It was massive. The desolate wastes of the Badlands stretched as far as the eye could see.
No. That was just an illusion.
They stretched even farther.
Woodwind had his provisions. Enough water to last about a week if he rationed it, food, and a knife.
He didn't know what he would find out in the vast desert, but he knew better than to go into unfamiliar territory without protection.
Twilight was coming along. She insisted on it. She had a duty to her friend and she wasn't going to let her down.
That also meant Woodwind couldn't fly.
Another set back.
"Ok I think thats everything." Twilight said. tightening her saddle bag.
They turned to face their friends, who had come all the way out to the middle of nowhere to say their goodbyes.
"Ya'll come back safe, ya hear?" Applejack said as she wrapped the both of them around her tight.
"Do find that flower. I can't imagine life without our dear Fluttershy." Rarity began to sob at the thought of it.
Woodwind almost did too.
"I'll have the biggest party planed for the two of you when you get back, ok?" Pinkie Pie said bounding toward them.
Rainbow Dash stepped forward with the twins crawling all over her.
"Do I really have to watch the rugrats while your gone?" She asked as they wrapped themselves around her face.
"Sorry Rainbow, but they need to be high up incase they caught the disease from Fluttershy."
Rainbow Dash sighed as she pried the tots off her head. "I'll keep them safe, don't worry."
"Shall we go?" Twilight asked as she left the embrace of her friends.
"The sooner the better." He said galloping off into the desert wastes.
They had been walking all day.The heat was incredible. It seemed the further they went, the hotter it got.
"So, Twilight, you know anything about the badlands?" He asked her grabbing water from his pouch.
"I'm sorry, but no. When I was a filly, I was always told they were a forbidden place, full of dangerous creatures. I hear Diamond Dogs call the badlands home." She said chilled.
"Who are the Diamond dogs?" Woodwind asked as he passed the water bottle to Twilight. She took a big swig.
"The Diamond Dogs are a group that pray on weary travelers. They either rob them-" She gulped at the next part.
"Or they eat them."
Woodwind shuttered at the thought.
No way was one of these, "Diamond Dogs" going to make a meal of him.
The other side of his saddlebag began to rustle on its own. He wipped it off and let out a yell, expecting a poisonous creature to come out of it. Twilight whirled around to see what had happened. but what they saw surprised them even more.
"Squeak! What on earth are you doing here?" Twilight asked the young filly who was stepping out of the saddlebag.
Squeak began to sob.
"I just wanted to help daddy save mommy." She said, tears streaming down her face.
"Woodwind plucked the child up
"Squeaks! This place is dangerous! What if something were to happen to you? You just put yourself in considerable danger do you know that?" He scolded.
She sobbed and wrapped herself around his neck, nuzzling him. "Daddy, please let me help you save mommy? I can help! I promise!"
He sighed and looked to Twilight who had an affectionate look on her face.
"We can't go back now, Woodwind. We have to press forward." Twilight said coming up to them. "Squeak, what you did was bad. You don't know what it's like out here. But your father and I will watch out for you, ok?"
"Ok, Aunti Twilly." She croaked. "I'm sorry, daddy." She said still hugging him.
He sighed. "It's ok, Squeaks. Now lets keep moving." he grabbed the saddlebag and draped it over his back.
The filly smiled and sat atop his head, her pink mane obscuring his vision.
He was secretly thrilled she had snuck on the trip. He had never felt so alone than he did, even with Twilight with him. Having Squeak resting on his head made him think of home, sitting by the fire with her and the foals.
And Fluttershy.
"I promise i'll come through for you, Fluttershy. You can count on it." He thought to himself.
He, Twilight and stow away Squeak continued to march through the desert, knowing that each step brought them closer to their ultimate goal.