Applejack and the others find Stor and Greg in a room adjacent to the shuttle bay. "Alright, I've done my calculations." He tells Stor. "I can guess that we can fit up to fifteen people in one of these shuttles." He continues.
Applejack trots up beside Greg. "So we're gettin' outta here then." She says hopefully.
Greg nods. "I also found a program that activated the translation system throughout the whole ship." He says.
Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom approach the two. Apple Bloom hops up onto her brother's back and whistles. "Those are a lot of ships." She observed.
"Yup." Mac agreed.
Greg is still working on the terminal. "I figure we can hold the guards and scientists in the rooms." He says. "We'll need two to navigate the ship back to everyone's worlds and another two to make sure the ship works properly." He continued, turning the chair and standing up.
"Does this mean we're goin' home?" Apple Bloom asks.
Greg nods. "Of the four, we'll need one of them to operate a shuttle to get you home." The Apple siblings nod.
Applejack trots up to a kneeling Greg and hugs him. "Thanks fer yer help, Greg."
Greg returns the hug and pats her on the back. "No problem, Applejack."
Greg, Stor and Applejack enter one of the rooms. Greg stands up straight and examines the aliens, forcing back a smile. "Ironic, isn't it?" He opens. "The very people you abduct eventually subdued their abductors." He adds, shaking his head. "I am not here to gloat. Instead, I just ask that you return us to our homes." Some of the aliens look at each other. "Now... which of you are as proficient piloting a shuttle as you are the ship itself?" He asks. Seven of the aliens step forward. "Next question, which of you seven are proficient in maintaining the ship?" None step back. Greg nods and turns around to face the others.
"I think we can handle three more." Stor says.
Greg turns around once more. "Three of you will be escorted to the bridge, three will be escorted to engineering and we will escort one of you to the shuttle bay." He concludes.
Greg and the Apples take one of the aliens to the shuttle. The alien takes the pilot's seat, Greg takes the co-pilot's seat and the rest sit in the back. The alien starts the shuttle and adjusts some settings before flying out of the hangar.
Greg steps back into the rear. "You're going home." He announces.
The Apple siblings smile hearing this. "What are we gonna tell the others?" Apple Bloom asks her sister, who shrugs.
"They probably won't believe a word of this, so we don't tell 'em anythin'." She answered.
Greg nods. "Probably the best decision." He agreed.
Minutes pass before the shuttle finally lands. The rear hatch opens and they're greeted by the sight of the Everfree Forest. "Uh... did we have to land here?" AJ asks.
Greg looks back to the alien who nods. "Yes. My apologies, Applejack." The alien telepathically tells the pony. "It is better if we do not attract ourselves." He continued.
Applejack nods. "In any case, thank ya again Greg." She says before exiting the craft.
Applejack and the others turn toward the shuttle. Greg waves at them as the door closes and the shuttle ascends and vanishes.
"AJ?" Apple Bloom calls. "Will we ever see him again?" She asks.
Applejack shakes her head. "Ah doubt it, sis. It would be nice to, though." She answered. "Let's go home." She continued.
Fluttershy's cottage wasn't far, so it was their first stop. They approach the house and AJ knocks on the door. Moments later, the timid Pegasus opens the door and gasps. "Applejack!" She yells, embracing her friend. "We were worried about you!"
Applejack chuckles. "Ah bet. Let's get into town and get the others."
Half an hour later, everypony gathered at Twilight's library. "It's good to have you back." Their hostess says, giving each a hug.
"Yup." Big Macintosh adds.
Applejack looks to her brother and sister. "Should we really tell 'em?" She asks.
"Ah really don't see why not." Apple Bloom responds.
They look to the others who were confused. "Come on, AJ! Spill it!" Rainbow Dash exclaims.
"Go on, dear. We know you can't lie." Rarity adds.
"Just to warn ya, the truth is often stranger than fiction." Applejack says before clearing her throat.
After finishing her story, Twilight and the others look at each other, baffled at what she had been through. Their meeting with life forms from the stars, especially Greg and how he incited a revolt against the ship's crew, freeing the captives with the help of Applejack and Stor.
Twilight's horn lights up. "Twi...? What are ya doin'?" Applejack asks as Twlight places her horn on AJ's head.
"I'm going to look at your memories." She explained. "This story is beyond incredible." She adds. After a few moments, Twilight steps back and powers down her horn. "It's... it's true." She says.
Applejack lets out a snort. "Rarity did say Ah couldn't lie." She says. Twilight was still in awe, as were the others.
After some time of silence, Apple Bloom clears her throat. "We oughta keep this between us." She suggests. "Ah don't think anypony else would believe a word of this." She continues.
Twilight nods. "I agree. As long as you three are home, nothing else matters." She says before Pinkie Pie started bouncing in her usual excitement.
"How about a welcome home party?" She asks.
The Apple siblings look at each other and nod. "That would be nice, Pinkie. Thank ya." AJ says.
The sun was setting and the Apple siblings return to their home. Granny Smith was waiting for them near the front door to the house. "Where the hay have you three been?" She asks quite rudely. "Y'all can't just run off like that." She adds.
The three laugh. "Oh, granny. Ya wouldn't believe me if I told ya. And ya know Ah can't lie."
It was nice to be home for a nice Apple style dinner. The meals on the ship were meager in comparison. The siblings' thoughts keep returning to Greg. Where was he? Will he return? In time, they would forget about him, but right now, it's time to go to bed. They would look into the night sky to make sure there were no more surprises. Good night, Apple family.