"So…how is it?" Twilight Sparkle ventured as the Courier sat in silence, contemplating the cupcake he had just taken a bite out of. Pinkie had sat them both down in the VIP section, as many of the citizens of Ponyville still seemed wary of Mark's presence, despite Celestia's earlier declaration that he was here to help.

Mark kept a straight face for a few moments, before he started chuckling, and then he began to laugh quite earnestly, earning a stunned look from Princess Twilight.

"This is the best thing I have ever tasted in quite some time." he laughed. "I mean, this thing probably has so much sugar it puts those pre-war Sugar Bombs to shame. Hot damn, I wish we had these back in the Mojave."

"Well, it is one of Pinkie's cupcakes, so many in Ponyville would share that sentiment with you." Twilight smiled, feeling a little relieved. "Anyway, we should get moving. I'd imagine we have other things to do right now that could be seen as more important."

"I'd agree." Mark nodded. As they headed up to the counter, Pinkie Pie zipped over in a flash, causing Mark to do a double-take.

"She wasn't here a second ago," he murmured. "How is that even possible?"

"Please, Mark, don't ask for the sake of your sanity." Twilight deadpanned. "I tried once to analyze Pinkie's…abilities…and it did not go anywhere."

"That's true!" Pinkie laughed joyfully. "Hey, Mark, was that your first ever cupcake?"

"Yes, it was…" Mark replied, unsure of where this was leading.

"Then it's on the house! Don't worry about paying for it!" Pinkie said to Twilight, who had already produced the requisite number of Bits for the cupcake. "Seeing as he's here to help, I think it's a fair trade!"

"Good deal." Mark replied. "You know, if any of my friends from the Mojave make their way here…this is the first place I'm taking them, hands down."

"Always good to hear, and take care now!" Pinkie said, waving them out of the bakery. As they entered Ponyville's town square, Princess Celestia and her Solar Guards awaited them by a set of Chariots.

"We're taking those to Canterlot?" Mark sounded a little confused. "How far away is it?"

"Normally it would be a three-hour train ride, or a two-hour flight." Celestia replied. "If you are comfortable with it, I could teleport us all there in the span of only a few minutes. However, I am not sure of the side effects it would have on you, Mr. Rileigh."

"Go ahead and teleport us." Mark responded, causing both Princesses to raise their eyebrows. "Didn't I mention I was brought here by a teleporter satellite? It may have been burnt-out Pre-War tech, but it didn't seem to do anything to me, even when it malfunctioned."

"Oh…very well then." Celestia nodded. "Guards, please stand by here and await further orders."

"Yes, Princess!" The Guards replied as they left the area, and were soon replaced by the other Elements of Harmony.

"We're heading out, then?" Applejack asked.

"Yes, if you are all prepared…" Celestia nodded. Once all the Elements and the Courier said that they were indeed prepared, the combined group vanished in a flash of golden light.

====

As they reappeared inside a conference room in Canterlot, Mark Rileigh seemed unfazed as he moved to look out the window, which had a vibrant view of Canterlot on full display.

"Impressed?" Princess Celestia asked. "Canterlot has been the capital city of Equestria for over nine hundred years. I am quite proud to say that I've lived to see this place become what it is now."

The Courier turned to the Solar Princess in shock, with a clear feeling of disbelief on his face.

"How in God's name have you managed to live for over nine hundred years?" he asked, his jaw starting to slack.

"Alicorns, such as myself, my sister Princess Luna, my niece Princess Cadance, and Princess Twilight, become immortal once they ascend." Celestia explained. "However, I can't give you the full details. The Rites are considered one of Equestria's deepest-held secrets, and even I am not certain how my mentor, Starswirl the Bearded, created them."

"I see." Mark replied. "It's hard to believe, but I guess I've no choice but to take your word for it. Anyway, let's get moving."

As the group exited the conference room and headed for the Day Court chambers, many of the Castle staff that they passed stood still as they saw the Courier walking with Princess Celestia. However, the presence of two Alicorns, four Solar Guards, and the Elements of Harmony seemed to reassure them that all was under control.

"Is everything okay, Mark?" Applejack asked, seeing a frown on the Courier's face. "You look like you just bit into a bad apple."

"You could say that." Mark replied. "I'm used to getting dirty looks, whether they be from raiders or captive members of the Legion. It's the general feeling of fear from everyone we've walked past that concerns me."

"Why's that?" Rainbow Dash asked."I mean, you're super cool, Mark. What's there to be afraid of?"

"The fact that everyone else hasn't gotten to know me like you all have." he responded. "I'd bet that your subjects still see me as a threat, even though that is about as far from the truth as you can imagine."

"I do see your point." Celestia mused, before she had a sudden idea pop into her mind. "Would you like to make an address to the Day Court? I'd imagine that stating your intentions clearly may help your case, and alleviate some of my subject's concerns about your presence."

"I think I can manage that." Mark replied, as they approached a set of oaken double doors. As two Solar Guards opened the doors for them, the entirety of the Day Court attendees went silent in fear.

"Please, my little ponies, let him speak, as there is no need for fear." Princess Celestia said in a soothing manner. "He is here to help in any way he can to catch the fugitive responsible for attacking Princess Twilight."

"Indeed I am." Mark said, as he took the podium. "My name is Mark Rileigh, or Courier Six. The assassin you're searching for is a fake pretending to be me. There's a few things I'd like to say, if you'll hear me out."

"First, let me be perfectly clear that I am here as a friend, and I don't intend to cause any trouble. I may have come to Equestria by accident, but my purpose now, so to speak, is to aid you, just as Princess Celestia said."

"Second, in the Mojave Wasteland where I come from, I'm seen as a hero. They call me the Hero of Hoover Dam, the founder of the New Vegas Coalition, among many other things. I led the charge that toppled the tyranny of Caesar's Legion. This Legion is who I believe to be responsible for the attack on Princess Twilight."

There were murmurs of confusion from the crowd. Mark held up his hand for silence before continuing.

"This won't be pleasant, so prepare yourselves accordingly." he said. "The Legion came from the east, aiming to conquer my home, the Mojave Wasteland, for their own purposes. Wherever they went, the Legion tore down homes, set towns ablaze, killed whoever they wished, and enslaved the lucky ones that they considered valuable."

"Those that weren't so lucky were often crucified, hung on a wooden cross until they died," he continued. "The Legion was repulsed by the New California Republic at the Battle of Hoover Dam, but it was only a matter of time before they came back to finish what they had started."

"For example, in my travels, I came to the town of Nipton, right after the Legion had occupied it. Those that tried to fight back were killed. Those that didn't resist were given a lottery."

"Those that lost were decapitated and crucified. The third-place winners were enslaved. The runner-up had both of his legs broken, and the winner got to go free. I should also note that the town's mayor sold them out, but ended up being crucified nonetheless."

There were shouts of horror, shock, and fear from the crowd. Mark again raised his hand for silence, before he spoke in a manner of steeled resolve.

"What I saw that day changed me, and I resolved to put an end to these atrocities once and for all. I enlisted the help of the various factions that called the Mojave home, from the Brotherhood of Steel, to the Great Khans, to the Boomer Tribesmen, to the forces of the New California Republic, and many others, to put an end to the Legion. It was a long, arduous process, but we slowly came together…and we stood together as one."

"At the second battle of Hoover Dam, I personally led the charge that broke the Legion's lines. Their forces scattered, turned around, and ran like their lives depended on it. Because, quite frankly, it did. The massive push from the west that followed, effectively destroyed the Legion once and for all. Their leader, Caesar, was killed, along with many of his commanders."

"We freed their slaves, secured their resources for our own, and began the process of restoring peace to the Mojave." Mark continued. "From what I have been told, the Legion, or what remains of it, has it out for Princess Twilight."

"Whatever they are planning, know I will put a stop to it, no matter the cost." he finished. "I am the real Courier Six, and to the imposter that took my name…you're done for. I will find you, and I will put you down along with any who would aid you."

"Consider that a promise, and I never make a promise I cannot keep."

There was stunned silence, before the applause came to life like the revving engines of a Vertibird. After several minutes, it quieted as Princess Celestia approached to speak.

"And rest assured that you have the full support of the Crown in this endeavor, Mark Rileigh." Celestia said, offering her hoof. "Can I trust you in this?"

"Of course you can, Princess.." Mark replied, shaking it firmly. As the applause began again and lasted for only a few minutes this time, Mark gave a wave of farewell as he, along with the Elements of Harmony, headed for the doors.

"Darn fine speech there, partner." Applejack smiled. "What happens now?"

"Now? I get to work." Mark replied. "And I'll be glad to have you all along for the ride."

Author's Note

So, whatcha think?

Glad to see me back, huh? In all fairness, I have been super busy with life. But now, I am planning to schedule more chapters and generally be more active here. Wish me luck!