As the scene ended I noticed the silence that hung in the air as I was surrounded by them all. "your highness… shes…"
"that is correct." I answered. Know what she was going to ask about.
"what needs to be done your highness?" asked the captain. "she is a princess now. Despite Ms Hooves… destructive past. She is to be respected and assisted with anything and everything. As is our oath to the royal family." I gave a small smile as the other 5 agreed with him as well. "did you not say only our commanding officers know of this information at the moment?"
"that is correct. Which is why I need you to keep quiet about this for the time being." I asked, nearly pleasing, with them.
"your highness we need to locate her quickly, and I know just the ponies for the job should the spell you plan to use is what I am thinking about." He spoke as he seemed to be confirming this information in his mind with a nod. "yes they would be perfect. But I would need your permission to notify them of this hunt."
"what do you have in mind?" I asked him.
"quick response team Neo and Jester." I remembered both of those teams. Team Neo was a squad of 5 pegasus nearly on the same scale of the Wonderbolts. Fitted with very light armor to reach their destinations in the fasted way they could to assist. Named for the fact they were very brightly colored if I remembered correctly.
Team Jester on the other hand was a squad of 4 unicorns and 2 Earth Ponies. They usually teleported to their destinations spreading the mana needed for said teleportation across all 4 of them to help keep them combat ready should it be needed upon arriving at their destination. Now while Team Neo handled long range response Team Jester handled closer assignments. "how fast would you say they would be able to respond?" I asked.
"considering they haven't been sent out with the other search parties that were sent out earlier as they both had returned from their assignments for rest… immediately as soon as they are given the word. I believe they would also be the best ones to also be notified of the current predicament and would do their hardest to keep it a secret." He spoke.
"are you certain Captain?" I asked as he nodded in confirmation. "then I will trust your judgement on this… do you know where they are currently?" he once again nodded. "bring them here for an assignment while I prepare the spell to locate Derpy." He teleported out without confirmation as I began the spell. After a few minutes of chanting in the old language I was soon joined by the two teams plus the captain.
"awaiting orders your highness." Hold the spell in my horn I turned to look at them.
"you all have been picked for a mission of utmost importance. One that could shake the core of Equestria as we know it due to its nature." I began as I looked at every single one of them. "this is a search and assist assignment."
"do you know the location your highness?" asked one of the Pegasus.
"we will shortly once I cast the spell, but first there is some information that must be revealed concerning your task." Seeing they were all now paying attention I continued. "your target is a VIP of the utmost importance… not due to their lineage, their job, their rank… but their species." They seemed confused as the captain and his squad watched them intently should any of them act out. "you are to assist and alicorn other than myself, my niece, and my dear sister."
Silence followed this statement as they seemed to process the information I just told them about. Soon their eyes went wide as they looked at one another. Before standing before me resolute. "then we shall be as swift as possible. What is our task once we locate them?" I gave a small smile, thankful that they haven't asked questions when time is currently of the essence.
"you are to decide that yourselves. From what we know she left willingly with a being of unknown origin. No traces of ill intent was detected in the magic in the surrounding area. Although I would suggest simply allowing her to come back willingly. Should you see a situation you believe you are unable to handle alone simply send an emergency response to myself and I will arrive as quickly as possible."
"can we have confirmation on our target your majesty." One of the unicorns questioned as the captain stepped forward and cast a simple illusion spell. Once they saw just who they were looking for they looked perplexed for a short second before quickly regaining themselves. "thank you your majesty."
"certainly. Thank you captain." He cancled his spell and stepped back as I turned my attention back towards the two groups in front of me. "as you can see and know this matter is extremely important and as such must be dealt with secrecy befitting the matter at hoof."
"are we to keep all knowledge of her being there hidden as well?"
"that is correct, but within reason. I do not wish for ponies asking questions just yet as we have not yet revealed to the public her situation." I answered as they confirmed my order.
"princess might I recommend something?" the captain spoke up. Turning my gaze to him I gave him a small smile with a nod soon accompanying it. "once we locate her location should we call off the searches? To prevent any misinformation or rumors from rising up from the ranks."
"that seems like a splendid idea captain." He nodded.
"then may I make another suggestion your highness?" I motioned for him to continue. "with her reveal among the guard should she not have a personal guard your highness? Much like your own and princess Luna's?"
"I believe that will not be necessary for the time being. For now let us worry about actually locating her." He nodded. "now time is of the essence and I believe we have wasted enough." Getting nods of agreements from them all I let the spell out in front of me as they all gathered around. It was a spell designed to show the general area of the one it needed to locate. Considering most of Equestria had unique environments cleanly separated and easy to distinguish.
An orb appeared in between us the same color of my magic as it showed a downward view of a forest…
A very…
Specific forest…
"captain ready yourself and two other squads to be ready to move out immediately!" I quickly ordered as the team left with the quick response having already left. Turning back to the orb worry and concern filled my heart as I pondered only one thing…
Why are you in the Everfree Forest?