>Three hours had passed by before you knew it.
>You had fallen asleep while watching Rainforest War documentaries.
>A loud explosion in the vid itself woke you, and you paused it with a thought.
>Funny how a multi-thousand cred implant was currently being used for something as mundane as a DVR.
>You yawned under your helmet, and you heard the little pony outside tinkering away at your items.
>As long as she didn't pull any pins or triggers, things would be fine.
>If she had taken a gun apart, you could more than likely put it together again.
>A look around your impromptu jail cell showed nothing of interest.
>A small desk was in the corner, though a seat that looked far more comfortable that the floor was inviting you.
"...ah, to hell with it."
>You got up, and nearly fell over.
>A few flexes to get the kinks out of your legs, and you were mobile again.
>Just in time to sit down again, this time in a cushioned chair as opposed to the hard floor.
>A knocking sound was heard, though you couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from.
>Your HUD did it for you: Thirteen meters to your left.
>"Ah, that must be her!" You heard the little pony cry, before getting up.
>The door opened, and you listened carefully.
>"Thank you so much, Princ-er, Celestia! I'm sorry it was such short notice, but I only just found it an-"
>"Twilight, I understand you're excited, but please. I've only been awake for twenty minutes, you know how much I dislike early mornings."
>"Right..." Twilight replied, sounding bashful.
>"Now, what's this about an 'alien'?"
>"It's in there."
>You heard the barricades being removed, and decided that feigning sleep was the best option for now.
>You leaned back in the chair, visor blacking out your face.
>Twilight entered first, and a larger, blindingly white pony followed her.
>This one was easily eye-level with you, and her horn would have extended several inches above your head if you had been standing.
>You noticed a tattoo on her rear, a stylized yellow sun.
>Twilight had a tattoo as well.
>It was a pink six-pointed star over a white six-pointed star, with five small white stars around it.
>The white one eyed you with curiosity, though she appeared very, very tired.
>Bags were visible under each eye, and you saw that she suppressed a yawn.
>"Hmm. Is it even awake?"
>You had almost forgotten you had your helmet on and polarized.
>"It...should be." Twilight responded, creeping up to you.
>She got within reach, and you struck.
"Boo."
>The pony jumped with a yelp, wings flared and light on her horn.
>The larger one laughed, suppressing her giggles with a hoof over her mouth.
>"H-hey, that wasn't funny!" Twilight wailed, unhappily folding her wings up again.
>Oh, the fun you were going to have.
>You straightened up, and stood.
>If Celestia was intimidated, she hid it well.
>"I am Princess Celestia, ruler of the City of Canterlot and the entire country of Equestria." She began. "Twilight has already told me about you, Captain Alomar."
>You snapped a salute, then quickly released it when she waved you off.
>"No need for formalities here." She replied. "I get enough of that from the griffons, I don't need my guests doing it as well."
"Guest, ma'am?"
>Celestia smiled.
>"Of course. Guest."
>The white pegacorn nodded to the smaller purple one, and Twilight sighed.
>"Twilight will return your items to you, as she found them. I do suggest you come to Canterlot, however, so we may discuss your...situation."
"My situation?"
>"Twilight has told me you want to return home. I merely wish to discuss the ways I can help you in that endeavor." Celestia replied almost instantly, like she had practiced this a thousand times.
>You thought about it for a moment.
"Alright, that sounds...good." You said cautiously.
>You weren't completely convinced this wasn't some sort of bizarre Covenant trap, but the longer you stayed here, the less you were sure it was.
>You had also ruled out the fact you were dead, for the second time.
>"Excellent. Twilight, you may accompany us if you wish."
>With that, Celestia turned and left.
>Twilight watched you for a second longer, then sighed in defeat and left.
>Free to leave, you walked into the 'outside world', as it were.
>The next room was sizable, and had the aesthetic of a large tree.
>Bark was everywhere you looked, and the floor even had tree rings.
>Nifty.
>Your gear was scattered about on a nearby table, the only thing not still in order being your M6G.
>A quick thirty seconds fixed that entirely, the knowledge having served you well over the course of the last ten or so years.
>You left the C7 charge and surplus ammunition on the table. You doubted you would need it.
>Loaded up, you then stepped through what you assumed to be the front door.
>You had to duck a bit to avoid bumping your helmeted head.
>Looking back, your jaw dropped a little.
>The interior looked like a tree...because it *was* a tree.
"Whoa."
>"Never seen a library before?" Twilight asked.
"Like that?" You said, gesturing at the tree. "No, I haven't."
>The pony chuckled, then hopped into a chariot that was nearby. Celestia was already inside as well, nodding off again.
>Attached to it were four ponies with wings, no horns.
>...a pegasus?
>You stepped into the vehicle, sitting down and removing your helmet.
>Celestia yawned lightly, then her horn lit up with a golden light.
>Slowly, the sun began to come over the horizon.
>"Rise and shine, Equestria." The pegacorn mumbled.
>You blinked.
"That was some incredible timing."
>"Hmm?"
"With the sun."
>Celestia chuckled.
>"Oh, my dear alien. I rose the sun into position."
"...bullshit."
>She chuckled again at your bewildered expression.
>"I'm not supposed to do this, but...watch."
>You looked outside again, and her horn lit up in that same golden light.
>The sun tracked across the sky, to the left, then to the right, in a circle, then back to where it started from.
>You began to massage your temples.
"Okay, what."
>"Powerful magic, Captain." The Princess replied with a playful laugh.
"...magic?"
>"Oh, of course!" Twilight cut in with an eager nod. "It's everywhere too! From the rocks, to the trees, to the air and water around us! Unicorns and alicorns, like myself and Princess Celestia, can manipulate it to do...almost anything, really!"
>She was grinning widely, while you simply stared at her blankly.
"I need an asprin."
---
>You arrived at the sprawling city of Canterlot hours later.
>This was more of what you were used to, though it was late twentieth century at best.
>No cars either, just...ponies and their carts.
>Now that the sun was up, they were everywhere too.
>In the most stunning assortment of colors too.
>Pinks, blues, greens, reds, browns...
>It was as if a rainbow exploded in your eyes.
>The chariot took you towards a large castle hanging precariously on the side, over a sheer drop of what had to be a thousand meters.
>Your HUD confirmed that for you.
>It landed on an overhanging balcony, and you were first off.
>Celestia was next, with Twilight taking up the rear.
>"Now, breakfast?"
>Your stomach growled, almost on cue.
"That would be good, sure."
>You were lead to a table, which seemed to be a personal table for the royalty and her guests.
>A number of items were brought over, which included waffles and various fruits.
>You hadn't eaten this well since...shore leave four years ago.
>The Covenant seemed to always know the best restaurants to bomb to glass.
>Etiquette was difficult when there wasn't any silverware, so you made do with your knife, cutting things into bite sized pieces.
>You were happy and full, stomach gurgling in pleasure.
>Paranoia suddenly spiked up, bringing your nerves back.
>You just simply couldn't accept the fact that a strange, non-human species didn't want to kill your ass.
>Not yet, anyway.
>"Now, Captain, seeing as we've all had our fill, why don't we begin our discussion."
"Alright. It's simple enough."
>You opened your rucksack, then pulled out a device that was roughly the size of your forearm.
"This is a Emergency Beacon. It broadcasts an encrypted S.O.S. signal through Slipspace so that I can be rescued."
>"Mmhm." Celestia said, looking the device over.
>It was obvious she didn't understand some of the complex parts, but still understood the concept.
>Twilight was watching the device too, as Celestia curiously spun it around.
"However, I need a stable place to put it. Obstructions can garble or even block the signal." You continued.
>"So somewhere high and clear would be best, correct?"
"Yes."
>Celestia thought for a moment.
>"I have an idea, though in return I would like something."
"Alright, what is it?"
>"Recently, a group of Changelings invaded Canterlot and caused havoc in the streets. We're still repairing the damage."
>Celestia's gaze locked to you.
>"We repelled them, but did not finish them. Twilight tells me you seem to be a natural killer. I see a soldier."
>The Princess's vivid magenta eyes never left yours.
>"If you agree to help my Guard with this task of eradication, I will allow you to attach your beacon to the top of my personal bedroom, which is in the tallest tower of the castle."
>Now there was something you knew how to do: Ruin someone's day.
>And worst come to worst, it got you into their good graces as well.
"When do I start?"
===