//------------------------------//
// Back at Equestria... 
// Story: Ponies and the Alpha Team 
// by Optimistic Pessimist 
//------------------------------//

	"WHAT!?"

The white alicorn looked about Twilights' friends.

"It's true. Twilight wrote in her letter that she was going on an expedition of some kind, and that she may or may not be coming back."

A rainbow maned pegasus rushed up to the alicorn. "Princess Celestia, Why didn't you stop her?" The Princess simply shook her head. "I was completely unaware that she had gone up until the point where I got the letter."

Pinkie Pie walked up to the Princess. "I say we should go down to get her. Who knows what ghostlies are down there? Rainbow Dash, are you with me?" The blue pegasus nodded. Alright!" 

The Princess looked at the two. "Twilight specifically mentioned that a unicorn is required to power the machine. Even if you do make it to the entrance, I'm not sure you can get any further." 

Pinkie Pie sighed. "Wait." She perked up. "Rarity! Wanna come with us?" The white unicorn turned to Pinkie Pie. "Of course I'm going with you! She's a friend. No matter the circumstances, I will help her in times of trouble! Applejack! Are you with us?" 

The orange earth pony smirked. "Course I am, Rarity. Ya'll probably need a bit o' bucking power where ya'll going." Applejack looked back to a yellow pegasus. "Not sure I can say the same for Fluttershy though." 

"Come on Fluttershy, we need you!" The pegasus looked back at Pinkie Pie. "I don't know Pinkie. It sounds dangerous." Pinkie Pie smiled. "Oh come on, Fluttershy! Who knows! You might meet some new animal friends where we're going!" That perked the mare up. "O-Okay Pinkie Pie."

The Princess smiled. "That sounds like a good group to me." The Princess tapped her chin. "Although, there is one thing bothering me." Everyone turned to the Princess. "Twilight mentioned that magic is needed to power this, 'machine'. I'm thinking that one unicorn isn't enough."

Pinkie Pie smiled. "Oh! So, we need two unicorns! I know just the girl!"  Pinkie Pie rushed out the door. A few moments later, she came back with a mint colored unicorn. "Lyra here will help!" The unicorn looked at Pinkie. "Help in what? Oh! Your majesty, forgive me for this rude intrusion." The Princess laughed. "There's no need for such an address, Lyra, although our friends here could use a helping hand."

Lyra looked around. "I don't see why you need me. We got enough horse power in here already." Lyra snickered at her little pun. The Princess smiled. "This may be a good crowd, but we're in need of a little extra help. Specifically, unicorn help. This party only has one unicorn, and a unicorn is essential where these ponies are going." Lyra looked around. "Alright, I'm game. A lyre makes a heck of a bow and arrow anyway." Lyra pulled out her lyre and demonstrated, shooting a magical arrow into the forehead of a wooden horse head model. "So, where we off to?"