Jace looked around at the ponies that had remained in the town hall with him. He had never before seen pity in the eyes of any but Doctor Delia, the woman in charge of the entire Diablo program. She had been the mastermind that had allowed them to win the war and finally bring about peace. Yet, here these mares were, looking at him with nothing but pity in their eyes. It confounded him. How could they, who had only known him for a couple of hours, truly pity him? His confusion must have shown on his face, because Twilight spoke up.

"Mr. Veritas? You ok?" She asked, noting how confused and uncomfortable he was with all the attention on him. hmmm. He must not be used to having everypony looking to him anymore. Maybe I should get the girls to introduce themselves.

Jace looked up at twilight and nodded. "I'm alright, Twilight," he responded. I shouldn't tell her what's on my mind. It'd probably upset her and her friends. "So...You all know about me, but I don't really know anything about all of you, except Twilight, and even I only really know her name. Oh, and please, just call me Jace."

"Oh, how silly of us. We never properly introduced ourselves," The white unicorn said, with a subtle glance at his body. "Well, allow me to start, darling. My name is Rarity. I'm more of a dress and clothes maker than a warrior, i'm afraid, but I've jumped in with both hooves to protect my little sister, Sweetie Belle, and my friends. I'm also the Element of Generosity."

"Howdy, Partner," Said the orange earth pony mare in a southern drawl, tipping her rather impressive stetson. "The name's Applejack. Ah'm an apple farmer and a rodeo mare. If'n It wasn't fer the war Me and Mah Brother, Big Macintosh, would be harvestin' the orchard now. But we do what we can while protectin' our family and friends, especially our little sister, Applebloom. Ah'm the Element of Honesty."

"Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie," said the energetic, pink earth pony, sporting what could only be described as cotton candy hair. "I'm the element of Laughter! My hobbies include throwing parties, making everypony smile and baking. OH! I should totally throw you a party! I'll need balloons, streamers, and pin the tail on the pony and cake and candy and punch! It's gonna be so much fun!"

"Oh man! I still can't believe what you've been through," said the rainbow-maned pegasus. "You're just a little colt. Anyway, I'm Rainbow Dash, fastest flier in Equestria and the most awesome mare you'll ever know. I like to nap and do stunts. Other than that, there isn't much to say, other than I'm a huge fan of the Wonderbolts and Daring Doo, and I'm the element of Loyalty."

The yellow pegasus shuffled awkwardly. "M-my name is F-fluttershy," She stated quietly, her earlier courage gone after hugging Jace, though he had no problem hearing her. "I take care of the animals around ponyville and I don't really like all the fighting...it's really scary. B-but I try to help however I can.I even help at the medical outposts every now and then. Oh and I'm the element of Kindness."

Jace smiled at Fluttershy warmly. "I can understand how a rather timid pegasus like you wouldn't like all the fighting and violence," He said calmly and soothingly, patting her hand gently, though he was rather confused at all this talk of them being elements. "No one truly enjoys war, unless they are insane. I'll do my best to protect you and your animal friends, as well as all your pony friends, I promise. You have no need to be afraid of me."

Twilight looked on as Jace, this seemingly unstoppable juggernaut of a warrior (judging from his tales from earlier), showed them all an extremely sensitive side they would not have expected. At that moment, it was almost as if he wasn't a warrior at all, but rather a physical embodiment of peace and serenity. It was lie seeing a different person than the man she had met earlier in the Everfree forest. That man, in his armor, had been like a God of Battle and slaughter, shining with a fire none could hope to put out. Never had she seen such skill and swift determination to destroy an opponent before. Twilight smiled to herself as she thought about everything she had learned about this one man. She also notice the look of confusion on his face and realized they hadn't told him about the elements of harmony. It was then that she decided to finally speak up.

"So Mr.Veritas...Jace, you've learned a bit about my closest friends, guess it's time you learned a bit about me too," She said, still smiling. "As you already know, my name is Twilight Sparkle. I'm the personal student of Princess Celestia and have always had a studious nature, bordering on unsociable before I moved to Ponyville. I'm the element of Magic. By combining my element with the others, we make what are known as the elements of harmony, an ancient magic with great power to purge the evil within somepony or to trap the disharmonious in stone."

Jace stared at Twilight, smiling his soothing smile and nodded. "thank you for explaining that, miss Twilight. I was going to ask about what they all meant by being elements, but you have already answered," He stated as he stood from the table. "now I must ask you all something. Do any of you have a place I could use as a temporary living quarters? Preferably with a shower or bath?"

Rarity perked up at this, sensing her chance to take him home and get his measurements for clothes, and, If she were truly honest with herself, try and get to know him better. "Oh, you simply must stay with me, Darling," She said rather enthusiastically. "I have all the things you'll need. A bathroom, spare bedroom, and a fully stocked kitchen."

Pinkie smiled. "OH OH! You could stay with me! That way we can become bestest buddies in the whole wide world and I can Throw a "Jace is staying with Pinkie" Party too! It'll be awesome! plus I have all the stuff you need too! and even more sweets!!"

Applejack smiled at her friends enthusiasm. "well pardner, Y'all could always stay with me and mah family out at Sweet Apple Acres, so long as ya don't mind helping out around the place." The farm mare offered.

"i'd invite you to stay with me," Rainbow Dash said with a shrug. "But I'm not sure a cloud house would be a good place for you to crash."

Fluttershy blushed and hid behind her mane. "W-well you could stay with me," She whispered. "that is if it's alright with you. I have all the stuff you need as well."

Twilight looked around at her friends, smiling at them. "well Jace," she stated, with a somewhat knowing look in her eyes. "I have everything you'd need too. As well as a library, should you wish to study up on Equestria as a whole. But ultimately, the choice of where to stay is up to you."

Jace stood quietly for a few moments, thinking about what he should do. He was having a difficult time deciding where to stay. Soon, however, He smiled and stretched. "If it's alright with all of you, I think I'll bunk at Twilight's home tonight and tomorrow so I can study the geography and history of Equestria."

The mares all nodded, though Rarity was slightly disappointed that such a dashing warrior had decided to go with her bookworm friend. They all knew that he would probably choose Twilight's so he could study, but the were at least hoping it wouldn't be for long, as they all wanted to get to know him more as a friend. Thus, their meeting over and that old devil named sleep nipping at their hooves/heels, they all went their separate ways, save for Twilight and Jace, as they were going to the same place. All the hile Jace was thinking: I wonder what surprises this world has in store for me next.

Author's Note

This is going to be the start of some of the next few days in the story. I know there wasn't a battle or anything but I'm hoping for some good inspiration before I really start on the bigger stuff. Hope you enjoyed the chapter!