Chapter One: Expedited Departure

10:00

7/21/1723

The Bridge of The Eclipse

Today is a joyous day. A momentous occasion, celebrating an opportunity of a lifetime. Today is the launch of The Eclipse.

The Eclipse was the world’s first long range submersible. She’s capable of long voyages in the vast and deep ocean. She can go little more than two months before needing to resurface, and carries the same in food and water for a crew of 91 ponies. She’s fast, gliding swiftly through the waters at forty-five knots. This amount of speed was unheard of in any sea faring ship, as she goes four times faster than even the quickest of frigates within the royal navy.

Her primary purpose is exploration, specifically to the darkest depths of the seas. Due to a recent breakthrough in reinforcement enchanting that increases the density of metals and strengthens the beams under stress, she was rated for at least seven kilometers, easy. The size of this vessel is large, and because of this, both her outer light hull and her inner pressure hull was to be almost entirely composed of a new titanium-steel alloy, aptly named “Titan Steel”. Titan Steel is strong, and extremely lightweight, making it perfectly suited for the increased density it had to retain during the enchanting process.

Being an exploration vessel, she isn’t very well made for effective combat. The ever-so-thoughtful designer took this into consideration, after being pestered by the High Admiral over increasing pirate attacks. Since weapons would slow The Eclipse down, and be virtually useless unless specially designed for underwater firing, the design engineer decided to add a cloaking engine, along with naval mines as a precaution.

Though the oncoming voyage was seen as a monumental point in all of Equestria’s history, not all were excited. Many of the sailors with families wept, as they knew that this could be the last time they see each other. Sure, this was always the case, and to the families, the usual level of grief is the only thing they felt, shedding scant few tears, as they were sure the sailors would all come back unharmed. To the sailors, however, they would go on to weep until far after the departure of the experimental ship, because they new the true nature of this eight month voyage.

That very nature was to stress test the submersible, bring it as far as it could while skimming the border between safe and dangerous. The had even opted for an on board science lab, in exchange for a week’s worth of rations. This meant that there was no room for error in this voyage. No delays could be accepted, as the crew might starve. This was not the only reason some of the sailors were upset too.

“Surely this voyage could wait just a few more days. The christening is an important tradition among us Seacolts. It would put a lot of the stallions at ease, Ms. Sparkle.” Said a gruff pony, whose frizzled red beard made stark contrast of his white coat. He wore a outfit befitting of his rank; a white captain’s hat with the seal of the Royal Equestrian Navy on the front, along with a blue raincoat with golden epaulettes on his shoulders. The stallion chewed his pipe, before taking a few quick puffs.

“Ugh…” Twilight facehoofed, “For the third time, Captain Hills, there simply isn’t enough time for such a petty, and honestly quite ridiculous event. Your superstition as far outweighed by the need to make it to Minos before their ports freeze over. Otherwise, we’ll all starve to death, and that outcome is absolutely unacceptable.” Twilight had been dreaming of this day, ever since The Eclipse’s conception, and this stubborn stallion was not about to ruin it with his pointless traditions, and silly antics. “So I really hope you can understand the need to forego this process to expedite our departure.”

Captain Hills felt a twinge of anger, as she insulted his way of life. “Ms. Sparkle, if we fail to christen the ship, we’re doomed!” He took a puff from his pipe to calm his nerves. Everypony on this vessel was jumpy, seemingly turning even the smallest conflicts into loud arguments. “Surely it would be most agreeable for just one more day. All we have to do is go out, and buy a bot-”

“Captain Hills!” Twilight yelled. “I’ve had about enough of your insubordination! As Director of this expedition, I demand you either cease your insolent whining and do you your job, or resign and let someone more suited take your place. These are you only options. Choose!” Twilight was at wits end. She was at her boiling point, if not past that. This ‘stallion’, whiny child more like, was afraid of some silly tradition giving the ship bad luck. Everypony knows luck doesn’t exist, and that it’s really only a makeshift reason as to why good or bad things happen to ponies.

For a moment that lasted minutes, Twilight and Captain Hills stared eachother down. Finally, after chewing on his pipe, Captain Hills exhaled in a defeated manner, taking another puff. “You won’t hear another peep outta me, Miss Sparkle. Are we still to set sail at sixteen hundred?”

“Yes, as long as there are no further delays, and Princess Celestia’s speech doesn’t take longer than planned, then we should able to depart according to schedule.” And with that, there was never speak of a christening for The Eclipse again. After all, luck is a myth… right?

___

15:00

7/21/1723

Manehatten Bay

A vast crowd was murmuring excitedly, as they waited for the Princess’ speech. It wasn’t everyday the Princess addressed the nation about an experimental creation. Much less in the city of Manehatten. Even though the metropolis was filled with ponies and amazing sights to behold, nothing important enough ever happened to warrant the Princess’ address specifically in this city. In other words, the Princess never really visited Manehatten.

The murmuring quieted as a line of six ponies in their honorary golden armor, all carrying golden trumpets aswell, walked upon the stage in synchronization. There were two ponies of each type to signify the equality between the tribes. The trumpet wielding ponies hoisted their instruments, and began to play the opening verse, and only that verse, of the Equestrian National Anthem. The loud sound of the magically enchanted trumpets resounded through the crowd, seemingly loud enough to reach Canterlot.

After finishing, the line of ponies split evenly as a pony in purple armor walked to the front of the stage. The announcer began by clearing his throat, in way that seemed to reek of snobbery, and nobility. “Hear, ye! Hear, ye! All shall maintain respect as our princess, Celestia D’Solaris gives speech, or be punished by fine!” He paused, as if to let this ‘big news’ set in. Realizing that the crowd was uncaring, he continued, “Ahem! Now introducing her grace, the Princess of Equestria!”

Cheering erupted among the crowd, clearly voicing their approval of the speaker. Celestia walked on stage, and to a podium that had been set up for the occasion. She waited for the crowd to settle down to a murmur again before clearing her throat, in a motherly way that politely asked for attention. Of course, being a universally loved authority, respected by all, she was granted this attention with utmost courtesy.

“My little ponies, today I stand before you all presenting the latest technological innovation in recent Equestrian history. Fillies and Gentlecolts, The Eclipse!” The crowd began to cheer again as the massive submersive vessel was unveiled. It’s beautiful glossy black sheen stood out in the bright daylight. Its large frontal glass view port was certainly the most prominent of its features, it showed right into the bridge, which had sailors hustling and bustling through it, making ready for the quickly arriving departure.

“Now, my little ponies, you may be wondering what this craft is designed to do, due its odd features for a ship. My answer to you, is that this is no ship. It is not meant to sail above the seas with immense speed.” Celestia let this sink in, earning confused looks from many of the ponies in the crowd. The others who weren’t confused were simply enjoying the princess’ presence, honored to even view her with their very own eyes. Celestia, being content with their reactions, continued her speech, “It is meant to sink underneath the ocean, and travel at incredible rates of speed, surpassing even the fastest ships currently in our navy. It is meant to explore depths, never before seen by the pony eye, and study the vast ocean floors!” The crowd was giddy with excitement again, whispering their expressions of amazement to each other. This kind of technology was never even thought possible, but now it had become a reality. “The Eclipse is indeed meant to be a marine explorer of altitudes sub-sea level, or “submarine” if you will.”

“Now today, I may stand here before you to tell you of this new technology, but as much as you may like to gaze upon my glory,” A few chuckles came from the crowd as the rather dry comedy was taken literally to many. This reaction almost made Celestia nervous, it seemed that she was a lot more popular of a ruler than anticipated. Nevertheless getting this speech over with was of utmost importance. “It should be realized that today we are all here to mark this day as the day the first ever submarine expedition was launched. To create a memory of this fantastic occasion, and come together over our latest accomplishments and all that got us here today.”

“Going forward, we now know that even the darkest depths of the seas cannot remain hidden from sight forever. Maybe one day, we will even venture beyond the heavens and into the stars. Nothing is impossible, and the possibilities are limitless.” This speech was purposed with inspiring the ponies to want to be inventors, rather than actually telling them much about the voyage. As it should. The ponies didn’t need to know that this craft hasn’t been tested, and the sailors didn’t need to hear their eulogy before leaving. So Celestia decided that a short speech that boosted morale was better than anything. “So, my little ponies, after watching the Submarine expedition launch, take these ideas home with you, and maybe something you create could be the next biggest technological advancement.” It was like she was talking to a bunch of foals, but since it was coming from her, it was still very motivating.

All of the ponies cheered as Princess Celestia thanked the crowd and walked off stage. The crowd’s cheers were cut cheers slowly came to a halt as the purple armoured snob walked back to the podium. “Ahem! Her Majesty wishes for you to now give a warm welcome to our next speaker, Miss. Twilight Sparkle!”

The crowd didn’t much cheer. Her reign just hasn’t caught on yet, as many still believe that she shouldn’t be a princess. They already had a new princess in the form of Luna, whose name still heirs a lot of controversy aswell due to her… dubious history.

Twilight walked up to the podium, and opened her mouth. Not a word was spoken for many moments. For some reason, Twilight had been overcome with a sense of nervousness that is commonly known as “stage fright”. This was strange as she’d given public speeches before to Ponyville. Why was this any different?

Twilight closed her mouth, and took a step back to regain her composure. The crowd was now annoyed, as every second they wasted here was money they could have earned to feed their households.

One of the ponies in the crowd yelled, “Hey Miss! You’re wastin’ our time here! I got kids to feed!” Twilight blushed and mumbled something that, if it were coherent, would have equated to a well thought out and meaningful apology. She took her place at the podium again, having regained her lost composure.

“Um.. Hello everypony. I’m uh.. I’m here to tell you that am the director of this project, and as such I will-”

“Does that mean you created the submarine?” A random pony asked.

“Well.. No but I-”

“Then why are you directing this project?”

“I’m directing this project because-”

“Nopony cares about your stupid role! Just get the actual scientist up here to speak!” Another pony butted in, garnering a lot of discontent towards the princess from the crowd.

“Yeah, I wanna hear from the stallion who created the cool ship!” Added another.

Twilight was getting very nervous. “It-It’s not a ship sir.” Twilight said, almost as if she was doing her best fluttershy impression.

“But Celestia said it’s supposed to go in the water.”

This frustrated Twilight, more than anything. It was like these ponies weren’t interested in the project at all, but were really just here to see Princess Celestia. “Yes, well she also said that it wasn’t a ship.”

“Nuh-uh. Get off the stage loser, we wanna hear from the creator of this ship!” This got the crowd to roar in favor of Twilights leaving the stage.

“I-I… Listen! I just wanted to say a few things befo-” This sentence ended abruptly as somepony threw a rock at Twilight. Thankfully it missed her head, by mere inches, but it did hit her feelings. This was starting to get violent quickly. She had no idea what she’d done wrong. All she did was say she was the director of the expedition and it just spiraled from there.

Guards started to rush on stage and into the crowd, before the crowd threw more rocks. It took a little while to disperse the crowd, and as general punishment, none were allowed in the bay area until after the vessel’s departure. This reaction to Twilight’s appearance disappointed Celestia very much, and would be later addressed by her sometime during the voyage this day was about.

___

15:35

7/21/1723

The Bridge of The Eclipse

The hustle and bustle in the bridge had only escalated since the speech. Sailors moving this way and that. The loud noise of idle chatter and important orders reverberated against the titan steel hull, not only echoing but intensifying the background noise. Light shined in through the large hemispherical viewport. Twilight and Celestia stood upon the end of a long glass walkway on the second floor, that went to the center of the bridge, and made a good makeshift place privacy, through its distance from the rest of the bridge.

“I’m so very sorry Twilight Sparkle. I never would have imagined my little ponies acting in such a way to you. I can only assume how you feel right now.” Celestia attempted to comfort Twilight.

“It’s fine Princess. You can’t please everyone, and more often than not, you’ll end up disappointing many. It’s just the ponies are.” Twilight explained. Inwardly she felt like crying, but she couldn’t let Celestia see that. She’d think Twilight was week, and unfit for a leader. “Sometimes, Princess, you just gotta roll with the punches, as they say.”

“I can see my student has become very wise in her travels, and even more patient. I am very impressed with your virtue, Twilight Sparkle. At this rate, you will be more patient than even the most zen of Iguanan Monks.”

Twilight blushed, although she’d been complimented by her mentor quite a lot, she’d never gotten used to it. “T-Thank you, Princess. I learned from the best.” This was her common response to Celestia’s compliments, as a way to flatter her back.

Though she usually liked being strong in front of the Princess, she couldn’t help but feel like a crumbling building being held up only by old, rotting scaffolding. She was close to breaking down. She had no iota of an idea as to why her attempt at a speech garnered such a hateful reaction. What did she do wrong? Maybe she was a little insulting when talking to the crowd, after they interrupted her.

However, they did precisely that. They had interrupted her. Is she not entitled to as much respect they’d given to Celestia? Surely these ponies are just insignificant buffoons, whose names will never go down in history. Twilight was destined for great things, and these despicable ponies were just dust in the wind. Yeah, that must be why. They’re jealous that they couldn’t take part of this amazing experience themselves. Maybe when she gets back she’ll give a speech about how great it was, just to rub it in. And maybe, she’ll erect a statue in the town sq-

“Twilight? Is something upsetting you?” Celestia asked out of concern. In her zoned out state, Twilight’s facial expression had shifted to a deep scowl.

“Huh- What? I’m sorry, Princess, I was just… thinking about the voyage ahead. I’m just stressed.” Twilight lied. Lying to the princess is practically a sin, but it was only a little white lie. Nothing that she should concern Celestia with.

“If this expedition is dangerous enough for you to stress like this, maybe I should find someone else to direct it.” Celestia suggested. She couldn’t stand losing her prized student. Despite public opinion of it, she genuinely viewed Twilight as family, and would be devastated if she were to die in some silly accident.

“NO- I mean, with all due respect, Princess, I have no doubt that this voyage will be a success. I was just going through some last minute mental checks for basic necessities and such.” Twilight only half lied this time, for she didn’t doubt the success of this voyage.

“Hrm, I trust you well enough to handle yourself. After all, you’ve saved Equestria, on several occasions. Very well, Twilight Sparkle. You may continue leading this project.” Twilight smiled happily at Celestia’s response.

"Thank you, Princess. Now on to-”

Twilight was cut short by a very loud, and rather inconveniently timed, steam whistle. Immediately after the whistle finished, a mare’s voice came in over the intercom.

“Attention, Sailors! We have reached the final five minutes before departure. Make sure anything that ain’t nailed to the ground becomes so within these final moments. Bridge staff, start going through your preliminary checks, so we can all leave on time. That is all.”

The movement from the sailors in the bridge briefly intensified, as all of the non-bridge seacolts shuffled out and to their stations.

“Well, Princess, It looks like we’re leaving soon.” Twilight said sadly. Although she looked forward to the voyage, it was always sad to say goodbye. She had already parted with her friends this morning, as they weren’t allowed on the ship due to them not partaking in the journey. To which Rainbowdash claimed was “Bogus”. It took several minutes to calm her down enough to actually say their goodbyes. She had already done enough crying after they took their leave, it barely made Twilight’s eyes water to say goodbye to Celestia.

“Indeed, my little pony. I guess I must take my leave, and begin the trip back to Canterlot.”

“Bye, Princess. I’ll see you when we return. All in one piece of course.” Twilight may have misjudged how sad she actually felt. It was unusual for her to be this stressed, but made sense once she realized the high amounts of stress she was currently under. The emotional side was just a byproduct, nothing more.

“Goodbye, Twilight Sparkle. Stay safe, please. Also, I expect a progress report in three months time, sent as soon as you reach port in New Gryphon Stone.” Celestia’s eyes weren’t watering like Twilights, but her eyes told it all. She was inwardly bawling her eyes out, like a mother, whose foal just left to start his own life. Her expression owling fueled Twilight’s own.

“Y-yes, Princess. I’ll, I’ll have it done a-asap.”

And with that, Celestia indeed took her leave, not wanting to hold the submersible any longer. Twilight turned to look out the bridge’s viewport. Weeping silently to herself, as she thought about how much she’d be missing Celestia, and her friends, and- and Spike!

Twilight facehoofed herself hard. In her fervor to launch the vessel, she’d completely forgotten to say goodbye to Spike! She looked at the clock, on a panel to her right. It read:

15:59

7/21/1723

There was no hope in getting to him now. It was much too late. She sighed in sadness. Spike was gonna be very upset when she returned. Twilight heard hoof steps on the glass behind her. Quickly, she wiped away her tears, composed herself, and turned to the pony the approached her.

“Miss Sparkle, are you ready to set sail?” It was Captain Hills. His eyes seemed to be a little red and puffy as well. Twilight didn’t think he had anyone to say goodbye to. He really didn’t seem the family stallion. He was more the gruff, loner type.

“Yes, Captain. Indeed I think I am. Let us set sail right away.” Twilight was still partially grudged about her interaction with the stallion in the morning. She had, however, mostly let it go at this point. Especially after seeing him as he is now.

“Alrighty then.” He moved up to the microphone and switched the intercom from ‘off’ to ‘all’ and said, “All hooves, to your stations! We’re departing now, so brace yourselves while the submarine’s direction is corrected.” Twilight grabbed a side rail. The vessel was facing the wrong way for the speech, to show its bridge. In order to fix this, they had to pick her up with a crane, and rotate her one hundred and eighty degrees.

There were loud creaks in the hull as The Eclipse was lifted into the air. There were also extra strength spells added to her hull for this procedure, so she wouldn’t tear in half. Suddenly, and not all to smoothly, the submersible rotated, and creaked more, until being lowered back into dry dock.

“Alright,” Hills yelled to the bridge, having turned off the intercom, “Prelim Checks! Navigations?” he asked.

“Green!”

“Communications?”

“Good to go, Sir!”

“Helmspony?”

“All systems green! G-T-G!”

Hills turned on the intercom again, leaning to the microphone. “Medical?”

A raspy voice answered back, “Ready!”

“Engine bay?”

“We’re ready!”

Hills turned off the intercom once more, and shouted, “Bosun! Was that everything?”

“Yessir,” answered a pony from below.

“Alright, All systems are green, and good to go! Communications, tell dry dock to open the flood gates, we're setting sail!” Hills yelled out.

“Aye aye, Sir!” came a response.

“Helmspony, spin her up!” The engines came to life, and a loud whirring began, increasing in volume as they really got going.

Suddenly, a large gate in front of the craft opened up, unleashing a torrent of water. The huge swell was coming right for The Eclipse. Twilight tensed as she brace for impact. Her brace was needless as the water barely moved the ship. Now The Eclipse was completely submerged, and moving out of the dock, slowly at first, but started to pick up as her stern was almost out.

“Helmspony! Take us out of the bay area, and set course for New Gryphon Stone, deep as possible without touching the seafloor.” Hills barked. His captaining skills were superb, even though he captained a new type of craft.

“Aye aye, Sir! Setting course for New Gryphon Stone!” A pony bellowed from below.

Twilight watched as The Eclipse flew through the water, never taking her eyes off the sight, before zoning out. She couldn’t help but think of the journey ahead, and all those she left behind. But she remained optimistic about her endeavors. Hopefully, things would turn out okay…

Little did she and the crew know, this would be the last time The Eclipse ever saw Equestrian waters.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading this much into it. Please remember to help me make my writing better by leaving tips, and pointing any mistakes that slipped by me. :D