Upon seeing a new flag in addition to the rest of the letter, Celestia instantly knew that they were serious with this declaration. Saddened, all she did in response was to grab a quill using her magic, and began to write a letter, turning a blind eye to the messenger, who was sent all the way to Canterlot to give the princess this message. Thinking he was ignored, he thought he was free to go, with the thought that the princess did not need him anymore at that time. However, she was not ignoring him, she was simply concentrating all her effort into thinking of what to write on her own letter. Celestia stomped on the ground once, and the messenger pony instantly turned around to see what he faced, at first scared thinking something went wrong. The princess gave him a finished letter using her magic, again, now to hand it to him. He nodded and gave his thanks to the princess, then rushed out of the palace as fast as he could. Celestia was still distraught that some of her subjects would abandon her other fellow subjects in Equestria. At that time, she knew how she could settle this easily, and peacefully, no doubt. She began to write yet another letter, this time with a smile on her face, as opposed to a blank stare which she wore while writing on the previous scroll.
“No, no... no,” A blue, rainbow maned Pegasus sighed out loud, with a slight attitude of chagrin. She looked over into a nearby bush that was rustling. A purple Alicorn emerged from the foliage to the side, with her mane full of twigs and leaves and really messy in general. Her tail was in a similar state.
The Alicorn spoke in a rather stressed tone, “Rainbow Dash, look, let’s just stop this, alright? I already know how to fly, somewhat.” She stretched her wings out as far as she could, the tips of the feathers quivering when she couldn’t stretch them any farther, and then proceeded to flap them gently after a good long stretch.
“Are you even serious right now, Twilight? Hello, you crashed into that bush!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed immediately in response.
“It wasn’t my fault that somepony had to go and make the wind currents stronger to make me crash in the first place, thank you very much!” Twilight retorted, narrowing her eyes at the rainbow-hued pony.
“Oh come on! It was a joke! Besides, I wanted to see if you were able to take it to the next level or not. You aren’t really training if you’re just flapping your wings away aimlessly, hovering a few feet off the ground.” Dash replied, while trying her best to contain her chuckling at the thought of her "prank" to make it really gusty for Twilight.
The two pointlessly argued for a while, apparently trying to train Twilight Sparkle to fly. While Twilight can fly a safe enough distance if she needed to, she never was an expert in the field of flying when she first gained her wings, nor was she motivated to learn how to maneuver in the air swiftly. Even as a new princess, she still loved to dive into her books and continue to learn, and she didn’t have any time to learn how to fly. She was still good with her horn and unicorn- to be precise, Alicorn, magic, and that’s all she needed.
Over the two of them arguing, they both heard a voice in the distance, calling for someone’s name. It was calling for Twilight, but for what? Both her and Rainbow Dash stopped and focused in, not knowing where it was coming from. Eventually, out of the corner of their eyes, a purple and green baby dragon appeared. He was holding a beige coloured scroll, but at the same time, he was also out of breath from running, possibly also due to shouting out Twilight’s name to get her attention.
“Twi...” the dragon puffed, then took a big gulp. “T-Twilight, here, it’s a message from Princess Celestia. I came here as soon... as I could.” After that, he falls flat on his backside, resting and breathing slowly.
“Oh? Thanks, Spike.” She wasted no time grabbing the scroll from his hands with ease, thanks to her magic. Twilight began reading it to herself, the only way to read along with her was to look at her eyes, which were of complete concentration, until she looked confused, tilting her head at the letter. Eventually, she showed a little disdain, and sighed.
“Rainbow Dash. We need to get the rest of the girls, Princess Celestia wants all of us at her castle, pronto!” she confidently declared to Rainbow Dash. The latter nodded, and with a smirk, she immediately zoomed away to fetch the other ponies that Celestia requested, leaving Twilight to carry Spike back home, gather her things there, and head out for the castle, all while putting Spike to rest. It was after all, sunset, and Spike's bedtime usually is earlier nowadays.
Twilight was walking amongst her allies. More so than allies, her friends. Her best friends. They’ve always helped in the toughest of times, and are also the embodiments of the Elements of Harmony, though the physical pendents that are the actual elements are safe back at the Tree of Harmony. Twilight was walking with the rest of her friends towards Celestia’s throne room in the castle; especially after all they’ve been through, and the fact that Twilight was a recognized Equestrian Princess, they are welcomed at the castle, having long forgotten what it was like to roam the castle grounds without guards watching your every move. She and her friends were walking so well in sync, almost like they were marching together. Well, minus Pinkie Pie who was hopping about gleefully. Twilight was at the head of the pack, with everyone behind her.
The aforementioned Pinkie Pie was full of smiles and laughter, and was a vividly pink, party pony. She is happy-go-lucky, and for the most part, carefree. She is neither a Pegasus nor a unicorn, and is an Earth pony. She is random though, at times, for both the better or worsening of a situation. Rainbow Dash is a very loyal friend to all of the other five mares. Even after their dispute, Dash still appreciates Twilight Sparkle and would defend her and the rest to the end. Applejack was an apple bucking, orange Earth pony who was extremely honest with her words and actions. Sometimes the truth hurts, but she means well, and the truth always helps the six of them out in the worst situations. Rarity is extremely generous to others, and is willing to lend a hand when need be in the name of generosity. She uses her unicorn magic to help aid herself with making magnificent dresses and clothing accessories, and she’s a true fashionista. Her luscious violet mane and pure white coat are beautiful to view, and it shows that she really does take care of herself. Fluttershy is the most kind Pegasus pony one would ever meet, and she treats everyone and everything with kindness, sometimes her enemies too. She loves and cares for animals of all shapes, sizes and breeds. She even looks like she’s kind, with an endearing demeanour, also being cream coloured with soft yellow and pink pastel colours on her body and mane respectively.
They reached the big doors to the throne room, where Celestia was. Upon entering, they all saw Celestia’s back to them. Her head was down, which came as surprise to Twilight. As they came in closer, they started to trot slower, until they came to a complete stop. Twilight was about to speak up to say they’re here, but Celestia turned around and interrupted her subject.
“Twilight. I am so glad you’ve made it here.” She took a pause to look out the window, toward the north. “... This is the first time ever in Equestria’s history, from what even I can remember, that somewhere wishes to secede from Equestria.” Celestia turned now, facing all six of them. Even though she was on a few steps higher than the rest of the ponies, she would still be taller nevertheless. Celestia was always one of the biggest ponies in the entirety of Equestria.
Pinkie Pie thought out loud, “Ohh oh oh, what does “secede” mean?”
Applejack tilted her head to face Pinkie Pie with a slight frown. “It means to break away from something, almost always some sort o’ country, a region... a political entity of some sort, I reckon.”
“Yes, you are correct, Applejack. Areas secede from bigger areas because of specific reasons, whether it is because they don’t feel represented enough, or due to political strife, among other possible reasons. However, I can’t fathom why this particular place would want to separate itself from Equestria. It’s a mystery, no doubt. I can sense something isn’t right though,” Princess Celestia explained to all of them. “I have reason to believe that somepony, or something, is going to cause trouble soon, because this is all, so... sudden.”
Twilight spoke up, “Okay, so, what is this place then that wants to break off from Equestria?”
“It is a bustling, yet small city, called Stalliongrad. It is located in the far north, so it is farther than any place you’ve been to before, I’d imagine. Even the Crystal Empire.” Celestia answered. She took a moment to view all of the six ponies in front of her with pride in her eyes, in hopes that they can do something about this situation. “Stalliongrad is a generally quiet city, due to it’s size and seemingly isolated location, so it would be unheard of if they were to actually secede. Looks like they want to go through with it though, and are serious about it.”
“They, Princess?” Twilight inquired further.
Celestia nodded, “Yes, the ponies in power currently. I would imagine the mayor is in power still, like any municipality would be. However, if the mayor doesn’t know, or approve of, this separatist movement, then I can only imagine she would be appalled by this blasphemy against her own government. It is this reason, Twilight, that I want you and your friends to investigate why I got a letter saying the city of Stalliongrad and all the residents there will secede from Equestria, and you six alone. I was good friends with the mayor myself, and I know that this is not like her at all.” Celestia breathed in deeply. “Keep in mind, that you are going to a place that has a foggy history, and is a place not used to any foreigners. That part of the north is a mysterious place. Even I don’t know much about it. I do know, however, that the ponies there are like ones anywhere else in Equestria, and are devoted, affectionate subjects of mine, and would do anything to preserve peace as it is. That is why, I think something terrible has happened there. The more I speak, the more time goes by, and the more I think the Stalliongrad citizens are in danger. I’m not concerned about the secession right now, as more so the lives of everypony there.”
The ponies in the room silently listened to every word the princess had to say. It sounds like she has some gut feeling that something is amiss, and that the secession is a clue to something even bigger.
Twilight Sparkle smirked, with a big grin on her face. “Princess Celestia, we’ll all be happy to go to Stalliongrad and investigate what is going on, and to ensure the safety of everypony there!” The other five ponies nodded happily in agreement to Twilight.
Celestia smiled, and bowed. “I’m grateful to have ponies like you to count on, as well as Equestria itself. You’ll be official ambassadors of Equestria to this... rebel state, that Equestria does not recognize as an independent nation yet.” She narrowed her eyes at the thought of secession actually occurring. Then, she returned to sport her natural, content look. “Now, everypony, off you go! If you head to the Royal Train Station outside the castle, tell the Conductor to take you to Stalliongrad, and that it’s an emergency from Princess Celestia. He’ll know the route, and will take you all there immediately when you say this. Good luck!”
With that, all the ponies rushed out of the room, wasting no time to get to the station. Good thing they knew the castle off the back of their hooves, or else they be wandering forever still. Even though they should ideally remember how they entered, Celestia’s palace is still big enough where you would get lost if you tried to backtrack your steps by memory alone, if you’ve never been there before.
Later, they arrive at the station, and do as they were told by Celestia. The Royal Train has everything they need on board to prepare them for the long trip to Stalliongrad in the form of different train cars, which are simply called carts. It included it’s own Bakery Cart, it had sleeping quarters with many Cabin Carts, almost any cart you could think of really, was featured to be on the train. To Rarity’s delight it even included an Arts and Crafts Cart, so she could sew and make some clothes to brace the cold they were about to face, and to make some additional ones for the girls.
All the ponies began to relax and do their own thing on the train, while Twilight looked out the window in her sleeping cabin, wondering what this new city she never been to was like. Was it like the Crystal Empire, mentioned by Celestia? Or is it so different from anything she had known? Going to the Library Cart, she goes through maps of Equestria from all different times. Something she gets concerned about, is the lack of the name “Stalliongrad” anywhere, almost like it’s a ghost town, or it never even existed in the first place. Spooked out, she tells herself that she’s just tired and over-thinking, plus, it's late at night, so of course she'd naturally get scared more easily than before. She chuckles herself out of that trance. Putting the books back in place carefully, Twilight almost instinctively calls out Spike to find her some other books, before realizing this isn’t her library-treehouse, nor is Spike with them. She giggles a little more, before looking at the history section of the Library Cart. However, doing this only made Twilight more shocked than anything else, with her eyes widening, her pupils decreasing in size, and her mouth open from an unwanted surprise: The pages concerning history of any part of the north in Equestria at all has been completely torn out! She looked in other historical books, just to make sure that it was just this one book that was like this. Nope, nope, and nope.
Three books later, she sat in the room, with a cold, shivering feeling. The library had absolutely no mention of Stalliongrad anywhere. All the maps didn’t label the city anywhere, or were faded beyond recognition. Any history that might concern any part of Equestria’s north was completely torn out, as if somepony wanted to hide something. Twilight was now, starting to get frightened. She hated being blind, metaphorically. She didn’t even know which area in the north she and her friends were heading towards. She was scared, because of the unknown, which in general, was a frightening concept. In all of the situations she has been in before which rested upon her shoulders, there has been at least one book for her that she could rely upon, and even if it didn’t seem right, she was always confident in her studies and her books. This is the first time she is blind, because she has no book to further look up upon a subject. No hints, no clues, not one subtle sign to follow in this odd quest for Stalliongrad. She wanted to lie on the floor, but it was terribly cold. Probably from the temperature outside making the carts colder, naturally. Twilight was lying down nevertheless, thinking quietly to herself why someone would rip it out, and what they could be hiding from whomever it was they were concealing information from. Is Celestia correct? Was she in fact right that there is trouble and tough times ahead? Twilight thought these to herself, and it only made things worse. She couldn’t think straight, she needed answers, and fast. She dashed out of the Cart and made her way through all the rest before she hit the front of the train, and decided to speak to the Conductor.
“H-Hello? Um, may I-I ask a question, to you? Or any of the other staff?” Twilight uttered, with the sense of fright instilled in her voice.
The Conductor slowly turned around with a blank stare, looking straight into Twilight’s eyes. “I am, the only staff member on board. What is it.” He didn’t even ask a question to reply. His tone was extremely pale and monotone, it was almost quite dreadful to hear, and that didn’t help Twilight’s psyche.
“Uh, w-well, do you know w-where we’re going, and where t-this place is?” She asked, with a frown now on her face, her legs starting to shake a little bit.
“...” he paused. He remained silent, yet still looking at Twilight, and directing the train. He finally spoke, “Stalliongrad. It is a remote place. It's northeast. I know of it. Besides a few diplomats and merchants who get on this train to and from the city, to Canterlot, I sometimes get off at Stalliongrad to relax, even with all this luxury on the train.” The pony held up a hoof to indicate he was still going to speak, but he needed to turn his head and attention to the tracks, as the train still needed a conductor in order to, well, travel. He continued, “You see nice people in the streets, but there is some dystopia happening there, let me tell you. Especially if the rumours I keep hearing are true.”
Twilight’s ears perked up. Though the Conductor himself was creepy, she was glad to hear that. It sure sounds like a clue. Twilight however, didn’t intervene in his part of the conversation, wanting to hear more.
“I know that Equestria has it’s fair share of weird mythical creatures and beings, especially in places like the Everfree Forest, and that Discord guy, but really now, the legends they speak of here are just plain... out of this world. They don't even treat them as rumours, but full on fact. Not to mention, they’re all the same,” said the Conductor, “though, it strikes even me as just a bit intimidating. When I say they’re all the same, I mean it’s literally the exact same story over and over again: The same words, the same hoof movements to go with their facial expressions... It’s like they actually believe their crazy legends with the honest truth."
Twilight, though she was more scared internally now, due what he said, and how he told it, she in fact got better, since it did answer at least a question or two she had, and answers is all she needs. Twilight nodded to the Conductor, and bid him farewell, while giving him thanks. The Conductor payed no attention to Twilight, except acknowledging when she left, by nodding to himself.
The princess went slowly back to her own cabin. She could finally get some sleep knowing that she has something to look forward to tomorrow, and that she could pry the townspeople and even separatists for more answers. Twilight opened the door to a nice Mare-sized bed, much larger than the one she slept on at home. She bounced right onto it, and tucked herself in the covers. She closed her eyes, and let her ideas get to her, about what she’s learned so far. It might be coincidence or not, but Twilight thought to herself, that maybe these odd “legends” of Stalliongrad have something or not to do with the secessionist movement. It would extremely vaguely explain a sudden want to separate from Equestria, if these legends involve... moving away? Twilight shook her head, in her mind of course. There must be a reasonable explanation. She's just tired, the legends told here probably are a completely separate thing altogether from the true political strife that is happening. Unless... what if the legend... is... about...
Just then, Applejack comes forth into Twilight’s cabin, still wide awake apparently. “Hey sugar cube do you-“ she noticed the princess lying down, who was snoring ever so calmly, sleeping soundly. Applejack couldn’t help but smile a little bit. She then figured it was time to go to bed too, so with that, Applejack went to her own cabin and to catch up on some sleep. At this time, everypony was finally asleep. Little did they know that even when they woke up, they would still be on the road to Stalliongrad, as the way there proved to be much more hazardous than before, making the Conductor be extra cautious, not to harm the passengers inside, or the glorious train he lead. Therefore, leading to a longer trip there than expected.
Even through the harsh cold of the cabins got colder considering the outside was affecting the inside, Twilight slept soundly, imagining all the possible scenarios in her head of what could happen once they finally reach the city that was such the heated topic of discussion that night.
Author's Note
Okay, so hopefully you enjoyed it so far? Yay? Neigh? Either way, it is 5:30 AM for me right now, so I will bid you goodnight. Hopefully this story will go somewhere. I have a lot planned for it. If there are any grammar errors feel free to point it out~
