G5: A Spell Recastby GlacideaChaptersA New FriendMore Than Hot AirBarriersHot Air Balloon RideStar in the SkyA New FriendThe usually sunny skies of Maritime Bay were overtaken by a dark downpour. Sunny stood numb beside a large photo of her recently deceased father and a pile of meaningless flowers. Sniffles were heard through the crowd before her. She was expected to say something. It was customary. She had watched her father accomplish that with her mother over a decade ago. No words came. What could she even say? This was so meaningless. As meaningless as a dock in a town that never saw a single ship. “Do you want me to take over?” Hitch whispered to her as he stood beside her in his new town protector uniform. She glanced at him and his eyes held such earnest concern, she had to look away. She nodded. He walked forward to the podium. “As future sheriff of Maritime Bay, it’s up to me to step in when a citizen needs a helping hoof. And until Sunny can find her voice, I’ll provide mine.” He looked to her again. She didn’t meet his eyes, but nodded. “Argyle Starshine kept our seas safe with his maintained light guiding us to shore. He was also the best historian our town has ever had. If you have foals, you’ve probably helped them with some homework out of his books. His sudden loss will be felt for generations.” “Will it?” Sunny managed. There was a gasp as Hitch awkwardly looked at the crowd and stood in front of Sunny with a cough. “Grief is hard and complex for all of us. Some feel sorrow, some anger, and some helplessness. If you or anyone you know needs help through this difficult time, please talk to someone. You can find my dad and I at the sheriff station.” Sunny sighed. The crowd nodded knowingly. As if they knew anything. “Beloved father, husband, and a valued member of our community. I now turn it over to Jazz Hooves as she plays Argyle favorite song.” Jazz took her cue and started playing a slow piano dirge. Hitch turned to Sunny. “This is a dumb question, but are you okay?” Sunny sighed, ignoring him. She looked up at the crowd. He ear perked as she realized what song was playing. “Oh! Wait!” Jazz stopped suddenly, keys plunking. The crowd coughed and mumbled to each other. “This isn’t actually my dad’s favorite song.” She found words she didn’t know she had. “He would sing a lullaby to me often. He came up with it when I was having a lot of nightmares as a very young filly.” She stopped, looking around feeling out of place. “Would it be okay if I sang it?” Hitch motioned forward. “Of course, Sunny.” Sunny took a deep breath. Glimmer little night time light Journey with the stars Share with the world our words Guide us all through hope She looked out at the crowd. There were tears, smiles, nods. The rain was clearing up and a small beam of light warmed her coat. She felt a grand swell in her chest of emotions she could not name, but they formed through the lullaby as she sang a new verse. Continue on our little Star Scout The Galaxy will call to you Old flames will burn anew You are the story’s truth … Twilight, Celestia, and Luna took flight through the clouds above. What Twilight wouldn’t give for the speed of Rainbow Dash right now. The island seemed a lot closer from the ground. “We are almost there!” Celestia shouted against the wind. Her words brought Twilight renewed strength as the three continued their ascent. Despite the air feeling lighter, she could still breathe. The air was frosty and ice formed on their wings. Finally ground was in sight. Twilight landed hard, panting. Luna and Celestia taking a more graceful stance on either side of her. After she caught her breath, she noticed the air around her was still and quiet. She looked to Celestia and Luna. “Is it normally this quiet?” Twilight asked. Before Celestia could answer, the sound of hoof falls approached. The dark starry sky of the upper atmosphere shrouded who they belonged to. “Hello?” Twilight called out. “We come bearing you no ill intentions. We noticed your land had come to a halt and wanted to offer assistance if it was needed.” “You smell of the dirt below.” A crimson alicorn with white braids and ringlets that reflected the moonlight above spat with palpable disgust. “Opaline!” Celestia gasped, surprised to see a familiar face. “Opaline?” Twilight asked, looking from Celestia’s furrowing brow and Opaline’s catlike grin. “Hah! I’m surprised you would remember me. You and your sister never had time for a lowly fire alicorn with your sun and moon thing before. And now you come crawling back with not a crown on your head.” She cackled as she paced around them, her hair catching the moonlight. “Where are the other alicorns?” Luna demanded, furrowing her brow. “You are in no position to demand anything of me in that weakened state. You lost the one stand out thing about you and for what? This…this…thing?” She motioned to Twilight. “You know nothing of what we’ve done in the thousands of moons since we have been in Equestria. We’ve changed, but it appears you are the same petulant child you always were.” Celestia stood her ground. “Hey! Hey every pony! Let’s calm down.” Twilight trotted forward, standing between the two. “Opaline, is it?” “Opaline Arcana and you would do good to address me by my full title and to not interrupt when actual alicorns are talking.” Twilight ignored her. “Opaline Arcana, we are here to offer assistance. Skyros has never stood still in the sky before and we want to help if you would allow it.” Opaline held her wings out. They and her horn ignited with a hot, white flame. She sent the flames in all directions lighting torches around the courtyard they found themselves in. There were grand, marble walls and stair cases going every which way adorned with gold and silver inlay creating regal patterns along every surface. Precious diamonds and other stones created points of interest within the inlay. The grass below their hooves was a vibrant shade of green, manicured to perfection with not even a daisy out of place. The torches themselves stood on silver poles with intricately pieces of metal snaking their way along the surface. The buildings stretched higher than Twilight could see by torchlight. She felt small, nothing in Equestria was this ornate. It was intimidating. At her expression, Opaline cackled, her laughter echoed off marbled walls. “Opaline, what’s going on out there? Who are you talking to?” A voice echoed down causing her laughter to catch in her throat. She coughed a bit, regained her composure and called back “We have visitors your majesty.” She turned back to them with a sneer. “Things have changed my dear Sun and Moon since you lost cantered across these halls. You would do good to remember that.” … Her little house was attached to the lighthouse that lit her little bay at night where no one ever docked. As she cooked, she watched foals running around, her elder neighbor watering her plants. A beautiful town with the same ponies every day. No new faces. No new voices. No new canters. And she was so bored of it all. She pulled on her skates and helmet with a dulled expression that softened when she saw the photo of her dearly departed father by the door. She slammed it behind her and was on her way to the center of Maritime Bay. A town by the sea, what could be more idyllic Ocean breeze and pleasant sun, a smell so specific Moors surrounding, beyond where the eye can see A place where every pony is simply content to be But day by day I find it all so boring The same old thing, I’m practically snoring No one seems to notice, no one seems to care How stale to keep breathing this same air She reached the town and picked up a smoothie. Kale again. She received the same good mornings she had every day of her life. Hitch was directing people through busy cross sections as always. Cue Ms Cloverleaf turning her nose in the air at the smell from the vegan cookie stand. Am I the only one Who feels the chill of the familiar Am I the only one Who feels each day is just filler Can’t be the only one Who wants to reconfigure And yet here we are, I’m the odd one out, I just need something new Sunny rolled up to the doors of the bookstore and hung her skates in the back room, preparing to start her shift. Dahlia pointed toward a stack of books. She grabbed them and took them to the shelves to put out, navigating around the browsers and readers. Am I the only one Who feels the chill of the familiar Am I the only one Who feels each day is just filler Can’t be the only one Who wants to reconfigure I wish I could describe, it’s not pride It’s the plot of a story no one knew I just want a different end She was sliding along the ladder when she misjudged the steps and fell, dropping her stack. “Sunny, are you making a mess again?”Dahlia sighed from the front, turning a page in her magazine. She didn’t need to look up to know what was going on. “Do I fall everyday?” She asked aloud to no answer. She sighed and shelved the last few books. The clock chimed noon. Lunch time for teachers. Which could only mean. “Achem!” She heard the familiar snooty sound of somepony clearing their throat. “Hello Ms Cloverleaf, what can I do for you today?” Sunny said with the biggest customer service smile she could manage. And despite knowing exactly what she wanted. “It’s been a rough lesson and I need something to unwin—oh!” Ms Cloverleaf was interrupted by Sunny handing her the book ‘The Stallion at Midnight.’ “That’s exactly—” “When you work at a bookstore long enough, you get a feel for these things.” Sunny nodded, pleased that for once she would dodge upsetting Ms Cloverleaf. “And why would you assume I’d want some filthy book such as this?” Sunny’s face fell, dumbfounded. “But... But you always…” “I always what?” Ms Cloverleaf spat back. “Hah! You’re in trouble,” Sprout laughed from the comic book rack. “You always..seem to like…stories about…strong mares…?” Sunny managed. Ms Cloverleaf snorted. “Bring me the manager!” Everyone gasped, looking at Sunny. Her ears pinned back as she glanced over to Dahlia who was rubbing her forehead with a hoof. … “Hey Sunny!” Hitch trotted over, his sheriff badge gleaming in the setting sun. A passing mare waved at him and he smiled a self assured smile back with a wink. She swooned. Sunny rolled her eyes. “Hey Hitch,” she sighed, slumping onto the sidewalk. “Rough day?” He asked, sitting beside her. “I was fired.” Sunny groaned. “Fired!” Hitch looked puzzled. “That can happen? I don’t think anyone’s ever lost a job here before.” “You really know how to cheer a girl up.” Sunny rolled her eyes. “Ah! Oh! Sorry. That really stinks. What happened?” “I’m surprised you hadn’t heard. It’s only been the talk of the whole town.” Sunny gestured widely. “Ms Cloverleaf asked to speak to the manager.” “Oooooh, yeah, that is not good.” Hitch whinced. “And it’s just because I brought her a book I knew she’d like. It’s like all the other books she reads. She loves those cheap, cheesy romance novels. So I saved us the trouble of her drawing out what she’s looking for and just handed her the latest one.” Sunny groaned in frustration. “You know Ms Cloverleaf. She is a pony of habit.” Hitch offered a small chuckle. “Everyone in Maritime Bay is a pony of habit.” She sighed. The sun was starting to make its descent overhead as the sky grew a beautiful shade of orange. “Speaking of, it’s light house time.” Hitch motioned with his head. Sunny pulled herself off the ground. “Yeah. Yeah it is.” “Catch you tomorrow.” Hitch smiled and trotted off. “Yeah. Yeah you will.” Sunny pulled on her skates, absolutely done with the day. She hurried home and up the stairs of the lighthouse. Why was she even bothering. No one was coming. She turned a crank that brought the white, round gem up into place. It lit up as the crank stopped turning, pointed toward the docks. Sunny looked at all the desks with various papers scattered across them covered in dust. She hadn’t the heart to touch anything in this room since her dad arrived. “I just want something different, something more, to happen. I want to meet someone new.” She often spoke to herself in this room. She liked to imagine her dad could hear her. It was comforting. As she turned to leave, she over guessed her step and tumbled into one of the tables. Her dad’s special lantern clattered to the floor. “Oh no!” She jumped up, setting it back into place, making sure nothing was broken. “Lantern!” She exclaimed, digging through the closet and pulling out a paper lantern. She hadn’t made one of these since she was a filly. She grabbed a scroll and wrote “You have friends in Maritime Bay” on it and tied it to the lantern. She brought it outside, lit the candle and released it into the night sky. It brought comfort to her to do something like this. Glimmer little night time light Journey with the stars Share with the world our words Guide us all through hope She sang with a content sigh. As she walked down the many stairs, she felt a new sense of determination. “Tomorrow I should go back and apologize to Dahlia. Or maybe I can apply for a job at the library. There’s better books at the library.” She prepared herself a meal and then snuggled into bed. “Tomorrow will be better, I just know it.” … Sunny woke to her alarm, feeling excited and determined. She sprang out of bed, leaving the blankets where they fell. She combed her mane, braided her hair, brushed her teeth, picked out her best horse shoes, and gave herself an approving nod in the mirror. “Today is gonna be my day.” Good morning, sun No time to chat, I gotta run 'Cause I've got places to be So much to do Excited, yes and nervous, too A change is starting with me I never worry 'bout upsetting carts, hardened hearts Or wonder "Will I belong?" She sang as she cantered to the kitchen. She had given herself enough time to bake a batch of apology cookies. She divided them out, one for Dahlia and one for Ms Cloverleaf, and placed them in colorful bags she tied with a bow. I've heard it enough I'm callin' their bluff I'll never get lost in the grey There's something inside Burns bigger than pride Shines out of me, lighting the way She put the cookies in her bag and tied on her skates. “Safety first!” She exclaimed as she almost forgot her helmet. She could feel it, today was going to be different! She hurried out the door in excitement. Gonna be, gonna be, gonna be my day (be my day) Gonna be, gonna be, gonna be my day (oh-oh-oh-oh) Gonna be, gonna be, gonna be my day (gonna be my day) Gonna be my day (ooh-ooh) Her singing came to a sudden halt as she ran into into a lavender pony with a light blue and purple mane. She fell on her back and shook her head to clear her vision. The purple pony leaned over her with a wide smile. Sunny’s eyes widened in shock as she saw her pale blue horn standing tall against blue curls. “Hello new friend!” “AHH!” Sunny screamed, scrambling to her feet as fast as she could, but falling again due to the roller skates. In the crash, her cookies had fallen out of her bag. “Here let me get those for ya.” The unicorn levitated the cookies back into the bag and then picked Sunny up with her magic and set her on the ground. She rolled forward slightly, a stunned expression on her face. “That’s better!” The unicorn’s overly genuine smile met Sunny’s shocked silence. “My name is Izzy! Izzy Moonbow.” “Uhh, hi! I’m, uh, Sunny Starscout.” She stammered as she regained her composure. “Wait. You’re a unicorn!” Izzy laughed. “Well yeah, silly. I mean I do have this horn and I can do this!” She picked up a stone on the path with her magic and tossed it. “I mean, I can’t really do much more than that, but you get the idea.” “You’re a unicorn.” Sunny whispered to herself as her lace lit up. She started jumping in excitement. “You’re a unicorn!” Izzy watched her jump with confusion. “You’re an earth pony. Woo. Hooray?” She raised a hoof in an awkward but earnest celebration. “Oh, sorry, can we start the introduction over? It’s just, we don’t get visitors. Ever.” Izzy giggled with a snort. “Sure, new friend. My name is Izzy! Izzy Moonbow.” Sunny laughed. “I’m Sunny Starscout. It’s amazing to meet you! How did you find us?” Izzy out a hoof to her chin in thought. “I saw this weird light in the sky and I followed it and some other stuff happened and now here I am!” “I didn’t think anyone else could actually come here! I have so many question! You have to tell me everything! What’s it like to use magic? Where do you live? Do you guys have bookstores? Are there other unicorn out there?” Sunny pulled out a journal and a quill. “I have to write it all down! Is this what my dad felt like when he wrote his own books?” Before Izzy could answer the far too many questions, they heard a voice calling from up the road. “Sunny! Sunny are you okay? Posey told me she heard screaming up here.” “Oooh, is that another new friend?” Izzy clapped her hooves together. They jangled with her many bracelets. “Oh there you are Sun—“ Hitch noticed the unicorn standing beside his childhood best friend. “AAAAHHH!” He screamed stumbling back. “I get that a lot.” She and Sunny laughed as they helped Hitch up. Author's Note I had too much fun writing Izzy in this part More Than Hot AirAuthor's Note I had a lot of fun writing about Skyros this chapter. I like telling the story of Twilight’s time and the present with Sunny and friends together. Can’t wait to show where these two will weave! More Than Hot Air Night caressed the landscape of the castle grounds. King Calathea could not think of a better sight than the grandeur of his walls. He had picked this specific color of marble as it complimented his dark, regal green coat and light, mint flowing mane. Even his crown felt more a continuation of his mane and horn than it did an accessory. He was born to rule and would always through eternity. No one had a better destiny than he and it brought him great comfort and pride. His night was perfect, his gardens perfect, not a hair out of place, not a servant out of line—WHOOOSH. He rushed to the window at the sound of fire and echoing laughter. Ugh the laughter. His laughter was far better than this. How dare it interrupt his royal admiration of self. This laughter could only one mare. “Opaline, What’s going on out there? Who are you talking to?” He called down, raising his voice enough to be heard but not to a level that could risk damaging such a polished and perfect symphonic masterpiece. “We have visitors your majesty,” she called up to him. “Visitors how quant. How…” He stopped mid thought. “What do you mean we have visitors?” He called back. What a preposterous claim. “Two returned alicorns and one new.” Opaline’s distaste was palpable. Calathea gasped. “Returned! That can only mean—“ He ran full gallop through the halls. “Everyone, awaken!” He shouted, rising his citizens from their slumber and hobbies. He skidded to a halt in front of a blue alicorn with a mustache and coifed pink mane. “Blueregard, my dear butler, please send the knights to gather those in town. Our sun and moon are back!” Blueregard’s expression had been one of bored duty, but lit up at this statement. “Oh at once, sire. It will be my honor.” He galloped out of the room as Calathea continued his way down. He half expected this to be a joke or a mirage, but no one would joke about something so serious. In the history of their grand civilization, there had been only three falls, all tragic. One was a traitorous cur they refuse to speak the name so as to not sully their tongues. The other two were their dearest foals, felled in a tragic incident and whose whereabouts had been unknown. He stopped at the threshold of the exit, his eyes meeting theirs for the first time. Tears welled in his royal lavender eyes. “Oh, Celestia, Luna, it is you.” Luna gasped. “King Calathea! It is like seeing a long forgotten memory.” She and her sister trotted past Opaline, Celestia flicking her tail which caused it to brush Opaline’s face. She growled after them. “How many moons it has been, oh we feared the worst.” He hugged them each in turn. “Come, we must celebrate at once. I have raised the town. Everyone will be dying to hear of your surely terrifying adventures below the clouds on that pitiful land.” Opaline cleared her throat. King Calathea did not appreciate the interruption. “My dear sire, there is a matter of,” she motioned with an exaggerated tremor of disgusts, “this one.” The king paused, looking down at the purple mare before him. Her flank was adorned with a star cluster and her midnight blue hair flowed in the still air. “Why she’s one of those ascended! I had heard that mockery was possible but to see it in person.” He laughed as one would at a filly wearing his father’s too big saddle. “She feels familiar to us. I did not expect that. This one, she is a follower of yours, I presume?” He turned to Celestia and Luna. “More than follower. Twilight Sparkle is a dear friend and equal and we have gifted her some of our own magic so she could lead the ponies down below.” Celestia explained. She and Luna had shared many a glance during his words. Many things about their culture had been forgotten in the millennia since they last cantered these grounds. “Gifted!” King Calathea looked offended. “Well I suppose the trials must have been greater than we could imagine. I suppose none of that matters right now.” He clapped his hooves together. “Come purple one, you may join us.” “It’s Twilight Sparkle,” she corrected with a scowl. “Yes, yes, whatever. To the banquet halls my dears!” … “A unicorn? Here? How, what?” Hitch seemed dazed as he held his head in disbelief. “Deep breaths, big guy.” Sunny patted his back. He took her advice and caught his breath, “Okay. Okay. First, Sunny, we should take this inside your house. Don’t want anymore freak outs today. You know how Posey can get.” “Good idea.” The three trotted into her house. She pulled out some apple juice. She hesitated before pulling out the cookies she had made and putting them out as well. The day was too far off track to fix with some apology cookies. “Oh thanks,” Hitch drained the apple juice. “I needed that. So, Izzy you said your name was?” “Uh huh,” Izzy nodded. “How did you find us?” Hitch asked with genuine curiosity piquing his voice. “No one ever finds us.” Sunny gasped. “You’ve noticed that, too?” Hitch nodded, “Hard not to when you’re sheriff and supposed to keep track of everyone. I asked my dad about it a few times, back when he was sheriff, but he always cut me off. Told me I had a job to do and to not be ridicules. So I stopped, kept it to myself. I’m supposed to be someone this town looks up to and that means sometimes letting those questions stay a little nag at the back of my head.” Izzy looked from Hitch to Sunny. “So you mean you’ve never had a new friend before?” Sunny shook her head with a small frown. “Do you guys have time for a little story time?” “Of course!” Sunny said eagerly, standing up in her chair. Hitch was more reserved. “I should be getting to work, I’m sure Ms Cloverleaf needs a hand crossing the road, but this is important.” “Okay,” Izzy rubbed her hooves together. “You will not regret this. I’m know as something as a master of craft back home. Usually that means gluing macaroni to paper, but I like to think I can weave a good tale. Okay so it all started when I was a filly.” Izzy pulled out a paper from her hair. Sunny instantly recognized it. “No way,” she said with quiet awe. Izzy gasped, “It was you!” She handed over the paper that Sunny had made with her dad. It read ‘you have friends in Maritime Bay.’ “My mom passed away when I was young, so I was alone a lot. I had this huge tree house all to myself. It was kinda fun because I could fill it with more sculptures than I could make with these hooves, but mostly not because it was just me. I remember one night I wished upon a star for a friend. And the star started zig zagging across the sky so I chased after it and I caught it! Only it wasn’t a star, it was a letter. My wish had been answered!” Sunny looked down at the note fondly. It was weathered and the creases ran deep where it had been folded and unfolded. The message was still clear even after all these years. “You know,” Sunny started, handing the letter back, “I had made this back when I felt so different and alone. I wanted to badly to reach someone new and to understand.” “You did reach someone new! Ever since I got that letter I kept wishing on every shooting star that I could meet that friend. Years passed, ponies came and went, and then one night as I was walking home, I saw it again! A star that zigzagged across the sky! But I was determined to find where it came from. There’s not much magic left, but I managed to craft a little backwardsy spell of my own. It’s like when you’re gluing all the pieces in a big fountain but then you realize halfway through you accidentally glued a bottle of glitter right in the middle so then you have to get the hairdryer out and you know how it is?” Sunny and Hitch both shook their heads. “Well, anyway, so I managed to send it back. I followed it for the whole night. Then I got tired, those spells take a lot out of you, so I tied it to a branch and fell asleep. I woke up ready to go and then when my hooves were so tired I felt like I was gonna drop, the world just kinda ended. There was nothing but me and the star and it was really creepy. But then it appeared before me! Fields of the greenest grass I’d ever seen and so many flowers! And then I met you and you screamed and then you repeated I’m a unicorn a lot and then—“ “I think we know the story from there,” Sunny giggled. “What do you mean the world just ended? That seems like quite the detail to gloss over!” Hitch smacked a hoof onto the table. “I dunno how to explain it. There was just white everywhere around me. It was like everything was drained of color except me and the star. And the hairs of my coat stood on end like the biggest jinxies you ever felt. And then when color came back it was here. And here is beautiful. I wanna explore!” “Well we do keep a good town around here,” Hitch looked pleased with himself, “thanks for noticing.“ “A white void. Oh! I’ve seen that before from the lighthouse. But I thought I was just like a trick of the sunlight.” Sunny ran over to the door leading to the stairs, motioning for the others. Hitch paused, his duty calling, but his curiosity was stronger. He pranced after them. “Oh wow!” Izzy exclaimed looking around at the view. “Is that a beach? I’ve never seen one before. It’s beautiful. I don’t really get to leave Bridlewood too much.” “Is that where you live?” Sunny asked. “Yep!” Izzy nodded. “It’s a town in the forest, but only unicorns live there. Every once in awhile an earth pony or Pegasus will come through, but usually it’s just us unicorns doing our best.” Sunny stopped, “Wait, what did you mean there’s not much magic left? Like are unicorns not able to do spells?” “Well,” Izzy considered with a hoof to her chin, “I’m sure you guys have noticed it too. Earth ponies have their nature thing and their strength. I think that’s what you guys have. I don’t talk to too many earth ponies. Unicorns have our magic. We can levitate things and make little spells and light our horns up when it’s dark. In the past there were these great sorcerer ponies,” “Like Twilight Sparkle!” Sunny Interupted. Izzy nodded excitedly, “Yep! And they would do all kinds of cool things like teleport and shoot lasers, pew pew. But that doesn’t happen anymore. It kinda feels like something is just out of reach but like deep inside you. Just making that star go backwards took all my energy and I was sweating more than after I bring out the blow torch!” Hitch raised an eyebrow. “A blow torch? Do you have a permit for that?” “Uh, hehe, no comment.” Izzy sheepishly tapped her hooves together. Sunny was shocked. “I had no idea. I’ve never felt anything like that before.” She turned and pointed out the window. “Look out there!” Sure enough, there was a noticeable whiteness right on the border of where she could see. “Whenever we go through those fields, there’s always a feeling I get, like I forgot something at home. And I just turn around and don’t think about it.” She turned to look at the drawings on the tables from her dad. Beyond his published works, she could never bring herself to look at any of this. And she never had reason to before. “You know, that’s kind of the feeling I started getting when I was following the star. Only I knew I couldn’t have forgot anything because I had my note behind my ear so I ignored it. I’m good at ignoring my inner thoughts. ‘Take a bath.’ ‘Fold your laundry’.” “You know I come up here so much now to turn the light on that I just don’t think about what I’m seeing anymore because it’s always the same. Always. There has to be a reason for this.“ Sunny was digging through papers and artifacts. She came across a crudely drawn picture of what looked like a giant lantern. Under it was written ‘lantern tests successful. Hot air balloon test successful. Testing discontinued by vote.’ “Oh!” Izzy exclaimed, “That looks like the star!” “It’s not a star,” Sunny laughed, “it’s a lantern. You make it out of paper and then light a candle under it and that makes it to fly through the air. My dad says this is a hot air balloon. I’d heard about them before, but never really knew what they were. Twilight Sparkle used to use one to travel around Equestria.” Hitch had been quiet, taking everything in. “If your lantern made it through that whatever it is out there, then maybe that hot air balloon could, too.” Sunny’s face lit up and her eyes grew wide. “You’re right! This is how we could leave Maritime Bay!” “Aww, but I just got here,” Izzy groaned. “Leave Maritime Bay?” Hitch looked down at his badge. “I have a duty to protect every pony here. I can’t just leave.” He sighed, scowling and heading to the stairs. “In fact I should be out there right now. They depend on me to make sure nothing bad happens.” Sunny stamped her hoof. “Nothing bad ever happens here.” He stopped. He knew she was right. “Day in and day out it’s the same thing. There’s something going on here. There’s a whole world out there and for some reason we’re being kept inside. We can’t go back to being blind to this.” Hitch’s shoulders drooped. “The citizens do deserve better than this, but I don’t know. I need time.” “That’s a good idea. We don’t even have a hot air balloon. We should take time to think on this. I need time to process and go over all these papers. See what else my dad knew. It’s all a big decision.” Sunny nodded. “It’s a big everything. I don’t even know what this could mean!” Hitch looked tired as they made their way back down the stairs together. “Sooooo can we go to the beach?” Izzy grinned looking from one to the other. “Absolutely not. The people in town would have a heart attack if we marched out there with a unicorn.” Hitch put his foot down. “What if I do this?” Izzy snagged a sun hat and some sunshades from Sunny’s room. She put them on, but the unmistakable point of a horn poked through. Hitch leaned back and shook his head. “Oh wait!” Sunny ran into her room and grabbed a white scarf. She tied it over the hat. That did the trick. “Tadaa!” Izzy held her front hoof out, the bracelets jangling, showing off her look. “Ugh, fine. It’s your funeral if they find out.” Hitch trotted out of the house. The two girls jumped in excitement, making their way to the shore. BarriersThe two paused at the cliff side overlooking the beach. Izzy wanted to take everything in from the waves to the foals playing on the shore. “Alphabittle used to tell all of us foals stories from all around Equestria. I always loved the beach stories. He never told us about the breeze or the smell. It smells kinda like salt but not in a bad way. He said it was like a giant lake but with more sun. Seeing this, I really don’t think he had any idea what he was talking about.” Izzy giggled. “It’s beautiful. You guys get to live here? You’re so lucky.” Sunny looked down at the beach. She hadn’t thought of that. She never really appreciated the beach that much having lived above it for so many moons. “I guess I am. Well let’s not just stand here and look at it. Come on!” She motioned for Izzy to follow and the two galloped toward the sand. Izzy stopped short and touched the sand cautiously. She had never walked on sand like this before. She gently applied pressure to her hoof, only it sank more than she intended. “Woah!” She shouted, pulling her hoof back out. A foal that was playing nearby giggled at her. “Hehe, I meant to do that.” She grinned sheepishly, looking around. “Okay, Izzy, let’s try this again.” She set her hoof down again and it kept sinking. She quickly set down her other and it was sinking too. She tried her best to scramble along, but tripped, sending her hat flying off. “Opps,” she said in a small voice. The foal gasped and ran toward her. “What’s that!” She asked, pointing to her horn. “Oh this? Well, it’s…uhh… SUNNY!” Izzy yelled for help. “Oh no! Izzy!” She galloped forward and shoved the hat back on her head. “It’s just a party hat. You see we’re, uhh, celebrating my friend’s birthday!” The foal did not believe her one bit. “That wasn’t a birthday hat.” “How come adults never tell us the truth?” A purple earth pony with mint hair and a pink bow on her tail grumped. Izzy lowered herself to be eye level with the foal. “I always wondered that when I was your age. Where I’m from, our town leader Alphabittle loves telling us about history and things that go on in other towns, but after seeing this beach, I don’t know if he always knows what he’s talking about.” “They think we’re too young, but we can tell! Yeah!” The foal paused. “Wait, who’s Alphabittle?” She looked up at Izzy. Izzy looked around and put a hoof to her lips in a shh motion. She then lifted her hat to show her horn. “Oh my gosh!” The foal exclaimed, and then quieted looking around. “You’re a unicorn! I’ve never seen one before!” Izzy nodded. “I’m Izzy Moonbow! I’m on a secret mission so you can’t tell anyone I’m wearing a disguise.” “I won’t! I’m Seashell!” She reached out a pink hoof but was interrupted by the the sharp voice of a mare. “Seashell! Where are you? It’s time for a snack!” Sunny looked toward the voice to see Dahlia prancing down to the shore. “Oh, hey, Dahlia,” Sunny grinned awkwardly. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I had baked you cookies, but I kinda ruined them when I fell on them, heh.” Dahlia rolled her eyes. “You always fall, I’m not surprised. It’s no hard feelings, but you are always causing some sort of weird disturbance. And if people stop coming in, I can’t sell books and my mom is going to be livid if she finds out her bookstore is closing.” “Yeah, I know,” Sunny sighed. Dahlia gathered her niece and then looked up for the first time to come eye to eye with Izzy. She stepped back quickly, unsure. “Who…?” Izzy reached out a hoof. “I’m Izzy Moonbow!” “Izzy…” Dahlia looked at the hoof, then noticed the color of the gems in Izzy’s bracelets. “Oh! These look like flowers!” Dahlia stomped a little hoof onto the dirt and a small brilliant colored dahlia flower bloomed. “I like to mix up the colors of the petals when I grow them! Most earth ponies use their magic to encourage produce from the land, but I always liked making colorful flowers!” It was like popping a wine cork, the words kept coming like bubbles. “I didn’t realize you could do that!” Sunny beamed. “Well, you never asked to be fair,” Dahlia sniffed, “but it’s not your fault. I keep it to myself. I have to run the bookstore now that my mom’s too old. And Seashell will probably take it over when I’m too old.” Seashell did not look happy at that. “So what’s the point in growing a bunch of crazy flowers. If Ms Cloverleaf doesn’t complain, Posey will. It’s just not helpful.” Izzy looked really sad. “Is everyone here like this? Just doing things because they have to? Hitch’s dad was a sheriff, your dad ran the lighthouse, and Dahlia’s mom ran the bookstore. Hitch likes his job, but he couldn’t ask questions, and Dahlia wants to grow flowers. This isn’t right.” Dahlia turned. “Who is this mare? Why is she acting so new to everything? I haven’t seen anyone with a cutiemark like that and I’ve seen everyone. Something is wrong here.” “Well, so much for keeping a low profile for Hitch,” Sunny grumbled under her breath. She took the hat off, showing off Izzy’s horn. Dahlia’s eyes widened and she took a few involuntary steps back. “She’s a unicorn!” Seashell said with a little hop. “Sunny, what did you do?” Dahlia accused immediately but with a tone of quiet awe. “I didn’t do anything, Izzy found us.” “Well,” Izzy interrupted, “you did send a lantern that led me here.” “Not helpful!” Sunny gave a quick glare. “We’ve been in a daze in this town, doing the same thing day in and day out.” She motioned to the flower. “You’ve felt it, too. Everyone is too afraid to speak up about it. There’s a whole world out here with other ponies we’ve never seen. And for some reason we’re sealed off in a bubble. It’s why there’s never ships that come to dock or new books written that aren’t by people in town.” Dahlia shook her head. “This is too much. You’re always doing something weird. You spread weird stories in school I got in trouble for being excited about but then I thought your dad’s a writer so that’s probably what you’ll do so I hired you but then you never wrote anything and instead made scenes or sang weird songs or or,” Dahlia was struggling with words. “I don’t know! I don’t need you corrupting Seashell with this stuff. You need to figure yourself out, let the town leaders deal with this, and leave me out of it. I have responsibilities to attend to. Come on Seashell.” She stomped away, the foal looking mournfully back at Izzy, waving. Izzy waved back and felt a tear come to her eye. She sniffled, wiping it away. “Oh, Izzy, I’m so sorry. This town is very set in its ways and you appearing dismantles everything we knew.” Izzy took a deep breath to steady her voice. “It’s okay. I wouldn’t have walked through a void in time and space if I wasn’t prepared to deal with the consequences. Actually no, that’s a lie. I didn’t really think at all. I am extremely unprepared.” Her stomach let out a loud growl. “See? I didn’t even bring food!” Sunny let out a small chuckle, she helped Izzy put the disguise back on. “Come on, let’s get some food. We can think about all of this with a full belly.” … Twilight marched grumpily behind the four alicorn. Celestia and Luna would shoot her apologetic looks and Opaline would look back to sneer. King Calathea didn’t perceive her at all. Surely not all alicorn were like this. Were they? But judging by the decadence of the town around them, that was looking to be the case. Every building put Canterlot to shame. Even the Crystal Empire would be indistinguishable from Ponyville to so,Rome who grew up here. She always held sadness that Luna and Celestia were severed from their family before they even had their cutiemarks, but now she found herself feeling rather glad they hadn’t. “Over here is the play grounds. You two used to beat Opaline here in every game of tag, checkers, chess, hungry hungry hippos, tiddlywinks, horse carts and ladders, three winged races, tic-tac-toe, hop scotch, eye spy, prance—“ “I think they get the point, your majesty,” Opaline growled. “—that the three of you played. It was a delight to see,” King Calathea laughed. He paused and then redid his laugh to sound more regal. Any nearby alicorn citizens joined in with the laughter, stomping their hooves to clap along. “Oh! And here is where you two first showed an aptitude for the sun and moon in this very observatory! Oh we were so proud.” The observatory was brilliantly gilded with an emerald inlay that wrapped around the building like vines reaching toward the diamond dome at the top. “Oh I do remember that moment. We two were so happy, we were bounding around in excitement,” Luna giggled at the memory which caused another round of laughter from the citizens. “While I do appreciate the tour, King Calathea—“ Twilight began but was interrupted. “The appreciation is expected, but this tour is not for you,” he corrected. “Right. We are here for a very particular reason. Your city is standing still in the sky and visible above Equestria’s capital kingdom. It’s how we were able to make it here. We’ve come to offer assistance in case there was trouble. To our knowledge something like this has never happened before.” King Calathea laughed, “You? Provide assistance to us? Oh I see why you keep the purple one around. It is quite amusing. What a tale this one weaves. I might seek to steal it from you as a jester of my own.” He turned dismissively. Celestia stepped protectively in front of her former student. “We don’t seek to raise alarm, and perhaps this conversation will be best had in private, but Twilight is right. Skyros has come to a stand still and no longer passes as a comet above. Which makes it accessible to anyone. We assumed this was due to some trouble that had befallen the citizens, but it seems you are unaware and everyone here is fine.” The King gasped as if he had just heard this for the first time. “Skyros has come to a stand still?” The town gasped around him, melodic screaming happened around. “That can happen? Oh, the banquet we had prepared for you must wait. We must gather the council at once!” He stomped a hoof gently upon the marble path. “Oh but sire, the chef’s worked so hard,” Blueregard motioned to two alicorns with hairnets that whimpered. “Well, I suppose it’s a shame to waste a perfectly good feast and it is late. Alright banquet, nap, and then council.” The crowd cheered. “Oh and Opaline, lead this one to the hay stocks. It can eat there.” He motioned to Twilight. “Twilight Sparkle is our dear friend. She should be allowed among us.” Celestia stood firm. “No, no, it’s okay. I could use a moment to clear my head. And I wouldn’t want to trample your traditions.” Twilight said flatly. “Oh Celestia, you have grown to be such a gracious and generous leader. Alright, come along, the banquet hall is this way.” They disappeared from view and Twilight sighed in relief. She had had enough of the alicorn for one day. “Ugh, come along, then.” Opaline turned, not looking to see if Twilight followed. She trotted after her. They did not speak the entire way back. The silence gave Twilight time to mull over and digest everything that had happened since they arrived. “There. Don’t eat too much of it and you better make sure you thank the King for his generosity.” Opaline has almost left the room when Twilight spoke. “You seemed really unsurprised when we arrived, Opaline.” Opaline turned to face her. “Care to explain?” Opaline had a brief face of a foal caught with its hoof in the cookie jar. “You know nothing of our customs or my position in this community and have no right to demand any explanations from me.” “Cut the act, Opaline.” Twilight galloped over and stood her ground, horn crackling with magic waiting to be unleashed. “It’s clear to me you are an errand mare for the king at best. And if he was surprised you had visitors, then there was no reason for you to have expected them either.” Opaline laughed a quiet, deep rumble. “You’re a smart one, aren’t you? Too observant for your own good.” Twilight felt vines, hard as emeralds, grab her and pull her down. She fell with a shout. The vines felt as if they were burning her skin. She groaned in pain as she struggled. The magic was too strong. Was this the power of a born alicorn? “Why don’t you stay here in time out while the big ponies discuss our affairs. Perhaps this will teach you to ask questions.” Opaline slammed the doors and melted the locks with her fire. “No!” Twilight shouted as she struggled, the last thing she heard was Opaline’s cackle as she felt her vision go hazy and the world spun into darkness. … Two hay burgers later and Izzy and Sunny felt in much better spirits. They had received some stares, but luckily no confrontations. “How about we have a smoothie for desert? I know just the place!” Sunny galloped with Izzy following her, the two laughing in content. They didn’t go far before Ms Cloverleaf blocked their path. “Of course it’s you. Follow us.” She was flanked by two stallions dressed in suits. One of them was Sprout wearing sunglasses and holding his head high. Ms Cloverleaf was not only a school teacher but the town’s leader. Though there was not usually much to lead so the title was more a formality than anything. “Oh! Ms Cloverleaf! I had baked you cookies but they kinda—“ Ms Cloverleaf did not turn and instead marched dutifully toward. “And you’re serious, wow, okay.” The two trotted toward the giant town hall building situated on a hill that could perfectly overlook all of Maritime Bay. The words Canterlogic Academy adorned the signed atop the gate leading up. As the walked, Sprout leaned toward her and whispered, “So what happened to the cookies?” “Sprout!” Ms Cloverleaf shouted. “Yes mommy!” He trotted quickly back into place. They walked into the building and up several flights of stairs to Ms Cloverleaf’s office. She took her seat at her desk, motioning for the two to sit in the chairs in front of her desk. She nodded to the stallions. They closed the door, one talking point outside and Sprout standing inside. “So, care to explain yourself?” Ms Cloverleaf turned to Izzy. “I’m Izzy Moonbow! And I’m a perfectly normal earth pony who likes to go to the beach.” She said firmly. “Yep totally normal.” Sunny nodded. Ms Cloverleaf just stared at them flatly. “Hat off.” She said. “Oh no, I’m okay. Hat on.” Izzy pulled on the brim, but it just caused the horn to pierce through the straw. “Aw, I liked that hat.” Izzy sighed and took the hat and glasses off, setting them on the ground beside her. “Tadaa,” she said meekly. Ms Cloverleaf sighed, rubbing her temples with her hooves. “A unicorn!” Sprout gasped pointing. “What?” Came the mumbled voice of the stallion outside. “Sprout, here,” Ms Cloverleaf tossed a cup with a ball on a sting tied to it, “Mommy needs this ball to go into the cup, it’s very important.” Sprout saluted and begun try, and failing, to get the ball inside. “Unicorn, what are you doing here? Do you know the trouble you’ve caused by coming here? This town is not for you.” Ms Cloverleaf hit her hoof against her desk. “Who sent you?” Izzy jumped at the sound of the hoof on desk. “I just wanted to make a friend.” She pulled the letter from behind her ear and showed it to Ms Cloverleaf. She took one glance and sighed, “Oh Argyle.” “I was feeling down that night you came to our house and told my dad I was too excited at school so we made this and he put it on a lantern and sent it into the sky. It was just for fun. I sent another one yesterday after the, well, incident, because I was feeling so alone. Don’t get mad at Izzy.” Ms Cloverleaf spoke softly. “I’m not mad at either of you. Argyle’s the one that should have known better. No, neither of you could have known the issues you were causing.” “What issues are we causing? No one ever wants to answer questions around here.” Sunny scowled. Ms Cloverleaf inhaled deeply. “I suppose it is your rightful job here, Sunny. You see, Argyle Starshine was our historian. He kept the history of what happened in our town and also the history of Equestria. I had assumed once he died you would come to me for answers with all his writings I assumed he had strewn about, the man was a mess.” “I couldn’t look at them. If I kept them all how they were, it was like he was still there with me; like he could prance through the door at any moment.” A pang of grief paused her words. “I guess I never really worked through his death.” “I’m so sorry, Sunny. There are a lot of ways we could have handled things better.” Ms Cloverleaf said with a tone of regret. “You may have figured this our already, but our town is sealed.” “Sealed?” Sunny repeated in disbelief. “Yes, long ago, Twilight fought a powerful foe and the battle was all but lost. We don’t have the exacts as not too many history books go into this and I doubt any pony even knows the full story, but desperate times call for desperate measures and magic was separated from ponykind. It was put into magical artifacts, one for each of the three pony races, and those artifacts were sealed away to be protected by the brave mares and stallions who were up for the task. Magic could not be taken from the ponies so long as the artifacts remained hidden. Not even the ponies in those towns knew what the artifact was inside their invisible walls. It was best no one knew and risked things. With magic sealed away, Twilight was able to keep an evil force from stealing it and made the ultimate sacrifice to send her foe flying and create a bubble of protection around all of Equestria to keep the foe out.” “I never knew Twilight sacrificed herself. The history books always stopped at her defeating a great foe and bringing peace to Equestria forever.” Sunny was mesmerized by the story. “There’s a lot history doesn’t teach and it’s by design. As time continued forward, life moved on for the ponies inside the sealed towns. The barriers did their job to keep ponies in and to keep ponies out. Life flourished and communities were created. Only a select few trusted ponies know this story so as to not disrupt our duties and keep things at peace.” “Is Sprout one of the trusted ponies?” Sunny asked. “Huh, what? Did someone say my name?” Sprout looked up, the thread tangled around his hooves. “No, dear, you’re doing a good job!” Ms Cloverleaf praised. This made Sprout beam and continue his task. “Something bothers me about that story, though,” Izzy spoke up, “it says that magic could not be taken from the ponies.” Ms Cloverleaf nodded. “Yes, that’s right.” “Well, I don’t mean to burst anyone’s barrier, but outside this place, magic is a whisper when it used to be a ROAR!” Izzy made a face like a lion. “Us unicorns can only do a few basic spells and Pegasi can flitter from a tree to the ground or maybe across a pond, but that’s about it. It’s slowly grown weaker and weaker. Except in here. In here I can do way more like this!” Izzy picked up a paper weight shaped like a bunny and concentrated on it. It began bouncing around in her hand before freezing back as a paper weight. “I could never do that out there!” My Cloverleaf pushed back from her desk and trotted back and forth in worry. “I had heard this could come to pass. It means something has happened either with one of the other two sealed settlements or the great Equestrian barrier itself. This could possibly mean the great foe Twilight fought is back or it could mean with so many hundreds of moons since her sacrifice her spell has weakened. Either way, this is not good.” “I did it!” Sprout exclaimed, showing off the ball in the cup proudly. Everyone glared at him. “What?” “Sprout, go fetch us some tea.” Ms Cloverleaf asked nicely. “Right away!” Sprout saluted and trotted out the door. “What do we do?” Sunny asked, worried. “We do nothing. I can’t leave this town. With the artifact still here, we have full magic, but it sounds like the reach across the barrier is weakened. Which means your magic will be weakened out there as well. And there is only one way to get across the barrier.” “Walk across while blindly following a star?” Izzy offered. “Uhh, no, your head may be full of hot air, but most of ours aren’t. That is the only way across. Your father found that out awhile ago with the lanterns he made.” “I saw that paper on his desk! It said something about a hot air balloon test.” “Yes, a long time ago, your dad was trying to find ways to pierce the barrier should we need outside help. There were some concerns arising in town. I won’t bore you with the details, but he traveled out by hot air balloon. He was gone for awhile and returned with your mother in tow. We strictly forbid the use of hot air balloons from that point onward. The danger he could have put all of us in. Apparently time moves slower in our barrier because he wasn’t gone long at all to us and the two had, in that greater amount, of time fallen in love. Duty brought him back. He never said anything about weakened magic, but he never said much of anything that wasn’t about the history of Equestria or your mother. Beyond the story of our duty, there’s not much we know about Twilight and her friends. It’s an intriguing mystery most foals grow out of.” “So then we have to take a hot air balloon to find out what happened to the other sealed towns!” Sunny exclaimed jumping up. “Did my dad put it somewhere?” “No, but we did to remove the temptation.” Ms Cloverleaf beckoned for them to follow her down to the basement. Sprout ran into the room with a tray of tea and cucumber sandwiches. “Where did everyone go?” He asked, looking around as he set everything down. He shrugged and shoved all the cucumber sandwiches into his mouth. … “We kept it here. It still works as far as we know.” Izzy and Sunny were huffing and puffing down the last bit of stairs as Ms Cloverleaf motioned to a purple balloon decorated with dark purple swirls and a gold base and a pink basket on the ground. “My dad rode in this? Sunny asked looking at it. It didn’t look very fit for travel, but then again the only traveling she had done had been by skate or by hoof. Ms Cloverleaf nodded. “We kept it down here just in case it was needed in the future. And I suppose now is that time. I suspect you’ll be the one making this journey?” Sunny nodded, inspecting the basket. “Hitch had wanted to come with us if we left, but didn’t feel like he could leave town with his duty.” “That doesn’t surprise me. He’s a strong, caring leader. He’s too good to be tied to a post like this. Why don’t you talk to him and gather your things before you set out?” “Will the town be okay without him?” Sunny asked, knowing that would be his first protest. “You’ve seen this town. It’ll be fine. All of you will be back before we even miss you two and the chaos you can cause.” Ms Cloverleaf chuckled. The thought of coming back sat like a lump in Sunny’s mind. The thought of leaving felt similar. She had never known it was possible though she had often day dreamed about it and now the moment was here and it felt strange to her. Ms Cloverleaf placed a hoof on Sunny’s, sensing her racing mind. “Go on, no sense sorting your thoughts out in this dusty basement. We’ll prepare the balloon for you.” … Sunny paced outside the sheiff’s station. Her mind was racing and her mouth felt dry. Izzy had run off, disguise back in action. Sunny barely noticed with her mind so full. “Here,” Izzy tapped her shoulder startling her out of her thoughts. She handed Sunny a smoothie. “I don’t know what your favorite flavor is, but this one’s orange like you.” “Oh Izzy,” Sunny felt emotion welling up as she accepted the cup. Hitch opened the door and saw both of them standing right outside. “Alright, what’s going on? I’m suspicious.” Sunny shook her head. “We’ve got a lot to talk about, Sheriff.” Author's Note Time to take the show on the road! I’m so excited we’re diving into the meat now! Hot Air Balloon RideAuthor's Note sorry for the delay between chapters. I make plushies and vend at cons for a living and got fairly busy with that. Excited to write more! Hot Air Balloon Ride King Calathea sat at the head of a long, golden table. Rubies lined the edge and along the entire surface was an intricately edged history of Skyros. It started on one end with an etching of an alicorn among the stars. Dragons, manticore, and other terrible creatures (according to the artist) below. The next image showed the alicorn landing on a star. The alicorn used his hooves to sculpt the star into a paradise that rose above all else. Fellow alicorn joined him in the land he created. They used their great wings to make a wind that kept the star traveling around the world. The penultimate image showed a thriving society blessed and chosen as the greatest. The final image was not as large as the others, being the most recent. It was added some millennia ago. It showed the alicorn that founded Skyros passing his crown to King Calathea. The king took his seat in front of this image. The table was old, grand, and large. It could easily fit a hundred or more alicorn. Luna and Celestia took their seats at the right side of the king. If they had remained in Skyros, this would have been a place of honor they would have frequented. Luna took note their cutiemarks had already been carved in the seats with a raised eyebrow, a placeholder for a more permanent future fitting. Luna caught Celestia’s attention and motioned to it with her head. Celestia saw it and raised an eyebrow. Luna nodded and held out her hooves which was familiar to Celestia as an ‘I know, right?’ motion. She could not wait to be alone with her sister and Twilight to vent about everything later. Speaking of. “Your majesty, where is Twilight Sparkle?” Celestia asked, looking around. Knowing this place, she hadn’t expected to see room for Twilight at the table, but at least in the same vicinity. The King paused. “I had thought Opaline would have fetched that for you by now. I hope it hasn’t eaten all our good hay.” He stood. “Opaline!” He shouted above the chatter at the table. “Yes, your majesty,” Opaline bowed. “Fetch the purple one for us.” He clapped his hooves. “When I went to seek her earlier, she was not where I left her. I suspect our customs and grand halls was too intimidating for the creature.” Opaline spoke plainly. The King nodded. This made sense to him. “Well, there you are.” He said to Celestia and Luna as he took his seat. Luna and Celestia exchanged worrying glances. This was unlike Twilight. Had the treatment warded her off? Surely that couldn’t be it. “Something isn’t right, sister.” Celestia whispered to Luna. “Nothing is right in this place. Is this how we would be if we remained?” Luna sighed. “We can’t both leave to look for her. You have seniority here, you should stay while I give search., T’would be best for you to help the alicorn.” Celestia nodded. “Handling day politics for so many moons, I probably have the better handle on things anyway.” Celestia laughed and Luna nudged her in playful annoyance. “Make haste, I have things under control here, and the sooner we finish,” Celestia looked to the carving on the chair, but didn’t finish her sentence. Luna pranced off quietly. “Where is your sister going?” King Calathea asked, “We are about to begin!” “Little mare’s room,” Celestia responded quickly, Luna shot her a dirty look. “That meal was quite more, uh, regal? than we’re used to down below.” “Ah yes, it makes sense to me now,” he gave her a pitying look, placing a hoof on hers in comfort. “Well worry not, the two of you will be used to less mealy gruel soon enough.” “Be seated, everyone. The meeting is to begin soon.” Blueregard held a bell above his head with magic, ringing it to get everyone’s attention. The room fell silent, eyes to the king. “Every Alicorn, I’m sure you’ve seen our lost Sun and Moon have returned to us!” The table erupted into cheers and hoof stamping applause. “Yes yes, this is very joyous, BUT.” He stopped, looking around, pausing for effect. “We have received terrible news. Our beloved Skyros is no longer a shining beacon, a shooting star in the night sky to guide the peasants below, no it has come.” He took a shuddered breath. “Still.” There was horrified gasps and a scream. “Say it isn’t so!” An aquamarine Alicorn with sandy hair cried out, tears streaming down her perfectly brushed fur. “I’m afraid so. It’s how our beloved lost children were returned to us. Due to this even a risen commoner was able to reach our heights. Imagine what filth could come up here! Ponies wanting to see an ounce of our grandeur! And who could blame them? We are so magnificent.” The King sobbed. “I am not quite sure that’s the problem here…” Celestia trailed off, rolling her eyes. More memories had begun making their way back to her and she found herself more grateful than ever she was raised on Equestria. Outside Luna cantered through the halls looking about frantically. A light purple, almost pink alicorn with hair the color of the sun set low halted her progress. “Lady Luna, what are you doing here?” Luna stuttered, “Uhh we were sent to retrieve our friend.” She looked down the hall. “Oh you mean the foul smelling one? I saw her passed out in a room upstairs.” “What!” Luna shouted. “You must take me to her immediately!” She caught herself and tried to regain her regality, “I mean please uhh, I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name.” “It’s Sterling Bloom, but you can just call me Sterling.” She began prancing at an agonizingly slow pace. “Please Sterling, do you mind if we speed up? I don’t wish to miss more of the meeting than I already have.” “Oh has that already started? Why didn’t you say so!” The two sped up the stairs. “Twilight, I hope you’re okay.” —— “Wow, that was a lot to talk about.” Hitch sighed, taking off his badge and looking at it longingly. “You don’t have to come with us, Hitch. I know you have responsibilities here. Miss Cloverleaf will understand.” Sunny stood, pushing the hoof with his badge back toward his chest. Hitch considered. “Maybe it’s been my friendship with you, but I’ve felt those some feelings of mediocrity and sameness everyday. I’m better at ignoring them, sure, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there.” He set the badge on his desk and pushed it away. “It was nice being sheriff for awhile, but this badge can go to your head.” Sunny stiffled a giggle, “Well, I wasn’t going to say anything, but you did yell at at a child for dropping a gum wrapper the other day.” Hitch groaned, “Oh why did you have to remind me?” “Well, I guess this is it! I’m going to get my things. I’ll meet back with you here as soon as I can.” “Take your time, I need to find someone to take this up for me.” He motioned to the badge. — Izzy was marveling at all the drawings taped around the lighthouse. “Did you draw all of these?” Sunny laughed, “Yeah when I was a foal. I can’t believe my dad kept all of these.” It was nostalgic looking through all of them. She looked out the window and noticed the firmament above shimmer. “It was right there all along and I never noticed. Then again, would I even know what I’m looking at?” She sighed looking through everything for anything that could provide guidance on their journey. She supposed none of this would really help in the outside world. She did grab her father’s journal chronicling everything he’d taken notice of during his life. Maybe it was pure sentimentality, but she felt drawn to it. Izzy meanwhile was bouncing around and touching nearly everything she could get her hooves on. “Ohh this could make a nice fountain! Oh that would be perfect for a cape for Alphabittle. Oh and this could would be perfect for that stained glass window I could never get perfect. And this…oops!” “Izzy!” Sunny turned when she heard a crash. Izzy had backed into a tarp covering a bundle of boxes. “Sorry,” Izzy sheepishly grinned as she stood up, “I’ll fix it.” Most of them were boxes that held papers and odds and ends. There was also a wooden crate labeled ‘tax papers’. As she carefully picked it up with her magic, she found it was lighter than expected for a box of papers. This caused the crate to soar through the air and crash to the floor. Inside was filled with straw. Sunny’s eyes widened as what looked to be an egg rolled out. “What is that?” The surface was a green crystal that glowed dimly. Izzy gasped. “That’s a dragon egg! I heard about them from Alphabittle. They haven’t visited Equestria in hundreds of moons.” “This had to have been up here for years. Did my dad have this the whole time?” Sunny trotted around it, examining every inch of it. She held the back of her hoof to it. “It’s still warm. How has it not hatched?” Izzy shrugged. “Nothing really makes sense here in your home. Maybe Miss Cloverleaf will know more.” Sunny scooped it up and settled it into her saddlebag with the journal, a blue drawstring bag marked with stars filled with bits, and her rollerblades. It stuck out the top and the flap didn’t fully cover it. She draped a quilt over it. “I guess that’s really all I need. There’s food out there, right? And water?” Izzy laughed, “Of course there is. You’ve got a lot to learn about Equestria!” — Hitch met the two outside the sheriff’s office. “How’d the replacement hunt go?” Sunny asked, shifting the weight of the egg on her back. Hitch placed a hoof to the old building. “I have a lot of fond memories at this place, even if it never felt right for me.” He turned and they saw his badge was no longer on his utility strap. Instead there was some rope, carabeaners, and pockets filled with various tools. “Oh, Hitch, you worked so hard for that.” Sunny’s ears drooped as she touched her hoof to his. “Yeah, well, it’s time to work toward something else. Put the Trailblazer in my name to the test.” He sighed. “Sprout is in charge. I couldn’t find anyone else. But there’s never any crime here anyway, so…” he trailed off, unsure. “He’s really the only unemployed pony around.” “Well, I’m glad there’s no crime here because that guy seemed…” Sunny shot Izzy a death glare and she laughed nervously, “like he knows his way around an office. Heh heh.” “Alright if everyone is packed, let’s go meet Mrs Cloverleaf!” The three trotted together at full pace toward the giant building. They saw the hot air balloon lulling lazily to the side. “I bet she’s there!” Sunny went faster in excitement. “Hello my little ponies,” Mrs Cloverleaf beamed. “I never thought this day would come.“ She pulled a scroll from her saddle bag. “This is a map of Equestria as it looked when this place was created. Unfortunately it’s probably extremely outdated, but it’s the best we have.” “Thank you, Mrs Cloverleaf,” Hitch accepted the map. “I’m glad the girls could convince you to come along. It’ll be good for you. You’ve always been too good for this place,” Mrs Cloverleaf smiled fondly. She turned to Izzy. “This is a charm for a unicorn horn.” She placed the leather strap with blue beads over Izzy’s horn. “I’m not sure what it does, but we have no need for it here. Please keep our earth ponies safe, dear.” “You can count on me!” Izzy saluted. “And Sunny—“ “Oh, actually, I found something.” She motioned to her saddle bag. “If you want to peak.” Mrs Cloverleaf raised an eyebrow suspiciously and then did as she was told. She gasped and stumbled back. “Oh my! I’m guessing your father had this?” “Yeah, we found it when I was looking for anything to bring with us.” “Well, keep that hidden. Honestly taking that with you isn’t the worst idea, it does no good in here, but you need to be careful. Something like that could attract the wrong attention.” “What is it?” Hitch asked, puzzled. “Tell ya later,” Sunny whispered to him. “Alright as I was saying, Sunny, this is for you.” Mrs Cloverleaf handed her a telescope with a green gem as the eyepiece. “It’s a magical item that will help you see the stars even on the cloudiest of nights. This belonged to your mother.” Sunny held the item, taking it in with quiet adoration. Mrs Cloverleaf opened the door on the basket of the hot air balloon. “It’s time. Be safe. Please help Equestria.” The three climbed on board and Mrs Cloverleaf untied the rope from the ground. As the hot air balloon rose, Sunny looked down to see the town watching in awe as they flew through the sky. She saw Dahlia and Posey below looking up, mouths agape. Sunny waved and they waved back. Hitch and Izzy waved too. Everyone waved and stomped their hooves in a rhythm that caused a swell of courage. Any fear Sunny may have had left dissipated at the encouragement from the only home she ever knew. The balloon was soon beyond the fields and approaching the wall of fog. As they pressed against it, Sunny could feel resistance, but the balloon broke through. The fog felt cold against her coat. She shivered, seeing nothing but grey in all directions. The moisture of the air stung her eyes. She closed them until she felt a light warming her. “There it is!” Izzy cried excitedly waving at the two to look over the side of the basket. “Welcome to Equestria!” Below them the grass stretched for miles. There were lush forests in the distance and what looked to be a settlement to their right. The sky was so clear and bright even if the colors of the grass was duller than Sunny had seen. Trees dotted the landscape including a giant one with a white trunk and purple leaves. “Woah! Cool air balloon!” Sunny jumped at the voice. She saw a purple Pegasus taking in their transport as she flapped her wings to maintain altitude. “Uhh thank you!?” Sunny said grinning awkwardly, trying to remain normal. “Hey Izz, you know if Alphabittle is in?” The Pegasus asked. “No clue, Aeri. I’ve been away exploring.” Izzy shrugged. “Far out. Alright later.” The Pegasus drifted back to the ground and trotted at full tilt. “WASTHATAPEGASUS??” Sunny gushed. Hitched laughed at her reaction. “Yeah of course! I forget you’ve never seen one before. Aeri is pretty chill, but I don’t know her super well to be honest.” Sunny watched her purple form disappearing as it grew further away. “You weren’t kidding about magic being weak. I’m guessing that’s why she had to run and not fly?” Izzy nodded. “Yeah and it’s why I can’t do much magic.” Izzy shot a sea of stars out of her horn. “Oh my glitter!” She gasped. “I’m doing magic like I’m still in your world!” “Do that again, I wanna see something.” Sunny asked. Izzy nodded and shot out a purple stream of stars that she danced across the sky. The beads on the leather strap lit up as did so. “I thought so.” “What’s up?” “The beads light up when you do magic. Maybe this charm will let you keep casting spells as if you were in Maritime bay!” Izzy laughed in pure glee, painting the sky around them with colors and glitter. “Oh Sunny, meeting you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” She hugged her new friend and Sunny hugged her back, agreeing. “So Sunny,” Hitch interrupted the moment. “What’s this in your bag?” “Oh right!” Sunny pulled off the quilt and showed him the dragon egg. Hitch’s eyes lit up as he looked upon it. “It’s a dragon egg! My dad had it this whole time.” She noticed the egg glowing brighter than it had back at the lighthouse. Hitch put a hoof to it. “That is so cool. And I agree with Mrs Cloverleaf, keep that hidden.“ he pulled out his map. Izzy glanced over his shoulder at it and giggled. “What?” “Wow she wasn’t kidding about that thing being dated. Half of these places don’t even exist anymore.” She squinted around taking in there surroundings and then placed her hoof over a town called Ponyville and pointed toward sweet apple acres beside it. “This is where we would be, I think. That doesn’t exist anymore. Around there somewhere.” She pointed forward toward the settlement. “And that would be Ponyville. I’ve never actually been there before.” “Well, I guess it’s a day of firsts for all of us. That seems like a good place to start for supplies!” Hitch steered the hot air balloon forward. Star in the SkyAuthor's Note With the potential end of make your mark, I’ve been ruminating on how I would tell this story. This is the start of those ruminations. I can’t promise any sort of upload schedule, but I do plan to tell this story to completion throughout this year! Star in the Sky Twilight trotted under the moonlight to a garden so familiar to her, the grass was worn from her hoof falls. She knew it so well she could tell the stones of the walls would soon start to crumble from a glance. “Spike, take a letter.” Silence met her. She laughed, a small and melancholic sound; force of habit. She pulled a scroll from her bag and made a note to have the wall replaced again. It had been far too many moons since the last time she had it done. She took her place in front of the statue in the middle as she had done most nights since it was erected. She lit her horn with a small glimmer, head bowed in reverence. Her spark lit the plaque beneath. “In memorium to the founding members of the council of friendship.” She smiled, looking up at the stone facades of her dearly departed friends. Time had taken her tears and replaced them with a dull longing and fond memories that she let wash over her. “I come to you dear friends to help me sort my thoughts once more.” Being here was meditative to her and she often spoke her thoughts aloud when she needed time to reflect. She looked to the night sky where a large shape, easily mistaken for a star, took focus. “The isle of Skyros, home of the alicorn long thought a fairy tale, has stopped above our kingdom for the first time in written memory. A place thought myth now peaks at us from the clouds. I am unsure what to do. I have requested Celestia for council as she and Luna fell from there so long ago, but,” she paused, pensively “WHAT DO I DO!” She stood and began trotting back and forth. This was a side of her very few would associate with her in these times. “No pony else has noticed it yet that I’ve been able to discern. It calls to me as an alicorn even if not one from birth. With Luna and Celestia’s magic I’ve been given power greater than that of an ascended alicorn, but that still doesn’t give me any insight into their ways. Skyros is supposed to be like a shooting star consistently traveling and always moving which is why Luna and Celestia could never make it back when they fell as foals. With it so close, we could visit, but would that be welcome? Is this a sign of something to come? Oh, I wish I knew what to do.” She sighed, seeking the faces of each of her friends in turn. They were forever silent. She sighed, taking a deep breath in, moving her hoof to her chest, and exhaling as she held her hoof out. “I must do what is best for Equestria at any cost.” She nodded to herself, feeling more at ease after voicing her concerns. She stood, taking a bouquet of flowers from her bag. The ones she had left there before were wilting. She replaced them and began the trek back to Canterlot. As the princess of friendship, she needed to reach out. There were new friends to make and possibly new friends that needed help. … A streak of orange was all Argyle saw before his daughter leaped into his arms. “Daddy! We talked about Twilight in school today! Did you know! Did you know! She lived in this huge blue castle? I thought there was only the white one. I think it was like a tree. And and she also lived in a tree before that too! But a real one with branches. I want to see a tree house!” Argyle hugged her back, laughing at her excitement. He set her back down on all four hooves as she beamed at him, skate helmet askew on her head. “I take it you had a good day at school, Sunny.” She nodded in excitement, rolling backwards in her skates with the slope of the uneven floor. “Why don’t you take those off and get cleaned up?” “Okay, Daddy,” she started to leave, but noticed a lantern on his desk. “Whatcha doin?” “Ah, this,” he picked it up and held it to her. “Don’t touch, it’s very old. I saw this in one of the older volumes from the library. Our crystal causes this to light up!” “Woah!” Sunny pressed her face against it. Argyle laughed and held it up. “I’m researching if there’s anything else it can do.” “That’s so cool!” Sunny was mesmerized by it. “Alright little lady, we’ve stalled enough, go get cleaned up. I’ll have a snack when you’re done.” He pranced across the room to the kitchen and pulled out three apples. He knew some of her friends would be along so always prepared enough snacks. He sliced them and pulled out some oat butter. Their little house was attached to the lighthouse that lit their little bay at night. As he worked, he watched foals running around, their neighbor watering her plants. A beautiful town with friends at every turn. Instead of Sunny’s best friend Hitch galloping down the path and playing town protector, Argyle noticed Ms Cloverleaf trotting down the path to their lighthouse with little Sprout in tow. Her Filly was hiding beneath her legs with a solemn expression aided by his large eyebrows. “Mr Starshine, hello, Mr Starshine?” Her voice held a hint of disdain. Argyle quickly opened the door and the pink earth pony stood before him wearing a string of pearls and her blonde mane in a recently coifed up do. “Hello Ms Cloverleaf, what brings you to our humble abode? Sunny is washing up after school, but the snacks are ready if Sprout would like some.” He stood aside welcoming her in. “Snacks!” Sprout started to run forward but paused, looking up at his mom. “May I, Mommy?” She sighed, looking toward the apples with a grimace. “Oh fine, but don’t spoil your appetite.” Sprout ran in as Sunny trotted out. “Hey Sprout!” She ran over. “You don’t have to come all the way out here to deliver Sprout. He’s here so often he could probably make the trip in his sleep.” She did not look amused. “I need to speak to you outside.” She turned and led Argyle out. He shut the door behind her. “Wonder what your mom wants to talk about.” Sunny said as she shoved an entire apple slice into her mouth. “I unno, but he’s probably in trouble. Like when she says ‘COME INTO THE HALL’ when we talk too loud.” Sprout was ignoring everything but Sunny pushed a chair to the window so she could climb onto the counter and listen in. “Your daughter was causing quite the disruption in class today.” Ms Cloverleaf spoke plainly. “Sunny? That doesn’t sound like her at all. She’s such a good student. She didn’t tell me anything about being in trouble when she got home.” “She wasn’t misbehaving, she was speaking such nonsense. She was asking about where she could go find trees that aren’t palms! And she told one of the other kids about a land of snow. Filling their heads with wild adventures.” Argyle laughed, but at Ms Cloverleaf’s stern and firm expression, he turned it into a cough. “She’s just excited about history. She’s my daughter after all.” “She’s too old to have her head in the clouds like this. She needs to be brought back to reality. There were fanciful events in history, but that’s ancient past we need to learn from, not strive toward. We are here, we are now, we are safe, and we should be happy with that.” She held a firm look and then sighed, her expression softening. “I know things have been hard Since Lunar Scout passed. Losing a parent is hard on anyone. But we have a duty to this town, one you should know well, Argyle.” Argyle sighed, holding the ring he wore on a leather strap around his neck close. On the ring was an engraving of Twilight Sparkle’s cutiemark. “It’s been hard I do admit. She’s been lonely and hearing the stories about Twilight and her adventures has really brightened her spirits. She and the princess are a lot alike.” He sighed. “I’ll talk to her.” Ms Cloverleaf nodded. “Thank you. If you need anything, you know the community has your back.” She turned to the open window where Sunny ducked just in time to not be seen. “Sprout! It’s time to go home.” “Aww, do I hafta? I didn’t even get to try the oat butter.” Sprout pleaded. “NOW Sprout!” Sprout scrambled, shoving some oat butter and an apple slice into his mouth as he ran out the door. Ms Cloverleaf raised an eyebrow at him but didn’t say anything. Argyle entered their home again and shut the door behind him morosely. “Daddy, did I do something bad?” Sunny asked. Argyle couldn’t take the look of hurt on her face. “No sweetie, I’m the one who hasn’t been the best.” “SUNNY!” Hitch yelled from outside. Argyle managed a smile. “You will never be in trouble with me for being a dreamer. Daddy needs to finish up some work. Go play with your friend. We’ll talk more tonight.” “Okay,” Sunny looked after him with a small frown. Hitch shoved the door open and posed. “Look! My dad got me my own badge! I’m gonna be a sheriff just like him!” “It’s so shiny!” Sunny looked into it, her face reflected back to her. She laughed, forgetting her earlier woes as the two ran around outside playing until the sun started to set. “I should go home! My mom’s making carrot stew tonight! I heard Mr fluffy tail say he always steals the leftovers out of our trash.” Hitch laughed. “Wait, you talk to animals?” Sunny giggled. “What! No. That’s dumb why would someone do that.” Hitch stammered embarrassed. Sunny laughed as she waved and went inside. Her dad was inside quietly cutting up some celery. “Do you want me to get the plates?” She offered. “Sure sweetheart,” He said with a small smile. Sunny set the table, looking over at her dad between plates and cutlery. “I’m sorry, daddy,” Sunny’s voice was small and her smile long gone. She started to sniffle and tears welled in her eyes. This snapped Argyle from his stupor. “Oh sweetie, don’t apologize. Come here.” He held Sunny tight as she cried into his chest. “I didn’t mean to make things hard.” She cried as he patted her mane. “I miss mom.” “I miss her too, sweetheart.” He shed some of his own tears. “Let it all out.” “Life isn’t always easy kiddo, but if it was, it wouldn’t be so…interesting…” His voice trailed off. Sunny’s sobs turned to big sniffs. “I’m sure you heard that conversation. She wasn’t mad at you, but she wanted to make sure all of us were safe.” He glanced at the door leading to the top of the lighthouse. It was always locked so Sunny wouldn’t get hurt on the stairs. “Do you want to go to the top of the lighthouse?” “Really?” Sunny asked with cautious wonder. Argyle nodded, unlocking the door. He motioned for her to jump on his back and he carried her up the stairs. There were a lot of them. Sunny couldn’t stop staring at them in amazement. They seemed to never end. Finally they reached the top. In the center of the room floated a round, white, multifaceted crystal. Light emanated from it and shone across the ocean. It was still light out enough to make out the ocean stretching until the world curved. He brought her to the other side where the grassy plains almost did the same, but seemed to stop short before white took over the rest of the way. Drawings and diagrams covered over each of the tables along with a menagerie of artifacts and gems she didn’t recognize from any history book. “The world is just us. Beyond these borders is a firmament of protection and beyond that is what happened in your history books. I catalog what we know and try to understand what we don’t so I can know when it’s time.” Argyle’s explanation fell on mostly deaf ears as Sunny was trying to take in everything around her. “You’re the coolest dad ever!” She stamped her little feet, stimming in excitement. She paused. “Wait. So are we all alone?” Argyle looked down at her, considering his next words. “There are a lot of mysteries in this world and we keep this light going to guide anyone who needs it.” “How will anyone know we’re here? The light doesn’t go that far!” Sunny held her hooves close together to demonstrate. Argyle laughed. “Well why don’t we send them a letter.” The two worked together crafting a floating paper lantern with a candle and lots of colorful drawings. Sunny held up the letter she wrote. “You have friends in Maritime Bay. That way they know they’re welcome here!” “I can’t think of a more perfect message.” The two released the lantern and watched it fly into the sky. Glimmer little night time light Journey with the stars Share with the world our words Guide us all through hope Argyle sang a very familiar lullaby to Sunny. “A little song for safe passage.” Sunny smiled and they sang their lullaby together as they watched the lantern fade in the distance. … Twilight had not seen her old mentor in many, many moons. Once she had grown into her own as a ruler of Equestria, there were less and less reasons for Celestia to come by as often. There was little she could do that Twilight couldn’t with much more finesse. Twilight embraced her and tears clouded her vision. “Celestia, it’s so good to see you.” “Likewise old friend.” Celestia wiped away tears of her own. The two began trotting together toward a quiet room. It always brought Celestia pride that she stood eye to eye with her former student. Once they were inside, Twilight’s guards took point outside the door and she used her magic to lock them inside. “I assume this is because of Skyros.” “I thought you might have figured it out.” Twilight let out a chuckle as she stood by the window, gazing up at the bright star above. It stood impossibly still for a celestial body. “The subjects don’t suspect much and I have yet to bring it up with them. The only information I could find was mostly old foals tales. From that I gleaned the island moves like a comet through the sky and how you and Luna descended from the heavens as foals.” Celestia also took in the star. She sighed, a hint of longing in her breath. “I haven’t seen my old home in thousands of moons. I thought it had moved beyond reach.” She placed a hoof on the windowsill as she gazed up, indiscernible emotion on her face. “Skyros isn’t really known to us anymore. When we fell to Equestria, it was impossible to find our way back as the island never stops moving. As long as Luna and I had each other, though, we had a home where ever our hooves trotted.” The former princess fell silent, lost in memory. Twilight allowed her a moment before interrupting. “Do you know why the island may be here now?” Celestia shook her head. “I haven’t a clue. It’s a land inhabited only by alicorns that have been such since birth like my sister and I. As such, they are graced with the long life we also gifted to you and may remember us. I am not sure how they would react to you. Have they been in the same place since they arrived to Canterlot?” Twilight nodded in affirmation. “I wanted to seek counsel from you before I visit them. As the princess of friendship and ruler of Equestria, it’s my duty to reach out.” “Well, if you’re going then Luna and I should go as well. Allow me a moment to meet with my sister. She isn’t far from here.” “Of course!” Twilight started to bow before catching herself. Celestia chuckled.
A New FriendThe usually sunny skies of Maritime Bay were overtaken by a dark downpour. Sunny stood numb beside a large photo of her recently deceased father and a pile of meaningless flowers. Sniffles were heard through the crowd before her. She was expected to say something. It was customary. She had watched her father accomplish that with her mother over a decade ago. No words came. What could she even say? This was so meaningless. As meaningless as a dock in a town that never saw a single ship. “Do you want me to take over?” Hitch whispered to her as he stood beside her in his new town protector uniform. She glanced at him and his eyes held such earnest concern, she had to look away. She nodded. He walked forward to the podium. “As future sheriff of Maritime Bay, it’s up to me to step in when a citizen needs a helping hoof. And until Sunny can find her voice, I’ll provide mine.” He looked to her again. She didn’t meet his eyes, but nodded. “Argyle Starshine kept our seas safe with his maintained light guiding us to shore. He was also the best historian our town has ever had. If you have foals, you’ve probably helped them with some homework out of his books. His sudden loss will be felt for generations.” “Will it?” Sunny managed. There was a gasp as Hitch awkwardly looked at the crowd and stood in front of Sunny with a cough. “Grief is hard and complex for all of us. Some feel sorrow, some anger, and some helplessness. If you or anyone you know needs help through this difficult time, please talk to someone. You can find my dad and I at the sheriff station.” Sunny sighed. The crowd nodded knowingly. As if they knew anything. “Beloved father, husband, and a valued member of our community. I now turn it over to Jazz Hooves as she plays Argyle favorite song.” Jazz took her cue and started playing a slow piano dirge. Hitch turned to Sunny. “This is a dumb question, but are you okay?” Sunny sighed, ignoring him. She looked up at the crowd. He ear perked as she realized what song was playing. “Oh! Wait!” Jazz stopped suddenly, keys plunking. The crowd coughed and mumbled to each other. “This isn’t actually my dad’s favorite song.” She found words she didn’t know she had. “He would sing a lullaby to me often. He came up with it when I was having a lot of nightmares as a very young filly.” She stopped, looking around feeling out of place. “Would it be okay if I sang it?” Hitch motioned forward. “Of course, Sunny.” Sunny took a deep breath. Glimmer little night time light Journey with the stars Share with the world our words Guide us all through hope She looked out at the crowd. There were tears, smiles, nods. The rain was clearing up and a small beam of light warmed her coat. She felt a grand swell in her chest of emotions she could not name, but they formed through the lullaby as she sang a new verse. Continue on our little Star Scout The Galaxy will call to you Old flames will burn anew You are the story’s truth … Twilight, Celestia, and Luna took flight through the clouds above. What Twilight wouldn’t give for the speed of Rainbow Dash right now. The island seemed a lot closer from the ground. “We are almost there!” Celestia shouted against the wind. Her words brought Twilight renewed strength as the three continued their ascent. Despite the air feeling lighter, she could still breathe. The air was frosty and ice formed on their wings. Finally ground was in sight. Twilight landed hard, panting. Luna and Celestia taking a more graceful stance on either side of her. After she caught her breath, she noticed the air around her was still and quiet. She looked to Celestia and Luna. “Is it normally this quiet?” Twilight asked. Before Celestia could answer, the sound of hoof falls approached. The dark starry sky of the upper atmosphere shrouded who they belonged to. “Hello?” Twilight called out. “We come bearing you no ill intentions. We noticed your land had come to a halt and wanted to offer assistance if it was needed.” “You smell of the dirt below.” A crimson alicorn with white braids and ringlets that reflected the moonlight above spat with palpable disgust. “Opaline!” Celestia gasped, surprised to see a familiar face. “Opaline?” Twilight asked, looking from Celestia’s furrowing brow and Opaline’s catlike grin. “Hah! I’m surprised you would remember me. You and your sister never had time for a lowly fire alicorn with your sun and moon thing before. And now you come crawling back with not a crown on your head.” She cackled as she paced around them, her hair catching the moonlight. “Where are the other alicorns?” Luna demanded, furrowing her brow. “You are in no position to demand anything of me in that weakened state. You lost the one stand out thing about you and for what? This…this…thing?” She motioned to Twilight. “You know nothing of what we’ve done in the thousands of moons since we have been in Equestria. We’ve changed, but it appears you are the same petulant child you always were.” Celestia stood her ground. “Hey! Hey every pony! Let’s calm down.” Twilight trotted forward, standing between the two. “Opaline, is it?” “Opaline Arcana and you would do good to address me by my full title and to not interrupt when actual alicorns are talking.” Twilight ignored her. “Opaline Arcana, we are here to offer assistance. Skyros has never stood still in the sky before and we want to help if you would allow it.” Opaline held her wings out. They and her horn ignited with a hot, white flame. She sent the flames in all directions lighting torches around the courtyard they found themselves in. There were grand, marble walls and stair cases going every which way adorned with gold and silver inlay creating regal patterns along every surface. Precious diamonds and other stones created points of interest within the inlay. The grass below their hooves was a vibrant shade of green, manicured to perfection with not even a daisy out of place. The torches themselves stood on silver poles with intricately pieces of metal snaking their way along the surface. The buildings stretched higher than Twilight could see by torchlight. She felt small, nothing in Equestria was this ornate. It was intimidating. At her expression, Opaline cackled, her laughter echoed off marbled walls. “Opaline, what’s going on out there? Who are you talking to?” A voice echoed down causing her laughter to catch in her throat. She coughed a bit, regained her composure and called back “We have visitors your majesty.” She turned back to them with a sneer. “Things have changed my dear Sun and Moon since you lost cantered across these halls. You would do good to remember that.” … Her little house was attached to the lighthouse that lit her little bay at night where no one ever docked. As she cooked, she watched foals running around, her elder neighbor watering her plants. A beautiful town with the same ponies every day. No new faces. No new voices. No new canters. And she was so bored of it all. She pulled on her skates and helmet with a dulled expression that softened when she saw the photo of her dearly departed father by the door. She slammed it behind her and was on her way to the center of Maritime Bay. A town by the sea, what could be more idyllic Ocean breeze and pleasant sun, a smell so specific Moors surrounding, beyond where the eye can see A place where every pony is simply content to be But day by day I find it all so boring The same old thing, I’m practically snoring No one seems to notice, no one seems to care How stale to keep breathing this same air She reached the town and picked up a smoothie. Kale again. She received the same good mornings she had every day of her life. Hitch was directing people through busy cross sections as always. Cue Ms Cloverleaf turning her nose in the air at the smell from the vegan cookie stand. Am I the only one Who feels the chill of the familiar Am I the only one Who feels each day is just filler Can’t be the only one Who wants to reconfigure And yet here we are, I’m the odd one out, I just need something new Sunny rolled up to the doors of the bookstore and hung her skates in the back room, preparing to start her shift. Dahlia pointed toward a stack of books. She grabbed them and took them to the shelves to put out, navigating around the browsers and readers. Am I the only one Who feels the chill of the familiar Am I the only one Who feels each day is just filler Can’t be the only one Who wants to reconfigure I wish I could describe, it’s not pride It’s the plot of a story no one knew I just want a different end She was sliding along the ladder when she misjudged the steps and fell, dropping her stack. “Sunny, are you making a mess again?”Dahlia sighed from the front, turning a page in her magazine. She didn’t need to look up to know what was going on. “Do I fall everyday?” She asked aloud to no answer. She sighed and shelved the last few books. The clock chimed noon. Lunch time for teachers. Which could only mean. “Achem!” She heard the familiar snooty sound of somepony clearing their throat. “Hello Ms Cloverleaf, what can I do for you today?” Sunny said with the biggest customer service smile she could manage. And despite knowing exactly what she wanted. “It’s been a rough lesson and I need something to unwin—oh!” Ms Cloverleaf was interrupted by Sunny handing her the book ‘The Stallion at Midnight.’ “That’s exactly—” “When you work at a bookstore long enough, you get a feel for these things.” Sunny nodded, pleased that for once she would dodge upsetting Ms Cloverleaf. “And why would you assume I’d want some filthy book such as this?” Sunny’s face fell, dumbfounded. “But... But you always…” “I always what?” Ms Cloverleaf spat back. “Hah! You’re in trouble,” Sprout laughed from the comic book rack. “You always..seem to like…stories about…strong mares…?” Sunny managed. Ms Cloverleaf snorted. “Bring me the manager!” Everyone gasped, looking at Sunny. Her ears pinned back as she glanced over to Dahlia who was rubbing her forehead with a hoof. … “Hey Sunny!” Hitch trotted over, his sheriff badge gleaming in the setting sun. A passing mare waved at him and he smiled a self assured smile back with a wink. She swooned. Sunny rolled her eyes. “Hey Hitch,” she sighed, slumping onto the sidewalk. “Rough day?” He asked, sitting beside her. “I was fired.” Sunny groaned. “Fired!” Hitch looked puzzled. “That can happen? I don’t think anyone’s ever lost a job here before.” “You really know how to cheer a girl up.” Sunny rolled her eyes. “Ah! Oh! Sorry. That really stinks. What happened?” “I’m surprised you hadn’t heard. It’s only been the talk of the whole town.” Sunny gestured widely. “Ms Cloverleaf asked to speak to the manager.” “Oooooh, yeah, that is not good.” Hitch whinced. “And it’s just because I brought her a book I knew she’d like. It’s like all the other books she reads. She loves those cheap, cheesy romance novels. So I saved us the trouble of her drawing out what she’s looking for and just handed her the latest one.” Sunny groaned in frustration. “You know Ms Cloverleaf. She is a pony of habit.” Hitch offered a small chuckle. “Everyone in Maritime Bay is a pony of habit.” She sighed. The sun was starting to make its descent overhead as the sky grew a beautiful shade of orange. “Speaking of, it’s light house time.” Hitch motioned with his head. Sunny pulled herself off the ground. “Yeah. Yeah it is.” “Catch you tomorrow.” Hitch smiled and trotted off. “Yeah. Yeah you will.” Sunny pulled on her skates, absolutely done with the day. She hurried home and up the stairs of the lighthouse. Why was she even bothering. No one was coming. She turned a crank that brought the white, round gem up into place. It lit up as the crank stopped turning, pointed toward the docks. Sunny looked at all the desks with various papers scattered across them covered in dust. She hadn’t the heart to touch anything in this room since her dad arrived. “I just want something different, something more, to happen. I want to meet someone new.” She often spoke to herself in this room. She liked to imagine her dad could hear her. It was comforting. As she turned to leave, she over guessed her step and tumbled into one of the tables. Her dad’s special lantern clattered to the floor. “Oh no!” She jumped up, setting it back into place, making sure nothing was broken. “Lantern!” She exclaimed, digging through the closet and pulling out a paper lantern. She hadn’t made one of these since she was a filly. She grabbed a scroll and wrote “You have friends in Maritime Bay” on it and tied it to the lantern. She brought it outside, lit the candle and released it into the night sky. It brought comfort to her to do something like this. Glimmer little night time light Journey with the stars Share with the world our words Guide us all through hope She sang with a content sigh. As she walked down the many stairs, she felt a new sense of determination. “Tomorrow I should go back and apologize to Dahlia. Or maybe I can apply for a job at the library. There’s better books at the library.” She prepared herself a meal and then snuggled into bed. “Tomorrow will be better, I just know it.” … Sunny woke to her alarm, feeling excited and determined. She sprang out of bed, leaving the blankets where they fell. She combed her mane, braided her hair, brushed her teeth, picked out her best horse shoes, and gave herself an approving nod in the mirror. “Today is gonna be my day.” Good morning, sun No time to chat, I gotta run 'Cause I've got places to be So much to do Excited, yes and nervous, too A change is starting with me I never worry 'bout upsetting carts, hardened hearts Or wonder "Will I belong?" She sang as she cantered to the kitchen. She had given herself enough time to bake a batch of apology cookies. She divided them out, one for Dahlia and one for Ms Cloverleaf, and placed them in colorful bags she tied with a bow. I've heard it enough I'm callin' their bluff I'll never get lost in the grey There's something inside Burns bigger than pride Shines out of me, lighting the way She put the cookies in her bag and tied on her skates. “Safety first!” She exclaimed as she almost forgot her helmet. She could feel it, today was going to be different! She hurried out the door in excitement. Gonna be, gonna be, gonna be my day (be my day) Gonna be, gonna be, gonna be my day (oh-oh-oh-oh) Gonna be, gonna be, gonna be my day (gonna be my day) Gonna be my day (ooh-ooh) Her singing came to a sudden halt as she ran into into a lavender pony with a light blue and purple mane. She fell on her back and shook her head to clear her vision. The purple pony leaned over her with a wide smile. Sunny’s eyes widened in shock as she saw her pale blue horn standing tall against blue curls. “Hello new friend!” “AHH!” Sunny screamed, scrambling to her feet as fast as she could, but falling again due to the roller skates. In the crash, her cookies had fallen out of her bag. “Here let me get those for ya.” The unicorn levitated the cookies back into the bag and then picked Sunny up with her magic and set her on the ground. She rolled forward slightly, a stunned expression on her face. “That’s better!” The unicorn’s overly genuine smile met Sunny’s shocked silence. “My name is Izzy! Izzy Moonbow.” “Uhh, hi! I’m, uh, Sunny Starscout.” She stammered as she regained her composure. “Wait. You’re a unicorn!” Izzy laughed. “Well yeah, silly. I mean I do have this horn and I can do this!” She picked up a stone on the path with her magic and tossed it. “I mean, I can’t really do much more than that, but you get the idea.” “You’re a unicorn.” Sunny whispered to herself as her lace lit up. She started jumping in excitement. “You’re a unicorn!” Izzy watched her jump with confusion. “You’re an earth pony. Woo. Hooray?” She raised a hoof in an awkward but earnest celebration. “Oh, sorry, can we start the introduction over? It’s just, we don’t get visitors. Ever.” Izzy giggled with a snort. “Sure, new friend. My name is Izzy! Izzy Moonbow.” Sunny laughed. “I’m Sunny Starscout. It’s amazing to meet you! How did you find us?” Izzy out a hoof to her chin in thought. “I saw this weird light in the sky and I followed it and some other stuff happened and now here I am!” “I didn’t think anyone else could actually come here! I have so many question! You have to tell me everything! What’s it like to use magic? Where do you live? Do you guys have bookstores? Are there other unicorn out there?” Sunny pulled out a journal and a quill. “I have to write it all down! Is this what my dad felt like when he wrote his own books?” Before Izzy could answer the far too many questions, they heard a voice calling from up the road. “Sunny! Sunny are you okay? Posey told me she heard screaming up here.” “Oooh, is that another new friend?” Izzy clapped her hooves together. They jangled with her many bracelets. “Oh there you are Sun—“ Hitch noticed the unicorn standing beside his childhood best friend. “AAAAHHH!” He screamed stumbling back. “I get that a lot.” She and Sunny laughed as they helped Hitch up. Author's Note I had too much fun writing Izzy in this part
More Than Hot AirAuthor's Note I had a lot of fun writing about Skyros this chapter. I like telling the story of Twilight’s time and the present with Sunny and friends together. Can’t wait to show where these two will weave! More Than Hot Air Night caressed the landscape of the castle grounds. King Calathea could not think of a better sight than the grandeur of his walls. He had picked this specific color of marble as it complimented his dark, regal green coat and light, mint flowing mane. Even his crown felt more a continuation of his mane and horn than it did an accessory. He was born to rule and would always through eternity. No one had a better destiny than he and it brought him great comfort and pride. His night was perfect, his gardens perfect, not a hair out of place, not a servant out of line—WHOOOSH. He rushed to the window at the sound of fire and echoing laughter. Ugh the laughter. His laughter was far better than this. How dare it interrupt his royal admiration of self. This laughter could only one mare. “Opaline, What’s going on out there? Who are you talking to?” He called down, raising his voice enough to be heard but not to a level that could risk damaging such a polished and perfect symphonic masterpiece. “We have visitors your majesty,” she called up to him. “Visitors how quant. How…” He stopped mid thought. “What do you mean we have visitors?” He called back. What a preposterous claim. “Two returned alicorns and one new.” Opaline’s distaste was palpable. Calathea gasped. “Returned! That can only mean—“ He ran full gallop through the halls. “Everyone, awaken!” He shouted, rising his citizens from their slumber and hobbies. He skidded to a halt in front of a blue alicorn with a mustache and coifed pink mane. “Blueregard, my dear butler, please send the knights to gather those in town. Our sun and moon are back!” Blueregard’s expression had been one of bored duty, but lit up at this statement. “Oh at once, sire. It will be my honor.” He galloped out of the room as Calathea continued his way down. He half expected this to be a joke or a mirage, but no one would joke about something so serious. In the history of their grand civilization, there had been only three falls, all tragic. One was a traitorous cur they refuse to speak the name so as to not sully their tongues. The other two were their dearest foals, felled in a tragic incident and whose whereabouts had been unknown. He stopped at the threshold of the exit, his eyes meeting theirs for the first time. Tears welled in his royal lavender eyes. “Oh, Celestia, Luna, it is you.” Luna gasped. “King Calathea! It is like seeing a long forgotten memory.” She and her sister trotted past Opaline, Celestia flicking her tail which caused it to brush Opaline’s face. She growled after them. “How many moons it has been, oh we feared the worst.” He hugged them each in turn. “Come, we must celebrate at once. I have raised the town. Everyone will be dying to hear of your surely terrifying adventures below the clouds on that pitiful land.” Opaline cleared her throat. King Calathea did not appreciate the interruption. “My dear sire, there is a matter of,” she motioned with an exaggerated tremor of disgusts, “this one.” The king paused, looking down at the purple mare before him. Her flank was adorned with a star cluster and her midnight blue hair flowed in the still air. “Why she’s one of those ascended! I had heard that mockery was possible but to see it in person.” He laughed as one would at a filly wearing his father’s too big saddle. “She feels familiar to us. I did not expect that. This one, she is a follower of yours, I presume?” He turned to Celestia and Luna. “More than follower. Twilight Sparkle is a dear friend and equal and we have gifted her some of our own magic so she could lead the ponies down below.” Celestia explained. She and Luna had shared many a glance during his words. Many things about their culture had been forgotten in the millennia since they last cantered these grounds. “Gifted!” King Calathea looked offended. “Well I suppose the trials must have been greater than we could imagine. I suppose none of that matters right now.” He clapped his hooves together. “Come purple one, you may join us.” “It’s Twilight Sparkle,” she corrected with a scowl. “Yes, yes, whatever. To the banquet halls my dears!” … “A unicorn? Here? How, what?” Hitch seemed dazed as he held his head in disbelief. “Deep breaths, big guy.” Sunny patted his back. He took her advice and caught his breath, “Okay. Okay. First, Sunny, we should take this inside your house. Don’t want anymore freak outs today. You know how Posey can get.” “Good idea.” The three trotted into her house. She pulled out some apple juice. She hesitated before pulling out the cookies she had made and putting them out as well. The day was too far off track to fix with some apology cookies. “Oh thanks,” Hitch drained the apple juice. “I needed that. So, Izzy you said your name was?” “Uh huh,” Izzy nodded. “How did you find us?” Hitch asked with genuine curiosity piquing his voice. “No one ever finds us.” Sunny gasped. “You’ve noticed that, too?” Hitch nodded, “Hard not to when you’re sheriff and supposed to keep track of everyone. I asked my dad about it a few times, back when he was sheriff, but he always cut me off. Told me I had a job to do and to not be ridicules. So I stopped, kept it to myself. I’m supposed to be someone this town looks up to and that means sometimes letting those questions stay a little nag at the back of my head.” Izzy looked from Hitch to Sunny. “So you mean you’ve never had a new friend before?” Sunny shook her head with a small frown. “Do you guys have time for a little story time?” “Of course!” Sunny said eagerly, standing up in her chair. Hitch was more reserved. “I should be getting to work, I’m sure Ms Cloverleaf needs a hand crossing the road, but this is important.” “Okay,” Izzy rubbed her hooves together. “You will not regret this. I’m know as something as a master of craft back home. Usually that means gluing macaroni to paper, but I like to think I can weave a good tale. Okay so it all started when I was a filly.” Izzy pulled out a paper from her hair. Sunny instantly recognized it. “No way,” she said with quiet awe. Izzy gasped, “It was you!” She handed over the paper that Sunny had made with her dad. It read ‘you have friends in Maritime Bay.’ “My mom passed away when I was young, so I was alone a lot. I had this huge tree house all to myself. It was kinda fun because I could fill it with more sculptures than I could make with these hooves, but mostly not because it was just me. I remember one night I wished upon a star for a friend. And the star started zig zagging across the sky so I chased after it and I caught it! Only it wasn’t a star, it was a letter. My wish had been answered!” Sunny looked down at the note fondly. It was weathered and the creases ran deep where it had been folded and unfolded. The message was still clear even after all these years. “You know,” Sunny started, handing the letter back, “I had made this back when I felt so different and alone. I wanted to badly to reach someone new and to understand.” “You did reach someone new! Ever since I got that letter I kept wishing on every shooting star that I could meet that friend. Years passed, ponies came and went, and then one night as I was walking home, I saw it again! A star that zigzagged across the sky! But I was determined to find where it came from. There’s not much magic left, but I managed to craft a little backwardsy spell of my own. It’s like when you’re gluing all the pieces in a big fountain but then you realize halfway through you accidentally glued a bottle of glitter right in the middle so then you have to get the hairdryer out and you know how it is?” Sunny and Hitch both shook their heads. “Well, anyway, so I managed to send it back. I followed it for the whole night. Then I got tired, those spells take a lot out of you, so I tied it to a branch and fell asleep. I woke up ready to go and then when my hooves were so tired I felt like I was gonna drop, the world just kinda ended. There was nothing but me and the star and it was really creepy. But then it appeared before me! Fields of the greenest grass I’d ever seen and so many flowers! And then I met you and you screamed and then you repeated I’m a unicorn a lot and then—“ “I think we know the story from there,” Sunny giggled. “What do you mean the world just ended? That seems like quite the detail to gloss over!” Hitch smacked a hoof onto the table. “I dunno how to explain it. There was just white everywhere around me. It was like everything was drained of color except me and the star. And the hairs of my coat stood on end like the biggest jinxies you ever felt. And then when color came back it was here. And here is beautiful. I wanna explore!” “Well we do keep a good town around here,” Hitch looked pleased with himself, “thanks for noticing.“ “A white void. Oh! I’ve seen that before from the lighthouse. But I thought I was just like a trick of the sunlight.” Sunny ran over to the door leading to the stairs, motioning for the others. Hitch paused, his duty calling, but his curiosity was stronger. He pranced after them. “Oh wow!” Izzy exclaimed looking around at the view. “Is that a beach? I’ve never seen one before. It’s beautiful. I don’t really get to leave Bridlewood too much.” “Is that where you live?” Sunny asked. “Yep!” Izzy nodded. “It’s a town in the forest, but only unicorns live there. Every once in awhile an earth pony or Pegasus will come through, but usually it’s just us unicorns doing our best.” Sunny stopped, “Wait, what did you mean there’s not much magic left? Like are unicorns not able to do spells?” “Well,” Izzy considered with a hoof to her chin, “I’m sure you guys have noticed it too. Earth ponies have their nature thing and their strength. I think that’s what you guys have. I don’t talk to too many earth ponies. Unicorns have our magic. We can levitate things and make little spells and light our horns up when it’s dark. In the past there were these great sorcerer ponies,” “Like Twilight Sparkle!” Sunny Interupted. Izzy nodded excitedly, “Yep! And they would do all kinds of cool things like teleport and shoot lasers, pew pew. But that doesn’t happen anymore. It kinda feels like something is just out of reach but like deep inside you. Just making that star go backwards took all my energy and I was sweating more than after I bring out the blow torch!” Hitch raised an eyebrow. “A blow torch? Do you have a permit for that?” “Uh, hehe, no comment.” Izzy sheepishly tapped her hooves together. Sunny was shocked. “I had no idea. I’ve never felt anything like that before.” She turned and pointed out the window. “Look out there!” Sure enough, there was a noticeable whiteness right on the border of where she could see. “Whenever we go through those fields, there’s always a feeling I get, like I forgot something at home. And I just turn around and don’t think about it.” She turned to look at the drawings on the tables from her dad. Beyond his published works, she could never bring herself to look at any of this. And she never had reason to before. “You know, that’s kind of the feeling I started getting when I was following the star. Only I knew I couldn’t have forgot anything because I had my note behind my ear so I ignored it. I’m good at ignoring my inner thoughts. ‘Take a bath.’ ‘Fold your laundry’.” “You know I come up here so much now to turn the light on that I just don’t think about what I’m seeing anymore because it’s always the same. Always. There has to be a reason for this.“ Sunny was digging through papers and artifacts. She came across a crudely drawn picture of what looked like a giant lantern. Under it was written ‘lantern tests successful. Hot air balloon test successful. Testing discontinued by vote.’ “Oh!” Izzy exclaimed, “That looks like the star!” “It’s not a star,” Sunny laughed, “it’s a lantern. You make it out of paper and then light a candle under it and that makes it to fly through the air. My dad says this is a hot air balloon. I’d heard about them before, but never really knew what they were. Twilight Sparkle used to use one to travel around Equestria.” Hitch had been quiet, taking everything in. “If your lantern made it through that whatever it is out there, then maybe that hot air balloon could, too.” Sunny’s face lit up and her eyes grew wide. “You’re right! This is how we could leave Maritime Bay!” “Aww, but I just got here,” Izzy groaned. “Leave Maritime Bay?” Hitch looked down at his badge. “I have a duty to protect every pony here. I can’t just leave.” He sighed, scowling and heading to the stairs. “In fact I should be out there right now. They depend on me to make sure nothing bad happens.” Sunny stamped her hoof. “Nothing bad ever happens here.” He stopped. He knew she was right. “Day in and day out it’s the same thing. There’s something going on here. There’s a whole world out there and for some reason we’re being kept inside. We can’t go back to being blind to this.” Hitch’s shoulders drooped. “The citizens do deserve better than this, but I don’t know. I need time.” “That’s a good idea. We don’t even have a hot air balloon. We should take time to think on this. I need time to process and go over all these papers. See what else my dad knew. It’s all a big decision.” Sunny nodded. “It’s a big everything. I don’t even know what this could mean!” Hitch looked tired as they made their way back down the stairs together. “Sooooo can we go to the beach?” Izzy grinned looking from one to the other. “Absolutely not. The people in town would have a heart attack if we marched out there with a unicorn.” Hitch put his foot down. “What if I do this?” Izzy snagged a sun hat and some sunshades from Sunny’s room. She put them on, but the unmistakable point of a horn poked through. Hitch leaned back and shook his head. “Oh wait!” Sunny ran into her room and grabbed a white scarf. She tied it over the hat. That did the trick. “Tadaa!” Izzy held her front hoof out, the bracelets jangling, showing off her look. “Ugh, fine. It’s your funeral if they find out.” Hitch trotted out of the house. The two girls jumped in excitement, making their way to the shore.
BarriersThe two paused at the cliff side overlooking the beach. Izzy wanted to take everything in from the waves to the foals playing on the shore. “Alphabittle used to tell all of us foals stories from all around Equestria. I always loved the beach stories. He never told us about the breeze or the smell. It smells kinda like salt but not in a bad way. He said it was like a giant lake but with more sun. Seeing this, I really don’t think he had any idea what he was talking about.” Izzy giggled. “It’s beautiful. You guys get to live here? You’re so lucky.” Sunny looked down at the beach. She hadn’t thought of that. She never really appreciated the beach that much having lived above it for so many moons. “I guess I am. Well let’s not just stand here and look at it. Come on!” She motioned for Izzy to follow and the two galloped toward the sand. Izzy stopped short and touched the sand cautiously. She had never walked on sand like this before. She gently applied pressure to her hoof, only it sank more than she intended. “Woah!” She shouted, pulling her hoof back out. A foal that was playing nearby giggled at her. “Hehe, I meant to do that.” She grinned sheepishly, looking around. “Okay, Izzy, let’s try this again.” She set her hoof down again and it kept sinking. She quickly set down her other and it was sinking too. She tried her best to scramble along, but tripped, sending her hat flying off. “Opps,” she said in a small voice. The foal gasped and ran toward her. “What’s that!” She asked, pointing to her horn. “Oh this? Well, it’s…uhh… SUNNY!” Izzy yelled for help. “Oh no! Izzy!” She galloped forward and shoved the hat back on her head. “It’s just a party hat. You see we’re, uhh, celebrating my friend’s birthday!” The foal did not believe her one bit. “That wasn’t a birthday hat.” “How come adults never tell us the truth?” A purple earth pony with mint hair and a pink bow on her tail grumped. Izzy lowered herself to be eye level with the foal. “I always wondered that when I was your age. Where I’m from, our town leader Alphabittle loves telling us about history and things that go on in other towns, but after seeing this beach, I don’t know if he always knows what he’s talking about.” “They think we’re too young, but we can tell! Yeah!” The foal paused. “Wait, who’s Alphabittle?” She looked up at Izzy. Izzy looked around and put a hoof to her lips in a shh motion. She then lifted her hat to show her horn. “Oh my gosh!” The foal exclaimed, and then quieted looking around. “You’re a unicorn! I’ve never seen one before!” Izzy nodded. “I’m Izzy Moonbow! I’m on a secret mission so you can’t tell anyone I’m wearing a disguise.” “I won’t! I’m Seashell!” She reached out a pink hoof but was interrupted by the the sharp voice of a mare. “Seashell! Where are you? It’s time for a snack!” Sunny looked toward the voice to see Dahlia prancing down to the shore. “Oh, hey, Dahlia,” Sunny grinned awkwardly. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I had baked you cookies, but I kinda ruined them when I fell on them, heh.” Dahlia rolled her eyes. “You always fall, I’m not surprised. It’s no hard feelings, but you are always causing some sort of weird disturbance. And if people stop coming in, I can’t sell books and my mom is going to be livid if she finds out her bookstore is closing.” “Yeah, I know,” Sunny sighed. Dahlia gathered her niece and then looked up for the first time to come eye to eye with Izzy. She stepped back quickly, unsure. “Who…?” Izzy reached out a hoof. “I’m Izzy Moonbow!” “Izzy…” Dahlia looked at the hoof, then noticed the color of the gems in Izzy’s bracelets. “Oh! These look like flowers!” Dahlia stomped a little hoof onto the dirt and a small brilliant colored dahlia flower bloomed. “I like to mix up the colors of the petals when I grow them! Most earth ponies use their magic to encourage produce from the land, but I always liked making colorful flowers!” It was like popping a wine cork, the words kept coming like bubbles. “I didn’t realize you could do that!” Sunny beamed. “Well, you never asked to be fair,” Dahlia sniffed, “but it’s not your fault. I keep it to myself. I have to run the bookstore now that my mom’s too old. And Seashell will probably take it over when I’m too old.” Seashell did not look happy at that. “So what’s the point in growing a bunch of crazy flowers. If Ms Cloverleaf doesn’t complain, Posey will. It’s just not helpful.” Izzy looked really sad. “Is everyone here like this? Just doing things because they have to? Hitch’s dad was a sheriff, your dad ran the lighthouse, and Dahlia’s mom ran the bookstore. Hitch likes his job, but he couldn’t ask questions, and Dahlia wants to grow flowers. This isn’t right.” Dahlia turned. “Who is this mare? Why is she acting so new to everything? I haven’t seen anyone with a cutiemark like that and I’ve seen everyone. Something is wrong here.” “Well, so much for keeping a low profile for Hitch,” Sunny grumbled under her breath. She took the hat off, showing off Izzy’s horn. Dahlia’s eyes widened and she took a few involuntary steps back. “She’s a unicorn!” Seashell said with a little hop. “Sunny, what did you do?” Dahlia accused immediately but with a tone of quiet awe. “I didn’t do anything, Izzy found us.” “Well,” Izzy interrupted, “you did send a lantern that led me here.” “Not helpful!” Sunny gave a quick glare. “We’ve been in a daze in this town, doing the same thing day in and day out.” She motioned to the flower. “You’ve felt it, too. Everyone is too afraid to speak up about it. There’s a whole world out here with other ponies we’ve never seen. And for some reason we’re sealed off in a bubble. It’s why there’s never ships that come to dock or new books written that aren’t by people in town.” Dahlia shook her head. “This is too much. You’re always doing something weird. You spread weird stories in school I got in trouble for being excited about but then I thought your dad’s a writer so that’s probably what you’ll do so I hired you but then you never wrote anything and instead made scenes or sang weird songs or or,” Dahlia was struggling with words. “I don’t know! I don’t need you corrupting Seashell with this stuff. You need to figure yourself out, let the town leaders deal with this, and leave me out of it. I have responsibilities to attend to. Come on Seashell.” She stomped away, the foal looking mournfully back at Izzy, waving. Izzy waved back and felt a tear come to her eye. She sniffled, wiping it away. “Oh, Izzy, I’m so sorry. This town is very set in its ways and you appearing dismantles everything we knew.” Izzy took a deep breath to steady her voice. “It’s okay. I wouldn’t have walked through a void in time and space if I wasn’t prepared to deal with the consequences. Actually no, that’s a lie. I didn’t really think at all. I am extremely unprepared.” Her stomach let out a loud growl. “See? I didn’t even bring food!” Sunny let out a small chuckle, she helped Izzy put the disguise back on. “Come on, let’s get some food. We can think about all of this with a full belly.” … Twilight marched grumpily behind the four alicorn. Celestia and Luna would shoot her apologetic looks and Opaline would look back to sneer. King Calathea didn’t perceive her at all. Surely not all alicorn were like this. Were they? But judging by the decadence of the town around them, that was looking to be the case. Every building put Canterlot to shame. Even the Crystal Empire would be indistinguishable from Ponyville to so,Rome who grew up here. She always held sadness that Luna and Celestia were severed from their family before they even had their cutiemarks, but now she found herself feeling rather glad they hadn’t. “Over here is the play grounds. You two used to beat Opaline here in every game of tag, checkers, chess, hungry hungry hippos, tiddlywinks, horse carts and ladders, three winged races, tic-tac-toe, hop scotch, eye spy, prance—“ “I think they get the point, your majesty,” Opaline growled. “—that the three of you played. It was a delight to see,” King Calathea laughed. He paused and then redid his laugh to sound more regal. Any nearby alicorn citizens joined in with the laughter, stomping their hooves to clap along. “Oh! And here is where you two first showed an aptitude for the sun and moon in this very observatory! Oh we were so proud.” The observatory was brilliantly gilded with an emerald inlay that wrapped around the building like vines reaching toward the diamond dome at the top. “Oh I do remember that moment. We two were so happy, we were bounding around in excitement,” Luna giggled at the memory which caused another round of laughter from the citizens. “While I do appreciate the tour, King Calathea—“ Twilight began but was interrupted. “The appreciation is expected, but this tour is not for you,” he corrected. “Right. We are here for a very particular reason. Your city is standing still in the sky and visible above Equestria’s capital kingdom. It’s how we were able to make it here. We’ve come to offer assistance in case there was trouble. To our knowledge something like this has never happened before.” King Calathea laughed, “You? Provide assistance to us? Oh I see why you keep the purple one around. It is quite amusing. What a tale this one weaves. I might seek to steal it from you as a jester of my own.” He turned dismissively. Celestia stepped protectively in front of her former student. “We don’t seek to raise alarm, and perhaps this conversation will be best had in private, but Twilight is right. Skyros has come to a stand still and no longer passes as a comet above. Which makes it accessible to anyone. We assumed this was due to some trouble that had befallen the citizens, but it seems you are unaware and everyone here is fine.” The King gasped as if he had just heard this for the first time. “Skyros has come to a stand still?” The town gasped around him, melodic screaming happened around. “That can happen? Oh, the banquet we had prepared for you must wait. We must gather the council at once!” He stomped a hoof gently upon the marble path. “Oh but sire, the chef’s worked so hard,” Blueregard motioned to two alicorns with hairnets that whimpered. “Well, I suppose it’s a shame to waste a perfectly good feast and it is late. Alright banquet, nap, and then council.” The crowd cheered. “Oh and Opaline, lead this one to the hay stocks. It can eat there.” He motioned to Twilight. “Twilight Sparkle is our dear friend. She should be allowed among us.” Celestia stood firm. “No, no, it’s okay. I could use a moment to clear my head. And I wouldn’t want to trample your traditions.” Twilight said flatly. “Oh Celestia, you have grown to be such a gracious and generous leader. Alright, come along, the banquet hall is this way.” They disappeared from view and Twilight sighed in relief. She had had enough of the alicorn for one day. “Ugh, come along, then.” Opaline turned, not looking to see if Twilight followed. She trotted after her. They did not speak the entire way back. The silence gave Twilight time to mull over and digest everything that had happened since they arrived. “There. Don’t eat too much of it and you better make sure you thank the King for his generosity.” Opaline has almost left the room when Twilight spoke. “You seemed really unsurprised when we arrived, Opaline.” Opaline turned to face her. “Care to explain?” Opaline had a brief face of a foal caught with its hoof in the cookie jar. “You know nothing of our customs or my position in this community and have no right to demand any explanations from me.” “Cut the act, Opaline.” Twilight galloped over and stood her ground, horn crackling with magic waiting to be unleashed. “It’s clear to me you are an errand mare for the king at best. And if he was surprised you had visitors, then there was no reason for you to have expected them either.” Opaline laughed a quiet, deep rumble. “You’re a smart one, aren’t you? Too observant for your own good.” Twilight felt vines, hard as emeralds, grab her and pull her down. She fell with a shout. The vines felt as if they were burning her skin. She groaned in pain as she struggled. The magic was too strong. Was this the power of a born alicorn? “Why don’t you stay here in time out while the big ponies discuss our affairs. Perhaps this will teach you to ask questions.” Opaline slammed the doors and melted the locks with her fire. “No!” Twilight shouted as she struggled, the last thing she heard was Opaline’s cackle as she felt her vision go hazy and the world spun into darkness. … Two hay burgers later and Izzy and Sunny felt in much better spirits. They had received some stares, but luckily no confrontations. “How about we have a smoothie for desert? I know just the place!” Sunny galloped with Izzy following her, the two laughing in content. They didn’t go far before Ms Cloverleaf blocked their path. “Of course it’s you. Follow us.” She was flanked by two stallions dressed in suits. One of them was Sprout wearing sunglasses and holding his head high. Ms Cloverleaf was not only a school teacher but the town’s leader. Though there was not usually much to lead so the title was more a formality than anything. “Oh! Ms Cloverleaf! I had baked you cookies but they kinda—“ Ms Cloverleaf did not turn and instead marched dutifully toward. “And you’re serious, wow, okay.” The two trotted toward the giant town hall building situated on a hill that could perfectly overlook all of Maritime Bay. The words Canterlogic Academy adorned the signed atop the gate leading up. As the walked, Sprout leaned toward her and whispered, “So what happened to the cookies?” “Sprout!” Ms Cloverleaf shouted. “Yes mommy!” He trotted quickly back into place. They walked into the building and up several flights of stairs to Ms Cloverleaf’s office. She took her seat at her desk, motioning for the two to sit in the chairs in front of her desk. She nodded to the stallions. They closed the door, one talking point outside and Sprout standing inside. “So, care to explain yourself?” Ms Cloverleaf turned to Izzy. “I’m Izzy Moonbow! And I’m a perfectly normal earth pony who likes to go to the beach.” She said firmly. “Yep totally normal.” Sunny nodded. Ms Cloverleaf just stared at them flatly. “Hat off.” She said. “Oh no, I’m okay. Hat on.” Izzy pulled on the brim, but it just caused the horn to pierce through the straw. “Aw, I liked that hat.” Izzy sighed and took the hat and glasses off, setting them on the ground beside her. “Tadaa,” she said meekly. Ms Cloverleaf sighed, rubbing her temples with her hooves. “A unicorn!” Sprout gasped pointing. “What?” Came the mumbled voice of the stallion outside. “Sprout, here,” Ms Cloverleaf tossed a cup with a ball on a sting tied to it, “Mommy needs this ball to go into the cup, it’s very important.” Sprout saluted and begun try, and failing, to get the ball inside. “Unicorn, what are you doing here? Do you know the trouble you’ve caused by coming here? This town is not for you.” Ms Cloverleaf hit her hoof against her desk. “Who sent you?” Izzy jumped at the sound of the hoof on desk. “I just wanted to make a friend.” She pulled the letter from behind her ear and showed it to Ms Cloverleaf. She took one glance and sighed, “Oh Argyle.” “I was feeling down that night you came to our house and told my dad I was too excited at school so we made this and he put it on a lantern and sent it into the sky. It was just for fun. I sent another one yesterday after the, well, incident, because I was feeling so alone. Don’t get mad at Izzy.” Ms Cloverleaf spoke softly. “I’m not mad at either of you. Argyle’s the one that should have known better. No, neither of you could have known the issues you were causing.” “What issues are we causing? No one ever wants to answer questions around here.” Sunny scowled. Ms Cloverleaf inhaled deeply. “I suppose it is your rightful job here, Sunny. You see, Argyle Starshine was our historian. He kept the history of what happened in our town and also the history of Equestria. I had assumed once he died you would come to me for answers with all his writings I assumed he had strewn about, the man was a mess.” “I couldn’t look at them. If I kept them all how they were, it was like he was still there with me; like he could prance through the door at any moment.” A pang of grief paused her words. “I guess I never really worked through his death.” “I’m so sorry, Sunny. There are a lot of ways we could have handled things better.” Ms Cloverleaf said with a tone of regret. “You may have figured this our already, but our town is sealed.” “Sealed?” Sunny repeated in disbelief. “Yes, long ago, Twilight fought a powerful foe and the battle was all but lost. We don’t have the exacts as not too many history books go into this and I doubt any pony even knows the full story, but desperate times call for desperate measures and magic was separated from ponykind. It was put into magical artifacts, one for each of the three pony races, and those artifacts were sealed away to be protected by the brave mares and stallions who were up for the task. Magic could not be taken from the ponies so long as the artifacts remained hidden. Not even the ponies in those towns knew what the artifact was inside their invisible walls. It was best no one knew and risked things. With magic sealed away, Twilight was able to keep an evil force from stealing it and made the ultimate sacrifice to send her foe flying and create a bubble of protection around all of Equestria to keep the foe out.” “I never knew Twilight sacrificed herself. The history books always stopped at her defeating a great foe and bringing peace to Equestria forever.” Sunny was mesmerized by the story. “There’s a lot history doesn’t teach and it’s by design. As time continued forward, life moved on for the ponies inside the sealed towns. The barriers did their job to keep ponies in and to keep ponies out. Life flourished and communities were created. Only a select few trusted ponies know this story so as to not disrupt our duties and keep things at peace.” “Is Sprout one of the trusted ponies?” Sunny asked. “Huh, what? Did someone say my name?” Sprout looked up, the thread tangled around his hooves. “No, dear, you’re doing a good job!” Ms Cloverleaf praised. This made Sprout beam and continue his task. “Something bothers me about that story, though,” Izzy spoke up, “it says that magic could not be taken from the ponies.” Ms Cloverleaf nodded. “Yes, that’s right.” “Well, I don’t mean to burst anyone’s barrier, but outside this place, magic is a whisper when it used to be a ROAR!” Izzy made a face like a lion. “Us unicorns can only do a few basic spells and Pegasi can flitter from a tree to the ground or maybe across a pond, but that’s about it. It’s slowly grown weaker and weaker. Except in here. In here I can do way more like this!” Izzy picked up a paper weight shaped like a bunny and concentrated on it. It began bouncing around in her hand before freezing back as a paper weight. “I could never do that out there!” My Cloverleaf pushed back from her desk and trotted back and forth in worry. “I had heard this could come to pass. It means something has happened either with one of the other two sealed settlements or the great Equestrian barrier itself. This could possibly mean the great foe Twilight fought is back or it could mean with so many hundreds of moons since her sacrifice her spell has weakened. Either way, this is not good.” “I did it!” Sprout exclaimed, showing off the ball in the cup proudly. Everyone glared at him. “What?” “Sprout, go fetch us some tea.” Ms Cloverleaf asked nicely. “Right away!” Sprout saluted and trotted out the door. “What do we do?” Sunny asked, worried. “We do nothing. I can’t leave this town. With the artifact still here, we have full magic, but it sounds like the reach across the barrier is weakened. Which means your magic will be weakened out there as well. And there is only one way to get across the barrier.” “Walk across while blindly following a star?” Izzy offered. “Uhh, no, your head may be full of hot air, but most of ours aren’t. That is the only way across. Your father found that out awhile ago with the lanterns he made.” “I saw that paper on his desk! It said something about a hot air balloon test.” “Yes, a long time ago, your dad was trying to find ways to pierce the barrier should we need outside help. There were some concerns arising in town. I won’t bore you with the details, but he traveled out by hot air balloon. He was gone for awhile and returned with your mother in tow. We strictly forbid the use of hot air balloons from that point onward. The danger he could have put all of us in. Apparently time moves slower in our barrier because he wasn’t gone long at all to us and the two had, in that greater amount, of time fallen in love. Duty brought him back. He never said anything about weakened magic, but he never said much of anything that wasn’t about the history of Equestria or your mother. Beyond the story of our duty, there’s not much we know about Twilight and her friends. It’s an intriguing mystery most foals grow out of.” “So then we have to take a hot air balloon to find out what happened to the other sealed towns!” Sunny exclaimed jumping up. “Did my dad put it somewhere?” “No, but we did to remove the temptation.” Ms Cloverleaf beckoned for them to follow her down to the basement. Sprout ran into the room with a tray of tea and cucumber sandwiches. “Where did everyone go?” He asked, looking around as he set everything down. He shrugged and shoved all the cucumber sandwiches into his mouth. … “We kept it here. It still works as far as we know.” Izzy and Sunny were huffing and puffing down the last bit of stairs as Ms Cloverleaf motioned to a purple balloon decorated with dark purple swirls and a gold base and a pink basket on the ground. “My dad rode in this? Sunny asked looking at it. It didn’t look very fit for travel, but then again the only traveling she had done had been by skate or by hoof. Ms Cloverleaf nodded. “We kept it down here just in case it was needed in the future. And I suppose now is that time. I suspect you’ll be the one making this journey?” Sunny nodded, inspecting the basket. “Hitch had wanted to come with us if we left, but didn’t feel like he could leave town with his duty.” “That doesn’t surprise me. He’s a strong, caring leader. He’s too good to be tied to a post like this. Why don’t you talk to him and gather your things before you set out?” “Will the town be okay without him?” Sunny asked, knowing that would be his first protest. “You’ve seen this town. It’ll be fine. All of you will be back before we even miss you two and the chaos you can cause.” Ms Cloverleaf chuckled. The thought of coming back sat like a lump in Sunny’s mind. The thought of leaving felt similar. She had never known it was possible though she had often day dreamed about it and now the moment was here and it felt strange to her. Ms Cloverleaf placed a hoof on Sunny’s, sensing her racing mind. “Go on, no sense sorting your thoughts out in this dusty basement. We’ll prepare the balloon for you.” … Sunny paced outside the sheiff’s station. Her mind was racing and her mouth felt dry. Izzy had run off, disguise back in action. Sunny barely noticed with her mind so full. “Here,” Izzy tapped her shoulder startling her out of her thoughts. She handed Sunny a smoothie. “I don’t know what your favorite flavor is, but this one’s orange like you.” “Oh Izzy,” Sunny felt emotion welling up as she accepted the cup. Hitch opened the door and saw both of them standing right outside. “Alright, what’s going on? I’m suspicious.” Sunny shook her head. “We’ve got a lot to talk about, Sheriff.” Author's Note Time to take the show on the road! I’m so excited we’re diving into the meat now!
Hot Air Balloon RideAuthor's Note sorry for the delay between chapters. I make plushies and vend at cons for a living and got fairly busy with that. Excited to write more! Hot Air Balloon Ride King Calathea sat at the head of a long, golden table. Rubies lined the edge and along the entire surface was an intricately edged history of Skyros. It started on one end with an etching of an alicorn among the stars. Dragons, manticore, and other terrible creatures (according to the artist) below. The next image showed the alicorn landing on a star. The alicorn used his hooves to sculpt the star into a paradise that rose above all else. Fellow alicorn joined him in the land he created. They used their great wings to make a wind that kept the star traveling around the world. The penultimate image showed a thriving society blessed and chosen as the greatest. The final image was not as large as the others, being the most recent. It was added some millennia ago. It showed the alicorn that founded Skyros passing his crown to King Calathea. The king took his seat in front of this image. The table was old, grand, and large. It could easily fit a hundred or more alicorn. Luna and Celestia took their seats at the right side of the king. If they had remained in Skyros, this would have been a place of honor they would have frequented. Luna took note their cutiemarks had already been carved in the seats with a raised eyebrow, a placeholder for a more permanent future fitting. Luna caught Celestia’s attention and motioned to it with her head. Celestia saw it and raised an eyebrow. Luna nodded and held out her hooves which was familiar to Celestia as an ‘I know, right?’ motion. She could not wait to be alone with her sister and Twilight to vent about everything later. Speaking of. “Your majesty, where is Twilight Sparkle?” Celestia asked, looking around. Knowing this place, she hadn’t expected to see room for Twilight at the table, but at least in the same vicinity. The King paused. “I had thought Opaline would have fetched that for you by now. I hope it hasn’t eaten all our good hay.” He stood. “Opaline!” He shouted above the chatter at the table. “Yes, your majesty,” Opaline bowed. “Fetch the purple one for us.” He clapped his hooves. “When I went to seek her earlier, she was not where I left her. I suspect our customs and grand halls was too intimidating for the creature.” Opaline spoke plainly. The King nodded. This made sense to him. “Well, there you are.” He said to Celestia and Luna as he took his seat. Luna and Celestia exchanged worrying glances. This was unlike Twilight. Had the treatment warded her off? Surely that couldn’t be it. “Something isn’t right, sister.” Celestia whispered to Luna. “Nothing is right in this place. Is this how we would be if we remained?” Luna sighed. “We can’t both leave to look for her. You have seniority here, you should stay while I give search., T’would be best for you to help the alicorn.” Celestia nodded. “Handling day politics for so many moons, I probably have the better handle on things anyway.” Celestia laughed and Luna nudged her in playful annoyance. “Make haste, I have things under control here, and the sooner we finish,” Celestia looked to the carving on the chair, but didn’t finish her sentence. Luna pranced off quietly. “Where is your sister going?” King Calathea asked, “We are about to begin!” “Little mare’s room,” Celestia responded quickly, Luna shot her a dirty look. “That meal was quite more, uh, regal? than we’re used to down below.” “Ah yes, it makes sense to me now,” he gave her a pitying look, placing a hoof on hers in comfort. “Well worry not, the two of you will be used to less mealy gruel soon enough.” “Be seated, everyone. The meeting is to begin soon.” Blueregard held a bell above his head with magic, ringing it to get everyone’s attention. The room fell silent, eyes to the king. “Every Alicorn, I’m sure you’ve seen our lost Sun and Moon have returned to us!” The table erupted into cheers and hoof stamping applause. “Yes yes, this is very joyous, BUT.” He stopped, looking around, pausing for effect. “We have received terrible news. Our beloved Skyros is no longer a shining beacon, a shooting star in the night sky to guide the peasants below, no it has come.” He took a shuddered breath. “Still.” There was horrified gasps and a scream. “Say it isn’t so!” An aquamarine Alicorn with sandy hair cried out, tears streaming down her perfectly brushed fur. “I’m afraid so. It’s how our beloved lost children were returned to us. Due to this even a risen commoner was able to reach our heights. Imagine what filth could come up here! Ponies wanting to see an ounce of our grandeur! And who could blame them? We are so magnificent.” The King sobbed. “I am not quite sure that’s the problem here…” Celestia trailed off, rolling her eyes. More memories had begun making their way back to her and she found herself more grateful than ever she was raised on Equestria. Outside Luna cantered through the halls looking about frantically. A light purple, almost pink alicorn with hair the color of the sun set low halted her progress. “Lady Luna, what are you doing here?” Luna stuttered, “Uhh we were sent to retrieve our friend.” She looked down the hall. “Oh you mean the foul smelling one? I saw her passed out in a room upstairs.” “What!” Luna shouted. “You must take me to her immediately!” She caught herself and tried to regain her regality, “I mean please uhh, I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name.” “It’s Sterling Bloom, but you can just call me Sterling.” She began prancing at an agonizingly slow pace. “Please Sterling, do you mind if we speed up? I don’t wish to miss more of the meeting than I already have.” “Oh has that already started? Why didn’t you say so!” The two sped up the stairs. “Twilight, I hope you’re okay.” —— “Wow, that was a lot to talk about.” Hitch sighed, taking off his badge and looking at it longingly. “You don’t have to come with us, Hitch. I know you have responsibilities here. Miss Cloverleaf will understand.” Sunny stood, pushing the hoof with his badge back toward his chest. Hitch considered. “Maybe it’s been my friendship with you, but I’ve felt those some feelings of mediocrity and sameness everyday. I’m better at ignoring them, sure, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there.” He set the badge on his desk and pushed it away. “It was nice being sheriff for awhile, but this badge can go to your head.” Sunny stiffled a giggle, “Well, I wasn’t going to say anything, but you did yell at at a child for dropping a gum wrapper the other day.” Hitch groaned, “Oh why did you have to remind me?” “Well, I guess this is it! I’m going to get my things. I’ll meet back with you here as soon as I can.” “Take your time, I need to find someone to take this up for me.” He motioned to the badge. — Izzy was marveling at all the drawings taped around the lighthouse. “Did you draw all of these?” Sunny laughed, “Yeah when I was a foal. I can’t believe my dad kept all of these.” It was nostalgic looking through all of them. She looked out the window and noticed the firmament above shimmer. “It was right there all along and I never noticed. Then again, would I even know what I’m looking at?” She sighed looking through everything for anything that could provide guidance on their journey. She supposed none of this would really help in the outside world. She did grab her father’s journal chronicling everything he’d taken notice of during his life. Maybe it was pure sentimentality, but she felt drawn to it. Izzy meanwhile was bouncing around and touching nearly everything she could get her hooves on. “Ohh this could make a nice fountain! Oh that would be perfect for a cape for Alphabittle. Oh and this could would be perfect for that stained glass window I could never get perfect. And this…oops!” “Izzy!” Sunny turned when she heard a crash. Izzy had backed into a tarp covering a bundle of boxes. “Sorry,” Izzy sheepishly grinned as she stood up, “I’ll fix it.” Most of them were boxes that held papers and odds and ends. There was also a wooden crate labeled ‘tax papers’. As she carefully picked it up with her magic, she found it was lighter than expected for a box of papers. This caused the crate to soar through the air and crash to the floor. Inside was filled with straw. Sunny’s eyes widened as what looked to be an egg rolled out. “What is that?” The surface was a green crystal that glowed dimly. Izzy gasped. “That’s a dragon egg! I heard about them from Alphabittle. They haven’t visited Equestria in hundreds of moons.” “This had to have been up here for years. Did my dad have this the whole time?” Sunny trotted around it, examining every inch of it. She held the back of her hoof to it. “It’s still warm. How has it not hatched?” Izzy shrugged. “Nothing really makes sense here in your home. Maybe Miss Cloverleaf will know more.” Sunny scooped it up and settled it into her saddlebag with the journal, a blue drawstring bag marked with stars filled with bits, and her rollerblades. It stuck out the top and the flap didn’t fully cover it. She draped a quilt over it. “I guess that’s really all I need. There’s food out there, right? And water?” Izzy laughed, “Of course there is. You’ve got a lot to learn about Equestria!” — Hitch met the two outside the sheriff’s office. “How’d the replacement hunt go?” Sunny asked, shifting the weight of the egg on her back. Hitch placed a hoof to the old building. “I have a lot of fond memories at this place, even if it never felt right for me.” He turned and they saw his badge was no longer on his utility strap. Instead there was some rope, carabeaners, and pockets filled with various tools. “Oh, Hitch, you worked so hard for that.” Sunny’s ears drooped as she touched her hoof to his. “Yeah, well, it’s time to work toward something else. Put the Trailblazer in my name to the test.” He sighed. “Sprout is in charge. I couldn’t find anyone else. But there’s never any crime here anyway, so…” he trailed off, unsure. “He’s really the only unemployed pony around.” “Well, I’m glad there’s no crime here because that guy seemed…” Sunny shot Izzy a death glare and she laughed nervously, “like he knows his way around an office. Heh heh.” “Alright if everyone is packed, let’s go meet Mrs Cloverleaf!” The three trotted together at full pace toward the giant building. They saw the hot air balloon lulling lazily to the side. “I bet she’s there!” Sunny went faster in excitement. “Hello my little ponies,” Mrs Cloverleaf beamed. “I never thought this day would come.“ She pulled a scroll from her saddle bag. “This is a map of Equestria as it looked when this place was created. Unfortunately it’s probably extremely outdated, but it’s the best we have.” “Thank you, Mrs Cloverleaf,” Hitch accepted the map. “I’m glad the girls could convince you to come along. It’ll be good for you. You’ve always been too good for this place,” Mrs Cloverleaf smiled fondly. She turned to Izzy. “This is a charm for a unicorn horn.” She placed the leather strap with blue beads over Izzy’s horn. “I’m not sure what it does, but we have no need for it here. Please keep our earth ponies safe, dear.” “You can count on me!” Izzy saluted. “And Sunny—“ “Oh, actually, I found something.” She motioned to her saddle bag. “If you want to peak.” Mrs Cloverleaf raised an eyebrow suspiciously and then did as she was told. She gasped and stumbled back. “Oh my! I’m guessing your father had this?” “Yeah, we found it when I was looking for anything to bring with us.” “Well, keep that hidden. Honestly taking that with you isn’t the worst idea, it does no good in here, but you need to be careful. Something like that could attract the wrong attention.” “What is it?” Hitch asked, puzzled. “Tell ya later,” Sunny whispered to him. “Alright as I was saying, Sunny, this is for you.” Mrs Cloverleaf handed her a telescope with a green gem as the eyepiece. “It’s a magical item that will help you see the stars even on the cloudiest of nights. This belonged to your mother.” Sunny held the item, taking it in with quiet adoration. Mrs Cloverleaf opened the door on the basket of the hot air balloon. “It’s time. Be safe. Please help Equestria.” The three climbed on board and Mrs Cloverleaf untied the rope from the ground. As the hot air balloon rose, Sunny looked down to see the town watching in awe as they flew through the sky. She saw Dahlia and Posey below looking up, mouths agape. Sunny waved and they waved back. Hitch and Izzy waved too. Everyone waved and stomped their hooves in a rhythm that caused a swell of courage. Any fear Sunny may have had left dissipated at the encouragement from the only home she ever knew. The balloon was soon beyond the fields and approaching the wall of fog. As they pressed against it, Sunny could feel resistance, but the balloon broke through. The fog felt cold against her coat. She shivered, seeing nothing but grey in all directions. The moisture of the air stung her eyes. She closed them until she felt a light warming her. “There it is!” Izzy cried excitedly waving at the two to look over the side of the basket. “Welcome to Equestria!” Below them the grass stretched for miles. There were lush forests in the distance and what looked to be a settlement to their right. The sky was so clear and bright even if the colors of the grass was duller than Sunny had seen. Trees dotted the landscape including a giant one with a white trunk and purple leaves. “Woah! Cool air balloon!” Sunny jumped at the voice. She saw a purple Pegasus taking in their transport as she flapped her wings to maintain altitude. “Uhh thank you!?” Sunny said grinning awkwardly, trying to remain normal. “Hey Izz, you know if Alphabittle is in?” The Pegasus asked. “No clue, Aeri. I’ve been away exploring.” Izzy shrugged. “Far out. Alright later.” The Pegasus drifted back to the ground and trotted at full tilt. “WASTHATAPEGASUS??” Sunny gushed. Hitched laughed at her reaction. “Yeah of course! I forget you’ve never seen one before. Aeri is pretty chill, but I don’t know her super well to be honest.” Sunny watched her purple form disappearing as it grew further away. “You weren’t kidding about magic being weak. I’m guessing that’s why she had to run and not fly?” Izzy nodded. “Yeah and it’s why I can’t do much magic.” Izzy shot a sea of stars out of her horn. “Oh my glitter!” She gasped. “I’m doing magic like I’m still in your world!” “Do that again, I wanna see something.” Sunny asked. Izzy nodded and shot out a purple stream of stars that she danced across the sky. The beads on the leather strap lit up as did so. “I thought so.” “What’s up?” “The beads light up when you do magic. Maybe this charm will let you keep casting spells as if you were in Maritime bay!” Izzy laughed in pure glee, painting the sky around them with colors and glitter. “Oh Sunny, meeting you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” She hugged her new friend and Sunny hugged her back, agreeing. “So Sunny,” Hitch interrupted the moment. “What’s this in your bag?” “Oh right!” Sunny pulled off the quilt and showed him the dragon egg. Hitch’s eyes lit up as he looked upon it. “It’s a dragon egg! My dad had it this whole time.” She noticed the egg glowing brighter than it had back at the lighthouse. Hitch put a hoof to it. “That is so cool. And I agree with Mrs Cloverleaf, keep that hidden.“ he pulled out his map. Izzy glanced over his shoulder at it and giggled. “What?” “Wow she wasn’t kidding about that thing being dated. Half of these places don’t even exist anymore.” She squinted around taking in there surroundings and then placed her hoof over a town called Ponyville and pointed toward sweet apple acres beside it. “This is where we would be, I think. That doesn’t exist anymore. Around there somewhere.” She pointed forward toward the settlement. “And that would be Ponyville. I’ve never actually been there before.” “Well, I guess it’s a day of firsts for all of us. That seems like a good place to start for supplies!” Hitch steered the hot air balloon forward.
Star in the SkyAuthor's Note With the potential end of make your mark, I’ve been ruminating on how I would tell this story. This is the start of those ruminations. I can’t promise any sort of upload schedule, but I do plan to tell this story to completion throughout this year! Star in the Sky Twilight trotted under the moonlight to a garden so familiar to her, the grass was worn from her hoof falls. She knew it so well she could tell the stones of the walls would soon start to crumble from a glance. “Spike, take a letter.” Silence met her. She laughed, a small and melancholic sound; force of habit. She pulled a scroll from her bag and made a note to have the wall replaced again. It had been far too many moons since the last time she had it done. She took her place in front of the statue in the middle as she had done most nights since it was erected. She lit her horn with a small glimmer, head bowed in reverence. Her spark lit the plaque beneath. “In memorium to the founding members of the council of friendship.” She smiled, looking up at the stone facades of her dearly departed friends. Time had taken her tears and replaced them with a dull longing and fond memories that she let wash over her. “I come to you dear friends to help me sort my thoughts once more.” Being here was meditative to her and she often spoke her thoughts aloud when she needed time to reflect. She looked to the night sky where a large shape, easily mistaken for a star, took focus. “The isle of Skyros, home of the alicorn long thought a fairy tale, has stopped above our kingdom for the first time in written memory. A place thought myth now peaks at us from the clouds. I am unsure what to do. I have requested Celestia for council as she and Luna fell from there so long ago, but,” she paused, pensively “WHAT DO I DO!” She stood and began trotting back and forth. This was a side of her very few would associate with her in these times. “No pony else has noticed it yet that I’ve been able to discern. It calls to me as an alicorn even if not one from birth. With Luna and Celestia’s magic I’ve been given power greater than that of an ascended alicorn, but that still doesn’t give me any insight into their ways. Skyros is supposed to be like a shooting star consistently traveling and always moving which is why Luna and Celestia could never make it back when they fell as foals. With it so close, we could visit, but would that be welcome? Is this a sign of something to come? Oh, I wish I knew what to do.” She sighed, seeking the faces of each of her friends in turn. They were forever silent. She sighed, taking a deep breath in, moving her hoof to her chest, and exhaling as she held her hoof out. “I must do what is best for Equestria at any cost.” She nodded to herself, feeling more at ease after voicing her concerns. She stood, taking a bouquet of flowers from her bag. The ones she had left there before were wilting. She replaced them and began the trek back to Canterlot. As the princess of friendship, she needed to reach out. There were new friends to make and possibly new friends that needed help. … A streak of orange was all Argyle saw before his daughter leaped into his arms. “Daddy! We talked about Twilight in school today! Did you know! Did you know! She lived in this huge blue castle? I thought there was only the white one. I think it was like a tree. And and she also lived in a tree before that too! But a real one with branches. I want to see a tree house!” Argyle hugged her back, laughing at her excitement. He set her back down on all four hooves as she beamed at him, skate helmet askew on her head. “I take it you had a good day at school, Sunny.” She nodded in excitement, rolling backwards in her skates with the slope of the uneven floor. “Why don’t you take those off and get cleaned up?” “Okay, Daddy,” she started to leave, but noticed a lantern on his desk. “Whatcha doin?” “Ah, this,” he picked it up and held it to her. “Don’t touch, it’s very old. I saw this in one of the older volumes from the library. Our crystal causes this to light up!” “Woah!” Sunny pressed her face against it. Argyle laughed and held it up. “I’m researching if there’s anything else it can do.” “That’s so cool!” Sunny was mesmerized by it. “Alright little lady, we’ve stalled enough, go get cleaned up. I’ll have a snack when you’re done.” He pranced across the room to the kitchen and pulled out three apples. He knew some of her friends would be along so always prepared enough snacks. He sliced them and pulled out some oat butter. Their little house was attached to the lighthouse that lit their little bay at night. As he worked, he watched foals running around, their neighbor watering her plants. A beautiful town with friends at every turn. Instead of Sunny’s best friend Hitch galloping down the path and playing town protector, Argyle noticed Ms Cloverleaf trotting down the path to their lighthouse with little Sprout in tow. Her Filly was hiding beneath her legs with a solemn expression aided by his large eyebrows. “Mr Starshine, hello, Mr Starshine?” Her voice held a hint of disdain. Argyle quickly opened the door and the pink earth pony stood before him wearing a string of pearls and her blonde mane in a recently coifed up do. “Hello Ms Cloverleaf, what brings you to our humble abode? Sunny is washing up after school, but the snacks are ready if Sprout would like some.” He stood aside welcoming her in. “Snacks!” Sprout started to run forward but paused, looking up at his mom. “May I, Mommy?” She sighed, looking toward the apples with a grimace. “Oh fine, but don’t spoil your appetite.” Sprout ran in as Sunny trotted out. “Hey Sprout!” She ran over. “You don’t have to come all the way out here to deliver Sprout. He’s here so often he could probably make the trip in his sleep.” She did not look amused. “I need to speak to you outside.” She turned and led Argyle out. He shut the door behind her. “Wonder what your mom wants to talk about.” Sunny said as she shoved an entire apple slice into her mouth. “I unno, but he’s probably in trouble. Like when she says ‘COME INTO THE HALL’ when we talk too loud.” Sprout was ignoring everything but Sunny pushed a chair to the window so she could climb onto the counter and listen in. “Your daughter was causing quite the disruption in class today.” Ms Cloverleaf spoke plainly. “Sunny? That doesn’t sound like her at all. She’s such a good student. She didn’t tell me anything about being in trouble when she got home.” “She wasn’t misbehaving, she was speaking such nonsense. She was asking about where she could go find trees that aren’t palms! And she told one of the other kids about a land of snow. Filling their heads with wild adventures.” Argyle laughed, but at Ms Cloverleaf’s stern and firm expression, he turned it into a cough. “She’s just excited about history. She’s my daughter after all.” “She’s too old to have her head in the clouds like this. She needs to be brought back to reality. There were fanciful events in history, but that’s ancient past we need to learn from, not strive toward. We are here, we are now, we are safe, and we should be happy with that.” She held a firm look and then sighed, her expression softening. “I know things have been hard Since Lunar Scout passed. Losing a parent is hard on anyone. But we have a duty to this town, one you should know well, Argyle.” Argyle sighed, holding the ring he wore on a leather strap around his neck close. On the ring was an engraving of Twilight Sparkle’s cutiemark. “It’s been hard I do admit. She’s been lonely and hearing the stories about Twilight and her adventures has really brightened her spirits. She and the princess are a lot alike.” He sighed. “I’ll talk to her.” Ms Cloverleaf nodded. “Thank you. If you need anything, you know the community has your back.” She turned to the open window where Sunny ducked just in time to not be seen. “Sprout! It’s time to go home.” “Aww, do I hafta? I didn’t even get to try the oat butter.” Sprout pleaded. “NOW Sprout!” Sprout scrambled, shoving some oat butter and an apple slice into his mouth as he ran out the door. Ms Cloverleaf raised an eyebrow at him but didn’t say anything. Argyle entered their home again and shut the door behind him morosely. “Daddy, did I do something bad?” Sunny asked. Argyle couldn’t take the look of hurt on her face. “No sweetie, I’m the one who hasn’t been the best.” “SUNNY!” Hitch yelled from outside. Argyle managed a smile. “You will never be in trouble with me for being a dreamer. Daddy needs to finish up some work. Go play with your friend. We’ll talk more tonight.” “Okay,” Sunny looked after him with a small frown. Hitch shoved the door open and posed. “Look! My dad got me my own badge! I’m gonna be a sheriff just like him!” “It’s so shiny!” Sunny looked into it, her face reflected back to her. She laughed, forgetting her earlier woes as the two ran around outside playing until the sun started to set. “I should go home! My mom’s making carrot stew tonight! I heard Mr fluffy tail say he always steals the leftovers out of our trash.” Hitch laughed. “Wait, you talk to animals?” Sunny giggled. “What! No. That’s dumb why would someone do that.” Hitch stammered embarrassed. Sunny laughed as she waved and went inside. Her dad was inside quietly cutting up some celery. “Do you want me to get the plates?” She offered. “Sure sweetheart,” He said with a small smile. Sunny set the table, looking over at her dad between plates and cutlery. “I’m sorry, daddy,” Sunny’s voice was small and her smile long gone. She started to sniffle and tears welled in her eyes. This snapped Argyle from his stupor. “Oh sweetie, don’t apologize. Come here.” He held Sunny tight as she cried into his chest. “I didn’t mean to make things hard.” She cried as he patted her mane. “I miss mom.” “I miss her too, sweetheart.” He shed some of his own tears. “Let it all out.” “Life isn’t always easy kiddo, but if it was, it wouldn’t be so…interesting…” His voice trailed off. Sunny’s sobs turned to big sniffs. “I’m sure you heard that conversation. She wasn’t mad at you, but she wanted to make sure all of us were safe.” He glanced at the door leading to the top of the lighthouse. It was always locked so Sunny wouldn’t get hurt on the stairs. “Do you want to go to the top of the lighthouse?” “Really?” Sunny asked with cautious wonder. Argyle nodded, unlocking the door. He motioned for her to jump on his back and he carried her up the stairs. There were a lot of them. Sunny couldn’t stop staring at them in amazement. They seemed to never end. Finally they reached the top. In the center of the room floated a round, white, multifaceted crystal. Light emanated from it and shone across the ocean. It was still light out enough to make out the ocean stretching until the world curved. He brought her to the other side where the grassy plains almost did the same, but seemed to stop short before white took over the rest of the way. Drawings and diagrams covered over each of the tables along with a menagerie of artifacts and gems she didn’t recognize from any history book. “The world is just us. Beyond these borders is a firmament of protection and beyond that is what happened in your history books. I catalog what we know and try to understand what we don’t so I can know when it’s time.” Argyle’s explanation fell on mostly deaf ears as Sunny was trying to take in everything around her. “You’re the coolest dad ever!” She stamped her little feet, stimming in excitement. She paused. “Wait. So are we all alone?” Argyle looked down at her, considering his next words. “There are a lot of mysteries in this world and we keep this light going to guide anyone who needs it.” “How will anyone know we’re here? The light doesn’t go that far!” Sunny held her hooves close together to demonstrate. Argyle laughed. “Well why don’t we send them a letter.” The two worked together crafting a floating paper lantern with a candle and lots of colorful drawings. Sunny held up the letter she wrote. “You have friends in Maritime Bay. That way they know they’re welcome here!” “I can’t think of a more perfect message.” The two released the lantern and watched it fly into the sky. Glimmer little night time light Journey with the stars Share with the world our words Guide us all through hope Argyle sang a very familiar lullaby to Sunny. “A little song for safe passage.” Sunny smiled and they sang their lullaby together as they watched the lantern fade in the distance. … Twilight had not seen her old mentor in many, many moons. Once she had grown into her own as a ruler of Equestria, there were less and less reasons for Celestia to come by as often. There was little she could do that Twilight couldn’t with much more finesse. Twilight embraced her and tears clouded her vision. “Celestia, it’s so good to see you.” “Likewise old friend.” Celestia wiped away tears of her own. The two began trotting together toward a quiet room. It always brought Celestia pride that she stood eye to eye with her former student. Once they were inside, Twilight’s guards took point outside the door and she used her magic to lock them inside. “I assume this is because of Skyros.” “I thought you might have figured it out.” Twilight let out a chuckle as she stood by the window, gazing up at the bright star above. It stood impossibly still for a celestial body. “The subjects don’t suspect much and I have yet to bring it up with them. The only information I could find was mostly old foals tales. From that I gleaned the island moves like a comet through the sky and how you and Luna descended from the heavens as foals.” Celestia also took in the star. She sighed, a hint of longing in her breath. “I haven’t seen my old home in thousands of moons. I thought it had moved beyond reach.” She placed a hoof on the windowsill as she gazed up, indiscernible emotion on her face. “Skyros isn’t really known to us anymore. When we fell to Equestria, it was impossible to find our way back as the island never stops moving. As long as Luna and I had each other, though, we had a home where ever our hooves trotted.” The former princess fell silent, lost in memory. Twilight allowed her a moment before interrupting. “Do you know why the island may be here now?” Celestia shook her head. “I haven’t a clue. It’s a land inhabited only by alicorns that have been such since birth like my sister and I. As such, they are graced with the long life we also gifted to you and may remember us. I am not sure how they would react to you. Have they been in the same place since they arrived to Canterlot?” Twilight nodded in affirmation. “I wanted to seek counsel from you before I visit them. As the princess of friendship and ruler of Equestria, it’s my duty to reach out.” “Well, if you’re going then Luna and I should go as well. Allow me a moment to meet with my sister. She isn’t far from here.” “Of course!” Twilight started to bow before catching herself. Celestia chuckled.
