As the latest petitioner left with an amused look on their face, Princess Luna sighed irritably as she slid down in her throne. It was nights like this that she wondered why she and Tia had saved Equestria from Discord in the first place?!
"I mean really. Giving the nobles even more money. How stupid do they think we are?" Luna huffed. "A filly could tell these inbred morons why that would be a waste of the crown's resources."
The Night Guard on either side of her throne did not respond, but Luna could see that they too agreed with her. It was part of why she preferred the Chiroptera to the ponies of the Solar Guard.
They were also the only pony tribe that Discord had not been able to corrupt during the Age of Chaos. No matter how hard he tried. He had finally just given up and had stuck to trying to annoy them to death.
Shaking her head, the princess sighed. She did not know how to feel that ponies had already begun to give a name to Discord's reign. Barely a year had passed since she and her sister had used the Elements of Harmony to seal the self-proclaimed Lord of Chaos in stone. Too much had been lost during his rule, and too much remained to be fixed.
If some things ever could be repaired that is.
Huffing, Luna turned to her aid. Now was not the time to dwell on such things. "Alright. Who is next? If it is another so-called noble, then Celestia will soon need to find a replacement. If I have to listen to one more self-entitled prick prattle on about something small, I will not be held responsible for what happens to them."
Emerald Dream just barely held back a snicker, but her smile did help lessen Luna's annoyance somewhat. "Next is. Uhh... Steel Wing of the Explorers Guild. He didn't say why he was here actually."
Luna's mood immediately improved, as she grinned. While he could be as stubborn as they came, Steel Wing was also one of the few ponies who didn't mind speaking his mind as bluntly as possible when he met with the princesses. It had gotten him in trouble more than a few times. But the sisters respected him for his honesty.
Even if they didn't always appreciate it being directed at them on occasion.
Pushing the thought aside, Luna nodded. "Let him in."
The Door Guards did as instructed. Steel Wing was built like a mountain, all muscle. His tan coat stood out next to his blonde mane. He seemed excited about something as he came to stand at the foot of Luna's throne.
Luna smiled. Here was someone that knew not to waste the precious time of their princesses. "Lord Ranger. To what do I owe the honor of this meeting? You are not one to come here lightly."
Steel Wing nodded. "Indeed, your highness. I come here seeking your aid. Our latest scouting party has returned with news. A new land has been discovered far to the south. South of the Badlands in fact."
Luna's brows rose. Very little was known of the lands to the south beyond the Badlands. Few who went into the wastes ever returned, and those who did were changed in some way. "And you seek help in sending a full expedition to learn more of this place?"
Steel nodded. "Yes, your highness. The party returned intact. But something happened to them nonetheless, for there is a haunted look in their eyes, and they refuse to speak about certain things. Even their journals don't mention anything. But I can see it."
Luna sighed. Great. It was one of those types of things. "You do realize how precarious Equestria is at the moment? We are still rebuilding all that was destroyed by Discord. Our best guess is that it will take another century at least, and that is the most optimistic prediction of my advisors."
Turning to a nearby window, she looked toward the distant mass of Mount Canterhorn. "And sister has already granted access to the gem mines of the nearby mountains. That is taking up much of what bits we do have. Even though I strongly fought against such a thing."
Steel fought the urge to roll his eyes. He had heard about this himself. But to hear it from the mouth of the princess herself was something else. "With all due respect, Princess Luna. Do you really need your sister's permission to do anything?"
Luna's eyes narrowed, and Steel worried he might have overstepped his bounds. "Watch your tongue, Lord Ranger. If I did not know better, I would think you are trying to set me against my sister. But you are right. I do not need her permission for this. Not if she has any respect for me."
Steel smiled slightly. He knew the feeling of being the younger sibling in the family. His big sister was a constant pain in his flank, but he still loved her. "Then I have permission to began planning a full expedition?"
Luna thought a moment, before nodding. "We grant you permission, Steel Wing. You will have a full answer in the coming days. Sister might not agree to it or like it. But she cannot stop me," she smirked.
Steel Wing fought back a smile himself as he bowed. "I thank you, Princess Luna. I must be on my way, for there is still much to be done>" With that, he turned and returned the way he had come, a new spring in his step.
Luna watched him go with a smirk. It was times like this that she was glad Steel Wing had risen to the post of Lord Ranger. He had given new life to the Explorers Guild after years of mismanagement. And she would be lying if she said that she wasn't curious as to what this new land might be like.
Now came the task of telling her sister. Not that she had much doubt as to the final result. The Explorers Guild ultimately fell under Luna's stewardship. Getting Celestia's approval was more of a formality. Even though her sister loved exploring new things as much as she did.
Celestia rubbed her forehead irritably as Luna finished explaining what Steel Wing had presented to her. "It does sound interesting, Luna. But I feel now is not the proper time for a full expedition. Too much remains that needs to be done before we can send another one."
Luna frowned. She had been expecting this honestly. "And when would it be a good time, sister? Ponies need something to keep themselves occupied. Something other than rebuilding. This is a perfect chance for that."
Celestia nodded. It was true. "The mines on Mount Canterhorn are about to be opened, Luna. Those will need all the bits that we can give them."
Luna rolled her eyes. "Bah! You're banking on something that might not even pay off, sister. You know as well as I do that they are going to require a constant influx of bits to keep them running, and that is even assuming that they can produce enough to make the investment worth it."
Celestia frowned. "I know well what the dangers are, Luna. You don't need to lecture me on it. Need I remind you, however, that we would be sending ponies into completely unknown territory? Eternities Crossing has been more unstable than usual lately. Merwyrm attacks have increased tenfold in the last year. This land, if Steel Wing's reports are correct, is right in the middle of this."
Luna nodded. "Indeed. I have seen the reports, Celestia. I do not like it any more than you do. That is why the Explorers Guild is volunteer only. They know the dangers of what they're getting into." She paused, seeing the hard look in her sister's eyes. She sighed, her ears dropping in sympathy. "What happened to you, Tia? I remember a pony who loved adventure. Who even after we took the thrones would still have sent ponies who wanted to go out on something like this."
Celestia winced. Luna was right of course. Adventure had once been something she looked forward to, that she embraced. Now? She sighed, deflating at the thought. "Perhaps I lost the drive when we lost Starswirl. I miss him."
Luna nodded sadly. "I miss all of them. The Pillars will be heroes far more than we could hope to be. Discord at least didn't make ponies suffer, or maim them permanently. Even though he could have."
Celestia nodded. What had happened to Hollow Shades was a memory she wished she could have erased. The Pony of Shadows had been beyond saving. Stygian had paid the price for what he had done. The Pillars' sacrifice would never be forgotten.
Luna's expression turned pleading. "Tia, please. Don't make me go over your head on this. This is exactly what ponies need right now. Who knows what we may find down there? My mind is set on this. But it would be better for the both of us to endorse this, big sis."
Celestia smiled. No matter how much older they got, some things never changed between them. And she had never been able to say no to her little sister before. "Alright, Luna. You win," she giggled. "One of these days I will be able to say no to that face."
"No, you won't!" Luna giggled as she scooped her up in a big hug. One that Celestia was happy to return.
Later that afternoon, after the Morning Session of Day Court, had finished, Celestia stood outside an unassuming door in a back part of the Everfree Castle. She hoped that she was doing the right thing, but another part was saying she was being silly, as she knocked.
"Enter!" A gruff-voiced called out from within, bringing a smile to her face. Pushing open the door, Celestia found Steel Wing surrounded by stacks of reports. Many appeared to be from the latest scouting party that had returned, while others awaited his attention.
Steel's eyes widened as he scrambled to his hooves. "Princess Celestia?! I wasn't expecting you."
Celestia chuckled. "No need for formalities, Steel Wing. I will not take up much of your time. I have it on good authority that you are going to be rather busy soon. And I'm here to help you with that as much as I can."
Steel's eyes widened and he began to smile. "Do you mean?"
Celestia nodded. "You will have full funding for an expedition. You can thank my sister for helping. She gave me a kick that I did not realize that I needed."
Steel snapped off a salute. "We will not let you down, Princess Celestia. The Explorers Guild has never failed before. I'll be damned if we start now."
Celestia nodded serenely. "I know you will not, Lord Ranger. We have full confidence in you and whoever that will be going."
Steel Wing nodded and turned to begin laying the groundwork properly for the expedition to come, even as Celestia turned to take her leave.
"And besides," Celestia said with a smile as she closed the door behind her. "What's the worst that could happen?"
Celestial Rose's mood improved the moment Steel Wing all but skipped into the Guild's main office. "She finally said yes?"
Steel nodded. "You bet. And it's about Luna damned time as well. I couldn't take waiting any longer if Princess Celestia had said no."
Celestial rolled her eyes. "Steel. You know she is only worried about us. And with Discord's defeat still being recent, can you blame her? We're going off of the map here. Nopony's ever been down past the Badlands before."
Steel rolled his eyes as he sat down at his own desk and picked up a stack of files. "I know. But does she have to be such a stick in the mud about it? If the stories Princess Luna has told are true, she used to be much more fun."
Celestial sighed. This had been a recurring argument between them for some time now as she looked at her own files. "So do you know who will be going? We can't afford to send too many. Most are still in the hospital after that Dread Saurian attack."
Steel winced at the reminder as he looked through who was still fit enough for fieldwork and who could be spared for something like this. It was a depressingly low number of ponies.
Celestial knew this as well, and it made her heart sink. She had lost far too many friends since she had joined the guild. She didn't want to lose anymore. "You're not leaving me behind this time, Steel. I've been cooped up in here for too long as it is!"
Steel chuckled as he pulled Celestial's file out and set it aside with his own. "Wouldn't dream of it, dear. This island is not large enough that a small group could not explore it all in an afternoon if the reports are true."
"Then make this something for all three tribes," Celestial added. "Equestria needs a sign of unity more than ever right now. There are reports that something is happening to the east. Something draining the magic from every living being it comes across."
Steel frowned, his wings twitching at the thought. He had heard the same reports but had hoped he had only been drunk at the time. Apparently not if the one unicorn he trusted more than anypony else said the same things. "We can only afford to send six on the trip."
Celestial tapped her chin. "Like the Elements of Harmony. Maybe it's not a coincidence then."
Steel rolled his eyes as he pulled out a certain file. "Well then. I know one unicorn you'll be happy to be with." He smirked as Celestial blushed brightly. "Don't deny it. I've seen how you and Diamond look at each other."
Celestial blustered for a moment, before glaring back at the Pegasus. "Yeah? What about you and Amber? I've seen you two sneak off more than once. What's all that about?"
Steel only smirked as he sat back with a contented sigh. "What can I say? I love that mare. That makes four then. Unicorn and Pegasi."
Celestial nodded, and looked through what she had on her own desk. There wasn't much to work with, sadly. Two were a possibility though as she looked at their files. "What about Crystal and Pumpkin? Crystal won't stop bugging me to let her go with one of these expeditions."
Steel's brows rose. "Didn't her and her family come from the Crystal Empire? I know she had everything an explorer needs. But she is a bit young. And Pumpkin is. Well..."
Celestial frowned. "You know she had nothing to do with her family's conspiracy. Celestia and Luna could be dead for all we know if she hadn't exposed what they were doing. Ponies need to grow up about it. And young ponies are what we need most. Too many old fools stuck in their ways."
Steel threw up his hooves in defeat. "Okay, okay! I give in. I'm just saying what a lot of ponies are thinking. I know she's fine." He sighed. "Maybe it is time we give her something. It could help her, and get her out of Everfree for long enough for those rumors to die down."
Celestial giggled as she stood and headed for the door, ready to tell the mares in question the good news.
As the Everfree Forest disappeared into the haze, Crystal Dawn sighed, leaning on the rail of the airship. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't excited about what this meant. Her first expedition! Even growing up in the Crystal Empire, she had grown up on the tales of the Explorers Guild. She'd been dreaming of this her whole life.
But she was also nervous. This was her first trip outside of Equestria or the empire. The first for most of them if she heard right.
"Never been outside of Equestria?" Pumpkin asked with a smile, joining her at the side. Her mane and coat reminded Crystal of the mare's namesake pumpkin pie, and it made her kinda hungry.
Crystal chuckled. "Yeah. My parents moved from the Crystal Empire when I was still a filly. They still won't say why they did. Princess Amore wasn't that bad, and I had friends." She shrugged. "But I'd miss Equestria if I moved back there now."
Amber rolled her eyes as she joined them as well. Her tan coat was a nice contrast to the surrounding wood. "Sounds pretty nice actually. Maretonia was a dump. Still is if the rumors are true. I mean. They're coming from Princess Celestia herself, so who am I to argue with her?"
The group chuckled as the main cabin door opened, and Steel Wing, Celestial, and Diamond joined them on deck. It seemed like all three tribes were represented. Celestial and Diamond for the unicorns, Amber and Steel Wing for the Pegasi, and Pumpkin and Crystal for the earth ponies.
Steel cleared his throat as everypony gathered around him. "I'm glad you all agreed to join this expedition. Equestria needs us now more than ever. So let us give them something to celebrate. It's a three-day journey south."
"Where are we going anyway?" Amber asked. "You still haven't told us."
Diamond smiled as she produced a map and laid it out on the deck so all could see it. "An uncharted island. We just found it recently from a scouting party. Why they were so far south, we don't know. But this is too good of a chance to pass up."
Pumpkin frowned as she studied their route. "There's nothing down but endless ocean. How could there be an island?"
Celestial shrugged. "We don't know. As far as we know, it's uninhabited, so First Contact Protocols will not be in effect. This could change, however, so remember them! We don't need to mess this up by doing something to infuriate any natives."
Crystal rubbed her chin. "So what can we expect? There's nothing but Merwyrms, Krakens, and Leviathans, down there. I really don't want to fight any of those if it's all the same to everypony."
The others chuckled. "Hopefully we will not have to," Diamond replied, before tapping her horn with a smirk. "But that's why Celestial and I are here. We've been keeping up with our combat magic in the time since this was authorized."
Amber rolled her eyes. "And I am the best Lightning Mage in the guild. So we'll be fine," she grinned. Her confidence was a boost to the others as well.
Steel nodded as he looked them all in the eyes. "We have three days. No more, no less. I expect all of you to be at your best when we arrive." He gave Crystal and Pumpkin a hard look. "Especially the two of you. You are still new to the Explorers Guild. Do not mess this up."
The two gulped but nodded. Celestia damn them both if they would screw this up. This they promised as they shared a determined look.
Diamond whistled as the airship landed gently in the water, her eyes trained on the jungle before them. "Well. It is beautiful. Has to count for something, right?"
Steel rolled his eyes as he too surveyed the island. Jungle covered most of the island, with clean sand beaches covering much of the rest. Off to the left, a tall peak soared into the air. He squinted at the peak. Were those ruins at the top? A matter of later, as the anchor was dropped as the others joined him at the rail.
Crystal looked down as the gangplank was extended, so now nopony would have to get wet. "So? Who gets first dibs?"
The girls all shared heated looks, before Pumpkin jumped on the plank and made a run for the shore. "Nice try, slowpokes! Guess I get first dibs."
The others rolled their eyes as, one by one, they joined her as well, this time at a slower pace. Pumpkin stuck her tongue out as she stepped onto the beach, before prancing off to the tree line. Only to disappear from sight with a startled squawk.
Amber flew off to see what happened. "Pumpkin! Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," came the grumbled response as the others joined her at the edge of where she had disappeared. "What the hell just happened? Did I just step in something?"
Steel joined Amber in the air. His eyes widened at what he saw, and a look at Amber confirmed he was not seeing things. "You stepped in something alright. A big something."
Amber nodded. "It's a pawprint. A big one too."
Pumpkin shot them a glare as Celestial helped her out of the depression. "So what the hell made it? This place is too small for anything too big."
Crystal rubbed her chin as she walked around the depression. Now that Pumpkin had fallen in, she could see the outline in the sand. "It's a fox's pawprint. But that's impossible. No fox is this big. Let alone lives this far south."
Diamond shook her head as she stepped out of another depression next to the paw. "It's not the only one. Look. Here's another. This one definitely belongs to a dragon. Female if I had to make a guess."
Amber shook her head as she flew up and down the beach. "That's not all. They're walking together. Almost like they're mates. But that's absurd. Dragons don't mate with other species."
"What does it all mean?" Pumpkin asked, not liking any of this. She really didn't want to meet a dragon of any kind. Let alone an enormous fox.
Steel shook his head as he and Amber landed. "I'm not sure. These look old though. So I don't think we need to worry about meeting whatever made these. But I want everypony to be on guard. We don't know anything about this place, and I do not want to go home with sad news.
It was a feeling they all shared as the girls shared worried looks.
