I jump to the top of the hanger bay and take a look out at the city, and sure enough, everything looks fine. No destroyed buildings, no masses of bones, nothing. Just an empty city. How could Eximius say everything was destroyed, while everything is fine?

"So... I take it this isn't normal." Matrix says as he and Dust Devil land beside me.

"No, this isn't. My friend told me that everything was being destroyed. But everything looks fine..."

"Well, maybe..." Dust Devil starts but stops as she looks out to at the buildings.

"Gather everyone. We need to get moving." I say before stepping off the edge. I walk back inside to find the group hug from earlier breaking apart. Twilight seems... better. Not there yet, but I'll take it. "Alright, we need to get moving. Remember your groups..."

"What about Camo?" Twilight asks. "He wasn't part of the original plan. Where does he go?" I look over to Camo and think about it for a second.

"Camo, stick with Rarity and Applejack."

"Will do..."

"Aw." Aere complains.

"What? I don't get to hang out with you?" Camo asks. "I'm almost offended."

"Dude..." He starts but moves closer to him to whisper whatever he was going to say.

"I highly doubt that was going to happen." Camo says as he walks away from him.

"You never know!" Aere retorts as he walks after him.

"What was that about?" Applejack asks.

"I don't know. Lets forget about it for now and get going.

"Well, alright."

We finally get moving. We enter what looks like a shopping distract, but it's hard to tell. Most of what ever was here is now gone, thought there are a few shops that look like they might have a few things left. We poked our heads into the first few and, there wasn't really anything worth taking.

"So Miles, there's something I wanted to ask." Matrix asks as he walks up beside me. I continue down the road, allowing him to continue. "Rainbow Dash, is she... you know?"

"What?"

"You know, is she... you know what. Nevermind. Why do humans need flying machines under ground?"

"Because we didn't fly under ground. The metal floor we landed on was actually a runway. That's where they would leave or return from air missions. Though we only used them when our long range sensors picked up enemy movement."

"Right, so did you ever fly one?"

"Not actually. I got pretty good on the simulator though. We stopped running air missions shortly after losing Diamond Halls. Mainly due to losing most air craft...."

"AAAHHH!" Rarity yells, getting all of us to ready our weapons.

"What is it? Bots? Goo creatures? Enemy..."

"CLOTHS!" Rarity yells as she runs to a window and looks inside. I lower my rifle as I walk up beside her and peer inside. It's a fashion store that still has all of its clothing. Of course... "Can we go in?" Rarity asks as she bats her eyes at me.

"We don't really have time..."

"Please..."

"I don't think this is..."

"Please Miles...."

"We need to get to the..."

"Please please please PLEEEEEEEAAASSE!" She begs as she pouts a bit.

"*sigh* fine."

"YES!" She screams before running inside. We all look to each other before following after her.

Oh my heavens this is a dream come true! Everything in here is simply stunning! Evening dresses, night gowns, mens apparel, this boutique has it all. I don't know where to start! MMMM... inie minie miny THAT DRESS! I walk over to the manikin in the corner and gawk at the simply stunning blue and white polka dot dress. It's so simple, but I must have it! In my bag you go.

"So you like dresses?" I glance back to see Aere standing behind me, idly looking around the store.

"I am a fashionista." I say as I walk towards a cloths rack and go through the cardigans. I think I'll take the pink one.
"So... uh..."

"Darling, I know where you're going with this and, though I am flattered, I am also already spoken for." I tell him as I go to the next rack. OOO, I'm guessing that these are mares pants... why didn't I ever think about that? In the bag you go.

"Darn.... what about Applejack?" He asks. I pause and look him over for a second.

"Flex your arm." I tell him, getting him to show off. "Hit the gym and then maybe." I say as I take a shirt and go to a mirror. I press the shirt against myself and....

"Really? Are you sure?" He asks.

"Darling, I don't think anypony will ever truly catch that mares eye without physical prowess." I say as I bag the shirt.

"Damn it." He mutters. "Well... what about..."

"Fluttershy and Twilight are married. I think Rainbow is either single or lesbian, so why don't you go after Dust Devil..."

"Ew! Are you kidding me? She's like... one of the stallions..."

"Go buck yourself Aere." Dust Devil says from the left.

"DD! Uh..."

"Now that you said that I'm going to make sure you don't get laid this mission." She says as she walks away.

"Wait! Hold on!" Aere yells as he chases after her. Stallions...

"Excuse me..."

"Not now. I'm in the moment." I says as I look over a jacket.

"Can I help you find something?"

"Not now..."

"Do you need me to carry something? Escort you? Attend to your..."

"I said...... BOT!"

"...BOT!" I lift my rifle up and look to the back of the store to see an all white utility bot standing before Rarity. As everyone readies their weapons, I wait a second. Something doesn't seem right here...

"Hold your fire." I say as I lower my rifle and walk over to the bot.

"Can I help you find something?" It asks me. "Do you need shoes? A jacket? How about..."

"Machine, what is you main function?"

"To attend to the sales and maintenance of Tomorrows Fashion. Do you need..."

"Easy, infect this machine." I say as I turn away from the bot. "Lets move out."

"What was that about? What was wrong with that guy?" Dust Devil asks me as I turn down the street.

"Well... I'm not sure. My best guess is that safety protocols were disengaged. That would also explain why the city looks so good, the bots must of fixed it up over the years."

"Why did he seem so eager to help?" Theimara asks from behind.

"It was probably trying to fulfill its programming. I imagine three thousand years of waiting must of done a number on its AI."

"Is he going to be alright?" Camo asks, getting me to look at him.

"That wasn't a person. That was a machine. A tool, its not alive." This seems to trouble them a bit, but I ignore it as I continue down the road.

As we go, I guess the bots send word to the others about our being here, because more and more started showing up. All of the seem eager to assist us. Trying to find some kind of purpose. By the time Easy caught up to us we each had five to six bots asking us if we needed help, with military escorts. Both on the ground and in the air. We even have a high grade military bot following us. Easy and the other bot get to work infecting the bots as we enter the P.C.H. I look back to everyone and decide to make a stop for lunch. With that said, all of the bots sprint out of the building to gather food and and whatever else we might need.

"Well... this is a rather different turn of events." Rarity says as she pulls a tea set out of her saddle.

"Hey, I aint complaining." Hamm Strung says as he joins her.

"Aint, isn't a word dear." Rarity corrects as she pours him a cup.

"Sorry..."

"And it wouldn't kill you to sit up straight." She adds, making him sit up right as he takes a sip from his cup. "No slurping, very good. It's hard to find a stallion... or Minotaur, with decent manners these days."

"Is it jus me, or is that weird?" Big Mac asks me as I continue to watch the two of them have tea.

"No, it's weird. Big Mac watch after everyone for me real quick. I... I need to go see something." I say as I stand up.
"I'll come with." True Will says as he gets up with me.

"No. I'll...."

"Groups don't split up. Remember?"

"Yeah, and that guy is suppose to be with me." I say as I point to Hamm Strung as he takes another sip, pinkie up of course.

"Yeah.... look, either I come with, or you don't go. You can't make me stay so what's it going to be?" I stare him down for a few seconds before I shake my head and walk off.

"Come on then."

"Camo Flash, watch the group. We're... going for a walk." True Will says as he follows after me.

"You can count on me." Camo replies.

We get to the Mico lobby and make our way to the R&D department. From there, I dig around until there is nothing left to dig for. Next I try the Parliament Hall, Central Intelligence, everywhere. I don't know where to go for the controls to the stasis pods. After looking through all of the possible departments I finally make my way to the men's dormitories, heading for Eximius' room.

"So what makes you think your friends weapon is still there?" True Will asks after nearly an hour of silence.

"My last friends weapon was there. I don't see why this one wouldn't be." I say as I find his room. "What makes you think that it won't be there?"

"Look at the rest of this place. There's nothing here. Where did everything go? Yeah, there are a few things here and there, but... what about the rest of it?" I glance down to him before kicking in the door and stepping in. The room is in fairly good
repair. It doesn't seem as if there was any fighting in here at all. I go to the back room where I find a weapon locker.

"Sometimes, you just need a little hope." I say as I kneel by the locker and enter the password. It clicks open to reveal Eximius' Medi-gun. The gun is just your run of the mill E.A.R. But attached to the bottom is the master key that I made for him. Instead of shooting pellets, it fires a beam of healing energy. In the middle of the stock is his gem. I take the rifle and give it a run through. Everything seems fine.

PEW

Still fires.

"A little warning next time!" True Will says as he glares at me.

"OK, warning." I say as I point the gun at him and pull the trigger on the healing beam. A blue beam strikes him in the center of his armor, knocking him back a bit.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!" He yells as he checks himself over.

"It's non lethal." I say as I sling the gun and start to walk back.

"So what! Is that suppose to make me feel better!?"

"Well, if I had used the other trigger, you would be dead. So... yes."

"You're an ass." He grumbles from behind.

"Only to you."

We make our way back to the group bickering to each other. I honestly don't see whats the problem. He just needs to stop being a little bitch. After we take the final Mico platform back I stop and stare. There are literally hundreds of bots in here. I don't even see the girls right now.

"Oh sweet Barbra..."

"Who?"

"Another guest? Can I help you..."

"Allow me to get you some shoes..."

"...do you wish to have a hair cut..."

"... can I get you something..." True Will and I were immediately mobbed by the bots, all of which are trying to help us in one way or another.

"BACK OFF!" I yell as I was receiving a manicure, massage, and pedicure all at once. Obeying my order, they all back off of me and wait for their next order. "Find the bot designated Easy and tell him you all wish to be infected. NOW."

"Yes sir!" They all say at once before sprinting out of the main doors. I look over everyone being dropped from... whatever they were having done to them. Well, all except for Rarity and Dust Devil, who are still receiving a message from three bots each.

"Guys..."

"Five more minutes." Rarity coos.

"Yeah... five more... hours." Dust Devil says in a relaxed tone. I just shake my head and walk over to the others to check on them

"You OK Rainbow?" I ask as she gets out of the fetal position.

"They... touched... my... hooves." She quivers.

"And?"

"I don't like my hooves being touched."

"Ok, but other then that you're alright?" I ask, getting a serious look from her. "I'll take that as a yes. What about you guys?" I ask as I go to the others. After checking on everyone I go and pull the bots off of Rarity and Dust Devil, sending five of them to go find Easy. "Machine, where can I find the control panels for the stasis pods?"

"Control was put in the southern district main offices. 1182 Ore way. Would you like an escort?"

"Yes. Lead us there."

"Very good sir. Right this way please." The bot says as it walks out the door.

"Let's get going." I yell out as I follow after the bot. Once everyone is packed and ready we start walking through the city, heading south.

"Is that the Medi-gun your friend left you?" Fluttershy asks.

"Yeah, only I don't know what they added to it." I say as I look it over.

"Let me try it!" Rainbow exclaims.

"Not now. I don't have time to make the triggers work for you..."

"Then let me try." Twilight offers. I shrug and let her take it with her magic.She looks it over a bit before firing at some random building. Nothing special happens. I tell her to try the healing beam, which she does. It fires at the bot leading us and ricochets off, hitting True Will in the face.

"SON OF A..." He yells as he runs his eyes. "WHY?! Why me!?"

"I'm so sorry." Twilight apologizes.

"Don't be. It's non lethal." I say, getting a mean look from True Will. "I guess it's not for you then..."

PSSSSSH

Twilight had pointed the gun straight up and accidentally fired the healing gun. Instead of firing the blue beam, a blue shield shot up from it, doming around for about ten meters.

"Don't let go!" I yell, getting Twilight to hold it there.

"What's going on?" Pinkie asks as we all look over the light blue dome. I look over to see Theimara standing outside the dome, looking in.

"Theimara, try to get in." I tell her. She looks over the dome a bit before trying to get in, but can't get through. She tries slashing her way in, but ends up breaking her hands in the process. "OK, OK, that's enough. Go ahead and drop the shield Twilight." I say as Theimara regrows her hand.

"I can't." She says as she shakes the rifle. "It won't sto..."

VRMMMM

As soon as she lowered the gun the shield dropped. We all look around before looking over to Twilight. She looks around before offering a small smile.

"Well, you can use that one now." I say as I take the other rifle from her.

"Really? But...."

"I don't think that's going to happen for anyone else. Now lets get going. True Will, want a gun?" I ask as I offer him the rifle. He thinks about it for a second before taking it with his magic. "Just try not to shoot anyone with it, alright?"

"Like how you..."

"This is lethal. So no, not like what I did." I say, getting a nod from him.

We make our way through the city with total ease. The number of bots here is... confusing. How could they have this many still functioning bots here? They were attacked just like Topaz Falls... right?

We end up having to go to the underside of the southern district. Just like everywhere else, everything here is surprisingly fine. Little to no damage, random stores filled with product, functioning bots. It's hard to believe that there was a full on war here, but the lack of people is a constant reminder.

The building we're looking for comes into view. There wasn't anything special about it, just another grey building standing before us. We enter and head to the control room. The control room is nothing but two walls of red and green lights with a computer terminal taking up the wall at the far end. I walk straight through and glance at the light. There are mostly red lights in here. I try the computer, but find it encrypted. Fuck! Why didn't I learn to hack like Inficiunt and Eximius!

"Bot, help me gain access to this terminal."

"Right away."

"Over ride safet-wait, what?" I ask as it goes straight to the computer and sends a few coils of wires in. In a matter of seconds it moves aside.

"Anything else?"

"Why didn't your safety protocols kick in?"

"Safety protocols have been over written for the past three thousand years. Would you like me to re-engage them?" So that's how they did it....

"No. Not yet at least." I say as I go to the computer and search for all of my friends. One after another I get the same thing. Name not found. None of them got in. I take a moment before looking over all of current listings... no way...

"Miles? You look... sick. Are you OK?" Twilight asks as I start looking around the room.

"These lights..."

"They look like hearts warming eve lights!" Pinkie cheers as she bounces around.

"They're..."

"What is it dear?" Rarity asks as she looks at the screen.

"People." I say as I get up and look around.

"People? No, I think they're just lights dude." Dust Devil says as everyone starts looking around the large room. I go to a random red light and press it. It pushes out and gives a small hologram of some random guy... with the words deceased underneath.

Next Chapter: Chapter 135 Green Light Estimated time remaining: 54 Hours, 22 Minutes