//------------------------------//
// 13: Devestation, Pained Feathers, and a Dew Return. 
// Story: Speaker for the Silent 
// by NekroPony 
//------------------------------//

Sun bursts over the horizon, lighting the valley, lighting the swaths of devastation. The pony's crawl from their tents, the elements almost as fast as the soldiers. Several days of hard marching to avoid half the griffon military does that. Who knew that Magpie would immediately flee to the local garrison and report them... Well Sargent Meyers apparently did, and the whispered screams have been almost unbearable, but the endless exercise had really done a number on their stamina.

They arrived late in the night, and waking up was not pleasant, only a few of the soldiers had ever been here, and almost everyone else paused after leaving their tents, and just stood their.
Twilight is the first to speak "I hear of this, it was in my book on unusual Equestrian geography, the Valley of Desolation, but I'd never..." Interrupting her Meyers shouts in her ear, an increasingly common occurrence since leaving griffon territory yesterday. "EXPECTED THIS SORT OF DEVASTATION, BOOK TEACH NOTHING! FILLY TWILIGHT, WHAT DO BOOKS TEACH."

The elements cringe at this, and after a moment, Twilight gives in, not wanting to repeat any of Meyers 'Reading lessons' again "Nothing Sir." The Sargent nods and makes his way off to berate one of his soldiers who had a spot on her armour. With a little time till they headed out the elements stared out Pinkie, who's mane seemed to droop even lower if that was even possible asks "What did this?" Twilight shakes her head wordlessly, staring out with her friends at the horror.

For Horror this valley was, apparently the mine that Magpie had told them about was deep in this valley, a place where Harmony hadn't been in a long time. From here at the border they could see it stretch for as far as the eye can see, nestled between Mt Hoofor and the Three Whinnies. No grass remained, no tree stood alive, the ground it'self cracking and grey, and if nothing would live there. What appeared to be rivers trickled down from the mountain to a small lake. Seated next to the lake was the ruins of a once great city, the shattered grey buildings lying almost abandoned. According to the numbers that Twilight had provided almost a thousand pony's lived in this valley, resisting all attempts to relocate them. Looking upon this valley it be hard to figure out why, near the ruins appeared a few small villages, but from this distance it was hard to imagine people living in them, most being made out of broken stones and debris, no wonder the Tax Pony's had never even bothered to census this small part of Equestria.

In the distance Meyers shouts, obviously having finished negotiating with the guard-pony's that took care of the checkpoint into this forsaken land. The elements fall into step behind him, not anxious for the long march ahead of them, but far less weary of it than they had been at the beginning of this adventure. Each pass the sign to Valley, noting the remains of the graffiti that the two guards are diligently scrubbing off.





Hours of trudging later as they pass through a settlement built in the shards of a once great skyscraper Pinkie asks the question that has been on their mind since they past the first dull pastel resident "Guys, why are they glaring at us? what did we do?" for indeed mothers take their children inside into their debris covered hovels and pale scraggly colts look at them from on top of rooftops, glaring with what could only be an intense hatred. Especially that of the old grey mare sitting in a rocking chair fashioned from scrap iron.

Each of the mares look at each other, but even Twilight shrugs and says "Meyers is right, my books never explained this, I only know of it because of a minor note in a book." As she finishes a Filly accidentally run around a corner and into her side. As the little one take a step back reeling and looks at Twilight she says "Though apparently not everyone hates u...OW." She yelps in pain as the Filly stabs her in the wing twice in quick succession. With the little training she's had she shifts her body and the third strike dings off her armour.

Several of the soldiers and her friends turn, already arming themselves, as they turn, the little filly scowls and dashes sprinting into the nearest building. A few of the soldiers start chasing But Meyer orders "Cease, not worth our time." Twilight and Dash both appear to be about to object, Dash already taking to the air. Meyers points and they follow seeing that several of the village pony's seem to be polishing an array of nasty weapons. Dash lands and trots over to Twilight, bandaging the wing like only a veteran pegesi can, muttering "Snot Right."

Meyers motions, and the Elements soon find themselves surrounded by soldiers, a wall of armour between them and the people, the symbolism apparently not lost on Twilight who's face darkens. Meyers sidles up next to her "Sorry Princess, my fault, didn't think that you would be on the hazard list, I'll get our copy amended when we get back." Twilight looks at him questionably "Hazard list? Just what is wrong here." Meyers shakes his head "While most of Equestia is safe, a few places like this valley aren't, if your not local then this place is deadly at night." He seems to avoid the question and makes sure to walk back to his place with the other soldiers before she can ask any more.





It's starting to get dark when they arrive at the mine, a ragged hole ripped into the side of Mt Hoofor. Upon arrival they note the old unicorn from earlier talking to a very dirty colt. Seeing them approach the mare trots off. The unicorn colt turns to them, leaning against the tunnel entrance he says "What's up, this is unexpected." Meyers approaches him "Just a routine inspection of all the mines in Equestria, nothing to worry about."

"I doubt that very much, but sureio, what first." The colt says, wiping his face revealing that he's actually bright green not grey. Meyer's nods curtly for Twilight to come forth and just as she does the colts expression hardens. "Though probably gonna need the boss, he went home for tonight, so yah will have to come back tomorrow." Meyers looks angry "By Equestian Law we are allowed to search the premises."

"Sorry bub, your law is as good as compost here, you can't enter without a guide, and right now you can't get a guide. You should know that Icedew, or whatever you go by now. Scram Traitor."