Expedition Equestria
After the rediscovery of the Crystal Empire Princess Celestia has decided that more knowledge of the world is needed to better protect Canterlot and the rest of her Kingdom. A certain Pegasus named Way Finder has been chosen and assigned the duty to map the known world and to discover new and exciting places. Being new to the scene of cartography he is tentative to leave the safe confines of his home in Canterlot, but he is also excited to journey out into the unknown. A new graduate form the prestigious Xanterlot University Way Finder is prepared to face the challenge he has been burdened with
The Package
"Morning Lulu" Way finder says as he passes his sky blue and white coloured seapony.
He watches her swim around the aquarium as she stretches out her body for the first time today. He decides to go about his daily morning routine making breakfast, collecting the newspaper, and checking for mail. As he approached his front door he heard a thunderous crash on the other side. Opening the door slowly he caught a glimpse of grey feathers and straw yellow mane. Knowing what happened he opens the door with a curious look on his face and meets the gaze of a very dazed Derpy Hooves. Having met the Pegasus on a very recent field trip to Ponyville after another flying mishap leading to many apologies and several bruises he is not at all surprised to see her in such a compromising position.
"I didn't realize you did deliveries to Canterlot as well Derpy." Way said extending a hoof to help the poor mare up.
"Well usually I don't but your package was for some reason mixed with the Ponyville mail system. And since I was coming up to Canterlot I decided to do my duty and drop it off for you." The grey mare replied.
"Well thank you Derpy I appreciate it but whatever is in the package I'm sure could have waited a few days."
"Oh I don't think so it has the mark of the Royal Pony Sisters on it." She pointed out
"Ah I see! Well thank you Derpy I appreciate you doing this for me. Next time I am in Ponyville I will make sure to drop by."
"Okay that sounds great! Good luck with whatever the Princess has in store for you." The mail mare replied as she started taking off towards her destination.
"Thank you!" Way called out watching the clumsy Pony fly away.
As the grey mare flew off barely missing some signs and attracting some less than pleasant looks Way Finder closed his door and walked to the kitchen table with his parcel in tow. Placing the strange package on the table in front of him he realized that is was much heavier then he first though it was.
"What could Princess Celestia possibly want with me?" Way asked his seapony as she looked at him with her large and curious golden eyes.
"Well no time like the present let's have a look shall we?"
Prying open the box with his hooves, Way grabbed the first item and examined it.
"A BOOK!? Really? A big gigantic massive BOOK? What am I going to do with a BOOK? I graduated this year I don't need books I need a JOB!" Way thundered dropping the giant volume with a crash onto the table rattling the breakfast dishes almost spilling his orange juice.
"For crying out loud it's almost like she's taunting me or something. Just because I wasn't top of my class doesn't mean I'm not stupid. What else is in here?"
After rummaging through the contents of the box Way Finder placed everything on the table in front of him. Beginning his breakfast he goes through the contents in the box.
"A map of the world … okay why? A train pass, mmhmm. Various drawing tools, alright. A uniform of some sort, interesting. A pair of binoculars, always handy. A hoof inscribed lighter of some sort looks beautiful. And a small see through ball thing, huh. Well then this is definitely not what I wanted to do on a Monday morning. Play guess what I'm thinking with somepony who isn't here."
He opened the map of the world and noticed something different about it. It looked empty like someone had erased all the previously drawn lines. It was also a lot bigger than the maps he had been recently been studying in school.
"It's been updated. Whoever drew this or conjured it already added the Crystal Empire to the north. But if it has been updated why does it look so … empty?"
Way Finder looked at his seapony curiously as she looked out from behind her small castle decoration. No doubt frightened from the outrage from earlier, she was checking to see that the coast was clear. Feeling sorry for scaring the poor little creature Way picked up some food and sprinkled it into the top of the habitat. Calmer now that his pet was no longer in fear of him he turned his attention to the two remaining items in the box. A compass and a file folder containing some important looking documents. Picking up and examining the Compass, Way Finder looked down at his cutie mark and noticed a striking resemblance between the compass rose used in the instrument and the one broadcasting his special talent. Curiosity taking over he looked at the map with more scrutiny noticing the compass rose to be an identical match.
"It's almost like everything has been made specifically for me?"
Pulling the dossier from the box he read the front of it.
"Royal expedition force Alpha: Team Leader Way Finder. Team members: unspecified"
"Well that's interesting I don't remember signing up for anything like this"
Opening the folder Way Finder came face to face with an extensive list of locations and information about each area. Glancing over the locations recalling information about places he recognized and wondering about the places that were foreign to him. As he made his way to the back of the folder he started to come across information sheets about other ponies. He passed over a few nothing really catching his eye then he stopped flipping and examined the profile before him with more scrutiny. The mare looking back at him was unlike any other mare he had ever seen before. There was something in her light green eyes that made him stop and stare. Was it the look of adventure? Or something more? He didn't know. What he did know was that he wanted her, and her alone to go on this crazy adventure with him to the ends of the earth.
Placing the folder down and careful to mark his spot Way Finder decided it was time to open the book sitting next to him, taunting him. He couldn't give any reason as to why the book angered him so but just its presence made him extremely upset. Picking it up again he read the front of the book
The Magical land of Equestria: A reference Guide
Geez for a reference guide it sure is big, Way thought to himself.
"AND EMPTY!" he shouted
The book was empty from the first page to the last. Feeling disappointed and angry he closed the book and laid it face down. On the back was a letter with the stamp of the Royal Pony Sisters. Grabbing the letter he opened it and began to read.