Across the vast desert plains that score the Badlands, there is little to see. Dirt and dust cover much of the rock and pitiless hard earth underneath. There is scant vegetation save for a couple of hardy shrubbery that cling and suck the only moisture around, and even they are shrivelled and dying.

If one were so inclined to trek as far, there lies something that is not completely barren or wasted. There lies the ruins of an ancient civilisation, with tall pillars worn down and roughened by the winds and the occasional torrential rains. Though life among these ruins have diminished from their past glory, there are still those who walk among the dead masonry.

For among these ruins a pegasus crawls, with a bandaged leg forcing the winged equine to limp from column to column. Her wings were tattered and ragged and her breath coming in short gasps. The pained sounds of her struggles echoed through that which had been forsaken long ago.

The pegasus steadily makes her way to the inner sanctum of the ruined temple. Inside, the sunlight doesn’t break through the ruined ceiling. The immortality of the roof’s construction proving the mastery of its creators with stone. On a usual day, the pegasus would usually stare at the wondrously crafted designs, she would take in the austerity of the crumbling civilisation and ponder on her craft and calling.

But today was not a day to hesitate or appreciate. Today she moved towards her goal without looking or staring, only stopping to set down a bundle in the shade. She limps down the stairs, silently cursing the extravagant architecture as she made her way down to the only source of water in the Badlands. Stumbling and collapsing on the last few steps of the way, she came upon the chamber which housed the only natural spring for miles around.

Though the spring held water to satiate the thirst of a whole civilisation long ago, now it only contained mere drops compared to the bounty it had given. But the drops were enough for the small pegasus. Enough to last her for the day. She took a cautious sip, tasting the slightly flat but refreshing liquid. The water felt heavenly on her tongue and she was tempted to drink and drink and never stop.

She held back though. She had come on a more important mission. Unslinging the proofed pouch from her neck, she drowned the pouch and watched as the water seeped in. When there only a shallow puddle left, she swung the pouch back onto her back and lapped at the rest of the water. It would be enough to see her back.

Back up the torturous stairs she climbed. She struggled with the additional weight that threatened to tip her over and send her tumbling down back into the chamber. She grit her teeth and grunted with every step. Concentrating on the next step in rhythmic beat to keep her moving, to keep her going.

One after the other, she told herself. Not far, only a few more to go.

With a monumental effort the pegasus pulled herself up the last couple of steps. She staggered to the left and leaned heavily on the column. Her body screamed at her to sit, to lay, to rest, but she knew that if she did so, she might never get up again. The temptation was too great, she had to keep going.

Step, step, step.

Have to keep going, I have to keep going for her, she spoke to herself, her resolution hastening her steps slightly.

Ahead was another sound. A life among the barren ruins. The cry tore at the young pegasus’ heart and she shuffled faster, breaking into a limping canter as she closed in on sound.

“Shh,” she crooned as she got close. Two large green eyes blinked at her and the small bundle quieted. “It’s okay, I’m here now.” She unslung the small water pouch and pressed it to the muzzle of the small infant.

“There you go,” she croaked, giving her some more water. “There you go.”

The pegasus glanced back the way she came, she almost groaned out loud as she thought of the excruciating journey back to the water spring. It would fill up again in a few hours. Until then she would keep this little one company. She hummed a small tune, singing the vulnerable newborn to sleep.

A changeling she put all her hopes and dreams in.