When you become a doctor you try your best to keep it all alive. But most always need help understanding the reason for your doing. If you do then you can’t understand the idea of the story. It’s gotten to the point I am never asked but always thanked.

Written by Cranberry [The healer]

__________________________

It’s been almost three years since my adopted daughter and wife left to find Dream Valley. So many allies they made on the way to Dream Valley recently showed up to be ready to fight in a war. The Storm King and Wheel Tread have gathered an army under Project Rainfall. We know another army will face them on a former battlefield sooner or later. I have missed them for so long. I have refused to leave the island now I am here. Here with my family and friends. Hawk stood beside me. Roll Roll stood beside his two wives. Hawk is on her own since her husband is working on a robotic body for her.

The others are here waiting to see Ruby. We haven’t had any news about her. I glance over to see Ruby’s, so-called mate. I think he is searching for the eggs he gave her. I know full well he is going to take them from her.

“Here they come!!”

We all follow the hoof of a young mare. We see a ship slowly coming into sight. It’s been so long that I miss them. I wish to explain to them everything that happened to me. I look over to Tick Tock. It's been so long since I have seen them. It’s the only time they left here. Water Spout with her family. Inyanga with her family and now…it’s my turn to be with my family. I glance at the camel beside me smiling up at her.

“I hope Ruby won’t mind that you’re still alive my dear friend.”

The camel looks down at me smiling. She nods, not wishing to speak, she has her body and head covered. The ship finally landed and we were told it would take at least an hour for them all to be ready to leave the airship. I close my eyes remembering the last three years.

_____________________________________

Three years before Ruby’s journey. A day before Gem leaves.

We have been arguing for hours. After the argument, I stood there on my hooves sobbing. I was going to lose the one I loved. Like I will be losing my children and husband all over again. It was a storm in my heart and I knew it.

Every time I broke down Gem she just stood there letting me get it all out. She didn’t satisfy me like a pony lover would. She is a dragon and I keep forgetting that she is. All she did was when I stopped the crying she smiled.

“Did you get it out of your system, Cranberry?”

I slowly nod.

“Yes, I did. I am sorry Gem.”

Gem laughed

“Now I understand perfectly. You’re going to lose me and your adoptive daughter all over again. But I will come back to you. I can’t promise Ruby will. She will either fail in her journey or she will die. The stars are more powerful than you think Cranberry. If things get to be too much.”

She pauses a moment, turning to look at our adoptive children, the two zebras we adopted as they sleep.

“I will return and never leave you again.”

I just stood there. It's been a long time since I removed the healer suit. I had many scars adorning my red body. Gem slides her scaled hands over the wounds and the ones on my face. I haven’t been the same since the healer business and trying to regain the friendship of the others.

“You have your friends from your hero journey. Even so, you don’t wish to be called a hero again. You know full well when the war comes. We..”

Gem went silent looking out the window of our home. We can see even through the clouds blocking the desert. We can see Project Rainfall. We have been hearing stories about the one named Wheel Tread and he has been losing it for a long time. Since Ruby has been lost, we listen to him. He thinks Ruby is still alive. I know she is or I think she was. I no longer know.

“Gem, I need to open the hospital. When are you leaving?”

Gem took a deep breath breathing out steam and smoke from her nose and mouth. I worry it’s going to be soon. The stories about the stars of hate and evil getting more powerful are on the rise and with Ruby dead, many who follow the stars have been telling us this and worry about what happens when Ruby takes on the stars' avatar.

“I am leaving tomorrow Cranberry. During the time I am going to be gone, I want you to make up with your family if you can. I know you don’t want to try but you have to. I want our children to have a family they can rely on.”

The words hit me hard. She is correct even though deep in my mind she aint. I need to make peace with my family. It will not be easy to make peace with my family. Since I haven’t spoken to most of them since the hardliner war. The hardliner war destroyed many families. I can’t blame Scootaloo and her friends for that. I can’t blame Silver Gunner for that. I can’t blame anyone for that but the hardliners.

“I will do it for them, Gem. I will do it for our children and try to make peace with my father and it’s not going to be easy.”

Gem sighs.

“I know it’s not going to be easy Cranberry. You haven’t seen him for almost ten years you said? After the hardliner war, you just gave up on him? You never explained to me why you gave up on him.”

Closing my eyes it was more the other way around he gave up on me. So did the others of my family. They didn’t care that I left the safety of the clouds. To come to a desert land like this to help the citizens here. I would know him if I ever saw him again. He would tell me he told me so. But the Storm King hasn’t done the attack like he said he would. He keeps saying he is waiting for the right time.

I look through old photo albums I had with me opening them up. Showing Gem my family we come from a long line of medics and soldiers in the enclave. I was the odd one out who didn’t become a battle medic.

“My father and my family come from a long line of soldiers and medics. I broke the line by going to normal doctors for families. But after Celestia one was used I started training into what he wanted me to be. But after our mother's death from the burns from Celestia One. He blamed me for it. Because she was with my children and husband at the time, she survived the attack. But the wounds took her a few years after.”

Gem takes the album looking through it.

“I see your father has the name Dragonslayer. If he saw me he would be even more upset if you gave your heart to a dragon.”

I gave a short nod. Gem lowers the book looking down at me, a gentle smile forming across her maw. It’s been so long since she smiled like this and it’s something I never thought I would see much. She hasn’t smiled since the day we met. But she always tells me she loves me.

“Cranberry I love you I know I don’t show it. The day I return I am going to do everything in my power to learn to fly again just for you. Now I need to get ready to go in the morning. I..”

She goes silent as she notices the tears welling up in my eyes. Gem just sighs gently, holding my head and stroking my mane.

“Stay strong Cranberry I will return. I will do everything I can to return to you. Not even death will stop me. I will make sure Ruby stays safe and that she doesn’t do anything silly. Of course from what you told me about her, that would be easy to stop.”

We spent the night together. It was more we held each other than sexual intercourse. I just wanted her to know I would be there for her. She said no matter what she has to leave early. She knows all the supplies are ready. She was told this before we slept now all that is needed for her to get to the airship and leave.

It was the next day I stood and watched while they left. I knew full well that I won’t see her again for many years now. I turned to gather myself but before I could do anything. A pegasus lands right in front of me.

“Excuse me, are you Cranberry?”

I just stare at the pony. I know this pony is the mail pony for my father. I took a deep breath releasing the stress I was feeling. I know full well what this is about. He wants me to return. I relax, finally showing a weak smile on my face.

“Yes, I am Cranberry.”

The mare looked right at me. She hasn’t seen me in so long that she doesn't remember who I am and it’s no longer going to be easy to hide. If they all know I am here. I don’t wish them to know that I am here.

“I have a letter from your father. He wishes to speak to you one last time.”

Those words hit me one last time. He wishes to speak to me one last time. It’s not as simple as I thought. I know my father is not in good health he never has been. He has always been sick ever since my mother's death.

“How long do they think he has?”

The mare chuckles.

“At least a few months. But I would say it’s best to see him before he gets too far gone to even speak with you. He wants to see you so badly, Cranberry. He has heard what you have done with yourself. He also worries that you have caused some problems to bring the Storm King back to life.”

A deep sigh releases from my mouth. He should know better. I would never do anything to bring some evil foe back from the dead. Rumors about me have made it to him and he refuses to listen and wants to bash me for what I have done in this land.

“When is he expecting me?”

The mare smiles.

“He is expecting you soon. He knows his daughter will always try to one-up him in the final argument.”

The final argument a chuckle releases from my mouth. There is always a conclusive argument. This is not the first time he’s been on his deathbed. Maybe this time is the final time he will be on that deathbed. Closing my eyes, could it be that time, could it be that final curtain for my father? That last breath. A powerful one of the Grand Pegasus Enclave. I am now reduced to nothing but a shell on a deathbed. Could it be that I have seen it this last time? Maybe I need to remove my mind from the healer and return home. But only for a time. My time is not here yet. Ruby needs to return and that time of return is not yet.

“Tell Father I will be there.”

The pegasus smiles.

“Do you need a ride?”

I shook my head.

“I already have one thank you.”

The pegasus looks at me confused.

____________________

Flight to Fort Pegasus Wing-Medical base

It’s been a while since I have been on this ship or plane as it calls itself. It took longer for the zebra trapped in the hospital to integrate into the system of the craft. When she finally was able to speak again she helped Gem with many things.

The Eagle has been very helpful even for me. It’s not even made for me to fly, it's made for dragons to use. But thankfully the mind of the zebra within the Eagle makes it easier for me to understand.

“Eagle, how much longer do we have till we get there?”

It took a second for an image of the mare I saw back in the hospital. She just chuckles and shakes her head in the image. She looks at me like I have asked this question many times before.

“Cranberry I have told you already it won’t be much longer. You need to relax dear you act weird when Gem is not around. I get it you’re worried about your father. As you told me many times, he never cared for what you did in your life.”

I stroke my face with a hoof sighing. I look at the other seat of a case holding those weapons. I know sooner or later I am going to need to use those weapons to break out of here. I am not welcome in the Enclave anymore. I know full well I have been labeled as a threat and an enemy.

“I need you ready to get me out of here as quickly as possible. My suit can only do so much. They will learn who is in it. I used my old enclave suit Id to make the healer suit. Their technology will be able to look at and it will take security a while to wonder what id that is. Because the id has been lost for many years.”

Finally, it was like clockwork as the base came into view. This is a smaller base located in the hoof. It is close to Thunderhead. But it never was part of it. I know when I see my father he will try to get me to turn myself in and I know I can’t. I need to get back to becoming a healer again. Till my life ends or my Gem comes back. Those I help will kill me someday or I will never know. Over the radio system, I hear a voice.

“Good morning whoever you are. That is a fancy craft you have there. Might I ask how you found such a craft and why you’re flying to land here?”

The zebra hushes me.

“This is the Eagle. I am the vessel's AI and my owner wishes to land. I can’t tell you why and I can’t tell you the area we are from. I hope you understand we are sworn to secrecy I am sure you understand.”

I roll my eyes and lean to speak into the radio

“Come on, Blackstorm let me land.”

The voice on the other side was stunned and unable to speak for a while and then the female voice said again.

“Cranberry?! You know I can’t allow you to land here you’re wanted like the rest of your platoon that you left with.”

I sigh deeply that I didn't tell Ruby the truth. Those I came with so long ago were former Hardliners. I was the only one who wasn’t. I left with them because of my father and they were exiled. I had to save them somehow and I can’t believe this lie has stayed too long.

“I am all that is left of that platoon BlackStorm. You know full well we went out to try to regain respect from our own. I went with them so they could have a doctor. Now let me land so I can see my father.”

The voice sighs.

“Cranberry, you know he doesn't want to see you. But…I will try to ensure they don’t read the id of your suit. It will only work for a few hours. So please don’t stay too long. I can’t promise you much and this could make me end up in jail because of what I am doing for you.”

A weak smile formed on my face. I knew full well she would be either killed or worse for helping me. She is a mother and a wife. She will have to deal with more of course. I have been gone for a long long time and I worry about what is about to happen to her.

“Blackstorm everything okay with your life?’

Blackstorm sighs

“Not Cranberry. My husband took the children and left me for another mare. I have been keeping myself from falling in love again. But enough about me, I need to know the truth, Cranberry. You're Not the reason along with your friends for bringing back the Storm King are you?”

Closing my eyes I knew this question would come back to me. I felt that my heart would not be able to handle the truth. We aren’t the reason for him coming back. This has been a plan going through the years. The story of why he has returned is because of the creature known as Grogar. I worry about what will happen when they learn about his return.

“No, my adoptive daughter helped bring him back. She had no idea what she was doing and pretended to be a hero who cared about the land. I sometimes wish I never met her. Now are you done asking me questions or can I land now?”

I felt tears roll down my face. I know sooner or later I will have to tell Ruby the truth. All her old friends will turn on her when she is placed on trial. I worry she knows this and that she will have to accept her punishment whatever that will be.

“Cranberry…”

I look over to the zebra AI with a weak smile on my face shaking my head. Eagle knew how I felt about Ruby. I love Ruby but I can’t let her get away with the hope she brought to me and the others. I know full well when the war is over. We finally remove Wheel Tread and the Storm King from Rainfall. We will have to force her to accept punishment. The ones in charge will want all of us to accept punishment. I got to do everything to make sure I didn’t suffer anything.

“Please let me land Blackstorm.”

Blackstorm groans.

“Fine go ahead and land like I said the system will not catch you. Now get out of here before I have to ask for you to get shot down.”

I lower Eagle down to the landing pad. The zebra AI used to be an absolute mare. It helps me get my armor on. She has been helping me so much lately. I am unable to move some days because of what happened to me during the judgment the Storm King forced on me. The magic he used on me and the others to toss me away. It did something to my body. It’s why I need the suit now. It keeps me from feeling the pain.

“Cranberry I am sorry…I can’t tell what is causing your pain. Maybe you should ask one of the doctors here. Maybe they can do a better job than I can. So please tell me if they learn anything if you go to one.”

I stood there while the hands of the Eagle get my armor on. It connects strange devices to me while the suit takes the pain away. I have a feeling it’s because I rely too much on this suit. I look over the box on the chair

“Eagle please put those on my armor. I need them.”

The hands of the AI grab the weapon claws attaching them to the suit. They go inside the case to be ready for what is to come. I may have to take on my family or the enclave. If they would care about what happened in Widowmaker they would care about the rest of the world even if Scootaloo did what she could they still don’t care.

“Make sure no one comes inside and learns you’re a former experiment for the past Eagle. I wish I could help you remember your former name.”

The Ai laughs.

“Don’t worry about me worrying about trying to fix your issues with your dying father.”

The helm of the healer suit is put on my head. I feel the pain in my body subsiding. Now to become the healer. Cranberry no longer exists till I remove the helm and become me again. I wish someday I can exist without this suit. The others have made a name for themselves. I am just the healer.

The Eagle opens up and I see the clouds and the magic concrete used to let us land. When I get out the sun blinds me for a time. It’s now time to find my father and see my family again. I worry about what will happen when the time comes.

_________________

Fort Pegasus Wing-Medical base

It’s been at least an hour since I landed. I haven’t been allowed to come through because of my suit. They forced me to wait for so long. The commander of the base has heard of my healer suit. He knows it’s me. After security keeps me for a time I am led to the commander's room. I wait inside and after a while, he comes inside.

The stallion sits at his desk. I grew up with him and knew him well. He is one of those who promised they would hunt me down when the mess that Scootaloo and the hardliners left behind. I was forgotten about last time though when I was him he was not even commander. The commander who had this seat was my former commander that led me to the Widowmaker desert.

“Cranberry I have heard a lot about you from those you helped over in that land of tribals. You didn’t leave as a hardliner. Are you here now to tell me you’re one and then I can put you in jail for the rest of your life? Or is there another reason you’re here?”

I take my helmet off and he stares at my scar-filled face. The beauty of my red coat and lovely mane is entirely gone. I have been in that desert for too long. My hair looks sun-bleached and my body starts hurting after the helm is removed.

“Cranberry what happened to you?”

A weak smile comes across my weathered features.

“That desert is what happens. I am known as the healer. I am sorry my dear old friend. I am sorry for the Windstorm. I had to stay there. Before you ask I never knew the Storm King was going to return but my adoptive daughter helped him return. Do me a favor and tell the Alliance…. When the hero returns we are going to need them for the battle to come. Then to put Wheel Tread, The Storm King, and Ruby on trial. A hero must be put on trial for the good of all.”

I can’t believe what I am saying. Beezen was right we would turn on Ruby quickly like she wasn’t even close to us, to begin with. Then it means Heroes and Villains this is their last moment in the sun. A villain is not what it seems; progress is needed; the hero must bend to progress or die. Why am I thinking like this?

“I see that is the truth then. I will let the Alliance know what you said. I think it’s time we focus on ourselves and then allow a hero to try to save us. Maybe someday we will just need a champion to save us. Then move on. The champion will be a minion in the end. Now Cranberry, why are you here?”

I chuckle.

“My father.”

The stallion sighs, closing his eyes.

“I figured when the news came out he was dying you would learn about this. Before you ask Cranberry, his body can no longer keep him alive. They tried everything and there is nothing you can do either.”

I chuckle, shaking my head.

“No, I am not here to save him. I am here to try to fix us. I doubt It will work but I have to try. I can’t allow the goat to win.”

The horror of the stallion's face. I have a feeling he knew who I was talking about. They all knew he was coming back. I think the enclave has known for so long that he has been returning. That is what most have known and seen over the years. The return of Grogar the father of monsters, the one who created them all.

“So you have seen Grogar. So the truth we learned from Wymarnic is true then. That ghoul detective was correct all along even after we learned his city of Buffalo was attacked by Grogar and the troggals. It’s best to learn what you can and then tell me. But I worry about you Cranberry if I knew you were here that means others do. I can only do so much to keep you safe. Many want your wings for leaving with the others. They feel you’re causing more problems.”

I shake my head grunting in pain from the movement of my neck. I haven’t been the same since I have been in that land. I think sooner or later my body is going to fall apart. I put my helmet back on and turn around to look at the commander.

“Are you going to stop me from seeing my father?”

My foal hood friend stares at me and sighs.

“I can’t stop you, Cranberry. Now I will do what I can to get the Alliance out there. What should I tell them about the heroes of that land?’

I head to the door stopping to think.

“Stay out of the way of the heroes and the desert dwellers they’re outsiders and many of us are going to fight them if they try to force their views on the ponies and other races there. Now I need to get to my father before he dies.”

I head out of his office heading outside of the building. It’s been so long since I have been here. Things have changed so much. I walk through the clouds remembering the stories of Black Jack and what she did. I worry that I may become like her. I get many eyes staring at me. Things are calm as security leaves me be.

After a while, I found the hospital my father is in. I don’t know what to expect and I know what is to come. My lowest will be coming soon and I know my lowest will be very soon. I worry that I will be here. When I am at that lowest moment in my life.

I walk to the hospital and many aim their guns at me. I just look at them with the glowing eyes of the armor.

“I am here to see my father. Don’t get in my way. You can fire at me when I get ready to leave if you’re so bent on trying to put me in my place.”

The soldiers look at each other. They look very confused about what I just said. They wonder how I will handle all their issues. I got to the point I had enough and I know full well when the time comes I will have to fight my way out.

I walk through the halls. I know my siblings will be here. But I don’t see them I don’t see them. I head into the room and see the broken soldier lying in his bed. He is breathing slowly with a mask over his face.

I walk over to him and he opens his eyes staring into my helm eyes. I finally remove the helm and stare down at my father. I know full well an argument will happen between us. The moment we start speaking it won’t end well.

“Hello, Father.”

My father uses his wing to remove the mask staring into my weathered eyes and looking all over my weather body. He lays his head back to look up at the ceiling of the room.

“Your brothers already said goodbye to me, Cranberry. The fact you’re wasting your time to find a way to cure me. This is the last of this soldier. I don't care if I will see your mother again. I will tell her how you failed me and how the others have done better.”

I snorted loudly and I knew it. I knew he would do this and I have never gotten along. I am angry and upset and I want to scream at him. I take a deep breath of the things I want to say. I know if I start feeling my anger rise it would mean Grogar is here.

“Father, I am trying my best to be here for you, please. Don’t do this. We haven't gotten along since Mother died and you always blamed me for her death because I couldn’t save her. Then blamed me for leaving with the others.”

He chuckles weakly

“Of course I did, you could have been great, my daughter. But no you had to follow those monsters to a desert cursed by Nightmare Moon and you couldn’t let me have my way and stop you from ruining our reputation.”

A deep growl released from my throat.

“You have never been proud of me for the first time. I try to do something that would make you very proud of me and now you find everything you can to destroy it. Dad, I come to see you come to say goodbye to you and that I love you.”

He laughs

“Don’t give your pity girl. I already made plans to remove you from the family name. You’re no longer my daughter but just an outsider to my family. Your mother will understand when I meet her in that land.”

It hit me hard when those words had been said. I wanted to strangle but that could kill him. But all I could think of at the time was yelling at him. I didn’t know it at the time but I was falling for Grogar’s trap. My dad was allowing the hate sickness to control him. He didn’t do any of this; it was a trick. A trick to get me at my lowest.

“Father…. For once in your life I want you to be proud of me. But I am not going to pity a stallion who will always blame me for the death of his wife!! I did so much I could help her, you know this. You’re just a fool.”

My father sits up the monitor for his heart starts spiking and he is getting angry. He is getting angrier than ever. His blue eyes stare right into my weathered eyes. I knew it was happening and when I was about to yell at him again. His heart monitor triggered and he screamed. I wish I could have done something but he was already too far gone.

I watched as he died. I felt happy. Why did I feel happiness as my father was dying? I turn my head to see Grogar staring at me. His portal opened up and he stepped out. He stares down at me while I look back at my father. He was using his magic to make my father die. Not allowing those to see what was going on here.

“I told you when I see you at your lowest I will make sure you scream. You will scream for me and that will be when you know I have won.”

I quickly got the claws to come out of my armor and fight him. I fly into the air with the heaviness of the armor and strike him in the neck. It caused him to bleed some but he laughed and he healed very fast from the pain and hate I have for him. He sent a bolt of his magic at me and caused me to fly into a wall. I fall into a heap groaning and slowly get back up and with one twist of his horns I hear a snap. My father who is weak and already dying breaks his neck and smirks leaving him to die.

The radio turns on from the irony of this.

“There's no time for us “

The song plays that song that follows me and the friends of Ruby. Why does this song follow us and then finally all I could think of is my father. I didn’t understand why but at this time.. It finally happened. I look over at my dead father. He was laid back in the moment of peace. He had a smile on his face. He didn’t die from the broken neck. His neck was never broken. Grogar used my hate and anger for my father to make me see an image. An image of pure pain. Grogar stares into my eyes.

“Do it…oh doctor. Screaming for that is what I am going to do with your daughter. It’s already set in motion. She will die for my amusement at the hooves of you and your friends. I heard everything you said and I am sure she knows it too. When she returns and the war is over. She will be put in her place. The ground…do it my dear do it!! Scream for me to cry!!”

The tears streamed down my face so many things left unsaid. I had to leave but I let out a scream and finally, I was at my lowest sobbing and crying. I knew they would hear me but I had to leave. I couldn't just do it. Grogar laughs and all I could do was cry.

__________

Escape

I was running as fast as I could away from the enclave soldiers. They thought I killed him and they tried to get me. They blasted my armor as many parts of my suit were smoking and these troops were led by my brothers. Father told them if they saw me capture me. I couldn’t let them get me. I had to get away.

That moment I was running I had to make sure to get to Eagle before they forcibly tried to shut her down and I couldn’t stop them if they did. I felt more blasts hit me in the back and I screamed in pain groning. I had no weapons on this armor, only the claws. I couldn’t attack my brothers or anyone else.

Finally, I had to get to the edge of the clouds. I couldn't make it back and then I jumped off. I called Eagle to come and pick me up. I allowed myself to drop but before I jumped I felt a blast hit me in the back of the head. I gasp in deep pain feeling my brain fried because of the helm and I didn’t feel myself land in Eagle.

“Eagle….get us home..”

The AI looks me over.

“Cranberry you’re very wounded…Cranberry?!”

I felt myself fall asleep. I think I am going into a coma. I didn’t feel like myself anymore. All the stress of what happened to my body and the pain. I think my body couldn’t handle it anymore.

______________

Waking up three years later.

I woke up from a coma after three years. The fact they had me on life support for that long was amazing to me. I woke up staring at the fact of a camel, a camel I knew. But I was told that Ruby was on her way home. I did dream of watching Ruby go through her journey. I told them everything she went through.

Then I came to learn I wasn’t the only one who had these dreams. It turns out everyone close to Ruby had these dreams. We learned later it was because of the magic connection we had with Ruby. That connection would be broken soon after we broke her heart.

I now stand here waiting for the ship to open up after many months. I knew when it was ready Ruby would not be happy for what is to come. The Storm King has done much and caused much since she has been gone. I have been told and seen her journey from the friends that came before. The Storm King knows the war is soon. When the door opens up there is nothing but cheers for the hero.

For she has returned. I see Ruby and I have words for her but they will wait when she is not surrounded by those that will later kill her. I hope she is ready for a heartbreak for this entire desert is about ready to turn on her. I will be the first because the mother is always the one to start the tide.

Max level

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