The Maretian: Equus Tales

by Sandstorm94

Rating: teen
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, Dragons, Slice of Life, Crossover, Alternate Universe, Changelings, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Science Fiction, Other, Starlight Glimmer, Adventure
Length: 45846

This is a sequel to Kris Overstreet's "The Maretian". Mark Watney, now free at last from Mars, is having to stay on Equus while he recovers from Martian gravity. What new adventures await until he can return home, and what new feelings will emerge.

In the Changeling Space Program, many are chosen, but only a hoofful have the privilege to be named astromares. Never in her life had Queen Chrysalis dreamed of hosting an alien from another dimension, but yet it has to happen. Stranded on Equus until fit to fly home, Mark Watney will have to adjust to life of aliens and magic...

This is his story...

Published 2018-10-23 18:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2023-02-16 01:58:20 UTC

Arrival

Mark couldn't believe it, for the first time in over a year and a half he saw a blue and green planet beneath him, a sight that at one point he thought he would never see again. He knew it was not his own world, but at this moment he didn't care, he wanted nothing more than to be able to run around and breath without a suit. As Fireball and the Griffin stabilized themselves to escort him to the Harmony, tears start to flow down his cheeks.

"You alright there Mark?" Starlight asked, her voice cutting over his soft sobs. "There's no reason to cry; we'll treat you well while you're with us."

"There's a lot to cry about Starlight," Mark said, his emotional sea slowly smoothing like after a Gale force low had cleared out. "We are alive, we beat Mars, and we survived. Now, you five are home safely, and I know in due time I will be back home as well."

“True, but first let's get you on board shall we?” Starlight smirked, Mark now joining them as he was held up by Fireball and Wossname. “We’ll talk more when we get on!”

40 meters.

”This is going to feel like an eternity,” Mark thought, the dragon and griffon clearly out of sync, as if fighting over who was going to eat his remains. Each jerk, each mid flight readjustment, sparked a tiny voice screaming that the suit was going to rip and space would finally tally a victory. Those fears were calmed, however, the moment his feet touch the floor of the airlock.

“Won't be long now Mark,” Fireball said, his voice barely audible over the repressurization after the outer doors closed. “How you holding up?”

“I think I'm gonna be sick,” Mark grumbled, forcing down what little he had on his stomach. “Sooner I get to the ground, the sooner I'll be ok. No offense to either of you, but that ride felt worse than riding a bull in a red crayon factory.”

“Out of sync,” Wossname, whose accent reminded Mark of heavily ingrained German, said as the inner doors opened. “At least we got it together the last few meters, more than I can say about past flight experiences. Now, welcome to Harmony, or in Equus terms, the Concordia.”

The inside of the ship was buzzing, literally, with life. Countless drones flew about, using what no doubt was a gravity generator built into the ship to be able to freely move about as if they were surface side. The the translation spell used in his comms system helped, for he was able to pick out individual conversations despite the hussle and bussle.

A group of what had to be at least thirty drones all were lined up at one end of the space, a bag in their magic while a rather smug looking drone was collecting them, making Mark assume he was collecting his bets. Others were keeping an eye on the controls, and despite not being able to read the writing, they appeared to be gauges for various functions on the ship. An overhead readout, thankfully numeric, indicated .42G on the flight deck, with a countdown to ticking to reentry settled beside it. As much as it was to take everything in, hearing Starlight swear 'Sugar Honey Iced Tea’ in English was enough to warrant his full attention.

“Chrysalis, you seriously expect me to have returned Dragonfly in top condition?!” Starlight was furious, the rage practically making her mane smoke as she continued the rant. “We all nearly died, so you should be thankful that she's in the condition she is in!”

“And that I am,” The one named Chrysalis said, staring down Starlight like a lion stalking an antelope as Mark made his way over. He took the time to look over her features, noting that surprisingly she was eyelevel with him, towering over the others like a giant. No holes anywhere, which was the opposite of the shaking Dragonfly that was standing beside Starlight, and a horn that could easily slice through his throat with the wrong word being said. “However, I was fully entrusting you to return her nice and healthy, now I'm going to be short a set of hooves while she recovers thanks to you.”

“My Queen,” Dragonfly whimpered, doing her best to look at her mother right in the eyes. “With all due respect, I think-”

“Think what Dragonfly…” Chrysalis's attention shifted in the blink of an eye, and due to the complicated situation Mark was left powerless as he pitifully looked on. “Do you think that Starlight performed her job to her standards?”

“Considering the circumstances-” Dragonfly started, but was silenced with a hoof.

“Ah yes, being stranded in another universe, with no magic, thanks to a device that she helped design.” Chrysalis doubled down on the glare she held, freezing the unicorn and drone in their place and not hiding her smirk at the fear Mark was giving off. “So, that being said, this little escapade could be firmly planted on her withers. Now, all of you are suffering, and we have a being that shouldn't even exist in our presence due to Starlight's failure.”

“Knock it off Chrysalis,” A new voice, which to Mark sounded like the one making the flustered horse noises from earlier, said from behind the group. Spinning in place, Mark saw a pony with a lavender coat, two tone mane and tail, and had both wings and a horn approach them. “Quit trying to act so big and bad in front of Mark, I'm not even a changeling and I can tell he is already terrified of you.”

“That's all well and good Twilight,” Chrysalis smirked, Mark paling at the sight of her fangs, and making her giggle. “There are many reasons to be afraid of me, the mighty Queen of the Changelings!”

“I said, knock. It. Off…” Twilight softly growled, giving Mark what could be interpreted as an apologetic look. “At least they are all back alive, that's what's important, now isn't it.”

“I-indeed Twilight,” Chrysalis said, her demeanor rapidly cooling and taking a softer stance. “We have yet to have a Bad Day, and I intend that record to be kept intact. I guess I got a bit worked up there, and you really can't blame me for going off the way I did since that was our first joint mission of the CSP and ESA and wanted it to be perfect.”

“In a way it was, but not in the way we wanted it,” Twilight's smile had a weird effect on Mark, that plus the shine in her eyes filling him with an unusual sense of accomplishment. “We discovered multiple universes, launched numerous space races, and proved humans are not just a thing of myth, and that my great grandmother actually went on adventures with them.”

“Then there is us,” Twilight paused, motioning around the station, everyling turning their ears to listen. “Ponies and changelings, once bitter enemies, working together for a common goal. We, along with Mark's people at NASA, ensured that our astronauts were brought home safely, and no lives were lost. We did it together as a team, we did it together as a crew, but most importantly we did it together as friends.”

“Nice speech,” Mark said, all eyes suddenly drilling into him like a maniac with a hacksaw until he pointed to the helmet he was still wearing while he looked between Chrysalis and Twilight. “Dragonfly has told me a lot about the two of you, and I'm glad that we were able to actually meet.”

“As am I,” Twilight extended a hoof, a gesture that Mark returned by cupping it in his hands and shaking it. “I look forward to learning more about your race and planet during your visit here, and will help further our knowledge should stable communications and travel be established.”

“Enough with the sappy talk,” In less than a second, Starlight had left from her spot beside Mark and had Twilight trapped in a bear hug, a few drones groaning as they summoned bits. “I missed you so much Twilight. When we first crashed on Mars, I thought I would never see you again.”

“As did I my prized pupil,” Twilight chuckled, returning the hug as Chrysalis facehoofed. “That was simply brilliant with the Mares Code, and if it wasn't for that all hope would have been lost.”

“I missed you as well My Queen!” Dragonfly chirped, her wings buzzing like an energetic swarm of bumblebees as she shapeshifted between several ponies Mark didn't know, a dragon form of herself, and even a copy of Chrysalis before turning back to normal. “Can I get dibs on the Fun Machine when we get back to Horseton?”

“Of course Dragonfly, you have more than deserved it,” Chrysalis said, smiling and scooping Dragonfly into her own hug. Spitfire's jaw went slack at the display, making a variety of horse noises that the comm crystal couldn't interpret. “Although, considering your states, I suggest that you all head to the medical bay to be examined while I have a private word with my pilot.”

“And I would like a private word with Mark,” Twilight said, a drone leading the others away while Chrysalis took Cherry Berry to the other side of the space, Starlight galloping to give her friend some back up. “I actually know a fair bit about humans Mark, including their biology, so the drone and unicorn in the medical bay will know exactly what to look for. However, it is one of Equestria's best kept secrets, but if you're here long enough I will show you how I know.”

“You have no idea how grateful I am to be off that Godforsaken planet, and also not floating to my death in vacant space,” In his mind, Mark was really tempted to have this face to face, but it was squashed due to not having an open translation crystal outside the helmet. “but with all due respect to yourself, I want to return home as fast as possible.”

“You will be returned in due time,” Twilight's tone took on an edge, showing no room for argument. “I've got plans for both you and Phoenix, and besides your body needs to recover just like the others do. Based on our limited communications with NASA via Dragonfly and Starlight, we have determined our atmosphere and gravity are nearly identical to Earth. That being said, until our examiners clear you for flight, you will be staying here so that we can show we're true to our word.”

“And ease the minds of the folks on Earth,” Mark smirked, thankful it was hidden behind his visor. “Clever move Twilight, and a smart tactic to play should our worlds be open to each other full time.”

“I'm not the Princess of Friendship for nothing,” Twilight ruffled her wings and put a bit of magic into her horn, briefly making her look bigger as Starlight made her way back over. “Now come, let's get you to be checked out so we can return surface side.”

“Lead the way,” Mark said, looking over at Starlight as Cherry Berry followed, a smug look on her face. “Starlight, is everything cool between Cherry and Chrysalis?”

“Indeed,” Starlight nodded, a bit of a skip in her step as she followed in Twilight's hoofsteps. “One liner challenge between the two of them trying to one-up each other, they declared a draw and hugged before we came back to you and Twilight.”

“I better get Cherryaide while being examined,” Cherry Berry muttered, earning a laugh between the others. “Or at least some cherry cobbler.”

“A full Cherry Special is on the menu for yourself,” Twilight said, motioning to a door. “Inside there is the examination room, now if there aren't any further questions, I have a few things to handle while you're being checked out and eat a good meal.”

“As long as it is not potatoes, hay, or alfalfa I'll eat anything,” Mark's statement was met with a rapid nod from Cherry, herself growing tired of the same meal Sol in and Sol out. “I do have one last question, how is it this ship has gravity if it is not spinning? Got some sort of gravity generator onboard?”

“In fact there is,” Twilight smiled, sitting by the door. “Designed by myself, and Princesses Luna and Celestia, who you'll meet when we get back down on to the planet. The generator itself was only made in the last few months, vigorously tested in the last few weeks, and after triple checking was installed right before making the rescue jump. It is adjustable, and can generate up to 1G if needed. Now, .39G is Mars level, that much we know from various communications, but it takes at least .4G to fully run the kitchen.”

“How is it even possible to be running a kitchen in space anyway?” Mark asked, pushing the door about halfway open. “Flames and smoke makes it extremely dangerous.”

“There is a universal constant here, one you will learn,” Twilight flapped her wings, peering right into Mark's visor. “Magic. Solves. Almost. Everything.”

“Almo-” Mark didn't get the chance to finish, being dragged inside the room by Dragonfly's magic. Cherry closed the door after she entered, and a quick glance around showed the room was nothing out the ordinary for a large hospital room, with labels on every cabinet.

The exams themselves were not fun, but the moment he opened his suit alarm bells went off. A full decontamination shower, with extra strength shampoo, later and a strong enough blast of cleaning spray to eliminate the smell and it was time for dinner.

“Here you are,” The drone pushing the food cart, who Mark found out was named Lucky Cricket, said as he entered and levitated each tray to their recipient. While Mark was in the shower, Starlight had surprised him by leaving the comm crystal from the thruster. It had been delivered by Twilight after Starlight requested Dr. Prance to have the princess retrieve it. “Princess Twilight had something special sent specifically for you Mark. It is freshly fried catfish with a crunch glaze and a side of peas and carrots. There would have been a side of chocolate cake, but well… it is very hard to keep chocolate around a changeling and it not be eaten.”

Mark's eyes widened at the dish, the smell of fish firing his taste buds on all cylinders and it took every effort to keep from drooling. “This smells delicious, but I don't get it, aren't ponies herbivores?”

“Most are,” Spitfire said, motioning with a wing to her own plate of fish, kale, and a grilled cheese sandwich on pumpernickel. “But pegasi like me need fish as part of our daily diet. Our bones are hollow, which helps keeps us airborne, and the Omega-3 helps prevent bone cracking from strenuous use.”

“They aren't the only ones,” Fireball's words were jumbled, mostly due to him scarfing down with bowl of rubies, gold, and sapphires. “Dragons eat meat when younglings to accelerate muscle growth. When we get older, and our teeth harder, we switch to eating gems.”

“Changelings are omnivores,” Dragonfly coughed, her exact condition being evident now that they were in a magic rich environment. Her holes were larger, her chitin duller and slightly chipped, and her voice raspier. An emergency IV love bag had been hooked up to her, but it was already almost empty. “We eat both meat and veggies, but our main source of nutrients is feeding off love.”

“And apparently magic itself,” Starlight added, causing Dragonfly to look at her plate of chocolate, almonds, chicken, and a strawberry smoothie in shame. “Look on the bright side, your body reacting as it did sheds new light on changeling biology, and will further the field should we wish to visit Earth.”

“Yeah, but look what it cost me Starlight,” Lifting a hoof, she pointed straight at Mark without breaking eye contact with the unicorn. “I had to resort to a method I promised myself to never use since the Bad Old Days were supposed to be behind us. I completely drained Mark's love to keep myself alive, and both of us suffered dearly as a result. You all had to coax him back to normal function, and even after I came out the cocoon I still was fighting a day to day battle with the Pale Horse.”

“Dragonfly, listen to me.” Setting his food aside, Mark got up and moved to Dragonfly's bed, cupping his hands around her extended hoof. “You can feel emotions, so tell me, after I finally calmed myself down did you detect any hatred from me?”

“No,” Dragonfly's answer was soft, finally looking at the human, her eyes shimmering with building tears. “Not once I did, but how come you didn't? You had every right to hate my guts.”

“You simply did what we all were doing,” Moving one of his hand to under Dragonfly's chin, he felt her breath hitched at the touch and swore he saw a small blush. “You did what steps were needed to keep you alive. Would I have liked a warning? Yes, I would, but if we had missed the launch or had arrived late I would have let you do it again if needed.”

Dragonfly had no response, her dam finally cracking as she pulled herself up to cry onto Mark's shoulder. Lucky Cricket could hear Mark humming a tune he didn't recognize, but he saw it was calming Dragonfly down. What had caught most of his attention was the love bag in the IV. The longer Mark comforted Dragonfly, the more the bag filled.

He is giving her love freely..” Lucky Cricket thought, simply stunned by the gesture and how rich the ambient love in the room felt as he backed out the doorway. ”I must tell my Queen about this development.”

“I'm telling you, they all should have been dead many moons ago!” Fiberus, the medical drone, said while slamming a stack of folders on the table of the onboard conference room. With the others in the medical bay enjoying a hearty meal, only himself, Twilight, and Chrysalis were in the room. “Their bloodwork shows signs of extreme dehydration and malnutrition, which has cut their lifespans by a still-undetermined amount. In addition, they are drastically underweight, and their white blood cell count is basically zero. I have no explanation, other than a minor miracle.”

“They are going to get very ill when we return to the ground,” Chrysalis deduced, earning a nod from the examiner. “I suggest immediate quarantine and put on the strongest antibiotics bits can buy. The only question is how well Mark's body will recognize the treatment, and if it will help him or get him sicker.”

“He was able to take our morphine with no issues during the Airlock One blowout.” Twilight said, the tension in the room easing. “Included in the books Sunset gave me from a Canterlot High library book sale was a medical guide for internal functions. That includes the immune system, so we can probably have some scientists recreate a form of human blood plasma to help his recovery effort along.”

“Didn't you say once that the people there are nothing more than bipedal and hairless versions of ourselves?” Fiberus questioned, a steeled gaze locked onto the princess. “We have no way of knowing if that world's blood type would fit him, but we have nothing else to lose. Out of the six, Dragonfly is going to need the most time to recover, and a lot of love to go along with it.”

“Mark has that covered,” All eyes turned to the door, where Lucky Cricket was standing. “The two of them were just having a very formal exchange, with Dragonfly feeling depressed, and he took over and by the end of the discussion her love reserves had doubled.”

That news caused the other three in the room to pause. While there was the fact they had been in close proximity to each other for eighteen months, deep relations between crewmates was a taboo, for the good of the mission if nothing else. There was a more concerning fact, they both were different species, and being from different universes meant different sets of rules. While the citizens of Equus would probably congratulate the two, with Pinkie throwing a party, the Filthy Fred incident that Starlight had secretly relayed to Horseton and Cape Friendship rang in their minds.

“I got a feeling this is going to end oh so well…” Chrysalis muttered, the sarcasm plain as day in her tone as the Concordia set course for home.

Author's Note

This is A sequel, but will only become THE sequel with Kris Overstreet's blessing (obviously). This story will be split into two parts: Mark's stay, and after the link is established in the last chapter of The Maretian. Forgive me for any errors, my editors have been busy with their own lives so I ran this solo.

Dogman 15, thanks for the pointers.

I doubt that I will get the exposure or fanbase Kris got, but I will do my best to fill in the gaps despite being nowhere near his writing level. My Patreon is currently down, but I hope to have it back up shortly.

Until next time, carry on
~Sandstorm94

Descent

Mark was feeling beside himself. Finally able to relax in a comfortable bed, he enjoyed looking out the viewport to the planet below. It looked so much like Earth, but at the same time so different. The blue-green ball of life floating below had distinct continents, mountains, and a large northern ice cap that would rival Antarctica in size. Each astronaut had taken to themselves as the Concordia slowly drifted down towards the atmosphere to prepare to detach the carrier pod they were in, Chrysalis having executed the deorbital burn several hours before. Fireball had not stopped eating, and as a result, was slumped in his cot complaining from stomach cramps.

Spitfire, as soon as she completed her meal, had dropped to the floor doing a modified pushup with her wings. Due to doing it for several hours straight, she now looked like she was about to collapse.

“You really should stop Spitfire,” Mark’s tone showed his annoyance, but never once stopped petting Dragonfly, who was laying in his lap. “According to Lucky Cricket, we should be doing reentry any moment now, and even with the current .4G environment, you will be pressed to the floor.”

“Leave. Me. Alone. Mark.” Spitfire huffed, speaking between her downstrokes. “Must. Get. Stronger… Must. Fly. Again…”

“Spitfire, you will fly again,” Cherry Berry, whose muzzle, suit, and sheets were stained from cherry juice, said as she looked up from her cobbler. “But Mark is right, and if you don't stop on your own, I'm going to order you to stop.”

“No. Fair…” Spitfire snorted, slowly rising up and returning to her bed. “First thing I'm doing when we land is flying to Cloudsdale and back.”

“Sorry Spitfire, but you know with your medical training that your goal is a long way off.” Starlight's statement cut like a knife, and she didn't even have to look at the pegasus to know her point got across as she worked on the Babelfish spell in the crystal. “We are going to be in a full G environment again, and due to atrophy, our bodies are going to crash hard.”

“So quarantine then,” Spitfire said, crossing her forehooves at the fact Starlight was right. “Then I'm going flying.”

“May I address the elephant in the room?” Chrysalis’ question caused the others to jump, Dragonfly nearly falling out of Mark's lap as a result. “We are scheduled to arrive back in Horseton in roughly forty minutes and are currently doing final re-entry check with Goddard and Pinkie Pie. When we land, there is a full team of drones waiting to put you in the quarantine chamber, and you will stay there until cleared. Chances are you all will be fine in roughly five or six days, but Dragonfly will require another two. In the meantime, each of you will be put on a strict liquid-only diet, and the most potent antibiotics available.”

“We aren't leaving without Dragonfly,” Mark said, his level gaze startling Chrysalis with how he was standing up to her, and she could feel his fierce loyalty for her drone. “We’re a team, we’re a crew, and if Mars couldn't separate us then no little sickness will either.”

“May I remind you that my crew is the reason you're alive?” Chrysalis said, returning Mark's gaze with one that made the room feel like ice. “Our magic fixed and repelled everything that world threw at you. In fact, you should be grateful, but you are letting your feelings cloud your judgment, search them and you'll know I'm right.”

“You don't know that Chrysalis,” Mark rebutted. “I could have managed to get off Mars alive on my own ingenuity and skill, and I probably did in another dimension. I may be a botanist, but you have no idea just how thankful I am. We may be different species, but we all see each other as friends, and as for me the crew that I never got the chance to have a mission with.”

“Mark’s right Chrysalis,” Cherry Berry said, steeling her own look. “I want him recognized as an honorary member of the Amicitas crew for his hand in keeping us alive. We were discussing this earlier just after we finished dinner, and if it means an extra two days of isolation, then Celestia be damned we will stay there with her.”

“You would have to take that up with Twilight,” Chrysalis sneered, doing her best to keep her emotions in check but she was nearing her limit. “In the meantime, I need to have a quick word with Dragonfly about a changeling matter before we land, so I need to see her in the hallway immediately.”

A wave of uneasiness spread through the astronauts, none of them liking Chrysalis’ tone. Dragonfly, to her credit, showed no fear as she got off Mark’s lap and trotted through the door with her queen in tow. Once outside and the door closed, Chrysalis fired her horn, enveloping the two of them in an illusionary bubble of silence.

“So, it seems that Lucky's report was correct," Chrysalis said, making Dragonfly nervous due to showing or giving no emotion. “He said that you love Mark, and going by how saturated you are right now, you have no excuses. Have you forgotten the one known as Filthy Fred? Or do you want to end up like Thorax's lot of drones who look like a filly's dream?”

“If it comes to that point then so be it, My Queen,” Dragonfly was agitated, and she was going to hold nothing back. The months after getting out the cocoon had left her a lot of time to reflect on her life, and she made a mental vow to protect what was her's. “Even if I end up like Thorax, I will still be a part of the Changeling Space Program and assist in any way possible. Mark's love is sweet, but heavily tainted by a strong aroma of uncertainty. I will take my time, My Queen, but I fully intend on expressing my feelings for him.”

Dragonfly didn't give Chrysalis the chance to speak before continuing, a strange feeling of boldness pulsing in her at defending the one she loved. “Mark and the rest of the Ares crew have assured me and the others that people like Filthy Fred make up a minority, but they are a powerful minority. In a way, I can respect that, because they're no different than us My Queen. We are the minority in society, outnumbered by ponies 300:1, but until recently were feared. If Earth won’t accept our relationship, then he could always relocate here.”

Chrysalis was struck numb. She had a feeling since the Changeling Space Program began that Dragonfly would cause her trouble, but to outright revoke all her teachings was something that Chrysalis had not expected. If Dragonfly had not gone to Mars, and had consumed a large quantity of royal jelly, there was no doubt in Chrysalis’ mind that the drone would be a queen and challenge for the throne. For the briefest of moments, she considered shuttling Mark back to Phoenix and launching him back to his own world, but those thoughts were mentally put into the “Dumb Ideas that Instantly Backfire” folder of her filing cabinet.

“Spoken like a true changeling,” Chrysalis finally said, a predatory look returning to her eyes as she smirked. “That is your goals, but have you taken into consideration Mark's? He has made it crystal clear he wants to return to Earth, and the hypothesis is that if you go for an extended period of time it will kill you. We don't have the funds to do that kind of single purpose round trip every few months, that's at best by the way, so don't ask. In this universe is fine, but for now, multiple dimension hops are off limits.”

“I know what it is like to be blinded by love,” Chrysalis continued, and to Dragonfly's utter shock she had a smile on her face. “She was the most wonderful mare I could have ever met, and I could be around her undisguised at that. Well, that all changed and we split apart. I wanted her to rule at my side, but her ideas of rulership were quite different from mine, so I tried to forcibly turn her around to my thinking. That backfired, literally, and during the bad old days ‘back chitin heat’ was the term used for relationships ended by a drone revealing themselves.”

“Wait, you and Celestia were lovers?” Dragonfly blurted, thankful for the spell bubble in place once she saw her queen blush. “So that explains-”

“How during one of your infiltration missions, specifically the wedding, Celestia told Twilight to go retrieve the Elements?” Chrysalis said, raising an eyebrow at the shell-shocked drone. “She knew that wasn't going to work, but I have to admit that she was a clever mare in trying to do a forced redemption. Only a love surge can fully beat me, but she tried anyway. Keep that between us, now go back in the room so I can be in my pod when we land.”

Dragonfly nodded, zipping back into the room and noticing it felt different than when she left. The air was still heavy with anticipation and concern, but she felt a great sense of pride coming from Starlight, who was comfortably relaxing with the comm crystal glowing by her bed.

“How did it go Dragonfly?” Mark asked, wincing as the ship bucked once to signal reentry. “Everything alright between you and your mother?”

“In fact it is Mark,” Dragonfly's curtness gave the human pause, causing her to flatten her ears. “I mean, I'm not in trouble or anything, she just wanted to express how she felt on a few topics. I will tell you about them later when we get the chance and are alone.”

“Fine by me,” Mark shrugged, nodding his head towards Starlight as he spoke. “Gonna tell her the good news Starlight or should I?”

“Let me guess, she finished the Babelfish spell?” Dragonfly knew she had guessed right, especially when both Mark and Starlight stared at her in shock. “I felt pride coming from Starlight when I came back into the room, that and the fact the crystal is glowing its the only possible conclusion.”

“The only snag is I can't read your language,” Mark said, sighing in the process. “Like at all. I can tell the drawers and cabinets are labeled, I noticed that when I first stepped in here, but I can't tell what is what. Spoken language is fine, but I am going to need help with written translations for books and documents.”

“We can all help with that.” Fireball said, causing everyone to look at him with skepticism. “Look, I know that I was second worse only to Spitfire when it came to learning English, but this is a chance to return the favor Mark gave us. He knew the only way we were going to survive was if we could communicate, and with us cut off from home he took it upon himself to teach us his language.

“Each of us had trouble, some more so than others, but in the end, we pulled through. Now, the situation is reversed, and without the crystal, he would be seen as a pony equivalent of Filthy Fred with how his natural pronouncing was. We speak and write in Ponish, since it makes things easier for all involved with the space agencies. I know he won't be a natural like Dragonfly or Starlight are with English, but we can still do our best to return the kindness and generosity he gave us. We're aliens to his kind, like he is one to ours, so it all balances out.”

A wave of silence enrolled the room, the only sounds being from the fireball lapping at the heat shield and from workers moving around outside. Fireball had raised a good point, and one by one they each nodded in support of his statement.

“Yeah,” Starlight said, smiling at the dragon before looking at Mark. “We'll teach you like you reached us.”

“We’re a team.” Cherry Berry added.

Spitfire was next. “A unit.”

“A crew,” Dragonfly finished, the Horseton Space Center coming into view out the window as she looked at her crewmates before smiling at Mark. “But most importantly…

“Friends.”

Author's Note

Apologizes for this being short, I've been dealing with a pounding migraine all weekend and, with a commission due by next Sunday, this is the best I can do for this chapter in the time allotted.

However, I do have a bit of good news, my Patreon is finally back up fully and you can find it here.

Touchdown

The astronauts were floating.

Landing just a few miles from Horseton, the splash zone was one that had been cherry-picked from a host of others because it was midday and the sun was directly overhead. Normal protocol about waiting for the rescue ships was thrown into the abyss. as soon as the ship stabilized and achieve buoyancy everyone shredded their makeshift suits and dunked into the water, simply basking in the sun.

“This feels so nice,” Mark said, his worries feeling as if they were being washed away with each gentle wave that hit them and the landing capsule. The only complaint he had about the reentry was as soon as they hit the troposphere, the whole room had glowed and changed. The beds shifted into an upright position and closer together as the room shrunk, giving him whole new respect for sardines since he was squished between Fireball and Starlight. “Reminds me so much of long summer days spent at the beach and wasting the day away.”

“Considering how the last two years of our lives were spent, screw protocol.” Cherry Berry said, visions of cherries dancing in her head as she watched a few clouds lazily drift above them before looking at her crewmates. “If anypony is going to take the heat for us not waiting in the capsule, I will take full responsibility.”

“You know we won't let you do that bossmare,” Dragonfly said, giggling as the water flowed through the holes in her legs and hooves. “You didn't hear any of us try to talk you out of it, right? We're all to blame. So there."

“Fine,” Cherry grumbled, then her whole demeanor changed as she looked back up to the sky. “Hard to believe that a simple mission took such a drastic turn, but you know what? Even with the trails we faced, I wouldn't trade it for anything.”

“Same here,” Starlight said, a small smile threatening to cross her face. “I mean, we all learned how to do without magic. That really puts things in perspective, you know? This whole planet is full of magic, full of life, and having to do without it shows just how much we take everything for granted.”

“Just like my ability to fly,” Spitfire said, doing an inspection on her primary feathers as the urge to take off continued to build. She knew that she couldn't in her current state, but the urge was there nonetheless. “Being grounded left me feeling… helpless. Ever since I was a filly I strived to be a leader, a strong mare others could look up to and be a good role model to those ponies. Being grounded for so long gave me a whole new level of respect for Earth Ponies. That being said, I see now
why you wanted to fly so badly Cherry, it is a feeling of being free since you can't fly on your own.”

“I think we all grew together as well,” Fireball said, stopping Cherry from repeating one of her most famous, trademarked answers. “We became closer than we were when we left Equus, and triumphed over every challenge we faced.”

“We also picked up a new friend,” Dragonfly said, smiling at Mark as she swam over to him. “He taught us how to use new technology, a new language, and helped keep us alive by sharing his food supply. Even with me having to use… ‘methods’ I'm not proud of, I wouldn't trade him for anything in either world.”

“That sounds… slightly romantic.” Starlight said, causing Dragonfly to turn a lovely shade of crimson. “Do you love Mark?”

“What?!?!” Both Mark and Dragonfly said, the human now having the same shade as Dragonfly's cheeks. They opened their mouths at the same time, but Dragonfly was quicker to speak up. “Me? Love Mark? You can't be serious Starlight! He is a monkey, a well trained one but still a monkey!”

“Oh come on,” Mark said, a grin crawling across his face like a spider on a web. “There is no need to be so cruel. You are a lovebug, and lovebugs have to love, so I can tell you love me.”

"He has a point," Starlight smirked, giving Dragonfly a light boop on the snoot. "So I guess I am right."

“I love lots of things!” Dragonfly said, now desperately trying to crawl her way out of the situation she was cornered in. “I love Sojourner. I love My Queen. I love playing Pink Mare. I love the sun shining down on us right now, and I absolutely adore Personal Space Invader. However, if you think I love Mark, you can take that idea and shove it up your-”

“Careful Dragonfly, denial is a dangerous emotion to let loose." Dragonfly froze as Chrysalis’ voice caused each of the crew, even Mark, to gulp as they turned their heads. The changeling queen looked at them with an unnerving grin from atop the capsule, clearly enjoying the scene in front of her. “Under normal circumstances, each of your hides would be in hot water for climbing out the capsule and not waiting for the ship, but these are less than normal circumstances now aren't they?”

“How are you even here?” Mark asked, lifting himself halfway out the water by using the capsule door as leverage. “When we hit the lower atmosphere, the room shrank, and I don't see Twilight or any other drones anywhere either.”

“Twilight and a select few, including Lucky Cricket and Fiberus, are in a separate capsule about a kilometer and a half from here,” Chrysalis said, motioning in a vague south-southwest direction with a hoof. “It was unanimous agreement that I come and check on you, and to see how Twilight's developmental capsule design held up. Judging by the looks of things, everything was a success.

The capsule itself is safe to land, considering that the Concordia is such an impressive feat of engineering that it is to stay in space. The capsule has sensors on the outside of the hull, and once above a certain altitude, it expands into a full-sized environment that has thrusters to help guide it back to the Condcordia docking bay. Although I suggest you hurry up and get back inside, I see the recovery ship approaching on the horizon.”

Looking in the same direction as Chrysalis, the crew members saw the vague outline of a ship approaching, growing bigger with each passing second. Scrambling up the ladder and back into their seats, they waited patiently for rescue and to finally be back on fertile soil. Chrysalis, who was standing outside the now-closed capsule, brought magic into her horn and each astronaut could feel themselves now being fully dry and no longer smelling of salt water as Chrysalis teleported away.

“That was nice of her,” Mark said, being caught off guard as he felt the capsule shift, a bright emerald green glow filling each window as they were hoisted on board. “Dragonfly, is she normally this kind, or is it because she sees herself gaining something as a result?”

“My Queen is playing nice, and I think I know what it is,” Dragonfly said, an unreadable hint of something being weaved into her tone like a silky spider web. “Treating you well makes her look good. Working with Twilight does the same thing. No offense to bossmare, Starlight, or Spitfire, but a vast majority of ponies are stupid in regard that they can't see it even though it is right in their muzzles.”

A quick dismissive “none taken” gesture of the three ponies’ hooves prompted Dragonfly to continue. “Don’t be surprised if you get constantly asked the same questions over and over by the press, not only about yourself but also how you are being treated.”

“I'm not worrying about it Dragonfly,” Mark said, the capsule now sitting on the deck of a large barge, dozens of reporters with cameras furiously recording and taking pictures. “Besides, you're home.”

The cave song, with each of who had sung it had collectively named ‘Home’, fired back to life and as it did the magic overtook them once more to raise their voices to the heavens with a different tune.

“Home is where the heart is,” Mark began, a smile forming on his face. “And it is so easy to miss...”

“Yet you're always home,” Dragonfly chimed in. “When you're with family and friends…”

Starlight was the next to add to the verse as the magic guided her. “Our journey has taken us to places far, met new friends and raised the bar.”

Spitfire was next. “Now we spread our wings…”

Cherry Berry used it as her cue, in the processes cutting off Starlight. “Grow new things…”

Fireball's voice added some deep bass, strengthening the flow between the astronauts. “Learn new trades, and dodge Death’s blades… We have had to take each Sol in stride but after all this time..”

“We are home, we are home!
No longer, will we roam!
We are home… we are home!”

Starlight. “Our journey has taken us to places far, and seen things quite bizarre…”

(“We are home…”)

Cherry. “The magic of life, the rules we bent, to survive that hellish planet…”

(“We are home…”)

Fireball. *Learned to drive a cool rover, with lots of ground to cover…”

(“We are home..”)

Spitfire. “With a magic battery on my back, the fearsome storm was attacked.”

(“We are home…”)

Dragonfly. “Through all the adventure and all the thrill, there was still one thirst we had to fill. Tired, sore, weak, and weary, we still had our mission to carry. Our fortunes could’ve changed on the drop of a dime, but after all this time…”

“We are home… we are home!
No longer, will we roam!
We are home… we are home!”

Mark. “It feels so good to finally be free, with that burden gone from me.”

(“We are home…”)

Mark. “I still have another leg ahead, then I can put this adventure to bed...”

(“We are home…”)

Mark. “There is still much to learn, things to do. Places to discover and trials to get through. However, none of that matters at the end of the day, because when it's done I can say…”

“We are home… we are home!
No longer, will we roam!
We are home… we are home!”

(Oh-oh-oh)

“We are home… we are home!
No longer, will we roam!
We are home… we are home!”

“We are home… we are home
We are home… we are home”

The magic started to fade from the six astronauts, but it still had a profound effect on those who were standing on the ship deck. Each changelings’ chitin had a waxed sheen, their wings sparkling like the finest gems. As for the ponies who were recording on their television cameras, a joyous sensation that lifted up their spirits filled their bodies to the core like a perfect jubilee. Ponies and changelings, even those watching from their homes, stomped their hooves in thundering applause.

“Welcome home,” A changeling, wearing a spotless white vest that was as pure as snow, said, waving at the astronauts inside the capsule. “And as for you Mark, welcome to Equus, my name is Occupant and am the Flight Controller for the Changeling Space Program. Once you all clear quarantine, I am going to have personal arrangements made to make sure your time here is as joyous as possible.”

“Occupant?” Mark said, raising his eyebrow in a questionable manner. “No offense, but that sounds more like a job than a name. Are you related to Dragonfly by any chance?”

“I am!” Occupant said, a grin on his face that Mark found goody due to the drone’s bucktoothed fangs. “Everybuggy in the hive is related, considering My Queen laid us. She can be a bit of a demanding mother at times with that she asks us to do, but beneath that hard shell she loves us all. As for my name, I love to work, and I'm My Queen's personal letter ling in addition to Flight Controller.”

“How long before we reach the shore?” Spitfire said, nosing her way to the window. “I want to get out and fly around the skies a bit.”

“You can once your quarantine is over,” Occupant said, avoiding the rock-hard glare Spitfire was giving him. “As for how long, it will be about thirty minutes. Another recovery ship, led by Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and von Brawn, are going to pick up the other capsule and return with them later. Right now, the top priority is for you to get in full quarantine as fast as possible.”

Different species have different needs. It was well known that ponies were mainly herbivores, dragons were mineravores, griffins were carnivores, and changelings were emotivores. Mark, being a human and omnivore, had a vastly different system, but the basic fundamentals were the same. The skeletal system formed the body's form, muscles and organs kept the body alive, and the immune system kept the invaders at bay.

Unfortunately, for each astronaut, the last was fighting a full-scale biological war.

Nearly two years of wallowing in each other's filth (literally) to keep the soil well fertilized for their precious cave farm had exposed their bodies to numerous bacteria and viruses. The low gravity on Mars had been their only safety net, due to their metabolisms and bodies undergoing severe atrophy from being in those conditions for so long, and their immune systems had no ability to do more than contain the worst of the spreading invaders, unnoticed due to them not posing any harm.

Happenchance the changeling threw a monkey wrench in the state of things. She was one of, and some in both the Changeling Space Program and Equestrian Space Agency claimed the best, maids that the Horseton center had. She loved her position, and when Chrysalis offered her to join along in making the rescued astronauts’ beds, the young drone couldn't stop chirping for joy. The day before takeoff for the Concordia, however, she had caught a strain of cold that had no trouble passing between Eques species.

Against her better judgment, she hid the fact she was sick from Chrysalis, and set about doing the task she had been brought along for. All went well, mainly due to her being isolated from everyone else on board, but it unraveled due to a tiny sneeze while changing the linens during the astronauts’ dinner time. The minuscule droplets carried the virus into the air and soon had entered each of the astronauts. At the time, still above the atmosphere, their immune systems tried to fight but still could not get the upper hand.

Now back in sustained full gravity, their immune systems finally seized a chance to eradicate the virus. Ramping up production of white blood cells and antibodies to track down and eliminate this threat had unfortunate side effects: their temperatures spiked as their bodies grew weaker.

What complicated matters, in Mark's unique case, was that during those brief periods of time being exposed to the magic field generator small traces remained locked in his fat deposits. With the cold being Equus in origin, if he had not been exposed then he would have been fine, but the invaders detected the magic as they continued their assault and interpreted Mark as being an Equusite himself.

So, as the shore came into view, the astronauts had no idea their day was about to be flipped on its head.

It was late evening by the time the ship containing Queen Chrysalis and Twilight returned to the Horseton Space Center. Both were exhausted, and the lack of a proper meal all day combined with slightly rough seas had both in no mood to deal with surprises. However, after a quick decontamination shower and clean bill of health, they found one in the conference room. Sitting at the table were several ponies, and a lone changeling, that they had not expected to see again.

“Welcome back,” Inquisitor Sparkle said, motioning to the two empty seats opposite her and the rest of the visitors. “First of all, congratulations on the rescue and recovery, the knowledge learned will vastly improve our own protocols back in my dimension. However, the point of our visit is something else entirely, and it deals with the Sparkle Drive.”

“The Sparkle Drive?” Twilight said, her and Chrysalis taking their seats as confusion took over both of them. “What about it? I haven't had the chance to extract the data from it, let alone analyze it.”

“Ah, but that is the thing about it,” Nightmare Moon said, giving Twilight a slight grin that had meaning only the two of them knew, one that Twilight loved. “We took the liberty to look over the footage taken from the Angel 18 probe while we were waiting for you to return, and found something astonishing. The calculated speed the Phoenix was traveling after launching off Mars was FTL…”

“FTL…” Chrysalis stammered, her own wide-eyed expression matching Twilight's. “That means…”

“Faster than light...” Twilight said, finishing Chrysalis’ sentence. A few, silent seconds passed that only the sound of the wall clock interrupted, until everything wrapped itself like a nice Hearth's Warming bow and snapped Twilight out her stupor. “Wait for a second, how could you have reviewed the footage? We were only in space for a few days before jumping to rescue them, and you all weren't here when we left.”

“We arrived the day after you left, unknowingly of course, in hopes that we give a status update on our own space races.” Chrysalis the Jungle Queen said, leaning back in her chair. “Seeing as we had nothing else to do, it was decided that we were going to stay and watch. As soon as the full scale of the signal came through, Inquisitor Sparkle started doing the math on just how fast they were going.”

“I couldn't believe it at first,” Inquisitor Sparkle said, pushing a sheet of calculations across the table for Twilight to look over. “But after five times checking it verifies. For that, I say congratulations, and that you should receive a nice payday once it is officialized. The fact the Sparkle Drive can achieve such speeds will vastly improve the reach for the stars.”

“There is one problem though,” Sunset Shimmer, who was sitting in the corner while chewing on a haystalk, said as she got up. Adjusting her jacket, modified to fit as a unicorn, she trotted over with a poise that carried a sense of warning. “Each universe, including my own, loves space. I don't know the specifics of this rescue mission, nor do I want to know them since I just came to the deliver the probe that dropped in my Fluttershy's backyard, but if what you say is true then there are implications.

There is a saying in my universe, and it applies here. It goes ‘as technology advances, the world gets smaller.’ Let's say the Sparkle Drive does go FTL, but what does that mean for Princess Luna, or even you Nightmare Moon? The vastness of space that you two cherish will become significantly less vast. What would take multiple lifetimes, and several stasis, to get to could be reached in a few years.”

“Noted point,” Nightmare said, having a strange peacefulness on her face that none of them were expecting. “It does make it smaller, but even I can't see the outermost edges of my grand sky. So, it does take away some of the awe and splendor, but it also fuels the sense of adventure. The adventure, little pony, far outweighs the other factors. She might not admit it, but during several talks with this world's Luna, I could tell she shares the same idea I have.”

“I will believe it when I see it.” Chrysalis dryly answered. “Considering she threw a fit about us doing a flyby without permission, I doubt that she has that mindset.”

“Tell me something,” Nightmare Moon said, her slitted pupils glaring daggers into Chrysalis’ own. “If somepony walked into your hive and into your throne room, without permission, and started doing as they pleased would you throw a fit?”

Chrysalis, remembering the very first time that Cherry Berry came to the hive, said nothing. However, reflecting back on the moment the changeling way of life was turned on its head, she would consider Cherry Berry a friend if she was into the pony way of bonding. The fact she considered it bothered her, but she decided that was for another time.

“Wise answer,” Nightmare said, bringing Chrysalis out her reflection as she laid down a blueprint. “Now, can you please help me understand why my subjects laughed when I told my engineers I wanted this built?”

One by one, each mare looked at the blueprints, and after looking at them the same gut-wrenching laughter came out their muzzles.

“W-what is that?!” Chrysalis the Jungle Queen asked, using the table to help keep her upright. “You wanted them to build a moon that looks like a disco ball? What purpose could that possibly be used for other than throwing the world's largest disco party?”

“It is not a disco ball, and it is not a moon.” Nightmare fumed, a spell daring to be let loose from her horn. “It is a space station, and I like the look since it is inspired by my moon.”

“Calm down girls,” Twilight said, her own giggles starting to subside. “We all have different tastes, and if that is her’s then we can't judge her creativity. The last thing we need right now is a magic fight when there are astronauts in quarantine.”

“It seems that I arrived at the right time then,” Fiberus said, entering the room with a ragged step caused from exhaustion. “The others on the medic team are in a full-blown panic right now because of the fact all six astronauts are currently running a fever and sneezing. Oh, and Skip Town is in the ICU for burns caused by Fireball sneezing on him and burning through his suit.”

“He deserves that,” Chrysalis grumbled, nopony daring to ask what the poor drone did to deserve such horrible pain. “Just pump him full of morphine and ship him back to the hive to recover. As for the astronauts, how did they get so sick so fast? Do you think that one of them was sick and it finally metabolized?”

“I highly doubt that, My Queen,” Fiberus said, taking the liberty to sit in the chair Twilight had vacated. “Tests show they have a nasty strain of the common cold, but it is a specific strain that can easily jump between species. Makes me wonder if anybuggy onboard the Concordia was sick when we picked them up.”

“That's impossible,” Chrysalis said, staring down the poor doctor who was shaking in his seat under the intense glare. “Especially since all transfers are checked on a weekly basis before and during the mission.”

“Unless the culprit got sick after the checkup, and hid the fact they were sick before liftoff,” Fiberus said, his pupiless eyes widening as the pieces started to fall into place. “Wait, who all had access to the medical pod while we were in space besides me?”

“It was a very select list,” Chrysalis said, anger starting to boil as she realized who the culprit was. “The only one besides you, me, Twilight, and Lucky was Happenchance. Do you know where she is now?”

“She is still in space Chrysalis,” Twilight said, her own anger threatening to take control. “Remember, it was decided after we met back in your office that she come back next week on the next transfer shuttle.”

“This is bad, very, very bad,” Fiberus said, looking between the two rulers while mentally figuring who he would be safer going against. “Not only for her own well being, but also the entire Concordia crew. In addition, I’m going to give you both a daily antibiotic just to be on the safe side. You both passed your physicals, but that doesn't mean something won't come up in a few days.”

“Damn that blasted drone,” Chrysalis fumed, storming for the doorway. “I am going to make sure she pays for her foolishness!”

“If she doesn't, I get the scraps if she lets me,” Twilight said, Sunset holding the alicorn back as she attempted to calm down. It took several long, tense minutes, but Twilight finally managed to get her temper back under control. “Now, if you all will excuse me, I got a press conference to prepare for that not only will change the space race, but also the exploration of the stars.”

Without another moment of thought, Twilight teleported away.

Author's Note

I fucked up.

After the last chapter was published, Kris Overstreet himself corrected me on one glaring mistake that I had made: Concordia is permanently in space, instead of being able to land, so Chrysalis talking about the cabin is my way of doing a retcon. For that, I apologize.

Thanks as always goes to Penalt for editing, as well as Dogman15, HiddenMaster, and Azeazezar for suggestions.

I also give a shoutout to my two Patreons (:flutteryay:):
Azeazezar
Shooting Star

Like what you see and want to join my Patreon? Click here.

Rebound

The medical wing of the Horseton Space Center was a relatively new facility. In the early days of the space race, any astronauts who were sick after reentry had only been sent home to decompress, rest, and recover their energy. However, a dangerous situation in which Rainbow Dash, who volunteered to be the first pony to spend more than a month in orbit, turned the whole practice on its head.

Shortly after splashdown, Rainbow grew ill enough that she had to be put on emergency quarantine. At the time, doctors couldn't figure out why she was so sick, considering all her in-flight vitals came back normal, did three daily EVAs for exercise, and had enough food for the trip. It was only after Twilight made Rainbow do some light benchmark exercises to compare with her preflight results that the key was found. All of her results were lower, like in the cognitive tests, with her reaction time a drastic 8.3% slower.

Using the new information, a routine exercise regimen was added to Rainbow's morning physical therapy as an experiment, and the results were astounding. Between the exercises and a blend of antibiotics normally reserved for a severe case of the feather flu, Rainbow was nearly back to full health within a fortnight. Gathering all the information into an organized folder, Twilight herself delivered the findings to Queen Chrysalis, who ordered a hive-wide production stoppage on the latest experimental liquid rocket engine in order to have the medical wing ready by the time the astronauts returned.

It was during this time that Chrysalis went up for a month as a bench test for how changelings would react to the month-long exposure. She truthfully didn't want to do it, but with both Dragonfly and Cherry Berry stuck on that lifeless red rock she had no choice. All her life she had instilled fear, and her first trip in the centrifuge had taught her what fear was, but the backlash her body gave her after returning put in perspective just how much of a miracle it was Dragonfly was still alive.

With the combined efforts of Cape Friendship, Zecora, Eye Wall, and the hive, the whole medical wing was built and fully operational in less than two months. Chrysalis, hoping to avoid having g the displeasure of christening it in, had waited until the last possible moment to return to the Concordia to help put it in standby for the dimension jump. Considering her short exposure, it ensured that the Phoenix astronauts were the first to use the medical facilities, and it was paying its cost back tenfold.

“I really hate being sick,” Mark said, blowing his nose into a tissue, the total number he had long lost count of. “Almost makes me wish that we were back in the Hab… almost.”

“I know the feeling,” Dragonfly grumbled, two drones in full-body biohazard suits using chisels to chip away the dried slime that had cemented her face to her pillow, and her body to the bed. “Feels like my insides are being pureed with lava, my chitin being crushed by extreme gravity, and my head about to explode all at the same time.”

“Just give it a week Dragonfly,” Occupant said, giving each bedridden astronaut their covered tray of tomato soup and sourdough bread. “And I'm sorry if this doesn't fill you up, but this light diet is all I'm allowed to make until your stomachs settle.”

“After spending all last night feeling as if our organs were coming through our mouths, this is a welcome change.” Cherry said, groaning as she sat up and sipped her cherryade, only to spit it out with extreme disgust. “It tastes like bucking potatoes!!!”

“Cherry Berry, I think you are over-” Fireball’s comment was cut short, copying Cherry's reaction as he spat out his soup. “Guh! So does my soup!”

“Considering that and alfalfa is all you ate for so long, that's probably why your taste buds are reacting as such.” Twilight, in her own full body suit, said as she entered the room. “I was about to head for Mission Control to do a speech, but I decided to come check on you myself.”

Not wanting to suffer the same fate as their friends, Mark, Spitfire, Dragonfly, and Starlight each pushed their meals away.

“That’s nice of you Twilight, but as you can see we're all sick.” Starlight said, grimacing at the thought of tasting that accursed ball of starch again. “Anyway, what is your speech going to be about? Just us coming home and Mark being here for a short time? Also, can you please go see if we can have saline bags to replace the food? None of us want to taste that dreaded tasteless spud ever again.”

“That is going to be a part of it, yes,” Twilight said, looking around the room to each astronaut before setting her eyes on Dragonfly with an empathetic look. “But I have made a decision that will affect the entire space race as a whole, and before you ask, I'm not stopping any missions.”

“Empathy doesn't taste too well Twilight,” Dragonfly said, managing a weak chuckle. “Although, I do appreciate the concern. I beat the Pale Horse more than once on Mars, I'm not going to let this be the thing that lets him win. I will get better, I will be back to my old self, and I will be on missions again. I don't care what that doctor said, he doesn't know my body like I do and that's that.”

“I admire your charisma,” Twilight said, flashing a small smile. “It is the same drive that fills me with determination to not only serve and protect Equestria, but also for the best interests for the betterment of the space race. I just have one thing to ask of you, in your attempt to get back in shape, don't break yourself down.”

“I promise,” Dragonfly said, coughing up a bit of dried mucus as she spoke. “Although, I think that you should hold off on the speech, can you please wait until we all get better?”

“I suppose…” Twilight mused, tapping her chin with a hoof. “Besides, that would give me the chance to talk some things over with my friends, so I think I will take that suggestion to heart and wait until next week. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go see about those saline bags.”

True to her word, Twilight returned less than an hour with a group of medical drones, each carrying several saline bags before hooking each astronaut to an IV. Over the course of the following week, things settled into a sense of normalcy, with each astronaut showing improvement day by day. Five days after the initial visit, Twilight returned.

“How is everyone doing?” Twilight said, the doctor on duty giving her the all-clear not to wear a suit. “You all look way better.”

“Feel better too,” Mark said, draping his legs over the edge of the bed as he sat up. “Queen Chrysalis has been helping me re-learn how to walk, as much as I hate to admit that, and nothing tastes like potatoes anymore.”

“Umm, Mark,” Twilight said, scrunching up her nose. “When was the last time you changed clothes?”

“The shower on Concordia,” Mark said, sighing in defeat. “But before that was many sols ago on Mars. I honestly lost count of the last time before that, let alone a full clean wardrobe.”

“This will not do!” With an, in Mark's eyes, adorable stomp with a hoof, Twilight's horn came to life and had a scroll and quill appear. A furious bout of writing later, she sent the scroll away. “There we go, a friend of mine is a fashionista. I just sent her a letter saying there was a fashion emergency that needed to be addressed. Best bet? She will be here in less than ten minutes. In the meantime, can you tell me more about Earth?”

“Where to start?” Mark chuckled, seeing as how Twilight had summoned a full stack of parchment and a set of quills with an inkwell. “Don’t you remember the brief conversation you had with NASA way back on Sol 99? There are over 8 billion people on Earth, and if I had to guess it is roughly the same size as your planet based on how the gravity feels on my body.”

“Hang on,” Twilight said, raising a hoof like a filly to a teacher. “I will honestly admit that I forgot about that. What amazes me is that you have so many in what can be described as a small environment. The combined population of all species here on Equus, for comparison, is just over 3 million.”

“3 mil-” Mark paused, his brain trying to comprehend what he had just heard. “Twilight, I must remind you we have almost 200 countries on Earth, and China's population is over 1.4 billion. If you really want a comparison, New York City by itself has 3.4 million. Think about that, one city has more of a population than this whole planet. What you have here is paradise compared to the hellscape Earth has become. Cities are overcrowded, most town limits are starting to merge together like a roughly done patchwork quilt, and people have to wear masks due to low air quality.

That's not even including the environmental impact. With a population that outweighs the natural production, most meals are synthetically made with artificial flavorings. That fish I had on the Concordia? It was the most flavorful thing I’ve had in a very long time, and I’m including before I even entered NASA astronaut training. A century ago, there were vast forests on several continents, but those had to be cleared away for more development. Entire species were wiped out, since they couldn't reproduce in captivity. Coral reefs? Becoming thing of the distant past, each year dying quicker than it can reproduce due to bleaching. Natural products like coal, natural gas, and oil are well on their way to hitting critical levels and soon the market will collapse due to their scarcity. Gems and minerals have been nearly exhausted for use in machinery and jewelry, to the point a single ounce of gold is worth over $1500. On the flip side, inflation is also an issue, because it takes over a dollar just to get a loaf of bread whereas it as ten cent a few decades ago.”

Twilight's scroll hit the floor, ink spilling all over the polished tile at the new information. To her, it brought terrible memories to the surface of the barren landscape during one timeline during her fight with Starlight; Starlight herself silently felt the same way, giving her one-time nemesis a 1000 yard stare. To the others, it sounded like Daybreaker threw a frat party, destroyed everything while drunk, and was leaving the owners to clean up the mess.

“Why don't you stay here then Mark?” Dragonfly said, all eyes falling on her as she addressed one of the magic elephants wearing a tutu in the room. “Get away from that nightmarish place and live your life in peace.”

“I can't do that Dragonfly, you know that.” It tore a rift in his emotional spectrum that he had to go back. He knew the changeling could feel the conflict in him, a conflict that would never go away until he was certain NASA no longer needed him. “I haven't seen my friends and family in over two years, I need to be with them, I need to get the thing settled with NASA, and I need to play advocate on each of your behalfs. The air here is rich and pure, just like each of your goals, you don't need the greed goblin known as the human race to lock you all away. Where we have you beat in technology by at least eighty years, you have the magic advantage here to overcome the odds.”

“I think you all need to get in the hall, now.” Dragonfly's tone was dead and emotionless, her deep blue orbs drilling into Mark like Martian winds blasting the canvas skin of the Hab on Sol 6. A look of uncertainty spread around the astronauts, remaining until Twilight put each of them in wheelchairs and vacated the room, an opaque bubble of silence going up once the moment the door shut. “Are you trying to give me grief Mark? Earth sounds like a place where you would want to go dancing with the Pale Horse, and to think I was looking forward to visiting your homeworld…”

“What is this about Dragonfly?” Mark said, doing his best to avoid the look of pure hellfire in the drone's eyes. “You are acting like a wife trying to talk her husband from going to a war both know he wouldn't be coming back from.”

“How do I know you will be coming back Mark?” Dragonfly snarled, unleashing her concern in the form of rage. She felt that he was being foolish, and despite her wanting to put this conversation off as long as possible, she felt her hoof was forced. “I don't want you to go Mark! I want you to stay here, I want you to be with me, and I don't want to even think about you forgetting about me when you return home. I… I love you.”

“As a friend?” Mark asked, getting up and sitting on Dragonfly's cot. The moment he sat down Dragonfly wrapped her forehooves around him, and he felt her stiff chitin as she bit back at the storm within her. “Or as something more?”

“Uhh…” Dragonfly paused, trying to remember the analogy that she had picked up once before. “I love you the way Gollum loved the One Ring, and how Smaug loved the Arkenstone, you're My Precious. If I could go to Earth, and teleport everything that was close to you here just to make you stay, I would. I want you as my coltfriend…”

“As a-” Mark's eyes widened, Dragonfly getting hit with a wave of shock mixed with a touch of relief. Pulling the lovestruck drone into his lap, he began stroking the fin on her head. “You love me that much huh… Is that why you became so nervous around me? I might not have the level of emotional connection you do, but I still could tell you had something on your mind, I could see it in your eyes. Here's the thing, after being stuck for two years I am really homesick. I want to see my parents again, I want to go to a ballgame with my dad, and never go back into space.”

“But that would mean leaving me behind…” Dragonfly’s voice hitched, a tiny trickle of goo running down her cheek as she sniffled. “I would be nothing but a memory, and memories tend to fade and lost to time.”

,

“And hope for the day I say will you marry me?” Mark chuckled, only to freeze. Time seemed to stand still, all the years of him getting away with his humor in the universe crashing down like a ton of bricks. He felt the chitin against him tense, stiff as steel, before a very bug-like squeal started to build. “Now Dragonfly-”

“YESYESYESYESYES!!!” Dragonfly said, pinning Mark to the cot and giving as many adorable kisses as she could.

Well, adorable from a changeling point of view anyway.

“By Celestia's sweet flank, WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!” Twilight's examination shattered Dragonfly's mood, causing her to flail and Mark to sit up wide-eyed. Twilight, the other astronauts, Rarity, and Chrysalis were all standing in the doorway with a look of shock, Dragonfly's privacy bubble inadvertently dispelling in her moment of glee. “I would tell you two to get a room, but it seems Dragonfly took care of that herself.”

“It wasn't what it looked like,” Mark said, trying to ease the awkwardness. “We were just having a discussion about me going back to Earth, I said something sarcastically, and she jumped all over it like Spitfire beating everyone to the shower.”

“Considering the… ‘position’ you two were in,” Chrysalis said, her words deliberately slow to bite back her envy and embarrassment. “If what you said is what I think you said, then hival law says you two are consummate and officially married.“

“What?!” Mark was mad, and even the ones in the room who weren't changelings could feel it. Dragonfly, scared stiff at the sudden emotion flip, lept off the bed and hid behind Chrysalis. “Ok, first off, it was a misunderstanding. Secondly, I know what that word means and we were doing nothing close to that. Third, Twilight is a princess, and since I don't agree to the terms since it is forced, I'm sure that she can say it is null and void.”

“Actually, you're wrong,” Now it was Twilight's turn to hide behind Chrysalis, thankful the changeling could block any projectile with her larger frame. “Seeing as it is not a war crime, nopony is getting hurt, doesn't violate the treaty enacted between Equestria and the changelings, and Equestria has a similar law on the books, the resolution stands.”

“You gotta be kidding me,” Mark, who was now slumped back flat against the cot, groaned as he facepalmed. “So I get onto an alien world, het sick, then when I start to get better I'm hornswoggled into a marriage I can't get out of. I swear, it feels like I am in someone's romance novel, with me taking the role of the knight in shining armor. Could be worse I suppose, could be stuck in one of Starlight’s fanfics about Dumbledore and-”

“Moving on!” Starlight said, cutting Mark’s sentence off as the human smirked at her blush. “I would suggest doing a private ceremony after you return. There is no need to rush things along considering you have another three to four weeks here. After the mini tour of Equus and things settle down for your conditioning, I suggest the two of you at least have a night to yourselves for a date to hammer out the finer details. We're going to be very busy the next few weeks.”

“Ticker tape parade in Manehattan, visit Canterlot, tour both space centers, sidestep in Ponyville, request by Spitfire to show you Cloudsdale, request by Fireball to take you to the Dragon Lands, and a special surprise I have in mind are on the itinerary.” Twilight said, rattling them off without pausing for a breath. “After that, you should have lots of time to spend with Dragonfly until you launch back to your universe. However, to put this behind us and carry on with our day, my friend Rarity here will be giving you a fresh outfit.”

“Yes, of course,” Rarity said, politely coughing to help dispel the awkward moment. “As Twilight said, my name is Rarity, and I will be taking your measurements today Mr. Watney.”

“You have no idea how much of a blessing it will be to have more than one clean outfit again,” Mark said, sitting on the edge of the bed with his feet on the floor. “Question is, how much do I owe you?”

“Nothing darling,” Rarity said, lifting up several tape measures and a notebook in her magic, being careful not to gaze into Dragonfly's eyes to avoid the silent ‘I'm watching you’ look. “The fact I am making clothes for someone from another universe is payment enough for me. Besides, I am going to need these measurements for your wedding tux, and i always look forward to a new fashion challenge. Any fashion tips from your world will also be much appreciated.”

“So let me get this straight,” Mark said, rubbing his temples. “In exchange for making my outfits, free of charge I might add, all you want in return is fashion lines from back on Earth?”

“That's all I ask of darling,” Rarity, who was being extra careful not to make Dragonfly angry, said as she took his inseam. “I am a fashionista to the core, and if it will spark the next wave of trends I eagerly search for it. My Element, when me and my friends wielded them in the past, was Generosity and it is something I believe in doing to this day. Do we have a deal?”

“Once I somehow manage to fix up the laptop, I would be glad to help.” Mark said, for the first time since arriving feeling relaxed as Rarity finished her work. “How long do you think it will take for you to make the set? I don't have much time here, and would hate to make you feel rushed.”

“Think nothing of it Mr. Watney,” Rarity said, smiling as she put her things away and started to head for the door. “If I rush back to Ponyville I can be finished by noon tomorrow. Considering the fact my assistants are running the Canterlot and Manehattan stores with proficiency, it takes the workload off of me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I got work to do.”

“I suggest turning the tv on, for I am about to make my announcement.” Twilight said, Rarity already teleporting away to begin on her personal project. “Make sure it is set to channel three, I will be on in five minutes.”

Galloping out the door, the vibrations from Twilight's hooves could be felt even after sue had cleared the wing and made a beeline for Mission Control. Right as the clock hit five minutes after departure, a special message came across the turned on tv set that was in the middle of the room.

“Hello everypony,” Twilight said, her posture regal, but her tone as casual as if she was talking to a friend. “I am coming to you live from the Horseton Space Center Mission Control. I’m sure you each have many questions, but I am going to get straight to the point. As you know, the stranded crew of the Amicitas, along with NASA astronaut Mark Watney, touched down safely and have been spending time recovering and healing from their terrifying ordeal. Each suffered numerous issues that will plague them for a long time, but they will eventually recover fully.”

“Hopefully, but Dragonfly's condition is the most worrisome...” Twilight's inner voice piped up, but her mouth kept it in.

“The day after tomorrow, there will be a ticker tape parade to be held in Manehattan, so if you want to give them a proper welcome home, or in Mark's case ‘Welcome to Equus’, come out and show your support. Over the next few weeks, Mark will be given a tour of various points around Equestria and a few surrounding areas, so those unable to make it to the parade will still have the chance to at least see him before he has to return home. That brings me to the point of this announcement. Hopefully in the next few years, Mark's people will be able to make a link here based on several things I will personally be sending with Mark back to Earth. I have seen their technology, and it is far superior to our own when it comes to in flight safety and construction. So, when the link is made, I will be offering a joint trade between the Equestrian Space Agency and NASA to help extend both universes’ reach to the stars and beyond. That is all for now, may you have a pleasant day, and may Harmony guide your way.”

“And may Harmony guide your way…” Four shocked pairs of eyes turned to face Dragonfly, the changeling in question having been the one to repeat the phrase every citizen of Equestria knew at heart. “Why are you all looking at me like that? I'm a married mare now, might as well start acting like it!”

Nobody, especially Mark, dared to correct her as he drifted off into a nap, unsure of what dreams awaited him.

Author's Note

The ending was on purpose, for it will be the focal point if the next chapter.

If it feels like the love angle was a bit rushed with the "common law" marriage, in my opinion you are probably right. However, it will fade into the background during the next few chapters, because I have a rather... "Unfortunate" circumstance happening when he gets to Ponyville that will test Mark's resolve, and discover something about himself in return.

I should have said this in my opening author's note in the first chapter, but the major reason why I am throwing the love angle in is because of the timeline Kris himself set in The Maretian. Very little detail is given about what happened everyday Mark was on Equus (not including the points he sent back via Angel 18) and he would leave out his relationship for very obvious reasons.

Thanks goes to my Patreons (Azeazezar, Shooting Star, and gagiotte) for continuing to find my work, it helps.

Like what you see and want to join in the fun? Check out my Patreon here, for as little as $1/mo (NOT BY STORY) you can be a supporting member of my cast. Until next time, may Harmony guide your way.

~Willow the changeling

Sweet Dreams are Made of Things

There is a time in every man's life when he questions reality. For Mark, that moment had come on Sol 6, when Fate had allowed him to survive the torrential dust storm and left his Equestrian friends with him in the Hab. In the time since, he had grown a deeper bond with each of them, friendships that he hoped would last for the rest of his days.

One overlooked moment during their gauntlet was a nightmare that he'd had involving Killer Potatoes. After that very disturbing phantasm, he had sworn to sleep as little as possible as a countermeasure to keep those sinister spuds of starch away from him. Back on Mars, dreams came and went depending on if he had slipped into REM sleep, but during his short stay so far on Equus, he had already noticed a vast difference.

The dreamscape had a loving lure to it, like a warm blanket during a brutally cold day in Chicago during a Polar Vortex event. Dreams had also come easier and quicker, not relying on his body to slip into REM at all. They were vivid, peaceful memories from his youth and early adult years, during his time before getting into the NASA training program, a time that he thought was long forgotten.

Yet, as he drove a brand new off-the-lot cobalt blue Nissan 350z down I94 and looking over Lake Michigan, this dream felt different. It wasn't the air, which had just a kiss of autumn to its touch, or the fact he was his current age, it was the fact his passenger was none other than Dragonfly.

"This is way cooler than the rover!" Dragonfly said, bobbing her head to the tune of AC/DC's "Hell's Bells" blasting from the radio. "I wish that these things were mass produced back in Equestria, it would be far more convenient for short term travel instead of having to fly or teleport from one town to the next. I mean, there are some, but they look like something out of those old black-and-white TV shows about that family of hillbillies."

"What?" Mark said, clearly confused. "You have jalopies? In my entire time there, I didn't see a single one!"

"In fairness, most jalopy owners live in the flat farmlands around Appleloosa, and they only drive them during harvest time when they are too tired to walk." Dragonfly said, crossing her hooves to make a point. "But yeah, we have cars, but none are as fast or advanced as this."

"In that case, I honestly hope that cars don't become mass produced on Equus," Mark said, switching to driving one-handed as he propped his left elbow against the window. He knew it was a dream, but a vague feeling deep down made him think that this was a sort of premonition. "Remember what I told you girls back in the medical wing about the air pollution? Vehicles here play a major part of that. They aren't equipped with the same magical array that are on the CSP rockets that converts carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses into water, so all that CO² here gets funneled straight into the atmosphere. Having vehicles would also mean cutting down areas of forests and paving over grasslands and fields, do you really want your beautiful homeworld to end up like Earth?"

"Well, no, I don't," Dragonfly said, hanging her head in shame as they pulled off at their exit and began to worm their way through the labyrinth of interchanges that would lead them to their destination. "Everything just feels so wrong here, and it feels as if the environment is dying."

"In a way it is," Mark said, pausing to slam on breaks and swear in Chicagoan as a Prius ran a red light and nearly clipped them. Taking a minute to gather himself, he couldn't help but notice a tall, beautiful woman with flowing navy colored hair, her crystal blue eyes giving him a look of warning. Playing it as a figment of the dream, he shrugged it off and continued onward. "Sorry about that, but I can see why you would feel that way. We need the resources to live, to continue our very way of life, but at the same time…"

"You are leading to your inevitable downfall," Dragonfly's tone turned solemn as she looked out the window, watching an endless sky of steel and glass drift away as they continued through the streets. "Kinda ironic, isn't it? The more life there is for the human population, there is actually less life overall. The more things change the more they stay the same."

"Yeah," Mark said, finally putting the car in park and undoing both their seatbelts. He had no idea how he knew of the plans that had been made, but he was just rolling with it. "Anyways, we're here, ready to begin our day?"

"Not quite," Dragonfly said, only to hold a hoof up to Mark's mouth before he had a chance to question the delay. "Seeing this city made me realize something. Remember back on Mars when I called you a well-trained ape? I wasn't that far off with that analogy."

"Oh?" Mark was intrigued, leaning back in his seat as he looked at the drone with genuine interest. "How do you figure that?"

"I've done some reading in the past few weeks about apes and their societies," Dragonfly said, motioning with a hoof to their surroundings. "I've only been to a few cities with you, yet the connection is there. Humans live in concrete jungles, with the various shops in different regions of the country being like different types of trees, but they all still serve the same basic role. Each have different functions, like how different fruit trees support different species in the food chain, but each is a key part of humanity's survival."

"Wow," Mark said, clearly surprised that this dream version of Dragonfly was so deeply philosophical. "That's a way I never thought of looking at it before."

"Just wait, there's more!" Dragonfly said, chitter chirping in glee. "Humans really aren't at the top of the food chain, in fact, they are at the bottom. Without weapons, technology, and such, they would starve to death, the species recoiling without knowing how to fend for themselves. Yet, look at creatures like lions, and tigers, and bears. They know how to hunt and survive, so they will be fine. Everything falls into the Circle of Life somehow Mark, and even long after our bodies have decayed into dust, the circle will continue. I got lucky on Mars by holding off the Pale Horse, but there will come a time when she will get her due."

"Interesting take," Mark said, casually noticing the blue-haired woman from earlier sitting on a bench across the street from the car and sipping on some coffee while reading the paper. "But there is one point I disagree with. How can you say that humanity won't survive, when many centuries ago we had to live off the land with nothing more than glorified toothpicks used as weapons?"

"Technology is the reason why," Dragonfly said, not even pausing to consider her answer. "As technology advanced, didn't that make it easier to adapt and be more productive in a given environment? In essence, humans started relying less on the land, and more on the machine; yes, you still needed the land to produce, but wouldn't broken parts delay a much-needed harvest, when you could use that downtime to harvest by hand?"

"That is a very reasonable thought," Mark said, himself finding no fault in that analogy. "Although, the same can be said for everyone back on Equus, couldn't it? Lets say you woke up to a magicless world, how would pony society react? Unicorns wouldn't be able to levitate things, pegasi wouldn't be able to fly or control the weather, and Earth Ponies wouldn't be able to accelerate floral growth. Then there is the matter of changelings, like yourself, that need magic in addition to love just to even exist."

"I-I am sure that we would find a way to manage," Dragonfly's confidence was shattered, her bottom lip holding a quiver as that scenario ran through her head. "I did go nearly two years in a magic null zone, so there must be some way that I could teach the others how to carry on."

"Dragonfly quit lying to yourself," Mark said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "You know that without those field sessions the Pale Horse would have got you before being rescued. We are different species, with different circumstances, but both planets abide by the same set of rules. What we both said is fact, nothing can change that, but we both need to take the hand that has been dealt with us and play it. Before this gets any further off track, you ready to go sailing?"

"You bet Mark!" Dragonfly said, flashing into her human form to blend in better as she got out the car and stretched before the pair started heading up the sidewalk. Unfortunately, Fate was still a bit sore at the pair for their rescue off Mars. Thanks to the constant public exposure during the rescue, and the succeeding interviews once he had returned, Mark's face was unmistakable and they didn't make it a block before the duo was swarmed by a group of people. "Uh oh…"

"Dragonfly! Dragonfly!" The crowd chanted, most of whom were fishing their pockets for a pen and whatever they had that was able to be written on. Considering Dragonfly had chosen jet-black hair for disguise, it was a no brainer that it was her. "We love you!"

"I can feel that, remember?" Dragonfly said, her tone showing she was clearly annoyed at the interruption, but she wasn't going to pass up a free meal. "Mark and I were planning on enjoying a peaceful, stress-free day on the lake. If you'll have your pens ready, let me sign so-",

*BANG*

Time crawled for Mark. He knew that Chicago was a really rough neighborhood, but most of the violence was kept to the outskirts, with very few occurrences of a shooting happening in the main city itself. It often took a certified idiot, or someone with balls of steel, to commit a shooting in broad daylight; let alone at a celebrity that was in a crowd of people while in the open.

As luck would have it, the shooter had the aim of a drunk and dizzy penguin, and the bullet missed before embedding itself in the sidewalk. Realizing that they had failed, the perpetrator turned and started to run away, their green trench coat kicking in the air behind them.

"They're getting away!" Mark said, looking down at Dragonfly with concern until he saw she was uninjured, making him sigh in relief. "Dragonfly, since you can't use your magic at full force, lock yourself in the car. I'm going to go after the shooter."

"You are going to do what now?!" Dragonfly said, her tone turning defensive, and even though she had no pupils Mark knew she was glaring. "You don't have a weapon, so what makes you think that you stand a chance?! I'd rather they get away and let the cops deal with them than risk you getting hurt."

"Trust me Dragonfly," Mark said rubbing the drone's fin before leaning down to whisper in her ear. "I will be fine dear, just please listen, ok?"

"Ok hun," Dragonfly's answer was hushed, and for a few seconds, Mark wondered if her answer had been projected into his head. Standing up, he took off in a full-speed sprint in the direction he had seen the crook flee, and it didn't take long to spot the green in a sea of blue and white Cubs apparel.

"Hey, you!" Mark shouted, causing everyone to look at him like he had grown a tail as he pointed at the individual. "Stop right there!"

As per the laws of dreams, and much to Mark's dismay, the figure took off down an alley in an effort to escape. Knocking over trash cans, dodging the discarded syringes, and spooking the elusive alley cat, the figure stayed far enough ahead that Mark couldn't get a hand on him.

Until they came to the brick wall that cut off the criminal's escape route that is.

"I suggest you stop," The person said, brandishing his pistol and making Mark slide to a stop in absolute shock at seeing the person's face. It looked like his own, his voice is a near match, but clearly looked like he had been dragged under Life's rug more than once. "Can't you see I was trying to do you a favor?"

"A favor?" Mark said, looking at his gun-wielding duplicate with rage. "How is shooting my friend doing me a favor? Also, how come you look like me and are in my dream?"

"Calling that pest a friend shows just how corrupt she has made you," The duplicate said, keeping his weapon level and pointing right between Mark's eyes. "As for who I am, I am you, or to be more specific the part of you that has resisted her influence."

"Influence?" Mark scoffed, looking at the duplicate like how someone looks at an opponent who had insulted their mother. "What influence? She has done nothing to influence me. We survived together, and we still remain close friends, so where does your supposed corruption lie?"

"How about the fact you called her 'dear'?" The duplicate said, holding up a finger on his free hand to signal Mark to wait before replying. "As part of you, I know everything that goes on in your head. That parasite implanted something in your mind when she drained you dry, that implant being undying devotion to her. Are you going to deny what you experienced? That need to go to her, but her friends refusing to let you do it while breaking that obedience. Your mind is poisoned, so I was simply eliminating the weed at the root."

"How is shooting a dream version of her going to solve anything?" Mark said, crossing his arms. "When I wake up from this nightmare, I will be interacting with Dragonfly physically, so wouldn't that defeat the objective you're trying to accomplish since Starlight and the others broke me out that trance? You raise some valid points, but I know you aren't me because you keep saying 'your mind' instead of 'our mind'."

The duplicate's face contorted, its pupils darkening as an omnipotent feel of darkness started to build, making Mark take several steps back in fear.

"Very clever ape," The figure said, the voice taking on a deep echo that made Mark grab his head. "You are smarter than I anticipated, but let me tell you something. I will lurk in the deepest recesses of your mind, always watching, waiting to make my next move. I am the Chessmaster, the puppeteer, and the mastermind. I am-"

"Nothing more than a menace," Mark spun in place, confused by the new voice, only to come face-to-face with the blue-haired woman. Almost immediately, he could tell something was different about her from before; her tone was authoritative, much like a noble or a queen in court, and her eyes and form shimmered with raw power as she held a hand up towards the evil presence. "Begone Nightingale, you have no control here."

"This isn't over," The figure said, starting to fade into a deep purple-black mist. "This is just the beginning…"

"Ok, now I am confused," Mark said, turning from the empty alley towards the woman. "Who are you, and how did you do that?"

"My real name and nature will be revealed in time Mr. Watney," The woman said, giving him a comforting smile. "For now, you may call me Serenity, and I am the keeper of the Equestrian Dreamrealm."

"Ok then, Ms. Dream Keeper," Mark said, raising an eyebrow. "What was that mist doing here? If it really was that bad, shouldn't you have already expelled it?"

"Considering that is just one of my many titles, I will forgive your impertinent use of the name," Serenity's posture shifted as she put her weight on one hip, showing that she was masking her irritation. "As for that mist, it was Nightingale, my arch nemesis, who craves nothing but fear and darkness. She has all the powers I do, but instead of peaceful dreams like I create, she creates nightmares that I have to banish on a nightly basis. She must have sensed something in your subconscious, something that was like honey to her, so she latched on to it and I followed her here once I sensed her presence. I am sorry that I could not interfere sooner, but I can only banish her from a dream where she directly interacts with the dreamer."

"So you're telling me that some part of me wants Dragonfly dead?" Mark said, clenching his fists. "That's the biggest load of shit that I've ever heard, and I should know since I had to be knee-deep in it for almost two fucking years!"

"Calm thyself," Serenity said, holding up a hand to silence Mark. "There is no need to have anger towards me. I know the limits of my abilities, just as I know hers; for a time long ago I made a foolish mistake, and she was created by me in an act of petty, foalish revenge. She was very helpful at first, guiding me along with the necessary steps towards achieving my goal, but I underestimated her intelligence. One night, she took control of me, and as a result, I was banished for 1000 years."

"That is one hell of a back story," Mark said, giving Serenity a look of disbelief. "Although, is it safe to assume that your current figure is not your normal one? As it stands, I wouldn't be surprised if you stumbled upon numerous wet dreams involving you."

"Thou art correct," Serenity said, a slight blush forming before she cleared her throat. "The reason I appear human is that not only did I not want to tip Nightingale off, I wanted to blend in and observe. She played her hoof well, but I must respect the fact that you were able to tell something was off about that duplicate of you and seeing through her lies. She is often subtle with her manipulations, I know that from personal experience. In most cases I deal with, the dreamer is unable to rebuke her influence, thus succumbing to her demented idea of fun until I can rescue them. You, however, picked out the word choice like a farmer spotting a rotten apple."

"It really wasn't that hard," Mark said, folding his arms as he smirked at Serenity's blush. "And who knew a Goddess could blush? It is quite adorable, and goes well with the beautiful eyes that adorn your striking features."

"Have a care, Mr. Watney," Serenity said, her tone turning serious as her eyes narrowed. "I only appear beautiful because that is what your mind wants, an attractive female of your species. Yet, as much as I hate to admit this, Nightingale brought up a good point; you did address Dragonfly as 'dear', which shows deep down that there is a part of you that has that kind of bond to her."

"Even you agree with this bullshit marriage?" Mark snarled, making Serenity flinch. "In reality, it doesn't really matter, because once I leave Equus and return home this whole mess will be resolved.*

"No, it will not," Serenity said, her eyes taking on a slight, deep blue glow that made Mark freeze in place, all traces of anger vanishing from him. "I have heard from Twilight Sparkle about the incident that took place involving Dragonfly. Although the circumstances are not in your favor, do you really want to crush a changeling's heart, let alone one that actually loves you?"

"No, not just no, but hell to the bucking no," Mark said, fighting back a wave of anger. "I am not the kind of person who wants to be a heartbreaker, but can you put yourself in my position? What would you do if there was a marriage law all for booping your nose, and a commoner Earth Pony from the lowest rung of life accidentally booped you. What would you do?"

"I-..." Serenity started to reply, only to stop as she thought over that situation. For several minutes she said nothing, a look of thoughtful concentration crossing her face as she sorted that scenario until she finally nodded. "I can see your point. It would cause a massive uproar by a commoner having to be forcibly wed to what many view as a goddess, but over time the hoopla would die down and I would adjust to being a caring wife. Now come, we can continue this conversation as we walk, but as we do so, I want you to think of someplace that is relaxing and tranquil."

"Something like the mountains?" Mark asked, earning a silent nod from Serenity as they turned out the alley and headed down the street. Following just a few steps behind Serenity, Mark began to think about the peaceful Blue Ridge Mountains as he subtly started to hum John Denver's "Country Road".

The more he thought about the landscape, the more it changed. Buildings seemed to fade away into nothingness, the concrete and cement of the road and sidewalk crumbling into dirt and grass. The trees, once adorned with the early palette of fall fashion, brightened into shades of green as a dense forest grew around them, the flat ground becoming increasingly inclined as they continued their walk.

"I am impressed with your ability to consciously lucid dream," Serenity said, marveling the mountain landscape around them. "This scenery is so breathtakingly beautiful, do you have an idea about where this trail leads?"

"Yes, in fact I do," Mark said, smiling as the dense woodlands opened up to a field. Numerous types of wildflowers, from lavender to Carolina Jessamine, spread across the meadow. The gentle mountain breeze carried the sounds of bluebirds and wrens, and the slow flowing stream that divided the field in half was full of rainbow trout of various sizes. In the distance, some of the taller peaks of the Appalachians towered over the treeline, obscured slightly by the characteristic low-level clouds that gave the Smokies their nickname. "Whatcha think, is this peaceful enough for you dream lady?"

"This is more than enough Mr. Watney," Serenity said, sitting on the edge of the stream before taking off her shoes and dipping her toes in the cool, clear water. "Come, sit by me so we can continue our talk."

"Whatever you say," Mark said, shrugging before joining Serenity by the stream. "So, what else is there to talk about?"

"Much, Mr. Watney, much," Serenity said, softly giggling as one of the baby trout nibbled one of her toes. "I noticed how conflicted you were, so I figured that a change of scenery would help you relax. This though, this is more than I had thought possible. Use the environment to your advantage as you sort your thoughts, to help guide you on what your heart desires. Your analogy of me marrying a commoner probably parallels how Earth would view you marrying a changeling, correct?"

"No shit Sherlock," Mark said, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath as he let the breeze calm his rattled nerves."Considering that changeling has similar body styles to ponies, I'm not wanting to deal with any backlash or issues about how that would be viewed as bestiality."

"So, you are caught between doing what humanity feels is right, and not wanting to upset Dragonfly," Serenity said, pursing her lips slightly as Mark silently nodded. "Ah, that's a dilemma we all face at some point in our lives. It really is a struggle, choosing between what is the acceptable norm and doing what could be considered a taboo, but there is an easy answer. Tell me, Mr. Watney, has human society changed over the centuries, with the advancement in technology aside?"

"You mean as in cultural viewpoints?" Mark asked, raising an eyebrow at Serenity's persistent look. "In that case, big time. A few hundred years ago it was popular to have slaves, but slavery has been outlawed for a long time, yet even then feelings towards those groups have been slow to come around to."

"Seems that humans have the same problem as ponies then, they are afraid of change," Serenity said, causing Mark to look at her in a mix of confusion and shock. "I had a lot of issues beating Nightingale for a while after changelings became accepted into everyday society, all focused around the same principle that the changelings were just going to backstab them. It has gotten better recently, but every once in a while one still pops up. Change is fundamental, yet, it is also inert."

"Ok, now you lost me," Mark said, looking at Serenity like she had suddenly sprouted a third eye. "How can change be both?"

"For someone as old as myself, I realize things from a perspective most don't think about," Serenity said, making a mug appear before dipping it into the refreshing liquid running around them. "Think about it, change is inert because it is common nature for an individual to resist change because it would mean getting out of their comfort zone. Society wants things to stay as they are, so when a new concept is introduced fear comes forward to try and keep things as they are. That is how change is inert. That being said, change is required for every species to advance, whether it is through evolution or new breakthroughs in technology. Centuries, or even as soon as decades from now, principles that hold true today will fade away and be obsolete. Does that make sense?"

"Yes it does," Mark said, closing his eyes as he let the heat of the sun warm his skin, his worries seeming to melt away. "So, what do you suppose I do?"

"Take things slow," Serenity said, standing up and looking down at Mark as he opened his eyes to look back at her. "It is clear that you see her as nothing more than a close friend, for now anyway, so keep that course. Perhaps, years from now when the two worlds build a stable means of shuttling back and forth, you two will be able it take it to the level she wants it to be. Now, I must bid thee farewell for now, for I can tell that you will be waking up soon. I will leave you with one final word of wisdom, while here on Equus, whenever you feel worry or doubt think of this dreamscape to calm your nerves and you will always feel comfortable in the moonlight's embrace."

Serenity, and the dreamscape itself faded as Mark's surroundings became encased in a bright white glow that forced him to shut his eyes. For that brief moment, he felt like he was in a void, no senses or feel of his body to speak of. It reminded him of floating in space, just as he had when he neared the Concordia, and the sense of peace it offered helped as he transitioned back to the waking world. Rousing from his nap, the first thing he saw was Dragonfly sitting beside his bed, a covered tray resting on her back.

"Hey Mark," Dragonfly said, speaking in a low tone to keep from waking the others sleeping on their cots, unaware that Starlight was actually awake as she levitated the tray onto Mark's lap. "I snuck off to the kitchen and made you a light snack."

"Thanks Dragonfly," Mark said, quietly taking the top off the tray to reveal the luxurious meal of crackers and cream cheese. "But I thought you were supposed to stay in the room until tomorrow? Your mom will have a fit if she finds out about this."

"Relax," Dragonfly said, and even in the low light Mark could see a smile on her face. "The drone in charge of guarding the kitchen at night owed me a favor, I used it, so my queen won't find out."

"If you say so," Mark, shrugging off Dragonfly's explanation, said as he started to eat the light snack. "Say, what time is it anyway? That nap felt like it drug on far longer than what I had planned on snoozing for."

"It is just after 10pm," Dragonfly said, shuffling a hoof against the floor. "I didn't want to wake you, so when I saw you stir, I teleported to the kitchen and back before you fully shook off the Sandmare. I hope you don't hate me for the little stunt I pulled."

"I forgave you for nearly making me an emotional raisin didn't I?" Mark's question made Dragonfly flinch, but when she stayed silent he continued. "I am more upset than angry, but I do not hate you. The biggest question I have is why did you rope me like you did instead of waiting for me to return before expressing your feelings?"

"If I didn't, like I asked earlier, how would I know you would come back?" Dragonfly said, suppressing a sniffle as she fought back the sticky tears that wanted to flow. "After thinking it over, you were right, you have absolutely zero reason to be here. Everything you hold near and dear is on Earth, so you are probably just mentally counting down the time to the exact second to where we can strap you to a rocket blast you back to the fuckhole you came from!"

The fact Dragonfly swore, let alone one that he had never used, made Mark stare in shocked silence. Starlight, to her credit, was doing a good job playing the role of a sleeping pony, but her jaw was so slack that she could have swallowed a watermelon whole.

"Ok, I think you might need to cal-"

"I'm not done…" Dragonfly said, making Mark shut his jaw quicker than a mouse stealing cheese past a cat. "Yeah, I totally bucked up with what I did, but I have to own up to that now, don't I? My queen told me a story when we were in orbit, the details of which I will not share, but the principle was that I acted like the creature I have been trying to run from. The way we were back during the Bad Old Days. I promise, I won't do anything or cross any lines that you don't want me to, I owe you that much…"

"Indeed you do," Mark said, sitting up and placing his tray on the stand beside his bed. "Now, come here."

"Huh?" Dragonfly said, tilting her head in confusion until Mark patted his lap. "Wait, you mean it?"

"Do you shapeshift?" Mark said, shifting slightly to give Dragonfly more room as she took her spot on the bed, the drone resting her head against his chest. "Now, there is no need to feel bad, you just overreacted and jumped the shark is all, just like I did with my reaction. How about we make a deal? If you agree not to push our 'marriage' from now until the time I head back, I promise you that I will return and I will give it a good, hard try for you, does that sound good?"

"Um, yeah," Dragonfly said, confusing resurging once more. "Not to complain, but what made you have such a change of heart durin g your nap?"

"Oh, nothing much," Mark said, petting Dragonfly's mane fin. "But you know what they say, sweet dreams are made of things, and after the dream I had, I am not going to disagree."

Starlight mentally facehoofed before sleep finally claimed her to a journey to the Land of Nod.

Author's Note

56+hr weeks at work is delaying EVERYTHING I write... Please be patient for the next few months

A New Day Dawns

Morning came like a thief in the night, alerting everybuggy to the start of a brand new day. Even during the Bad Old Days, Celestia's sun had always been the morning call, with every drone knowing that if they took longer than five minutes it could mean being demoted to cleaning the hive's emotion collection storage pits.

A job not even Chrysalis would task herself to doing, but Happenchance deserved her sentence to that filthy sludge pit when the drone returned surface-side for hiding her illness.

As such, it did not surprise Chrysalis in the slightest as she stepped out of her quarters that the Horseton Space Center was already abuzz with activity. Drones moved about, ranging from the morning shift construction crew for the new launch observer tower being built, to preparing for the morning tour, to simply heading to breakfast. Moving through the pristine hallways, every drone bowed in greeting. It reassured her that everything was as it should have been, but at the same time, it was not as Dragonfly's words had been slowly eating away at her inner resolve.

"Mark's love is sweet, but heavily tainted by a strong aroma of uncertainty. I will take my time, My Queen, but I fully intend on expressing my feelings for him.”

The strong love Dragonfly felt for Mark, strengthening it with those words and showing it with her forcing Mark into a PodaCoda marriage, had made some rather unpleasant memories return to the surface of her mind. Remembering her relationship to Celestia was twisting her into two different thoughts, with one missing those tender moments the two shared every morning as Celestia rose her sun, and the other laughing at the fact that she had been so weak in such a pony manner.

With Luna unable to see her dreams, Chrysalis was able to take solace, allowing the two sides to fight it out in an untouched, Armageddon-like plane as they fought for dominance, but it quickly became apparent to the Queen of the Changelings which side had turned the tide in the war.

"Look at me…," Chrysalis said, making sure no drone could hear her as she looked out through the windows overlooking the VAB, to the east where Celestia's sun was slowly advancing along its path across the sky, just as it had for an untold number of days. For so long she saw it as nothing more than a symbol of her enemy, but this time she looked at it as a symbol of what she had lost. "Have you really stooped this low Chrysalis? Being in a relationship is a fool's folly, a prison from which there is no escape. Yet, I can't help but think what could have happened if I approached that day differently, would we still be together?"

Chrysalis tilted her head onto the glass and closed her eyes, thinking of the
warmth Celestia's embrace had given her, filling her to the brim, ensuring that she never went hungry. Comparing how that felt was like going from a harvest to a seven hundred year drought; which forced her to use tactics that she previously would have been against just to keep her drones fed. That fight, that single mom5ent, had sealed her fate as a villain to not only ponykind, but also to the mare she had loved.

"It isn't my fault that she didn't see things my way, and we would have been unstoppable. Between her control of the sun and me fueled by her love, there would have been no wars, and everyone would be too terrified to dare start a war in the first place. Ponykind would have flourished!"

That caused her to pause, catching her wording as soon as it came out her mouth as she thought about how Thorax had written her multiple times saying he never was hungry. What she didn't tell anybody, not even Cherry Berry, was a small flicker of jealousy had been born after Thorax and his group transformed; their banishment being more out of the horror that her nightmare had come to life than anything else. It made her ichor boil knowing he was feeling like she had all those years ago, while she still had to rely on the love that she and her drones collected from tourists and anypony the drones met in the various towns around Equestria as they stopped for autographs and pictures.

"Dragonfly is not changed now, since Mark is still not happy about the circumstances of their marriage, but what about when Mark accepts her love? She told me that even if she changed she will still be with the Program, but I do not want to end up like a technicolor freak show either… I just wish-"

"Chrysalis?" Twilight's voice caused Chrysalis to jump, not hearing the alicorn approach her, nor did she feel Twilight's hoof pressing on her wither. "Are you alright? You look like you are deep in thought, is there something on your mind that you want to get off your barrel?"

"I'm perfectly fine," Chrysalis said, doing her best to put on a fake smile. "Besides, even if there was, you are not a changeling so I would have to kill you if I told you."

"Chrysalis, look at me," Twilight's tone was stern, like a mother scolding a foal after it broke a precious belonging. "Even with our past, we are no longer your enemy, I am not your enemy. I know you are not comfortable with the pony way of friendship, but that should not stop you from talking to me ruler to ruler, even if you say I am inferior to you. I have a bubble of silence in place, and everything you tell me will be confidential, so are you going to tell me or do I need to make myself look like a drone to get you to talk?"

"I have to give you credit Sparkle," Chrysalis chuckled, her mood slightly better than it had been a few moments prior. She really did not want to tell Twilight the truth, but thinking about how close her and Celestia were made it worth it to see the reaction on the Princess of Friendship's face. "You almost had me. Alicorns cannot use the same transformation techniques a changeling can, for that is unique to our species. However, since you did humor me, I will tell you. I was just thinking about how several hundred years ago me and Celestia were in a quite lovely relationship, and I was thinking about those times."

Her choice was well worth it, for the look of pure shock that hit Twilight like a Flea engine exploding made the alicorn lock in place.

"Ah, she never told you?" Chrysalis said, smirking like a Cheshire Cat as she slowly circled the alicorn. "Not surprising, considering how it did end on bad terms. We were in love Twilight, spending many a long night cuddled together by the fireplace, sipping on cocoa under a warm, fluffy blanket. Then afterward getting in bed, sharing the same bed."

"What?!" The blush that ignited Twilight's face could have powered the latest shuttle transport design, her outstretched rigid wings providing the stability control. "That is impossible! Y-your lying!"

"I swear on Pinkie Pie that I am telling the truth," Chrysalis said, basking in the utter bombshell that she had just detonated on Twilight. "The best part is that even if you wanted to directly confront her about it, you can't because you swore our conversation to secrecy."

"Y-you…" Twilight stammered, realizing how Chrysalis had roped her into a virtual Pinkie Promise that she could not break. "You manipulative shrew!"

"Why thank you for the compliment," Chrysalis said, smiling as she did a mock partial bow. "Guilty as charged. I will, however, let you ask her about it indirectly by asking about any romantic interests or the like, just to see if she will tell you on her own terms. If she does, let me know, for this is my test for you. Pass it, and perhaps I will tolerate you more than I am forced to deal with now."

"I will do it," Twilight said, regaining her composure before casting an illusion spell on herself, making her look like a regular drone but with purple eyes instead of blue. "And you should not question what I can do with magic, now come on, we have a busy day."

Dropping both the illusion and the bubble of silence, Twilight continued on past Chrysalis, the slack-jawed queen following behind her as they headed for the medical wing, where Rarity, Occupant, and Lucky Cricket were already there waiting for them with Rarity having a wrapped clothing box beside her.

"Oh, hello My Queen," Occupant said, both him and Lucky dipping into a bow for their ruler. "I am surprised you showed up this early, the astronauts are busy eating breakfast at the moment, so we are waiting for them to finish."

"Twilight insisted I follow her," Chrysalis said, ignoring the look the alicorn was giving her. "Considering Rarity is here, I assume she finished Mark's outfits ahead of schedule?"

"I did," Rarity said, her tone matching her look. Her normally well-kept mane and tail were ragged and full of split ends, the bags under her eyes dark enough to hold coal, and her coat was rustled from pulling a clear all-nighter. "If you recall darlings, I did say that I would be done by noon, but I had far fewer hang-ups than initially guessed so got done early."

"More like you stayed up and worked nonstop from the time you returned home, your appearance shows that," Twilight's observation came right as Rarity started to look at the ground, her eyelids pulling shut as if they were having extra gravity being exerted on them. Keeping the unicorn upright by pulling her close with a wing, Twilight casted a small energy booster on the fashionista. "That should hold you over for another hour, then once this is done, go home and go straight to bed."

"Thanks Twilight," Rarity said, giving her friend a brief hug. "I needed that boost. Not only did I make him multiple outfits to wear, but I also included something extra that I believe he will greatly appreciate."

"Oh, enough with the mushy pony talk," Chrysalis said, but everyone could tell the words were hollow, no bite to enforce it as she waved a hoof in a circle. "Shall we head inside? I know you said they are eating, but there is a schedule to keep."

"Oh, right! There is!" Twilight stammered, her mind snapping out the lull that it had been in since Chrysalis' admission, the changeling in question giving her a knowing smirk. "After they get dressed, we have to ensure they can walk around the grounds for a few hours under their own power since it will be the first long-term exposure outside their room since arriving. They will be accompanied by Occupant, who volunteered to keep an eye on them just in case they're not fully capable yet. With Rarity already done, that will give us a few extra hours to work with this evening before departing for Manehattan for the scheduled ticker-tape parade."

"Figured that would get you to focus princess," Chrysalis said, using her magic to open the door. "That makes two you owe me filly."

Twilight didn't answer, simply nodding as the group entered the room. Each astronaut was eating in silence, with Chrysalis and Occupant both feeling a heavy sense of uneasiness as the group looked at their guests.

"Good morning everyone," Chrysalis said, putting on the best smile she could muster. "I do hope your breakfast was satisfactory, because we have a busy day ahead of us. However, before we begin, Rarity has a surprise for Mark."

"Yes I do," Rarity said, levitating the clothing box over to Mark with a smile on her face. "Not only did I make you several outfits, open the box to see the special surprise I prepared for you. I do hope that you like it darling."

Mark grinned like a colt on Hearth's Warming, but out of respect for the work Rarity had done on such short notice, delicately removed the wrapping to keep the paper intact. The box, however, was not meant to be spared the same fate.

Ripping the top of the box off, Mark gingerly lifted the first outfit out of the box. The fabric, feeling soft as silk, felt better to the touch than any space suit he had worn before; the needlework was a perfect match to his old one, but he could tell nothing NASA had in use could compare to the suit he was holding in his hands. Examining further by unfolding it to its full length, his heart nearly jumped into his chest.

"Rarity," Mark said, running his fingers over a perfect replica of his mission patches, the insignia finer than anything he had ever seen. "How did you manage to copy the image? You don't know English, but you got every letter of the mission motto perfect."

"I might not be able to read your language darling, but I do know how to trace shapes," Rarity said, her smile straining slightly as Mark flinched from her tone shifting. "There is something else in the bottom, more of an extra gift than anything."

"Oh?" Mark said, setting aside his garments to see what untold treasure lay at the depths of his treasure box. Picking up a small bundle of crystal blue tissue paper, he undid the wad and what he saw made his breath hitch. "Rarity-"

"Think nothing of it Mark," Rarity said, seeing the pure joy in Mark's eyes as he picked up each individual trinket, identical to the ones that Spitfire possessed. "A few were easy to get my hooves on, the others I had to manage, but I felt like it would be a good present to keep for when you tell us goodbye and head back home."

"It will be more of a 'see you next time' than a full goodbye Rarity," Mark said, causing most of the others to tilt their head in his direction. "I need my friends to return home, don't I? I believe it would be rude to never come back after returning home, I do have a debt to repay after all. Besides, all of you are so cute and adorable, how could I not come back to such cute and cuddly creatures?"

Rarity beamed a smile, sharing the same expression that was on the faces of everyone as Dragonfly gave Mark a nuzzle hug.

"Look who came to their senses," Chrysalis said, smirking at Mark while continuing her sarcastic tone. "You are so enthralled in the pony way of friendship that it caused you to change your mind overnight. It is a miracle! Quick everyone, praise the sun and gather up for a celebration!"

The wording caused everypony's, except Twilight and Dragonfly, eyebrows to raise in suspicion, but no one dared to call the changeling out.

"I don't know why you are acting so coy Chrysalis," Mark said, matching the changeling queen's smirk with his own. "My statement includes you too queeny."

"Q-queeny?!" Chrysalis stammered, not expecting Mark to address her in such a lowbrow manner as she rose to her full height. "Now listen here you overgrown, sarcastic ape, there are several things you should never do around me. One: Steal my crown thinking that it will revert me to a drone and change you into a queen, because that is not how it works! Second: flat-out disrespect my authority, becomes that comes with extreme consequence. Third: try and forcibly make me learn the ways of friendship, because that will set me off quicker than that rabbit that lives with Fluttershy."

"Um, my Queen," Occupant said, slightly gulping as Chrysalis glared down at him. "The only thing rabbits do fast is-"

"MOVING ALONG!," Chrysalis said, raising her voice before putting goo over Occupant's mouth to keep him quiet. "However, all those things pale in comparison to calling me queeny. Listen up Mark, I am not cute and cuddly, I am a very dangerous creature to cross; one that can easily disarm, paralyze, and trap you until you are nothing more than a dried-out husk. I suggest for the benefit of your health that you refrain from ever calling me that again, do I make myself clear?"

"You do," Mark said, gulping at the look in Chrysalis' eyes, as if she was staring into his soul. "I won't say it again, but one thing that you cannot deny is that I can honestly say I am the only human whose stepmother is an alien."

"Ah yes, your stepmother," Chrysalis said, the hard look in her eyes evaporating and being replaced by pure mischief. "I'm sure you can understand the dilemma if I slipped my tongue? How unfortunate it would be to see your life crumble to dust beneath my hooves."

"You wouldn't dare," Mark said, anger briefly surging until he saw Chrysalis was serious. "Alright, so what bounds am I under?"

"You will not call me queeny for starters," Chrysalis said, allowing herself to smirk at the small victory. "Anything I ask you to do, you will do, no questions asked. Got it?"

"Uh huh," Mark said, nodding at the changeling that was makinng him feel smaller than a field mouse. "Now, can you all leave so I can change clothes?"

"We all had to see your decontamination shower, so we all know what you look like," Dragonfly's sarcasm, combined with a wink, made Mark blush as the drone headed for the door. "Well, you all heard him, lets give him his privacy so we can begin our day."

All the others looked at her confused, but nonetheless followed her out of the room as Mark began to undress. Chrysalis used this as an opportunity to return to her minor cave of solitude, her office, and monitor the group via the camera system that had been installed. Glancing on her desk, she noticed a drone had come in and set a mug of coffee on her desk, black as her chitin and as cold and bitter as her heart. Yet, as she leaned back in her chair, the taste that often brightened her day seemed off putting, making her discard the beverage with a heavy sigh and a roll of her eyes.

"And thus begins another glorious day in the land of friendship…"

Author's Note

Work is still hetic, so this is all I could get... Sorry for the inconvenience

A Letter to a Princess

Author's Note

I started this chapter last weekend before the riots broke out across America, so this has nothing to do with them. I had the whole fight and aftermath written, but out of respect to the peaceful protestors (and not the idiots who want everything to burn), I deleted it all and kept this short and sweet.

To all my US readers,

Please stay safe and may God Bless you all

A Letter to a Princess

Dear Princess Celestia,

A lot has happened over the last decade, hasn't it? I nearly conquered your soft, plush, cakey rump and then Cherry Berry dropped in on my hive like a runaway apple cart and literally launched us to the heavens. All the issues I had while the space race started with distrust towards me from even those closest to you was a challenging task that I believe I weatherd well. From secret spy runs, to your sister spending time here trying to "uncover my plot" (which you are the only one besides Shining Armor and Cadance to have accomplished~), not once did I detain any of your subjects for my own needs. However, I did notice one thing as I sit here in my soft, velvety throne chair in reflection:

Even from the very beginning, you were the only one to defend me and give me a chance Celly...

I know that I am not good with the mushy feeling stuff ponies are, you know that from experience, but I mean it when I say thank you. Does it has anything to do with our previous relationship? I don't know, but I still am thankful that you didn't go Daybreaker on me like the time I accidently broke your mom's va-

HORSEAPPLES! I still got to repay and replace that... Buck...

Whoops, sorry about that, but still you gave me a chance to prove myself to your ponies that I was only trying to have good intentions by being the first to land on another object in Luna's sky (and rub it in her face to boot).

Did I meet your expectations?...
Did I pass your test?...

You always wanted nothing but the best for me, and I am no fool, you purposely let me conquer you at Shiny and Cady's wedding. I may have been overpowered on love like when Sparkle went over 9000 magiunits on Tirek, but you still could have called down the power of your glowing sun to end me. Yes, it would have made Canterlot a wasteland and kill everypony in range, but as a ruler we both know we have to sacrifice them all if there is ever the need. The cost of the crown is heavy on us both, and there are a few times where it does get overwhelming and I am certain you can relate.

Speaking of relate... I- well, Dragonfly said something and it has leeched itself in my mind; in the process, it got me thinking about how our relationship used to be. Those memories resurfacing have been in confliction with everything I have made myself believe in since the fateful day I betrayed you and everypony else.

Do you remember that fateful day Celly? The argument that set forth our paths? Cause I remember it vividly. The smells of the blooming orchid, sunflower, and lavender plants. The sound of carpenter's working on the new stained glass hallway, the bluebirds chirping and your sun shining down on us as we rested in the garden going over suggestions on how we would be handling unrest from Yakyakistanian War.

We both know how that situation turned out, so I am not going to bother with the details...

Anyway, I am not expecting an answer anytime soon, nor do I expect things to go back to the way they were at a fast rate, but still I am just curious if you would consider it.

With warm regards,
Chrissy

A Letter to a Queen

Dearest Chrysalis,

I want to start off by thanking you for taking time out of your busy schedule to write to me. When I received your letter during Day Court, I had to suppress my squeal of delight. I know you probably are being drugged through mud thicker than I am, having to maintain communications between your hive and your space program, so seeing the side of you I knew so well gave me the extra motivation to bust through my itinerary.

Now, with the court closed, ribbons cut, and bills signed, I have the time to write this before I set the sun for the day.

As far as the contents you sent me, don't worry about the vase, it was one of many duplicate ones mother collected before her passing. The real one is being kept locked away in a special trunk in my closet, right next to Platinum's crown, Amore's private toy collection, and our enchanted horn rings.

Guess I will need to get the dust off those huh?

You have been on my mind all day my dear love bug, sending me on my own trip down memory lane for how close we used to be. Everything you said was true, like how I let you beat me at the wedding. Yes, I felt bad that my little ponies had to see me vulnerable, but at the same time it was a humble reminder that I am not some all-powerful goddess. I do have a life span, one I intend to fulfill as much as I can.

You surpassed my expectations Chryssy, and it filled my heart with great joy accomplishing what I wanted you to do so long ago: make peace with ponies and work alongside them as an equal. Now look at you, you can walk anywhere in Equestria a free mare without any worries of being imprisoned (and if any guard or noble is dumb enough to try, give me their name and I will deal with them personally…)

In a way, you can say that you are more of a pony than you realize. You never have to admit it to anyone but me, but you enjoy being able to cooperate with ponies respecting your position, while also getting things done on time.

So yes, my dear, you passed my test with the flying colors of a double rainboom.

Now that I think about it, I guess I am a bit more changeling than I realized. I have been the one pouring in the bits for Ad Astra to give out by using Sunshine Melody as a cover, much like how I know you use Cool Drink (can't deny it, I look at all tax records you silly mare). Not to mention, I let one of my guards be discharged to stay at your hive under your care, and now he works for you like you have one of your drones gorging on the love I have for my ponies.

You may need to rotate her out, because she is starting to suffer love hangovers and it is effecting her job performance.

It will take time for OUR ponies and changelings to accept us as a couple, let alone show ourselves in public without causing multiple dirt sheets and uncomfortable questions, but if we want to be together you are going to have to get off that high throne of yours and be honest.

If you love me, when that bridge is crossed, confess your love…

… And I will be there by you, hoof in hoof, doing the same thing.

If you want to meet up with me, the day after tomorrow is my normal day of relaxation. Sunshine and Cool Drink can meet up in Horseton Bay for a business cruise around the shore. Also, I know you are probably drunk now, because I infused this ink with the love I had to keep buried for all these years…

With Love,
Celly Boo

Author's Note

This concludes the three chapter interlude

Manehatten

Ever since the day that Cherry Berry stepped her hooves in Chrysalis' hive to start the reach for the heavens, the very fundamentals of pony life had been forever altered.

All throughout Equestria and the surrounding nations, many aeroplane and jet engine shelters had sprung up. This boosted the local communities that housed them, and causing the tourism industry to go into a fast period of expansion due to curious ponies traveling to regions they had only heard about, but never had the means to visit. From Appleloosa and Neighagra Falls, to Dodge Junction and the Buffalo Lands, the new source of income made the communities have a surplus that led to renovations to the towns themselves.

Gone were the simple wood, stone, and tin huts that had to be replaced after every major storm or occasional monster attack, and in their place stood rugged buildings of steel that withstood whatever assault the chaos of Eques had in store. Of course, with increased air travel, new rules and regulations had to be passed to keep both the flying pegasi and the pilots safe; and after one -sadly- fatal incident involving a stallion wearing a cape was sucked into a jet engine, Princess Celestia and Queen Chrysalis cosigned a law stating such cloth was banned at altitudes above 50 feet.

This caused Chrysalis a lot of headaches with her drones, since over three-quarters of them had got addicted to the Supermare television show (surprisingly originating from Flim and Flam, who sold the idea to one Sire Sleaf for 1000 bits and a two percent stake in all future sales. Needless to say, it was a hit.) and often wore copies of her trademarked, changeling-made, yellow cape.

However, all it took was George Bull, with Chrysalis' permission, making each drone watch a montage of multiple ways to die via cape and have a VERY Bad Day like that poor stallion to end that threat to Chrysalis' sanity. Not only did the number of capes worn in flight around the space center plummet, but productivity also went up on designing some expansions that would speed up the travel between Horseton and the space center to replace those 'I am Superbug!' time slots.

Yet, even with technology advancing on the ground, and aeroplanes and jet engines starting to dominate the skies, a single sky chariot being pulled by a team of Solar Zealots casually made its way towards Manehattan without a care in the world.

"And that's how, from the Challenger and Columbia disasters, the entire Space Shuttle program was redesigned and upgraded to put safety at the forefront to ensure another man was never lost in space." Mark said, having finished the little history lesson that he had to start after Twilight had asked soon after the chariot had taken off about the history of Earth space flight. As for the lavender alicorn, both her and Chrysalis had a stack of papers as tall as the queen's cannon (the biological part, not the source of Pinkie's party popper confetti) to send to their respective engineers. "Sadly, those fourteen brave souls departed to the other side, but without them, the current space program probably wouldn't be in the shape it is in. NASA hasn't lost a single astronaut since."

"They almost did…" Dragonfly's haunted tone was thick enough to make even the pegasi pulling the chariot flinch, Mark having to rub one of the changeling's ears to try and have her calm down. "So did CSP, so did ESA. All three would have lost crew members on that barren, lifeless rock."

"Eh, don't be so hard on yourself," Rainbow Dash, having been personally invited by Spitfire to join the journey to Manehattan, said as she glided alongside the chariot. "You all survived, didn't you? That's all that matters in the end, right?"

"Rainbow, you're wrong," Dragonfly said, turning her head to stare directly into the speedster's eyes. "You have the fastest reflexes of any pegasus, what do you think would have happened if any other pegasus was on ESA Flight Five? You pulled your chutes with three seconds to spare, otherwise, you would have been the ESA Challenger."

Even with Rainbow not saying a word, both the drone and her queen felt the ESA members' emotions turn into a sludgy, murky mixture that made both changelings feel very sick.

"However," Dragonfly continued, hoping to salvage her friends' mood. "You did pull those chutes, so you are still here with us. Equestria still has a hero, Ponyville still has someone to clear the skies in ten seconds flat, and your friends still have you. In that regard your questions are true, but with your reflexes being an extreme outlier, it would be false to anyone. We survived thanks to the power of friendship, something even my queen would have to admit."

"I would say that it was more luck and teamwork than anything," Chrysalis said, only for all eyes to narrow their gazes on her. She mentally flinched, especially after having her heart soaring from reading Celestia's letter. "But, since it took time for our astromares to learn Mark's language, then build life out the lifeless, then pilot a way home? I will say that friendship had to play a significant part, because in any other scenario it would have been a Bad Day."

"And what is our objective? Not to have a Bad Day." Even after being labeled as the top rescue pilot on Eques, and doing the tango with the Pale Horse, Dragonfly had never forgotten Cherry's first lesson to her in that classroom in the hive. "So at the end of the day, it was a successful failure."

"Not in the slightest," Chrysalis' answer shocked everyone, especially Twilight, and made Cherry Berry fidget in place. "Me and Twilight both went through more than we will ever admit to get you mares, Fireball, and Mark back safely. Celestia, Luna, Cadance… practically every single resource at our disposal we tried to utilize to some degree. It was only by an absolute miracle that one of Sparkle's probes locked onto Mark's home universe. The mission was a complete failure Dragonfly, the only objective we completed was bringing you home."

"What Chrysalis is trying to say is both ESA and CSP are literally broke," Twilight's calm complexion while delivering that news actually brought a small smirk to Chrysalis's face as a rebel part of her mind imagined the bookworm as a changeling queen, and an even more rebellious part of her wondering how Queen Sparkle would make her the princess in the cage. "We aren't in debt yet, but we burned through our surpluses from R&D, launches, and overtime hours. If things don't change in the next few months, well, the Eques Space Exploration is over."

"That explains the sky chariot instead of using an aeroplane," Spitfire dryly remarked, her snort causing Twilight to look away in shame. "You both are hoping to use this as a publicity stunt to pay us aren't you? Otherwise, I see no reason in Chrysalis joining us for the trip."

"No offense, but same goes for you inviting Rainbow!" Chrysalis' comeback silenced the commander, but as much as her dwindling evil side wanted to boast in victory, she simply sighed. "I actually had an appointment with one of my drones in Manehatten, so I am trapping two ponies in one pod by tagging along… so to speak."

"That sounds both unsanitary, and unintentionally dirty," Starlight said, smirking as a blush crept up Mark's face as he caught what Starlight meant by her euphemism. "Although, I think Mark wouldn't mind him and Dra-"

"Moving along!" Mark quickly butted in, the flustered human receiving smirks from everyone not named Dragonfly, the drone having a deep blush that matched his. "You mean to tell me, that even the high and mighty changeling queen has to grovel for funds? This place is more like home than I thought."

"Watch your mouth human," Chrysalis said, glaring at Mark like he had used her crown for a hide-and-go-seek prop. "Care to elaborate before I inject you with a paralysis agent and stuff you in a feeding pod?"

Mark grinned. A very, very sinister grin that made even the fearless Chrysalis' chitin crawl, as he dived into the world of Earth politics…

"Timeout! I can't take this anymore!" Cherry shouted, making a 'T' with her forehooves as every brain cell in her temple throbbed. "No offense, but your system is so full of holes it makes a Mars-starved Dragonfly look solid like a pony! That is just the surface by the way, not to mention your stupid 'electoral college' system."

"None taken…" Dragonfly quietly muttered, answering for Mark and agreeing with her bossmare. "Can we talk about anything else? We just spent thirty minutes earning bucking headaches!"

"I got something," Spitfire said, slowly turning her head to the only two royalty present. "How the buck did you two let both space agencies go broke?! Twilight, you can do calculus in your head, how could you miss such an oversight?"

"It is my fault both agencies are broke, that's why," Twilight said, a sharp wave of buried guilt hitting Dragonfly and Chrysalis like rotten slime that had been sitting in the summer Appleloosa sun. "The mission may have been a joint effort between ESA and CSP, but in the end it was ESA's ship and therefore my responsibility. Like I touched on earlier, I poured out every last bit I could, then when my staff got overwhelmed…"

"You went to Horseton to recruit CSP, thus continuing the destructive cycle." Fireball said, looking highly unamused as he snorted a puff of smoke. "If my hunch is correct, since both agencies only have enough for the fundamentals, we all nearly died for literally nothing. It was free labor."

Both rulers looked out the sides of the chariot at that.

"I would promise you all will get paid, even if it is increments with payout percentages on future missions," Twilight stuttered, fluffing her wings slightly. "However, since both programs are not our problem anymore there is no guarantee that it can be budgeted for at least a few years until finances stabilize."

"Not fucking good enough," The fact Fireball used an Earth swear, and Mark's crystal flawlessly translated it, caught the entire group off guard. Mark had come to know that a dragon measured themselves by their horde, like the now-infamous sapphire incident, so he knew Fireball would be the angriest and therefore he did what any human would do and hide behind the big magical bug that could protect him. "We nearly died, we need to get paid. Where did bits go?!"

"The Concordia is expensive!" Twilight protested, earning a sagely nod from Chrysalis at the statement. "Most of CSP's funds that were not being spent on overtime went into building that. I know, because Chrysalis had me helping to keep track of it. We both have had contracts to try and cushion the blow, but the losses offset the gains when you toss in the costs of the Angel program."

"Ouch," Cherry flinched, everyone including Fireball now looking a bit sheepish. "I can see where that would be an issue, and there is no telling what Mark's people had to spend to attempt their side of the rescue."

"No bucking kidding…"

"Anyway," Cherry continued, ignoring Mark's little interruption as he grumbled under his breath across from her. "Going back to a comment you said earlier, how come this financial situation is not your problem? You are the head of ESA, and Chrysalis is the head of CSP, so wouldn't that fa-"

"Cherry, stop," Twilight said, her eyes suddenly looking sullen. "When you launched we were, but after you poofed out of existence things went bad in a hurry. Chrysalis teleported to my office and threatened to kill me, and I was going to let her."

"In a quite painful way at that," Chrysalis remarked, surprisingly finding no joy in imagining Twilight dead. "She wanted me to rack her with her legs pulled taught and pluck her wings one feather at a time. Once that was done, I was to shave her fur off and dunk her in boiling oil. Then, last but not least, I was to launch her on a one-way trip in a capsule with no space suit and let her open the hatch when in orbit. Considering I thought I had lost three of my astromares, I was livid and nearly fulfilled that request."

"Moondancer and Occupant got between us before she could," Twilight said, her eyes closed as she hung her head. "It was then a compromise was made. Me and Chrysalis would turn Cape Friendship and Horseton Space Center over to Moondancer and Occupant respectively, Chrysalis would go to her hive and stay there, and I would stay in Ponyville doing my princess duties after my mandatory seventy-two hour suicide risk watch period."

"That sounds less like a compromise and more of a save of face," Mark's statement went over both Chrysalis' and Twilight's heads, and when he noticed he let out a soft sigh before continuing. "Before I explain what that phrase means, tell me, did you both willingly step down or was it more of a strong suggestion from a group of ponies?"

"It was the latter actually," Chrysalis said, humming in thought as she recounted that meeting. "The former heads of the other space programs got together and presented the proposal to us. Considering two members of the committee are related to Twilight, and I have… history with, I wasn't surprised for them to suggest that I step down as well. Twilight immediately accepted in order to get her mind back right, and after a few hours of weighing my options I accepted as well to turn my focus to keeping my hive in order."

"So I was right then," Mark said, rubbing his forehead as he let out a soft exhale. "Basically, that committee got what they wanted to protect their business interests, while having you both get as far out the way as possible by presenting their agenda in a way that favors you both. On Earth, that practice is often frowned upon, but considering all circumstances it turned out for the best."

"That would explain the pampering I still get from my brother," Twilight muttered, a clear scowl on her face that soon vanished, replaced by a look of sheer joy that threatened to make Chrysalis', Dragonfly's, and Mark's hearts explode from cute overload. "Look! It's Manehattan, we're almost there!"

"Manhattan?" Mark said, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Starlight. "I guess that is the new translation of 'Hair Hat City'? The funny thing is both are very, very close to cities we have on Earth."

"You mentioned Horseton was one as well, and Baltimare too," Starlight tapped her chin as she spoke, briefly slipping into deep thought. "Seems like our worlds share more than just coordinates on the universal transdimensional plane."

"No kidding, I wonder how many more similarities there are," Mark snorted, only to top when he saw the Manehattan skyline. "Woah..."

Laid out before them was the city of Manehattan, also known as the "Cornerstone of Harmony". Having been originally founded as a place for fleeing citizens of foreign war victims, it soon became the central hub for all immigration once the conflicts died down. Over time, the city grew and became the biggest income producer on Equestria's eastern shore, apart from the massive tourism industry and part from being the place of a cultural renaissance. Even as the chariot circled over the city, Mark could make out multiple landmarks that he recognized from New York City.

The Chrysler Building, Broadway, and even the Statue of Liberty seemed to have counterparts that were modified to the pony lifestyle. However, before he could descend a mental rabbit hole of being away from his world, Dragonfly's gentle touch made him look at her.

"It will be ok Mark," Dragonfly said, a light confidence in her tone as she smiled at him. "Your homesickness will be cured soon, and then you can properly heal. I don't mean physically, I mean mentally."

"I know that," Mark said, still looking out the chariot as they landed and looked at the welcoming committee consisting of a single pegasus and unicorn. "That's all they sent us? The way Twilight has been hyping this up, I was expecting a full crowd of ponies welcoming their heroes home and wanting to see a human in the flesh."

"Would you rather have scales or fur? I know spells for both." Twilight's smug grin made Mark deadpan as they got out to stretch their legs as the two welcoming ponies approached. "Wait, I recognize Ad Astra, but who is the unicorn?"

"A business associate that I only have had the opportunity to communicate with by telepresence." Chrysalis said, knowing her cover lie would keep the truth buried until the time was right. "Twilight, others, I would like you to meet Sunshine Melody, the head of the Canterlot Royal Astronomical Society and private secretary of Princess Celestia."

"The pleasure is all mine Chrysalis," Sunshine said, giving a polite bow to the queen before looking at the group."I have heard a lot about you in the papers and on television, and let me go on record and say the princess is relieved that you are safely back, and she wants to meet you in the capital at her castle Mr. Watney."

"Well, I can't exactly turn down an offer from a princess now can I?" Mark chuckled, relaxing his posture a bit as he started to feel comfortable. "I accept the offer, and if memory serves, Twilight planned on us visiting anyway."

"It is on my itinerary," Twilight said, beaming a smile at how proud she felt about being able to have every request on it. "Although, I am curious where everyone else is at?"

"At home in bed," Sunshine said, raising a hoof before there would be any rebuttals. "Bronclyn Music Center will not be ready in time, so we moved the ticker tape to tomorrow morning and are setting you up in the Manefair Hotel for the night, at Princess Celestia's expense."

"That's generous of her to do that," Starlight said, and Chrysalis and Dragonfly both could tell that statement was sincere. "But that still doesn't explain why you two are here. Couldn't Princess Celestia just send a messenger?"

"Under most circumstances, she would," Sunshine's tone took an audible pitch difference, now sounding more professional and business-like as she summoned a golden letter chest. "However, there are checks to be given out, and the princess herself gave me the go-ahead to come with Ad Astra to present them."

"That's correct boss," Astra said, taking the chest from Sunshine and started sorting out the checks. "The first two are for Chrysalis and Twilight to give to the space centers. It is for 5 years operating costs, First Contact, first dimensional jump, first intergalactic rescue, and a bonus for a top-secret project you will be debriefed on when you arrive in Canterlot."

Both royals stared in shock at the number of commas they saw.

"Now then," Astra continued, moving to each member of the joint agency flight crew. "That is your pay for the last two years, calculated to fifteen hours a day and including over and triple time workweek rates…

"Which just leaves the human."

Mark, and everyone else, looked at Astra in the same state of confusion as she still had three envelopes left.

"Mr. Watney," Sunshine said, clearing her throat with a small cough before looking the human in the eyes. "Princess Celestia feels that, if you are going to be here for a short spell, you need funds for souvenirs. Therefore, she has enclosed two checks for you. The first is a small token of diplomacy, the second is for being the first human to be in contact with extraterrestrials that are outside your world."

"Uh, thanks?" Mark said, handing the two to Dragonfly so she could read them. "I do not think that is necessary, but I appreciate the gesture."

"This all good and all," With Twilight recovered from her initial shock, she took careful, logical consideration to the event that just took place. "But how did Celestia come into so many bits? I thought that her reserves were fully depleted!"

"Not entirely," Sunshine said, a frown crossing her muzzle as she avoided looking at the shrewd look Chrysalis was displaying. "I kept careful records of every bit given to the ESA, and only gave when there was a surplus in the treasury. So, her saying she was tapped was not a total lie per se, but rather the bits we had needed to go to infrastructure and the emergency fund for the rampages that randomly occur. The bits in these checks come from her personal treasury, which has been built up over her entire rule so she has more than enough to cover the amount presented here."

"Wait," Rainbow said, moving in front of Sunshine with a slight scowl. "If that is the case, then why didn't the princess hoof over more bits when we asked? We could have rescued them sooner instead of having to deal with funding delays!"

"That is a good point, but perhaps Twilight can enlighten you on the answer." Sunshine, moving past Rainbow, put a comforting hoof on the Princess of Friendship's shoulder. "Tell me Princess, if word leaked out that Celestia had a personal fund, wouldn't that hurt the economy due to making bits worthless from the massive influx of silver ingots from the old days hitting the market? She did it for everyone's livelihood. So, what good is a lot of bits if what you have wouldn't be enough?"

"They wouldn't be, and leaving you in worse shape due to higher prices and cheaper value per bit." Twilight's ears were folded against her head as she shuffled a hoof against the mahogany pier, her expression becoming reserved. "So, what's the last check for?"

"This isn't a check, but instead an invitation." Sunshine said, levitating the parchment towards Dragonfly. "Princess Celestia read Starlight's notes that were sent about the bablefish spell, so she knows that he cannot read our writing. That being said, would you care to do the honors Dragonfly?"

"I would be honored," Dragonfly said, taking the invitation in her own aura before opening it. With Occupant being the former mail sorter, she never came close to a royal addressment, and it was an honor she was not going to take lightly as she began to read.

Dear Mr. Watney,

Let me start off by saying thank you for keeping the crew alive. I know that all six of you brave souls were thrust into a situation that you were not prepared for, one that no amount of training and simulations could possibly have imagined. Yet, through hard work, learning, and survival, you built a bond that was forged in the universal flames and no time scale or distance can corrode.

In my eyes, you are just as much of a hero as they are.

A hero to Equestria, for if it wasn't for your genius ingenuity, the Wonderbolts would have had to fly in missing mare formation at their next show and Twilight would have lost her student.

A hero to the changelings, for they would have lost their chief engineer, a mare that has multiple honors to her name and multiple rescues under her hoof. A mare that kept your spacesuits patched to ensure that they lasted until rescue, a mare that will receive a special honor from me when you arrive. They would have also lost the best astromare on Eques. The mare who went to Chrysalis to kickstart the Changeling Space Program, the mare who was first in space, and has the most flights out of everyone. The brave little pony who has earned the title of Astromare Commander, and I would trust my own life in her capable hooves for she is a steely-eyed missile mare.

Dragon Lord Ember would have lost Fireball, the dragon who went where no dragon has gone before, and a large reward is waiting for him when he returns.

NASA, and the entirety of Earth, would have lost you. The man who will be welcomed with numerous parades, and has accomplished feats that even many here in our space programs can only dream of. I have been informed from Twilight you are severely homesick, and if you need anything to try and ease that pain you will be given it with no questions asked.

Now for the main reason I'm writing…

I, along with my sister Luna, welcome you and your fellow Maretains to Canterlot for a vast celebration. There will be food, music, and a performance by the Wonderbolts themselves. Afterwards, we will have you presented on the castle balcony for the medal ceremony…

And for you personally, something extra.

Before you return to Earth, and after your mini-tour around Equestria and the surrounding lands are completed, you will come back here to learn how to cast magic on your own under the tutorage of me and Princess Twilight. I am well aware that the only magic in your universe comes from life, so this will also be an experiment to see if it will be possible for humans to use magic, and will further factor into how we will work on establishing a permanent link between our universes.

Until then, enjoy your time here and may Harmony guide your way, sincerely
Princess Celestia

"That's… an offer alright," Mark said, trying to wrap his head around what the princess had offered in the letter. "I mean, learning magic myself? That's something that humans have fabled about for centuries."

"You'll be a wizard Watney," Starlight giggled, earning a facehoof from Spitfire and Dragonfly while Fireball and Cherry Berry groaned. "What? You know I couldn't resist doing it!"

"We will talk about that later, in bed," Cherry said, causing Starlight's cheeks to color as the Earth Pony looked towards Sunshine. "I've stayed at the Manefair, so I know those rooms have double beds. Therefore, I exercise my authority as the commander to assign our bed arrangements."

"You just don't want to bunk with Fireball," Spitfire sneered, getting in Cherry's face. "What gives you the right to pull rank when I am the Captain of the Wonderbolts!"

"Two reasons," Cherry's level gaze could have melted lead, Spitfire feeling like her soul was being judged as she looked into those fearless eyes. "One, I outrank you on the crew. Two, considering both of your names have 'fire' in them, I figured that it would fit. Now I got a full hooficure to get from the spa in the lobby, so later!"

"What just happened?" Spitfire's tone was far lower than normal, flashbacks to when she was just entering the Bolts and getting shouted down by her own Captain suddenly exploding to the front of her mind. "Did she just shout me down without using a single swear?"

Even Chrysalis found that disturbing.

In a busy part of town, a simple unicorn made her way towards her destination. Having been several hours since meeting with her clientele, the mare had decided to stick around for the richer nightlife that Manehatten offered once the sun went down. Bars were all open, spreading different beats of music that seemed to weave and flow into a single Harmonious rhythm that sweetly offered the promises of a good time as neon lights glowed to compete with Luna's stars for their sense of awe.

Yet, the mare carried on past, her goal being of a different venue. A place that offered something far more permanent and more memories than even top-shelf booze could buy. Glancing up, the mare saw her destination, a hoof carved sign of a mare in a poofy dress set against a painted backdrop of a spring meadow.

"Good, someone's still here," The mare said, keeping it under her breath as she entered the shop and let the illusion she had been using fade. The main floor lights were off, leaving the merchandise to be nothing more than shapes in the shadows, but her hoof steps on the floor caused the muffled conversation she had been hearing in the fitting room to cease. "Hello?"

"Just a minute!" A female voice said, and soon a changeling came out with a measuring tape draped around her neck. "It is after hours, is there any special reason why you have come this late? The only reason I am still here is that I had to reschedule a fitting due to an unexpected visit from my queen."

"Oh, I don't want to be a burden then," The mare said, taking a few steps forward so the fitting room light could illuminate her better. Once it revealed her alabaster fur and multihued mane, Lacewing's entire demeanor changed to shock. "I will come back at a later time then."

"No, wait!" With a flick of her magic, Lacewing had the door locked and the shop's main lights back on. "Princess Celestia?! I'm not in trouble am I? I promise that I have been obeying all your laws and paying my taxes."

"Oh I know you have little one," Celestia said, chuckling a bit before her attention turned to a sky blue pegasus mare that was staring at her from the fitting room. "As for you ma'me, I'm terribly sorry to interrupt your fitting."

"I-it is not a problem, Your Highness," The mare said, dipping into a small bow before disappearing back behind the wall. "Take your time Lace! I'm going to look at my gemstone options again while I wait!"

"Ok Dasher, just remember anything over five karats is extra!" Lace smiled, turning back to face the princess of the sun. "She is marrying the mare of her dreams next month, and is one of the most excitedly nervous brides-to-be I have ever met. Their love is true though, so it should be a long and happy marriage."

"Good to hear," Celestia said, slowly making her way around the shop as she looked at all the different types that were on display. "I must say, you have a lot of skills Lacewing, and your name suits you well. The only other seamstress that I have come across with this level of delicate skill is Miss Rarity, but where she has the advantage of using gems to make her dresses stand out, yours are more specialized and literally made with love. All those fashion awards and magazine publications that featured you? You earned every last one of them."

"My goodness, to have you say those things…" Lacewing stammered, shocked to her core that someone in pony society as high up as the day princess herself was a fan of her work. "I am both honored and humbled that you spoke of me in such high regard, and if there is anything I can offer you name it."

"Perish the thought," Celestia smiled, and she could tell that she had made the changeling a very happy drone as she looked at a dress that brought back fond memories of the happiest time in her life. "I care about all my citizens, and, by extension of the detente, all of Chrysalis' drones. Both sides failed during your Bad Old Days, and I accept the responsibility of those times. I do not want anything free or a favor for later, for the praise I gave you was from my heart."

"It is still appreciated princess," Lace said, having the courtesy to dip into a bow. "Although, I can't help but notice how you are looking at that Renavian Era dress. It is immensely popular among the batpony and Mooheavian circles, and also for those who want a wedding with an older theme. My Queen herself is who showed me that design last year in an effort to see if it would expand my business to new clientele, and it was a bigger hit than we both dreamed of."

"You say Chrysalis showed you this concept?" Celestia said, now going over the dress with the eye of a jeweler looking at a diamond, her heart thundering in her chest. "You got every detail perfect, this is a flawless reproduction of what was ceremonial back then. This really takes me back on a trip down memory lane…"

"Going by your emotions, they were fond ones," Lace said, Celestia silently nodding as she closed her eyes and hummed. "I take it you had a mare or stallion in your eyes?"

"A mare," Celestia breathed the words, her emotions turning into an orchestra that told the tale of love, heartbreak, and hopeful redemption. "The kindest, gentlest mare I have ever met. One that loved my subjects as much as I did when I had nopony else to turn to with Lulu banished. A mare that swept me off my hooves and captured my heart in her snare, and I didn't want to let go. Unfortunately, we had a disagreement and my heart never was quite the same after that."

"That sounds horrible," Lace said, a look of disgust on her face. "Who would be dumb enough to break the heart of the princess of the sun?! The way I see it, if a bond that you described was broken over a misunderstanding then it wasn't true to begin with."

"Ouch…" Celestia mentally flinched at the criticism, but outwardly she kept an even expression. "I can see why you said that, but when you are as old as me, Discord, Lulu, or Chrysalis you realize that sometimes two ponies can be in love, split apart for a bit, and then come back together with their love stronger than ever because they realized what they had. Your pony cover was Something Blue, one of the four parts of the old marriage ritual, so you know how important that Is. Now that I think about it, there is one thing I want you to do for me."

"As I said earlier, just name it," A million and one different scenarios ran through her mind, having fallen back on the old changeling habit of having backup plans for every situation possible just in case they needed to escape. "It isn't illegal right?"

"Not at all!" Celestial laughed, a good-natured laugh that came straight from her soul. "I just want you to take my measurements, just in case I ever get to have my own special day."

"What…" Lacewing blinked, slowly registering what Celestia had asked her. "With all due respect princess, wouldn't it be more appropriate for Rarity to make you a wedding dress since, you know, she is actually one of your subjects?"

"I can see why you asked that," Celestia moved one of her wings to place it across Lacewing's back, the drone initially flinching before relaxing to the touch. "I have many fine pieces she has made over the years from the various galas that I have hosted, but I think that by having you make that wedding dress, it will signify that changelings really are a part of our society. Yes, relations have significantly improved, but I can still see traces of distrust and resentment here and there."

"Ponies have all reason not to trust changelings," Lace said, starting to take Celestia's measurements and write them in her little size book. "Even now, there are changelings at the hive who refuse to see the new ways and are firmly rooted in the concepts of the Bad Old Days. For so long we lurked like hidden monsters as we scavenged for whatever love we could get our hooves on, kidnapping ponies and infiltrating relationships, so it is just."

"Indeed so," Celestia sighed, staying perfectly still as Lacewing did her work. "But that is no longer the majority, now is it? Changelings seem to be far happier, and even now I don't see a single hole on your body."

"Other than what I biologically have, I don't have any," Lacewing said, her horn softly glowing pink from the ambient love she was feeding off Celestia's love of her subjects. "Besides, I have to feed for two now."

"Feed for-" Celestia's eyes widened as Lacewing gestured to her barrel, the chitin appearing softer and bigger than how it normally looked. "Well now, isn't this a splendid surprise, does your husband and Chrysalis both know?"

"I dropped the bombshell on them at same time when she stopped by for a business update earlier," Lacewing snickered, her wings buzzing with a soft chirp. "They fainted! I know it will be hard, but such is a bug's life."

Author's Note

2021...

New Year, New Chapter

Also the second half of this chapter is solely to put light on a certain drone. Those who have read CSP know who she is.

Ticker Tape and Playing it Straight

The light of another sunrise poured in through the window of Mark and Dragonfly's hotel room, bathing the two in warming rays that did their job by coaxing the pair out of the Land of Nod that Luna presided over. For Dragonfly, it was a chance to relax with her beloved before the next few weeks became a blur of travel and appearances as they were given rewards and ceremonies. However, deep down a seed had germinated and started to grow, knowing that with each passing day it meant another one closer to Mark leaving.

Even with his reassurances, the pain was still there, knowing she had to spend years without him at her side, protecting her as she tried to recover from almost dying and encouraging her to get back into space flight shape. Even after a long night with the two pouring their hearts out, and Dragonfly experimenting with a hybrid changeling/human form she was still in, a tiny part of her wished the world would stop turning so he could stay forever.

"No, he has to get home," Dragonfly chided, stomping down the selfish thought as she ran her fingers through Mark's hair as he slowly woke up himself. "He HAS to, if I tried keeping him that would only cause harm, and I would be a bad wife to hurt him."

"Dragonfly, do you have something troubling you?" Mark, who had until this point kept his eyes closed, looked into Dragonfly's baby-blue humanoid irises. "Your breathing seems a bit tense, had a bad dream?"

"No, nothing of the sort," Dragonfly said, sighing a bit as she looked out the window, Spitfire gliding past on a morning flight. "Just a tiny part of me is still thinking that you will be gone forever, and it is giving me some pretty selfish thoughts that I am having to beat back with a stick."

"Kinda ironic since your mom wanted us to do that to get you out of that pod," Mark chuckled, his laughter making Dragonfly ease just a touch. "As for your concerns, that is for future us to worry about, but for now, our main focus should be on getting through the next few weeks without collapsing from exhaustion. I'm sure that we will be able to find a few minutes together here and there when we aren't traveling, but it is really going to make me miss this really comfortable cloud bed."

"Maybe I will be able to get us a personal one, Rainbow does owe me a few favors," Dragonfly giggled, humming a tune that she had heard by her clutch nurse when she was little that helped to calm her nerves. "Say, Mark, you can't read emotions like I can, how were you able to tell something was wrong just off my heart beat?"

"We had to spend how many nights on that damned rock in a cuddle pile to keep warm?" Mark was fully awake, but he was not ready to get up due to being concerned about Dragonfly falling into another depression episode. "I learned little things here and there, like how Spitfire's right wing twitches when angry, but for you I learned by heartbeat. That and, well, isn't there a saying about 'something something soulbond' or whatever?"

"Touché…" Dragonfly huffed, taking extra care not to scrape Mark's forehead with her fangs as she kissed him just below the hairline. "I just don't want to lose you Mark."

"You won't," Mark said, a thoughtful expression crossing his face but Dragonfly felt his emotions sharply blue into sadness. "Thing is about humans, we have so many health things that could happen at any point I can see why you are worried. Heart attack, stroke, brain hemorrhage, cancer… not to mention being shot or killed in a car wreck. However, I promise, when I get back home I am going to make a will just in case the unthinkable happens. In it, I will have my final wish be made to be cremated and my urn given to my wife Dragonfly when the portal between universes is solidified. I'm sorry that we didn't talk about that last night, but then again, we did make an agreement to put all relationship stuff on the backburner now didn't we?"

"Y-yeah," Dragonfly stuttered, remembering the promise the two had made in the med bay of Horseton Space Center. "However, the deal was made on the grounds that I don't push our marriage, but after last night, anyone who heard would think we have been married for years! There was no pushing in that talk, or even this one, it just happened."

"Mmm, fair point," Mark said, looking back at the wall above the headboard of their bed. "Although, we probably owe Starlight and Cherry an apology…"

"No, they owe us one for Starlight's snoring," Dragonfly's response made the two of them chuckle. "Say, think you could help me come up with a name for a human form? No offense, but I don't think 'Dragonfly Watney' rolls off the tongue very well."

"Perhaps," Mark took this chance to pull himself up into a sitting position before standing, Dragonfly having to repress a sad pulse at hearing a couple of Mark's joints pop into place as he headed for the bathroom to take a shower. "Then again, my adorable cuddly love bug, perhaps you should have thought about that before making me your husband Mrs. Watney."

"Did he just…" Dragonfly said, softly enough that anyone without sensitive hearing could not have heard her as she heard the water turn on. "Hey, wait a second, I am not cuddly! I am going to get you for that Mark, just you wait!"

"Oh yeah?" Mark shouted, a smirk crossing his face that Dragonfly could feel the mirth of without even being able to see it. "What you going to do about it?!"

With a smirk on her own face, Dragonfly took it personally.

"Well now, look who finally managed to join us for breakfast," Spitfire, already on her fifth pancake, announced as Mark and Dragonfly made their way into the first floor dining hall. "You two are late, guess you are going native Mark? Got snuggly and cuddly?"

"Buck you Spits," Mark sneered, while Dragonfly had to put her head against Mark's stomach to keep him from getting too aggressive. In her natural form, her smaller stature really didn't have that many advantages that benefited the human, but she was using one she knew that worked as Mark took a deep breath. "Sorry, but since you seem to be a gossip mare, the reason we are late is because Dragonfly decided to literally bathe me."

"Oh course I did," Dragonfly smirked, noticing how even Fireball's cheeks colored. "You can't read our writing, and since you don't have fur, I had to make sure you didn't accidentally give yourself a chemical burn from applying the raw shampoo and conditioner directly to your skin."

"That is really sus Dragonfly, and doubly so since you are a changeling that is saying something," Cherry Berry said, ignoring the sticky cherry syrup that was plastered on her muzzle. "I am technically, and this was explained to me in a closed-door meeting, a member of the hive due to my position. As such, I have picked up a keen 'sixth-sense' over the years that is able to tell when a changeling is lying. I used it on Mars when you were starting to fall apart, and right now it is going off."

"Just couple business," Mark said, not believing that he had actually said those words and causing Dragonfly to facehoof. "Now are you going to keep prodding or are you going to allow two crewmates to eat Commander?"

"Way to spin that back on me!" Cherry laughed, motioning with a hoof towards the empty buffet line, silently thankful that everyone else staying in the hotel had already left to tend to their business. "One stack each, and double time since we have to meet Twilight outside in eight minutes."

"Not a problem bossmare!" Dragonfly saluted, pulling Mark over to the buffet and started stacking their plates. "Hey Mark, did you see the syrup around Cherry's mouth? Boy she is going to be mad when everypony sees the fur matted in the pictures that are going to be taken. Dried syrup is a pain to get out of fur, I should know since one of my prior infiltrations was as a syrup harvester. Worst mission ever that didn't involve the space agency."

"I can imagine, it is sticky on human skin as well," Mark said, looking over his shoulder and carefully noting that Cherry was timing them off the clock that was above the entryway door and each of the seated astronauts had syrup either on them or their uniforms. Each speck was small, but a strong enough resolution and close-up shot however could easily pick it up, which made a scheme form that he took great pride in. "Cherry said we had eight minutes, correct?"

"Less than that now, closer to seven," Dragonfly looked at her lover as she spoke, ignoring the whipped cream, chocolate chips, and strawberries that she was about to get. "Why do you ask?"

"I got an idea to get even with them if you follow my lead," Mark smirked, eying the four plain pancakes on each plate. "I think we can head back to the table now, don't you agree hun? Seven minutes isn't long enough to eat a stack and toppings."

"What are you- oh…" Dragonfly stopped her question as realization struck, having to hold in her giggles as she led the way back to the table with Mark close behind. "Think we got time to add syrup? I overheard a maid last night saying the apple-cinnamon was out of this world."

"Maybe tomorrow dear," Mark took his seat by Dragonfly, grabbing the silverware and cutting into the stack in record time as their friends looked on in confusion. "We gotta finish these so our Commander doesn't start to pout. Then again, don't you agree it is rather cute when she does?"

"I'm not-"

"Oh most certainly hun!" Dragonfly giggled, ignoring Cherry's interruption as she finished the first half of her pancakes and the Earth Pony's face started to go from pink to her namesake. "Very cute and adorable too! Why, I wouldn't be surprised if multiple stallions and mares try to set up dates with the Great Astromare Cherry Berry, just for the cuteness level alone. Now, I am sure that her language when angry would be a major turn-off to most, but I have heard the bat ponies of the Northern Lands just love a mare who could make an Admiral color."

"You two bucking sheep wranglers!"

"Seems you were right Dragonfly," Mark said, speaking in between bites as his mental clock ticked inside of two minutes and Cherry looked like she was about to jump them both. "We know from Mars she can be quite creative with stringing together swears, if you know a few, perhaps you could have a messenger arrange the meetings?"

Cherry Berry, to Fireball's point of view, had a vein in her forehead puffing to the point it could have been considered an ingrown changeling horn that was threatening to finally break free.

"Certainly!" Dragonfly excitedly clopped her forehooves together as she snickered at Cherry's face, Mark having a similar issue as he finished eating and putting his plate together with her own. "Although, you know what the best part is?"

"Oh, I don't know," Mark gave Dragonfly a quick kiss on the top of her head fin, giving her enough juice to teleport the two plates across the room and into the dirty dish bin as they both stood. "Maybe we just stalled long enough to not only eat, but make it so Starlight has to clean Cherry and the others with a spell to look proper for the cameras? Oh! Not only that, Cherry has to hold in her anger and force a smile in order to not make her look bad?"

"We have a winner," Heading for the lobby and front door, Dragonfly turned to look at her crewmates with a fanged grin, both her and Mark enjoying their moral revenge victory as the others stared in shock. "Hurry up guys! You don't want to keep Twilight waiting and make her itinerary late now, that would be just plain rude."

As the duo made their way outside, they found Twilight standing on the sidewalk while surrounded by guards to keep a perimeter so the astronauts wouldn't get rushed by the gathered crowd that blocked the street in both directions. The moment they started down the stairs, the crowd erupted with whoops and hollers as Twilight sprang into action.

"There you are!" Twilight said, stopping Mark and Dragonfly at the last step before the sidewalk as the others caught up. "I was about to come in there, but luckily we still have a few minutes of leeway that I had calculated into my planning just in case we get held up. I hope you all are refreshed because we got a walk ahead of us."

Moving as a group, with the guard line marching in unison to keep the crowd distanced, Mark took the chance to get a closer look at some of the buildings that made up the Manhattan skyline. Some brands that Dragonfly translated the signs of, such as Hoofshucks, MacBuckles, and the newly-opened Interdimensional True Range of Taste, were brands that he recognized, but others had to get a full explanation of as they made their way towards the starting point of the parade.

"You know Mark," Starlight said, taking advantage of a brief pause as Cherry Berry got a Hay Dog with extra sauerkraut and cherry drizzle from a street vender. Twilight had protested on the grounds that the Commander had just eaten breakfast, only to be shot down by a look that made the alicorn's blood turn to ice. "I don't think you and Dragonfly should ride in the same parade float, the Babelfish spell is proximity based, so it would be best I that ride with you."

"I agree," Twilight used the topic to avoid Cherry's glare, silently thankful to the sun and moon that she was given the opportunity. "Starlight is the best English speaker, but that spell is going to come in handy just in case anypony goes total fanfilly and we don't need any misinterpretations on any party."

"No arguments here," Dragonfly's remark was met with a lot of raised eyebrows from her friends, Mark's higher than the others. "I need to get used to not having Mark at my side all the time, so I have no problem having my own seat."

Mark felt a thump of pride at that.

"Glad that is settled, because we are here," Twilight motioned, indicating the line of pony-drawn carriages that were lined up in front of them, earning many confused looks from the six astronauts. "What? Oh! I know what you are thinking, but Princess Celestia personally insisted on these instead of the plain floats that were going to be used, which will be repurposed for the Appleloosa Harvest Fest. We got three carriages. The one in front will be for me, Chrysalis, and Cherry Berry, the one in the middle will be for Dragonfly and Spitfire, and the one at the back will have Fireball, Starlight, and Mark."

"Political move," Dragonfly smirked, making the Princess of Books look away ashamed. "Was the bits Sunshine gave you not enough, but speaking of my queen, where is she?"

"Mars made your senses soft Dragonfly," Everyone looked left and right, but an alley cat coming from the side of the next store over suddenly burst into green flames and revealed the queen herself and made several guards tremble. "As for your question, it is less a political move and more of showing the unity between Horseton and Cape Friendship. Cherry may be a CSP pilot, but is every bit the pony that Twilight is."

"Still politics," Cherry grumbled, climbing into her carriage as the others followed into their places as the parade began. Considering the prank she had pulled on her, she was not in the mood for anything out of hoof. Waving to the crowd was easy, she had done it countless times since diving head first into the Changeling Space Program for various appearances and pressers, but doing it while in a bad mood came in second behind Mars on the list of things that she hated. However, Marephy was not to be outdone as the Commander saw a marquee that made her blood boil and angerly wave a hoof. "What, what is that?!"

"Oh, that?" Chrysalis felt like she was in a volcano without being a dragoness from the anger the Earth Pony was putting off as she glanced at what Cherry was pointing at. She had tried, and failed, to talk several drones and a very insistant Coco Pummel out of making the show that was advertised. Not to mention, and she would never admit it, but the pink-coated mare was one she knew that she would never win an explosive shouting match with. "Well… funny story about that, you see…"

What followed was the greatest display of strung-together, non-swear words ever used as a swearful rant that anyone had ever heard.

"Oh come on Cherry, it wasn't that bad," Fireball, now directly in the firing line of Cherry's glare, tried to save face as the group minus Twilight stood outside the theater. Sure, it had been his idea, and they had got in free due to who they were, but in his opinion they had done a terrific job. "I think they did a pretty decent job considering the resources they had, and their imitation of you ranting was spot on."

"Spot on? Spot on?!" Cherry exploded, making everyone back off a few feet and Dragonfly cower behind Mark. Chrysalis, to her credit, kept a neutral expression but inwardly she was curious to see what the pony would think of next. "Now listen here you gem-eating lizard, the only thing they got spot on was my looks and that was because they were changelings. Changelings! That cow patty stomping fit? Blown out of porportion. The Filthy Frank bit? Out of context! However the biggest insult was making me sound like a total shrill when I get mad!"

"Um, I hate to break it to you, but your voice does crack when you get mad," Starlight instantly regretted speaking up for Fireball, the look she was getting riveling Fluttershy in the 'Judge your Soul' department. "Although! I do think they didn't catch how adorable it makes you look... to the outside observer that is."

She regretted saying that out loud, her Commander filling her vision as they bumped noses.

"Adorable?!" Being so close, the shout made Starlight's go flat, but Cherry was a steelly-eyed missile mare with molten iron in her viens. "Starlight, you think you regretted bucking up several timelines, you have no idea how much you going to regret saying that."

"Cherry, did Mars really make you that quick to violence?" Twilight's voice made everyone jump, being so wrapped up in the display that they didn't see her teleport in. Cherry, to her credit, muttered a 'sorry' before looking away. "Anyway, while you all were seeing the play, I had a matter I had to attend to at Horseton. The-"

"Hang on," Chrysalis said, narrowing her eyes at the second-youngest alicorn. "What gives you the right to attend to business there? Me and you agreed to stay out the center operations entirely, if anything, that would be my business and not yours!"

"Moondancer sent me a letter saying that Occupant was trying to reach you, but since the theater requires magic users to wear a ring indoors if not a performer, he couldn't reach you," Twilight's answer made Chrysalis look vulnerable and defenseless, silencing the queen as she found a pink and cyan polka-dotted trashcan looking awfully suspicious. "With you unavailable, I was next choice. We are to report back to Horseston ASAP, George Bull got a message from NASA via Angel 18 saying the… President? Yeah, President of Mark's nation wants daily updates on him for 'press reasons'."

"Fuck," Mark didn't care he had royalty, and his shotgun wife, present, he was not happy that he couldn't escape Earth politics even while being in another universe. He knew he owed them, and owed them big, but still… "Stupid buerocracy. Ok, fine, I will do the updates to get them off my ass, but why do we have to return to Horseton?"

"First, I would chide you for the language, but under the circumstances I am not," Twilight stated, keeping an unamused stare at the human that she swore made him look at her like an adult looks at an adorable foal. "Secondly, they specifically requested that the first message to them was about how the space center looks and operates. Considering you spend a week there recovering, you didn't get a proper full guided tour."

"That can wait," Dragonfly was not happy that Mark wasn't happy, and despite of her agreement she wasn't going to let anyone push her lovely ape around. "Send a message back saying we got a meeting with the Princesses of our nation planned for tomorrow and that takes priority because it isn't nice to keep them waiting. It took efforts to both planets to get us home Twilight, but I will be a damned mare if those beurocratic foot lickers are going to disrespect Celestia and Luna like that. If they don't like it, they can suck my egg sac!"

Mark just stared at her, unable to formulate a response for how quick Dragonfly flipped into 'I call the shots' mode and how she had made a changeling equivalent to a very American-like insult.

"You heard her princess," Chrysalis smiled, knocking Twilight out of her stupor by running a wing between the ailcorn's own, a gesture that gave her a rush of fear, surprise, and amusingly lustful curiosity. "Go tell Occupamt to send the itinerary that you made to them, the full bulleted list and in order. Dragonfly has a point, by pushing what they want, it is also an insult to you by discrediting your carefully thought out organization."

"I didn't think of that," Twilight said, ears drooped, as she thought over what Chrysalis had pointed out to her. "You guys head to Canterlot, I will meet you there as I try to choice my words without causing a diplomatic scene."

"You do that," Chrysalis said, waiting until Teilight teleported away before looking at Mark. "As for you, I think I need to have a talk with you about how corrupted you made my drone."

"Yes mother…" Mark squeaked, terrified of what kind of talk the queen had in store, the changeling licking her fangs not helping him any.

Author's Note

Up next: Canterlot!

CanterTales: Part I

The colors of late day poured through the windows of the Friendship Express as it chugged along towards Canterlot, bathing all travelers in a warm, cozy glow and signaled the end of another day under Celestia's guidance. A long day full of parading and sightseeing had worn out the crew of the Phoenix, and being away from the bustling city was a welcome change of tone for each of them as they relaxed on their plush benches. Yet, despite the snuggly feeling the soft rays produced as they lured any wary travelers towards Luna's Land of Nod, one train car felt like the surface of the dark, heartless side of Pluto.

"You really were dead serious about us having a talk huh?" Mark said, sipping on some tea that Dragonfly had prepared, the honey brew soothing his throat as the hybrid-form drone sipped from her own teacup while leaning on his shoulder. Across from them, the former "Dread Queen of the Changelings" eyed them both with a neutral expression, a mask perfected by countless infiltrations and missions involving nobility. "Well, I got nowhere to run and nothing to hide, so what is it you wanted to talk about that would qualify as "corrupting your drone" ?''

"This for starters," Chrysalis said, making a general hoof motion at Dragonfly before lowering it. Even with Starlight Glimmer being in the adjoining train car, it was still in close enough proximity for the Babelfish Spell to be in place, something that had been checked before leaving Manehatten. "Under normal circumstances, drones would go out on love collection missions in disguise, usually as a love interest or family member to the target, to trick the dumb plot into giving them love then vanish afterwards once enough was taken. With that said, it is unprecedented that changelings would be the ones fall in love with their prey, let alone-"

"Don't you dare start that roadapples," Dragonfly hissed, wings flared and fangs bared as she narrowed her eyes at her queen. Chrysalis knew she was playing with fire from the look, but after having survived multiple rounds against Celestia, she felt immune to the heat and was determined not to let her heart's desires slip until the time she felt right. "That logic is from the Bad Old Days, and I thought it was unanimous that we were going to move on from those dire times. Mark is not my prey, he is my husband and even though you are my queen I still expect you to treat that with respect."

"You see? That is exactly what I was referring to about corruption!" Chrysalis said, leveling her hoof firmly at Dragonfly, being thankful the train car was soundproof to keep the others from barging in out of alarm. The last thing she wanted to do was face off against an angry Cherry Berry and Starlight Glimmer, those were nightmares that not even Luna wanted to step in on. "I am used to giving the orders and them being followed with no trouble, yet-"

"Yet, what?" Dragonfly's tone was cold as ice, her fists clenched like iron and steel, and the heat in her glare burned like a volcano. As bad as she wanted to land a punch, she knew striking her queen would lead to dire consequences, so she fought the urge back with steady breaths as Mark put a hand on her shoulder. "Last I checked, you were still the queen of the hive, but Occupant was the head of the space agency; therefore, you still rule over us to a certain degree, but nowhere near as much as in the past. All of us respect you, My Queen, but at the same time, being a part of pony life and in public has given each of us the opportunity to pursue interests that were previously forbidden."

"True," Chrysalis huffed, mildly annoyed that the venture into being a daily and intertwined part of pony society had come with that drawback. Even with the boosted morale, increased love flow, and lower hunger levels each drone reported since that decision that had been made, it still got under her chitin that they had become so independent. Even with her mental promise to try and do better for Celestia, she knew it was going to be an uphill battle. "Even I have to admit that seeing satisfied customers from the Pod&Spa business is starting to bring a smile to my face, and the bits they pay helps as well because that was the only thing keeping the hive from being under the same financial pressure as the space agency. That is, until Celestia had Sunshine give us those bits of course."

"Do you know what I find amusing, My Queen?" Dragonfly smirked, making a bead of sweat roll down the older changeling's forehead. "The fact that even after being in the public eye for so long, even after what me, Mark, and the others went through on Mars, you still think that things are the same as they were before Cherry stumbled upon our hive. They are not, mother, and neither are we. All of us have progressed and matured in some way, and it was needed so we could survive.

"That time on Mars changed a lot of my perspectives, and it made me realize I was an idiot for seeing each launch as a thrill-seeking adrenaline rush instead of taking it seriously. The only time that I was serious is while you were still encased in stone and I had to perform that triple rescue, and in hindsight I should have taken it to heart instead of basking in the praise and adoration of the masses. Mars, being the magicless wasteland it is, nearly killed me. It nearly killed my friends, it nearly killed my husband. It was actively out to get us, I could hear the voices and echoes in my head while there so I know that part is true. However, I can honestly say I had a dance with the Pale Horse and lived to tell the tale. Tell me, honestly, have you ever been on the brink of death?"

"Once," Chrysalis sighed, a frown forming knowing that it was better to be honest, especially since she had been the one to call Mark and Dragonfly into privacy to talk. The fact Dragonfly had the upper hoof at the moment bothered her, and for the countless time was thankful that the drone had not consumed any royal jelly. "I was young and reckless back then, and on one mission I was a bit too cocky and the end result was me being kept in a dungeon for months. I had no love flow besides commoners kissing in front of my cell to mock me. Celestia eventually pardoned me since the case presented had no real merit, nor had I broken any laws at the time, but that is really what cemented my hatred of ponykind. When you are as old as I am, grudges are easy to forge, but hard to break."

"Same concept with humanity really," Mark said, reminding the two lovebugs that he was still in their presence. "Humans tend to hold on to hatred, and are quick to anger, but so slow to forgive."

"Then you can relate to my pain," Chrysalis was not surprised that Mark solemnly nodded, considering his reaction to Dragonfly forcing him into a marriage, but she carried on despite the minor hiccup in the flow of the conversation. "I am trying to do better when it comes to matters that I previously would consider challenges to my rank and authority, but going so long while acting the same way made it my normal demeanor."

"Is it really the same, My Queen?" Dragonfly asked, her question causing Chrysalis' mask to slightly drop due to confusion. "For several years before our mission, you were tolorating ponies better, and it seems like that has been the case even since we returned. More than one member of the CSP crew spoke volumes about the cooperation you did with Moondancer and others trying to help campaign for our rescue when called upon on rare occasions. They said you did most of the work behind the scenes, but that is an improvement over what happened with the failed invasion."

"Of course I have improved in public," Chrysalis said, her expression returning to neutral as she took a long sip on her tea. The invasion being brought up made her mentally flinch, her second-biggest failure rearing its ugly head once more, but she was not going to go down that rabbit hole. "It was easier for me to get the help I needed when it came to the space agency that way, as well as avoiding pesky questions about distrust when doing public announcements and meetings. You see, it is like a lure Dragonfly, me showing a softer side means that ponies trust me more, which lures them into a false sense of security when in actuality they are like a fly in a spider web."

"Ok then," Dragonfly huffed, finishing her tea before shifting to her quadrupedal form and standing. "Getting back on topic, you say that Mark corrupted me, but have brought no evidence to support that claim. Me using Earth swears and phrasing? What do you expect, I had to watch human shows and deal with humans for how many Sols?!. I am not the same mare I was when we launched off on that fateful mission, in fact, I would swear that you said that to cover up the jealousy you put off every time you see me and Mark together."

"Me? Jealous?!" Chrysalis exclaimed, almost dropping her teacup out of shock Dragonfly had called her out on it. "What you do with this monkey is none of my personal business, unless he hurts you of course, then that is another bushel of apples entirely."

"Ah, the sweet taste of denial," Dragonfly giggled, not bothered at all by her queen glaring at her like a fool who had stolen from a dragon horde. "Face it, My Queen, you are jealous of the amount of love that Mark gives me, or is it the fact he finally accepted our relationship that has gotten under your shell?"

"That is enough!" Chrysalis's shout, much to her shock, didn't faze Dragonfly one bit, but only added to the drone's fury. Meanwhile, Mark knew better than to get between the squabbling queen and drone, and just silently watched as things went south. "I may be more tolerant with letting things slide, but you having the sheer gall to mock and challenge me is a step too far! Why, I ought to banish you for such an offense!"

"Go right on ahead," Dragonfly said, holding her ground as both Chrysalis and Mark stared at her in disbelief. "Go on, say the words, because we both know if you do there will be no going back from them. I still would be employed by Occupant for the CSP, or perhaps I would transfer to ESA under Moondancer? Might as well, would be a fresh start and all, so are you going to say it then?"

Chrysalis didn't say a word, she couldn't, as every possible rebuttal died in her throat.

"That's what I thought," Dragonfly smirked, placing her hoof on the door handle to the cart where the others were resting. "It's a shame, really, I thought that you were starting to soften up and change for the better; however, one's true self always shows in anger. You revealed to me and Mark that you haven't changed at all, and are only toying with everyone's mind to set out for your personal gain. The sad part? At the parade there were a few ponies that were actually interested in you, I'm sure you felt it, I know you did, but you don't deserve any of them. As if the mighty and high Queen Chrysalis would get with a pony, it is below your standards. So, you keep on being jealous of mine and Mark's love and relationship, in fact I encourage it, because it is something you will never have unless you commit to the facade you are putting on and genuinely open your heart to accepting ponies as your equal."

"I-” Chrysalis could only watch as Dragonfly turned up her snoot and walked into the adjoining train car, every word having hit her like a runaway masonry cart. In her mind, a vivid and violent flashback of her fight with Celestia hammered against her skull and distorted her sense of perception. Every critical detail seemed fresh, from the sights to the sounds and smells, but it was only when Mark shook her out the past did she allow herself a brief whimper. "Thank you, it seems that even for a monkey you are keen enough to tell when someone is having a rough mental relapse."

"I know people back home that suffer from PTSD, nothing pretty," Mark said looking the seated queen in the eyes as he stood in place. "I know what Dragonfly said was a bit heavy and harsh, but you had the look of someone who had seen the ghost of a regret that had come back to haunt them."

"Just thinking of an old flame from a time long ago," Chrysalis sighed, her wings limply hanging at her sides. Dragonfly's insult had pierced her mental armor and corroded her defenses like centuries worth of rust build up at once. Her queenly instincts screamed for her to shut up, that she was above the magicless ape, but she couldn't bring herself to listen to it or to go into detail for a third time. "We were in love, true love, until a fight destroyed it. So, Dragonfly’s insult really did cut deep because it reminded me of what I let slip away from me.”

“What happened in the past cannot be changed,” Mark said, being careful with his wording to avoid getting a free acupuncture from the four fangs that glistened in front of him like fileting knives. He could tell that Chrysalis was hurting, and wanted to try and help in any way that was within his abilities. “You recognize the mistake and want to avoid it in the future, that is a sign of maturity based on the stories I heard about you. That, to me, shows that you have a better chance of having a more sustainable relationship the next time you get in one. Pain is one thing everyone, even a powerful queen such as yourself, has to endure to try and make steady improvements on your own self to become a better individual. We had to deal with pain, in a different form, every Sol we were on Mars, Chrysalis. In the end, it made us stronger and closer, and if we could over come the pain we were feeling of being homesick in order to survive you can overcome the pain of the past to set a standard for yourself going forward.

"Do you want everyone to remember you as the evil and vile queen that I have heard about, or do you want your legacy to be of Chrysalis the Changeling Queen, who helped perform one of the greatest rescues past, present, and future? A mare whose name will be remembered generations from now as a great contributor to ponies, humans, and all species in both worlds. A mare who would-be rulers can look at and say: "if she could overcome her faults and past to learn cooperation and gain vast respect, then so can I! I want to be like her!" A mare who-"

"Ok, ok, that's enough Mark," Chrysalis said, a soft chuckle amusement escaping past her lips as her mood significantly improved at the psudo-praise. "You have known me for a short time, yet you somehow managed to learn how to fall into my favor with grand talks of praise. Surely, you must have some ulterior motive to go that particular route, what is it you wish to gain?"

"Your respect, in the long run," Mark's emotional output was confusing to Chrysalis' senses, she sensed no mischief or slyness, as if he was just casually talking with someone he had known all his life and they knew him as well as he knew them. "I may not have magic, wings, or a horn, but I do have a sound mind and I am good with plants due to me being a botanist. That may seem insignificant to someone like yourself, but I fought hard to get my degree, just as I fought hard to become an astronaut, and just as I will fight for my vow to Dragonfly. If you think less of me just because I am some "evolved ape", that is your business, but just as you wear a crown, my word carries the merit to follow through on my objective. Now, if there is no further business, I will leave you to think over my words."

"Wait a second, if you may," Chrysalis said, stopping Mark just before he reached the door. Rising from her seat, she made her way over to him, looking at him face to face. "Answer only yes or no to the following question: you said that you wanted to earn my respect, correct?"

"Yes."

"In a way, you have earned a token of it," Chrysalis' statement was met with silence, with a raised eyebrow and Mark having a pulse of confusion register to the queen being the only indications that he had heard her. "You did something that, prior to Cherry Berry, very few had the courage to do. You have stood up to me more than once already, and seemed to have settled into the rather… unique marriage that you are in. Not only that, you forgave Dragonfly for that desperation move on Mars when she sucked you dry like a raisin. This shows that, despite your snark, you do have a caring heart, and I can think of many that I know that probably would not have accomplished the feats you have done. Myself included."

"Chrys-"

"I'm not done," Chrysalis interrupted, and instead of an edged tone or threat, simply raised a hoof in a 'shhhh' manner before continuing. "I have many centuries in experience when it comes to leadership and being a ruler, most of which I was admittedly misguided, but all things considered even I would have met the Pale Horse due to the fact I used to like to call the shots and not listen to others opinions or advice. That flaw has gotten me in a lot of trouble in the past, but I am trying to overcome it. As far as how you can earn even more of my respect? I do have a bit of advice for you, and it is something that I want you to take to heart, for how you take it will determine how much more respect I give you."

"So it is like a trail then," Mark said, rubbing his chin in thought as he thought about his D&D missions with the others as the changeling queen before him nodded. He felt like he was player in a game with a DM that was known for surprises, something that tackled a small part of his kind and looked forward to the task at hand. "Go ahead, Your Majesty, grace me with the quest to which I must complete."

"Gah!" Chrysalis exclaimed, taking a step back, glowering, then giving Mark a boop on the nose. "I had to hear far more of that kind of phrasing than I ever wished to hear during an undercover mission that ended in great pain for me, so please refrain from ever doing that again. Now, the advice I have is really, really simple: do not downplay or discredit yourself if somepony is complimenting your feats. This does not mean to get a big head or ego about it either, quite the opposite in fact, I was to see how you manage actually having to speak in front of a crowd instead of just being there for show like the parade today. Ponies are going to put you on a pedestal, how you handle yourself is going to be the factor on if my advice took root or not."

"Sound advice and challenge," Mark said, thinking about how the parades and hoopla were only a miniature trial run of what he would encounter when he returned to Earth. "However, I believe that I can indeed win it because I was not the only one who contributed to our rescue now am I? I will be honest and blunt with my answers, even on Earth, because I know that all parties that played a part deserve to be on equal standing. If I am a hero, so is my crew mates of both the Phoenix and Ares, so is CSP, ESA, NASA, and all the other agencies on Earth who coordinated our rescue. I played just a part Chrysalis, and if I don't see that everyone is getting the applause they deserve, I shall not accept any in return until my point is made. Only thing I have left to ask is may I go to sleep now?"

"You may," Chrysalis said, stepping aside and allowing Mark to pass through the door. With just the moonlight outside and the clickity-clack of the wheels against the track being any form of connection to her surroundings, she allowed herself to take a trip down memory lane to happier times when she touched the sun. "Soon my dear, soon…"

Princess Celestia, the Day Bringer, the Keeper of the Sun, was in a good mood. After a wonderful rest that was helped by dreams involving her long-lost beloved mare, she stood out on the balcony as she awaited the arrival of her sister so she could bring forth another sunrise. Deep down, a feeling had settled in her gut that those moments would be the last peaceful ones for a few days, but seeing her lover again made her feel that the pompous festivities that were in order made them worth it as a strong wave of Harmony hit her.

"Fate has been cruel, and Order unkind…" Celestia said, the tune burned into her mind from countless sunrises and sunsets alone while looking at the Mare in the Moon; yet, there was a certain cheerfulness to her tone and melody as the morning robins ceased their conversation to let her have her moment. "I am no longer that way. I used to gaze, into stillness alone, as I carried on in my days… Yet in reflection, it was not as it seemed, for I was in the wrong. I didn't see it until it was far too late, and the one that loved was distant and gone…

"There once was a mare who stood by my side,
And carried my sorrow in kind…
But I took for granted the advice that she gave,
Which sent many to an untimely grave…

Good morning dear Chryssy, good morning lover mine,
May your dreams still shine…
For so long we had no choice but to live apart
But Harmony knows you're the key to my heart…"

"Repurposing our Lullaby, we see," Luna said, alerting her presence to Celestia and startling the older alicorn. "Relax Tia, we are not upset, for it is for a good cause."

"Been a while since I heard you use the Olde Tongue Lulu," Celestia sighed, her wings returning to a resting state as the Princess of the Night and Dreams approached. "However, back to the matter, you know how Harmony is when it comes to the matters of a heartsong, it is not to be ignored or refused under any circumstances. Yes, I was thinking of her, but Harmony guided me with that specific chord considering how much you and her mean to me."

"The hydrogen and helium that makes you burn," Luna said, giving Celestia a gentle nuzzle. "All three of us have a long time yet before we are beckoned to the Meadows Beyond, so worry not for the future, focus on today because it is going to be a long one for us both."

"You more so than me," Celestia's horn glowed as she channeled her magic to raise her sun, but kept enough concentration to continue the conversation. "Which is why I scheduled the ceremony at midday, so you can retire for some much-needed shuteye."

"Believe me when I say it is greatly appreciated," Luna said, lowering her moon beyond the horizon as her sister's sun brought a palette of color to the sky before brilliant blue asserted its dominance of the daytime regime. "Now, come, we have to meet the train at the station and we don't have a moment to lose, lest we risk the wrath of Twilight."

"Yeah, not a good idea…" Celestia mentally shuddered, knowing that the youngest princess would give her a week-long lecture for tardiness on such a special occasion. Teleporting to the station platform, she found that much to her dismay the train had arrived ahead of schedule and found the group surrounded by a gathering of Canterlotians. "Now everypony, you all know the ceremony is a few hours from now, please depart until then."

"Thanks for the save, Your Highness," Mark said, waiting for the crowd to leave before speaking and dipping into a bow with the others, Chrysalis included. "I was mentally prepared to be swarmed, but not as soon as I stepped onto the platform."

"You are from another universe, did you expect anything less?" The question made Mark flinch, and that made a slight frown appear on Chrysalis' muzzle. "My apologies it is still early, Anyway, I believe introductions are in order, I am Princess Celestia, the Ruler of the Day, and my younger sister here Luna is the one who watches the Night.”

“Still won’t let me properly introduce myself Tia? At what age am I allowed to do so?” For a moment, Mark was concerned that the two sisters were arguing, but those fears were washed away when he saw the younger mare playfully stick out her tongue before looking at Mark. “As my sister said, my name is Luna, and in addition to being the Princess of the Night, I also am the Keeper of the Dreamrealm and the Guardian against Nightmares.”

“Sounds like a tough-” Mark paused, staring in realization as Luna gave a mirthful smirk. “Wait, you mean to tell me that you are the one who fought that nightmare spirit in my dream while I was still in sickbay?”

“Always keen on details Mr. Watney,” Luna said, giving a bow as she chuckled. “I have been looking forward to finally being graced with your presence in the present instead of just our talks in your dreamworld. However, those are talks that can be held off until a later time, for a busy day is instore for everyone.”

Author's Note

Only thing I can genuinely say: life (and COVID) happens...

CanterTales: Part II

Canterlot Castle was a test of time.

Built as a testament to the strength of the tribes unifying after the War of the Tribes, the grand structure, for the most part, had remained unchanged over the millennia. Other than changing tapestries to correspond with the times, adding stained glass windows for important events, and repairing damage from the occasional skirmish or fight, the interior and exterior grounds were navigable by generations who knew the layout, which had never changed, and were kept in pristine condition by the staff and wards to remain the divine beauty that it was.

All, of which, made Mark start in awe.

From the polished marble floor to the gold and jewel-encrusted doors, everything that he made eye contact with seemed to draw his breath, rendering him into silence while they let him take in the beauty that the citizens considered ordinary as part of their daily lives. Flashes appeared in his mind of grand balls, ceremonies, and conquests as the objects shared their experiences with the alien visitor, being silently grateful that he took interest in the things that they had seen and heard and reigniting their passion just from the brief moment they were allowed.

Being the D&D geek that he was, he was thankful that the castle was nothing like the one Starlight “DM Menace of Mars” Glimmer had described for Nightmare Satellite, giving him a sense of security as the staff all waved and bowed when the astronauts walked past. Celestia and Luna had gone ahead of the group when they departed the train station, having waited to be escorted by some of the royal guards, to ensure that preparations for the festivities were close to being completed.

However, whereas Mark had overheard the staff talking about the sisters’ being in a special joint session of Day Court to clear up the itinerary, he and the others were led to a separate room. The area was massive, with a piano in one corner, a crystal chandelier overhead, and a flight of stairs that led up to a pair of vacant thrones that took up the far side of the room, making Mark assume that it was where balls and diplomatic gatherings were held. While that was, in fact, the normal use of the room, it currently was set up as a changing station with privacy curtains, wardrobe racks, and a certain marshmallow-white unicorn that had a smile that reminded Mark of a predator having cornered their prey.

"Good morning, darlings," Rarity said, a chipper note added to her tone as the crew was led in then, to Mark's mental horror, left alone with the fashionista as the doors shut behind them. "We have much to do and little time to do it, so I went ahead and prepared outfits for each of you to wear to the announcement and feast, as well as casual wear for after if you decide to travel around town meeting the ponies here and visiting the shops."

"Ok," Starlight said, taking a step forward and blocking her fellow crewmates from the unicorn's direct path. "I have known you long enough to know that you are up to something to make outfits this quick without asking if we even want them."

"My, my, did your time on Mars make you forget about me?" Rarity's quip didn't sit well with Starlight or her other friends, who each gave a dirty look while Mark simply crossed his arms in disapproval. "My apologies, but I couldn't stand the thought of each of you being in front of some of the most influential ponies in Canterlot, let alone Equestria proper, and not having something to show off in!"

"Except," Spitfire said, stepping around Starlight and getting muzzle to muzzle with the former Bearer of Generosity. "As Starlight said, we didn't ask! I am sure each of us, especially Mark, apprecate you making us outfits for today, but you cannot use it as a means to promote your business. If you try, I will go out there on the balcony as is, and I am sure the rest of our crew agree as well. Now if someone asks who made our outfits, we will direct them to you, but otherwise no outside promoting without our consent."

Five quick nods, in unison, followed.

"We have a gentlepony agreement," Rarity gave a courtesy now before regaining her composure and clearing her throat. "Now then, your wardrobes have your names on the rack, including a tag showing which outfit is for which occasion. I also took the liberty of arranging Mark and Dragonfly to share a privacy curtain."

"But-"

"Hold on Rarity," Dragonfly said, cutting off Mark as she felt the mirth flow from Rarity curled in waves like a chocolate and cream roll. As delicious as it tasted, it did not sit well with her that somepony was trying to use her relationship as leverage. "Did you do this to get some sort of amusement?"

Rarity didn't say a word.

"Just as I thought," Dragonfly chirped, an annoyed chirp that Cherry knew was the equivalent of a scoff as she gently tugged Mark to their area. "Come on Mark, sooner we get done, sooner we can leave this shipper to wonder what we discuss in our spare time while we attend to more important matters.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice,” Mark said, following Dragonfly behind the privacy curtain and noting that a bubble of silence surrounded them both as they began to change into the attire that had been labeled for the ceremony. In Mark’s case, it was a silver suit with Onyx trim, with his tie sporting a replica of the NASA and Amicitas patches in the middle. "You know, you cutting me off reminded me-"

"Of what we used to do on Mars for fun?" Dragonfly giggled, putting on an emerald green dress that had Onix trim like Mark's suit. "You know, all the little quips I made weren't just for show, I had to subtly show my budding-"

"Affection?" Mark's reply was met with a nod, which made him give a sigh of relief that he had guessed correctly before allowing himself to smile. "I see that in hindsight, but you and I both know that the time we will be apart will be the true test of our-"

"Marriage, I know," Dragonfly said, continuing their game as they checked each other for any wrinkles in their outfits, Mark having to adjust the fabric between the changeling's wings before deeming it presentable. "We will get through it, both of us will, but for now…"

"We should not keep the others waiting," Even though it was only a few minutes, Mark and Dragonfly noticed they were the last to rejoin the others. It was a fact that didn't go unnoticed by the group, and Dragonfly felt like her teeth were going to rot from the amount of glee coming from Rarity. "It isn't what it looks like…"

"Sure sure," Spitfire, dressed in her Wonderbolts uniform, chuckled with a smile. "Then again, after so many trips through the decon shower, I wanted to get from behind that curtain as fast as possible. I was the first one changed."

"First pony changed you mean," Fireball said, smirking a bit as he pointed to his slip-on purple bowtie as Spitfire's ears folded flat. "Dragons don't do fashion, this is enough to wear today."

"Speed doesn't mean anything in this case," Cherry Berry, wearing a ruby-colored dress that had cherries held onto it by magic, said in a stern enough tone it made Fireball look sheepish as the ship commander popped another cherry into her mouth. "The important thing is for us to just get through the festivities so we can continue our tour of Equestria before Mark has to be sent home. Business first, then we can have fun as a crew and relax along the way."

"Yep," Starlight Glimmer, to her credit, made the turquoise dress she was wearing look good in contrast with her coat, as she joined the conversation while giving Rarity an annoyed look. “For the time being, however, I think that Rarity here needs to write Twilight a friendship report.”

“Beg pardon?” Rarity questioned, tilting her head in confusion at the statement. “What do I need to write Twilight for? I know that she used to do those sort of letters as Princess Celestia’s student, but I am not Twilight’s.”

“You still tried to take advantage of your friends for your purposes,” Starlight countered, summoning a quill, inkwell, and a blank scroll with her magic. “You better tell the truth in specific detail too, because I want to read it before you send it so that way I can fill in any missing info.”

“Fine,” Rarity huffed, taking the items from Starlight as the group headed out the doors. “Dear Princess Twilight…”

To say that the keepers of Canterlot Castle were quick workers was an understatement. Much to Mark’s surprise, the grand dining hall was already prepped for the post-speech feast, with lavish and old tapestries hanging from the ceiling, an elaborate table cloth, and the smell of frying fish in the air that made both Mark’s and Spitfire’s stomachs growl in demand. However, they both knew that it would have to wait until after the ceremony was all said and done, and it was with great reluctance that they carried onto the balcony entryway where they rejoined Celestia, Luna, and Chrysalis.

“Ah, right on time,” Celestia said, a warm smile on her face as she looked over each of the astronauts before giving a nod of approval. “Each of you look wonderful, and I hope that Rarity didn’t give you too much trouble trying to get you into your outfits.”

“Turning down a Rarity outfit? Don’t make me laugh.” Starlight snarked, earning a few raised eyebrows from the three present royals and making the unicorn get sheepish. “Sorry, just a little upset with her right now, but it will pass since I believe the matter is resolved. Anyway, I’d rather be back on Mars than turn down something she made, but don’t you think that this is all a bit… much?”

“It is an understandable sentiment, and you have my sympathies there.” Celestia said, her expression once again relaxing as she made a mental note later to see what Rarity’s take on what occurred was. Being pressed for time, she decided not to push it. “Please understand that if it were up to me, these steps would not be necessary, but each of the heads of the noble houses came to me as a group, minus Twilight Velvet, and demanded that me and Luna make it as flashy as possible for pictures. As they put it, “as important of a moment as this is, it better be presentable”.”

“Politics,” Each astronaut grumbled in unison, before Cherry Berry spoke up. “As mission commander, I should have had a say so in that decision. At the very least, Moondancer and Occupant should have, since they are over the space agencies.”

"That measure was struck down," Luna said, not bothering to hide her annoyance at the situation. "Me and Tia may be the princesses here in Canterlot, but the nobility do have a strong sway over certain things when they are unanimous with the power of yay and nay. It fits the customs of times long past, considering Mark is technically a foreign dignitary, they felt to invoke the old clauses for the occasion."

"You sure I can't just have some drones replace them?" Chrysalis asked, a few guards giving her an uneasy look as all attention was drawn to her. "I already Pinkie Promised they would do any measures you want passed, and promised Twilight her mother would be given a nice vacation spot in the Baahamas."

"As pleasant as it would be to have a few thorns removed from our flanks," Celestia gave her lover a gentle gaze, a small thrill running up her spine from having to keep her love life out of the public eye. Deep down, on a personal note, she would have taken the offer without second thought but knew better than to threaten pony-changeling relations after they had progressed so far in such a short time. "But we already explained why that would be a bad idea, do not want another didn't to form and all."

"I know that, but how would a villain like me take no for an answer cake flank?" Chrysalis laughed, causing Celestia's cheeks to light up in a blush and the other's mouths to drop. "Now then, we can throw around hypotheticals later, the show must go on!"

"Right…" Clearing her throat, Celestia turned to the guards that had been stationed to open the doors on their ruler's command. Receiving the affirmative nod from the Princess of the Day, the two pegasi flashed a
salute with their wings before pulling the doors open. The moment they did, the trumpeters awaiting on the other side let out their announcement call, and all fell silent as the Diarchs and Chrysalis made their way forward. Celestia, having memorize the routine to the second, stopped on the seventh trumpet call and casted a voice projection spell as Luna stopped to her left and Chrysalis to her right. "Greetings everypony, and to those watching on the television sets from the comfort of your own homes as we gather for the monumental moment in Equestrian history. I think that I can skip the boring parts about why we are here and so forth, because that answer is well known."

There were mutters not only amongst the crowd, but also between the nobility that made up the front row of ponies in the gathered courtyard. Their script had called for Celestia to give a grand verbose speech, highlighting Equestria's, and specifically Canterlot's, fundraising efforts to keep the rescue mission afloat. For Celestia to deviate from that itinerary raised several alarms, most of which were focused on blaming the changeling queen standing to Celestia's right. However, before they could raise an objection, silence fell once more as Celestia motioned for the astronauts to join her, and when they did she apoke again.

"To the individual to your right and left, ask yourselves this question: "Who do you see before you?'" Celestia knew she was going to have to answer to the nobles for her derailing their plans, but she saw it as equal measure for the ridiculousness that they were putting Mark and the others through. "Two princesses, a changeling queen, a drone, three ponies, a dragon, and a human would probably be your answers correct? Well, what if I told you that it is not who is standing before you?”

"Celestia, are you crazy?!" Chrysalis asked in a harsh whisper, feeling a building tide of anger being directed at her as the crowd started to turn to a frenzy of angry proclamations. "Are you trying to get me blasted out of Canterlot again?!"

"No," Celestia's face never wavered, and all it took was a shout of "SILENCE!" using her Royal Canterlot Voice to make the skittish crowd cower. "I must say, I am ashamed to say that was the reaction I was expecting, you all need to really let go of the past because Chrysalis did nothing wrong. To get back on track, you may see us for what we are, but not who we are so I think introductions are in order. My name is Celestia."

"I am Chrysalis," This caused the changeling to get more than a few raised eyebrows, including from the solar princess at the fact she had spoken up before Luna did. However, she could not keep a frown off her face as her potential sister-in-law did not follow suit. Raising her own eyebrow, the queen gave a look that was the silent equivalent of “Well? I’m waiting.”

“Oh…” Taking a moment to snap out of her funk, the Guardian of Dreams then took her turn to address the crowd. “I am Princess Luna.”

“Thank you Lulu,” Celestia whispered, below the threshold her amplifier spell was allowed to project. One by one the astronauts announced themselves, with the loudest two ovations being for Mark and Cherry Berry, and once the applause died down Celestia resumed. “This was done to show, despite our differences, pasts, and positions, we are no different than any of you. We are all individuals, bound by the same laws of Harmony that each of you follow every single day. So, why treat them any different than you would your neighbor? While I do expect you all to respect our positions and accomplishments, it should be remembered that fame comes with a heavy price.

“We are not awarded the same privacies that most of you have, in fact, it is quite the opposite. Everyday is filled with having to do one thing or another with paperwork, and every action we make is on full display for all of you. Ask yourselves: Would you rather quietly retire in relative peace, or be swarmed everywhere you go by ponies wanting your autograph or picture? To many, this cost is a burden, so I want this to be kept in mind as these six brave souls travel around Equestria and the neighboring lands.”

Celestia’s speech had the exact reaction she had been hoping for, with the crowd and nobles looking down at the ground. She knew Chrysalis and Dragonfly both were probably absorbing a large amount of shame and guilt, so to make the negative wave last as short as possible, she switched mental gears.

“With that out the way, we can move on to awards.” Celestia said, her horn igniting as a chest appeared on the balcony before her. Opening it revealed an array of medals and medallions, each having been painstakingly crafted by the royal jeweler to fit the occasion. “The first one that I want to present an award to is Flight Engineer Dragonfly. My little drone, would you please step forward?”

Dragonfly suddenly felt as if she was being slow roasted like a cockatrice over an open flame, not only from the Princess of the Sun saying she was ‘her’ drone, but also from how the crowd reacted to that declaration. The attention of the crowd was solely focused on her, with more than one source of vile hate being felt from the nobility, but she could feel a degree of uncertainty coming from her queen. It was that uncertainty that terrified her to the bone, for she knew her queen showing fear meant that there was trouble to come. For a mare that had danced with the Pale Horse and lived to tell the tale, being in front of so many important ponies that could potentially cause her trouble put her on the razor edge. It almost, almost made her rather deal with Mars and the ‘Death Box’ once more. However, feeling the encouragement from her friends, she did as was told and stood tall in front of Celestia.

“Dragonfly,” Celestia’s tone was like a soothing honey, drowning out the negative emotions and keeping the crowd in a reserved silence. The medal, cast in bright gold with obsidian trim, housed a gleaming emerald in the middle that casted a forest-green shadow wherever the light was sent. Surrounding the emerald were several smaller stones, ranging from ruby to a singular diamond at the top of the heart shape that they made. It was beautiful, but what caught her attention the most were the wings at the sides, a single feather that flawlessly transitioned to a changeling wing. “Before I give out this medal, a brief history lesson is in order. Several centuries ago, changelings and ponies lived together in harmony, much like how through painstaking measures has been a reality once more. They were a vital part of everyday life, holding a variety of important jobs, but there was one that stood above the others. This medal was made specifically for a changeling of the ranks, one that stood above even my coveted Captain of the Guard, because this post served to show the unity of both changeling and ponykind. Unfortunately, it never was given a bearer due to the fallout between the respective species, but I see fit that status changes. In recognition for your bravery as the Changeling Space Program’s Engineer, your rescue mission while Chrysalis was petrified, as well as your feats on Mars, I dub you the Solaris Havica… The Ambassador of me and Chrysalis, and answer to the two of us alone in our joint pursuit of Harmony. Congratulations.”

“I-” Words failed as numerous replies formed and tried to escape at the same time. Some thankful, some regretful considering how much Tartarus she had put Mark and the others through as a stomp of applause thundered through the air like a war tribe heading into battle. Yet, all it took was a single look from Mark, who had a smile and light twinkle in his eyes, for her to make her mind up. “Thank you, Princess Celestia, for putting me in such a high standing. From a pony of your status, saying it is an honor will be an understatement. With that said, I will do my best to hold up to the expectations, until I find a suitable successor to take over the role.”

“Oh?” While she had personally thought that Dragonfly would outright refuse the position, Celestia was silently pleased at the direction the drone had taken. It meant a lot less hassle with paperwork, as well as less headaches from the nobility. “If I may, what makes you feel unsuitable to hold the position that you have been appointed to?”

“I am an engineer, not a politician, no offense,” Dragonfly’s statement got many rather audible grumbles from the nobility down below, but much to her relief Celestia nodded in understanding. “Give me a stack of paperwork trying to figure out how to increase the efficiency of a fuel cell or jimmyrig a battery converter? I will do it no problem. However, try and give me legalese and I will get nowhere with it. If you wish for me to give a suitable list of candidates, I request a few months to present that to you.”

“Take all the time you need,” Giving Dragonfly the medal and allowing her to fall back into her previous place, Celestia looked at the other astronauts as they congratulated her and gave her a group hug. “Now then, Mark, will you please step forward for me?”

Even louder grumbles came from the nobility, and even Mark could hazard a guess why. Considering he was the alien to the planet, it would make sense for him to go last, not only to cap the presentation as a grand finale, but also from the aspect of building suspense and keeping the ratings up. However, before Celestia could start diving into her speech to him, a unicorn mare with a rust-red coat and cobalt blue mane and tail teleported onto the balcony with a glare that could heat the surface of Pluto to terraform levels.

“Pardon the interruption, Your Highness,” The mare said, her words laced with a venom that made Mark lightly squirm and take a few steps in retreat. “But if you would not mind, may I have a few moments with you in private?”

“Considering that this is a live broadcast, going out to those who could not make the trip here on this fine day, I am not going to take up any more time than acceptable,” Celestia countered, only enraging the mare more and making both Chrysalis and Dragonfly have to bite back bile from how close proximity the intense anger was to them. “Since you are so insistent on interrupting me, perhaps you would like to say a few words to everypony?”

“What you little bucking sneas-” Remembering the amplification spell, the mare bit back at her anger, but she realized it was too late. Several of the journalists were already jotting down notes, and a couple of the television reporters were talking into their enchanted screens.Taking a deep breath, she strained out a forced smile. “I’m sorry everypony, I have not been getting as much sleep as I should, so my attitude is a tad bit short. Today marks a grand occasion in Equestria’s history, and not just the reasons everypony may think. For a long time, ponies have looked to the skies for guidance, whether it be for direction or fortune telling, the question that has been written in countless ancient tomes has been ‘Are we alone in the universe?’ Even when the glorious Equestrian Space Agency began its own pursuit into Luna’s magnificent night sky, the question was still there. Cherry Berry and her crew have finally answered that question, granted through unexpected means, but the fact still remains that we are just a tiny speck in the vastness of the universe. Take heart, many new discoveries await, all for the betterment of ponykind.”

“Thank you Charlon Disc for your kind words,” Celestia said, a forced smile crossing her own face as the mare gave a curt nod and teleported back to her seat. With the interruption over, the patient princess looked at Mark once more. “Sorry about that Mark, but anyway, it is time for me to give you your award.”

“I already have it,” Mark smiled, his answer nearly making Dragonfly take off and soar from pride at the answer. “Being alive is a good enough reward. Returning home is as well, but being stranded on that lifeless rock brought me a wonderful opportunity. I am the first human to make contact with intelligent life beyond the atmosphere of Earth, and together we did what was seemingly impossible. They learned my language to help with communication, and we survived everything that planet was hellbent on killing us with. Dust storms, a blown air lock, multiple vacuum exposures, a perchlorate explosion, food shortages until we figured out the farming system, a really bad bacteria bloom that nearly killed the farm outright… Those things would break a weaker individual, but those experiences brought us together, and until my dying breath I will consider them my friends. Being here, on a lush world untainted by the hand of humanity, is just a bonus, and even after I return to Earth I will look forward to seeing them, and all of you again. So please, save your award and applause, for we only did what we had to do to survive.”

And Dragonfly basked in the reception as one by one the others followed Mark’s example in refusing their award and recognition, the applause and positive emotions in the courtyard filling her to the brim.

The meal following the proclamation, while rather filling for everyone that dived into it, was rather uneventful. With the press under strict orders to give a wide berth, and Celestia promising the nobility to have a meeting behind closed doors once the astronauts left Canterlot to continue their tour of Equestria, most of the chatter had come from Celestia and Luna wanting to know more about Earth. Mark happily obliged, remarking about the similarities he had come across between Earth and Eques, with Twilight continuing to write down information with the speed of an expert hacker going through code. After the luncheon, it was decided that Twilight guide Dragonfly and Mark, who wanted to see all that Canterlot had to offer, and thus they made their way through the streets with the Princess of Magic being a tour guide.

After all, what better tour guide you could ask for than one that knew the layout like the back of their hoof and knew a ton of details?

“Here is Saffleshire’s Saddleworks,” Twilight said, pointing up at a sign that had significant weathering, but the outline of the saddle engraved on it was still visible. “This is where my parents got my first ever saddlebags from when I was little, and even to this day I am a loyal customer. Their saddlebags are tough, durable, and the owner does not charge a hoof and wither to repair, unless they are one of the… ‘special’ ones anyway.”

“Special sad-” The blushes and wingboners on both mares gave him a plain and clear implication as to what Twilight had meant, and he felt his own cheeks color as several images popped into his mind. Images that he had to collar into submission. “Oh… did not know you ponies were into that kind of thing, being honest.”

“Wait, humans do too?” Twilight’s brain briefly locked up when Mark nodded, requiring five boops on the snoot from Dragonfly to properly reboot before she guided the couple further down the street as they closed in on the city wall. “Well, good thing that I do not have to go into detail about that, but still. Anyway! Here we have Fria&Son’s Fudge and Candy Emporium. Obviously, they cater to the fillies and colts from the two schools here in Canterlot, but they also carry several cider and rum spiced candies for adults. I personally prefer the cinnamon and honey spice, it really is nice when I am trying to de-stress myself on a weekend by the fireplace.”

“Wait a second Twilight, you like to get drunk?” Dragonfly said, raising an eyebrow as the lavender alicorn covered her face with a wing. “Since when was that a thing? I have heard stories from Spike about that one bender with Pinkie that supposedly made you quit cold turkey.”

That was the case, yes,” Twilight picked up her pace as she talked, pointing out several cafes, a playground, library, and the Canterlot Preservation Society before falling into a silence that made Dragonfly uncomfortable. It was not until the trio were by the castle wall that Twilight finally spoke up again. “Sorry, it is still a hard thing for me to talk about with anyone. I got hooked on the candies when we were trying to rescue you all from Mars, the only things keeping me functional being the weekends away from everything and everypony while nomming the candies and chewing Tree Hugger’s special herbal grass. I spent the weeks doing princess stuff and helping how I could in my reduced role, and spent the weekends by having me time.”

“I’m sor-”

“Do not apologize,” Twilight said, cutting Dragonfly’s apology short and giving her a reassuring hug. “It is ok, you should not feel bad for things that you did not know. Besides, we are supposed to be out here showing Mark around instead of living in past regrets. So Mark, anything else you want to look at before we head back to the castle? It is getting late, and I am sure that nopony would be happy if I had you two stay out too long. With us having to tour the space centers soon, we have got to get our rest where we can.”

“True,” Mark mused, thinking for a moment as he considered his options before looking up at the top of the city wall. To his best guess, it was only about thirty feet up, but considering they had spent the last few hours only covering a small part of the city, he wanted to see as much as he could with the limited time that he had at his disposal. “Well, do you think you can teleport us up to the top of the wall here so that I can see the city in all its glory? I would hate to miss out on any points of interest that you have in the other sections we did not have the chance to visit, so I would at least like to see them if we have the time.”

“Sure, no problem,” With magic being her element, Twilight wasted no effort in teleporting the three of them to the top of the wall. Facing the inner city, she leveled a hoof on a structure that was a little bigger than the others, and the bright white paint that transitioned to orange made it catching to the eyes even from halfway across the city. “There is Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. That is where I took my entrance exam and, with an unknowing magic boost from Rainbow, managed to hatch Spike from his egg. It is also the day that I got my cutie mark, so it is a day that is quite vivid to recall in detail.”

“I imagine so,” Mark chuckled, as adorable as Twilight looked to him as an adult, he could only imagine what a young Twilight looked like. Inwardly, that image made him smile, but the longer he looked at the building that set Twilight’s destiny in motion, the more one particular detail grew in confusion. “Say, can you explain to me why the top of the building is orange in comparison to the rest of the building? I know that Celestia has a sun for a cutie mark, is it some sort of tribute or solar collector?”

“Oh that! As good as those guesses are, they are both wrong unfortunately,” Twilight giggled, though in her mind she made a mental note to inquire to Celestia about why solar power was not a more widespread resource. “That is a rather new addition actually. When I attended school there all those years ago the whole structure was white, even the parts at the top. However, after air travel became more and more popular and increased in frequency, several rather bad accidents from aeroglider crashes in thick fog made Celestia issue a mandate here that stated all buildings over a certain height had to have that reflective paint that you see today. The only reason the castle does not have it is because there is a magic barrier around the perimeter that prevents that from happening to begin with. Considering how thin the air is up here outside the city compared to say, Ponyville or Horseton, it is harder for the aerogliders to turn compared to the natural magic of pegasi flight.”

“Thinner air?” Alarm bells began to ring in Mark’s head at that little tidbit. Thinner air meant a higher elevation, but considering that he had not felt his ears pop once since leaving Manehattan, he had no idea just how up he currently was. “Twilight, just how high up are we currently, in exact figures.”

“5000 meters, why?” Twilight could see, and Dragonfly feel, the panic that instantly hit Mark like a meteorite at that revelation. “You have nothing to worry about as long as you do not fall off the castle wall, there are wards built into the city foundation to keep the air pressure relatively close to sea level, and all trains to and from Canterlot are required to have them installed so that any visitors do not have a rough time adjusting to the change in altitude. However, the downside is that any aeroglider that crosses into the barrier is hit with sudden turbulence, but otherwise everything is fine. If you do not believe me, have a look for yourself, I am here to catch you if you accidentally fall.”

Slowly walking across the expanse of the wall, Mark readied his nerves as he glanced down over the edge, a decision that he instantly regretted. Other than the wall that contained the city proper, the horizon expanded outward and the world fell away below. He could make out the outlines of a few farming communities that also called Mount Canter home, but being over 16,000 feet in the air with nothing below him but a fall of death made him think briefly of the spacewalk between the Phoenix and Concordia. While that had been the longest forty feet of his life, being more than half the height of Mount Everest made him weak at the knees as a sense of vertigo set in.

“Mark!” Pulling him back from the edge in her magic, Twilight gently laid him flat on his back, a look of deep worry on both her’s and Dragonfly’s faces as she performed a scanning spell as a precaution. Relaxing slightly at the fact she found no underlying issues, she still felt bad about suggesting for him to look over that side of the wall to begin with. “Sorry, I did not think that you would have that kind of reaction, but considering all you have been through I should have expected it.”

“Do not worry about it,” Getting up into a sitting position, Mark gently rubbed Twilight’s ear to show that he was fine. Much to his surprise, Twilight leaned into it and lightly purred, something that only amplified the princess’ cute factor in his mind and nearly made him faint from a cuteness overload. “It was just a minor case of vertigo, nothing to be-”

A flash of golden magic cut him off, and when it died down a scroll bearing Celestia’s cutie mark was floating in front of Twilight. The former pupil allowed a fond smile to show itself as she broke away from Mark’s ear rubs, a reminder from when she had first set out on her own away from the confines of the castle and settled in Ponyville. However, the smile was wiped off her face the more she read, something that Mark and Dragonfly both picked up on when the bookhorse did not say a single word.

“Eques to Twilight, Eques to Twilight,” Mark could not suppress his giggles as his wife tried to get Twilight’s attention with yet another Earthism, but when that did not work Dragonfly resorted to biting on Twilight’s tail. The alicorn, surprised by the sudden bite, dropped the scroll and leapt into the air before glaring at the drone. “Sorry I had to do that Twi, but I had to do something to get you to respond.”

“Yeah, and now I got to borrow you for the night,” Twilight grumbled, making the other two look at her in confusion until she eventually sighed. “Considering that I am an alicorn, it is a way to show interest in a one night stand. Now, under normal circumstances I would decline, but since I am pretty sure that you both do not want ‘you-know-what’ from being known…”

“Good cover,” Dragonfly said, not happy about the circumstances, but a part of her wondered if she could feed off of Twilight’s love of books and knowledge. That was something she was willing to test, with consent of course, and considered it a win since it technically would not be cheating on Mark if Twilight fed her. “However, I was trying to ask if everything was ok? You looked rather lost in that scroll, and not in a good way from how fast your emotions soured and the smile vanishing as fast as it did.”

“No, everything is not ok,” Twilight sighed, taking a few moments to calm herself before looking at her companions once more. “It has nothing to do with you two, you have my word, just something I got to deal with when we visit the ESA. No biggie.”

“Alright,” Dragonfly said, nuzzling under Twilight’s chin and draping a wing along her back. The pegasus courtship ritual made Twilight’s own wings pomf into full plumage, making Mark smirk and the changeling giggle chirp. “Now then, seeing as how I owe you dinner, I suppose that place on Bridle and Mane is an option that you may be interested in?”

“Dragonfly, I know that you have not been here to know, but that place is expensive,” Twilight could not believe that Dragonfly had suggested such a place. She knew that Celestia had ensured she had the bits from when she was marooned on Mars, but for a simple cover date seemed like a bit much. “I mean, just to give you an example, a platter of tacos, rice, and guac is fifty bits.”

“So?” Dragonfly grinned, giving a sly smirk and wink. “Nothing is too good for my marefriend for the night now is it? I offered, and us being seen together will cause the rumors to be about us, so I see nothing wrong with that.”

“Dragonfly, your changeling is showing,” Twilight said, giving her dinner partner a bonk on the horn, making Dragonfly flinch from the sensitivity of the motion. “Mark is right here, don’t you think that it would be a good idea to hear his input?”

“Its fine Twilight,” Mark felt like he finally surprised Twilight with something that was not an Earth fact, judging by how fast the mare’s jaw dropped in response. “You two go on and have a good time, I will be perfectly fine just relaxing in my room tonight. After all the rough nights on Mars, I am spoiling myself by having a proper bed until I get back home.”

“Please Mark, at least come with us to the restaurant,” Twilight’s desperate attempt to get out of Dragonfly’s plans were stonewalled from the beginning, with Mark shaking his head as soon as he knew where she was going with her statement. “Ok fine, but may I at least ask why?”

“Simple, we are the only ones up here,” Looking around, Twilight could not help but notice that Mark was right, there was not another pony in sight, let alone in earshot. “You could have kept your mouth shut and avoided having to have Dragonfly as your partner tonight, but instead you stated that she was to spend tonight with you. Does not feel so good to be subject to something you have no control of, does it?”

“No, it does not,” Twilight sighed, realizing that Mark had a valid point. She had done this to herself, and was honorbound to see it through, “Tell me, is this how you felt in the medbay?”

“It was,” Mark said, giving Dragonfly a gentle nuzzle and hug before standing up and looking down at Twilight. “Let this be a lesson to you that sometimes laws that are in place have a time for when they are to be used. there are circumstances where it is better to stay silent on a matter to keep yourself out of digging your own hole, now you two go have fun. All I ask is that you teleport me to my bedroom.”

The last thing that Mark saw before being engulfed in the teleport was Dragonfly wink and give Twilight a kiss on the cheek. Landing on the soft bed and chuckling to himself, it was not long before slumber soon took its hold.

Pause in Time

Time had no meaning to Sojourner, but even then, it still awaited the day for her Queen to return.

"My Queen, come back!" Sojourner thought, angling its cameras towards thee stars. "You gave me a new life, I have to prove my worth to you! Why would you leave me!? Am I not good enough? Am I not a good rover?..."

"I miss you..."

"I love you... My Queen...."

And as another Sol ended, Sojourner went to sleep once more, dreaming of little Dragonflys playing with her like the good rover she believed herself to be. However, there was darkness at the edges, and objects were blurred in the mist of the void.

Author's Note

Not much to say here, just Soji's thoughts as she rotates through another Sol with no mission to accomplish as of yet.