There are stories of Catrina and the one known as Megan Willams. Megan was a powerful young lady who didn’t do much to convince most of the foes of old to back down. She fought Tirek and won. She is the only one because of me giving her the Rainbow of Light while I hide from the judges. I watch the ponies of old and the poor child die at the steps of the judges. Those they took on years ago. Someday a hero will find me and I will be fighting with them to end this misery.

Written by The Moochick

It’s been so long since I have seen my old friend Catrina this way. But I can’t turn my back on my dear friend. If this is what she needs then the only way to help her is to do her task. I would have fought her to make her Witchweed potions. Now I don’t have the will any longer. Not after…the deaths I saw in Dream Valley if only I could see

The large airship comes into view. This ship looks like it was built during the ponies' war. I am starting to wonder if there is a path I can seek and maybe the only path I can seek is by trying to see what is on this ship. I wonder what I will find going through one of the empty cannon holes. I shift into a pony slipping through like no one even knows I am here.

“You.”

I pause, turning to see the large turtle creature.

“Could you take mine and Oil's food plates back to Mellows bar please?”

I glance down at the two empty plates. I take a deep breath nodding to the turtle creature. Lifting the two plates in my mouth and following through the halls looking to see if I can find anything I find no sign I sigh.

“Oh, you must be one of the workers. Just follow the smell and you will find Mellows bar.”

I lift my hoof thanking the large creature. I head down the halls following the smell. I get to a large grand hall seeing a bunch of workers going through the area and many sitting at a bar eating the food of a magic eater. I bring the plates back and Mellow smirks.

“Thank you.”

I nod heading back to look for what I need to find. I follow more paths and I stop in my tracks looking over to see. A military outfit not even being worn by anyone training a bunch of armor, some power armor, some just normal armor. I quickly hide in one of the rooms and I turn to see someone I never wanted to see again.

“Hello, Rep.”

I stare right at Beezen and how he can see right through my shapeshifting. I gulp deeply sighing, shifting back to my true form, the lizard form.

“Beezen, why are you here?”

Beezen smirks.

“The only reason you would be here is if Catrina is trying to find a way back to Dream Valley. So did she send you here?’

I sigh deeply, shaking my head.

“Beezen I got a task to do and I thought the hero killed you?”

Beezen chuckles.

“Before she used her sword on me I vanished but the sword still struck me and then the blade itself melted from her hate and rage. But the poor hero is long dead. I am trying to get back home.”

I don’t buy it.

“I am sorry Beezen, I find this hard to buy. You won’t tell anyone I have been here will you?”

Beezen chuckles.

“I have no reason to tell anyone. I can tell you’re here for Catrina so she can get her mind back. Maybe you can tell me how long you two have been here?”

I hear a knock on the door. I shift back into a pony waiting to see who comes in.

“It’s open.”

Melody walks in and she looks at me then back at Beezen

“Topaz and I are going to see if we can find anything at the tavern. Mellow asked us if we could find some good food trades. Do you want to come?”

Beezen nods.

“I won’t be able to at the moment. I am speaking to our guest. How is Topaz handling being married?”

Melody smirks.

“She is having a blast being married. The issue is she is starting to feel the eggs inside her grow and they’re starting to affect her magic levels. She said she might be laying a few of them in the cargo bay. She then said some may come later so they don’t come in spurts I guess.”

Is MIss Topaz pregnant? Why would a pregnant female be on this trip? I know nothing about magic eater species.

“Excuse me, who are you?”

I look at the pegasus mare. I smirk weakly.

“I am one of the workers and I came here because this nice creature needed me to help redo his room. So um I need to be going.”

I quickly get out of the room and I think I should shift into this mare I just saw. I quickly follow the path the mare came from. I stand by the door noticing the mare isn’t returning to the door. I shift again watching the yellow mare go the other way. I shift back into the yellow mare and open the door.

On the bed, I see the sleeping bug. I look around to see if I can find anything. I go to the counter and see a photo of a pink bug and her friends but I am surprised by what I see. I look back at the bug known as Topaz. I hear heavy snoring while looking at the doorknob. Is it alive?! I hear the door open up and I quickly shift into a rug to listen. The yellow mare comes in holding a tray of food and drink.

“Ruby, it's time to wake up.”

I hear groaning and the bed moving and see the bug creature get up. She is Ruby?! She is alive, how? I got to tell Catrina I…No, I can’t do that if I do this island will go to war on this poor bug. She is pregnant. Why should I allow this bug to be harmed?

“I wasn’t sleeping, I was just resting my eyes.”

The yellow mare sighs.

“Ruby, please don’t lie to me. I know what is wrong you’re not used to being full of eggs and from my test and of you. It’s enough eggs that you might lay many of them on the journey there and back.”

Ruby tries to argue but the mare puts her hoof up to stop her.

“Remember you’re now my wife. I have a say in your life and you will not be risking anything. You and I will be doing what I say and when I say I got it?”

Ruby sighs.

“Yes, my love.”

I could tell in her voice she is not happy but the yellow mare puts the food down and gets into the bed with her holding the blue bug tightly to her. I could see the love in the eyes of the mare. I have never seen such pure love. It reminds me of the love I had for Catrina.

“Oh, Ruby, you know I only think what is best for you. You’re pregnant, you can’t just fight every battle. Trying to fight every battle could harm your little eggs and while being pregnant is not easy for anyone.”

I haven’t seen love this pure in so long. Why did the one known as Wheel Tread want to kill this creature? I can’t tell Catrina the truth. Ruby is alive. I will keep it to myself. I turned into a mouse and I gotta keep searching. I found one thing. I go through the halls again going downstairs and the door opens up and I see a goose creature reaching her head out and a lizard creature and she are talking.

“So what is it like to be a Panna? Forgive me, I have never seen your species before and this is new to me.”

A Panna?! I thought the squid killed them all years ago? So that is how they’re finding their way to Dream Valley.

“It’s impressive to be a shapeshifter. I would like to understand why one of my kind wanted to help the Witches from the Volcano of Gloom to regain their power and take them back to Dream Valley. It makes no sense to me at all.”

I open my eyes wide, the Witches are back to? What is next, the demon goat is going to show up and dance for me?

“I see if what Ruby is saying is true we don’t have long before Grogar fully returns and we have to fight Wheel Tread and the Storm King. I worry that Ruby is falling apart. She looks like she is strong. From what Melody has told me she keeps seeing what are called robots saying you failed. You lost and she lost it.”

I see now I know everything. Ruby is alive I will lie about all that but I can’t lie about how they’re finding their way to Dream Valley. I need to go tell Catrina what I have found. I slowly sneak through the ship again trying to find a way out. I found another hole leading out. I turn into a hawk and fly out. Flying back to the castle made of trash and after at least thirty minutes I find my way back into Catrina's room. I knock on the door and the cat opens the window for me.

“What have you learned?”

Getting into the room I shift back to my real form shaking my head and turning to look at my friend smiling.

“Well, I learned Beezen is on that ship. It sounds like he is trying to find a way back home and there are no heroes on that ship. So it’s true treasure hunters looking for a way to Dream Valley.”

Catrina sips from a cup of wine.

“I see so what about this creature who is a magic eater like Ruby?”

I sigh.

“Ruby is dead. The rumors of the magic eater hero are true though there is one on that ship. But I am guessing they’re more a merc than a hero looking for the next battle for money. Maybe you could do what you have been wanting. Cause the uprising here like you said you wished and the Storm King asked you to do.”

Cartina laughs.

“I don’t think causing an uprising here would be a good idea. I think causing a big issue here wouldn’t be wise. The Storm King hasn't even sent a minion to talk to me. So, any ideas on how they’re finding their way to Dream valley?”

I chuckle weakly.

“They have a Panna with them. But she is not the only Panna who still exists. The Witches from the Volcano of Gloom have returned and they have a Panna and they’re on their way to Dream Valley. So what do you need me to do then?”

Catrina strokes her chin thinking.

“We have no memory orbs to steal the location from her head. I do know another way and the memory in her head will be intact for the others.”

I am confused why she would care if the memory is intact.

“Catrina, why would you care if the memory is intact for the others?”

Catrina chuckles.

“Rep Dream Valley is for everyone. I may be evil but I am no monster to stop them from going on their way. Now I am going to give you a drink to give to the Panna. She will write her map on magic paper.”

Catrina chants a spell and tries to form the magic paper. At first, the spell doesn’t work since she has little magic in her system. She growls, forcing the magic to come out of her hand, and the magic forms. She then goes into her bag to bring out the drink.

“Have her drink this and then she will be under your control for a time. It will give you a chance to push her to write.”

I am confused. Dream Valley is nothing but a shit hole now. After the judges including Catrina killed all the ponies or the ones who didn’t run and then killed the great Willams herself. I guess the good in Catrina is still around. I take a deep breath of the drink and the papers saluting and heading back out.

I don’t know why I am doing this but I guess it’s the only way for us to get back home. I shift back into a hawk and go back to the ship. I notice Melody and Ruby leaving with the others staying behind. I quickly go back in and now I can shift into a mouse and I skitter through the halls and get back down. I shifted into the turtle creature that I saw earlier. I knock on the door of the Panna.

The Panna opens the door and the goose creature smiles.

“Gizmo what brings you here?”

I walk in chuckling.

“Mellow wanted you to try out a new drink.”

I offer her the drink as it flows through the strange bottle. I know to some they would notice it’s full of mind control magic.

“Oh how kind of her. I have been getting used to this new world I find myself in. Being frozen in time for so long.”

The Panna drinks from the vial and after she drinks it her eyes dilate and I bring out the paper and pen.

“Please write the map to Dream Valley on this piece of paper.”

Without even saying a word the goose begins to write on the paper and after a while, she is finished. I take the paper from her, noticing it is just one-half of a map. I notice the Panna comes out of it soon after.

“I am sorry Gizmo I am not feeling well. I need to get some rest. I guess that drink hit me hard.”

I smirk

“I will talk to Mellow about making less strong drinks for you.”

I put the vial on the counter thinking it won’t matter if it stays in here. I quickly turn into a mouse again and make my way out. I notice Beezen coming out of his room and looking down at me. I think he noticed it was me.

After a while, I made it back to Catrina again.

“Took you long enough.”

I shift back to my real form, giving her the map.

“Huh, there is only half.”

I shrug my shoulders.

“It wouldn’t surprise me when they leave here they will be heading to find the next part of the map. It seems the next part of the map is in the land of Upholi.”

Catrina’s ears droop.

“That kingdom is full of creatures I don’t wish to deal with but I know a way to handle it. Let those in this ship deal with the problems. Upholi has a powerful force that can make powerful weapons of the moon. I wonder if that is why they’re heading that way.”

Catrina clicks her claw.

“Come let's go.”

I sigh.

“Catrina we can’t just leave, the king could have an issue with it.”

Catrina laughs.

“He is a fool, he has no idea what is going on in his city. I am sure they will soon learn what is under this city.”

I shift into a giant bird and Catrina gets on me.

“Now go.”

I sigh again.

“Catrina, what about food or drink?”

Catrina laughs.

“I got enough in my bag now go.”

The two of us fly off away from the city towards the city of Upholi. It will take us a while. Since I can shift to larger creatures with a bigger wingspan I will make sure we get there before Ruby and her friends do.

_____________________

An hour or so earlier {Ruby]

“Ruby, it's time to wake up.”

I open my eyes, grunting, feeling my body a bit strange. The eggs are overpowering me and I think it’s because my system is not used to the eggs in my system

“I wasn’t sleeping, I was just resting my eyes.”

The yellow mare sighs.

“Ruby, please don’t lie to me. I know what is wrong you’re not used to being full of eggs and from my test and of you. It’s enough eggs that you might lay many of them on the journey there and back.”

I try to argue but the mare puts her hoof up to stop me from speaking. I am a bit annoyed but I know full well I can’t complain.

“Remember you’re now my wife. I have a say in your life and you will not be risking anything. You and I will be doing what I say and when I say I got it?”

I grunt

“Yes, my love.”

Melody puts the food on my bed and cuddles it into me wrapping her wings and forelegs around me while I eat the food. When the food gets into my system I feel my body finally feeling better since it’s causing the magic to fill my system.

“Oh, Ruby, you know I only think what is best for you. You’re pregnant, you can’t just fight every battle. Trying to fight every battle could harm your little eggs and while being pregnant is not easy for anyone.”

I drink the magic tea looking over to Melody.

“I understand Melody, I am upset, I can't fight as I used to and I have to worry about everything I do now. I can’t even be myself in this area. I have to lie, I don't want to lie. I finish eating and get my armor to put it on. Maybe we should head back to Anvils blacksmith store to see if I can find any space metal and use it to rebuild Spitfire.”

Melody sighs.

“Ruby you and I both know the only forge to help you with these weapons is in Upholi land. I believe you told me there was a forge in Abyssinian lands? We never saw one, did we? So it means the final one is in the land of Upholi so I would say gather what you need for your weapons.”

I groan she is right. I even remember looking. I never found it. I am guessing the forge got destroyed over the years. I take a deep breath gathering my bags to make sure they’re empty enough to get everything I need.

“Ruby, you're overdoing it again.”

I sigh deeply.

“Melody I am sorry I know I am overdoing it. I can’t stop. I need to keep going and get this journey over. The stars are calling me because they want their blood. They are screaming for it. I feel they might take me over or try to convince me to go for innocents again.”

Melody shakes her head.

“I won’t allow it. When you feel the need for blood for the stars. Go for those who are dark, evil, and in need to die.”

I shake my head. Thankfully, I haven't heard from them in the last few days. The last time I heard them was during the time of trying to save the city. I am sure if they smell enough blood in this area they will want me to lose it.

“I feel there is a mystery on this island. I must find it and learn more about this place.”

Melody rolls her eyes.

“Ruby.”

I glance at her through my visor sighing.

“I am kidding, my love come let's go.”

I head out of the boat with Melody right beside me. I glance up seeing a hawk flying above us as we go inside. I stop a second looking at the hawk finding it very strange a bird like that is on this island. Melody stops looking at what I am looking at.

“Is that a Hawk here?”

I glance at Melody shrugging my shoulders.

“Maybe a pet? But why is it going inside the ship? Huh, I am not going to worry about it. Shall we keep going and maybe we can learn more about this town?”

Melody sighs.

“We aren’t going to these places to find mysteries, Ruby. We need to be going to the tavern or the marketplace to see if we can trade to get more food in the cargo hold. We will just be stopping at the Anvils store for enough time to get what you need for your weapons.”

I grunt nodding Melody and I go through the town to get back to Anvils shop. I stop a moment tapping Melody and whispering.

“I think we are being followed.”

Melody nods as the two of us keep going how we have been going and I quickly get behind a wall so does Melody and we wait awhile while we look. We see no one and then we get going and before we get any further.

“He has risen, you know.”

I turn to see Cozy and a bunch of robots.

“Melody?”

She is gone. What happened to her? Robots suddenly surround me. I hold my head no not again. I have been taken to the stars.

“The stars wish to sing to you.”

“Ruby Ruby!!”

I finally came back to my right mind and I was just hovering there in front of the door leading into the blacksmith store. I sighed, shaking my head. Melody takes off my helmet, setting it down and looking into my eyes.

“What did you see?”

I sigh deeply, shaking my head again.

“I saw the robots again, Melody. I feel I am falling apart. I feel heavy like I am falling apart. I don’t know what is going to happen to me. But I need to be strong.”

Melody kisses me deeply.

I released her from kissing me and I put my helmet back on feeling a lot better after that. Without her around I doubt I would be able to handle most of this world anymore. I have a feeling when the world comes after me I am going to fall apart.

“It seems the world has started to see ones like me as a problem. The issues as the real reason for their problems. If that is true then it’s time for me to get this task done. Then accept my fate.”

Melody sighs.

“Topaz I won’t hear of it. I will be with you every step of the way. So come let's get this task done then get to the tavern and try to get our cargo hold full of food again.”

We head inside to the Blacksmith store. We see a mare standing behind the counter the mare waves her wing at us.

“Oh hello, Melody, is this your wife you told me about?”

I have no idea who this is I am sure Melody does since she has been going around to get to know the souls or trying to get to know the souls of this island

“Yes, this is my wife Brightlight. Is your boss around?”

The brown mare shakes her head.

“There was a meeting at the castle so no. But what can I do for you?”

Melody chuckles.

“Has your boss or anyone given your boss metal which fell from space. My wife would like to buy some from you.”

Brightlight flies away from the counter looking through a bunch of old metal and she tosses a bunch of large pieces of metal from space on the floor and parts of an old satellite. She gets up from the junk pile.

“That is all we have, what would you like to pay in?”

I reach into my bag bringing out caps. Brightlight stares at me.

“You’re kidding right?”

Melody opens her bag and brings out trash-like items. She brings out used needle tubes and vials full of hard medicines and she sets them on the counter.

“That should be enough.”

Bright light looks through the vials and the old needles. They have been cleaned and can be used again. She nods.

“Okay, this will do.”

I am confused about how to trade goods?

“Forgive me but how is that a fair trade?”

Bright Light smiles.

“We don’t take coins or caps. We take medicine or use trash since we can use the items to add to our island or take what is left to make it ourselves since our doctor loves doing so. Of course, our technology is not good enough to make it just as good so she will do what she can.”

This place is very confusing. I am starting to see why Gem told us not to toss any of the trash out of the airship. Since I have a feeling she knew when we got here we would need the trash to use here.

“Bright Light, could you take all this to our airship?”

Bright Light smiles.

“I would love to but I need to keep an eye on the place. Unless your wife wouldn’t have a problem with staying here and keeping an eye on the place?”

Melody nods.

“It would help her keep her mind off exploring the underground of this area. My wife is a treasure hunter through and through she feels anything beyond her reach she will find a way to get there.”

Bright light laughs.

“Yes, good idea.”

Bright light puts all the space junk we bought in an old wagon she and Melody hitch themselves to. Bright Lights wrote down what I need to do if anypony comes in. All I need to do is write down orders and tell them Anvil will be back when the meeting is over.

I sit in a chair waiting for the two mares to return. I take a deep breath and take my helmet off. I look around seeing how this blacksmith store is made. There are a lot of stones in the design looking around more and I see old paintings of Anvil making a powerful weapon for some in a cloak.

A naga slithers in coming to the counter.

“Excuse me, did Anvil hire someone new?”

I chuckle weakly.

“No, I am just here watching the store for Bright Light till she returns. How can I help you?”

Naga sets down a card. I look at the card and I notice it’s an order number. From what I read here they’re here for a broken weapon.

“Let me see if Anvil had time to repair your weapon.”

I head to the back to follow the order number. I look around, noticing the back is a lot bigger than it is on the outside. I take a deep breath, blowing the air out buzzing intensely. I fly around looking for the number. After several minutes I find the order and pull out a powerful-looking sword.

I carry the sword to the counter, setting it on the counter grunting.

“Sorry, the sword is so large.”

The naga laughs.

“It’s been in my family for years ever since I went on my journey away from my Queen. I might return when it’s time to do so. So what do I owe you?”

I shrug my shoulders.

“Just give me whatever you feel works. I am not even from this island so I am a bit confused.”

The Naga chuckles.

“I see well, let's see what I have here.”

The naga brings out a bunch of old trash and places a small broken morning star with the junk. I am confused if this is good enough. The naga leaves and after a while, Bright light returns Melody behind her.

“Hey, we are back, how did it go?”

Brightly light looks at the junk on the counter; she looks through it and chuckles softly.

“Not a bad haul. So who gave you all this?”

I sigh softly, putting my helm back on.

“A naga came in looking for their sword. So I got it for them and they gave me all this. I hope I didn’t cause any problems.”

Bright Light smiles.

“For one new to this island you did what you could. I will take over again. I am sorry for leaving you here. But you did better than I expected and if you wonder yes this was a test. I will just say many don’t trust you and don’t believe your treasure hunters. I just see normal creatures coming through.”

Anvil comes in soon after looking at the junk on the counter and looks through it laughing looking down at Bright Light.

“Wow, what did you sell to get this amazing stuff?”

Bright Light smirks.

“I wasn’t here. Melody and Topaz here bought a bunch of space metal. Topaz offered to stay to watch the store. So a Naga came in looking for their repaired sword and I guess she just said ``give what you feel works.”

Anvil stares at me then look down at Bright Light.

“Just like that?”

Bright Light shrugs her shoulders.

“I guess.”

I laugh weakly.

“Sorry If I did wrong. Just since I am new to this island. I felt it was the only way to be fair. Give what they feel can fight the deal. So It seems I was correct to say that and not haggle? Because I didn’t want to upset you.”

Anvil laughs.

“Oh, Miss Topaz you’re fine. I wouldn’t have been upset with you and Bright Light. It’s not easy to learn how we run this island. I got a warning for you though you might see closed doors leading to the underground. If any of them happen to be open don’t go down there. You might not like what you see down there.”

I am confused why he told me this.

“Why? I wouldn’t go down there. I may like to explore but what is down there?”

Anvil shrugs his shoulders.

“No idea, just the lame the desperate, and the sick are forced down there. It’s nothing we can control like I am sure you have been told. Just the king's family has been doing stuff like this for years and it’s not easy to change the laws.”

I am confused. Why doesn’t he know what is down there? I wonder if he is not telling the truth about what is down there. I sighed, shaking my head.

“Melody and I will be going now. We need to find food for our cargo hold. Thanks for the help and take care.”

Anvil nods.

“Take care and enjoy the treatment of our island.”

Melody and I leave the store and before we even head to the tavern Melody forces me into the wall of another building she removes my helm staring into my eyes. I gulp knowing she is not happy about my questions.

“Topaz removes those thoughts from your head. You will not be going down to the world below.”

I stare into the eyes of Melody, the gentle eyes of the mare who I gave my heart. I hold her face with my buggy hands looking into her eyes more. I try to be charming of course with how Melody is. It's not going to work.

“Oh no, you will not butter me up. We will do our task and then I am locking you in the ship till we leave here, got it?”

I sigh deeply, nodding.

“Okay, my love I will stay locked up in our room till it’s time to leave.”

Melody puts her wings on my face.

“I don’t want you or your eggs to get hurt, my love. I want you to stay in one piece. I can't lose you. I would never be able to handle it if I lost you.”

I sigh, nodding.

“Okay Melody now. Let's go find some food.”

I put my helmet back on and we walk through the red light area again and I notice one of the locked doors heading to the world below. It’s heavily locked with many locks on it and even a spell on it. I am amazed I can see the spell.

We head into the tavern and I look up seeing the name. ‘The prancing slut.’ What a name, how kind. When we go inside there is so much smog from all the smoking and inside there are lewdly dressed ponies and other creatures. Why are they even wearing this type of stuff when they're already naked.

Melody speaks to a bright red mare who leads us to a table in the back so we could be alone. We sit in the booth and the mare sets down some menus.

“Do you have any magic eater-type drinks? My wife here needs to keep up her magic levels.”

The mare glances at me.

“We don’t but we have had magic eaters come through here so I know how to make some. What would you like?”

Melody smiles.

“I would like a cup of green tea please.”

The mare smirks.

“Ah, a mare after my own heart, just a simple drink. I will be back to take your orders.”

The mare trots off to get our drinks. I look around watching lewdly dressed males and females going around and some getting paid by various visitors to go up and have sex. I take a deep breath finding it so strange there is a place like this.

Melody seems used to being in places like this. I am very confused why places like this exist. I know back on the island. I take a deep breath sighing in the air. It's so smokey and it’s crazy.

“I grew up in areas like this. My first job when I came of age was working in a brothel. Hmm, I missed this smell before I decided to become a doctor.”

My cheeks turn bright red from how well she is good at sex I should have known. She is so good at sex. I take a deep breath trying to regain myself and the mare brings back our drinks and the mare giggles.

“You have the body for one who would have been in a job like this. I don’t blame you for leaving to become a healer of the sick and the dying.”

Melody smiles.

“One of the stallions who took me a lot told me If a job like this fell through after a while. I should go learn how to learn over time. It's how I met Gem. I learned a lot through who she introduced me to.”

I look through the menu finding nothing for me.

“Excuse me, can you give me some steak with heavy amounts of magic in it?”

The mare nods and Melody orders a bowl of tomato soup. On the stage a dark blue mare in a dress sits on a piano, a Minotaur slowly starts to play and the mare holds a mic in her magic.

“Oh, the song of under the stars. The moon shines on us today. Oh, dear moon, please give me your love. I am waiting for your song and to see you under me as you take me. I wish to love you with lust and sexual grace.”

I watch couples dance. I have never seen so many lovers in my life. I look at Melody who chuckles, shaking her head.

“I am not much of a dancer, Ruby.”

I snicker softly

“I ain’t much of a dancer either. Just this song makes me remember why I fell in love with you.”

The mare gets off the piano.

“Dance to our hearts. As we demand our sexual urges to take us. Don’t let it escape you see the one you love. Full fill their deepest desires and give them your love through sexual want. Then dance the dance of sex. We are on bourbon street and songs shall bring us our drink tonight.”

Then another singer starts to sing.

“Then you dance the night away as we all sing..”

The dark mare joins in.

“We dance our hearts away.”

I noticed the other singer is Loxie. The two of them sing together and our food finally comes to our table. The song finally ends and Loxie comes over to us after we start eating.

“Ah, you’re the owners of that large airship?”

I look up nodding.

“I am Topaz, this is my wife.”

Melody waves with her other wing using her left wing to eat the soup.

“I am Melody, we are here to speak to you about ordering food supplies. Unless we are in the wrong place for it.”

Loxie smiles.

“You’re in the wrong spot but I can introduce you to the owner of the marketplace.”

Melody smiles.

“That would be great. I am sorry if our docking to the island has disrupted anything you had going on.”

Loxie smiles.

“Not at all it’s good to have new souls after a while. This donkey enjoys new eyes and souls and I can tell from your body Miss Melody you used to work in a place like this?”

Melody laughs.

“Yes, before I became a doctor I worked in a brothel growing up. My wife here Topaz is mostly just a merc. I had to convince her to retire and go with me on a treasure hunt.”

Loxie sits down in the booth with us.

“I figured you were a ship full of heroes.”

I shake my head.

“I tried that for a while but I got treated like a scapegoat. The leaders wanted to blame me forever trying and all I did was free a town from slavers. I was new to town so why not blame the new soul of the town as the problem.”

Loxie sighs.

“My issue with heroes is some force their view of fake justice. Like what happened after the end of the war here. In my ancestor's old journal. She explained the hero tried to start an uprising but the ones under us are safer there than up here where many could use them.”

Melody nods and she finishes the bowl of soup and I finish my food.

“How much do we owe you Loxie?”

Loxie smiles, shaking her head to Melody.

“It’s free for you two. Since you understand how harsh this job can get. I had to send a few of my females home the last few days. We got no birth control these days and our doctor is trying hard to come up with a pill or a potion for it.”

Melody nods.

“After I order the food we need and lock my wife in our room. I will come and help with it.”

Loxie smiles.

“Oh thank you so much Melody it would be a giant help.”

Melody and I are led to the marketplace and in the middle of the market is a small building. It saids on the building the banker. Loxie explains to us the banker runs the marketplace. He started running it like twenty years ago because the market was falling apart.

Loxie knocks on the door and the top of the door opens up. A Upholi comes out of the darkness and looks around. The upholi writes on a clipboard and writes. ‘Welcome to my bank how may I help you?’

“Your throat is messed up again Teal?”

The green bird nods. I notice his throat has a large scar. I am guessing someone removed his vocal cords. I take a deep breath feeling sorry for him.

“Then you don’t need to do any talking. These two here would like to order a lot of drinks and food for their cargo bay. Do you think you have enough for that large airship in the bay?’

Teal looks at the board at how the profits are and how much they have. He nods giving Melody a board of everything we need. It takes a while for us to get down. Then Melody is serious about her word. When we get done ordering we go back to our room.

“You will stay here, there is no way you can get out of here.”

I groan taking my armor off after she closes the door and locks it from out there. I look around seeing no windows. I hear a knock on the door.

“Ruby it’s Beezen.”

I sigh.

“Hmm, Melody didn’t say anything about a guest. So here I will open the door for Beezen.”

I smile, thanking the doorknob and the door opens up and Beezen walks in. He looks around, frowning. He sits on the bed looking at me and then notices my buggy body changing because of my eggs.

“So I am told by the others Melody locked you in here. Is there a reason?”

I sigh.

“I am in here because Melody thinks I will head to the area under the town and explore. She is not wrong, I will do it. But I can’t just be locked in here the entire time.”

Beezen smirks.

“I see but there is something you should know. This town wasn’t always here. I can tell you what this town used to be.”

I look up to Beezen.

“What do you mean?”

Beezen chuckles. I stare at Beezen. I swear this is not normal for Beezen. Suddenly Beezen changes shape. I see an Alicorn and her horn glows brightly and Beezen is back there. I feel my mind in a daze as I listen.

“What do you think this island of junk is built on? Ruby, you seem to forget the war that happened all over the world. There is a reason the doors to the under part of the city are unlocked. It leads to an old lab.”

I am confused how in the world does Beezen know about this? I shake my head unsure why he is telling me this.

“How do you know this? Why are you telling me this as well?”

Beezen tilts his head.

“I am just making it up but doesn’t it still want to make you explore this area?”

I groan, buzzing angrily. I buzz my wings feeling my stinger come out of my ass feeling upset I was lied to. He is correct though it still makes me want to explore. I look around feeling the ich to explore.

“Do you mind letting me out?”

Beezen smirks.

“Well I bought a few stealth bucks you can use. Just don’t allow yourself to be caught. If you’re caught we will tell them you did this on your own so you understand this correctly?”

I nod quickly

“I understand I just don’t want to be locked in this room anymore.”

Beezen nods standing up and going to talk to the doorknob letting him know I won’t get in trouble. The knob looks at me, he frowns, nodding.

“Come along Ruby I will get you the stealth bucks. Melody won’t be returning for a while since it will take her a while to make a birth control brew. Since it’s hard to make a brew which doesn't harm the female.”

I gather everything including my crossbow and bolts. It’s time to go on my explore mission

____________________

The curious magic eater and her stupidity.

I waited till it was nighttime before I left and I looked around flying through the streets. Beezen told me no one would care if I was out here alone. Just make sure not to do anything weird. I made it through the various allies and watched drugs and such being sold and then I heard screaming.

“NO!! He is not close to death yet. You can’t force him down there.”

I hide to watch the guards force a young foal down the area below.

“He has a sickness which could spread if you want to go down there with her?!”

The mare sobs.

“No..”

The guard pats her head.

“Then go find your husband or go to the brothel and get your brains fucked out you can make a new foal and then keep them from getting sick.”

The mare walks off sobbing. I put on one of the stealth bucks and sneak in after they toss the foal down the stairs. An old minotaur helps the foal down the stairs to the land under the city. I follow the stairs farther down. I see saltwater sprays through some holes and some try to fix them.

When I get farther down the stairs I see an entire community here. This place looks like death and I could see them working together and young children playing together. They look a mess and some are lame and sick.

“Show yourself.”

I turn to see a Upholi. They’re dark blue and they have a cybernetic eye staring right at me. The stealth buck brings me out stealth and the upholi removes the cybernetic eye; it looks like he uses it for things like me. I suddenly see them look different like a spell is breaking. But a bright light blocks me from seeing them.

“What is a magic eater doing down here?”

I sigh

“Well I am new to this island and we are about to leave after everything gets fixed and then will head back on our journey to your home.”

He tilts his head.

“My home? I was born down here. I have never seen my species home before. I am Ilanga”

He is the zebra name for the sun?

“I am guessing you didn’t get raised by species like yourself?”

He chuckles.

“You’re correct after I was hatched I learned my parents died and I was raised by every creature down below here. Now I am guessing you're down here because of the old lab?”

Lab?!

“Wait Lab what lab?”

He laughs.

“Oh, come on everyone knows the story of the secret of Junk island. It’s built on top of an old underwater war lab. It was built to keep whatever is down there from getting out.”

I sighed, shaking my head.

“How do you know about this lab?”

Ilanga smirks.

“Well, a lot of souls live in the lab. Don’t worry there are no weapons or anything. There is just one thing that was worked on in there. Come on, follow me.”

I followed Ilanga looking over at some eyes staring at me. I could tell one of them looked like the guards from the castle. I have a feeling some of them are down here to keep the peace. I watch one of them head up the stairs.

We get to the lab and I see all the broken and sick. At least they don’t seem hungry. I watch them boil water and fish for food and some even grow down here. I am led to the lab I notice the tech is the same tech from the island I came from the techno-magic mix. A flash hits me again blinding me and I see the area as an everyday pony lab. Looked at a strange vault-like door. I see through a window a techno-magic running creation.

“I found the code years ago. Come on, open it up.”

I shake my head. Why does he want me to wake it up?

“Do it for me, my little creation..”

Do it for them? but wait…yes for them?. Who do I know wants something like this? I feel the brainwashing from when Wheel Tread did it to me. But why is it affecting me now? Maybe the stars have ways to use it on me.

“Come on, you can do it. Yes, do it my little Ruby please keep doing it, and don’t allow anything to distract you."

I shake my head.

“You know the code?”

The creature laughs.

“Yes, I know the code.”

The Upholi takes off my helm. I look into the eyes of the creature and the Upholi turns from a creature of beauty into Majesty. I stare into the eyes of Majesty. She has changed a lot. Majesty has cybernetically fused into her body. I see the wounds Star Shooter left in her body and how her poor alicorn body is all ripped up from failing.;

“You can do it my little creation. The first part of the code just put the code in. Put it six.”

I am released looking at the console again feeling needles stab me in my body absorbing my magic. I groan deeply feeling the techno-magic stealing my magic to power whatever is in here.

“Yes, that’s it now 7 and five.”

I put in those numbers and she tells me the rest. The needles remove themselves from me opening the door the magic fills the air being released from the vents to open the door. My vision goes back to normal in just a second. I see the name techno-magic technology from the island again. Pipes of magic flow into the techno-magic creation.

“Ah, here it's the project of old. Now to do what my master wants.”

Majesty pushes me away from the console and she begins clicking into the console. I watch while she forces so much magic into the console clicking on it more. In each type of console, the magic pipes release from the old creation. The magic turns into vapor and it absorbs me in my body. Like my magic eating instincts are acting on their own.

“Yes, Project Omega, turn on and do what you’re meant to do.”

The large robotic spider wiring and watching the robotic creature go deep into the water below and Majesty laughs. I notice the target of Omega is something in Dream Valley and It doesn’t say what.

“Soon the target will be taken care of.”

An alarm sounds off and Majesty chuckles softly as she kisses me on my forehead.

“I am so sorry my dear Ruby. I am sorry I had to do this again. I am going to tell you something. The crown you had on your head was never what controlled you. I broke my control to give you peace. You will see me again when the final battle is many years from now. Goodbye, my creation.”

Majesty vanishes into a portal and I groan. I don’t remember what happened and I look at the console and see the target in Dream Valley. Rosebud the queen of the Flutter Ponies. The alarm sounds and the area around me turn back to the Techno-magic technology of the alicorns of the island. The guards of the king come in and a large minotaur walks toward me turning around his large gun.

The Minotaur walks to me with many of the guards holding me in place. I am far too drunk to even see what is going on when my senses finally return I see the butt of a weapon smack me right in the face making my entire world go dark but full of so much pain.

Max Level

No new perk

Next Chapter: Chapter: Forty-Eight: Meanwhile [[Majesty and Ruby's friends.]] Estimated time remaining: 17 Hours, 14 Minutes