Crystal Clarity and Prince Illusion. Source
The countdown until the departure day was a nerve racking one for the Children of Harmony. They lived their normal lives, normal conversations with family and friends, and normal routine under the shadow of what was coming. Their interactions with each other always broke down to discussing the plan, and whether or not the other person would try to talk the rest out of it like Claire predicted. Although everyone was reluctant to do it (with the exception of the Starburst the war hawk), they felt that there was no other way.
The night of the departure had everyone to meet a hour after sundown at the town square.
At the former castle of the two sisters, Starburst packed her custom made and custom engraved sword and flintlock pistols. They were ceremonial in nature, but they were also made with the finest steel, the finest wood, and the finest iron. She also brought something more personal: a pink ribbon that she had since she was a baby with wild hair. She cut it short these days, but there was days she would need to tie her hair back and that ribbon came in handy. She tied it around her neck and prepared to set out, not before she crept into Nightlight's room, gave him an unusual, tearful kiss to his forehead, and left a letter from her.
Nightlight,
By the time you read this, I will already be deep in the Griffon Kingdom. Me and my friends are going to find them. I wish I could of taken you, seeing how advanced you are in magic, but if I was to meet the unfortunate end, you must carry on the family bloodline and the kingdom. Keep on perusing your studies and please look after Candy's and Prism's siblings.Goodbye and I love you, take care of yourself,
Starburst.
Over at Bolt's house, the same thing applied: The tough and cocky young man had to hold back tears while leaving a goodbye letter at the night stand of his little brothers bedside. Icy Storm was young, but was by leaps and bounds much more mature than his older brother, but the love was there even in the intertwined mutual feeling of annoyance toward each other.
Luckily for Golden Delicious, there was no tearful goodbye, not worry to find a caretaker for the kids. He simply packed his family heirloom: a musket he had since he was just a boy and left. He believed that Red June was old enough to take care of herself, so no worry there.
Crystal Clarity had to write a tear stained letter, but not to a child she was leaving to fend for themselves. She left the letter on the table on her work bench in the basement, where she knew the person who the letter was intended for would look for her the second he arrived in her abandooned shop.
Illusion,
I know you will be angry the second you hear about me and my friends going to find our parents. But I feel like it was something I must do. The kids are all safe and we asked aunt Sweetie Belle to take care of them in their absence. But also, you must know about the why as well. We have waited for an answer to where are our parents and yet nothing. They wouldnt even tell you, Illusion. I love Celestia and Luna like family, but it was either find a answer or possibly live the rest of our lives with the question of "what if?"
I wish it didn't turn out this way, but something had to give. I hope you understand why we had to. Its going to be tough not seeing that charming, mischevious smile of yours. But, I want to see my parents again.With love to you,
Crystal Clarity
"Ready to go?" Turquoise asked.
Anthea was 'looking' around in the dark, for anything else she might of been missing. She couldn't see anything anyway, but she took that time to think of what she had with her and made sure that nothing will go wrong leaving the cottage abandoned for a while. Fluttershy never moved from the cottage at the edge of the Everfree forest, not even after adopting Anthea all those years ago. She did it on her own, with no husband, but at the same time she took care of the sick and hurt animals while raising her own offspring, which was naturally why Anthea considered Fluttershy her hero. Although she had a daily struggle to deal with the debilitating shyness, her courage when needed was one of a lion.
"Yes," Anthea answered.
"You sure? all you have to bring was clothes and your locket."
Turquoise Blitz only had one thing in his possession as well: A dragons tooth necklace that was handed down from father to son. Spike never knew his parents, yet he made one himself to pass down, and it was said that the necklace enhanced once's "dragon fire", a basic magic spell that only he and his sister only knows were flames can be expelled from their mouths like a flamethrower.
"I'm ready, T. Lets go," she said in a solemn voice as they left the cottage, which Annie hoped it wouldn't be for the last time.
To Cloudy Skies and Sugar Rush,
I'm not going to be home for a while. I'm going to go find mom and dad. Please don't cry, or be upset, or even go and find me. Pumpkin Cake and Pound Cake will make sure you guys are alright.I wish I can write more, but I have to go. I love you both so much and please be safe.
-Cotton Candy.
They all met at the town square, ready to go. Without any preamble or words, they gave each other a quick nod and began their trek through the town. They walked past the homes of their friends, family, and in some cases, crushes.
Del broke from the ragged formation, and was walking towards the doorsteps of Perfect Measure's shop. He was stopped by Starburst.
"You know the rules del: Need to know only. We need to be out of Equestria before sunrise."
"A'h cant say goodbye?"
"I'm sorry, but there's no time."
Del hung his head as the moved on. It was tough, but they also knew that they couldn't run the risk of anyone finding out, and somehow alerting the princesses of their plan and ending the trip really early. What they didn't expect, however, was to run into whirlwind on her way home from a guard shift.
"Hey! where are you guys going to?"
Everyone was silent.
"Prism? What's going on?"
"Whirlwind. We are going to find our parents," He said as he looked away.
Her mouth was open from the shock. "What?! But you all know the stories of whatever's attacking them. It's suicide!"
"We know."
"You all might die!"
"We know."
"Your parents are most likely-"
"We know!" Prism screamed.
His outburst silenced whirlwind.
"We know. We are going to find them. It's crazy, and I cant say how I know it, but they are alive out there. We are wiling to die to find out."
"I know better than to try to stop you, you stubborn son of a bitch," she said as tears began falling down her cheeks. "I guess it's too late to tell you that I actually changed my mind about us?"
"What?"
"Yea, I was going to tell you tomorrow."
"Oh, um..."
Whirlwind ran into his arms, and held him as hard as she could. He reciprocate the hug, and held each other for what seemed like an eternity. Starburst tapped Prism in the shoulder. "I don't want to be that person, but he have a train to catch."
They let go, shared a quick, but tender kiss, and began the hard task of separating.
Whirlwind watched them leave the street until they were out of sight, while wiping the tears from her eyes