//------------------------------// // 9 - Kingdom // Story: Change: The New Kingdom // by tom117z //------------------------------// The sea was relatively calm today, thankfully. The HMS Clover the Clever rolled along the waves of the Western Ocean like an agile pegasus would through the skies. The lack of rough weather and, Celestia forbid, any incoming storms allowed the ships’ passengers and crew to make good time in their journey towards the Undiscovered West. The great naval vessel was more than up to the task, the crew hard at work to keep her on course as the days rapidly rolled on by. It was an interesting experience for all the changelings involved, and some of the ponies too. Most had never been on a boat like this one, never mind travelling across the ocean itself. While some had found their sea legs after the first day or so, others… Twilight felt a little guilty at her inner amusement and just how many of her hive she would catch with their heads held over the railings to hurl into the ocean, but her sympathy for their plight far outweighed the humour of the situation. Mostly. Of course, it wasn’t like she had been completely immune. Though her queasiness had passed on by quicker than some of the others, at least. The Queen herself was presently on the ship’s bridge. The pony in the fancy hat and sitting in the central chair, clearly the Captain, was giving orders towards the other Equestrians manning the varying stations sitting before the outer windows that spanned the bridge’s exterior and afforded them a view of the deck and the sea itself. There was a decent amount of traffic outside too, whether it was the ship’s passengers simply passing the time away or the crew performing their jobs to their maximum ability. So too could Twilight occasionally spot a flier circling back down towards the ship, some pegasi and changelings keeping an eye on the sea around the vessel with a bird’s eye view. Spike was not among them, the drake almost certainly being long at the coastline of the Undiscovered West by now. That would have been the advantage of a zeppelin, if it wasn’t for such a vessel’s need to return to Equestria before the expedition’s completion. But alas, they needed the Clover to Clever to stay for the whole duration, so Spike would just have to wait for their arrival. Maybe he’d even carry out a flight over the landmass, at least part of it, to get a lay of the land. Yet, part of Twilight hoped he would stave off on the initiative this time, not being entirely comfortable with her oldest friend being alone in that place with Discord’s cryptic descriptions, dragon or not. Still, she was probably worrying too much. He knew not to poke a metaphorical bee’s nest, if such a thing was even a possibility, and could look after himself. For now, all the Queen of the Hive could do was observe the working of ship and crew with great curiosity and interest until the day that they found a nice beach to come up alongside. “Captain,” Twilight bid the pony farewell as she turned from the bridge and stepped through the door and out into the corridor beyond, needing to lower herself to accommodate her greater height. The biggest discomfort was definitely how cramped the ship was, especially given the natural superiority Changeling Queens held in terms of stature. Her horn threatened to dent the ceiling if she so much as glanced upwards. Tink. Case in point. “Bah, forget it.” The lavender changeling was surrounded by a burst of flame, her form shrinking down into something more akin to her height back when she was but a ‘regular old unicorn’. “Much better.” She continued her journey, descending into the ship and in the general direction of the vessel’s quarters. She’d been offered the Captain’s ever so courteously, though she had declined. She had ended up finding herself falling asleep up on deck most nights, beneath the comfort of Luna’s stars. Besides, the corridors were cramped enough for her, no need to get started with the living accommodations. Just short of the ships regiment of bunk beds, Twilight turned off into another sizable chamber that seemed to be quite lively at that moment. The room was dominated by rows of metal tables and chairs, a cafeteria, or galley, sat at one end where a few ponies were serving up food straight from the kitchens to the various hungry ponies and changelings. There was a blue changeling stallion behind it too, serving up a few more carnivorous menu items the shapeshifters had brought aboard with their supplies. Twilight pinged that changeling to bring her over a rather more simple daisy sandwich, ever the fillyhood favourite, before easily locating the one non-ascended changeling in that mess hall. It was very hard not to notice the holes. She approached, seeing him conversing with the present Captain of the Solar Guard over a spot of lunch. They seemed to be alone aside from that, a few spaces seemingly left respectfully open between them and the next nearest pony or changeling. “Twilight,” Façade greeted his wife, shuffling up to let her hop up next to him while he took in her current form. “Trouble?” “These corridors are too small,” Twilight sheepishly admitted. “It’s easier to shrink myself down than keep scratching every other doorframe.” “I don’t think these ships were ever designed with royalty in mind. Pony or changeling,” Valiant noted apologetically. “Funny how said royalty always turn out so big.” “Nothing funny about it, equine shaped or not, we are an insect hive at the end of the day,” Twilight said jokingly. “And it’s not our fault Equestria happens to be ruled by the only known modern alicorns.” “I don’t know, there was that hippogriff ruler, Novo…” he then added. “She wasn’t that much bigger than most of her species. Besides, Queen Skystar is a lot shorter than her mother was.” “The current ruler of the Griffon Empire is a short fellow,” Façade pointed out. “Sure, he is. I’m just saying a lot of royalty seems to end up being taller than their subjects for some reason.” “Come on, Valiant. Unless you’re a changeling, where it’s a biological certainty, it’s circumstance and coincidence.” “Alright, how about a bet?” “A bet?” Twilight could only groan inwardly as all this started to transpire. “How about this…” Valiant started. “When we get to the Undiscovered West, if we find there’s some kind of civilisation there…” “Civilisation?” “Who knows? Discord was rather evasive, maybe the wendigos evolved into something more than monstrous ice ghosts? Point is, whatever it might be, their leader will be at least double the height of the others. A bottle of Abyssian Whiskey says so.” “Done.” “And if there isn’t anything there but flora and fauna…?” Twilight deadpanned as she leant on the table with a bemused expression. “We get one anyway?” Valiant suggested with a shrug. Façade nodded. “Also done.” “If I knew drawing attention to my height would cause you two to pull an Applejack and Rainbow Dash and be all competitive, I would have just dealt with the roof scratching.” “Sorry, honey,” Façade apologised. “Just some friendly rivalry between two leaders of their respective Royal Guard. Nothing new there.” Twilight rolled her eyes, nevertheless managing a smile. “Alright, just go easy. And you’d better win that bottle, consider it a command.” “As you wish, my Queen,” her husband relied rather flirtatiously. The changeling ruler’s sandwich was brought out, and the conversation turned from idle bets and competition to other matters from the wellbeing of one another’s family to topics relating to the guard and rulership of their two kingdoms. And for the most part, the Queen did find herself enjoying just talking in a moderately ordinary environment such as a cafeteria for a change, even if that cafeteria happened to be aboard a sizable naval vessel. And amongst this feeling of normalcy away from the responsibility of overseeing an entire hive of thousands, Twilight couldn’t help but peer into the hive mind as she wondered just how her daughter was doing… “I’m fine!” a rather frazzled Avia insisted to a knowing Carduus, the young Changeling Queen pacing the throne room as she seemed to re-read a comically long checklist thrice. “I’m compartmentalising it all, sorting through it… FINE!” A hair seemed to pop out of place. “I’m old, not senile,” Carduus deadpanned. “And I knew your mother when she was just the same. I know when a bout of Twilighting is occurring.” “I’m not- Wait, that’s a thing?” “I believe it was her friends who first coined the phrase a long time ago. But yes, even if seldom used. Especially nowadays.” Somehow, Avia doubted her mother had been particularly thrilled about that revelation when it first popped up. “Whatever the case, that’s not what I’m doing!” she adamantly lied. “I have everything handled, I promised Mum I would! It’s just an… adjustment to have potentially dozens if not more drones at a time all calling you over the hive asking for advice, permission or even just so you can come and bless their new-born because that’s a thing we’re apparently expected to do!” “Not ‘expected’, but it’s an honour. Iuvenes was blessed by Queen Chrysalis, you know.” “Well, it’s news to me!” she proclaimed, a flash indicating her teleport as she reappeared and slumped down into her mother’s throne. “And now I have a headache.” Carduus chuckled, shaking his head as he gathered up the discarded checklist and levitated it back over to the Princess. She took it begrudgingly, rolling it up neatly and placing it aside. “I think I just need five minutes. A small break…” she admitted, rubbing her eyes with a hoof. “Well, that’s one difference between your mother and you. Back when she was you, she didn’t know the meaning of the word ‘break’,” Carduus regaled the royal changeling. “I find it hard to imagine. She’s always so… on point with everything.” “She has had decades to get used to the job, even if her transition into the role was under… sad circumstances.” “I know. Grandmother…” “But even before then, she had practice and times when she had to adjust to having so many voices clambering for your undivided attention,” he continued. “It’s why Panacea and I never had more than one nymph. She was a hoofful as it was.” “I’m getting the general idea…” she muttered in turn. “I don’t know whether I pity or envy the Princesses of Equestria for having to attend to their subjects needs face-to-face. It’s vastly more inefficient, but I imagine the inner peace and quiet is nice.” “At least you can block out the annoying ones,” Carduus said with barely hidden mirth. “You will get used to it, Avia. You’re biologically designed for it, after all. As you said, it’s an adjustment. But do it enough and managing those voices becomes second nature.” “Was it like this for you, when you were Captain of the Royal Guard? All those soldiers you needed to direct?” “In some moments. But nothing like what you’re going through,” he conceded. “Even with their increased numbers since my time in the role, the guard is a minute segment of our population to have an active connection with. As Queen, you have to deal with all-” “Over a hundred thousand of them. I noticed,” she said with a light chuckle. “That’s a lot of kids.” Carduus gave a hearty laugh back. “As you say, my Queen.” “Avia…?” “Speaking of, Mum’s on the line,” Avia informed the elderly changeling, turning her attention to the hive link. “Heya. How’s the cruise?” “The height of luxury,” Twilight replied with blatant sarcasm. “Any troubles?” “Nothing I can’t handle.” “Carduus?” “She’s managing,” the changeling in question informed her. “With the expected bumps, but she’s fine.” Avia grumbled irritably. “Hey! Is my word not enough!?” “It is, sweetie,” Twilight replied apologetically. “But I also know you don’t want to worry me, and I do.” “Well, don’t. I will get used to the traffic in the hive’s egregore, I just need to flex the hive centres in my brain, that’s all. No Twilighting at all.” “I beg your pardon?” “Uh, nothing!” “Right…” Avia groaned wearily as she could just feel her mother file that comment under the ‘interrogate later’ section. “Well, okay then. We’re still a few days out from the coast.” “Um, okay then… So… any seasickness?” “I’m fine, though this mode of transport is an interesting experience. I’m in the mess right now with your father.” “Hi, Dad!” “And there it is. Being a good girl?” Façade asked. “Aren’t I a bit old for you to be asking that?” “Never.” “Anyway…” Twilight continued. “Once we do arrive, we’ll make sure to keep you updated on what’s happening when it does. Spike should already be on the shore.” “Sounds good to me.” If she couldn’t be there, she might as well get a live retelling, right? “Tell me if you find whatever it was Discord was being cryptic about.” “I will. On that, I promise.” “Thanks. Well, I suppose I should get back to trying to be the Queen for a little while longer.” “Good to hear. I love you, Avia.” “Love you too, Mum. And you, Dad.” “You look in a better mood,” Carduus noted as Avia returned her focus to the then and there. “Yeah. It’s nice to hear what’s going on over at the Clover.” Despite some poor choices of words on her part. “Alright, I suppose there are nymphs that need blessing. Checklist?” “Right here,” Carduus said as he passed it over to the Princess. It was going to be a busy day. And yet she could only imagine that, soon enough, her mother was going to be even busier. Several days later… “Land ahoy!” Ignoring that rather enthusiastic call from a younger member of the Solar Guard, Twilight too held onto her excitement as she examined the beach before them. The HMS Clover the Clever had gained a view of the Undiscovered West a short time ago, adjusting its heading as they grew closer to the shallows and dropping anchor as close as they could get to land without running her aground. Already there was a flurry of activity as pegasi and changelings flew from the ship and towards land, ferrying supplies as they went. There was a good amount of activity at the back of the ship as well, the helicopter being prepared for take-off in order to carry across those who were lacking in the wing department. But for all this activity, strangely, Spike was nowhere to be seen. “I thought he was meant to meet as at the shore…?” Façade enquired. “Where is he?” Twilight bit her lip, trying not to worry. “I’m sure he will be fine. He might be further along the coast, or inland. He will find us.” “Well, I guess you’re right. Either way, we have leave to go ashore. Want to get this thing started?” She smiled at him. “Gladly.” Her gossamer wings buzzing excitedly, the Queen kicked off the deck of the ship with both Façade and a group of her guard flanking her sides. She immediately started to head towards the beach alongside the rest of her hive and the ponies accompanying them, finding a nice clear spot amidst the activity where she and her escort could safely set down into the sand and cease their flight. And there they were, there she was, her hooves pressing into the beach. The homeland of the ponies, their cradle, where their civilisation had first dawned while the changelings still served under Immortalis far across the globe. And she also realised that they were the very first changelings to ever visit this continent. Ever. They made history with each step they took. “You okay?” Façade asked his wife, nudging her gently. “Very,” she said with a large smile. “Come on, let’s help set up camp.” They did just that, lending their hooves to unpacking and ensuring they had everything they needed to make their initial outpost from the Clover the Clever. This would be their first step, from here they would need to survey the area and decide on a plan of action on how they would tack mapping the landscape. Perhaps it would be prudent to go in the general direction of Unicornia, the old home of the unicorns. She had a general idea of where to look from the old tales of Hearth’s Warming, the mountains towards the centre of the continent. But that would be quite the trip, and a lot of ground to cover and explore in the meantime. Would they find intact ruins? Artefacts left behind? Art? Tomes? Spells? Who knew what they could uncover? Part of her dreamt of finding alicorn lore, considering others aside from those she knew could only be seen depicted in old ruins the likes of which Daring Do would raid. Temples built by the original settlers of Equestria, or by the odd mysterious few who left may have departed the west before. The Three Tribes was an era of pony history still bathed in mystery, the scraps they had being generally few and unreliable. Especially when you looked back past the evacuation to Equestria. The return of the Empress had shed so much light on the history of her native species, maybe their efforts here would do the same for her adoptive one. They moved their equipment and pitched their tents in a wooded canopy just beyond the beach, setting up in the cover of the foliage and using the trees as supports. Soon enough they had everything they would need set up as they had planned it, from sleeping accommodations to tents filled with supplies. And throughout it all, there was still no sign of Spike. “Careful with that, there is fragile equipment in there,” Valiant warned some of his ponies as Twilight watched, the Equestrians levitating the create into a tent as they laid the finishing touches. “Alright, that’s all from the Clover for now. They still have a good compliment in their hold if we need anything else, though.” “I think that’s good for now,” the Queen announced. “Have the guard set a perimeter watch, and the rest can take a break. We’ll start a proper survey tomorrow morning.” “As you wish,” the Captain confirmed. “Alright, ponies! The roster is by the command tent, right over there! If your name is on there, report to me for your patrol routes. Anypony else, enjoy your homecoming!” There were a few cheers from the gathered ponies, Twilight smiling at their jubilation. She could already see some of the professors and selected students from Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns making notes and doing small tests like taking soil samples. There seemed to be genuine enthusiasm for returning to their ancestral home. She supposed it was the same for any changeling travelling to the Council Hive. Twilight gave a satisfied sigh as she made her way into the command tent, taking in the table filled with empty parchments and maps waiting to be filled in. She made sure to send a mental note to Avia about their progress, walking around the table as she did so. Where to first… “Already planning the colonisation efforts?” Façade asked as he walked in behind her. She tittered. “I think it’s a bit early for that. Still, the weather doesn’t seem cold and icy. A good sign for there being no wendigos.” “Thank the hives for that.” He walked beside her, picking up one of the blank maps. “Think it’s time to fill in the first edge?” “How about naming this beach ‘Clover’s Landing’? Do you think he would have liked that?” “What? The actual pony?” he asked. “He already has a ship named after him.” “Among other things. Still, this was his birthplace.” “True. Well, it couldn’t hurt.” “Glad you agree,” she responded as she took hold of the parchment from him. “Still, I’ll talk it over with Cele-” A mighty draconic roar sounded from somewhere distant, echoing across the landscape and undoubtedly disturbing the local wildlife. Twilight heard the whole camp go silent at the roar, the Queen groaning as she trained her ears. There is was again. Closer. Spike? Façade looked up at his wife. “He sounds…” “Panicked!” There was a pop as Twilight teleported both herself and her husband back outside, just beyond the camp and on the beach to afford them a good look at the sky. And there, flying towards them from a high altitude and all eyes moved skyward, was Spike himself. He rocketed towards them, his wings beating hard as if his life depended on it. And then something shot through the clouds, spinning towards the drake and wrapping itself around his wings and binding! Great colossal chains stopped his flight, Spike giving one final roar of alarm as he floundered above the trees towards the ground! “Spike!” Twilight kicked into the air, her horn lighting as she channelled all she could into a levitation spell. Her magic wrapped around her faithful assistant, compelling the dragon’s fall to slow down until he impacted the beach with a much-reduced impact. He rolled as sand was kicked up in droves, coming to a stop in Twilight’s magical grasp just short of the water. Bruised, but otherwise intact. “Twilight! Above!” Twilight looked up at Spike’s warning, her eyes widening as the clouds high above them started to part. And then, at a steady pace, an object started to make itself know. A vessel, a zeppelin, not unlike the ones used by the EUP in Equestria. A reinforced airbag supported by several small ones, alongside some interior ones too if she were to hazard a guess. The main hull was underslung, bristling with guns, though there didn’t seem to be any on top of the main balloon as with Equestrian designs. The hull also seemed to support a more jagged design, as if its aesthetics were meant to bread intimidation and fear. And whereas Equestrian designs would hold whites and blues with the Equestrian flag displayed prominently, this thing was predominantly a dark grey colour with a flag depicting an orange unicorn with a red mane surrounded by little yellow diamonds. Almost like the ancient flag of Unicornia, yet modified… It started to descend, its shadow being accompanied by two others that soon moved in to join the first… “Shit!” Façade swore, sending an urgent ping over the hive mind for all present changelings to mobilise. “Mum?” Avia called worriedly over the hive. “Avia, not now!” The Queen heard alarms from behind her originating from the Clover, the vessel training its guns on the incoming zeppelins as they moved to surround the beach. “Wait!” Twilight commanded as she projected her voice, as much to the unknown individuals aboard those vessels as to her own people. Oh, she was going to kill Discord! “Spike!” Twilight urgently addressed. “What happened!?” “I scouted the coastline first, there was nothing. No signs of settlement,” he informed her as he ripped away the chains trapping his wings. “But then I went inland and… there was a town! They were waiting. Twilight, they’re… The sound of chopping blades caught Twilight’s ears, her eyes once again going skyward as a helicopter of unknown design started to approach them from just above the treeline. It was larger and clunkier than their own, which was rolling out its magical weaponry at the incoming transport, the unknown design also sporting two sets of rotors to keep it aloft over their single. “Steady…” Twilight commanded as ponies and changelings all surrounded her protectively. “Hold unless they fire the first shot.” The unknown helicopter started to hover up above them, turning and then beginning its descent as a large bay door started to open at the back. Two zeppelins with their guns trained on them and the third with its signs on the Clover, not to mention however many people were aboard that transport. That was versus them, caught on the ground, albeit with plenty of fliers ready to get up into the sky. Plus herself, a Changeling Queen of great magical power, Spike and his torrents of fire, and whatever support the Clover could provide. If it came to it, it would be a devastating fight for both sides. One Twilight couldn’t be sure of the outcome. If she could get off the ground without getting blown up, she could probably tear those ships apart, but what of everyone else? She really didn’t want that. Whoever these people were, she had to defuse whatever misunderstanding had transpired before something terrible happened. And then the transport came to a stop a short way away on the beach, finally affording the Changeling Queen of view of Spike’s attackers. What emerged were equine shaped adorned in full brownish-grey armour, including a fully masked helmet not unlike the suits of armour you might find in the ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters. Their design seemed archaic, but she had no doubt the metal was as strong as their own. And then there were the horns poking out just above their faceplates… “…they’re ponies,” Spike finally finished. Twilight held herself high, giving the approaching unicorns a cool expression as she stepped forward. Their leader, who she judged as such due to the fancier-looking helmet, stopped a short distance from them alongside his cohorts. They studied each other a moment, Twilight deciding that she needed to be the one to make the first move. “My name is Queen Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight greeted cordially. “I don’t know why you attacked my friend, but we mean no harm to you. We come from a land across the sea, Equestria. These ponies are descended from those who came from these lands, we only wished to see what had become of it. We would like nothing more than to be friends.” The lead unicorn seemed to examine her for a moment. Finally, however, his horn lit up as he removed his helmet to reveal a yellow unicorn stallion with a brown buzz cut for a mane. “I am Stout Guardian, Captain of the Royal Guard of his Majesty King Ignis.” Royal Guard? King Ignis? Quite the welcome wagon, it’d put Pinkie Pie to shame. “You trespass on the sovereign territories of The New Kingdom, rightfully earned by ponykind. Other outsiders have come before, they weren’t allowed to leave and reveal us to outsiders such as yourself. But never have you come in force such as now.” That wasn’t promising… At least this explained what happened to those explorers, pony and otherwise, who never returned from the Undiscovered West. “We recognised your approach some time ago,” he continued. “After the dragon. We were sent to hunt him down before he could raze our towns before making contact with you. It seems our goals have aligned together.” “I wasn’t going to raze anything, thank you,” Spike said indignantly. “Beasts should not speak when not addressed,” Stout Guardian said sternly. “Huh?” “He’s with us,” Twilight said with a deep frown. “And your word is not much better, whatever it is you are.” This was going to be a challenge, alright… “She is the royal one here, and she speaks for us all,” Captain Valiant said as he stepped forward. “Pony and otherwise.” “Says the pegasus,” he sneered back. “But fine, you seem to be in charge, so it is you we shall converse with.” “And what is it you want?” Twilight asked cautiously. “Coming here with a military vessel states your intention as a war declaration.” “No, not at all,” she denied earnestly. “We had no idea of your existence until now. We simply wished to explore what we believed to be an empty land, we had no idea ponies still lived here.” “As was intended, so that is good news. If you were a simple group of travellers, dealing with you would be simple. But a group as large as your own would be missed, so our King wishes to speak with you personally before any action is taken. You and a small group will come with us, the rest will remain by your ship until it is said otherwise.” “And where is this ‘King Ignis’?” “Our capital city and ancestral home, Unicornia.” Unicornia! So… These were the same ponies who lived here well over a thousand years ago!? Does that mean… some didn’t follow Queen Platinum to Equestria? How could they not have known this!? Their understanding of the west and that time was flawed, but to this extent? At least she was getting to scratch that scholarly itch after all. “Twilight…?” Façade addressed covertly. “I don’t trust them. But…” “This Ignis would be the person to speak with to broker something of a peace out of this.” “This is what Discord spoke of.” “Yes. Reuniting Equestria with their long-lost kin by negotiating with this unicorn king.” “My Captain will remain here,” Twilight announced. “You will all take orders directly from him, listen well.” “I know what you’re doing. We can link and converse directly, which they don’t know about,” Façade noted. “I don’t like leaving you with them, though.” “It’ll be alright. I know what I’m doing.” “If there was ever a day I wished you didn’t have to pave the way for every friendship…” Twilight gave him a small smirk, then turning her sight to Captain Valiant. “Select a few ponies and changelings, an equal but reasonable number each, to accompany us. We will take our own helicopter, so we don’t need exclusively fliers for this.” He nodded. “Understood.” “Your own…?” the Captain of The New Kingdom questioned with a hint of impatience. “All due respect, we’ll feel safer in our own transport,” Valiant responded for the Queen. “I’m sure you understand, captain to captain, how seriously the safety of my people us to me. Besides, it’s that or we run amok on your ships.” “…Point taken. Proceed.” “And we can take you word that no one here will be harmed in the meantime?” Twilight asked him as Valiant got to work. “King Ignis has given me orders, despite your outside nature. Be honoured by that uncommon gesture,” he said gruffly. “Unless he says otherwise, you are safe.” She would just have to not give him a reason to say otherwise, then. Captain Valiant had soon enough gathered a small group of guards, loading them up onto the transport for transit to Unicornia. Stout Guardian gave strict instructions to the pilot to remain close to them for the duration of the flight, stressing that any deviation would be met as an act of hostility. With that in mind, they all started to load up as Twilight made one last look at the camp. Of all things, she had not expected this to come of it so quickly. A whole country of ponies outside of Equestria, isolated for a millennia and yet developing in ways so familiar. She could see Façade and Spike both watching on with worry, both for her own safety and theirs as the three zeppelins continued to loom above. But she had to try, if Discord believed she could meet the challenge of introducing these unicorns to the world in friendship, then she would give it all she had. This wasn’t what she expected. But it was now simply what she had to do. “Avia…?” “Mum! Finally! What’s going on?” “We’re a bit busy right now, so I need you to send a message to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” “What? Why can’t Spike do it?” “I don’t want to risk further misunderstanding by having him breathe fire. Please, Avia.” “Alright… What do you want me to tell them?” “Tell them…” Twilight paused, the enormity of the situation finally hitting her in full. “Tell them that we have met the ponies of Unicornia. And tell them that we are now the guests of The New Kingdom.”