"Our largest issue with the Eden project was not fighting off the wildlife or keeping things private - it was supplying the other side of the Portgate. You see, any supplies that were to be sent through had to travel down nearly a hundred feet through a winding narrow tunnel in order to even get to the ring. The facility only had one tunnel for cargo shipments before the incident, about fifteen feet tall and two lanes wide. It was specifically built for parts that were too big to fit on a cart and into the service elevator, but even then it was crowded in there. Then, once said supplies were on the lower floor - where the Portgate was - the trucks that delivered them drove through, dropped off their supplies, and turned around. This isn't even counting the numerous security inspections that were done on both the vehicles and the cargo. All together, the most we could manage was a shipment about the size of a U-Haul truck every hour, if there were no accidents - which there usually were. I'm just glad that we had the elevators working fine, though they were very slow and had a tendency of breaking down at the worst times. In the end, the best method of getting something through the Portgate was the simplest: the stairwells. Even if our legs were as shaky as a wet cheesecloth at the end of the day, it had one advantage over all the other methods - it's very hard to break a set of stairs.”
-Ed Carerra, Inventory Management
-Twilight-
The candle on the crystal desk burned brightly with a crisp, clear white, its spent wax dripping onto the tray below in slow, steady trickles as the rustling of pages occasionally blew the flame one way or the other. Twilight stared at the flame, then rubbed her eyes as she took her hooves off of the thick, hardbound tome in front of her. Aside from the single candle, the only other light source in the dark, echoey study room was a small, smoky fire in the hearth that quietly smoldered as it burned the last of its fuel. She frowned, then looked back at her book. The alicorn was reading about the many uses of ember scripts, the chapters filled with fascinating information on their multiplicative effects on oxidation spells and thermal reactions as she flipped through the pages.
Twilight sighed. At least, she was trying to read - her focus and studious nature that she was so well known for was nowhere to be found, and she couldn't help but stare at the pages like a foal reading their parents' newspaper, pathetically attempting to put the scribbles and letters together into some semblance of meaning. She flipped the first page, then glared at the first sentence, reading it to herself over and over as she tried to absorb its meaning through the hazy glow of the candle on her desk. Frustrated, she skipped over the next few paragraphs, mumbling about "fire magic" to herself as she quickly parsed the page, then the next, then the next. The thin, warbly sound of paper flapping through the air intensified as she turned the old, papyrus pages faster and faster, her mind failing to catch up with her eyes and her irritation growing stronger and stronger until-
"UGH!"
She grabbed the book with her magic and threw it as hard as she could, watching with angry dissatisfaction as the old, musty encyclopedia flew through the air. A few traces of her magenta aura still lingered on the metal cover as it hit the wall with a muffled clank and fell to the crystal floor, the copper plating dented by Twilight's outburst. Her anger and dissatisfaction quickly fermented into a sickening disgust at herself as she fumed in her chair, and she sighed as she threw her head down onto the desk in frustration.
When everypony had welcomed her back to Ponyville, everything seemed to go just fine. Pinkie Pie was excited to throw a "coming back to Ponyville after being declared missing for two weeks" party (which Twilight kindly declined), the townsponies were going about their day as normally as could be, and Spike wasn't even half-upset by her disappearance. In fact, he seemed to be a little too accepting of Twilight's trip to the woods, and she noticed that there were a few gem specks and crumbs lying around the castle's floors and hallways when she had opened the front doors. But, then again, Spike was growing up. All foals grew up to become angsty teenagers, even if her little colt would be able to torch the whole town to a crisp when he grew up, and this was the beginning of his transition into adulthood. And someday, Spike would leave Twilight and make his own way as a young dragon.
The door to the study swung open slowly and silently, spilling the bright, warm light of chandelier candles onto her head and mane as Spike's feet scratched the floor like a dog's claws. The castle's natural built-in lighting was too warm and yellow for her liking, and she yawned as she lifted her head up to greet her number one assistant.
"Hiya, Twilight!"
"Hey, Spike." She tiredly stared at him as he closed the door behind him, the giant slab of crystal swinging shut as easily as if it were made of feathers. "I really should get some magical lightbulbs installed sometime."
"...You okay?" he asked as he turned around and watched Twilight rub her eyes.
The question took a second for her to process, and she made some effort to nod her head.
"...you sure? Twi?"
"Yeah," she smiled weakly as her eyes met Spike's. "I'm fine, I'm fine. Don't worry yourself over me."
"Come on, Twilight!" he exclaimed. "You're tired, and I know it. I've known you for my entire life. Something's keeping you down, and I can help!"
"...No, it's all good."
He threw his claws up in exasperation. "Twilight, I heard you throw something."
"..."
"I can see a book on the ground over there, Twi. The cover's damaged, and I know you'd try your best to fix it up if you were feeling fine."
"...oh, fine. Maybe I am a bit upset, Spike."
"About what?"
Twilight paused, then scratched her head as she leaned back in her chair. "I...don't know."
"Is it about what happened in the woods?" Spike asked as he walked up to her side.
"I guess, but..."
"You haven't told anyone?"
"No, that's the problem, Spike. I can't tell anypony," she explained, "because it...it's really important I don't tell anypony."
"That's not very good reasoning, Twilight."
"Well, I don't know what to say, Spike..." And she really didn't. Those weird aliens were so fascinating Twilight could spend an entire eternity just talking to them and learning about their society. Their magic and technology was impressive to watch and study, and there was no end to the questions Twilight had for them.
Then, Luna and the military took her from their little shelter by force in the middle of the night, leaving Rainbow Dash and Applejack as well as her notes and research behind. Not only was she separated from her friends, but she didn't know what those guardsponies had done with the aliens. If they had just knocked and asked politely, maybe things wouldn't be so messed up. The fate of those three creatures and her two friends was totally up to debate, but she knew that they were in the hands of those beings; why else would she not have heard from them?
Plus, the Royal Guard was garrisoned in Ponyville for some reason; most ponies simply went on with their lives as usual, but Twilight was certain that they were investigating the aliens in the woods. She knew that Luna's Night Guard had investigated the alien encampment, but now there were hundreds of guardsponies from the Royal Guard as well. And if they were sending hundreds of ponies in there, then that meant one of two things: either there were more of those aliens in the forest, or those three creatures were more powerful than she thought.
"...Twilight! You were spaced out there for a second. Have you slept recently?" Spike asked as he shook her hoof.
Twilight shook her head, then frowned. "I'm okay, seriously."
The dragon raised an eyebrow, then sighed. "If you say so...well, I'm here to give you this," he said as he pulled a scroll from behind him and handed it to the alicorn. "Comes from Princess Luna. Maybe you'll find some answers inside."
Her eyes widened at the sound of Luna's name, and she snatched the rolled-up letter from his claws with her magic and carefully inspected the seal. "This is..."
"Whatever," Spike called back to Twilight as he walked out the door, pulling it closed behind him as his feet tip-tapped down the crystal hallway. "Gosh, girls are so weird..."
She leaned back in her chair and listened to Spike mumble as he walked down the hall. Her baby dragon was thinking about girls. The sheer thought sent shudders down Twilight's back.
The seal crumbled and sent a few specks of wax flying onto her desk as she opened the letter, the scroll written on plain-white letter paper instead of official papyrus parchment for some reason. Twilight moved closer to the candle, squinting as she read Luna's letter to herself.
Twilight,
I do hope that you're handling your return to Ponyville well. It must have been quite discomforting to return to civilization after being isolated for as long as you were; I understand the feeling perfectly, and I can fully sympathize. Hopefully this letter reaches you within a day of my writing it, as I have not secured a courier yet.
I am writing this letter partly to inform you of the current state of affairs regarding the beings you've encountered. I understand that this might not be a topic you wish to discuss as of now, but it is important that I inform you nonetheless. There have been some changes in the clearing you stayed in over the past few weeks; the small shelter has become a large camp of over a hundred acres, and it is still growing. Additionally, there are more of said beings in the camp, with estimates implying up to a thousand individuals. For the sake of security, I will have to omit some details, but it is important you know that the camp is by no means lacking in supplies nor in population.
However, it is my pleasure to inform you that the Royal Guard is well-established and well-equipped as of now, and we are monitoring the encampment. We have not encountered or interacted with said encampment in any way other than observation yet, but what we have seen suggests that we will have to approach them soon. As for your friends, I am sorry to admit that they are still missing. We have not confirmed their current condition, but do not worry - I would wager that your friends are still alive and well, and we will do our best to find them.
Twilight, I will be blunt - I need you to come back to the forest. I know you've been through quite a lot in the past few weeks, and I understand if you are hesitant to return, but our observations are unsettling to say the least. Your magical expertise and studious nature will come in handy if you choose to return, and this is the perfect opportunity for you to learn about your future role as an alicorn princess. I cannot disclose all of what's going on here, but if there's one thing I must say, it is this: we are dealing with something very urgent - critical, even - and we need your assistance and guidance.
I hope that you will come back to the forest and assist us, but if you refuse I can understand. You may not wish to come back to the Everfree, and I do not fault you for that. If you do come, however, you will soon find out why I need you here so desperately.
Her Royal Majesty, Princess of the Moon,
-Luna
17th Day of the Second Month of Autumn.
Twilight was suddenly aware of the silence permeating throughout the study, broken by nothing but the soft whispers of her breathing. She checked the date, then set the letter down on the desk and leaned back in her chair. Luna had written the letter just a day ago, yet her reasons for writing it seemed obscure and unknowable to the purple alicorn as she rubbed her face with her hooves. No, she thought to herself, I know exactly why she's calling me back.
She was out shopping for groceries the day before when it happened. Twilight was counting out change for a half-pound of carrots when she heard the first burst of noise, sharp and rapid like a woodpecker drilling through a tree trunk. Everypony in the market stopped what they were doing and turned towards the noise as it continued, growing in volume as the seconds passed. Occasionally, a faraway explosion could be heard from the trees, each bass rumble as loud as thunder. The loudest sound, however, was a deafening, boomy crack that echoed throughout the sky for almost an entire minute, after which the noises completely stopped. All the townsponies chattered to each other about the weather afterwards, but Twilight knew what those noises actually were - she had been saved by them. And something that loud couldn't be ignored, especially something that could make the last one.
She couldn't think of any reason to object, either. In fact, she was eager to return to the Everfree and her studies into the aliens. Perhaps she would even be able to act like an ambassador, setting up relations between Equestria and the aliens. And Luna was right; this was the perfect chance for her to begin learning about her duties and responsibilities as a ruler.
"So, that settles it, then." Twilight leaned forward and folded the letter up, sliding it into a desk drawer as she hopped off the chair and walked towards the door. Her status as a princess, as well as the signed letter, could get her to the camp with one of the Royal Guard supply shipments, though it wouldn't be the most comfortable trip. She would leave tomorrow morning, with the first trip, if she could finish packing her bags by then. Hopefully, she wouldn't need to bring much - it was well known that the Royal Guard set up many amenities in their camps, and Twilight planned on bringing only the necessities.
Twilight pushed the door open and looked through the hallway window, staring at Ponyville's nighttime skyline. Tomorrow, she would return to the Everfree forest. Tomorrow, she would start her research anew.
Tomorrow, she would find out the truth about the aliens.
-John-
Piece of cake, the man thought to himself as he walked down the beige hallways of the facility's administration offices. The client's more scientist than supervisor, and he'll fold much quicker than the others.
He casually strolled past the framed pictures of machinery and mathematics, his expensive leather shoes making barely a sound against the ugly, vomit-colored carpet. If he recalled correctly, the office he was looking for was a left, then a right down the hall. Unfortunately, it was hard for him to find his bearing amongst the dull, same-looking corridors that he had just walked through a few days ago, and he sighed as he tried to remember how many doors down the hall he had to walk before taking a turn.
He looked to the left, the branching hallway somewhat familiar to his eyes. The man sighed, then reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a small hand-mirror. It was critical to his job that he look as sharp and well-mannered as possible, and he popped a mint into his mouth as he gave his appearance one final check-up. This wasn't exactly a difficult job, especially when compared to the task of cracking one of the Department of Defense's hardened commanders, but it was an important one to the company. They needed clients, and he would get them clients.
His name wasn't actually John Baker, but most people outside of the company knew him by that name. As a "sales representative" of one of the world's largest companies, his job was to encourage prospective clientele to sign contracts with Lockheed-Martin and buy as many of their products (namely weapons) as possible through methods of varying shadiness. He hadn't been in the business as long as many of his colleagues, but he was good at his job - and proud of it. His position gave him a lot of benefits, too, such as fancy clothes, expensive information, and semi-legitimate credentials. After all, his job was important. Selling things to people who didn't know they needed them was a tradition as old as time.
Someone tapped his shoulder from behind, causing John to freeze in surprize for a second before turning around. The woman standing in front of him wore a professional-looking blue skirt and dress jacket, her purse and portfolio a perfect match for her outfit. Her makeup and hair was perfect, and John's minty cologne mingled with her indescribably fruity perfume as they stood facing each other.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Mister Baker. It's been so long since we've met! Five years? And down here, of all places!"
"Mmhm," John nodded. Her voice was silky smooth, like molten silver, yet John knew how well she could use that voice to tug at a man's heartstrings. "So, Diane, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, you know. I plan on getting Mister Anderson over here to come buy some of our prototypes. I take it LM is doing the same?" she asked as she flipped her hair.
"I'd say so. How're things at American Electronics, by the way?"
"We have a whole slew of products that the eggheads created, some of which I know nothing about. Yet they still expect me to sell...science equipment is the closest thing I can call it," Diane muttered.
"Really now? Well, I've already signed a contract with him for the usual. Weapons and whatnot," he shrugged.
"Now, isn't that confidential information you're leaking?" chuckled the woman.
"Oh please, it's not like you didn't already guess it. Did you hear about the other side of the Portgate?" John asked.
"No, and I'm not interested. I don't want any more headaches after listening to those bores go on and on about the doohickey-whatchamacalit."
"It's a real big secret, I couldn't tell you anyways."
"Fine by me."
"But," John quietly whispered in her ear, "let's just say we're in business."
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Diane asked, a look of mild intrigue on her face.
"I didn't say anything," sighed John. The two smiled in amusement at John's quip, the atmosphere between them surprisingly friendly considering the circumstances.
"Fine by me. Alright, enough fooling around. You mind if I go first?"
"I'm just here to check up on him. He's going through a lot right now, believe me. I have my sources. I can come back tomorrow, it's totally fine. Right now, I'm probably the last person he wants to see. You'll do better than I will, what with your feminine charm and all that."
"Well, don't mind if I do," she said as she opened her purse and pulled out a tube of crimson red lipstick and a small tray. John held up his pocket mirror for Diane as she checked her makeup one last time, touching up her face and hair with the skill of an artist as she worked her magic.
"That should do it. Now," said Diane, "I gotta get going. Wish me luck!"
"Alright," he replied as she elegantly walked down the hallway, her hips swinging with each step. John stared at her for perhaps a bit too long before turning back down the hallway and back to the surface.