And Here We Go, Out Into the Adventure

SpitFlame Presents:

And Here We Go, Out Into the Adventure

Chapter 1: An Unexpected Beginning

          The land of Middle-Equestria was at peace with the other regions of the country. Most ponies there were friendly, either it be earth ponies, unicorns, pegasi, elf-ponies or griffons, they treated each other like neighbors. The land was ruled by two majestic princesses; the elder - Solar Wind - possessed dominion over the sun, while the younger - Blade Dusk - held sway over the moon. Together, these two alicorn sisters promoted peace and tranquility throughout all of the known lands.

--

In the old times of Ponyville, lived a pony. She was a fine pony and a good friend to many. She would help out with the other ponies' dishes, help out the in-need animals and read. Yes, she loved to read. It could be about the History of Middle-Equestria, or about the different creatures and monsters discovered in deep dark caves, or musky green forests. She loved to visit libraries and even had a few books of her own in her home. She lived in a cozy little hole. Not a nasty and oozing hole filled with worms, nor was it a dry hole cluttered with bones of distinct animals. She lived in a Neigh hole, and that meant comfort. Inside of course was just like a regular home. A fire place, beds, kitchen, tables, lamps, couches and ramps, oh you name it. She lived near a river, gleaming when the sun was up, and the grass was greener than ever.

Her name was Clover the Clever. Let's call her Clover for now. Clover loved maps. She loved to collect them and study what lay beyond the Frozen North Mountains. Although she would rather stay in her nice, little Neigh hole.

One fine day, Clover sat in front of her home, behind the perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. All that the unsuspecting Clover saw that morning was an old pony with a white beard. He had a tall, pointy blue hat with little golden bells on its sides, a long blue cloak with little pictures of moons and stars on it, which were also on his pointy hat and too had the little golden bells. He wore a silver scarf over which his long white beard hung down. It was none other than Star Swirl the Bearded, the famous wizard of the land. He was after all famous for his different types of magic and fireworks. Clover looked up, noticing the wizard pony looking down at her with the sun too beaming down.

"Good morning!" said Clover, and she meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. But Star Swirl at her from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his shady hat.

"What do you mean?" he said. "Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?"

Clover stood there, staring dumbfound. Shaking those thoughts away, she responded in a quite tone. "All of them at once...I suppose. It's a very fine morning to enjoy the outdoors. If you wish, sit beside me and enjoy Solar Wind's sun." Clover sat down to a wooden bench nearby. Star Swirl himself looked beyond the grassy horizon.

"Very pretty!" said Star Swirl. "But I have no time to stay here and admire the view. I am looking for somepony to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anypony."

"I should think so - in these parts. We are plain quiet folk and I have no use for adventure. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can't think what anypony sees in them," said Clover, relaxing her hooves on the bench. She then used her magic to take out her morning letters, and began to read, pretending to take no more notice of the old pony. She had decided that she was not quite his sort, and wanted him to go away. But the old pony did not move. He stood, gazing at the pony without saying anything, till Clover became quite uncomfortable and even a little cross.

"Good morning!" she said at last. "We don't want anything adventures here, thank you! You might come try over at Dodge City and across the water." By this she meant that the conversation was at an end.

"What a lot of things you do use Good morning for!" said Star Swirl. "Now you mean that you want to get rid of me, and that it won't be good till I move off."

"Not at all, not at all, my dear sir! Let me see, I don't think I know your name?"

Star Swirl lifted a bushy eyebrow. "Yes, yes my dear- and I do know your name, Clover the Clever, and you do know my name, though you don't remember that I belong to it. I am Star Swirl the Bearded, and Star Swirl the Bearded means me!"

"Star Swirl the Bearded, Star Swirl the Bearded! Good gracious me! Not the wandering wizard that fought all those rock golems in Ghastly Gorge and defended Marewood by using his famous lightning spells! Not the fellow who used to tell such wonderful tales at parties, about dragons and goblins and giants! Not the pony that has an entire archive dedicated to him in the old library of spells in Canterlot! I remember those! I beg your pardon, but I had no idea you were still in business."

"Where else should I be?" said the wizard. "All the same I am pleased to find you remember something about me. You seem to remember all those battles long ago, so I will give you what you asked for."

"I beg your pardon, I haven't asked for anything!"

"Yes, you have! Twice now. My pardon. I give it to you. In fact I will go so far as to send you to this adventure. Very amusing for me, very good for you-and profitable too, very likely, if you ever get over it."

"Sorry! I don't want any adventures, thank you. Not today. Good morning! But please come later today for tea-any time you like! Why not tomorrow? Come tomorrow! Goodbye!" With that the lavender unicorn turned and scuttled inside her round green door, and shut it as quickly as she dared, not to seem rude.

"What on Equestria did I ask him to tea for!" she said to herself, as she went to the library. "I suppose I'll read a good book now to pass the time."

Star Swirl in the meantime was still standing outside the door, and laughing long but quietly. After a while he stepped out, going away down the dirt road. He would be back for the tea Clover had promised.

--

The bright moon of Blade Dusk shone brightly in the sky, beaming through the grey, swirling clouds. There was a knock on the door, and it was loud, like a heavy mace was banging on it. Clover opened it, revealing to be Star Swirl. "Ah, good to see you are still here Clover. Now, about that tea you had promised."

"Right," she said. "Right this way." She led him to the living room on the sofa where a kettle and two cups stood on the wooden table. A fire place crackled, causing a dim light in the area. They both sat down. After Clover took a sip of her cup, she started. "So, I must ask: what is this adventure you have told me?"

Star Swirl looked up, noticing something in her eyes. "The enemy approaches." he said. That left Clover confused.

"But sir, there hasn't been any threats in Middle-Equestria for a long time. What can you possibly mean, and again, what about this adventure?"

"There are a lot of evil forces in this world Clover. Those you do not wish to see. It is my job to defend this land, travel across the trees and mountains. That is why I am forming a team. A team of the quickest, smartest and strongest warriors around. It is very hard to gather many, but I still must."

"A team?" she asked in an almost sarcastic tone. "But why choose me? I am not quick or strong."

"But you are smart," said the wizard almost encouragingly. "But remember that if you choose to come on this adventure, you will be willing to face anything from the outside world."

Clover looked down towards her tea. "How about a little light?" said Clover apologetically.

"I like the dark," said Star Swirl. "Dark for dark business. There are many hours before dawn."

"Of course!" said Clover, sliding her back against the couch in a hurry. She then thought back to this adventure. She has never been outside of Middle-Equestria, and only on rare occasions has she visited the other cities and small towns far over the Unicorn Range.

Star Swirl continued. "You'll have a mighty tale to tell when you come back."

Clover's eyebrows drooped down. "Can you promise that I will come back?"

"No." Star Swirl said, lightly shaking his head. "But if you do, you will not be the same."

They both shared a gaze. "I'm sorry," said Clover. "But I just don't think I can go. It's been a very enjoyable night with you around, but I will be heading off to bed. If you'd like, you can stay here for the night."

Star Swirl's shadow wagged against the brick wall. He got up, his beard dangling down. "Very well. I will stay, and I'm sorry that I have been a bother. Tomorrow I will be on my way." So that night, both ponies got some sleep. Clover slept in her usual bed while Star Swirl slept in a guest bed made of hay. She went to sleep with the thought of what Star Swirl had said in her ears, and it gave her very uncomfortable dreams. It was long after the break of day when she woke up.

--

Up jumped Clover, and putting on her dressing-gown went into the dining-room. There she saw nopony, but all the signs of a tea party which for a second, she thought might have been a dream. Clover couldn't get those images out of her mind. The ones that Star Swirl had described to her. She almost felt the need to go. The feeling surprised her. "Don't be a fool, Clover the Clever!" she said to herself, "thinking of dragons and all that outlandish nonsense at your age!" So she put on an apron, lit fires, boiled water and washed up. Then she had a nice little breakfast in the kitchen before turning out  the dining-room. By that time the sun was shining.

Clover thought hard for a short while. She didn't want to disappoint Star Swirl, and going out of her Neigh hole would seem quite nice, if it wasn't for all those trolls, and goblins and nasty little things. Yet, she still felt something. As if it was an alarm, something in her brain kicked in. She looked at her mantelpiece, there lay pictures of her grandparents. They were true adventurers. "Fine, I will go," Clover muttered to herself. She grabbed her leather cloak, strapped it on and trotted out the door in search of Star Swirl.

--

The wizard slowly walked down the long dirt road, his blue cloak being dragged on the way. That's when he heard an all too familiar voice. Star Swirl turned around to see a pony in a cloak was running up to him. Once she was close enough, she stopped, looking at the wizard in worry.

"Very well, I will go with you on this adventure," she said gaining her composer.

"Good to here, and I will meet you at the inn, but we only have such time left. You will need to run," said Star Swirl.

"But, what about-," said Clover.

"I will meet you in Dodge city. Off you go now," said Star Swirl.

"But," said Clover again.

"No time for that! Off you go!"

To the end of her days Clover could never remember how she found herself outside, without a proper hat, any walking sticks or any bits, or anything she usually took when she went out; leaving her comfortable Neigh hole, she ran as fast as her hooves can carry her, past the Raisin Forest, through the Appaloosa canyons and over the Great Hills to reach Dodge city.

Dodge city wasn't much of a city, but more of a town. It wasn't very big and its buildings were never past more than three floors. There was never many guards there as it remained a peaceful community. There were shops, houses and bars, and there were still a few tough ponies. Each structure had its own space, being quite far apart and the floor being made out of hard sand. But the best sight was a huge clock tower that stood north of the city, creating a huge shadow when the sun would set.

Very puffed she was, when Clover got to Dodge city just on the stroke of eleven, and found out she had come without her special necklace her mother made her. She always wore it when going outside. She guessed now would be an exception.

"Bravo!" said a certain wizard at the inn door looking out for her. "Thank you for coming. Now! Follow me inside where we'll pick up our first member."

Clover seemed very tired. She followed Star Swirl into the inn. "How on Equestria did you get here so fast?" she asked.

"I'm just quick on my feet dear," the wizard replied.

Inside the inn felt very at home. Fake bear pelts hung about the creaking walls, a fire stand stood in the middle with servants cooking the food. Rows of doors could be seen. They each had their own numbers with a few of them having some of the paint scratched off. There were many tables about, and many ponies talking while drinking ale. It was a good time. Clover on the other hand never been to a place filled with so many stallions. They were talking, laughing and felt more like a bar than an inn.

The wizard and the unicorn approached a certain table. One which was in the corner, besides the bartender. "Let me do the talking," Star Swirl told Clover, who decided to stay behind the wizard. Star Swirl sat down at the table, looking at the mare on the opposite side. She was a pegasus, had a cyan coat, and bared a rainbow colored mane. She wore leather armor, strapped from her chest to her very hooves, and she was looking directly at the wizard and the cloaked pony besides him.

"Can I help you?" she asked in a raspy voice.

"You can help me on something that I am arranging." The rainbow maned pony kept on listening while leaning on her hooves on the back of the chair. "I am going on an adventure, and am seeking the finest warriors of Middle-Equestria."

The cyan pegasus stood up, gazing at him hard. "What is your business first of all?"

"I am Star Swirl the Bearded, wizard of Canterlot, and this is Clover the Clever. As I said before, I am putting together a team for an adventure," said the wizard convincingly. "And what is your name?"

"My name is Finite. As in, the most famous flyer in Cloudsdale." She said arrogantly, and then looked at Clover, who responded with a nervous look. "And you are famous for what?"

"Um. I am Clover the Clever, and I live in Ponyville, in my Neigh hole."

Finite almost burst laughing. She looked at Star Swirl with teary eyes. "Gee wizard, I thought you were making a team of warriors, not sappy little ponies who could barely lift a spoon!"

"Hey!" said Clover. "Star Swirl the Bearded is a very powerful wizard and he chose me to come on this adventure because I'm smart enough to."

Finite shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes. "Whatever, I'm not going on an adventure with you two, so go ask somepony else."

Clover's head fell down while Star Swirl raised an eyebrow. He knew who Finite was. She was a very brave and powerful, yet over confident pegasus. "Well I am sorry for wasting your time Finite. I realize that you cannot handle these dangerous tasks."

"What?!" exclaimed Finite, sounding offended.

The wizard smirked. "Well yes. You are not coming because this adventure is far too dangerous for you. Me and Clover here will leave you to your busy life."

"Whoa, wait a minute," said Finite. "I can very well take on dangerous tasks. Adventures, are something that I live for."

Star Swirl looked over to Clover, telling her that she could take over. "Well, if you would like to prove it," Clover started. "Maybe you could come with us on this dangerous adventure."

"Very well then. I will be part of your team wiz-er, Star Swirl." She then got up from her seat, making sure her dagger was strapped to her side. "Let's go then."

"Excellent," said Star Swirl. "Now we will be off to Canterlot for our next pick up. We'll hope she'll be better." With that said, the three ponies set out north to the royal city of Canterlot, where they would meet the next member of the team.

That's how they all went to the old city of Canterlot, jogging from the inn to running on the fine morning, Surprisingly, Star Swirl kept up while Clover was having trouble. They passed by the Rutling Reak Rily Mountains, all the way to Saddle Lake, right under the mountain. They decided to take a break. Clover collected some water in a small bottle she brought from home, Finite relaxed on a nearby tree and Star Swirl rested near the river.

"So what's going to happen here?" said Finite from her tree branch. "If this is an adventure, where are we exactly going?"

"There are many roads ahead to travel," said Star Swirl. "While none of us are too sure, we will see with time." The old wizard then turned to Clover who appeared stressed. "Clover, what seems to be the problem?"

"I don't know Star Swirl. It's just that being so far away from home is making me home sick."

The wizard came by the pony's side, looking down the ever long lasting lake. "We all have to live a bit Clover. We make such a choice, and leaving your Neigh hole to join me on this adventure tells me that you are very brave."

"But Star Swirl, you haven't even told me what we're going to do! Where are we going to go once we get all the members of your team?"

He was about to respond when a steel arrow shot right between their faces. They both looked towards the arrow in shock as it stabbed the trunk of Finite's tree, which awoke her quickly. "What the hay was that?!" she asked in surprise.

"Oh, my apologies." A female voice came from the lake's side. All three heads turned to see the princess of the moon, wrapped around in an elvish bow with a quilt filled with steel arrows. "I am really trying to perfect my archery. Back at the castle I'm not allowed to do that."

Star Swirl bowed, which caused Clover to bow. Finite flew by and too bowed. The moon princess motioned a hoof. "Please, please, stand up. When I am alone, you don't need to be so formal."

The wizard stood up. "Your highness-" he said.

"Please, call me Blade Dusk, or Blade for short." she said.

Star Swirl coughed. "Yes, Blade, my name is Star Swirl the Bearded, although I am sure you know that. These are my companions, Clover the Clever and Finite."

"Greetings your high-I mean, Blade. It's an honor to meet a princess." said Clover.

"Nice to make your acquaintance." said Finite.

"Blade Dusk gave a hearty smile. "It is very nice to meet you ponies here, but what brings you to these parts?"

"I am arranging a team, and I would love if you would join us on this adventure." said the wizard.

"What?!" questioned both Clover and Finite.

Finite was the first to ask Star Swirl. "Why are you asking a princess to join your adventure?! Didn't you say that our next member was in Canterlot?"

"Yes, why are you asking Princess Blade Dusk to join?" Clover agreed.

Star Swirl looked at the night princess with hard eyes under his bushy eyebrows. "Yes, our next member should have been in Canterlot, though I see she is practicing her archery here in Saddle Lake."

Now it was Blade's turn to cough. "Yes, well, archery is what I love to do. A hobby of mine. I am not allowed to do such acts back in Canterlot because it is considered ill-mannered."

Star Swirl gave a quiet laugh as the two other ponies stared in confusion. "I can see you are trying to hide away so you can do archery. It is a fine art I believe. But we need a pony with your skill, so will you join us on our adventure?"

It was only half a second before the princess nodded her head. "Very well, I will go with you. My sister will most likely be upset with my absence, but to do on an adventure sounds like fun."

"Well it is very nice to have you here Blade." said Clover. "What is our next member Star Swirl?"

"Our final member is in Horseshoe Bay, just a few miles southeast from here." said the wizard. "There we will get all of our supplies, weapons, and armor. Then our adventure truly will begin."

"Wait." Interrupted Finite. "So the adventure hasn't even started yet?" she groaned. "Oh come on, when is this going to get exciting?" If something doesn't happen soon, I'm leaving."

"A fine warrior you make." said Blade Dusk. "But to have a great adventure means to have even greater patience." she then turned to the old wizard. "You said Horseshoe Bay? Then let us be off."

Finite immediately dashed forward, getting the quickest head start she dared. Clover turned to Star Swirl. "I really hope you are right about this." Her only response was a look of assurance.

Now all four ponies followed the long dirt road back down the Rutling Reak Rily Mountains, and trotted north of Hayseed Swamp. They were cautious, making sure to not run into any swap alligators. It took all day, but by the time it was nightfall, they finally began to see Horseshoe Bay in the distance.

"I must ask, if you are here, then who is raising the moon?" Clover asked the princess.

"My sister Solar Wind must be doing it. I am taking an in-proper break from my royal duties, but if it's for adventure then I will indeed do it."

As they made it to the end of the road, the dirt split off wide to both sides. Many dark trees surrounded the enormous lake that stood beyond them. Just at the opening of the lake was Lake Town. A very big wooden platform supported by wooden beams filled many stores and wine shops. Many lanterns lit the dark sky as mosquitoes played above the fire. Star Swirl was scanning the area. He saw few ponies outside and more ponies inside, simply having a good time. A few elf ponies roamed the Bay. They usually came from Dale, the city of elf-ponies, but some visited Middle-Equestria.

The three ponies passed a dark alley in the very corner of Lake Town. The cheering and laughing died down as Star Swirl found the last member. Leaning there against the the closed shop and staring down the glowing lake with her hooves crossed, was SpitFlame. She was an orange mare, had a fire-like mane and kept to herself. The company walked up to her, yet she still remained looking past the lake with a rough face.

"Greetings." said Star Swirl. SpitFlame turned her head, eyeing the company.

"What do we have here?" she said in a harsh tone. "A pony in a cloak, a pegasus, a wizard and the princess herself. What brings you fine ponies to Lake Town?"

"We are looking for you to join an adventure with us," said Blade. "And we would love it if you agreed."

"I don't know why we need another pegasus?" said Finite crossing her hooves. SpitFlame looked at the wizard who looked back at her with gleaming eyes.

"You want me to join you in an adventure eh? Well, I would, but I can't." SpitFlame went back to looking out the lake.

"But we need you. Without the last member we-" said Clover but was interrupted by SpitFlame herself who held a hoof out.

"Wait a minute. I am your last member? You mean you planned this out? Now that you say that, I even more do not wish to join you." she went to all fours, walking past the team. Star Swirl walked with her.

"We are going to travel beyond Middle-Equestria. If you do not wish to join us, that is fine, but just know that the enemy is growing more powerful every day." Both ponies stopped, SpitFlame thought carefully while the wizard watched.

"I see!" she said. "Very well! I will join you on this adventure, wherever it may lead us. I will meet you and the others by the blacksmith. We will get our supplies there and be off."

Star Swirl thanked the pegasus and walked back to his company. "So how did it go?" said Blade.

"Yes, is she joining us or not?" said Clover.

Star Swirl just lightly nodded his head. "Yes my ponies, SpitFlame, the last member of the team will be joining us."

All of the ponies looked confused. Clover spoke up to the wizard. "How did you convince that pony to join us? She seemed so serious and hard to convince!"

"Yes, I am aware of that," said the wizard. "But I do have my ways."

All the ponies simply shrugged it off and followed Star Swirl to the blacksmith to meet up with SpitFlame. As they got there, a blue earth pony was hammering metal. As soon as he saw costumers, he stopped hammering and walked up to them. "Goodnight ponies," he said in a soothing and deep voice. "My name is Tidal. What can I get you fine ladies and wizard here for today?"

"The best steel armor you got, and give me a two-handed axe." said SpitFlame.

"I'll need duel swords and a leather helmet." said Finite.

"I would have use in a new bow. Can you make an iron elvish one?" asked Blade Dusk, while Tidal nodded and bowed at the princess. "Great, I'll have those, and throw in a few pieces of armor as well."

"I need nothing, it is fine." Star Swirl reassured. He then looked at Clover who was quiet the whole time.

"Is that all?" asked Tidal. All the ponies nodded.

"Wait!" said Star Swirl. "A small sword and its sheath please." He received the sword and handed it over to Clover who stood there confused.

"Oh now Star Swirl, please. I do not need any weaponry. I'm fine, thank you." The wizard still gave her the sword.

"Please, take it. You might need it when the time comes."

Clover stared blankly at the sword before turning her attention back to the wizard. "I have never used a sword in my life."

"And I hope you never have too. But if you do remember this: True courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one."

Clover could only nod. She followed the wizard's word and took the sword. After the blacksmith Tidal waved them goodbye, they made their way to the outskirts of Horseshoe Bay. They were to now head south of the edge of Middle-Equestria, right through Hayseed Swap. After the team put on their newly bought armor and sheathed their weapons, they made their way out of Lake Town. This is where the adventure really began.