The Lost World

The Lost World

Chapter 5

By: Bairiko

"I can't believe this!" A stallions voice said in the darkness. "This is almost too good to be true."

Glowing on the desk in front of him was a shimmering image, a magical recording taken hours earlier during the Princesses 'secret' meeting. The stallion grinned as he remembered paying off that janitor to swap out one of the crystals of the chandelier that hung in the conference room with a 'new' one. Celestia may have thought that using this 'rarely used' room for all her secret meetings was clever, but he thought otherwise. This new crystal was a passive magical scanner set to transmit everything it saw and heard to a recording crystal in his study.

The recording was currently showing the end of the impromptu history lesson, Luna having just startled everypony in the room, Princess Celestia even gave a minor jump he noted. Celestia is leaving the country in Luna's hooves while she takes the Elements with her on a suicide mission? The grin on his face intensified, The Master will be pleased.

The stallions attention was caught by something else going on in the recording. Princess Celestia had just called out for her student and had given her a book, Fitting, before the last pony left the room, ending the recording and letting the darkness return to shroud him once more, his ice blue eyes twinkling once before vanishing in the shadows.

"Twilight? Might I see you for a minute?" Celestia said as they both approached the door. "There is something my sister and I wish for you to have."

The lavender mare stopped and turned around, letting her friends and fellow new adventurers (not counting Daring of course) carry on ahead of her, their excited and nervous voices walking off while Luna wandered off towards the gardens. "Yes Princess?"

Floating in Celestia's golden aura was an obviously very old ring bound book with a cover depicting swirling stars. That design seems familiar, but where have I seen it before? Twilight's eyes widened as she remembered. She had to ask. "Princess? Is that what I think it is?"

Celestia smiled. "Yes Twilight, this is one of Starswirl the Bearded's journals and I think you'll find its contents to be useful." She floated the book over to the stunned mare and began walking down the hall. "Just promise me you'll be gentle with it, it is very old."

The Princess had to suppress a giggle as Twilight gingerly took the one and a half millennia year old book in her magic, floated it in front of her and opened it as she trotted beside her. The page she opened it on was a very detailed sketch of a bipedal creature in armour. This must be a Human! But I thought they invaded after Starswirls era? She looked towards the Princess, closing the book softly.

"Starswirl was a very powerful mage Twilight." Celestia answered the unspoken question. "It's not uncommon for unicorns of his calibre to survive well past others of their age." She smiled at Twilight's uneasy look, "Although a certain amount of willingly cast spells are needed in order to achieve that."

That's a relief. She thought about the potential of staying young while her friends grew old all around her and shuddered. "But Princess, why are you giving me this?" She asked, gesturing to the book.

"Because Twilight, though it is almost definitely outdated it is also the only 'text book' on their civilization we have available." The Princess said as the duo reached a corner, finding the rest of the Ponyville gang waiting for them. Dash spoke up when Twilight stepped around the corner.

"Took you long enough Twi. Er, no offense your highness." She added on when Celestia rounded the corner as well.

"None taken Ms. Dash." The Solar Princess smirked when Twilight gave the brash pegasus a stern glare, the acrobat giving a sheepish shrug of her wings.

As the six mares and one royal walked down the halls, Celestia noticed they seemed even more reserved around her than normal. Perhaps I was a bit too forward in assuming they would all come along. They each have their own lives to live.

"Well my little ponies, this is where I must leave you now." The Princess said as they approached the castles main gate. "Please consider what you have learned here today, but remember that the choice is always yours and yours alone. My sister and I will not fault anypony who wishes to stay." With that Celestia broke off from the group and trotted back towards the throne room. The Ponyville Six wished her a good day as she left, before stepping through the gates and beginning the trek towards the train station. Rarities wishes to explore the city were forgotten amidst what they learned.

"Hey Twi, what's up with the book?"

The six mares were sitting in a train car on their way home to Ponyville, the sun being very low in the sky by now. Almost as soon as they were on board Twilight had pulled out Starswirls journal and was in the process of translating the ancient script. She perked up at Applejacks tired, quiet voice.

"Huh? OH! Hi AJ, sorry. The Princess is letting me borrow one of Starswirl the Bearded's journals!" Twilight said with a giddy voice.

"Huh?"

"He has almost everything in here, from the design of their armour and ships to schematics of their biology and tactics. Did you know that Equestrian cannons are all based off of captured Human weapons? Same with our ship designs." Her voice lost its giddiness however, taking on a nervous tone. "These are all his studies and observations of the Humans from when they invaded Equestria."

"Easy there girl." Applejack said. "That was well over a thousand years ago. Ah don' think they're gonna be the same as they were back then." She trotted over and peaked at the page her friend was currently on. "Uh, what's that?"

The page was showing another highly detailed sketching of a human male, and it was obviously male. The sketch showed the man naked with four arms and legs outstretched in what was most likely a demonstration of their range of motions. "It's a human AJ, that's what they look like. Here's a picture of what one of their soldiers looked like back then." Twilight flipped back to the page she originally opened back at the castle.

This picture showed an armour clad human female standing beside a flag pole and a basic pony sketch. The human, identified only as 'Standard Bearer', was wearing a thin metal cuirass and plates over her shins, thighs and forearms. On her hip rested a short sword, while propped up against the flag was a crossbow. At her feet was her helmet, a metal bowl with a chain mail skirt around the back and a thin metal piece that probably went over her nose. This humans face was visible, just like the mans, revealing a flat face, smallish nose and eyes and longish hair that covered where her ears would be. Beside her the pony sketch, most likely there for scale, only came up to slightly above her hip.

The flag shown was different from the one described in the Princesses story. Instead of the anchor beneath the crest a spear was placed vertically behind the shield, augmenting the diagonally crossed swords. The detail of the sketching made it almost photograph quality and left little to the imagination.

"Hehe, Ah can see why you'd be a bit nervous there sugarcube, they don't look like they mess around." Applejack whispered, scratching her mane behind her hat.

Twilight looked around, curious as to why Applejack was whispering and saw that most of the girls were either asleep or very nearly sleeping. Rainbow Dash was curled up on her bunk, sound asleep and snoring softly, Pinkie Pie was staring out the window at the night time countryside. Rarity and Fluttershy were leaning against each other, both sleeping peacefully. Lyra, who they had caught up to at the station was still looking through her mythology book, though it was clear she wouldn't be awake much longer at this rate. It was then Twilight felt a rush of fatigue through her being, bringing out a big yawn.

"Git some sleep sugarcube, ah'll wake everypony up when we get closer to Ponyville." Applejack pointed towards her bunk opposite Rainbow, as Twilight's own bunk was full of books and other baggage. Twilight nodded and thanked the apple farmer.

What is with the universe and putting me next to Rainbow today? Twilight though as she climbed into Applejacks bunk. First she sat beside me on the train ride to Canterlot, then she sat beside me IN Canterlot and now I'm sleeping across from her? Twilight was out like a light a few seconds later, but not before one final thought crossed her mind. Though the way she's sleeping right now is pretty adorable.

The Princesses story seems ta have everypony spooked. Applejack thought to herself as she resumed looking out the window, ignoring the ancient journal that was left open on the seat in front of her. If there was to be any danger whatsoever the Princesses woulda never even thought about goin' With that final thought, Applejack watched the countryside streak past her window as the train rumbled on into the night.

"Spike! What are you still doing up?" Twilight asked as she entered her treehouse later that night.

"Waiting for you of course!" Spike got up and waddled over towards his surrogate sibling and caretaker, noticing the journal floating beside her. "Hey, what's up with the book?"

"This?" she asked as she floated the book up to her loft room. "It's...nothing. The Princess gave it to me at the meeting today."

"If it's from the Princess it's something!" The dragon tried to climb the stairs after the book but got caught when Twilight teleported him back in front of her. "C'mon Twilight, you never hide anything from the Princesses so just lemme see!"

"Spike, it's confidential." He gave her a flat stare.

"So in other words it's Princess Celestia's latest list of suitors out to get you." That got a reaction, a ferocious blush spreading over the young mares face as she remembered those incidents.

A fair number of Canterlot nobles had petitioned the Princesses for the right to court her after Shining Armour had married Princess Cadence, convinced that marrying her would not only gain them Celestia's personal student but also elevate their prestige in the monarchy. A similar, larger incident happened after the return of the Crystal Empire as nobles decided they could gain even more land and influence there if they married the sister-in-law of the Crystal Princess.

"So it is!" Spike concluded at Twilights not-answer. "You gotta let me see this one Twilight! I wanna see what Blueblood is up to this time." Spike went to run up the stairs once more but Twilight caught him yet again.

Twilights blush had been fading, but it flared up once more as she remembered the self centred Princes ridiculous advances. He had been so sure that a few pleasantly veiled threats and bribes and a bouquet of flowers would have been enough. "That's not what it is Spike, it's a special project the Princess wants me to go over before we leave."

"Leave? We're going somewhere?"

"No Spike. The Princess is getting the Elements together for a diplomatic mission, but I'm going to need you to tend to the library while we're gone." Twilight said as she deposited the rest of her bags at the foot of the stairs before trotting into the kitchen for a quick snack.

"Seriously Twilight? Why do I never get to go anywhere with you girls?" Spike asked from the doorway.

"Because we'll be gone for a number of months to see a group of potentially very dangerous creatures who have been isolated for well over a thousand years." Twilight deadpanned, levitating a box of foals cereal beside her. "The Princess only wants a certain number of ponies to know about and go on this trip right now Spike, by Tartarus I could get in trouble just by telling you this. So you're not allowed to go."

"Okay fine, sorry." Spike said as he backed up.

"It's fine Spike, and like I said, you need to stay behind and maintain the library. I'm sure Rarity would even let you help take care of the Boutique as well." Twilight chuckled at the look on Spikes face before she dug into her cereal. As she lay in bed shortly afterwards her thoughts stuck on how much fun she could have in the coming months, or how much danger depending on the circumstances.

"Mornin ya'll! Ah'm back." Applejack greeted her family the morning after returning from Canterlot. She took a seat at the table across from her sister and grandmother.

"Mornin." Was Big Macs response from the kitchen.

"Mornin' sis!" Applebloom replied.

Granny Smith let loose a loud snore.

"How was the trip sis! What did th' Princess want with ya anyways?" Applebloom excitedly asked. Big Mac came in bearing a platter of waffles on his back, a bottle of syrup on his head which he set on the table before poking Granny Smith awake. Everypony took the opportunity to dish up before Applejack answered.

"Well, the thing is you see, the Princess ain't dun with us yet." Everypony at the table stopped and looked at her. "The Princess wants me 'n' the rest of the girls to go on some expedition with her."

"What do you mean?" the little yellow filly asked before gasping. "Do ya mean yer gonna go on an adventure like Daring Do?!"

"Hehe, eeyup ah guess ah am, and no you are most certainly NOT coming with us!" Applejack fixed her sister with a glare only siblings could provide when she saw the young filly preparing to ask a question, neglecting to mention that she had in fact met the legendary pegasus explorer.

"Awe come on AJ! This could be mah only chance to get mah adventurin' cutie mark!" Applebloom fixed her sister with a full blown attack of the puppy dog eyes, tears and everything. Applejack could only stand up against it because she knew about what the natives were capable of.

"No way no how AB, this is some Royal endeavor er diplomatic thing, not something fer a lil filly like you ah'm sad to say." Applejack finished her waffles before she stood up. "Besides, Rarity isn't gonna let Sweetie Belle go either, and RD would fly Scoots back herself if she found her, so don'tcha think it'd be best if Big Mac taught you a little more about the farm while Ah'm gone?"

She had just rinsed her plate of the crumbs and leftover syrup when Granny Smiths raspy voice made itself known. "Wait jus' a minit there girl." She called. "Jus' how longs this whole thang suppos' to take?"

Applejack cringed. She knew her grandmother wouldn't be happy to learn half the farms hardest workers were going to be gone for almost all the growing season. Ah don't absolutely have to go, but ah can't leave the girls all by themselves there, she thought to herself. "About four months she said, give'er take a week."

"Four months?! What do ya mean four month?" Granny Smith cried out. "Ah cain't have you gone fer four months!"

"Granny, I know that's a long time an all, but this is something the Princess wants!" Applejack said to her grandmother as she trotted back into the dining room. "You can't just deny th' Princess! And besides, th' rest of the girls are no doubt gonna go and ah can't just leave them to it."

Her grandmother was insistent however. "There ain't no way ah can afford t' have you gone fer that long AJ."

"An' Ah can't just leave the girls to it by themselves Granny."

It would take Applejack the rest of the month to talk Granny Smith into agreeing, although the Apple Family matriarch was still none too pleased about it after the fact.

"Good morning Angel." Fluttershy said as she fluttered down into the kitchen. "Did you sleep well?" She asked as she started preparing his favourite breakfast.

Angel gave her a flat stare. The last time he got spoiled like this for no reason he had spent the next few days running from an incompetent dragon.

"Angel, I think I need to talk to you." The butter yellow pegasus was always far more open around her animal friends. "I'm going to be leaving again in a month, and I won't be back until fall." She looked over at the unamused rabbit. "I was wondering if maybe you could watch the house and all the animals during then?" She hid behind her mane a bit. "If that's alright with you at least." Angel pegged her with a carrot.

"Please Angel Bunny?" Fluttershy squeaked. "I promise I'll do whatever you want for a month afterwards." She managed to dodge the next carrot.

"I can even get you some help." Another carrot.

This went on for a few minutes, Fluttershy offering something and Angel throwing carrots. Finally the butter yellow pegasus had had enough.

Fluttershy stamped her hoof as hard as she could (a harder-than-average tap) to gain the spoiled and very displeased rabbits attention.

"Enough of this please Angel!" She yelled (in an average conversational tone.) "This is going to happen either way mister. One way gets you in trouble, and the other gets you my gratitude." Angel threw another carrot.

In the end, Fluttershy would end up needing one liberal application of scoldings and The Stare to get her pet rabbit to co-operate. He was a little more receptive of the idea however when Cheerilee even offered to have her class look after them as part of their school science activities, which Angel was both relieved and highly skeptical about.

3 weeks later

"Ten minutes! Next stop Canterlot!" The train conductor shouted. Six mares were once more present on the Ponyville train platform, each with their own amount of friends and family members present to see them off. The groups chatted amiably in the late morning sunshine as it glinted off the colourful paint job of the train cars. Off to one side of the platform the three Apple Family siblings were talking over their plans for the seasons ahead one last time.

"Alright Big Mac, all the main work 'round the farms already been done, and Ah'll be back long before harvest. You just need ya to tend the trees and we should be jest fine."

"Eeeyup." Was Macintosh's only response, Applebloom grinning at her sister while talking with the other crusaders. Granny Smith was nowhere to be found however, though Applejack wasn't surprised after how her month had gone.

"Ya'll be safe now y'hear?" Big Mac wished his sister well on her apparently classified adventure.

Applebloom jumped up to hug her neck. "Be safe, love ya sis!"

With one final family hug Applejack collected her bags and climbed on the train. Down the platform one lavender mare was going over some final checklists with her number one assistant.

"Twilight, we've been over this list every day since you first wrote it up two weeks ago!" The young drake was looking over the four hoof long list and counting the numerous tick marks in each box.

"I know, and I'm sorry Spike but I'm just so worried!" The nervous unicorn was trotting in place with all her pent up energy, but one look from Spike made her stop. She grinned sheepishly before going through her breathing exercise once more.

Twilight levitated her saddlebags onto the train carriage in front of her before turning around and giving her number one assistant one final hug. "This is it for now then huh Spike?"

"Oh stop being so dramatic Twilight, the Princess tells you one story and you get all 'the end is nigh' on us." Spike said with crossed arms.

It was true, three weeks had not dismissed her apprehension, even after reading through Starswirls journal, though she had to constantly remind herself that these were humans from one thousand years in the past. Visits with and from her friends had been of some help, especially Rainbows enthusiasm. But despite it all Twilight could not help the feeling there was something wrong about the trip.

With one final wave of hoof and claw Twilight and Spike parted ways, Twilight climbing on board and taking her seat across the aisle from Applejack while Spike went to talk to Sweetie Belle and Rarity.

Meanwhile a chromatic pegasus was giving one final letter to the town mailmare, Ditzy Do. "Make sure this gets through alright?"

"Not a problem Rainbow Dash!" The wall-eyed pegasus, affectionately referred to as 'Derpy' by some, said with a salute before taking Rainbows letter and placing it with the rest. "Who's it to?"

"My dad..."

"Oh..." Was all the bubbly pegasus had to say when she heard that. "Should I put it where you wanted the last one?" She asked tentatively.

"Yeah, that'd be fine Derpy, thanks." Neither pony said anything else as Dash climbed onto the train, Ditzy didn't comment as she flew off to deliver the letter.

Fluttershy noticed this and instantly knew what was going on, though she didn't say anything. She knew how close Rainbow Dash was to her father. He was probably the only other pony she had ever been one hundred percent honest with. She was the same way with her animal friends.

She placed her luggage on the train before turning to her ever present rabbit companion saying, "Alright Angel, remember what we agreed on,"

Angel nodded before glancing around quickly. When he was sure nothing was watching he darted his head in and gave Fluttershy a gentle nuzzle. Despite how he acted at times the little rabbit loved his caretaker and only wanted what was best for her. Fluttershy sighed happily as well.

Unfortunately for Angel, one other pony had seen their little exchange. Pinkie Pie was watching from her own seat on board the train. She had been the first to board as the Cakes and the twins had gone to visit relatives in Trottingham for the last month, making for a very lonely send off indeed. But that was alright with the pink mare, she had already sent a letter explaining everything about what happened at the meeting. The baker couple had been set to return in a few days anyways so leaving the shop closed a day or two should be no problem.

No, the only problem the pink mare could think of was what if the Twins started to miss her? She might as well have been their sister or aunt or something. And what if a new pony arrives? Then who'll be there to greet them? Pinkie thought. Should I stay and leave the girls? Or should I go and miss the new pony?

While Pinkie was having her loyalty crisis in the train Rarity was speaking to her parents, Sweetie Belle and most recently Spike.

"You sure I can't come with you Rarity?" Now it was Sweetie Belles turn to try out the puppy eyes, with just as much success.

"Yes Sweetie Belle, we've already been over this." The fabulous, exasperated unicorn sighed.

"You sure?" Now Sweetie Belle broke out the sad puppy look.

"Now Sweetie Belle," Her mother said. "We've already said we're taking on the cruise with us, leave your poor sister alone."

"Okay..." Sweetie sighed

"Alright." Spike said. "So is it still alright if I watch the boutique Rarity?" Spikes eyes gleamed. Any chance to impress upon the snow white unicorn was a good chance as far as he was concerned.

Rarity was about to reply when the conductor called out "All aboard!" Instead she nodded as she levitated her luggage onto the train.

"Yes Spike, the key to the door is hidden under the bush to the left of the store." Spike gave her a blank look. "You'll know it when you see it."

With one final family hug Rarity parted ways with her sister, her parents waving as they ushered the young unicorn away. Rarity boarded the colourful train and took her seat. The six mares all looked around the car at each other, most wore faces of uncertainty, nervousness, but most of all, excitement for the coming journey. The car filled with the voices of the six girls as the train pulled away from the station, rumbling off once more for the mountainside capital.

As the train pulled in to the Canterlot station several hours later the ponies on board were treated to a spectacle. Standing on the platform was a section of Royal Guards in full armour. They watched as seven mares disembarked, were intercepted by the guards and led off to Celestia knows where. They didn't know that these seven mares were on their way to a very important event hosted by the Solar Princess herself.

The guards arranged themselves around the group as they walked along, Twilight leading with Applejack and Rainbow right behind her, Pinkie and Lyra taking up the rear of the group.

"Sir? Might I ask where we are headed?" Rarity asked the guardscolt beside her after she floated her luggage along.

"Airship docks ma'am."

"Oh, well. Do you know what will be happening there?"

"Can't say for certain ma'am."

"Well that's not very helpful." Lyra said from behind Rarity.

"Well it is a secret meeting remember?" Rainbow said.

"True enough darling." Turning to the guard she apologized. "So sorry to have bothered you sir."

Silence reigned once more as the mares and guards continued down the street. Eventually the glittering streets of Canterlot city proper faded away as they reached a gentle downward slope leading towards the cliffs. A few minutes later a sign appeared above that read "R.E.N.G.A.C Base Canterlot"

"Uh, Twi? Whats rengac mean again?" Applejack asked when she saw the sign.

"It means Royal Equestrian National Guard Airborne Cavalry." Twilight said. "It's the branch of the military that handles everything that flies, from pegasi to airships."

"Oh, alright. Ah take it that's where we're meetin' the princess then?"

Twilight nodded as the guards led them through the gates. Beyond there was the hustle and bustle of a small town, the staff ponies running back and forth fulfilling various duties among the base buildings. A line of barracks in the back, the parade grounds in front and the docks themselves hanging over the cliffs alongside other buildings and facilities built into the mountain side made it clear this was an important facility. Three zeppelins floated serenely at the dock, two smaller vessels and one larger one. The guards led them towards this larger zeppelin.

"Zephyr, fitting." Twilight mumbled when the name came into view.

The zeppelin in question was a large wooden and silver affair, its semi-reinforced envelope approximately one hundred fifty meters long and painted a dull silvery grey. Painted on both the front and rear was the Equestria flag. The gondola hanging below would have looked as is somepony had used the balloon to pluck a ship from the sea were it not for the propellers at the back and steering fins hanging off the sides. Painted on both sides of the plain wooden hull was the ships name, Zephyr.

Standing at the base of the dock ramp leading up to the good ship Zephyr stood Princess Celestia, the rest of the expedition members, a hoof full of guards and someone who could only be the ship captain. The captain, a dark blue pegasus stallion was speaking with Princess Celestia, Daring Do and Shining Armour when Twilight and company arrived.

"Ah so this must be the last of your little group eh Princess?" The stallion said with an obvious Vanhooverite accent when he took notice of the new arrivals, "Welcome then. My name is Captain Zephyr and I'll be your pilot for this trip. Don't mess with my ship and we'll get along just fine." His blue eyes twinkled as he grinned, "And no, the ship isn't named after me, I'm named after the ship."

With that he turned back to talking with Daring Do and Shining while Princess Celestia turned to speak with Twilight, the other mares wandering over to the rest of the group.

"Twilight! It's so good to see you my most faithful student." Celestia said as she nuzzled the smaller unicorn.

"Hello Princess, is everything ready?" Twilights voice was a mix of anxiety and enthusiasm.

"Yes Twilight, I believe we're all ready." Celestia smiled, though it drooped slightly. "Although I don't see Spike here, is your number one assistant not accompanying us?"

"No? I thought this was a secret expedition?" Twilight asked confused. "I left him to take care of the library instead."

"Secret? I never said this was secret, though granted I didn't tell the nobles exactly where we were going." The Princess glanced towards the city behind Twilight and the easily noticeable spires of the castle.

"Really? I thought the whole 'secret meeting' thing meant the entire thing was confidential." Twilight said.

"Oh." Celestia chuckled, "I can see how that would give you the idea. True I never said it was a secret, I never said it wasn't either. Thank you for your concerns and keeping it need-to-know, even if you didn't exactly need to." With that the Princess turned and walked back towards the main group, who had all gathered at the base of the dock. "Come along Twilight, let us go speak with the others."

Twilight followed behind her teacher, the suns mid afternoon light gleaned off anything metal it touched. As they approached the group Twilight noticed a small group of new ponies as well. While Soarin' was no longer in the group he was instead replaced by a pearl white unicorn mare with an electric blue mane and tail. This new mare was chatting animatedly with both Octavia and Rainbow Dash. Twilight guessed that this was this DJ-PON3 Octavia had suggested and Rainbow was a fan of. Off to one side was a group of ponies Twilight didn't recognize.

Those must be the crew. Twilight thought.

The ships crew was made up of about a dozen stallions and two or three mares, each a different colour but almost all pegasi. They were all chatting away happily, obviously all very familiar with each other. Both them and Twilight watched as the captain climbed up on board to address the crew from the railing, accompanied by Princess Celestia.

"Alright everypony gather round!" Captain Zephyr shouted, getting everyponies attention and silencing all talking. Once his crew had gathered around he continued. "Alright fillies and gentlecolts, we got us a long journey ahead of us! Princess Celestia herself has chartered us to fly her and her little group out west, and I don't know about you but I kinda want to do good for her Majesty!"

The crew members glanced nervously towards the Princess, but at her nod they belted out a loud "Hurrah!"

"Now I'm not one for speeches boys and girls," Zephyr continued, "But I will say I don't think her Majesty could have chosen a finer vessel or crew if I do say so myself! So let's get out there and show them how it's done!"

With that everypony took wing and flew to their posts on board. One mare taking up position at the top of the boarding platform, right on board the vessel while others flew to various postings aboard.

Princess Celestia nodded to Zephyr, after which he flew up to his own post at the wheel of the ship. Celestia nodded to the assembled mares and stallions still on the ground.

"Come along my little ponies. Time to see the ship that will ferry us back and forth." She called down before turning around and vanished from sight.

"Well, this is it!" Rainbow Dash said as she looked at all the ponies present. Ten mares, one stallion and a section of guards looked back at her. She nodded to herself and casually walked down the dock. Casually being nervous forced steps, though she relaxed when she noticed first Twilight, then the rest of the girls following behind her. She even became truly confident when the whole group followed behind.

"Welcome to the Zephyr." The mare at the end gave a friendly wave, her golden mane shimmering in the sunlight, her coat a dull silver. "My name is Aurora and if you ever need anything be sure to let me know!" She smiled at everypony, before stepping aside and letting them pass. She then trotted alongside Rainbow and Twilight. "Please, allow me to show you to your quarters."

Almost an hour after each mare had boarded and settled in, Twilight was standing at the bow, looking over the great Equestrian plains spread out before her. The Zephyr had taken off with no hassle, escorted away from the city by the Royal Guards who would be her compliment. She could see a great distance of the west, wind blowing through treetops far below and the patchwork of farms easily visible. On the horizon was a thin strip of blue.

We'll be arriving over the western ocean soon. She thought. West, onwards into the unknown. Possibly into danger, but definitely into the history books. The lavender mare chuckled at that. Correction, even further into the history books.

"Yo Twi!" A loud, scratchy voice broke Twilights train of thought and made her jump. "Whatcha doing out here?" Rainbow Dash appeared beside Twilight.

"Hi Rainbow, just thinking." The melancholy in her voice sailed right over Rainbows head.

"Ha, when aren't you?" Rainbow chuckled. "Anyways, Princess Celestia wants to see us down in the map room in a few minutes. See ya there!" With that the blue pegasus dipped out of sight over the railing, no doubt flying back to the front of the ship.

Twilight sighed to herself as she turned around. As she was trotting towards the door leading below decks one thought crossed her mind.

"Where IS the map room?"

Twilight found herself walking through the bowels of the airship, lantern light flickering off the walls as she grumbled about the lack of directions Rainbow had given her. She had to ask a crew member for directions to the map room. The burly black stallion seemed confused at first before telling her she was closer to the boiler rooms for the ships steam engines than she was the map room, so he pointed her in the right direction.

Shouldering through the door, Twilight saw her five best friends seated around a table with Celestia at the head. Apparently this would be an Element exclusive meeting.

"Twilight, my most faithful student." Celestia giggled. "I take it you got lost?"

Twilight gave a small glare to Rainbow, who smiled sheepishly and mouthed 'sorry!' before saying. "No Princess, just took the scenic route."

"Well, in that case I hope you enjoyed your walk." The solar monarch grinned. "Anyways, I was hoping you might be able to share what you learned about Humanity?"

"Of course!" Twilights eyes sparkled, all her friends groaned. They knew Twilight was about to go Teacher on them.

"But first Princess, I was wondering." Twilight cut herself off as she lifted Starswirls journal out from under the desk. "Did Starswirl mess up at the end of his journal?"

Celestia floated the ancient book over to herself and flipped to the end, curious to see what Twilight meant. "You mean the dictionary?" She asked.

"Yeah, I don't know why but it just doesn't seem right." Twilight said.

Celestia smiled. "Yes, Terran isn't exactly an easy language to speak or to learn. More so when attempted in that order."

"Princess? You can speak their language?" Twilight asked. When she had tried she had been sure she mangled the words.

Celestia just smiled before opening her mouth. The words that came forth were just as guttural and alien, but with a strange stopping quality about them, though at the same time clearer. The Princess spoke for a few seconds before stopping and looking at her audience. "I said 'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.'"

"That's their language? Jeez, I see what you mean Twilight." Rainbow said.

"My word, what a harsh sounding language!" Rarity said.

"Yes Ms. Belle, I suppose it is." Celestia said. "The humans did say once that Equish sounded like we were singing to each other."

"Do you think you could teach us a bit Princess?" Twilight asked. "It would be helpful if we could understand what they're saying after all."

"That is true." The Princess looked over Twilight and company. "Very well, I'll teach you the basics over the next week. Would you care to start tonight?"

And with that the Zephyr carried her passengers and crew on into the setting sun, golden sands slowly appearing far beneath her hull. The voyage had begun, lessons were about to be learned, and the world would forever change now with the inclusion of a new intelligent species.