There are old stories about the castle in this lovely kingdom of the Upholi. Old stories of the kings of old making a deal with the devil to be royal blood forever. The stories of this went through the ages; most of these stories have been lost since the war. Only a few books on this subject are left. I wish I could go deeper into this in one of my newspapers but I know full well when the king's army comes out they will read this and then try to hunt me down.

Written by Sterling's father a month before his death

It’s morning in this lovely kingdom we landed in. It’s been at least a day since Ruby left to go outside the castle. I wake up in the bed stretching my wings looking beside me and my ears droop. I wish Ruby was beside me. I got off the bed grunting. The bed felt so amazing just wished she was here.

I look into the mirror cleaning my mane and eyeshadow then hear a knock on the door. One of my guards, who is an old suit of armor, turns their head to look at me.

“Want me to open it?”

I chuckle

“Go ahead rust I promise when I get back to the airship we will polish you.”

The suit laughs

“Don’t worry about it.”

The suit walks to the door, and opening it up standing outside is our friend Silver.

“I oh I forgot Beezen could bring objects to life. Is Melody willing to talk?”

I come over sighing.

“Does the court or the king himself want me to show up so they can insult me more? Am I going to be the object of more of their raping or the fact they want to force themselves on me and the fact I am married?”

Silver sighs.

“I am sorry you had to deal with all that. But I got a request from some of the courts. They learned you’re a doctor and we don’t have a doctor here. So they felt as a way to say they’re sorry for how they treated you. I know they aren’t trustworthy. I know you’re upset with me for lying about the souls outside the castle. Will you please do this for me?”

I am unsure if I stare at Silver looking at the suit of armor.

“What do you think I should do Rust?”

Rust the suit turns their head to Silver then back at me. I am sure it’s not going to be easy for a suit to choose.

“Well to be honest it could be a way to show at least respect and kindness to them. At least it’s something you can do for them. Heh unless you want Gizmo to crush another one of them with her cybernetics.”

I chuckle

“If you can promise me they will not make a pass at me and accept I am married. The only male who I will accept is the one Ruby and I are going to herd with. I hope they understand this.”

Silver strokes her head.

“Yes, I promise I will warn them if they try anything. I will have the king punish them. Now there is an old doctor's office. Also Ruby brought the water back. I haven't heard from her. I have heard she is keeping to herself right now. I have a friend keeping an eye on her for you. He will introduce himself and then I am sure his friend will also show up.”

I sigh.

“May I talk to her myself before I go do this Silver? I just need to go to Gizmo's room and ask.”

Silver nods

“I don’t blame you, she is your wife after all.”

I make sure my armor is on and gather my doctor's kit. I wave goodbye to Rust who waves their armless armor to me. Gizmo’s room thankfully is right next to mine. Silver felt it would be wise for the big turtle to be by me. She knocks on the door.

“If it’s another servant wanting to come in to clean my shell I am going to ask you to stay away. I am not used to being treated that way.”

I giggle.

“No Gizmo it’s me. I would like to talk to Ruby if you don’t mind.”

Gizmo opens the door and I stare at how shiny her cybernetic arm is. She looks very annoyed. I have never seen her cybernetic arm so shiny.

“Rhyolite has been getting some offers to train the guards. Dust went to do something and had no idea what was going on with him. Joona is trying to do her best not to cause problems and Beezen is offering some advice to the king.”

I sigh deeply

“I see but can I please talk to Ruby?”

Gizmo stares at me, sighing.

“Melody, I know you’re worried about her. But can you please relax? I may be worried about Wicker but I ain’t talking to her every time of the day.”

I snort.

“Gizmo, how old are you? Have you ever been married? Have you ever been deeply in love? Like you are now with Oil and Wicker?”

Gizmo nods.

“Yes, I have been a mother as well. I have learned over the years it’s best to relax. Now I will let you talk with her. Soon though you will have to let her do what she needs to do.”

I shake my head.

“My question though, have you felt like you do with Wicker and Oil that you felt with your husband in the past?”

Gizmo smiles.

“To be honest no. I will ask you not to bring him up either or my children. Since they all are dead and I have outlived them. I'd rather not be reminded why I gave myself this shell and cybernetic arm.”

I just ignore this and hug Gizmo and she is confused. She hugs me tightly herself. We have been on the same ship for so long now. It’s the only way I can feel happy to know these are my family now.

“Now come in you two and close the door, please. I don’t want to deal with any more servants. I am sick and tired of being waited on. I can take care of myself and I don’t need someone trying to take care of me.”

Silver and I walk into Gizmo's room. She closes the door and I sigh deeply. Gizmo grabs the device from her shell clicking on it.

“Ruby, are you there?”

There is a bunch of static and after a while, I hear Ruby.

“Yes, I am here. Is everything alright?”

Gizmo sighs.

“Melody desperately wants to talk with you.”

Ruby sounds like she is annoyed.

“Melody, I was asleep. These eggs are taking a lot of my energy now. I need to rest a bit at least. Anyway, what's up?”

I try my best not to be worried about her. I can tell it won’t be easy for me because all I can think of is being with her.

“I heard you brought the water back, how did you do it?”

Ruby sighs laughing.

“I learned my species are created from corpses of mirelurks. I can speak with them and I talked to the queen in the water treatment plant. She is dying because of the necromantic magic it’s soaking this very city. If we don’t do something soon the entire Upholi species will die out.”

Silver stares at me and then Gizmo.

“Wait, why didn’t you tell me about this? Is this why so many of us can’t have children anymore?”

Ruby sighs grunting and she sounds like she is in pain.

“I think we could find a cure if we find whatever caused it. I am not sure I could do anything about it. I just want to do everything to help them and then leave because I don’t want my eggs to be harmed.”

I am unsure I can find a cure for anything magical like this. I glance at Gizmo wondering if she would know any cures. All she did was shrug her shoulders. I grunt knowing my body is getting affected by this magic.

“Ruby, do your best to rest. Have you seen Wicker or Amandla?”

Ruby laughs.

“Amandla is the reason I am stuck in this room. She locked the door and told me to rest. She saw me during the party rubbing my stomach and she is worried the stress is getting to me. I am not worried she and Wicker are gathering me for a big feast right now. Including Sterling, we are getting ready to meet the other factions. Starting with the ones in the north. I am hoping to get this city to work together again.”

I sigh happily.

“Silver, I got a question before I go back to resting.”

Silver tilts her head.

“Oh?”

Ruby takes a while to ask. I have a feeling whatever she is about to ask is not going to be pleasant.

“Silver everyone I have talked to including Gearshift feels you have betrayed them. Have you forgotten them and betrayed them?

Silver went silent for a while.

“No I haven’t Ruby it’s not very easy to help them when the court refuses to acknowledge them. I am hoping your friends can help me with this. So we can finally get some of the court to help the sick.”

Ruby goes silent for a moment.

“Alright thank you, Silver. Anyway if you don’t need me for anything else. I am going to try to get some sleep. Before you ask Melody, yes I went overboard and pushed myself yesterday. I had to do something. Those three little ones hanging haunted me. I swear I saw them asking for my help and all I could do was watch. So I had to bring the water back. Now I am dealing with the stress.”

Silver sighs, glancing at me.

“I doubt it was wise to let the expecting mother out of the castle.”

I laugh.

“Yes, even if she was locked in here. She would have lost it even more. She has no love for anything royal. She will do anything to put them in their place. I am sure she would have lost it. I am used to this type of living. Since I was raised in a place full of high society ponies.”

Ruby groans.

“I better get to sleep, sorry Melody. I will try not to go too crazy again.”

I shake my head. I know full well she will not listen to anything she saids to herself.

“Ruby sweetheart just try I can’t stop you since I am not there. I love you Ruby please stay safe and I make sure the other two keep a close eye on you. I know it’s not what you want or what you’re going to be happy about.”

Ruby chuckles

“They locked all the windows in this room. It was at the request of Amandla. They want me to at least get an hour of sleep then we will be leaving to go find another of the factions. I am hoping they like us bringing the water back for them.”

Ruby yawns.

“Anyway, I love you, Melody. Oh is Gizmo there?”

I glance over to Gizmo.

“I am here Ruby, what is up?”

Ruby chuckles

“Want you to know Wicker got so badly drunk she said this. I may be drunk but I want to stay loyal to the turtle I gave my heart to.”

I laugh

“At least that is what I think she is saying. Amandla had to carry her to her room because she was so badly drunk.”

Gizmo laughs.

“Yup, I figured as much I don’t mind if she falls back into her old ways. I am old enough to know she cares about me and Oil. I may have been the reason why we both got drunk and slept together. So yes this old girl is the reason for most of it. Now please Ruby get some rest before I ask Joona to come and keep an eye on you.”

I laugh

“Alright old girl…”

The device turns off so Ruby could get some sleep and Gizmo stares at me.

“Alright is that all Melody or do you need something else?”

I chuckle weakly

“No Gizmo I need to go to the old doctor's office. I will see you later alright and I hope they stop bothering you.”

Silver leads me through the halls of the castle. I walk past a locked door that leads to the basement. I hear screaming. I lean my ear to the door and I no longer hear the screaming. I wonder what is going on.

“You heard the scream didn’t you?”

I nod to Silver

“What is up with all this and this locked door?”

Silver shrugs her shoulders.

“The king told me a while ago the old king locked himself in the basement so many years ago and died down there. He said you will still hear the screams of those he abused and harmed from the anger he had from losing the war. He won’t tell me the full story and I don’t blame him.”

I didn’t like the sound of any of that. Silver led the way past the locked door. I walk into the old run-down health office. Looking around I see there is much I can use here. It just seems no one like me has ever been here for a while.

“Now I am going to go get some of the courts. I will tell them not to make any rude comments to you and respect you. So be prepared they might not all agree with what I will say. So do what you can and ignore them.”

I sit in the old chair Silver leave and I lean back, closing my eyes to relax. I wish I was back home or the new home I made before I left. On the lovely island, I met Gem and Cranberry. I hope deep inside my heart Cranberry accepts I am married to Ruby now.

“Hello there.”

I open my eyes to see a middle-aged female Upholi.

“I am your nurse or at least I trained to become one. Just I need to learn from a doctor then I can become a full nurse for those in the castle.”

I chuckle weakly.

“So how come I have never heard of you? Silver never told me I would have a nurse.”

The upholi chuckles.

“I don’t blame Silver. I tend to keep to myself and only come out here when I need food. I was born and raised here. My mother and father told me never to leave here unless I needed food and it was to protect me from the court.”

I sigh I am unhappy about the king and the court. At least they learned to respect me and treat me better. I am hoping Ruby will be treated better after she gets this land back to normal hopefully it gets back to normal.

“So tell me what this city used to be like before the civil war?”

The upholi shrugs her shoulders.

“I don’t know all I know from the stories my father and mother told me. The king and queen of this kingdom were pretty crazy. They did so much they could to destroy the ones they hated and the ones they considered weak. It’s what caused the civil war to begin with. After the king killed his daughter in one of the bunkers. So that is what I was told at least I don’t know how true it is or not.”

Daughter in the bunker? I wonder if there is more about these bunkers than we have been told. The king hasn’t told us everything. It’s gotten to the point I have noticed they don’t wish to tell us about anything. Just some things I look over at the nurse.

“What is the supply like? Is there anything like shots or anything I could use on the court if needed?”

The nurse thinks for a moment looking through the supplies. I am sure they haven’t ever been down here. This place hasn’t been used in years and I doubt they will even be kind enough to me to let me do what I need here. She comes back to me a few minutes after she looks concerned.

“We have nothing. I will do what we can just. I don't know if we can help any of the courts medically. You have just been asked to check them out correctly?”

I give a quick nod. I am worried about what I might see. Some of these creatures look like they haven’t even taken a shower. Silver comes in with one of the females of the court. She is very skinny. She is not one of the males who treated me awful.

“This is Melody, please respect her. She is risking a lot to do this for you. Now you do know what is going to happen right?”

The female looks over to Silver and then to me.

“The last time I saw a doctor was years ago. I doubt many of the courts will respect her. But if she is willing to risk her life by looking at us then I will respect her. I am Wilt my father and mother saw me as a mistake. Then I took up their seat after they both died of sickness.”

I stare at Wilt smirking weakly.

“I wish my wife treated you all better. Just so you know if anything happens to me. My wife is risking her life to help bring this city back to normal. She found citizens lost and forgotten in the city. I am sure you knew about them all this time.”

Wilt frowns.

“We knew the entire time they were there. The king even wanted to help but many of the courts refused to help what they considered below them. I have a feeling whatever your wife finds in those bunkers it’s going to cause another war and no one will ever win again.”

I sigh, stroking my head with my hoof.

“So you feel the court will just cause another war because the citizens outside will demand to be remembered. Would you join them in that battle?”

Wilt shakes her head.

“No.”

Wilt smiles weakly, sighing.

“I will never join a war to harm the citizens of this wonderful city. They’re the only thing keeping us alive and if they knew the sins we caused in these walls. Then they would never accept us. I have been part of much and it’s not what we have.”

I weakly sigh.

“I wish I could understand that I have lived on an island most of my life. I joined the island community after I became a doctor and I have my deal of sin. I was a mare who lived through brothel life. Then a moment of sex gave me a job as a doctor and I became a pretty slutty mare. It took meeting Ruby to change and at first, I was going to use her and then leave her.”

I shook my head hating how I used to act and how I was going to treat Ruby. I was going to use her till I didn’t want her anymore. Then I saw how kind, gentle and sweet she was to me. Also, it helped that Gem gave me a harsh talk. Saying if I hurt Ruby Cranberry would never forgive me and hate me forever.

“What changed is the fact her adoptive mother was with us on our journey. She took me aside when I started getting close to Ruby. She said if I use her and treated her like the others. She will rip me apart or she will tell Ruby the truth. The issue is I would have been on this journey with Ruby for two years or so. I know full well I would have fallen in love with her and I am happy I did. She is so gentle so sweet and she is amazing in bed.”

Wilt chuckles

“You’re blushing dear.”

I laugh stroking my face.

“I know I am everytime I think about her I blush. She is my treasure after I got to know her. She is my everything. I wish the male she thought loved her didn’t implant his brood into her. So she could be forced to live with that till the end of her journey.”

Wilt shakes her head.

“Sounds like a typical male. Sadly some females are like this too. Females can be just as bad when it comes to sexual intercourse. Of course, it takes two to tango and some females don’t understand that idea, males sometimes understand it but most of the time they never do.”

I laugh loudly.

“Yes, I had an implant inside me during the time so I don’t get pregnant. Now I had it removed because I knew I am a lesbian now. But I know when Ruby and I want to herd with a stallion. I am hoping we meet him on our journey. I would love to share a stallion with Ruby.”

Wilt smiles.

“I am sure you two will make a stallion very happy. I hope you and Ruby have a wonderful life together.”

I chuckle

“Now Wilt, will you undress me so I can take a look at you?”

Wilt takes off her clothes and she sits on the old table so I can check her out. While I look at her she is pretty healthy for one who has never seen a doctor before. I tilt my head. It was the first time I ever looked at a Upholi.

“Now I haven’t had time to look up everything about your species but from what I see you’re pretty healthy. Are there any foods or anything which makes you sick?”

Wilt thinks for a moment shrugging her shoulders.

“I don’t know if I am sorry if I am not being very helpful. We haven’t had a real doctor here for years and you’re the first who took the time to even try to help us. I am sure a lot of the males in the court would have many problems. Since many of them shove into servants without protection.”

I chuckle weakly.

“I am worried they may try it with me.”

Wilt smirks

“Oh don’t worry I will make sure they don’t. I will tell the other ladies in the court to not let them touch you. If they even try they will have to deal with us and it will be the first time we stood up to them.”

Wilt puts on her clothes.

“Thank you for trying but is there anything you suggest?”

I think the best way to help her.

“Well, a diet would work, and maybe taking a shower? Since the water did return I am sure a good shower would help those feathers of yours shine perfectly.”

Wilt nods.

“Silver, please tell the other females Melody will do her best to help. Just tell them don’t expect much alright dear?”

Silver nods.

“Alright.”

Silver leaves to go get the other females of the court. Wilt pulls a chair to sit beside me. I think she is here to make sure the other females treat me with respect. She makes sure to put her clothing back on.

“May I ask why you’re staying Wilt?”

Wilt smiles.

“I am staying mostly because it’s wonderful to have a young mare like you to talk with. I am also staying to make sure the others treat you with the respect you deserve.”

I chuckle softly.

“You’re very kind Wilt. I am sure one of the biggest reasons is that you don’t know much about the outside world. Since the news here is very slow, am I correct?”

Wilt nods.

“Yes, you’re correct. I wish I could understand the world outside. Since the males of the court are very anti-news of the outside world. They don’t like news from the outside world. Mainly because they can’t control the outside world.”

I shake my head. Another female walks in with Silver behind her. This one is a pretty skinny gal who doesn’t look very healthy. She weakly smiles, the shine in her beak is not there and I look at Wilt.

“This is Melody Robin, maybe she can help you with your feathers.”

Robin undressed for me. This poor gal wasn’t healthy at all. I could see her bones and she hadn’t eaten much. I worry she is going to die of awful sickness. I look at Silver who turns to me with a weak smile on her face.

“Can you do me a quick favor Silver? Go find Joona and have her head to my office in the airship to bring some supplies. I wasn’t able to because I didn’t know I was going to be here to help you like this.”

Silver nods leaving as I write on a paper looking up to Robin.

“Now do you know any of your family health histories?”

Robin strokes her head.

“I just know my family has high blood pressure and my mother never ate the right food. I think my issue is I have been pushed around too much. I haven't allowed my body to heal from the beatings of some of the males in the court. Are you going to ask me to take a shower and get a good meal?”

I smile sweetly.

“I was going to ask you to let yourself molt Robin. Let your feathers fall out of you and then you would look so much healthier. I would even say take a shower and get some good food. Are you allowed to get good food or are you scared?”

Robin strokes her arm looking at Wilt.

“She is scared to take a shower. Do you have any guards on that airship that could protect her?”

I nod

“We do have guards; they are normal objects. Beezen has the magic to bring creations to life. We use them as guards because they’re very hard to kill.”

I glance over at Robin.

“Wilt, could you take her to the back of the room and help her molt?”

Wilt nods as I watch while she takes the skinny Upholi to the back. I close my eyes and sing. I feel very bad for these creatures. I wish I could do more to help them. They have to help themselves. It’s the only way they will be able to live. Silver comes back in a little while after.

“Alright Joona left to check for some supplies and I asked her if she could bring some of the guards from the airship for a time to help protect some of the females in court, same with some of the males.

I stroke the back of my head with a hoof.

“Are the older males of the court that bad?”

Silver sighs nodding.

“Very they want to control everything. They feel they’re owed the world and when they’re put into their place then this castle will be healthier. Be prepared if one of them comes to make an example out of you. They don’t like outsiders telling them how to live. I have seen one of them stalk Rhyolite but I am sure she can take care of herself.”

My wings wilt. I am unhappy my life is going to be threatened because some of the males in power can’t handle that I am helping here. I chuckle weakly. I have been trained to fight and I have been trained to fight very dirty.

“Thankfully I have been training with my wife Ruby. She fights dirty and she told me when you fight a male go for every spot of them.”

It took a few hours to go through all the ladies in the court. A lot of them didn’t have any issues and WIlt stayed and made sure they were treated right. I was pretty tired after everything was said and done. I laid back. During that time I taught the nurse how to use needles and to give shots to the ones who came in.

“Oh wow, Melody, you look dead tired. Maybe you should go back to your room. I will escort you.”

I glance at Wilt laughing.

“Thank you Wilt I am happy you stayed with me. It’s strange though none of the males wanted to come in.

Silver chuckles

“I think it’s because they know they can’t touch you. After what Gizmo did they’re kind of scared coming near you.”

I laugh softly as I glance at a painting of a Upholi captain. I stare at her. She is beautiful but, weirdly, she is with six mares I know well. As well as a cat and they’re in front of Canterlot with the shards of the Storm King.

“Who is that?”

Silver stares at the painting, and her feathers droop.

“A hero who died in the early days of the war or so they said. She fought with the ponies of old and helped them defeat the Storm King. It was the peaceful days before the war.”

I stroke my head and lean back, closing my eyes a bit to relax.

“I wish I could have met her. I know Fluttershy is the only one still alive. I worry though someday she will get weaker and weaker and the world may turn darker before it gets good. I worry about many things like this journey with the stars.”

Silver nods as Wilt look out in the halls.

“It seems the halls are calm. Let's leave the nurse here and I am sure she will be fine. I will come back for her to get her outside for a bit.”

I nod standing out of the chair groaning. I haven't felt this way in so long. Joona went to go do something and I haven’t seen her since. I am worried about her. But I don’t need to worry much longer. I am too tired. I follow WIlt and Silver back to my room and I see many eyes staring at me. It’s the males.

“Silver, if you knew any better you would stop protecting the outsider.”

Silver turns to one of the males.

“Shut the fuck up I have had it with you. She is offering to help and all you do is an act so high and mighty. I got news for you this city is going to be given back to the people and you will be put in jail. Jail is where most of you belong for everything you have done.”

One of the male's sighs.

“Look, I am not with them. These high and mighty idiots. Can’t handle they can’t touch a mare so beautiful. I told them you should never touch a married mare who is married to a bug willing to disembowel you just for being royal.”

The male who I finally get a good look at. He is a different species of Upholi and looks more like an eagle. I wonder if he is a mix of a griffin and a Upholi. It wouldn’t surprise me. I smile weakly and the male comes over to me lifting my hoof to kiss it.

“Charmed Miss Melody.”

After he kisses me I feel a strange sensation. I have been kissed like this before. I feel just weird. I shake my head, focusing on Ruby. I find myself returning to normal. I smile weakly bowing my head.

“Thank you, sir. Now if you excuse me I need to get back to my room and sleep.”

Wilt quickly pulls me away. Silver looks back as we walk away.

“Melody I am sorry that he is a kind guy but he is a strange power over us females. I noticed you’re the first one he had no power over.”

I glance at Wilt then at Silver.

“Is that why I felt like he was controlling me with strange magic? I don’t understand is he part of the royal family or something? I felt the same way about the king. His kindness made most of us odd. With Ruby, we noticed she just got more and more upset.”

Silver nods.

“Yes, the royal family has a strange magic. We don’t know what magic is. All we know is that he desperately wants to find a powerful item from the bunkers. All we know is he is older than he looks and each time he touches one of us our bodies turn out and it takes months for us to go back to our normal age.”

I think I heard them right but my brain is so tired right now. I miss my wife so much that I am worried about her too. I open the door to my room looking at Wilt and Silver smiling sweetly.

“Thank you for your kindness, Wilt. I am looking forward to having a cup of tea with you.”

Wilt smirks and we see Rust who is waiting for me and my bed is all clean and ready for me. I head to the bed laying on it holding the other pillow tightly wishing it was Ruby. I was holding the door closed and Rust gets back to his defense as I go to sleep.

________________

Gizmo

Melody finally left and now I can relax and work on my new weapon for this journey. I open my bag to bring out the weapon parts. I am working on making a powerful pistol that is made from star metal or metal touched by the moon. I glance at the painting on the wall she is a gentle young Upholi and she looks at me.

“So tell me what it is like hanging on a wall?”

The painting laughs.

“It’s strange you see so many things. You may be the symbol or what remains of the old soul. Gizmo tells me something please.”

I glance at the painting again.

“What’s up?”

The painting signifies that the poor painting has been asking me a lot of questions concerning the state of the world. I don’t blame half the creations most of them have been stuck in this castle for most of the time they have been built

“There are stories and things I have seen in this room. The royal family most of them vanishes and then a new royal shows up. They change their looks but they’re no longer old. They have the same name and the same soul in their eyes. Just a new body now something like this hasn't happened for years. Ever since something has been lost in a bunker.

I am now very concerned. I have noticed how some of the royal family and even the court stared at Melody. She is young and some could try to take her body to do something to her. I worry more about her and the others. I am too old for them to care. Lately, though, I worry more and more about what they want with me.

“If this is true then it would make sense why they stare at Melody. She is a wonderful gentle soul I am told used to be a very sexual mare. Then she met the bug who I made friends with. I will be honest Ruby is not easy to get along with. But she is not an ass hole or means to her wife. She loves her and treats her like she used to in the past.”

The painting laughs.

“Thank you for talking to me at least. I have been hanging here for so long. I never knew I could come alive. Beezen didn’t need to bring me alive. Just I have so much to say with an old lady like you. You’re willing to stay in this room and chat.”

I laugh.

“I am very old, my kind can live 1000 years or more. Most of us never reach old age. I am right now at least four hundred years old. Those I fell for will grow old and I will watch them die. But that is life for one like me.”

The painting sighs weakly.

“I can understand like I said the image of the one I am is long gone. A powerful captain I don’t remember the name of. Just some powerful captain who helped a group of mares fight the Storm King. I just wish I could remember more and all I remember is that she either died or vanished soon after the civil war in this city.”

It’s becoming more apparent to me that I wonder if this captain is still alive. It would be interesting if she was. I hear a soft knock on the door. I sigh standing off the bed and knocking again. I groan lumbering over to the door like the slow turtle I am.

“Sorry I am coming just I am always slow I am sorry for it as well.”

I open the door noticing a upholi wearing an oil covard outfit and a welders mask.

“Are you Gizmo?

A male Upholi lifts the mask from his face.

“Yes, I am, what can I do for you?”

The Upholi smirks.

“I am trying to get power back to the city and the castle. There hasn’t been a power in this city or castle for over Two hundred twenty years. I have been working on it taking after my father and mother. We have all been working on this and I am told you might be able to help me.”

I cock my eye ridge staring at this Upholi.

“Huh, impressive but why now? Why are you trying this now are you trying to stop the court from stealing from the city?”

The upholi chuckles

“Well yes, it’s to help the city live on its own. The court is never going to help the city if there is not something in it for them. There are some males and females of the court who will help but I ain’t going to try asking.”

A smirk forms across my lips.

“Alright, I will help you. Just let me gather my tools and the gun I have been working on. Since it’s made from metal which has been in space for an amount of time.”

I lumber back to my bed grabbing all over my tools and parts of the gun. Opened a part in my cybernetic shell putting the gun parts and my tools inside. Lumbering back over to the Upholi and I chuckle weakly.

“Are you okay with me being way behind since I am very slow?’

Upholi laughs.

“No it’s fine I am Blow Torch. I am one of the servants or slaves in this castle. I don’t listen to the court or the king himself. I do what I feel is right and I do it without Silver telling me to do it. I have been doing this all my life. Just trying to make life simple for the ones outside the castle.”

I smirk looking back at the painting.

“Do you think if I bring back the power it will be good for the city itself?”

Blow Torch stares at me then look at the painting he stares at the moving painting as the figure in it looks at me.

“I would say yes it will help hope come back to this city. At least a little bit of hope and maybe enough to help your friend Ruby to do her task. I know some buildings from what I learned from being on this wall for so long. Some of the buildings have their power cores like the treatment plant. But the rest of the city doesn’t have that luck.”

Blow Torch stares at the painting of the captain; he holds his wing to his chest and kneels to her into a bow.

“Captain Celaneo the element of love.”

I stare at Blow Torch and then at the painting.

“So it would mean there were more elements than the six mares. Even so, the world still ended in fire and death. It’s sad to see that the elements couldn’t even save the world. If only we could find their remains.”

Blow Torch shrugs his shoulders.

“We have no idea what happened to the elements of the past. We don’t even know if they have any descendants at all we know. They went to fight in the war and then vanished soon after it started. It's when the war got worse.”

I shake my head looking towards the painting smiling.

“I will come back later to talk with you more. I need to help with this and then we can try to learn more about you. I am sure you have some of the personality of the one you have been painted after.”

The painting looks back at me and then at Blow Torch again. I am wondering what I will learn and maybe see what I can find if we find the bodies or the places they died. I am hoping someday we will find their bodies or at least something of the old world here.

Blow Torch led me through the halls as fast as my large lumbering body would let me. I got strange looks in some of the courts. One of them sneers at me for what I did to one of the male's crotches with my cybernetic hand.

“I can tell you made them scared of you, Gizmo. We don’t have far to go. I am leading down a path that leads to a power system that is connected to an old underground power station. They never come down there, they're too scared of work.”

I laugh loudly stomping hard on the floor to scare one of the males and they back away smirking at them.

“That will teach you from trying to touch a married mare like Melody. She is like family to me now, and so is her wife. So do me a favor and if you even try to harm anyone in my family including Ruby. I will deal with you myself.”

After a while, we finally get down to the basement and I groan as it’s harder for me to walk downstairs. It’s painful from how heavy my shell and my arm are. So having cybernetic body parts is not always a good idea. I laugh to myself thinking oh this will make my fighting easier.

“Are you okay Gizmo?”

I glanced at BlowTorch who sounded very conceited about me. It’s not the first creature who was concerned about me. I am not used to this type of walking. I doubt I will ever be useful in a battle. I am going to do whatever I can to be helpful.

“I will be fine. Now, how close are you to getting the power back up and going?”

Blow Torch turned on a battery-powered light. When the lights come on I see a large old power core. This core could have been running for years but it looks like it’s been shot at, beaten, and destroyed like the royal or some rebel destroyed the power.

“Wow, what happened here?”

Blow Torch shrugs.

“I didn't know it was like this when I was trained by my grandfather; he told me it wasn’t finished before the war started. It was meant to take the place of the personal power systems around the city. Since the old power systems would die out and they did over the years. The last one died out like thirty to forty years ago. Don’t know the history of all this is kind of lost.”

I sigh it’s not going to be easy to get this core going. It’s going to take a lot of work and I am sure I could get it going if I use every item I have in my cybernetic shell. I turn around clicking strange hitches on my cybernetic shell and it opens up.

“Look through my shell and see if you can find anything. I should have enough tools and such to work on this system.”

Blow Torch looks through the strange system of my body. I feel him touch my cybernetic spine and I am amazed I survived getting my old shell blown off in the past and happy I had someone willing to give me this shell. I would have been crazy to do it myself as I did with my arm.

“How in the world did you get this shell?”

I chuckle.

“Oh, that is a story. We have a lot of time. Now as you look through my shell for tools and such to work on the core. This is what happened.”

I take a deep breath sighing.

“I was at least a hundred years old. My species even though other turtle species like us were already in the city. We came last since it took us a very long time to leave the water to come back on land. I found myself stepping on old world bombs and my entire shell was blown off including my spine.”

I sigh remembering it.

“It took a pony we ran into to help me make a cybernetic shell and what kept me alive was the magic of our species. Now thankfully I had some of my shell left but the pony felt replacing it all was best and now I have this. So I can open it up and my entire body is protected. Unless someone uses anti-cybernetic ammo.”

Blow Torch removes all the tools I had and some spark batteries I had inside and closes up my shell.

“I got what I could. What I plan on doing won’t be a permanent thing. It will only last at least ten years. We need to find a way to keep it going forever and the only way we can. Is to find one of the bunkers and see if we can remove the power supply from one of those.”

I make sure my shell won’t open up again.

“I am starting to wonder about the Blow Torch. This core was not meant to be used to power the entire city and the castle or did the king and queen of old demand this core to be used to just power the castle?”

Blow torch sighs.

“Yes, it’s one of the many causes for the civil war. Gizmo I know you can’t promise anything. Do you think your friends out there will do what they can to bring this city back to normal for the ones outside?”

I shrug my shoulders.

“I don’t know if they can, if they can then It will be the best thing for this city I am sure. Just the first thing needed: the court needs to be put in its place here and the king needs to tell them to grow up.”

Blow Torch nods. I help him attach the spark batteries and other power batteries to the core. I see why it will take ten years. It could take a long till the core shuts down. At least it will give power for a time. After at least two hours we got the entire core ready and I get ready to pull down the lever.

“Ready Blow Torch?”

Blow torch gives me a feather up. I pull the lever and the core turns on. It takes a while for it to heat up. While Blow Torch watches the reader make sure it doesn’t get to the point of melting down and then I work with him on the console.

“Okay open the valves to release the energy through the entire city. It’s going to take time for a lot of this to start working again. Okay, Gizmo please turn the valve up to the other valve and we can finally release all the power into the city and the castle.”

I nod, doing what he said to do and we finally see lights turning on in the basement and the entire system turns on, and hear an old alarm ring outside the city. It then dies down soon after and we both head upstairs seeing all the lights turning on in the castle now.

When we get to the balcony the entire city finally turns back on and I laugh.

“We did it and now. All we need is to get the others to know everything is back on and then we can make sure they get to the bunkers before the magic of this town destroys us.”

I head back downstairs with Blow Torch to get my tools and I head back to my room to rest and relax. Blow Torch leads me back to my room so I don’t have to deal with any of the males on the court even though one of the males stops me.

“Are you the one who brought the power back?”

I nod

“Thank you so much Miss Gizmo we have been hoping we would see power again. I am sorry for how we have treated you and your friends. You’re willing to do everything you can to help us. We should do the same for you.”

I sigh deeply.

“The only thing I want is you to treat your females and servants in this castle better. They’re not sex toys for you and the ones on the court need to be treated better. Are you sure you can do that?”

The male nods.

“It won’t be easy but I can do what I can for you. We will treat Melody and your friends better at least. I am sorry for how we treated her. Some felt since she was married it would be a game to grab her and screw her. We learned more about her over time. She helped so many with her medical training.”

I nod.

“Good, what about Dust and the others?”

The male shrugs his shoulders.

“All I know about Dust is he has been going around the castle putting many in their place. Beezen is still talking to the king and queen. Your bird friend Joona has been going from the airship and such to get food for those in the city. So the court is getting worried they’re gathering an army out there.”

I chuckle

“If there is an army gathering out there then it would be what you deserve. Anyway, I need some rest. Anything else you want to tell me about?”

The male shrugs.

“Your raptor friend Rhyolite has been doing everything she can to train our army. She has done a pretty good job but I doubt they would be able to handle those wanting the city back. Unless we allow them to take back the castle.”

I blink, wait they have an army here? Is there an army deep underground we don’t know about? I shrug my shoulders heading back into my room.

“I was happy to help you Blow Torch do what you can to keep the power going. Also sir please do what you can to change the power structure here. Maybe those who come in will not kill you anyway. I need my rest.”

Blow Torch nods leaving to head back downstairs and I close the door to my room looking at the painting who is asleep. I am amazed she has to sleep. I sigh, getting into the bed and closing my eyes I miss Oil and Wicker and wish they were with me while I fall asleep.

________________

Rhyolite

I have been enjoying getting to know Melody and the others. When I saw how the males of this castle treated her and wanted to abuse her sexually from their words. I wanted to lose it, of course, but Gizmo beat me to it.

“So you wish to force yourself on Melody here? Is it because she is married and you can’t have her?”

The male laughs.

“No, because she is female and beautiful we deserve to have all the beauty given to us. So stop protecting her and acting like she is alive, you're not even alive to us but trash.”

I growl deeply wanting to kill this male. I watch Gizmo lumber over smirking down at the Upholi male.

“You know males like you are so hot.”

I just stare at Gizmo and then look over to Melody and the others. Beezen had an amused look on his face. I think something is about to happen.

“So you wish to be pleased by a female? I may be old but I could give you some fun. Now let me see how strong you are first.”

Gizmo reaches into the pants of the upholi and with a movement I hear a crush and the Upholi screams and she tosses him into the wall soon after standing over the male she stares down at him with her old eyes.

“Melody is off limits if I see you or any other males trying to harm Melody or if I see you go after any female with me around. I will crush all of you and then let Celestia laugh at you. Now get up and get out of my sight.”

I laugh loudly after the male walks off limping.

“Wow Gizmo that was amazing.”

Gizmo stares at me smirking.

“Eh, this old girl knows how to deal with males who can’t get what they want. Now let's get to our rooms and Beezen is going to bring creations to life. Ry I want you to focus on something other than sex while you’re here.”

I stare at snorting.

“What made you a leader?”

The large turtle stares down at me, turning around fully. I stare at her and I gulp. I should have kept my mouth shut.

“I am the oldest and the wisest here. Well, not the oldest. I am sure Beezen is older than me but I doubt he cares who is the leader.”

Beezen shrugs his shoulders.

“I don’t just I am one to give wise words. Now let's get you to your rooms. You need to rest and if you hear anything about Ruby outside don’t let it bother you. If you hear she causes a stir we don’t allow ourselves to lose it. If she gets hurt we can’t do anything to understand? Melody do you understand?”

Melody wanted to argue. I could tell from the look on her face. I put my claw on her shoulder shaking my head. Melody whines. I could tell she wanted to be with her wife. I understand why she wants to be with the bug. She cares so deeply for Ruby. Ruby has brought all of us together; it was something I never expected myself.

“Alright”

I glance at Silver and she gives Melody one room and another for the others. I am far away from the others near the kitchen. I look into the kitchen to see the upholi waving at me. I am sure I will get to know her very well.

“I am sure we have to give you this room Rhyolite. The king learned how sexual you are. So he wanted to keep you away from the males.”

I roll my eyes.

“What is wrong with sex?”

Silver stares at me laughing

“Rhy I am going, to be honest with you. I don’t care how horny you are. I will never allow any of the males to touch you. It’s not right and I don’t think you want to have any of them sleep with you they might do something to you.”

I laugh at my claws clicking on the stone street. I shook my head.

“I will be fine anyway, thank you for giving me this room.”

I went inside and closed the door and I saw one of the creations Beezen brought to life. It was a table and a couple of chairs. On the chair was a plant, a statue, and a pencil playing cards and the table was laughing.

“Come on you three are you done yet? The chairs want to get back to their conversation.”

I roll my eyes, getting out of my bone armor and setting it by my new bed. I open my bag to bring out a whetstone taking my sword and sliding the stone slowly on the blade. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes.

“Ah, our guest here is the one we are meant to protect.”

I stare at them laughing.

“I can protect myself, you know. I am a strong gal. I have been raised to fight and kill. I will always be the first one to strike. Just if you feel you have to protect me and keep me sane when talking to someone then it’s wonderful.”

The table chuckles.

“Well, I have been here longer than the chairs and the others. The stories I could tell you on who had sex on the bed you use.”

I stare at the bed. It's clean, thankfully. I could tell these sheets are very old. I doubt many have ever used this bedroom. I stroke my claws along the soft bedding. I could feel the dust and pushing out bugs. I take a few of the bugs into my claws eating them.

“Hmm.”

I take the bedding off the bed seeing more bugs. The bed hasn’t been cleaned for a while. So I do what I do best. I am a meat eater and I can get any meat and bugs are easier to eat right now than wanting to do anything.

I eat more of the bugs and make sure the bed is now clean and I remake the bed and get into it to lay down to relax and wait to be awakened and before I could fully go to sleep I hear a knock on the door.

“It’s open.”

A heavily armored Upholi male comes in. He looks at me and notices the table chairs and the various objects playing cards. He turns back to me and I chuckle.

“How can I help you?”

The male moves his helm to look at me.

“I am told you’re a powerful warrior from the outside. I am wondering in the morning are you willing to train the army?”

I tilt my head.

“Army? I didn’t see much of an army unless the bunker was outside of the castle, am I correct?”

He nods

“Yes you’re correct, are you willing to give them some pointers on what you can do?”

I shrug my shoulders.

“Eh, sure, why not see you later, big guy.”

He smirks, nodding, closing the door back up and I lay back down to rest. I close my eyes to rest and I have no idea how many hours it’s been but I hear a heavy knock on my door and I groan.

“Who is it I am sleeping or trying to?”

I hear Gizmo laugh on the other side.

“Goddess damn it Gizmo I am trying to sleep this better be important.”

Gizmo opens the door telling me Ruby wants to talk to all of us. I groaned that she picked the worst time to do this. She gathers the others and we learn what Ruby has found in the city. It’s pretty impressive this city still has souls outside. We also learned there is some necromantic magic in this city causing some problems for the citizens outside.

I groan hearing we have a new friend now, a Upholi named Sterling and she is going to do what she can to bring back the water. To at least give some hope to those inside the city. If Ruby can do anything she can bring hope or destroy this city because of the castle itself. I groan angrily getting off the chair.

“Can I go now and get back to sleep?”

The others stare at me.

“Rhy can you be more respectful? Melody is scared her wife is going to get hurt.”

I stare at the yellow pegasus who is sobbing softly and all I can do is hug the yellow mare smiling at her.

“Hey it will be okay Ruby is a strong little bug she will be back soon and you two can enjoy yourselves again.”

Melody smirks

“I am more scared of her stupidity and how she is prone to getting herself in unneeded danger.”

I chuckle weakly.

“Well, she is one of those gals who is trying to prove herself. To me, she has already proven herself enough. You just need to remember she is your wife now and you need to force her to listen and not allow her determined mind to control her.”

Melody laughs.

“Harder said than done. Now I need to get some rest. I am sure I will be woken up to help with the medical issues here. Rhy will you give your pony sister a promise?”

I tilt my head pony sister? Oh yes, I remember she and I consider each other sisters now I am sure she is going to ask me to keep my mind off sex. It’s hard when my body screams for it and I miss the two males I gave my soul to. I am sure they’re going to ask every male or female I slept with on the journey. I just chuckle to myself remembering how nuts I got back on junk island.

“What is this promise Melody?”

Melody smiles.

“Will you focus and not try to get screwed so much as you did back on junk island. I am sure it can’t be healthy for you. So please for me for your yellow pony sister please don’t give yourself anymore?”

I let out a deep exasperated sigh.

“Okay, Melody I promise. I will make sure to focus and help whoever I am asked to help here. Some army leaders have asked me to help train them. I hope if I do it won’t turn around to bite me in the ass.”

Melody gives me a tight hug and the others come into the hug. The only ones who don’t join in the hug are Beezen and Jooona and they both are smiling as I see them.

“It’s nice to see a powerful friendship like this again right Beezen?”

Beezen laughs.

“Yes even though a friendship like this won’t save them from the battle to come. The only way their friendship would save them is if they make friends with other friends of Ruby. Then they all fight together for the battle ahead.”

I headed back to my room and noticed the armored Upholi waiting for me by my room door.

“May I help you, sir?”

Upholi lifts his helm again, staring at me with one eye the other is missing.

“The training will be after breakfast in the morning. So you know who I am. I am Iron shuffle and I shuffle like an angry bitch fucking a male.”

He smirks

I laugh loudly.

“Sounds good to me. I am Rhyolite looking forward to helping train your soldiers and then get back to sleep again since I promised to keep myself from getting screwed again.”

Shuff tilts his head.

“Let me guess you’re also extremely very slutty.”

I laugh loudly.

“What is slutty to other races is very normal to my species. Heh heh, I may be mated to two males who gave them my soul but we still sleep with other males or females or whatever we give ourselves. It’s very normal and if we didn’t do it we might as well be dead. But again I promised my sister I would not do it here.”

Shuffle laughs.

“I see so you made yourself a family with those you’re journeying with.”

I nod it’s odd I never expected to call them my family. I am sure I am still going to call them my family even after this journey is over. I open the door and the objects on the table are now playing another card game. I see them playing with various money and other objects.

“Oh, she is back. Hey, Rhy everything alright?”

I turn to stare at the statue of the Upholi who is having help holding their cards but another new creation Beezen brought to life looks like a stand.

“I guess there is some necromantic magic going through this city and into the castle and there are many living outside in the city. Do you know anything about this?”

The table sighs.

“The royals have known about them for years. They refuse to do anything to help them because they won’t bow to them or give them anything. The king knows about them and he even wants to help them. But the court refuses to do anything.”

I groan, stroking my head.

“My queen never backstabbed us like this. They allowed us to have a life and sometimes they did what they could for us. Now I need some rest. Is there anything else you wish to tell me about the city or do you know anything else?”

Table thinks for a moment looking at the others.

“Is there anything else maybe?”

The others don’t seem to know anything.

“Well, I know something.”

I glance at the bust of a Upholi. I never got the name of the one who the bust is. Just they’re some element of their community who was lost during the early days of the civil war. I wonder what would have caused most of this to happen.

“I just know a story from an old zebra who stayed in here before the civil war broke out. A pony and the zebra talked about how bad the war was going. They were both mares talking about the future if the war ended peacefully. One of them was a necromancer the other was a pony of science and technology they respected each other. I don’t remember much else, just I know the zebras wanted to bring the Upholi to their side during the war and it didn’t end well for both.”

I sigh, stroking my head. I knew I would learn more and I knew I wouldn’t know. I look over to the window to try to at least get some fresh air. It wasn’t much of a window, it was focused more on the water than the city. I took a deep breath smelling the salty air. I look over at the Bell of Freedom floating into the gentle blue water not far from the city.

“Oh, what is going on back home I wonder? What is even going on back in the desert Ruby came from? I wonder what is even going on back on the island she told us about. I wonder if she misses any of her friends.”

I finally get back into my bed and relax feeling my mind finally allowing me to sleep and I wonder what is about to happen. I groan, stroking my head. I have been feeling like this for a while. I felt like this after meeting the alicorn Crosser. I didn’t care that she could read my mind and talk in my mind.

Ever since the first meeting, I felt like she was watching us or others of the order of Mimics. I groan stroking my head more, laying my head back on the old pillow feeling my mind finally relax.

I finally wake up hearing a knock on the door. I groan laying in the bed looking towards the door.

“It’s open.”

One of the servants opens the door bringing me a tray of food and I tilt my head staring at her.

“Um, no offense, you don’t have to do this for me. I could have gotten the food for myself. Is everything alright?”

The servant puts the food on my bed and she smiles sweetly.

“I know just I was asked to since your friend Ruby brought back the water. I hope you understand the castle and the court are happy about your friend doing this task. What they’re more upset about is that they learned there is a large community outside of this castle and they’re worried your friend might start an uprising.”

I laughed while taking the tray to eat the weird pudding it was called. It’s like a strange mush of bird seeds and mush. It wasn’t hard to eat and it tasted like meat? How in the world did this happen? I finish my food and take their pure water? Hmm, I thought the airship could only get pure water. Even though not the entire world got hit by the bombs. The magic of the bombs kind of affected all the water. At least for now, I am told it will clean itself up in many years.

“I highly doubt Ruby will start an uprising; she will need a good reason to start one. I am sure you have seen some odd things living here for so long. How old are you?”

The servant tilts her head.

“I am..”

I notice she doesn’t answer, just stands up and gets ready to leave like she was about to say but she turns to look at me.

“I am sorry I need to get going.”

I found it confusing.

“Wait, what about my question?!”

She looks back at me smirking weakly. She just leaves this is getting more and more confusing. I have no idea what in the world is going on. I am starting to wonder if I will ever get the answer I want to this question. I took a deep breath sighing and shaking my head.

I get my armor by strapping it to my scales and putting my weapons in my home. I hear the knock on my door again. The door opens up and Shuffle walks into the room. The upholi looks around the objects and he looks extremely confused.

“I keep forgetting one of the creatures with you is a judge from the old world of Dream Valley who has the power to bring objects to life. I have seen many of them in the halls they’re judging us trying to study us.”

The bust laughs.

“We have a good reason for doing so, monster.”

Shuffle stares at the bust of one of their old leaders. He sighs looking toward me. I will never understand why they call all these creatures monsters. It’s starting to make me wonder if there is more going on here.

“May I ask why you call them monsters?”

I glance at the creations.

“Beezen told us never to tell you. We told him everything which is going on here. He doesn’t buy it himself. But he said that every hero needs to fight their own battles. Without the story of the hero being ruined by those that get their stories from the stars themselves.”

I just glare at the bust.

“Did he give you that load of bunk? I haven’t known Beezen long but he knows so much like he knows what the fuck is going on. Just when the witches showed up he didn’t know about that. He just knows what is to come and he worries if we know we might cause more problems.”

The bust and other creations laugh. As a cup tosses a card with a coin.

“Spread 'em.”

They all put their cards down and they all groan but the bust and the one helping him take the caps or whatever they’re using and bust laughs. I shake my head. These creations are playing poker. It’s gotten so stupid and I can’t stay here anymore. I look back to Shuffle. I forgot he was there.

“Oh, I am sorry I will be there soon Shuffle. I am sorry about them. They’re no help and I got a question what the fuck is your age?”

Shuffle stares at me shrugging his shoulders.

“If I told you. You wouldn’t believe me so please don’t ask these questions you may anger some of the citizens of the castle so please follow me to the training yard.”

I groan again no answers no fucking answers. I am getting sick and tired of this. Of course, I follow him leaving my room and following the armored male through the halls to the yard and I see many of the troops, some of them look very young.

“Alright, troops there are rumors of the guardian or hero friend to this creature here. Found the factions of those outside the city. The royals are worried she may cause an uprising and another civil war and she will be training you.”

One of the upholi trainees lifts their wing-like they want to ask a question.

“Yes?”

The trainee looks like they’re thinking of stroking their chin with their wing. I wonder what they’re doing and what they’re thinking.

“Why are we going to be trained by the friend of this guardian if the royals feel she is going to cause an uprising?”

Shuffle laughs.

“Eh, you know the royals, they get upset if they can’t get their wings or claws on a female like some of those in the army here. I am sure most of them know what I am talking about. How they always act as they own you.”

One of the older female soldiers laughs.

“Yes, I know what you mean. It’s why I had to be saved from getting my tongue cut out. Heh heh, it helps to have training.”

I stare at all the army. I swear none of these creatures even look that old. It’s so odd to me and then I hear something and then see another Upholi in heavy armor standing by the others. They look at me and I look at them. Why are more showing up?

“You birds confuse me, you're so young looking and how in the world do you spread your seed around if you don’t breed with the ones outside? How are you not inbreeding? Is there something I am missing?”

Shuffle laughs.

“We make sure we spread out our DNA so we don’t have the problem. Also, our diet makes us very young looking. We don’t like talking about our age or why we look so young. I will tell you this though.”

Shuffle looks around to make sure none of the royal family is around.

“I can’t go on. I wish I could Ryo. I can only tell you so much and what I just told you now shouldn’t have been saying. Come let's get back to training.”

I glance at Shuffle and the others then back at Shuffle.

“So that's all you could tell me, why not try to tell me more?”

Shuffle weakly smirks.

“That's all I can tell you and I can’t tell you more. All I can tell you is there is a strange mystery in this city and this castle. I can’t go on because I am sure we are being watched by the king’s spies or the spy Silver hired recently.”

I groaned, shaking my head and it took all day to train the Upholi army. They were pretty good at what they did. I didn’t need to train them as much. From what Shuffle told me though from what he could. There have been some strange things going on in this city and castle for years. We went back to my room to finally talk privately.

“About at least twenty years ago many of us started to see something strange going on. I would talk more about it but again this castle has many eyes hidden. I can tell you that you and your friends are watching even now I am sure we are watching.”

I let out an angry sigh

“Shuffle, I am starting to wonder if we should even be here. I am wondering if we should just tell Ruby to find the Star metal forge and make our weapons and leave. I don’t want to leave. I want to help you but I am no hero. I am just a warrior and one who fucks around and came with my new family.”

Shuffle laughs.

“I can understand now how about you get some rest. You and your friends will be here. I hope your friend on the outside can help us. Take care, Rhyo, good to get to know you and meet you.”

Shuffle leaves and I groan then I notice something weird going on. The power clicks back on and I hear the commotion. I don't want to worry about it. I go to turn off the light, groaning a bit. I feel so tired. I fall asleep ignoring the fact the power came back on and go to sleep.

_______________

Dust

I sat in my room. It was dark. I wanted it that way and I saw the door open up. Silver told me the spy she hired a month ago will be here to talk with me. I turn on the gas lamp beside me and I see the creature. I get a good look at him. He is a dark brown lizard wearing a strange hat and a strange outfit.

“I am Rep, one of the judges of the stars, you must be Dust. The friend of Ruby I was told by Silver you would want to talk to the one who spied on Ruby since she came here. What would you like to know?”

I stare at the lizard creature. I swear I know home from old stories. His name is Rep and in the old stories, he was a friend of one of my species.

“You’re Catrina’s friend? Tell me how are you doing Rep and how is the traitor Catrina?”

Rep snorts.

“She never betrayed your home or your king. She told you all she found the waterways to Dream Valley from the days of old. How dare you judge her. She may have enslaved a race known as Bushwoolies to gain a powerful magic drug known as WitchWeed.”

I let out an angry sigh. I knew it when I was given the old spells from the kings of old. I would run into the traitors of old. I have lied to Ruby only Gizmo and Rhyolite know. I was there during the days of Storm King. The king of old before the king won put a spell on me and the others. I was the last one left of the old assassins of the king of old.

“Who are you?”

Rep gave me this question about who I am. I smirk.

“Dust Catrina and you know by my old name, Quick Step.”

Rep groans.

“I see, do you want me to tell Catrina you’re here? Are you here to find her?”

I laugh

“Rep I didn’t even know you and her were here. I could care less. I am following Ruby and the others to Dream Valley. I am sure you two are heading that way as well, am I correct?”

Rep sighs.

“Yes even after Catrina to the ponies of old including the one known as Williams she would never go back to her old ways. I think Catrina wants to go to the land between lands. I am sure the land is going to accept her after she follows her old steps.”

I nod

“I am sorry I won’t be able to follow you two. Someday I may be accepted in the land between lands. Those days won’t be soon though. I am sure the days when that comes will be just my task to keep Ruby safe. Keep her safe and then do what I don’t wish to do. Betray her to the NCA and let the NCA destroy her.”

Rep sighs.

“I see Rassie told you to do this?”

I shook my head. I explained many things to him. Then after an hour of talking with him, he leaves and I go back to being alone. I glanced at my room. Nothing was alive in this room. I asked Beezen not to bring anything alive.

I notice the lights coming on and I turn it off hearing the commotion outside my room about the power being back on. I close my eyes, crossing my arms to fall asleep sitting up holding two knives in my paws ready in case I am attacked.

___________

Joona

It was at least I am sure more than many years ago when the Alicorns. My father and my mother were training me to get ready to be placed in the tube to be ready for the time I am needed. I look at my mother.

“Mother, I know the Alicorns are giving you and father a lot of treasure for accepting me in this program but why do you believe the old prophecy of the stars wanting our blood and judges? I am not even of age yet and you want to do this to me?”

My mother was a beautiful Panna and I was closer than my father and my father wanted me to do things. My family lived in one of Alicorn's old homes. I look out the window of our home. It was in the middle of the water. I remember stories of an old creation of the Alicorns being created in this place. Project Omega but I knew I wouldn’t be here much longer. I would be frozen and taken to be woken again.

“The reason for this sweetie Dream Valley has been destroyed and Majesty banished. The Alicorns have done everything to destroy old history and maps leading to Dream Valley. The Alicorns even said Grogar released a sickness to destroy their kind.”

My father came in and he was sick I learned before I was placed into the tube of ice. The sickness started to spread to my species. I was happy to learn Equestria or the land connected to Equestria was free of this sickness and those Alicorns leading there would be free from this.

“Get ready Joona you need to have half of the map programmed into your head. I am sorry Joona I wish I treated you better but this is the last time you will see your mother and me. When you wake up many years will go by. You should wake up at least a hundred years from now. I am sorry for how I treated you.”

I hugged my father. I went through the downloading of my half of the map. The alicorns did what they could for me to make this as easy as they could. A mare I grew up knowing called herself Mint.

“I wish I could tell you why we were doing this Joona but I can’t. It’s the only way to protect you from the judges of the stars and it’s the only way you can find yourself back in Dream Valley. I am sorry when you wake up you won’t ever see me again. I am sorry little one.”

I let out an unhappy sigh knowing everyone I grew up with and my family will be dead. The door closes and Mint puts on a strange magic spell to talk to me.

“You will feel yourself falling asleep. I hope you will remember us. I am sorry for everything.”

The world around me went cold and I went into an endless sleep of dreams. I remember all my dreams of what would happen if I would be found. Soon though I found myself waking up and the door opened up and my eyes burned. I fell to the ground groaning looking around trying to see and I see nothing but shapes I was told I have sleep blindness and I was moved and I woke up in a wooden room and I felt trapped

I heard a knock and a blue dragon walked into the room.

“Ah, you’re fully awake. I am sorry I am Gem, we woke you up, do you remember anything?”

I shrug my shoulders.

“I remember, yes am I a prisoner?”

Gem shook her head.

“No, we need to find Dream Valley. Ruby said she talked with you?”

I gave a nod.

“Yes, she talked with me. I found it hard to trust her since she is a creation of Majesty. Am I being too mean to not want to trust her?”

Gem chuckles.

“I don’t blame you at all Joona. Now you relax, you're now part of this family.”

It was a pretty simple time we went from area to area. I kept to myself and Beezen, one of the judges I was warned about, sat with me for a while to help me relax.

“So what is it like to be a judge?”

Beezen chuckles.

“Boring.”

I let out a soft laugh.

“I am not surprised at all. So do you know where we are heading?”

Gem smirks.

“Well, Joona, we are heading to Junk island.”

I don’t know anything about Junk island. I followed Gem up to the docks and I noticed something odd about the water. I saw a strange metal object in the water. I couldn’t make it out but it was large and floating?

I saw Ruby again and we talked. I got to know Gem is married to the adoptive mother of the little bug. I even got to know Melody Ruby’s wife-to-be. I found it amazing that things have changed so much. Many days went by and I learned where we are. I am above my old home. I was told Omega was brought online because of Majesty?!

Then I sat in the arena watching Ruby fight for her freedom. She won and she got worried she killed a mother about to give birth to her foal. I groan this world has become worse and harsher over the years. The next battle was with the former king when he said the words the Flames of Truth.

I remember those words so long ago. An Alicorn told me stories when the flames of truth are said the world will be forcibly reset or the land the words are caused in the land itself will not only die it will burn to leave to be healed for what is to come.

The final battle was to come and Ruby wasn’t winning. She lay there like a pathetic bug and she was close to the end. Being told she is worthless so I did what I felt I needed to. I flew into the air heading to the PA system room. It was locked, thankfully I know how to lock pick. I shifted my body to a lockpick and another half of myself to a screwdriver. I opened the door and changed back to my true form.

I flew quickly to the pony at the desk and shoved him away transforming a part of myself into a jacket to keep him at bay.

“Hey what are you doing?!”

The sound screeches and I groan holding my ears a second. I had to do it though I had to save the bug even though I hate she is a minion and a creation of the former monster Majesty. I know full well I will regret this someday.

“I haven’t known you that long, Topaz. You rescued me from the trap in the frozen tube. I get it you’re in pain you feel nothing you do is right. But you can’t let all you fought for be in vain. For all I know I could be the last of my kind who knows all about the end. Fight in the name of all your friends, little magic eater. Fight and prove to me you’re worthy of being led by me and the others you find to Dream Valley.”

I heard the others scream for her. It was easy to hear it all in this room. I look at the pony swinging my head mouthing ‘Yell her name.’

“RUBY!” Screams Gem

“Ruby for the love of all the fucking dicks in the world kill him!!” Rhyolite

“Fight him, Ruby.” Beezen

“Show him the true meaning of pain.” Wicker

“Ruby, I love you with all my heart, fight him!!” Melody.

“You’re a magic eater like me. Ruby, please prove him wrong!!” Mellow

“Fight him like you fought the cult for Rassie.” Dust.

“Kill him for what he did to my work on your arms and armor he will fucking pay for destroying my work!!” Gizmo

"You're stronger than you think, Ruby. if anyone can take care of my cannons like you and then smile when a bolt of lightning hits you like it's nothing then you can kill this ass hole do it!! Be the cannon!!" Gunpowder

“They care for you, Ruby. Please fight for me Joona and my species Panna. You have to get revenge on Squint for me and the others.”

I watch while Ruby begins to have her sorrow removed from her face. We all chant for Ruby including the crowd. They didn’t care for this creature and they knew full well it was time to end it and time to end him.

“Fight him darling show him what happens when he harms my Patrons of my bar and my Brothel” Loxie

“Just kill him already, hero. Doing so will make us not hate every hero. You will get a past for now.” Obsidian

“Your win will bring money to the market double fold. Gold jewels and everything under the sun.” Teal

“If you defeat this fool. I will upgrade your sword for free.” Anvil

“In the name of Mimic and the Goddess of unity fight him!!” Crosser.

“Kill him, remove his heart and origins bring them to me. I will use them in my medical research.” Green Dust

“Show him he is not much better than Bloodbath!! HA HA HA HA” Bloodbath

I began to chant with the others. The fight went as well all expected. Ruby got her ass kicked and she was about to be killed. It took her realizing she had a knife the king gave her and he stabbed right into the creature's eye. He died through poison but too much and Ruby got too wounded.

The king gave me at least a chance to meet others of my species. I did what I could before I had to leave.

“So you’re from the past?”

A younger Panna asked me.

“Yes, I am from the Alicorn war with Grogar. I was placed in a frozen tube and given a part of the map to find Dream Valley all over again.”

I had at least a month to get to know the other Pannas. But I didn’t have much choice but to leave when it was time. I got to know them. I was told many Pannas are still around in the world. Some of them find themselves in other lands hiding as the changelings do.

“I see I don’t know what changelings are. I am sorry.”

The older male Panna laughs.

“I don’t blame you, they're kind of like us but more pony bug-like. But they do have the ability to change, just not as good as we do. They eat love while we just eat normal food. I hope if you do meet one they don’t attack you.”

I hugged the others of my species. I am not alone and I was told the enemy of our species is still alive. I was told he has been gone for years and escaped his prison. I told the others goodbye and knew it was time to go.

It didn’t take very long. We ended up in the city of Ornithia. I had a talk with Ruby about her eggs and learned the one she thought loved her gave a false sense of security and used her to spread his brood into a creature like Ruby.

Many hours went by after I was given my room alone. I was left alone since the Upholi males of the court knew about my species. They didn’t want to do anything to me and cause me problems. But I hear a knock on my door.

“Um, it's open.”

One of the males from the court came in and he smiled.

“Hi, there you must be the Panna named Joona. I am sorry for the others who tried to go after your friend Melody. I am Bubble Blast and before you ask my mother was drunk a few days after I was hatched and called me that.”

I smile weakly.

“Are you here to try to harm me?”

He shook his head sitting on the couch near the bed they gave me.

“No, I have read about your species. I have been wanting to see your species. I wish to understand you. I won’t do anything I promise.”

I smirked about talking with him before I could say anything Gizmo came in.

“Ruby wants to talk to us and…sir are you here to harm Joona?”

Bubble shook his head.

“No, I wouldn’t dare hurt her. I am not like the others.”

Gizmo nods and I follow her. Ruby told us what she found and I told her I would go from place to place. But I felt I had to do it a few times. When I landed on the airship one last time I felt very tired. I groaned.

“Wow, Joona you have been flying back and forth, why not rest here?”

I look up to Gem and smile.

“I need to talk to Mellow about getting fresh food to the city. So you’re going to have to do extra fishing Gem I am sorry.”

Gem laughs.

“Eh anyway go talk to Mellow then go to my office and sleep.”

I am happy I got to know Gem and the others. I flew tiredly to the kitchen. Mellow was getting ready to close her kitchen for the night and when I landed she looked up to me and the magic eater looked at me smirking.

“How can I help you Joona?”

I groan tiredly.

“Mellow I am sorry to make more work for you. Do you think you could make some extra food for the citizens of the city?”

Mellow frowns.

“I could try. I may have to go on my own to find some extra food in the sea. I will do what I can, you look very tired Joona so please get some sleep.”

I chuckle watching Mellow fully close her kitchen for the night and head to sleep. The entire airship went to night mode and the creations Beezen brought to life became the nightlife. Gem allowed a red light district in the airship to be created only for the night though. Some of the crew have been stuck for so long here and went to enjoy themselves. I am sure some of them will get married before we return.

I groaned again wishing I could join just so tired. I headed to the Gems office since she didn’t sleep much without being near her wife Cranberry. I lay in her bed before I could fall asleep. I saw the lights from the castle and the city lights come on and I heard cheering from the citizens in the city. I smile leaning out the window and Gem comes in to see what happened Gem chuckles

"Just what we need to see in this broken city hope. I am hoping we see more of this in the next few days. I am sorry Joona I hope you feel more welcomed by this new family of yours and we find you more of your species. Now go ahead and rest I need to go find Beezen. I am told he came back to the airship about something."

I nod and sigh watching Gem leave and I went back to the bed to sleep hearing the cheering makes me smile helping me fall asleep hearing the hope for once.

Footnote max level.

No new perk.

Next Chapter: Chapter Fifty-five: The lost people of Ornithia Estimated time remaining: 11 Hours, 44 Minutes