At the river docks, Starry Skies made her way to board The River Otter. She moved to and up the boarding plank with others, head low to keep hidden in the crowd. Her ears twitched and eyes scanned around her, searching for anything that might be a problem as well as seeing if she could find her partner.

Reaching check-in and getting the key for her room, Star learned that the other one had been picked up earlier. There was no reason to ask what the pony looked like since it was most likely still a disguise. Still, it was a positive sign.

...Unless something had happened to her and a potential assassin was waiting in their room to kill Star as soon as she entered...

Star's wings twitched under her jacket at the possibility. If that was actually the case, she would want to be able to take flight and try to get an edge. Although considering where she was, that would probably put her at greater risk, if not cause her to injure herself more than an opponent would.

Reaching the door to her suite, she stopped walking. Quiet as she could, she moved closer to the door and leaned in, listening closely. There was silence as far as she could tell.

Star knocked.

`"Who is it?" a voice called out.

The sound made Star relax slightly. Pushing the door open, she called back, "It's me."

Sitting on one of the beds was a white coated pegasus mare with a bright red mane and tail. There was a series of bandages wrapped around her middle, and one of the wings bulged out from her body. She looked at Star and smiled.

"Oh thank Celestia," she said as she was suddenly engulfed in an aura of green light. It vanished to reveal a mint green unicorn with four-colored mane and a parrot cutie mark. "Help me get these bandages off, please. This thing is driving me absolutely nuts."

After taking off her jacket and tossing it aside, Starry Skies walked over and started to undo the bandages.

"An injured pegasus, Mimic?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Injured ponies get sympathy," Mimic stated, her horn lit as she worked on the bandages, "and in some circumstances, special treatment depending on the severity." Turning her head, she raised an eyebrow. "Such as a poor pegasus mare being allowed to be one of the first aboard." A smirk spread across her mouth as she shifted. "Besides, I had to hide the box to carry it with me, so the bulge of a 'broken wing' under the bandages was the best I could think up."

"That's pretty clever," Star said as she saw the box pressing against Mimic beneath the bandages.

"Of course it is. I may have a pretty face, but I'm not just a pretty face you know."

Star could not help but roll her eyes at her partner's statement. All the same she unwrapped the bandages to reveal the box containing the wand. Although she knew she did not need to, he could not help but check on the wand, making sure it was still inside.

"Oh that feels so much better," Mimic groaned out, stretching. "That thing was digging into my sides for hours."

"Why didn't you take it off sooner?"

"In case you didn't make it for some reason, or someone else showed up looking for it before you got here. If I took it off and had to try and wrap it back up, I don't know if I could get it in the exact same spot."

Rolling over, she slipped off the bed.

"Now, I'm going to grab a quick shower." Turning, she smiled at Star. "Want to join me?"

"Pass," Starry Skies replied. "I think--"

Before she could speak any further, there was a knocking at the door.

Opening it, Starry found a young stallion dressed in a uniform.

"Are you --" he held up an envelope "-- Starry Skies?"

"Yes?"

"A message just arrived for you." He held the envelope out to her.

"Thank you," Star said as she took the message.

It was a dark colored envelope, made of a thick paper. It more than likely had some anti-magic measure to keep from the contents being read. The flap was sealed with black wax, a five point star surrounded by a pair of bat wings creating the mark in the middle. On the other side was Star's name.

Breaking the seal, Star pulled out the message and read it.

"Unexpected circumstances have arisen," the note said. "Immediate update required. Expecting report right away."

"Mimic, please take this into the bathroom with you," Star said as she held out the envelope and letter.

"Guess you'll be taking a nap now," Mimic said as she grabbed the envelope and letter in her magic.

"Looks like it," replied Star as she climbed into one of the beds. Getting comfortable, she closed her eyes and tried to relax, letting herself drift off to sleep.

Starry Skies found herself standing in an office with two chairs at her side. Before her was a desk, with Princess Luna sitting behind it.

"Welcome, Starry Skies," Princess Luna said. "Please take a seat. Can I offer you any refreshments?"

"No, thank you," Star replied as she sat down in one of the thick, plush chairs. They were always the perfect firmness for her.

Whether from habit, decorum, or an attempt to help others feel more comfortable, Princess Luna always offered refreshments. Star had never accepted the offer. Knowing it was all a dream took a bit of interest in eating since it would never actually be filling. Kind of made the activity pointless.

"No children with you today?" Star asked, looking around.

"It is day," Luna replied, pouring herself a cup of tea. "They have much to learn should they ever become proper rulers in the future. Although I am certain that Nightmare shall be disappointed in missing you, and excited that you have asked about her."

Luna then took a sip of her tea before continuing.

"Now, to business. I can conclude by your arrival that you were able to make it to the boat. Were you able to get the wand?"

"Yes," Star answered. "There were, admittedly, a few complications, but not on our end." She then went on to tell the princess about what happened: meeting Daring Do; the wand and how it was leaking magic; Ahuizotl's attack, and his pet manticore; and Mimic's escape with the wand. Although she chose not to give the specifics on how she tried to defeat said manticore since that was barely a success on her part.

"Sounds rather entertaining," Princess Luna said. "I am grateful that you were able to succeed, and that you and Mimic were able to do so unharmed."

"Is that why you wanted an immediate report?" Star asked. "Were some others injured?"

"No," Luna replied. "No such thing happened, fortunately. There was a robbery. No ponies were harmed, although one was rendered unconscious somehow." Her horn lit up as the shape of a wand formed in front of her. "As you can see, it is an artifact similar to the one you were sent to retrieve, although far older. It is unknown what the wand is capable of or its exact age. However, some believe that is one of the wands from a legend, where six ponies -- each supposedly a princess -- were rivals competing to be the one that earns the title of queen in their lands."

The illusory wand vanished.

"It was stolen from a museum in Manehattan, where it was on loan from a descendant of Commander Hurricane. Considering that the object stolen is very similar to what I had sent you to retrieve, I am certain you can understand why I wish to have an immediate report on the matter."

Shifting, Starry Skies rubbed at her chin, considering the matter.

"In case they were attempting to seek out another for some reason?"

"Correct," Luna said. "An unlikely possibility, I know, but a possibility all the same, and thus, something that I cannot ignore. It may also be that there is more than one pony or group thereof that are working on similar plots. Should that be the case, then one of the others may seek out an alternative wand for their purpose."

"Well we're on the boat and heading upriver," Star told her. "We should be able to reach the train station tomorrow afternoon, and back in Canterlot by the following morning, barring any incident."

"An 'incident' is precisely what I am worried about. I shall not be satisfied until the wand is properly secured in the vault. To that end, I am amending your current duties. I wish for you and Mimic to be extra-vigilant while the wand is in your possession. At least one of you must be awake and with the artifact, guarding it until its arrival at the train station. There, a pair of pegasi with my token shall be waiting for you. They can then take the wand and fly it to command where it can be deposited in a high security vault."

"Wouldn't it be easier if I flew it myself once we get close enough?" Star asked.

"Easier, yes," Princess Luna agreed. "Perhaps even minutely quicker, but also with greater risk. As Mimic is a unicorn, you would have to make the flight on your own. Should something go wrong, you would have no assistance, nor would there be any way of knowing what may have happened to you.

"I am aware that I am possibly being paranoid, and taking excessive steps on the matter. However, I would rather take excessive measures and have them unnecessary, than to find them deficient."

"I understand." Star gave a slight bow of her head. "I promise that we will do everything we can to get the wand to them safe and sound."

"I know you will," Luna replied with a smile. "Now, if you will excuse me, it is almost time to play with my daughters, and I do not wish to miss it. Plus, I still have to tell Trixie of the change of plans."

With that, the princess got up and stretched out. Raising her head, her horn lit up before disappearing in a cloud of blue.

The rest of the cruise up river was uneventful. After taking her shower (and sticking the note in the water until the ink ran before throwing it away), Mimic took the first watch, letting Starry Skies stretch her legs and get some food. Star did not stay out very long, not really feeling like watching any of the shows or losing what bits she had at the tables. Instead, she simply ate her fill at the buffet and returned, allowing Mimic to enjoy some time out on the ship instead.

After Mimic had returned and the day turned toward evening, the two of them ended up ordering room service for supper. As it grew later still, Star went out to watch the sunset or moon rise. Whether it was because of her bat pony nature or her working for Princess Luna (perhaps a combination of the two), she often tried to watch when day turned to night.

Star also took the night watch, her having taken a nap earlier making it easier to stay awake until morning. At which point, Mimic went and got breakfast, bringing some back for Star to eat before catching up on the sleep she missed.

The next time she awoke, it was as they were reaching the dock. Mimic once again took the disguise of an injured pegasus, hiding the box beneath bandages for her "injured wing." They took their time leaving, letting most of the ponies get off before them.

Not far from the dock was a small train station, which could take ponies to most of the other towns and cities in Equestria, including Canterlot. It was where most of the other ponies were headed. As they walked, Star kept close to Mimic, pretending to support and assist her while keep her body between the "injured wing" and the others around them.

Mimic caught sight of their contacts first, tapping Star and getting her attention to point them out. As the mares moved closer, at least one of the stallions noticed them. He then shifted, one of his wings flickering to reveal a silver bit.

Star and Mimic made their way toward the stallions.

"Excuse me," Star said as they approached. "My friend here could use some help fixing her bandages. Would one of you be so kind of to assist?"

There was a moment of confusion, but one of the stallions did as asked. It was not long before Mimic returned without a bulging wing, and the two pegasus stallions could be seen taking off.

With that, their part of the mission was over. They still had to make their way back to Canterlot, but now they could relax more and enjoy the journey. The wand would be there tonight, and -- barring some unforeseen delay -- the two of them would arrive in the morning.