Beyond The Everfree Orb

Morning had arrived in Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle had just woken up, and made her way down to the library. She found a scroll tied in a red bow at her doorstep as she walked outside to check the mail. The purple unicorn pony used her magic to open the letter and she began to read it over.

“Dearest Twilight Sparkle, I have received your letter written in the darkest hours of the night last night, and I have made my decision as to what to do about this ongoing phenomenon. Since you were unable to find anything related to what could be happening, I have decided to send you and your friends on the journey of a lifetime. You will explore the Everfree area that is encased in the strange pink bubble and report back to me your findings. You six will go where nopony has dared to set hoof in ever since the event occurred. I know you will fulfill my assignment just as you did with the research project I have given you yesterday. I have faith in the six of you will adventure out and bring back information that will benefit ponykind. Signed, Princess Celestia.”

Twilight took a moment to process what the princess had just sent her. She knew she had to go get her friends and notify them immediately. Twi tossed the letter to the side as she prepared to go around Ponyville to where her friends reside.

“Spike, I’m gonna need to watch the library for a little bit, I’ve gotta go. I’ll explain later when I get back. It’s very important.”

She called out to her dragon assistant as she packed her bag and and headed out the door. It was a beautiful, seemingly normal day in Ponyville as the unicorn trotted to her friends places to recruit them on her journey. Her first stop was Fluttershy’s cottage. Twilight knocked on the shy pegasus pony’s door. “Um, yes, come in” she heard as the door opened in front of her.

“Oh Twilight, what are you doing here?”

Fluttershy and the purple unicorn stepped inside.
“I have some urgent news, from the princess. It’s about the pink sphere phenomenon surrounding Everfree forest.”

Twilight took out the letter and showed it to her friend.

“Oh my, that does sound exciting. My little Angel hasn’t been acting right ever since it appeared. I’d love go, but wh-what if we run into anything big, and scary?”

Fluttershy jumped at the thought of monsters lurking in the area.

“Fluttershy, this is important. Princess Celestia is sending us here for research. What we find may benefit all of Equestria. I’m sure whatever is out there won’t be too big or too scary for the six of us to handle. It won’t just be me and you, she’s sending all of us.”

Twilight explained the letter to the frightened pegasus. “Oh that does make a difference.” Fluttershy replied, coming to her senses. “In that case I’ll go, for Equestria! I just hope there aren’t any m-monsters!” The yellow and pink pony frantically flew to the other side of the cottage, much to Twilights frustration.

After much convincing, Twilight and Fluttershy went and got the others, and all met back at Golden Oak Library.
“Alright girls, here’s the plan. I hope you packed everything you need for our journey. This may be a long and exciting trip, and we may come across extraordinary things. I know we can do this, even if you’re as nervous as I am”

Twilight looked over her friends, then Spike.

“Spike, while we’re away, I’m extending your duties of watching over the library. No matter how long this quest takes us, I know you’re just the dragon for the job. After all, you are my number one assistant!”

Spike looked up at the bookish unicorn with modest eyes. “Hehe, sure Twilight! I’ll make sure nothing happens while you’re gone. What are assistants for?”

All of a sudden Spike felt the presence of a white hoof scratching atop his head.

“I just know my little Spikey-wikey is up to the task!”

Spike blushed as he heard Rarity’s reassurance. Twilight looked back one more time at the baby dragon as he waved goodbye. “Good luck everypony!” he called out, as the group of friends stepped out the door, and into the unknown.