In the old days of Dream valley, I thought I was crazy and insane. I thought these ponies I saw were just my imagination like the old days. These days though I doubt it’s my imagination I think fully I am seeing all these ponies and fighting this large creature. I don’t know what to expect anymore. I have been on many journeys with them. I have fought the smooze with them. I have fought so much with them. This might be my final battle with them. My sister Molly and my brother Danny left with WindWhisler to head back to our world. The Mooochick went into hiding with a spell and it was just my friends and me. I know we will lose and someday we'll be found. Hopefully, someone will read my history and tell those I care about that I love them. I hope to see them again someday.

Written many years ago by Megan Williams.

_____________________

Eyes of Ruby

It’s been a week since we left the floating kingdom. I spent most of my time away from my eggs. I didn’t want to connect with them. I may have moved on or tried to move on as the dragoness asked me to do. I have spent most of my time on my own watching the world go by as we fly.

Melody sits beside me setting down food.

“Ruby?”

I look over to Melody, a gentle smile forming on my face.

“Yes, my dear Melody?”

Melody chuckles

“You have been here ever since we left the kingdom in the sky. Are you okay, haven't you gone to see your eggs since we set down the shield?”

I shook my head.

“No. I have been thinking of what the queen told me. The flames of truth it’s not the first time I have heard these words. Each time I think about them I hear a song deep in my heart. I want to sing it but I am scared to do so.”

Melody sighs, stroking my back with her wing.

“Ruby, you need to sing this song to relax. We should be close to Dream Valley and should have been there by now from what Gem told me. From what she told me Dream valley is hidden through magic and most magic keeps things or areas hidden because of emotions. The emotions on this airship haven’t been the best. I feel a song would do us all wonders including you.”

I shook my head.

“I don’t have the heart to sing Melody. I haven’t after we left all I may have moved on. I may have felt the song in my heart. But I no longer feel that song in my heart. I think the only way I will feel up to singing ever again is if it helps.”

Melody sighs standing up on her hooves and kissing my cheek.

“Ruby, when you feel like singing again, I will talk below talking with Beezen. I am going to try to find a way to help you get over this funk if it’s the last thing I do.”

I watch Melody leave to head back below. As I look back to see the endless clouds blocking the way to Dream Valley. All I can think of right now is eating and wondering if this journey is even worth ending. Lifting the plate to eat the food.

“So many care about you little bug. You seem to ignore their feelings about what they want. Are you this selfish into thinking you’re the only one that matters?”

I glance at Soft Heart. She sits down beside me looking over at the clouds like I am. Am I being selfish? Maybe I have been on this journey for so long. I have had my eggs and now I am waiting for the next horseshoe to be tossed.

“My kind normally follows the strong, not the weak. I see you as strong but you also need to remember. You’re not the only one on this flying ship. Many are here helping you with your journey. To bring back balance to the stars. To some, it’s a small journey to bring back balance to the stars. The stars are no big deal to many but the zebras and those who follow everything the stars do.”

I let out a soft sigh.

“I know Hunter and Lotus, two zebras told me so much. I miss them all. I miss every single friend I ever made. I never got a chance to say goodbye to either of them. I worry when I return things are gonna be ten times worse.”

Soft Heart laughs. I turn to stare at the dragon hunter. She keeps wearing the mask that hides what she looks like. From what Gem told me it’s to keep the other dragons from the truth. Dragon hunters or in their own words Dragon Slayers are an offshoot of them.

“Ruby, I haven't known you for very long. When we first met you blew up or tried to blow up half of my home because you felt we attacked you. To be honest we did it mainly because we saw the dragons. If we knew about your journey we would have never attacked. So as your new friend open your heart and let the music of this world go inside you.”

I set the empty plate down, sighing and looking away.

“The music in my heart is no longer there. I just feel nothing but glum the last few days. I did so much to move on I still feel emptiness.”

Soft Heart sighs.

“Maybe you need to admit to yourself this one called Scaled Wing never loved you.”

I hear his name and tears fall down my face. I just feel the emptiness in my heart growing. I loved him. He even said to me he did so. He even said he would wait for me. I am guessing he never thought I would be shot like I was.

“I Ruby I am sorry I didn’t mean to say his name.”

I chuckle half sobbing.

“No. I needed to hear those words even if I didn't want them to be true. I love Melody so much and I thought I could share him with her. I highly doubt she wants to herd a male of my species who did what he did to me.”

Soft Heart sighs.

“Love is not easy to understand these days. The world is so broken, slowly healing and some rush into things. Because they never know if the world will break them. The world wants to not only break them, but the Golem and the dealer want them to suffer.”

I turn my eyes to stare at Soft Heart.

“You have been alive longer than most of us. Tell me does the hurt of loss ever go away.”

Soft Heart takes a moment to answer. She lets out a deep sigh shaking her head.

“It will go away. It's best to not forget the pain either. The pain will make you stronger and help you learn the path of forgiveness. Even though you may never want to forgive this male. It’s best to allow yourself to move on. I think you may have told my queen you have moved on. But you fully haven’t. You’re upset you didn’t get to say goodbye to your friends. You’re worried the land is not going to be what it was when you left. Ruby, they have moved on without you, don't let this community on this ship move on without you.”

I look away grabbing the plate to head downstairs.

“Ruby..”

I turn around to stare at Soft Heart.

“Let me take your plate to mellow. I think you need a long time to think.”

I shake my head, setting the plate back down and sitting back at the spot I was. Soft Heart takes the plate and leaves. I just stare watching the clouds form to keep us from finding Dream Valley. As I get more and more upset and sadder the clouds form into storm clouds and rain begins to pour on me. Before I get any wetter something blocks the rain from hitting me. I look up seeing Beezen holding an umbrella for me.

“Melody asked me to come up and talk with you. Ruby, why are you acting like your world is ending? You need to stop acting like everything is falling apart around you. I get it you never got to say goodbye. So many want what is best for you and right now. What is best for all of us? It is getting to Dream Valley. If things don’t change soon Gem is going to turn us around. We will head back to Widowmaker and the balance will never be restored.”

I chuckle weakly.

“Beezen you should be able to get us through this spell. You have been to Dream Valley aren’t you from Dream valley?”

Beezen shakes his head.

“Yes, I may be from Dream Valley. Things have changed so much because of a group who went there to break a time spell. It didn’t only break the spell but caused the citizens of the valley to add more defenses.”

Looking away back to the clouds.

“So if I don’t get over myself and finally move fully on like the queen back on the floating island told me to. Then I won’t get the journey complete and just return to the pit of sand where I belong.”

Beezen sighs shaking his head.

“Ruby, I know you don’t want to move on. I know you don’t want it to be admitted to you that Widowmaker desert and your own home Devils Due moved on without you. The entire world moved on without you while you were cocooned and now it’s moving on without you again. If you keep letting your depression and admit to yourself what you’re doing is just to restore the balance and then go back and fight the Storm King with the others.”

I look away from Beezen sighing.

“I don’t know if I can move on to Beezen. I want to but my heart is telling me I can’t. I can’t admit he didn’t love me. I can’t admit when I return my friends are going to want nothing to do with me. I can’t handle it.”

Beezen sighs.

“Ruby you infused your magic into Melody. You know what that means don’t you?”

I glance at Beezen nodding.

“She will live as long as I do and she will slowly mutate into a species like me as the years go by. She will lose more and more of her pony body. I even warned her before I did it that she will no longer be a pony when the years go by.”

Beezen nods.

“It means she will be with you till the time comes. There will be a time before your body can keep you alive any longer. She will go with you on every path and follow you on every journey. If you can’t move on because of Scaled Wing and the others moving on without you. Then you have no right to do this journey. You should just return and let the Storm King and Wheel tread beat you and then force you to be under them as a slave. If you choose this path then I no longer see the strong creature. I see a pathetic little bug who can’t let it go.”

I buzz angrily but he is right. If I can’t let my broken heart let me go because of Scaled Wing and the others then I need to say goodbye to him. I close my eyes tightly. Tears falling on the deck add to the rain.

“Did he ever tell you how he treated me when he and I met?”

Beezen nods

“He told me he called you worthless and treated you in his words trash. He told me before you even hatched from your cocoon he was going to try to express how he felt about you. Then he told me he didn’t do either, just wanted to do something to remember you. I never figured he would mate with you.”

I let out a soft sigh.

“It’s pretty normal for our species never to be in love. We just expand our broods. But I wanted to feel love for once in my life. I think he shows he never wanted to show love in his heart. He just wanted to expand his brood. I can’t argue with it but for once I just wanted love.”

Beezen chuckles.

“You have it now, is Melody not enough?”

I was about to speak and then it hit me. He is correct. I moved on from Scaled Wings. I even laid his eggs. I am upset that he used me. Yes, I am upset that he may have found someone else. I am upset I may never get to raise the eggs myself. Yes, I am but if I moved on in my heart why can’t my heart let me?

“There is more to this than you think Ruby. I think you’re upset about being given to the Storm King to face judgment. Your friends tried to save you. Dunewalker betrayed you and the others. You need to fully move on. You need to accept you may never see them again. Dream Valley could be the end of your journey. The time walkers were lucky Ruby we might not be that lucky. This land is not for the faint of heart.”

I close my eyes tightly.

“Beezen, what happens if I forgive them all?”

Beezen smirks.

“They may not know you forgive them. They may not know you forgive them, but you must follow the last part of your journey. I heard you saw them when you went to the queen. You need to speak to them again. They might hear you but it’s for your mind only. Ruby I am going to head below. If you start singing and the clouds begin to the part we will join you. But if not we will return no harm done and things will go back to normal for you.”

Beezen stood up heading below. I close my eyes tightly. I open my eyes again, turning to stare at my friends. Are they here with me this time or are they just here to fully say goodbye to me? The first one I need to say goodbye to is Dunewalker. I turn to the camel with a weak smile on my face.

“Dunewalker there are many things left unsaid. I wish I could have said goodbye to you before whatever you did happen”

Dunewalker laughs

“I will be honest Ruby, your mind must be awful if you can see us. But I think you need to use this world full of magic and full of wonder. We could be talking to you for all I know. But if I did what you think then Dunewalker is long dead. The real soul will take control of the former body.”

I smile weakly so the truth then.

“Then I will say goodbye to you then. I forgive you for everything Dunewalker. I am sorry for everything.”

Dunewalker smirks

“Well, buggy, I should tell you I am sorry for everything. I hope I will be able to see you when and if you return. I will be truthful to you. We both know I will not see you but if my body and old soul take full control they will do whatever they can to make it up to you.”

I take a deep breath.

“I feel the only thing I can say to all of you is this. I love every single one of you my friends. Keep moving on without me. I will stop allowing this journey to stop me from moving on it’s time for my soul to move on. Now it’s time for me to say goodbye to you all.”

I stand in front of them looking at all my friends.

“Goodbye to all of you. If I return I will become a stronger little bug.”

Tick Tock nods vanishing into the mist. Inyanga vanished into the mist and the others followed. The last one to do so is Cranberry. All she does is nod to me. I wish they were here and now. The last thing I can do is speak to Scaled Wing. At least say what I think to him.

“You used me…you said you would wait for me and all you did was force your eggs inside me. Then I had to have Beezen tell me how you felt.”

Scaled Wing rolls his eyes.

“You’re being silly again Ruby. I had to deal with you for a month and I learned the real you is a childish bug.”

I growl softly, buzzing angrily.

“You’re not here and just this chat is pissing you off. I am going to find you for real when we get back and I will have words with you.”

Scaled Wing laughs.

“Then continue your journey and stop holding back. You need to move on from what happened to you and the world moved on without you. Sing Ruby, I will be honest I could have deep respect and love for you for all you know. But it’s time for you to move on and you can’t just keep it in.”

I close my eyes looking over the side.

“Everyone, we are getting ready to turn around. We can’t find a way through the magic spell. The only way we could was to sing and many of us haven’t been in a singing mood since we left. Don’t consider this journey a failure; we did all we could. But it’s time and we can no longer waste fuel trying to find a way through this spell. I am sorry, my friends.”

I am sure Gem is happy to be returning. But I can’t go back without finishing this journey and I made a promise to Jumper I would make a deal with Omega. I have to do what I can and all I can do is what is the time for me to do it. I close my eyes tightly, tears falling to the water below. Goodbye, my friends, I love you all. I feel the music of the world playing and all I can do is join in with the music.

“Oh, powerful magic. I have no right to sing to you. I have no right to do anything with a powerful magic set like you dear Dream Valley. All I can do is bring the journey back to my heart. Oh to the story below I see my journey has come to a close. The final task of my journey is to follow the path to Dream Valley like the ponies of old.”

I stare at the clouds, seeing a rainbow form. The rainbow glows brightly dimming a bit to show the emotions of this ship overriding this journey. I quickly fly to Gem’s office and notice she is not there and I feel the ship slowly turning around. I quickly grab the microphone for the PA system. I softly began to sing.

“Come let us follow the rainbow on our path. Don’t let the pain control who you are.”

______________

Gizmo

Oil went to deal with some issues on the bridge and I am alone right now. Since Wicker needed to deal with some demon of the sea stuff I guess. I had a lot of time to think I care deeply for both of them. If we don’t finish this journey even then I was going to ask them to come and live with me back home.

I grab a wrench to tighten some screws when I hear the PA system come on.

“Everyone, we are getting ready to turn around. We can’t find a way through the magic spell. The only way we could was to sing and many of us haven’t been in a singing mood since we left. Don’t consider this journey a failure; we did all we could. But it’s time and we can no longer waste fuel trying to find a way through this spell. I am sorry, my friends.”

I sigh deeply and the emotions are high. I think most of us want to just go home. It’s been this way ever since we got to this wall of clouds that are stopping us from getting into Dream Valley. All I can think of is it might be best to go home. I feel the ship slowly turn around. That’s it then we are heading back.

I hope the path won’t I hear more over the PA system.

“Come let us follow the rainbow on our path. Don’t let the pain control who you are. Allow the laughter to control your emotions. Don’t let your heart stay dark and empty at night. We are here for one another. For the magic of friendship is in our hearts. Oh please, my friends let the Rainbow see who you are.”

I close my eyes, feeling my heart beating. We haven’t had a good song ever since we left the world of the Upholi. Ever since we left we all felt like the pain within was all that is left. Seeing all around us die and those close to us survive. I never knew Gearshift seeing her lying there made me feel awful. After what I did to Wicker I felt even worse. Tears fall down my cheeks. I felt awful ever since we came back. Please oh please Goddess I am sorry for what I did to those in the court. I am sorry for what I did to the king and his queen. Please forgive me. I sob gently.

Now it’s time…to move on.

“The magic…of friendship is in my heart. I will always feel the sadness of what I did but I can’t allow it to control who I am. I always feel what I did but I will look at the faces of those who I love. I will always be there for them because of who I am.”

I head to the Gems office to join in with the song.

________________

Sterling

I have stayed in my room in the airship ever since we got out of the island in the sky. All I can feel is the pain from seeing Gearshift every time I close my eyes. I look outside my window in my room and notice we have been near the same clouds the entire time.

No matter how much we have moved there is no way we will ever come closer to the end of the journey. It’s mainly because of the path being blocked by a spell set by emotions. My emotions are just as bad as well. Mainly because I left my home while they could use everyone to help rebuild.

I crumble another paper trying so hard to make some news. But ever since I have been here all I could think of is dead. I toss it into the ever-growing trash. I take a deep breath feeling tears fall down my cheeks.

“Oh, Gearshift, why did I let you die? Why couldn’t I convince you to stay away from the battle?!”

I growled softly to myself. Others have been worried about me since we left. I have been keeping to myself and it’s all I can do to not want to join Gearshift. But Dancer is waiting for me back home. Including the lost children. They’re no longer lost though.

I rip most of my paper up and toss my pens and quills to the wooden floor sighing weakly. I am so homesick that I want to go home and just get away from this journey. I know I promised I would help bring back the balance but I want to be with Dancer…

“Everyone, we are getting ready to turn around. We can’t find a way through the magic spell. The only way we could was to sing and many of us haven’t been in a singing mood since we left. Don’t consider this journey a failure; we did all we could. But it’s time and we can no longer waste fuel trying to find a way through this spell. I am sorry, my friends.”

When those words come over the PA system I feel my heart at ease. We are returning and it’s all I could do to keep myself from falling apart. I haven’t been on this journey very long with my new friends. I have felt so much pain while I follow them. The ship turns around. I feel the shift, a smile forming on my face, feeling at ease. Static comes over the PA system again another voice comes over it.

“Come let us follow the rainbow on our path. Don’t let the pain control who you are. Allow the laughter to control your emotions. Don’t let your heart stay dark and empty at night. We are here for one another. For the magic of friendship is in our hearts. Oh please, my friends let the Rainbow see who you are.”

I groan no please Ruby doesn't make me feel the need to sing. I turn in my chair seeing Gearshift wait, she is here? Gearshift stands looking around smirking at me.

“Yes, Sterling, I am here. The magic of this land is allowing me to give you one more time to speak to you. This is the only time I am allowed to thank your friend Wicker. The sea demon had to pull a few strings to allow me to show back as a spirit but only this time. So listen to me closely, this will be the only time.”

I stood there staring at her.

“You need to let me go Sterling. I knew what I was getting into and please tell Ruby she did all she could for me and the others. I am here with Nova and Joken. We all are hoping you will continue this path. Please Sterling I loved you so much now you need to move on.”

I let out a weak sigh.

“Gearshift I wish I could have made a family with you. But we both know our lives wouldn’t have been the same after we got our home back.”

Gearshift chuckles and she slowly begins to vanish.

“I can’t stay any longer but I want you to know. You’re stronger than you believe, let the song fill you please Sterling get this journey complete and then return to Widowmaker with Ruby and help her fight the final battle.”

Gearshift vanished before I could say anything. Tears fell down my face looking towards the door. All I can do is sing and join in the song with Ruby. I close my eyes, holding my chest looking at one of my newspaper's freedom.

“We found freedom. It took so long for us to have the freedom we felt we deserved and needed. It is time for us to move on and to sing to the rainbow magic to bring forth our never-ending dream. It’s time to move forward, time to sing, time to bring forth the ending clouds. Allow us oh goddess who watches us from the sky to join the battle of Dream Valley.”

I head to Gem's office to join Ruby in singing this song.

________

Wicker

I don’t get why when sea raiders felt like this they would go attack and pillage and many other unsavory things I didn’t care much for. Now all I can do is worry about my friends. I don’t have anything lingering deep in my heart or soul. I just worry about Gizmo and Oil and how they feel right now. Oil is stressed because of how stressed Gizmo has been lately.

I use my magic to light so many candles around me that I have to speak to the Demon of the sea to help them but I can only help one of my friends. I can’t help Ruby anymore. The demon refuses to help her since she didn’t do anything but keeps focusing on her pain.

I form the ring through the water. I have to do something and now I think the one that needs the most help is Sterling. I can help Gizmo. It's not going to be easy to help Gizmo. She has Oil and I and we will do what we can for her. I light the candles chanting to bring the demon.

“Ay, el gran demonio del mar necesito ayuda. Un amigo se ha perdido y te necesita por favor oh demonio del mar te necesitamos de nuevo.”

After I say the words my horn glows brightly the demon's head forms in the water and he stares at me.

“Okay, Kirin, you have called me so many times now that I am unable to do my task. Now I don’t have a lot of time. What do you need?”

I weakly smile.

“I have a friend who needs to speak to one he loved so long ago. One who died during a battle her name is Gearshift and my friend is Sterling. Could you pull some strings with the keeper of those who passed so he can speak with her one last time?”

The Demon sighs.

“Oh, grandes demonios, solo puedo hacer esto una vez.”

I chuckle

“Thank you.”

The demon rolled his watery eyes and vanished back into the wood of the ship dripping into the water below. I close my eyes heading to rest on my bed, closing my eyes for a while. After at least an hour I open my eyes hearing the PA come on.

“Everyone, we are getting ready to turn around. We can’t find a way through the magic spell. The only way we could was to sing and many of us haven’t been in a singing mood since we left. Don’t consider this journey a failure; we did all we could. But it’s time and we can no longer waste fuel trying to find a way through this spell. I am sorry, my friends.”

My ears droop well at least we will return and maybe Gem will let me leave with Gizmo and Oil. Oil said to me if we don’t make it on the full journey we will train someone else to learn how to keep the core from falling apart so the others can make it back. I get ready to fall back to sleep when I hear a bit of static and hear another voice over the PA.

“Come let us follow the rainbow on our path. Don’t let the pain control who you are. Allow the laughter to control your emotions. Don’t let your heart stay dark and empty at night. We are here for one another. For the magic of friendship is in our hearts. Oh please, my friends let the Rainbow see who you are.”

I just stood there, we turned a bit and Ruby started singing. I am wondering if she finally has gotten over herself and she finally learned that she needed to move on. She will still have everything lingering she will need to face those fears. I think it’s time for me to sing as well. I take a deep breath to let the song fill my heart.

“My story always starts with the sea, the stars above glowing with the moon. The song will always be there when the time comes. The moon shall always glow and start. I feel my heart drifting to the music when the time comes it’s going to be full to the end of the tongue shrilling moment as the music calls to us.”

I head out of my room to Gem's office to join Ruby to sing.

_______________

Joona

I haven’t felt this lost in years. The emotions of this airship have dropped to the point no one is even getting along. It’s why I have stayed in my room ever since we left the floating island of the dragon hunters. I think most are too scared to see what is to come and it’s not going to be easy for everyone.

Beezen and I feel it and all he can do is to keep everyone from falling apart and it’s not going well. I sigh no longer have a home where would I go even if we turn around? I shift on my bed worried about the others. Ruby hasn’t been the same since we came from the island. She was told to move on and she tried so hard.

Rock Back walks into my room since we share the same room and have two beds in here now.

“It’s not very peaceful out there Joona I am worried we may be turning around. I tried to speak to Gem but she is very stressed. I have never seen a dragon’s scales so dim without a shine in them.”

I smile weakly

“Yes, I agree..”

The PA system comes on.

“Everyone, we are getting ready to turn around. We can’t find a way through the magic spell. The only way we could was to sing and many of us haven’t been in a singing mood since we left. Don’t consider this journey a failure; we did all we could. But it’s time and we can no longer waste fuel trying to find a way through this spell. I am sorry my friends.”

Rock Back sighs.

“I had a feeling this would happen.”

Rock Back sits on his bed stroking his neck the mic from what he told me bothers me from time to time. It hurts for him to speak and I do my best to teach him when he is not wearing it. I took a deep breath worried about what is going to happen to the others. The ship turns around and before I leave to talk to Beezen I hear the PA system turn on again.

“Come let us follow the rainbow on our path. Don’t let the pain control who you are. Allow the laughter to control your emotions. Don’t let your heart stay dark and empty at night. We are here for one another. For the magic of friendship is in our hearts. Oh please, my friends let the Rainbow see who you are.”

The feather on my head droops looking over to Rock Back and he smirks. He takes my wing in his claws and we dance. My cheeks glow red from just suddenly dancing with him. He and I have become close as we share the same room. Most would laugh at us for how close but he is the one who understands me more.

“We are a story lost in this broken world. A world that moved on without us. I am a Stone Back you’re a Panna there is no time to do but to sing and to dance. The story will always be moving on without us. My dear friend, let's go sing with our friend Ruby.”

I chuckle Rock Back leaves the room and I shake my head following him feeling the song in my heart.

“We hear that sound… It’s our hearts singing… Come let's join in with the others.”

The two of us Hum as we both walk to Gem’s office to sing with Ruby.

____________

Rhyolite

It’s been days it feels like since we left the island. I used that time to try to relax and find someone to spar with me. It’s been so long since I had a good spar and now. I am losing my ever-loving mind.

We have been stuck close to Dream Valley for almost a week. It has been a week now. Many of us have been close to losing it with each other. I know I got upset with Ruby and almost strangled her. Then I realized I can’t blame her for not fully moving on. She did stay stuck in time for three years and the world and her friends moved on without her.

The only thing keeping me from fully losing it is sharpening and cleaning my armor. I hear static coming over the PA system. It's been at least a while before anything came over this system. I worry Gem finally might have broken down after having enough of the emotions on this ship. I hope if we are turning around that they drop us off back at home.

“Everyone, we are getting ready to turn around. We can’t find a way through the magic spell. The only way we could was to sing and many of us haven’t been in a singing mood since we left. Don’t consider this journey a failure; we did all we could. But it’s time and we can no longer waste fuel trying to find a way through this spell. I am sorry, my friends.”

I close my eyes, sighing I am happy we are finally turning around. The turning of the ship turning around to leave makes me feel more relaxed. I don’t want to feel hope in myself anymore. I just want to get home to my husband. I want to retire and not care what happens to the world around me.

I get ready to put my weapons and armor away to make sure I never have to wear them again. I take a deep breath. I am not even sure I belong in this family any longer. I want to get back home and stay with my race and be at peace. Before I could fully hang up my armor on the stand I brought with me the PA system opened again with static.

“Come let us follow the rainbow on our path. Don’t let the pain control who you are. Allow the laughter to control your emotions. Don’t let your heart stay dark and empty at night. We are here for one another. For the magic of friendship is in our hearts. Oh please, my friends let the Rainbow see who you are.”

Ruby is singing. I hear my hook claw tapping to the song and the music. No please let us go home no I had enough of all this. I can no longer be on this flight. I don’t care about the balance with the stars I have had. Deep in my heart, I care deeply for my new family and I love them. I must see this through.

“It’s time to move on…It’s time to bring forth our dreams of a balanced world. Even if the balance will take years for it to become normal again. It’s our journey to bring to an end. The stars of hope, the stars of dreams. Blood will flow and we will see our family again. It’s no longer time to end. It’s time to move.”

I head out of my room to Gem’s office to join in with the song. I look over to the window to see a rainbow leading us.

_____________

Dust

It’s been at least a week since the floating island and what happened with us. We could have fought them off if we weren't so weak and unsure of ourselves after the deaths. I close my eyes, meditating and relaxing my mind and soul.

I am one of those who know how to control my emotions. It's been so long since my emotions took over and didn’t let me handle the dream. My dream is to get this journey over and get back home. I wonder if Gem will let us leave if we turn back around. I break my mind out of the meditation after I hear the PA system turn on with heavy static from the sound of Gem's voice. She hasn’t been herself for a long time now. I think the fact we are stuck in this place for almost a week bothers her something awful. I worry though Grogar faced her and told her something about her wife.

“Everyone, we are getting ready to turn around. We can’t find a way through the magic spell. The only way we could was to sing and many of us haven’t been in a singing mood since we left. Don’t consider this journey a failure; we did all we could. But it’s time and we can no longer waste fuel trying to find a way through this spell. I am sorry, my friends.”

A weak smile forms across my face. Then it’s done, we will turn back around and the hope in this Airship will come back hopefully and our dreams become normal once again. It’s been years since I had normal dreams. The only dreams I ever cared about were finding Katrina and Rep and putting them in their place till I learned the truth.

I get ready to put up my weapons and never fight again. I was about to toss the daggers made from the metal in space into the sea below. Before I could do so the PA system comes on again and all I hear is static for a bit.

“Come let us follow the rainbow on our path. Don’t let the pain control who you are. Allow the laughter to control your emotions. Don’t let your heart stay dark and empty at night. We are here for one another. For the magic of friendship is in our hearts. Oh please, my friends let the Rainbow see who you are.”

My ears pin to the back of my head. Hope is all we have left, we have nothing else but hope. A song to give us more hope? We have been stuck here for so long that I just want to get back to Rassie. My task has been completed. I made sure Ruby and Melody got married. I have helped them on their journey. Is this the next part of my journey singing and going to Dream Valley? I stood up putting down knives made from the metal from space. I set them back in the case I have for them, closing my eyes. Then we will continue this journey. It's all we can do.

“I walk in the shadows, I observe, I watch, I seek in the name of my king. I kill in the name of the king just to follow the right path. My path is to lead me through the land of the ponies of old. So many creatures we will see, so many dreams we will sing. The song in my heart is no longer lost…”

I head out of my room to head the office to sing with Ruby and I am sure the others have come.

________

Amandla

It’s been at least two weeks or more since the end of the battle. I still feel wounds on my body and it’s been so long since my armor has worked. My armor is going to take a long time to repair and it’s not going to be easy for me to get it working again but I am going to try.

It’s the only thing keeping me from losing it. Working on my armor it’s a path I have never understood at all. If we are going to waste our time trying to get to the next part of our journey, then we will never move on. I want to go home. I miss Junk island, I miss my friends, I miss my king…

I stand up from working with my armor and look at Candle Light, my new sniper rifle. I will keep it with me and hold it tightly as I go back. To show I did learn something on my journey. Never let your emotions control how you feel. My emotions have been lost ever since I left Sterling's home. I feel so bad for him.

I close my eyes, opening them and hearing the PA system turn on.

“Everyone, we are getting ready to turn around. We can’t find a way through the magic spell. The only way we could was to sing and many of us haven’t been in a singing mood since we left. Don’t consider this journey a failure; we did all we could. But it’s time and we can no longer waste fuel trying to find a way through this spell. I am sorry, my friends.”

So I no longer need to repair this armor. I was hoping this would happen, it's not something I was hoping for. Now I can relax and not worry about risking my life again. I close my eyes seeing Gearshift trying to protect me and getting herself killed for it. I see Nova and Joken oh it’s hard to see all those deaths. The airship shifts and turns and all I can do is wait till I get dropped off at Junk island.

I hear the PA system turn on again.

“Come let us follow the rainbow on our path. Don’t let the pain control who you are. Allow the laughter to control your emotions. Don’t let your heart stay dark and empty at night. We are here for one another. For the magic of friendship is in our hearts. Oh please, my friends let the Rainbow see who you are.”

No….Ruby, please don’t give me hope. I no longer want to follow this journey. All those I see who died to defend me when my armor broke. I don’t want to see any more die to defend me please Ruby don’t give me hope. I take a deep breath shuddering from the sadness in my heart. I blow air out of my nose and mouth to relax standing on my hooves.

“I am just a motherly donkey. I don’t see why I am on this journey but I hear that sound…I feel it’s time for us to end this journey. All I can do is to follow the path my friends are on and to protect children and those who are too weak to fend for themselves.”

I head out of my room to join in the song.

________

Melody

I set down food beside Ruby. I feel I am still losing my wife. After she infused me with her magic. I have started to notice how deeply attracted I am to her. I will follow her to the ends of our world and back. No matter how much she becomes like this I will be a pony version of one of her species many years from now.

“Ruby… I brought you dinner.”

Ruby and I chat for a bit and I kiss her to head back to my office below. When I get back to my office I feel being here is the best way to relax. Soft Heart comes in soon after I return and she smiles at me.

“You wanted to check me over? Also, I tried to talk to your wife. I couldn’t convince her to move on. I even called her out and I can’t believe you’re willing to risk your life to get infused with her magic. Are you willing to allow yourself to mutate into a creature like her?”

A smile forms on my face.

“That is love or what some call love. Soft heart. It will take a few years, maybe even a lifetime before I change. But who knows, maybe after the stress is gone from our lives and we just go live in a land to relax and never allow war to control us again.”

Soft Heart chuckles

“I have deep respect for you two. Your wife has guts and she showed me that we aren’t really for an assault on our homeland.”

I laugh and while I check out Soft Heart I hear the PA system turn on.

“Everyone, we are getting ready to turn around. We can’t find a way through the magic spell. The only way we could was to sing and many of us haven’t been in a singing mood since we left. Don’t consider this journey a failure; we did all we could. But it’s time and we can no longer waste fuel trying to find a way through this spell. I am sorry, my friends.”

My ears pin to the back of my head. I never told Ruby what happened with Gem. Grogar showed up and told Gem what happened to Cranberry. I wish I could have told Ruby but she would have wanted to turn around just to see Cranberry.

“I think I need to tell Ruby why Gem wants to turn around, her wife needs her and needs her now. It’s going to take a year for us to return.”

Soft Heart smirks

“Well No matter what I am with you till the end of this journey including to the Widow Maker desert. My queen asked me to follow you both all the way and that is what I am going to be doing.”

I chuckle

“Thank you Soft Heart I…”

I go silent hearing the PA turn on again.

“Come let us follow the rainbow on our path. Don’t let the pain control who you are. Allow the laughter to control your emotions. Don’t let your heart stay dark and empty at night. We are here for one another. For the magic of friendship is in our hearts. Oh please, my friends let the Rainbow see who you are.”

I close my eyes. Oh Ruby you pick this time now to move on? You pick this time now to let the song fill your heart? A soft heart hums to the song and I open my eyes smirking with my good wing. I offer Soft Heart to follow.

“The darkness is ahead and we will never lose if we allow ourselves to be lost because of Grogar. We see the end of our journey and the true journey ahead. Dream Valley is ahead and we are lost. Dream Valley is all we see when we get to the journey we will finally reach the end. To restore the balance of our hearts.”

Soft heart smirks

“And we will end this task. I am a simple dragon hunter. I see in my heart a good friend who cares so deeply for her wife. We must move. We must end this task. It is no longer the dream to see.”

Soft Heart and I head to Gem’s office to sing with Ruby to give hope to the airship. I am so happy for Ruby to finally move on. She will be stronger after this journey is over. She will face those who harmed her and then put them in their place.

__________

Ruby and her friends.

I held the mic tightly feeling more of the song coming over me.

“It is time. To bring forth our dream to end this journey. I am so sorry to all those who wish to see their families.”

My friends come into the office including our new friends Soft Heart we all stand by the mic I take a deep breath sighing.

“I am sorry to those who want to go home. I know many of us to miss our families hope is no longer in our hearts. But the truth is if we go home now Grogar and the judges and the Storm King will have won. The Stars will never get the balance they need and we will be lost. Gem mother, please let's keep going and let our song lead you through the rainbow.”

I hold the mic to the others and I sing first.

“The first part of the journey has come to an end. It’s time to move on from the past. I can no longer focus on the past and allow myself to become one with the pain. The world moved on without me and It’s time for me to move on without the word. I am with a new world and to see a new song in my heart.”

I look behind my friends and see my old friends standing there again. I hear their words in my head.

“It’s time for us to move on..” {Dunewalker}

She vanishes after her words.

“It’s time for us to see the end.” {Tick Tock}

Tick Tock vanished after her words nodded to me.

“The stars have said to us it’s time to end our journey.” {Inyanga.}

The zebra smiles sweetly at me showing her lovely face as she did. I cared deeply for that zebra like a sister to me; her beauty made me smile. When she vanished I see only where she stood looking over at the others,

“In the words of a water Hunter Spes oritur, et somnia videmus, et qui ante, O luna, cantant ad nos et aquam referentes.” {Water Spout]

She vanishes and I feel my heart releasing the sorrow of not being near them or seeing my friends. I turn my eyes to see Hawk in her pony form. I have only seen this form once in an old photo she found ages ago.

“There was a time when I was a pony and now I am just a robot. I wish I could be there for you Ruby. But when I see you again our lives will be far apart.” {Hawk}

Hawk vanished

“A siege breaker is all I am and it’s time to move on.” {Roll Roll]

He simply just vanished after the little song he and I never got along even after the war. I doubt he and I will even be friends when I fully return. There's nothing I can do alone. The last one I see is Cranberry.

“I love you my little Ruby but it’s time for me to move on. I can’t linger any longer it’s time for my task and to become what I am.” {Cranberry}

She vanishes and when she does tears fall from my eyes down to the floor and I finally feel I can move on.

“The start of my story has come to an end.”

I softly sing as the others join.

“Oh, Ruby my love I will follow you to the ends of the world till our journey is complete. Then I will become one with you again, my loving wife.”

Melody holds me into her tightly as the others join in the song.

“I am just a simple donkey but I hear that song of friendship in my heart. I can no longer let the end take me. It’s time for us all to let the song of friendship come to our hearts.”

While we sing we feel the airship turn back around and we head to the deck above singing the same song again. Mostly about friendship and just saying these words in our hearts makes the rainbow show.

“We all have the magic of friendship back in our hearts. We are no longer lost as we see the future ahead and the end below us. I follow the journey with my friends and we see the sound before us. It's no time for us to know and it’s time for us to see.”

The song ends

When the clouds break we see the shore of the land and standing at the shore I see the one known as Majesty. The song of my heart ends and the song would have lasted longer. But the stress has taken full control of us.

After a while, when we land, head out to speak to Majesty. She stood there staring at me as I stared at her.

“Mother I am here please let us stay in your home so we can rest and relax. Let all of us come to your castle please?”

Majesty frowns

“Mother dear Ruby after what I did to you. Do you still consider me a mother? Oh, Ruby sweetheart, I never wanted to do much to you. But Grogar gave me no choice and now he hasn’t spoken to me ever since. I did his task and I have no idea what he is doing.”

I smile weakly looking at the others including my wife. I pull Melody with me to Majesty.

“Mother please meet my wife.”

Majesty smiles sweetly.

“I know I saw your wedding. Melody I approved of you and to me, you’re my daughter-in-law. Please accept my home as your home. Before you do your task take a week to relax it will take too long for Omega to find Rose Dust she is good at hiding and he won’t destroy the land to find her. He was created to protect it and he might break his programming.”

Majesty shakes her head.

“Enough though, come with me, and welcome to Dream Valley.”

Arc four complete

Footnote max level

No new perk

Arc four is done my friends and the next arc is the Meanwhile arc that will come in December.