I spent the rest of the morning catching up on the sleep i didn’t get, as hard as it was. I studied the parchment, and discovered the scribblings were coordinates somewhere southwest of the South Luna Ocean. I went to the post office and told them I was taking a leave. Next was the Slice Family Pizza Parlor. I walked up to the counter and asked Slice’s dad if I could talk to Slice. He walked up a set of spiraling stairs behind the counter and down came Slice himself. “What’s up?” He chirped.
“I have to cancel our plans for this weekend.” I sighed.
“What? Why?”
“I have to make an unexpected trip…”
“Oh… for how long?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t have a lot of time.”
“Where are you going, then?”
“First to Las Pegasus… then I’m taking an ocean liner to these coordinates.”
“Is it like a treasure hunt, then?”
“No.” He noticed in the strictness in my voice.
“Is something wrong, Lavender?” The concern in his tone made me ease up a bit.
“Screech Aura has put everypony in danger. He’s dabbled in some dark practices or something and I’m going to find an old student of his.”
“Woah… that’s some heavy stuff…”
“Slice! This is serious! I’m going to need you to evacuate the town if anything goes wrong. If something happens to Screech, you’ll need to get the princesses to protect them.”
“Who all is going with you?”
“Nopony. I don't have the slightest idea as to what I'd be dealing with. It would be dangerous to bring somepony along.” I sighed. His face was flustered with confusion.
“So, you’re just going to some far off land by yourself? You’ll get eaten by a dragon or something! I’m going with!”
“Slice…”
“I’m gonna go pack my things. We’ll meet at the castle when we’re done.” He took my hoof and held it in his own. “Promise you won’t leave without me?” I felt my icy barriers melt at the familiar warmth. My plan wasn’t perfect, but his was better. I hadn’t thought too much about other ponies. I wasn’t a good enough talker to talk to the Princess of Friendship or even ask Slice for his help.
“...okay.” I sighed. I looked into Slice’s green eyes, and he returned my gaze with a look of confidence.
“I’ll see you then, Lavender.” He smiled. He released my hoof and headed upstairs.
I left the shop and packed some things for myself. Some food, some warm clothing, a water bottle, a blanket, and even an old journal of my dad’s and a quill and ink. Once I was finished, I taped a note to the inside of the front window facing out, and locked up the shop. I gave the shop one last look. The light gray paint chipped away, revealing bits and pieces of what used to be the store’s previously bright red bricks.
I trotted over to the castle on the far end of town, to the sight of the castle and a familiar gray pony waiting for me on the front steps with his own saddle bags on his back.
“You ready?” he asked when I approached. I nodded. He knocked on the castle doors. hoofsteps neared the other side of the doors, and I was met with the form of a unicorn, poking her head out. Her Purple mane with a blue streak and her light violet coat flashed a hint of nervousness in me.
“Can I help you?” she pondered.
“Oh, uh. Starlight Glimmer? Can we speak to Princess Twilight please?”
“Sure! I don’t think she’s busy, so come on in!” She smiled. She opened the door wider, gaining us entry. The inside of the castle was grand and shone with each crystal wall and floor reflecting light. Starlight lead us through many hallways that spiraled through the structure. Finally, we were met with a pair of great doors, which i presumed to be the throne room. Starlight pushed a hoof in the door.
In the centre of the room was a round table, and 6 large chairs and 1 smaller one accompanying one facing away from the door. “Twilight?” Starlight called.
“Yes, Starlight?” A voice called, and then a head bent around the back of the chair appeared. A face I was only familiar to as the Princess of Friendship. Her eyes fell onto Slice and I, and a smile beamed from her. “Oh! Hello!”
"Oh! Your majesty!" I stuttered. Way to go, Lav. My chest filled with the warmness of embarrassment and obligation.
"Please, just Twilight will be fine."
"Of course! M-My name is Lavender Cloud and this is my friend Pizza Slice." I introduced. Slice gave an awkward smile and glanced around the room, averting his gaze. "We're about to embark on a quest set out by my mentor, but I must warn you about what it entails..."
We sat at the table and discussed Screech. Twilight didn't recognize the name, but she clung onto every word I said. Once I began to detail the previous night, her smile faded, and her brow furrowed. I was hoping she would understand what kinds of forces Screech mentioned, but to no avail. I finished my story at making the decision to warn royalty.
"Lavender, I'm glad you came to us about this threat. Now, you're sure what Screech said is true?" She said.
"Yes." I replied, doing my best to make my answer sound convincing.
"If what he said is true, I think that my friends and I remain here in Ponyville so Equestria at least has the Elements of Harmony to protect the citizens."
"That would be ideal, your h- uh... m'am." Slice piped up.
"However, it does concern me some that it'll just be you two journeying to unknown lands. I think I should at least ask Starlight to accompany you, no?"
"We would appreciate any help we can get." He smiled. Starlight looked a bit nervous, probably about going somewhere unknown with only the company of strangers.
"I'd be honored to help. I say we meet at the train station at dusk! Well, Starlight? I should help you get packing!" Twilight said reassuringly, and with a wave of her hoof, she and Starlight left the map room. Slice and I soon followed suit and (eventually) found our way out of the castle.