Me and Silver Dagger are walking next to each other on our way to the mess hall as the rest of the team follows behind. “So… general, eh.” I ask, eluding to the fact that Silver Dagger forgot to mention that she was of a higher rank.

“Oh here it comes.” she says exaggeratedly, letting out a sigh.

“Here what comes?” I ask, puzzled by the insinuation.

“Now that you know you’re going to be all formal with titles and stuff.”

“Well, technically I’m a guest of the queen and a diplomat from another land. So you should actually be showing me more respect.”

“Well, my apologies Sir, I had forgotten.”

I visibly cringe at that remark “Now I just feel dirty. Tell you what, I’ll make you a deal. If you agree not to address me formally I won’t use your title either.”

“Deal, but only if you use my first name.” Silver Dagger persuades.

“Fine, Silver.” I agree, stretching out my hand.

“Then that settles it.” Silver reaches out and takes my hand in hoof and shakes it.

“When did Anon get so chummy with the locals?” One of the members asks their friend in a sarcastic tone.

“You think he’s already forgotten rule number 4?” His friend replies, letting out a small self satisfied chuckle.

My head slowly rotates back to face the two in a second, my calm practiced exception hiding the silent burning rage just behind my eyes. “Remember we’re all on the same team. Our job is to serve out our time here peacefully. And I’m offended by your insinuation that I would jeopardize my life over something as basic as sex.”

The team leader walks up between the other two, dispelling the tension in the air. He walks up and starts to walk along beside Silver Dagger and myself. “I must say General, I’m surprised” I see Silver’s eye twitch slightly at that remark.

‘I wonder if that was from him using her title or the fact that he found something surprising about her.’

“Whatever do you mean commander.” Silver asks, a slight sharpness to it.

“Both the princesses and yourself seem very open to outsiders. I figured at least some ponies would treat us as lesser creatures. Not that I think you’re that kind of pony, I just feel like once we leave, the atmosphere will change. ”

Silver seems to ponder the leader’s thought for a few moments. “I think you might be right. Even here in the castle there is a portion of the guard that doesn’t think very highly of humans. So I think the assumption that it will be worse out there in the rest of Equestria, isn’t very unlikely.”

As Silver finishes her response we arrive at a large open room filled with tables. At the west wall is a large table with different food laid out. Most of the ponies in the room glace up at our arrival, some scoff or frown at our presence, but most keep their mouths shut, most likely due to our escort. “I’ll go get us all a table, the rest of you go up and pick out a few items and just put them on a tray.“ Silver walks off towards the northeast corner and moves a few tables together to fit our large party.

Me and the rest of the party walk over to the large table and examine the display of various food items. The table is covered with different fruits and vegetables as well as some pre mixed salads, some of which even contain cheese and egg which surprises me slightly. I was aware Equestrians still used animal products just not meat, but actually seeing it is still a bit shocking.

After plating up some apples, an orange and a small salad I make my way over to the improvised table. Most of the members have already sat down. Each table can sit six people, but half of each table is pushed against the other so one side is unusable. Because of the way they are set up, our large table can sit sixteen people. Six on each side which makes twelve and the other four are at the heads.

I decide to take a seat at the end where the team leader and Silver were both at the head. I take my seat next to Silver and decide to try and get to know my team members better. “I know we didn’t really get to introduce ourselves back at the base, so do you all want to do that now?” I glance up and no one really looks surprised or nervous.

“Yeah that’s probably not a bad idea.” The leader says. “I’m 1, my name is Mark Hanson. I gained all my Equestrian knowledge from spending time with my daughter who always made me watch MLP with her.”

“one?” I ask, not understanding what the number was supposed to mean.

“Oh, right. You don’t know what that means. You see, we’re all given numbers when we join, in the order that we were found. In other words, I was the first recruit.”

“Ohh, that makes sense. Do you want to go in order then?” Mark gives a nod and the next person speaks up.

“I’m 2, my name is John Powers. I gained my knowledge from watching the show normally, but I was never a hardcore fan though I just thought is was cute, that’s how I passed the screening prosses.” John’s normal looking dude he’s skinny, short brown hair, a small scar under his left eye, and plain clothes.

“I’m 3, my name is Casie London. My friend Jenny was a super hardcore fan and I guessed I remembered a lot more than I thought I did, but my memory wasn’t good enough to remember all the really specific stuff that would have maked me as a risk.” Casie has bright blond hair, deep blue eyes, and is wrapped in an oversized red sweater.

“I’m 4, name’s Blake, Blake Moore. Got my knowledge from fanfiction my friend made me read, I never actually watched the show.” Blake had black hair, black earrings, a lip piercing, and he’s wearing a plain dark blue shirt and jeans.

“I’m 5, I go by Hanna, but my real name’s Dan Hallway. I learned what I know from watching the show while I was in transition.” Hanna’s wearing a black tank top with a dark green sports bra underneath. She has long golden yellow hair, green eyes and a muscular build.

“Number 6 over here.” A larger woman calls with a surprisingly quiet voice. She has long brown hair, freckled cheeks and is wearing a large purple shirt. “My name’s Abigail Healer, but everyone calls me Abby. I learned what I know from binging the show in college.”

“Sup I’m 9.” Calls one of the guys who was talking behind my back earlier. “By the way, sorry about before. We were just having some fun, you know?”

“Yeah, no problem, I get it. Besides, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious to know whether anyone here was actually going to try ‘getting closer’ to a pony.”

“I feel you, but I’d like to think no one here’s dumb enough to try it.”

“Yeah you have a point. Anyway, on with introductions.”

“Right, I’m 9, Name’s Alex Nano, that guy over there is 10, he’s also my brother Ian.” Alex pints over at the other guy he was talking to earlier. “We both gained our knowledge from watching the show with our little sister Marissa.” Ian and Alex look pretty similar give or take a few years. Both of them are thin but muscular with short brown hair and patchy beards. Ian's wearing a black shirt and jeans, while Alex is wearing a bright red shirt with blue sweatpants. Both of them also have matching silver bracelets.

“I’m 11, you already know me, I’m Marco. My full name is Marco Glass. I got all my info from research online after the Rift appeared. I wanted to learn more, but I didn’t actually want to be recruited.” Marco’s a large black guy with short black hair, and medium build. He’s wearing a big brown leather jacket, tight black jeans and, for some reason black fabric gloves.

“That’s number 12.” Marco says, pointing at a younger looking girl at the other end of the table. “She doesn’t talk much, all I know is her name is Sera Frost, I think she said she was 19.” The girl looks up from her meal at Marco and gives a nod before going back to eating. Sera’s a younger looking girl with curly black hair in a big light blue hoodie with large bags under her eyes.

“I’m 13.” the last guy calls out. I’ve been wondering about this one for a while now. 13 is a large guy maybe 6’3 and built like a semi truck, his muscles are huge and he’s a very opposing man. “My name’s Anthony Sulker, but all my friends call me Anton.”

“You already know me as well.” Marie says. “I’m 14, my full name is Marie Chimes. I got all my knowledge of the pony franchise from watching the show normally, I just have a good memory.”

“Well I guess that leaves me.” I say standing up to introduce myself. “It’s nice to meet you all, I’m 15. My name is Anon Filler, I look forward to working with you all and discovering all that we can about this better world.”

Author's Note

A/N
Huge shout out to everyone who's been supporting the story up to this point. I wouldn't be able to keep writing without the positive vibes to counteract the negative. Also if you like this story please leave a comment and tell me what you think, I want to here from people more.