The dew dripped grass lightly gave way underneath my boots as I lead the changelings out of line of sight for the railroad tracks and into the Everfree Forest. I pulled a flashlight out of my pocket and turned it on, the changelings, those that could do magic at the moment ignited their horns into a sickly green color, illuminating the woods around us. I led the refugees through the thick brush until reaching a path several yards from where we started. The nymphs remained on the backs of the adult infiltrators still resting, and still wrapped in blankets. The refugees and I pushed on through as we heard the sounds of the steam engine roaring back to life.

The journey was a silent and contemplative one, especially on my part. In the back of my mind I could help but think, What is it that you're seeking? Redemption for what happened years ago? Or trying to save a piece of your soul that you once lost? The antagonistic part of my brain echoed within my head. Why not help people in need? Everyone has labeled them as monsters, but they fail to see the monster that lives among them already. The protagonistic voice replied to the antagonist. Maybe I just want to do some actual good for once. My inner monologue replied to both of them, which seemed to silence their input. The tale of two wolves, the monster and the guardian. I'm the one who has the burden of holding their leashes.

After several minutes of walking we finally came across a path, and I recognized where we had arrived at. I ordered the changelings to dim their horns and led them the rest of the way. I helped them through the intimidating forest that Pinkie told me about, the ones with the scary faces she called them; I knew better. Time had worn down these trees to look like monsters jumping out at you, I was unphased by their intimidation tactics. There were whimpers of the changelings behind me, it helped solidify in my mind that these people were not the monsters that the ponies thought they were, they're just people who are scared.

We soon found our way to the rope bridge, I made my way across with the ones carrying the nymphs. The ones that could fly did so over the gap, I got them across then ordered them to stay put, knowing how erratic Twilight is and how late she stays up, I had to sweep the perimeter and check almost everything. The places I knew she would be at, the library, the throne room, hell even the princesses former bedrooms. I did find the diaries of Luna and Celestia, so that's a plus. I made sure that everything was in order for the Changeling Refugees to move in and then we proceeded to do so.

The most structurally sound place in the entire castle was that of the cellar and the dungeon. They all looked apprehensive about throwing themselves in the cells, so one by one we took off the doors to the cells. Laying them in a pile at the end of the dungeon. The changelings actually like the cold, dark, and damp cells. Reminded them of home, I can't relate to that sentiment; nothing here reminds me of home...well...almost nothing. I thought as my mind went back to the 69 charger waiting for me in that garage, and the things I brought from home to begin with, and a little something buried deep in this very forest, something I swore to never use.

They made green cocoon things for their nymphs out of well I don't know what it was but fuck, it sure as hell was interesting. They were so tired, skinny and hungry, they had asked if I had any love to spare. That was a pretty good question, because I didn't know myself. So I tried, I thought of the girls. That wasn't at the level of love yet, attraction and affection. I thought of my brothers in arms, they were ones of respect and camaraderie. Then I stopped myself; there was only one thing that could make me truly generate love, and I thought that part of me was buried a long time ago, I took a deep breath through my nose and released it, I thought of my family.

The fights, the hugs, the laughter, the crying, the comfort. I thought of my younger brother, Alex. Who always had some sort of get rich quick scheme planned and in theory would work but would always fall flat on its face when put into practice. My older sister, Kira who had always changed her hair color every month, never staying the same color twice. My mom, Avis who would love me but scold me whenever I did anything even remotely wrong, and almost always had my back. Then there was my step-dad, Ron. The fact that we butted heads almost all the time, but there was still an aura of love and respect, and a gentle yet firm hand to guide my actions.

I let out a shuddering breath and the changelings flocked to me, soon enough I was radiating enough love for them to eat their fill. They stopped and I looked at them with glossy reddened eyes. They tilted their heads to the side and I dismissed their queries, informing them of how it had been a long time since I had dug up memories like those. They nodded and returned to the nymphs, I made my way outside of the dungeons and up to the throne room. I looked around, I could only imagine what kind of power plays occurred here centuries ago. The backstabbing, the ignorance, the stepping on others, the ploys and plots, now it's crumbling to the power of time, and the forces of nature. The thrones were some of the only things that still remained while one was considerably more weathered than the other both were still intimidating. They were both still radiating power, and both still empty.

The moonlight shone through a crack in the ceiling it descended to show on the less weather beaten throne, I looked to the sky. It seemed like someone was trying to send me a message, well I gotta say; message received. I slowly put one foot in front of the other, until I reached the base of the stairs ascending to the throne I placed one foot on the first step, and I knew right then and there what I was doing. I slowly ascending the steps until I was equal level with the old lunar throne. I slowly blinked, and reached out with one hand. I touched the old black marble that had since faded to a dull gray, a deep breath through my nose and releasing it through my nose. I turned around and looked to the decrepit room, with holes in the roof and walls, but they had still withstood the test of time. I grabbed the arms with my hands and slowly lowered myself down into the fancy chair, and looked down at my feet. Nothing had changed, I hadn't changed; I hadn't ascended into godhood and I hadn't become a messiah. I bowed my head and folded my hands together, pressing my head against my hands.

Raising my head looking back at the old and broken castle, I leaned against the chair with my fist pressing my cheek. The power of the throne that I now claimed as my own. The moonlight again peaked through the holes in the roof and walls, illuminating everything in the room. I could care less, there was only two things plaguing my mind, "King Nothing." I spoke to the empty room.

Author's Note

This was a personal challenge to me, it may be a quick read but I wanted to see if I could produce a chapter without any dialogue. Well...almost, I kinda cheated at the end; however I think I pulled it off.