After what seemed like hours instead of seconds of embracing their newfound human friend, Aaron, Twilight and her friends finally released him.

Aaron was glad to see the mares back together, and that he could breathe properly again considering that they were hugging him a little too much. He should be thankful though that they haven’t come around to mistrust him anymore. He truly set a good influence for himself, and the rest of his military companions.

Just then, a low rumble emitted from Applejack’s stomach.

She then gazed down at her stomach and rubbed it while chuckling a little.

“Looks like Ah’ve been so worked up lately, Ah forgot tah eat. Whad’ya say we all go back to mah farm an’ have ourselves some late lunch? It’s all on me,” she suggested.

“Sounds like fun!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“I think that sounds delightful, darling,” Rarity stated. “I think our own concerns have made us each skip our own servings of grand nutrition.”

The rest of the mares nodded in agreement.

“I think a quick bite would be good for me as well,” Aaron said, smiling. “I don’t think I had anything this morning.”

“Well c’mon then,” Applejack urged. “Ah can’t let ya an’ the girls starve to death! Let’s get a move on, y’all!”

Applejack led her friends, and Aaron, back to the farm. While on the way, Aaron was examining the contents on his COMM watch to the interest of Rainbow Dash, who was hovering somewhere above him. If something looked cool to her, she got quite inquisitive--and the high and advanced technological look of it was total eye candy.

“Say, Aaron. Do you know where I can get an awesome looking gadget like the one you have on your wrist there?” she asked.

Aaron looked up at Rainbow, then back to his COMM watch before putting his gaze on her again with an amused smile on his face.

“I’m afraid it’s not that easy. You have to be inducted into the UNSC military to get one; and I’m only being blunt there,” he replied.

“Oh c’mon,” Rainbow complained. “Why can’t you tell me the whole process? I’m totally fit for combat!”

She then fluxed her forehooves.

“I’m afraid it is not as simple and easy as you think it is,” Aaron explained. “You would have to go through months of intense training and battle simulations before officially serving as a soldier. As for a soldier of my specialty, the training is even more brutal and longer. As a bonus, you get poked with needles. A lot of needles.”

“Bah. Needles weedles,” Rainbow spat cockily. “Rainbow Dash is not afraid of a pathetic little needle.”

“Um….you kind of are,” Fluttershy stated timidly.

Rainbow’s cheeks then turned pink as an embarrassed expression came across her face, but she tried to retain her bold composure.

“Maybe when I was four, but I’ve overcome it. I swear,” she excused defiantly.

“Right,” Fluttershy said as she rolled her eyes. She knew Rainbow all too well, and that was just enough to know that Rainbow wasn’t telling the truth. Whenever Rainbow has her physical, the doctors have to hold her down against her will before they perform a sedation to knock her out and relax her body so the injection can go smoothly. Rainbow only wakes up with a small ache to where the needle was inserted.

Before things could get more personal, Rainbow decided to change the subject.

“I wonder how my team is doing in bringing in a warm front from the San Palomino desert?” she asked.

“Why would you ask, Rainbow? You were supposed to go and help them. Remember?” Twilight stated bemusedly.

“Hey. I wanted to make sure Fluttershy was going to be okay. You know I can never leave a friend hangin’,” Rainbow protested.

“Does that also apply to your co-workers as well?” Twilight asked, now suspicious.

Rainbow was about to say something, but nothing came out. She hated when she got outwitted by Twilight’s brilliance.

“Look. I know Cloudkicker’s agility and speed is somewhat close to mine, so I know she can do well in assisting Thunderlane, Flitter, and Cloudchaser for what needs to be done. They can do well without me for a bit.”

“Then perhaps you should probably go and check up on them, darling,” Rarity suggested. “It would be perfectly okay for all of us.”

“I could,” Rainbow began, as she looked up and put a hoof to her chin as she thought. “But I think I should eat first. I won’t be any good at anything of my stomach is empty now, wouldn’t I?” she smirked.

Twilight just face-hoofed and sighed. Now she was the one who got outwitted by Rainbow. She couldn’t deny that food would deliver the energy Rainbow needed to fly far off and join her weather teammates.

“Don’t worry, Rainbow. Granny’s meals will stuff ya like a hungry snake who jus’ swallowed a good sized field mouse whole,” Applejack reassured with a proud grin.

This saying made Fluttershy squeak and bring tears to her eyes at the thought of such a horrific sight.

SWEET APPLE ACRES

1:30PM

The food that the Apple family offered Aaron and the girls were fresh helpings of apple fritters with the side of apple fries, and applesauce. The beverage was applejuice. As a non-apple serving--there was fresh corn on the cob.

Dessert, was of course going to be Granny Smith’s famous apple pie!

“So, Mr. Alien,” Apple Bloom began.

“Please. Call me Aaron,” Aaron said with a friendly smile.

“So, Aaron. Can you earn a cutie mark for whatever it is that you do?” she asked curiously.

Aaron became puzzled by the young filly’s question.

“I’m afraid I don’t know what a cutie mark is,” he said.

“It’s a very special symbol that expresses who you are, and what you're good at,” Twilight explained.

“Oh I see,” Aaron said, finally getting it. “I suppose getting a promotion badge is sort of similar to getting this cutie mark thing, but if it’s referring to something very specific as to what I’m good at, then I guess it would represent my skills with an M45D.”

“What’s that, darling?” Rarity asked.

“A tactical shotgun, of course,” Aaron replied proudly. “Very effective to use during close-quarter combat scenarios and boarding operations. Of course when you’re in the open, it’s not the ideal loadout.”

“How come?” Rainbow asked. “It sounds like a cool thing to have always.”

“Well, the farther a target is from the barrel, the less damage it will receive,” Aaron said.

“Can you please explain? Also, I wish to take notes on this,” Twilight said, magically plucking a quill from her wings and presenting a blank scroll in front of herself, along with an ink pod.

“Sure,” Aaron replied and looked around for something that could help give him a visual prop. It just so happens that there was a bowl of apples that sat in the center of the dining table.

Aaron took one of the apples in his hand and got ready to give his little lecture about the physics of a round of a shotgun--with an apple.

“Pretend that this apple is an unused shell that hasn’t been fired yet. Now in reality, an actual shell for a shotgun is a metallic eight-gauge cylinder that is loaded with gunpowder that detonates with the trigger is pulled.”

“So? Ya don’t use apples then?” Granny Smith asked.

Aaron chuckled.

“No. Of course not, ma’am. There may have been guns invented that did shoot apples, or potatoes. But those kinds of weapons are just used for amusement. This is an actual war weapon we’re talking about here. Now back on topic. When the target is in the designated range of the barrel, it will receive the full blow and impact from the entire round, causing full damage.”

“What happens to the round as the distance grows?” Twilight asked as she ballistically continued to scribble down notes.

“Well. Pretend now that this apple is slowly and steadily breaking down into tiny fragments as it inches farther and farther away from the point of fire. Pretty soon, it would be nothing. This is why it would be a good idea to carry a secondary weapon that is good for mid to long-range scenarios. When I first made landfall on your planet, I used an MA5D for close to mid-range combat if it presented itself. Plus I used it for navigation since it had a compass feature. As my secondary, I chose the M395 Designated Marksman Rifle for mid to long-range purposes. It happened to be the weapon that Miss. Pinkie Pie here was messing around with,” he said, indicating to Pinkie who sat across the table from him.

All eyes then focused on the pink party pony who smiled and chuckled nervously at the unsettling stares she was getting.

“Whoopsie,” Pinkie shrugged. “It was just a simple mistake.”

“Just be thankful that a piece of hot lead wasn’t embedded in anyone,” Aaron sighed.

The mares who witnessed the incident nodded.

“So? What happens to somepony when they receive the full force of the apple?” Apple Bloom surprisingly asked because the answer wouldn’t be suitable for a pony her age. Even her family members noticed this.

“Um, Apple Bloom. Ah think it’s best if ya don’t find out,” Applejack said worriedly.

“Eeyup,” Big Mac agreed.

“But Ah…,”

“No, Miss. Apple Bloom. Your sister and brother are correct. It’s best if I don’t go into any detail,” Aaron stated visualizing the horrific images of victims of a full potential shotgun round. He even visualized the Innie who attacked him back on his farm.

“Okay then,” Apple Bloom said clearly disappointed. She always thought she was old enough to handle anything the world threw at her--of course her family begged to differ.

The rest of the late lunch for the Apples, Aaron, and Twilight and her friends carried on smoothly without anymore awkward or gore-intended conversation. Everyone enjoyed their meals, and the apple pie that was offered at the end.

Aaron couldn’t believe how delectable and rich the food was on this planet, and that it was near the same as the food back on Earth. The reason for being near the same was because since the inhabitants were ponies, they would probably eat hay or whatever is on the equine food chart.

When everyone was finished, they all helped clear the table and put their dishes away.

While helping to clean up the pots and pans, Granny Smith felt a faint ache in her chest area. She uttered a small groan as she rubbed the irritated area. Her nearby family members and everyone else were luckily within earshot as they turned their gaze toward her.

“Granny. Are ya alright?” Applejack asked obviously very concerned.

“Ah’m fine, dear. Jus’ some aches and pains Ah’ve been gettin’ fer a while now. It’s jus’ part of bein’ old an’ worn down,” she reassured with a small smile. “Nothin’ tah wory about at all.”

“Are ya sure? Wouldn’t ya like tah see a doctor or somethin’?”

“Oh don’t be silly, Applejack. Ya think jus’ because Ah have a tiny cramp means Ah have tah be looked over by a few white coats? Bah!” Granny Smith stated, clearly proud and disgusted.

“Well? Ah,” Applejack stuttered, trying to say something meaningful and convincing since her grandmother was quite touchy at such an age.

“No, granny,” she finally managed.

“That’s what Ah thought,” Granny Smith affirmed. “But of course Ah’m feelin’ quite low. Ah think Ah might go to bed a little early today if any of y’all don't mind?”

“Of course not, granny,” Apple Bloom said. “We can even help ya if ya want.”

“Much appreciated, dear,” Granny Smith said, smiling at the little filly as they began their walk up to her bedroom.

“Ah’ll help too,” Applejack offered, but was unexpectedly pardoned.

“It’s alright, Applejack. Let yer little sister handle this. Why don’tcha continue tah help clean up here with the others. Ah’ll be fine. Ah swear by Celestia,” she said.

“Oh. Okay then,” Applejack said softly as her ears drooped a bit. She then felt Twilight’s wing drape over her back.

Twilight looked at Applejack with a calm and reassuring expression, but it seemed sort of forced.

“Your grandmother is tough, Applejack. She’ll be okay,” she said.

“What Ah don’t understand is why she didn’t tell us about this problem she’s been having until now?” Applejack asked a bit suspicious.

“Perhaps it was because she didn’t wish to worry you, or your brother and sister,” Twilight replied, a bit uncertain if that was even the correct reason.

“Still it doesn’t seem right. She told me once that since Apples were supposed tah be honest, we should never hold anythin’ back--good or bad.”

“And she is correct. But sometimes there are situations where somepony like your grandmother doesn’t wish to share anything,” Twilight explained. However her choice of words worried Applejack even further.

“What sort of situations, Twi?” she asked, but sounded more of a pleadful demand.

Before an answer was given, a sound of some sort of horn honked just outside the door of the farmhouse. Then Aaron’s COMM watch buzzed to life.

“Spartan Jensen. This is Kenwood. Acknowledge?” his watch transmitted.

“This is Jensen. Go ahead sir,” Aaron said into the terminal.

“Incase it hasn’t arrived already, I’ve sent a transport Warthog to your current location,” the captain responded.

Aaron headed over to the front door and opened it to get a peek outside. Sure enough, a transport-class M12 FAV driven by a single marine was parked outside the front of the farmhouse.

“It’s here, sir,” Aaron confirmed. “What’s the situation for this matter, though?”

“Apparently, a single pegasi mare has been mortally wounded somehow in a region they’re calling the San Palomino Desert by performing some kind of cloud-clearing method with her rear hooves which is the area of damage. She stated that ‘the clouds felt like they were on fire’. Sources say the cause for this is unknown for now, so I need you to go to the towns’ hospital and help with the diagnosis of the injuries. Her companions are even there to tell you what happened," Kenwood informed.

“On it, sir. I’ll leave immediately,” Aaron said.

“Good luck, Spartan. Kenwood out.”

Aaron then turned to Twilight and company.

“I need you all to stay here,” he instructed back in his business tone. “Something has come up, and it requires my immediate assistance.”

“As is something,” Rainbow retorted sarcastically. “That something happens to be one of my friends you’re talking about, and she’s badly hurt! I have to be there by her side.”

“I understand, Rainbow. But there was no order given about visitors just yet. I’m sure the wardens will allow you to see your friend when we know what has happened to her. Now I’m begging you please. Just stay here and let me handle this on my own. Everything will be fine, alright,” Aaron reassured, before climbing into the passenger seat of the Hog before it sped away leaving everypony dazed and not knowing what to do, but Twilight knew what Rainbow wanted to do just by looking at the pegasus's determined expression.

“I know what you’re thinking, Rainbow. But we should really let Aaron go this time. He has his business and we have ours. Whoever was hurt, they are going to be okay, alright? You just have to trust him.”

“Trust, smust! I don’t care what Aaron says about us staying here. I’m going to find out what’s going on, no matter what!” Rainbow snapped and flew off quicker than Twilight could act to catch her.

“Get back here, Rainbow!” Twilight barked, but to no avail. Rainbow was already beyond her.

“Y’all go after ‘er. Ah’ll stay here an’ help look after granny,” Applejack suggested.

Twilight looked back at Applejack and nodded.

“Alright then,” she said and faced her remaining friends. “Let’s go, and quickly. Celestia knows how much trouble that mare can cause!”

The friends nodded before beginning their pursuit with Twilight and Fluttershy taking to the air. Fluttershy was constantly muttering, “Oh my goodness” over and over again.

As for Pinkie and Rarity, they were forced to trot.

“I don’t know how much more running my hooves can take,” Rarity complained.

“I don’t know why they called that funny vehicle, a Warthog,” Pinkie chimed. “It doesn’t even look like one.”

“Then what does it look like to you then, Pinkie?” Rarity asked curiously.

“I’m thinking maybe….a Puma,” Pinkie stated with a *squee*.