Where is Everybody? fourty.

Sixth and presumably final day here in this strange, illustration like land. That weird queen, princess, or whatever is not one who seems to be dishonest to her word. She sent us back to the apple farm with a very special procession. The info is back again, and this time I took it with far more dignity than I did the first. In fact we all did.

Lyle took me and Val one way, then Sunny took Vinnie the other. We met up in the place after they told us we were to see a few relatives of Moonie's we might not have seen, but heard of. Upon entering, there were three very large ponies standing there, one of which looked like one I'd seen. She wasn't. She introduced herself by a very dumb name I shall not repeat, lest I ask, nay, demand I get the gaye beaten out of me for using it. The other two were more acceptable to me: Celestia, who I call Tia, and apparently, so does everyp- everybody else, and Mi Amore Cadence. A fourth one that looked like a colt and substantially smaller than the other three stood by the girls.

"HI!" He greeted us. He said nothing else. Did they have something to say or did they just want to meet us? It would appear they did both.

The white one stepped forward and offered hoof. "William Maket. How nice to meet you. You may not realize it, but I have had my eye on you. You are quite resourceful and clever. I want you by my side. Did you take that precious gift Lu gave you?"

Her eyes darted to the keychain about my neck, and moreover the flask hanging by the loop in the lid. I glanced at it and shook my head.

"Pity." She looked deflated. How could she? Flat mane that usually is poofy?

The other, slightly smaller one spoke: "I am fascinated with your home. How'd you do it? Climb out of the goo and build everything by h- by hand? Run a still and drink till inspiration came to mind? Focus on determination and let everything else fall into place? Climb up to the highest location and peak, then scout the nearest caverns and trees, and select wisely? Pray to the right gods then get blessed? Did--"

"That's enough, my fair pupil. He's overwhelmed, and he does not need you to geek out now."

"Sorry, I got carried away... again!" She stepped back and let the remaining one speak: "You and your dragon have the best bond any two ponies or whatnot have ever demonstrated in my presence. How did you do it? And why did you go? You two are unprecedented. You are so unalike, and yet so compatible. It's incredible. That bond will make the Earth very rich in the near and long term future. You had best keep it up and encourage it in others. I hope it's contagious. Like laughter."

"Here, take this sack. It's full of sap. Nothing solid quite fills a changeling gut like a good maple or honey dosage. Save their main diet."

Vinnie and Val seemed flattered. I suppose I do have a good heart. And I have done some good, but I highly suspect myself to be a screw up. I love them, but not quite to that extent, in that exact manner. No romance. It's mutually beneficial to us all.

Celestia took me to the same garden that this other did, and she led me to a particular statue. "I'd like you to take a good, long look at this."

I'm not sure what I am supposed to be seeing. What is it? It's like some abstract thing. Is this some kind of test?

"This here statue contains the soul of a very close friend of mine. He's in there, and he can hear every word we say this very moment. He'll be out in an hour or two.. give or take. I think you will like him."

Vinnie stepped out with Mooney. She was told something similar. Val was with the third largest one. The enthusiastic one and colt were nowhere to be seen.

He awoke, he entered our minds, placed talon upon our foreheads, then visions entered our minds. We saw the very thing Lady L described to us in gruesome explicit detail. I'm not at all squeamish, but I don't want to describe it. The other two were quivering, but I was not. I found a skeleton years ago as a kid, always digging when the opportunity presented itself. Excavating is a virtue. Got to dig a little to find the gold.

I opened the flask, then tilted it. The others looked expectedly, but I could not bring myself to do it. It's too big a step to make so hastily. I took one sniff, and could not tell the difference between the water from the others and the water from that vault's fountain. This guy took it from me, held me in place with an extra arm, then tilted the stuff, nearly forcing it down my throat. The young man stopped him. He was so hasty to prevent it, he took an extra dose, not that it mattered, since he had it before.

In a flash, the crescent moon marked woman went away, gave me another, then said to be even more careful. She told me specifically she'd like it if I were to populate the world. It's my duty allegedly, and I can't do it if I keep fucking dragons all day. How crass can she be? I don't care. Everything's screwed anyway. She went on to tell me we're more alike than I think. She had self esteem issues in the last five years, and she's still coming out of it. Ponies don't like her, and still don't want to give her a chance. Still they desire to leave her entirely be, and most still shun her. But they will cooperate when they think she has their best interests in heart. She regrets things she's done to this day, and wonders how things might have been. It's like looking into a mirror. I could tell she wasn't lying. Ponies still do not want her company at all, though they don't hate her like they did four years ago.

They sent us to the apple orchard again, and Lyle said he's coming with us. This opportunity is far too golden to pass up. He and Sunny offered me a small text about a few basic functions I might know about, for which I will be eternally grateful for. Still, no matter how much Miss Mooney and I have in common, I still want to burn her till everything is ash. Given she says she's still something of a glutton for punishment, she'd take me up on my offer, given the power.

A procession of sturdy looking guys was offered, some of which had that humanoid, leather faced, somewhat doglike feature Sam's got.

When we came back, the apple woman gave all three of us a tight hug like a relative about to see us to the gallows. We're not about to die, but I can see how she thinks we may not meet again. After meeting Lady L, I can't see the bad in her. She didn't steal away our bodies and force us into limbo with no memory of being there once we came back to the present reality. She only had our best interests at heart, and she gave us food and shelter. Nothing more we need to ask.

We entered the car, and watched the identical sounding ponies wave us goodbye, then the illustration world turned into gritty reality, as it should be. The desert was back, the mountains were back, in their disproportionate glory, and the dam was right there, keeping this lake from drying up, and this field/park from being dead like so much more of our landscape is. I hope they will not still be bent on capturing me for their own wicked schemes or any petty vengeance tricks. No animals to be seen.

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A disturbance has been detected in the creek today. They checked it out, but all they could find were skid marks in the soil. Huh, that's weird. I guess we'll find out if that's him. And if they will own up to all they've done. I for one could not care less, as what's done is done. Keep moving forward, huh?

Sweet's eyes lit up, as did the Hadley's. Pickering and Samantha, who haven't been out in a month wanted to get out. They said tomorrow, they'll come with us, but that's not necessary. They insisted anyway. It's set.

Imaginative fingers crossed, my sentimental friend and metal eater will be back.