Author's Note

It's finally finished, yay.

5. Of Introductions and Discussions

“Perhaps this conversation should continue somewhere more private.” Princess Celestia said. “Day court is closed, you are welcome to come again tomorrow.” As the guards cleared the petitioners, Celestia stood telling Sunset's group to follow her.

As they left the throne room Sunset ordered the Hazop team to go back through the portal to relay their peaceful contact. The yellow suited men departed with a guard down to the dungeons, leaving the Princesses with Sunset’s merry band of misfits.

Wanting to try and make conversation, Applejack spoke. “Mighty fine place ya got here princess.”

“Yeah.” Rainbow piped in. “Real shiny.”

“Yes, the builders may have been a little… enthusiastic when building this castle.” Celestia replied as the group passed a gold and gem encrusted statue.

“A little?” Sunset said. “Not even the UNDF could afford half of this. Hell, that door probably cost more than my yearly budget.”

“Yes, well, my ponies would accept nothing less when it came to my castle. Anyway, we’re here.” Celestia said, opening a door. “Welcome to my study, have a seat around the table there.”

The group pulled chairs around the large table by the fireplace, soon they were all seated except for one. “Trix, over here.” Sunset called, pulling the chair out from under Applejack, who didn’t seem to notice she wasn’t sitting on a chair anymore.

“So, Sunset, would you mind introducing me to your companions?” Celestia asked.

“May as well.” Sunset said standing, gesturing towards her right she started. Specialist Rainbow 'Skittles' Dash, a rather short, thin young woman fidgeting in her seat. Her black armour gleamed in the candle light, scratches covered her suit's joints, bits of rainbow hair stuck out of her helmet, where some kind of mask hung loose, and her helmets black visor seemed to suck in all the light around her; and there was something shifting under her armour.

First Lieutenant Applejack 'Collateral' Apple, a tall, broad woman clad in heavy tan armour. Someone so tall even Princess Celestia didn't have to look down to her. Her entire body is covered in battle tested armour plates, dents and scratches cover her figure. Her colossal size and intimidating, featureless suit, with her opaque mask make her quite the sight; the Princesses could only imagine what it could be like facing a foe like her on the field, though Celestia was curious how she could hold such heavy looking armour up in such an unusual position.

Lieutenant Trixie 'Showgirl' Lulamoon, a rather small, somewhat frail looking girl, looking only more fragile with the heavy bruises visible on her. Wearing rather light armour, easily the least of the bunch, she looked like she could move, perhaps even faster than pegasi, and it's earthy colours seem designed to make her disappear in nature. She seems rather attached to Sunset, Celestia notes; she also notes the familiarity of the names she's hearing.

Skipping over herself, she pointed at a smaller girl in heavy green armour. Master Sergeant Valorant, short, broad and clad in heavy green plates. Not much else to see.

Corporal Lightning ‘Hotshot' Dust, short, not as thin as the first, and wearing armour closer to what Ms. Lulamoon is wearing, and it's certainly not hers as it looks like it barely fits. It's even taped to her in places, although her helmet seems to match her uniform better. All in all, she's interesting.

Gunnery Sergeant Amber Clad, a petite woman in sleek armour, funnily enough not amber coloured, her helmet sat on the table in front of her, though not much else could be seen as, even with her helmet's opaque amber visor, she wears a black face mask. Celestia swears if she could not see this woman's face, partly it may be, she would believe she just finished school last week, she's that small.

Beside all of them are strange items that are no doubt weapons' that Celestia has never seen before “And that’s all that are here, there are others but they’re on the other side.”

“Collateral?” Celestia questioned.

As Sunset opened her mouth to speak, Applejack cut her off. “Long story, maybe later.”

“Oookay… anyway. Sunset what happened when you were gone, you’re covered in scars.”

Sighing heavily as she leaned forward in her chair, Sunset closed her eyes, some unpleasant memories flooding her mind. “Firstly, you got anyone else you want in on this talk? ‘Cause I don’t want to repeat myself more than I have to.” She asked Celestia.

When Princess Celestia mentioned her student and her friends, Sunset couldn’t help but ask. “Ya got a new student? When this happen?”

“Yes, Twilight Sparkle.” Ignoring the muttered ‘small world’ from her rainbow-haired guest, Celestia continued. “She caught my eye when she managed to hatch a dragon egg during a test. She's proven to be one of the strongest unicorns I’ve ever seen. I think you would’ve liked her back then, had you more time to get to-”

“Wait, then?” Sunset interrupted. “You’re saying this like I would’ve known her then. Wait. How long did it take for you to take her?”

At this question Celestia looked down at the table, a look of embarrassment and shame on her face. “Three months.” She answered quietly.

“Three months!?” Sunset exclaimed, thumping back in her chair. “That eager to replace me, eh?” At this the two princesses head’s snap up to look at her, faces adorned with looks of panic.

“What! Sunset I would-”

“My sister would never.”

As amusing as it is watching two of the most powerful leaders alive trip over themselves like this, she knew she had to end it. The Captain wouldn’t for another few minutes, at least, and so she reared back her arm. Trixie seemed to realise what was about to happen as she was frantically scooting away from her, before-

BANG!

Everyone jumped and stared at Applejack as she twisted her arm, fist firmly embedded in the table, trying to free it. After a few moments she managed to pull it free, with a snapping of wood and whining electronics, and she retook her sitting position, still uncaring of her lack of chair. “Now, let’s talk calmly.” She stated, with a pointed glare at Sunset. “So princess, you were talking about wanting your student here?”

“Y-yes. Twilight and her friends, they have done much for myself and my ponies and I feel they may be able to help with whatever you came here for.”

“Alright, how soon can they get here? We-” Whatever Sunset was going to say was cut off by the return of a Hazop flame-trooper.

“Captain! Captain. The mirror portal… thing, it’s sealed. We’re stuck here.” The yellow clad pyro shouted.

“-Fuck” Sunset cursed, turning towards him. “What happened?”

“We were going through the mirror thing, my fuel line got caught on debris, by the time I got free it was closed. Walked right into the damn thing.” He explained.

Pacing the room and cursing up a storm in a language Celestia didn’t catch, Sunset punched the closest thing in frustration, a bookcase, sending a chunk of it flying off. Trixie squeaked as she ducked under the flying debris as it flew over her head, and slammed into Aj, who didn’t even flinch as it exploded into splinters as it struck her breastplate. “Ya done Cap?”

“Yeah, yeah I’m done. Fuck. Guess you’re stuck here with us, what’s your name, soldier?”

The walking banana turned his head towards her, clearly speechless in the face of her badass figure, but eventually he found some words. “Uhh…”

Maybe not.

“Come on Banana Man, use your words.” Lightning called.

“If you don’t give me a name I will call you Potassium, that what you want kid?”

That seemed to have worked as his head snapped up to look her in the face. “Urk… what?” He exclaimed.

“I doubt your name’s ‘What’, so I’m calling you Potassium.”

“Hey!”

Turning back to the Princesses, she ignored his protests. “Princess, as it seems we’re stuck here, would it be possible to have somewhere for us to stay?”

Princess Celestia seemed to have taken everything with remarkable ease. “Yes, we can find you some rooms for the night. We can continue this tomorrow after the others arrive, I’ll have some maids set them up during lunch.”

“Thank you.”