Chapter 13: Good Morning Equestria

Chris awoke to the delicious smell of cooking pancakes. He yawned and looked around the dimly lit room, feeling oddly at peace in the unfamiliar surroundings. The morning sun was blazing a line into his room from the small gap between the closed curtains, and he could hear birds chirping outside. He sat up in the large bed and pushed back the luxurious purple comforter, then swung his feet off and stood up to walk to the bathroom, being careful not to trip over the pile of gear, clothes, and rifle standing next to the head of the bed. He found himself smiling as he washed his hands afterwards and headed to the window, where he drew back the curtains and squinted momentarily into the blinding flood of warm sunlight.

As his eyes adjusted, the beautiful view came into focus. Pastel mountains loomed above, and the quaintly inviting town of Ponyville spread out below his raised vantage point in Twilight's castle. He stood for a moment transfixed, the assault on his senses and emotions overwhelming him. Multicolored ponies moved about doing their morning business. He saw ponies pulling baker's carts and open storefronts selling vegetables. The aura was industrious and wholesome, and for a moment he felt the overwhelming urge to simply walk through the streets, breathing the fresh air and greeting the friendly natives.

A knock at the door startled him out of his thoughts. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his naked waist as he hurried over to answer.

McAllister stood in the hallway, wearing his pants and T-shirt. He had his pistol strapped on his leg and his rifle slung on his back. No professional would leave their firearms unattended in the bedroom, not even for breakfast.

"Wakey wakey eggs and bakey!"

Chris groaned. "What's up?"

McAllister grinned. "Everyone but you. And there's pancakes and eggs. I would hurry, because every minute you take is another minute I'll have to attack those pancakes, and I leave no survivors. Nice loincloth, by the way."

"Well, I had considered answering the door in the buff, since it appears that 90% of the time the folks around here don't wear clothing, but I don't have a layer of fur to cover my modesty."

McAllister snickered. "Well, if I were to parade around without my clothes on, it would take more than a layer of fur to keep me from turning heads!"

Chris shook his head. "I never should have said anything. You always push it too far."

"That's what SHE said!" McAllister laughed loudly at his own joke.

"Go stuff a pancake in it," Chris said cheerfully.

"Oh I intend to," McAllister replied, raising his voice slightly as the door closed in his face.

Chris went back to put his clothes on, finding that they had been washed and neatly folded at some time during the night. He unplugged his exo suit but left it folded on the floor after glancing at the battery indicator, which showed a full charge.

Two minutes later he was briskly walking down the hallway to the dining room, his slung rifle rubbing against his back through his t-shirt as he went.

As he entered the dining room he saw Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Spike dishing out large stacks of delicious-looking pancakes. Big bottles of various flavors and shades of syrup sat around, as well as trays of butter.

Emmy saw him, smiled, and patted an empty chair next to her. He walked towards it.

Twilight looked up at him as he approached. "Good morning! Did you have a good night?"

"Good morning, Twilight. It was great. I feel great. Thank you for letting us stay here."

Twilight smiled widely. "I'm happy to have guests. This castle can feel quite large and empty sometimes." She spread her forehooves in a wide gesture. "Having everypony here together is a wonderful thing!"

"Theshe bwabwa paffwah aff weeefiouf, foo."

Twilight stared at McAllister. "What?"

Pinkie laughed. "You need more to drink!" She seized a pitcher of milk from nearby on the large table, disappeared into empty air, and reappeared from behind him, hanging off his chair and refilling his mug. "Okay, now say it again!"

McAllister nodded and lifted the mug in thanks, gulped the milk, and took a gasping breath. "These pancakes are delicious, too!"

"Wompy pomfy shompf," Rainbow Dash added helpfully, her eyes slightly bugged out from lack of oxygen. Pinkie poured her a mug of creamy milk as well, which she slurped greedily. "Thanks Pinkie. I was trying to say I love your pancakes."

"Oheee! Thank you!" Pinkie was overtly happy.
"See how much easier it is to speak when your mouth isn't horribly crammed?" Rarity sniffed.

"I was hungry!," McAllister and Rainbow Dash exclaimed in unison.

"I was meaning to ask about the sausages," Sanchez interjected. "They taste pretty good. What are they?"

"Actually they're soysages!" Spike said. "I buy them downtown. They're made out of soy, wheat, and lot of other stuff."

Sanchez munched thoughtfully on the succulent greasy brown cylinder. "Not bad. Not bad at all."

"Certainly better than any of our packed rations," McAllister agreed before shoving another forkful of syrup-covered pancake into his mouth. He glanced to the side, and his eyes widened. Pinkie Pie had a stack of pancakes at least twelve inches tall. She eliminated half the stack in a single bite.

McAllister choked a little. "Wow Pinkie. I thought I ate impressively, but you're giving me an inferiority complex."

"Good morning everypony!"

All eyes swiveled to see Celestia standing in the doorway. The humans immediately began trying to get to their feet.

"Please keep your seats. Might I join you?"

"But of course Princess Celestia!" Twilight sounded slightly nervous, as she always was in the presence of her former mentor. "You are always welcome in my house."

"Thank you, Twilight." Celestia approached an empty chair and seated herself. Almost immediately a plate was passed to her with breakfast on it.

Celestia beamed her kindly smile. "Thank you. I'm famished." She lifted a fork towards her mouth.

"Princess Celestia! Who did you talk to last night?"

Celestia paused, the fork inches from her. "Well, I-"

"Princess Celestia! Did you see anything when you flew to Canterlot last night?"

"Well, I-"

"Princess Celestia! Did you-"

"Stop it you guys! Rarity squawked. "Let her eat first! She's hungry!"

Celestia giggled a bit. "I know you all are very curious. But I don't have many more answers now, anyway. I'm sorry."

She ate her pancake while the others thought about it. After a short time, she paused again, "I do, however, have a friend who has agreed to help us."

Twilight looked up at her. "Is it...?"

"Discord."

Twilight nodded. "I thought so."

"He is the most powerful ally we have access to. We will meet him at the clearing in Everfree Forest after breakfast. By the way, these pancakes are delicious."

"Hello everypony!" All eyes again went to the door. This time, Fluttershy stood in it. "I'm sorry I'm late. I had to feed my animals."

"Welcome Fluttershy," Celestia smiled. "We are just eating breakfast before traveling to meet Discord in Everfree Forest."

"Oh my. Discord is coming?"

"Yes now eat some pancakes and try this strawberry sauce!" Pinkie said, throwing a plate in front of an empty chair. Hamilton, sitting next to the empty chair, patted the seat and smiled.

"Oh, okay. Pinkie's pancakes are always amazing." Fluttershy trotted lightly to the chair and sat down. Two seconds later, Starlight Glimmer staggered in the door.

"H... hi,er, good morning, everypony."

The routine was clear at this point. Everyone hooted back in unison.

"Morning!"

"Good!"

"Down!"

"Sit!"

"Pancakes!"

Starlight Glimmer looked confused. "What? Oh my. You must be the aliens I heard about."

Twilight Sparkle introduced her to the humans.

"You come from another world," Glimmer said wistfully. "Tell me, what is it like?"

"It's similar to yours in some ways," Hamilton said. "Very different in others."

McAllister gave a thumbs up. "The pancakes are better here, for starters. And the milk. And the syrup." He reached out and put his arms around Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. "And the company! No offense to you fine gentlemen, but these ladies beat hanging out with you smelly apes all day."

Pinkie Pie giggled with her hoof over her muzzle. Rainbow Dash missed a forkful of pancake that had been headed to her mouth and dropped it down her chest instead. "What the hay!"

McAllister laughed insolently. "Looks like you made a little mess there. Want a bib?"

"Oh gee, couldn't be because some overgrown clownish monkey suddenly grabbed me in the middle of breakfast!" Rainbow Dash said, trying hard to keep a straight face.

McAllister put on a blatantly artificial hurt expression as he solemnly handed her a napkin. "Clownish monkey? How cruel! I demand you at least call me a clownish gorilla!"

Rainbow Dash's self control broke and they both laughed heartily.

Rarity sighed. "I give up. They're so uncouth."

Celestia smiled, amused at their banter. "I'm glad they are getting along so well, though."

"It's a good feeling," Glimmer said. "I can feel it here, the friendship." She smiled groggily.

Twilight peered at her in concern. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm just tired. Remember when I told you not to stay up too late? I didn't keep my own advice. I was reading some books in the library, and the time got away from me." She yawned widely.

"You should rest a bit," Spike said. "Don't worry. I've already taken care of everything for this morning. Big Mac is organizing a posse to check out some reports of disturbances this afternoon, though. We may need your help then."

"Thanks, I'll take a nap as soon as everypony heads out, and we'll do whatever needs to be done this afternoon," Glimmer replied. "Thank you for helping, Spike. I'm still a bit nervous about all this."

"No problem, I'll do anything I can to make your life easier."

"You'll be fine darling," Rarity encouraged. "Twilight told us the plan. You'll be perfect."

"By the way, Luna will be contacting you later this day," Celestia said. "She had a busy night. There has been much activity, and she will be taking my place while I am, ah, traveling." She looked around the table. "I apologize for cutting this short, but Discord will be waiting for us. We should depart soon."

Several minutes later, after the breakfast had finished and the humans had put on their exo suits, they collected at the base of Twilight's castle. The four men stood nearby with Marky and Emmy, watching awkwardly as a teary-eyed Starlight Glimmer bid her friends farewell from the center of a group hug.

"Don't worry. We'll be back." Twilight squeezed her. "Keep the lights on for us."

"I'll hold this place together with my bare hooves if I have to. You had better stay safe and come back home soon," Glimmer sniffed, her eyes wet. "All of you!"

"This is making me feel like we're going to our own funerals," Sanchez said in a low voice.

"Hopefully that is not the case," Emmy answered dryly. "It would make for an embarrassing first mission, if so."

Chris chuckled. "You're starting to sound like me."

Emmy looked up at him with a crooked grin. "Thanks... I think."