Planet Equis, Realm of Equestria, Capital City of Canterlot

Royal Palace, Grand Conference Room

The sight before the eyes of Twilight Sparkle, the newly crowned Princess of Magic, could simply be described in two words…a menagerie. A crowd of not just ponies, but Griffons, Minotaurs, Dragons, Yaks, and members of other races from across their world were scurrying about the Palace, preparing for a massive diplomatic summit under the supervision of Princesses Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Twilight Sparkle, with protection provided by Prince Shining Armor.

This summit had been months if not years in the making, as the recent defeat of Lord Tirek made it necessary to host such an event for the sake of their world and international cooperation. Tirek's rampage had been stopped, but the community of races across the planet had collectively asked Celestia not only to ensure this wouldn't happen again, but to facilitate a summit so countless other diplomatic issues could be solved in one stroke.

There had been few events like this before, and it certainly wouldn't be the last, Twilight thought to herself, as she watched a quartet of griffons bearing their royal family's seal haul in a wagon of luggage and accoutrements, sweating visibly as they did, but were steadfast in their work nonetheless.

Twilight did have to admit that without her friends and the Elements of Harmony helping her, she would've been overwhelmed by far. Each Element Bearer was tasked with overseeing a certain aspect of the Summit, and everything was going quite smoothly.

Rainbow Dash had been given command of the Canterlot Weather Team to ensure that inclement weather would not be present at times, and if it was needed, to keep a storm from forming. So far, it was bright and sunny, though a few white clouds peppered the sky.

Applejack was in charge of logistics, and making sure every piece of cargo went to its proper destination, where Rarity would supervise its prompt unpacking and use. She had also been chosen to sew gowns for a ball that was to occur at the halfway point of the summit. In a matter of hours, Rarity had produced four masterpieces for the Princesses, which were now kept in the Royal Wardrobes.

Pinkie Pie was in the lead for food, decorations, and accommodations. To her credit, her outlandish quirks worked wonders for her, as many doubtful Griffons found out first-hoof. She was a pink blur as she zipped from place to place, ensuring everything was perfectly suited for each of the delegates.

Lastly, Fluttershy was given the post of keeping any pets or animal companions healthy, happy, and comfortable. The Palace commons had been retrofitted into a temporary animal shelter, and the Element of Kindness was now preparing several wooden huts with bedding, water, and food. It was known that at least two delegates were bringing animals or mounts with them, so there needed to be a variety of lodgings immediately ready for them.

In charge of all of this was Princess Twilight Sparkle. As she gratefully took an offered glass of water from Spike, who was sitting next to her on a little chair of his own, she sucked in a breath and looked at her number-one assistant.

"What's up?" Spike asked, not looking up from the comic book he was reading. To his side was a quite tall pile of additional comics to keep him occupied during the summit.

"Well, everything seems to be in order for the summit." Twilight nodded as the activity started to slow in increments. "I think I could use a little break. Wanna take a walk, get some fresh air?"

Spike hopped up onto Twilight's back, and they were about to head for the door when a Solar Guard called out to her. Twilight came over, and asked what the matter was.

"We're not entirely sure if your attention is warranted, Princess." the Guard replied. "But we do think you need to see it for yourself, as you're currently in charge. Please follow me."

====

Princess Twilight and Spike were led out of the Palace towards a section of the garden near the left-side wall that faced the city. To the surprise of both Twilight and Spike, three other Solar Guards were holding position near a large depression in the ground.

"A sinkhole?" Spike asked, very much confused. "What's the problem with it?"

"It's not supposed to be there, Spike." Twilight responded. "Canterlot Palace was built on a bed of solid rock made from the stone on the mountain. Then in a place like here, a small layer of soil is placed to facilitate the growing of plants and trees. it's not deep enough for a sinkhole to form, and there hasn't been any heavy rain here recently."

"So what are your orders?" a Solar Guard asked.

"First, let's see what's actually beneath us." Twilight said, tapping into her magic for an imaging spell that penetrated the ground beneath the sinkhole, painting an image of what lay below in her mind.

"There's a statue down there. Or at least, I think it's a statue." Twilight reported with a raised eyebrow. "It's not made from stone, that's for certain. Guards, seeing as there are four of you, will two of you find Princess Celestia and ask if there's supposed to be a statue here. And will you see if we can get some extra help in lifting it out, if necessary?" she said to another guard. All three saluted and rushed away, leaving the guard who had first found them by himself.

"If I may ask, Princess…" he said. "What exactly are you planning?"

"I'm planning on seeing this statue for myself." Twilight responded, summoning her magic and clearing the ground around the object, neatly moving it away and into a groundskeepers' reservoir. Then, she looked at the object, and hopped down into the well.

"Princess, be careful!" the Guard cautioned.

"I'll be sure of it." she replied. The statue was like a rounded obelisk on a curved mount, and it glowed in a pale green light, on a background of blue and black metal that reflected her image like a mirror.

"Metal?" Twilight said out loud. "I thought all the statues in the palace were made from stone."

"Princess, I must advise you to come out of there. I don't think it's supposed to be here!" the Guard asked again. "Plus…I don't like the look of it."

"Neither do I, but You know what they say, though. Nothing ventured, nothing gained." she responded. She reached out with a hoof, and lightly touched the gleaming surface.

Then, she collapsed in pain as her head began to scream. Images flashed through her mind, of places she had never seen before, of beings not from Equis, and a massive armada of claw-shaped things traveling across the stars.

She saw war on an unbelievable scale and planets laying lifeless and broken. Countless numbers of beings fighting against their enemies and being slaughtered in the process, on both land and in space.

There was an absolutely massive battle in space above a planet much like Equis. Ships from both sides exchanging fire, maneuvering, and being destroyed. Lastly, aboard a five-winged station, a single hand reached outwards, to a golden light.

The last thing Twilight saw was a bipedal being reaching towards the horizon, a strange object in his right hand as he grasped outward with his left. On h upper right chest lay a singular symbol, the couplet N7 in red and white.

Then, in a flash of white light, her mind cleared and the pain lifted. She staggered, trying to get upright, when she felt a pair of hooves hlp steady herself. The lone Solar Guard had jumped down and was helping her upwards, and judging that Spike was absent, he must've gone for help.

"What happened, Princess? Are you alright?" the Guard asked, helping her to sit down against a tree.

"I think I'm okay." she replied. "When I touched that object, I saw things in my mind, like a vision."

"What kinds of things?" a vocie asked, tinged with urgency.

They both turned to see Princess Celestia approach, Spike and five Solar Guards by her side. She knelt down next to her student, and again asked what she had seen.

"I'm not sure, it was all coming and going so fast, and I felt like I was having my brain be split in two during the process. I know I saw a enormous space battle, as sciene-fiction-y as it sounds, these giant claw-ships destroying entire planets, and races that were certainly not from Equis."

"Then, there was a figure grasping a star, with "N7" written on his chest." Twilight added. "Then, it all went away."

Celestia was silent, as she contemplated her student's words.

"May I look into your memories? I wish to see these visions for myself." she asked. Twilight nodded, and Celestia peeked into Twilight's mind using her magic. To her shock, she also saw clear images of what Twilight had glimpsed. From the claw-ships, to the being grasping the stars.

After a few moments, she had seen all she needed. Ending the spell, she helped Twilight upright and to her hooves,

“What are we going to do?” Twilight asked. “We can’t just tell everyone here that we just saw proof that, and I can’t believe I’m saying this…aliens…exist. I don’t think anyone would believe us without concrete proof. Seeing as we’re the only race that can use magic…”

“You’re right, Twilight.” Celestia said. “For now, the four of us shall keep this to ourselves. Whatever happens as a result of this, we’ll deal with it together. Don’t tell a soul about what we’ve discussed.”

“Sounds like…wait, four?” Twilight stuttered as he realized what Celestia said. Then both alicorns and Spike turned to the astounded Guardspony, who nodded in understanding.

“May I have your name and rank?” Celesia asked.

“Gruadspony Brave Spark, Princess” he replied. Celestia bid him to remove his helmet, which dispelled the illusion magic that kept his appearance hidden. It was a safety measure from Celestia and Luna’s early rule that still proved effective today. Spark was about Twilight’s height, with a tan coat and a pale blue mane, with gray eyes.

“Well, Brave Spark, I hereby reassign you to the post of personal Guard to Princess Twilight Sparkle, effective immediately.” Celestia said with finality, causing Twilight, Spike, and her new protector to drop their jaws and prepare to speak, only Celestia held up her hoof for them to bet quiet.

“Listen, I know this seems like it’s spur of the moment, and it is.” Celestia said. “We can work out all the details and problems after the summit. I emphasize that for now, this is a temporary measure to keep our…discovery, for lack of a better word, quiet. Just go with the flow, cross every bridge when it comes, and you’ll be fine.”

“Twilight, just trust me on this.” She continued. “As I said, we’ll all work out the finer points once we’re in private and the summit is finished. Can I trust you both to go along with this?”

“Yes, Princess.” Spark nodded. “If Princess Twilight consents as well.”

“Well, there’s not much point in saying otherwise.” Twilight added. “Let’s get back inside, I’d bet the delegates are here by now, or are just arriving.”

In that moments, bells began to ring, as a signal for all working in the Palace to finish up their work, and get ready for the summit to begin.

“I believe you’re correct.” Celestia said, as Spike hopped onto Twilight’s back. “Shall we be off?”

The four of them returned to the palace to prepare, and in that moment, Twilight felt a small shift in her mood towards one of optimism. Brave bit his lip in trepidation but resolved himself to push forward, Spike was completely confused, and Celestia was giving off an air of caution, eager to shift the images she had seen out of her mind.

As they left the area, the object glowed white instead of green, then it went dark, sending an invisible signal across the stars, like an ever-burning flame in vast the darkness of space.

Author's Note

MY MUSE FOR MASS EFFECT HAS RETURNED!

In all seriousness, I wanted to do a Mass Effect crossover ever since I got the remastered edition on my Xbox. Though the current status of my Commander Shepard is still in the early stage of ME1 (I’m currently finding Liara T’Soni), I hope to have it completed someday.

I will have a few OCs in Shepard’s crew as new assignments to the Normandy, but only one will be on the away team. Also, for those who saw the roster and noticed the “Redacted” character entry, that member’s reveal comes later in the story, once the Normandy arrives at Equis.

One more thing: If anyone reading knows enough about Mass Effect to aid me in understanding the canon of the series, please PM me, as I could use the assistance.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy!

Next chapter - The Prothean Beacon’s activation on Equis does not go unnoticed by the Systems Alliance, and Javik, Admiral Hackett, and Commander Shepard confer on a plan of action. In the meantime, the summit on Equis begins at last…