//------------------------------// // Insomniac Impulses // Story: Deserts and Dragons // by Metool Bard //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Insomniac Impulses The sun had just set when Braeburn finally brought the Crusaders back to his home. "Oo-wee~! We sure had a pretty full day, didn't we?" Braeburn said as he took off his hat. "We sure did," said Apple Bloom with a sigh. "Too bad we didn't get our Cutie Marks, though." "Well, I never pictured myself as a Mild West Dancer, anyway," said Scootaloo. "Seriously, do they have to dance so slowly?" "It wouldn't be a Mild West dance if they didn't, Scootaloo," said Sweetie Belle, rolling her eyes. "That bein' said, you've got some sweet moves, Scoot," said Babs Seed. "Maybe that has somethin' to do with your special talent." "Eh, I dunno," said Scootaloo, brushing the back of her head. "I don't think that was anything compared to what I can do on my scooter." "That so? Well, now ya got me curious," said Babs. "Think you could show me?" "Sure, why not?" said Scootaloo with a shrug. "I even managed to bring the wagon and some extra helmets if you all wanna go for a ride around town." "Trust me, Babs. You'd be surprised by how much Scootaloo can pull," said Apple Bloom. "Oh, oh! Maybe Scootaloo can ride us out to where the buffalo live!" suggested Sweetie Belle. "I want to see if Chief Thunderhooves has any other cool stories!" "Y'know what would be really cool? If we actually rode alongside one of them buffalo stampedes!" said Apple Bloom. "Ah man, that'd be sweet!" said Babs with a grin. "Alright, settle down, young'uns," said Braeburn with a chuckle. "I know you're all excited an' all, but right now I'm plum tuckered, an' I reckon y'all are pretty tired yourselves." "Hey, we're not *yawn* tired!" protested Scootaloo. "Sure you're not," said Braeburn with a knowing smirk. "C'mon, y'all. Remember, you're all stayin' with me for a week. You've got plenty of time to do everythin' ya wanna do. But for now, let's all hit the hay." Apple Bloom let out a yawn of her own. "I think Cousin Braeburn is right, y'all," she said. "We can get back to crusadin' in the mornin'." "Right," said Braeburn. "Now, let's get y'all to bed. I've got the bedroom all set up for y'all." *** Soon enough, all four of the Cutie Mark Crusaders were all snuggled up in Braeburn's bed. "Everypony comfy?" Braeburn asked. "Snug as a bug in a rug," said Babs. "Right. I'll jus' be outside if y'all need me," said Braeburn. "G'night, y'all." "'Night, Cousin Braeburn." "Goodnight, Mr. Braeburn." "'Night." "Yeah, g'night." With that, Braeburn turned off the light and closed the door. As soon as he was gone, each of the Crusaders opened one eye. "Psst. Hey, Cuz," whispered Babs, prodding Apple Bloom with her hoof. "You asleep?" "Nope," said Apple Bloom. "Me, neither," Scootaloo chimed in. "I can't get that Dragon Magi story out of my head." "Yeah, same here," said Sweetie Belle. "You really think they exist?" "Maybe," said Apple Bloom with a shrug. "Jus' because no one's ever seen 'em doesn't mean they aren't out there somewheres." "Chief Thunderhooves said that they help those who need their knowledge," said Scootaloo. "Maybe they'd know how we can get our Cutie Marks." "I dunno," said Babs, blowing back her combover. "My big sis always told me to take stories like that with a grain of salt." "What's salt got to with anything?" asked Scootaloo, raising an eyebrow. "It basically means don't believe everythin' you hear," explained Babs. "Still, though. I can't help but wonder if what that Thunderhooves guy said is true." Sweetie Belle's eyes suddenly lit up. "Wait. If it is true, then we'd be making a great discovery! And if that doesn't get us our Cutie Marks, the Dragon Magi will tell us how!" "Shh! Keep your voice down!" hissed Apple Bloom. "Besides, we Pinkie Promised Applejack to be on our best behavior, remember? No big schemes." "Jeeze, Mom. Lighten up," Scootaloo scoffed. "Where's your sense of adventure?" "My sense of adventure's got nothin' to do with this," said Apple Bloom with a pout. "I wanna find them Dragon Magi jus' as much as you do, Scoot. But nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise." "We promised that we'd stay out of trouble," said Scootaloo. "And if we just stick together, we can do that while looking for the Dragon Magi." "I, don't think that's what Applejack meant," said Apple Bloom skeptically. "Cuz, I know you're not a wet blanket, so stop actin' like one," said Babs. "From what you've told me, you guys have done a lot of crazy stuff to get your Cutie Marks. What's one more?" "Besides, we can take care of ourselves," said Sweetie Belle. "Didn't you say that when we made the Pinkie Promise?" Apple Bloom twiddled her hooves. "I, guess I did say that..." "So what's the problem?" said Sweetie Belle. "We'll just pack up the wagon, leave a note for Mr. Braeburn, and go looking for the Dragon Magi." Apple Bloom closed her eyes and stroked her chin. After a few minutes of silence, Babs gave her a light prod. "Whatcha thinkin', Cuz?" she asked. Apple Bloom looked up and smiled. "Cutie Mark Crusaders Dragon Magi Finders are a go," she whispered. *** As Braeburn slept in the living room, the Crusaders quietly made their way outside, taking the wagon and Scootaloo's scooter with them. "Alright, let's see if we've got everything," said Sweetie Belle, keeping her voice low. "Food?" "Check," said Apple Bloom, throwing a saddlebag full of apples into the cart. "This should last us a few days." "Water?" "Check," said each of the Crusaders, holding up a canteen. "Map?" "We don't know where the Dragon Magi are. Why do we need a map?" asked Babs. Sweetie Belle paused for a moment. "Good point, we'll forget the map," she said. "Compass?" "Right here," said Scootaloo. "Even if we don't know where we're supposed to go, it'll be helpful to know where we're going." "Agreed," said Sweetie Belle. "Sleeping bags?" "Check," said Babs. "Sunscreen?" "I think you've got that," said Scootaloo. "Yep," said Sweetie Belle, looking in her saddlebag. "I've also got sunglasses and hats. Looks like we're all set." "Alright then. Everypony hop aboard," said Scootaloo. The Crusaders all climbed into the wagon while Scootaloo hitched up her scooter. "Everypony ready back there?" Scootaloo asked. "Yep," said Apple Bloom with a nod. "Ready whenever you are." "Then let's get going." With that, she hopped onto her scooter and flapped her wings with a mighty vigor. Soon enough, the Crusaders were off, leaving the town of Appleloosa and heading straight into the desert. "Well, Cutie Mark Crusaders, looks like we're goin' on another adventure," said Apple Bloom. "Still, I can't help but think that we've forgotten somethin'." "I doubt it," said Babs. "Sweetie Belle already left that note for Braeburn, so he should know where we are." "Wait, me?" said Sweetie Belle, tilting her head. "I thought Scootaloo was leaving the note." "No, I was getting my compass, remember?" said Scootaloo. "Apple Bloom was supposed to leave the note." "No, I got the food," said Apple Bloom. "Babs was supposed to..." She trailed off as a dark realization dawned on all of the Crusaders. None of them left a note, and it was too late for them to turn back. "Uh-oh..." they all said in unison.