Just Wolf it Down
Equestria, Canterlot Palace, Dining Room
Saturday, 26th June 2551 CE Celestial Standard Calendar

“I still wanna know what in the hell those lizardman things were in the second match, I have never heard any mention of such a thing in my life. Not from the GSC, not from the UNSC, not anybody,” Johnson expressed his bemusement as he fiercely locked himself, knife-in-hand, in mortal combat with a massive slingtail steak. The tough but succulent meat was produced from a species of the same name that thrived in vast number in Equestria’s southern Badlands.

Food for the day’s luncheon leading up to the Gala that night had been brought in on an individual basis to each dining guest’s order, and the majority of Luna’s companions, herself included, knew exactly what it was they were craving.

Stewards and servants, even the imperial chefs themselves, frequently manifested in the room to tend to their patrons or inquire as to the quality of their culinary creations The end result was the expansive table being populated by a menagerie of Equestrian, human, and Fenrisian cuisine. The latter of the three took up the most space, with significantly larger portion sizes.

Adding proper complement to the food was an equally diverse assortment of drinks, including a frothing mug of Quetzalcoatl cocoa Celestia was partaking of as she briefly appeared in the room during Johnson’s vocalisation, which was the closest of an entire table teeming with various conversations.

The chatter was lead primarily by the likes of Leman Russ, Trixie, and Erik. Johnson had abdicated his own throne as a master of mealtime topics to focus on conquering his actual meal.

“I saw that portion of your War Games session myself, ever so briefly in between errands here and checklists there,” the Empress said to Johnson with a wink. “Not to mention, Bellicose shared the ‘post game carnage report’ as he described it to me for leisurely reading.”

“Your Majesty, with most honoured respect, could you please not keep a good sergeant waiting? Curiosity killed the dumb Covenant bug that thought itself to be god’s gift to the galaxy.”

Celestia took a slow, jovial sip of her cocoa before replying. “I could tell all of you about that planet and its hostile residents featured in the map set, but it would be more fitting as part of an official debriefing on a general basis about the galaxy and war’s status in a few day’s time.”

“Oh, that’s right. The twentieth annual briefing of the GSC’s Grand Offensive is coming up on the first.” Johnson nodded at that. “Luna, you’ll wanna be there without a doubt.”

Luna’s ears perked up in an instant as she was levitating salt that the Chief had passed her for a vegetable and meat stew. Meat from strictly non-sapient creatures had long been a delicacy back in her time, one she enjoyed on occasion and its newfound abundance in the modern world was striking to Luna for some time after having first learned of it, but mention of the impending briefing proved even more striking for her.

“Most verily, Sergeant Major. Any summit of such import would merit my entire party’s presence as circumstances would allow,” Luna responded candidly before looking across to the far end of the table and catching Russ’ attention with a wave. “I anticipate you will be joining us as well, Leman? No doubt prime targets for us shall be presented at this briefing?”

“There is no question,” Russ said with a nod of the head. “You’ll be given many targets to choose from, I don’t doubt that.”

Luna took a moment to look herself over as the others finished up their meals and the conversations began to quiet down. “I do not have my vestments for the Gala yet, I should see about speaking with Rarity before the afternoon gives way to the festivities.”

“Indeed! Some of you have yet to fully shed your armour,” Celestia pointed out with a chuckle to Trixie, who was still wearing her chest armour, as the Empress moved to take her leave and resume preparing. “I shall see you all later. Please take your time in getting ready, but be wary of the clocks.”

“Clocks bend to Trixie’s will, Your Majesty! That is to say, they do when she removes their casings and manipulates their gears to manually adjust the. Trixie shall be the fastest to prepare, all shall see!”

Trixie’s rather offhand declaration merited a few skeptical chuckles from the room around her. Many were already getting ready to go to their respective destinations to get ready for the evening ahead.

“Umm … everyone has already finished up their meals except for you,” Twilight deadpanned to Trixie, directly across the table from her.

Trixie was silent for a moment, muzzle inexpressive before saying with a roll of her eyes, “Bah! Inconsequential! Trixie shall just wolf it all down and then leave all but the Royals here in the dust!” The Knight-Errant proceeded to practically inhale the remainder of her colourful salad of native and alien fruits before huffing and hopping out of her seat and dashing out of the room after a quick incline of her head to Luna and the others. “Compliments to the chefs and the servers!”

The last statement echoed back to them down the hall Trixie had taken as her exit. Twilight shook her head and said, “I don’t get that mare, none of us probably do.”

“Mhm,” Johnson agreed with a sassy flare and light grin as he arose from his chair and donned his UNSC sergeant’s hat.

“You know who has yet to fully ‘get something’? That mare would be I, and that something, esteemed friends, would be this era and its colourful inhabitants,” Luna stated with a lighthearted chuckle.

Rarity’s Gift
Canterlot Palace

Time between the luncheon and leading up to the Grand Galloping Gala flew by rapidly like a hummingbird’s wings. Luna and her band of usual suspects had spent the afternoon attending the brief and considerably bore-inducing explanation of the general structure of modern day Grand Galloping Galas that Johnson and the Fangs promptly vacated prematurely, assisting with preparations here and there, exploring the halls of the castle further, and additionally for Luna: briefly studying the codex she carried.

Whilst in particular doing his wanderings of the palace to kill time and accomplish a set of mischievous goals until the evening and the Gala’s start, Johnson found himself entering the presently sparsely-populated wing of Canterlot castle responsible for administrative support for Equestria’s senate and ministries that served under her.

One of the first such ministries he passed by the office door of happened to be for the Ministry of Harmony’s Ambassadorial Corps. The ornate wooden door had been left ajar, and a small number of quiet voices could heard from within.

The first voice Johnson keyed in on was one he recognised immediately,

“It’s a rather curious phenomenon, isn't it?” the voice of Dr. Catherine Halsey inquired with a hint of amusement behind her usual analytical and subtly haughty cadence. “Ever since Leman Russ ‘returned’, the capricorn population on Earth, while relatively small in the tens of thousands compared to the several million Equestrians with residence there, seems to be migrating in veritable throngs back to their homeworld.”

“It’s not just Earth, many colonies from several GSC powers with any kind of capricorn population is experiencing this,” came another, masculine voice.

“Common knowledge at this rate, Mr. Sekibo, but fair to point out nonetheless,” Catherine replied as she then said, “Thane Arnora, you represent your people here as ambassador. What is your take on the mass migrations?”

Ever curious of the affairs of diplomats, politicians that arguably had some true worth, Johnson felt an inquisitive smirk dominate his features as he began moving silently and rapidly closer to the doorjamb, just out of sight and in near perfect hearing range. Feeling a little more daring, he peaked his head around to corner to catch a glance at the other conversation holders.

It proved to be a capricorn mare and an older human man that were in Halsey’s company. The capricorn was slenderly built and garb in the heavy fur clothes of Fenrisian nobility, covering a blonde coat. Her mane and tail were a deep brown and her green eyes glimmered with experienced much in the same manner as that of the dark-skinned human man, who was of gangly build and appeared to be in his upper middle ages.

“It’s the Sammekull by the Great Wolf,” Thane Arnora replied simply before taking a drink of the glass filled with amber liquid. When she received only looks of confusion, she chuckled slightly.
“Sorry, I forget that we are so different sometimes. Our Great Wolf has called for all willing capricorns to unite under his banner. It is an honour beyond measure to be called upon to serve in Russ’ Fangs. I ‘d be among those going from the very moment it came to my attention were it not for the fact that I was given stay on account of my duties here as ambassador.”

“If you wish to join us, it is simply no trouble, Sergeant Major, you need not eavesdrop,” Halsey said without looking in Johnson’s direction as she remained focused on Arnora as both herself and Sekibo turned to regard the newcomer. “Curious, a call to union from a single figure can inspire their people to rally to them regardless of such distance. Is there anything more you can tell me about this ‘sammekull’ and its circumstances?”

Johnson entered the room and stood beside the capricorn ambassador with a look of amusement on his face, not having been the least bit phased by being caught eavesdropping.

“As it just so happens, I can also throw in that there have been recent sightings reported of small packs of Fangs personnel wherever capricorns can be found,” the sergeant added to the conversation.

“Like your armies have recruitment stations, the Fangs have those who recruit for their numbers,” Arnora responded quickly to Johnson before returning her attention to their conversation at hand. “Sammekull means summons. Though it has never happened in my life or any capricorn that isn’t currently a part of our Great Wolf’s Einherjar, it is something that all capricorns feel in their very soul. For as long as our history tells, when there was need for warriors, the the Wolf King would send out a sammekull, calling for our people to join the Vlk- … The Fangs as he prepares to march the Legion across the stars. Many don’t join, for they know they are not worthy, and they know that they are not guaranteed to ever return if they follow the call. It is the way of Fenris at its very roots; to survive or fall upon the harsh ground.”

“Legion?” Halsey inquired with an arched brow, keying in on that specific word. “We have noticed from the start the … incredibly advanced engineering yet aesthetically primitive nature of the Fangs technology. Some of the ruins we have found we have dated back to the tens of thousands of years and older, and in them are oftentimes banks of incredibly limited data left behind seemingly like a breadcrumb trail, however unlikely that would be. But that is not what is intriguing to me, what is intriguing in this instance is that … one of the most frequently encountered words is ‘legion.’ It is most commonly found in the company of such terms as ‘warrior-servant’ and ‘praetor’? Without any form of context this coincidence is most amusing.”

Arnora smiled at Halsey before shaking her head. “I’m not sure of what any of it means either, Doctor Halsey. Our Wolf King is most likely the only one that could clear up your curiosity. I’m sure you know what it says about him in our history?”

“The legend of the Great Wolf, you mean?” Sekibo interjected as he looked between Halsey and Anora with a hint of confusion.

“Yes, the one that posits quite explicitly that the Great Wolf, of whom we have identified the actual historical figure as Leman Russ, was as old as planet Fenris herself,” Halsey said in response to both ambassadors with a sardonic edge, rolling her eyes for added emphasis.

“Oh, don’t be that way, Doctor. You cannot honestly expect, with the galaxy we live in, that such a feat is impossible,” Arnora replied with a chuckle. “You have met our Wolf King, which I am envious of by the way. His presence alone disproves so many assumptions everyone had about our culture, what is to stop him from disproving many more?”

Halsey’s symposium-loving side of her personality was awoken from hibernation at Arnora’s statement. “Ultimately not a question that is mine to answer, for in my line of work, there are no such things as assumptions, what is impossible and what is possible can only be determined by hard facts and even that can have its limits. There is what we know from observation and testing which applies even to the scientific fields of the magical and arcane, and then there is what is still yet to be discovered, and it is the hard facts of your culture that I seek to discover just like any other culture I study when the time or mood strikes me.”

While Halsey was preparing to continue, Sekibo adjusted his glasses and Anora watched the doctor with rapt attention.

“As for Russ’ age, one without any context to this conversation could misinterpret it as a matter of faith, and that is an entirely different realm of thought and discussion altogether, ambassador. With that said, I look forward to further study of your people as time and circumstance allows, for yours have caught my eye as the first instance of an ancient being from another time being directly observed alive. Being present in the technical opposite of an ancient tomb almost reminded me of what it was like to have the wonder of a small child.”

“Following your exploits thus far, Doctor, has been a very worthwhile endeavour!” Arnora said with a genuine smile, though her tone shifted to an undeniable one of snark. “Though as for exploring our culture, I have no power over what you will be able to uncover, if anything at all.”

Halsey seemed to let up on her sardonicism a noticeable bit at the smile, and promptly shook hands with the ambassador as Sekibo drank some wine and moved to clean his eyeglasses. “A scientist is always pleased to hear their work is appreciated in some … capacity. And as to your power, well let’s just say there is no shortage of ruins to explore in this galaxy of ours. I suspect more shall be open to us soon as the Covenant threat is annihilated and pushed back.”

Arnora picked up from Halsey’s intonation by moving to take her leave of the office. As her back was turned to the scientist, Halsey’s eyes glimmered as her mind conjured up a last minute question that had been vying for a bid to fully broach her attention. “Hold on, how come, if it's common knowledge to your people since time immemorial, no Capricorn has spoke of the Fangs to someone not of their own race until we finally made a discovery ourselves?”

Unfortunately for Halsey, the Thane was already on her way out, but still despite being within auditory range, the mare continued her exit at a leisurely pace. A deadpanning Halsey could all but see the knowing smile that the capricorn must have been wearing on her way out.

“Right, Mister Sekibo, we won’t keep you,” Halsey said out of the blue after a few moments of tapping an index finger against her cheek, arms folded before turning to Johnson. “Go out and have fun, Spartan. You might wear my rival’s armour system but I know an Orion original when I see one. I have pursuits of my own that demand my attention tonight. Good night, ambassador.”

“Do enjoy the Gala, Sergeant Major, Doctor,” Sekibo replied with a jolly wave before he followed them both out and proceeded towards his own destination in the castle.

As Johnson and Halsey split off to their respective destinations, Johnson found himself then wondering what exactly his newest blue-coated friend must have been up to.

In keeping with her word, Rarity had been swift in her appearance during the timeframe she had established that she would have something ready for Luna to wear to the Gala. She manifested in front of the surprised princess as she sat with her codex open alongside a parchment and datapad-busy Celestia in the throne room, almost forty-five minutes to the dot before the events officially began and guests would be welcomed in by Celestia.

“Your Highness, I finally finished it! Your second surprise, the secret I mentioned!” Rarity had stars in her eyes but was nearly out of breath as she galloped to a stop several centimetres away from Luna before she adopted as best of a regal posture as she could.

Luna could only look at him in astonishment for the moment. Equally surprised was Celestia, whose iridescent phoenix crimson and gold dress skirts rose with her slender legs as she stood up from her throne and peered at the familiar newcomer.

“Your entrance … while shocking when caught off guard, is most impeccable in its timing,” Luna smiled, “I am eager to see what wonders you have worked in such a brief period of time as these few hours since we made our mutual acquaintance.”

Pure elation blossomed on the seamstress' face. “It is one of the fastest productions I have ever produced. But with me, quality is never sacrificed when heightened speed must be applied … oh heavens, no. Inner tranquility is instead! Ahem, Princess Luna, I hereby present to you, a gala dress as closely tailored to your very essence itself as I could muster!”

Rarity proceeded to reach into her saddlebags before producing a significantly flatter and less weighty parcel that, like the armour that had preceded it, had been neatly folded into compact size.

The package was levitated by Rarity into Luna’s waiting hoof while the Princess looked on in intrigue, eager to see what was awaiting her. Luna wasted no time in freeing the contents for her and her sister to see.

“Well, maybe not tailored to your very essence, more like my first impressions of you, but I do hope you approve!” Rarity expressed as Luna got the first glimpse of the finery the mare had weaved and fashioned for her.

The dress was a vibrant cobalt affair that echoed Luna’s magical aura. The blue backdrop featured dapples of dark blue that similarly echoed her distinctive symbol along with argentine embroidering forming stars and more crescent moons from the neckline down all the way to the skirts, which tapered off into the flounce just above where Luna’s silver shoes would be visible that seemed to be alight like the tails of comets.

“What an impression I must have made!” Luna remarked as she beamed at Rarity. “This dress is beyond beautiful, Lady Rarity. I shall put it on without delay.”

“Your work never ceases to amaze, Rarity,” Celestia added with a warm smile,

Rarity inclined her head gratefully. “Thank you both! Do please enjoy the festivities as well as the dress, I hope to encounter you both at some point tonight, my lieges! Now my sincerest apologies but I simply must prepare myself as well, oh heavens so much to do … so little time!”

“If you’d like, I can save you a spot alongside me in greeting the arriving guests,” Celestia offered just as Rarity was about to dash out of the room after a quick bow.

“Please do!” Rarity said with a flourished bow before making a swift departure to her suite.

“An absolute gem of a mare,” Celestia said with a kindly tone and a fond gaze at the retreating unicorn mare. “And the maker of my own dresses as well, I might add.”

Luna nodded. “Indeed! Speaking of which, I best be off to follow in Rarity’s footsteps. Shall we meet up in the foyer?”

“That will do perfectly. I look forward to seeing you in the foyer in such fine raiment.”

With that, the sisters shared a brief smile before they both set off from the throne room to their respective destinations. Luna quickly donned her new dress after having flown up to her tower apartments, the procedure for doing so having become muscle memory in an era now long since passed. Luna’s sash-like scarf was put back on over the dress, and her shorter, silvery mane was put up in an elegant bun.

The best I have looked in a thousand years, Luna thought to herself in a bit of dry, private humour. How eager I am to see my mane, tail, and height restored to their full glory. It cannot come soon enough, but this shall suffice greatly for now. Let the Gala commence!

The Gala Begins
Canterlot Palace, Grand Foyer

A quick canter on Luna’s part to the foyer in the satisfyingly movement-accommodating dress was followed by the eyes of Celestia lit with wonder as she caught first glimpse of her sister now clad in the flowing blue finery.

The foyer was opulent and striking on its own, possessing the same white marble and gold filigree as most of the Old Town Canterlotian architecture. In addition to this was stained glass, banners of Equestria’s heraldry both recent and ancient, and was complete with a mural above the front doors of a phoenix grasping the golden garlands and sun insignia of the Equestrian Empire that a couple of intensely-focused pegasi artists were working on making last minute touch ups to. In comparison to Luna, though, the room faced a fierce rival when it came to inherent beauty.

“You look as stunning as ever, little sister,” the Empress complimented with an admiring smile, analysing Luna’s dress in greater detail than back in the throne room. “With it being your first gala since your return, perhaps even more so.”

Luna returned the smile as she joined her sister on the middle landing of the grand foyer. “As do you, Tia. You still greet the host of guests one and all, I see.”

“Always,” Celestia replied, her serene expression belying a clear desire to roll her eyes in boredom at the tedious prospect.

“Mayhaps we shall find some way to mix things up during this night?” Luna suggested with a conspiratorial wink, to which Celestia gave only a cryptic smile.

Both sisters turned their gazes as they heard newcomers approach from further up the stairs.

“Something tells me that things will mix themselves up before long,” came the voice of the Master Chief as the human approached with an ever-formal demeanor from the top of the stairs that Luna had just descended, alongside Trixie who seemed to be emulating the Empress’ demeanor but with her own distinct additions, such as a vaguely haughty twinkle of the eyes.

“Trixie personally hopes for some kind of ‘mix-up’, all galas she has ever attended have been either incredibly stuffy, or incredibly amusing.”

Luna was quick to register her friends’ obvious change in attire from when she’d last seen them.

Trixie was wearing a mostly red with gold-trimmed Equestrian royal dress uniform that covered from the collar down to her fetlocks, complete with a small number of fairly new-looking medals and a blue sash. Meanwhile, the Chief was garbed in an updated, decorated version of the predominantly grey, white, and similarly gold-trimmed UNSC dress uniform he had been depicted with in the artwork Luna had seen at the museum, complete with a matching peaked cap.

Their arrival coincided with several events. The pegasi working on the mural completed their modifications only a half a minute before the Royal Guards and a group of stewards at the base of the stairs opened the doors for a growing crowd of guests that were lining up or clustering around the front castle grounds just outside. The mares, stallions, men, and women of the Guard present stood at attention.

Meanwhile, the senior-most steward stepped out to begin delivering an address to those waiting outside. The steward could be heard faintly as a dress uniform-clad Johnson on the ground floor appeared from one of the rooms adjacent to the foyer and peaked out, gazing mischievously at the stewards and the entrance before chuckling to himself and disappearing the way he had come, which Luna knew to be the direction of the castle’s massive kitchen, pantries, and cellars.

Luna shook her head at the sight, pretending she had not seen him so as to safeguard the security of any hijinks yet to come.

“There you both are,” Luna greeted Trixie and the Chief upon noting the occurrences. “Have you seen Russ and the Wolf Guard or Johnson and Twilight yet?”

“Johnson is still preparing last I saw him, and when he finishes even then he might just end up wandering and being an outlandish airhead for quite some time, which means I win … against him at least!” Trixie declared as she snickered to herself.

“Twilight is likely mingling with Rarity and their friends somewhere else in the palace. Leman and the others should be just about … oh, there they are,” the Chief added as they all turned to further newcomers, some of whose footsteps rung clearly and loudly down several of the halls.

“Good to see the drinking hasn’t started without us,” Russ boasted as he and his Guard got closer.

The fourteen capricorns, hulking mechanical one included, came to a stop on the middle landing of the stairs to watch the influx of gala guests through the windows outside.

“Give it time, Praetor Russ,” Celestia replied with a wink that left Luna curious.

The Empress obviously was planning something mischievous for tonight but what exactly it was, she could not quite place a hoof on. Something involving liquor and spirits, clearly, but surely what was implied was too straight-forward for the likes of Celestia?

Luna filed her conspiracy theorizing to the back of her brain for now and focused on the newly arrived Fangs.

Russ and his Wolf Guard were once again without their immense power armour, but they still stood tall with heights that dwarfed even the Chief by at least a head at average. Bjorn meanwhile stood high over everyone as he did in the vast majority of circumstances, a sentinel for whatever location he went to.

Watching the arriving foreign and Equestrian guests at the front doors with an assortment of reactions ranging from vested interest, to amusement, to indifference, the capricorn warriors were in no shortage of native Fenrisian attire. Outfits featuring heavy cloaks, capes, and wrappings all of leather and durable animal fur abounded. The garb covered various parts of the body and none in a uniform fashion to any of their compatriots, with some parts of the body being left entirely uncovered such as the nape of the neck and upper back, chest, or midriff and waist.

Strings of beast fangs and bones, runic talismans, and leather straps adorned many of their outfits in addition, while a few of the Wolf Lords had also anointed the visible portions of their coats with the runes and sigils of their ancient clans and tribes of origin. Russ’ outfit in particular was perhaps the most complex arrangement of pelts and animal furs. Like the plating of his power armour, they were arranged mostly in regular layers for ascetics.

Joining the Capricorns on the ever-growing list of newcomers first was a quartet of earth ponies bearing instruments who were to provide some of the music for the evening and night. They were lead by a mare of grey coat and black hair carefully carrying a cello, with intelligent violet eyes that appraised all around her with fair judgement that slightly conflicted with her vaguely aristocratic demeanor, of which her three colleagues were sporting with much greater intensity.

The earth pony’s muzzle opened slightly as they entered after submitting their tickets to the stewards, and her brow raised at the sight of the denizens of the next planet over whose height was dwarfed only by the pillars of the foyer itself. Meanwhile, the rest of the musical ensemble’s jaws were nearly to the ground.

Celestia waved them in, smiling, but waited to give verbal greetings until enough guests had entered. The wait was not long by any means.

Immediately after the ensemble came first in an ordinary fashion not the expected Equestrian aristocracy but rather a delegation of a dozen well-dressed Unggoy lead by a matriarch and a male Unggoy that Luna recognised from several days ago. Yayap, veteran Unggoy soldier, seemed out of place where he was not because of the location nor his ancestry, but rather, on account of the fact that he was not currently hefting a Covenant-made fuel rod cannon or some equivalent heavy ordinance.

Yayap gave first Luna, then Russ and the Chief an enthusiastic wave as he in turn recognised them as well as the Unggoy joined the Equestrian musicians waiting patiently a couple of meters from the landing of the staircase. The wave was returned by the three but most awkwardly from all but Luna, whose reflexes from Grand Galloping Galas of yore were in full show tonight, but this time with full rather partial warmth to them.

Following them then was the usual bulk of almost every Grand Galloping Gala to date’s guest roster. The ancient aristocracy of the capital began making their entrances in what Luna regarded as a by and large unremarkable throng of glimmering regalia withs a sizeable minority by a slim margin standing out from the airs of superiority that the nobles effused.

Those that did stand out clearly had the look about them that their presence at the Gala was due not to having just been born into wealth, but rather from achievements years of long strife leading to their present day wealth.

Regardless of this distinction, the first portion of the guests were fully admitted into the sweeping foyer, and Empress Celestia moved to greet them. A trio of stewards with the assistance of some Royal Guards rushed about in the seconds-long window to do final checks of the audio system and enchantments that would carry her greetings to not just the front grounds but also the entire castle.

Celestia inclined her head with a graceful flourish before speaking. “Welcome, dear distinguished citizens of the Empire and the Concordat, to the two thousand, five hundred and forty-fifth annual Grand Galloping Gala. I would like to personally wish you a wonderful night in celebrating what has evolved from a monumental union between three tribes, three nations, three races, to a member state in a resolute union between many more and growing!”

“Honour to the Empress~!” came the enthusiastic chanting of some of the Unggoy, Yayap included as the rest of the arriving guests bowed or inclined their heads in their various manners in response.

“It is with great pride that I officially declare the Gala’s commencement!”

A general murmur of the events to come began to spring up amongst the arrivals after Celestia stepped back a few hoofsteps to indicate she was finished. Many of the whispers and subdued speech was directed towards the presence of the Fangs, who stood out as much as the Unggoy, likely even more so.

Luna’s equine ears swivelled about instinctively as she picked out some of what was being said.

“Some detachment of particularly exotic Jiralhanae, perhaps?”

“They’re clearly not regular Fenrisians, dare I say. I have met capricorn nobility. Such poshness rivalled my own, I admit … until I began integrating amethysts into my latest outfits.”

“Barbarians?! Mayhaps preferable to the Unggoy; time will tell.”

“It must be them! Only such distinguished people would be amongst us in such outlandish apparel!”

Attention towards the Capricorns waned slightly as the stewards allowed the flow of guests to resume its normal pace while Luna looked between the approaching guests, her friends, and her sister with uneasiness, who gave her a reassuring wink.

“It’s too late for me as I am expected to remain here for a while, but not for you … go and have some fun tonight!” Celestia murmured into Luna’s ear at a tone that only the most acute of ears present could detect. “I’ll remain here. Just let it be known though that you should expect a surprise before this gala and the night are through.”

Luna had no need of any questions for the majority of the statement Celestia’s primary meaning was obvious, and Celestia gave her a final parting wink before turning to personally greet Octavia’s group, who were inquiring for further details as to how to set up.

While that was undertaken, Luna turned to her friends to see how they wished to initiate the gala in their respective ways, and lead everyone into the least populated of the hallways connecting to the tops of the staircase, coming to a stop in the closest corner of the still largely empty ball room. “What shall we partake of first, my friends? The night is younger than a recently swaddled foal, how time abounds!”

Russ, who had his back facing Luna briefly, turned around to reveal a surprisingly large pitcher of amber coloured liquid in his hand. He didn’t even speak, just grinned before proceeding to down the entirety of the pitcher in a single swig.

With the emptying of the pitcher, Russ found his attention pulled from it, along with those of the others as a slyly smiling Cadance appeared from the far side of the ball room in an elegantly flowing dress inspired by her symbol. Alongside her was Shining Armor, who was wearing the same type of dress uniform as Trixie but with the more elaborate decoration of a Royal Guard captain.

“Dear Aunt Luna and friends, wonderful to see you all again!” Cadance greeted warmly. “I have someone very special here to introduce you all to. This is Shining Armor, he’s the captain of the Royal Guard’s Solar Guard unit.” Shining smirked and raised an eyebrow at her conspiratorily, which prompted her to shift her attention to Russ in particular with a return of her previous smile.

Russ read the exchange between the couple closely, and turned neutral in expression as he put his hands to his hips in general analysis. Mischief was clearly afoot even as introductions were being made.

The fur cape of Russ’ outfit made him appear to Trixie like a surreal real life equivalent to a superhero. It was a fact she rapidly relayed to Luna’s ear in an amused whisper as Shining Armor gave his greeting. Following that was a hasty, rapidfire explanation of just exactly a superhero was.

“Like heroes of old, godlike champions of justice who fight criminal evil doers!”

“Fascinating.”

“Hello, everyone. It’s a real pleasure; hope you’re all prepared for an interesting evening. Oh, and welcome back to your first gala in … many years I might add, Princess Luna!” Shining Armor said with a slight incline of his head, his own smirk retained.

“Good evening, you two. A privilege to meet you, Shining Armor, and to see you again, dearest Cadance,” Luna replied back mirthfully. “It would seem mischief is abound in every corner these days … I shall be grossly cross if this night disappoints me,” she added lightheartedly.

Everyone else also offered their greetings and a few hooves and hands were even briefly shook. With that done, some of the Wolf Lords wandered off from the group on their own accord and just outside the ballroom where a large bar tended to by two ponies, a human, and a capricorn who were just about finished with setting up their vast array of drinks on offer was situated.

“King Russ, might I have a moment of your time?” Cadance asked as some of the. “There are some of the nobility who wish to speak with you over there. Now, before you say anything, they heard of you from Fancy Pants and wish to offer their gratitude for your involvement in the latest battle in the best way they know how.”

Cadance proceeded to gesture a hoof at a grouping of five Equestrian unicorn nobles presently sipping from wine glasses as they appraised an alicorn sculpture closest to the tall, expansive windows. They were clearly engrossed in both the wine and the art they gazed upon.

“You can totally trust her word on that,” Cortana interposed as she flickered into being with an arched brow atop Luna’s hoof, folding her arms. “I have never seen a more honest face in my life, equine, human, or otherwise.”

“It is quite honest,” Russ replied, following along with the sarcasm.

Russ simply made a ‘go on ahead’ gesture to Cadance, who resisted the urge to giggle as she in turn lead him over to the aristocrats.

“More wine, more wine to make me temporarily ignorant of the existence of those that demand we be wasteful and liberally generous with our ancient fortunes,” one of the aristocrats lamented, preparing to flag over one of the rapidly moving servants by flexing her gold-shoed hoof whilst holding it aloft.

“I say, what is that low, pulsating noise? Did some fool servant actually let a random lowly Brute soldier into here?” another of the nobles, a stallion with a severe demeanor inquired.

When the nobles turned in response to the subtly thundering hoofsteps, they no sooner found themselves under the direct, withering gaze of a disapproving Russ. He all but snorted in their direction just as surely as one of them would upturn their muzzle without a second thought.

“Dear friends, I would like to introduce you to none other than Praetor Leman Russ of the Fangs of Fenris, the dominant military power on Fenris,” Cadance said to the nobles with a dramatic wave in the Praetor’s direction and a grin plastered on her face from ear to ear.

All of the unicorns visibly blanched beneath their coats like fuzz-covered quilts nearly buried in snow. “You, clearly … are no Brute … eheh heh,” a third noble managed a greeting, his voice nearly cracking as he gave a terrified laugh.

“Pleased … to make your … uh, acquaintance?” the strict-looking unicorn whimpered.

Wearing the most elaborate sneer he could muster, which was no real effort given the subjects of his stare, Russ approached ever closer to the nearest noble. He said nothing, while Cadance only watched on with a growing urge to fall over and rock about the floor in laughter.

When he got just close enough for the unicorn to feel the outer range capricorn’s breath in his face, all Russ had to do was sharply tap a finger on the pommel of his sword to send the entire party of five scurrying like rats out of the ballroom, somehow managing to have retained their telekinetic grasp on their wine in their terrified flight.

Hearty laughter chased the fleeing aristocracy out into the castle’s courtyard as the entire group, along with both Shining Armor and Cadance now trembling with laughter, found themselves with the ballroom temporarily all to themselves. The servants had been spooked out too by the spontaneously fleeing group of so-called nobility.

When the laughter died down, the topic had shifted from Cadance’s prank back to Luna’s original inquiry as to the plans for the night. Meanwhile, the room was beginning to fill again as first the servants returned, followed by Octavia’s quartet who began setting up their instruments on the low stage that occupied the far end of the ball room, and at last by a large influx of freshly arrived guests.

Discussions of impromptu itineraries were however halted as chance would have it when Luna noted the presence of a well-dressed Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack in the company of four new faces, two pegasus mares and an earth pony mare, as well as a tiny purple and green dragon.

“Twily!” Shining Armor greeted almost automatically as he registered his younger sister’s presence in the room.

“Shining, Cadance, everyone! And Luna! I’m surprised that the Empress didn’t somehow rope you into being stuck with her on greeting duties,” Twilight greeted with much surprise.

“I was pardoned such tedium by sister, actually. Something tells me however that come next year I may not be so lucky. I recognise but half of your fellows, Twilight Sparkle. Warm tidings to you three, ‘tis a most gracious pleasure. Might I have your names?”

“Pinkie Pie’s the name, and throwing parties is my game!” the pink earth pony piped up first, a living embodiment of enthusiasm as she grinned in wonder at Luna, nearly on the verge of bouncing from the looks of her legs beneath her dress. “That totally sounded a lot cooler in my head! Prolly why I’m not Rainbow over here!”

The sky-blue mare that Pinkie Pie was gesturing to stepped forward in a vaguely boast-like manner that somehow still translated into an expected greeting of royalty as she bowed slightly with a grin. “Full name is Rainbow Dash, Your Highness! I just wanna say real quick that I caught a few peeks at the War Games stream and, well … you and your super-powered friends with you now have a new biggest fan! I can’t believe how quickly you guys move, its outright incredible-awesome! Incredsome!”

Next to come forward was the young dragon that seemed to practically hover around Twilight like a little moon. He was eyeing the aristocracy with a look of annoyance before he met Luna’s gaze and appeared to turn somewhat nervous, if his smile was any indication.

“Hi there, Nightm … I mean Your Highness, Princess Luna hehe ... I’m Spike, Twilight’s assistant in the Golden Oak Library at Ponyville!“ Spike made a poorly devised fake cough before finally collecting himself and smiling in earnest. “It really is an honour to finally see you in person, I couldn’t believe it when I heard about you on the news! Oh, and just a heads up … Fluttershy here might take the longest of us to speak up … but trust me, get to know her and she can light right up!”

“Again, I am most pleased to make your acquaintances, you three!” Luna smiled before turning her attention primarily to the yellow pegasus that had yet to speak up. Now, what of you, my fair pegasus? You seem to have a most kindly aura about you.”

Up till that point, the one called Fluttershy had been concealing the majority of her nervous features behind a curtain of soft pink mane, and Luna’s slight approach and reassuring posture unfortunately only proved to draw Fluttershy a smidgen deeper behind her hair.

“You have no need to reply if it is too great of pressure, I will not take offense,” Luna informed her with a lighthearted chuckle, taking a step back to give Fluttershy some space as the rest of the pegasus’ friends look at her with encouragement. “I have seen but a glimpse of what it must be like; the first encountering of another thinking creature outside of Nightmare Moon’s control was a most intimidating prospect, even cloistered as it was in the back of my mind at the time.”

Luna’s words seemed to have carried some degree of weight, for it proved enough to get Fluttershy to step forward ever so slightly and give Luna a small smile as one eye became visible.

“I’m Fluttershy,” the timid mare finally managed in a voice as delicate as a white dandelion. The tone of her voice was clear that no further words were to follow any time soon.

The greeting garnered a beaming look from Luna as both some of her party and Twilight’s party chuckled at the exchange.

Unfortunately, the moment was made fleeting as Fluttershy finally made notice of Leman and the other capricorn warriors present after hearing Ran’s hoofsteps towards them with a tankard in hand. Seeing Bjorn wandering in a vaguely patrol-like manner in the gardens outside was the final cinch.

Fluttershy seemed to go almost catatonic and freeze in midair before darting outside and into the royal gardens in the opposite direction of Bjorn, with a high-pitch yelp of terror that carried far and eft Luna in a shocked daze before she muttered loudly, “Oh by the frozen tits of a frost giant, did that truly just occur? Truly?!”

Such a sudden utterance along with Fluttershy’s vastly audible fright caught her companions by surprise as well as a good portion of the entire ballroom, not at the least Russ as he began staring at her with one of the biggest grins she had ever yet seen on his muzzle.

Already the interest of most of the room had returned to what they had been doing before, to the surprise of some such as Trixie, who began to marvel at the short duration attention span some of the Canterlot aristocracy seemed to have on demonstration.

Luna rolled her eyes in annoyance before letting mirth rapidly take hold again. “That was good practice for a return to form on my interfacing with my subjects in times when tenderness is called for, but then the moment, shattered!”

“For what its worth, I think you did quite well in the brief time that you did,” Rainbow offered her input as she took to hovering. “Usually most attempts with new ponies tend to send Flutters fleeing right off the bat.”

Rainbow turned to look at the mare in question, who was sticking her head in through the nearest patio doorway that lead out into the gardens, checking to see if the coast was clear to rejoin everyone now that it was clear that four-horned equine giants in animal skins of all things were not out to chase her.

“I agree with Rainbow Dash. Someone in your position could not have handled such an encounter any better, at least that’s my assessment off the top of my horn,” Cadance weighed in. “Should you ever be interested in advice or tips on such things, my doors are always open.”

“Mayhaps I shall if time permits, and my gratitude, you two.” Luna then adjusted her voice a bit so that it was out of earshot of some of the other guests.

Enough of the Wolf Guard had come within earshot to satisfy Luna’s prerequisite that she would be heard over the pervasive low chatter and the classical music that had started up.

“Now, my Capricorn friends: for this minor transgression, I want every over privileged aristocrat inside this castle, outside the Imperial family, spooked to within an inch of their souls before this Gala reaches its end. You can tell them apart just by looks, the way they carry themselves is always the same. Remind them of why they have long since become nothing more than figureheads sitting atop glittering hordes that would make a dragon blush! No offense to your possible heritage, Spike.”

“Ha, none possible, Your Highness! Hatched by your’s truly,” Spike replied smugly as he patted a smiling Twilight on her shoulder.

“Princess, as much as I like to feast,” Dagmar said, her eyes twitching a little, “I don’t think giving these fools that much room to chase their tails is a good thing. It will only end in something horrible.”

“We love you two, Day-Bringer,” Solvi replied with a chuckle.

“Some different variety of horrible shall be our aim then, Dagmar. Mud-stained petticoat horrible. Sister will perchance have something already in motion that will fulfill this end, but we could always build upon it,” Luna conjectured with a conspiratorial wink to everyone. “Drunken warriors running amok with such weapons as yours would be a magnificent primer but admittedly a most dangerous one at best.

“Pranks, pranks! Of course, they can always be made better! A perfect prank is just an old mare’s tale!” Pinkie Pie interjected.

“Indeed. Whatever the approach, I look forward to it. The old nobility mostly serve, as they did in my prior era, to besmirch the decent names of such elite and productive houses as those of Fancy Pants, those who rightfully enjoy their earned affluence. Now enough talk of the nobility for now, methinks. Let us all get to know one another for a time!”

“A gesture I, Prince Blueblood, could not agree more too!” came the interjection of yet another new voice to enter Luna’s attention.

A white-coated unicorn stallion with blonde hair bedecked in the same uniform type as Trixie and Shining Armor approached with a tall, fiery-haired man in his company. The human was clearly Prince Tobias, whom Luna remembered only having briefly encountered before during her first day back on Equis from Selene.

“Especially if it means getting to know this particularly gorgeous warrior-mare, here,” Blueblood spoke in a tone of general address to all but his body language – a noticeable batting of his eyelashes – clearly conveying that he was addressing Ran in particular.

Prince Tobias turned to regard his unicorn companion with what appeared to be annoyance bordering on loathing as he could practically detect Ran’s response supernaturally without even needing to look in her direction for verification.

While Blueblood’s eyelashes were batting luxuriantly, Ran’s eyes meanwhile were staring dangerously still, as if daring the unicorn to try any further with his obvious mode of address.

Luna could only look on with much amusement as Tobias, sensing imminent cataclysm within a very small defined geographic space, promptly raised his hand as a telekinetic aura form around it and in turn one of Blueblood’s ears.

“I was going to be on the lookout for either gender, but your way of going about it has sullied my interest in it tonight, Blue,” Tobias griped.

“Magically unhoof me, Toby. You’re interrupting my show of absolute beauty, the beauty that helped conquer not one, not two, but three enemy worlds!” Blueblood whined as Tobias proceeded to drag the other prince out of the ballroom with perhaps the staunchest deadpan that Luna had ever seen.

A quake of laughter erupted amongst the Wolf Lords, but it nearly wavered as Ran then trained her gaze on her comrades rather than watching Blueblood be unceremoniously carted off.

“Well, that’s one death averted,” Dagmar muttered while shaking her head. She knew that Ran would have easily run the pony through if he had kept talking.

“Always a nice thing, that,” Twilight ventured with a chuckle.

“Especially under the watch of the Royal Guard,” Shining Armor added as he let up his cheerful demeanor slightly to convey his seriousness. “While we anticipate that capricorns and a lot of booze will inevitably make for probably some broken bones and even broken furnishings potentially, all things we can live with no problem even despite the mountain of paperwork and digital forms it would produce. Actual death would be a whole another factor, judicially and diplomatically speaking.”

“In a more lighthearted way to put it, Shiny is bracing for a mountain of paperwork either way, first thing tomorrow,” Cadance followed up, giving a wink to the capricorns in particular

“He isn’t the only one looking a little tense,” Solvi said to Cadance, slowly shifting her way to the young alicorn. “Many, many years of experience has taught me many ways to remove tension. I’d be glad to show you.”

Cadance regarded the capricorn with a playful expression. “Perhaps some gaps may appear in my schedule sometime soon. They seem to happen a lot with this one, here,” Cadance looked in turn to Shining, who bit his lip in what appeared to be embarassment. “Our invitation to Leman Russ also extends to his Wolf Lords and we would be most … offended if we were to be turned down.”

“If I’m not mistaken, this entire gala is one big gap,” Solvi replied with a smirk, completely shutting out the minor snickering from her fellow Wolf Guards not too far away.

“Then perhaps we should find a place to fill that gap while the night is still young,” Cadance said as she prevented her voice from becoming an outright pur.

“Well then, why don’t you show me all the best places to not be heard,” Solvi did purr this time.

Luna observed the exchange with a budding amusement that was only bolstered by the sight of an increasingly sweating Shining Armor, who seemed like he could bite his lip no more fiercely.

“The observatory tower. Since its the Gala, all the researchers will be busy at the bar outside or elsewhere in the castle, and the orrery there creates such a perfect dulcet ambience.” Cadance then turned to regard Shining before they took their leave, who at this point was sweating bullets. “Will you be coming with us, Shiny?”

The inflection that Cadance had added to the pronunciation of his name did no favours for his speech patterns in his current state. He replied in a sputter, “Uhh, erm, soon honey. You two go on ahead … I’m sure there will be, uh, plenty to look at up in the observatory.”

“I can vouch for the night sky personally,” Luna said to him with a wink, now leaving Shining Armor to the point of suppressing a squeak.

“Trixie likes this, she will not deny it,” the unicorn mare whispered to Luna.

“We’re off then,” Cadance said with a passionate chuckle as she and Solvi took their leave of the ballroom. “See you soon.”

“Sooner rather erm, than later … “ Shining Armor said back before announcing the sudden necessity of ‘surveying the battlements’ as he mustered up a respectful parting to Luna and the others before he took his own leave of the ballroom to retain his visual modesty.

Luna could barely maintain a rising chorus of laughter in her gut as she watched the rapidly retreating unicorn stallion, who was taking a route that she knew from having explored the castle dozens of times was yet another direct route to the observatory. She then turned to see a Master Chief that was barely maintaining his usual stoic expression.

Laughter was exchanged for surprise however as, once again, someone’s voice captured her attention.

“Guess who,” came the voice of a particular UNSC marine as first Trixie and then Luna and the others turned to regard him. Johnson had two large glass bottles carefully in his grasp as he smirked at them. “You all miss me? C’mon now, you know ya did!”

Luna grinned. “Mayhaps, Sergeant Major. That depends. What venerable beverage did you bring our way this evening?”

“Florienburg riesling, vintage 2499. Also, some whiskey from Reach.”

Trixie said nothing in reply, simply electing to huff at him before levitating both bottles out of his grasp whilst also telekinetically fetching some glasses deftly from a passing servant’s tray. She brought all of that about in front of her and offered to pour drinks for those who wanted some. Twilight accepted some of the wine while Shining and Cadance both sampled a glass of each, along with Johnson and Luna while the Chief declined for the time being.

Many of the Fangs grinned mockingly at the offer of the pony wine and only slightly less so to the human whiskey, but nevertheless the drinks were then shared amongst the Capricorns in single rapid draughts to humour their fellow guests. Some of them even managed to find traditional songs that matched the present music being played at the time, and sung it quietly amongst themselves, their systems not yet possessing enough alcohol to drive them to truly fitting volumes.

Canterlot’s Grand Galloping Gala was starting in earnest now. The earth ponies on stage were beginning to pick up in their music, now performing a more baroque style compared to their predominantly classical performance set to dominate the majority of the Gala that night. As that occurred, Fluttershy had finally managed to drive herself back into the ballroom to rejoin her friends who were now all celebrating near the stage.

Luna spied Ruman and Bjorn both in the garden, one standing with other guests with a glass of something in hand but saying nothing, and the other slowly approaching the topiary gardens and hedge maze. An idea sprung forth. She decided upon seeing both people by chance in the garden to introduce the two largely reticent individuals and strike up conversation between the two after temporarily parting with her present companions.

“Fair Ruman, I hope the evening treats you well thus far!” Luna greeted with a moderately sanguine flare, having approached him first thanks to him being the closest in proximity.

“Modestly so, Your Highness,” came the royal forgemaster’s neutral reply as he then took a sip of his drink.

“Would you desire some company? You are not the only one on the grounds here that is with only the company of themselves.”

Luna punctuated her question by gesturing to the ancient Promethean Wolf some paces away, still patrolling and at times observing the interactions of the other guests with what could be a degree of interest.

“An idea I am open to,” Ruman admitted as his face took on a faint but noticeable glow. “I must admit, my curiosity only grows for the era that the sapient construct … “ he trailed off his voice to indicate he did not know his name.

“He is called Bjorn,” Luna informed him.

“That Bjorn came from. He is a warmachine of such complex construction and yet there appears to be far more, from what I can observe, to his essence that belies his warlike appearance.”

“It has been made clear that, for the time being, questions of their direct origin cannot be answered with detail as a matter of private directive, but something tells me that Bjorn still has plenty to say if his interests are found and touched upon. Shall we gather you two?”

“Lead the way,” Ruman answered with a nod.

Delighted, Luna proceeded to lead the minotaur over to the analytical, contemplative giant currently dominating his own corner of the gardens. She caught his attention with a wave of her hoof, and greeted him with, “Warmest good evening to you, Bjorn! I have found two in these gardens bereft of company and you complete the pair!”

Bjorn shifted his digitigrade form and turned to regard the alicorn and the minotaur. His snouted face shifted to convey a slight analogue to a friendly expression that was possible given his imposing and mechanical nature.

“Luna figured it a good idea to introduce us, and while I admit I may be less socially inclined as far as minotaurs go, I still possess the trademark hospitality our race is famous for enough to enjoy meeting new faces. I am Ruman, the chief blacksmith for the empire’s Royal Guard.”

Bjorn’s head tilted down to the minotaur for a moment before returning back up to continue looking out over the Gala. There was no reply from the metal giant.

Luna’s ears flattened form awkwardness as Ruman simply scratched his head at the silence, his features still neutral. The quiescence continued to linger in the air for a few moments before Ruman had a thought and inquired, “I have always wondered, being a maker of arms rather than a soldier that fights with them, what is it like to serve in battle alongside a commander whom is as hotheaded as a plasma-fed forge?”

There was a snort from the giant wolf before his head turned around to face Ruman. “Hot-headed does not even begin to describe that thickhead capricorn. There are entire wars that … prove he thinks with his ass.”

Ruman chuckled slightly. “Do you suppose he can hear that from such a distance? I assume capricorn hearing must be of high calibre, let alone his.”

“Like he would do anything about it. Despite everything, he cares not about … what he is called,” Bjorn replied.

Bjorn’s reply proved enough to draw Ruman out of what had turned out to be a mask as a massive grin dominated his face and his bovine ears flickered, also causing Luna to light up again. “We need more of that kind of thing in Canterlot. Everywhere. The war has dulled seemingly almost everyone’s sense of humour in the higher echelons.” Ruman downed the rest of his drink. “Then there are those who have always had their heads up their asses no matter what the situation of the galaxy. Me, I just tend to my forge as my duty calls me. Were there many like the capricorns of your day, as well as the capricorns of ours?”

“There was only Fangs and those who saw the Fangs as mythical gods,” Bjorn answered somewhat solemnly. “There was never capricorns like you see today.”

“Deification? Just why?” Ruman scratched his head again. “Aren’t pantheons enough, and all they do is just stand around being statues and whatnot. Can’t recall a time in living memory that an actual legitimate god or goddess appeared and did something fun or nasty, unless one buys into them old mare’s tales and the claims of the darn immortals that wander around the planet here.”

“I met a wrinkly immortal once, an actual centaur. I think he was named Sendak,” Johnson interjected as Luna found him appearing near her for the second time that night, this time smirking at the other three with yet another bottle in his hands. “Bearded wizard type, with skin like sandpaper. Anyways, glad to see two of some of the biggest lugs in this castle are making nice along with Luna, here. Would four be a crowd?”

“Not at all, or would it, my new friends?” Luna turned to regard Bjorn and Ruman.

Both gave their respective form of welcoming gesture. Nodding to them with a smile, Johnson pulled over a patio table that he set his new bottle, Luna read the label as being a form of human-made whiskey, down upon before fetching chairs for Ruman and himself.

“So Bjorn, got some curiosities of my own! Namely, can you paint a picture of what a good battle was like in your time? You know, just enough to give us an idea of what asskickery was like in what we consider to be the damn age of stone and caves.”

Bjorn’s head turned to regard Johnson, “you’re like one of the fresh pups, so eager to hear tales of old. There is only a few stories … I can tell to non-Fangs. One being the sacking of Yonhet, a rather quick but brutal war; for them.”

“Always been a sucker for war stories. If the youthful spark ever truly leaves someone, then something went wrong somewhere down the road,” Johnson replied with a grin, pouring drinks for himself and Ruman after it immediately became obvious that Bjorn was not capable of consuming it.

“A sacking? You have my undivided attention now. Ancestors of mine have worked in this city during attempted sackings and sieges centuries ago, helping to break them,” Ruman stated.

“Long before your time, during what the Fangs call, the Great Crusade, there was a planet … one that hosted a species of dishonour and greed. What they are, is not important, or what they did for that is history. All that matters to time is … that once we were done with it, it was hardly a planet,” Bjorn began, his deep synthetic voice rumbling yet hardly loud enough to get past the table.

“Do enjoy the tale, you two. Unfortunately I cannot remain for I wish to check and see if sister has set her mischief into motion yet for the Gala at large,” Luna said as she gave an apologetic look to Bjorn before training her eyes on the bar and then towards the entrances of the ballroom.

As Bjorn began reciting the war story from memory with his audience of two listening with rapt attention, Luna made her way back towards the ballroom with parts of the story still reaching her ears.

“The initial bombardment was nothing of note, our Great Wolf decided he wanted to test us. To see how easily we could take the planet. Leman comes up to me, as we approach our shuttle, and asks me if I wanted to sit this one out, for I was apparently getting too old. I grinned and bore it before telling him I would slay more foes than he could even count,” Bjorn continued, seemingly more than eager to tell his story.

Luna’s ears swiveled a bit with curiosity at the words but she filed them into the back of her mind as she set about searching for Trixie, Leman, Chief, and the others in the now crowded ballroom.

What Wolf Lords Luna found were within proximity of a second bar that had been quietly but rapidly established by some stewards to complement the other one outside. Amusingly to her, some of the Unggoy of Yayap’s party had joined the capricorns in the drinking taking place and were already beginning to hobble about at random and start rambling from the intoxicants flooding their systems.

“All drinks on me, my people, if my name isn’t Matriarch Zayaz! Oh wait, it is … Matriarch Zayaz is best noble in all the galaxy.”

“Maybe if me drink more, me grow taller. Maybe if me drink more, tall people grow shorter, hehe.”

“Scrub grubs, the lot of ya!”

Unggoy height and high-pitched voices, thanks to the methane they breathed through their snorkeling gear-like rebreather devices, in sheer comparison to the capricorns was so striking that Luna felt herself repressing the urge to snicker. Their numbers were not enough to draw much attention, although in combination with their capricorn counterparts they could yet prove to put on quite the display.

Just as Luna spied Trixie drinking something, whilst Leman Russ downed a flagon of mjord and the Master Chief watched them both over a datapad he had on the table he was seated at on one end of the room, she also spotted her sister over at a door where the servants were coming and going from. Celestia was waving her over with an urgent but mysterious demeanor, her eyes alight with playfulness.

“Luna, please come here! I have something to show you!”

Luna pursed her lips for a moment before rolling her eyes and smirking. She increased her pace and detoured towards her sister. “I hope this proves worthy of your urgent air, sister.”

Behold … Booze! And a Secret!
Canterlot Palace, Kitchen Wing

Luna followed after her sister with an increasingly anxious but excited expression as they all but stalked the corridors leading to the castle’s royal kitchen.

“It is something simple and straightforward,” Celestia stated vaguely as frequent looks to her sister behind her levied the unspoken question again and again. “If it was too obvious of a conclusion to jump to, it will be even more obvious what the plan really consists of when we get to our destination,” Celestia said with a wink.

“Just following your lead, sister mine,” Luna replied with a chuckle.

“Not long now, just down this corridor!”

Both alicorns continued on until they reached a heavy oak door replete with a sign portraying stylized wooden kegs, leading down deeper into the palace basements.

“The … royal cellars. Truly?” Luna broke out into laughter at that. “Avery Johnson nearly gave it away.”

There was only the pearlescent showing of teeth from Celestia before she declared in a most uncharacteristic fashion, “The ‘Empire’s solution’ to tonight's monotony! Behold … booze!”

Under Celestia’s golden aura, door swung open to reveal the expansive cellars nearly full to the brim with stacks upon neat stacks of various boxed bottles, barrels, and kegs. Servants and other staff were quietly milling about amongst the stacks, moving assorted liquor about, performing audits, and hefting clipboards and datapads around.

Celestia gave a sweeping and quasi-villainous gesture to the entire collection of rooms before them. “I personally ordered extra alcohol of all kinds for the Gala out of my own pocket, and instructed our staff to offer it especially and persistently to the corrupt of the nobility; their names are notorious and they are readily identifiable by all Canterlotians. Our staff can also be quite persuasive.”

“Allow me perchance to conjecture!” Luna said with enthusiasm. “You plan to sow mischief and chaos amongst their ranks, give the Royal Guard reason to remove them from attendance and fine them, thus humiliating them whilst transferring some of their wealth back to the capital’s coffers?”

Cheekiness lit up Celestia’s features. “Believe it or not, the plan mainly is just for the mischief portion in mind, but that would be a most fortunate byproduct!”

“And what if it has ill repercussions too, however? Already the Unggoy were beginning to behave erratically from intoxication, and might a number of drunken warriors such as Leman’s Fangs of Fenris prove to become an unwitting fatal threat whilst also in the presence of drunk aristocracy?” Luna inquired as her features sobered for the moment.

Luna closed the door behind them to assure privacy for the duration of their presence in the

“I anticipated that beings of such ancient origin and such powerful technology millennia ahead of even the Covenant’s would also possess great restraint even under the influence,” Celestia stated with an equally serious expression.

This made Luna tilt her head a bit. “And if they are not?”

Celestia peered into Luna’s eyes so that her sister could read her more easily. “Even if that proved to not entirely be the case, anyone foolish enough to attempt to pick a fight with a warrior of their average size and threat level would also in turn be challenging the Royal Guard, a prospect that promises almost instantaneous arrest. You have not be informed of this yet, but the Royal Guard have already undergone the augmentations that the Praetorians have yet to, and beyond thanks to the limited yet staggering xenoarchaeology and reverse engineering that has been done. I do so ever wish for full public discourse of our most advanced developments, but our intelligence organisations appeal to my more secretive side of my personality nearly ever time, gridlocking the effort that I admit my weakness in this regard further impedes.”

”You did say the Guard was here for the city’s protection mostly, rather than that of yourself. I assume they are also for Cadance and the rest of the imperial government’s security,” Luna mused, before following up with, “We digress terribly though, my sister. This is discussion enough for another time. If we can contain the riskier side of this mischievous endeavour, then let us spring it!”

Both siblings’ joviality returned within moments as they nodded to each other before making their way out of the castle cellar.

Two Anthems, Two Mares, and a Lot of Drink
Canterlot Palace, Ballroom

When Luna returned to the ballroom with Celestia entering it for the first time in full that night, they found that Celestia’s scheme had already begun to take fruit in a most visible form.

Small groups of Canterlotian aristocrats nearest the interior bar, which had mysteriously doubled in its staff and liquor supply since the sisters had returned, were already beginning to appear tipsy or more flamboyant in their interactions than usual from such stuffy demeanors. Much to the alicorns’ surprise however, the odd conduct still had yet to reach the full attention of the rest of the ballroom.

Instead, many of the foreign guests were still engrossed in either the earth pony ensemble’s music or the decor and architecture. The nobility meanwhile were steeped in their own respective conversations of gossip and alleged political and economic intrigue.

Due to the current state of the Gala in respect to the ballroom in particular, Luna separated from Celestia, who was beginning to mingle with some of the guests, and took the time to scan the crowd for faces she both recognised and that were unfamiliar but could easily be distinguished from the Gala-goers to be avoided.

Professor Anders was quickly spotted in enthusiastic conversation with Twilight and Rarity and the rest of their friends. Following her was the sight of A.K. Yearling, possibly discussing archaeological findings with what could be fellow colleagues, a diverse assortment of humans and ponies gathered around her listening with greatly focused attention if their body language were any indication. Lord General Svelte was also seen to be in attendance chatting with the holographic projection of Obligation, the physically present weapons master Sanjiik Kusovai, and a small collection of Royal Guards.

Amongst the unfamiliar faces to Luna was a number of pegasi clothed in blue and gold flight suits with goggles on their foreheads, as well as apparent colleagues draped in similarly coloured military dress uniforms. Most prominent of these pegasi to draw the Princess’ eye was a fiery-haired pegasus mare that, by the way she carried herself, appeared to be the leader of the group currently present at the Gala.

“Princess Luna, nice to finally make your acquaintance!” the mare had said as she introduced herself as Spitfire, a major captain of the Wonderbolts.

“Likewise!”

“So, how’s this year’s Gala treating you? Bored to death yet from all the stuffy and insufferable air around here?” Spitfire’s wink was just able to be made out through her body-covering flight suit, but it nonetheless earned a snicker from Luna.

“Methinks it shall not be a problem before long,” Luna said with a wink back before the two had to give their partings as their respective activities and companions called them and their full attention back.

As Luna resumed her surveying of the crowd, in a most Bjorn-like fashion at that, she noted that many of the other unfamiliars were diplomats, powerful merchants and the like if she had to wager. She was nearly finished with her crowd-gazing before her eyes chanced upon some of the most alien members of the guests participating in the Gala, and she recognised them instantly.

A whole millennium having been spent observing them whilst being a prisoner within her own mind and body, the Nyx of Selene were unmistakeable to Luna, none the least the tallest amongst them that she had last seen five days ago fully restored from the Nightmare Forces’ corruption.

Larry the Dreamweaver stood at the front of his small group of morphologically diverse brethren, wearing an odd type of modern black and white finery complete with a crisp white tie and partaking of a glass of wine as he stared at everything with a passive wonder much like what she possessed still to the very moment for the world around her.

Luna expected herself to hesitate due to what a figure such as Larry represented, but to her surprise there was none at all save for the initial shock as she found herself purposefully striding towards the group of Nyx, who all could spot her out of the crowd just as surely as she had with them.

“Princess Luna, imagine our awe at seeing you free from the shackles of the Nightmare Forces!” Larry said the instantly she had reached the optimal range of his normal speaking voice, his hands held aloft to illustrate his awe. “Our leader Gaiman says that all Nyx are in the debt of those who freed us as well as yourself using the Elements of Harmony.”

“The awe is mutual! It may yet only increase when I inform you that those who freed us from the forces of Nightmare Moon are now amongst my friends, and we have since made even more powerful friends in the days leading up to this Grand Galloping Gala you may yet meet tonight. Those, dear companions all, are but a portion of their total number.”

Larry followed Luna’s sweeping gesture towards where Russ, Trixie, and the Chief had since moved to, all three of them now drinking some form of liquor or another while Russ continued on with seemingly endless drafts of mjord.

“If visual stature alone is any indication, they are most powerful and formidable friends indeed!” Larry said with a note of admiration in his vaguely avian voice. “Princess Luna, since our restoration as a people, this Grand Solarian Concordat that rules everything around our system has briefed us of the state of the world outside of Selene.”

“The war, aye,” Luna said simply, nodding for him to continue.

“Yes. In addition to our debt, Gaiman and all of us have pledged our allegiance to the Concordat, and given our mutual millennia-long struggle with Nightmare Moon, that allegiance extends to yourself and all who associate with you. Should you ever need the services of the Nyx: our warriors, our thinkers or our dreamweavers, we are at your disposal!”

Larry’s declaration caused Luna to smile gratefully, and she even flared her wings partially out in delight at the prospect of a new power, however slight in size, joining the alliance her sister had helped forge in such recent history. Such solidarity had proven incredibly rare in the Equis she had been familiar with.

“I would like to offer you my personal gratitude for your allegiance, I am sure Equestria and its colonies follow suit … I admit I am still growing accustomed to the latter element of our civilisation.”

It appeared that Larry had more to say further as he nodded his thanks in return after expressing his delight that she had not possessed apprehension by the Nyx’s presence. Unfortunately, whatever it was found itself caught in his beak as the alcohol guzzling of the aristocracy finally had reached enough prevalence that antics were being made manifest.

A chorus of gasps threatened to nearly overtake the prevailing sound of the musical quartet as a number of finery-clad unicorns, earth ponies, and pegasi of both genders embroiled themselves in internecine brawls.

Celestia appeared grinning but analytical beside Luna as the nobles began hurling slurred insults at one another over each other’s deteriorating speech, their attire, and even their respective choices of drink. Glass was being shattered and some were tearing at each other's garments. Outside in the gardens, some of the nobles were beginning to host impromptu magical duels with one another in a most tipsy fashion, or were hollering at one another as if they each were servants to the other.

Luna could make out Royal Guards in the far distances of all four varieties, watching the Gala attentively but their stances no more stoic than was usual for them. All of the more aggressive and hostile nobles were already being carted out of the Gala by the armoured escorts whose severity put to shame nearly every notoriously straight-laced professor that had ever dwelled in the entire breadth of Equestria.

Despite the gasps and the commotion, somehow the main body of guests in the ballroom carried on in their regular business, this time adding in bouts of amused and shocked observation of the drunken ponies currently shattering their false facades of genteel superiority. Some of them, especially the equally inebriated Capricorns, were howling with laughter at the circus unfolding both inside and out.

Even Twilight Sparkle and some of her friends, to Luna’s surprised laughter, were contributing to the chaos whilst Spike had taken to deadpanning and hovering near the musical ensemble whose constant melodies seemed to create a forcefield of order around the stage which Luna had positioned herself next to.

To add to matters, Yayap’s party was in the midst of an activity where they were sprinting about the ballroom floor, cheering and seeing how many aristocrats’ muzzles they could tap whilst making a ‘boop’ noise before they could be stopped by unicorn magic.

While Russ and the Chief had gathered with some of the Wolf Lords at the bar inside the ballroom, Trixie had meanwhile broken off from that trio and had joined up with Twilight, Trixie, and Applejack, who proceeded to perform one of the most notable drunken acts of the night as they giggled their way towards the stage just as the musicians were in the closing seconds of their latest song.

“Octavia Melody! Make way for Trixie and Twilight, the ultimate vocalist duo this side of the galaxy!” Trixie said in between giggling fits in a slight slur to the grey mare that lead the ensemble.

Octavia’s eyes seemed to almost bug out of her skull in response to the two unicorns’ sudden appearance on the stage. Her colleagues’ reactions were fairly comparable, and Spike’s eyes widened before his deadpan returned.

“Excuse me?” Octavia chirped out.

“We’re gonna sing the anthem!” Twilight all but blurted out as she seemed almost unable to retain her balance.

“Oh brother ... “ Spike sighed.

While the duo visually assailed Octavia and company with their current unruly states, Luna briefly stole a glance at Celestia. She found the Empress to be caught in an internal civil war between mortification and rib-shattering laughter.

“I’m sorry … you what?!” Octavia stammered out in what appeared to be horrified disbelief.

“The Equestrian anthem, silly!” Trixie added as if it was the most helpful tip in the universe.

“Both … b-both of them?” Octavia replied, stammering further as one of her eyes twitched at the prospect.

“Sure, why not?! Everything's better when doubled!” Pinkie Pie threw in with glee from the disorderly crowd.

“Hear, hear!” Luna found herself calling out in a similar fashion

“Both anthems it shall be, so sayeth the Great and Powerful Trixie!” Trixie proclaimed, prompting Octavia to place the flat of her hoof against her muzzle in dismay before giving a sigh of resignation and instructing her quartet to make way for them for the time being.

Pinkie Pie somehow appeared next to Trixie and Twilight, grinning with an antiquated microphone and its stand which she deployed for the, in the short span of time before darting back to the crowd.

“Gods have mercy on us musicians,” Octavia muttered as the two unicorns then stood side by side at the forefront of the stage, grinning at the entire ballroom.

“Royal anthem first, as always,” Trixie said as she raised a glass with her magic in a toast, not realising it was empty as she moved to down its nonexistent contents.

“Take it away, Trixie!” Twilight prompted the other as she paused to hiccup.

Trixie smiled with a flushed face, passing the glass over to a laughing server and priming her vocal cords before singing.

O’ Land of Harmony
Fair Equestria, for thee we rise
For amity, liberty, and joy
Land of magic, the free and wise

The crowd and indeed the rest of the castle that could hear the sounds being carried over was shocked to behold midway through the first anthem that even inebriated, Trixie’s singing voice rang out articulately with only slight slurring. She produced a performance that was still in its own unorthodox merits considerably enjoyable. Even Twilight’s audible hiccuping was still not enough to diminish it entirely.

As Trixie continued, Twilight joined her with an equally passable yet still marred singing voice for the final half of the anthem.

For friends of old, one and all
Three tribes as one stand tall
O’ Land of Harmony
Fair Equestria, for thee we rise

When the duet finished, the entire ballroom was awkwardly silent. Even the most blazingly drunken nobles were gawking like fish or had their lips pursed. Both mares were on the cusp of breaking out into nervous sweats before an unrestrained, free-spirited mixed chorus of laughter, booing and cheering erupted.

Celestia was cheering. Luna for her part meanwhile was amongst the laughing portion even despite her propensity for oftentimes excessive decorum.

Both mares onstage brushed off their brows with relief as Octavia caught their attention with a tap on both their shoulders, the crowd’s sound lessening gradually.

Octavia was actually donning a smile of pleasant surprise. “That actually wasn’t half bad, erm–”

“Trixie,” Twilight blurted out.

“Twilight,” Trixie equally blurted at the same time.

When they realised their mix up, their faces became ever more flushed as Octavia continued. “Believe it or not, you have inspired us!” Octavia gestured to her bandmates, who nodded in agreement, “We shall play the instrumental of the imperial anthem as you continue!”

Trixie and Twilight both exchanged questioning looks before shrugging, this time going bipedal as they shared the microphone.

Octavia’s ensemble quickly got into position and began to play the instrumental of the anthem with the instruments they had on hoof.

O’ Empire of Harmony
Fair Equestria, for thee we rise
From sea to sea afar
From sky to gleaming stars
A vibrant soul immortalised
May we be humbled by
Our great, majestic might
By day, and by the night
Forever amity will take flight

By now, a lot of the ballroom had taken to singing along as a general sense of unity began to conspire with the alcohol to overtake their normally arrogant and proper attitudes

Ev’ry world and ev’ry star
Under fair blue and white
United with glowing hearts
Under proud red and gold
Flourish dawns and starts
O’ Empire of Harmony
Fair Equestria, for thee we rise

More cheers erupted this time along with an equal amount of booing heckling from the previous rendition as the instrumental carried on for a few more seconds before Octavia and company brought the song to a graceful conclusion.

Even the hecklers found themselves compelled to shift their sounds to a new stance as Octavia surprised everyone moments later by playing the instrumental of the GSC itself.

Luna’s sense of wonder ignited in that moment as some of the foreigners began singing the lyrics of their anthems, prompting Leman and the rest of the Fangs present to join in with some Capricorn warsongs. Voices combined as the Equestrian anthem was sung again to join the eclectic and vibrant mix in addition to a number of folk songs both from Equestria and beyond its borders.

The singing outlasted the actual anthem of the Concordat by almost a minute before a quiet had returned to a ballroom whose atmosphere had been briefly transformed from one of extravagant opulence to a variety of true solidarity.

Rounds of applause and cheers hailed Octavia’s group and the various guests themselves for their combined performance. Octavia and her companions gave prideful bows, each beaming as a certain alicorn shared their expression.

Luna was smiling in her own right, but to her, Celestia appeared to be positively alight like an actual star as she moved to join her side near the stage. Philomena, Celestia’s pet phoenix, had perched herself on Celestia’s elegantly slender foreleg as she approached.

“My sister, clearly this event had moved you just as much as myself, if not more so,” Luna pointed out with a raised brow, amused.

Philomena gave her a welcoming chirp, prompting Luna to coo at her as she stroked her plumage affectionately.

“Prepare to eclipse me, Luna, as I make an announcement on your behalf,” Celestia stated cryptically, still maintaining her smile as a by now confused Luna watched her ascend the stage and took her place where the microphone had previously been, herself having no need for it due to centuries of vocal practice. Philomena had removed herself from Celestia’s leg and was now circling the air of the ballroom above everyone.

“Citizens of Canterlot, Equestria, Fenris, and the GSC, I would like to formally introduce to you all, the de facto Crown Princess of the Empire of Equestria!” Celestia waved a minorly startled but delighted Luna up to join her as applause rang out once more.

“Celestia, I … “ Luna chuckled as she mustered words, but Celestia caused her to pause mid-sentence with a wink.

“Consider this your informal coronation, little sister,” Celestia informed her before saying to the Gala-goers, who were already beginning to bow, “As the former diarch of our prior kingdom, Luna now has full status as a member of the imperial family. She will be given fledgling command of military forces, and is now a living embodiment of our collective diplomatic, academic, and cultural voice. She is my equivalent in all executive authority. I hope for you all to welcome her, a true daughter of harmony, with the combined warmth of Equestria’s heart.”

Celestia finished by turning to her sister and offering her the forefront of the stage, encouragement adding to her glow as she ushered Luna forward.

Luna accepted with gracious nod, grinning as she took her sister’s place and looked out over the crowd that was dominated by admiration and approval. Those that had any sign of dissent were easily blotted out of notice, and the remainder, including the Fangs, regarded with approval tinged with a form of reminiscence only they at present understood.

As Luna cleared her voice and surveyed her audience, she was shocked for the umpteenth time that night. Words she expected to have come with difficulty from such a sudden event actually came with relative ease, flowing like water as she delivered a brief speech to what was now by Celestia’s decree her legal subjects as well.

“Citizens of Equestria and her allies, friends all, I am beyond humbled. The restoration of my ancient office is the greatest boon I could have ever been granted outside of freedom from the Nightmare herself. For the wrongdoings of Nightmare Moon for centuries, afflicting your dreams, robbing you of your sleep and far more, and for the land I long ago came to call home, your Crown Princess reaffirms her loyalty to the subjects she serves.”

Luna paused to take a breath as her audience looked to her with encouragement.

“In my service as a co-ruler of our empire, my first order of duty up until this moment already self-assigned, is to oversee and aid in the Equestrian efforts of bringing to justice the corrupt and criminal dregs of the Covenant Empire. We shall culminate in that power’s complete and total destruction, so that no civil and free society should ever stare down the threat of its genocidal tyranny again!”

With that, the Gala marked the start of its final hour that night to a hailing cry, laden with eager howls and various war cries and patriotic slogans that filled the castle with the sound of determination and unity.