//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: The Wonders of Flight // Story: Eventide Wings // by Tranquil Serenity //------------------------------// Both ponies safely on land, Eventide commenced to pull the boat up onto the shore. Rarity had made an offer to assist him, but he had told her there was 'no need'. Choosing to permit the captain his chivalry despite her new-found powers, the alicorn stood a short distance away and watched. She saw that a forest sat just at the inner edge of the beach - lining the sandy expanse into the distance. She looked over her shoulder and observed the tide as it rose and fell. The silhouette of the island they'd left was still visible from this spot, as the lights of the heavens now ruled the night once more. Satisfied that the tide would not steal away his vessel, Eventide Swell left the boat and returned to Rarity's side. "Princess," he said, holding out a map he'd kept aboard his craft. "If you would be so kind as to cast your light, I will use it to ascertain which way to..." He blinked. "Pardon me, princess, but did you say you wanted to go to Canterlot or Ponyville?" That gave Rarity pause. "Well... I wish to reunite with my friends. At first I thought Ponyville because it's where they live, but then I thought Canterlot because I couldn't see the moon or the stars, knowing they'd likely go to the princesses to investigate... but then, I did fix that so perhaps they haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary at all. Which one is closer?" "Well..." Eventide glanced down meaningfully at the darkened parchment. "Oh! Of course!" Rarity chuckled nervously and lit her horn, the light more than enough for him to read by. A short while passed before the captain spoke. "It appears that Ponyville is the nearest. Just several hours journey in..." He pointed a hoof to a path between the trees. "That direction," he finished. "Hmm. Come to think of it, Ponyville is perhaps the most advantageous choice," Rarity thought aloud. "The map in Twilight's castle will likely tell us where the others have gone if they aren't there." "That's settled then," Eventide stated, folding up the map. "Does the princess wish to commence the journey now, or should I set up camp on the shore for the night?" "Goodness, no!" Rarity said waving a hoof. "I can walk a few hours if it means I get to sleep in a nice warm bed instead of on an old beach! In fact..." She glanced down at her wings and smiled. "Perhaps I could even fly there!" The captain's eyes widened. "Are you sure you could manage that? You've never flown before, and you would have to make the journey from here on your own if you succeeded." Rarity rolled her eyes. "Please, darling! I'm an alicorn now! I moved the stars and the moon without even trying! Even Twilight can't do that! I shall easily carry you in my magic as I fly!" "Princess, I don't think—" "Pish posh! Stand aside, good captain!" She waved him away. Spreading her wings out while crouching down into position, her eyes narrowed in determination. It was all just as she'd so often seen Rainbow Dash do it. With a glint in her eye, she took off running and flapped her wings, rising from the ground below. "There, you see, captain, I'm flYYYIIINNNNNGG!" Rarity cried out as she careened off-course, just narrowly missing a tree. Abruptly the majestic alicorn somersaulted through the air and landed face first in the sand. Eventide cantered quickly over to her side, assisting her in extricating her head from the sand with a popping sound not unlike a cork when pulled from the tip of a new champagne bottle. "Oh my! Princess, are you alright?!" Rarity spat out a mouthful of sand and coughed. "Of course, captain," she said, forcing herself to grin. "Just a... minor setback." He helped her to her hooves. "Princess, I really don't think you should try that again without proper instruction." "That's a good idea," Rarity agreed readily. "Would you mind giving me some?" "My apologies, princess. I'd be happy to assist in that if I could, but I'm afraid I'm no pegasus. In respect to matters of flight, I'm sorry to say I am quite ignorant." "Well, so much for that idea," Rarity remarked flatly. "We'd best start moving if we want to reach Ponyville before sunrise, assuming there is a sunrise."