//------------------------------//
// A Noble Mission 
// Story: Azure Flame 
// by Silver Page 
//------------------------------//



Night had fallen over Equestria, and the Royal Palace was soon lit up with lamps, lanterns, and torches. Guards patrolled with hovering Light Orbs circling their heads, and the servants stayed close to the well-lit corridors and paths of the castle’s interior. There was a heavy mood in the castle, as all within had heard of what had transpired earlier in the day. Those who had seen the remains were comforted by friends or family, expect for one.
Prince Blueblood sat in the family memorial, staring with unfocused eyes at the pictures of his parents, a half empty bottle of wine in his hooves and a few empty ones littering the floor around him. His mane was a mess, disheveled with some parts torn out. His muzzle was stained with dried tears and drying wine, and his coat was tangled and knotted. 
“I failed, mother and father. I let a little filly die today.” He took a swig from the bottle, draining it.
“Because of me, an innocent child was taken from her now grieving parents.” He tried to take another mouthful, but finding it empty, he tossed it to the floor, the glass cracking a bit. He woozily began to look around the area for a full bottle, rummaging through the empty ones. Upon finding nothing, he curled up into the fetal position and began to sob while rocking back and forth. 
“I let another pony die, mommy! First you and dad, now Bouncing Ball! I can’t do anything! I failed again! I…!” Blueblood couldn’t stop the tears, and began to weep louder.
A few minutes passed, and his sorrow turned into small choking sobs.
“Look at me, sobbing like a foal! But what else can I do?! My destiny is supposed to be finding the way, but what good is that as a Talent when I couldn’t find a way to save anypony!” He staggered to his hooves, and unsteadily trotted over to a stone bench placed opposite the paintings. 
“I don’t know what to do! If only I could find… some… answers…” Blueblood trailed off, as his drunken mind began to buzz with both alcohol and ideas. 
“Photo Finish… at the Gala… she said Germaneigh and Prance have problems with Black Phoenix... If so… maybe I can find answers over there… I can… find a way to prevent any more deaths…” A determined look soon appeared on his face, and his eyes cleared up a bit. He slowly pushed the doors to the memorial open, and unsteadily headed out.
“Goodbye, mom and dad. It might be a while before I see you again.”
Blueblood entered the Canterlot General Affairs Office some time later, and headed over to his desk. He pulled open one of the drawers, and removed a small crystal bottle. He removed the glass stopper and drank down the substance in one gulp, gagging briefly at the bitter taste; Alcohol Purging potions were never the most palatable. In a few hours all of the wine would be converted to mere water and vinegar, and he’d have no worries of a hangover in the morning. Not that he planned on sleeping.
He pulled open another drawer and pulled out ink, quills, and lots of blank parchment. He began to carefully write out a number of letters, plans, notes, and apologies on each. As soon as he was finished, he folded them neatly and placed them in envelopes, before putting names and addresses on them. Some of the envelopes he put some small items into. A key, a gemstone, a check. Satisfied, he bundled up all but one with his magic and headed out, pausing only to grab and put on a pair of green rimmed glasses and a dark blue cape.
Using back corridors and hidden paths, Azure Flame emerged from the castle and into Canterlot’s Upper District. He did not even stop to give the castle a second look as he headed down the mountain side.
It took little time to reach his first destination, as the streets were all but empty. A bell jingled as he stepped into the local post office.
“I’m sorry, we currently closed for the evening. Come by tomorrow…” Cotton Fluff, the mare behind the counter trailed off as she saw her friend Azure Flame walk in. 
“Oh thank Celestia you’re alive!” the Pegasus mailmare cried out, tackling the Unicorn.
“We all heard about the terrorist attack at the hospital and later the, um, tragedy at the castle!” She wiped some tears from her eyes before punching Azure in the shoulder. “We were all worried about you, you block headed fool! We thought you’d been hurt, or worse!”
“We?” Azure wheezed out, wiggling loose from the mare’s grip.
“Red Salsa from the Taco stand, Donut Joe, Watered Down from the bar, Stick Stone the street sweeper, my son, myself, and more!” We were all so worried about you. You’re our friend.” Cotton finally released Azure, and he blushed, looking down. 
“I, I don’t know what to say. Thank you, it… feels nice to be thought of.” Azure muttered. Cotton just smiled warmly before helping him pick up the letters he’d dropped. 
“Lots of letters today, Azure. Bit late for a delivery, though.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I just… I had to get these sent now.” Cotton gave him a worried look, but rang them up all the same. Azure paid her in full, with a large tip.
“What are you doing, Azure Flame? This doesn’t seem like those were ordinary letters. Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, Fleur de Lys… some interesting names,” the mare said, putting the letters in a pouch for delivery in the morning.
“I’m going on a trip soon. I can’t say where or why, because I don’t want you to be caught up in this,” Azure said firmly, in a way that closed all conversation about the topic.
“…Why Azure? Please, don’t go anywhere dangerous or do anything to get hurt. You mean a lot to the ponies around here. If you were to… I don’t want to think about that!” Azure just looked away, unable to meet her stern gaze. When that happened, a cry escaped her lips. Once more, she flung herself over the counter at the white Unicorn, but he was ready this time and caught her in a field of telekinesis. 
“I have to do this, Cotton. I have to.” She suddenly started to struggle, and Azure winced as it became harder to hold on.
“No! I won’t let you hurt yourself! I know that look in your eyes! It’s the same one my husband had when he joined the firefighters! It’s the same look he had when he told he’d be safe! It’s the same bucking look he had when he went out to fight that fire, and never came back!” Cotton Fluff suddenly broke down and started sobbing, her limbs going limp. Gently, Azure Flame lowered her to the floor, and released her, before walking over and wrapping her in a tight hug.
“I am so sorry, Cotton, I didn’t mean to remind you of that.” She sniffled a bit in his legs.
“…Please don’t go…” she whispered. 
“It’s my duty,” he said in response. “Now, sleep.” Azure’s horn lit up, and the mailmare suddenly felt very tired. He levitated her up, and placed her on one of the benches and wrapping her in her uniform as a make shift blanket.
“No… don’t… why… is… your duty…?” She mumbled as Azure Flame stood up. He said nothing, but as he turned, his tail flicked upwards, and moved aside his cape, revealed his Cutie Mark.
“Wha…” was all she managed to get out before falling asleep.



“Blueblood is gone!!” That single sentence shook awake the lethargic castle, and despite the fact it was late evening, ponies were soon scrambling about. Guards began combing the castle grounds while maids and servants checked every single room. Luna, as a night pony, was awake and on hoof to deal with the immediate crisis. 
“Quickly now! We must uncover the fate of our nephew! Search as if your lives depend on it, because it just might!!” Luna bellowed, shouting orders to her Night Guard. “You! Maid with the grey tea Cutie Mark! Go waketh my sister!”
The aforementioned maid nodded before scurrying out, as the Lunar Princess started to slip into her “ye olde” accent.
Very soon, a bleary eyed Celestia hurried into the throne room, accompanied by equally tired Elements of Harmony. Princess Cadence, and Shining Armor.
“What’s happened, sister?!” Celestia inquired, side stepping a rushing guard.
“Blueblood is gone!” Luna snapped, causing gasps of surprise.
“What do you mean, gone?!” Celestia exclaimed, only just starting to shake off her sleepiness.
“I mean he has vanished! He was not in the family memorial, and he’d been in there even since dinner!”
“Maybe you’re just over reacting, sister…” Celestia began, before a piece of paper was shoved into her face, held in her sister’s magic. The Solar Diarch’s eyes flickered over the note, slowly widening as she read the contents.
“NO!” She cried, disbelief and anger in her shout. 
Concerned, Twilight grabbed the note herself, Luna relinquishing the letter to the purple Unicorn.


 “Dear Aunt Celestia, Aunt Luna, Cousin Cadence, and everyone else,” 

 Twilight read aloud as Princess Celestia began to bellow orders as well, now fully awake. 

“I am writing this note so you will know what I plan to do, and why. I have failed everypony, and I will make this right.” 


“None of this is his fault, though! If anything, it’s those Black Phoenix flank-holes!” Rainbow Dash interjected, everypony nodding in agreement, Rarity even overlooking her friend’s choice of words, for she too felt the same.


“I am going to take matters into my own hooves…” 

 Twilight gasped.
“What? What’d he say?” Pinkie Pie asked, unnaturally still and quiet.
“He, he’s going to track down Black Phoenix by himself!” Shocked gasps and protests erupted from everypony assembled.
“That dang fool is gonna get himself killed! We gotta find ‘im!” Applejack declared, the others nodding. 
“Fluttershy and I will comb the city from the skies,” Rainbow said, Fluttershy nodding in agreement with unnatural seriousness on her face.
“I’m gonna patrol near the train-station! If he’s gonna leave, he’ll probably go there!” Pinkie said, before disappearing in a blur of pink. 
“I’ll round up some more Guards to search through the castle more thoroughly! Cadence, you look around his usual hangouts, maybe he’s still getting ready to leave!” Shining Armor was answered by a quick peck on the cheek from his wife, before she shot off as well.
“Rarity, let’s go check out the stores near the Market district! He’ll need supplies if he’s going on a trip!” Twilight said, running out of the hall. A silent Rarity followed behind, the pair rushing out of the castle and into the streets of Canterlot. However, Rarity began heading off in a different direction, away from the lower levels of the city.
“Wait, Rarity, where are you going?!” Twilight demanded, teleporting in front of her friend.
“Listen, Twilight, I don’t think he’ll be at the shops anymore, he’ll likely have moved on to leaving the city,” Rarity explained, swerving around her suddenly appearing friend. 
“Well why aren’t we heading to the train-station?! If he’s leaving, he’ll take that!” Twilight began to run beside the alabaster Unicorn.
“No, he won’t Twilight!” Rarity replied. “When we were talking at the Gala last night, we spoke to Fleur and Photo Finish. And they mentioned that Equestria Minor is rife with anti-nobility movements and factions, Black Phoenix being one of the most prominent and active! So, he’ll likely head to the largest hot spot on the planet to try and find information!”
“But, then why are we running this way?! He’d still need a train to reach one of the ports like at Manehatten or Baltimare!”
“But there is a port right here in Canterlot!” Rarity shouted back. Twilight blinked in confusion, before her eyes lit up with comprehension.
“The Sky-Ship docks! Of course! It has all sorts of craft, from luxury liners to patrol cutters! He’ll just get a ship there!”
Rarity nodded, and Twilight fell into place next to her, the two running as fast as they could towards the Canterlot Sky Docks. 


Azure Flame paused for a moment, looking over what he’d accomplished so far. He had entered the Sky Docks earlier, being allowed to pass thanks to a Writ of Royal Decree, stating the need to commandeer a small but fast boat. The dock workers had obliged him by offering their fastest single person vessel; a small Patrol Cutter, able to be crewed by just one pony. Like a water sailing ship in design, but no larger than a life-boat. Two small fins jutted out from the sides, the Sail Fins that helped steer the ship with greater speed and maneuverability than just the large balloon that was overhead. Beneath the taut balloon sac near the helm of the Cutter was a small rune covered box. Inside it was the workings of the Cloud Lift Engine, a device that channeled magic from a special storage crystal to cast a ship wide spell to make it lighter than normal, allowing the air-balloon and small mechanical rotor-paddles on the rear to propel the sky-ship and keep it aloft.
It wasn’t much, but it should get him to Baltimare in just a day or so. Then, he’d be able to purchase passage across the Deep Water Ocean, and then…
“Onwards to Equestria Minor,” he whispered to himself.
“We’re all done loading the supplies, sir Azure Flame,” one of the dock ponies said, and the cloaked Unicorn nodded his thanks. 
“Thank you for your help. I need to set off now, though. Time is of the essence,” he explained, and the worker nodded in understanding.
“You remember what I said about piloting this thing, right?”
“Use the steering wheel sparingly, don’t spin it too fast or the inertia is too great. The Cloud Lift Engines should have enough power for three days of flight, but spare Mana Crystals are in the engineers compartment under the deck with the emergency supplies. To land, be sure to lower the Sail Fins and slow down to half a knot before entering Baltimare’s airspace.”
The dock worker nodded, impressed, before turning to some other ponies. 
“Ok, cast off now! Untie the anchor knots, and reel in the tethers!” He shouted, and the ponies scrambled to obey. 
Slowly, the all but unnoticeable hum of the Cloud Lift Engines grew in volume, until by the time the ropes were undone and retracted, the Patrol Cutter was suspended under its own power. Azure quickly made his way to the helm, and gripped the wheel in his magic. Carefully, he began to maneuver the tiny Sky-Ship out of the docks and into the open sky.
“Goodbye, Auntie. Goodbye, Cadence. Goodbye… Rarity,” he whispered, his words whisked away by the sound of the motors and hum of the engine. 
As he was preparing to ascend, he caught sight of two figures bursting onto the docks. Azure Flame gaped as he saw Rarity and Twilight panting heavily, eyes darting around in worry.
He saw Twilight’s gaze rise as she heard the sounds of his boat, and her mouth started to move. He couldn’t hear, but Rarity could, and she too looked up. Azure Flame breathed a sigh at her confused expression. He was never more thankful for his cloak and glasses than now.
That relief did not last long.
An unexpected gust of wind rustled down through the docks, and for a few seconds, his cloak was blown aside, revealing his Cutie Mark. A gold and purple compass star.
Tears threatened to blind him as he saw Rarity’s expression go from confusion, to shock, and then to something he’d never wished to see on her face; utter betrayal. He looked away and pulled a lever, adding more lift to his small vessel. Azure Flame sped off into the night, heart wrenching sobs somehow echoing in his ears, slowly fading as the mountain city faded behind him.
As Canterlot disappeared to the night sky, Azure Flame steeled his heart, and stared off into the horizon, allowing thoughts of vengeance to fill him and bury his own heart-ache. 
“I’m coming for you Vandal! And when I find you, no force in existence can stop me from avenging all those you’ve hurt!” He roared, his oath shouted to the heavens. 






 End of Part One