A town named Petch was just on the borders of the Badlands which if one were to head north for a number of miles would reach Dodge Junction within a few hour's time. The town itself was close enough to allow for easy trade between the two settlements, which was crucial since the Badlands are not known to have resources in abundance.
Though, one stallion, in particular, was spending the relatively cool night collecting cacti (Which was surely in abundance here) in order to further his progress within his alchemical studies. His name was Northern Compass, an Earth Pony with light chocolate coat, a fair blonde mane, and (Predictably) a compass for a cutie mark, though it had four needles, all pointing in four directions, perhaps to symbolize that he doesn't just travel north, but in all directions of his choosing.
His pale blonde eyes examined the cactus while we pulled out a small device, in the shape of a mirror of sorts, and used it to gather details on the plant.
"...Herba, Terra, and Aqua..." He noted aloud. He took a bowie knife in his mouth and cut the pricks off before storing it in his pouch.
'Time to go. It's getting late.' He thought, jotting down his notes on the cactus before heading off back into Petch.
The town itself had only average looking buildings. They were definitely weathered but were not visually displeasing generally.
Northern decided he should pay the shopkeeper a visit. He found some gems earlier that he figured would fetch for a nice price.
Walking up to the store that was almost crude in comparison to the rest, he walked inside with a bit of an awkward expression towards the smell of the establishment. In all honesty, while it didn't smell rancid, a touch of air freshener goes a long way.
The decor wasn't much better either, but at least the owner tried. Whether or not it was their best attempt was left up to consideration.
Behind the counter was a slightly older mare with her hair tied into a bun and some gray hairs being seen, but only a few. She was currently polishing an unappraised urn, perhaps preparing it for resale. She noticed the familiar customer walking in, and greeted him with a slight smile, showing young wrinkles.
"Hey Compass. Did you come here to take some more of my money?" She asked, jabbing at how he always has something to sell when he visits.
He nodded in agreement, returning her kind expression. "As always Bit Coin. How's business?"
She shrugged and sighed, answering, "Well, it's alright I suppose. The lights are still on, and my belly full, so can I complain? Nah. Maybe I can nitpick a lot, though." She responded with a chuckle.
"Starting with the furniture in here or lack of?" He smirked at his snarky comment. "Just kidding, though this place is in need of a cleanup."
"I'm gettin' to it. I've just been super lazy lately. And it doesn't exactly help that you keep selling me things. Speaking of which, what did you bring today?"
"Oh, boy do I have a deal for you." He said with a light chuckle as he pulled out a couple of orange stones and a red one. "I found a couple of Topaz and a Ruby. What will that get me?"
"You trying to trade? What are you looking for?" She asked, pulling out a fair number of old trinkets and the likes.
"Something rare will do the trick. Maybe a book or something." He played with the stones as he spoke.
She looked slightly confused. "A rare book? I only sell common stuff in here pal, but... let me see what I can get you. Hold on." She scurried off to the back room to look for something that might qualify as a rare book.
"Alrighty then." He leaned on the counter and waited for her to return. His eyes trailed along the floor and walls, looking at how dusty her knick knacks and other unorthodox collectibles were.
Soon, she came back with a book. It strangely looked brand new.
"What's this book here?" Compass inquired.
"It's the first volume in the Traveller's Guide to Equestria, supposedly written by the first one to settle in these lands. Isn't it great?"
"It is, definitely!" He handed her the gems in exchange for the book. He was already excited to see what he would find! But, he would wait until he got home since he prefers to read in private.
"Now, that all?" Bit asked with an amused grin.
"Yes indeed! Much obliged Bit Coin! I'll be seeing you soon!" He made his way for the door, happier than when he walked in.
"Sure thing, come back anytime." She waved before returning to her urn cleaning.
Northern was just out of the door, already hopping in excitement at getting a rare book of text. He galloped home, eager to begin his intellectual journeys.
Northern Cross was just before the somewhat crude wooden door of his cabin. The cabin itself was definitely been through a fair number of heatwaves since the wood itself looked dried and lifeless. The windows were slightly stained, and the stone path leading to the door was close to a scorching heat.
He fumbled with his pouch until he managed to get it open, and began to forage for a key. Eventually, he discovered an iron key, then using it to open the door and walk in.
The decor was comfortable, to say the least. Nothing in there was too dusty or dated to be considered old fashioned. Faded streaks of sunlight hit the somewhat creaky floor made of wooden planks, of which he walked upon to reach his desk, which was flanked by two bookshelves on either side, with a window in the middle.
He took a seat on a small stool not too dissimilar to the floor. Placing the book on the worktable, which was (Neatly) littered with several research papers accompanied with a quill and inkwell.
Opening the cover, he saw the title of the book, 'Traveller's Guide to Equestria, Vol. 1.', including the fact that there was no author name.
"Hm..."
Continuing to turn the pages, he eventually came to the introduction, which read:
"This work of text is meant to give those who wish to start their adventures in Equestria an easier beginning. Reading this book is recommended if you are inexperienced within the arts of travel."
'That's all the book has to say about itself.'
He flipped to the next page, finally reaching page one, which read:
"Have you ever heard of an artifact so powerful, it was said to bring the gods to their knees? An artifact so ancient that it predates the very creation of the descendants of the equine? One, that is filled with the very soul of Mysticism, that it would drive even the most amazing and privileged of our philosophers to ruin? There is only one that is known by that colorful description...
Located in the very heart of the Badlands, where the mightiest of creatures wander, where the foolish dare chance a stride through the unforgiving sediments, where the very idea of folklore may have originated... you, will find the Claw of the Banished Lizard, a tool that surpasses all what ponies currently understand about technology.
But what would one accomplish simply by claiming it for their own motives? Would they help to save the world, or help to end it?"
The page featured a crude sketch of what was a lizard's claw, yet it was fitted with gears and wires around it.
Honestly, he was skeptical of whether or not the artifact was actually a true piece worth finding or not, owning to how outlandish it sounds, but since it was supposedly a huge technological advancement apparently made before the stone age...
"That's impossible." He shook his head as he verbally denied what the book was saying. How can something so old work as if it was developed in the future?
Well, as crazy as it sounds, he was also quite curious as to what he could do with such a thing.
'Maybe I can finally achieve my dreams with it!' He thought. 'I can build my factory, and own an industry!'
He looked over at a picture on his desk, which depicted his parents, including him, standing in the foreground of the desert. His father was quite skinny, a pegasus who was likely a fast flyer, named Light Feather. The photo was in black and white, so it was impossible to determine what his colors were, including his mother.
Speaking of which, his mother, an Earth Pony, had a slightly thicker physique, with somewhat curly hair of average length. Her name was Suthern Flapper, a mare who was known to be an exotic dancer.
'I told you, I'll achieve my dreams. I wasn't that unambitious colt who hated school simply out of laziness, mother, and father. I just wanted my own freedom, to see the world instead of being tied in a system that pressed me down. You both are in Appleloosa, living it up while I'm burning up down here, but at least I'm doing it to achieve my dreams, and not to just sit on piles of bits and consider myself above all others who dare cross my path.
I'll prove you two wrong, and when I do, I will stand in amazement as your jaws drop from the sheer gravity of my success. You'll see.'
He loved his parents deeply, but they always doubted him. He hated school since his youth, and even at his tender age of eighteen, he still remembered his bad experiences like they happened yesterday: Bullies, lack of friends, mares seemingly having an aversion to him; the list went on. Not to say that he didn't have good experiences, but he couldn't exchange the bad for the good even if he tried.
But alas, his mental digression passed when he got up from the table, grabbing his new book and placing it within his saddlebags.
He grabbed his belt which was made to be equipped with his chest, also fitted with several small pouches meant for gems and other wares.
He then went on to equip a set of lightweight robes, which was colored white in order to reflect the heat from the arid winds. Finally, he took hold of his spellbook, which was made of solid brown leather and adorned with a golden rune on its face, and put on a pair of goggles that have obviously seen some use.
With his equipment in place, he headed for the door, only to hear a knock on it right before he reached for the handle.
"Uh..." He sounded of awkwardness before continuing to ask, "Who is it?"
"I'm the Mare Scout! I'm here with your daily cookie delivery!" A mare with an only slightly pitched voice said from the other side of the door.
"Oh!" The entrance slightly swung ajar, then looking down at the mare. "Hey, Brown Sugar! How's it going?"
Her colors were indeed sweet. Her mane was a mix between dark and light chocolate, her coat was a medium brown, though her hooves were lighter than the rest of her body. Her tail was long and luxurious, adorned with red and orange flowers, including her mane, which had just one flower next to her ear. Finally, her cutie mark was a batch of five cocoa beans.
The unicorn bounced in excitement to see her apparently old time friend. "Everything is going great! Here, you look geared up, so take these cookies! You need food for the road!"
And they were all chocolate chips!
"Sweet! Thanks, Brownie!" Northern gratefully smiled.
'That's Brown Sugar. I've been crushing on her ever since I moved into town four years ago. She always had a way of coming to my house first. She's been like that ever since she discovered her talent.
Sometimes, I wonder if she ever did catch on to me liking her so much. Probably not. I never really shown her, did I?'
"So," Brownie began. "Where are you headed off to now Compass?"
"Well..." He scratched his head, knowing that she would likely say he was crazy for going on such a pursuit. "I'm looking for the Claw of the Forbidden Lizard."
"You WHAT?" She gasped, rather dramatically. "You're looking for that thing? You know how dangerous it's going to be to even locate it?"
Honestly, he was surprised that she even knew about it. But at least she saved him from having to explain it. "Y-yeah, I know. But imagine what we could do with it! We can further Equestria's technology with it, or maybe even run an empire of some kind! Maybe I can finally make my parents believe in me again!"
The Mare Scout gave him a worried look. "But... even with those goals in mind, something like that probably doesn't exist! It's so unbelievable!"
"I'm not denying that." He said, sounding slightly brought down by the flight-of-fancy nature of it. "But it's worth a shot, isn't it?"
"I guess. I mean, you're Northern Compass, so this won't go wrong right?"
He returned the worried expression. Her opinion definitely was high for someone who wasn't terribly awesome at what he does for a living. "S-sure...?"
"Well, I'm sure you'll do fine! Toodles!" She began to skip off.
"Wait, Sugar!"
She turned around with that same smile. "Hm? What's up?"
"Would you like to... come with me?" He was expecting a no from her since he never did remember her to be the type that likes to go on dangerous adventures, but maybe that was because his mind was on the fritz.
"You want me to join you? Why? I wouldn't be of much use to you in your endeavors, would I?" She tilted her head.
"Well, it gets lonely out in the Badlands, you know? And besides, I know I won't be able to find this thing on my own." He stepped out and locked the door.
"If that's the case, then I'll tag along! Let me just get my traveling gear!" She whirled around, and in a burst of magic, appeared to have a somewhat similar setup to Northern. "Okay! Now I'm ready!"
'She has traveling gear? What did I miss?'
He nodded. "Well, this is new. Okay then, we're off."
Brownie skipped around before asking, "Where are we going first? Or better yet, what are we gonna do first?"
"Might as well answer both questions. We need to gather information on where exactly we can find the Claw, but we're going to have to travel to the bastion of knowledge before we go back here into the Badlands."
"And where would this 'Bastion of Knowledge' be?"
"In Canterlot, namely the royal library in the castle. We go there, and find some text on the artifact. If I didn't know any better, the Star Swirl-the-Bearded wing would be the only place where we would find anything that will give us much more information than what we have." He deliberated with a certain seriousness in his tone.
"Really? I haven't been there before! Let's go!" She ran off towards the train tracks leading north.
"Wait up Brownie!" He chased after her, trying to keep up.
And so the adventure for the Claw begins. The only question is... is the Claw as true as the book implies?
