//------------------------------//
// Field Trip 
// Story: Forgotten: Mists of Bridlewood 
// by milesprower06 
//------------------------------//

Sunset had her neck craned to the right from her side seat in the back as the descent into the blizzard surrounding the Crystal Empire finally leveled out. Sprout had to weave around several crystal clusters sticking up out of the snow, and a couple minutes later, he slowed to a stop, setting the parking brake, and began to unbuckle himself from his seat.

"Alright, class," Sunset began after she had unbuckled herself, immediately going to the floor compartments in between the seats and opening them, passing out the folded garment bags out to the respective unicorns that matched the nametags. "You've all been fitted for your cold weather gear. If you feel you need to take some of it off indoors, you can do so, but keep any parts you take off in your pack so you don't lose them. Also, the radio headsets; those stay on at all times. Each group will have a channel, and the emergency channel will be 1; that overrides all other audio feeds. Clear?"

Sunset got affirmative nods and responses from her chosen students, who began to put on their gear in the confines of the passenger section. Once everypony was dressed, they exited out into the snow, and once again the eerie quiet that accompanied the eye of the storm was downright unsettling, especially to the unicorns who had not been here before.

"Freaky," Jasper commented, looking up at the towering cyclone of snow that surrounded the city.

"Alright, class. Assignments; Bongo, Jasper, you're with Zipp in the library; you'll be helping her sort and pack up books. That'll be the vast majority of what we'll be taking back. You're on channel 2. I will be with Sunny in the castle right up there, we'll be on channel 3. Misty, you're helping Sprout continue exploring one of the residences we've uncovered and bringing back anything of significance; you two will be on channel 4. Onyx, you have the first watch and patrol with the Scouticus. Unload the empty containers and help load them back up as the other groups fill them up. Stay on channel 1, and periodically check in with the other channels."

Sunny couldn't help but be impressed with the efficiency with which Sunset directed her small class. If her magic lessons were so clear and concise, the unicorns of Bridlewood were likely making considerable strides in their magical studies.

"Couple more things; if you're outside for long, cast basic spells to keep your horns warm, or use the fleece warmers in your kit. If you get chilled and need to warm up, return to the vehicle; it will be idling continuously. Lastly, if for some reason something catastrophic should happen, you've all been instructed on how to set up the emergency transponders right up there," Sunset instructed, pointing to the six steel rods with cylinders in the front of the Scouticus' cargo bed. "Set one up, but do not under any circumstances leave the safety of the vehicle. The chances of you making it out of the storm on hoof are slim to none. We have enough food to last all eight of us for three weeks, and Zephyr Heights, Maretime Bay, and Bridlewood will all send help if they don't hear from us in half that time. Clear?"

Again, the headmare got nods all around.

"Alright. In that case, welcome to the northernmost city of Ancient Equestria. I'm hoping we learn a lot here. First break is in two hours for dinner. Obviously, be very careful, and be mindful of your chaperones, which are Sprout, Zipp, Sunny, and myself."

With that, everypony went to their separate radio channels, and split off into their respective groups. Bongo and Jasper followed Zipp towards the large, two story library to the right, Misty and Sprout went towards a half-buried house on the other side of the street, Onyx opened the back of the trailer to start to pull out the empty cargo containers, and Sunset followed Sunny through the snow towards the Crystal Castle. Thankfully, their route inside hadn't been re-buried due to the absence of blowing snow and wind, and they made their way up the stairs and into the Crystal Heart chamber.

"So what are we after this time, if most of the trailer is going to be taken up by the books in the library?" Sunset asked, pulling off her goggles and mask once they were inside, with Sunny doing the same.

"I'd like to reserve at least one container for anything we can find that belonged to the royal family. Pictures, journals, things of that sort. I thought we'd start where I last left off, Princess Flurry Heart's room," Sunny told her.

"Well, you probably know this place better than I do, so lead the way," Sunset said, waving her ahead. "I was only here like, twice. First time was stealing a crown."





"Alright, here we are," Sprout said, with Sunset's student Misty right behind him as they came up to the front door of a half-buried crystal structure. "Luckily last time we were here, Sunset melted the snow around the door, otherwise we'd have to climb in through the second story window."

"So what kind of things are we looking for, Mr. Cloverleaf?" Misty asked as he pulled the door open and they stepped inside.

"If it looks like it would look good in a museum, let me know, and we'll set it aside for packing. Photos, books... First time we found an intact suit of ancient pony armor."

Misty nodded, and started to look around, waiting for a good opportunity to slink away. Maybe she should have asked Sunset to be put in the library group. But then again, there would have been more ponies to work around there. Here there was just Sprout, and that would make it easier. Besides, there were more places to put books than in a library. She'd keep an eye out for any bookshelves and closets.

'Alright, just remember what Opaline wanted in exchange for a cutie mark, Misty. Powerful magical spells. Class Five...'