The next day, the group continues the quest to stop the Ironclaw raiders. During the trek, Tuga decides to start a conversation. "So Zafira. If you mind me asking, why are your limbs all mechanical? Did something happen you were younger?" Asked Tuga. "I guess I was always like this. Even when I was young, my limbs and ears have alway been mechanical-ish." Says Zafira, looking at her Machina arms. "So you're a human-machina hybrid. Never knew that was possible." Said an intrigued Tuga. "To be fair, human-machina relationships have become more common in recent years." Say Zafira laying back on Neo. Just then, Neo and Torta both began to bellow at a peculiar sight. A traveling circus in the middle of nowhere. Curious, the group decides to investigate in hopes someone might have important information. Zafira and Tuga jump off Neo and Torta and proceed to enter the circus. Tuga approaches Zafira and gives her some gloves. "Noticed Neo lacks a saddle. Here are some magnetic gloves for when you get on him." Say Tuga giving Zafira the gloves. "At least I won't fall off him now. Thanks Tuga." Says Zafira as she puts on the gloves. As Zafira and Tuga enter, Neo and Torta notice a red bird fly into the circus. "Must be one of the circus performers." Neo and Torta thought as they wait for their riders.

Zafira and Tuga proceed to ask around but got no answers from the locals. Stressed out by the failed questioning, they decided to see a performance to take some of the stress off. During the show, they notice something off about the leader of the circus. He had this look of suspicion, almost as if he knows something the public doesn't. After the performance, Zafira and Tuga decide to speak with the performers. Just then, Zafira bumps into one of the performers, falling to the ground. "I'm so sorry miss. I wasn't paying attention." Says the worried performer. "No need. I was thinking about things." Say Zafira reassuringly. The performer introduces themself as Ruby Windrider and their Mekanimal Vermilla the Storm Talon. Tuga asks Ruby about the leader of the circus' strange behavior. "Now that you mention it, Mr. Oswald was acting strangely recently. I'll ask him to see whats wrong. I'll let you if something comes up." Says Ruby before leaving with Vermilla. Zafira and Tuga say goodbye  to Ruby and begin making their way back to Neo and Torta.

Ruby goes to speak with Mr. Oswald, concerned by what Zafira and Tuga said. Before they enters his office, Ruby overhears Mr. Oswald talking to someone. "Listen, I know things have been slow but I can assure you that we are getting close to a breakthrough." Say Mr. Oswald. "You better give us something soon. Lord Mercury is starting to get impatient and you don't want to give him a reason to turn you into scrap metal, Ozzy." Say a stranger with manic voice. Ruby is shock by what they heard and accidentally trips on a small rock. They fall with a hard thud and alerts the people inside the office. "Go Vermilla. Let Zafira and Tuga know whats going on. Hurry!" Ruby says in a panic. Vermilla flies off just as the Ironclaw raiders step out of the office. "Well well, what do we have here? Consider this a bargaining chip Mr. Oswald. Give us some information on the legendary mekanimal or this one becomes croc food." The stranger says with a maniacal grin. "Hold on Ruby. I be back soon with help." Vermilla thinks to themself as they search for Zafira and Tuga.

Zafira and Tuga prepare to leave with Neo and Torta as they see Vermilla flying towards them. "Is that Rubys Stormtalon?" Asks Tuga. Vermilla lands in front of the group and proceeds to squak at them in a panicked state. Neo and Torta immediately realize what went down and begin to follow Vermilla. Zafira and Tuga hold on tightly to Neo and Torta as the Mekanimals follow Vermilla. "Neo, Whats going on big guy?!" Zafira say franticly trying to get on Neos back. "I think Ruby is in danger. That would explain why Vermilla came here panicked." Say Tuga just as he climbs on top of Torta. "In that case We have to find Ruby soon before something happens to them." Zafira says as get on top of Neo. Neo and Torta proceed to make there way to when Ruby is being held. "Should have known the Raiders would  be here." Neo thinks to himself. "Don't worry Vermilla. We'll find your friend and send the Raiders packing." Torta thinks to herself. As the group follows Vermilla, Ruby looks at Mr. Oswald with disappointment for his actions. All Ruby can do now is wait for rescue to arrive and defeat the Ironclaw raiders.