AMA happened · 3:59am Jul 30th, 2017
Just wanted to say a quick thank you to the people who showed up to the AMA. I think it went rather well. Questions were added, discussion was had, and a scene from the sequel to I Against I, Me Against You was shown.
Although the people who attended the AMA got to see the full scene, here is a little snippet for those of you who couldn't make it (maybe next time!)
Walking around the halls of Canterlot Castle had always been familiar and comforting to Twilight Sparkle. She loved living in Ponyville, sure enough, but something about returning to the shining opulent halls was always comforting, like returning home. However, Twilight did not feel so now as she walked down a hall past towering windows with a full guard escort. Another price of earning my wings, she thought to herself. Strange how becoming a princess actually made her feel less at home in the place she grew up.
The group soon arrived before a small, unassuming marble door with its own pair of guards, who saluted and pushed the door open with their magic as Twilight approached. She entered a moderately sized conference room, which by stark contrast to the rest of the castle was profoundly utilitarian and devoid of opulence. Only a finely crafted wood table and a couple of whiteboards filled the space, along with a single potted plant that served as a token effort to give the windowless room some life.
Princess Celestia sat at the head of the table, and Twilight almost bowed down to her on instinct before remembering what Celestia had reminded her of so often over the past few months: They were equals now. A few others sat along the table as well. Of course, Twilight immediately recognized Princess Luna seated to Celestia’s right, and it only took her a few moments to recognize the light vermillion mare seated across from Luna as Archmagus Floribunda, the current head of the Mage’s Guild. The rest of them were all completely unfamiliar to Twilight, but she was able to guess what branches of the military or government they represented based on their uniforms and insignias. If I had more time to prepare, maybe I’d actually know these ponies’ names!
“Greetings, Princess Twilight. Thank you for joining us on such short notice,” Celestia said with the stoic professionalism of her station. Twilight supposed the warm, friendly greeting would come in more private circumstances.
Taking another look around, Twilight realized with a hint of irrational panic that she was the last one to show up, and that the others had been waiting for her. So smiling nervously and acknowledging Celestia’s greeting, Twilight awkwardly claimed a seat from the far end of the table and rolled it around towards the front, gently inserting it beside Archmagus Floribunda, who looked on with carefully concealed distaste.
“Now, I’m sure you are all aware of the situation Equestria faces at this incredibly important time of our history,” Celestia began. “Although relations with the humans are off to a promising start despite past events, our government’s approval rating is at a historic low, and it is not just our own ponies that feel we are failing. Many of our neighbors are—understandably—unhappy that Equestria has been solely handling talks with the UNSC.”
“Something I intend to rectify personally,” Luna quickly added.
“Yes, we’ll get to the details of that shortly,” Celestia said patiently, showing no outward annoyance at being undermined by her sister. Twilight wondered if that happened frequently at meetings like this. “As things are, we’ll need to act quickly to keep our foreign relations with the rest of the planet positive. I’m sure all of you have received the reports of both foreign nations as well as mercenary companies coming into possession of human materiel in decently large amounts.”
I haven’t, Twilight thought dourly. The topic of human military gear was, however, something she felt she could at least contribute to a bit.
“There are still a few stragglers from the Whitewater splinter group I faced several months ago left unaccounted for,” Twilight said, trying to sound as calm and stoic as possible. Too bad her hind leg kept dancing uncontrollably under the table. “Each of them were armed with modified human weapons. Maybe they sold them to these other governments and companies?”
An older stallion with a short white mane representing the Equestrian army cleared his throat further down the table. “Actually Your Highness, most of the Whitewater operatives in question have been apprehended by my ponies with the assistance of the Whitewater high command. Most of the weapons supplied by Project Freelancer are accounted for.”
Twilight couldn’t keep herself from wincing a little. So much for having something useful to bring to the table.
“Exactly, which brings to bear a much more disturbing possibility,” Celestia said. “That the sudden influx of human weapons are being supplied by humans themselves.”
A stallion in a suit and tie wearing an EBI badge leaned forward and said, “I don’t see how it could be possible for humans to be operating on world without us knowing.”
“Well as it happens, the reason I’ve called you all here is because just the other day we received confirmation that some of our forces had an encounter with an unidentified human faction.” Celestia then turned to the mare beside Twilight. “Archmagus Floribunda?”
Nodding to her princess, the archmagus stood. “Mares, stallions. Just three days ago I dispatched a team of mages accompanied by members of the Royal Guard to follow up on an advance recon team investigating the ancient alien ruins that Princess Twilight here discovered several months ago.” The archmagus gave a little nod to Twilight, who appreciated the bone thrown her way. At least somepony at the table didn’t seem to think she was unnecessary. “I’d like to give the floor to the magus commander in charge of the operation, who can give a first-hoof account of what transpired. Magus Raspberry Beryl?”
With that, a mare that had been standing just off to the side of the room stepped forward. She had a mulberry coat with a crystal-shaped heart for a cutie mark, and carried a nervous demeanor. Glad I’m not the only one who seems to feel like she’s out of her element here.
“Thank you, archmagus,” Beryl said. “My team and I arrived on site at the alien ruins to find them empty save for what appeared to be the advance team’s equipment. Apart from that, there was no sign of the team itself. It was when we checked inside the ancient facility that we found the one survivor—a LCpl. Flash Sentry, who’s currently recovering from emotional trauma in the Crystal Empire.
“It was shortly after finding him that we were ambushed by cloaked enemies—humans in black armor. They were all armed with this.”
Raspberry Beryl reached into a rather large case at her feet and levitated out an angular metal object that Twilight quickly realized was some kind of rifle. But that was where her recognition ended. The weapon was unlike any she had ever encountered throughout her ordeal on the human planet Repertum or here in Equestria. It was composed of a fine smooth metal covered in orange glowing lines. The room filled with an aura of unspoken unease as the rifle was carefully placed on the table. It almost seemed to radiate some imperceptible alien energy, but Twilight thought it might just be her imagination.
Cool, so are these pirates hired by Charon Industries?