-Rejoice, citizens of Equestria, for these six brave souls will depart from our impenetrable refuge. With their gallant steadfastness and impassable fortitude, in uncertainty, in fear and in the unknown, they will enter the concrete jungle known as Canterlot, once our glorious and magnificent capital city. Their objective is clear, honest and just, the rescue of multiple helpless souls, exposed to the dangers of this unfortunate world. May Celestia protect and bless their path! May Celestia multiply their courage and protect their integrity! May Celestia accompany them in their glorious journey!

-For Celestia...

-Gracious Voice does like drama- Exclaimed Sweetie Belle with a grin, exhaling the air in her lungs. The dragon next to her let out a soft laugh, agreeing with her.

-He did it the last time someone went on an expedition, it's a sort of tradition for him- The unicorn quirked an eyebrow skeptically.

-I'd say it's more like a way to show off- She answered, to which the dragon narrowed his eyes and a mocking smile appeared on his face.

-Hmm? As far as I remember, you're a practitioner of that too- The comment made Sweetie Belle blush.

-Hmp!- The green-eyed unicorn turned her attention to her right side- Darling, back me up here- However, instead of the curious lilac eyes she expected to see back, she only found Starlight staring at the ground, reflectively- Darling?- No response. Spike and Sweetie looked at each other with some concern.

-Starlight?

-Hmm?

-Are you all right?

-Yeah, just thinking about the mission. I have to focus so I don't screw it up- The unicorn said in a monotonous voice, almost automatically, though a hint of a smile was playing on her lips. Even so, that did not mitigate the restlessness of the other two individuals.

-You will do well, my dear. I'm sure of it- Sweetie Belle supported with serenity and confidence. The purple-haired unicorn widened the gesture of her face, revealing some bitterness, sadness.

-Yeah… The third time's the charm, isn't it?- Her friends, slightly worried, were planning to say something else when Lieutenant Wildride, who was carrying a relatively modern lever action rifle, arrived on the scene.

-Are you ready, Miss Glimmer?- The pegasus asked in his typical calm, neutral voice. The unicorn nodded and then looked back at her friends.

-It's time, then- The unicorn approached Sweetie Belle first and gave her a warm hug.

-Take care of yourself up there, will you?- The younger of the two asked, the intonation in her voice carrying traces of anguish and concern for her welfare. Starlight smiled radiantly.

-I'll bring those survivors back- She turned her gaze to Spike, who was with his arms crossed and an "indifferent" expression. She smiled coquettishly- Hmm? Don't you want a hug too?

-…

The unicorn didn't even need an answer, using her arms to hug tightly the dragon, who blushed intensely. The seconds passed and Sweetie Belle frowned more and more.

-Well I think that's enough- The older unicorn chuckled, taking Spike by his cheeks and forcing him to lower his head, kissing him in the forehead- Hey!

-Take care, my most precious treasure- Said the unicorn, looking sideways at the other unicorn, who was visibly angered by the proximity they two showed. She chuckled- I leave you another mess to clean up- She detached herself from Spike and turned her face to the Pegasus- We're ready, lieutenant Wildride- The aforementioned just nodded and started to walk to the main entrance of the Castle together with the others in the expeditionary force. Starlight started to walk, but a sudden headache made her stop for a bit.

-Are you ok, darling?- Asked Sweetie Belle with worriedness. The unicorn took a short glance throughout the complex, soon spotting, in the distance, a pair of purple eyes chained on her. She could feel the anger, the sharpness… And a new feeling, she could feel the fear in them. She frowned a bit- Starlight?

-Yeah… yeah, it's just that I… I almost fell from my bed, but I managed to use my magic to stop me from falling- Her both friends looked at each other skeptic, dubitatively. Starlight, however, didn't give them a chance to think that through much, as she smiled brightly- When I come back, we have to keep studying the S-49 Sample, Spike- She once again located those purple eyes, smiling sigthly- I think I had a breakthrough- The dragon, surprised, raised his left eyebrow.

-You did?

-Yeah, I-

-Miss Glimmer.

-I'll go! I'll come back soon!

She joined back with lieutenant Wildride, who stopped to wait for her. The two then departed, joining four other souls who had voluntarily enlisted to go to the rescue of those survivors. They carried light armor and lever-action rifles just like those of Lieutenant Wildride. Amidst cheers and words of encouragement, the group left the shelter.

Outside the castle, the six of them began to walk with caution.

It wasn't long before Starlight, out of the corner of her eye, noticed that someone was following them. And she knew well who it was. She asked her companions to go ahead while she faced the last person she wanted to see that day.

-I had no idea you were joining us, Apple Bloom- Mentioned the purple-haired unicorn seriously. The alluded one came out of the trees, dressed in the same clothes she had used in the last mission to Ponyville and also carrying her bow. She arranged her hat and frowned.

-I chose to be the one waiting at the usual spot... Who knows, maybe I'll see you come back without anyone again and spit new lies in my face- Those words with a clearly resentful intonation were like a small dagger to the already broken heart of the unicorn, who sighed with fatigue.

-Pretty ruthless... I guess I deserve it.

-Words can be a hurtful thing... especially if they're from someone who you thought you could trust with your life- The redhead answered sternly. Starlight closed her eyelids.

-Have you stopped drinking?

-The fuck do you care?

-A lot. I care a lot about you, Apple Bloom.

-You've a crude way of showing this "care"

-I... I don't have time for this right now...

-Oh! Right, of course. I forgot that you were once again given the power to abandon others to their fate- The orange-eyed terrestrial widened a bitter smile- Who will you abandon this time and to who will you lie to, hmm?- A shadow covered the countenance of the unicorn, who for the first time frowned in that conversation.

-Maybe I won't come back at all.

-...

-... I have to go- The unicorn turned around, inhaling and exhaling deeply, letting out the acid and poison accumulated in her throat, knowing it wasn't fair to use it at that moment- When I come back we'll talk about everything that happened that day, Apple Bloom.

The aforementioned terrestrial snorted with disdain.

-You should be more concerned about getting back healthy- The recommendation caused Starlight to draw an unnerved look on her face.

-Yeah...

The unicorn approached the orange-eyed terrestrial, who was looking carefully and cautiously at the other equestrian. She took the knife out of its sheath and placed it in the earthling's hand.

-This is yours- Apple Bloom glanced at the white weapon in her hand. The lilac-eyes unicorn turned her body once again in the direction of where her group had gone. She began to walk.

A dry, blunt sound interrupted her steps. She turned her gaze in that direction, glimpsing the knife in the ground, partially covered by some leafs.

-I can't accept something I know is so valuable to you- The redhead accentuated her frown, while she chattered with her tongue- You better keep it.

Starlight said nothing and picked up the knife from the floor. She looked once more at the earthling, nodded slightly and walked away. Apple Bloom did the same.

-... Whatever it takes…

Hello guys, back at you with a new episode. Starlight and her new group start their travel to Canterlot. What will they encounter up there? And will they be strong enough to face whatever lays there?

Hasta la vista!