Princess Luna stood upon her tower’s balcony, ethereal blue light shone from her horn and wafted away in quickly dissipating wisps of magic. Tonight had been a calm night if not a little strange in Ponyville of all places. Most nights in Equestria were calm. Few nightmares plagued the populace these days, and those that did were more often than not resolved rather quickly. In essence, most of her nights were rather boring. Night court had met some resistance from the nobility on its re-establishment. Many argued that her first and foremost duty as guardian of the night was to stave off non-existent nightmares.

Princess Luna sighed as these thoughts greeted her mind's return to the material realm. The magic around her horn solidified and returned to its normal aura, retaining its pale blue color. The magic strengthened as she probed her connection to the moon, preparing to lower it. Her sister's magical signature in the dreamscape had winked out only minutes ago. As the connection was made, she frowned. Something was off. It was barely noticeable, but in thousands of years, the only thing that changed the way the moon felt was meteor impacts. And those were much more perceptible. She would have felt one as soon as it happened. She focused her mind, but nothing jumped out. She focused more as she paused the moon’s lowering, her eyes squeezing in concentration.

“Where are you?” She asked.

Light bled through her eyelids as the sun began to peek over the horizon. Luna scowled in frustration before relenting and setting the moon completely. The energy provided by said frustration quickly retreated. Luna looked down at the floor of her balcony, the lack of sleep rushing to her head. The sparkling white marble was becoming more and more luminous as the sun continued to rise. The fringe of her mane hung in her vision as her brain tiredly pondered what on Equus she felt. Luna turned and began making her way back to her room to sleep through the day. As she crossed the threshold a knock came at her door.

“Enter,” she called, her gaze moving to the threshold. Pale yellow magic enveloped the door, pushing the handle down and gently swinging the door open. Princess Luna’s elder sister and co-ruler of the Equestrian Diarchy, Princess Celestia stood just outside Luna’s room. A concerned frown marred her normally pleasant demeanor.

“Tia, what troubles you?” Luna asked after a beat.

“Twilight has sent me an… interesting message,” Celestia said, choosing her words carefully.

“You seem hardly pleased,” Luna observed.

“I am concerned for how the general populace will react, but I’d like to hear your thoughts as well,” Celestia said before she presented a piece of parchment to her sister.

Luna took the parchment in her own magic before beginning to read.

“Dear Princesses Celestia and Luna,

Last night, the town of Ponyville received a rude awakening from a supersonic overhead flight. I believe that most of the town’s residents, (as I initially did) thought the disturbance was a late-night practice session from Rainbow Dash. However, Rainbow Dash denied any connection to the event, and shortly after we received word that something foreign had disturbed the Everfree, closer to the ground. Moments later, we were also informed that the Cutie Mark Crusaders (Three local fillies, whom I’m sure you remember fondly) had left on their own to try and find Rainbow Dash. The other Element Bearers and I immediately entered the forest, following a flare which we believed to be cast by Sweetie Belle. Arriving at the flare's location, we found the Cutie Mark Crusaders thankfully unharmed and surrounded by several former timberwolves. After some discussion, Apple Bloom informed us that they had been rescued by an unknown creature. A succinct amalgamation of all the descriptors used by the Cutie Mark Crusaders to describe this creature would be a tall, lean, and lanky minotaur with incorrect proportions and no snout.

Whatever this creature was, it was utilizing advanced technology. The Timberwolves were dispatched by powerful, concentrated bursts of energy, leaving significant scorch marks and even splintered and destroyed sticks. However, the Timberwolf remains bore no magical residue other than the energies they had previously contained. And the flare! The aforementioned flare was launched by the creature. It was pyrotechnical, but the only way to put it out was to leave it frozen in ice for some time. It continued to burn whilst starved of oxygen and even underwater! I had to extinguish it in ice, twice! After removing the flare from the ice immediately following the successful extinguishing, it reignited.

Deciding to investigate further, all ponies present (we decided it safer to stick together) followed the instructions of one of Fluttershy’s animal friends to find the foreign object. I struggle to describe it beyond “metallic and blocky”, but I have strong suspicions that it was what flew overhead. It had these strange oval openings spread evenly across the craft which were radiating heat.

All evidence and events from tonight strongly indicate that we have a visitor from the stars! I have already extended it an invitation to Golden Oaks Library by way of a note I left at its ship. It will be arriving sometime this afternoon by the time you read this letter, and I hope that both of you can come to greet this future friend!

Your faith fellow princess,

Twilight Sparkle”

Luna blinked a few times as she reread the last paragraph her excitement growing.

“Celestia! Think of all it could teach us!” Luna said, a beaming smile on her muzzle.

“I’m excited too Lu Lu,” Celestia said with her own softer smile. “But how do we inform the populace?” Celestia asked, her smile wavering.

“That is a question for a later date. We must depart for Ponyville, posthaste!” Luna said. A determination that Celestia hadn’t seen in over a thousand years burned in her eyes.

“And we will, Lu Lu,” Celestia said, a smile returning at Luna’s excitement. “But perhaps it would be better if we informed Princess Cadence as well before we depart?” Celestia asked, knowing the answer. Luna’s ears splayed back against her head in a show of mild embarrassment.

“Of course, sister. We- I was merely excited,” A sheepish grin splayed across her muzzle. Celestia smiled knowingly. Using her magic, Celestia quickly penned a small note and sent it and Twilight’s letter with a pop. There was a long pause before Celestia spoke again.

“Perhaps while we await a reply, we can plan on how to break this news to the populace,” Celestia suggested.

“Prudent as always Tia. We don’t need our welcome to be-” Luna was cut off by a flash of blue light.

Before them, stood a pink alicorn mare with a purple and yellow mane that curled along her neck and withers. She was slightly winded, and a few stray sparks jumped from her horn indicating recent strenuous magic use. Across her back were a pair of saddlebags and on her flank was the depiction of a crystalline heart with multiple geometric facets around its center and two golden ribbons beneath. For a moment the only sound in the room was the breathing of the new arrival as the other two blinked in surprise at her sudden arrival.

“That was fast,” Celestia idly observed. The arrival took a few deep breaths and composed herself.

“Twilight needs our help, Auntie Celestia. And any chance to get out from under that paperwork,” She responded. Celestia smirked at that.

“Shirking responsibility is unbecoming of a princess, Cadence,” Celestia said mirthfully. Luna spared a glance at her empty desk, a pang of envy echoed in the back of her mind but she quickly pushed it away.

“Shiny has it well under control,” Cadence said waving a forehoof.

“Regardless, we are grateful for your swift arrival. Shall we prepare for departure?” Luna asked, eager to be off.

“We shall,” Celestia agreed.

“Lead the way,” Cadence said with a smile.

Luna nodded before taking the lead out of her quarters. The guards out front bowed at her arrival.

“Are either of you a messenger?” Luna asked. The guard on her left, closest to the stairs raised his head.

“I am Your Highness,” he said immediately.

“We require transport to Ponyville immediately. Prepare chariots,” Luna said. The messenger hesitated for a moment before he schooled his features and bowed.

“Yes, Your Highness!” The messenger saluted before turning away.

“Messenger?” Celestia called, causing him to pause and return to attention.

“Perhaps it would be better if you had the royal locomotive prepared. No procession, please?” Celestia asked. The messenger looked between the sisters briefly, having received conflicting orders.

“As you recommend sister,” Luna said.

“Yes, Your Highnesses!” The messenger saluted before galloping away.

Luna craned her neck around after the messenger had departed.

“We have one of those?” Luna asked

“Indeed,” Celestia said with a nod. "Perhaps I should lead the way to our departure?” She asked. Luna nodded and allowed her sister to take the lead. Their journey throughout the castle was in relative silence. Guards at their stations and various palace staff bowed at their passing. Celestia led them into the main courtyard where four royal guards awaited their arrival. Without a word, they fell into formation, escorting them into the cobbled streets of Canterlot.

Despite its small size Canterlot was abuzz with activity. Ponies of every shape, size, and color milled about the streets of the equestrian capital. They all turned to gape at the royal procession before quickly bowing as they passed. Luna’s ears picked up whispers from the ponies that stared after they rose. Her eyes began to drift towards the ground and her ears flicked as her experiences in Ponyville on Nightmare Night shortly after her return came to mind. She glanced at Celestia in front of her. Ever calm and ever confident. Her sister strode on, nodding to those who bowed. Luna tried to follow her example but everywhere she met eyes, they held that uncertainty that she loathed. Cadence bumped her withers against Luna’s as a means to comfort her. Luna smiled gratefully at the attempt. Overhead a pegasus with a camera flew slowly, circling. The click of their camera barely audible over hushed whispers on the road.

Celestia led them through a few turns until their destination was finally in sight. Groups of Ponies became less dense as they approached the Canterlot Train station. They walked through the spartan waiting area to the southbound platforms, station staff bowing as they approached. On the farthest platform stood two guards, who bowed at their arrival. Just behind them on the only platform that was not numbered was a single locomotive engine with a single car attached after its coal car. The engine and coal car seemed identical to the ones present at other platforms, the only difference being instead of bearing a number, they bore the Equestrian flag. The singular car was a pristine white that also bore the flag of Equestria and had a narrow entryway, prompting the three princesses to subconsciously shift into a single file line. A red carpet welcomed them on board. The four guards who were escorting them had stopped on the platform and assumed a bow. Celestia paused just before boarding, noting the bowing team of engineers that operated the locomotive.

“I hope we didn’t arrive too early?” Celestia asked them. Luna glanced up at the locomotive, seeing that steam wafted up from the top and underneath the wheels. Dark gray smoke laden with fine particulates rose steadily from the smokestack. The train was obviously ready, Celestia was just being nice.

“Of course not, Your Highnesses,” The leftmost engineer replied, rising from his bow, prompting the others to do the same. “Nothing else in the train yard, really. Getting the tender filled took no time at all,” The stallion continued.

“Excellent work as always, Rolling Thunder,” Celestia said with a smile before boarding. Rolling Thunder stood a little taller, bowing his head deeply to each princess as they passed.

“Gentlecolts! Get to work! Steel-” Whatever else Rolling Thunder had to say was cut off as Cadence closed the boarding door. Luna’s eyes caught flashes of movement through the windows as the engineers started making preparations to depart.

The interior of the car was simple, a red carpeted floor that padded the hooves of anypony present, and four elongated thrones separated from the corners and each other by small stands. The throne closest to the entrance was made from white marble with gold inlay and had a red cushion. The throne directly across from it was made from polished onyx, it had clear gemstones set in patterns mimicking the most well-known constellations and was adorned with a a blue cushion. Next to what Luna assumed was her seat was a throne carved from rose quartz with curling blue patterns of different quartz. Golden trim adorned its edges and a yellow cushion sat atop it. Finally, across from the third throne was another crystal throne. This one was carved from amethyst and had a white cushion. It was adorned with a few starburst-shaped pink gems. Large windows stretching the length of each throne with curtains tied back afforded a near-panoramic view of the surroundings. The two separate pieces of wall that joined each pair of windows held lamps and up above a skylight ran along the entire length of the train car.

Celestia quickly made herself comfortable and perched upon her throne, her forelegs and hind legs tucked beneath her body. Princess Cadence also quickly took to her throne, choosing to leave her legs flat out underneath her body which rested against the back of the throne. Luna simply stared at her throne.

“Is it not to your liking?” Celestia asked.

“No. I like it very much,” Luna quickly reassured her sister, who she assumed had some hoof in the design based on the question. “I’m just surprised,” she said.

“Surprised?” Celestia asked.

“It’s a little large for a train don’t you think?” Luna asked.

“Maybe for this journey, but these will also serve as beds should we need to make use of the train car overnight,” Celestia explained.

“Ahh,” Luna responded in understanding. She climbed up and sat on her haunches.

“Lu lu,” Celestia began. “When we start moving, you may fall over. I recommend laying down until we reach speed,”

Luna complied, and just in the nick of time. There was a muffled hiss from below and from the engine up front, a bell began to ring. The bell rang five times before the train’s whistle sounded, low and wailing. It seemed to echo off the station's walls. The bell rang ceaselessly and monotonously.

Chuff

The train lurched, and all the inhabitants were rocked gently.

Chuff

…

Chuff

The whistle sounded again. The train was picking up speed now.

Chuff… chuff… chuff chuff chuff chuff chuff

The noise of the steam engine became background noise as the whistle wailed again. Daylight bloomed into the car as the train pulled out into the open. Ninety minutes to Ponyville

Author's Note

INCOMING TRANSMISSION
ORIGIN: SOL SYSTEM
DECODING
I struggled a bit with this one, but I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. As always leave any feedback you feel is necessary. I'm always trying to improve! Thanks for reading, and I'll hopefully see you in the next chapter.
END TRANSMISSION