The Commander’s hand stayed extended. Twilight looked to it uneasily. His hand was easily big enough to wrap around her head with little effort, and the fact that the plate armor that surrounded it was intimidating—rigid and straight-edged as opposed to the smooth and rounded armor the Equestrian guard wore certainly didn’t help.

“Ma’am?” Commander Al’Kair asked, “are you not going to take my hand?”

“Oh!” Twilight replied, her nerves making her flinch. “I’m very sorry should I—”

“You need to take my hand so I can stand again,” Commander Al’Kair interrupted, “it’s the custom.”

Twilight’s head tilted to the side for a few seconds before shooting a quick glance towards Spike, who just shrugged his shoulders back at her. With a quick breath in Twilight placed her dainty hand into the palm of the man that kneeled before her, only to be reminded in a few brief moments just how tall he really was.

Spike pursed his lips as the man rose, standing giant in the room, rising above even Applejack’s monstrous height, and almost approaching Mac’s gargantuan stature.

“Must be hard not hitting your head on doorways,” Spike quipped, crossing his arms.

Twilight’s jaw may as well have just fallen through the floor. Spike, a young man who barely stood as tall as Rainbow Dash, had just made a joke towards a man whose left leg probably weighed more than he did. The Commander looked down to Spike with unnervingly stoic eyes, making it nearly impossible for anyone to tell whether or not he was just going to stand there or turn him into a stain that would take the waitresses a week to get out.

“Your stature belies your nature, dragonkin,” Commander Al’Kair finally said after a few seconds of tense silence, “then again if I were not kneeling earlier, I may have not noticed you at all.”

Spike opened his mouth, shut it, opened it again, then clenched it shut, putting his hands in his pockets instead.

A quick chuckle passed through Commander Al’Kair’s lips and the other guards around him; even Twilight added her own giggles, albeit hers came from nervousness.

“It is quite pleasant to finally lay my eyes on the newest Equestrian princess,” he said, turning his attention to Twilight once more, “I could hardly imagine one so young and beautiful to attain such a title.”

Twilight’s pupils shrank as a light tent of red flushed her cheeks. “I-uh…” she stammered, trying to think of the proper words, “thank you.”

“I was told there would be six in your entourage,” Commander Al’Kair said, looking up and down the halls, “yet I only see this brave youngling.”

“Oh, they’re in the caboose!” Twilight said quickly, before turning to Spike, “Could you please go get them for me Spike?”

“Sure, sure,” he answered, heading out the door. He clenched a hand into a fist in his pocket. “Lousy guy, thinking he’s so big because he’s so big…” the boy grumbled under his breath, making his way to the caboose and tossing the door open.

“Guys,” he called out. “Let’s get cracking.”

“What?” Rainbow half-yawned. “But I just started my food nap.”

“Well the train did stop ‘bout five minutes ago,” Applejack said, looking to the clock at the back of the caboose, “I take it Twi’s already met the people she was gonna met?”

“Yeah. Some guards. Wanted to see her entourage,” he said with disdain. “Like we’re her maids or something.”

“Well I’m not dressing up like one of those again,” Rainbow scoffed, blowing some hair away from her face, “last time I ever make a bet with Pinkie too.”

“Oh, I’m sure you looked marvelous in it, darling!” Rarity chimed in. “With your petite figure, I’m sure you struck a, dare I say it, dashing figure.”

Rainbow’s frown only increased as a small wave of laughter washed throughout the room. Folding her arms over her chest she sank as deeply into her chair as could before anyone would notice the red in her cheeks.

“That’s not even the worst costume I put her in!” Pinkie blurted out. “Should I tell them about the time we went salmon fishing? I love that story, it all started—”

“Pinkie!” Rainbow shouted at the top of her lungs, making the room fall silent. Her face was a bright red from a combination of anger and embarrassment, but mostly the latter. When she realized that all eyes were on her she swallowed hard and slowly walked away from the table. “I think we should all be leaving now,” she said in an oddly calm voice, “not nice to keep people waiting.”

“Okey-dokie-lokie!” Pinkie chimed in. “Can I tell the story on the way there?”

“No.” Rainbow said bluntly, to the sound of low snickers.

“Okey-dokie-lokie!” she called out again, bouncing along the way.

“Um, I should go too…” Fluttershy nodded, “after-all, what Rainbow said was pretty accurate, I’d hate to be impolite to new people.”

“Quite!” Rarity agreed. “And can you imagine the nobles the guards must associate with? I bet they’re full of amazing gossip!”

“Somehow I doubt that sugar,” Applejack sighed, shaking her head at her lover, “if Equestrian guards are anything ta go by, these boys won’t be talking at all.”

“Blast and damnation,” she said with a sigh. “Well, I’m sure we’ll have a chance to appreciate the Arabian noble life while we’re here regardless. Won’t we, dear?”

“Whatever ya say darlin’,” Applejack replied, giving a quick yet firm squeeze of Rarity’s posteriore. “Just don’t overexert yerself with shoppin’ an whatnot. After all, this is kinda like a honeymoon.”

Rarity let out a girlish squeal, giving a playful slap at Applejack’s arm. “Please, darling, not in front of everyone.” She leaned in closer, and with a sultry wink, added, “there’s time when we get to our hotel room, is there not?”

“I guess so,” Applejack said through a predatory grin. “But ya know I ain't known fer my patience.”

“Oh, I’m sure the girls wouldn’t want to hear what you’re known for.” She came to the realization that the others were around and promptly cleared her throat. “And by that, I mean you’re known for being generous and a wonderful person. T-that’s what I mean there.”

“Sure is.” Applejack nodded, catching her hint, “well, time fer us ta head back to the cabin and get our stuff, wouldn’t wanna wear the same clothes day in and day out now would we?”

Spike looked at them flatly, frowning. “Do you think you’ll have enough time to ‘change?’”

“Well not here no.” The farmer shrugged, “but there’ll be plenty of time ta change when we get off this boat.”

“Oh. You literally meant change,” Spike said under his breath. “Oops.”

“What else would I mean?” Applejack said scratching her head. “Ya don’t think it’d be the least bit unsightly if we didn’t bring a batch of fresh clothes with us?”

“Jack.” Rarity put a hand on her partner’s arm. She turned to look at Spike and like so many days before, stared down at him. “Does it bother you sometimes, our… banter?”

Spike froze. Rarity could always read him like a book, so that wasn’t surprising, but being so blunt about it…

“Yes. No. I don’t know,” he admitted with a sigh. “I’m happy for you two, honest. But hearing you guys talking about… that, is weird. I know it’s what people in a relationship are supposed to do, but…” He lifted his hands, glancing towards Applejack. “I could do with less talk about how you’re a bull at her rodeo.”

Applejack quickly shook herself, as if some sort of mind control had just been turned off in her head. Her deep emerald eyes fell on the young man that stood before her and with a heavy sigh she removed the hat from the top of her head.

“Sorry Spike,” she said kicking at the floor, “I guess I thought after all these years, ya know… I mean it, sug. I won’t do it again, Pinkie Promise.”

“It’s ok. I’m just being, you know… selfish.”

“Are you three taking a nap in there?” Rainbow’s voice echoed from outside of the caboose. “You really need to hurry up and see these guys, their boss is huge!”

“That was brave of you to say, Spikie,” Rarity replied, her smile warm. “Though we can be a little risque, neither would ever want to hurt you.” She held out her hand, clasping Spike’s palm as she wrapped her other hand around her partner’s thick, calloused palm. “Isn’t that right, ma cherie?”

“Sure, whatever that means.” Applejack smiled, giving Rarity’s fingers a small squeeze. “Come on, let’s get gettin’ already. I wanna see jus’ how ‘huge’ this guy RD’s talkin’ ‘bout is.”

“Right, right, very well, dear.”

Spike watched them hurry off, then quickly followed too.

Not a couple of minutes later everyone was back together, standing in a cluster in front of Commander Al’Kair and his men. Normally this would mean that they could get going, but there was something in the large man’s eyes that didn’t seem to sit well with any of them.

“What’s wrong?” Twilight asked, sinking her head slightly into her shoulders as she did so, “something amiss?”

“Yes,” the Commander replied in his deep growl of a voice, “there’s something very wrong.”

“Well, what is it?” she asked kaling a step forward, “I’m sure we-”

“Oh! Oh!” Pinkie exclaimed, nearly jumping as she held her hand up. “Pick me! Pick me!”

“This isn’t a game Pinkie,” Twilight groaned, letting her head drop, “I’m sure that it’s-”

“Women,” Commander Al’Kair interrupted, “we weren’t anticipating this many women.”

“An’ where ya comin’ from there?” Applejack asked, putting a hand on her hip.

“Our culture is very different from yours, ma’am,” the Commander explained, “here there are rules that women must abide by, especially if they are guests of the king.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Rainbow asked, stepping forward, undeterred in spite the fact that the man she was trying to stare down was nearly two feet taller than her.

“It means that if you want this delegation to go smoothly you will respect our culture,” he replied, looking down to the tiny woman staring up at him, “just as we respect yours.”

“What rules, pray tell, do you speak of?” Rarity questioned.

“As directed by the king and his laws, all female guests of his court shall conceal themselves from the public eye,” Al’Kair explained, “and you would not be allowed travel anywhere without the proper dress.”

“A dress code?” Rarity remarked. “Oh my. I hope it complements my beige bags.”

“I doubt that,” he remarked, extending his hand to the guard to his left. Without a moments hesitation the guard reached into a bag he was carrying and pulled out what appeared to be a dull grey blanket, but upon further inspection they realized that it looked to be some sort of a poncho. “It’s called a burqa,” he said, handing it to Twilight over Rainbow’s head, “you are to wear it all times outside the palace grounds.”

Applejack stared at the clothing, then returned her gaze to him, her height letting her come close, or at least closer than the others, to meeting his face. “An’ what ‘bout Spike an’ ya big, strong men-folk? Where’s yer Burkes?”

“Men do not require a burqa,” he replied, remaining as stoic as ever, “as per our laws and customs.”

“That doesn’t seem fair,” Spike said, rubbing the back of his neck.

“It has been our way since long before the nation of Equestria became known,” Commander Al’Kair replied, “to denounce them in any form would bring an uproar, and possibly bloodshed.”

“Laws, customs, that should affect people equally,” Spike retorted. “Rich, poor, sex, none of that should matter.” He glanced at the burqa’s, then at the girls. He know it’d come back to bite him in the ass, but he held out his hand. “Give me one.”

“You truly are a brave one, dragonkin,” Commander Al’Kair smiled, patting Spike on the head, “but they are not for you, and furthermore, we only have three.”

“And do you have one big enough for her?” Spike questioned, tilting his head towards Applejack.

The Commander took a long look at the clearly bemused women that stood a good head over the second tallest of the group before turning his attention to Spike once more, the grin on the young dragon’s face full of snarky pride. With a deep sigh The Commander tossed his cloak to the side, revealing a curved blade the likes of which none of the seven had ever seen.

“What’s that—” Spike was barely able to finish his question before Commander Al’Kair’s hand gripped the hilt of the blade and with a forceful heave it came out into the open, the train’s lights making the ornate patterns glisten across the ceiling.

“What are you—” again Spike was silenced when the Commander rose his sword in his direction. The other six were frozen in shock, not fully believing what was going on.

“No!” They cried in unison, but to was too late, the sword had already been swung.

Spike opened his eyes, thinking he was dead because of the instantaneous warmth that enveloped him, but when he looked up to see the Commander standing next to him, sword in one hand and oddly familiar cloth in the other, he wondered what just happened. As his eyes traveled downward he saw a shadow of himself that wasn’t there before. Spike turned his head behind him and offered a twitchy smile in nervous relief when he saw the curtains at the window just behind him were no longer there.

“I do now.” Commander Al’Kair smiled, stabbing a slit into the center of the fabric.

Rarity relaxed her hands, letting the pulsating thrum of magic from within her fingertips die off. She exhaled, her heart still pounding sickeningly fast against her ribs as her power faded back dormant within her blood. “You can relax, Twilight,” she said, without even bothering to glance at the woman.

Twilight’s eyes were wide open, glowing faintly, her forearms still pulsing a pinkish glow so thick with magic that it filled the room with its aura. “Don’t you ever do that again…” she growled through her teeth.

“Of course not.” Commander Al’Kair casually nodded, pointing to two of his men, “I need two more curtains cut, size them for the short one and the one who fainted.”

“Yes sir.” the two guards selected for the task saluted.

Spike stood in a slight daze as he looked at the man. He felt sick to his stomach, but swallowed it back, doing his best to hide how weak his legs felt, like he was standing on a loose-packed cloud, rather than the solid floor.

“I like you, Dragonkin,” the Commander said. “You’ve proven yourself a very brave, be it foolish, one.”

“His name is Spike,” Twilight replied tersely, the pinkish haze enveloping her forearms finally fading out.

“Spike,” Commander Al’Kair said, rubbing his chin. “Very well then, you all may now simply call me Al’Kair.”

“Al’Kair.” Pinkie put a fist into her palm, as if suddenly deducing a hard math problem. “All Card. That’s how I’ll remember your name!”

“If it suits you.” Al’Kair shrugged, placing his helmet back on his head. “Now please make haste, we wish not to keep the king waiting.”

“Very well,” Rarity said, glancing at the others before taking the plunge, throwing the robes over her body and adjusting them. “Shall we, girls?”

“We shall,” Twilight replied, adjusting her own burqa so she could see, “No need to-”

“I hate to do this again to you, your majesty,” Al’Kair said, stepping in front of her, “but you may not step off the train before the men do.”

“Aw come on!” Rainbow shouted. “Do we have to spit shine your armor next?”

Spike crossed his arms, still weak from the panic his close shave had given him, but this point drawing his ire enough that he spoke again. “So men in your culture are greater than someone who may become the ruler of the country?” He shook his head. “I’m no man in that case. I’m still a boy under her ward. Do your rules still apply that way?”

“These laws are not my own Spike,” Al’Kair explained, looming over the young man, “they are the laws of my fathers and their fathers long before that, and I will have them respected, no matter my own personal feelings towards them.”

“Spike…” Twilight said softly, placing her hand on his shoulder. “Please.”

He said nothing, glaring at the man, before brushing off Twilight’s hand and marching past Al’Kair, heat flooding his face in frustration.

“He is a good man,” Al’Kair nodded before looking down to Twilight, “you are all very lucky to know him.”

“Yeah.” Twilight sighed, the cloth hiding her smile, “we really are.”

“Well, at least I won’t have a problem spotting you in a crowd,” Rarity quipped, looking over at Applejack. “Unless gorillas start wearing bedsheets.”

“Oh har, har,” Applejack replied with enough sarcasm to gut a pig. “At least this kinda matches my boots.”

“If you say so, darling,” Rarity replied. “At least this makes the hotel all the more appealing.”

“Hotel?” Al’Kair questioned, “friends, you won’t be staying in a hotel.”

“Then where in this sandbox are we gonna stay?” Rainbow asked, flailing her arms and looking like a ghost.

“None other than the palace itself,” he answered, “did you truly believe that despite all these rules you wouldn’t be welcome in the home of the king?”

“The… palace?” Rarity repeated, blinking. The others couldn’t see her face, but the twinkle in her eye said what was coming before she opened her mouth. “Servants tending to whims, grapes off the stem! Wines! Private baths! Social intrigue in a foreign land! It’s like a romance novel, darling!” She reached over and clasped AJ’s wrists. “Wah ha ha! this is exciting!” she loudly giggled, bouncing the farmer’s hard forearms up and down.

“Alright, alright, hold yer horses, darlin’,” Applejack said, placing her hands on Rarity’s shoulders. “Ya ain’t even seen the palace yet, let alone it’s livin’ conditions.”

“I assure you they are the finest,” Al’Kair affirmed. “Now come, Spike, if you will…”

“Fine, Al’Kair. Lead the way,” he replied, leaning against the door.

With a quick nod Al’Kair turned to his men and pointed to each one of them, silently directing them to where they needed to be. Seconds passed and the two shorter guards stood at the door, each giving the other a quick nod the opened the door in perfect unison, only to file out the instant it was opened. Al’Kair looked Spike and motioned him to come to his side, to which he reluctantly complied to.

The doorway opened up to a hard, dry breeze, the sun all but blinding Spike as its undiluted light poured from the opening. He put a hand to his face, wincing, until his eyes adjusted from the glare.

They stood by a stone platform, with a path that lead up to a row of, while he wouldn't call them hovels, they were far more humble than the grand sights and tall, angelic buildings in the distance in the city proper. To their left was the station, where a man stood looking over the area, his hands clasped together as he rested his arms on a counter. To their right seemed to be a small trinket shop, with various baubles and accessories. Spike could guess it was a sort of tourist trap. A mousy man wearing a turban sat cross-legged on a rug, his goods surrounding him. He beckoned over Spike, the boy paid him no mind, returning his focus down the streets and up to the less impoverished area of town.

“Welcome to Ridedh,” Al’Kair said, taking in a deep breath. “Be sure to remain close, there are some here with less than honorable intentions.”

“Just make sure to take care of the women,” Spike answered. “They are allowed to be guarded here at least, yeah? Or is it a man first deal too?”

“I promise you Spike, they will be guarded to the death,” Al’Kair nodded, looking back into the train and signaling the other six to step out.

The moment Twilight and crew stepped off of the train the relatively busy station fell quiet, all eyes fall on them. The silence was slightly unnerving, given that they a expected hustle and bustle because of the brochures they had read on the three day train ride here.

“Um, Al’Kair?” Twilight asked, “what are they—”

A sudden roar filled the air as everyone within eyeshot rushed the the station, the cacophony of screaming and trinkets clanging together nearly blowing them back into the train.

“Peddlers,” Al’Kair explained, pushing one to the side as he looked back, “they do this every time a person steps off the train.”

“Oh, well, I guess it’s to be expected,” Twilight said, looking around, “but this place seems very different from the pictures I saw in the brochure.”

“Brochures only show you the shiny parts,” Al’Kair explained, “very seldom do they let the dull portions appear.”

“Like everything, I guess,” Spike said. “Tailoring, farming, diplomacy, you never hear about the dull parts.”

“Brave and wise,” Al’Kair said with a smile. “You are full of surprises, young Spike.”

“He’s a far better man than I’ve seen in all my days,” Rarity agreed, putting a hand on the top of his head in a quick pat.

“Are we just gonna stand around while these people gawk at us?” Rainbow asked, “I thought you said that we were in a hurry?”

“Indeed, ma’am,” Al’Kair nodded, looking to the other four guards that formed a tight semi circle around the group, “let’s go.”

“Yes sir!” the four guards replied, though their reply was barely audible over the merchants trying to sell their wares.

The pathways leading to the richer part of the city were decorated with a thin, almost constant stream of sand that blew through the small openings between houses and modest shops. They climbed up a few stairs, ancient in their appearance, until they came to a wall with a large, ornate opening. Stepping through, Spike’s stomach filling with butterflies at the sudden throngs of people, they came to the town proper, where large architecture from a time far before their own greeted them. Swooping, bulbus ceilings, intricate scrimshaw in foreign runes decorating doorways, and the smells of amorous spices and meats flooded their senses, along with the realization that despite it being in the open with hundreds, perhaps thousands of people around them, it was cool, with the sort of dampness an approaching rainstorm might bring.

“This is the Central Marketplace,” Al’Kair said, bringing them back to a sense or reality, “people from all over the kingdom come here to sell their wares.”

“Well this sure as hell beats what we got back home,” Applejack said peering through the slit in her curtain, “wonder if they got any apples?”

“Really?” Rainbow sighed. “Out of everything, that was your first thought?”

“Apples are serious business RD.”

“And so is arriving at the palace on time,” Twilight said, looking around, “I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to come here later, but now we have other priorities.”

“Like getting out of this thing!” Pinkie exclaimed, giving a pull at its chest. “It’s itchy!”

“In due time, Ms. Pie.” Al’Kair nodded, pointing toward a giant granite and golden structure that rose above the other buildings, “that’s the palace in case you were wondering.”

Pinkie whistled, tilting her head back. “Pretty.”

“Pretty?” Rarity repeated. “It’s magnificent!” She wrapped an arm around Applejack’s. “A perfect honeymoon, darling.”

“Maybe if I could actually see the damn thing,” Applejack grunted, trying to open the small slit to see better, “other then that it looks great.”

Spike glanced over at them, then back at Al’Kair, saying nothing, continuing to walk forward.

“They seem rather happy,” Al’Kair stated, looking back to the two, “but I would wish for them to be more mindful of their surroundings.”

“If they had peripheral vision, I’m sure they would be,” he promptly answered.

“It’s not my place to do so, but I should ask you to warn them.” Al’Kair said forebodingly. “What they do alone is their choice, but as you know, this society is vastly different.”

“Even that, huh?” he remarked, looking back at them. He crossed his arms yet again. “Tradition isn’t the most important thing in the world, you know.”

“It is here,” Al’Kair replied. “Now please, it would be better for you to inform them rather than I.”

He narrowed his brow. “I’ll inform them.” As an afterthought, he added, “If I followed tradition, what was in my blood? Well, I’d look and act a lot less like a normal man should. A man’s nature shouldn’t be always in his forefather’s footsteps.”

“Those words speak truer to me then you realise Spike,” Al’Kair said, kneeling so he could place his hand on Spike’s shoulder, “but now is not the time or place for such conversation, even I can’t stop thousands of years of set culture.”

The boy said nothing once more, instead falling back to stand beside Applejack.

“Guys. They, uh, don’t like that here either,” he said awkwardly, giving a small gesture to AJ.

“What?” Applejack said, using her hand to make the slit around wider so she could see Spike better, “I don’t get yer meanin’, sug.”

“I mean… your mom’s ring. It doesn't mean anything here. You understand?”

Applejack and Rarity alike stared at him in confusion for a few moments before their eyes traveled to Rarity’s arm wrapping around Applejack’s.

“Seriously?” Applejack huffed, clenching her fist under her curtain. “These good fer nothin’-”

“I agree,” he quickly interrupted. “And if we weren't riding with Twilight on a diplomatic meeting, there’d be words, and I wouldn't bat an eye if you were to crack some skulls. Just… you guys have to keep it under wraps while we’re here. For her sake. That, and I don’t want either of you hurt, alright?”

Applejack’s malicious gaze fell on the giant that lead them before shifting back to Spike. “He set ya up ta this didn’t he?”

“Yeah. He thought you guys might actually listen to me on it, though.”

“Well I’ll have ta have a word of my own with him,” Applejack growled, cracking her knuckles under her garb, “I bet he listens real well when there’s a boot in his-”

“Jack,” Rarity quietly addressed, tugging at the back of the farmer’s clothes.

Applejack looked to Rarity for a few seconds, venting as much of her frustration as she could with an angry huff. “Cowards…” she growled, kicking at a small pile of sand.

“If they are, then so are my parents, Jack. I…” She swallowed. “I think living as an example is the better way of proving a point, rather than lashing out.”

“If ya say so,” Applejack sighed, finally loosening up, “let’s just get ta the palace so we can take this shit off.”

“Once we’re back home, we’ll make time for us, darling,” Rarity said. “You’re worth waiting for. I meant it when you first became someone so important to me, and I mean it now.”

Spike nodded, moving forward again. The boy knew that they had to love one-another for more than their bodies, but it was nice hearing it, in a roundabout way. At the same time, knowing that this was ruining what might as well of been their honeymoon hurt. They deserved better. It wasn’t like they had the money or time to travel together often, so them not being able to be themselves together…

Spike brushed the thoughts away, joining Al’Kair’s side again. “I told ‘em.”

“Your actions are appreciated,” Al’Kair nodded, “and you won’t have to worry for much longer, the palace is just beyond this corner.”

Sure enough, just beyond the corner the palace lay, and despite the fact that they first saw it close to two hours ago from the train the sight close up was something truly to behold. Its granite walls towered over all other structures nearby, doors shined in a mixture of gold and ivory in the desert sunlight. Ornate designs covered the walls, carvings of the sun, moon, men, and swords alike, each seemingly more vibrant than the last. They all paused to soak in the sights, but only for a moment before Al’Kair turned to face them yet again.

“You should know by now how this works,” he said, looking to all of them like a teacher would to a rowdy class.

“Yes, we do,” Twilight nodded, peering through her burqa to the ladies that flanked her, “ready girls?”

“To hurry up and wait? What other option do we have?” Rarity replied.

“Better to do it in there then out here,” Rainbow said, “at least we won’t have to wear these.”

“Touche,” Rarity agreed with a curt nod. “Spikie, go on ahead, we’ll see you momentarily.”

“Right,” he agreed, cocking his thumb inside. “Hurry up, they want in,” he addressed to Al’Kair.

“Of course,” Al’Kair said in a rather amused tone. “No need to keep the king waiting any longer.”

The group made their way to the largest door, flanked by five guards on either side. With a quick motion of Al’Kair’s arm the guards on either side of the doors turned and heaved at the gargantuan door’s handles, shoving it open. Before they could all enter the palace proper, a stringy man in fine clothes appeared to their side, smiling in a predatory fashion at the six women.

“Ah, Commander Al’Kair!” he said, stopping the large man. “I see that the Equestrians sent the king concubines instead of a delegate. Very disappointing, but at least he will be pleased.”

Spike’s brow furrowed and he stood as tall as could, given his height. “Call them that again. I dare you.”

The man’s smile faded when he saw Spike standing behind Al’Kair, but it soon returned as he stepped past the taller of the pair. “Oh, forgive me, sir!” he said, kissing Spike’s cheek. “I should’ve known that a delegate would want the company of his own harem. Better to be with the ones you are accustomed with, correct?”

“No,” he snapped. “You’re standing in front of the element bearers, and among them my sister, Twilight Sparkle, official delegate to the throne. You’ll show them respect or I’ll make you show them respect.”

The noble stepped back, almost shocked at the tone Spike had taken with him. “The Equestrians send a woman?” he asked. “Truly my ears are-”

“They ain’t…” Applejack growled, stepping forward, “now if ya, don’t mind.”

“Who is this woman to speak to me without permission?” he asked, pointing to her as he grabbed Al’Kair’s arm. “If not for my respect for Commander Al’Kair, I would strike you right here!”

“And she’d hit back and break your fucking face.” Spike clenched his hands so tight his fists trembled. “You’re speaking to women that have saved the country, and on more than one occasion, the world. If you don’t kneel and apologize to them this instant, we’re settling this man to man. You disgust me.”

“The nerve such a whelp!” he yelled, raising his hand in the air. “You dare insult me with your words! I shall—”

The man was interrupted by the massive hand of Al’Kair wrapping around his forearm and pulling him away from Spike and the others, but not before he brought the man to his face.

“That’s enough,” Al’Kair growled, throwing him into the hard-packed sand. “We don’t need anymore delays.”

“Agreed,” Twilight replied, the only thing hiding her disgust the cloth that shielded her face. “Let’s get inside.”

“C-can you give me a hand?” Spike asked Twilight quietly as the group moved past the man. “My legs are shaking pretty bad.”

“Sure thing, Spike,” Twilight nodded, exposing her arm to wrap it around him, “You know I’m here for you.”

“Thanks.” He grabbed her arm and exhaled, shaking. “I think I’m gonna puke.”

“We’re almost inside,” Twilight said reassuringly, “we can talk when I can take this off.”

“Ok.” He swallowed. “Ok.”

The group walked through the open doors to see a completely different world. A large fountain surrounded by lavish pillows sat in the the rooms center. Four distinct entryways, flanked by a guard on either side, lead to a set of entirely different rooms. Despite the grandeur, their visual enjoyment was cut off by Al’Kair turning to face them.

“I must apologize.” He sighed, removing his helmet. “I didn’t expect to be halted by a foolish noble.”

Spike sank down to the ground for a moment, catching his breath. “That was kind of scary,” he admitted.

“It’s alright Spike,” Twilight said, throwing her burqa off with the rest of the group as she knelt down to his side, “it was very brave of you to defend us like that though.”

“I don’t know how you didn't do something to him first. The way he talked, I almost hoped Applejack would have taken a swing.”

“Princess Celestia was very clear about what we might face when we got here,” Twilight explained, rubbing his back for comfort. “And if it’s any consolation, given her past dealings with this country it appears to have gotten better.”

“It hasn’t improved enough. I mean, we were joking about a harem on the train ride up here, and he thought…” Gritting his teeth, he snarled out, “I better not see his face again.”

“I can make that happen,” Al’Kair chimed in, taking a step towards the group, “but we can’t dwell on the past just yet, the king is waiting after all.”

“All of us, or Twilight?” Spike questioned, taking Twilight’s hand and hoisting himself up, stumbling a bit as he stood.

“The king wishes to see all his guests,” Al’Kair said. “That is why no one in the palace hides their face, no matter the sex.”

“How gracious of him,” Rarity said in a tone nobody seemed to be able to pick up as sincere or mocking.

“At least we aren’t wrapped up in those stupid blankets,” Rainbow said, flinging some excess sweat off of her hand, “wearing that in one hundred plus is anything but awesome. Even if some of their magic users were keeping some of the place cooler.”

“Sorry guys,” Spike said, rubbing the back of his head. “I tried to get one too, but…”

“You don’t need to be sorry Spike,” Twilight said, wrapping him up in her embrace. “It wasn’t for very long anyway.”

“If you guys need anything from town later on, let me know. I’m used to being the errand boy by now anyway,” he weakly chuckled.

“I’m sure all of us will keep that in mind,” Twilight grinned, patting him on the head, “now let’s get going, I assume Spike in front?”

“Some things don’t change once inside the palace,” Al’Kair agreed, looking to the dragonkin. “So yes.”

“Well, at least you got the robes off,” Spike said to the girls, then turned, marching ahead.

“That’s right, Spike,” Twilight said, patting him on the back as he walked by. “Always find the silver lining.”

“I’ll try to,” he answered, not looking back at them.

The boy went to Al’Kair’s side and with a quick nod the two stepped off, walking around the fountain to step into the corridor just to the opposite of them. As they pressed on they were greeted by craftsmanship that rivaled, and that some would argue was better, than the halls of Canterlot. Spirling golden pillars studded with the finest gems that one could imagine stood tall every twenty feet or so, and the windows depicted Saddle Arabia’s beautiful, if not often bloody, history.

“I’ve read about this palace at least six times since I received Princess Celestia’s letter,” Twilight gawked as the girls caught up to Al’Kair and Spike, her eyes beaming at the architectural splendor, “but seeing it in person truly is something else.”

“It is fascinating. It reminds me of a museum trip we took,” Rarity agreed, putting a well-manicured finger to her chin as she took in the scenery.

“Enjoy it while you can,” Al’Kair said, looking back to them. “Not many are privileged enough to behold this grandeur.”

“It is very pretty,” Fluttershy nodded as her eyes traveled from window to window.

“A lot of battle images,” Spike commented, looking over the scenes portrayed in the glass.

“Our history is one of pride and bloodshed, Spike,” the giant man explained. “For generations men have fought over this land for gold, oil, and pride. In fact, the current monarchy was established a mere one hundred years ago. And even so, there have been civil wars in that short time.”

“Why?” he asked, so perturbed by the idea that he paused for a moment. “Isn’t the king just? Why would there be civil wars?”

“My land is not as peaceful as yours Spike, that is true, but allow me to ask you… If you feel strongly enough about something, would you not fight for it?”

“It depends on what that something is. Your talk of gold and oil, even pride…” He had the faintest voice in his head say that he would fight for something like that, but he refused to give it notice, banishing away his urge, his inborn want for material wealth the blood within him begged for. “Those aren’t enough to die for.”

“Every man’s heart is different Spike,” Al’Kair replied, stopping in front of the door that signaled the end of the hallway, “perhaps one day you will find what you would die for as well.”

The massive door opened up, revealing a rounded room, with a grand window at the ceiling that let light pour forth, illuminating the room and showcasing a small set of stairs that encircled a platform, where a man sat on an oversized chair with purple cushioning. He rested a palm on an armrest designed to look like a lion’s maw and crossed his legs, drumming a finger across the pommel of a scepter in his other hand. Beside him, hidden behind a candelabra, stood a woman, her body adorned with a fine, full silken dress and her hair laying free across her face, small streaks of grey at her temples giving a hint as to her age.

Al’Kair stepped forward, kneeling just before he reached the set of stairs. “My king,” he said bowing his head. “The delegate to the throne of Equestria has arrived.”

Author's Notes:

Told you we'd be updating this constantly. Expect another if not tomorrow, then Friday evening. Stay classy, true believers.