//------------------------------//
// North 
// Story: Forgotten: Mists of Bridlewood 
// by milesprower06 
//------------------------------//

'Just... Don't do what you did with Twilight,' Sunset told herself as she sat in the passenger seat of the Scouticus Maximus as Sprout drove the vehicle north towards the Crystal Empire. Right now it was nothing but arctic tundra, but in another couple hours, they would be able to make out the Crystal Mountains on the bottom of the horizon.

She glanced back at the students she had selected for the trip; Onyx, Bridlewood's resident beat poet, her frequent partner Bongo, Jasper, and of course, Misty. With eight ponies, the vehicle was at its max capacity. Sleeping was right below what Sunset would consider 'cramped'. 

It had been just about 24 hours since they had left Bridlewood. Jasper was thrilled to have been picked at first, but after he hadn't gotten the best sleep, he was wondering if this had been such a good idea. He hadn't complained yet, but Sunset noticed how his demeanor had changed; he was ready to be out of the Scouticus and have some space to himself again. 

"I'm gonna go get some air," Jasper said to the other three. Sunset saw him unbuckle his seatbelt, go towards the back, and pushed the roof hatch open, climbing up the ladder and went to sit with Zipp and Sunny in the somewhat chilly, but fresh air. After a moment, Onyx and Bongo followed her, leaving Misty alone in the back, who was reading the spellbook she had gotten along with the rest of the class on their first day. Sunset unbuckled her seat belt, and went in back, taking a seat across from Misty, who had watched her classmates go up top, then returned her attention to her book.

"Not interested in going up yourself?" Sunset asked her.

"It's a little chilly, and I think anypony else up there would make it a bit cramped again, and honestly, the space is nice," Misty replied.

That was the truth. Honestly, if the engine was as muffled as it was in here, and the weather was pleasant enough, she was sure that a few of them, Jasper especially, would prefer to sleep in the cargo bed. But the weather wasn't exactly ideal for sleeping outside, and in another few hours, it would likely be cold enough for everyone but Zipp to come inside; pegasi could handle the cold much better. Or, on the other hand, perhaps not; Jasper had taken a liking to the most basic alteration spells, maybe he could keep it warm back there.

"I'm still a bit surprised you picked me to come along, Miss Shimmer. I mean, I know how much I've been struggling with the basics, I figured you'd select somepony more... Talented," Misty admitted.

"Misty, I wish I could say I know what it's like to be you, that I've walked in your hoofsteps, that I struggled with basic magic at one point. But I can't. But that doesn't mean that I don't believe that everypony has their place. Just because you're struggling with your magic now doesn't mean that you'll be any less valuable on this field trip. You're another set of hooves. I'm honestly surprised that more unicorns aren't struggling like you are, because this is the first time in generations that magic has been back. But just like every other one of my students, I'm going to help you find your place."

Misty smiled at her.

"Thanks, Miss Sunset. I'm trying my best, I promise."