Over the hills and far away

The weather was perfect for walking, and having three of her friends by her side, and a baby dragon along for the ride, almost made Twilight, Futtershy, Pinkie and Rainbow Dash think that there were just going for a stroll through the countryside.

Despite being in a part of the land where the weather Pegasi didn’t micro manage the clouds, it turned out to be a glorious day. They passed fields filled with beautiful flowers, the cows in others bid them a pleasant day, and the birds and other animals frolicked in celestia’s glorious sun. Yes, life was good in the land of Equestria, and nothing was better than enjoying it with good friends.

Of course the sound of hundreds of ponies marching right behind them was always a constant reminder as at what was actually going on…and what lay ahead at their final destination.

It had been a long walk already, and there were still many miles to cover before setting up camp for the night. As Twilight was carrying Spike as usual on her back, she had been allowed to give some of her belongings to other ponies to carry. And luckily for Fluttershy she was only carrying a minimal amount of equipment, as being in the medical core she had no weapons or such to carry.

But Pinkie Pie and even Rainbow Dash were both starting to get a little tired. They had to carry a full set of body armour and a helm, as well as all their other supplies. They may be stronger and fitter than most ponies their ages, but they were still fillies and had some more growing to do before they became physically fully grown mares.

Of course they had travelled many miles by hoof before, from the first day (and unplanned long night) they met and travelled together through the Everfree Forest, to travelling long distances to persuade a dragon to move on. Even Rarity had joined Twilight and Rainbow Dash on an epic journey to look after Spike, so they were all used to hoofing it. But they usually travelled light, needing only each other, friendship and some food to survive.

Twilight noticed her friends starting to struggle under the weight of their packs, and wondered why they hadn’t asked for help. Of course it wasn’t Rainbows style to let on when she was tired or hurt, and asking some of the stronger stallions (or mares if any had been around) to help would not have been an option for the brash pony. And Twilight mused that Pinkie always looked up to Rainbow Dash, as was evident from the Gilda incident, and so would struggle on like her friend rather then admit she was weaker.

Whilst this made their unofficial leader proud, Twilight had a cool calculating brain on her shoulders, and knew it was a bit of a folly. Afterall, they were now at war and whilst everypony had to do their share and had a part to play, the most important thing was they were an army. And an army played to it’s strengths - having two physically weaker, but no doubt important, members struggling for no good reason was foalish.

Twilight decided that she should to help out, but first she levitated the map out of her pack and checked on their progress. Whilst normally the Captain would have been at the front, it was left up to Twilight and her friends to navigate having been asked to lead the way. Whilst they were in the safety of the heart of Equestria there would also be no scouts ahead to act as a guide so Twilights map skills were being put to the test.

Satisfied that they were on the right path, and the journey was going exactly by the book, Twilight placed the map back in her bag. She then reached out with her magic and took the armour and the helms off her friends backs to lighten the load, proceeding to carry the items above them.

“Hey, gave that back” Pinkie yelled, jumping up to try to reach her armour, but Twilight had it just out of the earth pony’s reach.

“I think what pinkie is trying to say” Rainbow snorted “is that we don’t need your help Twilight”

“Look, I’m only going to carry them for a while. I haven’t used any magic so far today, and it’s good to exercise it a little”

“You may not be Applejack, but you’re also an awful liar” Pinkie laughed, and the three friends all looked at Twilight

“Sorry girls, I shouldn’t lie to you” Twilight quickly apologised, looking a bit sheepish “But it’s a long journey and you’re clearly starting to get a bit tired…”

“Me, tired?” Rainbow laughed “I travel much further distances than this every day in training!”

“But normally by flying, and without much weight to carry” Fluttershy quietly interjected, before hiding back behind her mane “And it’s less tiring to fly a distance than walk it”

“Why are you walking anyway Dashie?” Pinkie asked turning to her friend who had walked the whole distance

“I just thought I’d keep you guys company, plus none of the other Peagsi are flying”

“Now you are being the terrible liar!” Twilight smiled “Clearly whilst you can carry four ponies at sonic Rainboom speed, as you did at the young fliers competition, that’s not the same as carrying a weight for a long distance. You’re built, and trained hard for years, for speed and intense activity Rainbow, not endurance.”

The blue pegasus looked at her friends “You’re right…egghead.”

“Levitating these for a while isn’t going to be too tiring but as soon as I feel tired I’ll give it back to you both, agreed?”

“Do you Pinkie Promise?”

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye” Twilight solemnly vowed, without the actions that couldn’t be done whilst walking, before everypony burst into laughter. With her weight considerable lightened, Rainbow decided to float along for a bit, with Fluttershy joining in, whilst Pinkies gait became a bit more bouncy.

The Captain in charge then approached and trotted beside them “Private Sparkle, why are you carrying the other Privates belongings?”

“Sir, I needed something to burn a bit of my magic off on, just for a while Sir”

The unicorn Captain looked at her with a bit of scepticism “Private, I have never heard such gibberish in all my life!”

“With all due respect, Sir” Twilight responded “My magic is different from the average unicorns. If I don’t use enough I end up with too much and can’t sleep. Sir”

“So, you think you have more magic, or are more powerful then the rest of us, do you Private?” the Stallion barked back, with some of the other ponies at the front listening in.

“Sir, No Sir! Not more, or more powerful, it’s just different. It’s never been the same since I had my power surge that hatched and then aged Spike, Sir” Spike gave a salute from the back of his carriages back “And when I combined the Elements of Harmony, it changed again…sir!”

The captain looked at Twilight, who had used her trump cards quickly. He wasn’t sure if the filly was lying to him regarding the excuse, if it was true, or even if she did have more magic then him. But he was grateful that she had given him an easy out in front of the other soldiers listening in She is quick witted this one, the mages are sure going to be lucky to have her!

“Okay Private, fair enough, I’m sure the Royal Protégé knows her own aura. But why not carry your own stuff Private? Why make other pony’s work for you whilst your friend’s burdens are lightened?”

“Sir, I knew it would be very disrupting to the whole company trying to get my own stuff back, and given it’s only going to be a short time it wasn’t worthwhile.”

“Hmmm, good thinking Private. But next time, get clearance from me, do you understand?”

“Sir Yes Sir” Twilight enthusiastically responded. The Captain nodded in response, and dropped back to be alongside some of the other officers.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Rainbow declared “Wow Twilight, that was Awesome!”

“Yeah Twilight, you showed that Mr Grumpy Pants who’s the boss around here. Like he knows anything about magic like you.”

“I don’t know, he seemed…nice?” Fluttershy added

“Girls, I am used to dealing with the Royal Guards. He was just doing his job, and actually was pretty fair about it. I mean, I may have a lot of magic for somebody my age, and compared to Ponyville, but some of these other unicorns are going to be more powerful then me. Remember that my BBBFF cast a shield round the whole of Canterlot, whilst my BPFSSILF cast a shield round the whole Crystal Empire!”

“What’s a BPFSASSS…whatever that was?” Rainbow asked

“Best Princess Foal Sitter Sister in Law Forever – okay, it’s not as catchy but it’s true!”

The four fillies giggled whilst Spike just rolled his eyes. They carried on marching and flying for a while, until Twilight eventually gave back the items she was carrying. The rest had done her two friends good, and had made Twilight happy without being too much of a strain on her. Besides, she would move heaven and earth to help her friends…although what she really wanted to do is move the sun and hoped one-day Celestia would let her try.

***

As the evening started to draw in, the Ponyville Company reached the planned camp site. It was a large flat area, still well inside Equestria. Despite Ponyville being almost in the centre of the country, the four fillies had hardly ventured directly south before as most of the main cities and adventures had been in all other directions. Of course they had been to Appleloosa which was down this way, and the countryside looked familiar from that trip.

As the ponies all arrived at camp, Twilight took her possessions from the Stallions who had carried them for her and being too tired to think properly thanked them with a hug. As she trotted away she cringed as she realised what she had done and the Stallions blushed profusely whilst their friends teased them. The Captain had seen this happen and let out a sigh Fillies should not be at war…she’s going to get herself in all sorts of situations this one!

Clearing his throat, the Captain started “Listen up everypony. Tonight will be the first night you will make camp, and will be the last night we camp as a company alone. Whilst regulations would normally suggest that we should already start camping in mixed units, I think you can spend one last night in friends and family groups. So pitch your tents and make yourself something to eat. Lights out will be at twenty one hundred, and we will be up early to make rendezvous with other companies to form the South Equus Regiment”.

As he trotted away to his tent already set up for him, he went close enough to the four fillies and dragon who had been given a spot near the centre of the camp, unbeknownst to them for their own protection. When he was close enough he spoke just loud enough so only they could hear him

“Make the most of it girls, for this will be the last night you will spend together for while!”

***

Unsurprising given the group of four fillies had both the fastest pegasus and the most powerful unicorn in Ponyville in it, they had set up camp quickest, and thanks to Spikes fire breath, their dinner was ready in a flash. Spike had then gone around the rest of the camp helping set up fires for group of Earth and Pegasi ponies. Everypony of course knew who the baby dragon was, and was thankful for their help. Whilst fire is easy for unicorns, it was a pain to set one up the old fashioned way.

Night drew in, and the five young friends retired to the tent to sleep. Twilight extinguished the fire and lights, and also helped some of the other nearby camps do the same. It was because of the advantages of having a unicorn around that the army usually mixed up the sleeping arrangements between the three pony types. Equally, the earth ponies could then carry the more weight, whilst the pegasi could help with the collecting of supplies. The three tribes were always strongest when working together, as the elements proved.

As the four ponies climbed into their sleeping bags, they all let out a weary groan as their tired bodies came to rest.

“What do you think the others are doing right now?” Rainbow asked settling herself in

“I don’t know, but I’m sure they miss us as much as we miss them” Twilight sighed

“I think Applejack would quiet like all this camping and working” Fluttershy half yawned

“Yeah, but I think she’ll miss her family too much to be here” the unicorn responded, looking over her dragon brother already curled up asleep “Afterall, we all know her cutie mark story”

“Can you imagine what Rarity would make of all this?” Pinkie giggled, lightening the mood

“Oh, you didn’t see her on the camping trip…she brought as much stuff as about half of this company combined. How Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo moved it I’ll never know”

“Talking of Scootaloo…where is she staying whilst you’re away?” Twilight asked

“The Apples and Belles are going to alternate weeks in looking after her to give her parents the space they need. It’ll also keep Applebloom and Sweetie happy”

“That’s nice” fluttershy softly yawned and a silence fell over the tent as they thought back to the friends and family, official or otherwise, they had left behind.

***

In the depths of the night, with Luna’s moon still high in the sky, suddenly an alarm was heard from the sentries at the edge of camp. The camp quickly woke up and started arming itself. They had thought this would still be a safe place to camp, well inside Equestria’s boarders, and had not expected to be attacked by changelings yet. But luckily the guard always posted some sentries.

There was a lot of shouting at the edge of camp and the ground was rumbling. Everypony made their way over to where the commotion was coming from, no sense of order due to the lack of training. Twilight ordered Spike to stay behind and the four ponies rushed along with the rest of the ponies. The four fillies were at the back of the group, but could hear a very heated argument going on. They couldn't hear the words, but recognised all the voices. Being so far back, there was no way to get word to the front.

Twilight looked at her friends, and prepared herself “I’m going to teleport us, be ready” In a blinding flash of lavender they found themselves in the middle of two forces ready to fight each other. One side was armed with spares and swords, the other with horns.

“Wow, this is the second most number of weapons ever pointed at me” Twilight laughed.

“Chief Thunderhooves, Little Strongheart!” Pinkie and Rainbow Dash called out and rushed over to the pair, giving a formal nod to the chief and a friendly hug to the calf..

All the ponies seemed visibly stunned at what they saw. The buffalo chief raised his hoof and his army relaxed their posture, allowing the ponies to lower their weapons, and sheath their swords. There was still a lot of tension in the air, but also a lot of confusion.

The captain marched forwards and looked at the two fillies chatting away casually to the young buffalo. He then turned to Twilight who was stifling a laugh, her shoulders moving involuntary “Sorry Sir, but we have met these noble Buffalo before.” she half giggled at the look on his face.

Of course they have the captain thought to himself sarcastically Why wouldn’t they already be able to defuse any situation we come across! Still, at least this may resolve the problem without a fight

Twilight approached the buffalo with Fluttershy hiding behind her, and bowed respectively “Chief Thunderhooves, it is a pleasure to see you again, although I wish it was in different circumstances”

“Twilight Sparkle, I am glad you are in good health. Care to explain why you have settled on our sacred land?”

“We have not come here to permanently settle, we are just passing through. Had we know this was part of your land, we would have camped elsewhere or sought your permission first”

“Ah, I see” Chief turned to his fellow buffalo and dismissed them. Seeing the other side in retreat the Pony Captain ordered his stallions to do the same and get some sleep.

Chief Thunderhooves then continued “Of course Twilight Sparkle you and your friends are welcome to visit us anytime, but why are there so many ponies with you?”

Twilight went on to explain the journey they are undertaking, but did not go into details why. The captain had remained silent throughout this, deciding the best course of action was the let the unicorn defuse the situation. As Twilight was finishing explaining, she added “There may be others that follow, and as we do not have your lands marked on our maps they may also camp. I’m not sure how quickly we can get the message to them”

“As long as they are just staying one night, we will leave them alone” the chief confirmed “But if they do not move on…we will force them”

“Understood Chief Thunderhooves” Twilight bowed again “Rest assured that we mean no disrespect to your tribe”

With that the chief and his daughter departed, and the four fillies returned to the camp with the Captain following a little bemused in tow. He ordered them to go back to their tent, but whispered so only they could hear “Good going Privates, you’ve saved us from a whole heap of bother there!”

“Don’t worry” pinkie replied “I always had my song ready, although no stockings to wear. Want to hear it? We may be divided…”

“No!” screamed her three friends, causing the Captain to cast an even more confused face

“Trust me” Twilight explained “You don’t want to know!”

***

After a couple of more hours sleep, the camp awoke and started packing up. As soon as the fillies were done, ahead of the rest of the company naturally, Twilight levitated out a parchment and a quill to her number one assistant.

“Spike, could you take a letter please:

Dear Princess Celestia

Apologies if this letter finds you busy, but everypony learnt something important last night. It had been a hard days trek and during the night we found ourselves in a tricky situation. However, as with most problems, it was quickly resolved by using the magic of friendship.

Friends can be the most valuable resource in the world and you should never let anything so treasured go. You never know when you will run into old friends, and how they may be able to assist you.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle

PS – I know I’m a little old for friendship reports now, but what’s life without a little whimsy.

Spike, please send directly to the Princess…she will know it is personal correspondence that way” and Spike soon burnt it with his magical breath.

Back in Canterlot Castle, Celestia received and read the message without delay. She of course knew what the true meaning of the letter really was. I miss you already too, Twilight