Escape.
Spring Mist looked at Luna with shock plastered on his face. She remained calm, almost amused. Mist continued to gape for several seconds before speaking.
“So…” he began, “You are going to break me out of here so we can gallivant across the world?”
“Not ‘gallivant’,” Luna insisted, “But I suppose we will ‘break you out’. I can’t just legally take you out of here without causing a ruckus among the magistrates.”
“I honestly don’t see why this can’t be easier. I mean, come on! You are an immortal Princess, co-rule of Equestria, controller of the night and all therein.”
“That may be, but the politics of the kingdom have become have more complicated. A thousand years ago, as you remember, ponies were happy having a diarchy to lead them. Now however, ponies have developed an idea of self-governance. Representatives from the remaining noble families, major cities and settlements, and some of the larger corporations are elected to represent in the royal court. They work in tandem with the magistrates, high-level judges.”
“Ah, I had wondered about the court. But… self-governance? I don’t know if that is wise. Shouldn’t ponies have a figure, or figures, to whom they can look? I don’t think ponies can lead themselves, at least not without some form of higher governance. And having extremely long-lived, wise ponies is a terrific boon.”
“Well, it seems that my position might be less valuable than before. I do not fear progress. If it helps our ponies, I encourage it. However, these developments are happening very quickly. Too quickly. When I came back, the diarchy was still strong. The court was much like what it is now, but it respected Celestia and I far more. Now however, they are being more aggressive, more demanding. And they have a surprising amount of support. We had no idea the level of official… corruption… really until your issue came up.”
“Well I’m sorry for that, but it’s not quite my fault.”
“No, no, don’t be! Without you, we might never have discovered it. At least not until a revolution.”
“Is it really that bad?”
“It might be. The problem is that there seems to be no source. No revolutionary stands to challenge, no riots, no public unrest, not even secret corporate meetings. It seems to be happening naturally, albeit unnaturally quickly.”
“Well, maybe you should stay. Having you leave will just weaken the diarchy. And I don’t want to go on some excursion while Equestria faces this threat. I won’t let anything happen to my home. If I have to, I’ll personally track down whoever is behind this… revolt… and do whatever is necessary to stop them.”
“Mist, I wouldn’t ask you to do that. Besides did you ever think that you were the cause?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, the major change happened right when you came back. Ponies are talking about nightmares. Nightmares you started having first. Mist… this might be the Nightmare’s influence. So-”
“The best possible thing might be to get as far away from here as possible. If it’s true, I can’t go anywhere in Equestria, or any of the other kingdoms. No place where ponies – or others – live. We have to go.”
“Exactly what I was thinking. I hate to make it sound like you are the villain here, but that might be the case. Either way, going on this voyage is the correct thing to do. At the very least it can buy Equestria some time while we look for answers.”
“Then why can’t Celestia know? I might still be unhappy with her, but if what you’ve said about her is true, then she might be able to help.”
“No. I will not have her as a part of this any more than she needs to be. Look, that’s another part of the plan. You and the others will wait at the location I have told you. Then, once it is known that you have ‘escaped’ I will inform Celestia that I plan on taking a team to hunt you down. She may figure it out, but she’ll be able to deny actually knowing anything. It’ll keep her position, and mine, safe. And it will allow me to go with you to find out more about the Nightmare.”
“This all seems so complicated. Almost needlessly. And so fast.”
“I understand your overwhelmed feeling. But do understand yourself that life for those of us on the outside has been anything but slow. This team has dedicated a substantial amount of energy to helping you, and all in the last few weeks. Most of the final plans came together in the last few days. And-”
“Alright, I get it. Thank you. No need to make me feel any worse. Just… tell me what I need to do.”
“Sorry, I don’t mean to make you feel bad.” Luna smiled. “Okay then, here’s what’s going to happen…”
************
Spring Mist stood on a small balcony, looking out at Canterlot Castle, a fair distance from the small ‘safe house’ he had been taken to. He turned to face Luna, who stood behind him.
“Well,” he said, “That was easy. Too easy perhaps?”
Luna chuckled a bit. “Easy for you, maybe. You just had to walk out.”
Mist laughed. “Yes, very true. I just hope it’s all worth it. If we don’t find something, this ‘team’ will be less than welcome here.”
“A necessary risk. And if so, a necessary sacrifice. They would do anything for me, and by extension, you. Especially Rough Runner. That stallion is loyal to the end. Possibly beyond that.”
“Still, I can only imagine how difficult it must be to be the guard that ‘let me escape’. Can’t be good for him.”
“Like I said. All necessary. We all stand to lose much during this journey.”
“And you still want to go? I don’t think my life is worth that much.”
“It goes beyond just you. The Nightmare threatens everything. Equestria may just be the beginning.”
“But have we even considered the possibility that the Nightmare was completely removed by the Elements of Harmony? I mean, there seems to be no real sign that the Nightmare even still… exists.”
“You know as well as I that the Nightmare never truly disappears. And yes, I’ve considered the possibility that you are free of the Nightmare. But I don’t want to take the risk of being wrong. Even if you are free, we will discover that and you will be cleared of judgment.”
“Alright. I’ll trust you.”
“Thank you. Now come, we must meet the rest of the party.”
Mist followed as Luna walked into the small building. Simple and mostly empty, this building housed the party that would be leaving Equestria in search of answers. Mist and Luna walked down a short flight of stairs, entering the center room. A meeting place – a large table sat in the center, maps and notes littering the top. Travelling gear covered the floor and sat against the walls. A group of mismatched ponies gathered around the table, their conversations stopped as Luna lead Mist into the room.
Mist felt suddenly self-conscious as all eyes turned to him. He looked at the group. Only two of its members he recognized – the bookish Radiant Bloom had a smile on her face, and the Night Guard Rough Runner, donned in his dark armor, stood stoic. The others were strangers to Mist – an unimpressed earth pony, dressed in a medical suit, another Night Guard, a Pegasus mare, her expression unreadable, and a robed unicorn mare, looking more curious than anything.
Luna spoke, addressing the group, “Friends, thank you be being her and for taking this first step into the journey. Some of you already know him, but to the rest, I’d like to introduce Spring Mist.” She gestured to Mist.
He shuffled uncomfortably, wearing an awkward smile. “Hello, everypony.”
“So you’re the pony we’re risking our lives for?” grunted the medical-looking pony.
“Bleedingheart! Be nice,” interjected Radiant Bloom, “It’s not his fault.”
“From what we were told, it is his fault,” said the robed unicorn. “His actions are what led us here.”
“But he couldn’t know what would happen, Starlight,” offered Radiant Bloom. “I think-”
“I am right here,” Mist interrupted suddenly. “Look, you may not be happy with the situation, you may not be happy with me, and you may not be happy that you are going off on a life-threatening adventure the may lead to nothing. The fact of the matter is that I made a choice, knowing full-well the consequences of that choice. Do I regret what I did? No. Do I wish the outcome was different? Yes. Do I wish that you didn’t have to pay the price? Absolutely. So if really don’t want to be here, then leave. If at any point you no longer wish to continue, then feel free to go home and return to your lives. But Luna wants to help me, and trusts that you want to do the same. Or if not help me, then help Equestria. But make your choice now.”
Luna looked at Mist as he finished, slightly surprised. She turned to look back at the group. They all stood with their varied expressions, unmoving. “Please, do make a choice. Nopony will hold any judgments against you.”
Not a pony moved from their place. Finally, the Night Guard mare bowed, speaking as she did, “We are with you, Princess, Prince Consort.”
The others either bowed or offered nods in affirmation. It didn’t matter. Luna smiled, thankful for the loyalty of the group. The others went back to the table, taking their places. Luna looked down to Mist encouragingly. “I’m impressed. Ready to begin actual introductions?”
Mist nodded thankfully. “Thank you. But ‘Prince Consort’?”
Luna smirked. “Yes. I quite like the title, don’t you?”
Mist shook his head. “Of course.”
Mist stepped up to the table. Again, all eyes turned to Mist, waiting for him to speak. “Now, I can get to know you all as we go, so I suppose business is in order. So I guess I’ll let Luna do the talking.”
Luna stepped up. “Okay, survival training will continue as normal. Mist will need to be caught up. Now don’t worry, he’s had training before as a guard, so there won’t be too much to catch up on. The trails and route will be mapped out as much as possible later tonight. But until we actually leave, just sit tight and get to know one another, do some research, get any extra supplies you need. Any questions?”
Nopony at the table said a word. Like a well-oiled machine, they all went off in their own directions. The stallion Mist identified as Rough Runner – a fairly sizable earth pony – walked toward Mist, keeping eye-contact. His yellow cat-like eyes scanned Mist with a judging glare.
He rumbled in a deep voice, “Are you really over a thousand years old?”
Mist cocked his head, expecting any other question. “I… suppose I am? I mean, technically. But I was kind of trapped at the time. Not like I aged much.”
“Oh, I dunno, you do look like you’ve put on a few years,” Luna jibed.
Mist glared at her. “Oh, ha.” He turned to Rough Runner. “Why do you ask?”
“I just want to make sure you won’t collapse from a heart attack or break a hip during the excursion. Or during training, for that matter,” Rough Runner replied with a matter-of-fact tone.
“I assure you, I’ll be fine. Thanks for your concern.”
“Just be sure. If you are as important as Her Majesty says, I expect big things from you.”
“So… no pressure? Thanks.”
“Just keep up…” Rough Runner turned and began to walk away. “Gramps.”
Mist twitched slightly. Luna draped a wing over his back. Mist watched as Rough Runner joined Radiant Bloom in conversation. “Charming fellow, that one,” Mist said to Luna.
“Don’t worry about it. Look at me! Well over your age, and –”
“And you look fantastic. Thanks.”
“Aww, you are so sweet.”
Mist scrunched up his face as Luna tried to kiss his cheek. “Yes, I know, I know. Let’s just get to work.”
Time to prepare.