Displaced: the grey eyes of the force

The day of the gala was a interesting one starting when they all woke up, john whos wake up was kisses from Applejack and Rainbow dash, his mare friends. Upon finding out that John was in a relationship with two of their friends, the others having still been a little surprised about the first, were further shocked at that.

After a good breakfast everyone gathered in the main part of the library where twilight told them some new information, it mainly concerned John, but would be an issue now that AJ and dash had become his mare friends, the griffin kingdom and the zebra had sent delegates to attend the gala and him not being widely known might cause an issue. John being his usual self just said he would handle them if an altercation happened. With that out of the way they all spent the time talking with John, mainly things he had experienced during his time back in the wider galaxy. John having his memories was willing to tell them some of his experiences but opted to leave out some of the worst part due to how horrible they went. His story telling had them entranced for so long that spike had to remind them that the train was leaving in an hour.

With that revelation everyone was quickly getting showers at twilight’s, vacating the bathroom, where they dressed in their outfits for the night. John smirked as he saw the clock show that they didn’t have time to get to the train before it left, noting that he decided to have a special speeder come down from the harbinger to transport them. Once everyone was down and gathered did they realize their mistake all looked crestfallen until they heard the tell tale sound of one of Johns ships landing.

Upon exiting the nature made building they found a startlingly beautiful speeder with a chauffeur waiting for them.

“Ladies this will be how we arrive tonight, I had it prepped just in case so now we will arrive in style.” John said as he walked over where the door was open. The others followed after him entering and sitting in the available seats. The rest of the little hamlet watch the speeder take off heading to the capital, Canterlot, the ride up the girls, spike, and John all enjoyed the ride, the former seven all gawking at the speeds the little ship was moving at.

In canterlot Celestia was nervous. Her original plan was to discuss new trade with the man, which would be a net gain for equestria, news had reached a few others of the man and they were not happy about that. The delegations sent were there to ensure that, she knew it so, that equestria didn’t hog the technology. She knew who the two delegates were, griffins being Heinrich grey claw, a militaristic traditional ho had now love of equestria. And prince zedimer the calm, of zibrica, he would be an easier to deal with as his father, high chief zedroden the balancer, wasn’t a warlord like several prior high chiefs had been.

Celestia was shaken from her thoughts as she heard a surprising sound coming towards the castle. Looking she saw the steadily growing shape of one of John’s , so called speeders heading towards them. Deciding to meet them at the drop off she was greeted to the sight of the eight occupants emerging with John wrapping his arms around two of the elements and walking towards her, she noted John was dressed well and carried himself gracefully.

Once they all got closer John stepped forward and gave a polite bow. Smiling as he re righted himself before speaking.

“Greetings your highness lovely evening isn’t it?”He said as he placed his arms back around his dates.

“Yes although weren’t you all supposed to take the train?” The regal alicorn asked looking at them.

“Yes but due to some well complications we missed it, but I decided that just in case I’d have one of my more luxurious speeders brought down and it delivered us here.” The man said as the party moved into the castle after showing their tickets.

Once inside Celestia politely asked if John would step off to the side and speak to her. Once away from the festivities she quickly started explaining the situation.

“I’m sorry John, my original plan was to discuss potential trades for minor technology but it turns out the both the griffins and the zebra have found out and well I’ll let you guess which was the more troublesome of the two.” Celestia said watching the man's face as a frown adorned it.

“Let me guess the griffins? And what pray tell to they expect to do?threaten me, try to force me to give them tech, move? Believe me Celestia when I say they have no control over me.” The man said as he folded his arms.

“I’m less worried about any threat they make to you, you have more than enough power to make them moot, but they may decide to target equestria.” The regal said worriedly.

“Well If it does come down to a fight, remember, I can and will level armies long before they could get remotely in range. Secondly it would be them starting it and attacking my trade partner, that is, in my books, a very big hell no.” He said as he place a hand on the mares shoulder.

The two returned back to the party where John found AJ and dash waiting, the two moving to his side once he rejoined them. The three toured around the room, watching the band play, and occasionally getting John to dance with them. Nearing the midway part of the gala John felt a hostile emotion hearing his direction as well as another who’s emotions were more cooled, turning John noticed what had to be the griffin delegate and the delegate from the zebras.

The griffin had an air to them, posh, snobbish, and egotistical, john hated that mix the zebra was more refined, his movements seemed measured and he seemed to glide almost, the oddest part was the zebras gaze, his eyes never leaving where John was. The two were quickly moving through the crowd, John sensing a issue started making his way to a empty room nearby, all the while sending a warning to Celestia to rendezvous with him in the room.

Waving the two mare off he quickly told them he had some business to take care of and would be back an a bit, Applejack having notice the tale they picked up quickly grabbed dashes arm and lead her off. With them gone John moved quickly to the door and opened it finding the solar princess waiting with a table.

“They will be here momentarily. Is suggest we take our seats now, don’t worry I’m prepared if things go wrong.” John said patting the tube on his belt.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” She said as the door was thrown open and the two delegates walked in, well the zebra did, the griffin marched over and sat glaring at the two.

The room remained silent for a few seconds before the zebra spoke.

“Greetings strange one we have heard tale from travelers that equestria was playing host to a being who claimed to come from beyond the stars. Seeing you now I can understand why they said so. My name zedimer the calm of the combined tribes of zebrica. My colleague is Heinrich grey claw of the griffin kingdom. “ the zebra said breaking the silence.

“Yes I was alerted to the two of you when I arrived, our host was kind and spoke to me on your request to meet.” John said calmly.

“We are here now, and I for one am curious about what kind of technology you’ve been giving them.” The griffin said with a heated tone.

“Not much mostly farming droids and me buying a few buildings that desperately needed renovating, I plan to build several standard train tracks as to speed up the transportation of goods across the country.” The man said watching the two. “Or do you mean am I giving them better military hardware?”

“Are you giving them military weapons?” The zebra asked.

“Nothing groundbreaking mostly beefing up the police force, mainly better restraints and detection devices, I’m not going to start a planetary arms race.” John said watching the zebra.

“Celestia is he truly doing only what he says?” The zebra asked, while the griffin just glared harder.

“Yes, He was rather adamant on leaving the military alone. That and we wouldn’t begin to understand how any of it operates.” The regent explained.

“And you didn’t just demand them for residents?” Grey claw asked, bewildered by the mares response.

“Let’s just say I’m not the person to make demands of, it usually ends in disaster.” John said leaning forward.

“And how would that happen you just one. In fact the equis world council demands that any and all technology be turned over immediately or we will come and take them.” The griffin said slamming his claws on the table.

Celestia looked at the man who to her surprise was motionless. The three watched the man for a few seconds before his hand flicked and the griffin was flung back against a pillar. The two looked back to the man only to see an empty chair, the two twisted around to find the man standing a foot away from the bird.

“You know it not polite to make threat against someone who, mind you, hold all of the cards. Your petty threats are meaningless to me as any and all actions you would take would only damn you further.” John said as the room suddenly dimmed.

“John what are you doing? This will only make things worse!” Celestia said trying to talk the man down.

“No that is called placating, Celestia, I will not be threatened.” The man said as electricity arched around his hand, causing the smell of ozone to fill the room.

“Mr. John while my colleague isn’t in the right to make that demand especially when no demand was issued, to harm him will only cause such a demand to be made. Please let’s not cause an incident.” zedimer said calmly stepping close to the man to look at him. “He I a fool and I will be sure to alert his regent of his actions as well.”

The man stood there looking at the griffin who was staring back with a terrified look. For a moment they thought he would certainly attack, only to be shocked as the man turned away and the griffin to drop onto the floor in a heap. The two sighed momentarily before gasping as the man rushed closer to the bird and ignited his saber, its grey blade zipping out centimeters from the griffins head, who closed his eyes and curled up in fear.

“Let this be a warning, griffin, this is but a small taste of what I have in store. If you or anyone tries to take what belongs to me I’ll glass your lands till nothing remains, understand?” The man said looking at the griffin.

The griffin for his part nodded his head vigorously. Satisfied John turned off the blade and reattached it to his belt before returning to his seat where he motioned them all to return to their seats so the meeting could continue. The zebra returned as did the solar princess, the griffin did at last after the zebra was able to coax him into the seat.

“Now firstly apologies, zedimer, you had to witness that side, but threats do not sit well with me. And apologies Celestia for the damages to the furniture and the pillar.” The man said as he looked to them.

The meeting took a few minutes for them to talk. In the end John had agreed to trade farming droids two the zebras, they were in a bad drought and were starting to feel it as several fires burned crops and villages.

The zebra agreed to speak to his father about letting the man send a mining team to one of the deserted areas of their tribal conglomerate. The griffin sat silent mainly out of fear and partially because the man refused to budge when it came to anything military related. Grey claw was shocked from his thoughts when his name was called by the zebra.

“What? Sorry I was rather lost in thought.” The griffin said looking at the zebra.

“I asked if you had any requests such, as farming or construction, we were able to get John to agree to having construction teams come and build. I thought you would like to discuss any possible repair or renovation projects the man’s teams may speed up?” The zebra asked watch in the griffin turn to the man, who had sat neutral with his arms folded.

“The only thing the griffin king wants out of this is weapons, and given your already established refusal there is nothing to talk about. This meeting, as far as I’m concerned is over.” Grey claw said as he stood up and walked away, not before stopping and looking at the other two and nodding.

The rest of the night went well with John returning to his two mares and hanging with them, mainly tricking nobles and guards all night till it was over. Whatever tomorrow holds could wait till then.