As Celestia and Luna led the way through the Everfree, following the metal giant's footsteps, Rainbow Dash came up next to Celestia, her eyes averted, but she quickly mustered her courage to speak.

"Is something concerning you, Rainbow Dash?" she asked.

"How can you be so calm, Princess?" Rainbow requested. "I won't tell anyone else, but I'm really freaked out right now. Why aren't you?"

"Because I know what our guests are, most likely where they come from, and also likely who they are looking for." Celestia replied. "Have you heard of the human race, Rainbow Dash?"

"Only in some of Twilight's books." Rainbow replied. "Aren't they make-believe, though?"

"No, they are not." Celestia affirmed. "They do not use magic like us ponies, but technology and creativity to advance their kind. In fact, I would say they are superior to us in quite a few facets."

"Really?" the pegasus asked, awestruck.

"Yes. They have settled beyond their home world and in countless planets, developed space vessels such as in comic books, and created countless pieces of technology that put our own to shame." Celestia replied. "But you should be careful, Rainbow Dash. They are a warlike species, and quite proud of their prowess in combat. To further describe a human is quite complicated, as they are as varied in appearance and psyche as us ponies. Some are good, some are evil, others are kind, others are selfish. They are quite the enigmatic species."

"And you've known about them fow how long?" Rainbow asked.

"They came to Equestria, in one ship fleeing a civil war, about forty years ago." Celestia said. "I had to deal with them alone, as my sister had not yet returned. I gave them permission to hide on Equis, in a remote section of Equestria, for one month. I also gave them needed supplies."

"Why'd they leave?" Rainbow asked, surprised.

"A few reasons." the Solar Diarch sighed. "Some of their kind were not as trusting as their leader, a man named MacAllan. They were also insistent on hunting wildlife for food, as they are omnivorous, and terraforming their settlement, which threatened the environment and landscape."

"That's bad, right?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow as she ducked under a tree branch to keep up.

Yes, and no. Their methods of farming were simplistic and brutal, but effective. And finally, their adversaries came close to Equestria three times while searching for MacAllan's vessel, and the threat to us became too great. Not a minute after their allocated time expired, they took their vessel and departed. I declared their settlement protected land as to hide their activities, and I secretly stored what they left behind in the Vault of the Canterlot Archives." Celestia finished. "But there is one thing the humans have made that still makes me tremble in fear."

"What?" Rainbow asked.

"A certain class or caste of human warriors, said to be five times swifter than any ordinary soldier, stronger than three regular men, and heavily respected by both friend and foe, ride on the shoulders of giants." Celestia said. "They are much like the metal giant we are currently tracking now. They are powerful enough to crush wrought steel like paper, can trek countless miles without growing tired, and stand forty feet tall on average."

"Woah." Rainbow was floored as her jaw dropped at the image her mind conjured.

"There's more." Celestia said. "There are three kinds of them, known as Atlas, Stryder, and Ogre. i have never used one before, but I have seen them in action. I digress, however. Rainbow, I must ask you something."

"What?"

"As I have said, humans are proud and powerful." she cautioned. "Though their appearance suggests such, they are not anything like monkeys or primates. So do not call them that under any circumstances. I learned that lesson the hard way when our initial groups first met. We almost came to violence over that term being used to describe them. They prefer to be known as Humans, or by what they call a "Scientific name", Homo Sapiens."

"Alright." Rainbow said. "We almost there?"

"Indeed." Celestia said as the group came to a halt as the footprints ended. "Allow me to summon them, if i may."

Celestia used her magic, and a small black box with a blue lighted display appeared next to her. She pushed a button on the side and spoke.

"To the humans who have arrived in Equestria, I welcome you once again. I ask to meet under a flag of understanding to know why you have come back to our world. I will send up a flare on our location. Know that I and my company mean you no harm."

====

As Daniel and IN-2632 trekked through the trees to a clearing, Indy suddenly displayed a radio message on his Pilot's' HUD.

"What's going on?" Daniel asked.

"A radio broadcast has just ceased, not too far from our position. It is on a known Militia frequency, directed to us. It is most likely the native population contacting us." IN spoke.

"Where?" Daniel raised an eyebrow.

"About one-eighth of a klick southeast." IN spoke. "I will engage neutral subroutines and contact Commander Briggs."

"Go ahead, I'll get us there."

As Daniel began to retrace his steps, he could see a bright yellow sphere in the skyline, not too far from his position.

"At least the locals marked their position." Daniel thought as IN reported their status to Commander Briggs on the MCS MacAllan II. "They're making it easy for us to find them, but why?"

As Daniel approached the marked clearing, he could see several of the equines from the village, along with two companies of presumed soldiers, wearing blue and black, or white and gold armor. The ones in front both had a horn and wings, with ethereal manes and a mark of the sun or moon.

"Greetings, human. I am Princess Celestia, Ruler of Equestria and Alicorn of the Sun." the sun-marked one said. "I presume you are here for MacAllan?

Daniel froze in an instant.

"Pilot, these beings likely know the late Field Commander James MacAllan. voice pattern analysis suggests they are being truthful." IN spoke.

"Then let's do this." Daniel breathed, disembarking and standing before Celestia. As he removed his helmet, he sighed.

"How do you know James MacAllan?" he asked, startling everyone there apart from Celestia and another one with a moon-like color scheme.

"He came to our realm in need of sanctuary." Celestia said. "He stayed in our world for a month exactly. Are you in search of him?"

Daniel sighed and looked her in the eye.

"Ma'am, I regret to tell you that Field Commander James MacAllan was killed in action during the Battle of Demeter, two years ago." Daniel said. "The Frontier Militia is now led by Fleet Admiral Marcus Graves and Field Commander Sarah Briggs."

Celestia raised her eyebrows and sighed.

"I'm sorry." she said. "He was a good friend to me."

''How?" he asked.

"I debated politics and the art of war with him when he stayed here on a weekly basis." Celestia said. "I believed him to be a good friend of mine. May I ask your name?"

''Sure." he said. "I'm Captain Daniel McKenna, Pilot of the Marauder Corps, SRS, Frontier Militia Fleet. Leader of Kilo Team. And this…"

IN came forward and settled before the astounded locals.

"Is my partner, IN-2632." Daniel said. "If you'll allow me, I will send records of our conversation to Commander Briggs, and we can continue negotiations in a better setting. Is that fair?"

"Certainly." Celestia said. "Take all the time you need, Mr. McKenna."

As Daniel marked a spacious section of the clearing with a flare for use as a landing zone, IN sent the recording to the orbiting Militia supercarrier.

"Understood, IN." Briggs said over the radio. "I'm en route with Kilo Team, Barker, and Gates. Secure a landing zone, and once we arrive you'll lead the way, Pilot McKenna."

"Copy that." Daniel replied. "Standing by."

As three Titan dropships landed in the field, six other Titans disembarked, along with Briggs, the 6-4 leader Gates, and the Angel City Elites leader Barker. The ponies were visibly frightened, but in the presence of Celestia they mustered their courage to interact with their new guests.

"Shall we be off?" Briggs said to Celestia as further introductions went around.

"Indeed." Celestia said. "I wish to hear of the events that led to MacAllan's death and your coming to Equis."

"Then you'll get it." Briggs said. "Let's move out!"

As the combined group of Titans, Humans, and Ponies began the trek to Ponyville, the sun reached the midday point in the sky.

Author's Note

Update!

Also, Celestia knows more about MacAllan then she's letting on. How much? You'll see.