A Journey Beyond: Equestria's First Ambassadors

A small kingdom in an inconspicuous corner of the world begins to wonder what could lie beyond their borders

Prologue Part 1

A spot of tea

Luna sat alone in the gardens of Canterlot, a kettle and two teacups sat on the marble topped table before her.  Her mind searched for topics and icebreakers as she looked around at the scenery.  It had been far too long since she and Celestia had gotten a moment to sit alone and talk, but Celestia had made good on her promise meet for tea.  “I'm glad you were able to make it!” Luna said as enthusiastically as she could as Celestia sat down on the opposing side of the table.

Luna poured some tea and pushed a cup to the opposite side of the table, but Celestia barely paid it notice before she began speaking, “Luna...”

Celestia's voice revealed a subtle color of unease, so little there would be no picking it up had her sister not been the one hearing it.  “Yes, Sister?”  Replied Luna.

“Recent events have got me thinking...”  Celestia trailed off as she took a sip of her tea, most likely an excuse to collect her thoughts.

Luna produced a wry smile, “Thinking is a dangerous pastime, Sister.  But if I might, which recent events do you speak of?”

“Well, simply put, there are some affairs that I feel are in desperate need of... improvement.”

Luna was taken a bit off guard by her sisters words, “What affairs could you possibly be speaking of, dear sister?  Equestria is truly awe inspiring, with every city and town seeming to be even more wonderful than the last!  I've even visited frontier colonies like Appleoosa, and even at the worst of times they're great places.  There are no food or water shortages, and the ponies are friendly.  Dear sister, I am simply lost as to what could be so amiss to have you appear so troubled.”

Celestia smiled, Luna's praise of the kingdom seemingly more pleasing than the blind praise she received on a daily basis.  “I'm quite glad you find the kingdom to so... excellent, Luna.  To maintain it after your banish—” Celestia's eyes widened as she stumbled over her own words, “After Nightmare Moon's banishment has been truly difficult... I'm so truly glad to have you back again.”

“And I'm truly glad to be back in Canterlot, sitting here with you.”  She replied, trying to put Celestia's stumble in the past for both their sake.

The conversation died for a moment, and the two took the opportunity to take a few long sips of their tea.  After a quick sip, Luna set down her tea and began again, “Something tells me you're still troubled, and no amount of praising the kingdom will fix it.”

“Astute as ever, Luna.  You always were one of the few that could see right through me...” Celestia's voice was melancholic, indicating to Luna that her sister was more worried about this issue than she had initially thought.  “Well...” Celestia said, sighing as she spoke, “Your return, the reappearance of the Crystal Empire...”

“Surely those can't be the only two things to cause my dear sister such unrest?”  Her assumption coming more from knowing Celestia than from what she was actually letting on.

“The recent incident involving the Royal Equestrian Ship Regency...”  Celestia's troubled look intensified.

“The Regency?  Now, I'll believe that.  I haven't looked into it much, but I've heard quite a few whisperings regarding it.”  Luna replied.

“Then surely it's only natural for my mind to be so preoccupied with it?”  Celestia looked at Luna, her eyes showing worry.  “It's got me thinking on... Well, everything.  The kingdom, what we know... but more importantly, what we don't know.  We don't know of anything even similar to what the Regency encountered, and I can only help but wonder what else might lie outside of Equestria's borders that we simply don't know of.”

“We must know of at least some of the world beyond our borders.  The records I've read showed no wars, no conflict, no—”

Celestia cut her off, “That's just it, Luna.  There's nothing to speak of!  The Kingdom of Equestria has been completely isolated from the rest of the planet!  We scarcely know the land just a mile outside our borders, let alone in the rest of the world!  There could be an entire civilization just miles from our borders and we wouldn't even know!”

Luna wasn't sure what to say, and before she had even the time to form a reply Celestia continued her tirade.

“Why, our most accurate map points outside our borders and says 'Here be Dragons'.  Here be Dragons?!  By the heavens, how absurd!  There's a reason literature like Daring Do is so popular, it's because no one actually goes to far away lands to explore anymore!”

Luna already had the beginnings of a solution in her mind, and this pause gave her what she thought was an opening to inject it, “Tia, I th—” Luna was wrong, and was promptly cut off again by her sister.

“And as far as trade goes, hah!  Besides the gryphons, no one has even—”

“CELESTIA!”  Luna said in a raised voice, trying to stop Celestia's rant for her own health.

“Oh...”  She sighed, “I'm sorry, Luna.  I just... got a bit carried away.  For the last thousand years I haven't had anyone to talk to about this sort of thing and it all just sort of started venting out.  The Regency incident really...”

“I understand, and now you do have someone to talk to about this sort of thing.  Additionally, this person has an idea that may be able to solve your problem!”

“I... please do enlighten me as to your idea.”  Celestia said in a pant.  Her rant had taken a lot out of her.

“What say we get together some of our best and brightest, give them a fine ship, mapping tools, and full authority as our diplomats?  Then, we'll send them away to explore the lands, mapping the world as they go.  Additionally, they'll collect information on any phenomena that they encounter.  Be it natural or intelligently made.”

Celestia's expression now more pensive, she was thoroughly examining the idea in her head, “And what of the danger?” Came a reply, finally.  “Beyond our borders, no safety can be guaranteed.  That's the primary reason our borders haven't grown in the last thousand years, and why we have this whole problem in the first place.”

“Safety need not be guaranteed.” Luna lowered her head and switched to a more serious tone,  “Trust me, Tia.  There are more than a few ponies out there that would sign up for the adventure alone, not to mention the betterment of the kingdom.  Hay, most ponies would accept the task simply because their princesses asked them too!  Our citizens have long been complacent living within our borders, but I believe that complacency has bred a new generation of explorers.”

Celestia's expression was now less severe, and was slowly lightening up; however it still betrayed her reservations regarding the project, “Well, it's quite the proposition, Luna.  ...I don't think I would be able to organize any of it.  Finding the time just to sit here with you was an ordeal already.  Between roya—”

“Leave it to me, Tia.  You're busy and I need a project to occupy my time.”  Luna showed a confidence in her statement that Celestia hadn't seen from her, or anypony, for a long time.

“I don't know how I managed for so long without you, Luna.”  Celestia said, finally cracking a smile.  The two laughed heartily at themselves, but finally Celestia regained enough control to say “Oh, it feels like it's been millennia since I just... laughed.  You handling this has taken a huge cloud off my horizon.  You'll have my full support.  The kingdom's resources are open to you.  Just keep me informed.”

“I'll not spend a single bit without you knowing, if it is your wish!”

Celestia's smile was telling, “We've not been out here for more than ten minutes and we've gotten more done than I would have with hours in there!” Celestia exclaimed as she motioned back to the castle.

“We should make a habit of this, Tia.”

“I would very much like that, but between duties and... No.  I will make the time.  Every day, here.  At noon?”

“Don't trouble yourself too much to make it, I know it could be a serious pain.” Luna perked up a bit, “But, you being here every day would give us a chance to discuss the Heavenly Endeavor.”

“What's the Heavenly Endeav—” Celestia paused for a moment, processing.  “Have you already gone and named the expedition?”

“Named it?  I've already got ship designs in mind!”  Luna replied, in the most childish way she could muster.  The two princesses shared another hearty laugh, they seemed as though they were both content for the first time in ages.

They sat in silence and sipped at their tea, enjoying each others company.  This location had been an excellent choice, and Celestia was feeling relaxed and far better off than when she had exited the castle.  Though, whether this was due to Luna's proposition, a few minutes away from bureaucracy, or the atmosphere of the garden, she wasn't sure.  Perhaps, she thought, it was a mixture of all three.  Eventually, Celestia finished her tea, sighed, and began speaking, “Well, I really should get back to my duties...”

“Yeah...” Luna replied, looking a bit sullen.  “I'm glad we were able to have some time together, at least.”

Celestia frowned, “Oh Luna, don't give me that look!  We'll be right here again, tomorrow at noon!”

“I know... it's just that it took so long to organize just this meeting.  What if something comes up and—”

Celestia quickly cut her off, “Luna, I'll be here noon tomorrow, I promise.  Besides, now I'll be able to pull myself away from those menial tasks the nobles put me through so we can discuss foreign affairs, right?” Celestia winked.

“PRINCESS!” A guardspony yelled from the doorway to the castle, “YOU ARE REQUESTED IN THE THRONE ROOM!”

Celestia turned to Luna, clearly saddened by her summons,  “Well then, it seems my free time is up for now.”  She said before gathering up the teacups from the table.

“I'm glad we were able to talk, Tia.” Luna smiled

“I am doubly as glad,” Celestia replied as she walked back towards the castle door, “And remember, we'll be doing this again tomorrow.”

Once Celestia disappeared into the castle door, Luna walked up to the marble railing of the balcony.  Looking out over Canterlot, she began thinking.  Canterlot's architecture was very unique, and despite the regional differences, most equestrian architecture was easily recognizable.  It was hard to imagine what another culture might call 'home'.  What their buildings may look like, or what they themselves would look like.  Luna quickly became lost in her thoughts.  It wasn't until she heard a distant bell ringing in the start of a new hour that she came back to reality.