The minotaur looks at his books and Beezens book. He looks up at the cloaked figure in the chair. What they’re both writing is starting to connect. He notices something Ruby wrote in her story about bunkers of hell and he knows what he did will soon come up.

“You’re worried aren’t you?”

The minotaur laughs

“Of course I am, I know she wrote about me. Wrote what I did. I don't know what to tell the NCR about, maybe look back to see what the stars want. What do you think of my old friend?”

Beezen chuckles

“I can’t tell you what to do. You’re the one that scared the universe into her soul. “

The minotaur sits back into the chair he has been using the entire time. He looks at a calendar. It's been almost two months since the NCR has been here. He looks at the window and it's been fixed.

“How are her friends doing?’

Beezen sighs.

“They’re doing what they can. You did strain their friendship again after all you did. I know you didn’t mean to but you had to do something and you and the judge felt it was the only way to do it peacefully.”

The minotaur laughs

“Why does it hurt so much?”

Beezen frowns

“It will hurt since you’re also at fault for what happened. I am too. I remember when she and I met and it's going to be there when the time comes. It’s an idea of hope and an idea of the story which is coming.”

The minotaur looks at the box again.

“You have been wanting to take the NCR leader here and do what you did to Ruby, am I correct?”

He nods.

“I am going to when I am asked to write down the judgment of Ruby. That is when I will make sure I force them out of this town and then tell them to fully leave. It’s the only way I can redeem my damned soul.”

Beezen chuckles

“You still think you’re damned?”

The minotaur smirks

“We are all damned in the eyes of the stars Beezen.”

Beezen laughs.

“Oh, it’s so true. I need to be going. I have been asked to watch something and it’s happening soon.”

The minotaur nods, opening the book to write about the bunkers.

__________________

The forest.

It was early morning. I couldn’t tell if the sun came up or not. I was too focused on my mind. The idea that I am lost. How can I be so lost? I haven’t been a guardian or hero that long. But I already feel the stress from it. My heart beats, at least I think my kind has a heart? Whatever is heart to us slowly beats. Each beat makes me remember I am alive. I have sat on this rock contemplating everything.

Will there be blood on my buggy claws? I could see it forming on my hands. The horror of the fact I even tasted it. Is this the mental mind playing tricks on me? I remember the taste when I was back on the island. I remember clawing and digging into the bodies of those we fought and those I killed. I wonder if I will ever forgive myself. I don’t know hopefully will.

“You think too much it’s making you weak.”

Looking up I could see Dunewalker staring at me. Looking back I saw her asleep. How is she here? I didn’t realize it at the time but whatever was placed in my head. It started to mess with me.

“Look at yourself.”

Looking to the side I saw Yanari the DJ. I shook my head, closing my eyes. I tried to get rid of it all. I can’t allow my mind to do this to me. I held my head hearing the voices.

“Leave. Battle. Endless death..”

More voices joining in. I hear those I fought those I killed on the island. I haven’t even tried killing anyone in this land. I am hoping I never do it. I take a deep breath trying to relax and I stare right into the eyes of one of the creatures. The stress takes over. I feel like I need to break down. I finally had enough though.

“LEAVE ME ALONE!!!”

I screamed to no one. My voice echoed through the forest.

“Ruby?”

I turned to Cranberry who I just stared at as I reached for her. I didn’t go through her. She is solid. Is this madness? Is this madness? It has to be madness. Finally, I lost it and wrapped it around my adoptive mother. I sobbed hard in her neck, my glowing tears streamed down my buggy face making her coat wet and glow.

“..Oh...oh shhh Ruby.”

She held me tightly. All I could do was cry. The thought of falling so hard I might see the end of my journey? The fact I can’t allow myself to fail if I do so many things around me might end. I just let it all out. I have been stressed since this journey. I feel I hurt my friends and with this strange hit sickness making others around me upset. I even feel being a guardian well hero is stressful.

The others awoke from the sound. They stayed back to let Cranberry deal with this issue. Cranberry looked up at them. She smiles at them of course, Dunewalker being who she was just standing there.

“It’s starting she is starting to see those around her talk to her. She is starting to see the fact that the world is not all beautiful and rainbows. She is seeing what is sadly the real world. Many try to bring back the world of friendship and peace. It will take a while to fully see it.

Dunewalker was doing her best to be kind and respectful. She did look like she was coming off as rude and kind. Most never can tell with her I know I can't. It's getting harder to understand these camels.

“Can’t you see she is broken here?!”

Inyanga yells losing her temper with Dunewalker. The Camel stares at the zebra.

“Oi stripes don’t mess with me. You’re just like all your kind messing with things you can’t win. Just like your petty little war.”

My friends start fighting among themselves. I look around to see if the red mist is around it’s not oh something else is causing this looking around maybe this is real anger. I keep trying to find what is causing this.

“Hey, that is uncalled for.”

Cranberry removed me from the hug and flew over to the others. Dunewlker again didn’t even hold back as they argued.

“Oh, like an Enclave has a right to tell me what to do. Nothing but a murderer willing to kill ponies to control the world. Oh, how did that go for you?”

Emotions are so high that I just sit there watching my friends fighting and arguing. Tick Tock and Waterspout stayed out of it.

“You have no right to tell me that filth walker!!”

Dunewalker laughs. She pulls out her sword and then Cranberry cocks her pistol while Inyanga holds her staff. If I didn’t stop this my friends would fight each other. Finally, I heard something that caused me to notice the anger coming from the forest.

“Hate… hate. You all know the truth. It’s a lost cause.”

Turning to look at one of the trees. I saw a group of snakes hissing while they released a powder going into me. I felt it affecting me. I noticed it didn’t affect Tick Tock or Waterspout. WaterSpout had her scarf over her mouth and nose. I looked at the snakes again each word they said caused the dust to blow. A few even start to slither towards us.

I tossed a rock at Tick tock. It hit her head and she stared at me. I point my buggy claw at the snakes. Then she and Waterspout noticed

“Hey Stop!!”

I yell at them. They turn to look at each other. My friends, full of hate for each other, didn't even stop.

“Dunewalker what are those?”

I pointed my claws at the snakes in the trees and on the ground.

The camel quickly stood in the middle of the ground of snakes with her gunblade and it glowed bright blue. Her blade is armed and she yells.

” OI!!!”

Smashing into the ground causes the snakes to either die or retreat. The dust burned from the explosion of the attack. She took a deep breath.

“Hate vipers, a creation of the ponies of old. You will find some who are willing to reason with. Then you will find some who will just get you to kill your friends and then during your sorrow, they will eat you.”

Cranberry looks at her gun and drops it from her mouth staring at the symbol of hate at least to her. But maybe there is something about this. Maybe each of us has an issue we need to work out, I felt.

“Before we go on.”I buzz softly.

“We should sit and talk about what is bothering us. It won’t fix it right away. But maybe to keep this from happening again. We need to make sure we talk through it. Rather than allowing our tempers to control us.”

“Oi I don’t think I need to fix anything.”

Inyanga stares at the camel. The glare from her makes the camel rethink that. We had to make a fire because from what we were told the vipers are scared of magic fires. It took us a few times to get the spell right but when we did we finally were able to sit and talk. We even had a simple meal to allow us to finally speak to each other.

“Now I shall go first.” We all look at Tick Tock being a Clockwork mare. She may have a lot of issues with us that she won’t be able to tell us very easily. I do wish it was easier for the rest of us. I do wish I could understand these issues.

“I feel that being the odd one out means that I am not a real mare anymore. I feel that some of you are scared of me. Now I get it I am odd to some. I know Ruby has no issue with me. But you three I know you do. Waterspout already expressed her issues with me. I told her it’s not easy for me to live like this. Now please express how you feel.”

Inyanga blows hot air out of her mouth. The hate sickness got the best of her. I started to wonder how much of this war was hatred for each other. Maybe these snakes added something to the war that made it harder to end. Because these snakes just add more to it.

“I don’t have an issue with you, Tick Tock. Just I see you and the stars scream at me. That you’re not That you’re a threat. That you’re a problem that I should end you and make it easier for the stars to relax. I have learned in the past that the stars are full of hate. It’s one of the main reasons we went to war after all.”

The middle-aged mare closes her eyes and tears stream down her cheeks. I could tell this conversation hit her hard. I have a feeling she didn’t even want to feel this way. But deep inside her heart, she does. Maybe the fact these vipers did this to us was needed.

“I am sorry Cranberry, I have an issue with you as well. I consider you my deepest friend. But I was raised by many zebras that read old history and they hated everything about the ponies. I just look at you. I feel you will use your enclave backing to hurt me or my family. I know full well you won’t but that feeling. It’s there.”

Cranberry stares at the middle-aged zebra. Her eyes welled with tears. Hatred of all sides is not wise to have. Even one little issue can cause the littlest problem. It’s been a fact for a while now. She didn’t want to talk about it but looked at her enclave blaster. She could have hurt somepony.

“Inyanga I don’t hate you. I love you like a sister. You’re such a wonderful mare. But that issue of feeling superior is in my heart. As an enclave, you’re raised that you’re better than those on the ground. You look down on the trash below. I never had anyone to counter that till I met Scootaloo and she inspired me along with Kipkipe to work with both sides. What got me to change my view on it. Is when Celestia one was used in my home. Losing my children woke me up. You would think when the Lightbringer blew up Marapony would do it. No, it was then.”

Dunewalker finally spoke. I could tell she was trying very hard not to be rude to us.

“Alright I will be blunt on how I feel. Tick Tock being around you makes me feel uneasy being able to see through you makes you kind of a freak in my eyes. Of course, I am sure you get this a lot. Inyanga you’re a sweet gentle motherly mare. Your wisdom makes me sick but I am learning to love that about you. Cranberry you’re just you and I love just you keep being just you.”

Tick-tock shrugs.

” Eh can’t argue with you there.”

“The Waterhunter. I mean Waterspout. I hate the fact her kind are some of Luna’s former rebellions.”

We heard those words and we all stared at Waterspout. I am not sure she understood anything that was being said. So it took Tick Tock to explain.

“seditionis Lunar”

Tick Tock speaks to Waterspout in old ponish. Waterspout nodded.

“Odium Lunar.”

Waterspout finally looks to Dunewalker. All she did was hug Dunewalker and Dunewalker wasn’t sure what to do.

“M contristari ignore me”

Dunewalker strokes the water hunter's head leaning down to her.

“Dimitto tibi”

Waterspout kept hugging the camel

They all turned to me. It was my turn. That brought fear into my eyes I hate for my friends? Well yes, I do, I just didn’t know how to express it. I felt that when I finally expressed my view I might hurt those around me. But maybe it’s time to let off some anger and just allow my words to be heard.

“I have no issues with anyone. I have no hate. Just this started because of these snakes I don’t have hate for any of you. I just hate the fact I brought my friends here by making them feel bad. I worry I got Hawk and Roll Roll killed. I am more worried about what is ahead. I feel what is ahead will not be peaceful.”

I look away from my friends. I don’t hate them, I don't even hate myself. I think one issue with these vipers is they made me hate my stupidity. The stupidity of my mind tends to get the better of me. My determination makes it harder for me to be reasoned with.

“Well, I don’t know about you all.” Dune stood up and lifted her paw. “We work together as a family. No value above the other. We make choices as a family as a group. We try to work hard to express our views no matter how hard it is. We allow our leader to vote. If we have an issue with her choice we bring it up.”

I flap my wings and bring my claw into the middle; the others do it as well.

“I agree even if the stars don’t.”

Inyanga places her hoof in the middle. Cranberry did the same; we all knew this wasn’t an easy fix. But we had to do something to start the fix. It would maybe take years or even a lifetime. But we would fix our issues with each other. Even if it's race hate or the fact an issue is there.

“In the words of my enclave mind, I shall agree and we will work through this.”

Tick Tock nodded, didn't even say a word, and then Waterspout did the same.

“No matter what the future holds, if we die together we die, family.”

I softly added.

We all say even Waterspout. “Family.”:

“We shall work on this even if it takes a lifetime. Now it can only be me Ruby and Tick Tock that go into the forest. You three stay here with Gama and Ghost” Cranberry, Inyanga, And Waterspout give a nod they knew they wouldn’t be able to argue about this. We gather what gear we can and finally head out.

___________________

The Forest

Now we had to go through the forest first to get to the first Bunker. To make it so we made less sound. I kept myself landing on Tick Tock. Since any creature would hear my buzzing wings while I flew through here. So Tick had to get used to having me on her back. But with her being a Clockwork mare she didn't have much trouble with me on her back.

"Are you alright back there Ruby?" Since I wasn't having an issue I stood on my back legs. Looked into her eyes, and nodded. I had my helm off. It made me feel better not always wearing that damn thing. I could tell that she didn't even care that I was on her back. Maybe she felt It was easy to keep an eye on me.

"Yes, I'm alright. I just wish I could fly in here. But I understand that the sound of my buzzing would attract some nasty creatures. But wouldn't your joints cause some sounds too?"

I always wondered if the joints on her legs would make sounds as well. But I got to remember she is a clockwork mare and not a normal robot. She still has a living soul inside her. At least that is what she told me when we first met.

Tick tock gave a weak chuckle.

"My joints have been oiled just recently, little Ruby. I doubt it would be wise to wake through here if I didn't. My internal radar senses some crazy creature's walking through this land. I don't wish to fight any of them. The creatures from what I can tell from looking at them. They wish to stay away from us for the time being. But if they see you Ruby then they might attack. You look weaker than DuneWalker and me."

I felt a bit insulted at that. But maybe she is right. I'm not as big as some of the creatures like me can get. I'm not strong like some can get. I'm just a worker bug really and I don't tend to allow them to get to know what I am. I sighed softly looking away. I didn't enjoy the fact that I'm so weak.

"Oi, I can tell by the look on your face, buggy. Now before we fully go into these Bunkers. I need to know, are you going to be able to handle this?"

"I..."

I didn't know what to think. Looking down feeling a bit worried that I would cause more pain to my friends. I care so much about them. Lowering my head placing it on top of Tick’s head.

"I don't know I feel bad. I feel I chased off Hawk and Roll Roll because I convinced them and you this journey would go without a hitch.”

Tick Tock chuckles

“I don’t know about you but I am learning to enjoy this journey. Even if you’re a pain in the ass sometimes Ruby.”

Dune put her metal foot to my mouth or well what a bug-like mouth could be like.

"Enough Ruby you wish to be a damn here. So if you keep acting like this good luck getting over your damn guilt. Now you need to get over yourself. You failed to talk to your friends now..."

She stopped talking after a growl was heard. Many eyes start staring at us from the darkness. One of the creatures is one of the projects but then. I noticed something. These creatures are wolves. Are these what were made during the Iron wolf project? A few of them came out of the darkness. They walked toward us slowly, their teeth showing and deep growls.

But one of them softly spoke.

"You grrr dare come through our land. Speak... Before we try to kill you. You dare bring a pony through here."

DuneWalker looks at the wolves holding her blade tightly in her paw.

"You think she is a pony? She is a Clockwork pony. But we have a group of friends. That wish to try to heal your home. To cure what the zebras and ponies did to your land."

The wolves looked at each other. It was easy to tell that they didn't buy what she said. But soon maybe they would hope.

"Listen... We are here to go into the pony Bunkers to free my friend's from something that wishes to harm this entire land. Equestria is free and happy. But this forest and the desert are still hurting from what happened. Are you willing to not let us take care of this issue or wish to keep stopping us?" I asked in an angry buzz of my wings.

The wolf that has been speaking looked to the others.

"So you wish to cure this land of the pain that the ponies caused in the past. I hope you will be able to. But there is something wrong with those bunkers. Those bunkers caused some strange things to happen here recently. The ground opened up and brought out some strange flying boats then quickly they went back into the ground."

DuneWalker groaned

"Great should have known. Now tell me why haven't you stopped them from coming through here?"

The wolf looked to Dune then to me and Tick.

"The hate of ponies is what causes us to be like this. But these creatures none of them have come through here are ponies or zebras. Now if your friends want to try curing this land we will allow them. But we can't protect them. We can't even protect you we should be in hiding since it's the hunting season for the bear's they get hungry around this time."

We heard a roar not far off from us. The wolves quickly backed away and we never saw them again. But I felt this was going to get worse. But DuneWalker snorted, laughing softly.

"Yes, let's get going."

We arm ourselves and get ready to go into the next area to get to the bunker. I feel it’s strange we just ran into creations who can speak. I wonder what else we will find here. It’s kind of cool about most of this area.

“Dunewalker..”

Dune looks up at me since I am still on Tick Tock's back. She doesn’t have to crane her neck much to look at me.

“Do all these creations talk?

She shrugs her shoulders.

“No idea, I have only been in here a few times. Come on, let's get in there before a lot of work comes for us. You know, like bears.”

___________________

Middle of the forest before the Bunker's

We finally made it to the spot that is the crossroads to the two bunkers. The trees have gotten crazier and inside most of them are faces of ponies and zebras screaming every time the wind blows. Deeper in this forest it was easy to tell the curse and potion that the zebras used to get back at the ponies that lived in this forest. It looks more like it turned on them and caused them to see the error of their ways.

Before we kept going DuneWalker set up a camp to let us rest a bit. Since the air of this forest caused Tick Tock’s joints to freeze so for a time we needed to wait and rest before getting to the bunkers. As for me, I wanted to talk to one of the trees. I do hope the zebra or ponies are in a talking mood. When I got close to one of the trees. In this tree, I went to a pony mare and a zebra that was trapped in a battle. They looked to be in pain and constant danger.

"Excuse me."

The Zebra opened her eyes, staring at me. The mare looked down at me as well. I could tell they didn't think I was real at first. But after they both looked at me again then at each other. The mare showed her hate as well as her anger for the zebra mare.

"What little bug do you want?"

The mare spoke in hate, even anger. At first, I didn't know what to say. But I had to think for a moment. I looked down to the ground to think. Looking back up at them I finally was able to think of something to say.

"You do know right now the war is over?"

When I said this they both stared down at me. I didn't think of how they would act. But they stared at each other. Then back down at me.

"What do you mean the war is over?"

The zebra mare asked, trying to get away from the pony mare. But the tree kept them trapped in the tree. I wonder what kind of spell is causing this for a moment. I change my eyes to search for magic and it’s screaming at me. The magic in here is powerful and I can’t eat it without dying.

"The war ended with balefire. Both sides destroyed each other. So good job I would say. But It's not the fault of all of you of course. But it's the fault that you couldn't just sit down and talk about it." The two stared at me with horror in their eyes. The fact they have been in this endless fight for over many years. Since the potion trapped them in here along with that strange curse.

"But I...never wanted it to end like that. I was attacked by this zebra.."

"I attacked you because you were trying to harm a child." The zebra mare countered. The pony mare stared at the zebra. But they both knew that they had failed in their task. Ponies are normally known as beings that try to spread friendship to the land. But now they're known as the creatures that spread pain and hurt. Zebras are very peaceful races if you let them be. But they have caused just the same amount of pain for the world. At least in my mind.

"So it sounds like you both didn't know the real reason for why you were being attacked. I'm from an island that had zebras and ponies working together. They didn't care about the past or what their families did. They looked back on that time and frowned at both sides. I bet you two don't even care about the fact a zebra and a pony are now working together to fix this land."

I knew I was playing with fire here. I wasn't playing with their better natures. I kind of was being harsh and stupid by being mean to them. But how it looked in my mind and how I saw it. It made me feel a bit strange about that idea. But maybe I would find out that what I am doing is the right thing maybe?

"If this is true.."

The zebra mare stares at the pony.

"Then we can work together. But I doubt we will be able to work together being stuck in here like this."

The pony mare didn't agree right at first. I could tell in her eyes that she wanted to cry. But the fact that she couldn't make it even worse. But she started to howl in pain like the trees allowed them to be.

I shook from this fact. It made me feel that something bad was going to happen while the wind blew. But after the wind stopped blowing they stopped with their sobbing and crying. But the mare finally was able to talk. "I wish they would free us. Since I know my family might be dead. But I wish to work together with the zebra I have been fighting for so many years"

I sighed looking away from the tree and going back to the camp. But wait, am I lost? Looked around quickly seeing that the spot the camp was at was moved or was it? "Hello, little Ruby." Turning quickly seeing Majesty again. She stood over me. I didn't understand she found me again? I felt very angry about the fact that I'm seeing her like this.

"But why do I keep seeing you? You vanished after the hero beat you. Why do you keep trying to come to me? I refuse to work for you ever again."

I added in angry buzzing anger. She just stood there watching me with a smile on her alicorn face. She laughed softly, shaking her head.

"Oh but your friends have left you. I told you this would happen to you. Now, are you willing to keep risking your very life for creatures that will never accept you for who you are? Because from what I am seeing they’re only using you."

I refused to believe her. These creatures care about me. They care more about me than she would even know.

"No, they care about me. You can't control me, you can never control me again. I won't buy it."

I looked away from her, refusing to allow her to control me again. She shook her head laughing softly. When she vanished I could finally see my friends but they were looking at me.

"Oi Buggy, you were talking to yourself again are you okay?"

Looking at them like I was talking to myself? Looking at Tick Tock and I didn't know what to think I swear I knew what I saw.

"I saw Majesty Tick. She showed up to me a second time. Was trying to tell me you two would use me and toss me away like trash."

Tick just stared at me looking away for a moment sighing.

"You need to understand Ruby. I'm still upset with you for what happened to our two friends. But I can't fully blame you for thinking you could help this entire land. But look at us we are in a deadly forest that could come alive and strangle us. But Ruby be prepared if Roll Roll or Hawk don't wish to talk to you."

I had that fear that they wouldn't want to talk to me. I know full well why they wouldn’t want to talk to me. I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and thinking like this. So what I need to do is just take a deep breath. I took a deep breath and released letting my stress vanish for now.

"Oi Buggy stop again feeling sorry for yourself or I am going to slap you. So now we need to rest. I have a tent set up so you can rest. I for one don't need sleep at the moment. Now are you willing to do this fight or are you going to let us fall?"

I grew angry with my wings flapping in anger adding to the buzz I wanted to yell back at Dune. But I calmed looking away.

"I don't know what I think at the moment, DuneWalker. I feel that most of the time I am going to fail. But maybe it's wise to fail?"

I simply asked to see Dune's eye glow. I never understood her. But she tried her best to hide her anger. But from that time It was hard to tell if she wanted to get upset at me. But I know she didn't have a kind look in that eye.

"Okay buggy do I need to pull you to the campfire again? Are you going to keep falling back to this woe is me bull?"

I buzzed in anger. Dune and I were about to fight but maybe it wasn't wise for us to fight. But I calmed down and sighed.

"Okay, I'm sorry I am trying my best not to fall into these weird feelings again. I'm going to get some rest and then we can finally get going."

They both nodded while I walked into the tent and sighed. Laying on the cot slowly falling asleep.

_________________

Dreaming

I was back on the island. Following the great warriors of the past. The great hero Starshooter. But that's the thing I never liked the fact that I was killing my kind. But I couldn't stop her and free them. Since most of them were trapped in the control. I felt maybe I will always be angry at Majesty. But at the moment I felt that this was going to be a bad time for me.

"Feeling awful my little friend?"

I finally looked up and saw Glendo. The new warden of the castle. I felt awful that He was talking to me now. The warden was the one that helped do this to the hero of legend. But again of course the hero did have help and did amazing things. It took some strange memories to put her down for a time?

"Glendo. I know you are here to talk to me. Are you trying to ask me why my readings are so stressful?”

I sighed looking away. But I could feel the claw on my head looking back up to Glendo and smiling softly. I wish I could still be on the island and talk to the new warden. But would he still be known as a warden? Since the island is no longer a prison?

“I am here to see what's up and yes the readings are a bit strange. So tell me what is bothering you, my friend?”

I sighed looking away. I didn't know what to do or what to think anymore. But I felt my heart beating softly. It beat slowly and softly but each time I heard it. I heard a gun cocking.

"I feel I am failing as a guardian and a hero. Of course, I recently just got to this land. Things haven’t been easy for me, Glendo as we all know stories of hope, stories of love, and stories of heroes will always become normal.”

The warden laughed softly.

Oh, little Ruby the hero of legend acted the same way. She wanted to get back to Equestria. She didn't even like the idea of helping us with our problems. But you can thank Blaze for keeping her around and making her happy while she was here. It's the only way that she would have stayed. She wanted to give up a few times and give in to what the queen was about to give her."

I blinked looking at Glendo. So the hero of the legend herself didn’t want to be on the island herself? I remember when I first saw her. Well, I don’t blame her because she was on an island that wanted to kill her.

"So you mean to tell me the hero of legend felt this way too?"

Glendo chuckles.

"She felt this way, yes. The entire heroes of the legend felt the same way. You got to understand that all heroes feel this way. It's not going to be easy to do what you feel is easy for the hero's do. All heroes have a time when they feel this way. But at times most will never understand the path of a hero. Of course, being called a hero can also be a problem, just call yourself a guardian or one of common sense.”

"Well.."

I buzzed sadly. Not sure what to say. I didn't have a nose I could pinch as he could. My legs could only do a great number of things. But I will never know what is the truth of the matter.

"I have been seeing Majesty."

Glendo sighed.

"She has done many things to your species that it's not just you that she's here, many of your kind see her. But I can tell you that she is not real. No one has seen her since the war and Reaver said that she was sent away to be punished."

I sighed

"I don't know if that is a good thing or not. But how is everything on the island Glendo? I'm homesick."

"Calm, very calm. I got word that Star Shooter woke up a few times. But that is going to happen to show that her mind is healing. But I feel bad for her." He added. Pinching his beak with his claws.

“I need you to wake up and continue the search for your friend Ruby. I am worried about Roll Roll and Hawk. I can't follow them as much as I can, lets's get going I am worried.

I wanted to talk to him more. But of course, my body forced me to wake up after he said that. I could tell he did something to me back on the island.

“I will do my best Glendo”

When I spoke I echoed. My vision went fuzzy. I have a feeling I was waking up and I knew I needed to do something.

“Do what you can Ruby be strong and don’t let others tell you about being a fallen hero if they try to use those words on you just laugh at them like the jokes they are.”

Glendo echoed back to me and then the dream world just went black

_________

The camp

When I opened my eyes I heard angry growls and flesh being sliced by my friends. Quickly I grabbed my sword from my armor and rushed out of the tent getting face to face with one of the bears that the wolves warned us about. I saw many bodies of them sliced up and Tick Tock's body melted to her clockwork mare body.

The bear attacked me. I parried the claw attack. The blade was strong but it wasn't strong enough to slice off its claws. But with me being just a worker it was hard to fight this bear. It head-butted me back into the tent and jumped into the tent. I was able to dodge its attacks by slicing through the tent. The claws of the poor bear get stuck into the tent. Quickly I sliced the leg. The sound of flesh being cut into. Sinew and bone are being sliced but the bear finally finds a way to pull its leg back before I could fully slice it off.

The bear opens its mouth breathing a strange smoke at me. But thankfully I couldn't smell it but it made me feel sick. I lifted the blade in my little arms stabbing right through the mouth to the back of the head. But it didn't kill it. But the bear closed its mouth on the blade it cut itself. I couldn't pull the blade out since he did this. Finally, after a pull of the blade, I pulled the sword out of its mouth, slicing it more. Then after a while, the bear fell to the ground dead. I still felt ill from what it breathed on me.

Looking at my armor I quickly put it on even though I felt extremely weak. Placed the helm on to take deep breaths of clean air from the filter on it. Feeling whatever was affecting me cleared up. I heard something behind me and the bear stood back up fully healed. It roared at me. I had enough of this but a large sword sliced the head of the bear off.

"OI!! buggy stop playing and help us here.”

I buzzed in anger at the thought I'm playing with a bear. Getting out of the tent seeing that more bears are coming. I had no idea why so many were attacking us. But I have a feeling this is because of the one I hurt not too long ago. Speaking of which, the one I attacked recently on the way to the campfire jumped me and forced me to the ground, roaring in anger at me.

My sword flew to the ground. It held me down. But I just stared at the bear. It took my helm off with its paw. Then I felt it was my chance. Quickly with my clawed mouth, I bite into the neck absorbing the evil magic inside them. Slowly I drained the magic from them. The cursed evil magic didn't affect me as badly as it did to the others. Blood drained down its wound. But the poor bear slowly started to melt while I stole its magic.

The bear removed itself from the bite slinking weakly back. My pink eye's glowed green and my body changed from the many colors I had to pure green. I felt strange. I didn't feel that this curse was evil.

"This magic..."

Then it started to affect me badly and I vomited up the magic it left my body like a mist. It slowly floated away into the very ground causing a tree beside me to die. Then after a while, my color went back to normal. I think this magic is not wise for me to eat this magic.

"Ruby?"

Tick-tock looked at me with emotions in her eyes. "Something in your body changed."

Something about me changed? What would have changed? Lifting my sword looking into the reflection of my sword. Claw mouth I used to bite into the bear. I have sharper teeth now. The tips of the teeth are pure green glowing with that venom.

"I tried the magic in the system of these creatures. Not wise it doesn't taste good."

I coughed a bit bringing up more of the blood that the magic came with. I didn't enjoy the taste but it did something to me. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Tick Tock shook her head. Giving me a nuzzle it was strange why she was nuzzling me. But then I noticed why. One more part of me changed. My legs have another smaller leg connected to them. Now I can hold my weapons better. After a while, my legs went back to normal. Wow, that was weird.

"It might be best to not eat any more of the magic in this land. From what I see it's not doing anything good to you. At least you got back your normal color in your eyes as well as on your body."

Tick Tock sighed, stroking her clockwork shell with her hoof.

"Oi, you two come with me, and let’s get to the first Bunker. We are taking too much time to get to the first bunker."

I placed my helm back on my head. Then the three of us started to go to the first bunker.

_____________

Outside the Bunker.

The outside of the Bunker had old broken lights. Vine's wrapped around old bones of ponies and their weapons are broken. On the roof, the turrets turned off. But no one is guarding the building. We could see those old robots have vines stabbed into their bodies and forced them to shut down. The bunker doors looked like they have never been opened at all.

"Wait, why are we here if the bunkers have never been opened?"

I didn't know what to think when I asked this. But I could tell that this bunker hasn't been touched for years.

"OI buggy. There is an underground way into the two bunkers we need. Those heavily guarded. So I don't think it's wise to go that way if you want to fight that robot again, a little buggy."

She laughed at the thought of me fighting that robot again. A buzzing of anger came from me. I didn't like being laughed at. I also didn't like the fact that she tried so hard to piss me off.

"Is there a key we need to find to open that door?"

Tick Tock asked, sighing softly as she looked away from us. I am sure at times she didn't like how Dune treated me. But I know she kept her mouth shut.

"Yes, there is a robot. But we have to do some pruning to find it. The one with the key died by these stupid vines."

How Dune knew this made me question her. But of course, she told me that her species remembers everything from the first generation or the generation that came before. So that made me finally ask a question.

"Dune do you remember every time your family had sexual relations?" Dune stared at me after that question. She groaned in anger. Her cybernetic paw grew fingers. Face palming with that.

"Yes, buggy I remember every sexual intercourse my family had even my parents. Remember it’s not wise to ask a camel what they remember about their past Ruby you could upset them.”

"I um..." I looked away, sighing a bit. "Just you know so much about the past. It's like you were there yourself. I know you have said that you remember some things. But it makes no sense that your species has this. Is it a curse or a blessing?" Dune just stared at me like I was stupid after asking that question.

"Okay Buggy. Let me tell you then. It happens that in the first generation a spell was placed on my family back in the day. So we could be forced to remember everything. It was that stallion Star Swirl. He wanted us to be able to help the future. So when the rebellion happened we joined that. Because most of us didn't even trust Celestia. By the way, remember Camels always lie. I am never going to tell you the truth because I don’t know the reason why I let this go.”

“Listen if you’re very good I will take you out for ice cream then we will go to the keepers in the caverns. Maybe I can convince them to wait until they kill me on sight because I am a Dunewalker and now stop asking about how camels have genetic memory. Ask me again and I will use you as a weed wacker.”

I glanced at the angry Camel. I didn't think she would do it. But with how angry she was I'm sure she would. So to keep her from using me as a wacker? What the hell is a weed wacker? I grabbed my sword and the three of us started to prune away the living vines.

The vines screamed every time we cut into them. But we couldn't stop. We needed that key. I didn't talk to the others we did this. But I looked at the bones of the ponies and zebras I found. Most of them looked like they battled each other. Some looked like they died as they did like this alone. Looking through the bodies. I found mostly photos of families in a book from one of the zebras.

I opened up the book but I couldn't understand what was said in it. But I kept it so I could give it to Inyanga. I stopped pruning, staring at the bodies feeling awful for the past. I wish I could go back and try to stop what happened. Why do I feel like this? I wasn't watching and saw a shadow hover over me. I turned to see a large flower-like creature ready to eat me. A blade sliced through it, killing it and making it fall away from me.

“Okay, Ruby I am going to say this once and only once. You need to focus on the here and now and then care about the past. You need to care that two of your friends are here. One mistake any of us could make. Could get us fucking killed yo understand that right?”

I nodded and looked around, noticing all the bodies. It's amazing how many there are here. I wonder how many more we will find.

"Huh looks like the zebras got locked in here with the ponies. I think it was the only way for them to stop the zebras."

__________________

Inside the first bunker.

Finally, we got inside the bunker. But this is strange even to me. The bunker was made for ponies. But it had so many bones of zebras, more bones of zebras than ponies. Then what surprised me was that Dune looked at the halls in horror.

"They did what they said they would. They made these bunkers to trap." She looked away, sighing. "I thought I would find a way to hope that the ponies didn't be as warlike as most said they would be. It seems they turned more into warlike beings than they wanted."

The feel of the magic in this area bothers me a lot. We walk through the halls. I kept my sword out and we found the security room. Tick tock, as well as DuneWalker, look through the terminal to find ways to shut off all the. I found a tape like the one I found not too long ago. When I picked it up it downloaded into my helm again. Then I listen to it.

"This is Security officer Blue Bird."

There are sounds in the recording of a fight going on. With guns going off and hooves smashing into the bone.

"The war has been lost. We have lost contact with the outside. There are rumors that the Princess is both dead. We have zebras attacking us. I locked myself into the room like I was told to. Now the last thing to do is to release all the projects."

Hooves clicking buttons. Then the sound of angry howling and roaring. "To those that wish to know and learn about us in the future. We failed because the land of Equestria was meant to be a land of harmony and friendship. But our stupidity leads to this war. I wish to be forgiven.." The sound of the door breaking open. Then many gunshots and the recording ends.

"Alright, we turned it off. Oi buggy you there?" I stayed looking at the bones of the mare I was listening to. She had a large bullet hole in her skull. I put my leg on the body and sighed.

"I'm sorry for what happened to you, Blue Bird. I hope someday that folks look back on what happened to the war." I looked up to Dune Walker. She had a frown on her face but her eyes also were full of sadness. She went to the body placing her paw on the face of the skull.

"I remember you Blue Bird."

DuneWalker tried to say softly but she sniffed. I could swear she was crying. But when she turned to look at me, She growled in anger.

"Okay if you two tell anyone I cried a bit I will kill you myself. Got it?!"

I nodded so did Tick tock.

"Now I feel how logically we get to where we need to go."

DuneWalker looked at the terminal again then back to me. Tick Tock was about to speak again but DuneWalker cut her off. Which, I could tell, upset the clockwork mare.

"We need to get to a room in the lower levels. It's the General's level. In that room, we will find the first part of the password for the main bunker. That would house leaders of Equestria. The two bunkers we will be going through are made to do projects or keep the military in them. Now the issue is getting to the lower levels"

"How about you let me go first then?" The two of us stared at Tick tock after she asked that. I wasn't sure if it was wise. But I keep forgetting that she is the one that really wouldn't lose much if she got shot. "Well, think about it. I'm a clockwork mare. I don't have a body that could be harmed that easily unless they have a fire or something else that would cause my systems to shut down."

Well, we did what she asked. We let her go first through the halls while we stayed behind her. But along the halls, we found many claw marks and endless broken bones, and dried blood all over the walls. But of course, it was one of the old projects that might be dead by now. Hoping at least it's dead by now.

A mare suddenly attacks us and goes hoof to hoof with the robotic mare and a stallion aim's a gun at us. I blinked while holding my sword as more ponies showed up. Coming out of the darkness was a mix of a zebra and a pony. She stood there speaking like she is the leader of this group.

"More invaders? What brings you to our home then?" I stare at the mare. A zebra pony mix. So some of them did live through the end of the world.

Tick tock and the mare stopped their hoof to hoof fight. "We thought that logically there would be no pony left alive."

The mare chuckled. "Yes but thanks to the projects that were made they allowed this generation to live for years here. Now again why are you here?"

"We are here to find the password for the main bunker. My friends have been kidnapped by whoever is ever living in that Bunker."

The zebra pony mare. Had a look of fear on her face.

"We do our best to avoid them. Come with us the password you're looking for is already with us."

The group of ponies, zebras, and the mixes of them lead us through the bunker. They went higher up in the bunker instead of going lower. We were led to an old storage room that had been turned into a living breathing society. But there was something extremely odd about the room; it was bigger on the inside. I saw a name etched into the wall. It said welcome to our home. Normally pony cites had a pun this one was made by both. It was named Hay barrels.

I laughed softly at the name. "You, the leader of this group, follow me." The mixed-breed pointed her hoof at me.

"Wait for me?"

She gave me a nod. I followed the mare looking at my two friends who were welcomed into the town with open hooves. I didn't know how they would act. But the mixed breed leads me through the city. I looked at the citizens I could see. I could tell they didn't get much sun. But most of the town looked healthy. But why didn't I see older types? Normally elders are wandering around.

"Where are the elders?"

The mare stopped turning to me with a weak smile

"If I told you. You wouldn't be very happy about it. But let’s say they're helping our society."

I had no idea what she meant by that. But maybe I will learn what she meant. She leads me into a large building made of old shipping containers. In two chair's are a zebra mare and a pony stallion sitting there. They look young to be elders. But they had the garb of elders. They looked wider than the others before them. It made me wonder how they picked the elders. The Zebra mare had a scar over her left eye. The stallion had scars all over his body and his left ear was missing.

"Elders. I brought the leader. Or what they have been calling her ``The Buzzer."

They knew who I was and how. Then I was finally able to hear why.

"Hello, every creature in the Widow Maker desert. I have finally got everything up and running. So DJmixer is back. Now we finally got the news. Something has been going on in Kludgetown the battle between the zebras and the ponies has been placed on hold for the time being. They wish to take their wounded and wait before they go on with their little war. But that's not all. We have a new leader for Hard Rock city. The leader is some pig and Pinda has gone missing. So I don't know what to tell you about that. But one of my ponies went to have an interview with her."

"I Princess I mean. It's been so long that there is no need for the name of Princess anymore. Porcina promised to help protect the great city of Hard Rock. I have started to search for the other that was running poor Pinda. I hope the poor dear is alright. Now to get on with what I wish to do. I wish to defend the town from whatever threat wishes to harm it. So that means I promise to start what the buzzer started. By bringing clean water and taking care of the little ones. Her home given to her by Pinda and the others is protected until she returns"

"That's not sad news my friends. Hard Rock has needed a leader for so long. So whoever was picked did their best. Now there are more news rumors that a group called The pact has been seen in Equestria they have been blamed for the recent kidnapping of many unicorns from their homes. Something is going on in Equestria kids but we sadly can't do anything to help them. We must see our lands. I wish I had more happy news but I don't. We have a new recording of that creature that taunted our hero."

Another voice the robot that named herself Cozy Glow speaks over the radio

"Greetings Flesh bags. I'm the herald of his return. I beat your little guardian or whatever she calls herself. I know she can hear me. But I will explain what I wish you all to do. I wish you all to surrender yourselves in the name of the Storm King. For he is returning. Your hero knows this. You all should know this. But for now, I will let you stew in your blindness. He shall return." The Dj came back over after the recording.

. "Amazing how silly some creatures are. Now, children, I leave you with some music. With how slow the news is here I won't be coming back to give the news may be for another day. Now, let’s hope something happens, shall we? Now for the music." After her broadcast, the music begins

"Oh come on away to the city

A kingdom to behold

Where the bluest skies float on by

The streets are all paved in gold."

I didn’t know what to do while the song played in the background and looked toward the elders. They finally stood on their hooves walking toward me. The zebra mare with her hooves removed my helm.

"Allow me to get a good look at you Buzzer." She stared at me with one eye. Like she was looking into my very soul. I didn't know what to think. But I felt kind of uncomfortable. She just kept staring then she looked at the stallion. "I don't see her soul. I don't think her species has one. But I can tell she wishes to protect this land."

The stallion smiled. "Ruby Glide is it?"

I didn't know what to think. I nodded.

"Then you're welcomed here. If you wonder how we know who you are. The water hunters have spoken highly of you. You haven't even met them yet and only fought them but they see you as a hero. We got a gift for you." The stallion turns to the zebra mare and she nods. Walking back to a box on the table lifted it into her hoof offering it to me.

"Take it to go on your mission with this."

I took the little box and opened it up. Inside a pistol, not just any pistol. It was a 22mm automatic pistol. It had a chrome finish with a wooden grip. On the side of the pistol. It had these words on it. "Truth Seeker," I said softly looking into the box, seeing a holster that would attach to my armor. The zebra mare I didn't get her name yet she helped me by placing the holster on my armor. It would go in right under my machine gun. I placed the gun in the holster now I felt ready to fight.

"Now." The stallion ads before they let me go. "We know what you are after." He lifts an old pip buck connecting it to my armor and downloading the password in.

"We can't allow anypony to help you on your mission. We don't wish to get the wrath of the creatures in the main bunker. But I got a warning for you Ruby. Don't allow the one that leads these creatures to get the upper hoof on you. If you give him a mile he will take you for a ride. Now our daughter will take you below to the next bunker that connects to the other. But know that she won't be following you."

I turned to the mare that brought me here. I didn't know she was the daughter of these two. With a single to follow with her hoof, I followed her back out. I noticed that Dune Walker and Tick Tock stayed near the way in and they were given food and supplies for the trip through the next bunker.

"Well welcome back buggy." I smiled or at least what my buggy face could allow as a smile. I placed the helm back on.

"Let’s go and find the path to the next bunker. I was given the first password."

"I see that's not all you were given Ruby.

" I looked over to my Clockwork friend who was eyeing the pistol. I chuckled softly.

" Yes, it's a gift from the water hunters. I guess they do trading with them." I looked at the mixed breed. I still didn't have her name.

"I'm Zenori. I will be going with you to the door below. That will be it. I warn you though the path down there won't be an easy one. There are projects from the old age as well as minions of that robot and other creatures."

I watched while strange armor formed along her body. Zebra and pony-made armor that just formed from a strange brace on her leg. It formed around her entire body.

"Let’s go then. In the words of Logic, we should have been there already. But of course, we had to be stopped by you."

tick tock growled robotic-like. "But of course, we needed to wait for you to be given another gift from these odd creatures."

Dune Walker laughed softly.

"Oh and Ruby if you wonder why you didn't see any elders. They eat them."

I buzzed in surprise, turning to Zenori who shrugged.

"It's sad how we must live. We don't force the old to live with their pain. So we end their lives when it's time and then make them into food for the young. It's our way, it's been our way for years. Since the world ended the only way we'll live till it's safe is to go back to the outside world."

I sighed I couldn't argue now it was time to find a way down to the basement level. Zenori leads us down each set of stairs. For an old bunker, the stairs were still useful but that's not what we had to worry about.

Along the path, I saw many doors ripped open by creatures long gone. Bodies of bones left after the war was over. I saw writing in blood. Runaway most of it said the end has come. But I couldn't make it all out. The fact the path was even safe confused me more.

"How come this place is so safe I would think these creatures would be pouring out of...oh." When we got to the bottom there was a door that leads to the basement of this bunker. That would lead to the next bunker. Something was odd about it though. This was added not too long ago.

"This door was created back after the war ended. Since some of the older ponies lived with the other zebras. They hooked up a terminal and then put this door up to keep the creatures and those other things out. From time to time they do come through here the robots do. But they leave us alone."

I sighed looking at the terminal. I clicked it but Zenori looked me away from it.

"I'm trying to use it..."

I said with an angry buzz.

Zenori laughed, rolling her eyes.

"There is a reason I had to place this armor on. It's the only thing that can be used to open the door. Now I am going to say this once don't come back through this door the other Bunker leads to the very main one. So if you even think of returning this way you will harm us."

I didn't know how to say no to this. But if this bunker leads up to the other bunker then it was good. "Is there something wrong with the second Bunker?"

Zenori turned to look at me when she hooked the armored hoof into the terminal.

"That bunker has been fully enveloped by the trees and vines." She finally finished what she needed to do and the door opened up. Inside the basement, it was dark and empty. Evil looking. "The door to the other Bunker is on the other side of the basement. The difference about this one. Is that the code is in the office upstairs. Not far below. Now be ready to fight and be ready to kill."

I give a nod. I went inside the basement with my two friends. After we walked inside the door closed behind us, locking us inside. What we would see I wouldn't know... But we had a journey ahead of us.

To be continued

Oh by the way the entire chapter was written in 2016 I touched it up a bit to fix that some things changed in the story since it's connected to Survivor's guilt so that's why it saids Celestia one when Cranberry speaks.

Also, those Vipers are called Hate vipers they release a hate sickness there are also depression ones. But the hate brings real hate to the surface for them to express so just in case you wonder the only new thing is the poem at the start. I got that idea to write that thanks toFiaura's new video that came out today.