At a trading post, Spike and Charming Thunder were talking to the raptor merchant as they offered to get eight velociraptors. Charming Thunder gave the merchant the bits and grabbed the reins with his magic. Spike then saw Rarity wearing a sun hat over her head approaching them. "That's new," Charming Thunder said. Rarity smiled and turned to Spike and walked past him with a gentle nudge.
"I just couldn't believe the price of these reptiles," Spike said.
"If Fluttershy were here, she would be mad for making that comment." Charming Thunder petted his raptor as it gave a friendly growl.
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In the middle of the desert, Daring Do led the way to the ancient city on her raptor with Charming Thunder and the others following behind. "Never did like deserts," Rarity said. "There's nothing but sand and heat. All that....nature."
"At least we have water in case we get thirsty," Danny said.
"Don't encourage her, brother," Charming Thunder said.
"What? What did I say?" Charming Thunder's velociraptor hissed a little. Spike whistled a tune as the group went deeper and deeper into the desert. They journeyed through sandstorms and traveled days and nights.
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Camp was set up in the middle of the desert as the raptors ate their food given to them by the owners. Charming Thunder and the others sat around the campfire as Danny told a story about a prank he made on Charming Thunder. "Then I revealed myself to the stage and man my brother was shocked to see me alive," Danny said. Everyone except Charming Thunder laughed after the story ended.
"It was not funny," Charming Thunder said. "I nearly risked my life in that fun house."
"I'm sure that it wasn't that bad," Spike said.
"Oh, really? How about animatronics that come to life at night and try to kill me until six in the morning?"
"Charming, it was just a prank," Applejack reassured as she placed a hoof on Charming Thunder's shoulder. "I'm sure he didn't mean to scare you." A sound was heard echoing the desert as the group got a little scared of what it is. Applejack and Rarity hugged together as they were scared. Spike had his Energy Sword active as he looked around for the source of the sound. The sound also startled the raptors a little and kept their guard up.
"What was that?" Rarity asked.
"That was the sound of the Tusken Raiders," Charming Thunder explained. "I've dealt with their kind before. They are pony like us but different."
"{Sand People here in Equestria as well?}" Khem asked himself. "{What have I been missing for the past years?}"
"For now let us get us some sleep," Daring Do said. "We are almost to Hamunoptrot. I can feel it in my gut." Daring Do entered her tent with Applejack and Rarity as Charming Thunder along with Danny, Phantom Lord, and Spike entered theirs. Khem decided to stay outside for a little while to make sure nothing destroys the camp.
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Charming Thunder yawned as he rode his raptor following Daring Do through the desert. His raptor snarled as Daring Do and the others stopped to look at nothing but sand. "What are we doing?" Phantom Lord asked.
"Patience, my friend," Daring Do reassured. "Patience."
"Remember our bet, Charming Thunder. First one to the city gets one hundred bits."
"Get ready," Daring Do said.
"For what?" Spike asked.
"We are about to be shown the way." The sun started to rise in the distance as the group sees something appear. It looks like a city slowly falling down from the sky as a mirage, but Charming Thunder knew what it is and leaned towards his raptor's ear.
"Would you look at that," Danny said.
"Well I'll be," Applejack said.
"Hamunoptrot," Moondancer said.
"Here we go, boy," Charming Thunder whispered to his raptor. As the city appeared in the distance, the group then took off and began to race towards the city. They jumped over rocks and many other obstacles in their path. Charming Thunder was up in front followed by Phantom Lord who was starting to catch up. Applejack's raptor then dashed past him and rode next to Charming Thunder. He looked at her with a smile as the wind blew in Applejack's mane. She then rode past Charming Thunder as he became amazed with what he is seeing. Somehow her raptor seemed faster than his. Rarity cheered for her as she arrived to the front of the city. She was the first pony to set foot in the city and won the bet. the others arrive along with her as Danny stopped next to Phantom Lord.
"Looks like you owe her one hundred bits," Danny said. Now the real work begins as the group dismounts their raptors and unpack their stuff to set up camp at the ancient city before they start digging.
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A few hours later, Daring Do was examining a statue as Charming Thunder ties a rope around a pillar to go down in an opening. Moondancer rearranged some mirrors that were set up next to the hole. "According to the book Moondancer read, the base of the statue of Anubis has a secret compartment," Daring Do explained. "Maybe it contains the Book of the Living."
"What does it have to do with these mirrors?" Phantom Lord asked.
"They're ancient mirrors," Moondancer explained. "It's an ancient Haygyptian trick. You'll see what I mean later."
"Rope is ready," Charming Thunder said. The group approached as he repelled down the rope to enter the city. Spike steeped up with Rarity as they watched him go down in the hole and safely made it to the ground.
"Ladies first?" Spike asked Rarity.
"You're a kind dragon," Rarity said. "That's what I like about you."
"Will you be fine guarding the area, Khem?" Danny asked.
"{It's what my master would want,}" Khem replied. "{I'll make sure no one interferes with your expedition.}" He then drew his vibro sword off of his back and walked away from the hole.
