" Wake up Rainbow Dash, were almost there!" twilight said, tapping her friends shoulder.

" *yawn!* well its about time, I was about ready to fly the rest of the way" Rainbow says as she stretches and sits up.

Looking out the window, the two mares watched as the town came into view. The rolling hills of sand giving way to the wooden building of the settlement known as Appleloosa. As the train pulled into the station, the girls could see dozens of guards. A lot more than there was the last time they visited. Some were patrolling the streets, some seemed to have actual posts and stood there, eyes constantly moving, paying attention to every detail.

"Wow, that's a lot of guards. I wonder why there's so many?" asks Rainbow Dash

" I'm not sure, Applejack said Braeburn would be waiting for us in town. Why dont we go find him, maybe he knows?"

Stepping out onto the platform the two mares were assaulted by a sudden wall of hot air. Now being in the middle of the San Palomino dessert, one would expect it to be hot. But 'hot' did not quite cover the dry oppressive heat that permeated everything within the region, and it was only eleven in the morning at that! Within moments of leaving the train station both were drenched in sweat as they walked through the town towards Braeburn's farm. Halfway through the town they heard a voice call out to them. Turning around Rainbow dash and Twilight noticed a buffalo cow running after them.

"Hey, wait up for me!" she yelled

"Little strong heart is that you?" Twilight asked as the cow got closer.

"Yes, it is good to see you two again. Braeburn told me you two would be coming soon and asked if I would watch for you." said Little Strong Heart. Grinning as she walked up to the two ponies.

" Its good to see you too Strong Heart!" Twilight said as she and Rainbow dash hugged her.

" Yeah, it is," said Rainbow Dash " so Braeburn asked you to watch out for us?"

" Yes, he is waiting at the saloon, why don't we walk together?" Says Strong Heart

Walking further into the town they came to the saloon, known as The Salt Lick. Walking up to the doors they could feel the cool are coming from inside. Upon entering the group was soon flagged down by a yellow stallion wearing a brown vest and hat who was sitting at a back table.

"Howdy miss Sparkle, miss Dash, miss Strong Heart " Breaburn said as they sat down.

"Hey Breaburn, its great to see you." Rainbow says

"Indeed, its always good to see old friends again" twilight said with a warm smile

" Well I'll cut to the chase," Braeburn begins " cousin Applejack wrote me saying you two are heading out into the desert to a dig site or something, but could use a little help getting out there-"

Twilight nods at this. While the daytime temperatures would be well over one hundred degrees, the nights would fall bellow zero. And with the excavation being so far it would take a couple of days to reach it by hoof, not an ideal prospect to anybody.

"So, I talked to a few friend of mine and called in a favor. They have agreed to fly the two of you out to where y'all need to go."

"Really? Wow that's really generous of you. When will they be ready to leave?" asks Twilight perking up from not having to walk all the way.

"Yeah, thanks Braeburn!" Rainbow Dash said

"Haha, I figured you would like that idea better than hiking through the desert. And those two are ready whenever you are. But you've had a long ride, why don't y'all eat something and cool off for a spell. Me and Little strong heart have a few things we need to talk about, we will bring your escorts on the way back. We'll be back in a bit- Hey final draft, put whatever these two order on my tab please."

Two hours later Braeburn returned with two pegasi.After a short introduction the four ponies where loaded up and in the air heading deeper into the desert.

Thus far there have only been a few reports of single changelings crawling out of the desert only to be arrested by local patrols.All near death when found, none survived more than a few days after being taken into custody due to malnourishment.
As it turned, out the large number of guards were stationed at the town soon after the invasion of Canterlot. Neither princess Celestia nor Luna wanted to take any chances and allow the changelings to try again.
After three hours of flying the group reached the camp, located in a shallow canyon. Landing outside of the fenced area they were quickly surrounded by several guards.

"Halt ! This is a restricted area, state your business here." one of the guards bellowed

" Ehem, well you see I'm Twilight Sparkle and thats Rainbow Dash. And princess Celestia sent us here to he-" she said as a bolt of green magic struck all four in the group.

"There clean sir!" said one of the guards.

"What in the hay was that?" yelled Rainbow Dash

"That, was to see if you really were who you claimed to be. You have my apologies but you must admit that changelings are tricky little bastards." Said a different guard as he stepped forward.
"I am commander Steel Shod. And yes, the princesses informed us that you would be arriving soon. you two stallions, get some water and I expect you to leave promptly."

" Yes sir, thanks." the both say as they walk off with a guard escort into the camp.

" Corporal!"

"Yes sir?" the corporal said taking a step foreword.

"Go find the professor and send her to my office while I show these two around the camp ."

" Yes sir!" the corporal said as he trotted off.

" So, if you will follow me." the commander said as he walked towards the camp.

Picking up their saddle bags they fallowed Steel Shod through the camp. Pointing out the purpose of different tents and crude buildings as they passed. the two mares were quite impressed with the camp actually, it was like a small town.
After the brief tour, the group stopped at one of the tents near the science lab.

" And this will be your home during your stay. Go ahead and drop off your bags, then we'll go meet with the professor."

Fifteen minutes later the three were sitting in the Commander's office, still waiting on the professor. Whoever it was.

* * *
"Ugh, we've been waiting here forever!" rainbow dash began "If this professor doesn't hurry up I'll-"

" Okay commander, what is it? I do have a little project I'm working on you know?" said a mint green unicorn as she walked through the door.

"Calm down miss heartstrings, I just called you in here so you can meet the new help that the princesses sent."

Turning around and finally taking notice of the other two ponies sitting in the tent Lyra smiled warmly.

" Hey girls, long time no see.." she said

" Hey Lyra, what are you doing here? "

" Oh come on Twilight, you know that I majored in archeology back in college. I'm here to help with cataloging anything that we dig up and-"

" Yes miss Heartstrings, that's all well and good " the commander started " but where is the professor? "

Turning to face Steel Shod, Lyra simply shrugged. " Shes down in the pit, she thinks she found a way in and didn't want to be disturbed"

"Hmm, sounds like her. Alright then, why don't you take these two down to see the professor. Princess Celestia personally sent them to help with the excavation."

" Sure thing, we can use all the help we can get. Come on, we don't want to keep the professor waiting" Lyra said as she exited the tent quickly followed by the two other mares.

* * * * *

Nightshade had been watching the Unicorn from the safety of the cliff for the past three days. 'Tonight, yes tonight is when we will strike ' he thought to himself as he stood up and cast a quick illusion spell. Quietly he made his way down the back of the cliff. Smiling to himself as he walked into the camp passing guard after guard. Eyes constantly shifting, taking in every detail as he walked up to "his" tent. Pushing the flap aside, Nightshade calmly stepped inside to find his target sleeping in his cot.

"Excuse me, but I believe you are in my tent" Nightshade said as he tapped on the sleeping guard.

" Wha- what the hay! Who are you?" yelled the guard as he looked at the copy of himself

" Oh, I'm nobody." with that Nightshade quickly charged a spell, horn glowing a sickly green, and fired upon the guard.

Wide eyed the guard tried to get up and defend himself, but was to late. "Hel-" he yelled as the spell took effect and silenced him, Turning him into nothing but a pile of ash.

* * * * * *

After walking to the other side of the camp, the trio came to a small split rail fence running along the edge of the dig site.
" Welcome to the pit girls" Lyra said with a wave of her hoof. ' Pit' was an understatement. The chasm was easily 50 meters deep and 100 meters wide. And in the very center was a gray structure approximately 14 meters wide and 8 meters high.

"whoa..." was all that the two could say, in awe of what lay before them. " Haha, yeah it is kind of impressive isn't it?" asked Lyra who started to walk down the series of scaffolds that circled the walls. As Twilight turned to follow, she couldn't help but have an uneasy feeling creep up on her.
" Hey Lyra, whats that noise?"
"Were not sure," Lyra looked up, they were only halfway down the ramp "But whatever it is, its coming from inside.
"... well we better not keep the boss-mare waiting, c-mon."

* * * * * *

Author's Note

okay, short chapter because i just got a new job and I'm busy as hell. So I had to cut this chapter in half. Questions, comments leave 'em below. Now go hug an introvert and wear a stetson, stetsons are cool.

ALLONS-Y !