The Journey Begins
"I'm- I'm going to...get you for this," Spike said, shuttering as sat down on a bench.
"Well you shouldn't have said anything, Spike. You knew that this was personal and you still went ahead and told them," Sunset said, still mad.
"Still I don't think freezing your brother is the best option Sunset," Quickfix said carrying an unusually large saddle bag, which caught Sunsets attention.
"You do know that it's only a days trip in an airship and that we're only staying up there for a night right? So why bring a large saddle bag? I know it's kinda chilly up there, but still." Sunset asked.
"Let's just say that this will save our butts if we run into trouble up there," She said with a smirk, as she trotted past Spike.
"Wonder when Redheart and Coco will get here?" Spike asked. "I've been meaning to talk to her about something."
"Don't even think about it Romeo!" Sunset said glaring at him.
"I wasn't thinking about it....much," He said quietly.
"Doesn't matter! But you do make a point. Where are they? The airship is scheduled to be here in five minutes," She said, pacing back and forth.
"Probably still packing, no doubt," Quickfix stated, bluntly.
They soon spotted both Redheart and Coco, running with saddlebags on there backs, while panting.
"Sorry we're late....Coco had to take...care of something," Redheart said.
"I had a few orders to fill in for Rarity," Coco said, panting.
"Well, just be glad that the airship hasn't shown up yet otherwise we would have left without you," Sunset said with a huff, as she watched for the airship to arrived.
After waiting for another five minutes what they saw next was truly astonishing.
"Oh wow!" They all said together as they looked towards a large golden airship fully equipped with landing beside them.
"This is amazing!" Spike said, standing up from the bench.
"No kidding," Sunset for her part was surprised at how large the airship was.
Mother definitely paid no expenses for this.
The doors opened, revealing two Pegasi dressed in cladded armor, awaiting for them to enter the airship. One of the guards walked towards them and removed his helmet, revealing a white Pegasus with a black mane and green eyes. "Princess Sunset, and guests, welcome to The Golden Aurora. I'm Sergeant Swift Wing and I'll be your escort for the trip. We ready to departure on your command Princess."
"We are ready to depart at once," Sunset commanded.
"Very well, Princess we'll have a staff member escort you to your rooms for the duration of the trip," Swift Wing said, as they escorted Sunset and her friends inside.
Once inside they began to look at there surroundings and all that could be said about the interior was that it was astounding the were painted red and decorated with small images of Celestia's banner, painted gold and that was only the walls. This was the first time they've been on an airship, but it was still incredible nonetheless. The halls were painted red and gold, and decorated with Canterlots finest furniture and vases.
"This is remarkable, it must have taken years to build this masterpiece," Sunset stated, as she looked around.
"It actually took me and the crew about two months to make this baby fly. Although that was about five years ago, and pray to Celestia that nothing terrible has happened to it," Swift Wing said, passing the princess.
"So this is five years old? Neat!" Spike said aloud.
"Could you possibly show us the flight deck?" Quickfix asked, with excitement, since she was obsessed with inventions.
"There will be time for that later, but for now I think it would be best if we take you too your quarters now," He said.
Everypony nodded in agreement as they followed Swift Wing to their guest rooms. Sunset was curious about Swift Wing for some odd reason, she couldn't quite put her hoof on it, but he didn't seem like the other guards she met before.
"Mr. Swift Wing how long have you been in the guard?" She asked.
"Please call me Swift, just adding the Mister makes me look like an old geezer hehehe....I've been a Sergeant for about three years now. Nothing impressive really," He answered.
"Hmm...very well let us carry on," Sunset said, causing suspicion among the others.
"As you wish Princess," He replied, leading them to the guest rooms once again.
It wasn't long until they had finally reached the guest rooms, considering that it was massive. "This room is for you Princess and your friends, as for Prince Spike he'll have the room down the hall on the right. Do call me or any of the staff if you need anything."
"Thank you," Coco said.
"Alright, now that's over what do you girls want to do?" Spike asked.
"Spike...if you don't mind. I'd like to speak to the girls alone," Sunset deadpanned, causing spike to slowly back out the room and close the door.
"So what did you want to talk about Sunset?" Redheart asked.
"I've been doing some research about the mountains and I've learned that someone or something is up there. From what I've gathered it was described as a Unicorn, with unusual powers and has been up there for months now," She explained.
"It's probably some chaos worshiper with some idiotic illusion spells. There's nothing to worry about Sunset, we promise," Quickfix said. Even though for once, Sunset was actually hoping she was right, but some part of her mind was nagging at her to cancel the trip or at least that she should go in alone.
"Still we should be cautious, even if it is another Chaos cultist, we should still be on our guard," Sunset stated, as she turned to the window.
It was than the sound of engines began to propel, as it begins to warm up. Swift Wing was on the main deck, with the other crew members as they turned on various switches, powering the ship.
"We are ready to depart at your command sir," A pilot Pegasus said.
Swift Wing nodded in response, giving the order for lift off, and without a second thought the pilot flipped a large switch which allowed the ship to lift off the ground, propelling at full force.
Deep within the mountains, hundreds of Nightmares Forces rallied together at an old ruin of a small castle for a secret meeting that was called by one of the leading Commanders of the Nightmare legions.
"Who do you think called this meeting?" One of them asked.
"No pony knows who, only that it was one of the leading commanders," another said.
Soon everybody ceased their whispers as a cloaked figure approached them, with a malicious grin and red smoke seeping out from his maw. Removing his cloak the figure revealed a blue unicorn with a light purple mane, and multiple scars across his face.
Everybody remained silent, waiting for the newcomer to speak.
"I am Commander Kunzite, one of the leading members of the Nightmare legions. I was sent here by one of our Generals to plan an attack on Princess Sunset Shimmer," Just saying her name caused an uproar of anger and hatred towards the princess and Kunzite smiled, barring his fangs.
"Today she was spotted, boarding an airship by one of my finest scouts," He said.
"Together we shall bring that spoiled brat to her knees and all of Equestria will bow before our queens might. Once the princess is killed, we shall commence with the invasion of Ponyville. We'll set out in three days when the moon full, so prepare yourselves my brothers and sisters, because soon Equestria shall be our for the taking," Kunzite said. Soon everypony began to cheer at his announcement. But they haven't realized that this was all a ploy for what his true intentions are. He left to his private chambers to consult with himself.
Fools! Do they honestly think I'm doing this for their beloved queen? For years I've done nothing, but serve that bloodsucking wench! Because of her it's been difficult for me to even maintain this form, but soon I'll obtain a power unlike any other, and all of Equestria shall bow before me.
"Commander Kunzite!" A cultist called out to him. "The assassin has returned."
"Excellent, send him in,"
The doors to his Chambers opened, revealing a unicorn wearing black armor and a black helmet concealing his face. Kunzite could only smirk as the assassin entered the chamber.
"The time is near..."