Canterlot observatory, usually a half populated and quiet place of knowledge, now a primary asset of the Equestrian Royal Sisters. Why? Let's call it a feeling. Luna, diarch of the night and the moon, had detected something ELSE of unknown origin in her night sky, and that time it had disturbed her slumber. Even now she stared at her night sky, searching the stars for the anomaly she still felt hanging somewhere up there....

"Where are you....?"

Celestia came in to check on her. "Lulu, dear sister, what ever are you doing?"

"Not now," she said, "Felt another anomaly, and this one stopped in orbit...."

"Another one!?" Celestia came over to her sister to get a closer look at what she was doing.

"Yes and I'm trying to spot it...."

Her next adjustment brought an unusual object.... or cluster of objects, into focus. Upon closer inspection, they appeared to be artificial in nature, along with being powered and active. Luna paled at the sight. "It.... couldn't be...."

"Dear sister what are you talking about? What could possibly warrant such a response?" Celestia wondered.

"See for yourself...." Luna moved aside to allow Celestia to look.... and after a moment she too paled (if that's even possible).

"Impossible....." she muttered.

"Yeah that's what I'm thinking. They are moving on their own, against the forces of celestial nature no less," Luna explained, "But what could they be here for?"

Celestia thought for a moment before realization dawned on her. "Please tell me spies managed to get close to the impact site in the Gryphon Empire."

"They should already be sending back a report about now. Why don't we go to my study. It might already be there," Luna suggested.

"Alright...."

They made their way back to Luna's study and she began going through her received mail. "Ah, here we are." She pulled one in particular from the pile bearing the "Top Secret" mark and the emblem of the Lunar Guard.

She opened it and began reading it aloud.

"Dear Princess Luna. We had arrived close to the site shortly after your dispatch. However, we were forced to break off the mission before arriving. Upon coming close, we saw unusual structures and objects, some in motion, some not. It appeared to be a crashed ship at the distance we observed it from. A short period after our arrival at the observation point, we witnessed several objects either falling from the sky, or making a controlled flight in. Immediately after this happened we heard gunfire and combat in the distance, indicating active warfare. I can without a doubt say that none of the objects are of Gryphon origin. Some of the objects witnessed were, unbelievably enough, an advanced form of transportation or an advanced machine of war, some of which appeared to be large bipeds, as tall as a small house, wielding extraordinary weapons. They appeared to be fighting each other. It was deemed wise to leave the area after witnessing a lengthy amount of conflict. Please note, these objects appeared at around 0830 hours time yesterday."

Luna closed the letter slowly and looked to Celestia. "That time..... it's between the time I picked up the second anomaly and the time we spotted it. This is no coincidence. They included a picture and the destroyed ship looks extremely similar to the one currently in our orbit. A war has reached our world without either party knowing of the other until now."

"These two parties being.... the arrivals and the inhabitants of our world?" Celestia pondered.

The night princess's face darkened. "The very same."

"They've fired weapons in territory that is already declared an active warzone on a global scale and they have no idea....." Celestia sighed. "What could we do against such a force....?"

"I have a hunch," Luna began as she started back towards the observatory, her sister in tow. "These beings appear only to be interested in each other. A civil war perhaps? I can only make guesses. However they are bound to encounter the species of our world sooner or later."

"So we should likely reach out to one of them in peace....." The solar diarch guessed.

Luna nodded "Exactly. However I am unsure how. The Deer are far more practiced at technology than we dear sister. Perhaps we should employ their aid."

"Is magic not in the question?" Celestia received a headshake in response.

"For all we know, it is an unfamiliar concept for their culture. There may even be a language barrier. They seem to favor technology over magic as the anomaly holds no magical power. An approach using a method derived from the Deer's technology would be more prudent in my opinion."

"You may be right.... so many unknown factors though." Celestia let out the umpteenth sigh that week and even started to look exhausted.

Luna frowned sadly at the sight. "Perhaps you should get some rest dear sister. I'll bring it up with the Deer representative later. I'll inform the others as well if you wish."

"It would be better to keep them in the loop. We're working together here after all." Celestia answered.

"Very well then. Go get some sleep Celestia. Worry not of recent events." Luna comforted, "I shall inform you of any developments."

Celestia gave a tired smile and nuzzled her sister. "Thank you Lulu. I'll take your advice."

With that, the two shared a hug and the eldest sister made to return to her room. Meanwhile, Luna returned to the observatory and sent for the Deer representative.

It took about two hours, and Luna had taken a short nap in that time, but finally the Deer representative arrived at the observatory.

Valiance approached the Lunar diarch, who now seemed rested and intent on observing the activities of the craft. She had taken note of smaller craft returning to the large one directly from the planetary surface beneath it. This helped confirm her theory that the crash and the object she was currently scrutinizing were linked. Luna sensed Valiance's approach however and turned her attention to the Deer.

"Thank you for coming," she said, "We have a new development....."

She took the time to explain what she and her sister saw and what they discussed. She even allowed Valiance to look through the telescope at what was currently in orbit. Suffice it to say, the Deer representative took it in great stride... after some initial shock of course.

Valiance sighed. "My people guessed at many eventualities, this being one of them."

"This?" Luna looked at her, dumbfounded.

"Yes. Our universe is vast. Very vast. It was of course only a matter of time before other sentient life was encountered, however we expected it to be a few more centuries or millennium first. This early.... we may not be ready if they turn out to be hostile." Valiance turned to the diarch. "You still intend to attempt contact?"

Luna nodded. "It's either that or they inevitably find us before we act, and react far more unpredictably. If we reach out in peace, maybe they won't get violent. They might even explain their purpose here and even make their own offer of peace."

Valiance chuckled. "I can see some logic in that. No wonder you and Celestia are the unquestioned leaders of this nation."

Luna smiled happily at the compliment. "Why thank you dear friend.... oh uh no pun intended."

Valiance almost laughed, "It's quite alright. It's a common pun amongst my people."

Luna chuckled at the thought of that. A single pair of words turned into puns for a whole people named by one of those words? It was a rather silly concept.

Valiance turned serious again soon enough. "So when do we tell the rest of the ambassadors?"

"Immediately if you like.... uh though Celestia won't be attending." Luna sighed. "She's exhausted and I asked her to retire to her chambers for some rest. I worry about her..... she works far too hard....."

"I can understand the sentiment....." Valiance agreed. "But let's stay focused. We have a council to attend and information to give out do we not?"

Luna nodded. "Indeed we do."

With that they departed the observatory, their next course of action set before them.

Author's Note

The nation of Equestria is preparing to take action. What, I wonder, will happen next? Stay tuned for the next chapter!