The six stallions (and dragon) gradually made their way south bound, before long they had even gone past the tip of Southern Equestria and were wandering the vast, hot desert. It didn't take long for the heat to make them sweat.
"I told you we should've just stayed in Southern Equestria!" Fancy Pants complained to Shining Armor. "It would've been extremely preferable to having to walk mile after mile in this heat wave!"
"We didn't even have any money, no place in that town would've taken us," Soarin retorted. "We all agreed this was the best option."
Thunderlane tried to shield himself from the sun's rays with his wings, to little avail. "Couldn't we at least have asked for some directions or something?"
"I doubt anyone in the village would've known anything about Queen Novo or the hippo-whatever they are," Shining remarked, wiping some of the sweat from his brows. "Besides, staying put within the boundries of Equestria is too risky. Tempest and her army are sure to have realized by now that we survived."
"Can we at least agree we need to get out of this sandbox soon?" Braeburn spoke up. "Even Appleloosa doesn't get as hot and dry as this place does. And if we don't find water and shade soon, I reckon we're gonna be this desert's next victims."
"What makes you say that, cousin?" Big Macintosh inquired.
With a gulp, the earth pony replied. "Just take a look around you, there's a whole bunch of skulls and bones. It's clear to me that we haven't been the first ones to try and cross this desert."
The stallions all took notice, the disturbing sight filling their hearts with dread. The last thing they wanted was to come all this way just to perish.
Their trek continued on for a little while longer with no end in sight. Soon they began to worry.
But then, in the distance, Shining could make out the trace outlines of civilization. "It looks like a city of some sort," He declared. "One I've never seen before."
Fancy Pants was most relieved. "Good, now we can finally get out of this sweltering heat. Maybe we'll even find some shelter. After all this walking, my hooves are killing me."
"You don't suppose it could be a mirage, do you?" Spike reluctantly asked, saying none of the others were willing to admit to.
"Doesn't look like one to me," Thunderlane observed. "At the same time though, this city doesn't look all that inviting."
Shining nodded. "We're not in Equestria anymore, there's no telling who or what we might run into. But like it or not, this city is our only option at the moment. With any luck, someone will at least know where we can go from here."
"Does the city have a name?" Soarin asked.
Shining approached a sign near the outskirts of the city, scanning it slowly with his eyes. "It says: Klugetown."
"What a strange name," Fancy Pants remarked, before he shrugged his shoulders. "Oh well, a city's still a city. Even if it's a fixer upper like this."
The group slowly made their way into the city proper, and immediately they were taken aback by the atmosphere that seemed to hang over Klugetown.
Everyone seemed tense at best and hostile at worst. All sorts of strange, bi-pedal creatures occupied the streets. The entire town seemed to consist of drab and ugly browns, grays, and greens. And a noxious musty smell hung in the air, assaulting the nostrils of the unsuspecting ponies. Suffice it to say, Klugetown was far from welcoming for them.
But with no better options available to them, the stallions (and dragon) had little choice but to venture further. It was the first trace of civilization they'd seen in hours, perhaps even longer than that.
All of a sudden, Shining bumped into one of the merchants hauling a cart. The merchant immediately snapped at the alicorn. "Hey, watch where you're going, punk!"
"I'm terribly sorry, sir," Shining apologized. "We're not from these parts. I don't suppose you'd known where we can find help."
"Help? Oh you'll need far more than that," The strange fish creature merchant growled in a low tone of voice. "Ever since Verto took over everyone's been struggling to just make ends meet. If you want anything, you've gotta be willing to pay."
"I suppose owing a favor wouldn't help?" Shining sheepishly grinned.
The merchant growled again. "You ponies really have no clue what you're getting yourselves into, do you? If I were you, I wouldn't waste my time trying to get any kind of information. I'd hightail it out of here and never look back," He then ominously added. "If Verto and his minions get their grubby little paws on you, you're as good as dead. And 'round these parts, almost nothing stays a secret from Verto for long." And then he departed, hauling his heavy wagon until he was out of sight.
Spike let out a gulp, a cold sweat working its way down the little dragon's spines. "This place is giving me the creeps. Can we just go back to Ponyville, please?"
"Out of the question! Turning back now would only mean we treked all this way for nothing!" Shining firmly protested. "We just need to keep a low profile, and find someplace to stay while we plan our next move. Princess Celestia told Luna to go South, beyond Equestria. But she never said how far."
"How are we even supposed to get information from these guys?" Soarin questioned. "They don't seem to be accomadating to strangers."
"And there's the whole matter of this 'Verto' character," Thunderlane pondered. "Whoever he is, he sounds like someone we don't wanna cross paths with."
Before the stallions could agree on a plan of action, Braeburn trotted out into the center of the town and declared. "Excuse me, citizens of Klugetown. Does anyone happen to know where we might find Queen Novo of the Hippos?"
"Braeburn, what are you doing?!" Shining whispered in protest.
"Gettin' some answers!" Braeburn explained. "We're never gonna find out anythin' out if we just stay quiet! Trust me, I know what I'm doin'!"
"Are you nuts?! Pipe down and get back here before you get us into trouble!" Shining firmly protested. But his warning came too late for Braeburn to even consider.
All sorts of merchants started to close in on the ponies, creatures in the form of fish, parrots, and various other avian and aquatic lifeforms appeared. "You've got a big mouth, pony. I reckon we oughta fix that!" One merchant cackled with glee. "How much do you value that tongue of yours? Pay me enough, and I won't shut it up for you!"
"Excuse me?!" Shining growled, stepping forward. "We are NOT for sale!"
"Says you!" Another merchant declared. "You're just a pony, you think your threats scare us?"
A third merchant then added. "I call dibs on the red one, and that pretty stallion too. Reckon I can sell 'em to Verto for fifty Storm Bucks."
"What?! How dare you?! I'm worth far more than that!" Fancy Pants protested. "And you have some nerve to put a price on me! How would you like it if I tried to sell all of you?!"
"Tough break, little pony," A fourth merchant hissed. "Money talks, and I don't see any of it on you. So either pay up or shut up."
The second merchant then grinned. "I want all six of 'em for my collection, and that little dragon too!"
The seven friends soon found themselves backed into a corner, the merchants closing in on them. Shining's horn was ominously sparking. "I'm warning you all," He declared with fury. "I'm not looking to start something here and I've no intention of doing harm, but I will not hesitate to fight back if provoked. So I suggest you all leave now, before you force me to do something I really don't want to do."
But just then there came a whistle, and everyone turned to see a strange cat like creature standing on two legs. He sported a two toned orange coat of fur, eyes a cheeky light green in color, and a tuff of dark grayish indigo for hair. He also wore a red button jacket, and a black knot of some sort on his tail. "Back up, everyone! Back it up! Come on now!" He calmly insisted, walking in front of the merchants as if they didn't terrify him at all.
"Stay out of this, Capper!" One merchant hissed. "This doesn't concern you! Go chase after some yarn or something like a good little kitty, and leave well enough alone."
"Capper" rolled his eyes. "Today's your lucky day, pal, 'cause I'm just gonna pretend I didn't hear any of that. Y'all really should be thankful I came here."
"What are you talking about?!" The fish merchant from earlier demanded.
"Capper" calmly replied. "I'm here to warn you. You must not have known. When it comes to ponies, look but don't touch. Just look at all those colors! You think that's natural?" He shook his head. "Uh-uh. You know what kind of chemicals it takes to produce such vibrant colors, it's toxic! They're infected with 'pastelis coloritis'."
The merchants all gasped!
Big Macintosh began to speak up. "Now hold on there, don't go gettin' the wrong-"
"Capper" merely silenced the stallion. "Oh, don't worry, don't worry," When he was certain no one was looking, he dipped his tail into some purple paint and started to paint spots onto a local merchant. "Long as none of you have purple spots, you're fine," Then he pointed to the colored merchant and let out a gasp as if he had no idea the spots were there. "Oh no!"
The merchant started to sweat, his teeth trembled. "Why me?! What do I do?!" He gasped, grabbing "Capper". "There's a cure for this, right?!"
"Capper" only shook his head. "There's no cure for it I'm afraid. Enjoy your last moments. Oh, and whatever you do don't touch anyone 'cause parts will fall off!"
"You mean, even my-" The merchant began.
"-Yes!" "Capper" interrupted. "No need to blurt out the obvious."
The merchant ran off screaming. "I regret everything!" He cried at the top of his lungs. The rest of the merchants quickly dispersed as well, none of them daring to come near the ponies now.
"Capper" chuckled once the cat was certain his little scheme had worked. "That was my finest work yet," He boasted, and then he turned to the ponies. "Y'all alright? Those nasty merchants didn't do anything to you, did they?"
"We're fine now, thanks to you," Fancy Pants smiled. "Who are you, anyway?"
The cat bowed his head. "Capper's the name. Charming's my game. It's how I make a living."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Capper," Shining politely bowed in reply. "Though I had things under control."
"Well, sure didn't look that way to me," Capper commented. "Seemed like you could really use a helping paw. So I thought I'd jump into the fray and do what I do best. Now, if there's anything else I can do for you, you just let me know. Consider that little rescue a freebie."
Braeburn looked at the cat creature and asked him. "Um, you wouldn't by any chance happen to know anythin' about Queen Novo and the hippos, would you?"
"Can't say I do I'm afraid," Capper commented, as Braeburn hung his head. But then the cat put a paw to his chin. "But... I think I might have something that could interest you. It's at my crib, just a short ways from here. I'll take you to it."
"I suppose that would be okay," Shining reluctantly considered. "But how do we know we can trust you?"
Capper swelled with pride. "Oh-ho-ho, I was hoping you'd ask that, my little pony. You could certainly use a friend way out here. And not that I mean to brag but..." Then he snapped his paws, and began to sing:
This town's not a nice place,
For little ponies all alone.
There are lots of twists and corners,
Which could lead to the unknown.
So let me guide your way,
And I'll be sure to help you through.
I say you need a friend out here,
And luckily for you...
I'm the friend that you need,
When you're lost and don't know what to do.
I'm your pal and your amigo,
Who's useful and resourceful too.
And my help, you'll concede,
Is a plus that's guaranteed!
You can call and I'll come running,
Just follow my lead,
'Cause I'm the friend you need!
As he sang, Capper led the ponies along through the town, stopping occasionally to smooth talk his way past the towns folk who sang:
He's a friend.
Quite a friend.
He's a friend in deed!
Capper then sang again:
If you need a bud to spot the danger,
Or a pal to stop the creep,
Or a chum and not a stranger to assist.
Maybe you need a bro who's cunning,
That can help you take the leap.
Or a friend who knows what's lying in the mist.
Don't fear these darkened alleys,
They're scary, yes, I know.
Why, you could use a friend,
To protect you wherever you go.
And such dazzling beauty,
Covered in dirt and muck.
But now your fate is changing.
And now you are in luck!
'Cause I'm the friend that you need,
When you're lost and don't know what to do.
I'm your pal and your amigo,
Who's looking out for friends like you.
And my help, you'll concede,
Is a plus that's guaranteed!
Just call and I'll come running.
We'll say it's agreed...
'Cause I'm the friend you need!
All of the ponies found themselves singing along:
He's a friend!
Quite a friend!
He's a friend indeed!
Soon, they reached what appeared to be an old windmill, and a lift was waiting to take them up to a small cabin that rested near the top. The ponies climbed aboard one by one.
However, Fancy Pants noticed that Capper was slow to approach the lift. "Aren't you coming with us, Capper?" He asked the cat.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah, just gimme me a second," Capper innocently insisted. "Got a little somethin' I need to take care of. I'll be along shortly, just go ahead without me. And apologies in advance for the state of my litter box, wasn't expecting company."
"Hey, anything beats wandering in that desert." Thunderlane commented, and then the ponies rode the lift up to Capper's house.
Capper, meanwhile, slipped a card to a bird like creature standing guard at the base of the windmill. "Sorry guys," He thought to himself. "But if it means I get Verto off my back, I have to do this. No hard feelings." Then he told the guard. "Give this to Verto with my regards, and tell him to stop by my place in about ten minutes or so. Let's just say I've got something that'll magically erase all my debts to him."
"It better be good this time, Capper," The guard warned as he accepted the card. "Verto's patience is wearing thin."
Capper merely grinned. "Trust me, he's going to like what I've got in store for him."