It was a gently sprinkling day and Twilight Sparkle was snuggled up in blankets and reading quietly in the library of her castle, she was deep in a book of mythological races that once inhabited Equestria and was completely engrossed in the text that scattered each page. She barely noticed Spike scoot up next to her and gently nudge her.

“Hey Twilight, want me to make you some hot chocolate?” He asked cheerfully while holding the comic book he had been reading in the corner.

“Hmm?” Questioned Twilight as she sat up to look at the baby dragon. “Oh I'd love some Spike. Thank you!”

Spike smiled and walked into the main hall towards the kitchens and he was barely gone a moment before the warm feeling room suddenly felt cold and empty. 'Perhaps I should stick some carpet in here' Twilight thought to herself before she was suddenly startled by a buzzing on her flank.

“THE CUTIE MAP!” She gasped pulling herself into a stand, tumbling over the pile of blankets she had set up as she scrambled into the main hall

Just as Twilight was about to reach the map room, the doors open and Rainbow Dash burst in.

“Hey Twilight! I got the call!” She told her friend as they sat down in their respective chairs and looked at the map.

“All of us did Rainbow, look!”

She pointed a hoof at the map showing all the mane six's cutiemaps hovering over the ocean south of Baltimare. Rainbow Dash thought about this and looked looked at the map for a moment before speaking.

“What? Are we breaking up a beach party that got too rough?” She asked sarcastically.

They looked down the hall to hear the clatter of hooves as Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy ran into the map room also.

“I was at a superific party! I hope we can get back in time!” Said Pinkie Pie as her and Applejack took their seats.

“Yeah and I hate to leave Apple Bloom taking care of Winona unsupervised” Stated Applejack.

Fluttershy merely crept into a seat without a word and set herself straight into her chair.

“Any of you see Rarity?” Asked Twilight looking about the table to the faces of her friends.

“I'm heeeerree” A ringing voice was heard as Rarity trotted in, she clearly had been called in the middle of a spa treatment as he hooves were glowingly polished. She also carried a well packed bag for the trip. “I am so sorry for being late.”

Rarity finally sat softly in her chair and Twilight finally spoke.

“We've all been summoned to head to Baltimare, it's a long trip so make sure you're all ready.”

Rarity immediately put on a summer hat that was clearly a gem studded jewel of work from one of her shops.

“Oh I am so excited to go to the Beach. It's been SOOOO dreary here.”

“I AM READY!” Shouted Rainbow Dash with gusto as usual.

“Um... …. guys.” Was whispered from the yellow pony who had yet to talk. “Uh... What's with the black parts on the map?”

She pointed far off on the ocean where there were inky black spots and Twilight glanced down to look.

“That's black algae from the dragon waters to the South East, it normally doesn't come up so far but it shouldn't be a problem while we're there. Come on girls we have two trains to catch!”

The ponies got up and charged toward the exit of the castle just as poor Spike emerged from the kitchens carrying two mugs of creamy hot chocolate.

“... All the more for me.” He sighed as he took a big gulp.

Spike took one glance at the Cutiemap when he saw the inky black parts swirl closer to Baltimare.

Author's Note

This is my first story and as such I know it isn't perfect. I would love to hear what I did right and what I could improve upon. I would prefer constructive over toxic however!