//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: Immortal Madness 
// by Kytin 
//------------------------------//

 The door opened and one of the many palace functionaries entered. "Your Highness, I have been sent to inform you that the Red Sparrow is ready to depart as soon as the rest of the crew come on board." 

"Thank you." Celestia responded gracefully. 

The pony gave a short bow and retreated back through the door he had entered. 

"What was that about?" Questioned Rainbow Dash. 

"The Red Sparrow is the airship that you will be taking in pursuit of the beast that attacked us. It is small but fast. Hopefully it will allow you catch him quickly." 

"I bet I'm faster." Rainbow Dash bragged. 

Celestia smiled indulgently. "I am certain that you are, my little pony. But even you must stop to rest sometimes. Besides, how would your friends keep up?" 

"Oh yeah..." 

Celestia looked around the room and her expression became more serious again. "The Red Sparrow is docked at the north observatory. Twilight, could you lead your friends there?" 

"Of course Princess." Twilight replied. 

"Wait, we're leaving now?" Said Applejack with alarm. 

"Time is of the essence." Responded Celestia. "The sooner you leave the better your chances of finding the dragon before he releases Discord." 

"But Ah just told mah family I was gonna be in Canterlot for a few days! Ah oughta let em know if Ah'm going on some big quest or whatnot." Blurted Applejack. 

"Of course Applejack." Celestia nodded. "In fact, all of you should write a letter to your loved ones before you leave. Although, I am afraid that I will have to ask that you do so quickly." 



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Luna waited at the north observatory flanked on both sides by dark grey ponies with batlike wings. She could not recall feeling so tired before. She knew that cabin with a bed waited for her on board the Red Sparrow but she wanted to speak with her sister once more before her departure. 

Finally Celestia arrived. She crossed the open platform and stood in front of her sister. Observing Lunas weariness, she gave an encouraging smile. 

Luna did not smile, but her tired frown did soften. "Granite, Trailblaze. You may board the airship. I wouldst speak with my sister." The two bat winged ponies turned and obeyed the Princess of the Moons politely phrased order. 

"How are you doing Luna?" Celestia asked. The concern in her voice indicated that the question was more than a polite formality. 

Luna gave a sigh. "This long night hath wearied us, and the fate of our guardsponies grieves us deeply. I fear I will not sleep easily this day or in the days to come."  

Although Luna had managed to adopt the mannerisms of modern speech she still tended to lapse back into familiar patterns when stressed. Celestia found it endearing, though she would never say so. 

"Thy guardsponies deaths were not of thy doing." Said Celestia. "They perished in the doing of their duty, and so their deaths were not in vain." 

Had another pony spoken to Luna in that ancient style she would have assumed they were mocking her. From her sister, however, it was comforting and familiar in a world that was in many ways still alien to her. 

"Were they not? The monster hath taken the statue of Discord. We have little doubt that it intends to release our old enemy. What purpose then was served by their destruction?" Lunas tone was pleading, desperately begging for an answer. 

"The same purpose that they served with their lives, dear sister. The safety of Equestria and the ponies living in it." Celestias voice was quiet and comforting. "Dost thou believe that it would have been better for the dragon to slip in and steal away with nopony the wiser? Dost thou think that the beast would have done so had it found the palace asleep and unguarded? Or would it have taken the opportunity to destroy far more?" 

Luna bowed her head, tears leaking from her eyes. "We... I..." 

Celestia stepped closer and nuzzled her sisters shoulder. "Tis always hard when those ponies that trust to our guidance perish. But it does not follow that we hath lead them astray. A guardspony knows what he may be asked to sacrifice. Our task is but to make the best use we canst from their gift." 

Luna took a couple of deep shuddering breaths."Then... I had better prepare for launch." She lifted her her to look her sister in the eye. 

Celestia leaned forward and gripped her sister in a sudden hug. "Come back safely." She whispered. "I don't want to lose you again. I only just got you back." 

"It's been five years. That's not nothing." Luna contradicted. Over her sisters shoulder she could see the forms of several ponies climbing up the stairs. 

Celestia pulled away with a sad smile. Behind her the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony gathered themselves. 

"Is that the airship? It looks like fun! Can I fly it? Can I? Can I?" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. 

"Certainly Pinkie." Replied Luna. "Go on up and talk to Trailblaze. He'll teach you how to pilot the Red Sparrow." 

"Really? Whoopee!" Pinkie Pie turned into a pink blur and vanished up the ramp. 

"Uh, we should probably get on board too, before she leaves without us." Said Applejack as she began to follow the party pony. 

Twilight nodded. "Yes, the Princess... er, Celestia, said we should leave as soon as possible." She started up the ramp. followed by the rest of her friends. 

Luna waited a few moments before she finally spoke. "Farewell sister. I'm sure we will be back soon." 

"Goodbye Luna." Celestia said quietly. "Take care of Twilight and her friends for me. They are still very young." 

"Don't worry Princess, we won't let you down!" Twilight called from the airship hatchway. 

Celestia smiled up at her student and waved a hoof at her. Luna smiled, turned, and made her own way up the ramp. Before long the ramp was raised, the hatchway sealed, and the Red sparrow was rising into the air on its journey away from Canterlot.