There are stories out there of what is called airship pirates if they attack you it’s not because of riches or wealth. It’s because they see you as a threat to their airspace. The old name of these pirates is dragon hunters. Old foes of the dragons years ago. They took control of the skies many years ago. They don’t care for the idea of murder they don’t care for anything else but revenge on dragons.

Written by Sludge found on his dead body on a battlefield.

It was the morning when I was shaken awake by Gem. I open my eyes staring into the eyes of my adoptive dragon mother. I groan sitting up on the bed and looking at the dragon. I groan deeply looking for Melody. She is gone with everything including my armor and what I was given.

“We allowed you to sleep in while we got the airship ready to leave again. Teal from Junk island is here to make a trade deal with this lovely community. To be honest, though Ruby you look like shit are you okay?”

I chuckle, groaning.

“I don’t know, I just feel stressed. I feel I need to find a very dark and empty spot on the ship. Do we have any shadowy places on the ship?”

Gem nods.

“We do when we get on the ship I will lead you there. The queens want to say goodbye to you. I hope everything will be alright when we get into the airship.”

I get out of bed groaning, flapping my wings to get off the ground. I feel so heavy and bloated. I head out of the room going down the stairs. The tavern is very silent. The old tavern owner stands behind the bar cleaning some cups. While many sit and drink they wave goodbye to me. I wave to them smiling.

“Goodbye thank you for letting us stay here.”

The tavern owner smiles and she just waves.

“You’re welcome and yours are always welcome here. Next time when you come I hope it’s peaceful.”

I smile weakly, groaning holding my stomach.

“I hope so too.”

I follow Gem outside of the tavern. Outside there is a line of Orthians cheering for me as I follow Gem to the gangplank of the airship. I feel a gentle blush forming on my cheeks. I didn’t do that much. All I did is what I felt was right so it’s gotten to the point I am going to need to tell them I am not a hero.

In the end, the two new queens waited for me. I hover while they both pull me into tight hugs. All I can do is let them hug me.

“I was happy to help you two get your kingdom back. Even though you’re not the former queens or kings. But I want to say this to all of you.”

I turn to the crowd after I am let go by the queens.

“I am not a hero, I am not a guardian. I may consider myself a guardian. I am just a simple little magic eater wanting to help. I don’t deserve any praise at all. So when those who want to learn who came through say the truth. But don’t use my name please, I am no one impressive.”

Celeano shakes her head.

“Ruby you’re more than you think you’re to us. You’re a hero to us, you're a guardian to us. Please Ruby if you ever need a place to stay after everything is said and done you will be welcomed here.”

I smile weakly.

“Maybe I am unsure where I will end up. I will go wherever I feel is safer for my wife and me. I want to make sure she is in a peaceful place no matter what we do.”

Celeano nods, pulling me into a hug and I let them. I feel my body suddenly going insane. I scream in pain groaning.

“Ruby?”

Melody quickly comes out of the airship.

“I think she is going to be laying her eggs. So let her go please so I can take her to a dark private room in the airship.”

I am let go waving bye to everyone. Gem and Melody help me to a very dark room at the bottom of the airship. The smell is awful from the water coming in a little hole. Mold and mushrooms are growing on the side. For me, though, this is a perfect room. Not every magic eater lays eggs in places like this. But my queen put her nest in a place like this.

Melody pushes Gem out of the room.

“I am sorry Gem but she needs me. Go get us to Dream valley please.”

Gem smirks

“You’re lucky you’re her wife Melody or I would beat the shit out of you. For not letting me help take care of my adoptive daughter.”

Melody smirks

“You can try now to get going. I fear she is going to make sure the eggs don’t hatch till the end of the battle with the Storm King.”

Gem frowns, nodding.

“I fear the same thing. I hope she rethinks this because these little ones will need their mother. At least for a little while.”

Gem turns to leave and after a while, I feel the pain subside at least for now. I groan, it hurts so much. Melody turns a small light on so I can see her. I feel the engine turn on and feel the ship moving. It will take a while to get it into the air.

“Ruby.. do you need anything to start the nesting process?”

I shook my head looking towards the mushrooms.

“All I need is what is here.”

I began to eat the mushrooms and absorb a bit of the mold. Before it settles into my stomach I vomit up a strange substance encasing all the walls around us with it. Making sure to leave the door alone so Melody can get out. I will be here for a while laying these eggs.

Melody watches my glands all over my body flare up. My stinger pokes out of its home and I began to carve little beds in the strange black substance. Most of it glows brightly from the magic in my system.

“Ruby…”

I turn my eyes, staring at my wife. A weak smile forms on my buggy face. I reach with one of my buggy hands to stroke her cheek. I pull her into a kiss. It may not taste great from what just happened but she doesn't care. I pull back soon after she chuckles.

“Ruby, what is going to happen when you start nesting?”

A smile forms across my buggy face.

“I am going to go feral the entire time. I will stay that way even after the laying. So even though you’re my wife and I have infused you with my magic. I will look at you like a threat even if you were my species it would be the same. After it’s over my mental brain still might be foggy so I will have to stay here for at least a week or more.”

Melody frowns, kissing my forehead.

“I will come to see you in a few days.”

________________

Melody

I kiss my dear wife's head. I stare at her worried about her.

“I will come to see you in a few days. Please don’t hurt anypony, my dear Ruby.”

Ruby weakly smiles and groans, her eyes glowing bright pink. She hisses growling deeply, and she drools, staring at me.

“GO!!”

She hisses deeply, buzzing angrily like a bee flying into the air targeting me with her stinger and I quickly turn around heading to the door and closing it quickly. She screeches loudly and I quickly move away. I think I know why Gem gave her this place from what Gem told me this area was made for Ruby. I wonder if Gem knew Scaled wings was going to do what he did to her.

I take a deep breath sighing happily to finally be on the move again. I trot to the bridge of the airship. Since I have only met the one who flies the airship a few times. When I get up to the bridge I see a black unicorn mare with a red mane and tail using her magic to move the wheel looking at the map and following it to Dream Valley.

“Excuse me Licorice, have you ever slept?”

The black mare turns to look at me. I finally got a good look at her. I only saw her from behind and the left side of her face is cybernetic. Her right eye is replaced with a strange target eye and a smile forms on her face.

“I don’t need any sleep Melody.”

I tilt my head.

“Is there a reason you didn’t join in the battle?”

She laughs softly

“The only time I would have joined in on the battle was if they invaded the airship. I am a simple mare. I only do what I need to do and I figured the battle would go our way. If it didn’t I would have joined the battle. But most of the crew of the airship didn’t because I told them we would need to get your bodies home.”

I chuckle weakly.

“I see so. Ruby is laying her eggs. Do you know anything about this path we are heading down?”

Licorice shrugs her shoulders.

“All I know is ships on the water and some in the air tend to vanish along this path other than that I am not sure.”

Ships have vanished along this path? I have never heard of boats vanishing during flights. It’s been years I am sure though when many use boats like this to get around or on the water lanes. The water lanes are robust if you know them.

“I think I better go check on the others and see how everything is. I need to warn them not to go look for Ruby no matter how she acts.”

Licorice nods. I turn my head to the dragons on either side of her. One of them is a female dragon with a heavy metal arm. She turns her head to look at me with a smile on her face. I don’t know her name but she is a friend of Gems. The other dragon is a male the mate of this dragon and they both stand here to help Licorice. Before I leave Mellow comes in with a tray of drinks and food.

“I brought your meal and drinks to everyone.”

Licorice clicks a strange button and everything runs on its own. The two dragons come over to Mellow, and the female looks at me.

“Hello..”

She softly growls. I don't think she can speak much like me. The male turns his long neck to look at me. He shows his teeth to smile.

“Growl pony hello.”

Licorice chuckles weakly.

“Forgive them, they don’t speak like us, Melody. You will find many here on the bridge who don’t speak or care for ponies much.”

I feel a tap on my shoulder turning staring into the eyes of a Bat pony.

“Forgive me, I feel it might be wise for you to leave. We are very busy up here and I hear you’re the wife of that bug. Even though she is a hero or guardian to many. To us though she is the one who uprooted us. If you please allow us to get back to work.”

The bat pony mare smirks. I just nod heading back to the door and looking over to the side seeing a hellhound working on the map. The hellhound turns his head to stare at me. All he does is a nod to me and I head out of the bridge area with the door closing. I turn to see Gem staring at me.

“So trying to get to know the rest of the crew Melody? There is a reason why many of the crew stay in their places. They don’t want to deal with those they consider threats to them. You and your friends are a threat to them.”

I am confused about all this.

“Gem, you brought me on to be the doctor. You told me before I should know everypony is this no longer true?”

Gem chuckles.

“I told you this yes but not everyone cares about your wife. They only do this because I am friends with them. I can’t force them to respect you or Ruby. Even the others they don’t have respect for.”

A frown forms across my face sighing.

“I understand there are more around here who don’t care for us?”

Gem smirks

“Oh there are more but I am sure with us almost to Dream Valley they will learn to respect you and the others. They didn’t join in the battle earlier because it wasn’t their battle. When we get back to Widowmaker it will be their battle. If they stay on our side or betray us for the Storm King's words it’s up to them.”

I shake my head. I figured this would be what I was told. Even if we work together as we do now. I worry about Ruby even more now. She is going to do something stupid to end this battle quickly. I know Ruby will do something I don’t approve of but there is no way I can stop her. She will do what she feels is right. I head to the door leading out of the bridge area of the airship. I keep forgetting this is a metal part of the ship connected to a wooden ship.

“Before you go, Melody.”

I turn to look towards Gem.

“Huh?”

Gem opens one of the compartments on the side of the wall. She tosses a strange device to me. It slides to me. I stare at it.

“This is a magic eater egg device. Use it and it will place a magic shield around the eggs. So after Ruby is over with her insanity, place the device in there. I will put the eggs in a magic bubble. It will keep them from hatching. I feel it will be easier on Ruby if she didn’t have to deal with raising little ones and her journey.”

A frown forms on my face.

“Gem. I worry I am going to lose Ruby and she is going to have to go to places I won’t be able to follow.”

Gem weakly smiles nodding.

“Yes. it’s not going to be easy when the time comes. We know what she is going to do. She wrote something in that book and asked for a copy, the others told me. She even took Beezen's words and is doing something with them.”

I sigh deeply, shaking my head. I haven’t even read what she wrote. She won’t even let me read the letter she is writing. I don’t know what is going on anymore. I want her to be honest with me but she won’t be.

“I don’t know Gem, I don't know. I feel I am losing her ever since Gearshift and the others died from saving their home.”

Gem smiles weakly.

“I think we have been losing her even before all that. After that strange king said the words Fires of truth she always focused on those words. I don’t know what to expect from it but it’s all I can do to understand it.”

I nod, sigh, and shake my head.

“Gem, I have a question. Do you know anything about this path we are heading down?”

Gem shrugs her shoulders.

“As long as we aren’t heading towards the domain of the dragon hunters we will be fine.”

Dragon hunters?

“Wait dragon hunters, who are these dragon hunters?”

Gem shrugs her shoulders.

“They’re an old myth, don't worry about them. If they did exist we wouldn’t be heading toward them so you have nothing to worry about. They would only go after the dragons on this ship. They would also want to do something with this ship and keep it.”

A myth why is she acting like they’re not a myth? Is there something about these creatures she refuses to speak about? I take a deep breath, blowing the air out of my mouth. I will look through Ruby’s stuff to try to understand what is going on.

“Gem, would it upset you if I snooped through Ruby’s things?”

Gem sighs, shaking her head.

“Melody I doubt you will like what you find if you do. So I warn you don’t get upset with whatever she writes. We are on the final part of her journey. She is doing what she has been asked to do. Bring back the stars of justice and peace. I am sure there is more to the stars and it will finally bring balance. I don’t buy this shit myself, Melody. But I am on this journey because I feel I need to keep Ruby alive for the sake of Cranberry.”

I chuckle weakly.

“Gem, I have seen some weird things and heard some weird stuff after marrying Ruby. Thankfully I haven’t had to deal with the stars. I do worry they might want me to help them with something. I am unsure about what is going to happen.”

Gem pats my shoulder.

“Go look for the letter your wife wrote. I warn you, whatever you find you may not like what you read.”

A deep sigh comes out of my mouth. She is correct. I doubt I will like what I find. It's going to be harder to be with Ruby if I do read whatever she wrote. I leave the room hearing the metal door closing and latching. I see why many of the crew stay in the airship and stay out of the wooden part. They want nothing to do with us and I don’t blame them. I follow the path through the ship looking at some of the crew and how most of them are magic eaters and dragons. I noticed a few zebras.

One of the zebra mares turns to me waving her hoof. I wave my hoof back and the mare bows her head. She goes back to her work. It looks like some of the creatures up in here do respect us. I head to the wooden part below heading back to the room I share with Ruby. I glance around at everything. I see her armor and her bags. I look through her bags and I don’t see the letters or whatever she wrote.

I look at the desk and I go to it. I try to open it. When I touch it a strange spell glows on the desk. It keeps me from touching it. The spell then turns to words saying. ‘I am sorry Melody please don’t read these till the time is right.’

I stare at the words tears falling down my cheeks. I knew she was hiding many things from me but I can’t blame her. I would have panicked or gotten worried about what she was writing. I do hope she will be open to me about what these letters are.

A knock sounds on the door. I open it and Beezen stands outside.

“I heard Ruby is laying her eggs. May I come in?”

A weak smile creeps across my face, nodding and letting him enter the room. He sits on the bed and looks over to the desk. I think he notices the spell Ruby placed on the desk. A deep sigh comes out of my mouth again.

“I see you tried to figure out what Ruby is writing hmm? It’s something I am extremely worried about. Ruby refuses to be open to even her wife then something is wrong. I fear we might be losing your wife to her journey. I will talk to her when this is said and done. But I come in here to talk to you about something.”

I sit on the bed with the former judge. He will become a judge again when Grogar returns. There is no way to stop the return. There is a way to slow the return and I don’t know how to do it. I hope someday we will learn how.

“Talk to me about what?”

Beezen smirks.

“What path are we taking to get to Dream Valley?”

I shrug my shoulders.

“I don’t know if Gem just told me something about dragon hunters?”

Beezen laughs softly.

“Would it be strange to tell you dragon hunters are not a myth? Their home is located somewhere in this part of the sea and floating in the sky. Thankfully they can’t move their home like many of the old cloud livers. Now they haven’t been seen in many years. The last time someone saw them was like Five hundred years ago. They might not exist anymore or if they do they keep to themselves.”

Great, they do exist. I am more worried about Ruby right now. She hasn’t been herself at all. I look at the door wanting to go check on her but I doubt she is even back to normal right now.

“Beezen I am worried about Ruby. I feel soon I may have to let her go and I am not going to be happy about letting her go.”

Beezen nods.

“Don’t let yourself worry about it, Melody. Ruby is one of those who will keep moving till the world stops her. I think the bigger issue is without the eggs she will go back to being silly. Melody, you're the only one able to stop her. So when she is back to normal I think it’s time to sit her down and tell her how you feel.”

A weak smile forms across my face.

“I will do my best. I may be her wife even so she is very private about her life. I don’t enjoy how private she is. I am going to get some rest to thank you for your talk Beezen. I am hoping she will be open to me.”

Beezen nods, patting my head, and heads out of the room. I get onto the bed laying my head on the pillow and looking at the other part of the bed. I wish she was here with me. We always talk when we are in bed and it’s the only time she will be open to me. I close my eyes dreaming of Ruby and seeing her fail.

______________

Location unknown in the eyes of Unknown.

There have been stories for years of a group of creatures called the dragon hunters. Most never understood why they hunted the dragons. Some think it was out of spite for some war between them and these creatures.

Deep in a set of clouds above one of the old trade lanes of the shipping lanes. There are many old ships from various times wrecked and ripped apart including many old airships. Inside the ships, there are no bones or bodies. Standing on the outskirts of this cloudy floating stone island. A mare watches the lanes.

Looking through the scope she sees many small boats in the water. She is young and it’s been years from what she has been told about the lanes being used again. It means life is coming back to normal.

She lifts the looking glass seeing the large airship. She notices on the deck of the airship is a few dragons talking and drinking from something. She stands quickly on her hooves dragons there haven’t been dragons in so long. She flies deeper into the clouds going through many areas of these rocky plans when she finally gets to a bustling city of various ponies and creatures. Including the creatures known as Dragon Hunters.

“Oh, great speaker of the king of the hunters I have news.”

I turn my eyes to the black mare. I look down at her. I am larger than she is. My body is feminine to many of my species. Being one of the females of my race it is normal. I have never taken my mask off to my charges

“You can say my name Nightstar.”

Nightstar smiles weakly

“Sorry, I am just too used to being raised that you’re above us.”

I laugh softly

“We used to be but those are the old days. Now, what is the news?”

NightStar smiles.

“Dragons. There is an airship flying past. I don't know their heading but they have dragons.”

I stopped in my clawed tracks looking down at the mare. I look up at the faces looking up. Seeing Griffins and many races of the old war working together to make a bustling home. They have been raised to not only hunt dragons but to hate them. We don’t even know why we fought the dragons.

“I will talk to the king. Get yourselves ready for a hunt. But I am going to be blunt, we will not kill any of them. We will see what they’re doing and NightStar. Do you mind using yourself as bait?”

NightStar smirks, nodding.

“Sure I will use one of the old boats.”

NightStar trots off getting help from zebras and others to build a boat from the broken parts of the wrecks. I quickly run my fur blowing in the wind. I don't understand why they call me the speaker to the king. I am neither I am just the guard to them I used to be their slaver and they were my slaves. After so long I grew out of it I ran through the old stone magic heading to the kingdom of the dragon hunters.

After a while, I finally saw it. I get to the gate and the guards stop me with their weapons.

“Guardian of the lower races, what brings you here?”

I roll my eyes.

“They’re not lower races, they're smarter than we are. They can grow food and make a living city in our homeland when we only lived for the hunt. Now before you stop me again I need to speak to the king dragons here.”

The guard stares at me, his eyes glowing behind the mask.

“Are you trying to get ahead of the breeding line again with these lies? I would have smelled them.”

I laugh

“Oh, are you thinking I am going to sleep with you again? NightStar saw an airship and now she is getting herself ready to be bait. Are you going to keep stopping me so we can finally put the egos of the dragons back where they belong?”

The guard grunts at the female guard working with him and laughs.

“She got you there, come on in Softheart.”

I groan at my name Soft Heart. I am the most Softhearted of my species. We have lost ourselves since the war between the ponies and the zebras. The hunt has been lost to us we don’t even go to the hunt of the dragon lands anymore. It was more the world is full of danger and since we live a long time we don’t need to worry about food. Since fish and fish is good.

“Alright. I hope he is in a talking mood today.”

I run through the gates heading through the market. Many things are being sold to those brave enough to travel this new world and hunt dragons. It’s been rare for them to find any who don’t fight back. But the stories of dragons becoming more and more scarce is starting to worry us.

I look at one of the market stalls selling weapons in the places below. I stop to look at one of these weapons. I don’t see the point of them. I would rather be close in the face of the one I am fighting. Oh, I need to tell the king about the dragons I quickly run again running through many of my species as they work with the lower races they call them. One is even married to a griffin female and I turn looking at something new from the ground below the Order of Mimic.

I never noticed this before. I tried to move on but I was stopped by one of my species in a cloak with his mask off showing his face. A strange symbol on his chest was smirking. He bows his head. It's been years since I saw what we look like. Long sharp teeth, we forgot we are not only dragon hunters. We are an offshoot of dragons who got robbed of what they gave us. I groan hating we are a mix.

“Escaping from the will of Mimic?”

I stare at him.

“Listen I need to talk to the king I have seen dragons.”

The Order of mimic dragon hunter smirks

“Hmm, I see those days are far behind me. But go on and take the glory of Mimic with you.”

I walk past him looking back real quick at the Order of Mimic. I am starting to worry now that we have never needed them before. Why are they showing up now? I heard stories about them but had never seen them before. They said something about the balance of the world. Are we part of this balance? I shake my head. It's best not to think about it anymore.

Finally getting to the gate the king is out among the rest of us. I pant falling to my knees and groaning a bit.

“Softheart?”

I smirk weakly looking up at the king. The king is such a beauty of our race. He has been king as long as Celestia and Luna. Longer even I stand back up groaning, bowing down to him.

“My king dragons.”

The king who we have called over the years Dragon Slayer Golden Mane holds his old blooded spear tightly.

“Dragons to hunt after all these years. What do you think we should do Soft Heart?”

I smirk

“Well hunt them but I doubt killing them is going to be a wise idea. We have no idea why they’re coming through here and it’s a big airship. I don’t know how big it is but there are rumors from below about a big airship going through the lands to save them. At least that is what we have been told by the birds.”

Golden Mane sighs.

“I agree that killing them is something we can no longer do. What is your plan?”

I chuckle

“NightStar is going to make herself bait and we will see how close she gets to them. If she can at least stop them for a time we can finally have a hunt this time though there will be blood, just no death.”

Golden Mane laughs.

“Even though most of us remember why we hunt dragons, the younger generation doesn’t see the point of it. It was the old way to become an adult. Now killing dragons in a world dead like this is not the best idea. We won’t kill them, it will be a challenge.”

I chuckle, bowing to my king.

“I am asking those of what most call the lower races to give themselves at the bait.”

Golden Mane signs laughing.

“I don’t consider them lower races any longer; they worked to become part of us. Their families worked hard to prove themselves to us. You’re no longer their slave master Softheart you’re now their friend. We will call the other villages in our lovely home to help this attack.”

I nod standing up.

“I will go see if Nightstar has everything ready and then we will wait for her to call us.”

The king nods and I head back noticing everyone in the village helped Nightstar make a makeshift airship; it will fall out of the air right after she is pushed out of the clouds.

“Have you kept an eye on them Nightstar?”

NightStar nods.

“They landed on the water and let the wind take them. I think for now it’s a new shift and they don’t have enough fuel to fly or their flight core might overheat. Who knows I will let you when I get in there.”

I watch the many races help push the makeshift small airship off the side. I give her a wave and she nods, waving her hoof at me. I go to my home in the middle of the town. I made it in the middle of the town many years ago. To show them I am above them but now I am just like them. I go through my old boxes to find my armor.

I pull out dragon bone armor and grab another weapon staring at the gun made of space metal. I hold the mighty spear in my claws. I am told I can’t hurt anyone who has been touched by the moon and stars. I have never run into any of them during my attacks on the dragons of old.

___________

Nightstar

Being an earth pony you would think stuff like this would be easy. But sadly we couldn’t find any hoof braces for this airship. I get out of the cover of the clouds. I see them down there they’re moving very slowly. I have never seen such a big ship before. I wonder what they’re carrying. I grab the flare gun to make sure they see what is going on. I fire it into the air and it lights up the night sky.

I then click a box a zebra potion maker made for me and the entire back of the airship catches on fire. I try to fly toward them or close enough for them to see me. I brace myself knowing this is going to cause me a great deal of pain. I hit the water at breakneck speeds, the airship shatters on the water and I swim up to get on a plank of wood. This is the dumbest idea we have ever thought of.

“Mare overboard!!!”

I heard a voice scream. I groan why oh why did I do this stupidity? We could have just invaded them very easily. After a while I see a boat from the airship come towards me and help me out. I shiver from how cold the water is.

“It’s okay we will get you to a doctor”

I stare wide-eyed at the turtle creature. I notice next to her a camel is helping her save me. I have heard of camels before you never betray them and they will always remember if you do. They will tell those after them to hunt you.

“Oil, let's get her into the hospital quickly. She looks like she is freezing to death.”

Oil laughs.

“Gizmo it’s fine she wasn’t in the water for very long.”

We get back on the ship and I am carried to the airship sickbay. I look around seeing so many different creatures and I get a good look at them all. It's not just dragons here, they're full of a community. Why are they here? I hear the PA system turn on.

“This is Gem everyone, we will be staying on the water a bit longer. The flying system needs more time to cool down. When it’s cool we will continue our path to Dream Valley.”

I heard the word Dream valley. They’re going to invade the home of the ponies of old. Are these treasure hunters? My family came from Dream valley many of us came from Dream Valley. Even the zebras.

I need to stop them. I have no idea how though. When I get to the sick bay I am placed on a bed and towels are used to drying me off. I groaned the cold did hurt me some so did the crash at least I don’t have any broken bones.

“Most of the health workers are asleep. I will wake up our doctor. I am going to head back to the core and see if we can fix the flying system. I will see you tonight my dear Gizmo.”

The camel smiles sweetly at the turtle. The turtle nods heading out while I watch them kiss. I stare at this and I shake my head. What type of place is this? I lay on the bed staring at the photos. I am guessing these are the friends of the doctor. I look at the pink bug in the photo. It’s a photo of a wedding.

Before I could do anything I heard hooves trotting in.

“Oh hmm, I heard you crashed into the water.:”

I stare into the eyes of the yellow mare. I see she has been through much just staring into her eyes. I look back at the photo while the yellow mare checks me over. She follows what I am looking at and giggles.

“I see you found my wife.”

Wife?

“Forgive me for not speaking so much. I am Nightstar. I have been trying to find my way back home. But the airship I had didn’t work so well.”

Melody smiles.

“Of course, I am Melody, the doctor of this lovely airship. My friends and I have almost been on this airship for a full year. We might have passed the year for all I know. We will figure it out when we get to Dream valley.”

I tilt my head.

“Dream Valley exists? I thought it was just a legend for ponies to tell their children.”

Melody nods.

“I thought so too then I came on this journey out of a request for.”

Before Melody could finish, a blue dragon walked into the room. I stare at her in awe of a real dragon. I notice her wings are broken. The dragon walks over to me and looks at me over I feel a bit worried about what she might smell on me.

“Hmm, Melody, is she able to walk?”

Melody nods.

“She is well enough to walk.”

Gem smiles.

“Thank you, daughter-in-law.”

Melody laughs.

“I am never going to get used to being your daughter-in-law. Since I married your adoptive daughter.”

Gem smirks. I follow the blue dragon through the airship. I get a good look at everything including a sign saying to the power core. I am wondering if I can shut the power down and make it easier for the others to invade. Before I could say anything I saw floating armor with nothing inside. I watch while more living creations are talking to one of the large machine guns on a stand talking to their cleaner.

The one named Gem leads me to her office and I sit down on the couch.

“So my question is, are you from the city on the water of the Metal ring?”

The metal ring? I know about it and many of us trade with them. I have never gone down to speak with them. I know some of the others have and they only let a few talk with them. I shook my head

“No, I am not from there.”

I look up at the painting on the wall of a mare in various sexual positions. Gem follows my eyes to what I am seeing and she laughs.

“That is Cranberry, my wife. I have been away from her for almost a year to help her adoptive daughter with her journey.”

A weak smile forms on my face.

“Journey? I don’t have a right to know about your journey. I could find a ship from you and get my way back home. Now I am getting tired. Is there a place I can stay?”

Gem chuckles.

“I don’t sleep much so you can stay here. I need to ensure our ship's flying part is worked on. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want. Then we can help you get on your way. But our journey will not wait for anyone; we need to be going as quickly as we can.”

Gem leaves the room and I lay my head on the nice couch, closing my eyes and opening them quickly. I stand out of the couch looking around to make sure no one is coming. I close my eyes using the magic inside me. I have been trained by the dragon slayers to use the power within me. I vanish from sight using my natural stealth magic. Magic I got from being a mix of a salamander from the island of devil's due.

I look back at the paintings on the wall and I finally get a good look at the pink bug. Oh my, it’s a magic eater from Devils Due from what my parents have told me the minions of Majesty and if the rumors are true Majesty is no longer the queen of their lovely home.

I get out of the room, sneaking through and concentrating to make sure the innate magic of mother is working through my bloodstream. I open my eyes, getting the vision of my eyes shifting from a mare's to a salamander's eyes of seeing heat.

I walk through the halls, my hooves slowly stepping on the wooden part of the ship. I groan a bit, doing this is also painful. I may be half and half but the pony genes fully are in control. It took learning from my mother and training from the dragon slayers to fully accept this power in my body. I follow the signs leading me through the area. I stop watching the turtle talking to a Kirin.

“So you rescued someone from the water?”

I stare at the kirin she is wearing earrings of a sea raider she even speaks like one. She has an accent but speaks normally without the sea words.

“Heh yes I did and Oil kind of made a show in front of her.”

The kirin laughs.

“Hmm how about the three of us give the entire airship a show Gizmo.”

The old turtle blushes.

“You two are too much for this old girl. I don’t think it would be wise to show them how we are.”

The kirin laughs.

“I need to go check on Ruby anyway…I have been told not to stay there long.”

Gizmo smiles.

“Alright, I am going to go get a later dinner. I am going to see if Mellow is still awake.”

The mare waves to her.

“Later Gizmo.”

Gizmo grabs the mare tightly, kissing her on the lips.

“Take care Wicker and stay safe.”

The mare laughs and walks away heading the other way. I shake my head that it’s not rare to see same-sex couples in the community I am from. But it’s rare to see them this open. I wonder if there is something about this community. They’re so open to each other and it’s rare for anyone in my community to be this open.

I don’t think I will be able to shut down this airship. I am starting to realize this might be something from the old war. I follow to the core and when I get to the door I finally notice its old war technology we have seen at home. There is no way I will be able to break into this. I quickly move to the deck. I grab a mirror to use the light of the moon to shine on the others.

_____________

Soft heart Eyes

In the darkness of the clouds, I stand on one of the old airships that haven’t been used in years. I see the single heading to the throne room on the airship bowing to the king. He looks down at me while he is surrounded by many guards of our kind.

“My king Nightstar has infiltrated the airship. She has now told us to attack what should we do my king?”

Golden mane nods. He grabs a speaker to speak to the other ships.

“It’s time to attack, remember no deaths, don't use the bladed side of your weapons. Make sure you use bean bag bullets and don’t kill anyone. They will not do the same. Fight like we are killing them just remember again no deaths. We will make sure the dragons of this airship bow to us and then we will help them repair as warriors should.”

I roll my eyes there is no way we will get these dragons to bow to us.

“My king there is no way they will bow to us. But we can try to get them to bow to us.”

The king just sends me away. I get back to the bridge grabbing a mirror to shine to the others to get ready to attack. We head down using the clouds to ensure we are hidden and when we get close fire on the ship begins to burn. An alarm sounds and I hover over the ship and get off it with the king joining me and many joining us.

“Remember to keep the other airships away, we might need you just in case they break us.”

It’s odd though why aren’t they attacking?

“Nightstar what did you see?”

Nightstar shrugs her shoulders.

“I didn’t get to see much. They have things pretty hard locked down and I met the captain. I am sure she is the captain. She is married to a pony.”

I am confused. Have times changed that much?

“The captain is a dragon?”

Nightstar nods.

“Yes, they’re searching for Dream Valley.”

Dream Valley the land of legend? The land of ponies who fought the judges of the stars and lost? I wondered and before I could think anymore I thought I was insane but suits of armor came out of the door leading below with no one inside and tables and chairs and even guns on stands.

I quickly grab my weapon and the others fight these objects. They aren’t living so the others began to crush and break the tables and other odds and ends. The armor on the other hand is harder to take down. You take a part of the armor from them. I swung my hand for others to join me while the king and his guards fought off the objects. I have a zebra and salamander who is Night stars mother and Nightstar herself.

When we get below a raptor creature jumps out of the side swinging at us with her sword. I grab my spear holding it tightly as I block the attack and I stare at her weapon. It’s made from the same metal as mine.

“Amandla now!!”

The raptor backs away and I hear a weapon turning on. I quickly get out of the way as a spray of what are called bullets comes towards us. I look down at NightStar and the other Salamander.

“Nightstar can you and your mother handle this one?”

The Salamander inflates her chest boasting as all her species do.

“My daughter and I can do anything!!”

Nightstar laughs and they both vanish. Before I could do anything the raptor struck again I am ready this time I grab the tail of the raptor staring into her eyes.

“Forgive me, warrior.”

I take the butt of my spear to knock her out. She quickly uses her claws to get out of the way and bounce off me. It takes a zebra I brought with me to toss a potion at the raptor and she freezes in place the mare snickers.

“Freezing brew will thaw out in a few hours.”

The raptor screams and tries to move but she can’t. She moves her eyes and I hear the large metal creature scream. As I looked to see, the two turned off the armor by pulling out the core. They take the helm off and I stare at the donkey. I walk to the donkey and see she is from Junk island. We are attacking a citizen from a community we are in a pact with.

Before she can speak I knock her out with the butt of my spear.

“Alright, let's find the dragons and take care of them. Lead the way to their captain please NIghtstar.”

Before Nightstar could speak, a strange bird attacked us with the same metal on her wings. I stare at the bird while the others use their weapons to save me. A Panna, a powerful race from Dream valley? Then a stone back from Dream valley with cybernetics comes from behind her attacking us.

I need to do quick thinking of course the zebra does the quick thinking for me. She tosses two more freezing potions, hits the stone back and the Panna gets the brunt of it in her wing. I quickly catch her so her wing doesn't shatter.

“We aren’t here for you little species of legend. We are here for the dragons.”

The Panna stares at me.

“They have done nothing to you dragon slayer. You have no right to attack us. All we are doing is getting to Dream Valley. The stars are guiding a friend of ours telling her to get to Dream Valley.”

The stars are speaking to a friend of theirs guiding them to Dream valley.

“This is a matter of honor to us great Panna. We will let you go after we deal with the dragons. Don’t worry there will be no deaths even when we deal with the dragons. It’s a matter of honor to us to force them to bow.”

Panna laughs.

“Could have fooled me, creature. I stare at you I see the Storm, King”

The Storm King? That foolish of a yeti who stole our power and our staff?

“We aren’t like that fool Storm King but why bring him up when the ponies of old killed him years ago.”

Before the Panna could speak, the salamander with us wrapped her up in a tail to silence her, constricting her enough to not harm her but to knock her out and she unwrapped her tail, leaving her on the floor.

“Was that really necessary Night Storm? I get your salamander doesn’t normally listen.”

The dark-skinned Salamander stares up at me smirking.

“Eh, you want dragons, you're just going to sit here wasting our time talking to her. Don’t worry she will be fine.”

The king comes down and he sighs.

“Well we took care of them, we have a lot of wounded above. I called one of the airships to take them home.”

I bow to the king.

“Sir, they're heading to Dream valley. One of them is being guided by the stars, at least that is their story.”

The king tilts his head.

“Guided the stars Dream valley? Soft Heart it would mean much if we could understand what this means. But our honor demands dragon blood to spill.”

I stood back up nodding.

“Let's go find these dragons then.”

Night Storm stays behind to watch the ones we already took care of While Night Star. Golden mane and the zebra mare named Brewsong come with us. She looks through her bags for potions.

“I got enough for a few more. I doubt I can take on an entire crew. Let's find these dragons quickly.”

Nightstar leads us to the office of the dragon and when we get inside the Blue dragon is looking out the window. The blue dragon turned around and I got a good look at her wings. They’re unable to move or fly on those again.

“Stories of your kind have been going through for years. I have faced species like you before and the ones I met didn’t want to harm dragons but learn from them. What is the difference with your sect or pack as they call them?”

The blue dragon turns to look at Nightstar smiling.

“I figured you dropping out of the sky was too good to be true. I had to see if you were a pony or a fool. It turns out you’re nothing but a slave to the dragon killers.”

Nightstar snorts.

“I am no slave I helped them willingly”

Gem laughs.

“I see well you showed the wife of a magic eater what you did.”

I look closely at the paintings on the wall. I see the pink bug and my eyes go wide, a magic eater? We have been hearing rumors from those who come to trade with us from below of a strange magic eater coming through the sea. I have to ask a question

‘Before we both go on and all this crazy you won’t win blah blah we won’t win blah blah.”

I turn to Golden mane.

“Shut up my king. Let me ask you a question.”

Gem and Golden mane stare at me.

“Tell me we have been hearing rumors about this ship. It stopped in the land of I can’t remember the cat creature's name. But this ship was there and helped them bring back their community.”

Gem nods.

“Yes that is us but why?”

Wonderful we are attacking the adventures who have been helping others and now we are demanding their dragons bow to us.

“Listen, I may be asking too much but can I fight you one-on-one if you win I will go with you. If you lose I will force you to bow either way we will help you repair what we destroyed. Thankfully we didn’t destroy much and we will help you fill your food stores.”

Gem chuckles.

“You want to fight me one on one? Alright if it will get you off my ship faster and make sure no one else gets hurt. I will have a neutral party be the judge for the fight. I will meet you back on the deck.”

I followed the others back up. Night Storm was chatting with another of her species. Wait, there are Salamanders here?

“Night Storm, did you find another of your species?”

The male looks up.

“Oh, you must be the one attacking the airship. Hi, I am one of the ones that are the bridge crew. I am normally asleep around this time but you woke me up.”

Night Storm smirks

“Yes I am asking him what it’s like at Devil's Due and he said a hero of legend went through and took down the queen.”

The salamander laughs.

“Yes, now I am on this journey with one of the former minions of the queen, and let's just say we bridge crew don’t respect her. I asked if you came to kill her so we can go back home.”

Gem slaps the head of the Salamander and he stares up at Gem gulping.

“Get back to work, Sludge.”

The salamander Sludge salutes the dragon running off waving goodbye to Night Storm.

“Come on, let's get going so we can get this done and back to our path.”

I sigh, nodding following the dragon back up the stairs and waiting on the dock is a turtle. A kirin a yellow pegasus and I stare at the troll.

“Beezen?!”

Golden Manes mouth hangs open a gap.

“I see you lost your way, good king. Be happy I am no longer a judge of the stars or I would put you in your place for attacking an innocent group of friends and heroes. I will look past this since I don’t have the power of the stars. The power of the stars has left me after a hero pretended to kill me. I allowed her to do it so she could understand the world around her will turn on her.”

I know Beezen, one of the judges who helped kill the ponies of old. He hadn’t been seen at her home for so long that we thought he was dead. I grab my spear and hold it tightly in my claws as they see the name.

“Hopes arm will ring true.”

Beezen smirks

“Gem, are you sure you can win this fight?”

Gem laughs.

“I doubt I can but it will keep them from going deeper into the ship and opening the door to Ruby and regretting pissing off a magic eater who is laying eggs. They tried very hard to kill any of us but I worry they could have caused a nasty chain reaction to some of the dragons on the ship.”

I held the spear tightly and Gem put on her armor. I haven’t fought with a dragon for years. I take a deep breath, Holding the spear tightly while I hear music in my heart. The music of this world, the magic of this world.

“Fight together..fight as one.”

Golden mane sings.

“Fight for honor, fight for glory. Let the drums sing for you, let your heartbeat. While the song comes forth through your steps.”

I stomp my feet. I charge smashing my weapon into the dragon's weapon and we hold tightly staring each other down.

“For my honor, I shall beat you dragon in the name of honor, the name of our song.”

The dragon grunts smirking.

“I don’t care about winning but when I hear the song I hear the beating of my heart. I miss my wife and you’re stopping me from getting back to her. You’re stopping my daughter-in-law's journey, you're a rock in the way.”

Our blades smash into each other again. I feel weaker than I used to be. I haven't trained like I used to. I groan. I haven't been able to fight as I used to every muscle in my body screaming in pain.

“I will not stop till I am back to my wife. I will beat you if I can to get to my wife sooner. A dragon will never bow to you!!”

I notice a yellow Mare coming out on the deck

“Enough of this pointless fighting. You two are acting like children fighting over a toy.”

Gem lowers her weapon. I lower my weapon to look at the yellow mare.

“Gem get over yourself and kneel to them so they leave us alone. If we fight them, we should just kill every one of them.”

I stare at the mare and she turns her angry eyes to Nightstar.

“You betrayed us for what to force the dragons to bow? Just bow to them, they're pointless worthless slayers anyway who have no idea what the real world is like. So enough of this.”

Gem sighs.

“Melody, it's a matter of pride.”

The one named Melody stares at me and then at Gem.

“Pride is what caused the war between ponies and zebras. Why are we going to fall into uncivilized creatures because some idiot wants you to bow to them?”

Gem sighs.

“Look I am sorry about my daughter-in-law. She is correct though the old days are long gone. We used to do this and kill each other in the name of honor. Now, look at us old creatures of the old world looking just for a battle.”

Golden mane strokes his beard.

“One so young seems to understand more about this world than we do. If we fall back into the old world because our honor demands it then she is correct.”

I sigh, grunting, leaning on the spear.

“It’s just as well my body can’t handle this. I need to train.”

Melody snorts again.

“You almost hurt many of us. We are still wounded from a battle not long ago. Trying to help those known as the Upholi get their kingdom back now you invade us. How about you get your honor by helping us repair what you damaged and help our food stores.”

Golden mane strokes his beard again.

“Beezen tell me why do you follow these creatures? Have they proven to you that they will sing to you?”

Beezen smirks

“With the return of Grogar almost certain I feel it’s a way to help them fight the Storm King. When the time comes I will be joining the judges again to fight your father.”

Golden Mane shudders.

“The father of monsters returning I see. And the Storm King has returned, so we need to help you. Are you able to fly?”

Gem shakes her head.

“Your attack did something to our core for flying broke again. We have no idea what is going on. It was overheating at first. Now it’s smoking and needs some new parts to work on mind helping us with this?’

Golden mane nods.

“Yes, also Soft Heart. When we get back we need to talk.”

I sigh, nodding to my king and helping Gem and the others I got to know. Gizmo I am happy I didn’t fight her. We had a good chat from the old gal to the old gal.

“So then Ruby attacked the guard with the shovel to prove a point, and I loved it.”

I laugh loudly.

“She sounds like an interesting creature. So tell me why did you follow them on this journey?”

She shrugs her shoulders.

“I don’t know, I felt it was the right thing to do. Tell me why you feel it was wise to attack us?”

I shake my head.

“Honor demanded it. I don’t get it but honor demands it.”

I help Gizmo and others help us get ropes tied to other ships and we lift the ship to our home. It takes a few hours but we carry it to an old airship repair station which hasn’t been used in a long time. Our old workers wake up from their slumbers and notice the ship.

I give them a nod.

“Alright how about we do this for you all of you leave the ship we will repair it and you go wander around.”

Gem nods.

“Alright I will go.”

Beezen stops Gem from speaking about someone he shakes his head. I see him speak only with his mouth. I can make some of it. ‘She is not ready to be released yet.”

Gem nods and after at least a day all the crew is taken off the ship as most of them stay to help. The dragons stay to help Gizmo carry the ones we hurt to the office to help get the freezing potion off. Golden Mane and I lead the remaining ones called the heroes. The others will join us soon as we bring them to our home.

______________

Ruby a few days later.

My vision turns back to normal. I look around noticing I am in a dark room. I turn the light on and see all the eggs are laid. I groan deeply stroking my ass. How the hell do queens do this day in and day out?

I smirk weakly stroking my eggs and whispering to them. I need their magic so they will go dormant for a time till more magic is infused into them. Thankfully they won’t die but I live one up to the light to see the little one forming inside.

“Hello, I am your mother.”

I give off a buggy purr but I notice something we aren't moving anymore. I head out of the room looking around. I smell blood and I don’t know whose blood it is. I also smell smoke like we have been attacked.

I look out the window and we are on a strange floating island. I sense the magic here. I groan feeling in pain looking down at various creatures working on the ship taking parts from it and they go inside.

I don’t see my friends. Wait, did they kill them? Did they steal the ship from their dead claws? I quickly go through the airship seeing no one, not even Beezen. I look to see many of the creations Beezen brought to life broken and destroyed. No, my friends, the ones I talked to no…NO! It means Melody is alive or dead.

I quickly fly to our room and get my armor and my weapons. I look at the door knob and he is still asleep. I sigh, put my armor on and quickly fly to get out of the airship. I hide quickly seeing these strange creatures coming in carrying stuff in. I see a mare with them. I need something to eat. I am hungry. My stinger comes out of the armor and I quickly jab the large creature from behind. I force the venom into them.

“Wait, what is going on?”

The male groans.

“I don’t know. Warn them, NightStar.”

I quickly grab the mare while the large creature falls and shudders. I let out hungry buzzes. I am starving. I put my sword to the mare's neck, shuddering to whisper.

“Don’t move this will go quickly then I can go save my friends or avenge their deaths”

The mare shudders and shakes.

“But…we haven’t harmed them.”

I don’t know why but my mind makes it sound like yes we have harmed them. I shudder deeply, so hungry. My mental mind is still affected by laying eggs. My mind is full of judgment errors.

“LIER!! There is blood on the ship and the creations a friend brought to life are destroyed. I was friends with them as well. You’re going to help me by giving me every part of your magic.”

My helmet opens up and I jab my jaws into the mare's neck. I taste her blood. She is a mix of a species I have feasted on before. The mare grows older and I make sure I don’t kill the mare I take enough just to get around. I toss her to the ground staring down at her.

The mare turns her head weakly to stare at me. She screams for help and I quickly fly into the night to get my revenge.

End Part one

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