The Spartans and the three Zealots looked around for the source of the mysterious voice, but couldn’t find anything. It was completely empty save for the six of them in it.

“By the Didact, what was that?” the Zealot restraining AJ asked, looking around in confusion.

“Show yourself, coward!” the Zealot wielding Aaron’s M45D ordered. It was assumed that this was the leader of the trio.

“As you wish,” the voice replied in a sung way. “But I would prefer that you say please next time; and that I take offense to being called such a name. Sheesh!”

Just then, the Zealot that had Zeke groaned and used one hand to hold his head while using his other one to keep on Zeke.

“Brother? What’s wrong?” the head Zealot asked.

“It’s my head. It’s...ah!” he replied while turning his face away from his compatriots.

The head Zealot approached his troubled ally and proceeded to put a hand on his shoulder in order for him to make eye-contact. But when he did so, his ally did face him--but what the head Zealot saw wasn’t the face of his brother at all!

“Hello!” Discord exclaimed while popping into his full form, making the head Zealot jump back in surprise--along with Zeke .

“What have you done with my brother, demon?!” the head Zealot demanded when he recovered from his sudden shock.

“You mean both of them.” Discord’s voice replied from the Zealot that had AJ. The Zealot then poofed into a second Discord before merging with the first one. “You weren't accompanied at all by your buddies. It was me the entire time.”

Discord then poofed into a Shakespearean outfit with a skull in his lion claw.

“Was my acting great, or what?” he asked eagerly.

“You will pay for your insolence!” the head--and real Zealot bellowed and got ready to strike the mischievous spirit that impersonated his allies.

“Wrong answer,” Discord stated and snapped his eagle talon, which turned Aaron’s M45D into a restraining rope that snaked and stretched all around the Zealot’s body.

The Zealot struggled to get free, but the rope was surprisingly way stronger than the Zealot; so escape wasn’t going to be an option.

Discord then turned turned to the three Spartans who were trying to make sense of what they were seeing, or what Discord even was.

“What? I don’t get a ‘thank you’ at all for what I did for you? Well that’s very rude of you,” Discord remarked, disgusted while crossing his arms and turning away from Aaron and his companions.

“Well, we are grateful for your assistance,” Aaron said. “We just didn’t count on getting any. Who are you anyway?”

“Private Discord reporting for duty, sir,” Discord replied, saluting while wearing a marine uniform that wasn’t on him a second ago.

Discord.

Aaron remembered Twilight mentioning that name back at the park. From what she told him about Discord’s deeds, he wasn’t sure that this being could be trusted.

“I can read what you're thinking, you know?” Discord stated, rather annoyed. “I’ll have you know I am reformed now. Thanks to my good friend, Fluttershy.”

A picture of him and the quiet pegasus poofed into his paw, and displayed it to Aaron.

“Okay. I believe you,” Aaron said sincerely. “Sorry for making such accusational thoughts. Thanks again for your help. Can I ask how you found us; and how you got in here?”

“Being a creature of chaos, I have the ability to sense mayhem wherever it might be,” Discord explained proudly, now wearing formal clothes that are mostly worn by public speakers. He even had his mane and facial hair spoofed up.

“Whether it’s the natural kind that doesn’t have my imprints on it, or the violent kind which happened to be this situation. To tell the truth, I don’t fancy it at all.”

Discord then poofed into a floating chair with a bag of popcorn in his talon.  A TV appeared, and was levitating as well.

“It’s like watching a bad horror movie,” he stated while throwing a kernel at the television’s screen.

“Well now that we’ve exchanged pleasantries, we have to get this squid-jaw back to the Express for questioning,” Aaron stated while looking at the Zealot that started hatefully at him. Aaron then activated his COMM watch.

“Pelican 406. This is Jensen. Do you copy? Over.”

“This is 406. Go ahead, Spartan,” the voice of the pilot replied.

“We have a Zealot-class Elite restrained and ready to be taken into custody aboard the corvette. Setting a beacon for you now.”

Aaron pressed a button on the watch that would initiate the beacon, and the coordinates that the pilot needed in order to find Aaron’s position.

“Beacon received, Spartan. Beginning my approach now.”

“Copy that. Jensen out,” Aaron said before disconnecting his transmission, and turning to face his team.

“Let’s move out, guys.”

Both AJ and Zeke nodded before they began to escort the Zealot out of the room.

“Isn’t there anything else I can do to help you?” Discord asked, clearly bummed that Aaron and his team obviously now had control over the situation.

Aaron stopped for a moment to think.

“How about you give word to Celestia and Luna about the apprehending of this Covie,” he suggested. “Twilight should be notified as well.”

“Can do, sir!” Discord exclaimed before getting into a cab that appeared out of nowhere. It then disappeared into thin air, leaving Aaron and the others still in confusion.

“Well that was interesting,” Zeke stated.

“I swear several of my brain cells just died,” AJ remarked.

“Let’s just get out of here before more unexpected surprises show up,” Aaron suggested.

The Spartans nodded in agreement.

PONY EXPRESS

CAPTAIN KENWOOD’S READY ROOM

1700 HOURS

Aaron and his team brought in the cuffed Zealot where Kenwood was waiting behind his desk for the interrogation. Of course, the princesses were the ones who were going to be the main questioners. The UNSC just had to wait for their imminent arrival.

Soon enough, there was a brief but not blinding flash of light as Princess Celestia, Luna, and Twilight appeared before everyone’s eyes. At least teleportation seemed more convenient to the three alicorns then the UNSC’s Pelican dropships.

The Zealot stared in awe at the princesses.

He never seen such fascinating creatures before. These had to be the beings that his shipmaster had mentioned in obtaining.

“Thank you for coming onboard again, Celestia and Luna,” Kenwood addressed. He then faced Twilight. “I’m glad you could be here as well, Princess Twilight.”

“It’s no problem,” Twilight replied with a smile. She then looked around the room admiring the interior of the ship. Of course this was only a small portion of it, but it was still impressive to her. However when her eyes laid on the four-mandibled alien, she felt a wave of fear overcome her. These creatures were more terrifying than she imagined recently; of course she knew that this was one of the diverse species in the Covenant, and the leading class.

“Is this one of the members of the Covenant military?” Celestia asked Kenwood.

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied. “Jensen and his squad managed to obtain him from the citadel with the help of some other being that lives on your planet.”

“Discord,” Luna corrected. “He told us himself.”

“Right,” Kenwood replied nodding. “It was thanks to Discord that we could bring this Covie in for the interrogation, which I will mostly leave you three in charge of. If you don’t mind, that is.”

“Not at all, sir,” Celestia replied with a slight sneer at the Zealot. She knew that this alien intended on doing something to her little ponies, along with the rest of his allies.

“Good. Now I think we should get started,” Kenwood said and faced the Zealot. “Let’s start off with an introduction. What’s your name, squid-jaw?”

“The name’s Hvu ‘Umam,” the Zealot snarled, irritated by the offensive nickname that the humans give his species.

“Okay, Hvu. The princesses here are going to ask you some questions, and you will give them proper answers. Understand?”

Hvu just gave a bemused grunt expressing his disdain.

Kenwood then indicated to AJ who pulled out an M6H and pointed it at Hvu’s head. Since his armor shielding was disabled, he could be killed with a single round to the head if correctly applied.

The princesses flinched a bit because they didn’t know if the alien was going to be killed right then and there in cold blood. Plus, they were never use to such a threatening gesture. Frankly though, AJ just kept the pistol to Hvu’s cranium with his finger off the trigger-- but in position to pull it.

“If you wish to see another day, I suggest to do as you’re told. Or else I’ll give the green light to Harrison here to blow your ugly head off. I hope that makes everything clear to you?”

“Fine. I’ll talk,” Hvu huffed, clearly defeated.

“Good,” Kenwood nodded, contented. He then turned to the princesses. “He’s yours now.”

“Thank you, captain,” Celestia said as she, Luna, and Twilight gathered around Hvu, but were cautious enough not to get too close to him.

“So tell us, Hvu. What does your military want with our world?” Celestia demanded, while giving Hvu a deathly stare with an insistent tone that she used before she challenged Queen Chrysalis to a duel that nearly cost her life.

“Oh it’s not what I want. It’s what Shipmaster ‘Nbek wants,” Hvu replied calmly.

“And that would be?” Luna asked.

“You alicorns of course,” he replied with a unsettling smirk on his mandibles. “The mentioning of your power has caught the attention of the shipmaster greatly.”

All three of the princesses gasped in shock. They were not expecting such an answer like that at all. It completely conflicted with what they’d heard from the UNSC.

Celestia however quickly returned to her authoritative state.

“Who mentioned our power to your shipmaster?”

“I’d rather die by the humans’ hands then dishonor my orders about keeping ‘Nbek’s sources anonymous.”

“We have no power to offer you,” Celestia stated. “There’s nothing on Equis for your shipmaster, either. We’ve been told of your empire’s interest with Forerunner technology; but we don’t have it at all. If the UNSC let’s you contact your shipmaster, I suggest you tell him to get off our planet immediately.”

“Ignorant as the humans, I see,” Hvu stated with disgust. “We know our lords have placed their relics all over the entire universe. Your planet does have relics. We just have yet to find them.”

“Celestia isn’t ignorant!” Twilight shot, finally speaking up. She knew that no one could speak of Celestia in such a way. “She and Luna always speak the truth. You and your comrades are the ignorant ones!”

“Twilight,” Celestia began, but Twilight kept ranting on.

“The UNSC has informed us of the ways of your old Covenant. How they thought  activating some kind of gigantic ring would bring salvation instead of causing death and destruction.”

“That was the foolish San’ Shyuum that made us believe such a thing!” Hvu argued. “But we know the Didact’s intentions are real.”

Just then at that moment, something quickly flashed in Celestia’s head that made her feel a bit disoriented. She groaned and rubbed her temple with a hoof.

“All you alright, sister?” Luna asked, offering to help Celestia stand up if she needed it.

“I’m fine, Luna,” Celestia reassured. “Really I am.”

“Are you sure?” Twilight asked, now concerned for her old mentor’s well being.

“Yes, Twilight. I said I was okay. I’m probably just a little tired right now.”

It was odd though, because Celestia knew she always got well rested, and was ready to take on anything. But at the moment that Hvu mentioned the name, Didact; she felt very uneasy for some unknown reason. It could've not been some kind of coincidence could it? No. It had no logic to it at all.

“Look, your majesty. If you feel like you're becoming ill or anything. We can end this session now. I’ll have this split-lip escorted to the brig for holding,” Kenwood offered.

“Well that’s very nice of you to offer; but I insist it’s no big deal,” Celestia persisted.

“Sister. I believe we have heard enough from this insidious creature,” Luna stated while glaring at Hvu. “We should really get back to Canterlot now and have you looked over. It’s only for your safety.”

“But,” Celestia began, but Kenwood raised his hand to prevent her from saying anymore.

“Your sister is right, Celestia. I believe we’ve heard what we needed to hear; for now anyway. We’ll be keeping Hvu in custody just incase we need to get more answers from him. For now, all hands can stand down until further notice. I suggest that everyone now can return to their quarters for the night; and your majesties, you may head back to Equis. We apologize for this constant need of your attention."

"Not at all, captain. This is the sake for all our subjects, and the planet after all," Celestia reassured with a small smile. "If you need us, then we'll come without hesitancy. We have a responsibility just as much as you do."

"I guess I'll head back to the library now," Twilight said. "This day has been quite hectic lately."

"I hope your friends are well," Aaron said. "Plus, how is Granny Smith? Fluttershy said that she caught an illness or something."

"Applejack said that she was doing alright for now, and that she's comfortably in her bed," Twilight replied. "I hope that she's okay though. I can't imagine how Applejack, and the rest of her family will react if something awful happened to her."

Twilight was now looking very worried, but Aaron gently placed a hand on the back of her neck to express comfort.

"It's alright, Twilight. You are her friend. You know you can be there for her when she needs you the most. Surely you already have known that, right?"

"Of course I do," Twilight replied, a bit defensive. "I can imagine..."

"Don't imagine it; if it's going to make you worry so much. Just like where I come from, you never know what fate has in store for you, your friends, and everypony around you. Sure you have magic so you think you can take on whatever it throws at you, but there are some things you can't prevent, even with magical powers."

"Like what?"

"This world of yours is still alien to me, and the rest of us, so I can't be sure. But let's not think about that now. You should head back home and get some rest. Who knows what tomorrow going to bring us."

"Okay, I will; but I should mention though that the mayor of Ponyville wishes to speak with you tomorrow. Your teammates too. She wants to know if you have found anything else inside the citadel. Have you?"

Aaron took a few seconds to recall the events inside the citadel's control room before the ambush.

"I did find out the location of a few Covenant camps, but I'll save that intel when we meet with your mayor."

"Do you think somepony else is going to get hurt anytime in the future?" Twilight suddenly asked.

Aaron couldn't think of a clear answer, but he had to say something to comfort the concerned alicorn.

"I can't be sure, but I hope it's not going to be you, your friends, or any of your family members."

SAVIOR’S LIGHT

“How could that fool, Hvu have been captured by the enemy?” Dzen vented while pacing around the bridge’s holo-table. “He’s one of the best Zealot’s I have in this fleet. This makes no sense at all!”

“Times change,” Chrysalis stated, expressing her disgust in ‘Nbek’s ignorance. “Surely you would’ve already known that.”

“Don’t get intelligent with me!” Dzen hissed, making Chrysalis shrink back a little. “I know all of my troops well enough to know that they can never do anything to get themselves captured.”

“Well, sometimes even the most perfect idiots can make the smallest error. I don’t know. Anyway; are you at least going to attack them now in order to get your troops back or get revenge, or what?” Chrysalis asked.

Dzen scratched his mandibles as he thought.

As far as he knew, whenever he put his own plan in action, it would somehow fail which was uncommon in the past. He needed a new tactic, and Chrysalis is the only alien ally he has.

“I think it’s about time you started making some of these decisions,” he finally said to Chrysalis.

“Oh I thought you’d never ask,” she breathed sarcastically. “It’s about time you let me do something for once.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Dzen warned. “Just tell me what you think we should do.”

Chrysalis took a moment to think. She then came up with an idea.

“How about you withdraw all your troops wherever they are stationed now, and bring them back to the carrier. Then we should head to the far North. I’ve heard from one of my scout changelings that the Crystal Empire is back, and is being run by that no-good Princess Cadence, and her irritating husband, Shining Armor. It’s rather sad to think of him that way since he submitted to me when I imprisoned the real Cadence and took her form.”

“So? What are you suggesting exactly?” Dzen asked.

“A relocation, of course," Chrysalis replied with a wicked grin. "Plus I plan we do a very special pick-up while we're there."