> Beyond Equestria > by Maladin > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > A New Assignment > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a beautiful day in Canterlot. The princess had done a wonderful job raising the sun for today. It had been a week since the incident with Sunset Shimmer, and it was time for the royal princess summit to reconvene. However due to preparations for the Equestrian Games, Princess Celestia decided that it would reconvene in Canterlot instead of The Crystal Empire. “Well I hope this summit goes better than the last one” Spike said with hint of caution behind his voice. “Oh Spike I don’t think we really have anything to worry about this time” Twilight said with expressed optimism. “Celestia has taken every precaution this time, in fact we need to hurry or we are going to miss the summit.” Spike and Twilight hurried along through the streets of Canterlot to the castle. When the two of them arrived the other princesses were already deep in discussion about the next year’s tasks. “Oh Twilight I am glad that you are able to make it.” Said Princess Celestia. Celestia had always been Twilight’s Teacher and friend even before she lived in Ponyville and before, she discovered she was to be one of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony. “I am sorry that I am late, the train ride was a little slow today” Twilight said apologetically. “That is quite alright we will fill you in on the details you need to worry about.” After about three hours of discussion of politics and royal duties for the other three princesses Celestia decided it was time for a recess and they would reconvene in one hour. Twilight left the throne room a little disappointed that the princesses had not gotten around to discussing what her duties were for the next year. “So have you been appointed over your own section of Equestria yet” Spike said sarcastically. “One I told you that would probably not happen for a while, plus they haven’t even gotten around to discussing what I am supposed to do” Twilight said disappointed. “Don’t worry I think we will get around to you eventually” Twilight turned around, and there was her old friend Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. “Cadence” Twilight said enthusiastically “it is so good to see you.” After a quick catch up Twilight finally asked the question that has been pulling at her for the past week, “so, do you have any idea what I am going to be doing for the next year?” Twilight said hopefully. “Honestly, I have no idea what you are going to be doing, but apparently it is something big, because it is all Celestia and Luna have been discussing” Cadence said just as puzzled as Twilight was. “I still think that we should wait before we assign her this assignment” Luna said to her sister. “I understand your concern dear sister, but I believe she is ready for this assignment, plus after the recent events with the other world she is the best qualified for this mission.” Celestia said also a little unsure of herself. “Also what if something were to happen to her, it is a dangerous world out there” Luna said “She could discover something dangerous, or worse a greater evil then we have seen.” Celestia noticed the time and saw that the summit was about to reconvene. “I do not think there is need for any more discussion” Celestia said “We have kept Twilight waiting for far too long, it is time she learned what she is responsible of. “Very well, but she is not to venture too far especially if something were to happen to her” Luna said cautiously. “I agree, let us reconvene to the summit.” Twilight was extremely excited now that she was about to find out her new royal duties. “Twilight we understand that you are excited about this moment and we are happy that you are.” Said Princess Celestia “So what will you have me do Princess” said Twilight barely able to hold back her excitement. “Luna and I have decided that we have been confined to Equestria for far too long, we wish to find out what lies beyond our borders, and if it is civilized, hopefully make peaceful relations with our neighbors.” “So, what does all of this have to do with me?” questioned Twilight. “By decree of Princess Celestia, and in agreement with Princess Luna we have decided to assign the task of exploring the world beyond our borders. “This is so great I finally get to do more research into the unknown” Twilight Said incredibly happy. Then she stopped to think about what she has been assigned. “Wait a minute, you are telling me to leave Equestria!” Twilight exclaimed. > Bound by Orders > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “ATTENTION” yelled one of the guards of the barracks. All of the royal guards quickly snapped into attention. “As you were” said the Captain of the Royal Guard Prince Shining Armor. “Phoenix squad Front and center” exclaimed the captain. All five members of Phoenix squad hurried to attention in front of him. “Name and rank soldiers” Since the captain ran the entire military this was a common routine when your squad is assigned a mission. “Private Firestorm, sir!” “Private Sunfield, sir!” “Private, Moonlight sir!” “Private Hawkfeather, sir” “Sergeant Weather Bane, sir!” Phoenix squad was one of the new squads created to put ponies from different races together into one squad. Private Sunfield and Hawkfeather were earth ponies, Moonlight and Weather Bane were unicorns, and Firestorm was a Pegasus. “The princess has informed me of a new assignment that your squad has been chosen to partake in”. said the captain. “The sergeant and I will be briefed at 1600 hours today. The rest of you will receive your orders form the sergeant, after he has been briefed. Any questions?” “SIR NO SIR” exclaimed the squad. At 1630 hours the rest of phoenix squad were impatiently waiting to be briefed with their new orders. Finally Shining Armor and Weather Bane left the briefing room, however the captain looked extremely worried and upset. He turned to the sergeant and said in an extremely angry tone “If anything happens to her, I will hold you personally responsible for it, do I make myself clear!” “Sir yes Sir” replied the sergeant in shock. The other squad members looked at each other in shock, no one had ever seen Shining Armor get that upset, except for the time one of the corporals made a joke about his, at the time, girlfriend. “Permission to speak freely Sergeant?” asked Moonlight. “Sure, why not” replied the sergeant. “What in the hay, was that all about.” “It has to do with our new orders, we have been assigned the great responsibility of protecting princess Twilight Sparkle on her exploration quest, outside of Equestria” Said the sergeant. All of the other members looked at each other in disbelief not only were they going outside of their homeland, They were assigned to protect the captain of the royal guard’s little sister. > No One Likes Good Byes > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weather Bane landed on the porch of what was right now his house. It was a simple house that was provided to all of the different soldiers who had a family. He walked into be greeted by his wife Solvara. “Well sergeant have you gotten your new orders yet” Solvara said jokingly. “Ugh yes I did” Weather Bane said reluctantly, he always hated when his orders separated him from his family, but he had never received orders like these before. “So, did you get transferred to The Crystal Empire like you were hoping, you know I have been dying to go there” Solvara said excitedly. Weather Bane sighed, because he knew how this was going to go. “My squad has been assigned protection duty to Princess Twilight” “Oh wow, what an honor that must be, to protect the princess” Solvara said. “ There is one problem with that, Twilight is going on a expedition outside of Equestria” Weather Bane saw his wife’s eyes grow big, the truth had finally sunk in. “Wh.. when do you think you will be back” Solvara said pushing back tears. “The expedition is only supposed to last a couple of months, plus most of it will be on airship anyways, but I honestly do not know when I will be back.” Weather Bane said also trying to hold back tears. “I will go and tell Winter Breeze you are leaving” Solvara sobbed. “No, I will tell him, last time I did not get a chance to say goodbye, and I have sorrowed over it enough” Weather Bane said. Weather Bane, had one child, and he was the love of his life. he would do anything for that child. This did not make it any easier for him to say goodbye to his child. “Winter Breeze, are you in here” Weather Bane called “ I’m over here, look I drew you a picture” said Winter Breeze excitedly. Weather Bane looked down at the picture, it was a stick pony wearing armor standing in front of what looked kind of like a castle in the background. Above the stick pony it said DAD. Now Weather Bane knew for sure that this would not be easy, but it must be done. “Winter I have to tell you something” “OOH are you going on some kind of adventure!” Winter Breeze exclaimed “Well actually yes, what made you think that” Weather Bane said bewildered that his son actually thought of that. “Whenever mommy gets sad like that it usually means you are going away.” Solvara blushed from embarrassment. “Well I am glad you understand” Weather Bane said relieved. “Can you take the drawing I made for you though, so you won’t forget about us” “I will, and I will see you in the morning it’s passed your bedtime” “Ok” Winter Breeze said upset knowing he had to go to bed. “We ship off tomorrow morning, you two are going to be there right?” asked Weather Bane “Dear, I would not miss it for the world.” > New Shores Ahead > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight looked up at the airship as excited as ever, ever since she lived in Canterlot, she always saw the airships coming and going, but she never actually go the chance to ride in one before. “Twilight, hurry up, you are going to be late for your goodbye party!” yelled an overly excited Pinkie Pie. “I’m coming I was just looking at the airship, It’s amazing some of the feats that we are capable of.” Twilight said mesmerized by the airship. Princess Celestia decided to hold the send off inside the airships main hall. It was a beautiful scene, all of the decorations were a little childish since it was Pinkie Pie who took care of them, but Twilight knew that if anyone one else did it. It just wouldn’t be the same. “Thank you all for attending this send off ceremony” Princess Celestia took the stage to give the keynote address. “We are all gather here to say goodbye to Princess Twilight Sparkle and all who will join her on her quest. I have selected several different ponies to go with her. First for her protection I have assigned this honor to Phoenix squad commanded by Sergeant Weather Bane.” Weather Bane stood up from his seat, a little embarrassed that the princess pointed him out. This also did not make the threat given to him by Shining Armor any more comforting. “Also I have assigned two of my top scholars from the school of gifted Unicorns to accompany Twilight on her journey, will Professor Honeytwist and Professor Cloud please stand”. Professor Cloud was one of the best teachers at the school, he also was in charge of the school’s archives, which includes what should be added to it. Honeytwist had just recently been hired by the school, because of her youth, she was selected to join the expedition. Plus it would be good field experience for her. “And the last member of the group is Spike the dragon, he will be joining the group so Twilight will be able to give us regular updates on how she is doing and what all she has discovered.” After about another hour of farewells from the ponies in the crowd it was almost time for Twilight to say goodbye to two people she had not seen in a very long time. “Mom, dad, it’s so good to see you” Twilight half crying, knowing she was about to say goodbye. “Twiley, I have missed you so much” said her mom excited that she was here. “I’m so sorry that I have to say goodbye again, sometimes I feel like that is all I have ever said to you since I became Celestia’s apprentice.” Twilight said trying to look dignified. “Now Dear” Twilights mom said kindly, “We have been nothing but proud of you ever since you left, I knew the second you left with Celestia you were destined for great things, and now look at yourself” said Twilight’s Mom Reassuringly. “Not only are you going on some adventure, you are a princess, and I think I speak for both of us when I say, you couldn’t possibly make us anymore proud of you.” Twilight finally realized she could not hold back anymore of her tears, so she grabbed a hold of her mother and cried tears of joy. After about another hour of preparations, the time had finally come for all of them to ship off. Twilight, finally got a chance to say goodbye to all her friends. “I just hope I will get to see all of you again” Twilight said worried. “Oh come now sugarcube, you know better than to think like that” Applejack said reassuringly. “Yeah, plus think of all the cool new things you will get to see.” Rainbow Dash said. “I’m already planning the welcome home party!” exclaimed Pinkie Pie. “you’re right” Twilight said, “I don’t know what I was thinking as long as I believe in myself I know that I will make it back.” “We will miss you though” said a saddened Fluttershy. “I will miss you all to, but I know now that I will return so don’t go replacing me so fast” Twilight joked. After a group hug and a few tears her friends finally parted ways. “Well Twilight, are you ready for another adventure” Spike said excited. “I guess I am now” Twilight said, she was ready to go on a new adventure but she still was not ready to leave home. “Phoenix Squad reporting for duty princess” Sergeant Weather Bane said to Twilight. “Please sergeant, call me Twilight, we are going to be gone for a while and calling me princess will get old eventually”. Twilight said trying to be nice, Twilight had always looked up to people like the Princess Celestia. She was not used to others calling her the same. Twilight started to walk away, but realized that Phoenix squad was still standing exactly where they were. “Umm, are you going to stand there the entire trip?” Twilight questioned. “You have not dismissed us ma’am” said Firestorm. Twilight rolled her eyes. She understood that all of this rules in the military were to teach discipline to the soldiers, but she always found a lot of them to be silly and unnecessary. “Fine, you’re dismissed” Twilight said a little annoyed. “Hello, I am Sparkflash, I am captain of this ship” Twilight turned around to see a highly decorated pony wearing a airship’s captain’s hat. “All I need is your OK and we will be ready to leave dock” said the captain. “Oh OK, uhm I guess I am ready to go.” Twilight said. “Good, I must say I am extremely excited about this journey, how are you feeling about all this princess?” questioned the captain “Honestly, I’m not sure what to think, I will have to think about it on the way there” said Twilight. “OK princess, but from what I have learned from all of my journeys, it’s not the destination, but the journey there that really counts. Twilight thought about that quote for a while, she had never really thought of that before. “Well, I am gonna go get us squared away” said the captain. He walked over to a communication tube off to the side of the airship. “This is the S.S. New Tidings, requesting permission to leave dock” “Permission granted, good luck” replied somepony on the other side of the pipe. The captain motioned up to the bridge, Twilight felt the whole airship shift after it was uncoupled from the dock, and started to leave into the unknown.