As per usual, the city of Canterlot had enjoyed another peaceful and uneventful night, with only the lights of the night watch there to illuminate the place. But, as with all nights, it eventually came to an end, and the dim glow of the sun could be seen rising near the horizon. Soon, dawn would break, and the people of the city would awaken, ready to carry on their days, like every day before them. But, at the very front of that city, just beyond the massive gates leading out of the metropolis, was Twilight. As asked of her, she was waiting for that sunrise, and had prepared herself for the long journey that was ahead of her. Gone were the brown acolyte robes that she had worn before, and instead, her garb was that of a short purple dress, covered mostly by a large blue robe.

The girl stared out at the sky, occasionally turning her head to the right to see the sun still slowly about to rise. In the end, she let out a sigh, raising her hand and rubbing her temples.

"What am I going to do?" she asked.

"Well, you could say goodbye, for one thing."

A smile crept onto the girl's face with the arrival of the second voice, and she spun around. Sure enough, it was Shining, smiling to her as he walked down the street to greet her. For a moment, Twilight stepped once more within the boundaries of the city, stopping just short of her brother. The man lifted his hand, wherein Twilight saw he was carrying a brown backpack.

"I think you forgot this."

A blush formed on Twilight's cheeks, but she nevertheless accepted her brother's gift in an appreciative manner, smiling to him as she slipped it on. However, it wasn't long before her sibling started to look to her with worry, casting a glance to the world beyond before looking right back at her.

"I...I wish you didn't have to do this."

Twilight's smile faded, and she gave a short nod.

"I know. But...you and I both know how important this is."

A sigh escaped her brother after hearing that.

"I do. Still...I'd feel a lot better if I was coming with you."

Twilight opened her mouth to speak, only to be prevented from doing so when yet another voice began to speak out.

"Well, you're in luck, Shining. Because she won't be going alone."

Both siblings turned, and here, they gained a similar look of surprise, seeing that there, walking towards them, was Spike. He was dressed as he usually was, with the exception that, like Twilight, he too was carrying a backpack upon himself. Although at first confused by this, Twilight's eyes widened with shock, as realisation now dawned upon her.

"No, Spike! You can't!"

But the Prince, it seemed, was unconcerned with this.

"Pardon me, Twilight, but I seem to recall that Mother's wish was that Shining not accompany you. She never said anything about someone else coming along."

Twilight looked like she was, naturally, about to dispute that point, but was halted a second time when Spike continued.

"Besides...you look me in the eye right now and tell me that you think you'll be perfectly fine out there all by yourself."

At this, Shining turned to his sister, curious to see what her reaction would be. As for the girl herself, she looked like she was desperately trying to think of some answer to give her best friend, opening and closing her mouth in several false starts as she did so. But, in the end, she simply let her shoulders slump in a clear sign of defeat, much to Spike's glee.

"Thought so."

Spinning around, Twilight let out a grunt of annoyance.

"Ugh! The Queen's gonna kill me for this!"

To that, Shining folded his arms and raised an eyebrow.

"What about me? Unlike you, I'm actually going to be here when she find out about this!"

Twilight turned to look upon her brother, followed shortly by her casting a look in Spike's direction. A silence fell between the three youths, during which they simply stared at one another. Then, at the end of it all, Twilight, in spite of just how serious a predicament she was in, started to giggle. It started quiet at first, but then got louder as time went on. And she was not alone in this either, as both Spike and Shining started to join in. It was, needless to say, a welcome reprieve from the stress Twilight had been going through recently, and when her laughter died down, she took a moment to wipe a tear away from her eye. However, as she regained focus, her smile faded once more.

"It's time."

Seeing the serious look on her face, both Spike and Shining turned to see what she was looking at. It was the sun, now having finally broken above the horizon. The stated time had come, and her journey had begun. Knowing this, Twilight shut her eyes tightly, and, before her brother could react, she leapt forward, embracing him in a tight hug. Shining, for his part, bore a soft look on his face, returning the embrace. The two siblings stayed together like this for some time, never saying a word, all while Spike gave them their moment. In the end though, they finally parted, and Twilight looked up to her brother, bearing a small smile.

"Goodbye, brother."

Shining returned the smile.

"Goodbye, sister."

Twilight kept her eyes upon him for as long as she could, before letting out a sigh, turning and facing the gates yet again. She paused for just a moment, letting the weight of her task wash over her. But, in the end, she steeled herself, and though she had never done so before, took that first step beyond her hometown.

Though it was far higher than any other point in the city, the balcony atop the royal tower was not as windy as one might expect. There was a breeze, to be sure, but it was gentle and warm. Celestia was there, as ornately-garbed as ever, standing at the edge of that balcony, looking out upon her beloved city. Her eyes drifted from the rising sun in the East, to the front gates. Even from this distance, she could see them. Two figures walking beyond the outermost walls, out onto the roads leading beyond their city. A sigh escaped her upon seeing this, but she said nothing, at least, not until she heard the distinct sound of footsteps approaching her from behind.

"Good morning, Luna."

Sure enough, Princess Luna walked alongside her, staring out as she did. For a time, there was nothing but silence between the two sisters, but, after a few minutes of this, Luna broke it.

"So...it has begun."

Celestia nodded.

"Indeed. It is a risk, I know...but one that needs to be taken."

Luna nodded back, but, for a moment, seemed hesitant about something. She mentally wrestled with herself for a time, only to look right at Celestia as she spoke.

"Your boy has gone with her."

Celestia's face was a stoic one as she replied.

"I know."

To this, Luna was taken aback.

"You know?!"

Hearing the surprise in her sister's voice, Celestia turned to face her.

"Spike is of age now, Luna. Old enough to make his own decisions. Besides..."

A sly smirk crept onto her face as she continued.

"...you and I both know that, even if I did forbid him from going...he'd have found some way to go anyway."

Luna considered that for a time, before letting out a deep sigh and nodding.

"True enough."

As before, the two sisters looked out from their balcony, seeing the two figures walk further and further away from the city walls. The mood turned ever more serious as time went on, which was reflected in Celestia's tone of voice when she finally started speaking again.

"You are certain, Luna?"

The Princess nodded.

"I am. Though I wish it were not so."

Celestia's eyes shut tightly.

"Unfortunate. I had hoped such a day would not occur within our lifetime...but if that day has indeed arrived...then we have no choice but to see this quest done."

Looking to her sister, Luna narrowed her eyes somewhat.

"I stand by what I said, sister. You should have told her."

To this, Celestia shook her head.

"If I had...then she would have been doing this for the wrong reasons."

Luna looked away, relenting that point, though seeming no less satisfied about it.

"An inexperienced youth, sent out to venture into a world she knows nothing of. Tasked with finding artefacts the world thought lost. And all to..."

She didn't finish, and instead took on a look of great discomfort. Celestia noted this, allowing her own face to soften considerably. She reached out, placing her hand upon her sister's shoulder, gaining her attention. There was a moment of understanding between the siblings, and while Luna looked no happier about all of this than Celestia was, she seemed to have at least come to some kind of acceptance about it, giving a brief nod as she looked away once more. As for Celestia, her smile faded as she too looked to the horizon, her face one of worry as, at long last, Twilight and Spike passed too far to be seen.

"...May the light protect us all."