Lyra and I stopped at the toll booth just before fully going into the city of Chicago. We stopped because I had much to think about. It was pretty dark and we had a fire started in the middle of the road. I stayed as silent as I could be. I just stared at the fire the fire gave me history of my mind of what I saw. I could swear I saw Luna as a puppy. But then my mind went back to normal at the sound of Lyra’s voice.

"Malla did you know that you could fly?" Blinking a moment looking up to Lyra from the fire. All I did was give a weak smile. This journey has been hard on me. I started as the only creature that I knew of in Wyoming. Looking back to much of it. The fact the entire world was already going to hell in a hand basket. So many parts of the world going through the issues. Maybe some of them were caused for no reason. But I hope the world will be peaceful now. The idea that there are more in this world trying to find their way. At least Chris helped me with that. More survivors should be out there. But would it be wise to find them?

I slowly stood up and began to pace along the booth, looking to what is normally a very busy road. But again the world has ended not with a bang not with a whimper. Maybe were changed from a joke well maybe fate wanted to play a trick on us. Maybe I should just get Lyra to tell me. I might even learn later on. Of course being a lover of dragons. Growing to write stories about them when I was younger. But maybe fate didn't play a joke on us. It's how the idea of the world. But blood of the US. Blood of the soil. Maybe this was deserved. But looking back in my mind. My journey is almost over..

Looking back on everything the pain the world caused. The blood on the hands of many. Looking up into the night sky. The stars shining down. Hearing a whimper looking towards Toby who is looking for Luna. I can no longer cry. I walked back to Lyra and I spoke. " The sex of this world became what most wished to do.” The rest of the conversation was written in the other journal. Of course from the conversation we had I had to explain to her that the human race to me deserved what happen to us. “The human race doesn't deserve it Lyra."

" Malla I can't agree to that. You have been very kind to me. Even if I tease you about your heat." I sighed hating that she went back to that. I'm now in the body of a creature that goes into heat to spread the seed of the future. But the idea of that doesn't make my cheeks burn this time. It makes me realize that I had sexual intercourse many times before. I sighed deeply pacing again. My journey is so close to end but.. I'm having trouble wishing to go the rest of the way. Looking towards the way into the dark city. I didn’t wish to get going in before morning. To dark and I doubt it would be safe.

" Lyra again.. this world to some didn't deserve to be saved. But that's just my honest simple opinion. But there is so much hate in this world. That maybe it might fix the hate. But I don't know if it will. Do you feel that I deserve this second chance? Do you feel that way to?" So much anger in my body my heart at the moment. I felt angry that I treated Luna so bad when she was a pup and she loved me. But I didn't care much for the idea of what is happening to me.

" Well to me Malla, I don't know anything about these other folks. I know about you I see a kind gentle soul Malla. I care deeply for you. You're my friend I love you as a sister. I don't wish to think of what your kind has done. You are you. I am sure you have done so much that would make you feel this way."

I thought to myself after she said that. Then it hit me she is right.. I am beating myself up. Luna was a dog and a friend in my eyes. But she died protecting Lyra. All I did was stand there scared to death. It made me feel bad that I did so much bad to her myself. Looking to Lyra tears calmly fell to the ground on the road. When it happen some grass grew from it. I found that even my tears bring nature. But what would that make me? I'm not sure anymore.

" Lyra... I am scared what is going to happen to me after we get to Michigan. I want to be there for the others that have survived this, whatever it is. But i fear it won't be easy. But like many have said in their lives nothing is ever easy. It's something that I will never know myself."

Lyra stood up on her hooves went over to me and gently sat beside me. I Looked at her with weak eyes. I was weak in my heart. My body felt like it was taking on the hate of what I feel. Maybe it's stress maybe it's finally understanding of what I will find in my home state. I loved this state so much when I was young. I hope I never find out what happen. It's something I don't wish to see but I am going to have to see.

" Malla, listen to me closely. You made me a friend. You made Chris a friend. You will make more friends along the way. You did an amazing job my dear friend I hope you will understand this down the line. I care about you like i said. I don't care what the past of the world was. I am sure you will teach them. You're a dragon your kind will live long. Live a very very long time. It's not going to be easy for you. I know this well."

Listening to the wise words of Lyra. Huh i guess she can be wise under all that dizziness of hers. I can tell in her eyes that she cares. But I can't believe how i treated her when we met. I treated her like she was just a burden. Now when I look at her, I see my friend. A sister of mine in this grand fight. I am going to miss her because she is very close to me.

"Lyra I am going to miss you when my journey ends." I said softly.

"No Malla. I won't be leaving I haven't found the leader I need to find yet. So i will be sticking around to find the leader I need to find. So I will be here to help you."

I had Chris and Colgate to thank for convincing Lyra to stay with me.

"But my dear friend Malla, are we going to leave yet?"

" I will when I can but..Its best to go through the city when the light is in the sky. I don't wish to drive during the dark. I don't know this city. Maybe you could explain some things to me while we go through it?" Smiling gently nodding. But it wasn't even midnight yet. It was still the same day. The death of Luna fresh in my heart and my mind. It's not what i wanted to see. In the end.

I feel that there is more to life now then dwelling but sometimes to not know the past will fail to remember it. Sometimes it's what is known and what is without the ending night. Oh please give me a sign maybe i will learn down the line. I love this idea I love this song of how the world is there for me in the end. Maybe it's not maybe it will die. Maybe down the line we will all fail to see it again. Maybe the past is death maybe it's the mind of how its all to be. Who knows I'm alive said the music. I'm the tongue shriller that brings the death. I see the end. The ring is but hope to some but death to others.

It's like all books say they live happily ever after. But what happens after that? More happens down the line. It's not always a happy ending it's always a ending of pain and doom. Maybe the pain will be there down the line within the end. The flower is a symbol a symbol of pure love sometimes the love is all we have left. In the end. I do hope down the line. I see this love. I see this song. Maybe I will. Maybe I won't . Its but the end of the night. Maybe down the ending night. That we see the music. I hope that we know down the line. That it's how its known within.

But I doubt it.

" Whats on your mind Malla?" Looking to Lyra near the fire. My mind was focused on what Is the now. Al that went through my mind and then back out. How does that work for some? I am not sure anymore it's just so odd to me. It's just so strange to me. I hope to learn the way. Maybe I will know down the line. "Malla what is on your mind? You seem so focused on the pain but you don't see to know what to think. So again what is on your mind? I sighed softly not sure. What to think right now. Maybe nothing is on my mind. Maybe nothing will ever be on my mind. I am not sure what it will be down the line. It's but a dream.

" Malla!!" I blinked and she got me out of my stupor.

" Sorry I was thinking. Thinking of what is and what might be. " She just stared at me like I was nuts. Rolling her eyes at that and smiled.

" Malla you think way to much about the future you need to think of what is to come. You need to just go with the flow. That's what I learned back home. Forget about the now go with the future. It's now it should be then. Are you willing to do that?"

I sighed more thoughts fill me. What is it going to be like in the future. But that's normally what i say go with the future. Go with the future. I'm unsure how to go with it. Looking to the fire and Toby looking for Luna. I need to mourn but i can't. Toby needs to get to a place he will be safe. I hope he will be down the line. I went to the little guy lifted him up and placed him inside the car to let him rest. Let him dream of his friend Luna.

" After today and Luna's death. I think more about myself everyday now. It's what I am not seen in the end of that goodnight. Don't go into the end of that goodnight." Shifting my body a bit turning my neck looking back into the city. Walking to the booths. Grabbing the blocker that normally only opened when you payed them. Trying to force it up. But it was ten times harder than it looked. Instead of trying to force it up I would snap it in half. With a great force of my weight and dragon like might. I pulled the plastic wood like boom tossing it away. Walking my large feet back to the campfire. Laying by Lyra signing closing my eyes tears starting to stream down my face.

" Malla you didn't know.. That those Pumas would be there." She looks at her wrapped up wounds. Nuzzling my neck I just wanted to cry and feel awful for what happen. " You can cry if you wish Malla. I won't think of you weaker or anything. But you can't be strong all the time Malla. To be gentle in your heart. You need to as well be weak." The tears started to come more. When they hit the ground grass and flowers grew. I could feel the pain filling through me. My heart beat heart pain of lost filling my mind. Starting to sob softly each of the muscles in my body tensed. My lungs expand then release the air while I sobbed. All I could hear was myself.

"I'm here Malla let it all out. Let all your pain you have been holding let it out. You have hold your sorrow to long.." i did what she asked I let out all the pain and all the emptiness I felt on this journey. Then something else hit me and hit hard. I might never see my friends or family again. But if I do it will be because I'm a dragon. Dragons take longer to grow old and die. I will be seeing those I care for grow old and die. Maybe this is fate or a curse. But I can no longer think that..I Must move on.

00000

July, 3rd

It was the morning of the next day. I emotionally drained. Sitting in the passenger seat on my back feet like a dragon normally does. We leave behind the camp fire we made last night going through the toll booth into the city of Chicago. Looking towards Lake Michigan it was empty very empty. Looking at the city from the road we are on. Looking at the GPS it said we are on highway 90 now from 94. Heading for the Chicago express way to get to skyway. I just stared outside the moving city that moved while we drove. No words came from my mouth just the fact that the normally busy city was very empty. This highway to the Sky way normally had so many cars. But it's just us. I didn't even want to stop here to look in the city.

This journey I have had enough of. The pain i felt it was going to take another few hours maybe longer to get to Michigan. " Malla maybe you could tell me about this city." Turning my head to look at her, while also loving the fact that this neck is so long.The fact my neck was so long. I had to move it a few new muscles that hurt a bit as I stare at her smiling.

" If you want to know about it, allow me. It's a city that has been through much hell. Murders happen here on a daily basis. It's a sad truth Lyra. But this is one of the most gun heavy cities that have many murders each day. I'm sure it's very calm now. But there is also good here. Even though most never see it. Under all that grime crime and murder was a town flourishing even despite the problems it had. Most always try to find the wrong in things like this."

Opening the window, I noticed we are getting closer to the sky way. But I had to tell the scent of the air. Lifting my head out this city is normally very heavy with smog. So it’s hard to breath from all the cars. But when i put my head out took a deep breath. I smelled pure clean air. When we got to the sky way, Lyra stopped the car. We both got out to take a look at the city.

" Malla, I wish to study this town. But I'm sure you wish to get going." Not even turning my head to Lyra nodding.

" Yes I do wish to get going Lyra.. But getting some air always works" Setting my fort claws onto the edge looking down at the city. The city normally very busy during the day and night. But all I see down there are cats, wild dogs, and birds. Shaking my head a moment. "Funny, I used to be scared to death of heights."

All I could think about is the families playing down there. What is Detroit like now? Is it the same part of a run down city? What about the place I grew up at? Looking towards the road Sign The road sign looks like it was hit by a car the time this happen. It's unreadable. To bad I can't take it.

" Lyra there is a few more things I wish to ask you. Since You can't tell me what happen here. Do you think it's wise to keep moving on?" Turning my head to look at her. The feeling of trying to understand this entire thing still moved around in my brain. Many people around the world vanished on one day. Some like Chris came back on the same day I did. "I know full well you can't tell me."

"Again Malla, it's not that I don't want to tell you. It's because I want to protect you." A deep sigh leaves my mouth along with smoke. I have gotten used to the fact. I don't only seem to grow stuff when I cry and dump my blood on something. I seem to breath fire as well. Every inch of my body felt heavy being in this town. The air may be clean. But I feel that the city itself is not good for me or whatever it is. Looking down to the city one more time.

Before turning back to the car getting in it. Lyra got back into the driver's side. She had a worried look on her face. Looking away. I just stared at the city. All those people vanishing on that day. Looking to Lyra, She had a frown on her face. She knew something was bothering me it's why she didn't even start the car going again.

" Malla do you wish to talk about it?" Do i? I thought a bout. Maybe it's best to get it off my chest. I don't know if it's wise I don't want to hurt Lyra's feelings. But of course I have been doing that since we met. All this time again I have been treating her like a burden. While she has done so much for me.

"Well" I said softly. " Maybe it's wise to talk about it. Shut the car of so we don't use up gas." Lyra nodded turning the key. " First Lyra I know I have said this many times. I didn't treat you well at the start of this journey. Treating you like a burden didn't help"

Lyra laughed softly. " Oh don't worry Malla. Even ponies treat me like that back home. I can be a bit crazy you know." Staring at her when she said..Made me just want to laugh. But She is treated just like that back home? " Again Malla I did this to do something with myself instead of just being a bother back at home. So since I learned some skills being here. So the skills I learned here I can use them back home."

Sighing looking away. " I'm not sure I wish you to go yet." Turning my head back to Lyra. "I don't wish to be alone anymore." She sighed looking towards the road.

" But I have go home Malla. But like I was asked to I will stick around. I do miss my wife but for you for the time being. I will be here till I find what I need. But I need to find sompony who is a leader.” There are those words again Some pony. Finding those words interesting. Looking to the clock. It's already almost noon. Giving Lyra a nod she starts the car up and we drive the rest of the way along 90 we came from Milwaukee now we are heading on from the expressway to get to the Sky way. We turn to get there.

In our way is another toll booth so we just break through the boom blocker and go on our way through the long road. " Lyra You don't have to go so fast you know!!" Lyra laughed.

" This is so much fun though!!" We watched the city go by pretty fast. We would be going 90 the rest of the way since there was no more cars. We could make good time here. We broke through the last toll booth. I have no idea why there is so many.

We past Egger's grove. Heading to wolf lake. But again it was a wonderful drive. Seeing the beauty of this city without all the smog. This time we are over a lake named Wolf lake. But after we past wolf lake we started to slow. Lyra no longer wished to miss anymore of the world. We came to a very slow drive. Along the road, we get on another set of Toll roads leading to Indiana. Now we are in Indiana heading along the toll roads.

We broke through another one but we went slower now. To focus on the beauty of lake Michigan. The drive look awhile to get through But even though it was noon when we started again. The time went by pretty quick. The sun was starting to go down. At least it looked like it was. But looking at the time it was close to Two. But we needed to find a spot for Toby to do his business he is behind us jumping up and down like a ninny.

Staying on highway 90, we went past many a town. Portage a nice small looking town. The road father ahead started to be a bit full of holes and bumps of course it was around the time that most did do construction work but most of the time not. We past Rushing water Drive seeing Robbinhurst Golf club and driving range. Again another small beautiful town with a even more beautiful Golf course.

The toll road got the point there wasn't much to see anymore. After awhile we came up to what the GPS said Purdue University. We then past Pinhook Bog we have been getting closer. The expense i felt in my body. The fact we are getting closer. But looking behind us. I think Toby needs a rest we will rest one more day..

00000

I had closed my eyes opening them we stopped it seemed looking around. We stopped at some store. At some Market. Looking at the name, It was Piggots farmers market and bakery. Lyra is already outside watching Toby. This part of Michigan is calm. But looking towards were we stopped. I have never been here. But I didn't need sleep like Lyra did. She looked tensed as hell. Slowly getting out of the car smiling.

" Welp one more stay then we head to my home and then the journey ends." Lyra nods with a gentle smile. She looks back to Toby who seems to be doing his business on everything. " Ah you have learned to let him do what he wants." She sighed.

" It's ten time easier then trying to stop him. But we could go on. Doesn't seem like many places to sleep here." A soft chuckle came from me.

" Go ahead and rest in the car Lyra rest in the back. I will fill the car tomorrow I am going to look around. But only when you fall asleep of course." Lyra laughed.

"OH good job Malla leave me alone." A roll of my eye laughing as well. Looking to the market I doubt the smell would be wonderful in there. But just to test I looked through the locked door trying to see if i could smell it. But I didn't even see what was in there.

But I could tell the sun was going down. It's going to be a interesting night. I'm going to be looking inside this market and then looking around the rest of the town.

000000

The sun had gone down after we parked in front of the market. Lyra was asleep and I did what I thought was a good idea. I wanted to check the rest of this area to see how it was. But maybe I felt it was wise to stay near Lyra and Toby just in case another soul showed back up. Maybe I didn’t want to leave them both alone. Looking up I noticed the windows were half opened. Looking into the window I could see Lyra playing her Lyre while she slept? How in the world did she do that? I would have to ask her later. I turned my head to the market door walking to it looking inside.

The market looks very dark and empty. Using my claws to cut a whole my size into the door since I didn’t wish to wake Lyra I pulled the glass out laying it on the ground. Slowly going in taking a deep breath of the area coughing covering my nose. The market stank of rot. Looking to a plant not far from me. I noticed a leaf pulling the leaf off it looking closely at it. The leaf was still alive. Putting it to my nose I felt something strange happen. A magic stem grew out of the side of my head. Tying around my head so the leaf could act like a mask. I took a deep breath from the mask getting pure air going into my lungs. I wish I could understand how these nature powers worked.

I took a deep breath from the leaf. Feeling the clean pure air going into my lungs again. I wanted to look through the market to see if I could find anyone at all. This market was very empty it made me feel lonely. I went to the left side seeing the fridge that held bread and cheese. I looked closer at the cheese and the bread staring at them. All i could see was pure green bread and cheese. It made me feel bad these must have been so beautiful looking before all this happen. I sighed shaking my head so beautiful this market looked. I had one more spot to check out.

I went to the other area of the market finding grown food. Now that I have learned I am able to do something with nature so I might be able to bring these veggies back to life. Picking up a corn cob that is rotted through. Taking a long look at it looking at the soil it grew it. Dipping my claw into it to test the soil. Tasting it with my claw coughing a bit ‘That was a bad idea.’ I said to myself. I took a taste of the corn It wasn’t the best idea to do that either. I tossed the corn away after tasting it. I didn’t like the fact that I had to test my new abilities it made me feel upset.

I didn't know if testing this stuff would end up messing with my stomach. But I had to test this to see what would happen. Looking at a veggie that looked like Kale. Taking a bite of the kale swishing it around in my mouth. I could taste this had some pure soil. But another issue. The soil was mostly clay. So I don't think my blood can help it. Dripping some blood on the kale. It really did nothing but made the green plant red.

This wasn't a good test. Some parts of Michigan never had good growing soil. So i was pretty worried that if I wanted to make my own Hub. That I would have to find a way to fix Michigan's soil. But it would take along time and much cow dung and whatever else i can find. A few more things I could test but some of them were to far gone. Taking the broccoli out of the fridge nearby. Taking a bite from the old rotted food. But what I tasted wasn't very good either. The soil this was grown in..tasted like acid. How did they even grow anything with this soil? I'm starting to wonder if this is a lost cause for my test.

Looking to the last two things. Potatoes taking a bite of the old rotted veggie. Wait I think it's not a veggie I am really unsure. But tasting it the soil was very rich. It felt like an explosion of pure hit my mouth. One issue though. The soil was still pretty weak but I have to try. Testing with the blood first. It slowly removed the rotten look. But didn't look fresh. I tried one last thing with it.

Removing the leaf from my nose breathing gently on the potatoes. Only one of them grew back to pure. Looking closely at it. Sniffing it now with it being pure. I could let Lyra taste it. But looking at my skills of nature. I could only bring back one. Maybe this is how it works. One but it's enough to feed three ponies if they cut it in sections. With my tail I grabbed the only potato. Leaving the last few produce behind. But there is also cheese in the other room. I doubt it's wise for me to go in there. Placing the leaf back on my nose.

Heading back out of the market. Laying by the car looking closely at the potato slicing it in five different sections with my claws. Taking one piece tasting it. It didn't taste pure to me. Of course I'm a meat eater now. So i doubt that food like this would taste good to me. So i will just get some rest and feed the rest to Lyra tomorrow before the leg of our journey.