//------------------------------// // Chapter Thirty-Four // Story: A Journey Unthought Of // by Hustlin Tom //------------------------------// The six ponies had set out almost immediately for Canterlot. Twilight Sparkle quickly wrote down a letter for Princess Celestia so she would know they would be coming, in order that they could reach Celestia’s presence as quickly as possible. Since it was late evening, there wasn’t exactly a large crowd to contend with, so they did as The Doctor told; buying the express tickets. They arrived in Canterlot station around dawn. The sun rose with colors of deep orange, colors that seemed to reflect the girls’ determination and resolve to save their friend. On the way to Canterlot, the girls had devised a plan, since none of them could sleep easily anyway. As the six of the approached Canterlot castle, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity split from the others and headed towards the courtyards. Their main objective was distraction, something all of them had a spectacular talent in. Rainbow Dash could do her aerial stunts, Rarity had her feminine wiles for the less easily distracted guards, and Pinkie Pie was mare extraordinaire at distractions by simply being herself. “Hey everypony!” Heads turned as Pinkie Pie cartwheeled into the central courtyard. “I’m here on serious business, so there is one thing you must absolutely know.” All eyes were riveted to her, as she pulled a rolling heavily decorated cannon from nowhere. “IT’S PARTY TIME!!!” The cannon fired straight into the air, and Rainbow Dash shot out and barrel rolled into the sky, her tailwind stained with the colors of the rainbow. Most of the guards were mesmerized; others needed more convincing. “Oh my! What a display of technique and prowess!” Rarity spoke in her most melodramatic voice. “I’m feeling faint. Oh, who will catch my fall?” She began to fall, but was saved by a pearl white Pegasus in ceremonial royal armor. Rarity’s eyes fluttered as she put on her silkiest voice, “Well, hello handsome!” Twilight, Fluttershy, and Applejack continued on their way to the Royal Sisters’ proclamation chamber, where public ceremonies, royal hearings, and general business of the castle took place. As they were allowed to enter, Twilight was quick to notice that though there were now two thrones, only one of them was occupied, that one belonging to Princess Celestia. The Princess stood from her throne and came to give her student a winged hug. “Twilight Sparkle, It’s been so long since you’ve actually come to see me here in the castle. I was quite surprised to have received a letter so quickly since yesterday. How are you feeling today?” “Very well, Princess Celestia. I’ve brought two of my friends with me: Applejack and Fluttershy.” Both of them bowed before their Princess. Celestia looked at Fluttershy with a small amount of realization. “You were the pony Twilight mentioned yesterday. You were the one chased by the creature?” “If I might say, your Majesty, he is not a creature; Adam is a human being.” The Princess looked to Twilight and gave a small sigh, “I expect then this isn’t a social call?” Twilight shook her head,“I’m afraid not Princess. We still believe Adam is innocent, and these are the two best character witnesses in all of Equestria.” Applejack stepped forward and spoke, “Princess Celestia, if ah may, Adam was introduced tah me by Lyra Heartstrings, and she had been in company with Adam for a while before anyone else knew of him. He was intelligent; we talked fer hours with him, and he wouldn’t hurt a fly. There’s no doubletalk in what ahm sayin’; ah am the Element of Honesty afterall.” “It’s true your Majesty,” Fluttershy quietly concurred. Princess Celestia sighed again and looked at them like a knowing parent trying to explain something to a small child. “Like I told Twilight Sparkle yesterday; sometimes things are more than what they seem. I was on the verge of believing him as well, but his actions against me must be taken into account, along with all the evidence that Bunsen Burner has brought me.” “But can you actually trust him?” Twilight asked. “Bunsen Burner was my greatest student before you and your predecessor Twilight. He has been responsible for some of our greatest scientific innovations. He is loyal to me and to Equestria. He does his best to protect you and all ponies, just like I do. I would trust his word to the end.” "But even if he was acting on misinformation, aren’t his measures too extreme? Where are Lyra and Bon Bon?” “I’ve been told they are in the medical wing of the castle, being given the best of care.” “Can you confirm that?” “There is no need to. Bunsen Burner has seen to their affairs, and they should be released from observation very soon.” “I have one request Princess, if you’ll allow it.” “What is it, Twilight?” “Could we assist Bunsen Burner in his studies then? Since we know so much about them, we could help him understand humans; we want to keep Equestria safe.” The Princess thought about it for a moment. “I’ll allow it.”