>Morning time in Ponyville. The birds sing their melodies, Celestia's sun radiates a warm glow, and all around not a Monday.
>Golden Oak Library, a place of peace and knowledge, but not so much right now.
>You are Twilight Sparkle, and today your book of dragons will arrive soon.
"Spike! What do you think it'll be about? Biology, maybe history?"
>Pacing left and right within the library, your excitement is barely containable.
>"Twilight, are you sure it's accurate?" Spike responds with a doubtful look. "I mean, didn't you say that ponies know next to nothing about dragons?"
>Slowing your trotting route to a stop, you turn to face Spike.
"Oh Spike, this book was published in Canterlot, I'm sure it has some form of accuracy," you assure him, waving your hoof dismissively.
>Spike's expression fills with a hint of curiosity as he inquires, "What's the name of the book anyway, Twilight?"
"The book is titled 'Fire & Scales'. Exciting right?"
>Spike gives you a deadpan look.
>"Uh, Twilight. That sounds like a work of fict—"
>A sharp, explosive boom thunders the skies of Ponyville. The sudden, loud noise causes Spike to duck under the table; noticeably causing it to creak and rattle from his own shivering.
>What was that noise? It was too loud to be normal thunder, and more importantly there's no rain scheduled today.
>"Twi-Twilight? What was that?" Spike questions with a fearful quake in his voice.
"I don't know Spike, but we're going to find out."
>You ascend the lobby stairs with due haste, passing by the second floor and your room until you reach the topside observatory in a short amount of time. Focusing the telescope, you begin to scan the horizon: North, East, South... Wait!
>From your current perspective, you notice a distant object closing in from the horizon; a black fleck upon Ponyville's skies.
>Increasing your telescope's magnification, the object turns into a silhouette of... an unfamiliar creature. Inspecting its form, the creature resembles that of a small Minotaur with a different biological appearance. It appears to be fully clothed in black, excluding certain other effects and lining on it, with a long black coat that billows in the air. The being's face is olive in colour with undistinguishable features, other than cold black eyes and a tube that leads past its peripheral-reducing collar.
>Decreasing magnification, you notice the strange being is descending faster and faster from the sky, in mere minutes it will impact the ground, killing it instantly from the force.
"Oh no," you mention, a tone of worry in your voice. "If I don't get a pegasus pony or help in some way then—"
>Before you can even finish your grim sentence, the mysterious creature breaks its speed in mid-air, as if it had an invisible parachute. Now, slowly descending, it looks as though it will arrive in front of Ponyville's town hall within fifteen minutes.
>Shortly after this realisation Spike arrives on the balcony, a questioning look upon his face.
>"Twilight," he starts, "what happened?"
"Spike, something is arriving in Ponyville," you say, pointing a hoof to the sky. "I need you to send a message to Princess Celestia, tell her something alien is arriving in Ponyville. I'm going to investigate what it is."
>Before you can even begin your descent to the town hall, you hear Spike call out to you. "Twilight, wait!" he exclaims. "Shouldn't you wait for everypony else before you investigate?"
>You smile. Spike's concern has always made you feel happy that he's watching out for you, even if it's trivial most of the time.
"Don't worry, Spike. I'll be just fine, now hurry up and get that message to Celestia," you order, before disappearing into the library.
>You make your way to town square, ready to confront whatever is coming this way.
 
 
***
 
>Darkness. All you see is a void of nothing but pitch black. Though nothing comes to view in your vision, you can hear the sounds of war perform its melody.
>The cracking of las-bolts from lasguns set to its highest output, followed by the sounds of autoguns roaring in the distance and the sickening rev of chain teeth against flesh. Explosions boom like the drums of war: frag, krak and even the thundering of a Hydra Flak Platform. The noise begins to build up until you hear a voice call out.
>"Anonymous! No!"
>The sharp sound of the voice and a deafening explosion wakes you up with a flinch. Looking through the lens of your rebreather, you notice that your vision is filled with grass and dirt.
>Shifting your weight you begin to stand up, dusting off any dirt or grass sticking upon your storm coat and exposed uniform.
>With your gloved hand, you begin to undo a strap securing your hat on your left hip. Discarding the disposable strap you gaze upon your peaked cap, standard Commissariat black with red lining, and bearing a golden Aquila cap badge. Inspecting and detailing it of creases and unwanted effects, you place it upon your head in pristine condition, feeling it slip on snugly through the rebreather mask.
>Looking upon your surroundings, you expected to be within a barren, war-torn environment. What you really see is a colourful environment with a soothing atmosphere about it, completely untouched by conflict.
"Where in Terra am I?"
>Your memory is still fuzzy, to the point that you can't remember bits and pieces of your life, but even with memory loss you've never seen such a peaceful place in your service to the God-Emperor of Mankind.
>Taking this moment of peace to prepare yourself, you quickly pat around your effects under your storm coat to make sure you still have your wargear. You feel your laspistol holstered on your left hip, power sword sheathed on your right; checking your grav-chute harness you notice the energy levels are low, while a single smoke grenade stays hooked upon said harness. Feeling your satchel slung to your left, you decide to confirm the rest of your effects in a less open area.
>With no vox, your first course of action would be to inspect the locals and figure out where in the galaxy you're at, hopefully not too far from the Imperium.
>"Are you okay?" a voice calls out with sincerity behind you.
>Interrupting your train of thought, you quickly snap towards the voice, facing whoever called you out.
>What you see, is enough to make you rub your eyes in disbelief. A gathering of pastel-coloured small horses that seem to be staring at you with 'Human-like' expressions of curiosity.
>What perturbs you the most is the mutations some bear, especially the purple one in the front of the crowd with a horn on its forehead.
>Is this some sort of Krieg experimentation for ratling mounts? Their size is enough to go above the waist when on four legs, perfect for a ratling rough rider, except that ratlings never use an overt approach. Other than that, why are they colo—
>"What are you?" the purple one questions.
>Emperor's light! It spoke! Where are the riders? How is this possible? Hallucinogenics? Xenos? Daemon?
>Whatever the reason, you can't stay here. It pains you to think about showing your back to these xenos-horse things, but you need to gather more information and possibly find some source of Humanity out there.
>Tactica Imperium states that in the face of overwhelming odds, you should fight and make your death meaningful.
>Tactica Anonymia, written by you and never to be published, states gather information and strike at the best opportunity.
>Scanning for an exit route, you notice the brightly-coloured xenos are occupying a rockcrete bridge.
>Not far from there is another bridge with no occupation. Thank the Emperor for this opportunity.
>A slient prayer on your lips, you begin to break into a dead sprint. Years of active service had conditioned you to run with great agility and endurance.
>"Wait! Don't leave!" you hear a voice call out behind you.
>No way in hell were you going to listen.
>Making your way onto the bridge, you hear an audible hum as you feel something permeate around your body, following with a strange, coruscating pink glow. An invisible force is trying to stop you.
"A Psyker!" you exclaim, finding difficulty to move your body.
>The distinct sound of hooves clopping becomes more audible by the second, it's only a matter of time before they restrain or kill you.
>Only two options remain for you to break out of this bind; kill the psyker or break its concentration.
>The hold is strong and would require a sheer amount amount of willpower to turn around, unholster your weapon and let the God-Emperor sort them out.
"Mighty Emperor," you recite, as you grab the smoke grenade with tenacity, "spread your divine light to protect me from the darkness."
>With your free hand you muster the strength to grab the pin. Pulling it, you drop the grenade on the floor.
>As it rolls down the bridge towards your pursuers, it begins to release a gout of white smoke, obscuring you from sight with great ease.
>The Emperor is truly with you this day, as the wind begins to carry the smoke towards the xenos. The sounds of coughing begins as you feel the psykers hold on you let up.
>That should keep them at bay for a while.
>Breaking into a sprint again, you begin to cross through what looks like a merchant's bazaar. More of the xenos-horses are near, but they either hide under the merchant stalls or make way for you to pass through.
>Making it through the marketplace you begin to see less buildings and more open plains and copses. A forest begins to enter your view, deciding that this would make you less visible you begin to enter an open hollow, braving whatever comes next.
 
 
>Trekking through this twisted forest for what seems like an hour, you begin to take a moments respite on a wooden log to collect your thoughts. The atmosphere outside this forest seemed peaceful, but this place has an uncanny feeling to it, as if you were in the jungles of a death world just waiting for something to attack.
>The branches, trees, vines and that strange boggy pond you passed a few minutes ago all gave a feeling of imminent danger.
>Ignoring it for the moment, you begin to sift through your satchel to see what you have. Opening the folds, you notice a plethora of items: two books, three spare laspistol packs, three krak grenades, a small mess kit, a combat ration pack, one laspistol cleaning kit, a grooming kit, a small box of solid projectile rounds, tinderbox, lighter and a... Agri-pattern compass!
>Collecting the compass, you stow away the satchel folds and bring the compass to your view. Small and compact, while still retaining a miniature display that can show your coordinates. Calibrating it, you begin to go through planet presets by memory; agri-world, feral, death...
>No matter what you try the compass dial spins around in an erratic pattern, effectively making it useless for the time being.
>Sighing in frustration, you stow the compass in your satchel.
>So much for that.
>Gathering your bearings, you make ready to leave this grove.
>"Help!" a voice cries out in desperation, resounding from the direction of that boggy pond.
>Turning towards the call of distress, you begin to make your way to it.
>The chance of finding another human is priority one, ignoring this plea would be a waste.
>Making your way past the twisted forms of trees and branches, you arrive near the possibly corrosive pool.
>Nothing seems out of the extraordinary since your last pass-through: bubbling pond, stepping stones, giant creature across the pond making its way towards something.
>"Please, Help!" the voice calls out again, much louder and coming from a thicket near the abomination.
>The owner of the voice is barely visible, but the creature itself is as noticeable as an Ogryn. It resembles a Crotalid from 'Lost Hope', except fewer spines and a rock-encrusted hide.
>Unholstering your Accatran MG variant laspistol, you draw a bead on the Crotalid. Pulling the trigger, your laspistol produces a whining noise as a concentrated beam of energy flows from the barrel, hitting the Crotalid on its misbegotten hide.
>The shot barely phases the creature, its rocky hide merely dissipating the las-bolt.
>Checking your laspistol, you notice the power slide is set to low.
>Emperor forgive you for this lack of preparedness.
>Changing the slide towards high, your laspistol makes an audible hum as the shot intensity changes.
>Taking aim you decide to damage a vulnerable spot: its left eye. Keeping its blood-shot yellow eye on target, you pull the trigger. A bolt of searing hot energy discharges from the barrel with a loud, cracking sound, striking the creature right in its eye.
>The creature snaps and hisses in pain, shaking its head left and right as if to shrug something off its igneous orb.
>Ready for a follow-up shot, you squeeze the trigger.
>Nothing happens. Pulling it again the same result happens, indicating the power pack is out of charge.
"Throne damn it!" you exclaim, holstering your laspistol.
>There's no time to reload a power pack, and it would be more effective to attack in melee anyway.
>Unsheathing your Munitorium Cutlass variant basket-hilt power sword, you make your way to the stepping stones.
>Only a few meters away you deftly hop over each stepping stone, closing towards your target in a matter of seconds.
>With a great leap you activate your grav-chute's thrusters, allowing you to hover for mere seconds above the creatures large, craggy back. As the last of your Grav-chute's energy drains, you land on top of the creatures rocky hide.
>The Crotalid, noticing your presence, tries to shake you off in a violent arc as it snaps in anger.
>Holding on to dear life by clasping one of its rocky spines with your left hand, you turn on the sword's power field with the flick of your thumb. The smell of ozone briefly fills the air as the disruption field coruscates a blue glow.
>Inching your way towards its large skull, you manage to maintain your footing as it tries to throw you off.
>With the base of its head in range, you lift your power sword high and then thrust it downwards in a stabbing motion, piercing its rough skull as if it were tattered paper.
>The monster bellows out in pain as you drive your sword deeper, twisting it to quicken its death.
>A final, piercing roar is the last sound the creature makes as its legs give out and it falls down dead.
>Removing your sword from its skull, you jump off the creature and land on the soft ground, keeping your distance from the small amount of sedimentary blood pooling around its head.
>Turning off the power field, you sheathe your sword back in its scabbard. Preparing for more future encounters you unholster your laspistol, changing its power slide back to its standard shot intensity. Pressing down on the pack catch, you remove the spent charge pack. Replacing it with a charged one from your satchel in a quick motion.
>With everything in check, you holster your weapon and start making your way towards the creature's prey.
>Making your way through the dense thicket, you find your trapped victim... a small, purple xenos-horse.
>It appears to be the same one at the lead of the gathering, but now the purple one seems to be unconscious.
>The creature still draws breath in its sleep, the shock of the impending doom must of been too much for it to handle and locked up from the poison that is fear. One thing that catches your eye is the strange markings on its haunch, a type of brand mark that resembles a pink star surrounded by miniature white stars.
>Probably it's a cast or clan meaning.
>Unholstering your laspistol, you aim at its head. More than likely it's following you, whatever the reason it doesn't matter. Though, delivering the Emperor's Mercy too soon might be a waste, maybe it would be for the best to interrogate the xenos first.
>The small, purple horse begins to stir in its sleep, a sign showing it will wake up soon. Making your decision you step back a little and keep your laspistol in a less hostile appearance.
>Opening its eyes slowly, the purple one begins to shift its weight and stand on its fours. Noticing you it makes a quick flinch, and then its expression turns to an inquisitive one. Its curious eyes begins to scan you from bottom-up, making sure not to lose one minor detail in its analysis. When its gaze moves toward the slain beast, the xenos makes an audible gasp, quickly shooting its stare back at you.
>Tears begin to well up in its eyes, but it does not cry. Instead, its expression changes to a smile.
>"Thank you," it starts, a voice filled with sincerity. "You saved my life, and I finally get to meet you."
>Judging from the voice it must be female. But, why is she interested in meeting you?
>"My name is Twilight Sparkle," she says, wiping off the remainder of the tears with her hoof. "What's your name?"
>The xenos has a name? My name? What was my name?
"Anonymous..." you reply in a hesitant, unbidden manner.
>Twilight Sparkle closes her eyes and smiles, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Anonymous."
>Emperor forgive you. In all your years as a faithful Commissar, there are only a few things able to tug your heartstrings, and the sight of her sincerity is becoming one of them.
>You have to leave, get away from this xenos affecting you and find some form of human life. No time for questions or actions against the xenos.
>Making a sharp turn around, you run towards the stepping stones again, leaping over each one to create a distance between yourself and this 'Twilight Sparkle'.
>"Wait!" you hear her voice as you hop over the last stone. "Come back, please don't go any further..."
>Her persistence is quite commendable, if not a bit irritating.
>"It's dangerous in the Everfree Forest!" she warns, desperation in her voice. "Come back to Ponyville, we'll help you."
>Turning around, you give her one more glance through your rebreather's lens.
"Don't follow me!" you exclaim, turning around and creating more distance between her.
>Running as fast as you can, you dodge branches, sidestep trees and brave all types of twisted terrain in this damned forest. Adamant at finding somewhere that isn't here.
 
 
>The sound of crickets chirping fills the air, and the invading moonlight brings small light to an already creeping darkness. These simple signs are all that can tell you this world is currently in its night-cycle.
>The flickering, orange light of your camp fire is all that stops the shroud of darkness from overtaking you.
>Hopefully it keeps animals away from your location as well.
>With the sound of crackling sticks and burning material to keep you company, the warmth brings unbidden memories of preparing with your Guardsmen squad for war. Their names still elude you, though.
"Guess I should've cooked that ration pack before I ate it," you muse to yourself, laughing at the thought.
>Probably would of tasted better too.
>The thoughts of reality seeping back in, you begin to check the rest of your panoply to make sure you have a backup plan for anything. Rummaging your hand around the left side of your cuirass, you feel the holster that contains your Briskflint pattern naval pistol hidden well under your storm coat. Unholstering it, you inspect the naval pistol's details, noticing that it has an engraving on it that reads 'Destiny'.
>Remembering the way it fell into your possession, you begin to laugh a little. A Guardsman managed to pilfer it off of a voidship's crew personnel as a memento. When you confiscated it, he had fear in his eyes that spelt his doom forthcoming. Instead, you gave him a slap on the wrist and told him not to do it again. Never knowing who lost the pistol, you kept it for yourself.
>The pistol is of reliable construction, but has an awkward reload. As most are clip or breach loaded, the Briskflint requires muzzle loading. Though it has an integral three round cycling chamber, you still need to use the ramrod to lock the round in. Thankfully, this design features a small button on the bridle to unload and cycle the chamber without using the hammer.
>Holstering your naval pistol, you feel around the right side of your chest under your cuirass. Touching the golden chain that connects to your black dress uniform's shoulder, you follow it until you feel the contour of a golden Aquila pendant — one of your prized possessions.
>Removing your hand from under that part of the cuirass, you search around your lower back until you feel the hilt of a knife: a Catachan Fang. Not as impressive as most fangs — since it's fifteen inches in length — but with its monomolecular blade and Catachan steel it makes the perfect concealed weapon. Though, you can't remember how you obtai—
>A sudden, rustling noise fills your ears.
>Darting your eyes towards the rustling, you notice a few bushes seize movement. Straining your ears, you can make out the distinct noise of whispering.
>"Do you think he heard us?" a quiet voice whispers.
>"Shh! Quiet Fluttershy or you'll give us away!" a less quiet voice retorts.
>"C'mon y'all, maybe we should just leave."
>This ambush attempt is almost as bad as an Ork Waaagh attempting to be a silent raid.
"Huh, the kindle is dying out," you say, trying to seem deceived by their 'stealth'. "Guess I'll go search for some firewood."
>Walking towards a tree distant from the rustling, you hide behind it. Waiting for them to reveal themselves.
>The sound of rustling continues, until you hear the sound of dirt crunching — signalling that their in your camp.
>"I can't believe we scoured the majority of Everfree to find this Minotaur," a voice says in a dreary, highborn accent. "Twilight, are you sure this is where he resides?"
>"He's not a Minotaur, Rarity. I just said he resembled a small one."
>"Oh! Oh! Maybe it's a 'Minitaur'!" another voice calls out, giggling at its own joke.
>Judging from the voices, so far there are six of them with the possibly of more hidden. If they can track you, it'd be best to keep a few of them alive as guides.
>Unholstering your laspistol you swing into action, revealing yourself to the xenos. Keeping your aim true, you keep your sights on the 'Twilight Sparkle' one.
"Don't move, xenos!" you order, hearing the sound of gasps at your sudden appearance.
>Each one of them bear different pastel-colours for fur and mane, an uncanny sight in an age plagued by war.
>The yellow and white are filled with fear, the rainbow and orange one at the ready, Twilight Sparkle seems determined, and the pink one... is smiling?
>You hear that same humming sound when you were trapped in stasis, looking at Twilight Sparkle you notice the horn mutation protruding from her forehead is glowing pink.
>So, she's our psyker.
>Keeping your sight on her, you notice your laspistol has that pink glow imbuing it. Probably attempting to disarm you.
>You laugh at her attempt. If only she knew.
"Try as you might, Xenos," you taunt her. "This laspistol bears runes inscribed by the Ecclesiarchy to ward psy—"
>Your laspistol flies out of your hand and hovers above her.
"What in the Emper—"
>You feel a hard impact on your head and see a flash of rainbow, as if a soft object was launched at an incredible speed.
>Falling down, you catch one last glimpse of the your assailant before you black out.
 
 
>With a gasp you wake up in a jolt, as if experiencing a nightmare.
>Rubbing your head, you notice the small horse-xenos are sitting, observing you. Looks of sympathy fills their eyes, like a medic trying to save the life of a fellow Guardsman.
>"Are you okay?" Twilight says, before making a turn towards the blue xenos. "Rainbow Dash, you hit him too hard! What would've happened if Anonymous suffered a trauma?"
>"Hey! This 'Anonymous' looked like he was going to hurt you, so I flew into action!" she boasts.
>The incessant bickering between the two is making your head hurt.
"Stop!" you exclaim, breaking their argument. "What are you?"
>Twilight Sparkle beams at this question, "Why, we're pon—"
>"What the hay are 'you'!" the rainbow one interrupts Twilight, forcing her face mere inches away from yours.
>Before you can even enlighten her ignorance, the pink one bursts out.
>"Oh! I know! He's a pirate!"
>Both you and Rainbow stare at her in disbelief.
>"Just look at him! He has a cool hat, a red sash, a long coat that isn't buttoned, a sword and importantly that medal-thing among the other three on his coat that looks like a jolly roger!"
>With a pink hoof pointing towards the left side of your storm coat, you notice she's pointing at your 'Tempestus Honorifica Commissariat'. She must of gotten the golden medal bearing the skull & crossbones with a peaked hat flanked by laurels confused.
>By the Golden Star of Terra, these xenos must be on the greatest expanse of the galaxy to not know a servant of the God-Emperor when they see one. Do they even know about humanity?
>"Pinkie Pie! That's not a pirate!" Rainbow exclaims, pointing at you to reinforce her statement. "That's a military uniform, those medals are probably commendations, and I'm judging from those griffon symbols on his hat and chest piece that he's masquerading as a Griffon Kingdom official!
>"Though, darling, you have to admit his golden epaulettes really bring out that official look," the highborn xenos comments, a spark of inspiration in her eyes.
>The rainbow one's face is closer now, both of your eyes locked in a stare battle.
>"So, are you a spy?"
>You can't tell whether she's dumb, smart, or probably a mixture of column A and column B.
>Probably Column A with a tiny bit of B with hidden depths.
"No, I'm not a spy," you reply, showing how intense your stare can be. "And that's an Aquila, not a griffon."
>Her magenta eyes don't let up, until she's surrounded by that pink glow and pulled away from your face.
>"Rainbow, enough!" she exclaims, pulling Rainbow Dash towards the ground gently.
>Twilight Sparkle returns her gaze to you and smiles, "I'm sorry, Anonymous. Rainbow can be brash at times."
>Before Rainbow Dash can even voice her opposition to the comment, Twilight Sparkle gives her a glare to keep her in line.
>Impressive, no doubt she must be their leader. Rogue Psykers tend to have that kind of influence.
>"As I was trying to tell you before, we're ponies."
>Makes sense, only a ratling could really effectively ride a pony into battle.
"If you're ponies, then explain the mutations you bear," you question, pointing at Twilight's horn and Rainbow's wings.
>"Mutations?" Twilight replies, a confused look on her face. "These are natural for Unicorn and Pegasus ponies."
>Natural? Must be considered a sub-race or type of...
>A loud, piercing howl interrupts your train of thought.
>Observing Twilight's group, you notice that they are showing the first signs of fear: unsettled looks and light shaking.
>"Um, I hate to interrupt your cultural exchange," the orange pony says, pointing a hoof towards the howling. "But maybe we should direct this conversation somewhere more safer, like Ponyville."
>"Agreed, Applejack," Twilight replies, the rest of her group nodding in agreement. "Anonymous, let's go to Ponyville. You'll be safer there compared to the Everfree Forest."
>Leaving this disastrous forest would be beneficial, but back into the folds of these 'ponies' might counter that.
>Oh well, sometimes it's always best to walk into a trap to reveal your enemies anyway.
"My laspistol, Twilight Sparkle."
>Twilight looks at you with confusion on her face, until she realises what you meant.
>"Oh! Your strange contraption," she remembers, pointing towards your holster. "I returned it shortly after Rainbow knocked you out."
>Feeling over your holster, she did indeed return it. Secured it too.
"Alright, lead the way."
>Following the ponies you make your way towards freedom from this Emperor-damned forest. Or, so you originally thought.
 
 
>"So, humans also have the ability to cast magic without a horn?" Twilight questions, excitement in her voice. "How are they able to do that? How do they focus their magic?"
>Trudging through this forest, Twilight has asked you uncountable questions. All ranging from humanity, technology, your origins, and even something called 'magic'.
>You only answered a few of those questions, specifically humanity and magic.
"You ask a lot of questions," you start, changing the subject on her. "I wouldn't be surprised if you were an inquisitor in disguise."
>"Oh, I am being a bit inquisitive aren't I?"
>Looks like she missed the point, or maybe they don't have inquisitors.
>Seeing a clearing up ahead, you move with your new pony companions towards the end. Only to see a wide force of ponies, each one equipped with armour gilt in gold and primitive spears.
>As the other five ponies leave into the clearing, it only leaves you and Twilight to stare at this mobilised pony force.
>Without a doubt they're here for you, but your not going down without a fight.
>Reaching for your laspistol, you feel a soft hoof latch onto your arm, signalling that you shouldn't attack.
>Looking down you see Twilight Sparkle with a pleading look.
>"Please, don't hurt them. We'll figure this out, together."
>Sighing in defeat you walk out with Twilight, though ready to strike if anything bad turns up.
>"You!" a voice calls out, directed at you. "Get away from my sister!"
>"Big Brother?" Twilight questions, running ahead of you to confirm the voice. "What are you doing here?"
>With the pony guards moving closer, you notice the bearer of that voice is at the lead of the force. His armour a purple colour compared to the rest, signifying he must be their leader.
>Now encircled by guards with spears raised. He approaches you with Twilight at his side — a unicorn just like her.
>"Big brother, why are you doing this?"
>The lead guard returns her gaze, "After Princess Celestia received your message, we were sent to direct this foreign creature towards her; to evaluate and see if it's fit for Ponykind."
>Turning your head towards Twilight, you begin to stare daggers into her at the sound of 'your message'. Even if your stare is obscured by the lens of your rebreather, it seems she is getting the message.
>"Will you come peacefully?" The lead guard questions, a serious atmosphere beginning to form. "Or will you come by force and hurt your chances?"
>With one whirlwind of your power sword you could cleave through this force, possibly avoiding capture, but the thought easily dissipates when you stare into Twilight's pleading eyes.
"I will come peacefully," you say with a reluctant tone. "Lead the way towards your 'Princess'."
>Your confirmation is all they need before they escort you away, to meet this Princess they speak of.