Crystal Train

Armory Car

Shining Armor watched as the best of his Guard assembled their armor and gear. He nodded in approval as their Sublime Crystal plating merged with their bodies. Sublime Crystal itself was many times stronger than steel, so protection would not be a problem.

The only problem, Shining mused, was defeating the being from Celestia's vision. He told his stallions and mares to expect the worst, and be prepared for lethal force.

"Your Highness?"

Shining turned to his lieutenant, Flash Sentry, who nodded.

"We're ready, sir."

"Good." Shining said. "We all know the plan. Find the being and subdue it. If we have no other option, aim to kill it."

"Yessir!" the Guardsponies replied. As the train docked at the station, the Guardsponies descended into the astonished crowd.

====

"Twilight?" came a refined voice. Twilight looked up from the Tablets of Ruin and sighed.

"What is it, Rarity?" she replied.

"Your brother's here to see you." Rarity said, poking her head in. "And he's got at least ten guardsponies with him."

"Let them in." Twilight said, perking up but obviously confused. Soon, he embraced her brother and asked what was going on.

"Celestia sent us here." Shining said. "She had a vision of you in danger from a crowd of Griffons and Minotaurs. There was also a strange being that was advancing on you."

"Oh!" Twilight said, surprised. "He took care of them. I'm fine."

"Define he, Twiley." Shining said.

"The being." Twilight replied. "He said his name was Gheren Prime, Tenno of the Lotus, or something like that. He's not dangerous, just a little standoffish."

"Really?" Shining asked. "Then why was it in Celestia's vision that this "Tenno" was advancing on you?"

"He cut the ropes that had me bound." Twilight said. "Shining, I'm fine. I've seen what he's capable of. You go after him, you'll just get hurt."

"We'll see about that." Shining said. "I want to see this Tenno for myself."

Before Twilight could protest, her brother and her escorts were gone. She reluctantly followed, knowing that Shining's hardheaded attitude could get him into trouble.

====

Orbiter's landing zone

"Operator, unknown beings approaching." Ordis spoke. Gheren looked up from his meditation and eyed the AI.

"More of the beings we rescued?" he asked.

"Yes, but these ones are armed." Ordis replied. "And their leader doesn't seem pleased with us being here."

"I'll take care of it." Gheren said, standing up.

"Please don't kill them, Operator." Ordis replied. "There is a chance they are friendly."

"True." Gheren said, touching the door panel. "However, there is a chance they are not. I will determine which is correct."

====

Shining and his Guards approached the alien craft, which looked like a teardrop with wings. Shining was prepared to call out a challenge to the being, but he was interrupted by the being itself emerging.

"If you came to drag me back to your Princess Twilight…" he scoffed. "You will be sorely disappointed."

"I came to make sure you are not a threat to Equestria." Shining said, his guards fanning out. "I should arrest you, right now."

"What crime have I committed?" Gheren replied. "I have done nothing except save your Princess's life. So if that constitutes a crime in your eyes, then guilty as charged."

Shining frowned. The alien was being elusive, evasive. Something wasn't right.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"I told your Princess already." it replied while crossing his arms. "I am Gheren Prime, Tenno of the Lotus, Master of the Excalibur Warframe. You?"

"Shining Armor, Prince of the Crystal Empire." he replied. "Princess Twilight is my sister."

"Figures." Gheren shot back. "You share a similar tone of authority. All bark, with no bite."

The guards and the prince bristled at that comment.

"You will come peacefully, with us." Shining said, drawing a sword and shield.

"I think not." Gheren said. "You have no authority over me. If you intend to use force, I will respond in kind."

"I will indeed use force if you do not obey!" Shining countered. Gheren simply laughed.

"I do not need to obey you." he said. "You cannot control me, you cannot make me do anything I do not will. Now, leave and I will resume my work in peace."

Shining made a circle with his hoof, and the Guards surrounded him. Gheren drew his Skana, and tapped into his energy reserve for a blinding flash of light, unique to his Warframe. Raising his blade, he fired the flash of light.

====

The eyes of each pony went completely white. Shining groaned and stepped back, shaking his head in an attempt to clear his vision. He could hear the gasps and screams of his guards, and he growled. Using his magic to clear his vision, he flinched and growled. Every single guard lay on the ground, incapacitated and disarmed. The ponies clearly put up a fight, but they had no chance while their vision was clouded.

Gheren walked forward, sheathing his Skana.

"Seems I was correct." he said. "You rely too much on seeing where your enemies are."

Shining roared ferociously and charged. His blade came within an inch of Gheren's neck before he sidestepped, drawing his Skana once again. The sound of Crystal against Orokin Steel resonated through the clearing. Both sides were so enveloped in fighting their opponent, they didn't notice Twilight Sparkle approach in a panic.

====

Twilight knew her brother was a master with a blade. She knew that Gheren was also one, if not better.

That was thrown down the drain as she watched the duel in front of her. Gheren's blades were blurred, and Shining had a hard time keeping up with his opponent's speed. Likewise, Gheren knew that a blade like that could easily settle the fight if it got close to him.

So both sides went all out, Gheren tapping into all of his learned swordsmanship to counter his opponent's expert moves.

In the end, however, little can best a Tenno in combat. Gheren swept Shining's legs out and kicked him against a tree. Shining was left dazed from the impact, and Gheren prepared to finish his opponent.

Only Twilight's scream stopped him. Gheren sheathed his Skana and looked at a horror-struck Twilight.

"Don't hurt him…" she cried.

"As you wish." Gheren said. "The others are uninjured. He will most likely require medical attention."

Gheren started to walk off as Twilight helped Shining to his feet, and he looked rather furious at his being defeated.

"I'm still standing!" Shining cried. "Get back here and fight!"

Gheren stopped and turned around.

"Your bravery, or perhaps stupidity, is quite admirable." Gheren said. "I defeated you and such I will spare you further humiliation."

"I am not!..." Shining started to yell, but Twilight magically zipped his mouth shut.

"ENOUGH!" she cried, unintentionally using the Royal Canterlot Voice for the first time. "Shining, stop. You're just going to get yourself killed!"

Shining sat down with a scoff.

"And Gheren Prime…" Twilight said. "I am completely sorry for my brother's actions. He's a bit protective of me and more than hardheaded."

"That may be so…" Gheren replied. "But that does not abstain him from all blame. He attacked me, claiming I was a criminal. I merely defended myself against him."

"Also true…" Twilight said. "Let's just put this whole thing behind us and move on, okay?"

Twilight tried to put on an apologetic face. Gheren was silent, weighing his options.

"Fine." he scoffed. "If this ever happens again, I will not hesitate to use force. Am I understood?"

"Yes." Twilight said, sighing. "Can we possibly clear the air somewhere else? This doesn't seem like a good place for...I guess talking?"

"Fair." Gheren said. "However, I request it in private. No more attacks, no more interruptions. I still have work to do."

"I promise." Twilight said. "Shining, I'll unseal your mouth if you behave."

Shining nodded, and with a glare at Gheren, he rallied his Guards and followed Twilight and Gheren to her Castle.

====

As they sat down, Shining placed himself next to Twilight, and Gheren sat across from her. The Guards took the entrance hall to rest and nurse their pride.

"So, Gheren?" Twilight asked.

"Speak."

"You said you were a Tenno. What is that, exactly?" she asked. Gheren sighed.

"Tenno are the elite, unparalleled warriors of the Orokin Empire, masters of the Warframe armor." he said. "No race has ever matched us in combat. Tenno have ended galaxy-spanning wars against our kind on our own, and we continue to do so."

"So, you're an...Orokin?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, to a point." Gheren said. "Our Empire lasted for thousands of years, standing triumphant against all threats. Until they came."

"Who?" Twilight asked.

"The Sentients." Gheren spat. "That race of conquerors brought our empire down from within. The Tenno were sealed away in sleep, to awake when the time was ready. I was awoken under...unfortunate circumstance that I do not wish to speak of."

"Why?" Twilight asked.

"It is none of your concern.Though it is the reason I hold highest disdain for those who attempt to order or control me." Gheren said. "However, I believe there is something you should know. I am more than Orokin. I am human in origin."

Twilight sputtered, and Shining flinched.

"Humans are myth." Twilight said flatly.

"False." Gheren said. "We Orokin are their descendants, their inheritors. The Warframe, the Tenno, all come from the age of humanity. Unfortunately, there are few left due to the collapse of the Empire."

Twilight and Shining were silent for several moments. Then, there were loud hoofsteps, a crash, and a scream of joy. Followed by a pink mirage bouncing around Gheren.

"WELCOME TO PONYVILLE!" Pinkie Pie screamed in glee. Rainbow, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack came in and collapsed from exhaustion. Before Pinkie Pie could launch into her welcoming routine, Gheren had drawn his Aklato Pistols and fired three shots into the ceiling.

"Who are they, Twilight?" he growled. "You promised this would be private."

"I did." Twilight said. "Pinkie Pie likes to welcome everypony new in her own way. Usually with a party and a song-and-dance routine."

"I see." Gheren said angrily, starting to leave.

"Where are you going?" Shining asked.

"Back to my ship." he growled. "I need quiet and privacy."

"YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE WITHOUT ME!" Pinkie squealed, blocking his movement with an outstretched leg.

"Why is that?" he growled.

"Because you haven't had a party yet!" she replied. Gheren simply pushed past her and resumed walking.

"Hey, what's the big idea?" She said, clearly confused. "Don't you like parties?"

His next words froze her in place.

"No." he said. "I have not enjoyed such excessive celebration for hundreds of years. Nor do I need to experience one as of now."

But everypony likes parties!" Pinkie protested. "Everypony loves mine!"

"I am no pony." Gheren said. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I am not here for sheer merriment. I was in the middle of a council with your Prince and Princess, until you interrupted it so rudely."

Gheren continued to walk, past an astounded Pinkie.

"If I wanted a "party" upon my arrival, I would've indicated it." he said. "However, I did not do so. I ask you to leave me alone."

"Come on!" Pinkie said, pleading. "Please? I can throw you a party you won't forget!"

Gheren stopped and looked at Pinkie.

"Enough." he said, so coldly that Pinkie froze, skidding to a halt. "I am through with being pleasant with you, little one. I am returning to my ship to council with the Lotus. I wish to be alone, and left in peace and quiet. If you attempt to further advance your cause of merriment, I will respond more forcefully. I do not want a party. I do not need a party. I do not wish for a party. Am. I. Understood?"

Pinkie froze and nodded. The Tenno didn't respond as he headed off towards his ship. Pinkie blinked and shook her head, then she assumed a pose of deep thought atop a pedestal marked with "The Pinker", that she pulled out of her mane.

"Hmm." she murmured. "I wonder what I did wrong when I asked him. I must ponder this further!"

Everypony else groaned and sat down.

Author's Note

Yep, Gheren does not like parties.

Next time-The Lotus's instructions to Gheren.