The Protectors of Harmony

by Delta Blade


Chapter 5: First Meetings

Chapter 5: First Meetings

August 5, 2558

0906 hours

Canterlot

The Royal Castle

Luna stared at her sister in utter disbelief for what she had just done. Then she thought for a moment, and then sighed before giving her response.

"Okay, I understand your reasoning, and I agree that we should recruit them." she said. "But you do know you`re going to have to tell them that you`ve been watching them."

"You know as well as I do that that should be the least of our worries," said Celestia. "For one thing, we`ll have to tell the public something about all this."

"Princess!" called a royal guard from within.

Both alicorns looked, and then ran, back inside the throne room to meet him. The guard was sweating profusely and, to their surprise, was holding a newspaper with his magic.

He held it out to his two leaders before speaking.

"This is today`s issue of the Canterlot Times, your highness," he said. "I don't know how the press got a hold of this information but…Oh! Just look at the front page headline!"

Both princesses did so, and what they saw made them gasp inside.

The Changelings Declare War!

Is Equestria Safe? The Destruction of Boardor leaves an uneasy answer to this question.

"How could this happen?!" demanded Celestia.

"I just told you! I don't know!" the guard responded.

"Actually, my sister," Luna interjected. "I should have probably told you this earlier, but the message sent to me from the soldier in Boardor was automatically sent to his family as well."

"What?!" asked Celestia. "Why?"

"I'm not sure, maybe he also wanted to say goodbye to his family, but forgot to in his haste. And also, the family that owns the Canterlot Times was the family of that soldier."

"So that would explain how this information got out so quickly," said the guard. "The crowd is in a frenzy."

"And then there`s that," said Celestia. "What crowd?!"

"Oh yeah, I was going to tell you both about this crowd that`s gathered out in front of the palace, but then you two got caught up in your little banter," said the guard as he pointed at the newspaper in his magical grip. "Anyway, they`re all demanding an explanation for this."

"You couldn`t have told her that first?!" Luna yelled at the guard as her sister walked towards the exit. "Tia, what will you do?"

"They deserve to know," declared Celestia. "Plus the best alibi for a massive human ship coming down from space would be that they`ve come here to protect us."

"You know what? That alibi might actually increase public morale!"

"Exactly, so if you`ll excuse me," said Celestia as she exited the throne room through its massive double doors.

The white alicorn moved towards the balcony at the front of the palace to address the crowd. When she reached it, she saw that the looks on everypony`s faces were those of absolute terror.

She then used her magic to increase the volume of her voice so that even the ponies in the far back of the crowd could hear her. She took a deep breath and began her speech.

"My fellow Equestrians," she began. "I'm sure you`ve all heard the news. The changelings have indeed returned and are heading this way."

Celestia felt a knot of guilt form in her stomach as gasps and shrieks pop-corned their way around the crowd.

Nevertheless, she kept her composure, and continued.

"The changelings` weapons technology is far superior to ours and every civilization that stands in their way."

The knot tightened as more ponies began to shriek while others started hugging each other and sobbing into one another`s shoulders.

All the same, she retained her composure and continued further.

"However, there is still hope. My sister and I have recruited a powerful ally to aid us."

At the sound of hope, the mood of the crowd immediately changed: the sobbing and shrieking stopped; everything became eerily silent, as everypony was now eager to hear who this ally was.

"They call themselves humans. They are an alien race that has endured great hardship in the past; a species that always tries to find harmony, but never goes about it in the right way. They know how to fight a war better than we do, and certainly better than the changelings. Their weapons technology can match that of the changeling arsenal. They will save us from the changeling threat, and in return, we will show them the path to true harmony. These humans can be trusted, although it may take time for them to trust you. They are a good species at heart. They deserve our friendship. And thankfully, they have come to us at the best time. Now."

Celestia pointed at the sky behind the crowd, and everypony followed her hoof.

What everypony saw caused more shrieks and apprehensive mumbling to ripple through the crowd.

A giant, blackish grey cylinder hovered eerily, and almost menacingly, above Ponyville. It had a pattern on one end that glowed blue. On its side read the words UNSC INFINITY.

"Do not be alarmed, for that is their spaceship," said Celestia. "As long as you see that ship, we will be safe. Be as hospitable as you can to the humans on board, for they are here to save our lives."

Suddenly, Celestia saw a single, small craft of some sort emerge from the distant ship; it was heading towards Ponyville.

The alicorn princess used her magic to bring her voice back down to its normal volume before saying to herself, "Oh dear, I forgot to tell them where to land!"

. . .

August 5, 2558

0910 hours

Ponyville

The Golden Oaks Library

It was a quiet day in Ponyville. That was, of course, until the news got out that the changelings had returned. The Foal Free Press, no longer just a school newspaper but the newspaper for all of Ponyville, had come out with a story regarding the family that owns the Canterlot Times, saying how their son had sent them a recorded message of his death and of the changeling soldier that condemned Equestria.

Princess Twilight Sparkle was in her library, pacing back and forth. Spike was on her back, holding that very newspaper in his claws, reading and rereading that same article. Neither Twilight nor Spike could believe that any of this was happening.

"How could the changelings be back?" asked the incredulous purple dragon. "I thought they were all destroyed in that magical blast made by your brother and Cadence."

"That wouldn`t nearly be enough to destroy them," said the lavender alicorn. "It was only enough to banish their queen all the way to the Scorched Lands.

"That volcanic area just west of Boardor?" said Spike as he hopped off of Twilight`s back.

"That`s the one."

"Well, that explains how they were able to reach Boardor so quickly."

Spike then headed towards the red door to exit his tree home.

"Oh my Celestia," he said. "I need some air."

At the sound of the sun princess's name, Twilight trotted over to her desk.

"That reminds me," she said. "I should probably inform the princess that I know of this predicament."

"Uhh, that may have to wait," said Spike, now looking up at the sky through the open door. "We`ve got bigger problems than sending a letter."

"But it`s Princess Celestia we`re talking about here," said Twilight as the trotted over to the open door. "What could possibly be more important than tha…?"

Twilight trailed off as she looked to the sky. Above Ponyville loomed an object that the lavender unicorn could only describe as some sort of enormous, dark grey, cylindrically shaped rock that could somehow float on its own. She could tell that it wasn`t being lifted by some powerful unicorn because there was no magical aura surrounding it.

"What in Equestria is that?!" Twilight asked, nearly speechless.

"More importantly," said Spike, failing to conceal his fear. "What`s that coming towards us?!"

Twilight suddenly realized, she was so busy looking at the big object, that she didn't notice the smaller one coming off it.

It headed straight for Ponyville.

"Spike, get back inside," said Twilight

"What`re you gunna do?" asked Spike.

"I'm the princess here, I might as well be the first to talk to whatever`s coming down here."

"Twilight, whatever`s coming down could be here to kill you for all you know!"

"If they wanted to destroy ponykind, they`d have come down here with a larger force."

"You don`t know that!"

"Spike, we have to at least try to see if they`re friendly."

"And if they're not?"

"Then I'll think of something. Now get inside!"

Spike reluctantly did so, the alicorn watching him as he closed the door.

A faint humming caught Twilight`s attention, making her turn back around towards the street and look up at the sky. The object had now gotten much closer; she concluded that it must have been some kind of flying, metal aircraft. She saw it turn parallel to the street and swoop to a stop in front of the library, flames jetting out some tubes on the wings and back flaps, scorching the grass under it.

Suddenly, a ramp on the back of the craft dropped and a group of bipedal creatures thundered out, leveling large devices in what must have been hands. Their bodies were a combination of black, dark green, and dark gray. On top were green heads with white faces.

Five of them were in front, kneeling. They had created some kind of semicircle formation around the backside of the craft. Then a sixth one descended from the ramp, holding a much smaller device in one hand, lifting it up, down, left, and right as if trying to get a better look at it in different shades of light.

And then what was most unexpected, was not that Twilight heard the sixth creature speak, but that it spoke in perfect Equestrian.

"Scanning," it said with an accent that reminded Twilight of Rarity. "This atmosphere is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other trace amounts of gaseous particles."

Then the one closest to Twilight spoke, also in perfect Equestrian.

"Get to the point, corporal," it said, now looking back at the sixth one. Its accent was more like Twilight`s, apart from the fact that it was masculine. "What`s the verdict?"

"Somehow, the air is perfectly breathable," said the sixth one, the one called Corporal. "We can take our HAZOP masks off."

What happened next made the lavender alicorn shriek inside. All six creatures reached for their faces and pulled them off. She would have shrieked out loud if she hadn`t realized that they were only taking off their masks.

Underneath those masks were their actual faces, made of what seemed to be smooth, rubbery skin, two eyes, a nose, and a mouthful of teeth.

Corporal then turned and looked back inside the craft.

"Captain!" it said, doing what Twilight concluded was beckoning for something inside to come out.

And come out it did. It gave its mask to Corporal as it walked forward. Other than the metal pad on its left shoulder, this one wore only cloth coverings: on his left and right arms were three golden yellow stripes pointing downward with a sunburst star of the same color on top. It had short, brown mane that seemed natural and not cut.

"Thank you, Corporal Williams," said the cloth covered one. "Now let`s figure out where we are."

. . .

August 5, 2558

0914 hours

In the L.Z. on an unknown planet

In the middle of an unknown town

"You know, she never told us where to land," said Private First Class Ogden Jenkins as he handed his mask to Corporal Marcus Williams to stow back inside the Pelican.

"I know, right? You`d think she`d be a little more specific," said the corporal as he jogged back inside with all the masks.

"Maybe she`ll come to us," said Sergeant Alex Thompson.

"Yeah right, sarge," said Private Eugene Phillips. "Or maybe she just ain`t thinking today."

"Hey! Lock that tone down, Shifty," said Gunnery Sergeant David Alvarez. "We want to make a good impression on the equines of this planet, and insulting their leader isn`t going to help."

"Aye, aye, gunny," said Shifty.

"Uhh…sir?" said Private Oscar Morgan. "That purple one`s moving toward us."

"We`ve gone over the rules of engagement, Sidney," gunny whispered. "Shoot only if attacked."

Gunny then turned to Captain Laskey.

"Captain?" he said. "What should we do?"

As Laskey walked past the line of marines, he smiled and said, "Ask for directions."

As he approached the horned and winged animal, it was the first to speak.

"Umm…hello," it said in a feminine voice. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, Princess Twilight Sparkle. Welcome to Equestria."

Twilight Sparkle?! thought Laskey. Oh, I'll just ask it later.

It held out a hoof to Laskey, who hesitantly shook it and responded.

"Captain Thomas Laskey of the UNSC Infinity. So you must be the monarch who rules this country," said Laskey. "I'll be frank, I thought you`re tree-house would be more of a palace if you know what I mean."

"Oh! Sorry, there seems to be a misunderstanding," said Twilight Sparkle. "I don't rule this country. That`s Princess Celestia`s job."

"Wait, but, you just said that you were the princess."

"Yeah? And?"

"How can there be two princesses from the same country?"

"There are actually three."

"What?! Oh, Jesus."

"Excuse me?"

"Oh! Nothing, uhh…would you happen to know where I could find this Princess Celestia?"

Twilight briefly and silently debated with herself on whether or not she should disclose Celestia`s location to this alien. In the end, she figured that they seemed nice enough.

"She should be up in Canterl-"

Twilight would never finish that thought, as a sudden flash of light blinded everyone.

Laskey turned to Fireteam Icebreaker and saw them raising their rifles.

"Men!" he shouted as he ran over to them. "Hold your fire! Hold your fire!"

The Captain looked back and held a hand to his face to shield his eyes. As the light dissipated, he saw that a white alicorn, taller than Twilight, had materialized next to the lavender pony.

"So," said Laskey. "I'm guessing that you must be Princess Celestia?"

"I am," said the sun princess.

"The one who contacted my ship?"

"Yes."

"You know, you never told me where to land."

"I know. I give you my deepest apologies Captain Thomas Laskey."

"Wait!" interjected Twilight. "Princess, how do you know its name? He never told it to you yet."

"Oh yes he has," said the white alicorn. "And Twilight, you`re a princess now. You can call me Celestia. Also, it is a he, and you will refer to him as such."

"Oh…uhh…"

"Sorry Twilight. I know this must be quite a bit to take in, but Laskey and I need to talk privately. I'll explain everything later."

Celestia then turned her attention back to Laskey.

"Captain, do you mind leaving your men in Twilight`s care before we depart? I'm sure they can answer all her questions."

"Ooh!" said Twilight excitedly. "I'd love to learn about a newly discovered species!"

"I'm sure we would too…" Thomas responded as he turned and looked back up at his ship, a thoughtful expression on his face. "…some of us anyway."

He then began walking back to his men.

"Captain, sir," said gunny, snapping a salute to his Captain.

The rest of the squad did the same.

"At ease. Okay marines, here`s the deal," Laskey started. "I have to make what I'm guessing are 'peace' negotiations with the princess over there, the white one, not the lavender one. The lavender one would however, like to get to know our species a little better. While I'm out, I'd like you six to stay at her house while she asks you all some questions about the human race. Understood?"

"Aye, aye, sir!" said all six in unison.

Then gunny raised his hand and said, "Permission to speak, sir."

"Granted," said his Captain.

"I`d love to go into that tree-house, sir. But doesn`t this sound like something the scientists would want to do? Namely Halsey or Glassman? Or both for that matter?"

"Oh don't worry, they`ll get their chance. Don't tell anyone, but as soon as I'm absolutely sure that the equines of this planet are trustworthy, I'll bring them on the ship. Bring them to the scientists as a special treat. Plus, all the equipment`s stuck up in the ship anyway; they`d be able to study them in better detail up there than down here. Does that make sense?"

"Yes sir."

"Okay. Just remember not to tell anybody, understand?"

"Yessir."

"Good. Now get to it marines!"

"Aye, aye, sir!" said all six in unison as they jogged over to the tree-house.

Once they were all inside, Laskey made his way over to Princess Celestia.

"So," the Captain started. "Guess it`s just you and me now, huh?"

"So it would seem…" said Celestia as she observed pony bystanders gawking at Laskey, the aircraft behind him, or his ship up above. "This isn't the most private place to talk."

"Oh yeah. Why don't you tell me where your palace is, and I'll fly there in my pelican."

"Actually, why don't you tell the pilot of your, 'pelican,' to fly back to your ship. I know a quicker route."

"You sure about that?"

"Positively."

"You have seen how fast this thing was going, right?"

"Trust me, it`s faster."

"Oh-kay," said Laskey, bringing his wrist communicator to his mouth. "Echo 419, head back to the ship. I'm gunna be down here for a while. No need to waste fuel."

"Yes sir!" came a female voice from Laskey`s communicator. "Rolling out."

On that last note, the pelican rose upward, turned, and thundered back towards its gargantuan mastership.

"So," said Laskey. "What`s this route of yours?"

"Take my hoof," said Celestia as she extended her hoof to the Captain.

Laskey did so. Then the princess`s horn began to glow.

And in another bright flash of light, they were both gone.

Author`s Note: Aaaaaaand it`s finally done! I'd just like all my faithful readers to know that, yes, the chapters of this story are going to be much longer from now on. See you in the next one! ;D