From Beyond

“Wasn’t the train supposed to arrive by now?” Rainbow Dash asked, her nerves on edge.

“It was supposed to be here an hour ago actually. Something must have happened.” Twilight said, turning to the contingent of guards behind her. “Two of you, go check farther down the rails to see if something happened to the train.”

“Already on it.” Rainbow said, as she took off.

“Ok then, I guess we’ll wait for her to get back.” Twilight said, sighing. Why couldn’t she ever just sit still for once.

“We all know she’s been sitting here longer than any of us could ever get her to.” Rarity said. “I’m surprised it took her this long to run off and do something.”

“And she’s already coming back. Wonder what’s up.” Applejack said, pointing at the rainbow streak flying back towards them.

Rainbow stopped just above the group, entirely unwinded. She floated down, landing right in the middle of their group.

“They’re about ten minutes out. Apparently a group of griffins tried robbing the train. They wouldn’t tell me what happened, although they did mention that no one was hurt and nothing was stolen.”

“Odd. If something like that happened they would have sent a message ahead to get the guard moving.” Twilight said, wondering what exactly happened.

“So just ten more minutes and we get to meet some aliens.” Pinkie said, fully decked out in streamers, confetti, and enough balloons that she was actually floating a few inches off the ground.

“Apparently. Was it necessary to bring the balloons?” Twilight asked.

“Yes. Without balloons, how would they know we’re happy to greet them?” Pinkie asked, giving Twilight a quizzical look.

Twilight sighed in response, as a shrill whistle pierced the air. The entire group looked down the rails to see the train finally arriving.

The guards all fell into formation and stood at attention as the steam dissipated from around the train.

Twilight and her friends all waited as a flood of ponies came and went. Soon enough there wasn’t any more movement, as the crowd had disappeared.

“Weren’t they supposed to be on this train?” Twilight asked, looking up and down along the platform. There wasn’t anyone left.

On the very end, three guards stepped out. They turned, and noticed the entire platoon that had been waiting. The unicorn guard walked up to the platoon commander.

“Sergeant Flash reporting successful transport of VIPs sir.” He said, snapping a salute.

“Where are they Sergeant?” The commander asked. “They are an hour late with their meeting with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.”

“They’re... uhm, coming now. I hope.” He said, turning around to look at the pegasus guards. They both turned to look behind them, and shrugged.

“You hope? Are you telling me that you are unaware of their current location?” The commander looked like he was about to burst a vein.

“No. It’s that they move when they want. The big one especially. Dear Celestia, the big one is scary.” He said, shuddering slightly.

“What exactly happened?”

“A group of griffins attacked the train with the intent to rob those on board. When we left to investigate what stopped the train, we were ambushed and knocked out. When I came to, a griffin was threatening me with a blade to my throat, to either keep quiet or he would kill us all before we could move.” Flash said, shuddering as the memory came back.

“What happened next?”

“Suddenly two blades sprouted from his chest, wrapped in a sickening red glow. He was just as surprised as I was, but that wasn’t the end. He was torn in two. And behind him was the big one.” Flash said, shaking. “The look on his face. It’s like he reveled in the bloodshed.”

“What else happened soldier?”

“He ripped what was left of the griffin off his blades, told us to just stay where we were, and walked off. As I was trying to wake up the two under my command, I heard several more screeches of pain. Within thirty minutes, he walked back by and told us that the problem was resolved. After another thirty minutes of cleaning up the bodies-” Flash had to suppress his desire to hurl “-we told the conductor to get the train moving again.”

“What exactly did they do to the griffins?”

“You don’t want to know sir. There were pieces that we had to assume were griffins. There were a couple of the bodies with military grade armor sir. It takes several of us to deal with a single griffin, even more for a soldier. Those two took out at least forty griffins, five of them supposedly trained, without taking a single scratch.”

The two pegasi at the end of the train moved back as a creature stepped off the train. It was no larger than a normal pony, and appeared feminine. The two guards pointed to the group of ponies.

She quickly bowed and walked towards them. Once within talking distance, she raised a hand in greeting.

“Hello. I am High Consulate Aphrodite, leader of the Aetherian Phoenix Squadron.” She said, putting her hand to her chest in salute.

“I am Twilight Sparkle. This is Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy.” Twilight responded, pointing to each pony as she listed them. “Princess Celestia has sent us to escort you and your friends to a meeting with her. Uhm, where are your friends?” Twilight asked, leaning sideways to look behind Aphrodite.

“They’ll be along shortly. They’re simply cleaning up after the emergency stop we had.”

“You mean when the griffins tried to rob the train? I heard that your friends were the reason that no one was injured during that.” Twilight said, having overheard just a part of the conversation between the sergeant and commander.

“Those things were griffins? Huh, I expected more of a fight out of them.” Aphrodite said, turning around as two more creatures stepped off the train.

The first was slightly taller than Big Mac and covered from head to toe in layered grey metal plates. From his helmet extended two horns, sweeping forward from his temples then curving straight up. He carried himself like a scout, his head constantly moving to take in as many details as he can.

The second though, was massive. He could easily dwarf Big Mac, maybe even Princess Celestia herself. He was covered in red plated armor, and carried several weapon sheaths across his body.

Aphrodite, the Lovely blade. Leader of the Phoenix squadrons, the diplomatic and assassin corps. Hades, the Vigilant Eyes. Head scout of the Hawk squadrons, the sniper corps. And Ares, the Living Blade. Brigadier General of the Reaper squadrons, and single most dangerous soldier under the command of Prophet. What stands before you are some of the greatest representations of Aetherian might you can find, short of High Prophet himself. Be very careful.

‘Wait, you know who these beings are? Tell me more.’ Twilight asked, watching the two soldiers walk up to join Aphrodite.

What is there to tell. Before you stand three of the most dangerous Aetherians ever. An unmatched assassin that has ended more wars than your world has ever seen before they even started. A sniper that can track anything alive and has had more successful missions than you have read books. And a juggernaut of war, death given form and a weapon and let loose on the greatest enemies of the Aetherian empire. Within a week of turning him loose, governments have fallen and entire armies surrendered.

‘So they aren’t diplomats, but warriors?’

Oh no, these are the diplomats of the Aetherian Empire.

‘They send killers as diplomats? Princess Celestia isn’t going to be happy about this at all.’

They’re talking to you.

“Equis to Twilight, are ya in there?” Applejack asked, waving her hand in front of Twilight’s face.

“I’m so sorry. I was lost in thought.” Twilight said, rubbing the back of her head as she blushed.

“It’s fine. As I said, these are my escorts Hades and Ares.” Aphrodite said, waving at the two warriors.

“Good day ma’ams.” Hades said, his hand going to his chest in salute.

Ares simply grunted.

“Ares, we talked about this. You have to actually greet them too.” Aphrodite said, glaring at him.

“Very well. Good day ma’ams.” He said, saluting as well.

“Welcome to Equestria!” Pinkie shouted, throwing up the streamers and confetti. “What kind of party do you want?”

“I thought these ponies were peaceful.” Ares asked, looking down at Hades.

“They are peaceful. She wants to know how we celebrate joyous occasions.” Aphrodite said, glaring at him. “You don’t want to hold the kind of party Ares wants.”

“Why not? All parties are good.” Pinkie said, grinning from ear to ear.

“We’re a warring species and Ares is a soldier, through and through. Just trust me when I say you don’t want to hold a party for him.” Hades said, trying to get the message across.

“Ok then.” Pinkie said, a puzzled look crossing her face. “A kind of party that I wouldn’t want to hold.” She mumbled to herself, trying to figure out what she meant.

“That’s a first. Someone actually made Pinkie not want to party.” Twilight said, astonished.

“However, we would like a small celebration. I’m sure that we’re the first aliens you’ve met and that is a big thing to celebrate.” Aphrodite said, trying to concede to the wishes of the ambassadors.

“Awesome, we’ll hold a small one at the palace. Now, who to invite.” Pinkie said, a grin jumping onto her face as she lost herself in her own thoughts.

“Ok, now with that out of the way let’s head for the palace. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are awaiting your arrival.” Twilight said, as the platoon of soldiers fell in around the three diplomats. She quickly turned around and led them off.

“Remember, we’re here under peaceful terms Ares. Unless they directly threaten one of us with weapons, you are not to do anything. Even if they annoy you. Is that understood?” Aphrodite asked, following after Twilight. The platoon of soldiers had fallen in behind them.

“Yeah.”

“That’s an order Ares.” Aphrodite said, a cold tone to her voice.

“Yes ma’am. I will not respond with force except to defend myself, you, and Hades.” He replied.

“Good. We don’t need an incident because they crossed one of our lines that they do not have.” Aphrodite said, her cheery tone returning to her voice. “Prophet would not be happy with you at all should something happen and you weren’t justified.”

Ares visibly shuddered at this.

“Who’s this Prophet you’re speaking of? He must be pretty scary to make someone like him shudder.” Twilight asked, falling back to talk with Aphrodite.

“I’ll tell you more when we meet your leaders. I’d rather not have to repeat it if I can help it.” Aphrodite said, dodging the question.

“Is there anything you can tell us about your kind that you won’t have to repeat?” Twilight asked, pulling out paper and a quill.

“If you want to know about the true Aetherians, you will have to ask Prophet if he comes here.” Aphrodite said, an eyebrow raised in question of where she pulled the writing materials from.

“So you’re not an actual Aetherian? Then how are you a leader in their military?” Twilight asked, confused.

“I am Aetherian, just not descended from the first bloodline. As to being the leader of the Phoenix squadrons, you are promoted based on your actions and accomplishments rather than who you know. I know the sons of barons who are still infantry because they cannot accomplish anything important, while I am the daughter of an artilleryman who is several ranks below me.” Aphrodite said.

“So, you’re a hierarchical society based around the accomplishments you have while you serve in your military? So out of you three, who holds the highest rank?” Twilight asked, writing down everything Aphrodite says.

“Unfortunately I cannot reveal where within the command structure each of us stands, but I can tell you that I hold the highest one here, followed by Ares, and then Hades.” Aphrodite said, her eyes wandering around. Their group was getting plenty of looks, especially Ares. “How soon will we be in the palace?”

“It’s just up ahead, no more than five minutes. Is there something you would like to ask?” Twilight said, knowing that she was going to get stonewalled if she asked anything else. She put away her paper and quill, leaving most of the page blank.

“What is the difference between those of you with horns, those with wings, and those lacking either? I only know you as a whole by the name pony.” Aphrodite asked. Anything to keep her talking.

“Those of us with horns are referred to as unicorns. We can cast magic to affect our world, such as creating fires or levitating objects. Those with wings are known as pegasi, and help out by controlling the weather. Finally, there are those without either that go by the name of earth ponies. They tend to crops and are pretty strong physically.” Twilight explained, as they passed through the gates to the palace.

Quickly enough they were ushered into the throne room, in the midst of a flurry of activity.

Both Celestia and Luna were in the middle of a horde of messengers.

“We are very sorry about this, but reports have been coming in of a squadron of Griffins in Equestrian land. We are trying to coordinate locating and detaining them.” Celestia said, noticing that the diplomats had arrived.

“They’re dead.” Ares spoke up, catching the attention of everyone in the room.

“What dost thou mean dead? Did something occur that we have not been informed of?” Luna asked, turning to lock eyes with him. As she did, a chill crept down her spine.

“They tried to rob the train we rode here on. We would have been content to let whatever would have happened to happen, but one of them threatened us. After dealing with the one that threatened us, I gave the order to execute every non-pony on or near the train. There is no squad of griffins in Equestria anymore.” Aphrodite said, as several jaws dropped.

Normally it would require several squads of the guard in order to deal with a single griffin squad, yet these three beings had taken them out completely unscathed. Whispers passed between those in the chamber.

“While that is one thing out of the way, we must inform the Griffin king. It is his responsibility to ensure that none of his subjects cross the border illegally.” She said, dismissing several of the messengers with a wave of her hand. After a short discussion with the last messenger, she waved him off and focused back on Aphrodite’s group.

“May we officially welcome you to Equis, and to our country Equestria. I know we are overjoyed to be the first government you decide to visit. I hope you do not mind that we have informed the other leaders that you have arrived, so you may end up with your schedule swamped. Everyone would like to meet the visitors from the stars after all.” Celestia said, walking down in front of them.

“I do not mind meeting them, but you must understand there are things I am incapable of revealing or even talking about. I have my orders, and beyond that I am not allowed to do much.” Aphrodite said, walking up to Celestia. She saluted, bowing slightly.

“And what exactly were your orders. It is not often a diplomat comes under military orders.” Celestia asked, confused by what she said.

“I was ordered to extend a hand of friendship, in the hopes that you could help us recover an artifact that is both of great importance to Prophet, and an extremely dangerous object to be around.” Aphrodite said.

Upon hearing this, Twilight fainted.

“Is that normal for her?” Aphrodite asked, turning around as Twilight hit the ground.