I open the map as I have done a thousand times. There are crosses and markers I've placed all around to show where I've gone and yet to go. This is part of a routine I've been following for six years.
You may wonder what I'm trying to find that warrants a six year search. Well, it isn't treasure. It's something much more valuable than that.
My sister.
Six years ago, I was sound asleep with my two other friends. Namely, Applebloom and Scootaloo. It had been a few months after gaining our cutie marks, which we were most joyous about. We even termed ourselves 'The Cutie Mark Crusaders'.
How I long for those sweet days.
When day broke, I left the bed to greet my sister, as I daily did. We don't always see each other as Rarity is most busy with either fashion or saving the world.
As I trotted over to the crystal tree where she lived with her friends, I noticed something. There was an increasing lack of ponies around. It was as if something had happened that gathered them all someplace. I felt deserted and frankly worried.
When I reached the crystal tree, that was where I found the commotion. All ponies were huddled around, whispering and murmuring curiously.
I pushed my way through the crowd and into the tree, seeing Twilight Sparkle speaking to all the gathered ponies.
"Listen everypony! We have an announcement to make. If any of you see Rarity, who has a cutie mark of three diamonds, tell us immediately."
Now my heart was beating rapidly. I felt it rise up to my chest and put me in a chokehold.
Twilight saw me through the crowd and motioned for me to come over. The gathered ponies left and scattered around, some heading back to their homes and some commencing to search.
"Twilight, what's going on?" I asked.
She looked at me and gave a small pat, "Oh nothing, it's just that Rarity has been gone somewhere and we're looking for her. She's probably on an errand and didn't tell us. Just go back with your friends, dear."
And so I did. When I came back to the treehouse where Scootaloo and Applebloom were, they noticed my distressed expression.
I told them that something had happened with Rarity, and if they did not find her tommorow, we would personally look for them ourselves.
The day passed, and no sign had shown that she was found.
Two days pass, and I haven't fulfilled my promise to start looking.
Three days pass, and I've had enough.
I go to Applebloom, note in my magical grasp. The note would tell Twilight that I would be gone to look for my sister. Applebloom would give the note three days ahead of when I leave, so that when they start looking for me, I'll already be far gone.
In my mind, I thought it would take me at least a month. Little did I know what I'd gotten myself into.
I went towards the path of the Everfree Forest, knowing that the only way to truly go beyond Equestria was through there. After having asked many ponies, the last known location of Rarity was this forest.
I had my equipment with me. Some food and a couple of books for learning magic spells. If I wanted to find Rarity, I knew I would traverse through the path of danger.
I took my first step into the forest, waving goodbye to Applebloom and Scootaloo, who would be taking another path beyond Equestria.
I still don't know where those two are. When I said goodbye to them, a part of me knew that it might be the last time I saw them.
Unfortunately, it was right.
Now I was cautiously walking through the harrowing Everfree, with every crack of a branch and twirp of a bird making me jump. Out of nowhere, I charged up my horn and ran through.
In retrospect, that was the dumbest idea I'd ever had. Even leaving was dumb.
But I had to. I had to find my sister.
No matter what the cost.
Drip. Drip.
"Wake up sleepy head."
Drip. Drip.
"Come on, Sweetie. Time to go."
Awake. My eyes are open and my head is in unbearable pain.
"Ugh. Give me a sec, Spike. Yesterday was rough."
Okay. So where are we now, you're wondering.
Well, we're currently on the sixth year of searching for my sister. The drip that you heard was from the little motel we stayed in. It was full of roaches and a rancid smell, but by now that was the least of my problems.
Spike had been with me around two years after I had left. It turns out that quite a few daring souls were ready to risk everything to find Rarity.
I left the motel, feeling the warmth of summer across my fur.
We were in an urban, desert-like area, where the citizens wore tunics that could only remind me of Saddle Arabia. Funnily, we were as far away from that place as possible.
I put on my scarf to avoid sucking in the sand and dust. We left the motel and paced through the narrow alleyways.
I checked my map, looking over at the spots I've crossed out. I noticed I had left a little note where my next location was.
'Mare with white coat and three diamond cutie marks rumored to have passed here. Be prepared. This place has been marked as changeling paradise.'
I looked over at Spike. He had as much a determination in his eyes as I had. We both loved Rarity, and neither of us could just sit and wait.
I looked straight, watching the sun rise. The orange streaks of light telling me one thing.
I was going to find my sister.
