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The feeling of ice cold air flowed around me as I rested on the Princess of the Sun's side, and the Princess of the Night lying on my chest, her head I mean. I closed my eyes for a moment, the only thing keeping me somewhat warm was that of the small fire that crackled and snapped in the night. Opening my eyes, the thousands, if not millions of stars gazed down back to us, tinkling and shining making the dark sky, seem to almost light up. Chrysalis was laying across on the other side of the fire, her head on her hoof as she watched me, Luna, and Celestia with half closed eyes. It had been two days since we left Ponyville to start our way to Bright Heart's old town of which he ruled over. But the coward ran two days before the zombies of which Sinbad himself control; invaded. For some reason, the princesses could not simply teleport us to the castle like they would always do. So with me riding on Celestia's back, we flew, rested on the earth's ground, and ate as well.

All I had with me was my hammer, which was now lying beside the bag of which held some of our food, the bag itself; and also one of the light but strong armor. This one being a simple one, of which covered my chest, arm and legs. I gave a small yawn, it was late and I truly wished to sleep, but then, the Changeling Queen spoke.

"I have a few questions for you," I looked over, I'm sure sleep could come later. I did not dislike her like the others did, nor hated her as Brandon did. I always believed that everypony could change if they wished. "If you don't mind."

"Nah, ah don't mind at all," I answered as I removed Luna slowly from my chest so I could sit up fully. "But do ya mind if ah asked you a question first?"

"Go ahead," she spoke while bringing her hoof up to tell me to speak what I wished of.

"Well," I started as I crossed my arms. "Why do you no care what Vlad does and do, ah mean, he is just a little younger then my own; and yet you allow him to wonder wherever he wishes to."

She only chuckled before looking away as if trying to find the answer she already knew.

"Mike was it?" she asked looking at me as I nodded. "Do you plan on always having your filly live with you?"

"Well no," I answered with the shake of my head. "When she is old enough and she is ready, ah am sure she will leave and live on her own."

"Well, Vlad is just like that," she spoke as she looked back towards the nothing of the darkness. "You see, Vlad is unlike any other foal you or I have seen you've seen first hand how mature he is; I think he was born fully grown!"

"Ah get that feeling a lot too when ah see him," I admitted as she smiled.

"I trust Vlad, and as I'm sure you have heard, I allow him to leave the Hive, or to leave me, and live life his way. Yes he does come back, I made him promise at least every two weeks just to see how he is doing; but he can handle himself well." I nodded at this; every mother can raise their child whatever way they wish. But still, this seemed very weird to me, I mean; he was only maybe close to two years of age...where does he live within those two weeks? "Now it is my turn to ask a question for you."

"Oh, then ask away then."

"Why do you not hate me, as your friend does?" she asked placing her chin on her hoof looking at me with half lidded eyes, an almost coy smile on her face. "I mean think about this, two years ago I kidnapped his wife, made him pretty much my boy toy," she smirked at this remark. "And I also done some other things to Twilight's family before even all of this happened. So my question dear Mike; is why are you so claim and kind to me?" I had a small feeling she would ask me this, closing my eyes and softly sighing, I turned over to look over at the large lake, the full moon easily seen shining in the middle of the dark and still water.

"Have you ever heard the saying, everyone deserves a second chance?" I asked looking at her as she nodded her head. "Well, I believe that you do. Sure at first you were on the other side, working for Darkness, but you thought it was for the betterment of your race. Though you went the wrong path for that, ah can only guess you had no choice of the matter." I then smiled at her. "And plus, you help save my best friend's foal, for that, I can tell you have changed."

"So are you saying that Sinbad should have a second chance?" she pointed out as she shook her bug wings for a moment before I sighed and shook my head.

"Sinbad is a different type of case," I answered with a soft sigh. "He...ah don't know how to put it lightly, but he is a scum of the Earth, that needs to be destroyed. I understand that Brandon still has nightmares about him."

"Yes, Vlad told me about those,"

"Hrm?"

"Oh sorry," she chuckled. "It seems Sonic told Vlad about their father's nightmares, and Sonic heard many a nights of him screaming in the night."

"Well yes," I sighed and shook my head again. "Ah am really sorry for Brandon, he had his father in life unlike some men who leave the first moment they get; and it turns out to be a hell for him."

"You know," the Changeling Queen trailed off looking at me over the fire. "I have heard of Devon's past, and also Brandon's; but I have yet heard of yours," this was true, I don't even think I have yet to tell Applejack of my past. For reason, I don't truly know. Was it because I still think that it was my fault it happened, my fault that he is no longer here? "Come, tell me." She pushed in a friendly type of why. "The best way for the past to heal, is to at least talk about It." she was right about this, Brandon and Devon told their stories to everyone, and yet, I still not tell them mine. Maybe speaking it with her first, may help ease some of the pain.

"It happened a few years before I was brought to Equestria," I started my story as I looked down at the grass below my legs. "I lived on a farm with my family; I was not that close to all my other family members, all but my father." I closed my eyes as I tried to remember. "Me and him, we were almost like twins, not father and son, he taught me all what it meant to grow food and keep our farm in order. Taught me how to fight, and what it meant to be a man. He also told me of my older half brother..."

"Half brother?" she asked me as I nodded my head. "And what is the different between a half brother and a full brother?" I chuckled at this as I explained.

"You know how Vlad and Sonic are right?" I asked as she nodded. "They bother have different mothers, Sonic with Twilight, and Vlad with you; but have the same father, Brandon."

"Ah, I see," she answered with a nod. "So what of this 'half-brother' to you then?"

"Well," I started once more. "He told me one day that I had a older half-brother, before he met my mother, he was with this women. But for reasons unknown to me, they drifted apart after their son was born. He didn't tell me much of my brother, only that he had this weird birthmark on his face."

"Birthmark?" the Changeling Queen asked as I nodded.

"Aye, from what my father told me of this mark, was that it resembled that of a dragon curling around the crown of his eye."

"So..." she trailed off. "What happened to your father?" I sighed and took a deep breath before going on.

"One day, ah was to go and scout off our land, to make sure that no wolves or other such beasts would come to kill our cattle for food. But ah wasn't feeling the greatest, so he allowed me to go home to rest, and he took my work for today." I closed my eyes again as I shook my head. "Ah shouldn't have allowed him to go, before once he went off...he didn't come back." I looked away, and when I did look back, I could see the sorrow in her eyes as she knew no doubt what had happen. "The police found his body a few days later, so cut open, so slashed and so many broken bones...they thought of this as a bear attack. But ah knew better, ah just knew, and now ah fully know that it was murder, not a bear attack."

"And how prey tell do you know of this?" she asked looking at me.

"Brandon told me of the three best men under Sinbad's control, ah doubt he told you," I saw her slowly shake her head side to side. "One of them, he is named Animal, for he kills his foes with such strength, such fiery, that it truly looks like an animal attack. And also, how he marks his preys; for ah saw a mark under my father's neck, which he never had before." I didn't say anything for a while, the thoughts of seeing how my father was since I was also out looking for him like the rest of my family was. But I was there when the police found him too, the image; will never go away. "After that, all of my family blamed me for his death, saying that if it was me that went, he wouldn't be dead; saying that it should've been me. But even then, ah stayed; ah stayed and watched over my father's land for it was passed to me now to take care of it. Well...until ah came here that is."

We both did not say anything, I felt Celestia stir a bit behind me, and also Luna, but I do not think they woke.

"Thank you," Chrysalis spoke while closing her eyes. "Thank you for opening up to me. You have treated me more like a friend, and not a witch."

"Well, ah still am slightly weary of you and all." I admitted as she nodded. "But, ah think that one day, maybe we can be friends." I saw her give a weak smile.

"I would like that very much Mike, thank you for allowing me to know of your past. But I have one last question, for I know it is late." I nodded my head as she looked to me. "Do you truly believe that it was your fault that he died?" I looked down, and slowly nodded my head. "It is not dear Mike," I looked back up to see her smiling at me. "It was that human that goes by the name of animal, he is the reason why your father is no longer in the world of the living. I do not know if you are the type for revenge, but I do know this. If I were in your spot, if someone killed my Vlad. I would hunt them down, demand that they tell me why they killed him; and then slowly slice their throat and listen to them gargle in their own blood." This caused me to flinch as she smiled; flashing her white teethes at me before laying on her side, her back to me. "Also think of this Mike, if you had died, then the Earth pony named Applejack would've never met somepony like yourself. I always say to myself, those which of things in this world, or any world; happen for a reason. We are born, we live, and we die for a reason. We may try to fight this thought, but it is there none the least." She then turned to look at me for a moment and smiled once more. "Good night Mike, and may your dreams, be happy ones."

I woke up the next morning to see that the sun was up, or still slowly coming up. Celestia was using her skills to move the sun, her horn in a golden color as she did so. But she was also speaking with her sister, I guess something like this was second nature to her or Luna. As I stood up and dusted the dirt from the back of my pants and shirt, I saw them look at me as Celestia smiled.

"Good morning Mike," the white and pinkish like Alicorn spoke to me. "I hope you slept well?"

"Well when I'm using you as a pillow, and Luna laying on me like a blanket, yeah I slept just fine." The two sisters chuckled at this before I looked around and asked. "Where is Chrysalis?"

"She just went to the lake for a little bath before we would head out," Luna spoke and nodded slightly as I nodded back and went to the bag, slipping the hammer back on my belt before donning my armor once more. "Mike...Celestia and I heard what you two spoke about last night." This caused me to stop and look back at them. "Do not fear, we shall not speak of it with anypony else if you don't wish for us to speak of it. But if I may say, I am deeply sorry for your lost."

"As am I Mike," Princess Celestia spoke out as I turned to watch her. "I am truly glad we picked you to come here, for now you have a loving family here, and friends to count on." I gave them a small smile at this, before nodding my head softly.

"And ah am glad that you brought me here too you two." We all shared a smile before Chrysalis came back by flying low to the ground.

"There it is," after a few more hours of flying, we saw it, Bright Heart's castle and city. It was surrounded all by water, like an island cliff raising from the dark water that crashed on the Cliffside; a long and wide bridge going from the city, to the mass of land just west of it. The castle was that of the largest building there, even from here I could see that the pale white stone seem to almost shine that much of snow when the sun hits it. But, watching the city carefully, I noticed something, a dim light of a wall seem to cover the whole city, and I'm sure Celestia saw this. "Ah, so that is why we could not teleport here."

"What do ya mean?" I asked looking up at her as she pointed with a hoof toward the city.

"Do you see that gleam that covers the city?" she asked me as I only nodded my head slightly. "That is a magical barrier. Bright Heart didn't like that some unicorns were stronger in magic then he was, so a few years back he had a magical barrier installed into the city, so when we wished; he could place it up so that his subjects would have to pay him; to use magic. And even then, it weakened them somewhat."

"The lout!" Luna hissed under her breath. "He didn't care about the lower ponies in the city that needed help, and would always find a way to gain more bits from them one way or another!"

"Couldn't you two have done anything?" I asked as Celestia shook her head.

"As of now, we are no longer in Equestria, this is a whole new land, and we do not rule over it."

"Ah see," I softly sighed at this. "At least the ponies that escaped here to come to Canterlot, have a better life then?"

"Yes," Luna answered with a nod. "But I do not think they will come back here any time soon."

"So then," Chrysalis spoke up as she walked forward. "The moment we walk past that barrier, we won't be able to use our magic?"

"No we won't, but Mike will be able to use his Flame of Passion and his Guardian powers; for that is not truly magic."

"Lucky you," the Changeling spoke. "Seems you get to protect us a little more now huh?" I softly chuckled at this and nodded. "So what's the plan?"

"We will need to scout the area," Celestia nodded her head at this. "See what we can learn, though we can not see all from here, we will need to into the city itself."

"With all those human zombies," Luna answered as I sighed.

"Alright," I was hoping we could've brought some of the guards with us, I doubt even with my skills I can keep all three safe if they can not use their magic. "Let's do this then."

Walking into the city of which Bright Heart use to rule, the feeling of dread and also sadness clanged to the walls of the homes and shops all around me. Blood, dried blood were painted on the white brick of the street, and also the buildings all around us. At times you would see the body parts of both that of zombie humans, and also of ponies. It was sickening. The stink of dead filled the air, bugs flying about around the limbs. I prayed for the ones that did not make it out of here, I pray that their souls can find some sort of peace. Sinbad, all of this was about of him, if Darkness hadn't brought him here, if the demon hadn't given him all this power, maybe this all would've...no it would've been avoided!

I marched in front of the three Alicorn behind me, I looked around, making sure we were truly alone, but no matter what, the feeling of being watched was felt no matter where I looked. Princess Celestia had called it right, the moment we made our way inside the city; she could no longer cast any sort of spells, the same with Chrysalis and Luna. If we were to be in any sort of fight; I would have to make sure to keep them from harms way. But there was something else too, no doubt Bright Heart left many of the guards behind, so not to tipoff his subjects that something was coming when he left, so nothing short of a army could've taken this place over...so where were they? Where was this army? The sound of a rock falling caused me to turn sharply in the direction of which it came from. I heard a yelp as something clattered in an alleyway, as the three behind me heard it as well.

"Whose there?!" I demanded in a rough voice. "Show ya self or ah shall come and get ya myself!" again I heard another clutter, but then the sound of clopping, a pony? No a small unicorn filly slowly walked out.

Her coat was that of a pale white, almost like Sonic Flash's coat, her large blue eyes that of fear as she tried to conceal herself in the darkness of the ally. I could see that she was dirty all over; some cuts easily seen though her coat, her right eye blackened as if punched. I released the tension in my body as I couched down low to the ground; her long flowing black hair, which was straight down toward her neck messy and tangled as she backed away some more from me.

"Hey, it's alright, ah won't hurt you young one." I spoke softly as she blinked at me with her fearfully eyes.

"You lie!" she sobbed as the tears flowed from her eyes. "You look just like the monsters that came here!"

"That is true," I spoke and nodded. "But ah am not them at all, look see," I showed her my body as much as I could. "Do ah look like them truly?"

"N...no," she whispered. "But...those things...they...they..."

"Child," Celestia spoke as she walked up toward her. The filly bowed at once, no doubt knowing who Celestia was. "No need to bow; for I am not your princess, but tell me...have you been here since the ones who did this invade your home?"

"Yes princess..." she whispered. "My daddy and mommy were running, but with all the ponies running, we got separated."

"And where were you hiding all this time?"

"There's a shop that had a lot of food, and a place where I can hide if those monsters come looking to...to..." she stated to cry again, no doubt she had seen things a filly her age should not have seen.

"We can't just leave her here," I sated standing up. "But we can't just bring her with us while we look."

"This is true," Celestia spoke and then looked to Luna. "Luna, take the filly and go home,"

"Sister..."

"I know you will be worried about us, but right now we have a young foal that needs tending too. And I also have some experiences in fighting without the use of magic; while you on the other hoof, don't." The princess of the night sighed and looked to her sister before softly nodding and then looking to me.

"Watch over my sister, please Mike."

"With my life Princess Luna," I vowed as she smiled.

"Come along little filly," she spoke to the little unicorn. "I'm going to take you away from here."

"W...wait!" she cried and then went over to me. "Are...are you going to stop those monsters?"

"Ah will," I answered. "Though they are not here, Ah have friends back home who are also helping."

"Then...mostly they are up in the castle," she pointed with her horn. "If you go to the side, there a picture of an Alicorn on a brick, push it and a doorway will come...but there is something else."

"What's that?" I asked looking at her.

"Another one that looks like you, not the monsters that attacked, but one that has skin like you, not rotting; he commands that things that took over. He uses this big huge axe too!" Animal, so he is here then. "Please mister...please you have to stop them please!" I bent down and hugged her softly to my chest.

"Ah promise, now go with Luna, she will help you alright?" she nodded and then backed away, before Luna looked to us and picked up the filly, putting her on her back, and taking off in the air. (Ares Stromwolf)

The filly was right, a secret way into the castle! But how did she know this, which was the question that got me thinking. Maybe she saw someone go into the castle this way at one time or another; or maybe it was a well known fact by many, ether way, myself, Princess Celestia as well as Queen Chrysalis, walking with one on each side of me down the rather wide tunnel way.

The long and wide tunnel, alit by the flames all along the way, making our shadows much larger then what they were to be. The sounds of clopping of their feet's, and my boots were the only things heard as we made our way further and further in. With hammer in hand, I was ready for whatever was to be seen on the other side. Further and further we made our way down, until we noticed a much brought light come from the far end of the long tunnel. Once out of the tunnel, it looked like we were now standing in what seemed to be the main chambers of the castle. Looking maybe as large as the Princesses castle back in Canterlot, this room was large and grand. I was wondering why this place was not destroyed like any other place in the city. Looking around, I couldn't get the feeling off that we were being watched, and I was right. Far off in front of us, a throne was settled in the darkness, the torches not touching the area, all but part of whoever was sitting there torso, and legs.

At once I brought my hammer up as the one of the throne, Animal chuckle softly, a low deep chuckle.

"Rest easy Mike," I flinched at how he knew my name, how did he know my name? "You wouldn't want to do anything...rash now would you?" I heard the snap of fingers, followed by the sound of growls, looking to the side, I watched as many, so many zombies that I couldn't count at the moment; come as if from the shadows. Unlike the other zombies we fought back home, these ones were unarmed which greatly confused me. "Now then Mike," I heard him speak out again as I looked up slightly, backing away with the Princesses as the Zombies humans made a ring out of themselves, keeping us from going to far back. "I have heard much of you, yes, the power you hold, and I must say...it makes me wonder; how much power you truly have?"

"Enough ta stop the likes of ya!" I answered with a growl under my breath.

"Oh I doubt this," he answered; I still could not see his face. "But I would like to see first hand myself. Cast away your armor and hammer to the Alicorn behind you, and fight my men in hand-to-hand combat. If you agree, I promise no harm will come to your friends." I glared at him and tightened my grip of my hammer fro a moment, looking around, I noticed a few things, one, we were vastly outnumber, that much was clear; but even then, I felt that I had a good chance of beating all of these monsters. Two, if I refused and they attacked all at once, we wouldn't make it. Closing my eyes for only a moment, I unclipped my armor off and dropped it on the floor, before casting my hammer out of my grip and going over to Celestia. I saw her give me a wary look, but I think he knew that this was the only way that we could truthfully be alright. Even though she claimed to have skills in fighting, I doubt she could handle too much before being overwhelmed. I turned back, wearing now only my dark black pants and pale while shirt as Animal softly chuckled. "Good, well then Mike," he clapped his hands together as the monsters around us began to move closer to me. "Show me what you got!"