They were everyone, representatives and people alike looking up expectantly at the balcony. 'Princess Celestia' would be making her address from there in mere moments. This was the first time an alien had ever spoken to an audience of humanity, and predictably they were excited. Many of the well-to-do guests had seats reserved at the front, while as many people as could physically fit on the street looked on.

Everyone had seen the first contact broadcast, and knew about the sphere that the Equestrians had come through. Time had passed since the cathartic cry that rang clearly across both realms: "We are not alone!" After the remarkably few differences between the species had been noted and cultures exchanged, came the ceremony. The 'official' welcome.

People everywhere watched the broadcast in real time over the hypernet, and every public screen that could be spared also captured the image and sent it, censor-free and with subtitles (in other languages where needed) to the most people ever to see the same broadcast in the history of mankind.

It was amazing, in fact practically impossible coincidence that the only language barrier was that these 'Equestrians' spoke English. Many gathered there did too, but it was still strange to think of something an alien speaking a human dialect by chance alone.

Celestia trotted purposefully to the front of the stage. A microphone waited for her, and a tiny pop was heard as it was turned on.

The bizarre aurora of her mane rippled and framed her body in glowing rainbow light.

"Fellow beings.," she began, to be welcomed by deafening applause. She smiled a genuine smile and stopped for a moment as the cheering died down.

"I am honoured; humbled to stand here today in your presence. As an outsider, I was astonished by what you are capable of achieving with technology. From what I've been told, somewhere on nine billion people are currently watching me speak from everywhere around this planet. If you had told me this was happening not so long ago, I would have dismissed such a thing as folly."

She paused for a moment before continuing, "You, mankind have shown me things I may never fully understand, and still only scarcely believe exist. Your machines are as mythical to me as I was to you, a true testament to your technical prowess.

When I first came here, I was surprised that there was a species that thrived so thoroughly in a world completely lacking magic. Now that I have met you, I can see the sheer tenacity and persistence of your kind. I can see that you exist the way you are because only your level of bravery and obstinate refusal to surrender would let you thrive."

A round of clapping followed this, after which she continued speaking. "It is to this nature of humanity that I must unfortunately bring bad news." A quiet settled on the crowd. If the first address by a different species was bad news, it was probably the extraordinary kind.

"It is to the nature of humanity to adapt to adversity that I must be the harbinger of poor tidings. The bubble-like 'Barrier' through which I reached your world is slowly expanding."

The audience went dead silent.

"Due to the nature of the magical field that exists in the realm of Equestria, it is impossible for a human to enter without unfortunate side effects. Work is being done to find a way to stop the Barrier, but until such a time as a solution is found, I must be truthful with you.

A human once came to Equestria. He arrived in an age now lost to myth and legend, yet he is indelibly written in our history. The human who came became a spirit of chaos, a power-mad lunatic god blessed with extraordinary power and cruelty. He filled some element that our cosmos was lacking and was transformed into the embodiment of chaos."

The crowd watched in stunned silence as Celestia continued.

"After an era of strife under the rule of chaos, the Elements of Harmony came into being: magical artefacts with the power to forge a balance between order and disorder. They turned him into stone, and our realm has sat completely static ever since.

The rumours you might have heard saying that we control our weather and seasons are true! This is simply a fact of nature in Equestria. Even the sun and moon will not move without our control, and I along with my sister Luna carry out that task."

People in the audience murmured to each other but Celestia pressed on.

"It is for this reason that I am reluctant to allow you to enter Equestria. I am no longer certain what effect magic will have on you, as when last one of you made the journey between the realms, mine was one of primordial magic.

As a result, teams of scientists from both our worlds and magic experts from my own will be collaborating to investigate a safe way for you to enter my realm. If that is done then we will share in each other's plenty. The main goal of the research will be to stop the expansion of the Barrier."

Quiet applause marked her words.

"And if we should succeed..."

Silence again.

"We will usher in a new age of mutual exploration and progress, and share in the glory of each other's worlds. We will combine our efforts to learn from each other and better ourselves, and most importantly humanity will join the enclave of sapient species that inhabit not only Equestria, but both our realms as a whole."

Raucous applause broke out, the people now knew why Celestia had denied them entry, but she had given them hope and doom in one fell swoop. Celestia walked back from the balcony as Ambassador Evans strode up to the microphone. The cheering respectfully petered out as he spoke, and it was said long after that if people did not remember Dr Thomas Evans' face, they could recognise his raspy baritone anywhere.

He looked like a man out of time, dressed in archaic formal clothing and brandishing a strange mane of facial hair.

"As our honoured guest Princess Celestia has just told us, the World Assembly and the nation of Equestria will be working together to uncover the nature of the Barrier. As of now, from all around the world we will be recruiting people from all occupations for this vast undertaking. Information on how you can help will be available from any Info-Kiosk, under the name 'Project Aether'. I thank you all for coming tonight."

Polite cheering ensued. The hypernet broadcast ceased.

"Help yourselves to the refreshments provided, we can wait until tomorrow to worry about the Barrier!"

The crowd milled about and Evans joined Celestia and Luna in the antechamber to the balcony. The two sisters reclined on flat lounges and Evans sat himself heavily down in an armchair, sighing in relief.

"So how well did you think that went, Celestia?" he asked, propping his head on his arm, tired from the preparations for the night. The princesses had asked for him to dispense with formality when they were off camera, and in return they could speak freely with each other.

"I can only hope your kind are truly like my own," said Celestia, "Project Aether calls humanity to action for its very survival, and I cannot think of a better motivation."

"Do you think you were right to tell them the whole story?" asked Luna, sipping curiously from a glass of champagne offered by the waiters.

"Despite what a thousand years in policy might have taught me Luna, yes, the whole story. These are a proud people. I feel that even one as subtle as I could not hide the truth from nine billion pairs of eyes."

"You'd be surprised," chuckled the doctor, who reclined in his chair, "But I agree that the backlash if we chose to hide anything here would be devastating."

Celestia levitated a glass of the wine to herself and Evans, and called for a toast. "To Project Aether then."

Luna and Evans raised their glasses in response and all three drank to the future.

Author's Note

If my illustrations are too big, let me know and I'll scale them down. As always, all feedback is welcome.