Chapter 5: The Only Way Out A Falling Tower.

***Talion Ragnarok pov.***

“So there I was three of them had me surrounded, then from out of nowhere, this big dog saves my life!” said a griffon who was drinking with the other diamond dogs, ponies and griffons.

Me?, I stay out of it, I was just happy to have some place warm to stay in and food in my belly. It been two days since that battle. I’d like to say I was boasting like them but I wasn’t, I was thinking about the one I killed. Everyone was eating in the same place as Mag and I almost get killed. Not really my first choice but they was giving out free food here.

“Did you fight their chief?” Asked one of the many children that were listening to their stories. I felt my ears pick up on this. I picked up my mug of water and had a sip, I was thinking about telling them what happened. Until someone else answered.

“No that would be my good pony friend here.” I heard the griffon say. I turned my head over my shoulder to look and saw them all around one table. “Thats right I took him on all by myself.” Said the earth pony as he picks up his mug… how he even holding it?

“Was you scared?” Asked foal as they're all listening to the story. I sighed as I take my bowl and leave, I didn’t care anymore as I push the door open with my back. I saw a mare look up at me in fear but I just move out of her way as she moved quickly inside. I lean on a post as I eat my food. To think just yesterday this place was attacked.

“Why don’t you ever tell them what really happened?” I turn to the voice of Dust as she smiled at me. I just shrug, as I drink my water.

“I almost died, and was saved by the minotaur lady. Not my fault they're making stuff up.” I say as I look up at the sky. Same cloudy sky again, this sucks.

“Come on it’s time for training.” I heard her say and groaned, I know I needed to learn to survive here and all but she never pulls her punches. I walk down and follow the unicorn as she takes me to the training area. The others took this time to make jokes about me losing but I didn’t care, I needed this to stay alive.

“Wooden swords again then?” I ask as she pulled one up with her magic. I took a wooden sword and shield. Gave it a test swing as I look at it, I put it back and pick up a heavier one. I think she noticed that as I took my place.

“Okay so we’re starting when you attack-” WOW! I duck in time before she took my head off! “Bloody hell warn me!” I yell at her, only for her to take another swing at me. I got to say, I wish I was back home again after five minutes with this crazy mare trying to beat the crap out of me.

“Come on stop losing ground and attack!” She yells as I block with my shield. Didn’t really help that pony got a mean swing. I then get hit in the leg and boy did it sting!

“Damnit! Stop going for my legs!” I yell again as I swing my wooden sword back at her but she blocks it like it nothing. If I was going to win I need to think outside the box. I run away, it took her a moment of shock before she started to run after me.

“Get back here!” Dust yells as she chases me around the area, I then stop and put all of my body weight into my shield as I charge back at her. Only to hit nothing and land on the floor, I turn around and see she standing there pointing that wooden sword at me.

“Not bad, you try something new. But next time keep your eyes on your opponent.” She said and hit me on the head. Fuck did that hurt! I sighed at this as I get cleaned up, ignoring the calls of the ones watching the fight. I had to go see Mag anyway about how to use magic, something tells me this is going to hurt as well...

I was right, it hurt like hell… I could barely move after the ten times trying to use this magic, If I do this anymore I swear I’ll get brain damage.

“Come on get up we have much more work to do.” Said Mag, hitting my side with his staff. I groan as I try to sit up again and rub my fur… I’m still getting used to that.

“Why must you hit me with that thing?” I asked hoping he at least give me some breathing room. Didn’t happen, he hit me again! I then hissed at him, wow what the hell?

“Good now then let's try again. Lightning is nothing like fire, it can still burn but also control the body.” I try and take in his jedi ways but it's just not sticking to me. I joke to myself as I look at my hand, I then thought about the words again.

“Fulgur.” I said softly as lightning danced over my fingers. This made Maggabl stop whatever he was doing and watched as I start to play with it, carefully.

“How are you doing that?” He asked as I thought about it and made the lightning stop. I take a breath as I felt like I had just had a long run. Is this how magic works?

“I just thought about it and it works.” I said trying to explain something I rightly didn’t understand. I was opening a bag of cats that had tigers inside of it. I saw Maggabl mumble some things before letting me off for the day. I took my time doing odd jobs around the town and looking at the land beasts as they call them.

I spent most of my time thinking, even if most of the town gave me the evil eye. The Diamond dog I meet was cool. And as far as I know Dust, Bursar and the large ox haven’t told anyone about us meeting Discord.

Ow!? I rub my head as I look down at a small stone then at the one who threw it. It was just a foal, the kid was even shaking as he stands there. I just blow a raspberry at him and keep walking. If this keeps up i'm going to throw one of them in the stable with the land beasts.

I then went to the forge and look over all the weapons. The smith didn’t mind as long as I didn’t touch anything. She was cool, got cat calls from the stallions now and then. I laugh when even she throws her hammer at them.

I was hungry but sadly everyone wanted to short change me when it comes to food. Jerks, I then thought of something. “Hey I was wondering have you ever made a wrist blades before?” I asked as the minotaur looks at me.

“Not really, don’t get many who would use something like that. Could be something fun to work on, why you want something like that?” She asked giving me one of those smiles, the one where you're not sure if she's going to hit you or help you…

I was holding my face in pain as I walked back to the house that was falling apart. It was the only place anyone would let the two of us live in. To be fair, it could be worse. Thankfully the minotaur lady was up for making those weapons I asked her about. Sadly for me to get them she wanted to punch me in the face. I will never understand women...

She also said something about loving a challenge. But at least we have food, and beds, so it's not so bad. I open the door and walk inside, making my way to my bed and lay down. I was to tired to eat right now.

The next week went the same old, same old. I got better at fighting, Dust still kicked my tail. But I’m getting better, I surprised her now and then by using my magic. Its nothing that can kill anyone, but it still hurts like hell.

Hearing something like a building falling over. I and the town's inhabitants rushed to find out what was going on. All I saw was a haze of smoke wafting over the town, and a change in the wind. Thats new…

“What going on?!” Yelled that prick of an old pony. I just walk away and leave him to his yelling, I think the others who live here had the same idea.

Now comes the annoying part, I have to go through this crap every morning. I open the door and everyone stops talking. I then walk over to the counter and wait for the griffon to serve me. However she keeps putting me off to serve others. But I have a way to get fed.

“You’re my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray!” I start to sing, it is funny how much this gets under her skin. I just keep going with it until she can’t stand it anymore and serves me breakfast.

“There! Happy now? Go AWAY!” She screams at me as I take my food and walk off. I dodge the many attempts to trip me up as I go outside to eat. At last we get meat this time! I stuff my mouth with a smile as I walk but stop when I noticed something... I turned to the gate and saw an army… of Von… Shit.

I kept eating slowly as I start to walk away. That's it just keep eating and walking, didn’t see anything. Just minding my own business… as soon as I was out of sight I stuffed as much food in my mouth and bolted for the cabin me and Mag were staying in. I slammed through the door without a second thought. Waking up and pissing off Mag in the process.

“Whats going on? I’m trying to sleep boy!” Mag said annoyed that I woke him up. I was gasping for air as I was trying to talk.

“Army!... lots of von!... at gate!” I managed to say as he eyes go wide at me. Mag then grabbed me and pulled me to face him.

“Did they see your eyes! Did they go after you?” He asked looking into my eyes, I shake my head no. He sighs in relief and gets up, grabbing his staff. “Well grab your things and let go.”

I didn’t understand what he meant by that, just what was he planning? I grabbed my things and a blanket. Never know if you need one, as we got outside I saw everyone noticed what I just found out. We stopped by the forge pick up my sword and shield.

“Hey!” Called out the minotaur as she throws something to me. “It's a gift, told you I could make them.” She said as I try to keep up with the old rat. I take a look and saw some kind of arm guards. Huh, I’ll put them on later.

I hide behind Mag as we made our way to the gate and saw Eron was talking with them. These Von looked nothing like the nut jobs from a week ago. For one these guys had armor and weapons made of steel.

“This is them.” Eron said as he moves out of the way. The Von I saw was dressed in black armour with a dark blue cloak emblazoned upon it. I was worried as he walked past the large minotaur and looked Mag over.

“One who knows magic...useful…” its eyes were looking the old rat up and down as if judging his worth. Once he was done he turned to me and I backed away. It didn’t help he was now following me as I backed around Mag to keep him away from me.

“That one fears me… why?” He asked looking at Mag who sighs. The old rat explains the cover story that I lost my memory, I kept backing up till I bump into something. I turned and saw a Von covered in armour whose helmet covered his face.

I looked back at the other one who looked right at me. I knew the hood would not hide my eyes from him this time. He just stared at me as I feel like my soul was about to leave my body. “A Nightwalker… we can use him, He come with the guides.” He ordered as he walks back into his army.

“Guides?” I asked as I was pushed along by Lightning Dust as she put away one of her four swords. “Thats right runt, we’re getting paid.” She said with a smile. Why do I have a bad feeling about this?

“They want to go in one of the towers?” I asked Bruiser as he was working on the claw he gave me. “Why are they going into a tower?” We were moving through the forest and it was snowing again, I really didn’t want to do this.

“Stop it workin’ Send army’s in, we go with.” Said the Diamond Dog as he passed me the claw back. He turned it into a necklace, I then put it on as I kept up with the others. Didn't want to be lost with these Von soldiers. Something about them put me on edge.

We were getting closer to the tower now, I could see it from the woods. I didn’t like this one bit, something was telling me we should leave that thing alone. “We rest here!” Yelled one of the soldiers as they get to work making a camp.

Maggabl was talking to the Baneknight, from what Mag explained their like captains, I think? Anyway I saw Bruiser and Eron were setting up camp as well then I saw Dust start walking off. Huh where she going? I take one last look and follow her.

On the way I put my new armguards on, not easy with a shield on your back. I then saw there some kind of lever or trigger in the inside of the arm. I pulled on one and a blade as long as my arm shot out, I qwickly pulled it back and the blade went back into the guard. I now wish I knew that blacksmiths name.

Then looking up and saw I lost her… crap. I look around trying to find her, and keep my ears open to anything moving. I then tripped over something and slide on some ice. “Ow… Things are going well today…” I say to myself then I looked back at the log I tripped over and saw there was something inside, looked like a Silver water balloon. I thought as I go over to it. I still had the wrapping for my new weapons were kept in and look at this thing. I then picked up a stick and poked it.

Nothing happened, but it did look interesting I took a quick look around before wrapping it up. Never know could be food, I think as I tie it up and put it over my back. “Hey!” Bloody hell! I jumped drawing my sword and saw it was just Dust. I sighed in relief as I put my sword away.

“Come on we’re going to eat, then the real work starts.” Said Dust as she trots away. I regret ever getting out of bed today. I think as I follow her back to camp, the next six hours after some food was this Baneknight going over the plan. The only part I was getting was me, Eron,  Bruiser, Dust and Mag were going in first… I didn’t like this plan.

We were lead to the entrance of the tower, it looked a lot bigger up close. Not only that the stares went down… ya, down is bad, I’ve already seen giant spiders, I don’t want to know what else lives down there.

“Well what are you waiting for, off you go.” Said the Baneknight with a smile. I really didn’t like this guy. Maggabl pushed me as we all went inside, walking down the steps, of the creepy tower…

“Is it just me or that guy planing on us dying?” I asked out loud, I wasn’t even sure if I was supposed to stay quiet or not. I got a round of shut up by Bruiser and Dust. Right, shutting up now...

Once we reached the bottom we saw a hall, and what looked like a door… Yes this doesn't scream trap to me at all. “So how do we get in?” asked Dust as she used her magic to make a light. Me, I was looking around for any sign of a trap and or way to open the door. That across the long empty hall.

“Well it could take us days to find the right means to open the door. There could be traps or some kind of guardian.” Said Mag as he pulled out a book. I meanwhile found some kind of drawing on the floor, I looked for the ones that lead in a line of some kind and followed it.

“We don’t have days, the sooner we get inside and the sooner we get paid.” Said Dust from somewhere behind me. I was half away across the hall before I saw different drawing on the floor. I looked at it then back behind me and saw Bruiser was watching me. I point at a skeleton next to him and point at the floor.

He looked at it then at me, Bruiser then picks up the Von skeleton and dropped it on the floor  were the drawings start. A large block of rock falls on top of the skeleton.This made everyone stop what they're doing and look at it, then at me.

“Well… Now I know what happens if I fuck up.” I said bluntly as I carefully keep going. It didn’t help that the others were calling me back. I was almost at the end, only the drawings stopped, they all looked the same. They were also not the one I was standing on “This could be bad…”

“Why you stop?” Called out Dust. As I try and see if I missed something.

“They all look the same, there's no more path to follow!” I call back as I try and think.

“Maybe you reached the end?” Asked Mag, I just give him a deadpan stare as my reply. There's no way this is the end of the trap… one way to find out. I took my shield off and dropped it on the end. This time the floor went up and into the ceiling, but it revealed stairs going down… and a lever. Here's to hoping it turns the traps off, I walk over to it and pulled it.

I heard a number of clicks as i slowly pulled my hand away, looking back to the others. They all looked at each other before Eron took the first step. Thank god nothing happened, then the rest of our little group followed. I then get hit in the head by Dust.

“What were you thinking! You could of gotten killed.” She shouts then storms off ahead. I gumble as the others walk past. Then Bruiser asked me something as we made our way down.

“How did you know right way?” He asked and I think about that, could it hurt to tell him I played video games about stuff like this? Maybe if I simplify it.

“I used to play a game with some friends before all this. You had to find your way past the traps and get out.” I said as the Diamond dog thinks on that. As we get to the bottom we found, gold. A lot of gold… holy crap I’ve never seen some much gold in one place before.

“Thats… a lot of gold, this screams trap to me.” I say out loud as everyone looks at me. I just blink back. “What?” I asked.

“How is all this treasure a trap?” Asked Mag as I stop him from trying to pick some up.

“We know nothing about this stuff, or who it belongs to…” I say looking around. “I’m thinking something big.” That but everyone on guard.

“Lets keep moving then.” Said Eron as we walked in deeper, ignoring the gold that was everywhere. There was even some statues of Von and Ponies… Griffons too… as well as Diamond dogs.

“Something feels wrong here.” Said Dust as she drew two of her swords.

“You're saying what we’re all thinking.” I said out loud as I pass a golden statue of a pony with its face twisted in a mask of fear.

“Mag, Know anything that likes to hoard gold?” I asked being careful not to be too loud.

“Well, old texted say of a beast that lived in one of the towers. That close to 700 years old now so it should be nothing more than bones.” Said Mag as he moves past a gold Griffon Statue with its sword in the air.

“And if it not?” I asked not liking where this was going. Then I heard a noise, I stop dead slowly looking around. I saw Bursier holding some gold coins in his paw. I then heard a hiss and something was moving around the gold. I look back to the others and they're all looking at me.

“Hide.” I hiss as we all move to find somewhere to hide. We all went to different places and made as little sound as we could. I hide behind a small hill of gold as the hissing sound was getting louder. I saw what looked like a golden plate and carefully picked it up.

Whatever it was, was getting closer and the hissing louder. I carefully move the plate to the outside of my hiding place and saw in the reflection some kind of large snake thing. It had a head like a snake but there was also six smaller snake like heads on top of it all looking around hissing as it moved past. I then heard the hiss of a giant spider.

I turned around and saw it running right at me. I then heard a horrible chittering as the spider was slowly being turned to gold and stopped. Looking down at the plate and saw it, the snake thing was right above me. Oh shit I’m dead… I just close my eyes and don’t make a sound. Then I heard the sound of gold falling to the floor.

The monster gave out a loud hiss and went away, I gasp for air once it gone. I slowly come out and saw everyone was slowly doing the same. We all meet up and walk away. “What was that thing!?” Dust yelled quietly as we stay together.

“I don’t know but it turned that big ass spider into gold!” I said back as we hurry deeper inside, wait? “Shouldn’t we be leaving?”

“Can’t, they kill us if we turn back.” Said Bruiser as he pulls out his battle hammer. Lot of good that going to do us now.

“That's just great.” I said as we found a door. “So we hurry up and get in, one thing how do we get past miss turns us into gold on the way back?” I asked in annoyance.

“Just calm down Talion we have nothing to fear.” Said Mag as he pushed the door, only it didn’t open. “Oh....”

“It locked isn’t it…” I asked closing my eyes and rub my face.

“Yes, it is…” Said Mag as I look at the door and saw a drawing of something, it needed a key. Fuck…

“One guess who has the key…” Said Dust as she looks back the way we came. “What do we do now?”

“We kill it.” Said Eron as he pulled his axes out.

“Wait let me think of something.” I tell them as I look over the door then thought of something, I pulled up the balloon thing and looked at it. Everything in here is gold and can show its reflection, so why didn’t it turn to gold. Unless, could this work? I hope this works.

“I got an idea, stay here.” I told them as I walk back.

“Talion get back here!” Dust whispered loudly at me but I was already going into a slow run. I hope this idea of mine works if not I’m so dead.

Once I’m far enough away from the others I look around, I saw a table with all kinds of golden stuff on it. Making sure the coast was clear then flipped the table over. The noise alone would draw that thing to me like blood in the water. I heard a loud hiss and start running.

“Thats right ugly! Come and get me!” I yelled hearing it getting closer. Oh god I hope this works, a hill of gold explodes next to me as I throw across the room into a pile of gold. I looked at a golden statue and saw it hissing at me. I quickly unwrap the balloon seeing the monster in the the statues reflection lunged at me. I held out the silver balloon and stretched it out in front of me, then something heavy landed in front of me.

I slowly open my eyes and look at my reflection in it, then lower it slowly as I got a jump from the monster's face. I put the balloon away as I look at this thing, it was turned into a silver statue. Well, nice to know I was right for once. I then saw the key around it neck and pulled it off.

I then noticed a problem, I couldn’t get up. “Umm, guys! the monster dead. Could you give me some help?” I called out.

It took a minute for everyone to find me and they all just smiled at me. “Little help?” I asked, but Dust just smiled.

“Whats wrong? don’t like your new marefriend?” She asked laughing. I gave her an annoyed look as the others joined in.

“Ha, Ha.” I said bluntly as Eron pulled the statue off and throw it into a pile of gold.

“Thanks, got the key.” I said smiling only for Mag to grab it and walk off. And the other follow him… “You're welcome.” I say as I follow after them. We open the door to find a stone hall that looked odd, when I mean odd I mean the walls were made of water… I kid you not.

“Okay… This is way to weird even for me.” I said as the group start walking. I sighed as I followed them inside as the door closed behind us. Well, I hope the hall does not flood or something.

“We’ve been walking for an hour with no end in sight!” Yelled Dust as I was looking at the water walls. They were more like windows now that I think about it, we would have turned back but the door was replaced with another hall. It didn’t help we saw skeletons in that one.

“Look I can find us away out I just need to know what kind of trap we walked into.” Said Mag as he flipped through his books.

I picked up a bone and looked at the water walls, throwing the bone up into the air and catching it again. Bruiser was watching them arguing and Eron was looking at me. “What are you thinking?” He asked as he stand next to me.

“Just testing an idea… But umm if we drown, it not my fault okay?” I asked, he just looks both ways of the hall and smiles at me.

“Better than waiting to die.” Eron said calmly as he crossed his arms.

“Okay…” I say as I take a breath and throw the bone into the water wall. It went inside… I looked to Eron and he looked down at me. Nothing happened, I then walk up to it and bit my lip thinking before picking up a skull and then throw it inside next… Nothing again.

“Hey guys look at this?” I call out. As Eron go up to it and put his arm in.

“Not now Talion I’m working!” Said Mag. I look up at Eron as he pulled his arm back out it was covered in webs. Oh joy, he smiled at me then go over to pick up Dust and Mag. The two of them were yelling and the start panicking as they go inside the water wall.

I saw Burier walk up to me then look at the water wall. “Way out?” He asked I smiled and pat his arm.

“Way out.” I said and climb in and fell on my back. “Ow… That hurt.” I said as I sit up and move out of the way in time as the big diamond dog fell in next.

“Now where are we?” I asked looking around the large room. The room was large with something in the middle, some kind of globe maybe? I found the others as they’re looking out some kind of window.

“What you guys looking at?” I asked as I make my way over to them. Walking up some stairs then look outside to see. Wow, one half of an island. We could see mountains and snow as far as the eye could see, I was then curious and ran to the other side of the tower.

What I saw out the other window were large forests and number of fields. Not only that but there were some mountains untouched by the snow. I even saw what I thought was a large bird fly to the top of one of the mountains.

“Okay… How did we get to the top going down?” I asked as all this was to much to take in and go back to the others.

“Magic.” Said Dust and Mag as they look out side. I look over the edge and see the Von army waiting for us.

“So… What now?” I asked as Eron and Berurier set up a fire.

“Now start the real work.” Said Mag as he pulls out his books. Oh joy.

We was all settled in for the night, as we had no choice to stay the night in this tower. I look to the others to find they’re asleep. I pulled out the balloon thing and looked at it, it was soft yet it could take a beating. Just what was this thing? I keep asking myself and look to the globe thing.

“How that thing keeping everyone on the island if it not working?” I asked myself as I sit up with the balloon in my lap. I sighed as I ran my hand over the silver thing, it was soft almost like jelly. But stretchy like rubber.

“What are you?” I asked the blob that was harmlessly sitting in my lap, before it twitched... “Uh oh.”

“Um guys?” I called out as it twitched again. “Guys wake up!” I try again only for them to sleep like logs, oh god help me what do I do?! I just stare at it as it twcing again and again. It then cracks, oh crap… it's an egg. I should get rid of it but I was to curious as to see what it could be. So I watched as the egg hatched in my lap.

Slowly the crack spreads across the egg as it continues to twitch, until a small black hoof stuck itself out of the crack. shortly after that a second hoof sticks out and they start trying to open the crack wider.

I carefully help trying to make the new hole the hooves was sticking out wider with my fingers. My eyes widen at what I was seeing, it looked like a baby version of Queen chrysalis… But it was silver and black instead of green/blue and black, there were also no holes in it legs...

“Holy shit!” I yell that woke everyone up. They forgot what they was going to say when they saw what was sitting in my lap.

“Talion what that in your hands?” Asked Mag as I looked around at everyone.

“Umm, A baby… I think it a changeling?” I said as the little thing looked up at me.

“We should kill it.” Said Bruiser.

“We’re not killing it! We don’t even know how to leave the tower let alone killing a baby.” I hissed at him, I will never get used to that.

“His right we need to work on finding a way to turn off the tower. Let him keep the thing.” Said Mag as he go back to sleep. Everyone did the same as I looked down at the baby changeling as it blinks at me.

“Well let's get some sleep.” I said as I lay back down and used the wrapping I used to hold the egg as a bed for it. “Something crazy is going to happen I just know it.”

I yawn as I wake up to find everyone working, Burier was cooking something and I looked down to see the silver changeling sitting on my chest, Raising what might have been an eyebrow at me. Okay that weird.

“Hallo, little changeling… Nice to see Burier didn’t eat you.” I said as I rub my eyes to get the sleep out of them.

“E ea… Eat?” It muttered, rolling the word around in its mouth before turning to the diamond dog as its eyes reduced to pin pricks.

“Wow there little guy? Let not make the Diamond Dog mad okay, how about this you need something to eat right? Well you can get it from me.” I told it as I picked it up. It then scrunched its muzzle as it gave me a ‘eww what are you talking about!?’ look.

“Trust me on this, you're more likely to be eaten by him then fed by him.” I explained to it, I wonder if it male or female?

The changeling then started to wiggle until it got free of my hands before running over to Dust and hid behind her leggs. Dust looked annoyed as she then looked at me. “Talion keep your pet on a leash I’m not looking after it.” She said pushing it away with her back hoof.

“N-not… p-pet!” The changeling foal said as it gave her a pouty face.

“Wow shes a fast learner.” I said as Dust gave me dirty looks. Before using her magic and putting it in my hands.

“She your problem not mine.” Said Dust as she walks away. I sigh as I go over to get something to eat. Maybe the changeling can eat food? Well one way to find out. Bruiser gave me a bowl of food it looked like soup and he gave me some bread.

I pulled off a small peace then dipped it into the soup and blow on it to cool it down then hand the soggy bread to her. “Come on try it, it good for you.” I say trying to get her to try it. Instead it smirks before grabbing my bread that was unguarded and scampered off with it.

“Clever girl...” I said slowly as I eat the bit I had. Then start drinking the rest, but I left some for the changeling. Suddenly there was a crash as the metal globe thing fell apart to show some kind of glowing crystal.

“I've done it, I know what this is!” Yelled Mag as he walked around it in a hurry. “It's a teleportation spell, on a huge scale!” Maggabl start to explain so fast I can’t understand half of it.

“Mag, MAG! Slow down and breathe…” I tell him as he looks at me with this almost crazed look in his eyes.

“Right sorry, Let me explain… You see these runes on the floor here?” He asked pointing at the floor and I nod at him that I understand as the others join in on this.

“You see these runes are for a teleportation spell, a large one at that. Why would you need a spell like that unless it moves the island… that’s why so many races from around the world keep getting shipwrecked here. The Island is moving…” Okay, that's something I didn’t think could happen.

“I don’t understand if this tower is a huge teleportation spell, then why is everyone still trapped on this island?” Asked Dust as she looks at the magic runes.

“I have a theory. This tower is to make sure the island never stay in the same place but what about the other two towers?” Asked Mag as he start to make notes. “One of the other two must be to making the storms out at sea, they never stop we have them all year around making it impossible to leave. That leaves one question… what's the last tower for?”

That’s a lot to think about, wow my mind is blown. I rub my head as I sit down and saw the others talking about it. But something didn’t add up, one tower to make storms, one to move the Island and the last one to… do something. I start drawing out my idea on the dusty floor trying to work this out as the others talk.

Wait, if the island moved from it original spart it sink into the sea… Unless the island not moving at all… “Oh my god I know what the last tower for!” I yelled as I rush over to Mag

“It like you said one tower to make the storm, but you're wrong about moving the island, It's not the island that moves it the storm outside.” I explain as I start to draw this out on the floor. “The storm is more than to keep us in, it's the first thing anyone will see right? Somewhere between being in the storm and getting shipwrecked there must be a portal that sends everyone to the island.”

“And then the teleportation spell kicks in and sends the portal somewhere else.” Said Dust as he eyes go wide.

“So no matter where we think we were when we got shipwrecked it's not near our home lands.” Said Eron as he looks at the crystal.

“What we do now?” Asked Bursier as he looked at the crystal to.

“Well if we turn that off, We should stop others from getting shipwrecked like you guys. If not then anyone after this thing turned off can tell us what land there from and we can found out where we are from there.” I explain as I sit on the floor looking at my drawing.

“So Mag, how do we turn it off?” I asked looking up at the old rat as he looks gobsmacked at my work.

“How did you figure all this out without the proper training in magic arts?” He asked. I just shrugged, I mean it's easy once you put everything together.

“Well as for turning it off all we have to do is destroy the crystal. One problem though, there spell wards all around it.” He explained as he points a some runes that were not part of the crystal. Just our luck, I think as we all look at the crystal... and the changeling foal sitting on it...

“Pretty…” The silver changeling giggles as it looks at the gem.

“Oh crap! Um hey kid get away from that it's...err bad!” I call out to her trying to get the changeling away from there. Don’t tell me I have to go in there...

“Get… away?” It asked, tilting its head.

“Yes it not safe over there you’ll get zapped!” I tell her as I’m about to climb inside.

“Oh.” the Changeling said before she grabbed the crystal and flew over to Maggabl and landed at his feet while hugging the crystal.

“What?” Mag said as he stare at the little changeling before picking her up. “How did you do that! There was enough magic to kill a dragon how did you pick it up without it killing you?!”

“Do… what?” The changeling asked before looking between him and the crystal a few times. “Want?” She asked as she held out the crystal to him.

“Umm yes thank you?” Mag said as he put her down and go to take it off her. Once in his hand it put it away then the tower rumbles.

“That's not good.” I said out loud as I pick up the little changeling in my hands. Seeing rocks falling and some of the floor give way. “This place is falling part?!”

“I should've guessed there was no way for the tower to stay standing for all this time without something keeping it together.” Said Mag as he go to the window with Eron.

“Okay so how do we get out of here, the way back is a endless hallway!?” Yelled Dust as I saw Eron tie rope to a pillar.

“Oh no… you don’t mean we?” Asked Dust. As I saw the Diamond dog pick her up and put her on his back.

“We hurry yes?” He said and walked past with a complaining unicorn on his back. I looked at the little changeling in my arms.

“Hold on and don’t let go.” I told her as I make a makeshift carryer out of a blanket. The changeling looked at me and towards the window and back again multiple times before chirping in confusion. I just pick her up and tie the blanket to my body once shes inside.

“Hurry up!” Yells Mag as his the last one out. I go over to the window and grab the rope, Oh I didn’t like how high we were. I moved as fast as I could as this place was falling apart all around us. Once over the wall, the hard part was over all I had to do was climb down…

I saw a flash of white and look down seeing were the changeling used to be there was a white pegasus with silver eyes. I didn’t have time to think about this though as I hurryed down the tower, it was still a long way as the others reached the bottom first.

Then I felt the rope give way, looking up I saw what looked like the roof of the tower slowly lean towards us. “Going faster, I’m going faster!” I yelled to myself as I moved as fast as I could. Just before the rope gave way I grabbed onto a brick in the wall. I looked down and saw we were more than half way down, didn’t help things were falling over head.

“Talion! Jump!” Yelled Dust from the ground. Right, jump? How is that a good idea?

“One crazy thing after the next.” I said to myself as I start climbing down. I had to stop and or dogae a lump of rock that looked like it hit us. Good think I used to mouthin clam when I was younger.

When it was safe enough to jump down I did and held the little pony in my arms as I take off running.” Go, GO!” I yell at them as we’re all running away. I didn’t look back once I got a look at the changeling turned pony face as she covered her eyes. Okay running faster!

I fell when the dust washed over me, I try to cover the baby so she wouldn’t get hurt. Once the dust clears, I slowly sit up and looked back to the tower. Or what was left of it.

“I… am never… doing that again.” I say as the little pony shook the dust out of her mane. “You got a name?”

The changeling then looked down at herself and stared at her now fur covered hooves before in a flash of silver flame she returned to normal. “No… Not that fit…” She said as she stared at her hoof.

I think about that as I look up at the sky and laughed a little. “How about Silver Lining?” I asked smiling at her.

“No…” She said with a deadpan look.

I quickly hide her once the soldiers come back and stand up. “There's gold under there if you want, but I don’t know if it still there?” I tell them. One of them runs off to tell the others as the rest run to the ruins. I make my way back to the others who’re talking to the Baneknight.

“Well done as we agreed here's your pay.” Said the Baneknight as he hands the others a bag. I was stopped by a soldier with a sword pointed at my neck. “The Nightwalker will be coming with us.” Oh shit...

At that moment the foal decided to sneeze from inside the blanket. Fuck a duck... I think as they all looked at me. I saw the Baneknight walk over to me but cover my arms around it. Glaring at him.

“What do you have there?” He asked. Look to one of his Soldiers as soon as I felt the blade leave my neck I triggered the latches on my armguards as two blades spring out pointing one at the Baneklnight and the other at the soldier. Sad thing was there was more of them, the Baneknight laughed.

“I must say you have some skill, nothing note of being in the guard but still useful. You’re coming with us, it's up to you however, willingly or kicking and screaming. What will it be?” I bit my lip trying to think, I then looked at him.

“The Foal stay with them, and I’ll go with you.” I said as Mag just rolls his eyes at this.

“Fine.” Said the Baneknight a as he gave the order to back off. I sighed as I put the blades away before going up to Dust and handing the changeling over to her.

“I am not taking care of it.” She said even as I tie the blanket to her.

“Yes you are.” I said sternly at her as I look at the foal. “You be good okay, I’ll see you soon.”

“But…” The changeling muttered as it stuck its head out to give me a poutyface.

“We’re going with you ya fool.” Said Mag as he hit me on the head. What?

“We got invitation to keep.” Said Bruiser who smiles at me. Dust then put the changeling back on me with a smile and walks off. I just hang my head and sigh.

“Lets… just go.” I said and I could hear the Baneknight laughing. I pet the changelings head as I try and come up with names.

“What about, Fire Path?” I asked as we begin our long walk. Only to get the same answer over and over again. God she was picky.