I'm back, and still wondering why the hell I'm a brony. So that means I'm still writing this, in the hopes that the transition is easier. I already said that, didn't I? Anyway, in the event that any of you are wondering, I am running a Mass Effect game and transcribing it into ponies. (Female/Adept/Earthborn/Sole Survivor/Sniper bonus talent)

For the record, I do have a mental explanation for the lack of sense this will probably make, but I'm too lazy to type it out. Really the whole reason I'm doing this is just because I was curious about how Twilight's personality would fit into Mass Effect and all the galaxy-effecting decisions you make in it. Ah, whatever, game time! Guess which pony get which role! (And yes, I do intend to do the whole trilogy.)

"I'm telling you, I just saw him." Twilight Sparkle heard the ship's navigator say into a computer terminal as she made her way through the CIC. "He marched by like he was on a mission."

"He's a rider. They're always on a mission." That was the engineer.

"And we're getting dragged right along with him."

"Relax, Pressly, you're going to give yourself a bellyache."

Pressly turned to see Twilight standing behind her. An aging, gray-coated mare with a map-shaped cutie mark, she saluted when she realized who she was facing. "Congratulations, Commander, looks like we had a smooth run. You heading down to see the Captain?"

"Sounds like you don't trust our Everfree guest." Twilight stated, cutting past the pleasantries.

"Sorry, Commander, just having a chat with Adams down in engineering. Didn't mean to cause any trouble. But you have to admit, there's something odd about this mission. The whole crew feels it."

That piqued Sparkle's interest, "You think the brass is holding out on us?"

"If all we're supposed to do is test out the stealth system, then why is Captain Celestia in charge? And then there's Neighlus. Riders are elite operatives. Top covert agents. Why send a rider, an Everfree rider, on a shakedown run? It doesn't add up."

Sparkle had to admit, it was odd. She nodded. "I'll see if I can get some answers when I see him."

Twilight continued on to the back of the CIC, where she found Corporal Derpy Hooves speaking with the ship's doctor.

"I grew up on Phillydelphia, doc. It's not the kind of place riders visit. There's something Neighlus isn't telling us about this mission."

"That's crazy." The doctor responded, "The captain's in charge here. She wouldn't take orders from a rider."

Hooves noticed Twilight approaching, and saluted her. "What do you think, Commander? We won't be staying on Phillydelphia too long, will we? I want to see some real action!"

"I hope you're kidding, Corporal. Your 'real action' usually ends up with me stitching your squadmates back together."

"Only a fool goes looking for a fight, Corporal." Twilight chimed in, supporting the doctor.

"I know, Commander. But I've never been on a mission like this before, not with a rider onboard!"

"Just do your job, follow your orders, and there won't be any problems."

"But this is my big chance! I need to show the brass what I can do!"

Twilight stared the young soldier right in the eyes as she said "This isn't about personal glory, Corporal. Don't do anything stupid to mess this mission up."

Derpy looked down slightly. "Yes, sorry ma'am. I won't screw this up."

Twilight passed the two by, making her way through a door, and into the comm room. A large, antechamber-esque room, it was empty except for Neighlus, who turned away from a holographic image of the surface of Phillydelphia when she entered. He was tall for a pony, with wheat-colored hair, and a cutie mark in the shape of a

"Ah, commander Sparkle. I was hoping you'd get here first. It will give us a chance to talk."

Twilight was immediately on edge. She didn't trust this one. Well, there were very few she did trust, but there was something about this rider that made her more wary than usual. "Talk about what?"

"I'm interested in this world we're going to. Phillydelphia. I've heard it's quite beautiful."

"I'm a marine," Twilight snapped, "not some tourist."

"But it's more than just a tourist destination, isn't it? Phillydelphia is a symbol of your people. A perfect little world on the edges of your territory. Proof that Equestria can not only establish colonies across the galaxy, but also protect them." He turned back to the screen. "But how safe is it, really?"

"Are you trying to scare me, rider?" Twilight asked, taking a step closer.

"Your people are still newcomers, Sparkle," Neighlus turned back to face her, "the galaxy can be a very dangerous place. Is the Alliance truly ready for this?"

Twilight turned when she heard the door slide open, and Captain Celestia strode into the room. "I think it's time we told the commander what's really going on."

Neighlus nodded. "This mission is far more than a simple shakedown run."

"I figured there was something you weren't telling us." Twilight replied.

"We're making a covert pickup on Phillydelphia." Celestia explained. "That's why we needed the stealth systems operational."

"I don't like being kept in the dark, Captain." Twilight said, a hint of distaste in her voice.

"I'm sorry, Twilight. But this comes down from the top, strictly need-to-know." Twilight nodded, and the captain continued. "A research team on Phillydelphia unearthed some kind of beacon during an excavation. It was Ponythan."

Now that interested Twilight. The Ponythans were the creators of all technology the current civilizations used. Faster-than-light travel, the mass relays, Canterlot, all of it built by or based off the technology of the Ponythans. As such, Ponythan technology was one of the most valuable assets in the galaxy, a potential gold mine of knowledge for whoever discovered them. "What else can you tell me?"

"This is of the utmost importance, Twilight Sparkle. The last time Equestria made a discovery like this, it jumped our technology forward two hundred years. But Phillydelphia doesn't have the facilities to handle something like this. We need to bring the beacon to Canterlot for proper study."

"Obviously," Chimed in Neighlus, "this goes beyond mere Equestrian interests, Commander. This discovery could affect every body of power in Canterlot space."

"Why didn't we keep the beacon for ourselves?" Twilight asked.

"Equestria doesn't have the best reputation. Some ponies see you as selfish. Too independent, too unpredictable. Even dangerous."

"Sharing the beacon will improve relations with the Council." Celestia added. "Plus, we need their expertise. They know more about the Ponytheans than we do."

"However, the beacon's not the only reason I'm here, Sparkle." Neighlus stated.

"Neighlus wants to see you in action, Twilight. He's here to evaluate you."

"What's going on, Captain?" Twilight asked, curiosity turning back to wariness.

"The Alliance has been pushing for this for a long time. We want a larger role in shaping interstellar policy. We want more say with the Canterlot Council. The riders represent the Council's power and authority. If they accept an Equestrian into their ranks, it will show how far the Alliance has come."

"Not many could have survived what you went through on Akuze. You showed a remarkable will to live: a particularly useful talent. That's why I put your name forward as a candidate for the riders."

"I assume this is good for the Alliance." Twilight stated to Celestia.

"Equestria needs this, Twilight. We're counting on you."

"I need to see your skills for myself, Commander." Neighlus stated. "Phillydelphia will be the first of several missions together."

"You'll be in charge of the ground team. Secure the beacon and get it to the ship ASAP. Neighlus will accompany you to observe the mission."

Twilight nodded. "Just give the word, Captain."

"We should be getting close to Phill-"

"Captain!" Came the voice of Rainbow Dash over the intercom. "We've got a problem!"

"What's wrong?"

"Transmission from Phillydelphia, ma'am. You need to see this."

"Put it on."

Suddenly, the image of the Phillydelphia landscape was replaced with a video stream of battle. Ponies firing weapons at something off to the left of the camera as explosions rocked the recorder. Then a pony knocked over the camera, presumably helmet-mounted, yelling "Get down!" before returning to the fight with her hoof-mounted rifle.

The trio watched the scene unfold in silence, trying to make sense of the chaos unfolding before them. Then the face of a pony was jammed in front of the camera, yelling "We are under attack! Taking heavy casualties! Repeat: heavy casualties! We can't-" an explosion drowned out the rest of the sentence "-eed evac! They came out of nowhere! We need-" Blood splattered on the camera as the speaker fell over, shot through the neck. The camera began swinging around wildly, showing more of the ponies in the troop firing desperately, before a quick glimpse of… something came across the screen, and the camera swung around to where only dirt could be seen. A moment later, the channel dissolved into static.

"Everything cuts out after that." Rainbow Dash reported. "No comm traffic at all. Just goes dead."

"Reverse and hold at 38.5." Celestia ordered.

The video skipped back until it returned to the designated time mark. Sitting in the middle of the screen was… was it a ship? It was huge, black, and arcing what looked like pink electricity across its body. And whatever it was, it was big, which was never a good thing.

"Status report."

"Seventeen minutes out. No other Alliance ships in the area."

"Take us in, Rainbow Dash, fast and quiet. This mission just got a lot more complicated."