“Turboprop, four engine aircraft flying low. Likely 200 knots, bearing 221. It’s a TU-142 Bear.” The sonar operator had his face glued to the screen, headphones on as he whispered. “Engine noises starting to fade.”

Everyone onboard remained still and quiet. This bear was not some slow lumbering bomber. It was a hunter. Built to hunt one specific prey, United States submarines. It could stay in the air over a sub for hours if need be and guide other ships and subs into position. That is, if it doesn’t decide to drop its own depth charges or torpedoes.

“Cut the fans on board three and four.” The captain murmurs.

“Splashes, multiple splashes detected.” The sonar operator chirps.

“Ensign Peterson cut those fans now. Now.” The captain growls, looking over.

“Sonobuoys in the water. Eight, nine, no…ten of them. Number three is active, pings, I have pings.”

Quickly the XO moves over to the atmospheric controls and runs his fingers down two rows of buttons watching them turn from green to red. He moves over and waves his hand in front of Ensign Peterson’s face a few times.

“What the heck’s wrong with him?” The captain asks before shaking his head and looking back at the sonar operator. “Status?”

“Pings are to far out I think, hang on, one of the buoys isn’t pinging properly.” Tapping his panel, he begins working with the data the computer has gathered, isolating the signal among the various signals all around.

“XO, deal with Peterson.” The captain says firmly as he walks over and leans against the sonar station console. “Any progress?”

“It’s…. it’s… They’re talking to someone, coded hydrophone communications. Computer’s recording it for analysis later but…” he puts a hand to his headset. “Transient… Plant noise I think…” He looks up at the captain. “Ah hell, it’s a Typhoon and Yasen heading for port.”

The XO gives Peterson a shake, with that, the ensign starts to take a deep breath opening his mouth, eyes wide in fear. “Oh shit, get the medics to the con, tell them to bring a tranquilizer, fast and quiet.”

Slamming one hand under the ensign’s jaw to close his mouth, the XO quickly puts his other hand over Petersons mouth to block any sound and holds as tight as he can. The navigator moves over, grabbing Petersons hands and holding them tight to his side to prevent him from struggling or making noise.

“Calm down, keep quiet, don’t make a sound.” The XO growls into Peterson’s ear.

Breathing heavily, Peterson does his best not to struggle, every instinct in him told him to, but his training said he had to stay quiet. Moments later he felt the sting of a needle in his arm, soon after, the darkness came.

***

“You don’t understand, we simply don’t care.” The zebra says softly, walking slowly beside Kara.

“We have so much to offer, equipment, education, training,” Looking around, the captain shakes his head.

“Protection?” The zebra snerks.

“If you need it,” The captain replied then stopped, “Protection from what?”

“We have heard about the Americans, and how they have treated ponies. We are safe from that here. We have everything we need, clean water, sunlight, land for crops. We have shelters, though they may not be as luxurious as those in your land, they are ours. We even have internet. We have been given stuff freely with no strings or requests,” The zebra says sitting down.

Looking at the generator and solar panels, the Captain nods, “I’m not certain what you’ve heard about when it comes to ponies in the US. But, given stuff by whom?”

“Others who care about our freedom, or choices. We are servant to no government here. We are our own kingdom.” The zebra says, looking up at the sky, the wind blowing her mane. “Here, we are the same.”

“That the world does not recognize,” The captain says, “We can bring in teachers, workers, you have some older Russian items here, we can provide you with state of the art modern items.”

“This might be hard to understand but, the items we receive are rugged, made to last years or decades with simple maintenance. We don’t need things that will get clogged with sand or overheat and fail,” Motioning to the windmill before standing and starting to walk again, “We built that ourselves.”

“We can bring in doctors, nurses,” The captain said looking at the hospital building as they walk past it.

“Vets?” The zebra said looking at her hoof, “What is this really about. The truth.”

“There are those in command that are, worried, that the Russians may be having to much influence here. May be bribing you.” The captain said flatly. “They are aware that you have received supplies from them.”

The zebra mare stops, blinking, “Is that it? We’ve received good from ponies and griffons in Russia?”

“Ponies?”

“What, were you under the impression that only Americans had changed? Russian ponies have donated supplies and equipment and had it flown down here to help us. It has nothing to do with any government. Well maybe the government of Equestria, but no Earth government.” Flipping over the door the zebra storms inside the large meeting room.

Power to this building provides for air conditioning, lights, and other modern conveniences including several public access computers. A sign written in several languages lays out the rules for the communal fridge, with a reminder to those who store fish to keep it away from non-meat products. The center of the room has a large semi circle of pillows and chairs set out facing a large table. It is a fairly makeshift council room.

A bedazzled looking Spitfire sits looking at a stack of papers, while a griffin and thestral laugh. Several foals sit with a baby dragon who is sharing some comic books, and in the corner of the room sits a pinkish alicorn, her wings folded against her sides watching the little ones having fun.

Slowly the Captain raises his hand to click on the mic that is attached to the shoulder of his combat webbing. Half in shock he speaks calmly and quietly, “Godfather, this is Hitman actual. The pink princess is here. Right now. There’s a confirmed princess on Earth.”

***

Katie's alarm clock had gone off, waking her up. It is a strange sensation since normally she woke up well before it but today, she was just extra tired. Walking out of her bedroom wearing just a nightshirt and bunny slippers she rubs her eyes as she heads for the kitchen.

Opening the fridge, she takes out her ground beans and starts filling the coffee maker before turning it on. Tossing some bread into the toaster, she turns, walking back out into the living room, scratching her back slowly before stopping.

Masquerade is laying on the floor snuggled against Shoe Shine, they are both sharing a blanket though Masquerade has used her wing to cover the earth pony as well. The pair lay cheek to cheek in front of the TV which is currently reading No Signal. The cell phone was currently off, but still plugged in to the HDMI port.

Unable to resist the smile, Katie kneels down and strokes Masquerade’s mane softly, “Probably fell asleep watching videos. Poor things.”

Sitting down, she leans against Masquerade as well then blinks as the little pony starts sniffing the air. Slowly she lifts her head, turning it toward the kitchen sniffing, eyes still closed, “Ohhh… Coffee.”

“Morning,” Katie says softly and goes back to hugging Masquerade.

Laying her head back down Masquerade starts smacking her lips. “Now I just need pancakes, syrup, butter.”

“Sorry sis, I just have some Quaker oats here for breakfast.”

“Nope, not acceptable in the slightest.” Lifting her head, Masquerade yawns widely, “We need... IHOP!”

Blinking, Katie looks confused for a moment, “IHOP? Isn’t that a little…public?”

Sitting up, the bejeweled pegasus sighs, “We aren’t exactly trying to hide, we’re hear, at least for another two years if not longer, more and more ponies are appearing. For all we know there could be millions of us around. We just aren’t hovering in front of media cameras and making anti-human protests. So, the media isn’t interested.”

“Anti-human protests?”

“Horse meat is murder! Riding is slavery! Whips and chains are fun, I mean wrong.” Masquerade says with a smile.

“Okay, point taken, don’t eat at a restaurant with a wooden horse head outside.”

Giving Shoe Shine a shake, Masquerade looks down, “Wakie wakie sleepy head.”

“Oh sorry, I’ll take six carrots Harvest, Pinky blew up my mailbox so I don’t know where my delivery went.” Shoe Shine moans.

Giving Shoe Shine another shake Masquerade laughs. “Wake up, or you’ll miss the carrot pancakes.”

Sitting straight up the little earth pony looks around, “What, where? Oh god. Ugg, you know you’ve been watching to much my little ponies when you start having dreams about living there.”

“That’s actually your memories, it will take a while but they will come back,” Masquerade says as she stands up.

Katie tilts her head then pokes Masquerade’s nose, “Well as least you don’t have dreams like that.”

“You’d think I shouldn’t but sometimes, sometimes I do. I don’t understand it or why. I remember a great city in the clouds. I remember being attacked by bug ponies, changelings… and I remember eyes… misshapen yellow eyes.” A shudder goes up Masquerade’s back as she sticks her tongue out.

“How about you?” Katie asks, quick to change the subject.

“Umm, I’m not sure, all I know is, Pinkie Pie owes me a new mailbox,” Shoe Shine grumbles, narrowing her eyes.

***

“Oh, Meadow Flower,” XO Cruz says almost in a singing voice.

The full body cringe says it all, drooping her head, Maxine balls her fists and growls softly, “XO, you are not allowed to call me that, Cherry is a foal and still recovering so I let her.”

“I still think you got a roo loose in the upstairs paddock. I did, however, find that there is a brumby on the show called Meadow Flower, it might be her mate or family.” The XO says and offers a coffee to Maxine.

“So, we are to drop her off at the closest port in Indonesia?” she says, taking the coffee.

“That’s our orders, when the doc releases her, that is.” The XO says, stepping onto the bridge and raising his cup to the Captain.

“Nav, take your station, I need an intercept course plotted ASAP,” The captain says firmly.

Walking over to her screen, Maxine looks over her shoulder, confused. “Sir?”

“The HMAS Ararat is chasing down an illegal fishing vessel. They want to catch it before it reaches international waters. If we hit max speed, I think we can box it in.” Captain Stevenson says sternly.

Checking her charts and satellite information, Maxine starts crunching the numbers, “Running at full, they will still cross the line before we get there, but we might be in visual range before that. It might be enough to cause them to turn or stop. But…”

“But?” The Captain looks at the nav, an eyebrow rising.

“We won’t be in range to send Cheery off if we do.”

“Moot point, I want the helicopter on deck and ready. We may need it to slow down the fishing boat, we’ve been asked for help for fisheries enforcement. That takes priority,”

“Captain, we still have that willy-willy coming in from the North as well,” The radio operator calls back.

“I’m aware, depending on its course it will cut us off from Indonesia at best, at worst we might have to make a run for safe harbor at Broome. We can take on fuel there at least and make it back to base,” The Captain says, sipping his coffee. “I will not endanger my ship or crew taking it though that squall.”

Blinking, Maxine smiles, “The Admiralty wouldn’t ask you to.”

***

“Sweetie Pop!” Ambrosia called, as she stirs the pot gently.

Dropping their heads down from the sleeping loft, Sunny and Sweet both giggle, “It’s Sweet Pop.” The pair say in stereo.

“Except when I’m calling you sweetie. Have you two taken a bath yet?” Ambrosia asks as she looks up at the upside-down faces above her.

Sunny points to the filly beside her, “Yep, we have, I showed her how to use the bath tub. Did you know she looks like a duck when she’s in the water?”

In response Sweet giggles and lets out a, “Honk, honk.”

Sitting up quickly, Full Steam looks around, “You’ve got space to go around!” Blinking a few times, he shakes his head and lets out a big yawn.

“Its ok dear, you’re inside, that was just Sweetie playing swan,” Ambrosia says before looking up, “Ducks go quack, quack.”

“Meh, I never saw either alive, closest I know is they go sizzle, or bubble bubble, depending on fried or souped.” Full Steam says as he falls back on the sofa.

“How are the supplies holding out? Do I have to go scavenging again?” Sunny says with a bright smile.

“Oh we’re fine, but thanks for checking. Tonight, it’s a thick vegetable stew, with fruit for desert, and home loaf bread.” Ambrosia holds up a small loaf to the two. “So how are you dealing with being a foal?”

“It’s, well… Its easier then it seems after the trick Sunny taught me. Its strange but, if you just accept it, go with it, embrace the child. Everything seems to come naturally,” Looking at her hoof she bites into some of the bread.

Sunny nods, “If I try an act like an adult, I get confused and frustrated, because even though I have twenty-five years of experience, it just doesn’t seem to apply to hooves. And the more we fight that, the more… stress… it seems to bring.”

Ambrosia nods slowly and smiles, “So remember anything of Equestria?”

“Bits and pieces. Little snippets come to me in dreams.”

“Oh, anything of interest?” Ambrosia asks as she begins to fill bowls with food.

“I… I remember a stadium. Like the big football stadiums at the capitol, but this was in the sky. It was made of clouds. Big pillars with stands full of pegasi cheering. I was there with my class. Other foals around me,” Sweet murmurs.

Sunny rubs Sweet Pops mane softly, “Don’t worry, it will come back.”

“I know, we were watching some kind of competition. I remember the other girls names. I think… I think one was Cheery, yeah I know, what kind of name is Cheery. The other was… was… Feather, I think.”

***

“And that’s why you don’t cross the streams,” Henry says, turning the page in his book.

“Have I reminded you today that I hate you?” Sugarberry says as she sits down, rubbing her horn vigorously.

Blowing up at her own horn, Ballad looks at the smoking tip, “Right, you wanna try?”

“Nope, no horn, no pink fur, I’m happy as can be,” Henry says with a smile, “And I ordered apple granola pizza, and donuts.”

“I swear, Velvet makes this look so easy,” Sugarberry huffs.

“Velvet, Twinkleshine, Twilight, all of their special talents are about magic,” Henry says and leans forward as he closes his book before booping Sugarberry’s nose gently, “Yours, is about gems, creating growing and shaping them, like Rarity’s is about finding them. And yours is about music, Ballad.”

“Yeah yeah, and when we use our magic with our special talents we are strongest,” Ballad huffs explosively, “Your talent is magical healing though.”

“Nope, my talent’s keepin you two fed. And that doesn’t take magic,” Henry says as he gets up with the ring of the doorbell.

“Saved by the bell, I swear his special talent is avoiding his special talent.” Sugarberry giggles.

“Am I late?” Cipher asks as she prances in, “The class went longer than I hoped.”

Henry chuckles, “Nope, you just missed them almost blow up each others’ horns.”

“You crossed the streams again, didn’t you?” Cipher says as she lifts her saddle bag off her back and drops it on the floor by the door.

“We were just trying to combine magic for a spell,” Sugarberry whines, “I used to do it with my mom all the time.”

“Yep, but your mom and you shared a talent, your trying to combine a rock and music specialty. That doesn’t work without drums and a base guitar.” Henry says as he flops back down on the chair and picks up his book.

Sitting down, Cipher taps the side of her ear, where her wireless earpiece and mic boom is, with her hoof as she lights her horn. A moment later a wrap-around screen appears in front of her eyes, hovering there as she starts to read.

“Now that’s just showing off,” Sugarberry says, puffing out her cheeks and pouting. “How the heck do you make these spells so easy?”

Giggling softly, Cipher winks, “Its not easy, and it's just modifying one spell, I kind of look at spells like computer programs.”

“You would,” Ballad huffs.

“To her, it’s the way she thinks and perceives things, so it works for her,” Henry says poking Ballad’s muzzle softly.

“You booped me! I can’t believe it, I’ve been booped,” Ballad almost whines while rubbing her muzzle with a forehoof. “But yeah, I understand, maybe if I think of spells more like music it might help, but I’ve been trained so much in engineering and now power line maintenance, that I tend to think along those lines.”

“Just, find the path that works for you,” Sugarberry nods.

“Oh lord,” Cipher mumbles softly.

“What? What’s going on?” Ballad asked blinking.

Henry blinks, “Spill girl, your looking a little magenta there.”

“I… they… Princess Cadence is in… Somalia…” Cipher moans in disbelief.

***

To say he didn’t feel well was an understatement. He felt sick to his stomach with nausea and the ever-present taste of bile in his mouth. His head was still spinning which added to the nausea, he felt dizzy and light headed. Not a good combination to have at the best of times, on a boat or submarine, everything becomes worse.

He lets out a muffled moan into the gag. Trying hard to focus, he looks down at the gag itself, probably to keep him from screaming and giving away the subs position. The restraints are obvious, any sounds of him thrashing could alert the hunters to their prey.

“Peterson, Edward Peterson,” The voice is low and calm.

Turning his head slowly, he looks at the speaker. Seeing the boat’s doctor, Edward gives a slow nod in recognition.

Sitting down on a bench, the doctor leans over and carefully removes the gag, “Welcome back, you had a bit of a freak out there.”

“Oh God, tell me I didn’t give our position away,” Edward says barely above a whisper.

Shaking his head no, the doctor leans forward, “We are still hidden. Tell me, what do you remember?”

Edwards thinks for a moment, “I, I don’t know what happened, for a moment, it was like nothing made sense. I didn’t know where I was, I didn’t understand anything around me.”

“Huh?”

“I could see the instrument panel, I could hear the XO, but I couldn’t understand anything, I didn’t know what any of the controls did, I didn’t understand what the XO was saying or even who he was. I just…” Gulping, Edwards continues, “It almost sounds like hypoxia, tell them to check the O2 levels…”

“Its not hypoxia, don’t worry, and no, its not a brain disorder or stroke.” The doctor says, flipping through pictures on his tablet.

“What’s going on then?”

Flipping the tablet around, the doctor shows the image of a golden shooting star, with a short, tapered tail, “Do you recognize this?”

“It, looks kinda generic. Sort of like, the type of thing you’d see on adds or such. Save 300 bits on this new box spring.”

Doctor flipps the tablet back looking at it, “So nothing else? No feelings associated with it?”

“Not… not really. Why?”

“Two of those appeared on you, one on each side of your hips,” The doctor says softly, “It’s usually the first part, the first stage…”

Edward groans softly and closes his eyes tightly, squeezing a few tears out to meander down his temples, “Of becoming a pony… Wonderful.”

“Don’t worry, but we will need to keep you sedated and gagged. Can’t have you waking up screaming.”

“Oh, this just gets better and better. What did I do to deserve this?”

Looking up, the ships doctor almost gives the young man an evil smile, “Oh that’s easy, you pissed off Discord.”

***

The captain’s quarters on the USS Florida is opulent compared to the rest of the crew. It is still a seven by nine box, with little more then a bed, closet, a fold down table with a pair of chairs, and a safe in it. Compared to rows of bunk beds lining the missile launch halls, three high with little more than a curtain for privacy, this is a place of relaxation and personal space.

“From what I know, Captain, this sort of thing is traumatic. Uncontrolled actions, screaming fits, he’s a threat to the boat,” The XO says as he walks slowly back and forth between the bed and the table, pacing.

“So, what are you suggesting? Dumping him out a torpedo tube?” The captain shakes his head, “The doctor says he’s low risk.”

“For now, but who knows what will happen further down the transformation. How can the doctor account for magical outbursts? Pony strength?” Turning the XO crossed his arms, “We don’t even know if the drugs we are using to sedate him will keep working.”

“I’ve considered this, including the sound hooves would make on the ships floor or coming in contact with bulkheads or doors,” The captain sighs.

The XO nods firmly, “Then you agree, he poses a threat to this boat.”

“I said no such thing, I said I considered the problems. What next? Suggesting that I considered the affect of a female officer using the bathrooms on the boat means I see them as a threat?” The captain looks at the XO sternly.

“No sir, but there is a solution you may not have considered,” the XO responds coldly and calmly.

Narrowing his eyes, the captain appraises the XO, “And that is?”

“An overdose of the anesthetics, it would be silent, and end the risk.”

“I will pretend you did not suggest that, now if you’ll excuse me, I have some paperwork to do.” The captain growls in response.

“But sir…”

Without looking up the captain utters one last word with a tone of finality, “Dismissed.”

***

Like all things on a sub, the medical bay is small. Patents were never meant to stay inside the bay, the normal practice is to treat them, then transfer them back to their bunks. Keeping Ensign Peterson is almost unheard of, and with the small crew of the submarine, the rumors are flying.

Laying on his back, Eddie does his best to get comfortable, though between the gag and the restraints it isn’t easy. The doctor had trimmed back the drugs, but they are still leaving him feeling light headed.

“Up for a guest?” The doctor asks quietly.

Eddie shrugs and moves his head to look, he can’t really speak right now, but he at least made the effort to look.

“This is Ensign Caron, she’s our resident specialist on the equines.” The doctor says as he motions for her to take a seat before removing the gag.

Smacking his lips a couple of times, Eddie looks at the woman then at the doctor, “Specialist?”

“I’m a network specialist,” she said softly, “Call me Irma. And no, I’m not a specialist on horses, I grew up in New Orleans for cripes sake.”

The doctor chuckled, “Yep but she’s the closet thing we have to a specialist.”

“How do you figure?” Eddie asks looking confused, “And can I get something to eat? I’m starving here.”

The doctor nods, “I have a tray for you already, and she’s a specialist because she knows about My Little Pony, the series.”

“Ugh, I put up one picture my niece sent me and instantly I’m an expert? Yes, I watched the series when I was growing up, yes, my mom bought me pony toys when I was like ten. It doesn’t make me an expert.” Crossing her arms, Irma puffs out her cheeks and pouts.

Carefully taking off the restraints the doctor gives Eddie a pill, “Take this.”

With a confused look, Eddie takes the meds then looks at the doctor, “Well that was a less then satisfying dinner.”

“That was Gravol so you don’t throw up the dinner.” The doctor says with a chuckle. Standing up, he gets out a set of wrapped food from a storage cabinet, “Apple juice, Nutella and banana sandwich, vegetable soup in a cup, and granola bars.”

“So, what’s his cutie mark?” Irma asks, looking at him then the doctor.

“Mrf wap?” Eddie mumbles through a bite of the sandwich before taking a drink of the soup.

“Cutie mark, it’s the magical symbol on the hip that identifies the pony and their special talent,” Irma says, “Also shows up on the card that comes with the toys so you can keep them together.”

Tapping on his tablet, the doctor shows her the mark.

“Well its not… a common one, not one of the generics like 3 stars, raindrops or such.” Tilting her head, she looks at Eddie, “Turquois, emerald or seafoam, and maybe a light banana yellow or watered down lemon yellow. Three color manes are rare for background characters, but nothing matches a main character I remember.”

“Seafoam?” Eddie looks confused and lost.

Reaching over Irma pulls down a lock of his mane, allowing him to see it, “Your mane or hair colors.”

Looking at the hair, Eddie rolls his eyes and sticks his tongue out, “Ugg, why couldn’t I just be something simple like basic brown or black? I’m really going to need to shave this.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure the regs about manes and tails on a sub,” Irma grins as she responds.

“I knew they had strange colors, but actually seeing my hair like that,” Eddie huffs.

Irma smiles, “Oh yeah, I used to spend time brushing and styling my toys manes.”

“Doc, I might need to be sedated,” Eddie says, looking at the doctor with a forlorn look.

Blinking the doctor stands up, “Why are you in pain? Where does it hurt?”

“Nope, but if she starts trying to style my hair on me I might flip out,” Eddie growls.

“Hey, when I was young I dreamed of being a pony. Of living in Equestria, of going to school and having adventures.” Irma says softly as she thinks back, “I even liked to pretend I was one, my fav was Lightning Dust. Didn’t you dream of stuff?”

“Yo Joe? I used to like things like Gi-Joe, but I grew out of that and got into Red October, Red Tide and such. Though I did have this phase when I was eight about being an Air Bender,” he chuckles, “Not the avatar just an air bender.”

“Ok, that’s cute, so where to start, umm, from what I remember from the tv series, Equestria was a kingdom…”

***

“You don’t need to watch your legs or count, trust me,” Masquerade says, laughing as she walks beside Shoe Shine.

“It’s not as easy as it looks,” Shoe Shine counters with a huff.

Flapping her wings Masquerade takes off doing a vertical spiral followed by a loop to land on the other side of Shoe Shine, “Its muscle memory and instinct, it comes back quickly.”

“Show off,” Katie chirps in with a giggle.

Prancing on the spot Masquerade looks up at her sister, “Hey if you got it, flaunt it. Not my fault you’re vertical.”

“Human and proud of it silly,” Katie says, ruffling Masquerades mane as they walk into the IHOP.

Shoe Shine giggles softly, “Funny how people still refuse to use the B instead of P.”

Masquerade giggles in response, “Maybe because it was a marketing stunt. Even Wendy’s savaged them for it.”

“I still can’t believe you made me drive an hour to bring us here,” Katie looks sternly at Masquerade, “Just for pancakes.”

“It’s a pony thing, I guess in a way, there are very few restaurants that serve comparable food to Equestria. But pancakes, with all the fruits and nuts and berries, and such. I guess in a way it reminds us of home. Especially since no one has figured out how to make a good alfalfa burger and hay fries here yet.” Masquerade says softly, looking up at the sky.

Walking in the three are greeted with gasps and silence from most of the patrons. The sound of a plate hitting the floor, and the squee of a pair of little children.

“Oh, I should warn you. We kind of attract kids,” Masquerade chirps before shooting straight up and hovering just out of reach near the ceiling as three girls run up.

Making oohing sounds the children, somewhere between four and seven, look up at the flying pegasus while hugging and patting Shoe Shine. Timidly she finds herself backed into a corner by the children, as they tried to pat her face and mane.

“Help!”

Katie moves up and quickly tries to move the children back, “Leave her alone, she’s not a pet or toy.”

“Pony!”

“They’re real?”

One of the girls grabs Shoe Shines face, almost putting a finger in her eye, forcing the pony to close her eyes, flinching. “Someone help!”

“Its okay Shine, I’ve got this,” Gently Katie tries to remove the girl’s hands from over Shoe Shines eye when the child starts to cry. “No, I want her.”

“Take your hands off my child,” A woman says, standing up.

Shoe Shine pulls her head back and whimpers, “Could, could you keep her off me please?”

“She has every right to be here. If you didn’t want attention you shouldn’t have come here,” The woman says, “Now leave my child alone or I will call the police. You have no right to touch a minor.”

Masquerade blinks, “Excuse me, your child nearly put Shinnies eye out there.”

“She’s just being a child, it’s not her fault.” The mother says and kneels down to hug her daughter, “Its okay, mommy’s here for you.”

Holding her hand out, the child reached for Shoe Shine again, “I want…”

“Don’t worry little Mandy, mommy will buy you a real pony toy of your own,” The mother says softly stroking the girl’s hair.

“I’m not a toy,” Shoe Shine says sadly.

Seeing her in stress, Masquerade turns and lands beside Shoe Shine and puts her wing over her friend protectively, giving her a place to hide. Looking at the mother, Masquerade shakes her head slowly.

A man, wearing a dark blue shirt, with lighter blue tie and gold name tag walks over, “Excuse me.”

“Good, I want this woman removed from the restaurant, she’s harassing my child.” The mother says firmly.

The manager sighs and shakes his head, “A waitress already let me know what happened, I’m sorry, I’m going to have to ask you to leave the restaurant.”

Katie shakes her head, “Come on sis, we’ll find…”

“Oh, you misunderstand, IHOP is very sorry for the inconvenience here, the waitress will bring you to a seat,” The manager says before turning to the mother. “Our store policy is very clear on this mater, your child disturbed other customers, to a level that would border on assault. We will not ask you to pay for your meal, but we to ask you to leave, now.”

“WHAT!” Looking up in pure rage the mother stands up, “How dare you!”

“If you do not leave, I will be forced to call the police, and at that point we would provide them with video footage of your daughter’s actions,” The manager says firmly.

One of the two other children had already retreated back to their parents while the third just hugged the woman’s leg. Looking up confused as her mother huffs.

“Let’s see how the corporate office likes the bad press you will get for this, I’ll have your job.” The woman shouts, before dragging her children out of the store.

A waitress walks over and kneels down, “Its okay, you’re safe, if you follow me we’ve got your seat ready, and your bib.”

“Bib?” Shoe Shine asks, confused.

“Not for you silly, for her,” the waitress says, pointing at Masquerade.

Blinking Masquerade thinks for a moment before flattening her ears, “Hey, we don’t drool that much.”

“You have… dealt with ponies before?” Katie asks curiously.

The waitress shook her head, “Nope, your friends are the first we’ve seen. Home office, though, sent down a sensitivity training video. Sometimes, all a pony needs is a friend in this world.”

Smiling, Shoe Shine takes a seat as a menu is placed open in front of her. A cloth bib is placed around Masquerade’s neck, and both ponies have a large wet cloth rolled up and placed beside their plates.

Katie sits across from them, blinking. “Okay, that’s strange.”

Nosing through the menu, Masq looks up a moment, “When I first changed, I escaped the hospital and made my way to an IHOP, they were really nice to me. I didn’t know it was in their mandate.”

Pouring out some water the waitress smiles, “I wouldn’t say mandate, the video just let us know about special needs and care. How we chose to use that is up to us. Are you ready to order?”

Nodding, Masquerade looks over, “One harvest grain and nut, one stack of strawberry banana, and a Belgian dark cholate stack.”

Writing down quickly the waitress nods, “And anything to drink with that?”

“Sure, diet ice tea,” Looking at Katie, Masquerade smiles, “I’m watching my figure.”

Covering her face with a hand, Katie moans, “I just… I don’t… know how to respond to that.”

“Will that be it?” The waitress asks.

“Oh, that’s all for me. Shinny, Katie, order, its on me,” Masquerade says, wiggling an ear.

Shoe Shine looks down at the menu, “Darn, no carrot pancakes. Umm…” Looking down she huffs, then nods, “One harvest grain please. And a lemonade, I don’t have a figure to watch.”

Looking up, Katie shakes her head, “Stuffed French toast for me, and a coffee please.”

The waitress turns and heads off to the kitchen quickly.

“See, its not going to be that bad.” Masquerade says and lightly pushes Shoe Shine with her wing, “And best of all, you don’t need to worry about magic explosions, wing boners or preening. You are, however, going to have to practice with your strength a bit.”

“Wha… What do you mean?”

“Well lets just put it this way, even though we are compact, we are still as strong as a horse. And earth ponies get that magnified. If you kick something, you are probably going to destroy it. So, I’d suggest taking a day or two and practice kicking, running and such.” Masquerade looks up at her sister, “Earth ponies can pull plows on their own and often pull fully loaded carts with ease.”

Looking down at her leg Shoe Shine blinks, “Really?”

Masquerade nods, “Really, and no it doesn’t mean you have to work on a farm or something. You just need to make sure you don’t accidently shatter doors, or flip cars over.”

Coming back, the waitress sits down pancakes in front of everyone, then smiles as she sets an extra stack in front of Shoe Shine, “Carrot pancakes with cream cheese icing.”

Looking up in shock, Shoe Shine doesn’t know what to say, but the waitress simply smiles and turns to head back to the kitchen.

Leaning down to dig in, Masquerade’s cell goes off. Huffing, she carefully takes it out of its leg holder and checks. “Ugg, now…?”

“What is it?” Katie asks softly.

“It’s a call out order, they want me back at base for something. Its probably nothing important, nothing to worry about sis.” Masquerade says and lifts a hoof, “Waitress.”

A moment later they can all hear the buzzing sounds, as well as several different ring tones going off. One by one different people around the restaurant starts standing up calling for the waitresses.

Blinking, Katie looks around going a little pale. “Okay, this can’t be good.”