Frost snuggled closer to Iris, not wanting to wake up. Their room was still very dark, with only slits for windows. He buried his muzzle into her feathers and took in her scent. She must have noticed, since she turned over and stared at him with her big golden eyes. Iris didn’t say anything, instead she reached her talons over Frost and ran them through his mane. Frost sighed as the waves of pleasure washed over him, her claws running across his scalp felt amazing.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, “Still sore?”

“A little, but I’m okay, Frost.”

“How are Flint and Silver Spark?”

Iris sat up with Frost and smiled. She pointed near one of the beds. Black Star sat on the floor curled up and asleep. On his back between his wings, Flint was snoring and could barely be seen surrounded by the large feathers. Silver Spark was sleeping against Black Star’s side, partially covered by one of his wings. Iris’ guardian had secured a tail around both of the colts.

“Why does he have his tail around them?” Frost asked.

Iris’ features softened and she let out a quiet giggle, “Because when Black Star first brought them into the dreamscape, they started sleep walking.”

Frost laughed, “That’s too funny. What do you think they’re dreaming about?”

Iris leaned against Frost and looked up at him, “I know what they’re dreaming about, I was there. Black Star took them flying for a while then began to teach them about controlling their fears when they sleep. Eventually he coaxed their nightmares out and we fought them.”

“You fought them?” Frost asked

“Yep, well... I mostly just watched. But Black Star gave them weapons and with his help, similar to the way he merges with me, they defeated their nightmares.”

“Black Star is something else,” Frost mused.

“You should have seen what he did with Flint. They ripped the horns off the minotaur’s head then made him eat them.”

“Such violence!” Frost whispered, “I love it.”

Denova and Spring Shot were sleeping in the beds next to Frost and Iris. Eventually Iris heard a yawn and saw Flint rolling around in Black Star’s feathers. He woke up and stretched, “I can’t believe I did all that... it felt so real.”

Iris jumped down from the bed and trotted over to him, “Nightmare’s can’t hurt you anymore.” she looked down to see Silver Spark starting up at her. “Same with you, they’re nothing but apparitions.”

Flint smiled and climbed onto Black Star’s head,” That was so cool! Can we do it again? The flying? The fighting!?”

Black Star opened all three eyes and chuckled, “Not up to me,” he lifted both up with his two tails and playfully dangled them in front of Iris. “She’s the boss.”

“Please!” both colts pleaded.

“Well I don’t know...”

“Please!”

“Well... okay!” Iris exclaimed.

Black Star dropped the colts to the floor and rested his head on a claw, “Looks like I’ll need to think up some new weapons for you kids.”

The foals spent most of the day playing and thinking of ways to try and escape. Eventually Black Star heard the guards coming to collect the ponies and take them to work. He stood up and began to enter Iris’ shadow when he felt something tug on his tail. He turned around and saw Silver Spark clutching it tightly with tears in his eyes.

“Do you have to go?” he asked.

Black Star picked the child up and nuzzled him, “I do, but I’ll be around. I’ll be watching you, Flint, Spring, and everypony else.”

“Thank you for helping me, Black Star.” Silver Spark said while hugging his beak.

Black Star faltered a moment, visions raced across his mind. For a second, he wasn’t staring at Silver Spark, but a small black and blue gryphon child. He shook his head and put him down, “Off you go, I’ll be with you tonight in your dreams.”

Silver Spark’s smile exploded as he trotted to the door.

The moment Black Star disappeared, the door opened and the guard burst in. “Time to get to work, runts. Lets go!”

The foals moved out of the room and were blindfolded until they reached the warehouse again. Their tasks were similar to the ones they did last time, however there was much more to do. They were worked at least five hours before being permitted a break for food and rest.

Iris sat down away from Frost and Denova again. She was stationed near the the large machine being driven by ponies. One of the foals, a small one who looked no older than Flint or Silver Spark, appeared ready to collapse.

Further down the table, a blue pegasus filly was eating and drawing on some paper. Iris moved her tray and sat beside her.

“Hi, I’m Iris,” she said, “What's your name?”

The filly looked at Iris and smiled, “Hi Iris! My name’s River Gale. How did they catch you with those awesome wings?”

Iris chuckled, “Well I could ask you the same question.”

River Gale shook her head, “These things? Yeah they’re good, but not fast enough. Steel Slab grabbed me before I could get away. He broke my left wing to make sure I wouldn’t fly away again.”

Iris dug her talons into the table and ripped away a chunk of wood, “What a monster.”

“Yeah, it’s a shame things like this are allowed to happen. But... there’s a better place after this. It doesn’t end here.” she frowned and looked at the little pony pulling the machine. “It’s just the beginning.”

Iris wasn’t sure what River Gale was referring to, and was surprised when she gave her the drawing. “What are you talking about?” Iris asked while picking up the drawing.

“Things happen, and it’s not our fault. Remember that Iris.”

Iris looked at the picture and almost swallowed her tongue. It was done with just pencil, but it was just like the mural in the castle. The shores of eternity in the distance, and that same creature leaning against the tree.

“River Gale...?” Iris asked as she looked up from the picture. River Gale was gone. It didn’t make sense, she was right there. She couldn’t fly, and Iris would have heard her get up to leave.

Iris’ concentration was broken when the slow rumble of the machine ground to a halt. The little colt turning it collapsed, blocking the way for the pony behind him. He didn’t move, despite being nudged and prodded by the colt behind him.

“Get up, filth!” a guard said while striding over to the machine, “Did I say you could stop?” He kicked the colt in the head and in the stomach, “I know... you need some encouragement. This won’t hurt a bi-”

The earth pony guard collapsed to the floor from a blow to the head. Every set of eyes in the room locked on Iris, who stood atop the table ready to throw another bowl. “Why don’t you pick on somepony bigger? See how you fair then...”

The earth pony slowly got to his hooves and snarled in rage.

“What’s going on in here? a voice boomed. The children immediately got back to work, leaving Iris and the earth pony to ascertain who the voice belonged to. Steel Slab stalked into the room and smiled wickedly at Iris.

“She stopped me from reprimanding this col-” the pony choked out as he was lifted off the ground. “St- stop!”

“You let that pile of molt stop you from getting this job running again?” Steel Slab asked, then punched the earth pony in the stomach several times before hurling him across the room.

“Now as for you,” he said walking over to Iris. “Play the hero, you’ll take his punishment along with your own.” He grabbed her by the neck and carried her out of the room. Before they left, Frost and Denova saw him unhook a lash from his belt. This wasn’t going to be pretty. Steel slab threw Iris out the door and stuck his head back in the room. “Replace the colt and get that working again, now!”

Some of the foals grabbed the collapsed colt and moved him away while another took his place and started turning the machine again.

Iris was in a daze after being hit by the minotaur. She could feel herself being strung up on a board. Each of her limbs died down tightly to a post. Black Star spoke in her mind, “This is going to hurt, Iris. Do you wan-”

“No! No... you’ll do nothing. Understand?” Iris commanded.

“... As you say.” Black Star acknowledged.

Iris heard the whip hit the ground behind her and braced herself, but nothing prepared her for the pain.

Outside Denova winced each time he heard the whip crack. Frost seethed in anger, staring at the door where Steel Slab had taken Iris. All of the foals winced and clenched their eyes shut after each crack. After about twenty lashes, they began to hear Iris screech each time she was hit. It started as high pitched, then began to fade as she lost energy.

After what seemed like an eternity. Steel Slab returned, holding Iris by one leg. He threw her down in front of her table and turned to the rest of the children. “Let that be a lesson for you! Step out of line, and you’ll get worse than what she got.”

He stomped out of the room and slammed the door behind him. Iris didn’t move from the ground, Frost was about to go help her but she turned her head and shot him a dangerous look. A look that said to stay put and shut up. He frowned and got back to work.

Iris felt Black Star take the smallest steps to start healing her. He didn’t want to be noticed. “That was one of the most selfless, bravest things I’ve ever seen, Iris.”

Iris turned her head and grunted. The fur along her back was ripped away in multiple places where the lash struck her. Bare skin was exposed and bleeding, and several parts of her wings were missing feathers. She saw at one of the tables past Frost, the colt that had collapsed working the machine was looking at her.

Iris managed a smile and winked at him. The smile proved infectious, since he returned one before hobbling off to work at another table.

The foals continued working for several more hours until some were exchanged for new ones. Frost nudged Denova and pointed to a table on the far side of the room, a zebra filly sat down and began to work. She eventually looked over to Denova and saw him. Her mouth dropped, she couldn’t believe it was him.

“One down, one to go.” Frost said with a smile to Denova, “Once we find Orianna, we’ll start our plans to get out of here.”

“Sounds good,” Denova replied, “I’m just glad I found her.”

Once the paste and crystals were all used up, the children were escorted back to their rooms. The foals were blindfolded again and taken to another place with more beds, this place was a bit larger. Frost immediately went to Iris’ side and gently embraced her. “I was worried... are you okay? What can I do to help?”

Iris smiled and pulled Frost close, “Just this...”

Frost sat down and cuddled with Iris for a while, then noticed they had another guest. Spring Shot was with Flint and Silver Spark. They were talking to the foal who Iris had saved. Up close, he looked absolutely awful. A sickly appearance with baggy eyes and a dirty coat. Frost could see his ribs, and he was missing some teeth.

Black Star peeled away from Iris’ shadow and bent down, “Iris... I don’t have the words. I would follow you to the end now, regardless of what mother says.”

“Black Star,” Iris croaked, “I’m fine... go be with the foals, they need you now.”

As if on cue, the little earth colt ambled in Front of Black Star. He was afraid, but he stood his ground. “Can I speak to the gryphon?” he asked timidly.

Black Star stepped aside allowed the colt to approach Iris. She looked up and smiled at him, “Are you alright?”

“Me?” the colt sobbed, “What about you? Why did you do that? Nopony has ever done something nice like that for me. Not here.”

“I did it to prove a point,” Iris said with a chuckle, she pointed to herself with a fist, “I’m the baddest gryphon around. That minotaur is a panzy.”

“You’re the only gryphon around,” Frost said with a chuckle.

“Shut up, Frosty.” Iris giggled.

Flint and Silver Spark ran up to Black Star and hugged him. “We’re so glad you’re back, is Iris going to be okay?”

Black Star took one last look at her, then nodded to the colts, “She’ll be fine. Now, the faster you two get to sleep, the more time we’ll have for some fun.” He sat down and allowed Flint to scramble onto his back while Silver Spark settled between his arms.

Frost helped Iris to a bed and laid her down. He jumped into bed and wrapped his hooves around her. Several splotches of tar from Black Star covered the areas hit by the lash. The pain was starting to go away. To Iris’ surprise, after shutting her eyes she felt a small form rub against her. She looked down to see the colt wrapping his stubby forehooves around her chest.

“You’re a nice gryphon, Iris. Thank you.”

Iris smiled and pulled the colt close, “What’s your name, little one?”

“It’s Pebble.” the colt said with a yawn.

“Say Pebble,” Iris said in playful whisper, “Want to go on an adventure?”

The colt nodded eagerly.

“Go to sleep,” Iris said while glancing at Black Star, who nodded. “It all starts there.”

------------------

Flint and Silver Spark sat atop a hill with Black Star and played with his three tails. Every so often he’d catch one of the colts and toss them into the air. Then just as they were about to fall, he’d catch them with another tail. The colts laughed and screamed as Black Star teased them.

Iris watched from a good distance away with Frost, who refused to leave her side. “Really, Frost. I’m fine.”

“I know...” Frost said. “I just like sitting with you.”

“Frosty...” Iris cooed as she wrapped a wing around him and leaned on his shoulder.

Pebble sat in front of them and marveled at the landscape. “I can’t believe this, how are we all here? This is so fun!”

Iris ruffled his mane and pointed to Black Star, “You should go play with Black Star! He’s a lot of fun. If you ask nicely he might even take you flying.”

Pebble’s eyes lit up and he galloped off toward the four winged gryphon. Soon enough, all three colts were airborne as Black Star zoomed around the sky.

After a while, Black Star let the colts engage in some combat with some monsters. He conjured them within the children’s memories of past nightmares. Once they were tuckered out, he sat them down in front of Iris and Frost. The group relaxed until Black Star looked up and saw a pony walking toward them across the field.

“Impossible,” Black Star said, “How can another pony be here?”

Iris turned around and did a double take, it was River Gale.

The blue filly was much taller now, perhaps into her mid teens. Her mane glistened in the dying light. “Hello again, Iris. I must confess I didn’t expect to see you here, but now I know how you did it.” she said while glancing at Black Star.

“Who are you?” Iris asked, along with Frost. “And how did you get here? This is a dreamscape.”

“I already told you, my name is River Gale, and I’ve come for him.” she pointed a hoof at Pebble, who hid behind one of Black Star’s wings. “Hello sweetie, you have to come with me now, okay?”

“He doesn’t have to go anywhere,” Frost threatened. “Why exactly does he have to go with you?”

River Gale sat down and sighed, “I was ready to collect Pebble when he couldn’t continue moving the machine. I knew Steel Slab would have punished him, and that would have been the end.”

“The end...?” Iris asked, starting to understand.

“Your intervention stretched things out, an unforeseen circumstance. But what you did wasn’t wrong. In fact, I’m happy you did it. Now Pebble has slipped away peacefully.”

“Slipped away?” Iris asked, “Wait...” she looked at the sky and focussed on her image in the bed. Pebble was laying with her, but he was still. His chest wasn’t rising and falling.

“No...” Iris sobbed. “He died... right next to me?”

Pebble looked at his hooves and body. It was starting to glow.

“You've lived a hard life, Pebble.” River Gale said, “But that journey is over, now you start a new one. I’m your guide, nothing more. Come... it’s time to leave.”

Pebble understood, and complied. He walked over to River Gale and took her hoof.

“Frost, Iris, Black Star...” River Gale said, “You saw the mural in Seabreeze’s castle.”

“Yes, and you can draw it too?” Iris asked.

River Gale didn't answer, instead she looked at Frost, “You saw the creature in the mural?”

“Yes,” Frost answered.

“My friend thinks you should meet him. Understand that I’m not forcing you. But he’ll want to talk to you after learning you were in Seabreeze’s castle, in Seabreeze’s world.”

“There’s a reason for that!” Frost exclaimed. “Aldus was-”

“I’m not the one who needs to hear this,” River Gale stated plainly. “I wish not to be rude, but I don’t want to keep Pebble here waiting.” She smiled down at the child and nuzzled him, “Let’s get going. Frost, Iris, and your guardian can come. But I wouldn’t recommend taking the other foals.”

Black Star whispered to the children, vowing he’d return to play with them some more, then sent them scampering off into the distance. He retreated into Iris’ shadow for the journey.

River Gale stretched out of a hoof and opened a portal of pure white light. She extended a wing and coaxed Pebble through, then motioned for the rest to follow. Frost and Iris stepped through and were awestruck. It was exactly the same as the image painted in the castle. The sky, transitioning from sunset to night, the trees near the cliffs, and the beautiful shoreline far in the distance. Iris was close to balling, it took everything in her power to hold back the tears. She followed River Gale, but stayed a distance away, not wanting to interfere again.

Frost stood back near the edge of the beach and looked around. A twinge of fear crept up his spine when he saw a certain tree. It was the same one that creature was leaning against in the mural, but there was nothing there now. He breathed a sigh of relief, then jumped out of skin when a hoof fell on his shoulder.

A familiar zebra stood behind him with an amused grin, “You really have a knack for showing up in places you don’t belong.”

“Kethona!” Frost gasped, “I knew I wasn’t imagining things! Wait... if you’re here... then...”

“I’m dead,” Kethona said with a laugh, “Yep, been that way for a long time now. I don’t really remember how long, though. Three thousand years? Four thousand? Something like that.” He looked over to River Gale smirked, “A lot longer than River over there. I assume she’s the one who brought you here?”

“Yes... this is all a lot to take in.” Frost said while collapsing on his haunches. “This place, this is the end... for ponies.”

Kethona sat down playfully punched him with a hoof, “No... not the end, it’s the start of something better. I’m sure you’ll be coming back here, when it’s your time. But that’s far in the future.”

“Then that means, my mother...” Frost gasped.

“Yep,” Kethona said with a grin. “Just across that sea.”

The zebra reached a forehoof around Frost to comfort him, “A lot to take in, I know. Our leader will answer any questions you have, after you have the courtesy to answer his, of course.”

“Your leader? You mean...”

“The scary monster you saw standing over yonder?” Kethona grinned while he pointed at the tree. “Yes, the spirit of death and all endings.”

Frost shivered a bit, then looked for Iris. “Why isn’t he here? He was here in the mural.”

“He resides in his own world, much like Seabreeze’s painting. I’ll take you two there as soon as River Gale is finished, looks like she almost is.”

Iris watched as River motioned for one of the ponies in the boat to bring it closer to shore. She knelt down and rubbed Pebble’s mane. The colt seemed to say something, then started running back toward Iris. He galloped as fast as he could then leapt into Iris arms. She couldn't take it anymore, there was no holding it back. Iris fell to her haunches and sobbed buckets while clutching the colt, not wanting to let go.

“I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I tried... I didn't know.”

“Iris...” Pebble said, he looked up from her breast and touched a hoof to her beak, “It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault.”

Iris thought of her father, her mentor, and her mother. Every gryphon who was dead. This place where ponies took their journey to the next life, it made all the feelings rush back and sting her in the heart. “You were so young, you had an entire life ahead of you. It wasn’t fair!”

“River Gale says I can start a new life over there,” Pebble said while pointing to the distant shores. “I won’t forget what you did for me, Iris. I love you.”

Pebble started to crawl away, but Iris grabbed him again and lifted off the ground. She flew him over to River Gale and let him down. River gently picked him up and placed him inside the boat. The pony operating it pushed away from the beach and began the journey across the sea. Pebble stood at the edge and waved goodbye to Iris and River.

“It was a good thing that you did, Iris.” River said while stepping out of the waves. “That little pony will remember you always.”

Iris sniffed and wiped the tears on her foreleg, “I know.”

Both of them walked over to Frost and Kethona. Frost smiled triumphantly and pointed to the zebra. “This is Kethona, Iris. I told you he was real.”

Iris laughed a little and extended a claw, “I’m Iris.”

“I know,” Kethona said with a smile, “You and your friends caused quite a ruckus in Seabreeze’s castle. That place was never meant to be entered again. It was to be a mausoleum. But you didn’t know.”

“That’s right,” River Gale said, “I don’t think he’ll be too mad, guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”  

Frost and Iris looked at each other warily and followed the two into another portal, leaving the beautiful beaches and shores. They emerged in a realm similar to the one found in Seabreeze’s painting. It even had another castle, but this one was much, much larger. Three large spires jutted from the sides, each surrounding a central tower, much like in Seabreeze’s. The architecture was similar, yet older. Large stained glass windows could be seen framing several rooms above the entrance. The castle was located atop a hill, surrounded by dark forests.

Kethona pushed the door open and was greeted by some fillies and colts, they were playing with wooden swords and axes, dueling their way down the halls. A few other mares and stallions were meeting in a room off to the side. River Gale lead them into the main hall. Frost saw sets of tables with food and drink, all of which looked delicious. There were maybe seven or eight ponies in the room, some talking, others eating by themselves. One stallion lounged in a large throne situated at the end of the room. It was  too large for him, the cloth adorning it and arm rests appeared made for something much, much bigger. Frost had only one guess who normally sat there.

“Who are these ponies... who are you?” Frost asked.

“You could call us... spirit guides, I suppose.” Kethona said with a shrug.

“Our leader, the lord of this realm and castle offers this existence to ponies that have an affinity with death.” River Gale said.

“An affinity with death?” Iris asked. “What do you mean?”

“Warriors, soldiers who end lives. Doctors who fight valiantly against the end, and seek to stave off our leader’s touch. Children whose only relationship was with death, having their lives end so young. He respects these ponies, all of them. It makes no difference. At the end, we offer them a place here. To help guide others like them, and all the rest to their destinations.”

“So you chose this?” Iris asked to River and Kethona, “If I may ask, why?”

River smiled and draped a wing over Kethona, “Friendship, family, an honorable chance to help ponies like Pebble. And finally, out of respect for him.”

“The spirit of death...” Frost said, “The creature with the head of a lion. Where is he?”

Kethona motioned for them to follow, “Come, this way.”

The zebra led them away from the main hall and down a staircase into the catacombs beneath the castle. He took a torch and handed it to River, who hovered a few paces behind him. The catacombs were damp and barren, but Iris could hear sounds of things scurrying in the darkness. Stalactites and stalagmites were interspersed around the area. River flew up to a set of pillars and lighted torches around them, illuminating a larger area.

Frost gasped. A large engraved coffin leaned against a pile of bones and dirt near the wall. It was open, the top was off to the side leaning against it. The light of the torches danced around the catacombs, and every so often it would illuminate what was inside. A large creature, a mish mash of other living things, all combined into one being. In fact it was similar to Discord, something that Frost hadn’t considered before. But unlike Discord, this terrified Frost on a whole other level. The creature didn’t move, not when River hovered over it’s head, and not when Iris yelped at first seeing it. Stranger still, it wasn’t the only coffin. Two more were beside it, with one much larger than than others. However, these were closed.

“What’s going on? Is he... what’s wrong?”

“Is he dead?” Kethona asked with a laugh, “Is that what you were going to say? The answer to that would be yes... and no. It’s rather odd... he was born dead.”

“Yeah, I didn’t understand it.” River agreed, “And to be perfectly honest, I don’t know if he does either.” she whispered conspiratorially. River touched a hoof to his forehead and fluttered down onto his shoulder. “It might be a while until he wakes up.”

“He’s sleeping?” Iris asked. “The spirit of death is sleeping? Shouldn’t he be out doing... spirit of death stuff?”

“He’s left that matter to us and some of the others. He needed a break, it took River to finally convince him to do it though.” Kethona said.

“How long has he been sleeping?” Frost wondered aloud.

“Six hundred forty seven years.” River chirped with a laugh.

Frost and Iris couldn’t believe it, but it was just one of many things that had been hard to believe in their lives lately.

“So... I have another question. All the other ponies here are... ponies, yet you’re a zebra. Do your people go to the eternal shores, too?”

“A fair question,” Kethona nodded, “I suppose you’re wondering why I’m here at all. Well, it might be a while before sleepy head over there finally wakes up. So I’ll tell you. It was a long time ago...”