Going east was easier then going west. Although, with the recent loss, it felt harder. Aurora said nothing, but seemed to know where to lead us. From the mountains we went southeast. We eventually found the train tracks and followed those. Eventually we saw a sign.
Canterlot 20 miles.
We continued walking. Nothing felt right. I don't even know what to say at this point.
According to Aurora, there would be a train station before we reach Canterlot, and from there we'd go to Manehatten to get a boat.
I fell back until I was next to Star Swirl. "What did you mean 'Now you may fulfill your destiny'?"
Star Swirl looked at me, "When did I say that?"
"You said it when we left the caves. Who were you talking to?"
Star Swirl thought for a moment, "It must've been my rambling again. Being 1,200 years old does take a toll. So does coming back from death."
I shook my head. "Never mind."
And so we continued, more hours spent in silence. Soon, the train station came into view. A small town was near.
"Guys. Swift wanted us to go to Griffonia, It's not to late to change direction." Slate reminded everypony.
"Me and Swift saw what comes next. We go to Saddle Arabia." Aurora stated.
"And what of the Elements of Disharmony? We're supposed to find them too." Tourmaline interjected.
"I'm willing to wager that more then one of them will be found in Saddle Arabia." Aurora replied, now standing on the boarding platform.
"Alright, fine. But that means that we'll have to go to Zebrica after that." Slate argued.
"That's the plan."
We all looked towards Aurora, I was worried. Any emotion she showed was now gone. Now, all she wanted was to do what she said she saw last night.
As we waited, Bright Blade turned to Star Swirl.
"No offence, but I don't think you'll be capable to travel with us, you should probably head towards Canterlot from here."
"Oh really?" Star Swirl asked, "Not capable?"
Before any of us could move, Star Swirl had shrunk and captured Bright Blade in a jar.
"I still have tricks up my sleeve. And I must go to Saddle Arabia." Star Swirl informed us.
"Why?" Tourmaline asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"I need to deliver a message to the pony that waits for us there. Whether she knows or not."
"Message?" I echoed.
"That. . . " he paused, and looked at the mountains, "That she won't be alone for long."
"That's it!" I shouted, "You know something! Something to do with Swift! What is it?"
"My dearest Second Sun, you assume that I believe he's not dead?" Star Swirl countered.
"I. . .I don't know, but I know you're hiding secrets from us." I replied meekly.
"I won't try to deny that. There's many secrets I have hidden, and a few that I now hide. But it is not my place to tell you what is going on." Star Swirl sighed, "If Swift were here, he would have you be quiet. He would tell you that all secrets have their time and place."
I couldn't argue with that, it sounds like what Swift would say.
"And furthermore, do not let his passing get you down. He would not like to see you," he paused and looked at Aurora, "any of you, upset."
"So what are we supposed to do? Forget he died?" Tourmaline exclaimed.
"No, you should accept it. You should move on and help save this world. Then when it is safe, you can mourn." Star Swirl explained.
"The for now, we should get moving. We can't waste time." Blade said, pointing a train coming into the station.
"All aboard for Manehatten!" The conductor yelled.
Again, quiet train rides. . . . why is it always quiet? This time though, the Conductor assured us that they checked for bombs after hearing about the train from the Empire that blew.
Star Swirl was writing, Aurora was asleep, and Tourmaline was talking to Bright Blade.
"Oh, that reminds me." Bright Blade spoke up, "Didn't you ask me to remind you that you owed me a kiss?"
Tourmaline blushed, "I was hoping you'd forget."
"Why would I do that?" Blade asked with the biggest grin I've ever seen.
"Fine, one kiss, coming up." Tourmaline sighed in defeat and quickly pecked Blade on the cheek.
Meanwhile Slate was just chuckling at this development.
I turned to Star Swirl, "So, Manehatten, do you know any good boats there?"
Star Swirl paused a moment before speaking, "I know the Captain of one ship, and he will be surprised to see me."
"Why's that?" I asked.
"He's older then my dad." Star Swirl replied.
"You mean to tell me this Captain is immortal?"
"In a way. . ." Star Swirl responded. "Don't worry, it's relatively safe."
"Yeah, sure. . . " I mumbled. And although everyone was talking and happy, I could still tell something was missing.
Before long, my eyes grew heavy, and I fell asleep.
This was familiar. I was at my old house. Before the chimera attacked it and I lost my mother. It's been a long time since I've dreamed of this place. I couldn't help but smile as some fond memories came back to me.
"I like it here." Said an all to familiar voice.
I turned to see Swift standing there.
"Are you really. . "
"Inside your dream but not part of it? Yes." Swift finished, "And Star Swirl is right, you need to move on."
"You're watching us?" I asked.
"For the time being. Right now I'm in limbo, one of the ones from the other side said I had to wait for someone special to meet me." Swift explained.
"Is it good up there?" I asked.
"Boring really." Swift replied, "Very white, and very empty."
"So how can you enter dreams?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.
"They told me that those in limbo are allowed to. So that they can comfort and finish up anything else they may have here in the mortal world." Swift replied.
"I wish you were still with us." I sighed.
"In a way, I still am. I'm watching your every step, I'm rooting for you guys to win." Swift assured me.
"Is it only us that you can see, or can you see any of the Elements of Disharmony?" I asked again.
"I suppose I could view my father, or Blueblood. . . " Swift said with a frown.
"Something wrong?" I asked.
"They want me back. Good thing I visited you last." Swift explained.
"Wait, what does that mean? That I'll never see you again?!" I exclaimed as Swift became fuzzy, along with the dream.
"Oh Sunny. . . never say never. . . "
True enough, Swift had visited all of us.
"I wonder who he was waiting to meet?" Tourmaline asked as we climbed off the train.
"He said someone special. His mother, perhaps?" Slate wondered.
"Either way, I feel a bit better knowing he's still watching us." I said, looking over to Second Sun, "Is it alright for me to take his journal?"
"Absolutely!" Second exclaimed, "After all, he did say those three magic words."
I smiled, "He did. And still does."
"So," Second chirped, "This boat of Star Swirl's, where is it?"
"This way." Star Swirl announced, walking off through the city.
We followed behind him, weaving through streets and buildings until we came to a run down shack on the port.
"Is Dux Mortis in?" Star Swirl asked the shack.
"The river of death welcomes all." A pony behind the door answered.
"I seek passage to Saddle Arabia for me and my friends." Star Swirl informed the pony.
"Do you have the price to pay?" The pony asked.
"I'll pay it before the ship leaves Saddle Arabia. I have a message to deliver first." Star Swirl explained.
"Then wait for dusk. And we'll be on our way." The pony instructed before disappearing.
"All right!" Star Swirl exclaimed joyfully, "Time to sleep. There's a hotel nearby."
And we followed him to the hotel.
But I can't help but feel that something was off.
What did we get ourselves into?