“After the Forerunners' departure from our world, my sister and I decided this was one secret that needed to remain a secret. We knew firsthand of the dangers that Forerunner technology could bring to an unprepared race.” Princess Luna said, with the UNSC delegates continuing to give her their undivided attention, while the Spartans stood attentively nearby.

"All of the guards and attendants that accompanied us or aided the Forerunners in their studies had their memories willingly altered by my sister and I. For many, many years we kept this secret safe…until their parting gift became active once again.”

"I assume this parting gift was the data package that brought us here?" Admiral Lasky asked, and Princess Luna nodded in reply. "That does explain why we didn't recognize the script used in the data. It was your species' written language."

"That's correct." Princess Twilight chimed in. "That writing is used as the baseline for all written scripts on Equis. Every other race uses it, from the Griffons to the Zebras."

"There are more sapient races on this planet?" Dr. Halsey asked, and both Princesses nodded in reply. Halsey didn't seem too surprised, but the younger Dr. Anders seemed more interested in that notion.

"Anyway, I was shortly exiled to the moon." Princess Luna continued, causing a good amount of the UNSC personnel to raise their eyebrows.. "I believe Princess Twilight can explain it better."

"When Princess Luna was transformed into a being called Nightmare Moon, aiming to send Equestria into an eternal night…" Princess Twilight began. "Princess Celestia used the six Elements of Harmony to defeat her and send her to the moon for about one thousand years."

"One thousand?" Captain Altan asked. 'How are you that old?"

"Alicorns, such as my sister and I, Princess Cadance of the Crystal Empire, and Princess Twilight are functionally immortal." Princess Luna replied. "As a matter of fact, I am exactly one thousand and twenty three years old."

This time, it was Henry Glassman's turn to be visibly stunned, as he hurriedly jotted down more notes into his datapad. The command staff were more reserved, showing some surprise, but the Spartans started to whisper to each other at this claim.

"I don't want to believe it, but there's the proof right in front of us." Spartan Emily Russel whispered to Spartan McCord. "How can some beings live that long?"

"Well, it's not entirely unheard of." Crimson whispered back. "The Forerunners were basically
the same, and they lived for god knows how long. I guess a lifespan of one thousand and twenty three isn't that far-fetched."

"Can't argue with that." Spartan David Crosse nodded. Once the voices settled, Princess Twilight cleared her throat and continued.

"On the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration about four years ago, I was sent by Princess Celestia to Ponyville to oversee it, and make some friends in the process." Twilight said, rubbing her hoof. "I was…introverted for a lot of my time at Celestia's school for gifted Unicorns, so I didn't think too much of it at first."

"Then ,just like I predicted while I was in Canterlot, Nightmare Moon returned. After a very eventful journey into the Everfree Forest, my friends and I managed to use the Elements of Harmony ourselves to change Nightmare Moon back into Princess Luna."

"What exactly do these Elements represent?" Captain Cutter asked. "Your kind seems to value them highly."

"They're the basic foundations of friendship, representing Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, Laughter, Kindness, and Magic." Twilight continued.

"Magic is a part of forming a friendship?" Admiral Lasky asked. "I wasn't aware of that."

"Well, that's to be expected." Twilight replied. "Magic, or more properly, Arcane energy, is the fifth fundamental force of the universe, alongside Gravity, the strong and Weak Nuclear, and Electromagnetic. Each race of Equestrian has innate magic, but only Unicorns can channel it through their horn to cast spells. Alicorns, being a hybrid of all three races, have a magical capacity beyond any unicorn."

"I take it by your usage of "capacity," Doctor Halsey asked. "That magic can be limited in some way?"

"Exactly. Magic isn't all powerful, it still functions according to the laws of Physics. For example, a unicorn could probably lift, say, a three pound weight with ease. However, said unicorn would have much more difficulty lifting a thirty-pound weight. There are rules to using magic, such as each Unicorns' magical reserve. The general rule is that as you get older, one's magic reserve gets bigger, but it requires more than that for the reserve to become stronger." Twilight said, drawing up a magical screen for the UNSC delegates to watch.."

"Not only that, many spells can cause varying amounts of strain on a unicorn's horn. Simple spells like levitation don't cause any, but the more intense the strain is, the more damage it does to a horn. A unicorn's horn isn't indestructible, and too much strain can cause it to crack or even split. Cracks can heal over a period of months if treated immediately, but if a horn is cut or split open...that results in the permanent loss of all magic use."

"Like putting too much force on, say, a steel beam." Dr. Halsey commented. "It could hold a great amount of strength, but should it break…"

"It's done for, yes, that is the general idea." Twilight replied. "Some more complex spells sometimes require reagents or magical runes to be controlled. Magic can be destructive if cast in the wrong manner, and the results are often….unpleasant."

"With that explanation out of the way…" Princess Luna wisely interrupted Twilight, knowing she would have continued for a good amount of time given the chance. "Is there anything else you wish to discuss?"

"Plenty, but I suppose we can save that for another time." Admiral Lasky replied. "That's because there are representatives from a race allied with humanity on their way here. I imagine they would be grateful if they were allowed to partake in these discussions."

"Very well, we shall withdraw for now." Princess Luna nodded, and after offering her hoof, Admiral Lasky shook it warmly. "How long should these allies of yours take to arrive?"

"Not too much longer, but we also have to report our progress back to the UNSC." Captain Altan replied. "We'll keep you all updated as best we can."

"Very well." Princess Luna nodded in agreement. After exchanging hoof shakes with the rest of the UNSC personnel, they boarded the Pelican dropship that had dropped them off for the return flight to orbit. The Spartans also began the hike back to their landing zone out in the fields, exchanging a few goodbyes as they did.

As both Princesses watched the four dropships fly towards and beyond the sky, the other Element Bearers came forward.

"Well, what happens now?" Rarity asked.

"Now, I suppose we plan for our next meeting." Princess Luna replied. "Whenever that would be."

Author's Note

An update at last! I hope you enjoy it. I would've written more, but a shorter chapter felt more easy to write.

Anyway, the next chapter will feature the more formal meeting in Canterlot, the Arbiter and Half-Jaw's arrival, and a few close scuffles...(What kind? You'll have to wait and see.)