Discordia, the chaotic nation that borders Equestria to the east, has recently begun its industrial output and the manufacturing of weapons and increasing its military might. This of course made the leaders of Equestria, the Crystal Empire, and possibly even the Chitin Lands to the south very weary. Equestria and the Crystal Empire both had respectable armies, but Discordia’s tactics were always unpredictable, yet very calculated. There was little chance both sovereignties could survive the onslaught, even if they both bounded together. Equestria’s leaders, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, spoke with each other over a map of Equus and how they might pull through.
“The Changeling Kingdom might lend aid if we asked,” Luna said.
“No, they only see us as food,” Celestia replied, “They would surely help us to ensure their food’s survival, but that would require opening our borders for them to enter. Once they were inside, they would make meals of all of us.”
“What about Germaneigh?” Luna asked.
“They are technically a province of Equestria. There’s no doubt they would lend help, but their military is barely more than weapon-wielding citizens.”
“Well,” Luna began. She paused since she was out of ideas and looked at the map. There was one nation who was not listed as an enemy of Equestria, and whose military was supposedly strong enough to defeat Discordia’s with little more than several battalions. “Auflorsung might help.”
Celestia laughed slightly, “Sister, Auflorsung is a mythical land. Sure some of our explorers have seen it, but there was no evidence of life, and perhaps they were just hallucinating. Drunken sailors desperate for land might see something like that. There's no evidence that life exists there, let alone a civilization. Plus, even if there was one, Auflorsung is on the opposite side of the world. It would take days to get there, even by the fastest airships; days that would be wasted because you weren't here to help protect Equestria.”
“But sister,” Luna protested, “One of the explorers claimed to see lights in the distance; the afterglow of a city. Also there were bright lights off the coast, and that video game thing. It’s said to be an Auflorsung invention.”
Celestia thought for several minutes. “Very well Luna. If you believe there is hope in Auflorsung, we will travel there and attempt diplomacy.”
“We?” Luna asked, “Sister, one of us must remain here for military and moral support.”
“You’re right,” Celestia said, “You are the younger, you must remain here and see Equestria does not fall.”
“No, Celestia,” Luna said, “You must stay. You’re the favored princess so you would provide better moral support than I ever could.” Luna was correct, but Celestia did not want to admit she was favored over Luna.
“Alright Luna,” Celestia gave in. “You leave tomorrow with part of your Lunar fleet. You will have three weeks: one to get to Auflorsung, one to make a treaty, one to return. Princess Twilight will assume stewardship in your place.”
“Thank you, sister,” Luna said gratefully, but retained her mask of royalty.
The next morning, Twilight had arrived and accompanied Luna and Celestia on their way to the nearby airfield, housing the Lunar Fleet. The princesses were dressed in their respective military uniforms: Luna’s was a blue tunic with a dark blue cape, and blue pants. She wore a saber on her side and a stern expression on her face. Celestia’s uniform was similar to Luna’s except it had a much longer cape, and had gold trim on the cuffs and collar with white instead of blue. Her saber, although hidden in its leather sheath, shined like the sun due to its gold plated blade.
The five ships that were going weren't particularly large, however their hulls were plated in aluminum for extra protection, and the balloon keeping the airship aloft had small sheets of aluminum to keep it safe as well, while still remaining flexible. All of her ships were run by steam engines which not only gave the balloons the hot air they required, but also excess steam was used to heat the cabins. Its aluminum plating and intricate heating made it almost indestructible by Equestrian standards, and one of the most luxurious ships on the market. Luna boarded her ship and gave one last wave to Celestia and Twilight and her fleet was off, headed to the mysterious land of Auflorsung.
The Umbra itself, Luna’s personal ship and her fleet’s flagship, was the newest and most advanced ship Equestria had. It was about a hundred feet long of cabin space, suspended by a five hundred foot long, one hundred foot wide balloon. It was powered by two massive steam engines which provided hot air to the balloon, and power to the propellers on the sides of the ship. The actual crew hold was shaped like any galleon, but it was aligned with regal fittings and decorated with obsidian along the rails. It also had a type of winch for cargo missions, and it boasted the strongest lifting capabilities of any multi-purpose airship. Of course there were other airships that could lift more, but they were designed specifically for cargo. There were four large cannons on the ship; two on each side. These provided the ship with enough protection from its enemies that it didn't require an escort, but Celestia had requested four other ships go as well. Its balloon and the ship were both aligned in very lightweight aluminum to protect it against attacks, and rendering it nearly invulnerable to attacks from the Chitin Kingdoms, Zebrafrica, or even Discordia. It was made Luna’s personal ship because of its protection and being the best all-round airship in the Equestrian fleet.