//------------------------------//
// Chapter 16: Around the Clock 
// Story: No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy 
// by Green Hills 
//------------------------------//

	Princess Celestia and her younger sister, Princess Luna, stop before a large gradient door with a seal in the center. With a flicker of her horn, the immense star-shaped seal glows pure white, and spins 180 degrees. The door splits and slides open, revealing a laboratory with machines with pipes sticking out, desks filled with flasks and beacons, and ponies in white lab coats working on each desk. They all stop when they notice the Royal Sisters enter.
“Greetings, gentlecolts,” Celestia announces. One pony, a light brown earth stallion with a much darker brown spiked mane walks up to them and bows.
“Greetings, Your Highnesses,” he greets. “I assume you are here to see the results of this so-called ‘weapon’ we studied on?” The two princesses nod.
“Yes,” Luna answers. “Is there anything you have learned so far about it, Flask?”
“W-well, about that,” Flask hesitates, grabbing a clipboard with his mouth and handing it to the night princess, who takes it with her magic. “Given from Lieutenant Wind Strike’s and your reports, Your Highness, it’s… very complicated to explain. Plus, we had little time to examine the weapon you gave us before giving it back to the human.”
“Did you find anything interesting about it?” Luna asks looking away from the clipboard for a split second. The stallion rubs his chin for a moment.
“Well, about the weapon you gave us to experiment, it’s difficult for us to wield, let alone a very complex piece of equipment. What we know, is that it fires these type of projectiles.” Flask waves his hoof to one of his workers, and a cream-colored unicorn stallion levitates two brass tubes, one with a bronze tip while the other without it.
“What did you find out about it?” the sun princess asks as Flask hands her the two tubes. Luna takes the one without the bronze tip, and levitates close to her to inspect. She can make out some text engraved on the bottom circling, NATO 7.62x51MM.
“From what we know, the bronze tip can be removed, and inside the brass chamber contains some fine powder that can be easily ignited.” Princess Celestia ponders at the explanation, as she twirls the enclosed tube around in her magic. “As of yesterday, we made a breakthrough as to how the powder can be ignited from inside. You see that silver circle on the bottom?” Both princesses circle the shining tubes to the bottom, and sure enough, there is a small circle dot right in the center that is approximately a millimeter, if not a little more, in diameter.
“We do,” Celestia replies.
“That small dot, is the ignition point, or as we called it. During our research, we concluded that if struck with enough force, that point produces a spark.”
“Like flint,” Luna compares.
“Exactly. We tested it in one of the stations. And… well, we concluded that when the powder is ignited, it causes the bronze piece to jet out at tremendous speeds.” Flask turns around to view a station that is cut off with yellow tape around it. “Um… unfortunately, that… small piece managed to puncture through one of the walls of our testing stations.” The two princesses lean to one side to get a look at where the stallion was looking before, getting a glimpse of a tiny but heavily cracked hole at one of the walls.
“Didn’t you put up a protective spell around it?” Celestia asks.
“Indeed. The magic barrier barely managed to stop it. But boy, did that small pellet do some damage.”
“Hmm. Well, it may explain how those shield spells did not work on the old armor back at the beach.” Luna suddenly feels a shudder run down her spine, the moment her older sister mentioned the incident back at White Tail Forest Beach. She knew it was done and dealt with, but the images of her guards dying right in front of her never stop.
“Luna? Are you okay?” Celestia asks worriedly to her night princess. Luna shakes her head, noticing she is still in the laboratory, but her sister and Flask are staring at her.
“Are you alright, Your Highness?” the stallion scientist asks.
“Y-yes, I am fine,” the night princess replies trying to calm down her pounding heart. “It’s just been a long day for me. I-I’ll be in my quarters if you need me.”

Luna excuses herself, and exits the hidden lab in a rather fast pace.
“Is she alright, princess?” Flask asks once more with more concern.
“I believe she is having some difficulty handling the loss of our guards on that faithful night, when we first encountered the humans,” the sun princess explains staring at her sister slowly shrinking the farther she is away. “It is best if we leave her alone for a while. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.”
“I see, Your Highness. War can be a dreadful thing. Especially with technology the humans possess, who knows what could happen if we didn’t make the peace.”
“Indeed.” Celestia lowers her head, eyeing on the shining bronze tube still held in her magic grasp along with the clipboard. She imagines if they never kept the human, Eric Michaels alive, she would not dare to think of what could happen to her and her subjects. Especially the young one, Kevin Brooke. He may be smart and gentle on her ponies, but even the princess knows he can be vicious if provoked, or if one of his friends got injured or killed. Although Celestia doesn’t blame him, she would do the same if some pony ever hurts her loyal student, or any of her citizens.

The sun princess takes a deep breath, and hands the items back to her scientist.
“I would like a report of your findings when, and only when, you discover them,” Celestia orders. “Until then, you are excused for the night.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Flask replies with a quick bow. “What makes you say ‘when and only when’?”
“Oh, just a memory that happened with my faithful student. I don’t want the same to you.”
“Ah, I see. Your student is as faithful to you as ever.” Flask chuckles a little. “Though, I do have a another question.”
“Yes?”
"How do you expect us to make discoveries with only these things?” The scientist points to a five of the same enclosed tubes standing upright on a desk some five meters away. The princess thinks for a moment.
“I’ll let you know. In the mean time, study more on them.”
“Very well. Goodnight, Your Highness.”
“Goodnight Flask. Do not stay up too late.”


LCpl. Kevin Brooke
2nd Battalion 1st Marines
Ponyville, August 31st Day 9 00:14:39 AM




“Kevin.” I slowly open my eyes, greeted by a pounding headache. But, something feels off. I feel like I’m in some void, but, I can feel my feet pressing on the ground. A solid ground to be in fact. “Kevin.” The voice. That same female voice. Ever since we came to this world, that’s the only thing I’ve been hearing in my sleep. What does she want from me? And why? “Kevin.” I quickly turn around, searching through the pitch-black darkness for any signs.
“Who are you?!” I yell, creating an echo all around.
“Wake up, dear boy.”
“Who are you?!” I turn around again. “What do you want from me?!”
“Wake up.” That voice felt so close behind me, I nearly jump out of my own uniform. I twist around, ready to meet face-to-face against this female person. Suddenly, two bright lights blind my eyes, followed by a faint car horn going off. The horn grows louder within a second until I can feel my ears ready to burst. As I move my arm away, the bright lights nearly cover my entire vision, and the car horn ever grows even more loudly, like a car is heading right towards me. I try to move to get out of the way, but my legs refuse to act.

I gasp for air as I shoot straight up from my somewhat small sleeping bag only to be met with the cool night air and night critters chatting away like there is no end, sweat trailing down every inch on my face. What was that? Why did it all feel familiar? Most of all, why does that voice keep talking in my head?

Dozens of questions fill my head at once until it starts to pound. I look around to see if anyone else woke up from my scare. Through the dimly lit area from the bright moon high in the sky, I only see marines and some ponies lying about in front of the open ramps of the MV-22 Ospreys. And sleeping right next to my tactical vest is the little colt Banana Seed with his grandfather, Banana Peel, a few feet away.

I nearly forgot that we offered those two earth ponies to sleep with us, while Luna’s guards patrol the surrounding area for any signs of other ponies trying to get a closer look at our aircrafts or us. When the commanders and our lieutenant returned, Corpsman Smith informed us that she and Corporal Hends will be staying at the fashion mare’s house, Rarity, if I remember correctly. The only ponies staying with us are Banana Seed, Banana Peel and Rainbow Dash. The rest all went home when we finished setting up camp. I know how they feel; I don’t like sleeping in dirt as well. But, thanks to them and their friends, we get to rest in sleeping bags that are at least a third smaller than us. Still, I do prefer that than dirt.

When I turn back to my gear sitting right next to the calm sleeping colt Banana Seed, my dream suddenly comes back to my thoughts. That voice refuses to stop speaking in my head. Who is she? What does she want from me, and why? I can’t help but ask these questions myself over and over again, until I feel my headache increase again. Frustrated, I let out huffs as I drop my head into my arms and knees. After a few deep breaths, my heart rate finally subsides to its normal beating, and I look around the sleeping camp once more. Everyone is fast asleep; Rainbow Dash is resting up on a cloud floating not five meters above our heads, and Corporal West is resting against a tree. I wonder if anyone around here is experiencing the same thing, the female voice talking into their heads.

Once again, I slip into my own thoughts, counting up the times the voice has appeared in my head. I shake them away and plop back on the thin blanket that covers the ground. Using my ILBE as a makeshift pillow, I stare off into the nighttime sky, watching the grateful stars that stretch from horizon to horizon. I never had seen the night like this before. It looks peaceful, serene, and quiet. No, more than that. Better than watching helo air strikes at midnight back in Camp Twentynine Palms. When was the last time have I seen a sky as majestic like this? I search across the sky, gazing endlessly at the thousands of bright stars. Maybe I should have been an astronomer instead of a marine. As I wonder more, I slowly drift back to sleep. Hopefully, that voice won’t come back. I pray it doesn’t.


10:22:35 AM


A freight train whistles to the point of ear clutching as it travels along the invisible border of Ponyville, finally coming to a screeching stop next to a large red building. As the large train lets out a loud sizzle, standing on the platform just a few meters away are Princess Celestia, and Commanders Gaines and Ketcher. Royal Gaurds, both regular ponies and Pegasi swarm around to set up a perimeter.

Commander Ketcher looks down to get a good look at the freight train. There are three large diesel locomotives, five large flatbeds, and approximately three or more coaches.
“Is that it?” he asks turning to the princess.
Celestia nods. “It’s the biggest and most powerful freight train in all of Equestria. Surely, it can carry your flying contraptions without any problems.”
“Can’t argue with that.”

Before long, a dark orange stallion wearing a train driver’s hat hops off the leading locomotive and approaches the three. However, he stops about halfway when he first makes eye contact to the two humans, and not the princess.
“Greetings, Diesel,” Celestia announces almost loudly, putting the orange stallion almost putting the stallion off his gaze-like trance.
“O-oh, good morning, Princess Celestia,” Diesel replies after roughly shaking his head and performs a quick bow. Not to his realization, Commander Ketcher rolls his eyes.
“Diesel, this is Commander Gaines, and Commander Ketcher,” the princess introduces, both humans nodding their heads. “Commanders, this is Diesel. Freight train driver and inventor of the largest locomotive in Equestria.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Diesel,” Gaines says in a polite manner.
“A-ah… the deed’s all mine,” the stallion stutters while removing his hat, revealing a light brown flat mane. “The princess said in the letter that you, uh… fellas… need some heavy stuff transported. Hehe…” Diesel chuckles nervously, though the Navy commanders didn’t take very lightly.
“Well,” Commander Gaines begins, before he is suddenly cut off by a call from behind.

“Princess!” a certain voice echoes from within the red compound, and a lavender unicorn races with all her strength to meet up with one of the Royal Sisters.
“Twilight, my faithful student,” Princess Celestia greets with a warm smile as Twilight Sparkle, along with two bags and a purple lizard riding on her back, abruptly halting her running hooves until she stops a foot in front of the princess.
“O-oh gosh,” the young unicorn pants. “M-my deepest apologies, princess. I don’t know what came up to me. Wh-when I woke up I realized it was past ten o’clock and I knew I was going to be late because I stayed up all night and that Spike wouldn’t get up in time so I had to drag him out to—!”
“Twilight?” Celestia interrupts Twilight’s paranoid rant, forcing her to stop and look up at her with a fierce worried look. Even the little reptile, Spike, seems to be tired due to hanging on to the unicorn for dear life. “I understand completely about your studies. But for now, I would like you to help out with the commanders. Will that be any trouble for you?”
“O-oh!” Twilight immediately perks up her ears, her energy suddenly regained in a moment’s notice. “N-not at all, Your Highness. You can always count on me for being organized.”
“Thank you.” The princess then turns to the three males, all of them with a confused look on their faces. “Diesel, Commander Gaines, Commander Ketcher, this is Twilight Sparkle and her assistant, Spike. My faithful student. I’m sure you two have met her before, Commanders?”
“Indeed we have. But, briefly,” Gaines replies, and kneels down to almost the unicorn’s height. “Pleasure to meet you. Commander Gaines of the ship USS Anchorage. This here’s Commander Ketcher of the ship USS Princeton.”

Twilight feels the urge to jump and squeal to her full potential. This is the first time she will actually be working with another intelligent species, perhaps a species smarter than her. Staying up until two in the morning preparing certain questions for the humans will be well worth it if she ever gets the chance. Though, she did ask a few other questions yesterday during the ceremony greetings of the humans, but to her thought, this is something different. She will be talking to a leader, almost like Princess Celestia, except he is a leader of an army.

“Uh, Twilight. Are you okay?” Spike asks tapping on the unicorn’s head. Pulling her back to reality, Twilight realizes she has been staring at the two humans with a Pinkie Pie look longer than she anticipated.
“U-uh… ah… hi,” she manages to blur out, putting an awkward look on the commanders’ faces, including the princess. Twilight mentally slaps herself for doing something she regrets to a species she finally has the chance to examine.
“Um, anyways,” Princess Celestia clears her throat. “If you don’t mind, I will be flying over to Sweet Apple Acres to check up on your friends and my guards on their progress with one of your contraptions.” She turns to Twilight. “Twilight, I’m counting on you to make sure that everything goes smoothly.”
“Yes, princess,” Twilight responds with a chimed smile.
“Very well, Your Highness,” Gaines says with a nod. With that, the princess, escorted by two Pegasi guards, takes to the air in the direction to the Apple family’s farm.

Commander Gaines grunts internally, an uneasy feeling developing within his stomach that this will be a tough day when working with ponies. As he turns down to Twilight, he notices her eyes are sparkling like gems, then veers up to the baby dragon hopping off.
“Uh, hi there,” he says almost timidly, before taking a deep breath and gathering enough courage to talk to the Navy commander. “My name is—”
“Okay, first thing’s first,” Twilight steps right in front of Spike before he could finish his sentence, cutting him off directly while she holds a notepad and a pencil in a deep pink aura. Spike merely sighs, and gives up quickly. “Alright, first off, we need to know the length of spaces on the flatbeds and your flying contraptions. After that, we…” As the unicorn continues to ramble on about complicated measurements regarding to his aircrafts and the train, Commander Ketcher grumbles, before turning down to Diesel, who face hoofs himself. This will be an excruciating day.


*****


The weight of an eighty-three pound heavy machine gun Michaels and I are carrying bears us down, reminding me of boot camp when I have to carry a box full of ammunition throughout a five-mile hike. In other words, it’s heavy as hell. Luckily, Michaels is here to shoulder half the weight of the Browning M2.

It’s just the nine of us, Staff Sergeant Alcatraz, Sergeant Mendez, Private Pelayo, Private First Class Michaels, Sergeant Stan, Lance Corporal Corey, Private First Class Hanley, Private Darwin and myself. Along with a small squad of Royal Guards, Second Lieutenant Martins and Princess Celestia assigned us to Sweet Apple Acres to retrieve the downed CH-53 Sea Stallion, that has been sitting and guarded since we first arrived. Not to mention, it crashed in Applejack’s farm, though it is not a surprise to us since we also had a SH-60 Seahawk nearly wreck the castle and part of a house in Canterlot. Now that I think about it, Princess Celestia did say she will bring the wreckage, but since then, neither of us sees it arrive. Maybe they’re transporting it by train, but are having a tough time moving the aircraft.

As my mind shifts to different theories about just one helo, I didn’t realize until now that Michaels and I are about to settle the heavy machine gun that’s been on our shoulders for the past grueling thirty seconds on to Banana Peel’s wagon.
“You got it?” I ask to Michaels as I am the first to set the barrel on the wooden platform.

“Yep,” he grunts as he pushes the gun all the way to the corner, along with several other guns, necessary compartments, broken crates, our assault backpacks and containers of ammunition we pulled out from the aircraft. Michaels wipes his forehead with his dirtied glove. “Whew! God, that was a pain.” I can only chuckle as I catch my breath in the ever-growing summer heat. Taking a quick break, we both watch as other marines and Royal Guards clamor around the wrecked aircraft.

“No, no, no,” Sergeant Mendez calls out to one of the Royal Guards hovering above the wreckage with a piece of rope in his mouth. “You can’t wrap it around the blades. The rope should be placed through that compartment so that no other things will fall out. You got it?” The Pegasus guard rolls his eyes and huffs, before giving a nod and lands next to Mendez.

I turn my head to two other Royal Guards, both of whom are regular ponies, standing off to the side a couple meters to our left. They quickly give us a cold glare before turning back to each other.
“What’re you looking at?” Michaels asks turning to the direction I’m looking at.
“Nothing really,” I shrug as I roll up my sleeves for perhaps the third time in an hour, and take off my helmet and headset. Michaels and I continue to watch both ponies and marines work as much as they can to clear the dirt and uprooted apple trees around the Sea Stallion. I can feel the soreness in my arms and shoulders quickly settling in.

“Hey! Mister Brooke!” a familiar child-like voice calls to our left in the distance. When Michaels and I turn our heads, we spot Banana Seed racing towards us with another small pony trying to catch up. However, the two earth pony guards step right in front of Seed. Somehow, that colt manages to find us almost anywhere.
“Halt!” the first one says, making the colt shutter by his scary tone. “This is an authorized zone. Civilians are not allowed to enter.”
“Wh-what?” Banana Seed peers through the guards at us.
“Please leave this area immediately.” Before long, the filly finally arrives behind Banana Seed.
“H-hey, Banana Seed,” she pants. “M-maybe we should do what they say.”
“Come on, Apple Bloom!” Seed retorts. “I know them!” He turns back to the earth pony guards. “Can we please go see them?!”
“I’m sorry, but this is only for authorities,” the Royal Guard replies in the same tone. “Please—”
“Hey, goldie!” Michaels unexpectedly shouts, catching both the guards’ attentions. In one swift motion, he gets to his feet and walks over to them with his M14 strapped behind his back.
“Let the kid in,” he says with a motion of his arm. “We can take care of him.”
The guard looks at him with a snarl look, before replying. “Sorry, but orders from Her Highness Celestia are to not allow any unauthorized ponies in the area.”
“Well, what if ‘we’ know them?”
“Orders from Her Highness. Not you.” Michaels and the guard move in, both engaged in a battle of a staring contest.
“Wanna run that by me again?”
“Michaels!” Staff Sergeant Alcatraz shouts from the wreckage. With quick reaction, I put back on my headset and helmet, and make my way to Michaels and the guard pulling apart. Less than a few seconds later, Staff Sergeant Alcatraz walks to us.
“Hey, Mendez needs you to help move something,” he orders in a calm tone. “I got my hands full of these guards clearing the area.”
“What about the guys from Charlie Company?” Michaels asks.
Staff Sarge leans in very close to the scout’s ear and whispers. “It’s best if we keep a low profile here. It’ll keep their guards down if we work on our bird.” As he pulled back, Michaels nods in response. “Brooke, keep an eye on our stuff in the cart. I’ll have Pelayo and Darwin help you out.”
“I can do it myself, Staff Sarge,” I reply.
“I’ll bring them just in case.” Without any choice to do, I simply nod. I turn back to the two child ponies that are still being blocked by the two Royal Guards. Banana Seed, however, is pouting his lip and expanding his pupils. Those two features I easily recognize that he wants to see as badly as a child wanting a new toy. Though, the other filly, which is bright yellow and has a red mane along with a pink bow, seems to be slightly afraid to have an actual look at us.
“You two know them?” Staff Sergeant Alcatraz asks both Michaels and I.
“Yeah,” Michaels is the first to reply. “Banana Seed giving us the puppy look, and… don’t know the other. What’s your name, kid?”
“Uh, uh… wh-wha—?” the yellow filly jumps and stumbles on her words.
“Oh, that’s Apple Bloom!” Banana Seed cheerfully says. “She’s the younger sister of Applejack.”
“Nice to meet you two,” Alcatraz says. “My name’s Staff Sergeant Alcatraz. This here’s Private First Class Michaels, and Lance Corporal Brooke.” Apple Bloom chuckles softly, but doesn’t say a word.
“Hey, Mister Brooke,” the jumpy colt Banana Seed says grabbing my attention. “Can we please come and look? I promised Apple Bloom and her friends because I know you! Please, please, please?” Banana Seed bounces on the tip of his hooves with every ‘please’ he says. Now I start to have second thoughts about kids.
“Sorry kiddo,” Staff Sergeant says before I could reply. “I’m afraid you’ll have to listen to the guards. This area’s too dangerous for kids like you.”
“Aw! Please?”
Alcatraz shakes his head. “No can do. This is more of a military operation. And I need my men working with me. Maybe next time, okay?” Banana Seed drops his head, his ears if I can recall the softest I ever felt, flattens.
“Oh, okay,” he grumbles, and turns around, a solemn defeat dropped on top of him like a heavy weight, or my over forty pound ILBE assault backpack.

We watch as the two young ponies walk away from the clearing area. I, however, feel a sinking feeling in my heart, telling me I should go over there. Even if I could, I can’t due to our mission is to retrieve our aircraft and wait for one of Celestia’s air ships to arrive to pick it up.
“I know how you feel,” Michaels says jokingly as he nudges my arm lightly. I only give him a smirk.
“Alright, marines. Let’s get back to work,” Staff Sergeant orders, and returns to the wrecked CH-53.
“Aye, Staff Sarge,” Michaels and I reply at the same time, and follow suit.

“Why do we have to take orders from them?” the first earth pony Royal Guard, Stone Shield, complains to his fellow comrade, Ground Rumble as we drift back to the downed helo.
“Princess’ orders,” Ground Rumble replies with a smirk, staring at the two child ponies returning to the Apple Family barn. “You said it yourself.”
“I mean we take orders from those monsters, not Her Highness.”
“Well, it’s just like what she said. We kinda’ got off on the wrong end.”
“Yeah, yeah. Wrong end my flank. I’ll twist their heads in the wrong end for what they did to Lieutenant Thunder Bolt.”
“Boy, you really are starting to sound like the lieutenant.”
Stone Shield turns to Ground Rumble, a perplexed look developing. “Which Lieutenant?”
“Lieutenant Wind Strike.”
“Oh. Him.”
“Yeah. He was a proud and loyal guard to the princess, almost next to the captain. Now look at him.”
“I feel the same.” The two guards remain silent, and continue to stare straightforward for any signs of strange activity while they hear voices of both other guards and marines work on the wreckage.
“By the way,” Ground Rumble breaks the silence between the two, “where is the lieutenant? Haven’t seen him since that incident where he and one of those creatures broke into a fight.”
“I was told by Lieutenant Brick Wall that he was sent by Her Highness Celestia on a covert mission.”
“On a time like this?”
Stone Shield shrugs. “Dunno. Might be to spy on the rest of those things.”
“Or probably a griffon hideout post. And they’re called humans, by the way.”
Stone turns to his comrade with a glare in his eyes. “Why do you care so much about these monsters? Haven’t you forgotten they killed seventeen of our stallions, including Lieutenant Thunder Bolt?”
“I know. I just wanted to ask.”
“Ask what?” a female voice suddenly interrupts the guards’ private conversation. Turning their heads toward the source, their eyes dilate when they see the sun princess towering over them.
“Y-Your Highness!” Ground Rumble says, both guards stand at attention. “W-we, uh, didn’t see you there! Apologies!”
“That is all right,” Princess Celestia calmly says. “As long as you two are keeping an eye around the area.”
“O-of… of course, Princess,” Stone Shield replies rapidly, followed by a bow form both of them. Celestia enters the small site, catching almost everyone’s attention.

“Greetings, humans,” the princess greets, stopping all of our working process.
Staff Sergeant Alcatraz is the first to approach the princess. “Good day, Your Highness.”
“How is your procedure on your contraption?”
“A bit slow. But, we can manage.” Standing next to Banana Peel’s cart filled with both our belongings and scavenged items from the Sea Stallion, Private Pelayo and I watch both the princess and the war veteran continue their conversation.
“Should I be of any help?” the princess asks.
“Well, I am wondering when that air ship will be arriving to pick us up.”
“We only have one as of now. It will take time because of your other contraption is still being transported.”

“Why’s she here?” Pelayo asks with curiosity.
“Dunno,” I shrug, and turn around to inspect the stuff in the cart. “Probably to check up on our progress.”
“I would also like to have a talk with one of your comrades, Mister Eric Michaels, if that’s okay?” Celestia says. I suddenly stop and quickly turn back around to the two standing three meters away from us.

Staff Sergeant leans closer to the sun princess, his arms crossed. “What do you want with my marine?”
“I wish to have a private conversation with him regarding the situation when we kept him.”
“With all do respect Your Highness, I need my men to do this task.”
“I understand your task, Mister…”
“Staff Sergeant Alcatraz.”
“Mister Alcatraz, speaking to Mister Michaels about an incident before you arrived is as important as retrieving your machine. Now, if I may?” Staff Sergeant stops for a moment, and turns around to the rest of his marines standing and staring, along with the Royal Guards, at him and the princess.
“How long?”
“Just a few minutes.”
Alcatraz turns back, and motions his arm to Michaels. “Hey, Michaels!”

“What’s going on?” Pelayo asks moving up next to me as I watch almost intensely as Michaels moves up next to Staff Sergeant Alcatraz. As the squad leader whispers something into his ear, I see Princess Celestia scanning the wrecked helicopter, before veering her eyes to me. I notice her eyes bolting back to the staff sergeant when he finishes. Seconds later, the sun princess escorts Michaels off to a random location alone. What does she want with him? To get to the bottom of this, I approach Alcatraz.
“What’s with all that, Staff Sarge?”
“The princess wanted to have a conversation with him about some incident before we arrived, or even you.” I turn back to the princess and my best friend; both of them are now walking behind a few trees.
“I don’t like it.”
“I don’t either. But we have no choice.” He does have a point. Without a proper comeback or question, I only nod. “Now come on. We got work to do.”
“Aye, Staff Sarge.”


*****


“Sorry, Apple Bloom,” Banana Seed glumly apologizes to the bright yellow filly walking behind him as they both approach the Apple Family barn. “I thought I could show you my new friends.”
“It’s alright, Banana Seed,” Apple Bloom says almost cheerfully, walking up beside the colt. “Besides, I finally got to meet them up close.”
“Yeah, still…”
“There you are, you two!” Applejack suddenly shouts to their side. The two ponies stop as the cowpony races up until she is standing in front of Apple Bloom. “Apple Bloom, what were ya’ doing over there with the humans and Royal Guards? Ya’ know ya’ not allowed there.”
“But, Applejack…” the younger sister tries to reason, but Applejack stops her short.
“No ‘buts’ young lady. And you, Banana Seed, shouldn’t ya’ be with your grand pappy?”
“He’s with the other humans helping out moving their, um…” Banana Seed stops and thinks for that particular word the humans used to call their flying contraptions. “It’s… those flying things, you know.”
Applejack shakes her head along with a sigh, and makes her way to the barn. “I understand you wanted to show my younger sis’ the humans you made friends with, but right now, they need to get whatever landed in our apple tree farm off. Remember, they said they are soldiers. So, they cannot be distracted when they’re hard workin’. Just like me with my apple buckin’.”
“Yes, Applejack,” Banana Seed drops his head.
“And you too, Apple Bloom.”
“Yes, big sis’.”

Applejack, with Apple Bloom and Banana Seed behind, approaches the barn’s door. Before she opens it, the farm mare turns around to the two ponies.
“Well, since ya’ll here, how ‘bout you two help me clean up ol’ Betsy?” she asks.
Banana Seed’s ears quickly perk up. “Really? W-wait, who’s Betsy again?”
Applejack chuckles lightly as she pulls open the door. “Why, she’s our helping hog—” A sudden flash of pink emerges from the open doorway, snatching up all three ponies, before the door slams behind.
“What in tarnation?!” Applejack yells as her mind processes on what just happened, only to be met with a hoof in her mouth. A hint of sugar hits the farm pony’s taste buds, only she can easily recognize it belonging to the one and only party mare.
“Shh!” Pinkie Pie whispers to the three ponies.
“Pinkie, why are you in my barn?” Applejack asks removing the hoof.
“Well, duh! It’s supposed to be a surprise welcoming party for our new friends!” Confused, Applejack leans to the side, finding her barn decorated in confetti, ribbons, balloons and tables piled with different assortments of treats and pastries made only at the Sugarcube Corner.
“You did all this?”
“Well, I had some help from the Cutie Mark Crusaders.”
Applejack murmurs to herself. “Well, that’s explains why Apple Bloom got home all covered in batter at two in the mornin’.”
“Well duh! I needed ‘some’ help, silly!” Pinkie leans close to Applejack’s face, before lightly tapping her muzzle.
The farm pony groans. “Hey, uh, look Pinkie. I hate to break it to ya’, but, I don’t know if the humans will appreciate it. From the way I see it, they take things a bit too seriously. A bit scary if ya’ think ‘bout it.”
“Mister Brooke’s not scary!” Banana Seed retorts. “And so is his friend.”
“Exactly!” the pink party pony agrees as she hops off the farm mare.
“Still, they can’t just go have fun willy-nilly like us. They’re soldiers. And ya’ know how soldiers are. Just like the princess’ guards, they take things seriously.” Applejack brushes herself off before continuing. “Besides, you need permission from their leaders if you wanna’ give them a welcoming party.” As quickly as she snatched her in, Applejack finds herself back on the ground with a light cloud of dust puffing from both sides, and Pinkie Pie standing right on top of her.
“Are you crazy?! What’s a surprise welcoming party if it’s not a surprise?!”
“Y-you can always say it’s ‘just’ a welcoming party, sugarcube.” Pinkie’s expression quickly changes to a surprised look, and thinks for a moment.
“Yeah, Pinkie,” Apple Bloom agrees. “You know parties are not always surprises.”
“Hmm, that is true,” Pinkie says as she rubs her chin. Then, through her large tangled pink hair, a light bulb shoots out into the air and emits a glow. For some reason, it’s not surrounded by a magic aura or connected to a wire. It just floats an inch above her head turned on for a few seconds, before diving back down in her messy mane.
“I got it!” the pink pony exclaims, grabbing Applejack and embraces her in a tight hug, nearly suffocating the poor farm pony. “Thanks Applejack! You’re the best!”
“U-uh… th-thanks… I-I g-gu-guess?” Pinkie drops Applejack on her rump, and escapes through the door with a speed close to Rainbow Dash’s.
“I gotta’ find Princess Celestia first! Bye!”

Staring out through the open door with confusion, Applejack calls out, hoping the party mare would hear her for once. “W-wait! Pinkie! Why do ya’ need the princess for?!” The farm pony quickly gives up, knowing Pinkie would not hear her even if she did scream at the top of her lungs. Miraculous as it seems, she did. And, Pinkie pokes her head right around the corner of the doorway.
“Oh silly, it’s called reading! Duh! Oh, and don’t eat the food. They’re for our new friends, or as Celestia calls them, allies!” Pinkie giggles before she disappears once again in a pink blur, leaving the three ponies still puzzled.
“’Reading’?” Apple Bloom asks.
“What does she mean?” Banana Seed asks Applejack.
“I don’t know,” the farm pony answer with a sigh. “It’s just typical Pinkie, that’s all.”


14:03:36 PM


“Okay!” Twilight shouts as she waves her hooves to a team of muscle-built stallions. “I want you guys to help that other team pull in that contraption!”
“Got it!” one of the stallions replies, and the team rushes to assist the marines hooking up the first MV-22 Osprey to a set of heavy collars. The second Osprey, is located at least ten meters behind the first along with a fully damaged SH-60 Seahawk the air ship dropped off not ten minutes ago, with some of the humans taking out certain items Twilight cannot properly make out due to distance.

The moment has finally come for the lavender unicorn, as she takes notes on keeping everything organized and scheduled, and how the humans handle their technology. It’s a thrilling and exciting moment as she finally gets to see how the humans maintain their equipment. Even though she is one of the first to see the flying contraptions, but there is something else she has wanted to see since she first laid eyes on, which was nothing more than over a week ago.

Twilight turns her head up to the sky over to Celestia’s baking sun beaming down on them. She didn’t expect this day to be extremely hot. Luckily, the Pegasi manages to bring in a breeze from the north to cool off the town. Speaking of Pegasi, the unicorn grumbles under her breath to notice a lot of cumulus clouds floating above the large red building crowded with the flying ponies trying to get a glimpse of the humans’ contraptions.
“Ugh, where’s Rainbow Dash when I need her?” she face hoofs. She could at least get more Pegasi Royal Guards, but already most of them stationed in Ponyville are located at Sweet Apple Acres and guarding the air ship. So, Twilight is stuck with earth and unicorn guards.

“Hey, uh, Twilight?” Spike pokes the unicorn, knocking her out of her daydream.
“Yes, Spike?”
“How are the humans supposed to drag that, whatever it is, when its wings are ‘that huge’?”
“Maybe we’ll find out soon, Spike.”

“Hey, hey! Watch it! Watch it!” screams one of the humans, to Twilight’s guess, might be one of the pilots. With a quick glance, the unicorn watches the marines guide the eight stallions gather in front of the aircraft. The curiosity once again builds up in Twilight, and soon she finds herself walking over to the crew with Spike following suit. As she draws nearer, the voices of the humans enter her ears, most of the time, sounding almost harsh.
“Now look here, this is a multi-million dollar piece of equipment. You damage it, it’s on you.”
“Hey, we’re the ones who’ll be doing most of the work.”
“How ‘bout you shut your Goddamn ‘animal boca’, and do your damn job?” The marine who was just bad-mouthing the stallion lifts his head as Twilight approaches the two. The unicorn almost recognizes him, when they first met during the ceremony yesterday when she was talking to Brooke.
“Everything all right?” she asks putting up an almost crooked smile. The marine shakes his head and walks away, and the stallion gives him a scowl look.
“Boy, are they somethin’,” the other stallion comments. Twilight continues to follow the marine walk back to his group with her eyes, not saying anything.
“Yeah, they pretty much don’t have a lot of respect for certain things, am I right?” Spike answers while elbowing the stallion.
“Yeah… sure.”

“Hey, uh, you there! Purple unicorn!” Twilight shakes her head when she hears one of the humans call for her, given by the description. When she turns to the rear of the aircraft, she spots one of the Navy commanders waving his arm for her to come over. She complies, and nearly rushes herself.
“Hey, what’s your name again?” Commander Gaines asks her.
“Twilight Sparkle.”
“Alright, I want you to keep watch when we start moving our bird. Lieutenant Martins.”
“Aye sir.” Another marine walks up to the commander.
“Get your squad and the SEALs and help out with the Three-three.” With a simple nod, the platoon leader shouts to his squad, and all of them rush to the next Osprey sitting ten meters behind.
“Uh, excuse me, commander,” Spike raises his claw; his scaly cheeks starts emitting a hinted red glow.
“Yeah?” Gaines turns down to the baby dragon.
“If, uh, you wanted to transport this, uh… thing… how do you do it when its wings are not, well, folded?”
Commander Gaines chuckles a little. “You’ll see soon, kid.” He turns back as one crewman begins to climb to the top of the Osprey, and two more enter the cockpit. “We better clear give some distance.”
“What?” Twilight twists her neck to the commander.
“Clear the area!” one of the crew chiefs shouts from on top of the aircraft after a quick inspection, and hops off the aircraft. With a rotation of his arm, the other crew chief close to the cockpit responds with a nod, and makes the same motion to the two pilots.

A split second later, two of the three rotor blades on the engines fold in on the third. Next, the two large Rolls Royce engines rotate downward at ninety degrees, while at the same time, the wings twist in from the center. The process takes at least a whole minute, until finally the wings are parallel to the body of the aircraft. To Twilight’s perspective, it was less than a minute, possibly one of the most amazing process she had seen in less than a minute. Stunned by how a large piece of equipment can transform itself to something almost compact, her notepad drops to the ground when her magic dissipates.
“Wow,” Spike gasps as the two crew chiefs move up to the front. “That’s amazing!” Commander Gaines chuckles a little, though according to his mind, it does surprise him to see how a simple transformation on a military aircraft can put such a big impact on the ponies.
“Is that some magic you guys did?” Spike asks excitedly.
“No, not really,” the commander replies. He watches the group of eight stallions hooking themselves to the heavy collars. “It’s all advanced technology.”
“Alright, get ready!” the crew chief calls to the stallions. “Okay! Go steady!” With one unison tug, the eight stallions begin to move the sixteen-and-a-half ton Osprey, starting off a foot per second, then gradually gaining speed when the crew chief allows them to.

“So, how do you even manage without using any magic?” Spike asks again to the commander. “Now that I think about it, it does sound very weird to have no magic.”
Commander Gaines giggles under his breath, but notices Twilight has been staring at the slow-moving Osprey with a dropped mouth for a bit too long.
“Twilight?” Spike knocks on the lavender unicorn’s head, but to no avail. She is still like a statue. “Hello? Anypony in there?” He knocks on her head again, this time a little harder, finally bringing the stone-still Twilight back to life.
“D’ah! Spike!”
“What? You were staring at their contraption.”
“I was observing! Keeping an eye on their procedure.” The two continue on arguing like any couple would do, according to Gaines. Using this as an opportunity, the commander makes his way to the first Osprey as it stops just in front of a steel ramp that leads to the flatbed.
“Alright! Move up slowly!” the crew chief announces, and the stallions tug the tilt-rotor aircraft up the ramp, creating a straining sound on the rusty metal and making the commander cringe internally.


15:20:39 PM


“Wait, so you’re going back?” I ask.
Michaels shakes his head as he blows out a huff of smoke. “No, but I promised her I would speak to the captain of the guard and his wife when he gets out of the infirmary. We agreed to give him some time to chill out while the princess explains things when he gets better.”
“Yeah, don’t have to tell me twice of what you did.”
“Hey, I had to get outta’ there, and ‘he’ decided to put one in my leg and chest. And that hurt, man.” I chuckle lightly from Michaels’ remark.

We all watch as the airship hovering twenty meters above our heads steadily winch up the CH-53 Sea Stallion in its four five-inch thick ropes. Pegasi Royal Guards hover around the wreckage to make sure no loose pieces fall out. It has been over a stressful hour trying to get that aircraft lifted with only rope. Lucky for us, Princess Celestia helped us by using some spell that takes off some of the weight, making it easier for the airship to carry.

The airship is almost what I expect it to be; a large blimp strapped to a boat frame, much similar to a steam punk style type. Though, to my surprise, the floating ship is painted with wave-shaped shades of purple around both the boat and the balloon. Plus, the balloon itself is shaped more like a whale.

“Well, it’s about time we got this thing out of here,” I remark, looking up as the airship begins to slowly move out of the apple field, escorted by a squad of Pegasi guards. Michaels puts on his sunglasses and hops off the Banana Peel’s cart that is filled with detached machine guns, ammo boxes and our assault backpacks I have been watching since Celestia arrived.
“Heh, no shit.” I grab my ILBE, and toss Michaels’ MOLLE to him.
“You know,” I say as I slip on my M870 stockless shotgun on my back, “I hate to admit, I do kinda’ enjoy this.”
“What? You mean moving this hunk of metal in a hundred-degree weather, or babysitting your little pony-friend?” Michaels jokes. I didn’t bother answering him, as I process the events that followed to this day in my head.

The more I think about it, in all truth, minus the parts where we got attacked at the beach and had a rough beginning, there is something about this world, to my guess, that is different compared to ours. Despite it being filled with talking ponies and other things impossible for us to become accustomed to, there is something about it that makes me feel welcomed. Though, I’m not sure how everyone else on our small fleet will react to what we discovered. Hate it or like it, it’ll be some time for us to become habituated, I’m sure of it.

“Kevin? Kev.” Michaels snaps his fingers right in front of my face, knocking me out of my thoughts. I swear the answer was in my arm’s reach before he disrupted me.
“Wh-what?” I turn to him giving him a scowl look, before realizing he has a smirk, like he is plotting something evil.
“Dude, you were staring at that orange pony’s ass for a whole minute.” I turn to where Michaels is pointing to, and sure enough, I spot the familiar orange cowpony talking to Sergeant Mendez and Lance Corporal Corey.
I turn back to him. “What?! No I wasn’t!”
“Sure… As if you don’t have some weird fetish on animals.” Michaels smiles almost to the point of bursting out laughing.
“Oh God, Eric!” I immediately bellow and slap him on the shoulder, causing him to laugh uncontrollably. Just thinking about what Michaels says makes me shiver to the core. “I swear to God, man, you just… God!” I grab my M16A4 and move away from the guy who I consider a second family. I don’t even know why I am a close friend with him when he acts like a teenager that just hit puberty.
“Oh, come on, Kev! It’s just a joke! Where you going?!”
“Somewhere to clear my mentally scarred head!”

I’m about to exit the site, my head pretty much scarred from my sudden imagination of Michaels’ ‘description’. Sure, a lot of the ponies here look adorable and cute, but that doesn’t mean I’m into them. Maybe the heat has really hit me.
“Hey, Brooke!” Staff Sergeant Alcatraz calls out my name, and I turn around to see him walking up to me. “Where you heading?”
“I’ll be taking a walk, Staff Sarge,” I reply blindly pointing my thumb in the direction to town. Alcatraz stares at me blankly, a feature I know he may say ‘no’.
After a moment of silence, and a quick look at his watch, he turns back up to me. “Alright, be back at the red complex building by nineteen-hundred hours.” I blink a couple times, taken by surprise that the staff sergeant said that. Before I could say anything back, he leans in close to my ear. “Scout around town. Get some intel on the locals.”
I turn back to Staff Sergeant. “You still don’t trust them?”
“Not yet. And I don’t even trust the princess a bit. Remember, nineteen-hundred hours. You think you can do it alone?”
I inhale deeply. “Aye, sir.”
With a quick pat on my shoulder, Alcatraz departs and heads back to the squad. “Alright. Don’t cause trouble kid.” I smile back to him, and exit the work site.

But, the moment I did, I feel a sudden uneasiness in my gut. I had never done anything solo before. Plus, from what I remember, it’s not part of the Marine Corps to go solo. Then again, Staff Sergeant could be giving another exercise on the stress of war, testing me on how I handle myself alone. But, I’m sure Lieutenant Martins would not allow that since we are in a world we do not fully understand; hopefully it’s a world, or some parallel universe.

Before long, I realize I’m at the edge of the apple tree farm, with the view of the barn right in front. I wonder how long I was daydreaming, let alone why it took almost a short time for me to travel a great distance.
“God, Kevin, you’re doing it again,” I say to no one in particular, as I bang my lightweight helmet with my palm twice. I really need to stop thinking about pointless topics when I’m in the middle of a major one.

Just for the heck of it, I use whatever strength I have to hop over the wooden fence. Turns out I can’t literally hop over it, when I have to place my two feet on it to get more boost. Landing without any problem, I take the time I have to get a good look at the barn. Just like the airship, the barn is too decorated, but not heavily. It’s painted to almost a mix of pink and red, with patterned black vines with red apples plastered on the walls. I move alongside until I go around the corner to where I assume is the front, pondering what other farm buildings are fashionably decorated like this. I move away a few meters until I get a good view of the barn. As I stare at it, like I’m browsing a fine painting at a museum, another farm building catches my eyes. I make my way to the next corner, until I spot another barn, roughly sixty meters away slightly to the left. This one, however, is orange and most of it is made from sections of barrels. Standing on the roof, is a carrot, to my guess whoever owns this farm grows carrots.

Again, I shake my head, and prepare myself to head into town, alone. I see the entrance of Sweet Apple Acres at least twenty meters ahead, and Ponyville even further. Just thinking about it makes my heart pound with nervousness and somewhat excitement. A whole town is all staring at a marine, even though we have just been introduced on behalf of the Royal Sisters. A lone human walking in the streets of Ponyville. I take a deep breath, and readjust my backpack and rifle in my grip. As I take my first step, I hear an ‘ahem’, firmly stopping me. I nearly feel my heart jump right to my throat when I heard that. When I turn around, I spot a large red stallion with bright orange hair and wearing a large collar, standing right at the doorway glaring at me. Both of us exchange glances for a long moment, with me darting my eyes left to right every second.
“You that creature my sis’ mentioned?” the stallion asks in a deep voice with a southern accent. I try to answer back, but all I got is a dry throat. Instead, I tilt my head to the side and give the stallion a confused look. “I said, you that creature my sis’ mentioned?”
“Ah…” I blurt out. “Wh-who’s your sister?” Though I have been staying here for over a week, talking to a pony still makes me feel uncomfortable, let alone it talking to me. The stallion takes a few steps out until he is a few meters away.
“Applejack, my lil’ sister.”
“O-oh, her. Y-you’re the older brother I’m guessing, right?” I try to act natural, but talking to a pony is still not catching up to my brain.
“Yup.” The stallion moves up closer. “At least we’re glad ya’ll came and got whatever that thing crashed in our apple tree farm.”
I chuckle lightly. “Hehe… y-yeah. Well, um, our boys had a bit of, um, crash landing. The name’s Brooke by the way.” I take a step forward and hold out my hand. The stallion, however, stares at it with the same look he has since I first saw him, then looks up at me. “O-oh, right. You don’t have hands.” The stallion continues to stare at me, not amused by my small sarcasm. The silence between us becomes more awkward every second. “You, uh… you got a name?”
“Big Macintosh,” he says after a second of being quiet. It didn’t surprise me one bit of why he is called ‘Big Macintosh’. His height reaches almost to my chin, plus a well-built body that can probably send me flying good dozen feet if I were kicked.
“Cool name. Lance Corporal Kevin Brooke of the USMC.”
“I figured. Applejack told me ‘bout your kind.” Big Macintosh takes another few steps closer. “I understand ya’ll mean well yesterday, but be in mind.” Another few steps closer, and he is a solid three feet away. I even notice the white freckles he has. “I’m watchin’ ya’ll. If ya’ll try ‘n do somethin’ to my family like ya’ll did back at the beach, ya’ll have what’s comin’ to ya’.” Again, he had to mention the beach incident. I guess the rumors had spread much faster than our media in this place.
I take a deep breath, calming down my agitated nerves. “I understand, but… I’m guessing you didn’t hear the full story?”
“I don’t care ‘bout the story. I’m just sayin’ ya’ll watch yourselves. Some of us still don’t trust ya’ll bein’ here.”
“Same goes to the rest of us.” Both of us continue to stare into each other’s eyes like a game of staring contest, when Big Macintosh leans to the side, then back to me.
“Seems like your friends are catchin’ up.” I look at the stallion blankly, before veering my eyes away to my six. Sure enough, I spot two other marines marching out of the apple tree farm, following the tiny path that leads here. I grumble internally to see that it’s Private First Class Michaels and Private Darwin coming through the fence gate, but at the same time, I feel a sense of relief that I got some company.
“You’re friends I suppose?” Big Macintosh asks.
“Yeah.”

The two marines march up until they are two feet away.
“Did Staff Sarge send you?” I ask to both of them.
“Yeah, he was worried sick,” Michaels replies, followed by a small chuckle. Sadly, it did not amuse both the red stallion and I. “Who’s he?” he asks pointing to Big Macintosh.
“The name’s Big Macintosh. Most ponies here call me Big Mac.”
“Now that’s a cool name. Private First Class Michaels, and this here’s Private Darwin.”
“Nice to meet ya’ll. And thanks for takin’ that contraption of yours.”
“What? Never seen a Sea Stallion before?”
Big Mac shakes his head. “Nope. Frankly, I’ve never seen one. My lil’ sis Apple Bloom and her friends thought it was some beast when it crashed.”
“Yeah. Well, we have to go now. We’ll maybe talk later.”
Michaels prepares to turn, when Big Mac holds up a hoof. “Hold up there. Just to let ya’ know don’t interfere with anypony. Ya’ here?”
Michaels stares at the stallion for a moment, before replying. “We won’t. But, if one of the ponies interferes with us, we won’t hesitate. Ya’ here?”
Big Macintosh glares at the marine, before giving a consented nod, and both of them back off. “I’m just protectin’ my family, that’s all. We don’t want trouble here.”
“We’ll keep our word,” Michaels says.
“Have a good day, Big Macintosh,” I say before the three of us embark to the front gate.
“Ya’ll have a good one as well.”

As we exit the big Apple Family farm, I turn to Michaels with a sly grin on my face.
“What’s with the face?” he asks.
“How come you got a good conversation with him when I only got just a few words and glares from the red guy?”
Michaels shrugs. “Who knows? Maybe it’s a God-given talent I can talk to animals?”
“Sure, maybe you can use that to ask the blue one with the rainbow hair on a date.”
“Oh, now you’re starting it?!”


*****


Before Big Macintosh returns back to his home, he carefully watches as the three humans exit the farm, following the dirt road to Ponyville. It was his very first time seeing them up close, let alone ‘alive’. Though it did make him shiver to see how tall they are. The last time he had seen them was when that grey contraption fell and crashed into their farm. When he, Granny Smith and the Cutie Mark Crusaders went to check it out, they only saw lifeless bodies. Just thinking about the first one he saw makes his hooves squirm.
“Big Mac?” The red stallion turns left to see his sister, Applejack walking through the fence gate. Up ahead through the apple tree farm, he can see the large airship escorted by Royal Guard Pegasi beginning to move. “What ya’ doing here, big brother?”
Big Mac turns his head back to where the three marines left, spotting them still following the path. “Watchin’ them.”
Applejack turns her head in the general direction, noticing them as well. “Hmm, ya’ had a talk with them?”
“Yup. Just tellin’ them to not cause trouble while they’re here.”
“Don’t worry, big brother. I talked to one of their leaders. He said they’re just takin’ a stroll.”
“Still, I don’t like with them bein’ around.” Applejack merely stares at her older brother. She knows how he feels when there are new creatures in Ponyville, especially intelligent ones, highly intelligent ones. The farm pony moves up next to him, giving a pat on his back.
“Don’t worry ‘bout it, big brother. The princess said they’re findin’ a way for these humans to return home. They just needed their stuff back, and they’ll be on their way lickity-split.”
“I hope they do.”


*****


“Do you know where we’re going?” Private Darwin, who is trailing behind, asks to Michaels and I as we enter the town. Already, almost all the ponies in the surrounding area stop on their normal errands and stare at us as if we are strangers, which is true on the other hand.
“This feels weird,” I mumble.
“No shit,” Darwin replies moving up next to me. I veer my eyes left to right and back. Pretty much the whole town got quiet when we enter. Almost every single pony freezes as still as statues; some of them moving out of the way for us, and others have a look of fear on their faces. It gives me an uncomfortable feeling, like they’re hiding something.
“You think that red horse was telling the truth?” Darwin asks.
“I think so,” Michaels replies looking around, and waves slowly. “Don’t worry! We’re just taking a walk! We mean no harm!” I cringe myself when the scout shouts to the whole town.
Biting my own tongue, I lean close to Michaels and elbow him. “Geez, Michaels! What’re you trying to do, scare them?”
“Trying to be friendly,” he whispers back. “We’ve been just introduced yesterday, so maybe we could get used to this while we’re here, let alone them getting used to—”
“U-um, excuse me?” a male voice hesitantly calls from behind. The three of us turn around, spotting a light brown earth pony stallion with a grey bag over his back, holding a notepad in a mechanical collar in front and wearing a dark grey hat, standing about two meters away. Those three features are a recipe to a person, or in this case, a pony I can easily tell, a journalist. I quietly wince the moment I first lay eyes on him. Though, judging by his stance and his expression, he seems frightened and nervous. His legs are almost crisscrossed and trembling like they are made of jelly, and he is putting on a crooked smile while sweat covers almost every inch of his face. To my guess, the stallion has never seen humans this close before.
“Um, hi?” Darwin is the first to speak. The stallion’s smile widens, but is more crooked than ever.
He clears his throat before stammering over the words. “Uh, h-hi… uh, I uh mean… gr-g-gree-tings.”
“Hold it there, buddy,” Michaels says raising a hand. “Take a breather. I know this is a first time for you as a journalist to see something you never seen in your life, and you probably have a thousand questions to ask us. Just first, take your time.” The stallion’s eyes widen in complete shock, as if it is his first time hearing us talk.
“U-uh… r-right,” he says. “H-how did you…?”
“Believe me. We know what a journalist looks like.”
Again, the stallion remains silent for a few seconds, before clearing his throat again. “W-well, um… allow me to i-introduce m-myself. My name is Summer Pine of the T-Trottingham Telegraph.” He seems to grow a little more comfortable, since his smile looks less strained.
“W-what now?” Darwin asks scratching a part of his head under his helmet.
Summer Pine darts his eyes left to right and back. “Uh, S-Summer Pine is my name… o-of Trottingham Telegraph.”
Darwin turns to both Michaels and I, and whispers. “Where the hell’s that?” Michaels and I merely shrug.
“Well, nice to meet you,” I say, and the stallion loosens himself a little bit. “My name is Lance Corporal Brooke. This is Private First Class Michaels, and Private Darwin.”
“Th-that’s, uh, interesting names you have there?”
I chuckle a little. “W-well, really, my real name is Kevin Brooke.”
“I… I see.” I turn around to check on our surroundings, realizing some ponies continue on doing their business. However, the rest seem a little closer than usual, few of them are whispering to each other. Something like that makes me feel uncomfortable. “Um, anyway, do you need anything?”
“W-why yes,” Summer Pine says clearing his throat again. He sounds calmer. “W-well, as you know I am from the Trottingham Telegraph. Um, I would like to ask a few questions, if uh… that’s alright?” I should have known he might say that.
“Well,” Michaels asks moving his eyes to a different direction. “It depends on the question.” Before long, Darwin elbows me. When I turn to him, he nudges his head to the left, and out from around a corner less than twenty meters away, two other ponies dressed as journalists appear.
“Oh!” Summer Pine suddenly shouts, and Darwin and I immediately snap back. “Uh, uh… I just realized! We, um, are drawing a bit of a crowd. You, uh… wanna go somewhere a bit… private to talk?” The stallion starts sweating profusely. Whatever is going on, he seems to be drawing us out and away from the other journalists. Still, he may do something threatening, and I hate to take action in a town like this.

Michaels, Darwin and I turn at each other for a glance. Summer Pine’s hooves start shifting like he is in desperate need.
“It depends on where, though,” Michaels says.
“O-oh! Um, let’s see…” Summer’s ears perk, but quickly flatten when he starts mumbling to himself. “Um, no… too far. Wh-where? Where? No, no. No, too crowded.” He pulls out his watch, and his eyes shoot wide with excitement. “Oh! H-how about—?!” He quickly slams his mouth shut, and leans close to us. “Uh, um… how about Sugarcube Corner? It, uh, should be l-less busy at this time.”
“Where’s that?” Darwin asks.
“Didn’t Banana Seed show us that last night?” I turn to Michaels.
“I think so.”
“G-good! Let’s go there then,” Summer Pine says, before turning around and walks at a fast pace to the nearest corner. The three of us only have less than a second to process what just happened, before we hastily catch up to him. Before turning the corner, I look back at the two ponies dressed as journalists. However, I don’t see them anymore. All I see are ponies staring at me. Where have they gone? I shake my head, and quickly follow the group.


*****


Hiding behind a bush, the mare dressed up in the light purple magician’s hat and cape, spreads the leaves apart to peer through, finally spotting the target she wants. To her surprise, she spots three of the humans following a journalist at a rather fast pace before disappearing around a corner.
“Finally,” she snickers quietly. “The Great and Stealthy Trixie has found her targets. Now, with the help of these ‘humanes’, the Great and Vengeful Trixie can now have her revenge on that ignorant Twilight Sparkle.”
“Hey, not if I get to them first.” The blue mare, who is none other than Trixie, stops before she can begin her evil laugh. The voice sounds too close for her. When she turns left, she notices a mint-green colored pony hiding behind a different bush just two inches away, staring back at her.
“Oh,” she mumbles, as she clearly remembers that familiar unicorn face. “It’s you who believes in those mythical things.”
“Hey, I told everypony they existed! Besides, why would anypony want to work with you? You’re pretty much of a show-off anyway. Oh, and the name’s Lyra. Not ‘you-who-believes-in-those-mythical-things’.”
“How dare you talk back to the Great and Powerful Trixie! Trixie will have you know that she is on a new quest for—”
“Hey! What are you two doing in my products?!” another voice shouts from behind the two ponies. Growing frustrated, Trixie springs out from her hiding spot in the direction of the voice.
“How dare you interrupt the Great and Powerful—!”
“You again?!” the pony, a pink mare with a curly lime green mane, confronts the show pony Trixie.
“Y-you!” Trixie shouts back.
“What are you doing here?! Haven’t you caused enough trouble in Ponyville?!”
“I’ll have you know that the Great and Powerful Trixie will become the greatest unicorn in magic in all of Equestria! You! Will! See!” As swift a Wonderbolt, Trixie dashes to the side and vanishes behind another larger bush behind the mare’s flower shop.
“Ugh, what a waste of my time with that pony,” the pink pony rolls her eyes and face hoofs, before laying them down upon Lyra. “And why are you here?”
“Uh…” the unicorn hesitates. “Doing the same thing? Except without the whole ‘become-the-greatest-unicorn-of-magic-in-all-of-Equestria’ type of thing.”
“Uh huh.”
Lyra giggles nervously as she switches her eyes in different directions, before making a final sentence. “Well, you know, gotta’ go and have a chat with those ‘humans’ I’ve been telling you guys exist. See ya’!” Lyra quickly makes a break for it, and disappears behind a cart full of different fruits.
The pink pony shakes her head and mutters to herself. “I need a vacation.” Before she returns her eyes catch the sight of an airship slowly making its way across the sky, escorted by Royal Guards, and carrying something beneath it. “Hmm, must be that alien-like contraption that belongs to those humanes. Thank Celestia that’s outta’ the way.”