Twilight kept mostly to herself during the journey, even though her friends were with her on board the Crystal Cruiser. It was possible, likely really, that she would have felt more comfortable in the presence of her friends who would be joining her across the universal barrier. But somehow, she just couldn’t bring herself to face them right now. They had come, but did they belong in the danger she would put them in?
Princess Cadance would be there, probably furious with Twilight's lack of communication. It didn't matter that she had sent no messages ahead. Cadance had ears too close to Twilight's program. Twilight had no doubt in her mind that she would beat her to Flurry’s Vigil.
Twilight suspected that she had her own independent programs probing the universal barrier, finding other ways to cross. But she knew they had no chance of success, and hadn’t worried about the competition.
If there was one relief not having Spike join her for the trip, it was that she had no way of receiving messages. The Crystal Cruiser was too small for a radio, so there would be no wireless communications either. Cadance would not be able to demand they slow to take her aboard at a port somewhere.
Princess Twilight leaned out over the bow of the ship, staring down at Flurry’s Vigil. Even from a great distance, she could see the settlement, its vast clearing of burned trees scarring the land.
It was unlike any other pony settlement she had ever seen or indeed ever visited. It had been built with no regard to the damage it did, or the wildlife that was living there. It was not so much a city as a vast military compound several blocks in size, with an entire detachment of crystal pony soldiers on duty at all times. What they were protecting against, or what their role would be, she had no idea.
Twilight had burned a few letters for Shining now, each one suggesting different ways he might take over for Princess Cadance in the daily affairs of the Crystal Empire. But she couldn’t quite bring herself to write it. The citizens of the Empire would have to endure her rule a little longer.
There were no other vessels landed here, so they had the entire dock to themselves. As they finally lowered the Crystal Cruiser, she was unsurprised to find Princess Cadance waiting on the ground, surrounded by a small group of crystal pony soldiers.
The princess strode purposefully up the landing ramp before it was even fully lowered. Her wings spread for balance in the high winds.
Twilight advanced past the captain, not wanting him to take any of Cadance’s anger for his role in this.
But for all the anger she had expected, Princess Cadance only smiled. “Twilight, you should have written that you were coming! Without a message from you, I wouldn't have known not to return to the Crystal Empire. I could’ve missed your trip!”
You're almost never in the Crystal Empire anymore, Twilight thought. She extended a hoof and shook Cadance's outstretched leg the way she might've done in simpler times.
“I heard the good news from your observatory!” Again that reminder that Princess Cadance had access to information she shouldn’t. But when the princess funded all of Twilight’s experiments, she could only plug so many leaks.
“I didn't want to get your hopes up in case this destination proved to be a failure. That said, we ran a few tests. I crossed personally to verify the conditions, and check the tracking spell. It’s a match.”
For a moment, Cadance only stared, one eye twitching slightly. There were no bags under her eyes, no redness, or other evidence of the chronic exhaustion that must be wearing her down. What spells could she be using to keep alert through her long search for Flurry? “I don't believe I asked you to protect me from anything, Twilight. This is my daughter's life. I don't need anyone else deciding for me when the information is too hard to hear.”
Twilight nodded apologetically. “Of course, Cadance. I'm sorry, but now that you're here, I can tell you everything I've seen. Why don't you join us?”
Together, they walked down the landing ramp, with a relieved captain and crew following close behind.
Twilight only waved weakly to her friends, as she saw them crossing the gangplank, not wanting them to get dragged down into Cadance’s gravity well with her. If they failed to get Flurry back, Cadance would likely hold a grudge against all involved. Best insulate the ones who weren’t Alicorns.
Twilight was certain that if Princess Cadance got her way, they would have crossed immediately. Fortunately, she wasn't the one who understood the magic. Instead, Twilight moved according to the plan she had prepared, supervising the unloading of her supplies.
The scientific facilities at Flurry’s Vigil included a large transport building meant for her eventual use. It was a vast space, 50 meters or more across plenty large for her apparatus. Power generation so far from civilization would have been a problem of course, but she had prepared several large generators that would be enough to provide for their needs. Barely.
Twilight stood outside the building as they were mounted to their platforms and the disgusting chemical fuel was poured. The smoke burned her nostrils as the engine started, their massive turbines beginning to spin. It would take several hours for them to prepare enough energy for a single crossing.
“So tell me what you observed. What is this world like?” Cadance asked, as soon as they were standing together in the temporary control room. Equipment boxes were still being unpacked, but all of Twilight's most important crew were there.
Twilight retreated subconsciously from their motion, not wanting to get in their way as they plugged everything in.
Of course, she probably could have set up everything herself in less time. But these ponies were the ones who would be responsible for bringing her back. She had to learn to trust their technical aptitude. If they were unable to operate the equipment, she might never see her home again.
“Not everything we learned was good,” Twilight said, her voice tentative at first. “The world beyond is habitable by every definition we know. The air is breathable and it has familiar plants. Its configuration seems remarkably similar to Equestria and the alternate world accessible through the mirror. However, there are significant differences.”
Princess Cadance leaned closer, ears perking with attention. “Differences that would be dangerous to my daughter?” she asked.
“We can't be certain,” Twilight admitted. “I believe this world must have some equivalent to Alicorns in their magic. As soon as we crossed the barrier, a being of significant magical competence was there waiting for us. Likely he sensed the first probe when we sent it across, so he knew where to wait.”
Twilight explained their exchange, leaving out any details that she feared might frighten the princess. The important thing was that they had been granted permission to retrieve Flurry, and even the endorsement of whatever magical beings passed as this world's authorities.
“It doesn't seem terribly friendly of these aliens not to return Flurry to us themselves,” Cadance said. “If they're so powerful that they sensed you coming across, shouldn’t they have sensed my daughter? They could have sent her home months ago.”
Twilight's mind spun with the technical ignorance evident in that question. “Sensing an intrusion into their world would have taken very little power to do. The energy involved in crossing is massive and we weren’t trying to be stealthy. But someone smart enough to see us trying to cross might not have the power to cross universes themselves. Aside from a few rare exceptions, most ponies don’t have that power either.
Cadance nodded, gesturing for her to continue. “So there was someone waiting. What were they like?”
“Friendly enough for a diplomatic relationship,” she answered. It probably would’ve been easier to just lie. But she couldn’t lie, not to a frightened mother, nor to one of her good friends. “Ponies often operate with a friendship bias. We’re surrounded by creatures that responded well to us. But there is no reason to assume that other worlds will be the same. We were very fortunate that no members of my scientific team were lost before now.”
Based on the same odds, Twilight felt lucky that she was still alive. She’d crossed over more times than anyone else. She would neglect to share that little detail.
“So when do I get my daughter back?” Cadance asked. “We have permission, we know where she is… what’s left?”
Twilight produced the folded scroll, containing her plan for the first mission across, though she didn't hold it where Cadance could reach. “The first thing to remember is that we're hundreds of miles away from Ponyville. This likely translates to a significant difference on the other side.
“The first trip will just be about establishing the safety on the other side. If we do that, then we’ll try to locate Flurry. Hopefully we will find more friendly beings who are willing to share information with us. If not—”
Cadance cleared her throat. “And if not, a detachment of the Crystal Guard will be more than happy to secure her release.”
Twilight shuddered at the thought. Samaritan had been friendly with them, and it was true that they’d seen no evidence of overwhelming magical power. But he had discussed other beings, the so-called “Body Invisible.” For all they knew, his magical weakness might just indicate his position. Maybe he was the magical equivalent of a messenger for an organization with thousands of Alicorns.
But she couldn't say that to the princess, not without provoking another serious reaction.
“Let's just hope that won't be necessary,” Twilight said.
“Once we cross to the other side, a tracking spell will easily be able to point us towards Flurry Heart.” Assuming that she was still alive. Some part of Twilight had spent the entire journey wondering if this Body Invisible, knowing exactly where their intruder was, would kill her as an excuse to further entangle their two worlds.
The Changeling Invasion was bad enough. Ponies don’t need to fight a war with another world they can’t even see. Maybe leaving Spike behind was the wrong move after all. She could really use Celestia’s advice.
“So when do we go?” Cadance asked, looking around the room again. “Looks like your ponies are just about done getting things set up. Before sundown?”
“Cadance…” She closed the distance between them in a few quick strides, lowering her voice to a whisper. She’d been dreading this moment during her entire flight up. But if she didn’t say it soon, the other Alicorn might tear their mission apart the way she’d done last time. “This isn’t going to be easy to hear—but if you want the best odds for your daughter coming home safely, you shouldn’t be part of the first mission.”
Even with those few words, she could see Cadance tense. Ready for an argument, if Twilight gave her the opportunity. So she didn’t slow down. “I know I can’t possibly understand how hurt you are, and how desperate and helpless you feel. But that’s why I brought my friends, the Elements of Harmony, to come with me.
“You’re hurt and afraid. They care about Flurry too, but not so much that it affects their judgement. The safest place for you to be is right here in the control room.”
For a moment, she wasn’t sure if the princess had even heard her. Princess Cadance spun abruptly, so sharp she nearly whipped Twilight with her tail. “This trip,” she said, her voice quavering. “But once you confirm where she is, once you know she’s safe… I’m going. There’s nothing in this world or that one that could keep me from Flurry.”
She stormed out, joining her guards near the exit and taking off into Flurry’s Vigil.
Twilight sighed, still feeling like the weight of the Alicorn’s anger was pressing on her. Static Variable approached slowly, his ears pressed flat to his head. “Princess, the capacitors are nearly charged. What should we do?”
“Get Rarity and Applejack in here,” she said. “We’ll be going as a small team at first. The others are welcome to come and watch, but they won’t be crossing.”
He nodded, hurrying off to obey.