It took some time, but Ricky had made it. Right in front of him was a cliffside, and at the very bottom were streets of stands and counters. In each stand, different creatures were selling merchandise. That was the Market Pit. Ricky looked around and found a staircase that leads down.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the marketplace, there was a stand with two additional wirewolves working one stand full of knick-knacks.
"Come one, come all, to Terry and Devastator's shop." the lead declared. "Here, we sell the most exotic curios to every monster species. We have no affiliation, so we reach all customers! I... DEVASTATOR!" He caught his gigantic partner rewriting the price signs. "I thought I told you, no lowering the prices!"
"Devastate." the big wirewolf said.
"I don't care if the prices are outrageous." Terry said putting the prices back to normal. "The war between Arcanus and Kul'as is putting a major strain on the economy, and I've got to pay rent. Not to mention, since you moved in with me last month, I've got a gigantic mouth to feed."
"Devastate."
"It may be a free country back in Equestria, but in the Neatherealm, it's survival of the smartest."
"Am I interrupting something?"
Terry and Devastator was caught off guard when Ricky came to their stand. They calmed down and Terry approached him.
"Ah, another wirewolf. Let me guess: you're really a pony from Equestria and you were sent here by Discordant Convergence."
"How'd you know?" Ricky asked.
"That's pretty much the story of every other wirewolf," Terry said, "Especially me. Except Devastator. He used to be a dog there. That's why he has a speaking problem. So far, all he can say is 'devastate'. But enough about us. What can we do for you? See anything you like?"
"Actually, I'm not here to shop." Ricky said. "Do you know where I can find Calrisio?"
"Calrisio?" Terry said. "Yeah, I know him. You just missed him. He scammed a few Changelings and made his escape from the pit last night. Didn't say where, though."
"Are you sure?" Ricky asked.
"Dude, Calrisio wasn't very social. Never talked to anyone but his suckers."
"Well, then I came all this way for nothing." Ricky groaned.
"You shouldn't have to, pal." Terry said. "I happen to have the rarest of items from the four corners of the Neatherealm. Maybe one of these can help you out."
"I doubt it." Ricky complained. "Unless you have some... medallion that can open portals... or a prediction tablet that tells where the next Discordant Convergence will open..."
"Devastate." Devastator said.
"What?" Terry asked. "Dude, you know that's not available right now!"
"What did he just say?" Ricky asked.
"Nothing!" Terry said nervously. "He said nothing important. I told you, he used to be a dog. He's got bones on the brain."
"Devastate!" Devastator insisted.
"Hey, I call no mothers!" Terry shouted. He took a deep breath and started whispering to Ricky. "Okay, look, I shouldn't be telling you this, but we have... a map."
"A map?" Ricky asked. "What's so special about a map?"
"It's not just any map." Terry said. He reached to the bottom of the counter and pulled out a very old scroll. "It's called the Edgeless Atlas. You ask it whatever you want and marks will magically appear with directions to it. The only condition is that it has to be in the same world."
"Really?" Ricky asked. He was elevated at what he just heard. "And you're sure it works?"
"Buddy, I've tested this thing like five times. Trust me, the legends don't do it justice."
"So... if I ask it to show me a way to Equestria, it will lead me to it?"
"Yes, it would," Terry answered before pulling the scroll away from Ricky, "If it was currently for sale. Unfortunately, I've already got a buyer."
"Okay! Listen, whatever this guy's paying you, I'll double it!"
"It's not that simple!" Terry protested. "It's not just money! It's Kul'as!"
"Kul'as?" Ricky asked confusingly. "What's he got to do with this?"
"He's the guy who bought the map!" Ricky said. "He pre-ordered this, and today, he's sending one of his minions to pick it up! If I go back on my word, Kul'as will tear me apart and reassemble me over and over again! Seriously, I can do that. It doesn't usually hurt, but it's always so annoying!"
"Okay, calm down." Ricky said. He began to think, and then came up with an idea. "How's about this: as payment for this map, I take you home with me. I mean, you're from Equestria too."
"That's crazy!" Terry said. "It's one thing to give the map to someone else even though Kul'as ordered it, but if he learns I'm running away with the map, heads will roll!"
"Devastate."
"I don't care if it might be our only way back! The only way I'd break a deal with Kul'as is if he died first!"
"Terry, come on." Ricky said. "You can't forget about a way back to your home!
"Wait! I can't stay anymore
This is not my home. This is evil galore
In this other world, I'm in desperate need
I can return to my realm if you take lead
You gotta show me out"
"No, I don't," Terry sang.
"Why the heck not," Ricky sang.
"You're gonna be caught," Terry sang.
"Show me the way to Equestria," Ricky sang,
"I gotta go back to my home
Show me the way to Equestria
I can't do any of it alone
Show me the way to Equestria
I gotta go back to my home
Show me the way to Equestria
Please! You've gotta have a heart
If there's a chance for us returning, you should take part
Come on! You must lead the way
If you're like me, then you too don't want to stay
You gotta show me out"
"Devastate," Devastator sang.
"What he said," Ricky sang.
"I don't wanna be dead," Terry sang.
"SHOW ME THE WAY TO EQUESTRIA," Ricky sang,
"I GOTTA GO BACK TO MY HOME
SHOW ME THE WAY TO EQUESTRIA
I CAN'T DO ANY OF IT ALONE
SHOW ME THE WAY TO EQUESTRIA
I GOTTA GO BACK TO MY HOME
SHOW ME THE WAY TO EQUESTRIA"
"STOP IT!" Terry shouted. "ENOUGH WITH THE GUILT TRIP! I GIVE IN! I'll help you get home!"
"Perfect!" Ricky cheered.
"BUT..." Terry pointed out, "On one condition: if Kul'as does catch us and he comes close to killing us, I'll kill you first."
Ricky took a pause to think. Then, he made up his mind. "Fair enough." He then picked up the map and opened it up. "Hey, what gives?! This is blank!"
"Just tell it what you're looking for." Terry said. "It'll then show you how to get there."
Ricky looked back at the blank parchment. "All right, then. I need to find a way to go back to where I'm from."
Suddenly, some sketches appeared on the paper and color was added. It looked like an actual map of the Neatherealm. Then, dotted lines formed a path from the Market Pit to a far off area of desolation.
"It works!" Ricky cheered. "It really works!"
"Oh, well." Terry said. "Come on, Devastator. It's time to go home."
"Devastate!"
As they were starting to leave, Creeper flew from the crowd down the street and saw the wirewolves leaving the other direction.
"Perfect!" He started to fly, but he only just noticed that they were leaving. "Hey, wait! Stop!" He followed the wirewolves, but he kept bumping into creatures. "You, with the map..." He stopped talking when he lost sight completely. He started to get really worried and frightened. "This is not good. I hope this doesn't come back to haunt me." It did. "Oh, what will Lord Kul'as say when he hears this?"