Ripa woke from his slumber, eager to begin his day, and even more so to move out, seeing that he had elsewhere to be. Animals to hunt, civilizations to wreck, the whole invader shtick. As he awoke, he glared at the griffon. Ripa saw that she was already preparing a rat for the group. Beginning his usual morning routine, he got up and walked over to the entrance of the encampment and began to meditate, closing his eyes, and crossing his legs, and relaxing his body and mind.
Gilda looked at her new alien master. The behemoth was currently sitting down, eyes closed, like he was sleeping upright or something. Whatever it was, the giant alien was completely still, and almost seemed... at peace. Could he be meditating? She wondered what he would be meditating on, seeing how this alien didn't seem to think about anything but death and glory, or something like that. She quickly returned her attention to the rat, as she had no business questioning the alien overlord. She eventually finished the rat, and as she turned to inform her Sangheili taskmaster of the food, she found he was standing right behind her. She let out a surprised squawk and fell on her rear.
"Dang, you're quiet!" Gilda said as she got off her rear. The Arbiter said nothing, though, and removed the rat from the stick. Gilda watched in awe as he ate it in one gulp, his mandibles gripping the food and forcing it down his throat whole, like a mix between an octopus and a snake.
Upon gruesomely finishing his meal, the massive alien pounded his chest, as if to help the food down, and he looked down upon Gilda, disinterest upon his face, and his golden eyes shining from the fire, making him look even more terrifying than he already was, and then, he spoke:
"Wake the other. We set out in one hour." He commanded. Gilda gulped and did as she was told, not questioning why. Maybe someone was chasing him? Trixie took her time getting ready much to the Arbiter's chagrin, and he mumbled something about the magician being a 'vain, incompetent girl'. Within an hour, they were prepared to leave, and Ripa 'Moramee began his march, motioning his minions to follow. But suddenly, before they could leave, the curtain parted, and in stepped a white winged and horned horse, along with six familiar pests, two contingents of troops and a horned horse to the side of what the Arbiter assumed was the queen. sensing (and somewhat desiring) conflict, Ripa had drawn his blades as they entered, a baleful glare etched upon his face.
"Treachery... How could they have found me so fast..?" Ripa muttered angrily, his eyes filled with hate and contempt for all the ponies, especially the tall, white one. The queen marched to the head of the group and cleared her throat.
"Greetings strange being. I am princess Celestia, co-ruler of Equestria and princess of the sun." Celestia said, bowing her head a little. Ripa, however, did not return the gesture, but he lowered his blades slightly, seeing no threat in the princess of the sun.
"I care not for who you are. You are in my way, and I want you out of it." The Arbiter's words were dripping with venom as he spoke, causing the seven before him to cringe from their sheer malice. Rainbow Dash quickly recovered, however, and managed to get closer to him, despite his incredible aura of danger, and puffed out her chest, in a futile attempt to intimidate him.
"Hey! You can't Talk to the Princess like that!" Rainbow said, glaring at the massive elite, but he quickly returned her glare with double effectiveness, leering at her with his gold, hate-filled eyes, which seemed to burn with their own luminescence.
"You have no power over me, whelp. Now, leave... before I make you." Ripa spat back, clicking his jaws angrily. these ponies were wearing on his patience, and was only a matter of time before whatever good will he had left was drained, and they would soon know the price for angering this Arbiter. Thankfully, the tall, white pony spoke out, calling Rainbow Dash back.
"Hold your tongue, Rainbow Dash. We have no knowledge of his capabilities, and I think we should not anger it." Celestia said calmly, and Ripa grinned slightly as the blue pest backed away, forcing back a chuckle.
"It would be wise to heed her advice, pest. I have fought many grunts, and many pestilent humans, all of them far more threatening than you." The Arbiter said.
"You would be smart to do the same Split-lip." Rainbow retorted, glaring defiantly at the humongous alien.
"Childish wretch! I will slaughter you with ease!" 'Moramee hissed, edging toward the pegasus, a vicious leer in his eyes. Rainbow knew by the look Gilda and Trixie were giving her he wasn't joking at all. She backed down under the baleful scrutiny of the sadistic Sangheili, and Ripa 'Moramee growled at her one last time before returning to Celestia.
"Why do you seek me out, worm? I thought I made it clear I would have nothing to do with you and you ilk." Ripa asked.
"Because even you should fear this place. It is the most dangerous forest in all of Equestria. We only want to talk, and possibly learn more about you, maybe even become allies, should you accept that. But for now, we simply wish to get you out of this forest." Celestia said raising her head, as if to imose herself upon the massive elite. Needless to say, it failed.
"I fear nothing. Not even this forest. Little I have seen here could possibly be a threat to me. And as for becoming your ally, I want nothing to do with your 'friendship'. I don't need your help, I don't WANT your help, and the only thing I require from you pests is your departure... NOW." The Arbiter said, swiping his blades for emphasis. The opposing force seemed to be shocked by his strong, defiant words, and many jaws dropped as a result. Finally, Rarity spoke out, drawing Ripa's ire.
"You must be insane to refuse safety and civilization! No one in their right minds would want to be here of all places!" Rarity said.
"I assure you, I am positive that I am well within my right mind. The question is; are you suicidal? Because you are getting on my nerves rather quickly." The arbiter replied, glaring harder. Finally, Celestia sighed, and lowered her head, defeated.
"I had hoped you would see reason, alien, but it seems that you will not." Celestia said. Her calming aura never faded.
"If you cannot see reason, then there is no hope for you. We will take our leave." Celestia said.
"You're giving up on him just like that?" Twilight asked.
"No. All he needs is to see the dangers of this forest for himself. Then he will beg for our aid." Celestia said, turning away from the now smug-looking Sangheili, who was quietly chuckling at his minor victory.
"You sound sure of that, O great, white one." The Arbiter interjected as the ponies departed, leaving him and his unwilling servants alone. However, despite his words, and the apparent sincerity of the sun ruler, Ripa knew this was not the last he'd seen of them.