In the deep forest, where shadows were the curtains, a group of ponies were giving their last respect to the old Master, who had lived much and taught a lot to these young warriors. The trees seemed sad of his death. Their branches made arcs that pointed downwards to the ground, where all creatures went after their ends. Crimson butterflies were dancing the mournful ritual, like fiends, who laughed at his cold corpse.

The ponies made a circle around him and all spoke in ancient language. It was their way of giving him last farewell. Despite them being trained in the arts of war, they were also trained in the arts of love. This brother's death left big holes in their hearts. He used to be their guide, their teacher, their father to whom they could always turned to in a time of need. Now, Triple Spirit was just a decaying meat, a food for the worms. It looked like destiny just took him away to have him only for her.

Every ninja had closed their eyes. Their dirty faces showed humility, but looking closer in those tired faces, it was visible as a clear day the pain each were holding inside. No pony moved from their place for fifteen minutes. Dead silence had lied down. Free Feather was the only one looking down at his former master. His blue eyes had lost their innocents, there was only uncertainty and fear. The future of this small clan was uncertain. They could be dead in the next hour or in the next day, never to fulfill the old pony's wish. However, they had to come on top and free themselves from this pony hell. They needed to get to Equestria or the blood of the first warriors will be forever lost.

Next to him was the big blue ninja unicorn with his huge sword on his back. Silver Knife was on the left. Despite not knowing the dead master like the rest, in these past few days with the Phoenixes, she learned to respect this pony. Finding him very wise and interesting to listen, when he talked about the past, Silver was never going to forget his optimism and the old smile, he would make at times. As if he was trying to tell her about the bright future that she and everypony in this little group of assassin were going to live in.

The ceremony was over with placing branches over his body and cover it with leafs. The forest blanket forever hid that pink calm old face. Although they had to burn the body, they didn't do that because it would give away their position. The ponies slowly made a bigger circle around the resting place and bowed down for one last time. Then they all spread out, disappearing behind the dark curtain. This also had a symbolical meaning that the spirit of the dead was allowed to escape the shell and unite with the ancestral spirits. They welcomed him with open legs.

Soon they met again, near the bright camp, where the wounded were somehow still breathing, barely,,, Feather looked at each ninja, who participated in the ritual. The moral of his brothers was at it's lowest point. Problem after a problem, these tough ponies took all hits like punching bags. However, unlike the soulless object, they had a threshold of endurance. Once crossed, it would be quite difficult to bring them back on the track.

The Phoenixes would not look up, they all seemed to like staring the grassy ground. Way too many bad things happened in these two weeks. Too many friends were lost forever. Could they survive with their heads intact? Who was going to be the first to drop the ball? Such dark thoughts ricocheted in the leader's head that it was difficult for him to concentrate on one thread. He didn't even notice Silver approaching in front of him.

"How are you holding?" she caringly asked. The white pegasus needed some time until he reacted to her question.

"I can't begin to describe the chaos that is in me." he looked up. Because they were in the brighter section of the forest, gold beams were falling from every little hole in the thick corona, creating a spectacular lighting. One of such beams was falling on her face, making it brighter, like of a pure creature, that is here to help these unfortunate souls. In other words, she looked very pretty, despite the dirty face. Her blue color really fit her red eyes, in which he could jump into her soul. And the bright mane was shining like gold. For a brief moment, all his worries disappeared, though they came back, when the blue unicorn approached them.

"Feather, what are we going to do now?"

The young pegasus turned to him and looked in him in those serious pink eyes.  

"I-I do not know." he answered very quietly. He looked very unsure and weak.

"What?!" the mighty unicorn stepped inside Free's personal space. "You are the leader, the master! Who will know, if not you?"

Feather sadly looked away. He tried to find some strength by looking at her.

"I don't..."

Suddenly pink aura surrounded him, immobilizing him completely. The very sharp edge was moved next to the unclean white throat. The huge sword was slightly pushing his coat but not enough to make a cut. The blade had a beautifully engraving. The tens of black curves took a shape of a dragon head at the end. This sword was ancient and was used for slaying dragons. The holder came from a family that lived by the old laws and when the Guardians came at their door to ask for their son, they gave him this treasure, so that he would resound their family name. It was a big burden to carry at first but the years of training created the symbiosis between him and this razor sharp tool. He was one with it, like an extension of his legs and spirit, this sword served him well and would continue to do so in the future.

The blue ninja looked quite threatening. His tired pink eyes, which haven't seen a lot of sleep, showed a lot of anger. There was also glimmer of hope that this strong warrior would not do the unthinkable...

"Tell me something, Feather, why the old master chose you to be our leader? What makes you more special than the rest of us? Answer me!"

The young pegasus was scared. He numbly stared back at the unicorn, who was preparing to kill him, if the answer was not satisfactory. Free wanted to say something, just a word but his mouth was sealed by the power of fear. He understood the turmoil in the hearts of his brethren. They've lost everything to gain almost nothing. This was the time to make a strong stand and show everypony, that he's fit to lead them to the heavens. This was the moment, when he had to jump into the unknown without the help of Triple.

Suddenly, a second edge moved closely to his throat. He glimpsed at the second executioner. Icy sweat began to fall from him. Silver Knife was aiming her long knife, ready to take his life. In her red eyes there was no sign of friendship, only cold, as if they're longtime enemies.

"He's mine!" she said with a little mockery in her voice. "If you want killing him and take his place, then you've thought wrong! I'll be the one to kill him and become the next leader!"

"Get lost, Silver Knife!" the blue ninja gave her the blood stare. "I need to know, if the master I'm following can be trusted with our lives!"

Silver put a hoof around Feather's neck and closed her face to his. The pegasus was not even making the slightest motion. He was desperately trying to figure out what was happening. The mare smiled in a diabolic kind of way, totally sure of what she was doing.

"You see, I won't leave that easily. I'll kill him before you do. Isn't that right, boys?"

The rest of the ninjas were not liking the situation. They all had drawn out their weapons, ready to attack either of these lunatics.

"Both of you drop the act! Get away from Feather!" the black ninja ordered.

"Or what? Ha, you can not do anything from your position! We control the show!"

"Don't make fun of us, Silver Knife! If you don't move away from him, then we'll be forced to act!" the black ninja prepared to strike and the others too. The warning didn't seem to get into her head. However, the powerful shout did.

"Bucking stop!" the blue ninja angrily stared at her. "Silver Knife, I do not wish to take his place! Can't you understand everypony? I'm trying to learn if he is fit to lead. When Master Triple made him into our leader, we all knew that the big shadow of our dead teacher was falling down on him. Feather was our new master but he sought wisdom and guidance from the old unicorn. However, now the Master is gone. Can Free actually fulfill his mission as our leader? Can he bring us to the light? Or are we doomed to fail? Our strongest warriors are gone, now we are completely alone against an enemy that has pretty much all of the good cards! Because the will of our dead Master is honored by all, no pony can challenge Feather for his position. If he doesn't not fit, he must die!" his pink eyes turned to the still closed in his little dark room pegasus. Not even a shiver was made. "That way somepony more suited for the task will take over his position. I'll accept my fate and be punished for my actions."

Every ninja was shocked to hear that. Silver was numbed.

"Razor Sharp, how could you say such a thing?" the black warrior anxiously asked. Fear of what would happen in the next few moments was readable in his brown eyes. "He is our friend! Killing him won't make things better! It will only degrade to downward spiral until we hit the floor with spears!"

"I've lost so many friends. I saw them lying in their own blood! I don't want this to continue. If Feather can't get us all safely to the other side, then he must die!" Razor turned to the white pegasus. The intent to kill was in the air. Things were becoming darker inside that young head. His mind was trying to to find a way from this situation. But it seems to always hit the wall in that maze of thoughts and doubts. The future, the present and the past were colliding in epic clashes that produced thunders with enough power to vaporize his inexperienced soul. He couldn't give a false promise, he was not a God to be able to protect them all from danger.

"We all have lost friends, Razor!" one of the ninjas shouted. "We too feel the loss of our master!"

"Yeah, and you don't see us threatening the life of one of our own!" the next spoke out. "What would the ones, who are not among us and the Master say, if they see you now?"

"I'll protect him with my life!" Silver Knife said with a lot of punch in her voice. Her red eyes were foretelling only bad stuff to the blue ninja, who seemed very alone in this band of brothers and sisters. The mare positioned her knife, so that she could parry the first strike. Silver said in his ear: "Feather, snap out of it!"

"They would understand. You leave me no choice then. I'm sorry!"

The pink aura vibrated with a different frequency and the large sword began moving. Silver Knife pushed Feather on the ground, then like a thunder, the huge blade clashed into the smaller knife. She almost lost balance from this powerful strike. The horn of the blue ninja flashed in red and a strong push sent her flying to tree behind her. She hit her head and lost consciousness. The ninjas around them charged like the wind. Razor got on his two rear legs, cried like a beast and then stamped the ground, combined with his magic, this created a massive shock wave, which stopped the attackers on their tracks. A crater formed below him.  Everypony was thrown in different directions. Feather kicked in the air and landed painfully on his left side, where his wing was missing. He slowly turned his sight at the approaching blue demon. Pain and rage was in his pink eyes, they clouded his mind and were inciting him to become his slayer.

The enormous blade was lifted again and ready to take his life, when purple light came from the scabbard. The clawed sword was urging him to use it and fight. The edge was sent flying downwards, aimed for his throat.  Feather blinked once and when he opened his eyes, something had changed. He was no longer looking like a defenseless kitten, but a wounded panther that was gonna fight with claws and teeth to the bitter end.

Steel met steel.

Sparks were produced by the clash of metal. The magical blade was shining in deep purple. The pegasus was transformed into this darker form, which liked to see destruction around it. They stared at each other, one blinded by his feelings, the other corrupted by the power of the sword. The tension was great where the two blades touched. Then like a speeding bullet, the pegasus jumped over the sword, landed on it and then jumped again to the unicorn.

Razor had just two seconds to react. His horn flashed, blinding the attacker. Then he jumped away from danger. Feather turned to the blue pony, when the incoming huge chunk of steel was thrown at him. He immediately ducked. The blade only shaved some of his hairs, then it hit the tree trunk behind him. The cut was really deep.

Free began galloping towards the unarmed unicorn, who had one more trick under his sleeve. A electrocuting beam was sent at the incoming ninja. Feather parried the magic with his sword, which absorbed the energy. Razor was stunned to see him unharmed. The image of the storming white pony with a sinister weapon in his mouth was reflected in his pink eyes. Now he saw his answer.

Feather swung his sword at the throat of his opponent. This was the moment of truth, in which every illusion was going to perish into the great unknown. Razor Sharp closed his eyes. He could feel the cold blade next to his flesh. Did time just stop? It didn't move inside. Just waiting for the master to do the kill. He carefully opened his eyes and stared at the the magical blade. It was shivering a little, the swordspony was having trouble to decide if whether Razor had to die or not. The urge was strong to take his life, but Feather had to resist the dark powers of this amazing blade. He didn't want to do it. They were friends after all. Brothers in fate, how could Free go beyond it? No, he was not gonna kill him and instead he was going to show a perfect example of why he was chosen to be the leader.

The purple shining steel moved away from his throat and then the blade was stuck into the ground. After a few seconds the glow began to fade. Razor looked at the pegasus, who seemed to still battle the evil urges. They were silent, the old forest too. Some of the other Phoenixes began to wake up, though they were still stunned by the powerful blast wave. Silver blinked a few times to clean the blurry view.

"Why?" the strong unicorn quietly asked.

"Because killing you would make me into you." Feather calmly answered. He looked down at the lively grass and said: "Death, she is such a great kisser. Her kisses are pure poison and leaves pain in the hearts of the living. How easy it would be, if I died and was set free from our terrible problems and lives. I understand that you want to be safe and more, you want our friends to live. I can't promise you that everypony will survive the next days, but I promise you this: as long as I'm the leader, my whole being will be dedicated to this small newborn clan. I'll watch over you, while everypony sleeps. I'll show you the safest path in the dark woods. I'll be opened to all! The only thing I'm asking is some understanding. I'm only a pony, who was given the difficult task of being in charge of our fates. However, it all depends on how we work and live as a group of warriors, who seek the light! Will you follow me even the blackest caves? Will you be at my side, when the odds are not on our side?"

Razor listened carefully everything the pegasus had to say. Sharp had options. He could either try to take the sword between them or run away and try his luck on his own. He chose to bow down and ask for forgiveness:

"I'll take any punishment for ever doubting you, Feather! I was at a great error in here. My only wish is that in your warrior heart, you forgive me!"

"I don't like punishing anypony, even the enemy." the pegasus came closer, looking down with understanding of this mighty ninja, who almost lost his ways. "Stand up. I do not like ponies bowing to me."

Razor obeyed. He's ashamed to look him in the eye. One of the ninjas managed to stand up and immediately went to them with a prepared weapon.

"Stop!" Feather ordered. "He means no harm now. Leave him alone for a moment!"

The yellow ninja lowered his knife and nodded. Soon the rest came back to their normal vertical positions and encircled the two. Like dark statues, they stared down at him with watchful eyes. He felt, as if his world has turned against him.

"Should we punish him for ever lifting a sword at one of us?" the black ninja asked.

"No, he is in his own Tartarus now. He does not need to surfer physical pain, he'll endure it. However, I can not say the same for his spirit. I want you to leave him for now with his thoughts."

"As you say, Feather."

"Tell the others that we are moving! We are too near to, where we got ambushed and the enemy is probably looking for us as we speak. And our little fight didn't help us stay invisible for our enemy. We need to get to the portal, as fast as possible."

"Changing position in daytime? Isn't that too risky?"

"I think we can do it." Silver entered in the conversation. "The pegasi will scout the way, the earth ponies will carry the wounded and the unicorns will protect them with shield spells."

"Silver, you are going to be the leader of the scouts. We know the woods around the portal but we do not know how the dragon ponies think."

"I'll not disappoint you!" Silver nodded.

"What about the ninjas, who are guarding it? We can't just sneak past them. And we are not ready to go to another battle. Who is going to distract them, while we are teleporting to the other side?"

"We are the decoys." Feather confidently said.

"Wait, what?!" the earth pony almost jumped from his place.

"The owner of this sword will be here soon. She'll help us escape." he pointed at the clawed bladed, that was still stuck into the ground.

"I hope that what you say is right. I'll go and prepare the clan!" he turned to the rest and said: "Come on, lads! We are changing houses! Come, Razor!"

Everypony turned at the direction of the camp and energetically disappeared behind the vegetation, Razor was slowly following their steps. The huge sword flew next him in the air. Only Feather and Silver stood in front of the legendary blade. They were silently looked at each other. She sensed that he was in a need of help, despite his new more confident look. Two quiet minutes passed, when Feather asked.

"Can you help me lift the sword?"

"Are you afraid of it?" she concernedly asked.

"I almost chop Razor's head off. It's not meant for me to wield it. I have the feeling, that if I take it one more time, I'd lose myself to the corruption..."

Silver came closer and took his hoof. He didn't resist and only watched what she was doing. The mare placed his hoof on the handle and together they took out the mighty sword from the ground. It didn't shine in any light, the dark forces were absent. She then helped him to put it back into the scabbard. Her actions were fluent, with female grace that showed a lot of care. Free felt good after this small act. He now knew that she was going to support him even in the direst situations. This in turn, opened his heart more to her.

"Thanks, Silver." he made a warm smile. She answered him with the same.

"We should better head back to the camp."

"Agreed."

They stared at each others eyes for a few more moments, studying their souls through the little windows. Then both silently disappeared behind the green and brown wall, never for their hooves to be heard in this place. Half a day passed in the lives of these miserable ponies, who were not meant for this island. What would have happened, if a noble super being had some influence on the ninja clans? What if Celestia and Luna were their rulers too? Maybe the mass killings would have never existed in here. Pain would have been just a thing from the past... Next Chapter: Chapter 37: Airway To Hell Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 4 Minutes