Flight of the Crusaders: an Equestrian adventure

by BrazenSapphire

Rating: teen
Tags: Anthro, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash, Comedy, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Romance, Adventure, Sex, Spitfire, Random, Lightning Dust, Gore, Babs Seed
Length: 6458

The Cutie Mark Crusaders band together for one last adventure across Equestria.

It's been years since the Cutie Mark Crusaders disbanded. Having grown up and moved on the three best friends rarely see each other anymore, too busy with jobs and families. But, one day that all changes, when Applebloom returns to them, promising one last adventure. An adventure that will carry them across Equestria and beyond, and the best part: they get to fly an airship! The quest of a lifetime, danger, and wealth awaits aboard the Litany, but are the young mares truly prepared for the world? And, more importantly: is the world truly prepared for them?
(Rated teen for some violence, language and mild sexual themes)

Published 2013-08-02 02:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-08-02 02:30:01 UTC

Prologue: An Inventor's Night

-An Inventor's Night-

Celestia's blistering sun had just begun to set, lowering a cool dusk down over the Equestrian landscape. For this, Applebloom was thankful. She drug her bare forearm across her damp forehead, wiping away the sweat trailing down into her eyes. She breathed a sigh of relief at feeling the shade of dusk envelope her. She sat sprawled out in the grass, leaning back on one hand, and holding a large gleaming wrench in the other. Her toned yellow body was held loosely by a pair of denim overalls, the buttoned straps hardly able to hold the large garments up. To be spared the heat, her body beneath the overalls remained unclothed. This far out in the fields it wasn't necessary to wear a great deal of clothing, however. Applebloom was grateful for the opportunity to work in such an isolated location.A slight breeze brushed past her body, feeling like ice on her sweat matted fur. She shivered raggedly, letting her gold eyes wander up the marvel in front of her.

The large conglomeration of brass, steel, copper, wood, and sturdy fabrics towered massively above her, its monstrous form partially clothed in a huge tarp, just open enough to get a view of the thing. A steel frame held together a boat-like body made of dark wood. The craft was easily the size of a small ocean faring ship, in fact, it had been constructed from the remains of one. Large pillar like masts rose up from the ship, supporting a thick cage frame. Contained within the upper section of the ship, was a group of massive deflated balloons. The sagging blimps, made from powerfully thick fabric, hung limply down from the cage around them. Large metal fins, and ropes hung down off of the balloons, making them appear to be coated in a thick spider web. At the rear of the vessels, three massive, gleaming turbines waited. The large round engines glinted in the fading sunlight, rows of circular fan blades resting at their ends. The turbines had been mounted at the flanks of the ships stern, though it was apparent that one engine from the right side was missing.

The missing fourth engine sat peacefully in the grass beside Applebloom, easily dwarfing her in width and height while sitting. Its up-facing side had been opened, a large brass panel tossed lazily from it to the ground. Various cogs, wires, and canisters had been removed from the inside of the engine, black oil trickled into the green grass from its interior. The same oil coated Applebloom's hands, as well as the large wrench she held. Applebloom held her eyes shut peacefully, breathing heavily. Moonlight began to settle down on her. Applejack would be expecting her back soon, though at this point in her life she was considered a full grown woman. That however, was enough reason to disobey her sister's rule. Though she was tired, Applebloom was far to electric to be able to sleep. Excitement rushed through her body like a swarm of angry hornets. She had been working to perfect her grand creation for almost two years now, and it was nearly complete.

Airships were not unheard of in Equestria, but they were usually crafted by entire teams, requisitioned by the high and mighty in Canterlot, and much, much larger. No pony had ever successfully crafted a working ship in their own home, by themselves. Though nopony had ever been as skilled a builder as Applebloom either. She had taken the vessel out on the skies over the farm, discovered faults in its design, and systematically corrected them. Now, the ship was running perfectly, save for one engine. Once it was finished it would hopefully be the fastest ship ever made, or at least, that's what Applebloom hoped. She rose to her hooves swiftly, feeling a slight ache in her limbs as she did so. It was getting dark, and it would be difficult to work with just moonlight.

Applebloom smiled triumphantly, heading for her unfinished ship. With the grace of a cat she scaled a thin rope ladder leading to the deck. After a short, and slightly painful climb, she landed on the deck. She savored the feeling of her hooves landing with a thunk on the thick wood. She made her way across the dark shrouded deck, creaking slightly with her weight. She found herself standing in front of the large control wheel, flanked by speed controls, and various dials and switches. She scratched her chin in thought, before remembering. Her yellow furred hand danced across a control panel to a red knob. She cranked it fiercely, eliciting a low hum of power from within the ship. Suddenly massive beams of light rocketed from the stern of the ship. The large floodlights attached to the hull leeched electricity from the steam generator deep within, their powerful bulbs lancing pools of white light outward all around. Applebloom's working space down below was fully illuminated, while the tarp covering the ship prevented unwanted lights along the other sides from escaping.

Returning to her now fully lit workspace, Applebloom made her way quickly to the broken engine. She retrieved a few tools from the ground, immediately putting them to use on the innards of the machine. She tinkered with the mess of multicolored wires, cogs, and tanks of fuel. Her nimble hands working quickly within, removing some parts, and replacing others. Bringing in multiple sizes of wrenches, various torches, brass cogs, and all manner of building components, she had finally begun to make progress. She worked for hours, slowly the pile of discarded pieces slimmed as they were either returned or deemed unusable. The moon slid slowly across the sky, passing directly over her head, and beginning to fall in the west. Oil was caked on her hand, and peppered on her face by the time she returned the panel to the now repaired turbine. Her tools fell lifelessly from her aching hands, the muscles in her limbs burning.

She stood up from the repaired machine, taking a deep breath. More slowly than before she returned to the ship, shutting down the floodlights. Not bothering to retrieve her tools, she returned to the earth and shuffled drunkenly in the direction of her home. Her eyes barely managed to remain open, her muscles protested, and her memory began to falter, repeatedly she forgot how to get back to the farm. She knew, even like this, her ship was safe. No pony ever came onto their land, and even if some sort of thief had shown up, there was now way they could even start the ship. Finally, after an eternity of lazy near sleepwalking, she could see the farmhouse. She approached the darkened home groggily. Silently she creaked open the front door, moving in like a shadow, quiet as to not wake anyone, especially not Winona. She darted noiselessly about the home, moving without sight in the black, relying on feel alone. Soon enough she found her room, successfully not waking her older siblings.

After lighting her messy room, Applebloom immediately set about removing her overalls. Despite the chill of the night, her skin felt as though it were on fire from the demanding labor she had preformed. She quickly undid the straps, letting the large clothes shed from her yellow body. Feeling frigid air soothing her body she makes for one of the random piles of discarded clothing on the floor. She sifts through the mess, finding a bra and panties to wear for sleep. She slides into the striped undergarments easily. Slowly she makes her way to a small writing desk in the corner, stopping at her body-length mirror. She takes a moment to admire herself for a moment. Her body was well toned and muscular. Like her older sister she had a perfect combination of womanly beauty and obvious physical power. Her bust and hips were slightly larger than the average mare, and her muscles were visibly stronger than one would expect. Her eyes were drawn to her flank, her current light clothing exposing her cutie mark. It was simple: a hammer crossing with a wrench over a brass cog. It was unusual that her special talent had nothing to do with apples, but her skills as an engineer had been widely useful to the farm.

Seeing that her figure was still in good condition, she smirked pridefully before moving on. Her hooves clicked softly on the wooden floor of her room as she approached the desk. Sitting on the desk were a pair of neatly folded and sealed envelopes. Each bore a name scrawled on its surface: Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Letters to her old friends, long since moved away from her. One would be traveling to Appleloosa on the frontier, while the other would be going to the regal city of Canterlot. Her heart nearly skipped a beat at the thought of seeing her best friends again. She would be mailing the letters tomorrow, about a week before her departure, to give them time to prepare. This was going to be an adventure for the storybooks, she was sure of it.

It had been years since their little club 'The Cutie Mark Crusaders' had disbanded. It didn't make much sense to keep the group alive, they all had gotten their cutie marks at the point. Soon after things began to change, and she wouldn't say for the better. Many famous residents of Ponyville had moved on: Rainbow Dash had been accepted into the Wonderbolts and now lived in Cloudsdale, Twilight, being a princess, had moved to Canterlot, Pinkie Pie and the Cakes moved on to Manehatten for bigger and better business, both Sweetie and Scootaloo moved away as well for their careers, and Spike had left for the Dragon kingdoms far to the south to negotiate peace between the two peoples. Those that stayed behind didn't have much choice in the matter: members of the Apple family couldn't leave for obvious reasons, Rarity never did tell anypony why she didn't leave with her sister to Canterlot, and Fluttershy would never survive in a big city, and her animals would never survive without her.

The farewells had been sad, and Applebloom wished things could stay the same forever. But, like Applejack had once told her: "Ya' can either face the flood o' change, 'er get outta its way. The ponies who try to stop it get swept away, an' the ponies who live with it get to live another day, even if it did do some damage." Applebloom's respect for her older sister was absolute, so while others wallowed in sadness, she moved on. She made new friends, and learned to live without her old ones. But, that didn't mean she couldn't visit her old friends, and go on one last adventure.

Waves of sleep threatened to drown her, and she decided it was time for bed. She shuffled her miserable feeling body to the few candles she had lit, blowing them out sharply. Soon the room was black except for the pale moonlight drizzling in through the open window. With high spirits for the days to come, and eyes far too heavy to keep open, Applebloom crawled desperately into her soft bed. The cushioned bed embraced her like a silken mother, but the butterflies raging within her wouldn't allow for easy rest. After tossing and turning for what felt like ten hours, the bed won out, and numbing sleep settled over her. Her thick snoring resounded down the halls of the home for well into the afternoon, long after she was needed for help on the farm.

Author's Note

Thanks to all who read, please be sure to leave feedback. This is my first story so I hope I'm doing a good job so far. So once again thank you for choosing to read this story and I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter1: The Towers of Canterlot

The Towers of Canterlot

Sweetie Belle shut the door behind her, listening to the latch click softly. She breathed in deeply, taking into her lungs as much air as she could, the smooth oxygen a far-cry from the thick steam in the wash room. She stood with a towel wrapped up around her mane, keeping it firmly in place to dry. Her delicate frame was also wrapped at her chest in a towel, as though she were wearing a short, poor looking dress. Small drips of water ran down off her arm, creating a tiny puddle on the ground at her feet.She sighed pleasantly, opening her large, sparkling green eyes to the world around her.

The grand suite around her had been acting as her home since moving to Canterlot. The ceiling was high and vaulted, with a ornate chandelier hanging by a golden chain, electric lights in place around it to illuminate the room. Her massive alicorn sized bed was just opposite of the washroom door, its white blankets ruffled and distressed. She would never have received a royal bed had she not been the little sister to the element of Generosity, who by now was a world renowned hero. The floor and walls were decorated with royal blue rugs and paint, trimmed with milky white. A small kitchen area branched off from the main room. Over her bed a massive window dominated the wall, giving an eye popping view of the city. An assortment of small desks and shelves were also placed about the walls, stacked with hundreds of books and writing utensils; her own personal library. At one corner sat a large mirror, flanked on both sides by dressers, while those were both flanked by wardrobes. It was a perfect get-ready setup for a famous celebrity like herself.

She bounded across the room like the delighted school filly she used to be, keeping one hand at her chest to hold the towel in place. Her ungraceful movements brought her to her large wooden desk, upon which sat an open envelope and a large letter. She grinned down at the paper, a soft green aura coating it and her horn. Her levitation spell raised the note up to her level. She turned and bounded across the room, the letter following through the air. She arrived suddenly at her storage of clothes. Standing in front of the mirror, she brought the letter to her face to read it.

Dear Sweetie Belle
Its been a few months since we've been in touch, but surely you still remember that trip I promised I would take you on. Well, that time has come, fellow crusader! In one week I will be arriving in Canterlot in to come and see you. Hopefully you will be ready for me...

Sweetie Belle skimmed the letter, already having read it dozens of times. Her eyes searched downward for the section she needed.

...Bring plenty of clothes because its gonna be a long trip. And, please don't take after your sister. Its an adventure so don't get all prettied up for it, wear: you know... adventuring clothes! Something you can move in, and won't get torn up just by looking at some bushes. Well I guess I'll be seeing ya' in a week.

Your friend

Applebloom

She nodded to the letter, as if acknowledging its request. She had a pair of suitcases already prepared, and waiting patiently next to the mirror. But, now it was time to pick the outfit she would greet her best friend in. She set the letter down on one of the dressers, immediately ripping the drawers open, digging through mounds of beautiful clothing. Gouts of unworthy garments were tossed backward over her shoulder into the room. After a time of searching, and removing the majority of clothing from the dresser, she found her outfit. A simple beige blouse, its shape was elegant yet its color and fabric choice were less than appealing, but it was thick and expendable. She also discovered a pair of loose black pants, looking at them she realized it had been ages since she had worn any pants. She chuckles at the idea, setting the two outer garments aside. For her underwear, she had narrowed it down to either an adorable set of green and white striped bra and panties that she was quite fond of, or a set that was far more seductive, they were thinner and totally black that she had never worn before. After darting her head back and forth between the two sets, she shrugged, tossing the striped ones back into the dresser.

She stepped in front of the mirror, releasing her grip, and letting the towel drop to the floor. She felt a chill over her now exposed body. She quickly retrieved the underwear, sliding the panties up her thighs and over her cutie mark: a microphone with a pair of silver bells tied together with pink ribbon. With the bottom in place over her large hips, she gracefully snapped the bra in place over her average sized bust. She pulled the towel from her hair, lobbing it across the room away from her. Her short pink and purple mane fell down wildly. Still damp and curled it looked like a brightly colored mop. Quickly she set about brushing through the disheveled mess, using the mirror to watch herself. After pulling through a few agonizing knots her mane was in acceptable condition. She quickly squeezed into the black pants and beige blouse. After she was fully dressed, she reached for one last thing. Sitting on her dresser was a large bronze medallion, held by a gold chain. One side of the flat, circular necklace bore a tiny sapphire embedded in its surface. She rotated it, on the other side, and identically shaped emerald was held. She looked at it with no joy, only longing. After a time she slid the chain around her neck, and let the medallion slide beneath her shirt.

She frowned at herself in the mirror, tilting her head sideways. She looked far different than usual. She was always so prettied up, this city demanded perfect beauty, and so her look always needed to be up to standards. A daunting task she would never have been able to accomplish without Rarity's help. Her sister would always visit bearing new outfits and fashion knowledge. If she could see Sweetie Belle now, her heart might have exploded. She looked like a rough and tumble ruffian, out either fighting crime or begging for money. It was a laughable prospect, the idea of Rarity walking in right now, so shocked that the only word that could escape from her mouth would be "Uncouth!" Sweetie giggled, she didn't mind, it was nice to be in real clothes for once.

There was a quick trio of taps at her door. "Come in!" she shouted in a high pitched tone. The door slid open slowly, a black suited stallion entering silently. She turned to him.

"Miss Sweetie Belle, a message for you." He said respectfully, bowing deeply. She nodded, allowing him to give it. "Miss Applebloom awaits you on the west docks." His bass voice relayed simply.

Sweetie Belle's heart raced with anticipation, before she furrowed her brow in confusion "The docks? Why would she be there?" She muttered to herself. She shrugged after a time. "Would you be so kind as to get my bags?" She more commanded than asked.

"Of course, miss." He said with an edge to his tone. Obviously the servants life was not an easy one. Sweetie Belle trotted past him as he scooped up her suitcases, her excitement causing her to almost run. The servant behind her sighed, irritated at having to move so fast while carrying somepony's luggage.Sweetie pranced down the halls, her childish gait and strange clothing attracting the eyes of both servants and upper class ponies throughout the halls. She made her way quickly through the large tower with her servant far behind, knowing her way around after years of living in it. Quickly enough, her excitement was like fire, when the entry way to the west dock came into view, so much so that she began fully running to get there.

She passed through the large archway, from the shaded building to the rays of warm late-afternoon sunlight, skidding to a halt as she entered the dock. Her green eyes glinted in the natural light as they widened to massive proportions. Her jaw fell open with shock, and she was utterly lost for words. Canterlot was a hub for airship travel, and Sweetie Belle had seen a great deal of them. But this one: it was bleak, small in stature, all brass and brown in color, and somewhat gritty in comparison to other ships. The ship was docked, its large body landed on the down sloping ramp, its balloon and engines were still primed and ready for flight.with a number of servants and tower dwellers looking on it with disgust. But, the most amazing part about it: was the full grown form of Applebloom standing atop it, gripping a rope like, and posed like a true captain. Aside from the giant grin on her face, and free hand waving spastically to her.

Applebloom quickly moved to a rope ladder hanging down the side of the ship, descending down to the dock. She jogged the small gap between them, Sweetie Belle could only switch her surprised stare back and forth from A.B. to her ship."Sweetie Belle!" The red maned mare called out smiling, she reached her friend quickly. She stopped just in front of the still stunned Sweetie Belle. "Um... Equestria ta' Sweetie Belle." She said waving a hand in front of her friend, her sweet southern accent sounding like music to the white mare.

"Did you hire an... airship for us to travel in?" Sweetie asked dumbly.

"Hire!" Applebloom scoffed. "No, no, no, my dear Sweetie Belle. I built this beauty mah self." Applebloom said loudly, her tone drunk on pride.

"What?" Sweetie screamed, her voice squeaking adorably from the pitch. Her surprised reaction making Applebloom jump. "Like... by yourself?" She asked amazed.

"Yup!" Applebloom said with a chuckle. The two were interrupted by a panting servant rushing up behind them, visible signs of sweat on his suit. The stallion panted, obviously exhausted.

"Here... are... your bags, miss." He said between gasps for air, setting down the two large suitcases.

"Ah, thank you." Sweetie Belle said curtly, waving the stallion away. He gave a sigh and drifted away from them. Her magic green aura enveloped the suitcases, raising them up from the ground. She looked back to Applebloom, who was shaking her head. "You'll have to tell me how you managed to build an entire airship by yourself, once we're on board."

"Right but first: why did you have that servant carry your bags, when you got perfectly good magic?" Applebloom asked with a cocked eyebrow.

"Oh, it puts a terrible strain on my head to lift things so heavy. My magic never was very strong. I'll be fine getting them on to the ship myself though." Sweetie explained.

"Well alright then, I guess we should be off." Applebloom motioned to the ship, not wanting to call her friend out on her obvious laziness. She was a Canterlot mare now after all, so Applebloom couldn't expect much different. Sweetie Belle nodded excitedly, the two began making their way to the ship. "We got lots o' ground... er sky to cover. I'd like to get out to Appleloosa as fast as possible, it wouldn't be a proper crusader's adventure without our third member."

Sweetie gasped, nearly dropping her luggage. "We're going to get Scootaloo?" She asked in glee. Applebloom nodded simply, a wide smile on her face. The two reached the rope ladder, and Applebloom motioned for Sweetie Belle to go first. The white mare shook her head, motioning for the apple mare to go instead. "I insist, you first captain."

"Alright then." Applebloom said with a shrug, turning and making for the ladder. But, suddenly she smashed into Sweetie Belle, who was also making for the ladder. The two stopped and simply stared at each other: Applebloom looking angrily confused, and Sweetie just looking confused. The yellow mare held her tongue and simply motioned once more for her friend to go first. Sweetie Belle simply smiled and shook her head.

"Please you first, I insist." She said politely.

"Sweetie Belle!" Applebloom shouted, her fiery blood getting the better of her. Sweetie chuckled.

"Sorry, I'll just go first." She said scrambling up the ladder swiftly. Applebloom sighed, before smiling warmly. She had missed this. After Sweetie disappeared over the edge of the ship above, her luggage following her, Applebloom set off as well. Soon she joined her friend on the deck. "Wow!" Sweetie Belle breathed, marveling at the ships deck. It looked like an old pirate ship, the controls sat on a raised dais at the rear of the ship. Two sets of stairs were used to reach the controls, and between them was a door, indicating that the ship kept to traditional build, and the captains quarters was on the actual deck. In the boat's center sat a large mast, surrounded by a hood, enclosing a large portion of the deck. The roof and mast both served to support the upper level which housed the series of balloons. Dozens of ropes and nets dangled down and were hooked to the ship. Beside the mast sat a large metal drum, bristling with nobs and pipes running upward along the wooden beam. The drum coughed puffs of steam and hummed with power.

"Yup, she's a beauty alright. Took me a whole two years to build it." Applebloom said with pride.

"What's her name?" Sweetie asked turning to her friend.

"It's a ship, why would Ah give it a name?"Applebloom cocked an eyebrow at her friend. Sweetie Belle's palm slapped against her face audibly.

"You name your ships, Applebloom. That's how it works." She said wearily.

"Well that seems a bit silly ta me. But, you are the Canterlot mare, you'd know best." Applebloom replied with a shrug. A long awkward silence filled the air. The two simply stood there for a few moments.

"So... what are you gonna name her?" Sweetie asked finally.

"Oh, um... Ah don't know. I wanna give 'er a fancy name. But mah vocabulary ain't to great." Applebloom said, sounding almost uninterested. "Ah got it!" She shouted startling Sweetie Belle. "Why don't you name it, Sweetie."

"Hmm." Sweetie contemplated this for a moment, lowering her bags and striding across the deck. Her eyes scanned over everything. "Something fancy huh?" She mumbled. "How about; the Litany?" She suggested, turning to face Applebloom.

"Li-tan-y?" Applebloom said struggling with the word.

"Yeah it means: a ceremonial or liturgical form of prayer consisting of a series of invocations or supplications with responses that are the same for a number in succession." She rattled off quickly. Applebloom only starred wide eyed.

"How much time have you been spendin' with Twilight?" She asked in shock.

"Well she has visited a couple of times..." Sweetie said tailing off, blushing slightly. "Anyway it sounds cool, and it's fancy."

"Yeah, The Litany, Ah like it." Applebloom said. Sweetie smiled proudly. After the two had decided the ship's name, Applebloom took Sweetie Belle and her luggage down below, to show the interior of the ship. The Litany was separated into four layers: the uppermost was the deck, below that was the crew quarters which contained two large rooms built to house the Crusaders specifically, the center was a large room stocked high with barrels of food, spare parts, coins, and other cargo, and in the belly of the beast was a massive steam engine. The huge metal beast roared as it burned fuel to create steam, which powered an impressive array of cogs and pistons. The generator powered the entire ship, and so the room was heavily protected with thick plates of metal bolted into the walls.

After the grand tour, the two returned to the crew deck, where Sweetie Belle was shown to her quarters. Her room was small compared to what she was used to, especially the bed. The wooden walls were all incredibly plain, the room itself held only a large closet, a table and stool, and a painfully average sized bed; all of which had been firmly bolted into the floor. The wooden ground had been covered with a thin, scratchy green carpet, which matched the blankets on the bed for color. Sweetie stood in the doorway with her suitcases, scanning back and forth. The only window in the room was a small porthole above her bed. This was going to take some getting used to.

"Now, Ah know it ain't much compared to them Canterlot suites, but it's much larger than standard quarters on an airship." Applebloom said from behind, noticing her friends somewhat grimaced expression. Sweetie Belle turned back to face her, a fresh smile blooming on her cute face.

"It's perfect, I'll get settled in just fine." The white mare said enthusiastically. While she had lived the life of the Elite, she was still somewhat of a country girl, and these accommodations wouldn't bother her. Not like her sister. Rarity wouldn't set hoof anywhere near this place unless she was dragged there by her mane.

"Well alright then, Ah'll head up an' get her flying. We gotta get Scootaloo ASAP. Come up an' join me when yer all settled." Applebloom said happily, turning and leaving quickly. Sweetie Belle nodded to her friend as she left, then with a pleasant sigh made her way to the closet. With her magic clutching her bags firmly, she undid the thick latch with her hands. The doors slid part revealing the large empty space within. She brought her suitcases down to the floor, simultaneously undoing both of their locks. The leather lids lifted upward, and Sweetie began riffling through their contents. She worked quickly, hanging and organizing clothes, all the while humming a soft melody.

She was startled when the entire room shook violently, nearly throwing her to the ground. The low drone of the engine grew to a massive roar that reverberated throughout the ship. Sweetie's skull felt rattled, and she tried desperately to block out the noise. She grit her teeth and held her ears, but the deafening howl continued to assault her. She cried out as her skull felt like it would be vibrated into dust. Outside the door she could see Applebloom rush past, a string of curses escaping her lips. For a time Sweetie Belle only held her ears as tight as she could, she had begun to feel light headed from screaming. Suddenly the noise ceased though. She slowly uncovered her ears, the sound was replaced by a high pitched ringing in her head. She wondered if she had gone deaf.

Applebloom appeared in her doorway, a panicked grin on her face. "Sorry 'bout that, Sweetie. That engine is mighty fearsome, so Ah installed sound dampeners. But, they were a little out of alignment, they're fixed now, though." Applebloom explained apologetically, she sounded far away to Sweetie's ringing ears. Her heart was still pounding out of terror.

"Well okay, as long as we're not about to explode." She said wearily. Applebloom chuckled, and disappeared again. Sweetie shook her head raggedly, the engines were loud still, the ship was obviously prepared for flight. She resumed humming her song, her tone shaking slightly, she was louder now so that she could hear herself. There were no more interruptions as she finished putting away all of her clothes, she then moved on to accessories. She had a few dozen books, adventuring tales, to fit the mood. The books had all been gifts from Twilight, and Sweetie Belle had developed an appetite for reading. She continued unpacking for a short while afterward.

The floor beneath her lurched sickeningly, and she was thrown off balance slightly. The floor wavered, and there was a strange feeling of weightlessness. Sweetie looked around, then stood and moved to the window. Her legs wobbled. When she looked out the porthole all she could see was orange sky and a few clouds on the horizon."Wow." She breathed, knowing what this meant. But, as the realization that she was flying sunk in, her reaction was different. "Wow!" Her voice squeaked in excitement. She, a unicorn, was flying! There was a soft tapping behind her. She turned to see Applebloom in the door way, grinning.

"You gotta come see this." She said excitedly. Sweetie Belle wasted no time, the two rushed up the stairs to the deck, like a pair of young school fillies. Just like the good old days. When they emerged on deck, they were both struck speechless, they strode slowly over to the edge, to take in the amazing sight.

The sky burned with vibrant hues of yellow and orange fading into a deep midnight blue. The fiery light from the sunset struck the mountains around them, making the world look like a master painting. But, the greatest sight of all was the city below. The Litany had risen from the city a considerable amount in the short time of its flight, giving a perfect view of the entire city. The towers of Canterlot glittered in the magnificent sunlight. Their pearl white surfaces were halved, on the west side they shimmered like gold, and on the east their shadows were cast in a deep indigo. The waterfalls that ran out from the city, and poured down the mountain side, sparkled like a sea of diamonds. Awe swept over the two young mares watching. From this distance they could just make out the forms of two figures standing at the peak of the highest tower. The royal sisters looked like ants from here, but yet they carried the presence of giants. For it was by their power that this marvelous sight was possible.

The two smiled warmly, as the last light of day began to fade. Applebloom turned to Sweetie Belle. "Well, what do ya think?" She asked softly.

"I think this is going to be the greatest adventure ever!" Sweetie exclaimed sincerely.

"Good." Applebloom said smiling. "Now then, Ah'll set course for Appleloosa, if you wanna finish unpacking."

"Aye aye, captain." Sweetie chuckled with a nod. She made her way back down below. Once returned to her room, having forgotten all about the incident with the misaligned dampeners, and indescribable joy in her heart, Sweetie continued unpacking. She had given up on humming her tune, too overjoyed for that to be enough. Now she sang openly, mumbling the words so that only she knew what she was singing. Her angelic voice flowed over the words mindlessly, it was a song she had sung hundreds of times, one she wrote herself. In her quiet tone very few verses would have been audible to anyone listening in.

"And when the day shines bright, and our sorrow banished. My sister, my gem, I'll bring you home with me to towers of white.

Singing the song was somewhat mindless to her, she hardly knew she was doing it, too focused on the task at hand. When her bags were completely emptied, and all her belongings organized, including two hefty purses, nearly overflowing with coins, only one thing remained. It was something that broke her song, she was confused, and didn't remember packing it. She drug the item up from the depths of the suitcase, her green eyes widening when she saw it. Her cheeks burned a bright red. It was an outfit, though it was one she had forgotten she owned. It was made simply from a thin red bra, with a set of straps connecting it to an embarrassingly thin bottom piece. Hanging from the upper part was a curtain of cloth, feathered at the bottom. The curtain was silky smooth, and completely see-through.

"Wha- how... why is this in my bag?" She stumbled over the words, shouting loudly. She sat there starring at it, her mouth gaping open. She was blushing profusely. It had been a gift from Rarity. Sweetie Belle had a coltfriend a few months back, and her sister caught wind of it. The seductive nightwear was a given to her as a gift during her sisters visit. But what in Equestria would have made her put it in her suitcase? Just then she heard a tapping on the door frame.

"Hey Sweetie, I-" Applebloom said, stopping short when she caught sight of what her friend was holding. Sweetie Belle only looked at her with wide eyes, and red cheeks, not knowing what to say. "Um, Sweetie Belle... what's that?" Applebloom asked with equally wide eyes.

"It's... I... I mean. It was a gift from Rarity a few months back." Sweetie stammered, her voice squeaking repeatedly.

"Yeah but, why did you bring it with ya?"

"I didn't! I mean, it was just in my bag, I didn't put it there." Sweetie said, embarrassed beyond belief. She quickly threw the thing back into her suitcase, slammed the lid shut, and cast the entire thing into the closet. She stood up and slammed the closet shut, condemning the accursed outfit to darkness. She then looked back at Applebloom with a nervous grin.

"Well alright then, I guess. Anyhow, the ship is set on course, and it looks like well have clear skies all the way to Appleloosa, so if you wanna get some shuteye..." Applebloom trailed off, leaving awkward silence to fill in the gaps. "Ah'll just be in the captain's quarters if ya need anything." Applebloom said, turning and hurrying away. Sweetie Belle let out a sigh.

"Well this certainly is off to an interesting start." After a few moments alone, Sweetie Belle stood. Her room was lit now by a small electric lamp hanging from the ceiling, and she spotted the switch immediately on the wall. She cut out the light, feeling very tired suddenly. She slowly maneuvered her way in the dark to her bed. She crawled onto the uncomfortable mattress. She groaned with discomfort. She quickly reach upward to her neck, gently sliding her necklace off, and placing it on a nightstand near the bed. She sighed, and let her head hit the pillow. For a long while she tossed and turned in the uncomfortable thing, trying to find a good sleeping position. The noises of the ship were impossible to cope with: the groan of the wood, the rumble of the engine, the howl of wind outside. It took Sweetie Belle hours before she could finally rest.