Across The Pond

"There is is" Rainbow Dash said excitedly. After Spike had told them what had happened they bought the next Train ride to Canterlot to speak with Princess Celestia. There wasn't a Train available right away however, they had to wait until early morning. The sun was just begging to rise and all the others had passed out due to exhaustion. The only thing that allowed Rainbow Dash to stay awake to wake them when they had arrived was the fact she had slept through most of that day.

Spike was the first to fully wake up, already being used to waking up without enough sleep due to Twilight's late night escapades with her books and studies, however it didn't make him any less grumpy. "I can't believe Celestia just raised the sun like everything was fine" Spike said with a huff in his voice.

Rarity took an every so lady like yawn before saying "Well it isn't as though Celestia can ignore her royal duties Spike, she does have an image to keep up after all Spike."

"b'sides we don't even know if she is in any trouble sugarcube" Applejack reassuringly told Spike.

The train slowed to a stop and the 5 ponies and baby dragon exited the train cart. They had rode the Friendship Express to Canterlot many times since they had met Twilight and knew where to go. After a few minutes of walking through the city they had finally come to the castle gates.

The Guards recognized the small group as the bearers of the Elements of Harmony and allowed them to pass. A few more minutes pass and they reached the royal throne room.

Celestia sat atop her throne. As she saw the six walk in Celestia waved away her guards with a hoof. "Good, you've arrived" said Celestia. "If you would wait, Luna is about to return and we can begin" she continued.

Just as Celestia had said that Luna swiftly walked in through the doors they had just came through, carrying a large, rolled up piece of paper. The paper itself looked old, the coloration was off in different places and the whole thing was a few shades darker than any of them had seen before.

Luna put the paper in her hoof "We hath brought the item thou has asked of us" Luna said triumphantly.

"Thank you Luna" Celestia said as Luna trotted up and handed the decrepit paper over.

Celestia used her magic to lift the paper from Luna's hoof and slowly unroll it. It was a map, one that covered everything on their planet. From every small island inside a lake to the whole of Equestria. from where the changelings called home to the volcano the dragons used as one of their migration spot. Though There seemed to be more than any of them remember from time in school. If there was a new continent discovered surely it would have been big news, so why did this map seem so much more complete than any other. Before anypony could ask Celestia's answer came.

"I'm sure you all are wondering why i'm showing you a map of the world. I'm also sure you are all curious as to why this particular map seems to have a little bit added." Celestia said from behind the map, Celestia then moved the map over to the side and looked at the group of friends her faithful student had acquired during her stay in Ponyville.

"Well the answer is simple. My Little Ponies, what you are looking at is one of the only complete maps of this world" Celestia's voice was intense but it still managed to sound soothing.

"Well if that is a complete map of the world why haven't any of us seen it when we were in school?" Rainbow asked rather indignantly.

"I have gone through great lengths to keep the existence of this place a secret" Celestia told Rainbow while pointing towards the foreign land mass. "And my reason for that is simple, the creatures that inhabit that land are very different from us, they harm each other for no reason and i didn't want them corrupting the citizens of Equestria."

Everypony just stared at her, unable to say a word. When Celestia saw none of them had anything to say, she continued. "many years ago we came across this land and met with it's leaders. We established a deal, so to speak. We all convince our citizens nothing is out beyond the waters and there is no point trying and in return, I would not interfere with their business, a deal I was happy to accept."

"So what's this got to do with Twilight" ask Spike. All he cared about was finding he life long friend, he could care less about some ancient conspiracy.

"That's just it, Twilight has gone to the land I speak of." Celestia said somberly.

"Whatever that place is, it's a long ways off from here. How can you be sure?" asked Applejack

"When Twilight lived in Canterlot I grew accustomed to the magical feel of her spell. Whenever she would cast a particularly powerful one I could feel it. And this morning I felt her cast quite the spell, it started in Ponyville and ended right. about. here." Celestia said as she pointed towards the mid southernmost region of the large land mass. "I'm not sure where specifically but I know she is somewhere there and at later today an airship will take a small group of volunteers from my guard to go and find her" Celestia finished with a smile, pleased with the fact everything had a plan and with any luck Twilight would be on her way home soon.

"I wanna volunteer princess" said Rainbow. "If you really think that place is dangerous then we wan't to be there to help find her"

"Rainbows right your highness, I think I speak for all of us when I say we want to be there for Twilight" Rarity added.

"Very well, the airship leaves at noon, be in the courtyard by then." Celestia said.

They were all on their way out the door when Celestia called out again "Oh, and my little ponies" everypony turned their heads to look at their ruler "do be careful" Celestia cautioned "We will, don't worry princess" Applejack reassured her.

After they had left Spike said "well I guess we should pack huh?"

"Ooh I wonder what the weather is like in that part of the world this time of year?" asked rarity as her brow began to furrow. "Should I pack warm or would a nice coat be more proper, oh what will I do" Rarity said as her hoofs began to move up and down in excitement, she never did get to go to many new places and who new what this trip might bring, for all she knew the land had changed since Celestia had visited; after all, earth ponies, pegusi, and unicorns didn't always get along the way they do now.

"We'll meet back up in the courtyard at noon, in the meantime, everypony try to find something useful to bring" said Applejack, putting emphases on the word useful as she stared at Rarity thought Rarity didn't seem to notice.

Ra'Zahmirr entered a dark looking room accompanied by two heavily armed Altmer. The room was dimly lit by a few candles that sat along the back of an almost throne like chair. In the chair sat a Altmer that was unusually tall, but built. This High Elf had muscles that rivaled that of the Nord warriors Ra'Zahmirr had heard stories of. Along the walls were several painting. Ra'Zahmirr couldn't make out who was in the paintings but made note for his Lords like of art.

The High elf in the chair finally spoke "Is everything in order?"

"Yes, Lord Aramoth" respond Ra'Zahmirr with a bow.

"And the unicorn?" Lord Aramoth

"completely trusting" said Ra'Zahmirr who allowed a laugh to escape as he thought of how blindingly the creature would follow orders. "Do you really think we can get that much for it?" asked Ra'Zahmirr

"Oh Ra'Zahmirr you have no idea what people would pay for a creature like that." asked Lord Aramoth "Well let's just say it's quite a bit."

"But why, what would be the purpose of owning such a thing?" asked Ra'Zahmirr

"Who knows Ra'Zahmirr, make them fight, eat them perhaps. What difference does it make so long as we get paid" came Lord Aramoth in a sinister voice.

"I am still getting paid right?" asked Ra'Zahmirr

There was a pause before Lord Aramoth continued "So long as you get it to Riverhold and it reaches the clients hands without being damaged Ra'Zahmirr"