There are times that many would say that the stars are a threat. They can be a big problem to a zebra. It’s no only zebras that will be chosen by them to be their givers of blood. The stars will demand you to give them an amount of blood. Even though the one chosen can say they aren’t worthy to do such a thing. It takes a lot of doing but another poor soul will be forced into doing the deed.

The deed will never be known only maybe to the zebra that spoke to the stars. There are two versions of the stars. The stars crave blood and sometimes cause many of the problems in this lovely world. Then there are the stars that have vanished. They’re the stars that wish to help the good and bring forth peace and even dreams. They haven’t been heard from at all in years. Some say they have heard them but those are ravings of mad zebras. Just be prepared if you meet the stars they will give you a fair due.

Written by Beezen Judge of the stars

I open my eyes after the spell I cast that I connected with my soul. I try to stand but I am heavily chained down on the floor. I look around quickly worried that I got captured. I look at my legs and hooves though they’re normal.

“Hey!!”

There is no answer soon after I woke up the entire cell vanishes I am standing in the middle of a strange room the entire area is so dark but the floor is under me. Then the horror fills my heart. My ears fold to the back of my head. I finally know where I am I used a spell that connects my soul with magic. It didn’t take too long as a group of masked robe figures forms infront of me. Behind them, the stars shine.

One of the judges in a green robe. He strokes my mane and back in just a few seconds. Like he is trying to read what is going on inside my mind. He laughs softly shaking his head. From whatever he is doing I could tell he found something very funny.

“This poor mare lost her entire world. She was one of the lucky ones. Of course, I doubt I would say lucky. This poor creature has lost so much that she even used her soul in a spell that called us.”

This wasn’t even something I wanted to even say was real. It felt real I am sure though this is just a dream. I hope it’s a dream at least. But I have been told if I wake up in the court of the stars. They will try to demand blood. So the only way is to say I am not worthy. Sadly though if you do this. They will force this blood debt on another soul. I have to find a good way to get out of this without having to murder.

“Yes, I felt it was the only way to fight a robotic being. I do regret doing that myself. Sometimes though if you feel that is the only way then it’s the only way. I am sure I would have found another way later down the battle line.”

The judge in the green cloak turns to the others. He gives them a nod and they leave. The judge removes his mask. I have never seen a species like him before. He is green with a long nose. I have heard stories of ancient beings known as trolls. But they haven’t been seen in a land such as this.

“I shall be your judge. At least for now unless the stars get upset at what you have to say. I’m known as Beezen. I will be honest with you I don’t care for this job as a judge of the stars. The others relish it. I am more the reasonable one.”

How is he the reasonable one? He is a judge of the stars a creature I have never seen before. He unlocks the chains to allow my legs to move. I am kept in place on the middle of the floor though by a spell.

“Why would a creature like you want to be a judge?”

Beezen chuckles.

“I have done things that I ain’t proud of. I became a judge because of those things. Along with the other judges, I helped destroy the land known as Dream Valley. Some would say that is the land ponies came from. Some say that is the land where magic first formed. But to be honest it’s just another land in this dead world.”

I shift pacing in the middle of the room. Before I could speak one of the judges returns. His robe from what I can tell is lava. Steam comes out out of the robe. I could swear I see lava coming out of the hood of the robe.

“Get on with it Beezen. Before I take over and put this creature where they belong below. My foot.”

Beezen turns his head to stare at the other judge. He rolls his eyes turning to look at me.

“Lavan is right. If we delay this any longer. The judges that want to cause harm will take over. Now Desert Rose as you call yourself. I know you have another name but that is your zebra name. I don’t blame you for removing yourself from your zebra name. It’s a way to fit in and move on from the past.”

The past looking away. Yes, zebras mostly do remove themselves from others. It’s a way to protect those that are around you. For me at least I changed my name because of my family’s stand on ponies.

“I changed it because the family had issues with ponies way before the war started. I felt the way to fit in and protect my family from themselves. As well as to save face in case my kind did their war. Then I learned ponies were just as racist as my kind after marrying into husband’s family.”

Beezen sighs shifting on his feet pacing and nods.

“Yes, that is a normal issue. It’s not an easy issue to move on from. The Ponies of Dream Valley had this issue as well. But we are getting off-topic. You’re not here to be put on trial. Just the stars like to make everything crazy.”

I tilt my head a bit. I am not on trial then why am I here?

“Then why am I here?’

“To give us bloooood:

“Yes, blood murder kill. Give us blood souls kill.”

“BLOOD.”

The stars around me screech laughing. They all say the same words blood, souls, and kill. Do they wish for me to cause death? But why on such a high scale? All I did was use a spell that was connected to my soul.

“The spell you cast Rose made them think. It made them think you’re willing to go that extra mile.”

I am not willing to go that extra mile. I am not willing to become their murder of a killer in the name of the stars. Ones who normally do this turn out to be lost souls. Many of my species can become those lost souls. Then the stars get other souls to be in that trap.

“Then I am the wrong one to give you this glory oh stars”

The stars quit their laughing and their calls for blood. Everything was an eerie silence I fear I made the wrong choice. I have to quickly think and this would mean. Getting another soul lost in this

“I may not be the one to bring you your blood oh stars. I am sure you will find another soul to do so.”

Beezen frowns sighing. I look over to me I have a feeling they already have a choice. A choice that could cause more problems than are worth dealing with.
“Then the next soul will be truly lost. They already made that choice before you. I tried to convince them otherwise. But now we have no choice but to do this poor soul.”

He pulls a wand out of his pocket. The wand has eyes and looks to be alive. I can hear complaining while he waves the wand casting a spell. The spell causes a strange magical screen like those monitors that were made way before the war. On the screen is a young bug-like creature. Her exoskeleton is pink and she looks to be at peace laughing.

“This is the soul. The soul that will be taking your duty. I hope you can understand this Rose. You will be her target. When things for her are said and done. No matter how she leaves the island she is on. She will have a call in the back of her head. The call will be to hunt you for putting her on this trial. At first, she won’t know till she is near you.”

I look at the creature. The creature looks young. I wish I could go back on what I just said. But I refuse to become a weapon of the stars. It’s a matter of pride for me. If this creature becomes my hunter later then so be it.

“Does she have a name?”

Beezen sighs.

“Ruby Glide.”

After the name is said. The world around me vanishes the stars laugh in the darkness. As I feel like I am forced back into my body. The world around me goes at super speed. I feel pain filling my body and my brain is throbbing. I have come back to the waking world.

I open my eyes. I was on the back of a makeshift bed in the cart. The others have started a fire and I just lay there thinking of everything. I don’t think what I saw in that vision or dream? Was real it could have been real. Of course this world there are stranger things. I look at my chest I see a symbol on the white part. I know that symbol quickly shines bright red and vanishes. It wasn’t a dream I am now the target. This creature could come any time to when I am on my death bed. It could even be never from what I learned years ago. I don’t dare tell the others.

I get out of the makeshift bed walking to the campfire.

“OH!! You’re awake!!”

Bowser smiles standing up to hug me tightly. Then grabs my face with his claws staring into my eyes.

“Don’t even think of using that spell again.”

June and Drift stay silent. Of course, their mouths are full so I doubt they wish to be rude. I look over to Maria who is connected to the robot we fought. I don’t know what she is doing and Deco is over the fire with Ai marshmallows.

“Oh, you’re awake Rose. Maria will be out for a moment. I asked her to connect to the robot so we can learn why he attacked us. It’s been a few hours since you’ve been out. I haven’t even seen a file yet.”

I shrug my shoulders.

“Well, at least you’re enjoying yourself while she does Deco. As for me. I am hungry so.. let’s eat.”

I grab a stick jabbing a few carrots on it putting it over the fire to cook them. I think about what I did. I have a feeling I ruined the poor creature’s life. Maybe someday though I will meet her. Maybe I will tell her how sorry I am. Maybe we will fight to a standstill. But for all, I know the life of the creature known as Ruby Glide is going to be a hard one.

“Maybe you can tell us what you were dreaming about.”

I glance over at June tilting my head.

“What do you mean?”

June laughs.

“Well, you talk in your sleep Rose. You were talking about the stars or something. Like you were in some trial. “

I didn’t know if I should. But these are my friends, my family, now. Even I consider Deco and Maria part of this family. I shift uncomfortably on the ground where I am sitting. I am not up for doing this but I need to.

“To explain. I would have to go into zebra’s problem with the stars and why they had a problem with Luna and Nightmare Moon. I know it’s not easy to go into but are you sure you’re all willing to listen.”

Drift smiles.

“I am sure I speak for all of us. I would love to learn.”

The others agree with Drift. I take a deep breath unsure how to start looking into the fire.

“It all started years ago.”

Perk finally added: Wait you finally get a perk? Wow, you must be powerful already. Bad perk: Stars target: You refused to become the star’s weapon. When the time is indeed right. You will meet the stars pick for the bringer of their blood.

Author's Note

Now to those that have read Rainfall. This will make sense to folks now.