Chapter 21- Within These Walls

"So, no matter what she does, she cannot have a foal whatsoever?" Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, and a certified doctor told us so. After a bit of a hectic struggle, of course." Mikarya answered.

"So, Ah shoulda dared them to do somethin' else?" Applejack said.

"Yes. But it's nothing to worry about, really." Mikarya replied.

"Speaking of foals, why's Koto's filly crawlin' along the ground?" Applejack asked, pointing to the tri-colored filly next to the couch.

"She decided to let the filly explore. There's nothing wrong with that as long as the area explored is closely monitored." Mikarya said with a smile.

"Okay. As long as she knows what's she's doin'." Applejack chuckled.

"Sis, why does a streak of purple separate the red and blue?" Applebloom asked, pointing at Ocean Flame's mane.

"Ah don't know." Applejack replied.

"I just noticed she has heterochromia." Mikarya said.

"Hetero-what now?" Rarity asked.

"Heterocrhomia: a term used to describe someone whose eyes do not match." Mikarya repeated.

"When she's old enough to get her mark, I wonder what it will be." Rainbow chimed.

"Same here." Rekka said, picking up the filly.

"Ditto." Tenmei called.

"I know, right?" Pinkie said, hopping around the jet-man.

"So, when's lunch?" Asked the jet-man.

"Around one o'clock." Twilight answered.

"What time is it now?" Fluttershy asked.

"About twelve-thirty." Rainbow said, looking at a clock on the wall.

Twilight had just teleported everyone into Canterlot Castle. It was much more expansive than the Carousel Boutique. There were glass murals depicting many events of ponies achieving great feats. On the white tile floor there was a ginormous red carpet with gold trimming. Marble pillars held the ceiling in place, and beyond the hallway the group stood in and the pillars themselves was an enormous balcony from which to view the town. The sunlight peeking in between the pillars made it appear too bright for it's own good.

"Holy....." 01 stammered.

"It's.......amazing......" Yuuki said as she turned to catch every glimpse of the palace.

"Beautiful......" Koto murmured, her eyes dilating with awe.

"This place is huge!" Called the batteryman.

"I've never.......seen anything like this before...." Tenmei chimed.

"There is.....no way..... this place is this......." Vending lady trailed off, her jaw agape.

"These murals have their place.....I wonder..... if we'll have one." Misaki said, taking note that there were empty murals.

"It's not likely, but then again, the murals fill themselves in." Twilight answered. "And in them, we all have a place somewhere."

"I had a dream where I had wings and a horn. If what Rekka said was true, then I looked into the future." Koto said.

"Enough dilly-dally, let's get to the throne room. Follow me." Twilight said, trying not to hide her shock from Koto's statement.

"When will they get here?" Luna said impatiently.

"I don't know, dear sister. But soon enough, they shall arrive." Celestia replied.

"Princess, I brought the visitors!" Called a mare's voice as the door opened.

"Twilight, you did well. Luna was getting impatient." Celestia said, looking at the group now standing before them both.

"These are the visitors?" Luna said, shocked.

"Yes, so it would seem. Please, newcomers to Equestria, state your names for me. I already know of the organization you work for." Celestia said in her regal voice.

"My name is 01, and I am the creator of the devices."

"My name is Mikarya, co-worker of 01 and caretaker of the teenagers here."

"My name is Mimi, and I assist Mikarya."

"I am Miki. I bring help wherever it's needed!"

"I am Misaki, formerly known as YONEKO. I was used to control all Q-hybrids, but now I am a free mare."

"I am Rekka. I help take care of the hybrids."

"I am Koto. My boomerang helps me and my friends quite a lot."

"I am Tenmei. I help with the Special Task Force."

"I am Nagare. Allow me to say I openly mocked the Quartet once."

"I am Yuuki. I help cheer my friends up when a nasty hybrid tries wrecking everything they love."

"Impressive. I heard two of you had a foal together. But that matters not now. What has the Quartet been partaking in?" Celestia asked.

"They wish to wipe out the Special Task Force so they can start world domination using the hybrids. They almost succeeded in killing two already, though that was quickly thwarted." 01 answered.