular there hmm?”

Hitch laughs.

“Popular? Oh lady you have no idea she slept with a lot of the couples there. They hit on her a lot so a few times she slept with them. So yes I came into Peace rock once after one of the stallions and his wife finished a threesome with her.”

My eyes go wide. Wow, Ruby I never knew you had it in you. She acted so shy around those who had sex.

“The stories I was told of how wild she was for the month she was there. Even though most of the time she was just there to get to know everyone. Some of the couples pushed her into it. I guess she got close to a mare named Lotus and her husband and she was so close to them. She slept with them in their bed a lot just to feel safe.”

I just laugh

“It doesn’t sound like the Ruby I met. The shy little bug who blushed every time I or the other talked about sex. So whatever happened to them during that month she got over it. Of course, knowing Ruby she wouldn’t gloat about it. She keeps too much to herself for that.”

Hitch nods.

“Have fun, their meeting area should be in the apartment below. Just knock and don’t say a word.”

I nod heading inside and I look at the door. I stare at the door, seeing the name of the healer. I knock my metal paw gently on the door. I knock respectfully hearing laughing and giggling opening the door. I see Water Spout.

“Dunewalker…”

Water Spout quickly hugs me and I head inside looking at the other two mares. Inyanga smirks she struggles to get out of the chair since she is pregnant. I guess she and Rex went and got a foal anyway. The zebra hugs me and I hug her tightly whispering something to her and she laughs. I look up to Cranberry who is happy to see me as well. I just feel she won’t want to hug me.

“I am here to say goodbye and I wish to tell you I am sorry for everything I did. I am sorry for all the racist comments I said to you Inyanga and Water Spout. Please stay the strong mare you’re now. I need to go again. I am sorry.”

I turn around heading towards the door to head out.

“Wait, is that it Dunewalker? You just come to say you’re sorry and leave?”

Cranberry sounds very upset and all I can do is say it.

“I had a Sand Dream Cranberry.”

Inyanga and Water Spout gasp knowing what I am talking about. Cranberry though is very unhappy. I could see the rage in her eyes as she flapped her wings flying right into my face. The rage and pain in her eyes.

“You could say please!! I don’t care if you had some dream.”

Inyanga taps Cranberry’s side, shaking her head.

“Land Cranberry and let her go. When it’s a sand dream there is nothing we can do about it. A sand dream shows them they’re about to die of a bad fate. You don’t have to explain your dream to the two of us.”

Cranberry sobs while Water Spout wraps her hooves around the poor mare.

“But I can’t lose you too. I lost Ruby and I never got to say goodbye to her.”

I just stood there turning around hugging Cranberry and looking down into her teary eyes.

“Stay strong, Cranberry, please.”

I head back out looking back at Inyanga and smiling at her. Heading back to the airship. HItch stares at me.

“Well, you weren’t there long. Why did you want to come here anyway?”

I shook my head.

“I Just wanted to let them know about my sand dream and Cranberry lost it. I didn’t hurt her, she just broke down. I hope she will be okay and won’t fall apart anymore.”

HItch sighs.

“She hasn’t been the same since Gem left. Alright, now Hard Rock you said? Who do you want to speak to there?”

I didn’t say a word I know full well who I want to speak to.

________________

Pinda’s office

Darkness shrouds the room in pure darkness. An old office owned by the leader of the town of Hard Rock. Pinda is a well-known explorer who has now become a leader. The nature of this room feels empty, a lost soul lives here. When The light turns on he stares at me sitting in the chair. He quickly lifts a pistol aiming at me.

“WHOA!! I am just here to tell you I had a Sand Dream.”

Pinda lowers the Pistol.

“A sand dream? Dunewalker, your kind has lied so many times. I doubt I can trust you to give me a good reason not to shoot you and kill you like the trash you are.”

I stood up from the old chair. I close my eyes, sighing I need to tell him the truth. Just knowing Pinda hasn’t been the same since the death of Ruby. So I have to be as blunt as I can be.

“Pinda I wish I could go into everything with you. I just felt if you knew about my dream you could help Black Rain and her community.”

Pinda lowers the pistol. He stares at me. I knew saying his wife’s name would get him to listen at least for now. He sighs, heading to his desk and sitting down. The poor guy, the stress in his eyes, and his fur matted from the sweat of being a leader.

“Black rain and I haven’t talked since I banished her. I still regret banishing her. I had no choice at the time. You just came to tell me about your dream? You will just tell me about it and then you will leave and never return?”

I nod

“I will leave just please promise me to take in the community from the town of the exiles if they come down this way. One of them is my wife. She needs to survive. So does our child so the curse of the Dunewalker will fully break.”

Pinda tilts his head.

“But the only way to break the spell is to fight to the death and prove yourself. Dune in your dream, did you see yourself doing something witch upsets you so much you’re willing to do everything you can to stop it?”

I quickly nod explaining to him my dream. Going into everything about the dream. I make sure nothing is left out. I also tell him what one of the rock creatures known as Kuze warned me about. Don’t trust the order of Mimic.

“I see so you betray or so you think you do. You’re going to pull a fast one to destroy the water and the city. Then you’re going to try to weaken the judges and Wheel Tread. I hope it doesn’t backfire on you Dunewalker. Now please I don’t want to see your face again.”

I felt hurt again. I think I should expect this though from Pinda. I don’t blame him for how he feels. He trusted me for so long and then he learned I backstabbed him and so many others. I hope someday he will forgive me.

“Dune before you leave. I want to know, do you regret anything?”

I stood there and tried to open my mouth. It’s hard to say I regret anything I highly doubt I do. I did what I felt was right. I did hurt Ruby. I regret that big time. Just there are so many more things I don’t regret.

“I wish I could tell you I regretted everything. I can't. I don't regret feeling like I did with Ruby. I regret hurting her. Just my pride and my hatred for heroes were too much at the time. I know full well if I could go back I would have stopped myself.”

I head back out the door looking back at the stressed camel, a weak smile forming on my face.

“Stay strong Pinda. Please stay strong.”

I head out back to the airship to get to the last part of my journey and then to the home of Lorekeepers to go through the vision quest to find those who came before me. All I have to do is talk with myself. I get to the airship I see myself sitting on the deck I glance at Hitch.

“If you see me talking and screaming at myself don’t be concerned.”

HItch stares at me and laughs.

“Oh come on, Dunewalker. I have been around camels before. When they speak to themselves it normally means they’re at their lowest and they need to yell and attack themselves to feel better. You’re already at your lowest and you need to speak to those inside you.”

I smile sitting in the bed looking right at myself. It’s me without the cybernetics. I look at my younger self. I am a pure camel. I haven't done what I did to get these cybernetics. I take a deep breath waiting to see what happens.

“You fucked up Dunewalker.”

____________

The talk with your soul

HItch has us in the air. He is taking us to the last stretch of my journey. I just have to get to this last stretch and then all I have left is heading to the Lore keepers. I have to do the recording but first, before I land there. I must speak with myself.

“The first friend we make and you get her killed. I know she returned but seriously Dunewalker you owed nothing to Wheel Tread. He did nothing for you. He may have done so much in the past for you.”

I just sit there and listen to take it. I deserve every hurtful hateful thing I saids to myself right now. Maybe someday I will be able to forgive myself. This time though I doubt I ever could fully forgive myself.

“I know I wish I could start it all over again. I can’t this time I know I can’t. Maybe starting over is seeing this through. You know I will be talking to all of those before us. I will be getting a lot of more hateful words thrown at me.”

The other Dunewalker nods.

“Yes, I am sure many of those who came before us. Are looking down at us now from wherever their damn souls have gone and regretting everything. Of course, we aren’t the only betrayer in our line. Many of us are betrayers. I know we started as betrayers. After what we did to Desert Rose and her friends in Detrot”

I gulp knowing I saw them recently and they didn’t do anything to me like June warned me she would. I have a feeling whatever happened to them in Detrot they changed big time. I look back at Hitch who is just keeping his eyes on the sky.

“Yes, I know even though I saw them. I saw Maria with them attached to Desert Rose. I don’t remember why I did it or what I did to anger them. I just know what I did cause more problems for them.”

Myself nods.

“I highly doubt this talk will get us anywhere Dunewalker. Maybe the next time we see each other. It’s when you’re very close to death. Maybe then you will listen to me?”

I glance back at myself. She is correct, maybe I need to be closer to death to listen to myself. I don’t know.

“We are here!! Now quickly get off before those creatures in the sky attack me.”

I quickly jump down to the roof below. Watching the airship quickly fly off as those creatures guarding this area chased after the airship. I forgot about them and I look at the way into the place. Standing at the doorway. Yanari Dj Mixer herself.

_____________

The message

“So you wish to use this system to record a message? Dunewalker I don’t trust you very much right now. But if you feel this is the only thing you can do. Then I will let you do it. Have you heard the news lately though?”

I glance at the turtle.

“News?”

Yanari sighs.

“I guess not but I have one of my drones following this new hero. I am hoping to at least get an interview with them. I hope my drone can at least still work before it runs out of power. I need to know if this hero will come to help us.”

I sigh deeply, nodding. The rumor about the hero they don’t know it’s Ruby. Maybe it’s wise if the drone shuts down before finding her. It will keep Ruby protect till the time is right for her to return here.

“All I want is to just sit and record this.”

Yanari nods, leading me to the recording room where she sits down turning on the recording system.

“Do you want this to be played in a few days?'' you said? Is there anything else you want me to add or do you just want this to play after a song?”

I shrug my shoulders.

“Have it played after a song? I am sorry if I am in a rush but my ride is being chased right now. Also, how did you know I was coming?”

She laughs.

“Oh, Dunewalker. Thanks to these towers I see a lot these days. Many of them have cameras fused into the system. Now before I do this can I get a promise from you?”

I glance at Yanari and back to the door leading out of the recording room. I see a large male sitting there holding a large weapon. I am worried he will shoot at me if I don’t hurry this up. I look back at Yanari.

“What’s the promise?”

Yanari shifts a bit.

“Do you promise you aren’t lying to me when you say you regret hurting Ruby?”

I just nod.

“Yes, I regret hurting her. Now please Yanari, I need to get back to my airship. I doubt Hitch will wait for me long.”

Yanari nods, turning on the recording system. An hour later I am back in the airship. I close my eyes knowing I am doing the right thing. I said goodbye to her. I even said goodbye to Ruby in the recording.

“We are almost there Dunewalker.”

I look over the edge of the airship. Seeing the cavern of the lore Keepers. I take a deep breath and the last part of my journey is nowhere. I need to do the talk of the past. I will be talking to all those before me. I close my eyes and open them again, seeing Lorekeepers waiting for me. Now is the time to break this curse.

Footnote: Max Level

Perk added: At ease: You feel your soul at ease since you went through and talked to everyone you knew. Even if your final moments are about to come. You will know you did what you could for everyone.

Next Chapter: Chapter Forty-two Meeting with past lives Dunewalkers fate Mini arc Estimated time remaining: 20 Hours, 21 Minutes