A mare and a stallion. Inyanga and Rex. It got to the point where these two are the biggest lovers. They met through the Enclave. Rex is who he is a unicorn. He loves his wife and she loves him. They’re of two other worlds. He was one of the unicorns who lived in the Enclave. But most of the time we had no idea what to expect from them.

Written by Pinda.

_______________

The hero returns

I stand by my husband while I hold my children close to me and Rex. I don’t know why I am here but my husband wanted to come and see Ruby again. I also wished to see him, but he knows we will go to war when the time comes.

“Rex…I don’t understand why you and I are here. I don’t wish to see Ruby but we are all here to see her.”

Rex turns to look at me, he cocks his eyebrow.

“My love you have been looking forward to this since you heard she was returning. Is it because you’re worried she won’t respect you and your friends changed their lives without her? I get it she has been working so hard to fix the fate of the stars. But all we have done is live our lives as she risked her life.”

I let out a sigh. He was right. I hate it when he is right. We have been married for so long now. Every time he speaks the truth I have to get used to it. I pull our children closer to me. I don’t trust many of the new creatures of this alliance Ruby created.

“You’re correct, my love. Just someday I am unsure what is going to happen when she returns. I worry she will push us right into the battle and the war will end. I worry when the war ends. We will never see her again.”

Rex chuckles nodding

We hear a scream.

“Here they come.”

Finally, after all this time they’re coming. I look over to Rex who does what he can to keep our children from running to the docks. We didn’t want them to see Ruby. I had no interest in Ruby meeting my children. I felt tears filling in my eyes. She deserved to meet my children before the day came.

The airship lands on the water, explodes in some spots, and falls apart. It took a while for the doors to open up and I looked over to Rex and a weak smile formed across my face. He holds our children remembering the last three years. I close my eyes doing the same.

_____________

Rex and Inyagna

I am writing this book for Beezen. It should be completed soon for all to read. He wishes for me to write about my entire life. I can't be fully honest. My life is just simple. I was one of the unicorns who grew up on the clouds with the Enclave. A life like this is boring to be blunt when you never have to deal with the ground below.

I shall give a few points. I was born in a simple unicorn family who worked with the military of the Enclave. Most of us didn’t even do much during the early times. But a mare I grew up with died when Little Pip set off that balefire bomb to destroy the unity. No matter how angry or upset I was, I couldn't stay angry at the hero. My friend told me before she left she didn’t expect to return. She told me to please take care of her family and I did my best to do so. But during the fight with the Hardliners, her family was on the path of Celestia One like many families. I was gone at the time and most of my family was taken out too.

But things slowly changed. I watched while Cranberry and the others left. I didn’t show up till they needed one to get food for them. You hear a lot of stories during this time but most of my story within the story written by Ruby is when Inyanga met me. I am going to allow her to write what she saw of me from her point of view both times. My life is not that important the only time it is when Ruby’s judgment happens.

____________

Inyagna meeting Rex

“And to add more to injury they used the weapon Celestia one and. I wasn’t hopeful and well I lost everyone I knew during that war. I don’t blame the alliance or Scootaloo, I just wish I could have said goodbye to them. But anyway, on a better note, you have been living in that cavern for years?”

I haven’t had a conversation with ponies before. She is such an interesting mare and she is so open. I remember the old stories from the elders of old about how evil ponies were and many questions now since the war has been over so long.

“I was born there. Sometimes we bring the sand hooves into our and the black crystals of the forest. There are so many zebra tribes and they all know the way into our village and they know how to get into the training area pretty easily. For me, though I am of Sand hooves and the mixed tribe we call ourselves the Kuxutshiwe”

Cranberry chuckles.

“I have talked to other zebras before, most of them are trying to forget how ponies of old treated them. They agree the war went too far and of course, some can’t handle it either.”

I nod agreeing.

“I wish I could say the same but I can’t. I never dealt with ponies till now and the only time I left the cavern is when I trained to become a far-seer so tell me how did you meet the little bug?’

Cranberry sighs.

“She was trying to get help for Hard Rock so we can help heal the poor children there. Of course, when I first met her I was too focused on testing her body and everything about her. It took me so long to listen. She is much older than any of us but she is so young-minded.”

I nod and look around as many of the ponies wave to me respectfully. I am not used to this. I glance at the sign we are heading to the cafeteria to get something to eat. It’s been a while since I ate and I am unsure if I should trust pony food.

“Inyanga is something wrong?”

I look at Cranberry.

“What do you mean?’

Cranberry chuckles.

“I noticed when you are deep in thought your forehead wrinkles and you get an unsure look in your eyes.”

I stop and she stops looking at me. I look right at her and she can read my emotions that easily. I am amazed she can do that. She is not even a zebra and sometimes zebras are the only ones who can read another's emotions.

“I can fully tell you’re a former mother. Unless being a doctor helps with the showing of emotions.”

Cranberries' ears droop.

“Well yes, I was a mother, I'd rather not go into it yet. Being a doctor you learn to pick up on many things.”

She looks down the stairs leading to the cafeteria.

“Inyanga I have a question.”

I glance at her.

“Oh?”

She smiles sweetly at me.

“Do you trust me?”

That is a question I never thought I would be asked. From what I see of her only met her just a little bit. She is kind, gentle, and willing to drop everything to keep those around her happy. I feel that she is a kind mare who will do anything to make those around her happy.

“I may have not known you very long but you’re trustworthy, why?”

She sighs.

“See the last time I tried getting something to eat for a zebra. They felt I was trying to poison them and they got upset. It turned out though they were scared of the fact one of the ponies had a star cutie mark.”

Oh, the stars, yes I do have a problem with the stars myself. I do feel all three sides do try to control our fate and if we allow them to, they would force us to work under their heels. The stories of their judges and masks are legends.

“I can understand it perfectly. I am kind of scared of the stars myself. It's more that I am unwilling to learn about them because of the stories I have learned of them. Other than that I trust you with food and whatever else you wish.”

Cranberry smiles.

“If you’re up for it I wouldn’t mind giving you a physical if you wouldn’t care?”

I tilt my head. I haven't ever had a doctor look at me fully. The doctors of my tribe never really look at us fully. There could be stuff in me or on me I don’t even know about. I could be in perfect health for all I know but always good to have another one mindful of health.

“I wouldn’t mind that at all. I may have been trained in medical ways. I doubt I am as good and able to see everything you do Cranberry.”

Cranberry chuckles

“I doubt I am that good either. Unicorns are normally the best doctors with their spells to see inside bodies. It’s amazing what they can achieve with that magic. I was hoping one of our unicorn doctors would have come to help us but she had to go home for a bit.”

I head down the stairs, the red mare right beside me. When we get down I smell the food hitting my nose. My mouth starts to water and I feel the hunger coming over me. I have never smelled such amazing food.

“Hmm, Rex outdid himself today.”

We both trot to get a tray and I get what is there. It’s a bunch of lovely veggies and salads. I look at the stallion behind the counter. I stare at the large red stallion and he looks at me and a smile comes across his face.

“We don’t see many zebras here. I am Rex. May I have your name?”

A smile forms across my face.

“I am Inyanga. I am looking forward to trying what you made here.”

Rex smiles

“Thank you. I will be on break soon. I would love to have a chat with you if you don’t mind.”

I nod to him going to sit near Cranberry and she giggles.

“I never thought you would catch Rex’s eye. He kind of was drafted years ago into the enclave. His dream is to get married to somepony and open an inn. So you might be the one he tries to court unless you see a problem with that.”

I chuckle

“As long as he doesn’t rush me into something, I will be fine. I'd rather he court me like a gentle stallion and not expect me to just get into bed and have sex with him. I have had to deal with that too much with zebra stallions.”

A mare comes over pouring me and Cranberry a cup of green tea and she smiles.

“Hello, you two I noticed you forgot to get something to drink. I am Tea Leaf. I hope you have a wonderful meal.”

I nod to the mare watching her trot off and Cranberry and I eat our food. I relax feeling my body finally relaxing after being around so many ponies. I was worried they would do something to me or force me into some testing.

“Hmm, pretty good food. I have been too used to the food in the tribe. So why did you join the Enclave?”

Cranberry smiles

“Well up above before we thought of returning to the ground. We were all told those below are tribals and savages. But instead of joining the military as a ground pounder, I joined it as a doctor. I was very unsure about everything after we heard what was going on below.”

I sigh.

“I see so you felt at the time you were above those on the ground below?”

Cranberry sighs deeply, shaking her head.

“Stupid huh?”

Rex sits down by me and he sets down a tray of what looks like to be boxed food. I look fully at the food, finding it strange it smells so weird.

“Heh, you notice eh?”

I was confused at first then I finally understood. He made non-frozen type food for those who are new here. He must have run out or he saved it for Cranberry.

“You’re eating the older food?”

Rex nods.

“It’s harder to get fresh supplies here. With no fresh water, it’s even harder. So for the first thirty, I was able to keep the freshly made food. It was the last of the fresh food so yes you two got lucky.”

Cranberry smiles.

“Unless you saved it because of me?”

Rex laughs, shaking his head.

“You know how the leadership feels about saving fresh food for a specific pony. So yes you two got lucky.”

I chuckle.

“How hard is it to find pure fresh water?”

Rex sighs.

“Hard enough we can’t use our normal methods to find water. We had to have help from the water hunter. The water we found may have been fresh but it’s not enough to grow anything. If we could find a supply we could refill ourselves over time. It would be better if we could find a supply that can refill itself naturally.”

Cranberry sighs nodding.

“It’s been a struggle for a lot of the enclaves who agreed to come out here. Most of the reason we are out here is to try to contact the old enclave in Kludgetown.”

Cranberry sips from her cup of tea.

“Our leader felt it would be better to find a community to help. So we can connect ourselves to the rest of the desert land. I learned that desert Dwellers who don’t live in these cities would be harder to convince to help. We tried to invite them to talk with us, but no luck.”

She is correct that it's hard to get all the desert dwellers in one room. We are lucky if we can even get some sand hooves blood in our gene pool. All tribes of this land don’t all agree and with how xenophobic the Desert dwellers have become over time it’s harder to do anything.

“Now Miss Inyanga do you have anypony waiting for you back home?”

I glance at Rex with a smirk, my cheeks a bit red from his question. I try to regain my composure, shaking my head. It was harder said than done to regain it since he is so handsome. At least he is not forcing himself on me.

“I don't, are you willing to be the first to court me like a normal stallion and not rush?’

Rex snickers

“Sounds like a challenge, are zebras hard to court?”

I chuckle

“No, we just met good sir. So my first question to you is, can I trust you?”

Rex smiles as he eats. I can tell he is trying to think through his head. I have a feeling he is trying to say his words carefully.

“I am a former married stallion. I haven’t been married for the better part of five years. The more I gave my heart to break it off with me. She broke it off because I am part of the Enclave Military. After everything that happened ten years ago and the years before that. She doesn’t trust anyone in the military of the enclave. So because I didn’t quit she divorced me and I haven’t heard from her since.”

I frown. I have never understood why some would hate their military. Sadly I don’t know much about what happened in the last many years. I just know some pony named Pip caused a big stir and she caused a great deal of strife for some ponies.

“Okay, Rex as long as you don’t push me into anything questionable and you treat me like I should be treated like a mare and not a sex toy or an object then you will get everywhere with me.”

Rex smiles, setting down his fork. He takes my hoof in his magic gently kissing the hoof. My cheeks glow brightly. I didn’t expect that and I stared at him focusing so much on his gentle eyes. I gulp, why are my knees weak? I am not even standing.

Cranberry giggles.

“Rex, don’t you have a question to ask her? We have a dance to relax?”

My ears perk up in surprise at a dance.

“I am confused as to why they wanted to do this dance. After everything that happened over the last few years, morale is at an all-time low. So they’re hoping to fix that with music, drinks, and everything they could get from the enclave.”

I smirk, setting down the empty cup of tea.

“Well, then you're going to be a good stallion and ask me to come?”

Rex laughs

“I was just about to. Are you willing to come with me to the dance tonight?”

A gentle smile forms across my face.

“I would love to know when the dance is?’

Rex smirks

“Tonight I need to get the food ready for it. So I look forward to seeing you there Inyanga and looking forward to dancing with you.”

Rex trots off to go into the kitchen. I shake my head. What just happened?

“Heh heh, you’re smitten?”

I turn my head, smirking.

“Heh, I guess I am, at least he didn’t force himself on me.”

My ears perk up. I sense some powerful magic in the hospital. I quickly stand looking up the stairs.

“What's wrong?”

I stare up the stairs.

“I was trained to sense various types of magic. There is something wrong with the air in here.”

The air feels wrong, the smell of it feels like there is power electricity magic in the air. Gunshots sound off with screams. Cranberry and I trot up the stairs with a couple of ponies behind us. I am worried. I heard stories of this magic. If it's who I think it is, this is bad.

Since this chapter of the book is about me and Inyanga, she is going to write her confrontation with some of the judges. But it will be in the view of Ruby. She will copy what Ruby wrote.

_________________

Zeb, Erebus, and Somnmbula and her canary Kyrie[G1 version]

One of the guards helped me get out of the binds, keeping me strapped to the bed. I had no weapons but all I see is a zebra in a strange outfit holding a satchel. There is some powerful unnatural magic coming from the bag. My stringer comes out and it begins to glow as I get ready to defend myself.

“Hmm, so you’re the one my employer is scared of. Hmm, I am not impressed. Now I wonder how powerful your shadow is?’

Shadow? He opens the bar and strange magic dust quickly comes to engulf me. I am pushed out of the way by a pegasus mare and the mist engulfs her. She stands in the dust, her eyes full of shock. The dust rips the shadow from the poor mare and the mare sits down looking depressed staring at the floor like she has no life in the world.

I watch this in horror. The magic could destroy my core. It’s the type of magic my body can’t absorb if I even tried it would either kill me or destroy my ability to consume magic. Making me just an everyday bug that can talk.

“Now just sit there as all heroes do. I am sure you will come up with some comical I won’t get away with this!! Then if you don’t want me to get away with this, attack me.”

He wasn’t looking up while he was saying this and when he looked up I came at him quickly enough he was surprised by this and he tried to block me with his hoof. I stab my stinger right into his leg and he groans lifting it. He then smacks me back with the large bulky bag. I am forced back. He smiles but he is now surrounded by many Enclave soldiers.

“Master!!”

Master a strange lightning bolt comes through the power system and a cloud monster forms. I stare at him. He is like Reaver but he has a strange red nose and he laughs. Did both of them just bring music with them?

“How about some Shadow harvesting master?”

Erebus laughs at the music growing.

“Capital idea capital”

The music begins to play despite the zebra getting his front leg paralyzed he is now standing on his back hooves like this is normal for them and they both dance. The others stare at each other. It's like we are stunned by this display. The first one to sing is the cloud monster

“Ha ha!

Hee hee!

Do you see what I see?

A bunch of lovely shadows for the satchel and me.”

The zebra laughs, opening the satchel as the other ponies and I try to fight them off. I fly right through the cloud creature not able to harm him. The others go for the zebra and he opens the satchel getting more shadows laughing and dancing. He is next to sing.

“Ha ha!

Hoo hoo!

There are more than just a few

I see some pony shadows plus a pair of heroes too!”

I stare at the other ponies getting their shadows taken. Even though they stand back up and try their best to fight. Erebus laughs, shooting them with his magic causing them to fly back. I quickly fly to check on them after they hit. They’re still alive but too weak to get back up. The cloud monster sings again.

“I'll bet they're tasty shadows

They look so dull and gray”

Zeb laughs, opening the bag for him to feed and they scream as he grabs the shadows. I stare in horror trying to grab the shadows but I just go right through them as each shadow the cloud creature grows in size he laughs louder. The zebra sings again.

“There's nothing quite like shadows.”

They both dance and the zebra can hit back at those trying to attack him. When he is around the strange wizard cloud he cannot be harmed by a strange invisible storm shield and he grabs one of the mares who attacked. She was able to get through the shield with a knife and stab his shoulder. He laughs at the pain-causing his adrenaline to speed through his system. I also think the song is doing so as well. Both sing as I charge with some ponies who have no shadows and we are hit back by the powerful magic of the wizard. I groan, falling to the ground trying to flap my wings. It's getting harder to do so.

“To brighten up your day.”

The two laugh and a group of pegasus force the two back with weapons now. The two don’t seem scared of this as the weapons go through the wizard and hit the zebra; it doesn't bother him as part of his ugly clothing smokes.

“HA HA”

The cloud creature laughs. He quickly floats at me and before he can hit me Inyanga hits him back with the strange staff she has been holding. The gem on the end glows brightly and she stands on her back hooves ready to fight the two.

“Tra la!”

The zebra sang and they kept laughing despite how many times they were hit and attacked. The zebra is starting to look worse for wear though but is not allowing himself to fall; he holds tightly onto the satchel getting ready to open it up again. The two start singing again. I can tell this is starting to weaken them from the constant attacks.

“We had been feeling blah

But seeing all those shadows makes us want to shout "Hoorah!"

The two laughed and they finally began to end their silly song

“Yippee!”

The cloud sang laughing. I can see him shrinking from overextending. Inyanga waits for his chance to attack the cloud. I have a feeling she knows a spell to get the shadows out of him and I watch the zebra he is trying to open the satchel. It's harder since he is weakened.

“Hoorah!”

The zebra yells getting back open but unable to aim. They finally get to the last set of their song.

[ARABUS and ZEB]

Sis boom bah!

[ARABUS]

Yippee!

[ZEB]

Hoorah!

[ARABUS and ZEB]

Sis boom bah!

Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

The song ends and before Zeb can use the bag again I stab my stinger into it, slicing through the bag and releasing some of the shadows he wasn’t able to feed to the cloud and they go back into the ones who got hurt. They may get them back but they’re still wounded.

“NO!!”

Zeb screams in pain as he falls weakened. He holds tightly onto the bag and I sting into his side forcing deep in to at least paralyze him enough so others can deal with him. The cloud wizard stares at what I just did and he charges his magic before he can do anything Cranberry charges in with a group of pegasus who help parts of the weather they use their pegasus magic to mess with the cloud creature ripping him apart and weakening him enough for Inyanga to finally strike.

“Egameni lamaponi e-Flutter adedela lezo zithunzi ozitholile”

Erebus's eyes fill with horror; she says something he is in fear of and strange magic comes out of the stone. When it hits the cloud monster twists like a tornado and shrinks all the shadows leaving his body and going back into the ones who attacked him. He quickly hides behind the zebra who is trying to get back up. I notice the gem on Inyanga’s staff cracked as we surround the two creatures.

“This was a bad idea master..”

Erebus looks around with a great amount of fear in his eyes.

“Somnambula help!!”

Who? A strange haunting song fills our ears. I look around and see ponies screaming in pain like something is attacking them. Inyanga screams and rolls around like she is on fire, and Cranberry stares at the ground. She is acting like she lost her wings.

As for me, I look at my buggy hands as the skin melts off them and the room begins to twist and turn. I fall to the ground screaming in pain. I can see the cloaked figure in purple fabric again. I stare up at her when I get a chance. What in the world is she? She has pale skin and hair on her head. She has pointy ears ..wait Majesty told me stories about Dream Valley it had a race known as Elves

“I can’t believe I have to save you two fools.”

On her shoulder is a yellow canary. She turns to look at me. The creature has no soul. Her eyes are pure darkness and I can tell she looks gaunt like her flesh is falling off her body. The poor creature she killed years ago.

“The spell will only last as long as she can sing along.”

Zeb and the cloud monster follow the elf out of the building, the music keeping us at bay, and after the music leaves us. A lot of us can’t move Inyanga and Cranberry nod trotting off to chase after those three and all I can do is lay here like a weakened bum.

I try to get up but I feel I might pass out. I was told if I tried to help this land I would get hurt enough to pass out. I guess It will become a thing where I can joke while in pain shows…Oh, there I go. My eyes roll back and I pass out.

Frankly from what Inyanga told me Ruby passed out a lot in her journey. I found it funny. Honestly, I just laugh half the time when I learn the hero sure has a lot of bed rest because every time she gets hurt I find it funny each time I read what Ruby wrote. Now next will be Inyanga's point of view again.

___________

The enclave dance

It’s late and the sun recently went down. I don’t know what the others are doing but if they’re willing to wait for me and Cranberry to enjoy this dance. I come in wearing a long blue dress. My mane was combed and gold rolled into my mane. Gentle glowing gold earrings hang from my ears. I hear a whistle turning to see Cranberry. She is in a green dress.

“How beautiful Inyanga. I talked to Ruby before I came here. They got everything set up for us. I just told them they would have to wait at least a day for us to go. Ruby wanted to come but she got angry we couldn’t find a dress for her so she just went to get some sleep.”

I chuckle.

“What about Tick Tock and Waterspout?”

Cranberry frowns

“Ruby and Tick Tock got into another heated argument. It wasn’t as bad as last time but whatever happened before they just don’t seem to get along anymore. I am hoping this journey will change that.”

I nod

“I can understand why Waterspout is not here. Since it is being tasked to find more water. As for me, I am here because you know why.”

Cranberry and I walk into the main hall. Many ponies are dancing and laughing and drinking. They have a band playing heavy dance music and I just sigh I have never been to a place like this. Cranberry looks around smiling weakly.

“I met my former husband at one of these so long ago.”

I feel bad for Cranberry. I wish she could go into what happened. Cranberry trots off to get something to drink for us and I am unsure where Rex is. Like clockwork, he comes up behind and I roll my eyes feeling dumb

“Well hello, Inyanga. You look wonderful.”

A smile creeps across my lips.

“Thank you, Rex, you look very handsome.”

I notice Cranberry is up on the stage whispering something to the band leader. She nods and they both laugh. The mare's voice comes over the mic

“Hello, everypony are you all having fun and enjoying having at least a little peace in this broken world?”

The ponies cheer and Rex and I stand beside each other wondering what is going on. The leader of the band looks at the two of us.

“As a request from Doctor Cranberry, this next song is for the young lovers of the crowd. You know who you are.”

The mare nods to the other ponies and one of them magically forms a saxophone and another gently hits drums and the mare holds the mic to her mouth closely

“The moon glows above us tonight. I see you in the moonlight and your eyes glowing on the moon. I stare into those eyes and all I hear are the words. I love you. We are here under the bourbon sky.”

I looked at Rex. He bowed and we began to dance. My cheeks glow brightly as I dance with the stallion. This is so romantic and I feel this is the best first step into getting to know him fully. I wish it was easier to fall in love.

“The moon glows in your lovely eyes. We hear the song of love all around us. Take the plunge, take the dip. Don’t let the song of love end for you tonight. The bourbon moon is above us as we drink and become one together in the dream of love.”

My knees are getting weaker as I hold onto the stallion. I stare into his eyes feeling a budding love, not lust. Not wanting pure sex and pleasure. Just a little love to fulfill a dream it’s like a dream in the night, a song for both of us.

“Ooo hooo we shall kiss in the pale moonlight. Don’t delay showing your love. Don’t rush, let the love build over time and become closer to the point of the blast of love.”

The song ends with Rex and I kissing gently, my cheeks glowing brightly. It’s just a gentle kiss not one of lust. He takes me outside and I sit on a bench beside him.

“I am happy we won’t be rushing this.”

I chuckle

“Same with me. But why did you ask me to come out here?”

Rex smiles

“I would like to court you and maybe if it's in the cards, marry you. No rushing but if you break off from Ruby and you have nowhere else to go. I would love to get to know you more.”

I smile sweetly.

“I do need to get some sleep to get ready for the trip. But if it's in the cards and Ruby's journey is complete I will come to you and if we do it then I shall become your wife. But remember no rushing, no forcing anything on it will be all-natural.”

Rex chuckles

“I agree now. Get some rest, beautiful zebra. I shall see you again when you’re able to return from the journey.”

I lean in to give him a deep kiss standing up and heading to the research station to get to my room to sleep after I walk in, Cranberry comes in behind me giggling.

“I saw it all.”

I laugh blushing.

“We will talk about it when it’s not too late, Cranberry. Goodnight.”

Cranberry nods and leaves heading back to the hospital I head into the room. I take off the dress and the curls and rings. I lay on the cot to think of my future with a stallion like Rex. Pure hope it works. I close my eyes to fall asleep.

The song sung for us was also sung at our wedding. But the next thing is the journey and again during all this. I wasn’t doing anything impressive. My life before Ruby’s judgment I was just a simple cook. Nothing really impressive about me.

The next part is written by Ruby again. It’s part of their journey now, not everything that Inyanga wrote will be here. Like the chapter all about the three years without Ruby. But to be honest, our lives pretty much became not noteworthy when Ruby left on her journey. Inyanga gave up the name of a hero because of reasons.

But this part in the story is when Inyanga notices Ruby is not the best leader. Even their friendship kind of fell apart because of this.

___________

The old Military warehouse

Before we fully left Inyanga got herself an old battery-powered mask to keep herself from turning to stone. We get to the warehouse and I look at Inyanga who nods at me as we are getting ready to go in. I grab my machine gun to get ready.

“Be careful please.”

Winter Green trots off and we go inside, closing the door silently. We notice the dust has engulfed this building. We see many stone bodies of ponies and other creatures. Some of them

We get to a large room that holds a large gun. It looks like one of those old weapons used during the war and around the area is a ton of ammo. But that is not all I see these strange rock creatures wearing various gang clothing. My guess is the leader of them is the one in the fancy suit and hat.

I nod to Inyanga and she sneaks with me inside the room. She taps my shoulder pointing up to the catwalk leading into a room where I see a pony outline like he's on some chair. I look at the gun it’s aiming up there. I grab a magic bullet or ammo they call it that has the blue strip and arm it. I cock my SGM shooting into the air and getting the attention of the creatures. They just turn to look up at me.

“I am here to stop you don’t move”

The one I am sure is the leader smirks at me

“I got a better deal for you.”

I was confused and I heard Inyanga fighting and struggling but these creatures have the upper hoof and they pull her to the leader forcing her to the ground. They remove her mask and the leader chuckles. I buzzy angrily seeing all this.

“Stop if you don’t let her go I will fire this big gun up into the room.”

I put my buggy hand on the trigger. I can tell this got the attention of the leader. He chuckles weakly.

“You got moxie kid but I am going to be blunt with you. You don’t want to fire in there. See the cure is in there and you want to help this town, am I correct?”

The cure is in there and I look back the pony is already gone. It’s like he knew I was here and I growl angrily

“Who the fuck are you working with?”

The creature chuckles, smoking his cigar.

“I can’t tell you that but I can tell you what the master wants. Now are you going to be a good little bug or do we have to be mean?”

I growl softly again

“I want to talk to this leader!!”

The leader nods and one of the rock creatures tosses me a walkie-talkie

“You’re the one I have been watching. I see I am going to ask this once will you get out of my way and if you want to help with my plans join me.”

I buzz angrily

“No deal.”

The voice laughs.

“See as you have been sitting here talking with me and them. You may have noticed what one of them has been doing to your friend.”

I watch and I notice while they have been holding her down they have been making her breathe in the dust from the building. I stare at her watching her slowly turn to stone and I see one of them hold a file to get ready to file her body down.

“See if you don’t let them go they will do what they did to the others you just saw. So yes that is the only cure there and I am sorry it could be years before they find a cure to help your friend.”

The voice laughs.

“I would be telling you about my plans and all that and what I want to do with the water and so forth but I will let you stew like the dumb bug you are. Now do we have a deal or will you just attack these rock demons and let your friend die?”

I fly down to Inyanga. She is still able to move a bit and breathe. I try to help her by stroking all the dust off her and the rock creature sighs after the leader stops speaking to me.

“Let them go…Ruby, I am not worth it. I am just one life compared to so many.”

I look at Inyanga then the weapon I look at the catwalk leading up to the cure. I try to find many ways I can do this in my head. I could wait, can I kill these things? Can I be that one to kill and go get the cure?

“Kid let me make this easier on you.”

I turn my head to the leader of these rock creatures.

“Let us go and you may have a chance to save your friend. If not, she will make a big paperweight and the time is running out. What will you choose?”

I look at Inyanga and then back to the creature's cure. I sigh, taking my helmet and offsetting it down I kneel to them.

“I surrender, go.”

The others laugh charging out as the leader stays behind and he leans over to me looking into my eyes.

“I don’t like to do stuff like this kid. But a job is a job and life is not going to be simple for everyone. Plans will hurt others' lives and will be ruined but that's how progress works. Expanding life for everyone even if it means you need to break a few eggs. I am Geode and if we meet again I hope under better circumstances.”

I head quickly up to get the cure. I notice a computer and get into it. It’s already been hacked into and I notice the fan blowing to blow the air outside is off. I wonder if I can clear the air up then I notice another set has a filter. What in the world is that? Oh, wait I remember them I turn it on to get the dust out of the air and quickly head back down with the cure. I was too late.

I look at the cure and Inyanga is still able to talk. I lean to her to look into her eyes.

“Inyanga I am going to give you this.”

She smiles weakly

“No Ruby, they will find a cure for me someday. Go please give it to those who can help.”

She fully turns to stone and I try to shake her. Tears streaming down my face I wrap around the stone zebra crying hard.

“Inyanga please don’t go, I don't want to lose any more friends.”

I sob like a pathetic bug and while I do I hear heavy stomps coming in and I look up to see Crunch the Rock dog. He has an earpiece attached to his ear and he is talking to someone as he walks in.

“I don’t think this is a good idea, master. I mean come on you won you beat her let's just kill her and be done with it.”

He growls

“Yeah I know but…but we had a good thing going here. I know oh come on that was a mistake I lost my temper.”

He growls deeply

“I see you want to give a chance like this is a game of chees? Seriously she has already lost a pawn let her lose another. Okay, I get it you want to make this a big deal and a moment of glory for yourself correct?”

I hear very angry talking on the other side. Crunch grabs the earpiece and crushes it he looks down at me with a smirk.

“Well, you’re in luck, my master wants to give you a bone. Now this will be the only bone I give you. Because if we meet again I will kill you. I hate heroes, I hate being nice. I hate peace, I hate friendship.”

The big dog puts his paw on Inyanga and she goes back to flesh and he even removes her high. She stands up shaking looking at the dog.

“If you say thank you I am going to kill you and turn you back to stone.”

She smirks

“Good dog.”

He roars angrily growling, heading back out cussing.

“Fucking worthless pieces of shit Dream Valley and cutesy pink ponies and stupid zebras what a fucking worthless shit.”

I turn to look at Inyanga. The look on her face makes me scared. The anger in her eyes I have never seen her so angry. Her eyes glow bright red and I see the mist look around but I don’t see the goat this time. After a while, it subsides and she sighs.

“I had to fight my anger for you, Ruby. I told you I wasn’t worth it and now they know they can control you just by using your friends. I promise I won’t tell the others but my trust for you has been lost.”

She starts walking out and I sit there sobbing and buzzing sadly she turns to look at me and I see the anger from her eyes subside she comes over to me and hugs me tightly

“Oh, I am sorry I am so sorry I didn’t mean it you’re a wonderful little bug please stop crying.”

I don’t feel any better. The crying finally lets up and she smiles leaning into giving me a gentle nuzzle.

“It was just my anger speaking. Come, let's give the cure to Cranberry and see what she can do with it.”

I sigh weakly putting my helm back on and we head out I look up watching the dust from inside get blown away far away and I smile weakly we head back to the hospital to give the cure to Cranberry I look over to Inyanga again and she turns to me I see the same lukewarm eyes Tick Tock gave me. I feel heartbroken knowing another will walk away after all this.

But there are some things Inyanga will never write in this book. Like how she felt about Ruby when she vanished into the bunker. Inyanga mainly said she wanted her life to look like she is in the background when the greater story is being told. Then the judgment happens she shall write what happened to her. But when the judgment happened she didn’t care for the idea of it. She wrote everything. Look in the other chapter the Farseer for the rest of the story. Our wedding wasn’t in it. Our wedding won’t be in this one either. It’s a matter of keeping our lives private to those who read.

___________

Inyanga part of the farseer chapter

Forced to stand there watching while the Storm King takes us all I am forced to stand down and when it comes we are all lifted. I look at my friends even though Dunewalker was forced into this and she betrayed us. I was tossed towards Hard Rock and unlike the others, I remember my landing. I was very lucky and broke my fall but it still hurt. Parts of my body broke and fell apart knowing that someday I will feel this when I get older. I remember before passing out my tribe found me. They took me back home to rest. When I finally came back from the sleep of dreams I told the tribe what happened.

“Ngihambe ibanga elide” I spoke in zebra. Since we don’t just have zebras living with us now. We have translators for the ponies. Thanks to the judges of the stars becoming the ones that bring them to us.

“I have come a long way.” We all sat around the fire. I have so many bandages around my broken body. I only remember that I hit my head when the Storm King tossed me across the land. I use the potions and the music to bring a magic image to the fire.

“Indlela ibinzima” The fire shows my path with Ruby and the others. The path that had been so hard. The fact that everything was easy at first. Ruby and all of us together as one path. The path will always be hard. The zebra near me translates again.

“The path has been long.” She softly added looking towards me. A smile formed on her face. I don’t remember even waking up here. I have been told I have been in a coma for almost six months after I came. My mind, my brain was full of pain. I have some mental issues after waking up. Not easy to work through. The Storm King may have returned but hate and sickness are one.
I stood there going silent, the fire dimmed from my silence. A ring forms in my ears, closing my eyes and fighting this pain that lingers. A hoof strokes my shoulder, opening my eyes I stare at one of the elders.

“Qhubeka” The elder gently added. He wanted me to continue and not allow the pain to get the best of me. I took a deep breath feeling my heart beating very hard. Glancing at one of the stallions he had a strange symbol on his neck. I have never seen that symbol before. He is some pilgrim I have been told.

I went on to show the path that leads to the bunker. Heading to Narik I had told the parents of the foals to cover the eyes of their children. But they didn't. I knew this day and age they felt that kids need to learn the hard way.

“Dood” The rock ball games show in the fire and the ponies understand the meaning of the world. That there was no need to translate. The meaning of what I said was death. In the rock ball part of the story, the fire glows a hot orange leaving nothing out. Then I try to bring up the last part of the journey but I can't as the fire dies and the story is over. I rub a hoof on my bandaged head. I hurt so much still after being in a coma for so long.

“Wonderful story..” I turn to look at the stallion. I know nothing about him but I am told we need to treat him with respect and give him what he wants if he asks for it. I bow my head to him in respect.

“It’s all true as well. Forgive me if I haven’t been very open to you. I don’t remember how I ended up here at all. Just every time I try to remember it’s like my mind and umphefumulo. Oh, excuse me.” I don’t know every word in Pony. So I will try to say it. “S S” It’s hard for some words for me.

“That would be soul. Don’t worry, I have learned to speak like your species ages ago. So I can understand you more.”

A pony that wishes to understand my kind? My species is very kind to them. Normally they expect us to learn to speak like them. Most of my kind refused to learn to speak pony after the war. I for one feel I needed to.

“I am known as Cross. I am a pilgrim of the order of Mimics.” I lift an eye ridge at the name order of Mimic. I have never heard of that order. I have never heard of MImic at all.

“Forgive me but I have never heard of the order of Mimic you said?”

Cross nods as he shifts in his cloak into the light. I finally saw him. His coat looks like it used to be brown. But now it’s fully sunbleached like it has walked into the sun and never came off the desert. Those are nomads.

“Most wouldn’t we only show up to those that need us. You need me well at the moment. You need your friends.” My friends, I don’t know why but when my friends are brought up. Hate fills my soul. My heart beats with hateful ideas. My eyes turn red because the hate builds so much that I could explode.

“PUH!! Friends treated me like some worthless piece of udoti. Ruby was the worst of all; she pushed us into helping this land. That refuses us and now I don’t even remember how I ended up back home. I have been told by Pinda that the very land could be at war at any moment. The Storm King has returned.” I stomp my hoof hard on my medicine staff, breaking it with a crack. The other Farseers this is a bad omen whispers sound around me.

“I..” The hate lifted from my heart. Tears fell from my eyes. I just said all those words? Did I feel this way? The tears hit the floor while Cross stares at me with sad eyes. The sadness is it seems he has seen this before.

“I was scared of this. There is a sickness that has been in this land for years. The war brought it out even worse back in the day. This sickness started even before Nightmare Moon. When Grogar controlled this world he cursed it. But not the entire world stayed cursed. Only parts of it did. Equestria did for a time so did the old tribes. But those were their faults, not the curse. The war didn’t cause it. Hope I did.”

The thoughts I had for my friends. Then I thought of Ruby again. The hate returns and I remove her from my mind. I took a deep breath.

“I am sorry to say but even if you see your friends again. It’s going to take much longer for you to trust them again. But I need you to heal up. It may take a year for all your wounds to heal. But you need to start searching for your friends. The only way for you to learn is by talking to Pinda when you heal. But the first one you need to find is the traitor of your friends. You will find her in Hard Rock. Confront her and then tell her what you're doing. She won’t stop you because she can’t”

Who betrayed us then? I don’t remember at all. I don’t even remember how I got back here. Maybe I will learn about it sooner or later. I close my eyes tightly trying to remember. But I can’t even think of who it was.

“Who betrayed us then?”

He stares at me again and sadness fills his eyes even more.

“DuneWalker. She had been working for Wheel Tread all along. She is the reason why Ruby got mind-controlled; she forced you all into a trap. But she is also part of the circle of your friends. You need to speak to her. You need to get her to understand. She can’t go on like this. She may not follow but she will help if you confront her.”

The question rings in my mind.

“What is in it for you if we fight? Why don’t we just give up? I have been told what the Storm King wants to do. He is not wrong, you know Wheel Tread is not wrong. The time of heroes and villains has come to an end. It’s now time to move on from the idea of the West and become like we used to.”

Cross shook his head.

“The issue with their idea of progress is on the backs of the weak and the dying. The order of Mimic is for the idea of getting the world back on track. The idea that the world will go back to the days of old is great. The idea of backstabbing and the idea of using the world as the old world did.. Needs to die. Wheel Tread and the Storm King brought it back. All dressed up in suits and hats of progress.”

I took a deep breath. Yes, I remember a few days after I woke up one of these ponies of progress showed up. They offered water and food to us. In the name that we give them lives to work on this progress as slaves. Since then we doubled the guard and asked Hard Rock to help us protect the water. DJ Mixer has been telling stories of water ending up poisoned and crops being killed.

“Again what is in it for the order of Mimic? Why do you even care?’

Cross smiles showing his yellow teeth and some cracked

“What is in it for the world? You see if the idea of progress spreads in this form it will be bad. Scootaloo brought the idea back. The other heroes helped with that as well. But it could be in the path of the hardliners but by the judges of the stars. What the order of Mimic wants. Is the world to be at balance again? There is no balance without peace. There is no balance without hope. Someday the world will not need heroes. But this day is not today. Fight the sickness of hate.”

Looking down at my broken Far Seer staff. A sudden vision came to my eyes. I saw glowing black horns. Big red eyes. A smiling goat has a smile that could end a soul. He just stares right back at me. An evil laugh fills my ears and I finally look back up. I regain myself and nod.

“I shall form myself a new staff. I shall redo my combat training and then go on. I shall then confront Dunewalker.”

The stallion nods. He turns away to move along. His hooves had a golden shine when he moved. His tail was so wilted and so dead. It’s like magic and power. It was time for me to go back to my training. I leave the camp a day or so later and stay alone despite my bones not fully being repaired. I cut a limb of a tree and with the help of a pack of timberwolves that live in this cavern. Help me by placing some of their magic within us learned ages ago to be one with nature. Even if nature is painful at times.

I fold and sit down near the branch taking a knife in my mouth and carving runes inside it. The old cracked staff was made for peace and healing. Now, this staff is needed for the days ahead. My training won’t be simple even with my pain. I must fight and train till I am ready to confront Dunewalker. Carving another set of runes feeling the strain of my weak body. I can’t allow myself to have another failure. It made me lose my friends before. I should have seen what was happening to Ruby.

“Inyanga child.” I lift my head from my meditation. It's been at least almost a month since I have been out here. Standing up above my new staff some of the runes gently glow bright blue while some blue a light red.

“I know I can’t stop you from doing this. You’re lucky to be alive my dear child. I can’t stop you. If I do stop you they may try to take over this cavern and force us into slaves like those before us. Now do what you must. I shall bring others to help you with your training.”

I bow my head to the elder. I didn’t wish to be told right now what to do. I wish to move on and find Ruby. Then try to fight this evil. Then knowing the leaders of this land they will use Ruby as a scapegoat.

“Do you think I am focusing too much on revenge for my friend’s father?” The elder who is also my aging father sits beside me placing his hoof on my shoulder. I turn to look right at him. His left eye is blind and he can barely hear and walk anymore.

“The old stories of the war fought for the idea of revenge. Many even fought for the idea that the stars told them to. The reason our family got placed here was to protect us. At first, that was the idea. Then another took over and then made us into targets. But that didn’t last long and then the bombs went off. So revenge for your friends? I feel that there is a greater need for revenge. Just don’t let it consume you.”

He stood up and placed his hoof on my new staff, bowing in respect and whispering a few words.

“Izinkanyezi'' He spoke the words" stars and the staff glowed brighter and then dimmed after a while. He said a word that many staff of my kind hate. But this burns for the blood and hunger of the stars. I know it may consume me. But I can’t allow this to happen again. I need to train because I will have to fight the camel and beat her to get her to understand.

He walks away from me while I walk deeper into the forest in the caverns to be one with nature for a year and then destiny. I spent a year in these caverns getting my new staff and what’s odd it was pretty normal normally life comes from harsh. But when I told Rex that I took on Dunewalker after he and I got married when she returned I forgave her for what she said and did.

_________

The fight with Dunewalker

This was a time I felt I needed to avenge Ruby. But after what Ruby has done in Dream Valley I can’t anymore. I… There are some tear stains on the book I am sorry if you see tear stains here Bezzen I can’t forgive myself for what we did to her.

I had everything ready and planned. I let Pinda know what I was doing. I even warned him that Dunewalker betrayed us and is working for Wheel Tread. From the look on Pindas's face, he already knew. He told me a story about how the Dunewalker line has been doing stuff like this for years. Always sometimes joining the wrong side or the right side. Sometimes it’s been the right side. But in later years it’s been the wrong side.

The moon shines over the sleeping town of Hard Rock the guards all went home leaving me and Dunewalker. It didn’t take long for me to find her in the bar. I sat in a booth on the other side of her. She drank from a pint of beer.

“You betrayed us…” I softly said. Her ears perk up the sadness in her eyes. She reaches for her sword and Goldie hides behind her bar and others get ready for a battle. She swings her large sword right at my table and I quickly dance out of the way while she cuts the table in half.

“Is this how you betray those that called you friends Dunewalker?” She lifts the sword staring at the broken table.

“Betray? I did what was right. Heroes are a threat to this land. I joined the winning side. If you had smart Inyanga you would do the same. The days of heroes and villains are over!!” A smile forms on my lips.

“Oh no, it’s not Dunewalker for you have become the villain. The day of Heroes and Villains has ended. But you have become a threat to this land. To my kind you allowed Ruby to die!!”

Dunewalker grips the hilt of the sword tightly in her cybernetic foot. It turns into fingers and she turns her robotic eye to stare at me. They hate the sadness in her eyes. She didn’t want to do this. She never wanted it to go this far.

“Then if I am the villain what does that make you Inyanga? The hero with a self-important sense of fake justice? A justice that to others gets many killed? How many died during the Lightbringer's battle? How many died during all the hero’s paths to conquest?!” She swings the sword again and I quickly get out of the way the edge of the blade cuts my cloak. It breaks the floor and she lifts it again.

“What does that make me? I am not a hero. I never wanted to be one. Neither did the rest of us Dunewalker. I am not some Lightbringer, I am not some pony seeking justice for a war-torn land. I am doing what is right.” A sense of what is right and wrong? Sometimes what is right is to follow and allow the world to end.

“The elite of the past caused the war that brought this world to death Inyanga. The elites came back into power because of the heroes. Wheel Tread and the Storm King are bringing back a sense of balance to a world that needs it. A sense of balance to this land... A balance that hasn’t been here since Nightmare Moon curse.”

Reaching for my sword in my hoof. I created it like the warriors of old standing on my back hooves staring right into the eyes of the camel. She may have been larger than me. But I knew I was faster than her. Dunewalker lifts the blade and it smashes into lights as they send down sparks and the lights sputter.

“Don’t do this please Inyanga. I don’t want to kill you.” I stare back at her holding the blade in my hoof with the hoof hilt. I wasn’t going to back off now. I need to get through to her. If I have to kill her to get through to her then so be it.

“I can’t if I allow this to continue Dunewalker. My home will be next on the Storm Kings block. You betrayed this entire town. To the Storm King.” Whispers and gasps from the patrons in the bar. “You betrayed the hero. You could have saved her from her darkness. But you have a sense of being a slave don’t you?”

I must have struck a nerve. The word slave makes her shake the hilt in her cybernetic hoof cracks just slightly. The hate sickness invades her senses. I again see the goat not too far off. With an evil smile on his face. Dunewalker takes a deep breath blowing out steam. Some of the cybernetics inside her even overheated from her anger.

“I am no one’s slave. The camels know who will win this battle. They know who will win this war. The ones who control the water. The food others will know. Others will get smart and join that idea. Water is but money and food is power for lives. If I must be on that side to protect the world from another war. Then SO BE IT!!” She quickly swings her large sword and our blades finally clash. Sparks fly from the blades of the swords coming together to form a sense of music. A piece of music that can bring forth death brings forth the end of lives and peace. Some would see this battle and be in awe. The sparks fly onto the wood causing small fires to break out.

“Get out!!” Gold screams to the others inside the bar while the Camel works to save her bar. I no longer cared about the others in the building. My focus was on the camel that was racist to me and then backstabbed my friend. Dunewalker holds the hilt tighter, her eyes glowing brighter. There are no longer any words between us.

Our two blades clash harder between us while the blades shine and sing. My blade is knocked out of my hoof and I quickly get out of the way of the many swings. She had me on the ropes. I could die pretty simple here. If she didn’t do wide swings. Hiding under the bar and her large sword smashes right into it and gets stuck while she tries to pull it out.

I quickly out from behind the bar and before I could my sword she pulled the gun part out of her blade and shot at me with a shotgun. A few of the buckshot goes right into my side. I scream in pain falling to my side. Groaning deeply she stares at me while she reloads the shotgun. I am not able to move. She places the barrel of the shotgun right on my forehead.

“I didn’t want to do this...but please say hello to Ruby for me.” Before she could pull the trigger Gold pushes me out of the way and the trigger is pulled Goldie’s head is blown right off and her body flops right to the floor. Dunewalker stares at the body of her friend whom she just murdered in cold blood.

I barely knew the bartender quickly grabbed the sword and stood back up groaning and limping outside to get out of the burning building. I wasn’t fast enough and looked back to see Dunewalker smashing through the bar out of her rage pulling the hilt out and placing the gun back into the blade.

I was able to finally get outside before she charged right at me and I buck her right in the face hard enough to make her bleed from the nose and she spits out a tooth. I look back up at her with fear in my eyes. I just pissed off the camel even more.

Lights turn on in the town ponies and camels run out to watch us battle. I tried to strike again but with all her weight she forced me down on my side and with her metal foot tried to stomp down hard on me. I quickly get out of the way and dust flies up.

“Inyanga. You should have stayed where you belong stripes. Ruby should have never found you and brought you with us.” Her hate for Ruby means no bounds. The sickness is winning. Her eyes glowed brighter.

“I am not the one that sent Ruby on a mission to train in a death trap. You sent her to find me. Admit it you knew about her from the start. You knew what she was. You just didn’t care because to you she is not a camel. But a species lower than you.” Dunewalker gets angrier from the rage.

“A zebra has no right to tell me!!! What I can and can’t do. You and your Rome are the reason this world needs ponies like Wheel Tread and creatures like the Storm King. You’re what the camels of the past called. A Kaffir” My eyes open wide at the racial insult of my kind. My eyes glow brightly showing the hate sickness getting to me now. I took a deep breath allowing the hate to go over me and then finally relaxed. Looking up at her I see the hate filling her and it’s for Ruby.

“I am willing to look away from what you just said. If you’re willing to drop your weapon and admit you just murdered an innocent camel to get to me.” Dunewalker stares right at me. She hates building so much now that she lifts the blade holding it tight. I knew fully that I wouldn’t survive a strike if she hit me. I pray to the stars, the good stars, the stars that haven’t had a say for so long. The blade swings down hard. I open my eyes a golden shield around me and the stallion I talked to a year ago. His bleached fur glows brightly.

Dunewalker's blade smashes into the magic shield. The runes on her sword glow brightly. She lifts again the mindless hate inside her and she smashes into the shield again. The stallion screamed in pain. With his might, he can extend the shield causing Dunewalker to back up

“In..” He coughs in pain from the use of his magic. I finally noticed his head. He has a makeshift magic horn able to use this magic. “In the name of Mimic. I shall protect this warrior of the stars. Release the seeds of hatred and the hate in your very heart.”

“You talk too much!!” Dunewalker smashes the blade into the shield again and it starts to crack along with the horn on the stallion’s head. He screams in pain and falls on his forelegs struggling to get back up. With the horror in my eyes and the hate in Dunewalker's eyes, I am starting to wonder if some of this hate is something she has had pent up over the years.

The poor stallion from the order of Mimic. Had one last bit of magic one last blast of the shield to expand it one more time. He caused Dunewalker to back up again and the shield broke and he forced himself back to his haunches blood draining from the broken horn. Dunewalker finally regains her footing and to all the horror around us, she stabs through the stallion and his eyes go blank and the blood sprays all over me. She pulls the blade out of the stallion’s chest and while the stallion goes limp dying right on the spot.

Dunewalker steps over the body staring down at me panting hard. The hate in her eyes finally vanished; she no longer has the hate sickness in her system. The hate in her eyes is still fully there.

“It’s now time for you to admit to something Inyanga. Join with the Storm King and Wheel Tread and follow progress.”

“So it is true then.” Dunewalker finally notices where she is the entire time. She is in the middle of the town looking over at the burning bar. Pinda stands right behind her. She finally sees the horror of the citizens of the town. She looks back to the bar and tries to run to get to the bar but she is held back by the guards she trained.

“GOLDIE!!” She screams at the burning building. Tears fall from her eyes and she is finally remembering what she did. The guards force her down and force chains around the ankles of all four legs.

“Take her to a cell till I decide on what to do with her. Inyanga?” I had no idea what was going on anymore. The adrenalin going through my system finally ends. My heart gently beats and my vision blacks out feeling my entire body falling onto the sand of the city.

This was another failure in my life. I didn’t allow my life to stay pure. I am a zebra. I regret so much of what I did and most of the time we should allow ourselves to not follow the path of the stars. Revenge is a path of the stars and it causes us to become monsters like those who have been touched by the stars. But most of what happened later is I found something in a bunker given to us as a home.

__________

Moon touched weapon

Walking into the Bunker the light turns on. Ever since I returned to this city I felt for some reason drawn to this place. I just never wanted to come here. Taking in the old air I could still smell the scents of my friends. Ruby’s scent was kind of strange. It smells like old magic and bugs. I guess I will get used to it. Now I just had to find a room for me to stay in till then. I walk through the halls and I notice something out of the corner of my eye. Turning to notice a sign. ‘Zebra weapons research. Head of research Glyph’ I knew that name. I heard old stories of a traitor who helped the ponies in the past learn our weapons. I am starting to wonder though if she was a traitor. I didn’t pay any mind to it till I walked past the door.

“Zebra DNA detected opening pony-proof locks.” I turn to the door hearing the old locks struggling to unlock the door. It may take a while if it’s the type of locks I think. A spell would need to be broken as well but first, the metal locks would need to break off from what is keeping this door locked. I sat on my haunches chanting a spell to try to ease it along Reaching into my herb bags and looking for my potions and brews to see if I could push the spell along.

The metal starts to screech and groan from the spell trying to break. Bringing it out with a brew I made before I left that is normally made to cleanse wounds. I pour it on the hinges of the metal door. Thanks to the brew the joints slowly start to open. Each lock cracks and unlocks very slowly. I am starting to wonder if this door was never meant to be locked this long along with the spell being on it for so long.

After about an hour the door finally creaks open with a thunk on the wall. I cover my nose because of the stale air filling the room. Walking inside the lights struggle to come on. After a while, they finally come on. In the middle of the room is a glass container with a zebra-made sword inside it. I walk towards it and look down to see the bones of Glyph. Looking over at a large computer.

On the computer are the words for the zebras of the future. I walk to the computer sighing. I feel very bad for the zebras and ponies of the past. Looking at the button that is calling for zebra DNA. I open my bag again and bring out a small sharp knife. I cut a part of my leg and let the blood drip onto the button and it fills the hoofprint. Then I place my hoof on the button.

Looking up at the computer. The words ‘Testing the blood testing… testing. Zebra DNA found. Welcome, brother or sister.’ On the screen, an old zebra mare looks at the screen. There are sounds of her metal door being smashed into by heavy hooves.

“I failed to stop the war in this land. I heard that Megaspells got set off and now...the world is in pain. I wish I could have done more to stop them. But all I can do is with the last bit of my life. Since I have enough food to last for many years here. I will build a weapon to help the future fight for its freedom. I am sorry to any zebra watching this that we failed you. Our kind is too prideful” She went silent for a moment looking away from the screen and looking back at the door.

“I went and cast a spell to keep ponies out and it may keep zebras out for the moment. I ain’t sure but I hope the future finds this place first. Good luck to those in the future.” The screen turns off and I look at the dome holding the sword. Got out of the chair walking to the dome. I grab the dome with my hooves and gently lift it. The sword glows in the darkness and the screen comes back on. I turn to see Glyph again. She is much older and doesn’t look very healthy.
She is breathing very ragged and her left eye is completely blind. “I finally finished it. I made a sword. A sword that will only be named for the right one that picks it up. One who is a true hero who will save this land from itself. I have been able to leave this room now and then. But..” She removes a hoof from her chest and she has been shot. “A part of this land is overly mutated thanks to the Mega spell in the salt flats; it caused some of the water under the land to get worse.” She went silent again, closing her eyes tightly.

“I am sorry to those watching… I can’t help you. The stars will give your weapon a name. This sword is made from zebra brews and magic and bathed in pure water. It can be used to fight anything under the stars.” The screen turns off and once again goes dark. I looked at the sword and took a deep breath. I didn't feel I had a right to take it.

Looking at every inch of the sword before I grab it. It’s made for those who are trained to fight on their hind legs like a far-seer or a storyteller. I place my hoof in the hoof holding the hilt and lift it off its home. The blade glows brightly while it names itself ‘Umboni kude’ which means farseer. I swing the blade and it sings in the air. A powerful blade is used to fight those who work for the stars.

Pulling the other sword out of its home in my robes. I look down at the remains of Glyph. She deserves a proper burial. I can’t do that for now but for the remaining time, she will stay here. Leaves the room shutting the door and the locks are too broken so the door won’t even lock again.

I went to one of the bedrooms to relax. I lay in one of the dust-filled beds and relaxed even though the bed wasn’t clean. I learned ages ago you can’t always live in a clean world. I didn’t let it bother me long. I closed my eyes and finally fell asleep. Dreams you could say most didn’t understand.

______________
Dreams

I open my eyes looking around. The world itself is extremely dark. Many eyes stare at me in the darkness. I click a light to turn it on and all I see are my eyes. All the eyes come closer staring at me staring into my soul.

“The blood...shall rise from us. The blackness of holes. In the endless death.” I turn to look at the stars, the evil stars, and the beholden stars deep in the back. I try to run to them to see if they will turn around to face me.

“Please help us.” One turns to look right at me. Its eyes are full of pain full of dread. The poor stars of the past used to bring peace and balance. The real balance of this universe is of the stars. I finally turn to see one of the stars sitting in a strange chair and it lifts a hoof.

“Take the hoof. Veins’ blood muscles are all part of the universe. We are the blood of the universe. You’re the dust of the universe. But the universe is mostly the idea of what came before. It’s understanding that. The future is never in stone. The future is never in writing. To those who fully understand. The war is the beginning of a voice suddenly and so it begins with death. Some will die for a hero. Some will die for the villains. Most never understand the balance fully till the end.”

Taking a deep breath I didn’t understand what the star meant. The balance is broken. We need to fix the balance but how do we bring back those stars? It’s not going to be easy to bring back the balance that the order of Mimic has said to do.

“Just how would I go about this balance?” The star finally looks at me. It’s surprising to even see me like it didn’t even know I was there at all. The other stars that some would consider a good turn to look at me as well. Some of them look very sick and some don’t even look like they wish to speak to me.

“You have forgotten about us. Our brothers and sisters of evil are always feared and talked about. But you never speak of us. You never speak of the stars that bring luck, peace, and hope. You just use us as a problem in life.” Do the stars wish to be honored as well? I never heard these stories before myself. But I am starting to wonder if the stories of old are at fault. Maybe they will always be faults. I try to think but my dreams never allow me to think.

“I never heard of the stars that bring hope and dreams. I have only heard of those to fear. There have never been any good stories about the stars. Does it have something to do with the Nightmare Moon and the day of rebellion?”

The star that I have been speaking to just seems not to understand what I mean. Looking towards one of the older stars. None of the older stars seem to wish to speak to me. I have a feeling I am not going to get anywhere.

“That is the issue. The older stars refuse to fight the ones that cause bad luck and war. They feel forgotten and some have based beyond the darkness of the universe. So the balance in the world below needs to be fixed first before we even think of returning. I...never even heard of the stories of old. The older stars forget about us and the stars that wish to bring the pain are stronger than us. We have no means to win a war or battle.”

Closing my eyes hearing that song again in my head. The one that played while Ruby died. I try to blot out that song. It’s ingrained so heavily in my mind I can no longer fight the tears. I didn’t even cry when she died. I didn’t even get the chance to tell her goodbye. When she was taken from us. The sorrow is so much that I wake up.

But to be honest I met Rex on an island where we all met. I stayed there though after I became a brew maker Rex became an innkeeper and we worked together and then married. Again the first three years after the judgment my life just became simple. I became a wife, a mother, and Rex. He explained to me how he escaped when the Storm King's minions were at the Enclave base. To protect our lives. Because we know Grogar and his minions do read these stories. We want to keep the names of our children and our location secret. We say island but we won’t say what part. But the end of it is when this happens. This part though is in the eyes of Cranberry. I shall copy what she wrote.

______

Cranberry and the end of the three years for all the former heroes

It’s now the third year. Roll Roll took to his new parts very well. He and I were the only friends still active. Hawk is now fully covered in plants and whatever else. The storm around the mainland is now so bad that random bits of lighting smash into the coast of the island.

Roll and I haven’t talked since he got out of the hospital. He stayed as far away from me as he could. I didn’t blame him, there are too many memories between us. Gem and I allowed some of our little ones to be adopted by full parents. We now have just three who wish to stay with us. Three zebra fillies.

They’re a big help around the hospital and keep me from breaking down when Gem is not here. One night though on the anniversary of Rubie’s death in late March. I was given a letter to meet by a restaurant that was recently built right in the shadow of Hawk. Even at this time, Tick Tock was awake but she stayed in the darkroom.

It was very late at night. Most of the customers have gone home. I took a deep breath, having my armor and helm on. I notice that Roll Roll is waiting. He had his cybernetics painted his shell color. He turned to look at me, he just didn’t say a word. Our friendship hasn’t healed. I doubt it will ever heal. This is the time our friend had judgment passed on her.

Tick Tock walks up into the ramp to get inside. I notice the two just stare at each other Tick Tock going over to another part of the area staying away from the two of us.
I notice at a booth a zebra mare sits with a water hunter. They both look at us staying silent. I know those two.

“For the heroes that wished to defend this land. You sure won’t even work at fixing your friendship.” All of us look towards a mare. A mare that sold me the cameras I could tell the others knew her too. A very strange unicorn, a silver unicorn with a crystal ball for a cutie mark.

“I help lead you all here. I help you find each other and all you can do is hate each other. Look at yourselves, it's the anniversary of the one that tried to bring hope.”

“Oh shut up you fucking mare.” The mare looks up to Roll Roll. “You have no idea what many of us have been through. Cranberry over there has had an easier time than any of us. She finds a family and a wife and becomes a leader of an island town. Look at me, I am a freak!!”

Inyanga and Water spouts stand on their hooves. Inyanga looks the same beautiful zebra mare she always has been Water spout stares at me with tears dripping from her eyes. I can’t come to show them I care for them still.

“I understand this perfectly. You’re all scared that your friendship will end in death. But that is the price you pay for protecting a land such as this. You need to allow your friendship to heal. Cranberry you need to stop hiding.” The unicorn mare walks toward me lifting off my helm with her magic. I had more scars on me than ever. My face of beauty is now very scared. She even removed the armor showing that I had even more scars and a metal left hoof.

I stayed silent. I couldn't handle being without Gem. I need her. I sat in the spotlight closing my eyes, tears falling from my eyes.

“You think it was easy for me? It hasn’t been oh yes I am married I have a family. But I still have nightmares about Ruby. I still wish I was better at spotting her problems. Nothing has been easy for me.”

Inyanga nods as she and I used to be good friends and the unicorn sighs looking up to Hawk. Who hasn’t moved an inch?

“You did what the mares of old did. They forsake friendship and they never fix their friendship and they all die but Fluttershy. All of them will never know what happened. Do you want this to happen to you? I see it in your eyes you want to just break down and be the friends you’re meant to be.”

We all look at each other.

“I agree with her, my love.” I turn my head to see Gem. I turn to look at her and she holds my cheeks in her claws. “You need to come together again to bring hope. Help our little ones get land that they can grow up in."

I took a deep breath looking at the others while they all stayed silent.

“What must we do?” I knew I would regret asking but I had to.

“Simply just let go. Let your emotions release and embrace.” I simply do just that. I trot quickly to Inyanga tears streaming down my eyes and embrace the zebra mare. I held my forelegs around her tightly while she used one to hug me. Tick Tock came over next doing the same. Roll Roll joins into the hug along with Water Spout who is still new to all this. She joined in the hug and our bodies glowed.

We rose into the air, our eyes closed. I was in the middle. When finally Hawk wakes up we all float our bodies glowing with great power. It shines through the land and a beam points right to a place we need to go. It points right to Mount Aris.

When we lower back to the ground. I feel what I was meant to feel.

“Now that you have accepted the Magic of friendship again. You may have the magic but you aren’t as strong as those who wield the elements. But you can be strong in another way of saving this land. First, you must form an alliance that can destroy the Storm King once and for all. You must go to Mount Aris. Meet with the Hippogriffs and other races. Once you do this you can start the quest to defeat the Storm king. In that, you need to find Ruby.”

How do you add this? Again the next part will be in all of our minds. These chapters have been written though. The end for this one shall be how we see our lives. My life and Rex’s are just simple. The others have become more. Hawk she has become what she wanted to be. A soldier for a cause. Cranberry is a healer. Tick Tock, she is a guardian now. Roll Roll is a father and a great father at that. Dunewalker well she finally forgave herself. The others will have their stories in time. But soon we will be going to war. What we did to Ruby though she feels no matter what even if we hate her. We still will fight with her. The final part of this chapter is when we leave to let her go on her journey. Again in the eyes of Cranberry.

_____________________

All the heroes sing for their friendship, a broken friendship.

The first part of this is through the eyes of an order of Mimic mares. Some of them I trust not all of them even if they would say don’t trust the deep ones.

I watched what the order told me to do. Lead the heroes to the ones they love. The cocoon opens up and a large bug-like body flops out of the broken shell. The poor creature's brain is dead like it's not there. It may take hours for her to be herself again. I have met others like her before who have gone through this.

“What’s wrong with her?”

Cranberry's voice is full of fear but also sadness as she slides her hoof on the face of the pink bug who doesn’t even react. Cranberry looks at the others and she feels something is wrong. I know what is wrong. I have dealt with this species before.

“The reason this only happens once. Our brains and bodies can’t handle the change so it takes a while for our brains and hearts to catch up. She is alive but she will be this way for many hours. I feel the issue though is when the Storm King learns she is alive.”

They look at Roll Roll for what he said and they argue about what to do with her. But they need to know they can’t be together. They need to go their ways again. I use my magic even though some of them are larger. I push them back and use a spell to block them from Ruby.

“What are you doing?!”

Tick Tock yells.

I hear the wiring of Hawks guns starting up while she aims at me. I sigh deeply, turning my gaze to Dunewalker. She doesn’t say a word but nods. She bows her head and the others look at her while she heads out.

“Dunewalker, where are you going?!”

“She does what she must do. What you all must do.”

I turn my gaze to Gem as they all turn to look at the dragon. Cranberry looks like she is about to cry. She is finally able to see her adopted daughter again and now she feels the poor creature is being ripped from her again.

“I can’t explain my love but I am sure she can.”

She lifts her claws to point at me and they all turn to look at me while Inyanga watches Dunewalker leave. I have a feeling she knows what needs to happen as well but it’s not going to be easy. It's been three years.

“You can’t be seen together. It would raise too much suspicion. Ruby can’t be seen either. If the Storm King and his minions knew that you all came back together and that Ruby was back. He will enact his plans early. The resistance and the alliance are not even ready for it. That is why we asked Dj Mixer to come on the radio soon and explain the alliance is only here to help the cities worse off with food and health problems, not to fight for them.”

Cranberries’ features on her face turn from sadness to anger.

“Then why did you tell us to do all this? Why did you say to meet up and go to Mount Aris?”

A weak smile forms on my face.

“To start in motion what needs to happen. For the hero to wake up, she needed her friends. But this is what she needs even more. She needs to find a way to break her contract with the stars. But I can’t tell you where she is going and what she is going to do. All you need to know that is you started the motion now the heroes must wait.”

Hawk robotically growls.

It took a while for the zebra to speak. I have my eyes on her to try to at least get her to understand. But she does understand that is the thing. She understands and it hurts her. It breaks her heart.

“We need to do this.”

Water Spout didn’t argue at all; she nodded quickly when she finally understood.

“Go back to your homes, your lovers. Form alliances and craft weapons if you can. Help the alliance your way. Talk to the leaders of the desert dwellers to get them to try to contact the other desert dwellers who didn’t come. But go back to the places you live and grow and I swear to you she will return.”

Cranberry sits on her rump and cries softly. Then it becomes very hard. I felt bad for Cranberry. She finally got her adopted daughter back. But she needs to understand that someday she may lose her even more. The stories I have been hearing make sure of that. Inyanga hugs her friend, and so do Gem and Water Spout. They live on the same island now. But even so, they need to leave alone.

“The three of us live on the same island. We may not be able to leave the same way. Don’t worry I will find a way to get past the storm. I am sure Water Spout will too. So cheer up we will always have each other.”

Hawk sighs, turning her cams to Roll Roll and Tick Tock.

“I guess I will see you two again when the time calls for it. I would like to say I am sorry for my temper. I love you two as my family. I even love my other friends. I still don’t trust Dunewalker but good luck in finding your way back home.”

Hawk turns away and walks out of the bunker. Following the same footsteps as Dunewalker. Thankfully I know full well that no one under the power of the Storm King followed us or they would have already started to attack this place.

“We will see each other again. Roll… I must get back to Hope. I am sure you have that family to get back to. You have a father-to-be.”

Tick smiles walking out Roll sighs going as well. The last three behind are Water Spout, Cranberry, and Inyanga.

“Love, just be happy that you have seen them. It's time for us to get back home. You will see them again on the island. Just allow us to go and I am sure the alliance understands..”

Gem turns her head to look at me.

“Correct?”

I nod.

“The leaders knew this had to happen. Just be prepared though I warn you they will start blaming Ruby for all the problems that will be arising. They will use her as a scapegoat and after all, it is said and done. You know what will have to happen.”

Gem frowns, and her crest droops, she knows what is going to happen.

“They will put her on trial for war crimes or anything they can pin on her. The leaders of the alliance and this desert will turn on her. I knew this would happen myself. Some heroes have gotten off too easily. I am sure this is a sign that might never happen again.”

Inyanga nods and walks out with Waterspout following behind her. The two left are Cranberry and her wife Gem. Thankfully from what I noticed Cranberry was crying too hard and Gem was talking to her loud enough so she didn’t hear what I had to say.

“May I please hug her before we leave?”

A soft sigh comes from my mouth and I let the spell down. So Cranberry can walk to the braindead Ruby. The poor creature is breathing and her eyes are open so I am sure she can hear Cranberry. Cranberry hugs the bug tightly; she is much larger than she used to be. The bug is bigger than any pony now.

“I love you, Ruby..”

Cranberry sobs gently while she and Gem walk out. It’s now me but I hear the music of the land starting up. I don’t understand this music. I close my eyes to hear the heroes sing since I know their hearts need to.

Now the song comes. This song shows why we refuse to write more privately. The others are willing to go deep into their lives. We can't, we don't wish to zebra’s don’t wish to explain our lives.

The music gently plays while the first one known as the Dunewalker sings.

“It’s time to walk away again. It’s time to follow our paths again till the time is right. We follow our hearts, we follow our songs. I am named Dunewalker. I have forgotten my name. I have been known as Dunewalker for almost as long as I can remember. I am thought to be a traitor because of my family’s past. I have betrayed, I have murdered, I have killed in the name of peace.”

She takes a deep breath and keeps walking back to the hidden valley of the exiles as she heads back to her wife and children tears stream from her eyes though feeling her heart about to break from seeing her friends go their ways again. She has no idea how to handle this feeling. It’s so foreign to her.

“It’s time to watch the desert fall apart more. It’s time to get ready for the battle and the lives that will be lost ahead. There is no time for us to be together as the friends we are meant to be. Friendship may be magic. But the magic takes time for it to fully take control again as all of us become empty with sadness.”

The next to sing is Hawk. She is walking through the desert to find the spot her lover that the robotic hippogriff told her to be when it’s time to return. She knew that this might happen but the song came over her robotic brain.

“Peace, how does one like me have peace? I have nobody I don’t even know if I have a soul. I feel that I am in love with the one who saved me. But how does one like me know the feeling without a body? Friendship might be magic but in life, I have been a killer. I killed in the name of peace to stop a war. But they used it to blame the zebras. They used my brain to make a weapon. But the cost of living?”

Hawk's legs make hissing sounds while she keeps walking in the hot sand. Even though the storm overhead kind of blocks the sun. Thanks to the curse nightmare moon placed on this desert. The heat never leaves even when the sun goes down or is blocked.

“It’s time for my path again till the time is fully right to become a hero again. I am no hero, I never will be. I am a freedom fighter and I will fight for freedom in the name of freedom but not in the name of a hero.”

The next to sing is Water Spout while she walks through the sands. Digging her hoof through the sands to get into the water hunter tunnels so she can get back home she knows how to avoid her own.

“I am just a water hunter, a former warrior of Luna. I am a warrior of the night I have left my tribe. I am an outcast. They will protect me even so because I have been near the bringer of water. But in truth, we all know prophecies and legends are fake most of the time made by those who are mad. I am just a mare that found love in a camel. I made friends and have hope in my heart.”

She takes a deep breath, tears falling down her eyes because she knows what will happen after all is said and done. She shivers from the tears trying to hold back her sobs. It's not easy for her but she is trying hard to do so.

“My friend, oh Ruby. She will be blamed for everything after it’s all said and done. Her soul will shatter and we will lose her again. I don’t wish to see that. For I know that she will not win that battle. She will be judged like the stars demand.”

She uses her magic to let her throwing knives float around her as she gets into the tunnel she will use them just in case one of her attacks her. But instead, she meets those mutated blind naked mole rats that she and the others made friends with. One of them nods to her and without words, she is led through tunnels the water hunters no longer use.

The naked mole rats join into the song.

“We are all but in a dream. We see what the world is and we wish the dream was real. The hero behind me is broken and shattered. We must follow the plan through which the desert dwellers will know when the time is right to strike. The antlions sing and mate to be ready for the time ahead. It’s time for our numbers to grow.”

The next to sing is the zebra. She follows the path to peace rock. She looks behind her as the desert blows away her hoof prints like it’s a defense so no one finds their way to this place of peace. She turns her eyes to stare at the large rock and a large elemental weapon of the zebras that keeps casting an acid rain spell.

“The storm has come. The storm king has won. At least for now, the souls are broken. The end of this desert may as well come to pass. Citizens flock to him like hungry ants. They feel hope around him. They feel hope in progress but this desert can’t be tamed. It can’t be tamed till it wants to be.”

She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes. She opens her eyes and finds the gate leading into Peace Rock. It may take longer than most to walk. But she feels it’s like time doesn’t even pass when it’s already been hours. The door opens and MRS Slice welcomes her and leads her through the tunnels. The zebra looks around at the many zebras and other creatures around this tunnel they all sing as one.

“The storm has come. The song has been sung. We are getting ready for the battle ahead. Our time has come and peace is broken. We shall rise and become what we shall always become. The warriors shall come to the stars and shall have their blood.”

Inyanga gives a quick nod to Lotus and Hunter. She doesn’t know these two zebras but from the respectful nod, she gets from them they may be friends of the hero. She looks back to the tunnels feeling her heartbreak more. She wants to see her husband again. But she knows full well she will have to leave him again for this battle.

She turns her head to stare at the mare that has a rocket pack attached to her back. She wears a golden helmet and a strange leather coat. She lifts her helm and waves. The zebra waves back and nods.

The next to sing is Roll Roll. He rolls his way back to Nirak; he sighs he knows that his children will become warriors in this battle. Since broods age quickly and become warriors because of that stupid Majesty wanting a warrior race.

‘I am unsure what to think. I did lose my way and now I have lost my friends again. Now I am heading back to my home. I am heading back to those I love. I have become another lost soul in my heart. I will miss my friends but I am sure we will see each other again.”
He keeps rolling faster and he wants to quickly get back to his family. He wants to finally see his brood. He wants to see everything and hopes he can help his team and the other rock-ball teams get ready for the battle ahead.

“I have a journey to make. I am a father, I am a warrior. I am a siege breaker. When this war and battle are over. I will retire and become a former breaker. I will shed my shell and become a small version of myself. I will finally be free of this body and looks. I feel that my time has come and my molt will come when the battle ends.”

He shifts in direction as he sees Nirak. He rolls as quickly as he can home to those to whom he gave his heart. He knows how they are though they’re in the sexual business even if they will still love him from the promise they told him.

The next to sing is the robotic mare. Tick Tock does not need rest. She never expected she would fall in love with a former zebra warrior that she fell for. They work together in the city of Hope. She is also hoping to get the entire town to come to the battle; she will have to talk to the leaders of the town.

“I don’t know if the princess cares for a plea from a clockwork mare. A mare that has done so much in their names. Who has done much more in their eyes? I foresee the end of my life when the world ends. I see myself ending when the world ends. But I know for well what will happen to Ruby after all is said and done. She will be blamed and she will be the one who is at fault. Then we will lose her again.”

She follows the path back to hope. The road to this town is very empty and strangely the spell of the Storm King has a weakness in one spot and it’s close to this town. She wonders if it has something to do with the magic that comes from Hope. Sometimes magic comes from not only hope itself but the magic of hope can break just a little spell. Even if this spell is strong it can still break at least part of the spell.

“I used to be a broken mare, a broken soul. Then I found the hero of the island. Star Shooter, I watched while she gained her friend. When she returned after the six months of pain the minions of the queen put her through. I watched her become a strong hero and then she paid the price for it. All heroes someday will pay their price. The story of heroes is that most get broken and some die at the end of their journey.”

Tick Tock gets closer to the spell and walks through the charge going through her shell. The new shell is so strong that the spell just arcs through her and she may feel some pain inside. But her gears and joints keep moving, not allowing her to stop. The final journey in her mind is her final stand; she feels that maybe she or someone close to her will die. She looks back to the desert, a desert slowly blowing the sand around. She knows soon these sands of the desert will run red with the blood of those who fight for freedom.

“I foresee this land becoming a graveyard. It’s the point of war and the sadness of truth. It’s a time and a song we all know. I know I will see my friends again. However, there will be a day that I watch Ruby be dragged out for just giving this land hope and then she will be put to death. Someday they will do this in the name of peace.”

She knew full well what was going to happen from the start. She remembers stories of these talks being used on the elements of harmony if the war ended peacefully. Sadly, the idea of heroes will not only become myths, but most will do their best to put them to justice for what they have done.

The final ones to sing are Gem and her wife Cranberry. They both look back at the bunker door they came from as it closes. Gem sighs and leans down to look at her wife’s puffy red eyes. She had her friends close to her again. Now they have to break apart to protect each other.

“My dear wife. We have a path to go. For we are going home. I want to hear the sound of your laughter. I want to see those eyes full of love. I don’t want to see you empty and broken. Place your armor back on and become the healer once again, gain friends, and become a hero to those who need you.”

Cranberry stares up at her dragon wife who sings to her a smile creeps on her face. The song takes her heart, letting it beat very slowly in her chest. She allows the stress and pain of loss to relax her just from the song alone.

“I shall become the healer again my dear Gem. I shall become the master of my destiny. If I have to lose my daughter again even after this battle is said and done. I will be with her till the end of her life. I will be there till her soul gains remembrance”

The two get into the new airship and when Gem gets into the deck she looks at many of the ponies and other dragons that work the machine. She clicks her claws to hide the ship from sight. They finally found a name for this machine.

“Come now my friends, let’s raise our great machine into the air. It needs to be repaired and it still has problems from staying on the ground for so long. So what name shall we give this wonderful ship of ours?”

The crew looks at each other and over the PA system, a soft female voice sounds out.

“Name it the Bell of Freedom.”

The entire crew looks at each other. They then turn to Gem and they all smile including her and she joins in with them.
“It shall be the Bell of Freedom.”

Cranberry sits in a room that she uses with her wife when they’re here alone. She sighs looking out the window and watching the desert drift away. She closes her eyes, tears streaming down her face thinking of Ruby. She finally starts to sing again feeling her heart soar at least for this moment.

“I have felt these last three years were nothing but a dream. A dream where I watch Ruby and my friends either die or go their own way. Someday I will say goodbye to them because even though we are friends we have our own lives.”

The whole song has been going on as the order of Mimic carries the broken bug to the place where they feel she can rest. The only place she can rest. They cover her up in a cart and then place a bunch of food and metal all over it but give her enough room to breathe. The unicorn mare that got the heroes together watches the Bell of Freedom fly over her head and then she smiles knowing they have listened. The song reaches its peak and finally, all the heroes sing together all for Rubie's sake.

“I have friends again and we foresaw what shall become the full path of us all. I, Dunewalker shall do what I can for my friends and my family. I will never give up hope and I will always sing for my friends and my children.”

When Dunewalker gets back to her home her dragon children and her wife come out to greet her and they go back inside as she goes to tell the leaders it’s time to train for the battle ahead.

“We are all in this together. I am a clockwork mare, just a simple creation of a mad pony. We worked hard together and became a song in each other’s hearts. We will always remember the dance ahead and the song in our hearts.”

She finally gets back to hope and Wraps her robotic legs around Black Rose and she looks at the crowd of the village looking at her. She nods and they lead her to the meeting hall as she looks back to the storm feeling that it’s time to act.

The order of Mimic keeps moving on its path. It's either been hours or a day since this happened. They make it to the gates of Hard Rock but they know it’s going to take a while before they’re allowed in. They cast a spell to make Ruby look like a piece of fabric.

“I am just a simple zebra trying to find my place in this land of endless sand. I found my love, I found my dance and heart. I have found what I have been seeking. I shall become the farseer and do what I can to get other tribes to join us in this fight.”

After getting off the boat she heads to the inn and Rex and her share a deep kiss showing their love for one another. It’s been a while since these lovers have seen each other and she goes back to standing behind the desk to watch the souls come in and go out of the inn.

The order of Mimic waits in a line waiting for their cart to be checked out. The order has been planned for this for so long. But they worry that the hero herself will come to her senses before they get inside the research station. So a unicorn mare strokes the head of the poor little bug and uses a spell to make her sleep longer and when the spell is cast the poor creature goes back to her brain-dead state.

The line finally moves and their cart is the last while they look at each other knowing that they wouldn’t be able to do this if the order wasn’t trusted. It was very much hated like it was during the old world.

“I am a water hunter I shall always be a water hunter. I can not forsake my tribe or those that came before me no matter how much I want to. I found my home, I found my friends and now I am back where I belong for now. I have sought all I wished to see.”

She finally gets back to the island, goes into her home, and embraces her half-camel pony children and her camel husband as they all relax. She goes to make them dinner since she feels that is the only thing she can do to keep her mind off what is going on.

“I am a simple.. mech. That has been welcomed in the mountain that I have forsaken so long ago. They welcome me even though I blew them up in the name of freedom in the past. I feel my forgotten soul and forgotten heart slowly shatter from the pain of what I remember. Someday I may request a new body and I know full well I will never get that wish. Since my brain has been in this juice for so long, it has made it grow too big for a normal body.”

Hawk finally makes it to Mount Arise, her new home away from home. She gives those who greet her a warm robotic chitter she goes into the workshop of her lover and he doesn’t even say a word he looks at her grabbing a large set of metal and armor. He starts to work on her fusing heavy metal and more guns to her to be ready for the battle ahead.

“I am a siege breaker. Just one meant for the front lines. I will never be a normal creature. I will always be a large brute. But for those I found love and we shall always rise.”

He walks past the stadium and waves to his team.

“WE DIG IT!!”

They all yell at him and he yells back. He finds himself not long in front of the bar his mates run. He stares at the cybernetics that now make him what he is. He finally gets to The Sexy Mare to be with his lovers. He stands outside to sing the last few words.

“I am home and I am a father now. I shall fight for my brood whatever it takes. I shall be there for everyone and make sure that life will never end for them.”

He finally goes inside to see his two lovers Savannah and the female silverfish magic eater Isiliva. When he goes in they see what has become of him over time and they both rush from the bar staring at them but he says no words to them pulling them into a hug and the two just embrace the large bug.

The final hero finally sings the last words.

“We will meet again, my friends. We shall meet again when the Storm is right. When our blood flows our song becomes one again. I Cranberry or..”

She puts her suit back on the healer, turns the visor on, and sighs not wishing to be in this suit again but it’s the only way to protect her family. When they land they place it in the hospital where it was meant to be from what she was told. She walks out on the roof and feels happy to be home again for the time being.

“I am Cranberry the healer.”

The next song is Dunewalker.

“I am Dunewalker, the traitor of my kind.”

Roll sings

“I am the siege breaker. I shall always be the first in line to fight.”

Inyanga sings

“I am the farseer I can see the future of what is to come. I may not always see the true future of what is to come but I will finally see the end of it. I have become known and I have seen the unknown but that is all that is time to be.”

The next soul to sing is the Water Hunter.

“In the words of the Water hunters. Pugnabimus in nomine lunae et canticum cordis nostri. Numquam finem nos fieri sinemus et cum cantico nostro semper finiemus in cordibus nostris.”

She sings in her own words, feeling her heart sore from the song and feeling her heartbeat louder. Just from those words alone.

Hawk sings.

“I am but a machine made for death for a war that is long said over. I will always be ready for the next war as the war will be ready for me. I will walk that fine line from a killer to a murderer there is no way I can sing my heart so I will sing with my brain. My thoughts are my way of seeing. If I do have a soul still it is lost within this shell of metal but I shall always endure.”

The final one to sing is Tick Tock

Tock is in the meeting room yelling and arguing with the leaders and telling them what will happen if they don’t join the fight. She doesn’t even let up while she sings it in song. She knows full well the citizens of Hope are tired of staying and not fighting.

“We must fight, we must never let them think we have lost. We must let go of this town’s xenophobic nature. We must act, we must do it now before another gets the ideas of the Storm King and tries to cause another civil war in this town. Look at the graves within these halls of those who died, we must act!!”

The leaders this time couldn’t argue and they hit the gavel and then finally the heroes sing together even if they aren’t together they feel their hearts connecting and all they can do is do what they feel they have to do.

“We have found the magic of friendship again in our hearts. We will never forsake it for we will make it ours again even while we are on our own again. It’s time to never pass up this idea of the love we have for each other.”

Finally, the order of Mimic is allowed into the city and they bring the cart up to the research station standing there is Beezen, one of the former judges of the stars waiting to join the hero’s journey to where she must go.

“We brought…”

Cranberry sings.

“Our hearts..”

Dunewalker adds.

“Back together.”

Water Spout adds.

“So we can finally dance.”

Hawk sings.

“It is time to rise.”

Tick Tock sings.

“It is time to see and foresee the future.”

Inyanga sings.

“It’s time for peace and time to love those that come before us so we all can be one together in the great world of peace and friendship.”

Roll adds.

They all sing at once.

“We finally brought the peace of friendship back into our hearts. So we can dance and sing together and we finally will never allow ourselves to ever break apart again even if we have become lost within.”

Cranberry sings the last verse.

“ I have finally found myself...It is time. For hope and time to rise. It is time. For the great day to seek.”

The door of the research center opens up and Beezen carries the body of Ruby inside the research station with the unicorn that got her friends back together when the door closes the music ends and when the door latches it ends and the mind of the bug finally wakes.

__________

Inyanga

I open my eyes, grab my children tighter, and look over to Rex. I smile at him. We both remember the life we came from and moved on from. I watch Ruby come down from the ship and Pinda and NCA troops step in front of her. I hear the words from Pinda and I worry about what is to come next. I make sure my children can’t leave my forelegs.

“Ruby, I need you to come with me.”

Ruby looks like she was about to argue and a bunch of guns cock and the NCA aim at her and the judge chuckles who stood beside us. I look over to the judge. I have been told he is one of the stars too. But he told me he is a judge of the good stars, one that wishes to bring forth justice.

“Please Ruby, what you did may have caused the war to start sooner than we expected.”

Ruby sighs looking at all of us Hawk primes her guns as they spin and Ruby is taken aback at her former friends so upset with her. She changed the course of fate for this land. She did something to bring back the stars of peace. But even so, fate for some lives has changed.

Ruby is taken away and Rex sighs.

“Friendship is magic may be a thing for our ponies. But friendship seems to have failed with you and her and the others. She made new friends and they will do anything to defend her. But I fear soon they will understand why we must. I am sure they will do the same and betray her.”

I take a deep breath exhaling Rex is right and we watch while Ruby is taken away. The former friends stand by each other. With the new friends standing by them. She made a group of allies and friends and here we are old with the new. We look at each other and we don't say anything. The meeting will come soon.

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