//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Skyward Bound // Story: Daring Do and the Tears of the Clouds // by TheLegendaryBillCipher //------------------------------// A.K. Yearling stared up at the opened front doors of Canterlot Castle like it was the giant maw of a monster she was walking into. She’d never received such an urgent, and important, summons before – and not one that asked her to make sure she packed all of her “essentials.” The guards that flanked her on either side didn’t help in calming her nerves. Other than an order to follow them when she had arrived in Canterlot by train, they hadn’t said a word otherwise. They led her through the winding corridors of the castle and through a set of doors opened by a pony that Yearling recognized as Celestia’s secretary, Raven Inkwell. She found herself in the throne room itself, with Celestia on her dais with a neturtral expression bearing down on her. They weren’t alone in the room – off to the side of the throne was a tall, anthropomorphic parrot. She had cream-colored feathers and pale green plumage and a green gemstone peg for her right leg. Judging by her garb, including the giant bicorn in her talon hands, she seemed to be some sort of pirate. “Guards, you may leave us,” Celestia commanded. The guards, posted at each entrance, gave a salute and stepped out. The ones by Yearling were the last to go, with Raven shutting the doors behind them. “What we speak of may not leave this room,” was Celestia’s next command. “Understood,” the parrot said quietly. “Yes, Your highness,” Yearling said with a nod. Celestia softly smiled. “Miss Yearling. Given your work in recovering the Kirinstone, I thought it best to summon you, seeing as you have expertise in archaeology.” Yearling frowned. “What have you found?” “Not us. The Hippogriffs reported this in – there’s a strange fogbank on the far Southern Sea, and they’ve reported there are floating islands above it, hidden among clouds,” Celestia explained. “And you have no idea what it is?” Yearling asked. Celestia shook her head. “I have scoured our records of the area, as much as there is. The only note was a passing mention of Somnambula and Flash Magnus seeking some sort of ruins down there, but they seemed unsuccessful.” “So you want me to go explore and see what it’s all about,” Yearling surmised. “Yes, and I want you, Captain Celaeno,” Celestia said, turning to the parrot, “to take her there and give her all the aid she requires.” “Aye aye, Your Majesty,” Celaeno said, slipping on her hat. “Consider it done.” Celestia smirked. “Do keep in mind, Captain, that success means a pardon for you and your crew.” Yearling watched Celaeno’s cheeks heat up and she muttered another acknowledgement while averting her eyes. Celestia turned back to Yearling. “I’ve acquired all the supplies you both might need. It’s imperative that you find out the nature of these islands and quickly. The lands beyond Equestria are an unknown place, with unknown danger.” “Aye, like the Storm King,” Celaeno growled, tilting the brim of her hat lower. “Come on then, Miss Yearling. Let’s get you aboard.” She turned and headed for the door to the throne room, opened for her by Raven. “I won’t let you down, Princess Celestia,” Yearling said with a salute, quickly following Celaeno out. Celaeno’s airship was docked behind the palace, on a spacious balcony that served well for an airship dock. A handful of parrots like Celaeno were working to carry crates and barrels down into the hold, while another figure stood watch at the helm. It was a purple changeling with yellow eyes, and golden wings, mane, and tail. She was dressed in similar garb as the rest of the crew. Upon spotting Celaeno, she gave a wave, which Celaeno returned. “So, Captain Celaeno, what did Princess Celestia mean by giving you a pardon?” Yearling asked. Celaeno gave a chuckle and crossed her arms, nodding towards the helm of her ship. “That’d be because of my newest crewmate. She has a real nose for gold, and that got us into a bit of trouble.” “Uh oh…” “Aye. An unmarked airship headed down towards Mount Aris. We raided it, with her saying it was full of gold. Well, it was – and being helmed by Princess Luna, on her way to some charity event,” Celaeno said with a light chuckle. “So this’ll be our apology.” A bosun’s whistle sounded on board the airship and the purple changeling stepped down the gangplank, giving a salute to the captain. “The cargo has almost been fully loaded into the hold, captain. It won’t be much longer,” she reported. “Good work, Elytra.” Celaeno gestured to Yearling. “This here’s Miss Yearling. We’re taking her down to the southern sea on an expedition. Miss Yearling, meet my navigator, Elytra.” “Nice to meet you,” Yearling said, holding out a hood, which Elytra shook firmly. “Charmed,” Elytra replied, before turning back to the captain. “My apologies again, Captain, for the mistake.” “No harm done,” Celaeno said casually. “We’ll get this bit of community service done and be back to adventuring before you know it.” Elytra nodded, gave another salute, and hurried back on board. Yearling watched her go, an uneasy feeling settling over her. Her thoughts were interrupted by Celaeno patting her on the shoulder. “Let’s get you aboard. I’ll show you to your bunk, Miss Yearling,” she said. “Daring Do is fine, too,” Yearling replied with a sheepish shrug. “I… sort of use that name in this line of work.” Celaeno chuckled. “Well, Daring Do, let’s hope we can find something for you down south there. And who knows, there may even be treasure there.” Yearling’s cabin was crudely outfitted with a single hammock and a table to use for a desk. Her equipment was stowed away in a corner of the room, along with some reading material for before they got to their destination—various books on the southern seas that she could find. Fortunately, it was tucked away from the rest of the crew. She flopped into the hammock and stared up at the wooden ceiling. It was all so strange, floating islands in the middle of the ocean? She’d never heard of it occurring anywhere else in Equestria, so maybe it was some strange magic from some strange land. But was it what Somnambula and Flash Magnus had been looking for? If so, the islands were truly ancient. And then there was Elytra. Yearling had settled on what had unsettled her about the changeling—she was too formal. The captain and her crew had the casual tongue of pirates, while Elytra was sophisticated, different. And a changeling with a nose for gold was unusual enough. With a sigh, she looked out the porthole of her room where the darkened night sky and grey clouds passed by. They’d disembarked hours ago, and it’d be days before they arrived in the area. Yearling could only wonder what waited for them, if anything waited for them at all.