Author's Note

I know the chapters are shorter than the others. But I plan on trying to get this arc done this year. Suppose I can get the story done. The final parts will be longer.

Chapter Sevenity-Eight: Melody's Journey Goblin caverns

This land of ponies has many creatures within it. Dream Valley is not just ponies, the entire land is connected to many other lands. A rainbow used to lead to the world of humans. Now the rainbow is destroyed by the judges. Many creatures worked with the judges to destroy the ponies. Goblins are one of those races. Goblins are a race you don’t want to be lost within the tunnels. A group of goblins did so much to help the judges. But one family stayed away after they took the horseshoe of mimic which allowed them to mind read others around them and now they must help a mare find her way to the first place of the heart.

Written by Majesty.

_____________________

Before leaving that night

“Melody, I need to speak with you.”

I turn my eyes to look at Majesty. I feel uneasy being around the mare that created my wife. I look back at Ruby who is in the room and I let out a sigh. She uses her wing to ask me to follow her. I follow her outside the castle. It’s not something I wanted to do but she has wanted to talk to me since I came here.

'What do you wish to speak of, should I call you mother?’

Majesty chuckles.

“No dear pony you don’t need to. Even though you’re married to my creation or I should say, my daughter. But I must talk to you about a letter Ruby is writing.”

The letter Ruby has been writing? I shake my head. I knew someone would see what she had written. She is so private about it that she won’t even show it to me. I close my eyes, sighing a bit looking up to Majesty, a weak smile forming across my features.

“I have seen her write the letter but every time I come into the room or our room in the ship. I am worried I know what is inside the letter. Are you going to tell me what's in it?”

Majesty blinks.

“Wait, you didn’t know?”

I shook my head.

“No, I didn’t. I know she asked me to join the others to turn on her. I don’t want to turn on my wife. But I have a feeling no matter what Grogar will show up during all this and cause every one of us to turn on her.”

Majesty frowns, sighing and shaking her head.

“So, what I read was true then. She knows her fate and you all know it?”

Majesty nods.

“Beezen hasn’t been silent about it. He said he is with us to make sure this fate comes to pass. He wants to make sure she is not there when Grogar starts his final gambit. He told me though, that he wants Ruby there for the final battle. He wants Ruby to kill him finally and we all know that fate.”

Majesty sighs.

“I think I know I will be fighting with Grogar. I have a feeling I won’t have a choice. I hope I do have a choice: the path I see is what I will be doing. But this is not the only reason I have asked you to speak with me.”

Majesty set down a bag for me.

“Your moon-touched weapon will work. But in this bag are food healing potions and just in case anti-radiation potions. The bombs may not have fallen here but some of the magic in this land has mutated. So it doesn’t help but one last thing if you run into the order of Mimic when you get your location. Talk with them and respect them. The order of Mimic in this land is the ones you should trust.”

I was confused about the order of Mimic. Maybe this is the land they formed in. I was told they came from Dream Valley and that this entire land is not all of it. We are heading to many areas where I know humans live here, elves and other creatures are here. We might find humans and they try to grab our magic fur like they did in the past.

“Question Majesty, why did you come back here?”

Majesty takes a moment to think. I have a feeling from the look in her eyes she regrets a lot of what she did to the ponies here. I have seen some of the creatures she turned into trees and some of the paintings who are alive and ask to be freed.

“To be honest Melody I don’t know. I feel guilty for what I did to the ponies and other races in this land. I didn’t want to destroy the ponies and kill Megan. She was a powerful young lady. I did what Grogar wanted us to do and it was the only thing we could do. The judges and with me being one of the judges.”

I shook my head. The stories of the judges and what they did to this land of magic. It makes my stomach turn. I wonder if someday I will ever be able to tell Majesty I respect her. I could try but I need clarification. Majesty just gives a gentle smile.

“I can see your respect in your eyes, Melody. But you need to get going. I doubt we can wait any longer. The stars have already said the war is a year from now. You and your friends need to get to your places to bring the magic back. Then your return will be caused by the magic. All you have to do is at least sing. I warn you though when your journey here is over. When you finally bring back the old stars. The stars of war will send minions to attack you on the way back.”

I knew this wouldn’t be much of a journey. We have to get back to help end the war. I worry though, that Ruby is going to do something crazy to end the war. Turning around and taking the supplies Majesty gave me I head to the door. I turn back to my friends. They have to wait for me to complete my journey into the Goblin caves whatever else is after. I smile sweetly at my wife.

“I will return my love. Maybe after we can speak of your letter.”

Ruby looks away nodding. I turn back to the door and it opens up. It's stale air like it hasn’t been opened in many years. I head inside to get through the goblin tunnels and follow the journey of those who went to find the magic horseshoes of Mimic. I knew this story but I didn’t know Megan was a human the entire time. I use the lights on my armor turning back to see the door close and lock. I am now alone and it’s time.

________________________

The goblin tunnels. The path of the Golden horseshoe of mind reading.

I have been in this cavern for at least an hour. I don’t feel lost but Majesty said to us to follow the old path of the ponies of old during their hunt for the golden horseshoes. She said to allow the magic of the area to lead us. I am not fond of the idea of allowing the magic of this land to lead me. It’s going to be hard to learn this cavern. All I need to do is find the other side. She also told me to get help from a goblin family, I shall do so.

I follow the path of the ponies of old. I could still smell the scent of all the ponies who walked these caverns. I don’t know why this place is so easily connected to the Dream Castle. I am starting to wonder if Majesty herself linked these places too well for this journey. I was told to follow the path to meet with the Goblin family who will help me through these tunnels.

How I was told to find them on the other hoof. Is to follow the magic markers they left on the walls. I was warned though that way I might run into many other goblins who would try to kill me on the way. I get my bridle-saddle ready to go and try to make sure I will take them on if I have to.

Before I could fully move through the tunnels. I heard roars and growls seeing eyes open up around me. I quickly looked around unsure I could take all these creatures on. A creature came out of the shadows.

“Oh, something we haven’t seen in years boys. A pony. A pony wishing to defend this worthless land from the stars?”

I got a good look at the creature finally. These are star hunters or whatever Majesty called them. Creatures empowered by the stars themselves. Glancing down at the weapon touched by the moon. I take a deep breath and get ready to fire. Before I could though I heard a crunch. The goblins lifted their heads looking around and a flash of magic caused me to go blind the creatures screamed in pain and I heard the sounds of flesh ripping and being sliced. After a while, before I could do anything I felt a smack in the back of my head, I fell to the ground passing out from the pain of the light.

I don’t know how long the time was. But I woke up in a bed and sitting near the bed was a female goblin. A mother from the looks of her clothing. She gave me a gentle smile when I woke up and chuckled.

“You're the lucky one pony my husband and I found you. My boys are out cleaning the tunnels for you to get to finish your journey. I do hope you understand we don’t normally respect your kind. But we know what you wish to do.”

Slowly getting up in bed and looking around. Looking up at the female a gentle smile formed on my face nodding.

“I am sorry for trespassing. I was just trying to find my way through if I could. I didn’t expect to run into minions of the stars here.”

The goblin nods

“Yes, they started showing up here during the battle of this land. They have taken over almost all the tunnels. It hasn’t been easy to fight them off and we almost lost most of our battles with them.”

She told me a story of what happened with the ponies of old and the horseshoe. Before she allowed me to leave though. She had me eat something and then cast a spell on me. The spell from what she told me will shield me from the star minions.

“Now Melody it’s wise for you to leave before my sons and my husband get back. I don’t want them to try to kill you. They may not be like me but.. They don’t care for ponies because of the past I am sure you understand.”

I let out a sigh while I ate the food she gave me. I explained to her about my life and everything we have been through. I told her about my wife Ruby. She stopped me after I mentioned who I was married to.

“Ah, the poor creature. Who is now a minion of the stars? It was forced on her from what I have been told by a friend of yours. I am sorry for what is going to happen to her. She knows when her death will come, Melody. I hope you’re ready to grieve when the time is right. I know when the battle to fight Grogar comes. I will be right there beside you.”

Another to join us during the fight with Grogar. I closed my eyes, sighing I was a mess. My mane was covered in dirt and sand. The fur on my body was matted and I knew full well no matter what I was going to get like this.

“Will you be joining us for the final battle in the desert?”

My new friend gave a nod and I heard the door opening up.

“Mama we are home. The path is clear.”

Before she could hide me the three boys and her husband took a look at me. One of them just gave a smile.

“I’m happy to see a pony here. I miss them after the judges almost killed them all and chased them away. Please save this little pony. Bring your hope and friendship with us as you save us.”

I felt my heart jump when one of the boys said those words. I gave a quick nod grabbing my gun and saddle headed quickly out the door and turned back to the mother of them a smile forming on my face.

“Thank you and see you during the final battle.”

I leave to head back to the tunnels.

__________________

Goblin tunnels

It’s been an hour since I left the home of the kind respectful goblins. I am unsure what to expect. I felt my heart jumping while I couldn’t. It was getting harder to see inside these caverns. Little to no more torches. I had to turn on my saddle. I was told no matter what, don't stop at any of the sounds.

“Oh poor little pony.”

I heard the voice echo around me.

“You’re trying to get to the heart of Ponyland? I have been here since the heart was destroyed by a little pony. I hope you’re ready for the battle you see ahead.”

I stayed silent

“Oh, a strong pony. I used to be a pony like you little one. At least I was back in the day. I was named NightShade.”

A pony named Night Shade?

“I turned on my old friends and family. Truthfully I had no choice.. When the end came it was either to fight or be destroyed. I fought to try to stop the judges. But I saw many die, including my friend Inferno, Icy, and Shadow. The war ended so many of us. Please don't hate me for what I did to the ponies of old.”

I could see the way to the next path. I was warned the next area was covered in Lava demons and some strange ice creatures. I get to the last and final path of the caverns. I was told I would have gotten lost if the old ponies didn’t mark them.

“I will let you through little pony. Maybe you and your friends can save us from the stars. But I warn you. You will have to fight me at the heart itself. I will help the avatar of the stars of peace fight you.”

I heard steps behind me and turned to see a large dark pony. His eyes glow brightly and fire comes out of his nose. Before I could do anything I was about to fire at him he hit the wall and the door opened up and spread his wings.

“GO!!”

Flaps his wings and I fly into the darkness of the next set of tunnels while the door closes and I hit my head on the wall groaning feeling a bit dizzy. But I feel a great weight lifted off me and I turn to see a bunch of torches turning on and see ice and lava marks on the walls and ground. I turn back to the door knowing I have a path to go down and I must go on. I will be back to see you, Ruby…I will be back.,

Max level