The crimson ninja entered in a dark part of the temple. Tall pillars with many ancient inscriptions held the wooden roof from falling on the shamans' heads. Candles were put on the floor and burned with little yellow flames. Molten wax covered the stone floor around them. It was cool inside this great house of champions.

After the forest of giants, there was a wide section with two glass sarcophaguses on stone tables in the center, which were sculptured like dragons. Inside these eternal homes, lied the bodies of the first two Dragon Born warriors. Their shells were preserved for thousand ages. They seemed asleep, not dead. Both were beauties or used to be in that matter. On the right was Lion Tail, the first cursed ninja and on the left was the ice maiden Snake Tail. The first one was a blue unicorn with a white mane, the second one was green earth pony with red-yellow ruff. They were put to rest in same positions: their front legs crossed and the rear ones were put together. Both had iron masks which followed the lines of their faces. Their manes were made into braids and placed around their necks. Their tails were not touched and were used as bedding for the rear legs. On the front glass gold plates held the names of the fallen warriors.

The beautiful corpses were surrounded by a group of shamans, who were doing their morning rituals. They all wore purple robes and were arranged in four columns. In front of them Lupi Do was lighting up two ceremonial lamps, that illuminated with green light. They were placed in front of the sarcophaguses and were meant to guide their souls through the darkness of the afterlife. As a leader, he was responsible to direct his ponies not only on the physical plane but also on the spiritual one. He had to perform rituals with the shamans every morning and afternoon. The leader had to have such a strong connection with the priests. It embodied his link with the life beyond the realm of the living and showed rightfulness for him to lead the clan.

The crimson ninja silently sat next to one of the big wooden columns and waited for the ceremony to finish. It would be highly disrespectful to the spirits, if he interrupted the rituals. Lupi was wearing a black toga, which symbolized death and final peace. The tan earth pony bowed down once and whispered in an ancient tongue. The waiting warrior watched him without blinking once. When the leader was finished with the prayer, he stood up and stamped the ground three times with his silver horseshoes. This marked the end of the morning ceremony and every shaman said in chorus:

"Rest in peace!"

Then the priests began moving backwards, while looking at the sarcophaguses. The leader was still facing the dead green mare. When the big group reached the entrance, the patient ninja walked to the leader from behind.

"May the spirits find peace in the afterlife!" he ceremonially greeted.

"What's the news? Have you found them?" Lupi asked without looking at him. His eyes couldn't move from the corpse of his love. If the ninja could see him, he'd say that his leader was about to cry his hearth out. His sad face was illuminated by the small flames of the green lamps, which gave him gloomier look.

"One of our patrols found them. However, they were ambushed and almost completely annihilated, my lord."  

"Almost?"

"Six of them are missing. Their bodies were not found near the slaughter. They could still be alive, taken as prisoners." the ninja made a confused face, when Lupi started slowly negatively shaking head. "Are you disagreeing, my leader?"

"The Guardians of the Portal do not take prisoners. It's either perish in battle or join them." Lupi turned around to face his subordinate. His face had lost everything that resembled emotion. It was cold, even for the veteran ninja. "They'd rather kill them on sight because taking prisoners would only hinder their already slow speed, something that they do not want to happen at all. They are like a wounded tiger that tries to lick its wounds, while being hunted. No, that's not true. They've turned from a tiger to a mouse that is desperately trying to abandon the ship."

"My leader, are you saying that our ninjas joined them? If this spreads, our warriors might not be eager to fight them. In the worst case..."

"... they'll turn against me and alert the other clans!" Lupi finished with a very serious tone. "Your orders are to extinguish the fire before it spreads to the rest of the forest."

"But-But!" the warrior looked in disbelief. "Those woods are homes of many spies. It may be too late."

"I know but that's the reality of the situation, commander. Storm is coming again to show its brutal kindness. Silence everypony, who thinks that he has a big mouth. Do it secretly and without much noise." Lupi then turned to the sarcophagus, where his friend was lying in peace. He remembered her beautiful orange eyes, in which he found entire worlds. How joyful Lupi was back then. Her soul was corrupted by the curse, but her heart was not. "Commander, what do you think of me in the current state of affairs? Be honest in your opinion."

The ninja was not sure what to say. He was scared that if his tongue dropped something very offending, his head would roll on the stairs of this temple.

"I think you are a fine leader, my lord. You've shown strength and endurance in the past years beyond anything the previous lords had in them. You are the most powerful ruler but also the nicest one."

"Is that your real opinion or are you afraid to spit it out?" Lupi smiled ironically. "I forgive you for your dishonesty. You say that I'm the most powerful but what happens, when I lead an army of hungry warriors? In the past forty years our clan has grown to such great proportions that we alone can feed ourselves with the land given from our ancestors. That's why the leaders before me tried to make deals with the others clans to fix this growing problem. However, their warrior minds were not made for diplomacy and soon we found ourselves in a very delicate position, from which there were two paths: to give up considerable land and slowly die from starvation or meet our enemies face to face on the battlefields. So, I'm asking you: did I make the right choice?"

Lupi looked back at him with the eyes of ruler. The latter felt like being examined by his teacher back in the ninja school.

"You did right, my leader. Better die in the fields of glory than from an empty tummy."

"I understand. If that's all, please, leave me alone. I'll give my thoughts about the Guardian problem before this noon."

"There is one more thing, my lord. The only survivor from the attempt to take your life was saved by our doctors. His conditions is bad but he'll live. What would you want me to do with him?"

Lupi looked again at the iron mask of his love. The maiden calmed him and gave him hope that someday he was going to break his chains of misery and fly like an eagle. Unfortunately for him, the dark angel was always going to remind him of the great pain.

"Treat him like a royal guest. The Guardians fought admirably and he deserves to live many more days. However, he must not be in contact with the common folk."

"Understood, my leader!" the crimson ninja bowed and then left the sacred place. Once Lupi was completely alone, he went next to the glass, looked down and put his hoof on the smooth surface. The lonely pony wanted to kiss her but knew that it wouldn't bring her back to life. If only the spirit would tell him how to be together with her again, at least for few moments, in which he could feel happiness again.

Two tears fell on the crystal clean glass. They shattered on impact like two lost dreams.

While he was moaning at her cold body, two white eyes stared from the darkness. A white evil grin appeared from the thin air. His torturing gave her pleasure that could be measured only by the length of the universe. The Goddess of Eternity was going to dance on the music of suffering. The conductor was going to be the one and only Lupi Do. So much destruction and pain was going to fall on this peaceful planet. The Princess just needed a little patience for her plan to produce the fruits of death and she had all eternity.

In an untouched forest, a group of runaways were hiding like prey under tens of thick roots. They were at the edge of a big crater, which dived in apeak. The wounded were barely hanging and needed help from the others or they'd drop like rocks into the green abyss. They were making no noise because the enemy was near. They could hear their steps above them. The chasers were searching for the Guardians harder and harder. The dragon ninjas knew that they were just under their noses but somehow they still managed to evade them. The black pony checked the pit, which was overgrown with smaller trees and bushes. He couldn't spot anything except nature.

Another pony approached him and reported:

"Sir, we've checked and double checked every tree, shrub, grass and leaf. The tracks are fresh and they are probably very near."

"Let's get down there." the commander pointed at the large green pit. "Spread out and look out for traps! The enemy is notorious for his dirty tricks, so do not lose concentration even for a second. Move out!"

Then the two left the earth terrace and went back into the deep woods. When their steps couldn't be heard, everypony took a deep breath. The number of ponies they just managed to fool was around thirty four. They were tired of running for two nights and one day and still be so far away from their goal. They didn't carry any food and they found very little in these places. The water was running low and most of what they had was given to the injured. The situation was very desperate but they had to hold on to their guts and survive every obstacle thrown at them.

With some help of the pegasi, the grounded ponies managed to get back on top of the rim. The pursuers were far away, so they were safe for the time being. The forest was as always mysterious with its tall trees and sun beams, which made the place look alive. Birds were playfully singing the morning songs. Their beautiful voices could be heard everywhere in the magnificent woods. Squirrels were jumping from branch to branch. Bunnies were persistently looking for food for their young ones. The natural order seemed undisturbed by the invaders, who only brought death with them.

Free Feather was looking at his brothers and saw ponies, who were stout but not super beings. There wasn't a pony, who had escaped every fight in the past days untouched. Many had only flesh wounds, the unluckiest ones badly needed medical attention, which couldn't be given at this point due to being hunted all the time. If only they could stop for more than twenty minutes and help those souls.  

His blue eyes moved from one pain to another. They were put to rest next to each other. It was a very sad sight to look at. Two unicorns took care of their needs and holes in their bodies. The two brothers were lying under a pine tree. Both were injured badly. The taller one got stabbed with a sword in the tummy, fortunately the blade didn't cut through an important organ, the other was wounded in the chest from that night, when they tried to assassinate the leader. Both didn't look very well, but the latter was with the one hoof in the coffin. With each day, the life in his brown eyes diminished. Feather knew that he was dead, it was just a matter of time before this stubborn earth pony was going to take his last breath. However, when they were together somehow the pain disappeared from their faces and instead, there ware smiles. They held hooves, together they were enduring this test of might. Fresh Biscuit and his brother Light Wood were along and that's what mattered for them. Their bond was too strong to be cut by the gray sickle.

Suddenly he remembered about his lost wing. Free was never going to fly again. The pain from where it was cut began to alarm. He had to stop trying to move something that was not there and leave that part of him to rest. Somehow Feather didn't hold Silver Knife responsible. It was pointless.

The blue ninja approached him from the right. His giant sword jiggled on every step. Something in his gait suggested that he wasn't bringing good news.  

"Leader, Silver Knife and the others have been searching for food for far too long. I expect that she's betrayed us!"

Free quickly turned his head to him. He didn't seem happy to hear that.

"She wouldn't do that. I know that because I've seen what her soul is in her eyes. They're probably being late because of enemy patrols."

"I concur." Triple said behind them. Both turned to their former master. "I'd have sensed the dark thought, if she had one. If Silver wanted to betray us, she'd not have told us how the cloak works, so that I can start sensing the enemy again. It would be a good idea, if we prepared a searching party of three ponies."

"That will not be needed." Silver Knife and two more ninjas appeared from one of the bushes. They were carrying wrapped pieces of cloths on their back, which looked stuffed with something. "We've found an opening in the forest, a field of many wonders. There are enough flowers and apples for an entire army! Red, yellow, green or white, you choose!"

They put down the precious gifts from nature and in just three seconds later, hungry ponies surrounded the food like timber wolves. Very quickly the flowers and the apples were brought to the dying and began feeding them. All those happy faces made Feather hope again that they were going to escape this island together. The spirit among the warriors went to the positive side fairly quickly. Finally they could replenish their strength to fight one more day.

Triple smilingly patted her on the shoulder.

"I guess from now on you'll be called the Bringer of Life."

Red spots appeared on her cheeks. Silver never felt so honored in her life. It felt quite exciting to help this troubled ponies.

"How did you find food in here?" Feather asked. He was glad that the fears of his second in command were proven wrong.

"I used to roam in these woods with my father, when I was a filly."

"Wait, so that's why you volunteered. You should have told us that a lot sooner!" he looked at her crossly. This sudden change in his behavior made her to immediately kneel to the ground. Silver knew that she screwed up and now waited to be punished. Most of the Guardians didn't notice what was going on because they were too busy filling their tummies. However, the most important one patiently watched what was going to happen next.

"Please, forgive me!" her voice rang in his years like melody again. Was he liking to see her begging. Silver Knife looked just like yesterday. Weak and siding with the strongest. No, this was the demon of anger, who bended his vision and hearing. This sudden fiend was not coming from his soul but from the harsh situation they were in. He had to absolutely resist it, defeat it and throw it out of his mind.

Her red eyes pointed the ground, when he stopped just in front of the black ninja. Feather sat. He seemed to want to tell her something but words escaped him. The world around them blurred. There was only Free and Silver.  

"I'm sorry for getting angry at you." his quite voice traveled to her saddened ears and she looked up at him. Their eyes met. The mare saw the honesty and the kindness in them. No anger, no grudge towards her.

"I'll not embarrass you or the clan again. I promise!"

"You do not need to promise me anything. I'd like you to... uhm... tell us stuff like this in advance, so that we can take the best course of action for our survival. Oh and if you expected punishment, well, we do not have those..."

She jumped forward and hugged him. He was not prepared for it and was quite stunned, nevertheless Feather liked it.

"Thank you!"

A smile appeared on Triple's face. He knew that his choice of leader was perfect. This pony had what it took to guide everypony out of the darkness and show them the bright beams of the sun.

Suddenly Silver Knife realized what she was doing and quickly changed position. She withdrew and was now very embarrassed. Her beautiful eyes couldn't look at him.

"I'm sorry to disrespect you. Accept my apologies." her tone completely changed to more formal one. Free knew that she was hiding something that troubled her. The black ninja then slowly went in the direction of the rest, who were enjoying themselves with the nature's gifts. However, she didn't joined them in the feast and continued forward, where Silver sat next to a rock. The white pegasus watched her distance herself with a confused gaze.

"Better talk to her. It's always good to know what the ponies under your command think." Triple placed a hoof on his shoulder. "That way you'll learn their strong and weak points and thus know how to command them better."

Feather looked in his smiling face, though he still felt unsure of what to do. The old unicorn then went to eat some juicy apples. His black clothed body mixed with the other warriors. They left nothing for the dogs. Every piece of edible food was going directly into their stomachs.

Two earth ponies from the six dragon ninjas, who joined last night were feeding the brothers. They were too weak to do so by themselves, so the attention they were receiving was very much appreciated. They were even more happy because the ninjas were mares and that was a dream come true to be treated by the opposite sex.

"Brother, I feel like a king!"  

"Me too, bro." Fresh Biscuit answered, though the enthusiasm in his voice was not as powerful as his brother's. "Hey, girls now that you are in our clan, we can get to know each other better."

The two mares looked at each other and then back at him.

"You wish, weak lad."  

"We are not interested in the likes of you, unless there is something heroic you could show us. Maybe after you can stand up on your four hooves, but not before that."

Strangely, both of them sounded like tough mistresses of war. Biscuit liked their provocative nature and his curiosity to see them without their black ninja cloths grew bigger. Wild smiles appeared on the wounded ponies' faces, which would indicate of their later actions.  

"I will show you both how strong I am! Just give me a few more days and you'll see the most skilled ninja in this little clan. Ain't that right, little bro?"

"Yeah!" Wood energetically lifted up his hoof in the air. Immediately his wound hurt, forcing him to make painful sounds. "Oh, oh... nurse, please, it hurts. Could you kiss it to make it better?"

The mares were not amused. Their answers came shortly. They stuffed their mouths with enough food to make them quiet for a few moments. When Light Wood was done chewing and swallowing, he again made his stupid grin.

"Hey, bro. I like these gals."

"Eye. But if things don't work out, we still have three more to try our lucks. Good think that five out of six were mares that joined our just cause! Or it would have been quite boring."

"Uhm, make those two. Feather has already taken one."

The white pegasus went past them, though he didn't hear what they were prattling about. His attention was concentrated at the lonely pegasus next to the rock that had a 'C' form. She was gazing at the forest in front of her. The wild green seemed so carefree and out of touch with their small problems.

"Have you changed your mind? Are you going to punish me?"  

"Me? No. I do not like punishing anypony." Feather sat on her left side and looked at the great green picture.

"Then you'd like me to explain myself?"

"Maybe. What's on your mind?"

She didn't seem ready to unlock the inner door yet.

"How is your wound?" she asked concernedly.

"It is getting better. Though I'll forever miss my wing."

"I hope that you do not have grudges against me..."

"No, I don't! We were enemies back then, who fought for the same thing: to survive. You just came a little on top and well, stuff happens." Silver looked in his youthful eyes that gazed in the beautiful scene. "Hatred is born only by the ponies on the top. On the battlefield we are all brothers and sisters, who kill each other for the pleasure of the leaders."

"You speak, as if you've been in the War."

He shook head.

"I haven't. The Guardians were not allowed to enter in the conflict, which as many felt was a mistake. Master Triple thought that we were going to bring more fuel into the fires, instead of calming the opposing factions. And he was half right. It was not our business to get involved with clan matters. Our job is... used to be to guard the Portal and protect them from forces outside of their world. However, I believe that if we had interfered, a lot of the killings could have been prevented."

"I see. I guess you blame us for the suffering. It would explain why you wanted to assassinate the dragon leader." her red eyes pointed at the ground. Her voice became a little sadder: "We are not monsters in your eyes, right?"

"No, of course not!" he looked away because the feeling of screwing up burned him inside. "The warriors are not the ones to blame, it is only the leaders."

"That's not entirely true." Feather looked puzzled by the statement.

"How so?"

Silver Knife was finally confident enough to let out what was grinding her mind.

"The ninja training begins from an young age in our... I mean my previous clan. Everypony has to undergo ninja school and know how to fight. It doesn't matter that some ponies may not be suited to be warriors, the teachers will brake them and make killing machines out of them. If somepony resists too much, there's probability that the unfortunate soul will not see the day, when he or she graduates."

"That's horrible." he noted.

"That's not even the icing on the cake. The school was real torment for many of us. They'd beat us to learn what pain is, they'd make us exercise until our bodies couldn't take it any more. There were some, who endured like 'real warriors', other kids were on the bring of collapse."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

She gave him the serious stare.

"Don't be. That's how it was from the beginning of our clan. It's a tradition that made us in what we are today." Silver looked again at the seamless forest. "There is no higher honor to fight and die for the clan! That's what they taught us, not only the teachers but the entire society. Everypony believed that we are all meant to be warriors and not farmers like Clan Tiger or Clan Diamond Shuriken. They said that we are destined to face opponents and beast and our heroic acts will determine, if we are worthy of going to the other world."

"That's an absolute brainwashing!" he said with some anger in his voice.

"But also it is tradition. Every family has to have at least one great ninja or they'll hold the shame and be looked upon as outcasts. So, you see, the warriors have to blamed too because of their inability to change and take the matters in their hooves. Things would have been different, if my clan had changed for the better all those centuries ago."

"Hm, there is some truth in what you say. Hey, you said that you were beaten. I know that the wounds have long healed but is your spirit well?"

She sighed deeply.

"You are right, I still bare the mental scars from those days. I was trained to kill, to be a good little sheep and take punishment for my errors. That would explain why I expected to be penalized for my mistakes and afterwards why I hugged you. I wonder if I and the others will be truly accepted by you."

Free Feather stood up and went in front of her. He touched her chin and gently made her to look in his blue eyes.

"You are part of the Phoenixes. You have no need to bow at me or anypony else because we are all equals here. We all have our sins, there isn't a pony without them. What makes us fly above everypony else is our choice to better ourselves and live in peace with the surrounding world. Yes, we may have to kill to defend ourselves but that's how the ninja world works and until we've left this cursed place, we'll have to do everything in our power to survive. Once we are on the other side, you'll see a different world. You'll feel free for the first time and I'm sure that you'll like it a lot!"

"The outside world?" she was looking at him with wide opened eyes. "What is out there? How does it look?"

"Wild forests to where the eyes see. The air is fresh and nothing suggests of violence, though there is the occasional dragon and you have to find cover or be turned to ashes."

"What is the feeling of seeing one?"

He smiled and sat again. Feather was happy to see her excited for a dream, she may never see with her own eyes. He coughed a few times and began:

"It's a sight to be behold. The lizard soars in the sky like a king of all beasts. His long wing flapping can be heard from miles away. A powerful wind is created below him, which carries his scent. I assure you that it's quite strong and unpleasant but the sky king does not care for us, the little creatures. His ancient eyes have seen ponies raise and fall. The long spikes from his back show that he was coming from the distant past. His strong tail plays in the air like a snake. There is no force that can stop him. He is free and does what he wants."

"Woaw, that's really cool. Are there many of them?"

"Once I saw over one hundred. Dragons are not extinct like in here."

She shrugged and looked a little sad.

"If it hadn't been for us, we'd see these magnificent beasts flying here."

"Well history is history. Nothing can stop the Great Dragon Hunts. The important thing is to look forward and carry on."  

Suddenly a noise came behind them took their attention. Circle had returned from his mission. He laid false hoof prints that would buy the Phoenixes more time to rest. Although some encircled him to see, if he brought something but Blue was empty hoofed. White Shadow looked very tired, which was very unlike him. He was the one, who seemed to have unlimited energy but using his shadow techniques so often was too much for his body and spirit. The master ninja sat next to Triple, who greeted him with an apple.

"Take this, it will replenish your strength."

"Thanks." he then sighed. "There are so many. I've encountered at least fifty black ninjas. They are headed for the portal. They'll try to block our exit. We need to be fast, if we want to deliver everypony in Equestria."

"Equestria?" Silver Knife and Free Feather approached them.

"Equestria are the lands in the north, where lies the Equestrian Kingdom. Once you get on the other side, Master Triple will seal the Portal."

"You are thinking of closing the only way out of the island? But if there are more ponies, who want to join us and leave this place as well? I mean, if six of us had a change of heart, then there may be others, who'd like to escape the horrors of our reality. And what Kingdom means? Is it a clan or something similar? So, there are ponies, who live on the other side?"

Blue dropped the red apple on the grass and stood up. His crazy blue eyes stared deep inside her soul. Silver felt chills on her back. His aggressive pose suggested that he was not in the mood.

"A kingdom is similar to a clan. And yes, ponies do live there. In Equestria you'll be far away from this hell hole, which must be sealed on all cost! When Lupi gets his toys, he'll destroy his opponents and afterwards his sight will turn to the other lands. Think of how many ponies will die, if he starts to spread destruction to a foreign country, which is not prepared for invasion. This a precaution for the case, when we fail to eliminate him."

"What toys are you talking about? Can they be stopped at the entrance of the Portal?"

"No, because the machines are transported via air. They are used for weather-manipulating but can do a lot more with their raw power."

"Then why closing it, if our... the leader can just use the winds? That way you'll be denying many folks the right to live. Who are we to choose, who lives and who dies here?"

Circle moved a little closer. He just didn't have the patience to argue with her.

"Because I'll destroy his flying machine and if possible the doomsday tools. He'll be forced to use the portal to transport his warriors and equipment to the other side. Judging by our first failed attempt, there are big chances that he may survive again. I and Master Triple could shamefully die. If that happens, the only thing that buys time for the Northern Kingdom is the Portal. Once the leader finds a way to quickly transport his troops across the ocean, then all Tartarus will break loose. As for the unfortunate clanners, there is nothing to be done! They made their choice in the War and now will enjoy the rotten fruits of their mistakes."

Silver understood him but one thing she couldn't believe. Knife courageously stepped forward, so that only some centimeters separated their faces. The crimson red eyes would not blink, while staring in the deeps of his madness. The ninjas around them saw the sparks between them but no pony had the courage to stop them.

"How can you be so sure that he'd destroy every clan and then this Kingdom, which has nothing in common with us? What is the reason to go to war against ponies, with whom we never previously had contact? Where is your proof? And why you are condemning everypony on the island? Don't they deserve to have a better future?"

"You want to know why? Because that's what I'd do, if I had that much power! It would be stupid of him not to use it to take over as much land as possible and take the title of the greatest leader ever lived. But most of all, it's because his mind is corrupted by Shadow Sun. Everything he did prior to this day, was because of the Princess of Darkness! And She only seeks destruction to our world! As for the rest of the ninjas they are curse, so that's why!"

"You and your Shadow prophecies. No pony believes in those fairy tales!"

Out of a sudden, the master ninja turned black and tentacles immediately enveloped her. The warriors jumped backwards from fear, only Free Feather tried doing something about his actions. The young pegasus went to his side to stop this stupid act but two more shadows emerged from the black body and tied his legs. Circle lifted her in the air and turned her upside down. She angrily stared down at him. He answered the gesture with his blue circles of insanity.

"No pony will tell me that they are horse crap! No pony you hear me! Not the Guardians and not cowards like you! The Prophecy is real! I've seen it with my own eyes!" his voice was filled with anger. Little did he needed to crush her with his enormous power. "I've lost a lot, endured a lot and when I say the truth, I'd like you to listen!"

Then he noticed a familiar presence behind him.

"You are not yourself, friend. Let her go!" Triple calmly warned. He was ready to paralyze him and end this nonsense. However, then Circle won't learn how to end such acts by himself. Everypony stood still. Some secretly prepared their weapons in case the shadow ally would turn against them.

A painful minute passed in total silence. Only the songs of the birds could be heard. It was like ninja standoff, though all were against one. But this one pony could kill them in a blink of an eye. Circle's anger slowly dissipated and he finally got some sense in his head. The urge to kill her was big but it would not make matters better. He ceased the technique and Silver Knife dropped on the ground like a full sack of potatoes. No ninja could look in his almost demonic eyes. They demanded blood and were sending shivers to those, who looked at them.

He then quietly took his apple and went to the other side of the small camp, where he could be left in solitude. This was one dark side of his that many shouldn't have seen. He couldn't be helped. Only time would tell, if he was going to go completely mad, which was the fate of a lot of Moon's Shade leaders. When they reached that state, they were usually sacrificed by the shamans. This was a ritual, in which the soul of the leader got preserved clean and set free from the poisoned body. However, he couldn't return to his clan, not at this time, when the fate of the entire planet was hanging from the edge of no return.

"Leave him alone. Do not disturb Blue Circle. If you do so, I'll personally punish you for doing so!" Triple stood between them and the lonely white ninja. "He is right that we need to hurry and close the Portal."

"It would not be possible, when we have to carry so many wounded." Silver Knife objected.

"You have something in mind, my little trouble maker?" Triple looked at her quite earnestly.

"The enemy is traveling with greater speeds than us. They have air superiority, so we have to move cautiously, which takes time. What we know from master Blue, is that they think we are one step ahead. They are racing with us to the Portal and they'll surely win. So, why don't we let them have their little victory. We could stay behind them, which will be a lot safer for us and in the mean time we'll be helping the wounded."

"What if they decide to turn around and surround us from all sides. What if there are more coming from behind?" Feather asked.

"This won't be the case because these woods are somewhat neutral grounds. Many spies use the forest and Clan Dragon Claw can not allow to send an entire army here. My guess is that the ponies Circle saw were the last ones to be sent out."

"You have a point but we should not forget that the machines are probably arriving as we speak. That leaves us with little time for me and Circle to get back." the pink unicorn had a thoughtful look for a moment. "In the middle is the truth. Hm, alright let's make a longer stay here, so that we can take care of our brothers. But not  for far too long. We should also prepare for a quick escape, if the enemy approaches near."

Everypony agreed. Light Wood painfully tried to stand in a sitting position. With each motion his wound hurt. When he heard the good news that they'd rest a little longer, Wood wanted to relay it to his brother.

"Hey, did you hear! We won't be moving any time soon. Finally we can have a good nap!" he prodded him on the shoulder, but the latter didn't react at all. Wood froze, time froze, his heart was barely beating. This extremely great pain began to raise inside him. Tears of sorrow fell from his brown eyes. His soul felt one of the worst griefs in the world, as if it was torn in half. Fresh Biscuit passed away in the morning of late spring, the first of who were never going to see the North. If only they had medicine for the unfortunate ones... Next Chapter: Chapter 31: Love You After Death Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 5 Minutes