The Quest

by Felixfloetryfox88

Into the Badlands

Aether stepped forward

"T-Toxic? Wow, didn't expect to see you here." He said.

Toxic didn't reply to Aether and the others right away. He looked at the ground, picked up a hoof full of strange colored dirt from the ground that was near where the Chimera appeared, and placed it in a portable analyzer he had with him. He then replied to Aether

"Yep. And I didn't expect to see *You* here either. I'm out here doing some research. I'm very close to finding exactly what I need Actually hehe. What brings you three all the way out here? Not many ponies and Creatures come all the way out here from Ponyville."

Said toxic as his analysis machine started analyzing the soil piece by piece.

Aether looked at the device that Toxic was holding with subtle curiosity then answered him

"Well Felix, Jackal and I are searching for a very rare magical item that was apparently a part of my family history called the Chest of Enigma. Or so I was told anyway. "
Said Aether, now getting a better look at what Toxic was doing.

"May I ask what exactly it is that you are looking for Toxic?"
Asked Aether.

Toxic smiled and put his device away.

"interesting mainly working on my magic. I'm searching for something that will push me further so to speak."

He then proceeded to pull out a small communication device from his saddle bag.

"did you find what you were looking for Toxic?"
Said a voice from the device that sounded like Toxic but with a slight different pacing. It was Proto, Toxic's Android assistant and servant who looks exactly like him by design.

"Negative. But I ran into our friends! Oh and Proto, please be careful when you clean around my experiment in the lab."
Toxic said with a slightly concerned sound in his voice. Proto began to respond

"Pfft! Don't worry, I've been cleaning a
The lab many times. What makes you think that--"
there was a sudden loud crashing sound heard over the communicator followed by a brief silence.
"....Toxic, I-I will call you back..."
Proto immediately ended the communication. Toxic facehoofed and shook his head with a loud sigh

"Damnit Proto...." He said in an exasperated tone.

Felix chuckled and stepped forward. He reverted back to his one Tailed base form and patted Toxic on the shoulder in an attempt to comfort the agitated Cyborg pony.

"There there my good friend. Wanna come along with us? Maybe you can find what you are looking for along the way with us!" Said Felix with a warm grin.

Toxic looked at him and the others And said

"Sure why not. I mean, if it's okay with everypony..."

Felix licked his Whiskers and looked back at the others

"Hey Aether, is it cool if Toxic tags along with us? I mean, since this trip was your Idea." He said.

Aether was about 10 feet away holding the map up to his face with his magic and muttering to himself softly
"Hmm... looks like we have go through the Badlands next..." He said, totally oblivious to what Felix just said.

Everyone stood there for a moment until Jackal Rock finally stepped forward.

"Just come with us Toxic. It'll be more entertaining if you do. Besides, I really don't think Aether would mind another bodyguard....I mean... Friend joining us."

Said Jackal as he started walking through the woods. His large hooves making loud steps as his casually knocked over a couple trees.

Toxic shrugged and started following him as he adjusted his saddle bag. Felix tapped Aether on the shoulder to get his attention then they too began Following the others. After about a half hour of walking, the group of 4 Reached the desert region of the Badlands just beyond the woods.

Aether and Jackal took a moment to study the map again as Toxic and Felix began scanning the surrounding area for any sign of hostile Creatures and potential water sources. Toxic soon saw something show up on his scanners.

"He Felix, I see a Creature off in the distance. It doesn't appear to be moving tho..." Said Toxic.

"hmm I can sense it's Aura faintly.... about 30 degrees west." Said Felix as his ears Flick.

Jackal started walking towards thaf direction.
"Well if it's dead, we can eat it. If it's a threat, we can more than handle it for sure" He said as he passed by Felix and Toxic.

Aether quickly put the map away and ran to catch up. He was uneasy with this entire decision.

"Y-You can't just charge off at Celestia-Knows-What! What if it's really dangerous or crazy or.... wait...do all Chaos ponies eat meat?!" Said Aether as they all get closer to the Creature.

Upon closer inspection, it wasn't a random Creature at all! It was a very familiar Brown colored Earth pony Stallion with a black and white colored slicked back mane and domino cutie mark. It was their friend Domino Effect! For some reason he was laying there sleeping in the middle of the Badland desert with a bag of climbing gear and supplies next to him. He started mumbling in his sleep.

"mmm....I always have room for cupcakes pinkie my dear...." He said with a smile.

"welp... he's not Dead at least." Said Jackal, almost sounding a tad disappointed.

Toxic smirked and produced a large air horn from his mechanical hoof then blasted it right at Domino's ear, causing him to spring up violently.

"I SWEAR IT WAS LIKE THAT WHEN I FOUND IT!!" screamed Domino in a panicked daze.

"well that got his lazy flank up." Said Felix with a smirk, trying not to laugh.

Domino took a moment to get reoriented then noticed everyone standing around him. He fixed his mane and picked up his sunglasses.

"Oh it's you guys. What took you so long to get here?!" Said Domino as if he was expecting them. The others looked baffled then Aether spoke up.

"W-Wait... what?? How in equestria were you expecting us to be here?? And why in Luna's name were you just lying down in the middle of the Badlands??"
He said in disbelief. Domino looked around for a moment.

"The Badlands?? I swear to celestia I thought this was canterlot..." Domio said.

The others facepalmed in unison.

"Domino.....how in the world did you mistake this place for Canterlot? WE ARE LITERALLY AT LEAST 12 MILES IN THE WRONG DIRECTION!!!" said Aether in frustration. Domino just shrugged and said

"Who knows. I thought today was the day we were going to go Cliff jumping."

Aether groaned quietly and said

"Domino, we postponed that remember? Today the guys and I are helping me find a lost family treasure."

Domino stood up and dusted himself off and picked up his bag.

"I might as well join you guys. Let's be honest, this is where this was heading to anyway" said Domino as he takes a brief look at the reader and starts walking.

The others were stood there confused as all hell and looked at one another. Instead of trying to question it further, they all decided to follow behind Domino.

----End Of Chapter 2----