//------------------------------// // To Maretime Bay // Story: The Journey of Lukas // by MyAwesomePony //------------------------------// "Thanks again for helping me, Lukas." Twilight Sparkle said kindly. "Not at all, Twilight." Lukas assured her with a smile. "It's the least I could do." The Princess of Friendship and Lukas were just in Twilight's castle re-organizing the bookshelves. Since Spike was away at Canterlot on royal business, Lukas happily agreed to lend a helping hand. "I just wonder what royal business Spike had to attend to." Twilight pondered as she levitated some books on the bookshelves. "Well, if I know him, he's probably at Donut Joe's scoffing away on donuts." Lukas chuckled at his hypothesis and Twilight laughed as well. "Yeah, he sure does have a sweet tooth." She snickered. As the two went back to work, Lukas pulled out a book from the bookshelves to look at the cover, but as he pulled it away, he saw, at the back of the shelves, a dusty, old book with a yellow star symbol on the front. Lukas had never seen this book in the library before. "Hey Twilight." Lukas called out. "Yeah?" Twilight called back. "Where does this book go?" Lukas asked as he pulled the dusty book out. Twilight took a good look at it and thought for a moment. "That goes in classics." "Oh, okay." Lukas replied, going over to put the book in the classics section. "You want to know something interesting about that book, Lukas? It was given to me by Sunny Starscout." Twilight said "Who's that?" Lukas asked as he put the book in the section. "A former student of mine." Twilight said to him. "She used to live in Ponyville, but she moved into a city far away, I believe it's called Maretime Bay." "Really, hmm.. interesting. I'd like to see this city for myself." Lukas thought. "Oh, I don't know, Lukas." Twilight said cautiously. "I mean, like I said, it is pretty far away from Equestria." "Well, I don't mind. Besides, this could be my first trip out of Ponyville. Please Twilight, let me have this chance." Lukas pleaded. After pondering to herself for a quick moment, Twilight answered. "Alright then, if you promise to be careful, then I guess you could go." Lukas' eyes lit up with excitement as he ran up to Twilight and gave her a tight hug. "Oh thank you, Twilight. I promise I'll take great care of myself while I'm there." Lukas said as all Twilight could do was smirk. Later that day, Lukas was getting ready for his trip to Maretime Bay as he put his bags into the hot air balloon. Twilight, Starlight and the rest of the mane six were also there as well, coming to wish the human good luck. "So what did you say she looked like again?" Lukas asked Twilight. "She has orange fur, a purple mane and tail, light blue hairbands and a light blue saddlebag." Twilight replied. "Oh, she sure does sound like a sweet little darling." Rarity cooed. "Alright, got it." Lukas said, he then took a big sigh. "This is so exciting, my very first trip out of Ponyville, let alone Equestria. But at the same time, I'm also a bit nervous as well." "Oh, so you're nervous-cited" Pinkie chirped. "What now?" Lukas said confused. "Don't ask." Rainbow Dash replied. "And hey, there's no need for you to be nervous, I'm sure the ponies there will welcome you with open hooves." "I sure hope you're right, Rainbow. I would hate to cause any trouble there." Lukas said worriedly, he quickly hopped inside of the balloon, where Cherry Berry was preparing the flame. "Good luck, Lukas. I'll inform the princesses and Sunny about your visit to Maretime Bay." Twilight said. "Oh, here Lukas." Applejack exclaimed, as she pulled out a few apples from her saddlebag. "Have some apples for the road." Applejack tossed the apples over to Lukas, who caught them in his backpack. Next, it was Pinkie Pie's turn to give Lukas some snacks. "And some cupcakes, I even wrapped them up nicely, just for you." Pinkie tossed the tray of cupcakes over to Lukas as he took a sniff. "Mmm.. Blueberry Swirl, my favorite." Lukas said as he put the tray in his backpack as well. "Well, I guess this is it." Lukas said nervously. "Don't worry, Lukas. I'm sure you'll like it in Maretime Bay." Starlight assured him, this was enough for Lukas to restore back his confidence. "Okay, I'm ready." Lukas said proudly. "Are you sure?" Fluttershy asked. "Very sure." Lukas replied, before turning over to the pony in the hot air balloon with him. "Alright, Cherry Berry, light 'em up." "You got it, Lukas." Cherry Berry said. Cherry then pulled on the string as the balloon's flame got bigger, blowing with the wind in the air, finally, Lukas was on his way to Maretime Bay. As the balloon slowly lifted off the ground, the ponies down below said their final goodbyes to Lukas, until the balloon was so high in the sky, Lukas was unable to hear them anymore.