https://docs.google.com/document/d/15xqyf4vMYSb9UgwJ-NXkK7C2zmzfdjiFXz_pzZTbBsY/edit?hl=en_US

Had it not been for the wind drying her eyes to a spongy blob, Twilight would have been bawling. The hour long ride home to Ponyville had been uncomfortably long. Pan and Mane were being exceptionally solemn, and Rise’s playful demeanor had been replaced by the piercing eyes Twilight had seen the first time they met. Koi was being Koi. She half suspected that their unusual quietness was due to having never flown before. It had that sort of effect on ponies.

Home. I’ve started to think of Ponyville as home. Twilight realized as they started to descend into the town square, just starting to fill with the usual day traffic. Seeing the chariot approaching, the ponies cleared out from the center of the plaza.

Twilight hopped out, and the farmers followed. They shot straight to the library, ignoring the stares she was getting from the early morning crowd. She had only been gone a day, but if felt like years. It was a nice surprise, then, to see Spike standing in the doorway waving to her.

Inside, the library was perfectly clean. Spike had not slacked on his chores while Twilight was gone. The door closed behind them as the dragon walked back over to them.

“So what’s going on, Twi? Why’d Celestia need you?” he asked.

‘Twi’ sighed. “I’m going to have to go away for a while.”

He looked up at her inquisitively. “What do you mean? You just got back.”

“I’m just here for however long it takes to pack and say my goodbyes. We really need to leave as soon as possible.”

“Oh, ‘we?’ I’ll pack our stuff right now!”

“Not you, Spike. Just these ponies and me. You need to stay here.”

Spike froze in his spot. “And just why not?” he asked with a bitter tone.

“I can’t say, Spike. I really can’t. I’m sorry, but you can’t come with me. Not this time.”

He stared at her for some time. With a huff, he went up to Twilight’s room to pack whatever she would need. Twilight suspected he was angry and just trying to distract himself rather than actually try to be helpful. He wouldn’t even know what she needed, after all. She walked up the stairs to the room. Spike was sitting at the floor, looking at her expectantly.

“Something on your mind?” she asked.

“Oh, nothing.” he said sarcastically. “Just wondering why I’m always left behind while you go on these grand adventures. It’s a bit boring being left behind all the time.” There was an apparent spite in his voice. This had been brewing in him for some time, evidently.

Twilight walked over, sat next to him, and pulled him close with a hoof.

“Next time. I promise.”

“The least you could do is tell me why I can’t go with you this time.”

“I can’t tell you. I already told you. It’s a personal matter, and the less the ponies around town hear that I’m heading off, the better.”

“You’re lying to me, Twi.”

That stung a bit. She relented.

“I just don’t want you to worry. This isn’t some care-free adventure I’m going on. It will be dangerous.”

“A little danger won’t stop me!” Spike protested.

“I mean it, Spike.”

The dragon stopped talking.

“I don’t want you coming, because of how dangerous this will be.” With all of the graveness she could muster, she continued. “There’s a chance I will not be coming back, Spike. I promise to you it will not happen, but there is a chance. I cannot take you with me.”

“What do you mean, ‘not be coming back’?” he asked, his voice cracking.

“You know exactly what I mean.”

“You’re saying you could...” he never finished the word before he started his eyes widened. His jaw went slack.
“Oh.” was all he could manage as he desperately fought back tears.

Wordlessly, Twilight comforted the quivering baby dragon with her hoof. She already cried all the tears she had an hour ago.

“I need you to grow up. For yourself. For me. If I don’t make it back, I need to know you can take care of yourself.”

Sniffling, the dragon pulled away from Twilight and nodded his head.

“Consider it your most important chore for the next few months. That is all I ask of you while I am gone.”

With magic, Twilight levitated Spike over to his bed and set him in. He was far to stressed to help her pack, and she had a lot of stuff to do and ponies to see.

* * *

Twilight decided to abandon her normal saddlebags. She had to be practical, and a colorful, lavender garment would not be the best option if it came to being in a fight. Rummaging around the library closet, she found what she needed. They were massive and consisted of a uniformly light brown canvas material. These were the sort of saddlebags she would need. They could fit nearly five times as much supplies than her other ones. It just came at the price of being unfashionable.

The farmers stared at her as she paced around the library, searching every nook and cranny for anything that might be useful. Twenty minutes later, with the assistance of some magic, the saddlebags were filled about halfway. She turned to the farmers.

“Sorry, but you’ll have to wait here. The townsfolk here are annoyingly curious, and if they saw you, well, I’m not sure what will happen.”

They nodded their heads in agreement.

“And where are you going?” Pan asked.

Twilight hung at the words. “Uh... getting some more supplies.”

With that she walked out the door and headed off towards Sweet Apple Acres.

* * *

“It ain’t no problem, Twi’, but if’n ya don’t mind me askin’, why d’ya need so much food?”

The orange mares reaction was not entirely unexpected. The amount of apples and apple-based baked goods she had requested was enough to feed a single pony for three weeks. Even more if they were small eaters like Twilight.

The unicorn glanced around, looking to see if anypony was within earshot. The barn was empty save for the two of
them.

“I... I’m going to be gone for a while. I need supplies.”

“Yer gun be gone fer ah month? Because thats how much food yer askin fer.” Applejack responded.

“I’ll be gone for much more than a month, I’m afraid.”

“An’ you jus’ need some apples to hold you ov’r until ye’ can resupplah at yer destination, ah presume.”

“I guess so.”

“Well, alrighty. Ah can’t turn down ah friend. Take ahs much ahs ya need out of the cellar. But I need ta ask ya, just where are ya goin that ya need so much?”

For the second time, Twilight needed to skirt the subject. “South. Outside of Equestria. I can’t really talk about it.”

Applejack gave her a blank stare. “Thar’s more to it, ain’t there.”

Twilights face gave that away.

“But ye can’t tell me. Fair enough. Weyull, I suppose I’m supposed to say goodbah, then. So, goodbah!” she said as she gave her best smile.

“I... yeah.” She didn’t have to know. If she knew where she was going, Applejack would ask to come with her. It was better this way. “I’ll see you later!” Twilight sounded less than enthusiastic.

AJ, sensing her friends distress, gave her the tightest squeeze she could.

“See ya round, sugarcube.”

* * *

“You can’t talk about it, huh? Are you a spy?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

Twilight had floated up to the pegasus’ floating mansion in the town hot air balloon and cast the cloud walking spell on herself. She didn’t actually need anything from the eccentric hot shot, other than to say goodbye. Hopefully not a last goodbye.

“I... what?”

“On a secret mission from Princess Celestia herself?” Dash asked again, zipping around the room in kung-fu poses.

“Rainbow.”

“HIYAAAA!”

“Rainbow!”

“HEYOOOOOO!!!!”

“RAINBOW!”

The winged pony stopped in mid-air and offered a hushed apology.

“This is serious. I’m going to be gone for a while. I just wanted to say farewell.”

“Oh. Okay. Well... bye.” the pegasus said.

There was an awkward silence.

“Aw, Twilight, you should know I’m not good at this sort of thing. Come here.” With that, Rainbow Dash flew over and hugged Twilight. She hugged back.

“Don’t you dare try to follow me.” she whispered in the rainbow maned ponies ear.

* * *

Fluttershy’s cottage was as peaceful as it ever was. The yellow pegasus herself had been outside, tending to the
chickens, when Twilight showed up at her home.

“Hey Fluttershy.”

“Oh... hi! Um... Spike told us you were gone... so... uh... welcome back! I guess...” she said, her voice barely carrying
over the cries of the various animals.

“Was there something you need?”

“Actually, yes. Do you have any medical supplies? Bandages, ointments, anything of that sort.”

The bashful pegasus looked quite confused, but didn’t ask any questions.

“Oh, I suppose... just follow me...”

Fluttershy led Twilight into the cottage. The soft yellow walls and plush furnsishings were cozy and welcoming. They walked over to a storage closet. Inside were stacks upon stacks of various gauzes, medical tools and medicines.

“Just take as much as you need. I can always restock.”

Twilight complied, and proceeded to stuff one of her saddlebags with as much as she could fit, though she had no idea what they would need. Sufficiently loaded, Twilight turned back to her friend.

“I’m going to be gone for some time.”

“Well... yeah, I could see that. Where are you going?”

“I can’t say. But if... no. When I come back, it will be in a few months”

“Oh... okay.”

“That’s the second reason I came by: To say my farewells.”

With surprising speed, Fluttershy had locked Twilight in a tight hug.

“Then I’ll see you in a few months!” she squeaked.

“Yeah. See you later, Fluttershy.”

Twilight broke the embrace. She made for the door.

“I’d prefer you keep this news on the down low. If you don’t mind.”

“Oh... no problem. I won’t tell anyone.”

With that, Twilight offered a final wave and stepped outside.

* * *

The Carousal Boutique was a fair distance from the cottage. If Twilight was to travel in wild lands, she would need some suitable clothes. She didn’t even make it halfway before she found herself knocked onto the ground.

“HEY TWILIGHT!”

The pink puffball had elected to sprint out of an alleyway and bowl into her. Twilight was on the ground looking up at
Pinkie Pie, who was wearing an impossibly large grin.

“Pinkie, have you considered ever just saying ‘Hello!’?”

Pinkie Pie stepped away and helped Twilight back to her feet.

“Uhhhhh... Nope! Not really! That is sooo much more boring! So what are you doing?”

“I’m headed over to Rarity’s shop to pick up a coat.”

“Oh, are you going on an adventure and you need a thick winter jacket to keep you warmy warm while you hike through the wildy woods?” Pinkie guessed with surprising accuracy.

“I... uh. How did you know?” Twilight asked, shocked by her friends perception.

“Well this morning while I was opening up Sugarcube Corner I felt an itch in mouth by my right cheek. That usually means someone I know is going on an adventure! So I spent all day looking for who it was and when I saw your ginormous saddlebags I knew that person was YOUUU!!!” With that, the pony threw confetti and streamers into the air.

Figures. Twilight thought.

“Pinkie, I need to leave Ponyville as soon as possible.”

“Oh! You need a farewell PARRRTAYYYYY!!!!!!” Pinkie shrieked.

Twilight covered her ears. “No, Pinkie. That’s exactly what I don’t need. It would mean the world to me if you could keep this news to yourself.”

“Okie dokie lokie, Twilight! My lips are zipped!” she said nodding her head rapidly.

“Promise.”

“Don’t worry, Twilight! I promise!”

“Pinkie Pie Promise.”

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick cupcake in my eye!” she said while preforming the motions.

Satisfied, Twilight smiled.

“This is my final goodbye, Pinkie. I do not know when I will be back.”

“Ooh! I’ll have a welcome back party just for you!”

“Yes... I’ll probably need it.”

After a brief embrace that was entirely dominated by Pinkie Pie, the two parted ways. Twilight fought the urge to take a last look over her shoulder while her friend bounced her way back to Sugarcube Corner.

* * *

“Trekking gear, you say? My goodness, darling, that is not a typical request. A backpacking trip with a coltfriend, I
assume?”

Twilight blushed. “Rarity, this is serious. I don’t know what I’ll be heading into, and I want to be adequately prepared.”

The purple maned unicorn let out a refined huff. “Very well, dear. All of my outdoors wear is in my storage closet. If
you’ll just give me a moment...” Rarity trotted off through a door. A minute later she returned levitating an impressive array
of the finest, most stylish coats, jackets, parkas and ponchos she had to offer. “Take any one you want. My treat.”

These wouldn’t work. Not at all. “Uh, Rarity?”

“Do you not like them?” she asked, a hurt tone in her voice.

“No, they’re fine. It’s just... I need something a bit more practical. These are too... bright.” Twilight said, gesturing at one that was made of a florescent green material and adorned with hundreds of gemstones.

“Oh, alright! Just tell me what you need!” With that, Rarity levitated a sketchpad and pencil over to her

“Durable and dark is all I need.” Twilight said.

Rarity gave her a blank stare.

“My goodness, this really is serious, isn’t it.”

“You could say that.”

With a sigh, Rarity scribbled a few quick designs.

“Just give me a few minutes to throw this together dear.”

Rarity left the room and went upstairs to her studio. Twilight sat in silence, listening to the occasional thumps and bumps coming from the work room above her. True to her word, Rarity emerged six minutes and twenty-three seconds later, a large bundle of drab brown cloth floating behind her. Unfolding it, she held it before Twilight. It wasn’t exceptionally pretty.

“Is this what you needed, Twilight?” she asked.

“Exactly what I was looking for.” Twilight responded.

It was less a jacket and more a thick sheet with sleeves.

“At the very least it’ll keep you warm without restricting your movement. I can’t say I’m particularly proud of this piece. But as long as it serves it’s purpose, I’m willing to accept it.” Rarity’s sigh suggested she was less happy with it than she was pretending to be. “Now, allow me to put this in those massive saddlebags of yours.”

“Oh, Rarity, please. I can do that myself.”

“No, I insist!” she hissed.

Before Twilight could do anything, she felt the left saddlebag on her back unzip as Rarity proceeded to stuff the jacket in.

“Ah, there isn’t enough room in here. I’m sure I could rearrange it a bit so it will fit...”

“Rarity, stop. I’ll take care of it!” Twilight protested.

Ignoring her, the white unicorn continued “These books and folders could be slotted a bit better. If I just put this over th--” Rarity suddenly paused.

“What is it?” Twilight asked.

“Why on earth would a pony like yourself need books like this?” Rarity asked as she levitated a book out and held it in
front of Twilight. “The Art of War by Sun Tzhoof? The Corpsponies Creed: A Battlefield Medicine Crash Course by the Equestria Military Acadamy?” The unicorn gasped as she read the next one. “Search and Destroy: Modern Warfare Strategy and Tactics by General Stoneshoe? Goodness me, filly. This isn’t light travel reading you have in here.”

Twilight winced. That, among other things, was the reason she didn’t want Rarity peeking around her saddlebags. She
would need to read up on her military sciences if she was heading into battle. There was no point trying to keep a secret.

“I’m going on a journey, Rarity.”

“I know that, but why would you need these books on such abhorrent subjects?”

She repeated herself. “I’m going on a journey. You know why I need those.”

There was silence as Rarity thought. Her face changed from mild shock to stupor.

“Oh. Oh my.” she stammered.

“I don’t know if I’m coming back.”

The books dropped to the floor as Rarity took a step back and looked at Twilight face to face.

“My dear, you could have just told me.”

“I didn’t want you to worry. I didn’t want you to try to come with me. I’m sorry, but I cannot in good conscience endanger my friends as well as myself.”

Rarity pulled Twilight into a hug.

“I think I understand.” she whispered. It was a blatant lie, but it was the right thing to say. “I won’t question why you’re doing this.”

“Thank you.” Twilight said, her voice quivering.

“But you be careful. I couldn’t bear to lose you. None of use could. You come back to us, understand?”

“Rarity...”

“You’ll be back.”

They broke the hug. Twilight unceremoniously shoved the books and coat into her saddlebag.

“Farewell for now, Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight could only flash a smile back at her as she exited the store.

* * *

Rather than be have her enormous saddlebags be the subject of many ponies stares, Twilight decided to take a less
traveled route back to the library through side streets and alleyways. She noted, with great discomfort, that the pack was extremely heavy. Twilight drank in the sight of the town. This would be the last time she would see it for some time.

“Hey, Twilight! Over here!” the bush said.

Twilight rubbed her eyes. Did that bush over there just talk? She walked over to the talking plant.

“Um, hello?” she said.

“Give me a second, let me just undo this spell.”

With that, the bush dispersed into a cloud of smoke. In it’s place stood Princess Luna. She started coughing and pumping her wings to blow away the magical dust.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t want any pony to see me. It was just a simple illusion spell.”

Twilight nodded. “So what brings you here to Ponyville?”

“Well, to say goodbye, for one thing.” Luna answered.

The unicorn stared at the ground. “Sorry for not telling you the truth earlier in the castle. I figured if Celestia wanted you to know, she would have told you herself.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. Celestia said she’d rather take care of the issue herself. Something about rectifying her own mistakes. It seemed like a touchy subject, why you were doing this, so I took my leave.”

“Why are you saying goodbye now, rather than back in Canterlot?” Twilight asked.

“Well, I realized after you left there was a way I could help you. Something my dear sister decided either didn’t want to do or simply ignored.”

With that, Princess Luna’s horn flared with magical light. Two objects began to materialize out of the ether beside her. As they took form, Twilight could see that they were a wicked blade and a intricate suit of armor.

“The Horn of Ceros and the Armor of Boreas. Ancient treasures of the Equestrian royal family that I borrowed from the palace vault. Legends say they are made of arcane energy in physical form.”

With a smile, Luna added: “I tend to disagree with that claim. May they serve you well, Twilight, through your travels, though I hope you need not use them at all.”

Twilight looked up at the princess. “How could I ever repay you? These are worth more than my very life!”

Chuckling, Luna held the unicorn by the shoulder. “Just bringing them back in one piece is all I need.”

She took a step back and turned around. Spreading her graceful wings, she prepared to take flight. Luna suddenly paused and looked over her shoulder, back at Twilight.

“I never did say thank you.”

Without another word, Princess Luna took off to the sky as Twilight bowed in respect. When the blue shadow faded out of sight, she levitated the two artifacts off of the ground. Lacking space in her saddlebag, she simply lashed the ornate horn blade and the armor down on her back. Her head swimming from the encounter, she continued back to the library.

* * *

My dearest Spike,

Do not worry, I’ll be back; I just do not know when. I want you to be waiting for me when I return.

Always with you,
Twilight Sparkle

* * *

“I’ll be back.”

Twilight whispered the words to herself as she boarded the chariot still waiting in the town square. The pegasi pulled into the sky with her and the farmers in tow. The sun hung low in the sky to the left of them as they flew south.

She had written the letter in a hurry. It seemed to her that the best way to calm the dragon was to leave him with as few words as possible; it would be less for him to worry about. The child had passed out some time before, and was still sleeping when Twilight left the paper on the dining table.

They were headed to the edge of Equestria Proper. The chariot would drop them off at the borderlands. From there they would continue on hoof to the designated rendezvous points that the mercenaries would meet them at.

The chariot ride proceeded without a hitch. Conversation was sparse, save for Pan asking about details regarding how they would proceed once they were in the borderlands. Twilight was glad for the quiet. She needed time to still her thoughts. As she looked to east, towards the rising sun, Princess Celestia’s words echoed in her mind.

I shall watch you from above as the sun rises.