Steam billowed across the platform as Gordon and Rainbow disembarked from the train, their luggage in tow, and walked towards their friends who had come to meet them on the platform. The former two still weary from their journey home, but nonetheless grateful to see their friends again. Pinkie expectantly and excitedly launched herself at Rainbow, wrapping her in an inescapable hug.

"Hey guys," Rainbow said happily, returning Pinkie's enthusiastic hug, "Miss me?"

"Of course we missed you!" Pinkie yelled, hugging Rainbow even tighter, "We always miss you!"

"Gordon darling, so nice to see you again," Rarity said, "How did the trip go?"

"Went well," he replied, lugging two large and heavy luggage cases along, "We'll tell you all about it if you all want to comer over to my place."

"We'd love to."

"You want any help with those?" Applejack asked, pointing to the luggage cases, "They look heavier than when you left."

"They are," he replied, putting one down with a grunt, "Help yourself."

Applejack grabbed the handle of one of the cases and with with little effort began walking with the others off of the platform, just as the train began to depart once more.

"How did things go while we were away?" asked Gordon.

"It's Ponyville," Twilight replied, "Ponyville things happened."

"Monster attack? Rogue thunderclouds? Self-aware pony-eating candyfloss?" Gordon suggested, "That kind of thing?"

"You almost had it at self-aware pony-eating candyfloss," Twilight replied with a giggle, "Instead it was flowers."

"Flowers?"

"They ate Rose's watering can when she tried to water them before trying to bite pony's tails."

"Really?"

"Like I said. Ponyville things happened. The flowers were dealt with, by the way."

"Speaking of flowers," Gordon began, holding back laughter, "Dashie said she liked wearing flowers in her hair and would like to do it again."

"YOU LYING BASTARD! I DID NOT SAY THAT!"

"That's wonderful, Dash," Fluttershy replied, giving her childhood friend a hug, "I like wearing flowers in my hair too."

"You're going to pay for this Gordon!"

"Do you accept post-dated cheques?"

"Screw you."

"You can tonight Dashie."

Rainbow's cheeks went beet red as she clenched her fists, much to Applejack's amusement.

"Now Gordon," Fluttershy replied, "Don't tease Rainbow like that."

"Yeah!" Rainbow replied, "You tell him, Fluttershy!"

"Fine! On a related matter though," Gordon continued, "There was interest in the dresses Dash was wearing, so you may get some commissions, Rarity."

"That's wonderful to hear. Who will be commissioning me?"

"One of the Griffon King's daughters."

Rarity's eyes went wide and she almost stopped walking, "One of...foreign royalty...princess..."

Several minutes later, the group had entered Gordon's home and had made themselves comfortable in the main lounge. Rainbow had once again made herself at home on Gordon's 'captain's chair', drinking some Pepsi Max.

"Where's Shining?" asked Gordon.

"He was recalled to Canterlot," Twilight replied, "He didn't say why."

"Did Photon go with him?"

"Yes."

"Gordon darling, if you give me Rainbow's dresses I can have them properly cleaned and returned to her."

"Sure thing. We did pack them as you instructed, I'll have to give you them later though, once we actually unpack."

"That's fine. Did you like the dresses, Rainbow?"

"I loved them," Rainbow replied, her response genuine, "Can I keep them?"

"That's wonderful to hear," Rarity replied, elated once more her creations had brought joy and happiness, "And of course you can keep them. I made them for you."

"Thanks Rares."

"So," Twilight began, "What more can you tell us about the Griffons?"

"Probably not much that you don't already know."

"Still, anything you could tell us would be appreciated."

"Very well. Being in Griffonia feels like a stroll down memory lane, in that it felt like what the United Kingdom was between the two world wars."

"Why do you say that?"

"The technology for starters is at a similar level, that and their legislative assembly is very similar in appearance to the Palace of Westminster. Then there's also the cars."

"Cars?" Twilight asked, "Since when did the Griffons have them?"

"Quite a while from what I can tell. They also have diesel trains."

"What?!" Twilight shrieked, her eyes almost boggling out of her skull.

"It seems the Griffons have been quiet on their technological advancements. I've also noticed a lot of what they have is too similar in appearance to what my world has to be mere coincidence."

"What are you getting at?"

"Someone or something must have given them knowledge of my world. An odd few things you could ignore, but the number that there is? Something else is at play."

"What do you think it is?" asked Twilight.

Gordon didn't immediately answer.

"I don't know," he eventually replied, avoiding eye contact, "Your guess is as good as mine."

Applejack ever so subtlety raised a suspicious eyebrow.

Later that day, around tea time, the girls were back at Gordon's sitting at the dining table with the kitchen in full view. Nightlock, Star Cross and Photon had been given the night off and had gone to the local pub to drink away their latest pay cheques.

"So, what's on the menu tonight?" asked Twilight, "Rainbow was particularly excited about us being here tonight."

"That's because she's cooking tonight," Gordon replied, pouring himself Glenfiddich 21 Year Old whiskey.

"Huh?"

Gordon pointed behind Twilight to see Rainbow walking to the kitchen from the utility room, carrying ingredients in her arms. Walking towards the island counter, she dumped the ingredients down with a grunt.

"Hey guys."

"Hey Dash," Applejack replied, giggling behind her hand, "Nice apron."

"Oh shush," Rainbow replied, her cheeks blushing slightly, "It's purely for...health and safety."

"Sure it is darling," Rarity added, relishing Rainbow's more feminine side.

"It is," Rainbow replied, her cheeks a light shade of pink.

"Ah don't recall Gordon ever wearing one."

"And you never will," he stated firmly.

"Anyway!" Rainbow half snapped, "Frilly pink aprons aside, what does everypony want on their pizza?"

"Meat feast for me," Gordon replied, "With extra chicken."

"Ah think I'll have olives and mushrooms," Applejack replied, "With a few herbs added."

"I'll have pineapple!"

"Pineapple?!" queried Gordon, turning to Pinkie and looking at her like she'd grown another head, "On pizza?"

"What's wrong with that?"

"Everything," Gordon replied, "Quite literally, everything. Besides I don't even have a pineapple."

"I do," Pinkie replied, reaching into her mane and pulling one out.

Gordon sighed, "Of course you do."

He took the pineapple and put it next to the other ingredients, "Well, we'd better leave Dashie to it. I'm headed into the lounge to play some Halo."

"Can I help you, Rainbow?" asked Fluttershy.

"Sure you can, Flutters."

"Thank you. Do you have another apron? I don't want to get my clothes all dirty."

"They're in the utility room," Gordon replied, "Where you all left them from last time."

"You sure you don't want to wear one?" Rainbow asked, "A bright pink frilly apron?"

"I'd rather set my pubes on fire with a blowtorch."

*TWENTY MINUTES LATER*

"Well that's the dough done," Rainbow said, "Now we just need to leave it in a warm place for a bit."

"While it does we can do the tomato puree and the toppings. How big will the dough need to be?"

"About twice what they are now, according to the recipe."

"OK. What toppings do we need?"

"Mushrooms, herbs, chicken, olives, pepperoni, cheeses, salami, ham, sweetcorn...pineapple," Rainbow said, grimacing at the last one, "Gordon's wrote down several cheeses he has in we can use. Red Leicester, mature Cheddar, Mozzarella and Parmesan."

"Do we have enough for everypony?"

"Easily. Don't worry Fluttershy, no-pony will go hungry."

"OK."

Fluttershy began with mushrooms, small closed cup ones, cutting them in to slices while Rainbow was busy grating several generous piles of various cheeses.

"Rainbow?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you something...personal?"

Rainbow looked up to her nervous friend and smiled reassuringly "Sure you can."

After a brief moment of hesitation, Fluttershy felt brave enough to ask, "Do you...do you plan to marry Gordon?"

Rainbow stopped grating and blinked in astonishment, "Wow...well...I've never actually thought about it."

There were a few more seconds of silence as Fluttershy continued to slice the mushrooms.

"I think it would be nice if you and Gordon married."

A slight blush filled Rainbow's cheeks, "Thanks Flutters."

*MEANWHILE, IN THE LOUNGE*

The other girls watched as Gordon played through the remastered version of Halo 2 on Legendary difficulty with the skill and ease of a master gamer, all but Twilight impressed at what was on display, if put off by what they saw.

"What...is that?"

"I...? I am a monument to all your sins."

"Relax. I'd rather not piss this thing off."

"I feel the same way about Celestia," said Gordon, "It results in bad back pain."

"What is that ghastly thing?" asked a reviled Rarity.

"The Gravemind."

The girls continued to watch the scene between the Gravemind, the Arbiter and the Chief, listening though not understanding the story or the subject matter being discussed.

"Of all the objects our Lords left behind, there are none so worthless as these Oracles! They know nothing of the Great Journey!"

"And you know nothing about containment! You have demonstrated a complete disregard to even the most basic protocols!"

"I can understand his anger about not following protocols," Twilight said, scowling and clenching her fists, "All too well."

"If you will not hear the truth, then I will show it to you. There is still time to stop the key from turning, but first it must be found. You will search one likely spot, and you will search another. Fate had us meet as foes, but this ring will make us brothers."

"Similar to our situation in a way," Gordon said.

"How so?" asked Twilight.

"Before I arrived, humans had been seen as enemies for centuries, yet I get the feeling something will bring us closer together. As friends. As we always should have been."

*ROUGHLY NINETY MINUTES LATER*

The group were sitting around the dining table, their pizzas in front of them, along with French fries and bottles of soft drinks. Rainbow, like Gordon, had settled on Famous Grouse whiskey mixed with Pepsi Max. What was most on Gordon's mind though was the additional attire of the girls.

"You are all weird," Gordon stated, looking at each and every one of his guests, "Psychopathic, unhinged, deranged, unstable, nut-job basket-cases!"

"There's one for you as well darling."

"Not happening," Gordon stated firmly with conviction, "I'd rather give away my drinks collection."

"Why not?" Pinkie asked, "I always wear one when I'm baking."

"That's because you're baking, and pink and frills suit you as well as a ball gown and tiara suits Rarity."

"Thank you for such a high opinion of me, darling."

"And Rainbow," Gordon added.

"Hey!"

"But my decision stands," he stated defiantly, "I ain't wearing one. Not now. Not never."

"Whimp."

"I am not a whimp, Rainbow."

"Prove it. Wear one."

"The day I wear one of those is the same day Celestia grovels on the floor, begging me for forgiveness."

"I'm gonna hold you to that."

"Moving onto other things," Twilight said, "Are we watching another film tonight?"

"Sure," Gordon replied, "There's plenty more to choose from."

"Could we maybe not watch something that has explosions in it?" Rarity asked, rolling her eyes.

"Aww, why not?" Rainbow whined.

"Because not all of us enjoy seeing things explode all of the time."

"I have plenty of other films," Gordon replied, "How about....I know. Something I'm sure Rarity would like."

"Come on Gordon?" Rainbow whined, "What's the film?"

Gordon got up and walked over the DVD shelves and quickly pulled out a film and held it up for the girls to see.

"Beauty and the Beast," Rainbow replied, "Blegh, another mushy love story."

"That's good enough for me," Rarity replied, smirking at Rainbow and taking a sip of her wine, "Put it on darling."

"I must say," Twilight said, "I do like Belle. A lot."

"Imagine that," Rainbow quipped, "One bookworm likes another bookworm."

"Hey!"

"I don't recall Gordon putting on a song and dance when he invited us over for dinner," Pinkie said, sounding mildly annoyed and frowning disapprovingly at Gordon.

"That dress is simply divine!"

"Urgh!" Rainbow groaned, "Only Rarity would lose herself over a dress."

"Says the mare who got gets all giddy when she herself is dolled up for her coltfriend."

"Hey!"

Rarity and Applejack shared a fist bump.

"The Beast will make off with your children. He'll come after them in the night."

"No!"

"We're not safe till his head is mounted on my wall! I say we kill the Beast!"

"Kill him!"

"This sounds slightly familiar," Rarity said.

"I haven't had an angry mob try to decapitate me. Yet."

"Ponies don't do that," Twilight said, "We're not like..."

Twilight didn't need to finish for Gordon to know to whom she was referring to. Gordon meanwhile, fired in one more shot.

"But I have been whipped in to shape by them."

We don't like
What we don't understand
In fact it scares us
And this monster is mysterious at least

"Are you trying to tell us something, Gordon?" Twilight asked, sounding slightly annoyed..

"What makes you ask that?"

"The films you show us seem to be related to your situation, like you're trying to subtlety make a point."

"What if I am?"

"Well-"

"Guys!" Rainbow snapped, "Ssshh!"

The two did quieten down, though it didn't stop Twilight shoot half-glares at Gordon.

"Well, what did you think?"

"Meh."

Gordon rolled his eyes, "You liked it better than that, Dashie."

"I loved it," Rarity replied, "Such romance. Oh how I wish I could meet my Prince Charming."

"Be careful what you wish for," Gordon replied, "Anyway, who's up for another film?"

"Can I pick one?" Twilight asked.

"Sure. What about you guys? Are you OK with Twilight choosing?"

They all nodded so Twilight went over the the DVD/Blu-ray shelves and browsed through the collection, picking some out and reading the blurbs in her mind.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre? Who the buck would think of something like that? Never mind watch it!

Psycho?...definitely no.

Full Metal Jacket...for Celestia's sake, how many of these films are about killing? Do humans enjoy it that much?

Saving Private Ryan...another film about killing. Why am I not surprised?

The King's Speech...this might be OK.

"This one," she said, holding it up.

"Good choice," Gordon replied, "Very good film."

"My castle, my rules."

"Where have we heard that before?" Rarity asked, looking over to Gordon.

"An Englishman's home is his castle."

The girls watched the footage a small moustached man, ranting and raving and gesticulating his arms wildly, speaking with force and conviction, his disturbing rhetoric hypnotising the masses into blind obedience.

"What's he saying?"

"I don't know...but he seems to be saying it rather well."

"Who was that guy?" asked Rainbow.

"Adolf Hitler, by far and away the most evil person in history. Your world's villains don't even hold a candle to that monster. If you wanted to know a real monster, Twilight, human or not, you'd be hard pressed to find worse than Hitler. That abomination was evil incarnate."

Unbeknownst to Gordon, Twilight already knew of the Hitler, the Nazi's and the Holocaust.

If one human can be like that, she thought, Then what's to stop others. Including Gordon. It's too big of a risk. He can't live among us. We can't let him live in the Griffon lands, he'd only persuade the Griffon's to wage war on Equestria. A war Equestria stands no chance of winning.

Gordon must be kept under lock and key.

It's the only way.

"You OK Twi?" asked Rainbow, "You're staring off in to space."

"I'm fine," she replied, coming back to her senses, "Just a little tired, I guess."

Twilight didn't see Applejack cast a sideways glance at her.

"Those poor young blokes cried out in fear. No one was listening to them. My job was to give them faith in their own voice, and let them know a friend was listening."

"He must have really cared about them," Fluttershy said, "And that war sounded horrible."

"It was."

"If I am King, where is my power? Can I form a government? Levy a tax? Declare a war? No! And yet I am the seat of all authority because they think that when I speak, I speak for them. But I can't speak."

"Why can't he do those things?" asked Twilight.

"If you mean his authority it's because he was a constitutional monarch. Political power is with MP's in Westminster, in contrast to Celestia who's an absolute monarch who rules by decree with no legislature or judiciary to keep her in check."

"Equestria's a Diarchy," Twilight corrected, "Luna has equal power."

"In my world North Korea is officially called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It's a democracy in writing only, in reality it's a brutal, totalitarian dictatorship run by a fat rocket enthusiast. And I don't recall Luna ever making any rulings. When was the last law she brought into place, or rescinded?"

"The law requiring all humans be arrested, detained and restrained upon discovery."

"That law was rescinded by Celestia, Luna's name wasn't on it."

"How would you know?"

"Luna told me. And I have no reason to believe she's lying."

"Why?"

"She's nothing to gain from it. Especially from me. We're both still feared in pony society due to events that happened centuries ago. Neither of us have our judgements clouded by prior events as neither of us when they occurred."

"My judgement on humanity isn't clouded by what happened eight centuries ago," Twilight replied, scowling slightly, "My judgements are based on historical facts and evidence."

"Then by the same token, ponies are jut as bad. They did kill humanity to the last, after all. Not even humanity has accomplished that."

"But-"

"Guys!" Rainbow snapped, "Can you save the arguments for another time?"

"Sorry, Dash," Gordon replied, wrapping an arm around her.

"Sorry, Rainbow."

Before turning her attention back to the film, Twilight shot another death glare at Gordon.

What's gotten her so riled up again? Gordon wondered.

"Is the nation ready for two minutes of radio silence?"

"I know how the King feels when he has to talk in front of others," Fluttershy said, "It's really hard and scary."

"What did you think?"

"Very enjoyable," Rarity replied, "Was King George a good king?"

"He was well respected by the people and did many more speeches throughout the war, as well as visit victims of Luftwaffe bombing raids, keeping hopes and morale up. The George Medal was named after him. A medal he had created as he wanted ordinary civilians to be acknowledged for heroic and outstanding acts of selflessness and bravery. There weren't any suitable medals at the time and the Victoria Cross was for military personnel only."

"Where does the George Cross rank?"

"It's second only to the Victoria Cross. The highest I received was the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, one level down from the George Cross."

"How long did he reign for?" asked Rainbow.

"Just over fifteen years. His daughter Elizabeth assumed the throne upon his death in early 1952 and she was still Queen when I arrived here."

"Well," Twilight said, standing up, "It's getting late. I'm headed home."

The others also decided to call it a night and soon followed, giving their goodbyes, leaving Rainbow and Gordon alone once more.

"Well Dashie," Gordon said, finishing his whiskey, "Wanna go to bed? Or stay up a bit more?"

"Do you have any more films with explosions in them?" she asked with a big grin.

"Yes."

"Can we watch one?"

"Pick one out. I'd recommend Die Hard, a very popular Christmas film, or Hearth''s Warming as you call it."

Shining stood naked, covered in grime and dirt, shackled in front of the vilest creature he had ever had the misfortune to encounter, his fierce glare never wavering.

"Ah, my pet has been returned to me. I trust the collar isn't too uncomfortable?"

"Go fuck yourself, whore!"

"My my, such language. From a Prince, no less. Tut tut."

Chrysalis ignited her horn and fired a blob of green goo at his muzzle, silencing him.

"There. Much better. Now, how about a tour?"

Shining's muffled obscenities only brought a laugh from Chrysalis, as did his attempts to lunge at her. Unfortunately for Shining, he had limited movement and no say on the matter.

"It seems that my pet needs more training," she replied, taking the chain of the collar from her guard, "In time, you will learn to serve me...again, and then worship me."

Giving a hard tug on the chain, she pulled Shining along, "Come along now, pet."

Shining was pulled along by Chrysalis through the corridors of the Hive, Changeling drones hissing at him as he walked past.

As he was lead deeper into the Hive, the horrors only worsened. Inside shells of goo, were various creatures ranging from Griffons, Yaks, Zebras and his own fellow ponies. He was lead into a room where one such victim was locked inside a pod, surrounded by several large Changelings. A victim Shining recognised all to well.

Nurse Redheart.

"Please!" Redheart screamed, "Don't hurt me!"

Redheart, frantic and hysteric, slammed her fists futily at the pod shell, an act which only prompted the Changelings to laugh. A tube lowered from the ceiling and connected to the top of the pod, where a small hole was located. She and Shining looked at one another, Redheart almost despondent at seeing a Prince of Equestria in the same situation.

"Please!" Redheart cried, "Don't do this to me! I have family! A husband and foals!"

"Correction," Chrysalis replied, lighting up her horn, "You had a husband and foals."

A faint buzzing sound caught the attention of Shining and Redheart, a buzzing which soon got louder. Realising it could only come from once place, Redheart looked up in time to see a swarm of small insect like beings enter the pod and completely engulf her and soon filled the pod with a sickly green gas.

The blood curdling screams sent chills down Shining's spine.

What the fuck is happening?

A hand slammed against the inside of the pod, half covered in chitin before slowly sliding down an disappearing from view. The screaming, what seemed to last hours to Shining, was over in a matter of seconds and the swarm disappeared back up the funnel. The funnel disconnected and the pod opened, allowing Redheart to walk out, through the sickly green smoke, and approach Chrysalis.

"Nine of Twelve, Senerary Adjunct of Sub-Hive 21 Beta."

W...T...F?

"Welcome to your new family, Nine of Twelve," Chrysalis said, "Now, ensure my pet behaves himself during the rest of his tour."

"Yes, highness," the newly assimilated drone monotonously replied.

"Come along, pet," Chrysalis said, tugging at the chain.

Shining didn't move.

"You were told to move! Pony filth!"

He barely had time to register who spoke when he felt himself pushed hard in the back, by the former pony, sending him flying forwards into the front of Chrysalis, unintentionally placing his hands on Chrysalis's large bust.

"My my," she grinned, "You'll have to wait until the tour is over before you can touch those. Though I am flattered you are so interested. Maybe if you're a good boy, I'll let you play with them later."

Shining, his cheeks beet red, was lead even further down into the Hive, passing more assimilation chambers and torture rooms, the never ending screaming echoing through the corridors, further reflecting the living Tartarus he was in.

"And now," Chrysalis said, stopping in front of a set of double doors, "My favourite place in my hive."

She opened the door and walked inside, Shining following.

Walking down the walled steps, he came into a large open area with various corridors scattered around. Gems, rocks, minerals and carts here there and everywhere in what was to Shining clearly a mine, and the hundreds of those who worked down here under the brutal lash of Changeling overseers. Workers who were completely naked, covered in bruises and cuts, heavy iron shackles locked around their ankles and wrists, digging into their skin.

Had his jaw not been forced shut due to the goo, it would have hit the floor.

Chrysalis, feeling the chain she was holding tug back, turned around and noted Shining's reaction. Smiling sinisterly, she approached and crouched down to his level.

"I bet you weren't expecting to see humans down here, were you?"

Author's Note

Please be careful not to post spoilers in the comments. (Some users have 'newest comments first' as their settings).