After a couple hours of discussion, the conference between the Guardians and the three alicorn princesses finally ended and Fireteam Wisp had permission from Princess Celestia to walk around the town. She had also given a brief public introduction speech to the gathered townsponies, who had begun gathering around the Mischief Maker in a mixture of fascination, awe, and in some cases, fear. Aveline was sure there was going to be a panic, especially after the way all the gathered ponies looked at the Guardians; the hulking form of Samson in particular.

However, when Princess Celestia made her brief speech introducing the Guardians as welcome guests in Equestria, the locals visibly relaxed much to the Guardians’ surprise and the crowd began dispersing, though some of the ponies began to ask the Guardians questions.

One mint – green unicorn mare inquired about the Last City and seemed particularly fascinated with their hands, though she was invariably dragged away by a tan earth pony with a curly blue and pink mane who apologized profusely on the unicorn’s behalf despite her protests to being torn away from what was clearly a fascinating subject to her. Another unicorn mare with a light brown coat and off – white mane, on the other hand, seemed far more interested in their ship, and then Samson once she realized that he was a machine as well. Much to Guage’s dismay, she was quickly shooed away by Twilight when the unicorn began to talk about dismantling the ship and the exo.

“So, what should we do now?” Gospel asked his fellow Guardians as they lingered around their ship.

“I’ll take the Mischief Maker back to orbit and deploy the satellite array so that we can access our sparrows.” Samson stated. “You two should go and walk around the town to see what kind of place this is.”

“You want us to see if they sell any weapons.” Aveline pointed out and Samson nodded. “That’s a good idea. Maybe we will find vendors who would be interested in shipping some of these goods to Earth.”

“I don’t know, Aveline.” Gospel said, looking at the town where the brightly colored equines could be clearly seen going about their day–to–day lives, a bit of talk or a laugh occasionally could be heard over the sounds of birds and wind. “This place seems kinda rustic, and that’s a lot coming from someone who used to live back during the time of Old Earth. If they have weapons, I doubt we’d need to worry much about them… or want them for that matter.”

“Well, we do actually have some weapons.” Twilight interjected, not wanting to be left out of the conversation. “But they’re not for public sale; the only ponies who can purchase them are those who are registered guardsponies, Royal Equestrian Military or local militia; Princess Celestia has worked really hard over the past one thousand years to make sure that Equestria has a strong standing military without needlessly arming the populace.” Twilight looked at their weapons and shrugged. “Even then, our current mainstream armaments pale in comparison to yours anyway so it’s to our benefit that we don’t start any fights with you.”

“I would like to see them anyway, if I could.” Aveline said, her curiosity piqued. Gospel looked at the awoken and sighed in resignation.

“Fine, I’ll go with you.” He said. “It certainly beats hanging around this castle… tree… thing.”

“That’s my home, thank you very much.” Twilight retorted irritably.

“Anyway, I’m going to get ready for lift–off.” Samson said, interposing himself between the Warlock and the alicorn, and then he raised his voice. “That means I need everybody to clear the area or they might get injured.” He called out in the direction of the jumpship that still had several ponies, the light brown one included, milling about it.

They all jumped in alarm, and then quickly moved away from the ship, with the light brown mare giving it one last, forlorn glance before she left.

Samson made his way to the side of the ship and a ramp descended from it. Before he could make his way aboard, however, they heard a buzzing sound that grew steadily louder. The Guardians glanced around, fingering their weapons and looking for the source of the noise until Aveline pointed out what appeared to be a scooter being ridden by a small, orange coated pegasus wearing a helmet whose tiny wings were flapping rapidly enough to produce the buzzing noise.

A trailer attached to the back of the scooter revealed two more small ponies, one with a yellow coat and the other with a white coat, both of whom were wearing helmets themselves. The Guardians watched in fascination (Twilight merely gave a sigh) as the scooter, trailer and all, expertly came to a stop just short of Twilight and the three small ponies disembarked quickly, apparently unaware of the presence of the Guardians.

“See? See?!” She exclaimed, gesturing excitedly at the jumpship with her hoof. “I told you that there was a spaceship on Equestria, Applebloom! I saw it come down from the sky with my own eyes!”

“Wow… yer right! Ah thought ya was just dreamin’ or somethin’!” the yellow pony replied in a surprisingly thick accent, astounded.

“This is so cool!” The white pony exclaimed with a small hop. “I never thought there’d be other ponies up in Luna’s sky!”

“We are not ponies, but a few of many lifeforms out among the stars, little ones.” Aveline said amiably, thinking to herself that the three small ponies were so childishly adorable in their enthusiasm. However, that enthusiasm was short – lived because the second Aveline had spoken, all three ponies froze and then, as one, slowly turned their heads to look at her, eyes wide. They stared at the awoken in shock and Aveline gave them a smile. “Good morning.”

There was a beat of silence, and then all three of the tiny ponies screamed in terror and bolted, only to be swiftly caught in a magenta–colored field and lifted off the ground as Twilight trotted over, a similar glow surrounding her horn and she stared at the three ponies, unamused. The three small ponies glanced fearfully from her, to Aveline, then back again.

“It’s not polite to scream at guests, girls.” Twilight instructed. “I know how scary it is to see unfamiliar races but I assure you they don’t mean us any harm.”

Twilight lowered the three ponies to the ground and they still seemed nervous, but now also slightly ashamed.

“Sorry, Twilight…” They all said in the tone of scolded schoolchildren and Aveline realized suddenly that they weren’t small ponies; they were young ponies!

“It is alright, Princess.” Aveline told her, slightly surprised at the fillies’ informality towards her. “I think they were so excited about the ship that they weren’t paying attention and I startled them when I spoke.” Aveline turned to the three fillies and kneeled to be closer to eye level with them, smiling. “I apologize, I did not mean to frighten you; my name is Aveline, what are yours?”

The yellow one stepped forward, putting on a brave face.

“M-mah name is Applebloom, Aveline.” She stated, holding out a hoof and Aveline shook it.

“You wouldn’t happen to be related to Applejack, would you?” Aveline asked and the filly brightened up considerably.

“Yeah, she’s mah sister!” Applebloom replied, beaming, and then realization dawned on her. “Oh, y’all are the newcomers she was talkin’ ‘bout this mornin’, ain’t ya?”

“I suppose we are.” Gospel said grumpily. He looked over to the Mischief Maker just in time to see Samson’s boots disappear up the ascending ramp.

The white one, a unicorn, quickly followed her friend’s lead once she saw that Aveline was friendly.

“Hi, Aveline, I’m Sweetie Belle!” She said, excited.

“I’m Scootaloo!” The orange pegasus said cockily. “And together we’re-”

The three fillies drew in deep breaths and Aveline saw Twilight quickly place her forehooves over her ears, covering them and she followed suit, though Gospel did not.

“THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS, YAY!” All three fillies bellowed happily in unison, causing Gospel to fall on his rear–end in surprise and Aveline and Twilight began to laugh at him.

“Jesus Christ!” He exclaimed, startled, his hands over both ears. “Ow, dammit, my ears!” Almost immediately there was a pop from behind him and before he could say anything, Twilight clopped him hard on the head with her hoof. “OW, WHAT THE HELL?!” She clopped him on the head again. “Ow, st-stop it! What did I do, why are you hitting me?!”

“Watch your language, there are impressionable young fillies here, Gospel.” Twilight told him sternly and he noticed her horn glowing. He looked over and saw that the three fillies’ ears were each surrounded by a matching aura and they were looking at him in confusion.

“S-sorry.” He apologized grudgingly. Twilight glared at him, but released the magic covering the fillies’ ears.

“Hey, Mister…?” Applebloom began, but stalled when she realized she didn’t know Gospel’s name.

“…Gospel.” He told her, finding it hard to be hostile to such a young creature.

“Huh.” She said, and then continued. “Well, Mister Gospel, what does ‘Jesus Christ’ mean?” She asked innocently and Twilight glared darkly at Gospel.

“It’s… it doesn’t have meaning, it’s the name of a person who was supposedly very important a long time ago.” He replied and the fillies muzzles changed in realization.

“You mean like how everypony always say ‘Sweet Celestia’!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed and Twilight facehoofed. Scootaloo opened her mouth as if to say something, but then the Mischief Maker’s engines roared to life and the jumpship lifted off the ground.

After a dozen feet, the ship turned on its axis, angled up toward the sky and shot off, quickly becoming a speck, and then vanishing into the cerulean expanse. The fillies watched in awe, their mouths agape and their eyes wide with wonder.

Aveline stared at their expressions, and suddenly realized that the technology for spaceflight was taken for granted. What she and every Guardian did everyday surely must seem to be some incredible feat, or even a miracle to these planet–bound ponies. She glanced over to Gospel and wondered if he’d had the same look on his face when he first discovered that spaceflight had long since been mastered.

“I believe it is time we explored the town proper, Your Majesty?” Aveline said to Twilight, who blushed slightly at the formality.

“Oh, you can just call me ‘Twilight’, it’s okay.” She replied. “And yes, we should head into town; I know just the places to take you.”

“I can’t wait.” Gospel drawled grouchily.

“Y’all are goin’ inta town?” Applebloom asked and Aveline nodded.

“Sweet, we’ll go with you!” Scootaloo exclaimed with a hoofpump.

“Yeah! We know where everything is!” Sweetie Belle told Aveline.

“I don’t know…” Aveline said hesitantly, looking at Gospel, who crossed his arms defiantly.

“No way, I am not babysitting a bunch of ponies.” Gospel told her, but the fillies ignored him as they began pushing Aveline toward the small town. “Wha- hey! What gives?! You, Sparkle; make them go home, or to school or… something!”

Twilight merely strode past him and flicked her tail dismissively.

“There’s nothing I can do about them, Gospel. It’s Saturday so there’s no school and they’d just tag along with us anyway.” And then she turned a defiant sideways glance toward the Warlock. “And it’s Princess Sparkle to you.”

Gospel grumbled irritably and followed the group into the town. Up in the castle, on one of the balconies, Princess Luna watched him depart and sighed with resignation.

“Something troubling you, Lu-lu?” Princess Celestia asked and Luna looked at her.

“It is not so much me, Tia.” Luna replied, and then she looked back over the balcony. “That human, the one who calls himself ‘Gospel’; he is troubled. I feel he is threatened by us and that he does not trust us.”

“Well, you did sneak aboard their ship last night while they were looking around our old castle.” Celestia replied with an amiable chuckle, but she stopped when she saw Luna’s face. “Do you think he is a threat to anypony?”

Luna shook her head.

“No, or at least, not right now.” Luna replied. “But I do not think he is acting as he normally would, as if something is disturbing him.”

“What do you wish to do about him, Luna?” Celestia asked and Luna stood and trotted into the castle.

“I believe Pinkie Pie is having a party today; I shall attempt to speak with him there.” Luna said as she crossed the threshold and Celestia smiled.
Luna had been somewhat meek when she had returned from being Nightmare Moon, but after getting a feel for the new Equestria (and getting no small amount of encouragement from Twilight and her friends,) Luna had gained renewed confidence in herself and her leadership abilities once more.

The three fillies excitedly pointed out almost every little detail of the town as the group strolled through it in an apparent attempt to impress the Guardians. Aveline humored the fillies while Gospel simply brooded, much to Twilight’s annoyance. Eventually they approached the first stop on their tour, a well decorated house that Twilight said was Rarity’s home and shop, Carousel Boutique. The second they stepped through the door, a bell chimed and the unicorn greeted them immediately.

“There you are!” Rarity exclaimed excitedly. “I was beginning to think you’d never- oh, Sweetie Belle! Whatever are you and your friends doing with our visitors?”

“Hi Sis! We’re trying to get our-” She was cut off by a hoof in the barrel from Scootaloo, and then she grinned. “Uh, I mean, we’re helping Twilight show the aliens around Ponyville!”

“I… see.” Rarity replied hesitantly, her eyes narrowed.

“You were expecting us?” Gospel asked, clearing his throat to get the fashionista’s attention.

“Hm? Oh, why yes I was, darling!” Rarity replied with a smile and she beckoned for the group to follow her. “Right this way if you please.”

The group followed the unicorn into a backroom that obviously served as her workshop and they saw several tall shapes about the height of Gospel, covered in a cloth. The Guardians looked around the room and also saw fabric of many different colors on the shelves and in varying states of usage. The room was somewhat messy, but they got the impression there was a method to the madness.

“You have an impressive work area.” Aveline remarked as Gospel walked over to a vibrant purple device on a table that had a needle and thread attached to it and he ran his hand over the machine.

“Wow, I’m pretty sure my grandmother used a sewing machine like this when she was younger.” He remarked and Rarity trotted over to him. He looked over the side of the desk and saw what appeared to be a toolbag stashed away where most couldn’t see it. “You maintain it yourself? That’s… actually kind of neat.”

“Of course I do; an artist should always strive to maintain the tools of her trade and while this isn’t the most recent model, she has served me well for years and I make sure I take very good care of her in return.” Rarity replied, and then she reached a hoof up and, with some difficulty, turned the taller human away from her workstation and towards the pair of cloths. “Over here, I made something for each of you that I just know you are going to absolutely adore!”

Aveline walked back over to Twilight and the Cutie-mark Crusaders (who were dancing in place with excitement,) and stared at the covered objects in anticipation.

“What do you think they are, Twilight?” Aveline asked the alicorn, who looked at her with a smile.

“I honestly don’t know, Aveline.” Twilight replied. “But Rarity’s a genius when it comes to fashion. One time we were in Manehatten because she was taking part in a design contest and somepony else stole her line. She responded by taking the hotel room we were in and turning it into another fashion line practically overnight… and won. To this day it’s still one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen somepony do.”

“This world continues to amaze me!” Aveline remarked.

“Oh believe me, it only gets better.” Twilight replied with a chuckle, but then Sweetie Belle shushed them.

“Quiet, she’s about to show us what’s under the sheets!” Sweetie Belle told them and they turned their attention to Rarity, who was standing next to the cloths with Gospel.

“So, I stayed up later after we parted ways last night thinking, and then I decided that the best welcome gifts I could give you were some hoof–crafted accessories; behold!” Rarity said, and then used her magic to pull the sheets away with a flourish, revealing three oddly shaped mannequins that looked like they may have once been similar to the pony–shaped ones that were pushed against one wall and the Guardian’s mouths fell open.

One mannequin had a knee–length cloak that was colored in a brilliant emerald green with an amber fringe that sparkled in the sunlight streaming through the nearby window and bore interspersed diamond patterns with circles that looked oddly like Ghosts.

Another had what appeared to be a leather duster that was brilliantly white, with gleaming golden swirls embroidered into it that made it shine almost like the sun.

The last was a series of cloths arranged around what appeared to be the waist of its make – shift mannequin going from the right–hand side and around the back almost to the left–hand side, going from just past knee–length on the right to halfway up the thigh on the left. The cloths were made from a rich, royal–blue fabric with a ruby–red fringe and embroidered on the longest cloth was the unmistakable symbol of the Six Fronts; six triangles arranged in a loose hexagon formation, made to symbolize the greatest Titan–led defense in the Last City’s history.

Aveline walked over to the cloak, picked up the fabric lightly to examine it closer, and discovered there was gold thread embroidered so finely into the cloak that you would hardly know it was there, but in the light it tricked the eye into thinking that the cloak had a slight, golden hue to it.

“Rarity, I… I do not…” Aveline said breathlessly. “It is the most beautiful cloak I have ever seen; Cayde will be quite envious.”

“Darling, anypony would be envious when they see you in that.” The unicorn replied. “I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to get the colors to compliment your lovely coiffure, but I never back down from a challenge.” She frowned as she examined Aveline’s current cloak, using her magic to lift the hem. “I’m afraid it isn’t made of the same material as this one, unfortunately. What kind of thread is this, I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

Aveline pulled at the neck of the hood so she could see it.

“It is called sapphire wire, and it is not just my cloak.” She replied. “My armor is also laced with it.”

“Fascinating.” Rarity said, releasing the hem of the cloak. “I would very much like to know how I can get my hooves on some of this ‘sapphire wire’ if I could.”

“Well, when we go back to Earth, I could take it up with Cayde.” Aveline replied.

“Oh that would be wonderful, thank you Aveline!” Rarity exclaimed, hugging Aveline.

Gospel stared at the duster and ran his hand along it. He cocked an eyebrow and looked at Rarity.

“This feels just like leather…” He said. “Is it genuine?”

“Oh heavens no!” Rarity exclaimed with a gasp. “Unlike those brutish griffons, I do not use any material made from other creatures. I know a dealer in Manehatten who hoof–crafts synthetic leather out of cotton.”

“Are you sure about that?” Gospel asked with a smirk and held out his hand to summon Scripture. “What do you think, Script? Is it leather or is it-”

“It’s pleather, Gospel.” Scripture interrupted and Gospel facepalmed.

“Thank you, darling.” Rarity told Scripture and then she smirked at Gospel. “And for future reference, Mister Gospel, I am not some run–of–the–mill city tailor that picks random distributors for my artistic needs; I am a successful business mare and I do my research.”

Gospel looked away to try and hide his embarrassment.

“Whatever, it’s nice.” He said grumpily and Rarity cocked an eyebrow.

“Gospel!” Aveline exclaimed, shocked.

“Aren’t you the rude one.” Rarity said, frowning. “And I do not see what you have to be offended about anyway, it was you who tried to shame me in front of my sister and my friends. I can’t say approve of your attitude.”

Aveline grabbed Gospel by the arm and led him away.

“Would you excuse us for a moment?” She said, and pulled Gospel out of the room, shutting the door behind her. She rounded on Gospel immediately, her voice hushed. “What is wrong with you, Ian?! I have known you for the better part a year and I have never seen you act so atrociously to anybody!”

“What’s wrong with me?!” Gospel exclaimed indignantly. “What’s wrong with you; they’re aliens, Aveline! For all we know, they’re trying to lure us into a trap!”

“With pretty garments and sweets? I doubt it, Ian.” Aveline replied dubiously. “And you forget our meeting with the local leadership; Princess Celestia made it clear in no uncertain terms that she would have us killed if we made even the smallest of hostile actions towards these ponies.”

Gospel grunted, but said nothing and Aveline sighed.

“What is the matter, Ian? I am worried about you.” Aveline asked, anxiously. “I know that Earth has not known friendly extra terrestrials for centuries, but that does not mean they are all Hive or Cabal.”

Gospel looked at her silently, then stole a glance at the door and saw the shadows of hooves under it. The comm crackled to life at that moment and the Guardians inclined their heads to listen as Gauge’s voice came over it.

“Alright, satellites are orbital and functioning and sparrow links have been established. Feel free to catch a ride!”

“I’m sorry, Aveline, but I need to clear my head.” He told the Awoken and turned on his heels. “I’ll catch you later.”

Aveline looked forlornly as the Warlock exited the boutique and the sound of a sparrow engine filled the silence, but quickly faded.

“Ian…” Aveline said quietly, and then she heard the door open.

“What’s goin’ on, where’s Mister Gospel?” Applebloom asked and Aveline turned, putting on a smile.

“I think he is a little stressed right now.” Aveline told the filly. “He shall return later.”

At that moment, the door of the boutique burst open and a lanky yellow pony wearing an odd outfit barged in, eyes full of panic.

“Oh, Mister Cake!” Twilight exclaimed, surprised. “What are you doing here, aren’t you usually at Sugarcube Corner getting ready-”

“Princess Twilight, thank Celestia I found you!” The stallion said, wheezing slightly. “Have you seen Pinkie Pie today? Cup and I have been looking everywhere and we can’t find her!”

“I hardly think that’s unusual, Mister Cake.” Rarity said nonchalantly. “You know how Pinkie is; she’ll turn up exactly when she needs to.”

“That’s just it!” Mr. Cake replied. “She’s supposed to be helping us for the lunch rush, but we can’t find her anywhere and we’re getting swamped!”

“That’s… not usual for Pinkie…” Twilight murmured, her brow furrowed in thought.

“Actually, if it is any consolation, I saw her at the castle this morning.” Aveline stated and the ponies looked at her. “As far as I can tell, she was with Spike just before Twilight returned from Canterlot with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.”

“And Gospel was here with your ship because he’d spent the night in orbit for whatever reason.” Twilight said, following a chain of thought. “But then Samson took the ship back up earlier, and now we can’t find Pinkie, which can only mean…” Twilight paused, then her eyes widened in realization and she facehoofed.

“Oh… oh dear.” Rarity said, coming to the same conclusion.

“Ah, what?!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “You mean Pinkie gets to ride in the spaceship and not me?!”

“I wanted to ride in it too…” Sweetie Belle said quietly.

“Lance, could you open a comm link to the Mischief Maker?” Aveline asked, summoning her Ghost.

“I am way ahead of you, Aveline.” Lance said, and then he looked at Aveline. “Why do I get the feeling this pink pony is going to be a huge pain in the a-ah…” He glanced at the fillies gazing expectantly at him, and then at the two mares glaring icily and he gave a mechanical cough. “We’re, uh, we’re through… to Samson.”

“Hey, Samson? Do not be alarmed if you run across Pinkie Pie on the ship.”

Author's Note

Uploaded this chapter seeing as how I was a week late on the last one. Will work on writing up a Grimoire card as soon as I can.