As the UNSC Pelicans disappeared into the sky as they returned to their home ships, Celestia, Luna, and the Element Bearers turned to see the morning had come, and the citizens of Canterlot were waking up. Celestia bid the sun to rise as Twilight Sparkle put on a quizzical expression.

"So, what now?" Twilight asked. "Are we going to tell anypony else about this?"

"In time, yes." Luna replied. "We should head to the Palace before anyone notices our absence."

As the group of ponies headed past the castle gates and into the courtyard, Twilight kept pace with the group, but she was mulling over several persistent thoughts in her head.

"If the UNSC were able to reach us through Astute Sigil's beacon…" she mused. "Could some other race come here as well? A race that isn't friendly to us or the UNSC? What would happen if that occurred? When would it occur?"

"Twilight?"

She turned to see Fluttershy peer at her with a raised eyebrow.

"You okay? You...nearly walked into that column there."

Twilight's eyes then focused on the marble pillar that, if she continued with her absent-minded course, she would've walked straight into. Twilight cuffed her forehead in self-reprimanding and thanked Fluttershy.

"It's alright." she replied. "Come on, let's catch up with everypony else."

The two of them quickened their pace and made it to the dining room where everypony else was waiting for them. As they all took their seats, breakfast carts were wheeled in, along with an assortment of scrolls bearing different seals.

"Ah, good, they got our letters." Celestia said, unfurling each scroll and scanning through it. "And it appears we've got a full house of envoys coming."

"Envoys?" Rainbow asked, confused.

"We've had some...unpleasant interactions in the past with some of the other races in Equis, mostly due to late notice of important events." Luna clarified. "We sent letters out to the main diplomats of every race in Canterlot in order to alert them to the UNSC's arrival. From what I can read here, we should expect a representative of every race to arrive shortly. That does include Shining Armor and Cadance, and...the Changelings."

"Why?" Twilight asked, a bit angry. "May I remind you that Shining, Cadance and Queen Chrysalis aren't exactly on the best of terms, as in the whole Canterlot Wedding incident?"

"They are still diplomatically a nation of their own, and barring that, we don't want to cast anyone out due to a single event, despite our own or the Crystal Empire's feelings on the matter." Celestia replied. "Believe me, as much as I would rather not have the Changelings here again, there isn't much choice in the matter."

"And plus, even if we don't allow the Changelings to attend, Queen Chrysalis would certainly want something to assure her that we are not doing it because of spite or anger over a single event between us." Luna continued. "And we also have this."

Luna produced the Changeling Queen's letter, and read aloud a written section.

I would be honored to attend such an event, even if the Crystal Prince and Princess come. But let me be absolutely clear, Celestia.

I will come to this with an expectation that I be treated fairly and equally amongst everyone, even if the other representatives, in particular Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance, would have it otherwise.

I should arrive within a day's time from you receiving this letter. And even though I would rather not attend for the sake of angering the Crystal Prince and his wife, I've decided to swallow my pride on the matter to focus on what lies ahead of our world. It's my home too, you must realize. Even I have my priorities straight.

Besides, I have much more pressing matters with my brood to consider staging another...incident. Even my trusted advisers told me they wouldn't support my rule further if I did so .

With all due respect, Queen Chrysalis of the Changelings.

"Okay...that's good to hear?" Twilight asked, still quite unsure of the whole thing. "I guess I shouldn't let first interactions spoil future opportunities?"

"Well said." Celestia replied. "Anyway, we should eat. Our meals are getting cold."

====

Aboard the UNSC Infinity, Lasky exited his office, fresh from a third meeting with Fleetcom and ONI. Though the initial reactions were one of slight disbelief, Lasky quickly set the record straight with Dr. Glassman's notes and footage.

Suffice to say, the two groups quickly realized the value of having Equestria as an ally, and gave Lasky and Captain Cutter the green light to continue first contact.

However, the CINCONI did recommend that it be done carefully, as there were still other factors to consider, especially the other races of Equis.

Lasky had affirmed that he and Cutter would keep that in mind, and the meeting concluded shortly after.

"Captain Lasky?"

Lasky looked over at Roland's hologram, which appeared next to him.

"Anything new, Roland?" the Captain asked.

"Captain Cutter just reported that the Spirit of Fire's crew is green across the board. Ordinance control, production bays, and all systems are good to go should combat arise." the AI reported. "And Astute Sigil has confirmed two potential landing zones for us."

"Good work." Lasky replied. "Keep me updated."

Roland saluted and disappeared. As he entered the Infinity's bridge, he was greeted by Commander Palmer.

"All things considered, that went pretty well." Palmer smirked. "How'd your meeting go?"

"We're green to proceed further." Lasky replied. "As long as we don't run into trouble with any other of the natives here."

"Sounds good to me." she nodded, then she proceeded to the bridge viewport. "You know Thom, I've got a strange feeling."

"What about?"

"Something's making me feel like this is going too well for our sake." Palmer replied. "Remember Requiem? We almost got incinerated near the end."

"If it's any consolation, Commander…" Roland chimed in. "This planet's sun is a considerable distance away, and we should have room to maneuver if that happens again."

"Good." Palmer said as she left. "You know, I wonder what else Equestria has to offer. A tour might not be a bad idea."

"You know Commander Palmer, that might be a good idea." Roland added. "We'd familiarize ourselves with the environment, get on friendly terms with locals outside of the capital...it'd be good community outreach."

"I'll ask Princess Celestia, then." Lasky nodded. "Tell Spartan McCord and Fireteam Crimson they'll be escorting should we get permission."

"Yessir." Roland nodded and blinked out. Lasky accessed the Forerunner comms that Sigil had established and relayed his request to Princess Celestia.

====

As breakfast ran its course, Celestia was surprised to hear Astute Sigil's re-transmission of Captain Lasky's request.

"The UNSC is more than welcome to come down and explore, as long as we can supervise them." she told the Monitor. "Have them land near Ponyville and the Element Bearers can show them around. It should allow us the time we need to gather the ambassadors coming to Canterlot over the next few hours."

"We'll do our best!" Twilight said, the other Element Bearers nodding, though the sudden request didn't really concern her as much as it would have. "You can count on us, Celestia!"

"I'm glad to hear it." she replied. "Return to Ponyville and prepare. My sister and I will handle things here in Canterlot."

====

As Fireteam Crimson reported to a waiting Pelican at Roland's request, they were surprised to see Captain Lasky speaking with the pilot of their transport.

"You have the coordinates?" Lasky asked.

"Yes, sir. Navigation has them locked in." the pilot replied. "I'll get us spun up."

As the Spartans approached, Spartan McCord asked the Captain what was going on.

"We're taking a surface tour of a town with the Elements of Harmony." Lasky replied as they boarded the Pelican and took their seats. "Should be good outreach for the locals and a chance to see daily life here. Win-win scenario for both Equestria and Fleetcom."

"We're ready, sir." Emily Hall nodded. "This should be fun."
As the Pelican departed from the hangar and entered the Equestrian atmosphere, Lasky looked over a Magnum pistol that the had brought with him should the need to defend himself arise.The weapon was fresh from the Infinity's armory bay, and there wasn't a scratch or dent on the frame of the sidearm.

Hopefully, Lasky thought, we'll keep it that way.

"Captain, we're landing in three minutes!" the pilot reported. "Have a nice time!"

"Thank you, Pilot." Lasky said as Fireteam Crimson set their weapons to "safe" and placed their helmets on. "Commander Palmer, you copy?"

"Yep." Palmer replied over the radio.

"If anything happens up there, let me know right away. Also, make sure Captain Cutter knows we're down here." Lasky said.

"On it." Palmer said. "By the way, the Science bay picked up faint slipspace ruptures. They're pretty far from our position, but whatever's jumping out there could reach us."

"Keep an eye on it." Lasky ordered. "And if we come under fire, come get us as quickly as possible and confirm the threat before engaging."

"Copy." Roland added. "Spartans, Captain, have fun down there."

As the Pelican exited the atmosphere and headed to Ponyville's coordinates, the Element Bearers made ready to receive them.

====
Near the Ark Installation, not far from Equestria

Banished Flagship Enduring Conviction, Chieftain's chamber.

"Atriox, we have intercepted a signal you should listen to."

A massive Brute with a braided white beard, wearing heavily modified and altered Jiralhanae Chieftain's armor colored silver and blood red, equipped with some human additions, turned his gaze to the Elite who approached him.

"Speak." he said in a commanding tone.

"We have just finished decrypting a Forerunner beacon." the Elite said, showing the Brute a hologram of an unknown world. "It came from this planet here. It is not far from our position."

"Is it inhabited?" the Chieftain asked gravely.

"We believe it is. Our scout vessels just reported back. The natives have not developed the capability to travel between worlds. They have also confirmed that two human vessels are there as well."

"I see." Atriox waved his hand. "Prepare to travel to this planet, but keep us hidden. We will not attack until it is certain we have the upper hand. Once we arrive, deploy a scout team to ascertain the strength of the locals, and then report back."

"By your command, Chieftain."

The red-armored Elite bowed his head and left the chamber. Atriox turned to the viewport on his left and eyed the stars with a grim expression. Ever since the fall of the Covenant, his Banished had resorted to keeping themselves hidden, occasionally raiding a base or supply convoy belonging to Jul 'Mdama's Covenant.

Now, it seemed that fate had swung to them. A planet such as this one would be quite the take for the Banished. Anyone presented with such a tempting offer would likely be gripped with reckless fervor for such treasures.

But this did not describe Atriox, the High Chieftain of the Banished. He had fought long and hard to forge the Banished from mere raiders to a powerful, massive force to be reckoned with, against both the Covenant and Humanity should the need arise. As Atriox sent his orders out to his lieutenants and the Shipmaster in command of the Enduring Conviction, the carrier prepared to jump into slipspace.

Author's Note

A long-awaited update has arrived!

Thank Halo: MCC for this. I've been playing a lot more of it, particularly the Spartan Ops campaign, and this was the result. I know it's been a while since this updated, but this will change.

Expect this story to receive more attention and more updates in the future.

Next time - Lasky and Fireteam Crimson tour Ponyville, and the ambassadors from across Equestria convene in Canterlot. And meanwhile, the Banished recon team prepares to depart...