Much to Apple Bloom's surprise, all three fillies received permission to engage in the 'field trip' into space to participate in a giant robot fighting tournament. While Applejack didn't like the idea of Apple Bloom going off into space, she knew the little filly was eager for her own share of adventures since Applejack got up to more than enough of them with Twilight...and besides, it would be wrong to keep her from pursuing her destiny as represented by her Cutie Mark. If Megas was capable of space flight, then it sure wasn't meant to stay ground bound. Besides, there was already adult supervision.
Rarity had given Sweetie Belle permission to go, as their parents were once more out of town on one of their many vacations. She had, of course, given her all sorts of warnings, advice, and 'necessities' for her trip, as well as encouraging her to see if she could bring back some gemstones from space, both because Rarity would love to own one or work one into an ensemble and as a special treat for Spike. Sweetie Belle had already decided to leave most of the 'necessities' behind in the barn where Megas' lift-off thrusters would probably incinerate them, and blame it on a meteor shower or something...a decision quickly vetoed by Kiva when she learned that Megas was suddenly - and seemingly of its own accord - equipped with an nth-dimensional storage space just below the cockpit that had labeled itself 'The Closet of Holding', and both wanted to put a use to it and figure out how Megas was upgrading itself and why. That avenue of research hit a dead end when Princess Twilight informed her that 'magic just does things like that sometimes'.
Scootaloo was a different case. Pegasus parenting - with rare exception - tended to be a little more hooves off than that of the other tribes since they had the entire sky as their home, with most parents encouraging their foals towards exploration and independence as soon as they could control themselves in the air, generally by age 4. As a result, Scootaloo's parents spent quite a bit of time away from home for work, and - after discovering the strong bond that had developed between the two - left Rainbow Dash nominally in charge of Scootaloo when they were out of town. This basically meant it was Rainbow's job to make sure there was healthy food in the house, that Scootaloo did her homework, that permission slips got signed, and that Scootaloo never wound up in the hospital. As such, it was Rainbow that Scootaloo asked for permission to fly her giant robot into space for a giant robot fighting competition...at which point Twilight had to magically pull Rainbow off Kiva as the prismatic pegasus was clinging to her desperately while screaming, "Take me with you!!!" Needless to say, Scootaloo got permission...and a camera.
And now Megas was shooting through space heading for the coordinates that Magnanimous had given them, looking for a combat arena where they would do battle against other giant robots...and possibly other things on the same scale, depending on what was available. "Are ya sure we're goin' the right way?" Apple Bloom asked as she once more glanced out the windows in search of some sign of where to go, still not used to the idea of empty space with only the stars and the computer for guides.
Scootaloo glanced towards where a giant neon sign floated in space reading Welcome to the Galactic Championship Federation Bash Fest! "I'd say so," she mused as she steered Megas past it, towards a massive space station with a huge dome at the top.
"Well, this place should prove interesting," Kiva mused idly as she looked it over. "Pretty advanced...might have some spare parts we could use for Megas, or a few other things we might be able to use. Might even be able to find more information on the Glorft."
"It'll be up ta you and Sweetie ta do any lookin' around," Apple Bloom pointed out. "Scoot's gonna have to pilot Megas in the fights, and I gotta stay close ta fix it up."
"What if I need to use the magic systems?" Scootaloo complained. "Those only work with Sweetie, right?" She gestured to the horn slot in the dashboard.
"Actually, I went over what I could makes sense of out of the magical circuitry, and that's only necessary if you want to go with controlled magical discharge," Kiva explained calmly. "Or spellcasting, to use your world's terminology. If all you want to do is use the magical energy for combat systems - like a shield, a sword, or a gun - just throw this switch here." She pointed to a switch labeled 'Get Peeved'. "...I have no idea why it keeps changing to that...or why that's apparently a bad word in your culture."
"Oh, sweet!" Scootaloo declared eagerly, taking careful note of exactly where on the dash that switch was so she could find it when she wanted to.
"Of course, I'm also supposed to keep track of you all..." Kiva murmured thoughtfully. "But as long as you both stay in Megas, it should be fine. It's rather hard to misplace, after all."
"I'm surprised you aren't worried about Megas taking damage," Sweetie Belle pointed out. "I mean, it's pretty important to saving your world, right?"
"Apple Bloom included the same systems she put into Ponyville in Megas' last upgrade," Kiva pointed out, her tone warring between wry amusement and awe. "Anytime Megas isn't moving or doing anything, it can take five minutes to fully restore itself as long as the magic channels are intact."
"In that case, it's time for some fun!" Scootaloo crowed as she angled them into the docking bay lit up for them.
Before long, the group found themselves inside a massive dome shaped battle arena, the very one they saw from outside at the top of the station. At the moment it was plain gray, though the stands around the edges rose to nearly the top of the dome and were filled with a huge variety of alien life forms the likes of which none of the four could have even imagined before today. Displayed above the arena was the G.C.C.S. Champion belt, which immediately had Scootaloo's undivided attention.
"Welcome, fillies!" Magnanimous declared warmly as he floated down to the group. "And you as well, dear lady. Has everyone got their permission slips signed?" He chuckled at his little joke...a chuckle that died away as all three fillies pulled out signed forms giving them permission to enter their Megas in an intergalactic combat sport for the day. "You lot certainly do things by the book, don't you?"
"Well, our tutor does," Sweetie Belle explained readily.
"And she's one of the Princesses, so...what can you do?" Scoot added with a shrug.
"Well, as long as it's all taken care of," Magnanimous allowed, trying to move things along. "Let's get your pilot in and out there, while the rest of you enjoy the spectacle-"
"Actually...ah'm gonna have ta be in Megas, too," Apple Bloom pointed out dryly. "Part of the conditions of me gettin' ta come, since it's part o' mah special talent." She turned side-on to show the mark on her flank. "Th' whole point o' this trip fer me is ta learn ta take care o' Megas in conditions other than Equestria, especially active battle conditions."
"And if she can't do that, we'll all just have to go home," Sweetie added in an artfully regretful tone with an innocent smile that would have made Rarity proud. "And after everyone here's gotten so excited seeing Megas..."
Magnanimous chuckled dryly. "You girls drive a hard bargain, and remind me not to end up on the other side of a court case from you, little lady." He playfully ruffled Sweetie's mane. "Alright then, pilot and mechanic in the mech, and you two enjoy the show. Maybe even put a little wager on the outcome of the matches?"
Kiva frowned. "I don't think their guardians would approve of gambling-"
"I won't wager more than two bits!" Sweetie promised devoutly. "And it's my own money, besides. And we've got to get some space currency for all the souvenirs everypony wants, anyway."
"Did you ever pay that zebra back for the head unit?" Kiva asked curiously as the pair headed for the stands.
"Details!" Sweetie countered defensively.
Surprisingly enough, it was rather easy for the pair to reach the kiosk where wagers were taken, as every female alien in the crowd - and a surprising number of male aliens - cooed eagerly at the sight of Sweetie Belle and either fought each other for a turn to try and cuddle her or literally threw the others out of the way so she could go where she wanted to. Kiva simply followed along, wondering what it was about her that did that to so many otherwise sensible creatures. Upon reaching the kiosk, they discovered that Megas was rated at odds of 45000 to 1. The alien behind the counter made odd noises that were obviously an inquiry regarding Sweetie's wager.
Sweetie ignited her horn and floated two gold bits out of her saddlebags and onto the counter. "On the new guy," she offered happily, not noticing the dead silence that surrounded them. "And let it ride."
Kiva was mentally torn. On the one hand, this did ensure Sweetie wouldn't have to keep track of the gambling side of things and they could explore if they wanted, and there were no worries as long as Scootaloo and Megas kept winning. On the other hand, she did not like the way everyone went dead silent just then, or the way they were all staring...either at Sweetie's magic or the gold Kiva wasn't sure, and she didn't want to stick around long enough to find out.
The alien behind the counter carefully picked up the bits and examined them for a time, and finally printed out a receipt that he held out to Sweetie, displaying an initial wager value that made Kiva swallow convulsively. Plainly, it was the gold. She'd better keep a very close eye on Sweetie Belle...and her saddlebags.