By early evening the conductor announced the train's approach to their destination, "Fi-naaal stop! Everypony needs to depart at the final stop!" At times during the journey the train had been full of passengers, but now it only contained seven ponies. The seventh, wearing a well-worn leather jacket, sat quietly in a corner, his wide brimmed fedora pulled over his eyes.

The train squealed to a stop, letting out a big whoosh of steam after it came to a rest. The group left the passenger car they were in and stepped out into the still oppressive heat despite the sun now being low in the evening sky. "At least it's a dry heat." intoned Pinkie to the appreciation of absolutely no one.

Twilight looked around to get her bearings. The station they were at was a typical Equestrian rail station but for some reason lacked a sign that stated the actual name of the place. Behind the station, she could, much to her relief, make out a few buildings. There were perhaps ten buildings in total, all made out of clapboard, similar to the structures that exist in Appleloosa. Twilight led the group to the nearest building and headed inside. As it turned out, it was the very supply store that Twilight had hoped she would find. It had tents, mining equipment, canteens, desert appropriate clothing, maps, compasses, and special provisions designed for travel in the desert. Behind the counter was a grizzled old pony looking expectantly at the new visitors.

Twilight started magically grabbing the various supplies she was certain was needed for the journey ahead and placing it on the counter, causing the storekeeper eyes to light up.

"Planning a little expedition into the desert I see." observed the grizzled old storekeep.

Twilight just nodded and was about to say something but Pinkie decided to blurt out, "Oh yes! We're trying to find Pandora's Ark. Isn't that exciting?"

Everybody turned with shock to their talkative friend with Rarity in a low strained voice saying, "Pinkie, hush."

There was a small cough from the back of the room. The other remaining passenger from the train ride had followed the group into the store and was leaning against a wall. Realizing everyone was looking at him he just held up a hoof and said, "Oh don't mind me." He then suddenly turned to Applejack and said, "Nice hat."

"Uhm, thanks?" was Applejack's reply, uncertain if he was being complementary or sarcastic.

Twilight's attention returned to the proprietor, "Now…" began Twilight before she was interrupted.

"May I ask what your intentions are in regards to Pandora's Ark?" came the voice from the back of the room.

Twilight turned to the stranger, and asked with a voice full of suspicion, "Who might you be?"

The stranger stood up straight and walked up to Twilight and extended a hoof, "The name is Digger Bones, I'm an archeologist. I've got a great deal of knowledge and interest in ancient antiquities."

Twilight just looked at the extended hoof with doubt before replying with a sniff, "Well if you must know, we plan on taking the Ark to Canterlot so it can be put in a secure location and away from anypony that might want to exploit it for his or her own ends."

Digger nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer.

Twilight then returned her attention to grizzled old pony behind the counter, "Now, does this town have a name?"

The storekeeper just shook his head, "Nope."

"You don't have a name for it?" replied Twilight incredulously.

"We just call it 'Town'."

"Does it have a place where we can rent a room?"

"Next door in the saloon, it's run by my brother Fuzzy. Y'all will find it nice and quiet. We don't git many visitors around these here parts, apart from Dr. Bones here, he's practically a regular. Oh, and good to see ya again, Dr. Bones."

"And good to see you again, Gabby." greeted Digger with a tip of his hat and a broad smile.

Pinkie suddenly ran up to Digger, "You're a doctor? Wow! Maybe you can help me? It hurts when I do this…and this…and especially when I do this…" said Pinkie as she contorted herself in increasingly bizarre configurations.

Digger looked upwards and sighed, "I'm not a medical doctor, I'm an archeologist. I thought we already covered that."

"Oh," replied Pinkie, "does that mean you only help dead ponies? Do you make zombies?" Pinkie went up on her hind legs, stretched her fore legs out in front of her and made a zombie-like face and swayed back and forth all the while moaning. This caused Fluttershy to suddenly hide her head under her arms and cower.

"You're thinking of a hippologist. And no, before you ask, they don't create zombies either. And, even though I have no medical training, I can still help you with," he paused briefly waving a hoof in Pinkie's general direction, "whatever that was. If it hurts when you do any of that, DON'T DO THAT!" he said emphatically while pushing his face in really close to Pinkie. He then backed off and readjusted his hat while he composed himself.

Pinkie's eye's widened in surprise, "Ooooo, you're really smart."

Suddenly Rainbow Dash shouted excitedly at Digger, "Wait a minute I know you! You are in some of the Daring Do books I've read!"

"Oh no," he groaned, putting a hoof to his face, "Don't tell me she's been writing about me?"

Dash nodded excitedly before Digger continued trying not to look in Dash's direction, "She and I are going to have words the next time I see her." Digger now turned his attention towards Twilight who was busy paying for the supplies she had accumulated, "So, uhm…"

"Oh, my name is Twilight Sparkle."

Digger nodded in recognition, "Oh, you're those ponies! I should have guessed. Anyway Twilight, I've done a large amount of research on Pandora's Ark, so if I can be of any assistance?"

"Yes, that would be appreciated. Perhaps you can meet us at the saloon later tonight. I'm assuming you will be staying there as well?"

Digger nodded yes.

"Then we will see you shortly." And with that the group gathered up the supplies and headed out to the saloon hotel next door.