I woke up from the new donkey friend shaking me with her small hoof. I swung my head to look up at her. I finally got a good look at her. She has very gentle motherly eyes. I look over to see Melody talking with the others. Beezen is talking to one of the guards. I think he is trying to learn what the heck is going on here.

“Ruby I never got a chance to talk to you personally um. May I ask you something if you don’t mind?

I lift my head staring at the Donkey

“What's up?”

She smiles.

“I heard what you did to those families three years ago. Did you try hard not to harm any babies or little children?”

I took a deep breath sighing

“Yes I may have been mind-controlled by Wheel Tread but on the island where I came from I did harm children. Majesty had full control over me. The only thing I could do was regret and try to make up for what I did.”

Amandla smiles; she seems to be relieved at least from the look on her face.

“Thank you Ruby for being honest to me. I adore children. I will do everything to protect them.”

I glance at her large suit of armor that has various weapon compartments to let her weapons come out. One of them is always on her back, a big minigun. I am impressed with her body size and how she can move in that way.

“Amandla since we are asking questions to each other. How did you come by that suit of armor and how did you come by all those weapons? I didn't see any of that on Junk island. What did you do to find all that?”

Amandla took a second to answer as she turns around to her armor. I could tell she has a lot on her mind about the armor.

“I found the armor in various junk piles and how it got there. I have no idea how it got there. Um, Ruby, my other question. Are you going to consider me part of your family here?”

I smirk looking at Melody, Wicker, Gizmo, Joona, Dust, Rhyolite, and Beezen. We are all family. I am married to the most beautiful mare ever. Melody is giggling as she talks to Rhyolite and Dust sharpens his weapons. Joona is talking to Gizmo. Wicker has her seeing glass she bought on Junk island to see into town.

“Do you wish to be part of this family Amandla?”

She has a gentle blush form on her cheeks.

“Please I have no family I would love to be considered part of yours.”

I grunt, shifting a bit laying on my side. Amandla notices my stomach, the heavy padding keeps me protected there and she leans closer stroking my stomach. She chuckles softly as she is relaxing like I am.

“Is the father with us on this journey?’

I look away sad, shaking my head.

“No, he gave me a false sense of security. When I was at my lowest I just came back out of the cocoon when my sense of judgment and all I could think about was my body and not my heart. He took advantage and gave me these eggs and I wasn’t told his true intent till the journey started. I am going to keep these and when the time is right I won’t be the one to raise them I know full well I won’t be.”

The donkey frowns she could tell just talking about it hurts a lot. Her frown turns to anger in her gentle eyes.

“I hope you can move on from all this even if he did use you to his ends.”

I smile weakly nodding.

“I have come to accept he never loved me. He wanted to have an easy time. I am sure when I see him again he is going to tell me otherwise. I am married and I wouldn’t trade anything in the world to change that.”

I turn to look at Melody who keeps chatting and laughing with Rhyolite. I could tell my new family are starting to become friends. Even though Dust keeps to himself I can tell he loves being part of this family. I notice Beezen is getting very upset that the guards just don’t say what he wants. Wicker shakes her head looking over at me.

“I see nothing down there. If there is anyone living down in that city they’re sure good at hiding. This town is broken and ruined and I see tons of old bones and some deadly creatures going through the streets.”

I shrug my shoulders.

“Well we got to do what is right I guess. Even if they won’t tell us what is going on yet. Maybe they have a reason to stay silent. Who knows when I first met Silverwing she called her home Feather. I wonder if most of them forgot the name of their home and just called what came to mind.”

Wicker frowns she sighs

“Ruby, even the Sea raiders refuse to come this way. Stories of something awful are here. Even if we see Upholi we stay clear of them. Some feel they bring bad luck and awful omen. This is how those feelings are in the sea every time we see them.”

Wicker looks at Gizmo.

“I worry for my dear Gizmo since she is slower than the rest of us. I worry she is going to be an easy target for whatever is down in there.”

The donkey smirks

“I will do my best to protect you all with my armor and weapons I promise.”

The kirin smirks at the donkey.

“I will hold you to that hon.”

I notice the sun has changed a lot in the sky. I wonder how long I was asleep.

“Question how long have I been asleep?”

Wicker chuckles

“About six hours. Don’t worry thankfully there is a bathroom on that transport that brought us here. I would have had to pee over the side wouldn’t be the first time I did so.”

Amandla blushes. I am sure she would have done the same peeing over the side just to spite this hellhole.

“Yes… that would be so bad to do in a shit hole like this city. I am already tired of waiting and want to know why the hell we are here?”

Wicker glances at me.

“Don’t you have to go?”

I shrug my shoulders.

“My species only need to relieve ourselves every few weeks. We are made to be weapons after all for a crazy insane queen”

Wicker chuckles

“I am starting to wonder if we should just force our way through here. I wonder if the one known as Silver is trying to convince whoever is in charge here to let us in.”

Wicker and Amandla look towards Beezen. The troll seems to finally get somewhere since the guard is openly speaking to him. Melody looks over to me waving with her wing and goes back to her conversation with Rhyolite. I sigh, getting upset with this. We have been here for so long and have been asked to help this city but why? They won’t even let us in right now.

After a while, Beezen comes over and sits down beside me.

“Well, I learned at least something. There was a civil war and no one won at all. I have been told there are no citizens left in the city. Of course, the guard told me it might not be true. There have been sightings in town of families and children on their own.”

Amandla frowns

“Oh… I am going to lose it if I see any dead little ones. I am not going to enjoy seeing any little ones hurt.”

I grunt a bit more. I feel pain from holding these eggs and me. I also think it’s from my exoskeleton being shattered a bit. I will have to get used to this pain and I will not be able to get rid of it. I guess I won’t be able to get rid of it my entire life.

“Did you learn anything else Beezen?”

Beezen strokes the back of his head.

“Yes, but you won’t like it. Neither of you will.”

I stare at him looking worried.

“We are above the execution platform Wicker take a look down there with your looking glass.”

Wicker leans over the side of the dock platform using her looking glass and looks down there. She stares at the rest of us. She waves her hoof for me to come over. I look down and I stare at a hanging. Hanging on the end of the rope are children who have been hanging there for a while. The birds are picking at their decaying corpses.

I move away from the looking glass I feel rage building in the core of my soul. Amandla looks through the glass seeing what I just saw. She quickly runs into the small vessel that brought us here. I could hear her vomit.

“Why..did they do this Beezen?”

Beezen sighs.

“The kingdom is lost and broken more so than most. Those little ones stole food and other objects to keep them from dying. The guard explained to me that they have been seeing this a lot. They have no idea why and if they even say a word they will join those hangings and be placed there.”

Melody comes over tilting her head.

“What is wrong?’

Wicker sighs.

“Melody, take a look here.”

Melody looks through the looking glass and her eyes open wide backing up. Gizmo looks through next. I have never seen the old girl so pissed off. Rhyolite looks next. She kept her anger under control. Dust looks through it and he stays relaxed.

“If we only got here sooner…would we have been able to stop it?”

I glance at Dust shaking my head.

“I highly doubt it.”

Melody stays silent holding me close to her to keep her rage at bay. I look up at the yellow mare. I know she is upset. She is wrapping her wings around me tightly, shaking a bit. I stroke her right cheek gently. I open the helmet so we can talk.

“Are you okay?”

I whisper very gently to her. She leans toward me and her breathing is tense.

“I feel we shouldn’t be here. I feel we are in a land that doesn’t deserve our help. Hold me Ruby please.”

I sigh. I may be larger than I used to be. The mare is still larger. I wrap all my legs around my wife tightly. She feels more relaxed. I feel relaxed too. I hear Wicker’s pistol cocking looking over at the others they’re gathering their weapons.

“Breaking into there is not wise. My friends let Silver do what she can to get us in there then we will go into the city to see if we can find out what is going on. So please relax and try to keep your mind off what you saw below.”

Wicker sighs looking over to Beezen.

“This can’t stand…but if we are out here any longer or I hear a scream…all bets are off. I doubt the others will do the same.”

Our new donkey friend came back. She opens the suit of armor and she powers up the suit looking at the rest of us. She gets into her suit and it closes around her. The suit powers up as she stands fully on the metal hooves.

“If I lose my temper soon forgive me. But I can’t allow this to happen anymore. So I will wait a little longer before I break into there. To learn who is the cause of those murders.”

Beezen sighs

“To the Upholi what is murder to us. Is justice to them and it sounds like this is not the first time. The guard also told me the royal family is very untrusting of outsiders. He added Silver is very trusted by them and it won’t take too much longer to get us there.”

Joona is confused by our movements and reactions. I don't think she understood what we saw.

“Excuse me Wicker may I look through that?”

Wicker looks over to the Panna. The look of worry and concern on the kirins face says it all. Joona is from a world so full of peace and love and friendship. I am sure when she sees what we just did. I have a feeling it will break her heart.

“Are you sure?”

Joona nods, coming over and using her wings to hold the looking glass. She stares at the hanged children and she freezes a moment she looks away from the glass and quickly sits by Beezen the troll stares at our bird friend.

“It reminds me of what the squid and his minions used to do to us. He had us under his tentacles that each time we did something out of line more and more would be killed just like that. So the world has changed, just the ones who are evil and wish to kill haven’t. I worry what we might find in this kingdom.”

I take my helmet off holding Melody’s face kissing her lips gently smirking.

“Stay strong my beautiful mare stay strong.”

Melody smirks

“I will try. It's not going to be easy if we keep seeing stuff like this.”

I nod looking at the others.

“I am sure everyone will have a problem with this. We just need to keep moving and protect as guardians heroes are a good way to say it. To some, I am sure if we say we are heroes here to save you. Then I doubt everyone will be happy to ask us for help.”

After a while, Silverwing comes back out to us.

“They’re willing to meet you. What?”

Wicker floats her looking glass to Silverwing pointing her hoof below. Silverwing then removes the glass looking at Wicker.

“So they were criminals.”

Beezen sighs

“Silver, be careful what you say next.”

Silver looked at us and then realized what she just said in front of us. She gives Wicker the looking glass and keeps her mouth shut. She notices how angry we look. Melody has a look of hate in her eyes. Wicker looks ready to fire her muskets. Gizmo is just pissed off. Dust holds his knife tightly. Rhyolite looks ready to just gut her. Joona is pretty upset herself and I stood up putting my helmet on.

“Oh come on sea raider you have done worse.”

Wicker stares at Silverwing.

“To sea raiders, children are off-limits. All children should be off-limits, they're pure of us for the future and they must stay that way.”

Silver sighs.

“I will be more careful but. I warn you the royal family won’t see it your way. This city is broken and you can tell how broken it is. I looked down at what you showed me and heard myself after what I said. Then yes we are very broken if I don’t care about this.”

I get on Melody’s back while we head inside.

_______

The castle of Ornithia

We walk through the grand old halls. This entire castle doesn’t look like the outside. This place is full of splendor. Like whoever owns this castle and runs it and whoever stays inside. They look to be so much better off than those on the outside. Beezen makes sure we stay close to him; he looks back at us, stopping us by a large golden door.

“Now listen to everything Silver saids before we go in. We have to be as respectful as we can be. Even if we don’t like what they do here. They might even have servants and slaves here. So be prepared for all this. I am sorry if some in this group will be angry at all this.”

Silver looks at the guards at the door then back at us.

“Don’t talk unless you’re spoken to. If you speak out of line they won’t hesitate to whip you. This kingdom runs so much in the old ways. If you see a slave or a servant being treated poorly stay out of it.”

Silver sighs.

“I am sorry for what you’re about to see.”

Silver pushes open the giant doors and we head inside. All around us are Upholi in splendor and some are fat and huge. They all watch us as one of the servants is getting abused by a male and she is not fighting it. We are led to the throne on the throne we see a young Upholi and what I am sure is his wife.

“My king, this is the hero and her friends.”

The king stares at us, his green eyes glowing in the darkness. His green beak clicks looking back to Silver.

“Good Silver I see you brought us more slaves to do our bidding.”

My wings stand on end and they buzz as everyone looks at me. Beezen mouths oh no Melody slaps me with a wing to calm me down. I calm down as I wait for the king to say more words.

“Your highness sir they’re not here to be slaves they’re here to clean up your city.”

The king stares at Silver.

“Ah, to remove the filth I see. Come with me to my chamber heroes.”

The king lifts off his chair heading to another room to follow him and he closes the door Silver closes the door behind us and the king sighs.

“I am sorry about what you had to see all that. Many out there are still refusing to leave the old ways. I asked Silver to bring you here because there is something wrong in this kingdom. Something has been wrong in this kingdom since the end of the war many years ago.”

I stay silent and so do the others.

“Forgive them, sir, these heroes don’t care much for how you run your kingdom. Ruby here used to be a minion of the tyrant queen. When she heard you call her a slave I am sure if her wife didn’t stop her she would have tried to kill you on the spot. I doubt it would have worked and she would have had the court kill her”

The king glances at Beezen then looks at me.

“My question to you Ruby if you killed me would that have made you a hero or a murderer? There is the question would you be seen as a hero or a murderer to the masses what do you think?”

I take a deep breath taking off my helmet.

“To some a murderer to some a savior to another group a monster. To some a hero to the point they will ask me to save them.”

The king smirks

“That is how the world works now. I need to be blunt, no one has been on the outside since the end of the war. I am told you saw the hanging below that is to keep up appearance. I am sorry to say if I could I wouldn’t do it anymore. But I have no choice in the matter. There is a sickness in this kingdom.”

He looks up to Silver.

“Silver can you please leave us and get us something to eat and some drinks? I need to speak to them about what needs to be done.”

Silver nods leaving the chambers.

“Come on sit, relax, get out of your armor and set down your weapons.”

The donkey just takes her helmet off sitting down in the giant armor with a thud. I shake my head and the others don’t drop their weapons as the king shakes his head. We all are led to a sitting area and I sit near Melody. She holds me close. I think she is trying to keep me from losing it. Wicker and Gizmo sit next to each other. Dust is sitting on the pillar edge. Joona stays silent sitting by Beezen. Rhyolite leans on the table like she is presenting herself. I will never understand her.

“I am known as King Caetano. I have been leading this kingdom for about thirty years now. Those before us left everything to me. What I need to do is. I need you to go outside and see if there are any living souls out there. Now I can’t have you all going. I need some of you to stay and search for this castle. There are many secrets in this castle.”

Beezen chuckles

“I am sure the big reason you want some to stay is to keep up appearance to the rich-minded we can’t have slaves going outside to try to bring back balance to this country am I correct?”

Caetano chuckles.

“You’re correct I may be the king of this kingdom but there are many who have their wings and claws in many things. So do what you can to keep up your appearance and then try to find a way outside. Search this entire castle. I will tell all the guards to let you search everything. But I can’t help you if you’re caught by any of the others in the court.”

Wicker snorts

“I will be the one to head outside. I can't stand the rich and those full of themselves. I have this gun for a reason I have my sword to slice the throats of many like you. I am sure you don’t blame me for that hmm?”

The king chuckles.

“No miss I don’t blame you one bit. If I had my way I would have sliced up many of those in this court year ago. But I don’t have the power to do so.”

I sigh, stroking my head.

“So we have to choose who will stay here. Can I count on you to at least have the court respect them? If my wife stays and I hear she is mistreated I won’t stop myself from what I feel must be done.”

Melody glances at me.

“No, you will not love. I can handle myself, my dear Ruby. So you don’t have to worry about me. I am a grown mare who knows how to handle the rich.”

Gizmo chuckles

“I think it might be wise for me to stay here. I am too slow to follow you through a big city like this. Wicker love why not go with Ruby if you don’t mind letting me stay here.”

Wicker smirks

“Well old girl I am sure you can take care of yourself with those cybernetics.”

Dust nods

“I will stay too. I do best in the shadows and I can follow the rest of you in the darkness and be ready just in case.”

Caetano chuckles

“Three of you should go, keeping the rest in here will keep the others from questioning too much. So pick those who will be going with you.”

I sigh, stroking my head.

“Now what do you want us to find?”

The king smirks

“Ah, back I almost forgot there are many old bunkers in this city. I would like you to find something I am not sure about. The stories in my ancestor's books talk about an item. I don’t know what it is, I don't know what it's for. They just say it’s something that used to bring hope to us.”

I glance at Wicker and our donkey friend.

“Me, Wicker, and Amandla will go. I feel we should get something to eat first before we even leave.”

Caetano nods Silver comes in with many cups of tea and food for all of us. I take the cup sniffing it to make sure there are no drugs in it. Since drugs don’t affect my kind as much as others. It has to be drugs made to destroy my ability to make judgments as Wheel Tread did. I taste it looking at the others after a second. I then take the food, taking a close look at the strange slope of birdseed and pudding. I take a taste looking at the others.

“No drugs.”

I look at Silver. She looks offended by the looks of emotions on her face. I shrug my shoulders.

“Oh, I don’t trust as easily as I used to. So I don’t get offended or do other things. Just when it comes to my family here including my wife. I will make sure they will never be harmed.”

The others dig in and Joona loves the food being bird-like to them. I finish my food soon after and sigh.

“Alright, how do we get out into the city? Is there something we need to do to get through the doors if there are any doors?”

Caetano nods

“Silver, could you please lead? I am sorry, what are your names?”

I smirk

“I am Ruby, This is Wicker and Amandla.”

Wicker snorts the donkey salutes with the metal hoof putting the armor helmet back on. Silver salutes. I get ready to leave with the others before I do though Melody pulls me close to her. I stare up at her.

“Yes, my dear love?”

Melody smiles holding my face in her wings.

“No goodbye kiss hmm?”

I smirk, kissing the yellow mare deeply and I notice Wicker and Gizmo just hug. I wonder if they don’t want to go that far yet to kiss or maybe they’re very private about it. Then of course I see Wicker and the turtle kiss. Wicker pulled away soon after.

I do the same and look at the other two.

“We might be out there for a few days I am sure. So I am sure we will be given at least some food and at least sleeping bags?”

Silver nods.

“If my lord has no problem with me going to the royal kitchen for them.”

Caetano smiles

“Just tell the kitchen master they can have as much as they can take and ask the servants to get them the cleanest sleeping bags they can find.”

I look back at Wicker. I notice Gizmo gave Wicker something nodding to her. Wicker looks at the strange device nodding. She leans into Wicker to whisper something. Wicker looks at me then back to her pointing with her hoof. Gizmo nods Wicker smiles it seems they don’t need words. I will ask Wicker what the item is later.

I put my helmet back on. I look over to Amandla and Wicker. I nod to them and Silver leads us through the castle. We get many strange looks very rich from the castle. They drink and eat like there is no dead world outside. We head into the kitchen and an old female looks up from the kitchen.

“Ah hello, Silver, are these our guests?”

Silver nods.

“Cookie, do you have enough food and water for them to take with them outside to the city?”

Cookie sighs.

“I do but what would happen if I don’t have enough for the feast in three days? What will I have to tell them while they whip me?”

Wicker is taken aback by the word whipping. I glance at our donkey friend in the power armor. From the look of her movements, she is not happy with the words which are spoken. Silver shakes her head at Cookie.

“I will take the punishment this time. Just give them enough, maybe for two weeks and who knows what they will find out there.”

Cookie looks away sighing.

“Can I be honest with them please Silver?”

Silver nods

“I am going to say this once to you three. There is a curse that has been on this city and castle since the civil war. During the war, a zebra platoon and a pony platoon were both in the city and they tried to bring us to their side. We gunned them down and during the final breath, a zebra cursed us. I doubt it is what caused the civil war. We haven’t had an easy time since those days.”

Wicker rolls her eyes

“Forgive me zebras would never curse even if you kill them. There is something more in this city than a simple zebra curse. Now can we get out of here Ruby before I shoot one of these rich fucks?”

I chuckle

“Hate the rich Wicker?”

Wicker laughs

“There is a reason why I became a sea raider to stick it to those who think they’re above me. I had it with those ponies and any creature who sits in a place of splendor like this while children are getting hanged.”

Amandla snorts in her helm

“I agree with Wicker, I may not know her so well. I thought I would never see a kingdom as bad as Junk island. At least the king has a good reason to do what they do from old laws. It just seems this place doesn’t wish to change.”

I agree with both of them. Cookie sighs, she shakes her head and it didn’t take long to get our bags full of food that will last us two weeks. Most of it is canned and a lot of the water is bottled. We allowed our donkey friend to take it since her armor makes it so she can carry heavy loads.

“I gave you some boiling pills just in case the water I gave you is not pure or with all the salt out of it. It’s not as easy as it used to be to get water in this castle. The water flow vanished years ago and we have no idea why. Most are too scared to go look so if you could do me a favor and go look?”

I glance at the others shrugging

“Eh, why not where would we have to look?”

Cookie smiles head to a closet and bring out a map of the city where a water treatment plant is circled. I look closely at it making sure my helmet maps the entire map in the hud of the helm. The water treatment is pretty deep on the left side of the city. It’s the only thing that is circled. I see many other names.

“This is a pretty large city, are most of these homes and places of business?”

Cookie nods

“There are many places you could look. Since we don’t know what is out there, I would say don’t do it and just do what you need to do. Find those bunkers they’re all around the city. This map is the only thing that shows them. Much could have changed. This is an old map before the war after all.”

Wicker rolls up the map putting it into her bags. I make sure all my weapons are with me: my pistol, my sword, and the crossbow. Yes and then I check all my ammo, happy to see it's all good.

“Okay, are you three ready to head outside?”

I have been ready Silver leads us through more of the castle. This place is huge and so full of splendor. We hear screams of anger and pleasure. Wicker opens the door and she sees something awful. Silver quickly closes the door pushing us along.

“What did you see Wicker?”

Wicker sighs.

“A servant is taken as in rape. Silver, how can this be allowed? Please tell me how this is allowed?”

Silver sighs while she leads us quickly through the castle to get to the outside.

“I wish I could tell you. It's been like this for as long as I have been born. The royal family or the royals in the court or those of royal birth will always do stuff like this. I have been told before servants and others in the guards and military tried to stop it before. They were all killed or put in their place. The royals have power and they use it over us.”

Silver turns to look at me.

“To tell you the truth your friends are in danger. I am sure they can take care of themselves since you have a judge from the stars with you like Beezen.”

Beezen yes I know full well he will do everything he can to protect Melody and the others. He will even bring his magic paint to bear to make sure objects in this castle watch. I am sure Dust is going to find something.

We finally make it outside and we stand by the door leading outside.

“I want to tell you now I have orders to not let you back in for two weeks. I will let you back in any way. Just be prepared again, we have no idea what is out there.”

The door opens up for the three of us leading outside. I head out with the other two and the door closes behind us. We are out here in this lovely ruined city. I look back at the door hearing it lock and I turn my head and suddenly see a Upholi in a coat and wearing a hat. I look away and they’re gone.

______________________

City of Ornithia

We head to one of the ruined buildings close to the gates. We make sure no one is watching us and Wicker closes the ruined building door. Thankfully this is a good place to relax if we need to. It’s just a small home.

“Okay, Ruby.”

Wicker floats the strange device over to me in her magic. She attaches it to my helmet and I hear static. I groan at how loud it is and after a while, I hear static, and then I hear voices on the other end.

“It sounds like it’s working. Ruby, this is Gizmo we are being shown to our rooms. Beezen is going to bring parts of the rooms alive for us to protect us. Melody is alright. She has been getting looks from some of the court males here. So we will make sure they do nothing to her.”

I feel better knowing that I can speak to them.

“What about Dust and Rhyolite? Will they be okay?”

Gizmo chuckles

“Hon they will be fine, and so will Joona. I promise we will keep our eye on Melody for you. Now I am in my room and Beezen will be soon to do what he has done with his and Joonas. Then we will be fine. If we need you we will contact you.”

I sigh deeply as the strange device turns off.

“Thank you, Wicker.”

Wicker nods.

“Excuse me, everyone, I don't think we are alone out here. The hud in my helmet keeps telling me there are others out there. It could be a bad reading, I am unsure really. I don’t know if anyone would be living out here.”

We hear a knock on the door and I open it soon after seeing no one there and looking down at a newspaper. Wait, what is this thing? I pick it up, look at it and bring it to the table.

“What in the world is this?”

Wicker laughs

“Wow, you have been on an island most of your life. This is a newspaper it was used to show the news…Wait this was made today? Look on the front page.”

On the front page is the airship we came in. The headline is ‘Are we being invaded?’ I just stare at it, the rest of it just seems to be someone wondering if we are here to harm them. I turn the paper around to see more. ‘I wish to meet you, strange creatures, if you wish to meet me. Place the paper back outside with the words yes and then I will find you.’

I look at the others.

“Should we?”

Wicker nods magic and brings out a pen from her pirate hat writing the word yes. She goes to the door, places it outside, and closes it. She sighs, shaking her head. She chuckles as she walks back to the table.

“This is an old war method some used to talk without zebras or ponies finding out about peace meetings or meetings of affairs of love and sex. Even if the war was going, both sides needed some fun after all.”

I chuckle at the thought. Lovers on the battlefield looking around the old ruined building I am amazed everything is gone here. I only saw a table and I thought I would look around the old house. Noticing another door going to open it.

“Don’t..”

I glance at Wicker and Amandla arms her Minigun. The barrel starts to spin and it glows from the heat of its moving.

“Someone is living here I am sure and going through their private stuff is not the best idea. I am guessing this city is not as empty as the royals wish us to believe. Now I would say don’t even trust anyone we see.”

Amandla lets out a sigh

“Don’t make me worry Wicker. I don’t want to fire on innocents.”

Wicker glances at the donkey and chuckles

“Sweetheart there will never be innocents in a city such as this. This world has gotten to the point even though Littlepip brought back the sun for Equestria much of the world is still broken and hurting. It’s like the ponies to only focus on themselves rather than thinking about the long game.”

Amandla stares at Wicker through her helm. I couldn’t tell if she was upset or anything.

“So it has nothing to do with heroes or guardians. It has more to do that ponies are very selfish. Is that what you’re saying Wicker?”

Wicker nods

“Yes, it’s not something I want to say. I have seen it too much after it happened. I am like what about the rest of the world? Not every part of the world was locked from seeing the sun. Some have old weapons still around from the war. Some never healed from civil wars. Some still have leadership refusing to help.”

I sigh deeply. I am correct to call myself a guardian then. We hear a knock again and Wicker heads to open the door. The same Newspaper is left at the door she picks it up. Placed it back on the table. She sets it down to show what was added. ‘There is much you need to be told. I can’t tell you yet, but we need to watch you first. Go do what you are here for and we will see your hearts then.’

“What do they mean by we will see your hearts then?”

I was confused about what they meant by this. I am sure Wicker knows and she shakes her head.

“I think they want to see if we are doing this in the name of the royal family here. We need to show we are here to help them. Now I doubt it’s going to be so easy. We don’t know how desperate the citizens of this city are.”

Our donkey friend looks around and she looks to be unsure of everything around her. We all three pause when we hear a roar outside. I head to the door to crack it open just a bit to see what is out there. I see creatures made of metal and wood.

“Wicker comes here..What are these?’

Wicker looks through the crack in the doorway.

“Timberwolves or it seems these versions are a mix of metal. The metal from what I can tell looks enchanted, you have magic sight, Ruby, why don’t you check?”

I switch my sight to the magic eater sight looking at the creatures again. Finally got a good look at the leylines in this city. The magic is as powerful as it was on the island. This magic though is sickly. I close the door looking at the magic in the room.

“The magic…in this city is like the magic on the island. There is something wrong though it’s sickly like it’s been tainted. I am going to give it a little taste.”

Using my abilities as a magic eater I absorb the magic in the air. When it enters my core I gasp in pain. I yell loudly, screaming loud enough. I grab my sword and quickly charge outside. Wicker and Amandla chase after me. The timberwolves swung towards me and I guess I surprised them. With the dragon sword, I slice through them screaming.

I pant after a second I come out of it looking around noticing I am in a pile of metal and wood. I look up at the two females and I smile weakly.

“Um, let me guess I lost it and went to attack the nearest thing which also was connected to the magic in this city?”

Wicker rolls her eyes. I am sure Amandla is very confused.

“Wicker, what happened?”

Wicker shrugs her shoulders.

“I am guessing it's a magic eater thing. Ruby, what did the magic taste like?”

I groan getting up from the pile of metal and wood. I am trying to think of the taste of the magic. It tasted tainted and powerful. If this magic was on the island mixed with the island's magic Star Shooter would have become addicted to it.

“It tastes necromantic. Before you ask, no I can’t follow it to its source. If I could, my kind would have found the source back on the island.”

I groan, putting the sword back into the scabbard. Shit, I feel the pain. I shook my head weakly. I know we are being watched and I am sure we didn’t make ourselves look good acting like I was on drugs.

“Why did you act like you were high?”

I glance at Amandla.

“Would it surprise you to say I was? Some magics to us are like drugs to you. It’s why when drugs go into my system. They don’t affect me as they do you. You could put all your drugs in my body and all they would do would make me feel weird.”

Wicker laughs

“That was a drug high? Magic eaters suddenly go on a killing spree after they eat magic?”

I chuckle

“Some magic, yes we do. If the magic is light blue and gentle we become mellow and go. Hey man… we have shells!! Man… Oh yes man..shells ain’t that so beautiful man?”

I shake my head remembering I got that way before.

“If it’s tainted like what I just had, a magic easter will lose it and become a killer. So yes I will not eat this magic. No matter how hungry I am when it comes to it.”

Wicker shakes her head laughing.

“So since we are stuck out here for two weeks. What should we do first?”

Amandla lifts her suitable metal armored hoof. We both look at the donkey.

“You got an idea then?”

The donkey shifts in her armor taking off the helmet a second so we can see her emotions.

“Maybe we should try finding whoever gave us that newspaper. Maybe if we find whoever did that we might find a thriving society here then we do the tasks the ones in the castle gave us. Truthfully though, I don't trust the ones in the castle.”

Wicker looks at me.

“Well?”

I was confused

“Well, what?”

Wicker rolls her eyes.

“Ruby, we are all family here now. You’re the leader of this family when we are in Gems airship she is the leader of the family. When we are out here in the field with you. You’re the leader of it so we do what you want.”

Those words hit me hard. I am the leader of this family. I feel the stress from my body vanish. Do they trust me so much? I take a deep breath blowing out some magic air that mixes into the other magic.

“Okay, let's do what Amandla saids to do. Let's see if we can have a thriving society. If they can survive the creatures here then they must know more about this city than we do. Okay, Wicker, you have the map set down, and let's see the best spot to go.”

Wicker nods, bringing out the map from her coat and setting it down. She rolls it out and we look at the map. We are on the west side of the city. The north side of the city. The east side and the south side. The west side has an old marketplace. It’s near the water treatment plant.

“Alright, let's check every building as we go through here. It will take us at least a few hours and then we should get to the marketplace. Amandla do you have any non-lethal ammo for your weapons?”

The donkey nods, putting the helmet back on.

“The only two weapons which don’t have any non-lethal are the mini-gun and the sniper rifle. If I need to I will use the ammo on those who attack us. We need to understand why they’re attacking us though.”

Wicker nods

“Yes, I agree now let's go.”

Wicker held the map in her magic while we went from building to building. In a few of them, we found they have been living in. We didn’t want to dig through anything that belonged to someone else. We get to the marketplace after looking through many of the houses. We left some food in each house for those who live there.

“Wicker, how much food do we have left?’

Wicker looks through the bags Amandla has on her armor.

“We have enough for two weeks if we ration now. We all agreed whoever lived in those homes needed it more than we did. Water will be simple. All we need to do is make a fire and boil it. Now, this is the marketplace.”

I look through the market stands noticing there is food steam coming off it. They knew we were coming. I look over the counter and I see two very young upholi cowering in the back of the stall. I take my helmet off, setting it on the table.

“Hey it’s okay I won’t hurt you.”

One of the young upholi, a female, shakes her head pointing behind me. I turn around staring face to face with a manticore how in the world did it sneak up on me? It roars in my face and I cough after it stops.

“Wicker?! Amandla?!”

I look around for them both of them seem to have vanished. I stare into the eyes of the manticore as it licks its lips. I take a deep breath okay and make no sudden movements. I reach for my sword and grab the hilt. When I grab the hilt of the dragon sword I pull it out quickly and the runes shine brightly.

“BACK!!”

The runes scare the manticore and it glows fiery red. It backs up and the manticore takes its stinger trying to hit me. I get out of the way quick enough even so I feel a great deal of pain hit one of my wings and it tears it in half. I fall to the ground groaning. I stare up at the large creature and it roars again.

“HEY!!”

The manticore turns its head staring face to face with Wicker’s flintlock pistol. She smirks, cocking the gun.

“Nothing personal.”

She fires and the manticore screams. The poor creature's eyes burned from the pistol she used. It screams and tries to scratch the ammo she used out of its face. Our donkey friend forces her heavy armored body into the manticore forcing it on its side. It whines crying loudly enough I groan looking at the two upholi watching. The horror in their eyes from the harm we did to the creature. I see them about to cry. I wonder if they feel the manticore is not evil but it’s just hungry.

“Let it go..”

The donkey looks up at me. Wicker blows the smoke from her gun and moves away from the manticore. The poor creature whines walking off blindly it smashes its head into some of the tables whining.

It’s in awful pain all I can think of is doing something stupid. Reaching into my bag I bring out a potion. I am very unsure about them. I could use them too but I can eat the magic. I walk over stroking the side of the creature. It tenses up. I hush it whispering gently to it.

“Shhh shhh, I am here to help.”

I take the cork off the potion. I know it won’t help the creature bring its full eyesight back. I pry open one of the eyelids of the manticore. The eyes are still there and intact. I am using Wicker fired painful ammo. I stroke the mane of the creature with another hand.

“Shhh it’s okay I want to help you. You understand this right?”

The manticore whines, it gives me a swift nod as it understands me. This manticore I wonder has been here for so long. It’s learned some emotions from watching body movements. I doubt I won’t be able to do this again.

“Wicker, what did you use?”

Wicker chuckles.

“If I used it on a pony their face would have been blown off. So it’s not as bad for a creature this big. Now if it was farther away and shot them I might have blown one of their eyes out. All it did was shatter all over its face and just a little discomfort but enough.”

I sigh, thankfully the poor creature will heal. I swing my head so Wicker sighs, shaking her head using her magic to pry open the manticore's mouth and it whines. I pour the healing potion quickly into its mouth and toss the potion bottle away after.

I quickly backed away looking around hoping I didn’t make a mistake. After a while, it turns back looking at me with one of its eyes. I don’t have my sword anymore. I dropped it back by the stand. I swing my head to the manticore trying to say it’s a draw. The manticore swishes its sharp tail turning around to walk away. It never looked back and I sigh, shaking my head.

“Well, that happened. How in the world did that sneak up on me?”

Wicker snickers.

“You’re losing your touch, Ruby.”

I guess I am ever since I became a warrior of my species. I am bigger but still small for some ponies including my wife. I look over at our donkey friend. She gets out of her armor and goes around the stand.

“It’s okay little ones the manticore is gone.”

One of the Upholis lets out hard sobs hugging onto the donkey. She holds the little one tightly as the other comes out from behind the stand picking up my sword. She carries it over to me. I take it, placing it back into the scabbard.

“Um thank you miss.”

The parrot creature smiles. We hear guns cocking around us and we see many come out from the buildings and hear clapping from the wings of one of the parrots. He is silver and wears a trench coat. He is the one I saw earlier.

“The thrills, the chills, this will make a great front-page story.”

Frontpage story I stare at the strange upholi then I see a heavily armored one wearing armor like they’re the leader of this faction. I am starting to wonder how many factions are in this city. One of the Upholis walking beside the leader takes my helmet holding it in their arms.

“You’re too impressed Sterling. This bug could be from that airship we saw land in the bay.”

I shrug my shoulders.

“Yeah, I came from it. The king asked us to come out here to look for something in the bunkers. I mostly came out here to see if I could find any living souls.”

The leader crosses her arms staring at me.

“So you’re a puppet of our great king?”

Wicker face hooves.

“Uh oh..”

I shake angrily. The anger in my body causes my wings to tear more. I flap despite the pain I lift into the air. I flew right into the face of the female Upholi and it surprised her. My eyes are so full of anger and determination to prove myself.

“Say it again!!”

Sterling smirks

“Yes, call her a puppet again.”

The leader looks at Sterling then back at me she snorts.

“It’s the truth you’re.”

I buzz angrily.

“I am not a puppet of any royal fucks. My creator Majesty a fucking alicorn called me a puppet and used me to kill. I will not be a puppet of any royal fucks ever again. I almost wanted to kill your king for daring to talk down to me. But I am not a murderer.”

Wicker snorts.

“Ruby down!!”

I turn Wicker grabbing me in the air with her magic forcing me down beside her and I buzz angrily. Staring up at the kirin she stares down at me.

“I am sorry about our leader. She has an issue with those of royal blood. She tends to lose her manners when she is told she is a puppet. This is Ruby Glide. She is a guardian of this land or to some a hero. But we feel the word hero upsets others.”

The upholi leader sighs.

“I see I am sorry Ruby, was it? I got a question if you don’t mind me asking.”

I glance at the leader. I am finally calm.

“Go ahead but before I answer anything stop pointing your weapons at us. You have nothing to worry about from us.”

The upholi nods, lifting her wing hand to tell the others to move their weapons away.

“My question is who told you we are here?”

I look at Wicker and then at Amandla who is talking to the young upholi. She smiles, the sweet donkey is being so kind and gentle.

“No one told me you’re here. Silverwing said to me three years ago no citizen even lived in the city anymore. She said the same thing recently and the king didn’t even say anything. Just asked about some items in the bunkers.”

“Ah, so the great and powerful Silverwing has returned to save her people again. Oh wait no she promised to save us years ago but all the factions gave up on her.”

I glance at Sterling.

“Factions?”

Sterling reaches into his coat tossing me a newspaper.

“It’s all there.”

I stare at the paper reading it closely and out loud for the other two to hear.

“The four factions of our lovely town have given up on waiting for our savior Silverwing. We know she no longer cares for us. So the factions have gathered all their supplies and stopped fighting each other to try to make peace.”

Peace factions?

“So how do you know Silverwing gave up on you?”

Sterling smirks

“She has been gone for so long and we watched her with the king eating high on the hog while many starve here. I am the one who has been watching you at the request of the leader of the west. This is great, beautiful, and sexy.”

The leader Upholi stares at Sterling.

“Sexy?”

Sterling chuckles

“Too much?”

She rolls her eyes.

“I am Gearshift. My skills are as follows: I can fix pipes and all the machines we use to help feed the young ones. Now before we go on you said you have been searching for bunkers? So it’s true then Sterling was right.”

Sterling laughs

“Hey, learning to read did some good at least.”

Gearshift laughs as she takes off her helm. She has silver feathers and her eyes are dark red.

“So you passed our test, Ruby.

Amandla lets out a sad sigh. The look on her face made her look sad and a little bit angry too.

“Excuse me, what test? Are you saying you let that manticore show up and almost kill these two children?”

Gearshift stares at the donkey.

“No, we didn't, we had no idea it would show up. We wanted to see how you would treat those two little ones. It sold the deal when Ruby gave one of her healing potions to the poor creature. It’s not something I would do.”

Sterling smirks

“So tell me you got any other task from the castle?”

Another task oh yes I remember.

“Yes, a kitchen servant named Cookie asked us to come to the water system to bring water back to the castle. She also didn’t almost give us the food she said she would get beaten for it. Silverwing told her she will take the blame for it.”

I see the surprise from what I said on their faces.

“So she hasn’t changed at all; she is still the gentle soul we know. She is willing to take the punishment of another.”

I sigh softly

“Listen, the king is very kind, at least he seemed to be. He said he would love to clean out the court. But his wings are tied, it would be hard to remove the corruption from the castle.”

Gearshift sighs.

“The king and his family forgot years ago we were here. I am sure he still forgot we are here. He has much to deal with still it gives him no right.”

Wicker sighs

“We confronted him after we saw some young upholi hanged and they have been there for a while.”

Sterling sighs looking away.

“So they’re dead, they have been missing for almost six months. You see those three little ones wanted to steal from the king. The military tends to come out here now and again to try to find the bunkers. So they stole some of the food from them and they were caught. What did he tell you after you saw them?”

I sigh.

“I asked him about it in front of the court and he said, Oh, you mean getting rid of the filth? Then when we got in private he said he has to keep up the glimmer of being corrupt like the others in the court. He did add he wouldn’t have done it but I guess the court is very corrupt.”

I glance around, turning my vision to the magic sight.

“Also do you know your city is full of necromantic magic?”

Gearshift tilts her head.

“Excuse me?”

I turn to look at Gearshift.

“I am what is called a magic eater. We can see the magic in the air. There is some powerful necromantic magic corrupting the magic core of your home. I don’t know what is causing it. I can't follow it but have you seen anything strange?”

Gearshift sighs deeply

“There are old stories from the civil war. The stories that zebras and ponies came here to join sides and that zebras used powerful necromantic magic in one of the bunkers. It killed them all and caused something evil. If the magic is seeping out of the bunkers then it’s not good. I guess it explains why a lot of the food we grow dies so quickly and why some old people get badly sick.”

Gearshift turns her sight towards the water treatment plant.

“We will let you give the water back to the castle. It might keep them from sending the military out. We don’t want them to know the factions are gathering to fight them. I am sorry non of us can go with you.”

Sterling comes forward.

“I will join you. If you don’t mind having a reporter write down your story and your exploits.”

Wicker chuckles

“Just make sure you don’t use her real name.”

Sterling tilts his head.

“Oh, why is that a problem?”

Wicker laughs

“She is meant to be killed by the Storm King who has returned.”

The crowd around us gasps as they speak to each other about the Storm King. I have a feeling we shouldn’t have told them that he has returned. I am sure our donkey friend didn’t even know about the Storm King's return.

Sterling strokes his chin.

“I see you see we don’t get much news out here. The last bit of news we had was about Sunshine and Rainbows, some pony bringing back the sun and moon in Equestria other than that the news went back to nothing again. So I will do my best to make sure I just call you a guardian and I can name you all right but her?”

Wicker nods as our donkey friend stand beside us back into her armor.

“I don’t mind if you tell the truth about me. I am sure Wicker is not going to care either. Since Wicker is a former sea raider.”

Wicker smirks

“Oh yes tell them my words that the sea is like a stallion and a mare having sex. Wild, wet and evil!!”

She laughs

I just shake my head putting my helm back on.

“Is there anything we should expect inside the treatment plant?”

Gearshift looks over to the water treatment plant. It’s like a long walk away from the market. She sighs, stroking her head.

“The only thing you should worry about is the Mirelurks who made the place their home. They tend to avoid Upholi since we used to eat them before they mutated. So I am guessing they still have a fear of us. I haven’t been there for many years so I don’t know the state of the systems.”

Sterling sighs.

“It’s been harder these past few years. The court is getting desperate so they come out and steal from us and try to get all the food we grow. They’re stronger than we are and they have powerful magic and weapons. The only way we could ever fight them is to find those old bunkers.”

I sigh looking at the treatment plant.

“If I clean the treatment plant out, will you give water to the rest of the city? “

Gearshift sighs

“Well, it could be one of the ways to get the peace talks going. I will be honest the peace talks haven’t been going very well. Our factions have too many who are too full of themselves and don’t want peace. I think we are going to have to force the issue with some of them.”

She glances at me.

“What?”

She smirks

“Say, are you willing to meet us in the old stadium after we are done here? I have a feeling the only way to get everyone to get in line is to beat the best of the best. Do you think you could do that? “

I sigh deeply about speaking.

“Of course, she can.”

I lift the visor staring at Wicker. I swear she is going to piss me off or kill me. Wicker smirks at me, winking. I buzz angrily feeling I know I won’t be able to stop this now. I groan deeply, closing the visor.

“Alright, I will do it. How soon do you want me to do this?”

Gearshift glances at a large upholi male who holds a large sword in his hand.

“It’s going to take the time you will have to meet the other factions first. So you will have to do something for all factions.”

I sigh deeply great at least I can use these two weeks to help what I can.

“The king gave me two weeks to do what I can out here to find the bunkers. So I will use these two weeks to help you and the others and then try to find the bunkers.”

Gearshift shifts on her claws looking towards the large upholi nodding to him. He salutes her and then gathers a group of guards. I watch them head towards the north part of the city. I wonder if he is going to try to gather them.

“Think of it this way, it's two weeks you can learn about this city. I hate to break it to you little bug. This city is full of stories of pain, sadness, and birthing problems.”

I glance at Gearshift and Sterling.

“How bad is the birthing situation?”

Gearshift shifts uncomfortably. I can tell this question is not something she wants to talk about. She glances at Sterling to help her. Her eyes shone like she was about to cry. He nods to Gear, he takes a deep breath exhaling.

“Alright, I am guessing it’s the magic you have seen going through the city. Many of the females and males have somehow ended up sterile. We have no idea what is causing this. Gearshift found this out the hard way. If we don’t find what is causing this many years from now. I am sure we will be an extinct race.”

I suddenly perk up looking over at Wicker and Amandla. If my friends and Melody stay here too long without taking care of the magic it could affect them too. Wicker snickers she laughs loudly shaking her head.

“It wouldn’t be the first time some crazy magic tried making it so I can’t have children. I have given so many foals up for adoption since I didn’t want to allow them to go through the life of a sea raider. Hmm, still I doubt Amandla wants to be able to have children.”

The donkey chuckles.

“Yes, I want to be able to have my children. So I am hoping the magic defense on this suit I have will keep me at bay. I am sure if I get out of it only a few times I won’t have to worry about it.”

I hear static in my helm clicking on the device.

“Hello, Ruby, Gizmo here Melody is worried so she wants me to check up on you. I told her it’s only been at least three hours you can keep yourself out of trouble for three hours;”

I sigh deeply.

“Are you able to get the others around so they can hear what I am about to say?”

Gizmo goes silent for a bit.

“Alright let me gather everyone in Beezen's room. It may take a few minutes so I will be in touch.”

Gear and Sterling stare at me.

“Who were you talking to?”

I glance at them smirking.

“I was talking with the others I came here with. One of them gave me a device so I can keep in contact with them. I got to keep in touch with my wife somehow so she doesn’t fly out here. She is one of those mares who would do such things.”

Wicker laughs

“She is not wrong. Melody will not let anyone stop her from being with her wife.”

I chuckle

“Since you’re coming with us Sterling, let's clean the treatment plant up. Unless the mirelurks are a food source?”

Sterling laughs

“There are more Mirelurks in the water, they're endless so yes they’re a good food source if we need to do so. So we will never run out of them. Anyway, come on, let's go and my dear Gearshift.”

Gearshift glares at Sterling.

“Will you stop calling me dear? I am not that type of lady Sterling. Now what is up, what do you want?”

Sterling laughs.

“Are you willing to follow us in and clean up what we leave behind?”

Gearshift smirks

“Gladly.”

I turn my head to look at Sterling.

“Do you have any weapons?”

Sterling nods, moving his trench coat and pulling out a powerful-looking pistol from a holster. I stare at it closer; it's made from space metal. I look again, seeing another weapon, a large morning star made from the same metal.

“Those weapons are made from space metal, right? Is there a forge you used to create those?”

Sterling looks at his weapons nodding,

“Yes, the forge is in a lost part of the city. It’s in the north but the issue is the north faction has lost a lot of their land to strange monsters. They look like creatures like you but their Queen calls themselves Bumble.”

Bumble? I thought for a moment about if I heard about Bumble. I doubt I did. I Ignore the feeling of heading to the water treatment plant with my three companions. The kind and gentle-hearted donkey Amandla. I look behind me to see the crazy and insane sea raider Wicker. Then the Upholi Sterling.

We get to the main door and I open it up heading inside with my three friends to fight and rescue this city or at least the first step.

_________________

Water treatment plant.

The door swings open. I keep a tight grip on my pistol in one buggy hand. I hold the sword in my other hand while looking around. When we walk fully inside it just seems to be a waiting room. There is so much dust all over the place and no bones?

“Huh, I am so used to seeing bones.”

Sterling laughs

“We cleaned those up years ago. We felt it would bring bad luck. I am sure we missed a lot of them over the years. Since we haven’t been able to keep up with cleaning as we normally do. So I feel bad if you find any.”

I hear the device turn on again.

“We are all here Ruby, what's up?”

I click on the device.

“Is there a way to make it so we can all hear this?”

Gizmo chuckles

“Yes, very easily take off your helmet and click the speaker button just make sure no enemy is near you before you do this.”

I take my helmet off clicking the speaker. I set the helmet on the table so everyone can listen with no problem.

“Alright, Ruby we are all here what’s up?”

I glance at the others.

“Well I don’t want to alarm you all but I had a taste of the magic here. I also have seen it with my magic sight. It’s necromantic and it’s causing the upholi to be sterile. I worry if we are here for too long it might harm you all.”

I can hear my friends chattering.

“Ruby, love, are your little ones okay?”

I sigh knowing Melody would ask this.

“Wait, you're pregnant?!”

I glance at Sterling.

“Who is that?”

I chuckle weakly at Gizmo's question.

“Well, we ran into citizens of the city. This is Sterling, he is a upholi reporter? Whatever that is.”

Beezen laughs.

“Well, Ruby reporters are something you don’t normally see anymore. Now is there any more news you can tell us?”

I glance at Sterling

“Sterling told me about a strange group of bugs and their Queen is named Bumble.”

Beezen groans

“Oh no… Ruby, I warn you and warn you now. Bumble is a judge of the stars herself. She never killed the ponies of old though. She worked with them if you ran into her. Make sure you let me talk to her. Now is there anything else?’

I groan a bit, stroking my head.

“Well like I said the magic here could cause some problems for us if we are here for too long. We need to find the source. Now is everything alright in the castle?”

Gizmo chuckles

“Well, one of the males tried hitting on your wife. So to make sure no one else tries to get with your wife. Beezen asked me to use my cybernetics to crush his balls. Then told him if anyone tries to force Melody sexually this will happen to all of you.”

Wicker chuckles

“That’s my old girl, how did that go, sweetheart?’

Gizmo laughs.

“I was threatened and Beezen said they don’t have the guts to put any of us in jail because they trust Silver. Silver is defending us and telling them if they touch any of us females.. she will deal with them herself.”

I sigh.

“Have you been in contact with Gem and the others?”

I can hear Joona coming closer to the mic.

“Is this how it works? Oh yes, there is a window where I can leave to head back to see how everything is. Beezen wanted me to tell them not to land near the castle and keep the guards on heavy alert. Since he said there is no way we can trust the royalty.”

A smile forms across my buggy face. Or at least what I can do with a smile.

“If you could, that would be great. Tell Mellow there are a lot of hungry mouths here. There is something else bothering.”

I glance at Sterling.

“I was told the zebras came here and they used some necromantic magic and killed everyone in the bunker. I am worried about this item. The king is looking for whatever caused this issue. Now I want you all to stay safe. If any of you start getting sick please go back to the airship. I refuse to let any of you get sick.”

Melody sighs.

“We will be fine Ruby I promise you. Now we will have Dust and Joona look around. Gizmo has been asked to help repair something in the castle, and Rhyolit will try to be with me. She has been asked to train the soldiers in her way. Beezen is going to do all he can to help the king and his court in ways that may help us."

Beezen grabs the mic.

“Now listen closely and keep doing what you’re doing. We will find out what is going on here. Now we are going to stay radio silent. If we need anything Gizmo will contact you again. Now if you run into any of Bumble's hives then try to talk to them and tell them that I am with you. Now take care.”

The communication system turns off and Sterling sighs.

“Ruby, how come you didn’t tell me or Gear Shift that you’re pregnant?”

I put the helmet back on.

“Because I don’t know you, Sterling. But if you wish to know. One I thought who loved me planted his brood inside me to remember me.”

Sterling blinks and he looks very confused.

“What do you mean remember you? Are you going to die or something?”

Whicker shakes her head.

“No, let’s just say she will be a target and so will the rest of us who join her. We will be considered a problem to the sane world for even trying to do what is right.”

Sterling has a concerned look on his face.

“I will do my best to tell the true story. I will do my best to make sure you don’t get this treatment. You need to be able to see your little ones grow up and they need to have you. You can’t leave them motherless.”

I smile in the helmet. I hope he can at least try.

“Sterling, I am sure you know the way, can you please lead us?”

Sterling nods as he goes ahead of us leading us into the basement. On my visor hud, I see many red dots. There are so many I am a bit worried about what we are about to face. I gulp turning my head to look at the others.

“We need to be careful down here. My hud is telling me there are a lot of these creatures down here.”

Sterling chuckles

“As I said, it's been many years before many of us have even been down here. So It’s not going to be easy to clean these out. All we need to do is clean the pipes out and turn on the system. The Mirelurks have no sickness or diseases on their shells so the water will still be pure.”

I take a deep breath turning to our heavily armored Donkey.

“Amandla care to go ahead of us and clean out everything?”

The donkey stares at me through her suit. I can’t tell if she was smiling or not. I notice on her armors the minigun forms and sets up and connects a large amount of armor she laughs softly.

“I brought a lot of ammo. Thankfully if I have enough materials I can make the ammo for our weapons now Sterling dear mind showing me to the control room?”

Sterling smirks

“Hmm, miss Amandla, how about we go out to dinner first before you call me dear? Call me sir, that is the best way for a lady to say it.”

Amandla giggles.

I groan Wicker laughs.

“What am I leading a band of horny creatures?”

Wicker smirks

“Oh come on Ruby we are stuck together till we get to Dream Valley and return so a lot of things like this will happen.”

Amandla laughs.

“Yes, Ruby. It's rare for a gentle creature to be so kind to a lady. Now Sterling please ignore the bug for now and just lead me to the control room. Maybe we could get to know each other later. First as friends of course.”

Sterling smirks

“I would be honored to be a friend mi-lady.”

He kneels on one knee and removes his hat in respect standing back up. Sterling leads the heavily armored donkey through the halls. To get to the control room Wicker and I follow behind them. I held my weapons tightly hoping nothing would come up behind. I notice Wicker holding her large club in her magic.

The other two get ahead of us and Wicker stops me with her magic staring at me. She takes off my helm and stares into my eyes.

“You and I need to talk, Ruby.”

I stare into the eyes of the Kirin. I see a gentle but murder pirate in her eyes. I don’t have a right to judge her for what she did in the past. She did many things in her past. At least she said she did. I take a deep breath unsure how to handle what she wants. I exhale and sigh.

“Wicker, what do we need to talk about?”

She sets down her club on the metal floor and it makes a ting and vibrates a bit. We hear Amandlas mini-gun fire and creatures screaming and Sterling laughs.

“Don’t butcher them too much, we need the meat.”

The voice of Sterling echoes.

“Ruby I look at you and I see you’re not even trying to fight. You’re just going to let the authorities stomp all over you? Why you’re not guilty of nothing you’re not a monster. You’re somepony who is willing to help everypony. Why would you allow this to happen?”

I look away sighing.

I try to explain to Wicker and after a while, she and I follow the other two to find the control room. I put my helmet back on. I look back to Wicker. She has her eyes hidden and her cheeks are a bit wet. I worry that what I said to her is bothering her.

We follow the bodies of the Mirelurks seeing so many of them. Enough for the Upholi to harvest finally after a while we get to the control room seeing the two of them working on the console. Amandla is out of her armor. Amandla turns to look at us and she smiles noticing Wicker and how her cheeks are.

“Sterling, can you take over please?”

Sterling nods and our donkey friend goes with Wicker outside of the room to talk with her. I sigh worried that I upset Wicker more than I thought I did. I take off my helm shaking my head. I set it down looking up to Sterling.

“So are we good to go?”

Sterling clicks a few more buttons.

“All we need to do is get into the water treatment room to open the pipes. It shall be easy. I am guessing that the pipes are gummed up by eggs and all you need to do is remove some of the eggs to let the water through. I am going, to be honest, it will be easier not to break them.”

I wonder if I can speak to them. I notice the vents and I wonder if they lead to the water treatment room. I glance at the vents noticing they head to the water treatment room. I think for a moment.

I head to the vent opening it up.

“Ruby, we can go together, you don’t need to go alone.”

I look back at Sterling chuckling.

“Sterling you three don’t need to risk your lives. I am smaller than the rest of you. I may be bigger than I used to but I can still go through these vents. I need to try to find a way to do this without you three getting hurt.”

Sterling stares at me. I have never seen someone other than Melody and my friends look at me like that.

“Ruby, please. Be reasonable, you're pregnant with your brood, why are you willing to risk yourself?”

I laugh.

“Sterling, there is something I need to ask you. How long do you think we have before the magic starts affecting my friends? How long do you think it will take till my eggs get affected too?”

Sterling stares at me.

“But you ate the magic. You’re a magic eater, aren't your species immune to magic?”

I chuckle

“I may be but magic eater eggs are very easily killed by magics like these. I am using a magic shield in my body to protect them. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be here too long. I want to do what I can to at least help you. Then try to find what is causing this magic. If I have to risk my life. When my eggs could be harvested from my body after my death then it’s the best thing to do.”

Sterling lowers his hat covering his eyes.

“Ruby I don’t know if you’re crazy or trying to prove yourself. But I am going, to be honest with you. You’re no hero, you're no guardian, you're just willing to risk it all for those who are so broken. What about those who love you though?”

I smile weakly, getting out of my armor and setting it down.

“Even for those who love me, I will do this. I am determined to make sure the world is at least a better place. I am not looking for fame, I am just looking to do what is right. Sterling you Upholi have been like this for so long. The little ones deserve a city of peace. They shouldn’t have to worry about their next meal.”

I flashback in my head to the three children hanging. The birds picking at the rotting corpses I see them opening their eyes to me like they’re screaming for me to help them. Tears streamed down my face. I can’t help them. I can't do anything for them but watch the birds eat them.

“They don’t deserve to be punished for being so hungry.”

Sterling looks away, tears dripping down his face.

“Ruby we just need to find a way down there, don't do this.”

I chuckle

“Hey, I will be fine. I doubt these mirelurks will care about me anyway.”

Sterling sighs.

“I see Ruby, please do me a big favor. Stay alive I want to write news about you and about the hope you will bring.”

Sterling reaches into his pocket bringing out a pad and a pen.

“So guardian/hero go get the water going.”

Wicker and Amandla come back in to see what I am about to do. Wicker smirks weakly, and Amandla looks at me smiling.

“Please Ruby come back to us. I need to get to know you more. I need to be there when you lay those eggs. I want to be their godmother.”

I smile at the donkey.

“Come on seriously? I will be fine, don't worry these creatures look like bugs like me. I am sure I can talk to them. But I am going to try to see if they will attack me first. Now enough acting like this is the end of my life or something.”

I smile deep inside though I don’t feel as sure. I shake my head again thinking of the words I was told. If we don’t find what is causing this many years from now. I am sure we will be an extinct race.” Those words keep going in my head if we don’t at least give these creatures some hope. They will never be able to come back from the brink.

I fly into the vents to head to the pipes and see what I can do to bring the water back.

_________________

Into the nest

After a while, I come out of another one of the vents looking around and seeing these creatures. For the moment they seem to ignore me as I fly above them they don’t look up. I am buzzing loud enough for them to hear me.

I look for a light to turn on and I see it on the wall. I turn it on and when the light comes on I hear a roar. I turn to see a giant creature oh goddess that is their queen. The creature gets out of the water and stares at me with her dark eyes. She speaks to me to others it sounds like chitters it’s clear as day to me.

“Magic eater… How dare you come to my domain creation of Majesty.”

I stare at her as the others come around me.

“How did you know what I am?”

The queen chuckles, it sounds like chitters and laughs.

“Some think the first of us were created by the magic of the war. But how do you ask about a place that never got hit by the bombs or areas in the water? How did we become like this you ask? Deep in the sea a lot of us already existed. Our father has forsaken us years past and now we move on our own.”

My eyes go wide father years past. They have been in this world for so long? This one even knows Majesty how. Then it hits me harder the naga are creations too. There are many monsters around from a time of great darkness and strife.

“Your father Grogar..”

The queen chuckles

“Got it in one. Have you ever wondered how you came to be? Years ago back during the old war between Alicorns and Grogar before Gusty did what she did. We were created to be a line of defense by our father. The war ended poorly for us and we betrayed our father and went our own way.”

The queen sighs.

“She never told you how she came to create you? She didn’t tell you that she had some of her minions go out to find others like me to kill them and make your species out of us? I am going, to be honest with you little bug. I should kill you but I can’t for the war was over so long ago. Grogar is nowhere to be seen. Even if he was, he wouldn't care about us.”

It makes sense now the shells I saw back on the island are the ones she buried in the castle. The old bodies she had decaying in the labs she said that we came from. She made us from creatures that Grogar created.

“I am sorry I wasn’t one of the ten queens she first created. I am sure they’re all dead now like my brood mother. If any of the old queens still exist from when we first got created. My brood mother Silver Glide was killed during an old war on the island. An old war that freed us. Look I am sorry for what my mother, my creator did to you all.”

The large creature stares at me.

“I wasn’t alive during those times, little one. We may look like stupid creatures but we are beings of love and family. At least to those outside in the city who see us as food. Granted I don’t blame the creatures of this city. It’s why I told some of my children to let them get killed so the Upholi can live. But now are you going to tell me this is not the case?”

I let out a sad soft sigh

“No, if things don’t change and they don’t get their water back or their kingdom back. They won’t even be able to have children anymore. I am sure many magicians don’t harm you but have you noticed anything necromantic around you?”

The queen stares at me very intently.

“What do you mean?”

I groan, sighing.

“I can see magic in the air and there is necromantic energy from necromancers and zebra ones who used a spell during the Upholi civil war and it’s gotten so powerful in one of the bunkers. It’s starting to seep through. It’s causing the Upholi to become sterile, it's causing them to die out.”

The queen looks and she moves out of the way. I finally see the eggs she has laid. A horrified gasp comes from my mouth. Her eggs they’re green, the ones hatching from them are sick and dying.

“It makes sense now why many of my children hatch and why many of my eggs are green. I have been here so long I am sure there is no way to reverse this. The only way it could be reversed is if I lay a pure queen egg. A replacement but there is no way I can. Why are you here, little magic eater?”

I sigh and I explain to her what I want to do. I explain to her I am going to Dream Valley to get the stars back, the stars of hope and other things other than just pain and death. I tell her the stars of death to use me to get their blood.

“I see I am willing to help any way I can Ruby. Do you know if the Upholi are going to rise and get their city back?”

I shrug my shoulders.

“I don’t care for the royal blood in the castle. If they do then I will do what I can to help them. Just right now I want to get their water back and go. To at least again give them a little bit of hope do you think you can allow this?”

The queen chuckles

“If I knew I was blocking the water little one I wouldn’t have done it. The Upholi are desperate like my species. Most of the time I would just allow my children to go after them and kill them all. But my children Ruby are affected by this sickness just like I am. We have been here so long I don’t know if their meat is still pure.”

She commands her children to remove her eggs and the water slowly begins to flow through the pipes. I did it without killing something innocent, at least innocent to me. She may be created by Grogar but they don’t deserve death for who their father is.

_______

Sterling a day later

I look up at the cheers Ruby is being given the celebration she is being given. I write down on my paper what I see and what I truly saw. I am amazed. I am impressed. I don’t know how to say it but I must write for those who need to know. I can’t say their name out of respect. But they made friends with Queen Mirelurk and even learned her name. Her friends are just as amazing. They’re doing what is right without fame or glory.

I put my pen to paper again. ‘There are old stories of heroes and villains. I am going, to be honest, I have never seen a hero before. I have seen many villains. There are so many in this broken city. But a group of I don’t think calling them heroes does them justice. I think calling them bringers of hope maybe? I am unsure how I should put it but I will be honest about all this my friends.’

I sigh, putting down the pen for a bit looking at the donkey. She and I have become close after a day. I am going to get to know her and at least try to treat her like she deserves to be treated. I look over at Wicker who is drinking and laughing with the others.

Then I look at Ruby who sits by herself as the others cheer for the water to return. She didn’t seem to want to be part of the celebration. She strokes her buggy stomach and I see she is worried about them. She looks over to the castle from the window of the bar. I think she is more worried about her friends. I put my pen on the paper again.

‘I have seen someone who is not a hero or a villain just one passing through wanting to help. I will call her what she wishes to be called. She calls herself Topaz. It’s going to be simple from now on. But her other friends don’t care if I talk about them but I am going to say this to you all. This is the first time in my life I have hope.’

I set the pen down again. Amandla came over to me and she smiled, setting down some beer for me and I just laughed.

“Thank you.”

She smiles looking at what I am writing and her long ears droop.

“It’s sad you can’t say the entire truth about her. I don’t think she cares for this fame or this glory.”

I chuckle.

“I am not going to blow it up her ass. What she did is reckless and stupid. But sometimes you need to have one willing to be reckless and stupid. It’s the only way you can get things back to normal in this world. I am not going to say she is like the Lightbringer. No one will ever be like her no one. She is her own thing, her type of hero and guardian.’

Amandla nods

“I am going to get back and make sure Wicker doesn’t get too drunk and sleep with every male here.”

I laugh watching the donkey trot off to rein in Wicker's drinking. I go back to writing. I drink from the beer I was given by the donkey.

‘The only thing I will say to you all. I am a reporter. I do what I feel is in my heart. I don’t lie like the reporters of old. I tell the cold hard truth I don’t sugarcoat the news because of feelings. I do it because the truth needs to be said. No matter what the Lightbringer did bring everything back. But to be honest. The world is going to take much longer to heal than she wants and is expecting.’

I sigh, stroking my head and drinking more from the cup.

‘This Topaz is doing what she did and doing what most don’t have the heart to do. Put herself in harm's way. Only heroes or guardians or those just wishing to make the world a better place do this. If we can get this world back to normal for everyone. Then we would all be better off in this Upholis honest opinion. It's the best thing right now in my heart. Your reporter of the hour Sterling Whitecloud’

I stood up taking the beer to join in with the party and I laughed thinking of the future ahead. I am going to go on a journey with them. I put the pad in my pocket and headed to the party. Oh, a journey with this group of heroes and guardians it’s going to be so much fun.

Footnote

Max Level

New Perk Upholi reporter: You have a brand new companion Sterling. He is a reporter in this broken world to at least try to bring hope his way. The path he walks will be with you and the story he has will tell everything you do, including the bad. He will be with you till the end.

Next Chapter: Chapter Fifity-Four Souls and stories within Ornithia castle. Estimated time remaining: 12 Hours, 48 Minutes