Chapter 1: Into The North
Twilight stood before Princess Celestia in the throne room. It was clear what this meeting was about now. The north. An unexplored place, the frontier that stood before the ponies, waiting to be discovered. Twilight's friends had also been enlisted to be members of the expedition, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Futtershy. Going along with them will be Shining Armor and a small group of his soldiers and Princess Luna. Twilight was worried about the safety of the moon princess, but she knew that Luna could take care of herself.
“Canterlot's finest carpenters and engineers are working on your transportation as we speak.” Celestia said. “It will be finished in five days, so I suggest that you prepare for the trip.” and with that, the meeting was over. The princesses left the throne room, leaving Twilight and her friends with Shining Armor. “See you there, B.B.B.F.F..” Twilight said, hugging her brother. “You too, Twily.” Shining Armor responded. The two siblings went their separate ways, one to Canterlot's barracks, the other, to Ponyville.
Five Days Later....
Twilight stood at the Castle Grounds, she had left Ponyville along with her friends before dawn. Shining Armor and Lune were there too, waiting for them. The chariot that had picked them up flew away, into the still starry sky. Soon, Twilight would be leaving the very place she called home, in search of a land she never knew about. Princess Celestia approached them and said, smiling, “Follow me.” her subjects did as she asked. They headed for the castle barracks, which was an open area used by guard ponies to train. Now, however, something else occupied the space.
In the middle of the barracks was a ship, but not just any other ship, it was an airship, sleek and streamlined. It was the most unique ship Twilight had ever seen. The balloons that were attached to it were pure white, the only design was a golden sun and a luminous moon, representing Celestia's and Luna's symbols of power. The bow of the ship was carved into the shape of an eagle's head, it's guardrails were golden brown and they glowed with a faint light. Behind the twin balloons were propellers. The name of the ship was Eagle. Maintenance ponies went about the ship, minding their business.
“I wish you all the best of luck.” Celestia said.
The airship came to life, as complex mechanisms fired up the balloons and started the propellers. Twilight was awed by the genius minds who had created the ship. The Eagle rose to the sky. Twilight waved down at Celestia below, the princess waved back. Twilight knew she could not fail her mentor, she had the honor of discovering the north. It was her objective to find out what exactly is in the frontier that they would soon explore. “I can't wait to see the north!” Spike said, Twilight smiled gently, “Yes, Spike. Me too...”
Twilight went up to the captain's quarters, where Shining Armor was discussing things with his lieutenant, Compass. The silvery earth pony noticed Twilight and said, “Ah. Miss Twilight, welcome.” Twilight smiled at Compass and looked at her brother, “How long till we reach the north?” she asked. “Judging from what Compass said, it will take a day or so if we maintain our current speed.” the older unicorn replied. Twilight nodded, understanding. The airship continued north, soon it would pass the mountains that separated Central Equestria from Northern Equestria. Twilight hoped they would find a local population of ponies, she wanted to know more about this unexplored place.
One Day Later...
The mountains were already visible on the horizon. Twilight and her friends watched excitedly as the Eagle came closer to the mountain range. The Mountains of Mist, the ponies called it, and there was no need to ask why. As they got closer, the ponies noticed dense clouds that hung above to mountains, blocking their view of what was beyond. “It seems like something doesn't want us to cross the mountains.” Shining Armor observed. Twilight nodded, “Perhaps we could get higher?” she asked Compass. The stallion shouted an order and the airship rose higher, above the mist.
As they went across the mist, Twilight thought she heard the flapping of wings, she looked around the ship, not a single pegasus was moving his or her wings. That was strange. Then, she heard the distant rumbling of thunder beneath them, it appears that the mist was actually storm clouds. Another strange thing. Twilight thought storm clouds never gathered in one place and stayed there. Shining Armor looked into the horizon and sighed in relief, “We are crossing the border!” he said.
The ponies cheered.
Twilight beamed at her brother, this was an achievement they both shared. The honor of finding the north. She looked into the horizon, they were approaching fast. Then they all heard it. A distant screech followed by the roar of thunder. The flapping of enormous wings was heard, at first fainter, then louder. Everypony remained silent, waiting for something to happen. Then beside the ship, the mist parted. A gigantic eagle rose up, blocking the light of the sun and casting a shadow above the airship. At first, Twilight thought a rainbow was forming above them, then she realized that they were actually luminescent lights that the creature produced from its body.
At first, the creature observed the airship, as if it were waiting for a certain action. It scanned the ship with its golden eyes, the ponies just stared back in fear and awe at the sight of the eagle. Twilight eyed its actions, it just soared there, doing nothing at all. Occasionally, it screeched, sending a chill through everypony's spine and it was always followed by the distant rumbling of thunder. By now, they had crossed the border, Twilight finally knew how the north looked like. Large pine trees dotted the landscape, mountains were peaked with snow, snow also covered the ground and creatures roamed freely. It was a snowy wonderland. Twilight noticed a clump of small tents in the distance, smoke rose from the little village.
Then she noticed the giant bird was gone. Nevertheless, she ignored the strange events that had recently happened.
It was now time to explore the North...
Author's Note: Hey guys! Here's a little thing that came up in my mind randomly. Hence the "Random" tag. Anyways I hope you enjoy this, leave me some feedback and I hope to continue this with you guys!
The Eagle landed on a clearing not far from the border. It seemed out of the way, as it was surrounded by cliffs and rocks. The crew began unpacking the needed materials for the trip. Some ponies were to stay with the airship and wait for the return of the traveling group. If they ever return at all. They did not know what wandered in this snowy land. Anything can happen in an unexplored place.
They did not know where the giant eagle had gone, but they were relieved that the creature did not attack them on sight.
“Hey, Shining Armor...what is that?” Twilight pointed on a cliff. There, standing above them and observing was a figure. It was hard to tell exactly what it was, but they could make out a hood made out of fur.
Then the figure stood up. It was a pony, wearing what looked like a bear's pelt, complete with a hood. The pony leaped off the cliff, it landed on a tree, as fast as lightning, it jumped off the branch it was standing on and caught the attention of everypony in the clearing.
Then it took off its hood. It was a stallion. A blue earth pony with dark red eyes. His mane and tail were red also. The strange thing about this pony was that he had no cutie mark. He stared at Shining Armor and Twilight with his stunning red eyes. It was Twilight who spoke first.
“Hello, we have not come to harm you, but rather to explore your land.” she said gently to the stallion.
“You have come at an unexpected time.” the stallion said. Twilight was surprised he spoke the same language. The pony continued, “My people have not seen strangers in this land before.” he said. “But I welcome you, as long as you don't lose my trust we will remain at peace.”
“Of course.” Twilight replied.
“I believe you may have met Thunderbird?” the stallion asked.
“Who's Thunderbird?” was the reply of Shining Armor.
As if on cue, the flapping of wings could be heard.
The silhouette of a large bird blocked the sunlight. It cast a shadow over the ponies. Thunderbird landed beside the stallion. The ponies watched in fear and awe as Thunderbird let out a mighty screech.
The stallion stepped forward.
“I am Unbroken Spirit.” he said, bowing down to Twilight and her brother.
“It is not us you should bow to, but to our leader, Princess Luna.” Twilight said. Princess Luna walked up beside her, and smiled at Unbroken Spirit.
“I thank you for welcoming us to this land.” she said formally.
“It is my pleasure.” was the reply.
“Come. I shall show you my people.” Unbroken Spirit said.
Twilight, along with her friends, followed Unbroken Spirit. Princess Luna and Shining Armor would catch up with them for they had other duties to fulfill.
Above them, Thunderbird soared, keeping a watchful eye. It was clear now that he was given the task to watch the travelers. Shining Armor looked at it, then he felt a chill run through his spine. The creature was staring back with its golden eyes. He shook off the nervous feeling and went inside the airship.
Twilight and her friends followed Unbroken Spirit. She was not certain of it, but there was something in the stallion that attracted her.
Through the forest they all went, alone. Thunderbird was back in the encampment. Minutes passed and they now stood at the edge of the woods. In the distance, Twilight could see a small clump of huts surrounding a fire.
“Come. We are not far.” Unbroken Spirit said.
“Can you tell me about your people's culture?” Twilight asked.
Unbroken Spirit looked at her with his startlingly red eyes. Twilight's heart skipped a beat. She found them unusually beautiful.
“I will tell you when we get there.” he replied.
They had arrived at the village. Its inhabitants stared in wonder at the strangers that were brought before them. Unbroken Spirit stepped forward, and spoke to his people in a language Twilight and her friends could not understand.
Once he had finished speaking, Unbroken Spirit produced a necklace from his coat. It was a simple necklace. A small rope holding a stone eagle's head. He muttered something in his language, and instantly, the small statuette glowed a gentle blue.
Thunder rumbled in the distance, and the sky turned black. Clouds gathered above them, forming an upside down whirlpool. The funnel seemed to go on forever into the sky. After a few minutes, Twilight saw lights forming inside the funnel. The locals started chanting as the lights intensified.
Then the clouds exploded into luminescent lights that danced in the sky. Within the lights, Twilight saw the forms of ponies and creatures. There were eagles, mammoths and there was even a dragon. It was beautiful. Her friends stared in awe at the lights that illuminated them. Then an eagle larger than Thunderbird flew down from the lights. This one was older, more powerful. It landed in front of Unbroken Spirit and let out a screech.
The dancing lights vanished, and the eagle turned to face them. It was just like the other forms. It was made of a golden light that radiated authority and power. The eagle looked at the six friends with its piercing eyes. It sent a clear message: do not mess with the North. Then it spread its wings and flew off, turning into nothing but a gust of wind.
Unbroken Spirit looked at them. And he walked deeper into the settlement. Twilight followed. Her friends were now introducing themselves to the locals, despite the different languages they spoke.
“Hey, Spirit?” Twilight asked, “How come you could speak our language but your people can't?”
The blue stallion stopped and turned.
“I will explain to you later.” he replied.
Twilight was about to say something when a loud roar interrupted her. A large shadow loomed above them. Unbroken Spirit looked up to see a large, gray and white dragon soaring overhead. Then it swooped down, roaring in fury.
Unbroken Spirit closed his eyes, and tried all that he could to summon Thunderbird with his necklace.
Then the flapping of great wings could be heard.
Author's Note: Hey guys! Sorry for the extreme wait, but here it is! I had a lot of stuff to do, but I had the free time. Also, I need some suggestions. Do you guys know any other creatures of the snow? Tell me in the comments section down below.
