Six ponies, those who usually followed Twilight around, were all standing at the beginning of the path the Tau had used on their trip to the mountain when the group returned. They all looked rather worried, but somewhat lit up when they saw the fire warriors walking home. A few looked down or looked away when they saw a fire warrior carrying the burned remains of one warrior. Var was in front as usual flanked closely by Aloh and Tyrion. When the commander spotted the ponies sitting and waiting, all showing mixed emotions. He waved the others off and simply said.

"Bury him like before and meet back at Twilight's place when you are done." Var said, a few Tau nodded and went off toward the previously dug grave. None were overly happy with their victory, none of them should have been killed by that dragon. They had such an advantage over it.

"We heard the fight from all the way from Ponyville! The Princess was sending in reports that some ponies could see the battle from Canterlot!" Twilight shouted, she didn't seem overly happy on the Tau victory, but she had been one who had openly questioned the Tau methods. They should have tried speaking with it first.

"We lost a warrior in that fight." Var muttered, folding his arms.

"Some would call that justice. You brutes just outright murdered a dragon!" Marshmellow added. Also unimpressed.

"Look. I won't lie, we didn't try talking with it like you all suggested. But our orders were to get rid of the dragon, we come from a very dark and war torn place, and if you don't like our methods. Well I'm sorry, it's just how we work sometimes." Var said, his voice raising a little. The yellow Pegasus pony with the sex backed away and whimpered quietly.

"Well on Equestria, we don't go around killing things!" Twilight shouted, Var actually took a step backwards away from the lavender pony. Her horn glowing slightly. "Now, show me this world you come from!" Twilight added. Var took another step back.

"What?" He asked, raising his hands in surrender. "What do you mean?" He added.

"You keep talking about how 'where you come from is so dark and dangerous' show me how you are so scarred, that even one of the 'more peaceful' races will outright murder something!" She shouted at Var, her voice changing slightly on certain words.

"How would I do that?" Var asked, the galaxy Var came from wasn't something anyone should see. Let alone a peaceful pony.

"I will simply look into your memories and see everything you have seen. I can then jump to others and see everything. I'll see your entire life and more. It will ware me down magically, and will take hours for me. But mere moments for you." Twilight explained, still angry but lowering her voice.

"I wouldn't do that Twilight. No one should see the stuff I have. Let alone one such as yourself." Var replied. A couple of the other ponies looked worryingly at Twilight.

"Ah agree with Var here. Twi. We ain't seen no wars here. This won't be liak a book or something'" Applejack said, Marshmallow and Terrace nodded. The pink puffy pony about as sane as she would ever get.

"No. I will do this. Var hold still." Twilight said, determined. If that was all Twilight needed of Var, he booked it. Running down the street and into Ponyville somewhere was the plan. But when Var found he wasn't actually going anywhere. He began to panic, when he noticed how he was surrounded by a purple ball and floating in the sky. He began to hyperventilate. Magic was bad enough in Car's time and place. Here. They seemed to abuse that power. Twilight leaped forward suddenly when no one was talking her down and touched Var with her horn. Instantly she dropped to the ground, actually forming from the mouth and crying out. A few ponies stepped forward but the dragon Spike just raised his arms.

"We can't help her. She's done this before. It has to take its course." Spike declared. The ponies backed down, slowly. But didn't look too happy. Twilight thrashing and screaming Var began stepping away, in case anyone thought that was his doing. Which it kind of was. But they didn't need to know that. After about a minute of this, Spike added. "But she wasn't this bad." He now began to look genuinely concerned for the lavender pony. Even Var looked a bit concerned, not too much, and under the helmet the ponies didn't see that. Another minute passed, then a second. And third, toward the end Twilight actually vomited. But after that, there was one last spasm from the pony before she stopped. Lay still, opened her eyes and looked up to Var.
Something happened next which no one could have predicted. Twilight got up, nodded. And gave the commander a hug, it lasted a few seconds, then after letting go. Twilight walked away. Her friends too bewildered to move after her.

Whilst all this was happening, Aloh and the other fire warriors had buried the burned Tau and began their walk back to Twilight's. Aloh and Sven were leading the pact. The two in idol conversation.

"-that's my evaluation of whether the rail gun or the ion gun are better. What about you sergeant?" Sven said finishing his explanation. The sergeant thought about that question before giving up. Answering it, the sergeant then thought up another topic to ask.

"Enough of guns. How would you feel about staying here?" Aloh asked the Terran. He began to think for a moment, slowling in his stride a little.

"What, like we are? I've felt mixed emotions. Why?" Sven replied, looking down at his cutie mark. Then back to the general area of the two graves the Tau had now had to dig.

"No. I mean permanently. Here, in Equestria. Forever, we could make a good living here." Aloh said after a short pause. Again, Sven thought on this, then shook his head.

"Yeah I love the peace here. But we've already been called up by the Princess to do her dirty work once. And we lost a warrior to that calling. And we outmatched it in every way. It was a mistake, but they can cost a life. Like it did. So I'm not sure. If we were here forever it wouldn't be as bad as back home. But here the peace would get dull, it isn't what we are used to. Plus, we don't know how long we are here yet. Could be a week, could be forever." Sven replied. Aloh nodded, he was certainly thinking about staying if they had the choice. And bringing it up with Var when and if they returned to T'ros.

"So merits either way?" Aloh asked, the Terran just nodded. There was silence for a moment before Tito caught up with the pair. They were now back in Ponyville and very close to Twilights. A few ponies very non-discreetly screamed and ran away, a couple just nodded and kept going. Most however did just glare at the Tau and continue to trot down the pathways of Ponyville.

"I'd like to stay in Equestria señors. It is nice here and no other race seems to know about it si? Peace will get dull yes. But it is better than dying in war si?" The Tau explained. Aloh nodded by Sven was unfazed.
The Tau then stood outside of Twilight's in silence, and continued to do so even up to the point Twilight trotted past them all, looking up at them with a very neutral face, stepped inside her house and closed the door. A loud locking sound followed suite. Var followed a few minutes after.

"We shall all be staying at Applejack's for a few days. Twilight is a bit, unwell." He declared and stormed off. The Tau shared a few looks and after a phase_ followed the commander.

Meanwhile, just out of view from the Tau, watching the town of Ponyville with great intent. Were the glowing eyes of an enemy to the Tau, and to the ponies. There was a tall figure in gray leading them. Smiling to himself and gripping his weapon. The red eyes blinked and the figure nodded. Three looming soldiers ran out of the Everfree Forest and charged toward the town.

Author's Note

I have planned another four chapters after this one. But with as much filler as there was between the actual plan and the dragon fight. This could go on a while longer. Shit, one of the few Tau fics around is gonna ends soon. I might do a fucking sequel..