//------------------------------// // The Badlands // Story: Kyra Blade 2: Into the Badlands // by Kuromi Blue //------------------------------// The next day, Kyra and the others had boarded a train heading to Dodge City. Once they disembarked, their path lay south, toward the Badlands. According to Princess Luna, there were two ponies waiting for them at the station - ones who Luna had contacted for additional help and who had already scouted the area for perils that may impede their journey. Whoever they were, Kyra hoped they wouldn't prove problematic for the task at hand, for time was of the essence. They couldn't let Twilight Sparkle and her friends down. When they arrived at the Dodge City station, Luna took a moment to cast an illusion spell to disguise herself. When other ponies looked at her, all they would see was a purple unicorn with a pale blue mane and tail, whereas her appearance would remain unchanged to Kyra and Starlight. In this way, the three of them would draw far less attention to themselves. Shortly after purchasing additional water, bandages and an extra blanket or two at the supply store, they set for the Badlands by carriage. Up until this point in the journey, Starlight Glimmer had tried to contain her curiosity, but as the carriage set off at a fast pace with Luna in the front seat as the driver, she could no longer hold back the questions that had been on her mind since leaving home the previous day. Besides, considering where they were headed, she may not get the chance again. "Uh, Kyra, can I ask you something?" "Sure!" Kyra answered, seeming relieved by the fact Starlight had broken the awkward silence. "What's on your mind?" "It's just... I've been thinking about what you said earlier about the Badlands," Starlight said. "Is it really that awful?" "Worse, actually." Kyra's expression darkened as she recalled her previous time in the wilderness. "It's one of the most unforgiving lands in Equestria. If the sun doesn't practically melt the skin off your back during the day, it'll likely freeze you solid at night. And that's just on clear days. If you happen to run afoul of a dust storm, you can expect them to last for days at a time. And I didn't even mention the wildlife." "Wildlife?" Starlight repeated nervously. "Yeah, the Badlands have no shortage of vicious creatures to contend with. You've got rattlesnakes, scorpions, mountain lions, oh, and timber wolves." Starlight's eyes widened. "Timber wolves?" "Eyup." Kyra was silent for a moment, thinking about the encounter she'd had with the loathsome beasts. "Remember that job I mentioned when I was tracking those bandits? Well, one night when I was tracking them, I forgot to light a fire before sunset." Kyra grimaced. "Not a mistake I'll be repeating again, that's for sure." "What happened?" Starlight asked, although she almost didn't want to hear the answer. "Nothing really. Just that I very nearly ended up getting eaten that night." Kyra grimaced again. "As for how I survived... well, I managed to get the fire lit just as the wolves had me surrounded. After that I used my torch and sword to drive the beasts away. And I learned an important lesson that day, too." "What was that?" "Never go into the Badlands unless you have backup, and always keep a fire lit after dark." Starlight was silent for a moment, before smiling rather cheekily. "Well, guess it's a good thing I'm here then, eh?" Kyra looked at her, and laughed. "Yes, Starlight. Yes it is." ..... A few hours later, they had crossed over the Badlands border. Here Kyra and the others disembarked from the carriage. After paying the stallions who pulled it, Luna sent the stallions back the way they'd come. As soon as they'd gone, Luna shed her illusion spell. There was no need of it, now that there were no ponies to see her apart from Kyra and Starlight. Upon seeing the bleak expanse of desert that stretched ahead of them, Starlight suppressed a shudder. A mournful wind blew past them, causing the cloaks of the three mares to flap wildly in the breeze. In the distance, they could each see the unmistakable grey clouds that announced the coming of a storm. Somewhere out there, beyond the scattered, ragged formations of rock, Twilight Sparkle and the Elements of Harmony were being held prisoner. Starlight only hoped they would be able to reach them in time. Having completed her spell, Luna strode over to where Kyra and Starlight stood waiting for her. "We should keep moving," she said briskly. "The others are waiting not far from here. Let us move on." The two other mares nodded. Without another word, the three set off together. Luna led the way, with Kyra and Starlight trotting side by side behind her. After continuing for a few miles, the trio passed beneath the shadow of a large rock formation. Rounding the bend, they came upon a campsite. Sitting behind a dead fire, between two tents, was a pegasus mare with a grey coat and blonde mane, with golden eyes and a Cutie Mark of what appeared to be bubbles. Kyra recognized her immediately - for this was Derpy Hooves, a mare she had collaborated with on a few separate occasions. As such, she quickened her pace, smiling as Derpy turned and waved at her. "Hey, it's Kyra!" the mare said, her grin made somewhat goofy as always by her wall-eyed appearance. "It's great to see you again, too, Derpy!" Kyra said, pulling the pegasus in for a friendly hug before stepping back. "How's Dinky doing?" "She's doing great!" Derpy answered brightly. "Just got her Cutie Mark, believe it or not." "Really?" Kyra said, absolutely delighted. "What is it?" "Three gold stars," Derpy answered happily. "Turns out she's got a knack for magic." Looking past Kyra, she noticed Starlight, who smiled and waved shyly. "Mind telling me who this nice mare is?" "Oh, right!" Kyra said, stepping back and motioning for Starlight to move closer. "Sorry. Derpy, this is my marefriend Starlight Glimmer. Starlight, this is Derpy Hooves." Starlight stepped forward, and Derpy grinned, holding her hoof out. "Nice to meet you, Starlight." "Likewise, Derpy." "So you're Kyra's marefriend, huh?" Derpy said. "Well, I'm glad Kyra's finally found the right person to settle down with. How'd you two meet, anyway?" Before either Starlight or Kyra could begin to explain, their conversation was interrupted as Luna cleared her throat. "Pardon my interruption." Luna's brow was furrowed in confusion as she spoke. "But might I ask where your partner is, Derpy? I was expecting to find her here with you." "Oh, you mean Maud?" Derpy answered. There was a mischievous smile as she spoke. "She left to do some scouting. As a matter of fact, she should be back riiight about..." "I'm right here." Startled, Kyra, Starlight and Luna spun around. Standing a few feet away from them was Maud, an Earth pony mare with a grey coat, pale teal eyes and a straight purple mane and tail. Behind them, Derpy stifled a giggle. Maud blinked. "You must be Kyra and Starlight Glimmer," she said without emotion. "It's good you're here." She turned to Luna. "I've scouted the area. There are no obstacles to impede our progress, but we should move camp to that rock formation." Maud pointed to a small mountain in the distance. "There's a small cave there we can shelter in. I suggest we move there soon." She glanced up at the sky. "There's a bad storm coming. I can feel it in the rocks." "She's right you know," Derpy added. "That storm is going to be bad when it hits. I should know - I'm a pegasus." Luna nodded. "I see. We'd best get moving, then." She glanced up at the sky. "I have a feeling the storm will be here sooner than we expect." Glancing up at the sky, Starlight and Kyra could see that the others were right. The storm clouds, which hours ago had seemed so distant, definitely seemed much closer. As the mares watched, a gust of biting wind swept over the landscape, and there was a distant flash of lightning. As they helped Maud and Derpy pack up their gear, both Kyra and Starlight exchanged worried looks. They suddenly had a horrible feeling about what Queen Chrysalis was doing.