I was rechecking the sealed mythril container again. It was a pale green and though you couldn't see it in the sunlight had a faint glow. It was also so covered in runes it was hard to tell it had ever been smooth. I stowed it in my saddlebags. Pegasai and unicorns in dark armor were busy setting up the rest of the extra tents I had them pack. Firecracker was biting her bottom lip.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean I know you're going to meet up with Luna soon enough so…"
"I asked Luna for your assistance specifically so I could get your help no questions asked. That's the whole point."
"I know you can't help it when you're really in charge…" began Sweetsong from next to me "But you shouldn't worry about this. Chill." She then grinned widely
"I'm not sure about that." Said Blossom from my other side
"Well I have Luna's word you'd serve me as needed. She also specifically assigned you two to help me when we separate from the main force."
"By the way." Said Spike from my back "Aren't there some earth ponies?"
"Luna took those and the stallions with her. It's all they're really good for."
Sweetsong took a step forward, shaking her head. "That really isn't cool Blossom."
"Oh you know what I mean. Let's just go if we're going. I’m sure I could be a great help here, but for some reason Luna wants us to help the most powerful unicorn in existence, because she so clearly needs it. It seems like a waste of resources to me."
Firecracker laughed. "Mare, you're both totally missing the point, aren't you. And I thought it was just Sweets."
Firecracker then laughed again, turned around, and walked away. I stared after her for a bit. What is she talking about? Blossomforth then sighed.
"There is no point in asking, is there?"
"Nah, she only ever says what she wants." Said Sweetsong So fearless leader, now that we have the bowl of doom, what next?"
"First we see a griffin in Griffany about an orb, then Valhalla, then Reinia, specifically a town outside Moosecow that as far as I can tell has no name."
"Griffany is in the other direction." Said Blossomforth
"And so Cavernus is last?" asked Sweetsong
I nodded. "Yes. I know it's backtracking but…"
Sweetsong sighed. "You don't really care since you're not going to do any of the carrying? Just great."
"No, I requested two pegasi because I wanted flying guards for Valhalla in case there is any trouble. Also aerial threats are one thing I'd have some trouble with."
"So we're taking an airship?"
"Yes. This entire outing until we reach Luna is considered research and it's been easier than ever to get grants. I'm starting to feel guilty."
"And that's new?" asked Blossom "I mean you are Celestia's personal student. It seems like any board would be unlikely to…"
"They're not supposed to show favoritism. In fact I think it's made it harder. Now though it seems like no one will refuse anything I ask for."
Spike laughed. "She still hasn't figured out she's so smart she always finds something interesting. All that changed is they started noticing that."
I stomped a hoof. "Spike. There is no way it's that simple."
Sweetsong smiled. "Ooo, I know."
I blinked. Were her teeth always that sharp? Blossomforth looked normal, and as far as I could tell Sweetsong's armor wasn't altering her appearance at all. Which included her ears on top of the teeth and wings. I hadn't even given it a second thought, but I looked between the two mares and sure enough Blossomforth was a standard pegasus in every visible way. Only Sweetsong had the bat pony look about her.
"Geesh, just tell us already." Said Spike
"It's inspiration." Sweetsong closed her eyes "See leaving Canterlot shuffled everything up in her life and dealt her a new hoof. Sometimes you need that. Sometimes it all changes and bridging the fragments into a workable song goes from impossible to easy."
"Are you saying…" I began
"I am saying Twilight, is that I know music and I know inspiration. I imagine lots of things are like that, and friends can inspire no matter what you do."
I then just nodded, and slowly started walking off. Okay, that makes way more sense than Spike's idea. There could be some mysterious variable I'm missing but the timing fits too. It seems like there is always more I owe them. I smiled.