As much as Mabel enjoyed traveling with Derpy, her stomach was beginning to feel empty. Luckily they came across some apple trees. "Oh good," Mabel said. "We can stop here for food."
"Um, that might not be a good idea," Derpy said. "The trees are alive and they don't like when people remove their apples."
"But I'm hungry!" Mabel complained.
"Don't worry, I have a plan," Derpy said. She approached the trees. "Hey trees! You guys are so old, your mother has turned into a moldy cabin by now!"
Suddenly, the trees started throwing apples. Derpy quickly grabbed two nearby baskets and caught the apples as fast as she could. Soon, she got enough to fill the baskets."Thought you said I couldn't take the apples," Mabel said.
"I said they don't like it when people take their apples," Derpy explained, putting the baskets over her back. "I didn't say anything about taunting them so they throw the apples at you."
But before the two could continue, Mabel noticed someone standing nearby. Upon closer inspection, it was a boy made completely out of metal! He resembled Dipper for some strange reason.
"I've heard of these before," Derpy said. "This is a Steel Boy, someone who was made completely out of steel thanks to a curse Evanora made. He's probably rusted, so his oil can should be nearby."
However, Mabel opened a panel near his chest and flipped a switch labeled 'POWER'. She closed the panel as he started functioning. "Wh-Where am I?" he asked. "How long was I out? And who are you people?"
"You're a robot?" Derpy asked, surprised. "I thought you were merely a Steel Boy!"
"I am," the robot explained. "We just happen to be robots. My name's Max."
"I'm Mabel," the twelve-year-old girl said. "And this is Derpy."
"We're going to see Oscar Diggs," Derpy said. "He's going to take Mabel home and help me get others to love me."
"Can I come?" Max asked. "Maybe he can give me a heart. I mean, I used to have an emotions chip, but it was removed by...someone. I can't remember who."
"I guess so," Mabel said with a shrug. And with that, she, Derpy, and Max continued to head for the Emerald City.
