"Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days."- Benjamin Franklin

Scarecrow limped through the room, breathing heavily from the attention attack. After a moment, Shadow's commander finally caught his breath and stood high, nearly hitting the wall in the process. He reminded himself that this was all for getting answers about Equestria's existence.

"Is everything alright?" calmly asked Rarity.

"Those ponies...were fucking everywhere." exhaled Scorch.

"But I thought you were cool with answering everypony's questions." remembered Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah, remind us again to never be in the middle of a big audience." stated X-ray. He was beginning to feel intel wasn't worth it anymore.

"The ponies weren't necessarily bad, it's just that we can't handle all that attention in one blow. Throughout our time in the 23rd, we've been working in full subtly and secrecy. When it came to crowds, we were always meant to disperse them." explained Scarecrow.

"The ponies are just curious." laughed Pinkie Pie. "I mean what do you think would happen if a pony just went to one of your worlds. Human paparazzi would be swarming him or her."

"Actually the pony would be shot on sight or locked up in the SCP foundation." countered X-ray, bringing the room to silence. "Come on, humans are eager to meet aliens, but english speaking technicolor pony isn't the best way to introduce that concept to us."

"But ya didn' shoot us in the Everfree Forest!" reminded Applejack.

"Hey, in this situation, we're the aliens, we have to be ready to expect everything." defended Scarecrow.

"So what do you humans intend on doing now?" asked Twilight.

"It's 7'o clock." checked Scorch. "I say we just hit the hay....get it hay?"

"...."

"You know, ponies eat hay?"

"......"

Scorch sighed. "Anyway, I suggest we just relax until the day renews. It's too late for a full town tour or anything. I guess our bid for intel will be put on hold."

"But those ponies outside don't look like they intend to leave anytime soon." said Fluttershy as she looked at the crowd outside the window.

The 4 humans looked at Twilight. As if the mare could read minds, she knew the squad expected her to tell the crowd to disperse. With a sigh, the princess head out door. The crowd was taking pictures of the front of the house and yelling questions.

"My humble subjects." announced Twilight in a fake Princess voice.

"The humans wish to be left alone for the rest of the night. Furthermore, their appearance does not excuse you all from work or school tomorrow."

The crowd gave a sigh of disappointment and trailed off. Twilight returned to her house and closed the door with telekinesis.

"So how'd it go?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Great." exhaled Twilight. "Good news Shadow, the ponies are going to be leaving you alone for the night and will be at work and school tomorrow."

"What about the ponies in the other cities?" asked Scorch. "I swear this place tomorrow is going to be packed with sight seers."

"Relax, the media is under watch not to spread the news outside of town. Not even the other princesses know of this yet." laughed Twilight.

"Thanks." nodded Scarecrow. "I freaking hate crowds if I don't have to take them down."

"Speaking of the night, where are we going to be staying?" wondered X-ray.

"We were just discussing that." pointed Rarity. "For some reason, we found it best that you 4 remain in separate homes."

"Oh I see, so you can take us down easier." joked Scorch.

"What! NO! Are you crazy, you'd beat us to a pulp if we tried that!" yelled Pinkie Pie.

"Glad to see somepony catches on." remarked Overwatch.

"Well, we immediately ruled my house since it's in the clouds." said Rainbow Dash.

"I don't think you'd enjoy staying near my animals." whispered Fluttershy. "They also seem to be scared of Scarecrow for no real reason."

Shadow's commander said nothing.

"So that just leaves Pinkie, Rarity, Applejack, and me." stated Twilight. "I have a small guest bedroom that was installed on the second ground floor when my home was renovated."

"I call dibs." buzzed Scarecrow. "Hey it's always been my dream to live in a library."

"I have a guest bedroom as well but it's an absolute mess." dramatized Rarity.

"Don't worry, no stain escapes X-ray." gloated the rifleman as he cleaned off a small blood stain on his chest piece.

"Oh heavens no, I wouldn't be the element of generosity if I didn't clean it my self."

"Well there aren't anymore elements are there? You're no longer held to such a pledge."

"Ma barn's gotta spare room in case any family members visit." informed Applejack.

Scorch shook his head. "I'm not one for farm work so-"

"Scorch just take the barn." ordered Scarecrow.

Twilight placed a hoof on her chin. "So that just leaves-"

"Me and Overwatch!" cheered the pink mare as she ended up on the sniper's head.

"We are going to have the bestest, funest slumber party ever! There's going to be games and music along truth and dare and twister and pin the tail on the pony!"

Overwatch simply sighed.

"You don't laugh much do you?" giggled Pinkie who who still clutching the back of the marksman's head.

"That's Overwatch for you, never laughs, never talks, never smiles." shrugged Scorch.

Pinkie's brain shattered like glass. The pink mare proceeded to press her face on Overwatch's mask and visor.

"NEVER LAUGHS! Tsk tsk tsk. You need a case of Dr. Pinkie's happy medicine straight away. Don't worry Overwatch, once we get to Sugar cube everything will be alright, I promise!"

Overwatch gave another grunt of annoyance and peeled the mare of his face before dropping her down.

All of a sudden, Spike came bursting out of the room, clutching a vial with a purple liquid.

"Twilight, Twilight! I was cleaning the the experiment room and this purple vile started leaking so I covered it with this cork." explained the dragon.

Twilight took the vial with her telekinesis and held it up with an amazed look. Spike gave a shrug and retreated upstairs.

"Oh my gosh. It's finally done! I've been working on it for years and it's finally done!" squealed the alicorn.

"What is that?" whispered Fluttershy.

"It's my talent enhancer! You see everypony has a special talent that they're exceptionally good at, so I figured, why not make be GREAT at it?"

X-ray snatched the vial with his gloved hand and analyzed it with his tablet in the other hand.

"Impressive chemistry." complimented X-ray. "You've managed to a balance the adrenaline and brain nanites well with a great dose of liquid vitamin and protein as well."

"You have nanites but no cars or televisions?" shook Scarecrow.

"What are nanites and what does brain have to do with talent?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"You see Ms. Dash, a nanite is an artificially engineered microorganism or android that's specifically designed to positively effect a part of a body. As for the brain, well emotion is chemical and triggered by neural functions. When humans discover a talent, it means we have found an activity that the mind takes immense pleasure in doing. What these nanites do is discover the activity our minds take interest and comfort in doing and use the adrenaline within the liquid to strengthen the muscles, that work in conjugation with the mind's pleasure, needed to complete the task." lectured X-ray.

Nopony had a clue what X-ray just said.

"I'm impressed Twilight. I didn't think you could pull off something like this." complimented Scorch. "Creation of a liquid like this would require intense knowledge of nano technology and neurology."

"Actually, I didn't know why my potion worked. I just thought that what I mixed would have the right magical properties to enhance talent based on individual effects." admitted Twilight.

Rarity eyes glowed. "So with dressmaking as my natural talent-"

"The nanites would enhance the part of your brain that centered on creativity and improve hoof to hoof coordination." explained Scarecrow.

Applejack whistled. "So that also means I can buck trees at faster rate because 'em nano things will make my hooves stronger."

"It would also make me better at taking care of animals." muttered Fluttershy.

"It would make be the bestest party pony ever!" cheered Pinkie.

There was a brief pause.

"Under no circumstances is Pinkie allowed to consume talent enhancers." spoke Scarecrow in a monotone voice.

"Agreed." said everybody and everypony.

"Also, it would make me a better magic user." noted Twilight.

"And it would make me an even better flyer!" cheered Rainbow Dash. "Not only would I be the fastest flyer i Equestria, but I could also perform:

"A DOUBLE RAINBOOM!"

The house practically shook.

After a moment's pause, Scarecrow, relayed the bad news;

"Don't get your hopes up, this isn't going to be working on anypony."

The Mane 6 gave a "Huh?"

Shadow was analyzing the content of the liquid with their wrist computers. Information was flowing all over their HUD.

"Allow us to explain." offered Scorch. "We looked over the nanites in the vial and discovered that these nanites are only going to work if exposed to the neurology of a primate, like a human."

"Furthermore this adrenaline would be lethal if administered to equines." added Overwatch.

Twilight face hoofed. "All that work for nothing?"

"I wouldn't say nothing." comforted Scarecrow. "It would still work on humans. A sip would be harmless to us."

Twilight put two and two together. "But you're soldiers.....that would mean the talent would increase you're ability to k-"

"Give awesome speeches." boasted X-ray.

The Mane 6 looked at Shadow confusedly.

"Be the best hockey player ever." added Scorch.

"Enhance my ability to be inspired in story writing." gasped Scarecrow.

"Enhance my ability to be inspired in art." stated Overwatch.

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "But you're sadistic soldiers! The talent enhancer should improve your ability to shoot and kill."

"Should we tell them?" simply said X-ray.

The other 3 members of Shadow nodded. X-ray took a deep breath. Normally the 23rd wasn't allowed to share information about their unit, but it wasn't like the mane 6 were capable of doing anything if they knew a few secrets.

"Okay, being a counter terrorist isn't really our passion. It's is more of a volunteer work. Furthermore, all 23rd units are dismissed after all members of a squad turn 30. After that, we're free to pursue our true ambitions. I for example want to become a politician once my time this unit is due."

"I want to be an author. I have numerous ideas for books." added Scarecrow.

"You already know I have an aptitude for art." muttered Overwatch.

"And like a true man of Vancouver, I have a passion in hockey." concluded Scorch.

"I don't feel comfortable with you drinking that." whimpered Rarity.

"I haven't even tested it!" reminded Twilight.

"Well test day is today! Don't worry, Overwatch ran over the worst case scenario. It'll be fine." insisted Scarecrow.

The Mane 6 looked at each other worriedly. Twilight and Rarity used their combined telekinesis to pull over a couch for the frightened equines to hide behind.

X-ray casually slipped a drop of the talent enhancer under his bandanna before passing it on to the rest of Shadow.

Scorch was the last to take a sip. By then, the vial had been drained empty. The demo man licked his lips under his mask and noted that it tasted like a mix of orange and cherry.

The Mane 6 was panicking on the other hoof behind the couch. They didn't care what Shadow said, they were killers in the truest sense and their enhanced aggression would motivate them to commit pony genocide.

After a minute or so, the ponies realized that gun shots had not been heard. In fact Fluttershy pointed out that all of their weapons and side arms had been discarded. After calmly looking at each other for a minute, the 6 equines peeked up from the couch and their jaws dropped at what lay before them.

Scarecrow was sitting in a desk, writing down contents for a fantasy book with speed that Rainbow Dash was jealous of. Considering there were 2 more complete novellas right next to him, you could tell he was motivated.

Overwatch had found inspiration in everything. The sniper artist was drawing everything anything he laid eyes on. His notebook in one hand and a pencil in the other. Not only was his hand and eye coordination impeccable but his creativity instincts were through the roof. Since everything was animated, drawing was all the easier. Overwatch turned around and started drawing the confused mares behind the couch.

X-ray, was wearing a non animated suit that he seemed to have gotten out of nowhere. The commando was still wearing his mask and was atop a soap box giving a speech about healthcare and welfare reforms. Nopony could understand what he was saying, but his voice was so clear and pure that they just had to agree with him. Not to mention, X-ray's memorization and improv skills had been enhanced to a point where he didn't need a script at all.

Finally, Scorch was balancing a puck on silver hockey stick (where did he get that from?) which he effortlessly shot into a make shift goal of books. His hand to leg coordination had been augmented beyond relief.

"Gosh darn it Twi. Looks like your talent enhancers work!" applauded Applejack.

"Wish I could have still had my flying speed doubled." muttered Rainbow Dash.

Twilight screamed with excitement and the results she had produced. She didn't care if the talent enhancer only worked on humans. Twilight levitated a quill and sheet and began to take notes of Scorch playing hockey. Then Overwatch started drawing Twilight taking notes of Scorch, followed by Scarecrow writing about Overwatch drawing Twilight taking notes on Scorch and finally X-ray giving a speech on how people can find inspiration in anything.

Suddenly, Scorch felt a rumbling at his stomach. His HUD started flaring information on his vitals all the while. "Damn, my stomach feels funny."

X-ray walked up to him with a proud demeanor. "Well you see, Scorch, this is the result of our government's-". X-ray was cut off by a headache.

Soon all 4 members of Shadow felt dizzy and collapsed on the floor. Twilight continued to take notes as the other ponies surrounded the disoriented humans.

"Shadow, are you all right?" whispered Fluttershy.

As if nothing bad happened, Shadow nonchalantly got back on their feet.

X-ray ripped off his suit to reveal he still had his armor underneath. "Relax, adrenaline rushes aren't permanent and will normally leave a human a bit bewildered."

"Still though, I'd say your talent enhancer is a success overall. I really felt that I could have written a library there." encouraged Scarecrow.

Twilight gave a glum smile. "But I still have to rework the potion to make sure it can effect ponies. Not to mention, the process I used to create the current formula would require months of experimenting."

"Until then, could you lend us the formula for us humans to mass produce? I smell profit and innovation." remarked Scorch with a mild grin.

"I'll take care of that with Twilight before I sleep." said Scarecrow.

"Speaking of night, I'd say we're overdue. I believe we should head home now if we want our guests settled in." spoke up Rarity as she headed out the door.

"Yeah! Come on Overwatch, we're going to have a greatest night ever!" cheered Pinkie as she hugged the less than enthusiastic Overwatch at his legs.

The members of Shadow, minus Scarecrow, head out the door with their pony hosts at their side. The 3 humans cloaked and disappeared into the night.

Rainbow Dash flew up to her home while waving goodbye. Fluttershy trotted in the opposite direction to her cottage despite having the ability to fly.

Soon, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie head off in opposite directions to their respective dwellings.

After the other ponies left, Scarecrow and Twilight proceeded to go over a number of books about magical theory. Shadow's intellect had inspired Twilight to start finding out why magic worked rather than how.

Twilight would read about the foundations for a certain magical spell, followed by Scarecrow looking into data logs or using his own memorized knowledge to decipher what exactly was the reasoning behind each spell. After two hours, Twilight had managed to fill up an entire book on the reasoning of magic.

Soon enough, it was time for her and Scarerow to turn in.

Author's Notes:

Yes, hockey still exists. In Canadian cities only and has no place in the rest of the colonies. Muhahaha!

I seem to write more than expected. I'm splitting this arc into mini chapters based on Overwatch's, Scorch's and X-ray's nights with their pony hosts.

Update: I removed the second part with the talent enhancer because as a user pointed out, it didn't make much sense.