Twilight's P.O.V.

As I entered the Liset, everything seemed to be the same, dull ship I have come to know. And yet, it always has my attention. How does this work? How does that move? All of it! So much technology that is centuries ahead of us! How I would love to examine it all! As I made it to the cockpit, I could hear Excalibur walking on the outside of the hull. Inside, Nightmare sat in her containment gem, silently, with her head hung low. I was starting to feel really bad for her.

Being stuck in that gem for the rest of her immortal life. I wonder what Excalibur was going to do with her? Maybe I could ask him, or Luna as to why... wait. Now that I think about it. I thought my friends and I stopped Nightmare!? How could she be here when we stopped her? Did... did I miss something! Was there some tiny bit that escaped to seek revenge? did she hurt Luna or Celestia! Why wasn't I called!?

“Hello Miss Sparkle,” Ordis greeted. “Are you here to examine the codex again?”

I blinked. Had he forgotten? “Uh… no. You… wanted to talk to me?” I clarified.

“Ah, so Excalibur informed you of my request!” he said happily. “That's *BZZT* TERRIBLE *BZZT* wonderful! I shall be out in a second!” There was a hiss and a little *pop* as Ordis appeared from his slot from a nearby table. Walking over, I lifted him with my magic. “Don't drop me.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don't you trust me?”

“Debatable.”

I pouted and lifted the cube to my face. “That’s really rude, Ordis.” I was rather hurt by that too. Who knew a robot could be so cold?

“I’m sorry Miss Sparkle… perhaps we should go?”

“I agree.”

Carrying the little cube in my magic, we left the ship. Walking around out and to the back, I could see Excalibur on the outside of the hull. He was bent over working on something “Excalibur!?” I called.

He turned around and searched the area before looking down at me.”Yes?”

I held up Ordis. “I’m taking Ordis with me! Is that alright?”

He shrugged. “I don’t govern where he goes so long as it is consensual. Ordis?” he asked, turning his attention to the cube. “I have all the information on engine. So you go and have fun, alright?”

“I will, Excalibur!”

“And Twilight,” he said turning his attention back to me as I placed Ordis on my back, between my wings. I gave him my full attention. “Don’t drop him!” her warned with a shake of his finger.

I rolled my eyes again at the second comment with the same context. “You sound like you don’t trust me!”

“Debatable!” He yelled over his shoulder as he went back to working on the ship.

My face soon turned into a deadpanned look. “You're so insufferable…” I mumbled under my breath.

“I heard that!”

“Good!” I retorted with a head tilt forward, while turning around and heading out. I wasn’t mad, I know he was just playing, but I know when to be careful! As we walked along through town, there was a pleasant silence between the two of us. Ordis didn’t say anything other than hum and mumble to himself occasionally. Probably as he looked around the little town, I paid him little mind as we walked along. All around, ponies waved and said hi, once and awhile, somepony would see Ordis and ask about the little blue cube, only to get snapped at by the little three by three cube.

As we entered the local park, all around ponies played. Foals ran past playing a game of tag, a mare sat in the grass with an ice cream cone in her hoof. A stallion and mare shared a picnic, and a few others were swimming in the lake. After a short walk, I decided to start a conversation. “So, Ordis? What did you want to talk about?” He didn’t reply immediately, causing me to turn my head back to look at him. “Ordis?”

“What are your greatest accomplishments, Miss Sparkle?”

I… where did that come from? “Uhh…” I replied dumbly before shaking my head. “I have done a lot of things, actually. I think finding the Elements of Harmony and stopping Nightmare Moon comes just before becoming the princess's personal student. Uhm… I passed all my classes with A’s. I made friends… and became a Princess I guess?” I finished while holding a hoof to my chin. “Why?”

“Curious,” he answered simply. “And mistakes?”

I blinked before my ears fell back. “Isn’t that a bit personal?”

He didn’t respond after several seconds.

“Hey Twilight?!”

Lifting my head, I saw Rainbow and Fluttershy flying by. They came to a slow descent as I waved to them from below. That reminds me, I need to talk to Rainbow about my latest lessons for the week. “Hi girls!” I greeted as they came to land. “Whats up?”

Rainbow shrugged. “Flutters and I were just chillin'. Nothin' much really. Right Flutters?” she asked, looking at the yellow pegasus. Next to her, Fluttershy smiled and silently nodded her head. “Anyway,” Rainbow continued as she turned back to face me. “What are… what's with the cube?”

“Huh?” I glanced back at a still silent Ordis. “Oh! Rainbow, Fluttershy. You remember Ordis don’t you?” I asked, levitating him from my back.

The little cube seemed to see that he was being put on the spot. “My apologies. Hello Miss Dash, hello Miss Shy.”

Fluttershy held a hoof to her mouth and giggled at the greeting. “Hello, Ordis!” she greeted with a wave.

“Hey little buddy!” Dash greeted while holding up a hoof. I raised an eyebrow while she continued to hold it up. Next to her, Fluttershy seemed as equally confused.

“Uhh, Rainbow? What are you doing?”

She turned to me. “What does it look like? I’m offering him a hoof bump!”

Hoof, meet my face. I slowly dragged it down my face before closing my eyes and sighing. “Rainbow…” I said slowly. “Orids doesn’t have hooves… or hands… or a body for that matter…”

She slowly looked back at the cube as what few gears in her head started to turn. “She is right,” Ordis agreed. “I am a mere cephalon!"

Rainbow ever so slowly lowered her hoof back onto the ground. “Uh… I knew that!” she hastily replied. “I-I was testing you!” She crossed both her forelegs, sitting back on the ground. “I knew that…” she mumbled under her breath.

Both Fluttershy and I couldn't help but giggle at her little slip up in observation. “What are you up to, Twilight?” Fluttershy asked after she stopped her giggling.

“Just taking a walk with Ordis,” I answered after I myself stopped. “Getting to know each other better!” You know, becoming friends an all that. It is the reason why I was sent to Ponyville in the first place!

“Oh?” she replied with a head tilt as Rainbow stood up. “Would it be alright if we joined you? I mean… if that's okay with you… and Ordis?”

I shrugged. “I don’t mind,” I replied before looking back at Ordis. “Do you mind?”

“*BZZT* LIKE HELL I- *BZZT* Not at all!”

An awkward silence filled the air as anypony within earshot froze at the loud outburst. Nearby, Fluttershy hid behind Rainbow, shaking like a leaf. “I’ll… take that as a yes?” Hesitantly, we starting off with no destination in mind. Turning back we promptly left the park and walked back through town. Fluttershy and Rainbow calmed down and continued with their conversation before joining Ordis and I while him and I just walked with content silence. “Hey Ordis?” I asked, causing him to hum in response. “I, uh… was wondering how Excalibur did that magic strike?”

“Magic strike?” he repeated, confused.

“You know, that beam of light that, well… he used to attack my brother....”

By now, both Rainbow and Flutters were actively listening before blurting a very loud, “WHAT!?” Both of them had a look of horror. Fluttershy held a hoof to her mouth while Rainbow stood slack jawed. Maybe I should have stayed silent. It would have been best to keep that a little more low key.

To late now...

I sighed as my ears folded back and I looked away. May as well get it over with. “My brother had a duel with Excalibur,” I quietly admitted. “Excalibur won, while my brother was hospitalized. I… I don’t want to talk about it…” To many words exchanged and tears shed. Still hurts to this day.

Awkward silence filled the air for several seconds as my two friends soaked in the information. “Void Ability…” My head snapped back to Ordis while my friends looked around me. Activating my magic, I lifted Ordis up and moved him around and in front of me. “They’re called Void Abilities,” the cube continued with another pulse of his internal workings. “Over many years, Excalibur has been exposed to high levels of Void Radiation, which in turn, has produced an array of abilities outside the warframe.

“During the Old War he helped to develop school to help the Prime Tenno with focusing and harnessing their abilities. Many of which, was harnessing the power in his Orokin Reactor.”

“Orokin Reactor?” Rainbow asked.

“A neurological operating system that powers the warframe suit,” he answered. “A… battery if you will? You do have those here, yes?” I nodded. “It collects trace void energy from all around us.” That statement caused us all to look around before back to his explanation. “Excalibur.... ‘ran by the seat of his pants,’ as it were. A lot of what he has taught, was learned through trial and error. Through all his trial and error, he quickly learned that he could tap into the energy of the Reactor outside of the suit. The main ability you saw, Miss Sparkle, was his Void Beam, a focused beam of pure void energy with many other minor abilities.

“Like the rocks I saw?” I asked.

“The School of the Unairu way,” Ordis explained. “They pushed themselves to Outlast the Enemy, to withstand all aggression without retreat. They believed that if the enemy could not match their endurance, then a battle could be won without having even commenced.

“The rock, the mountain… to hold the line, never give up, die on your feet if you must….”

“And the others?” This was very interesting. Schools of power, each representing a metaphorical way of thought to that of the major elements of the planet. So, strong as a Mountain, never moving.

“They followed the path of Engage The Enemy. Their swift, uncompromising onslaught, holding nothing back and recklessly attacking their foes, could vanquish an opponent before he had the chance to steel himself. Speed and savagery characterized this school,” Ordis said, listing the second. “The way of the Madurai. Phoenix Gaze was the main attack you saw.”

Almost like the wind.

“Next is Vazarin. They trained to Counter the Enemy, and move with an opponent's attacks in order to nullify them. They maintained constant awareness in order to defend against all aggression. To flow, like water.”

Makes sense, because water can adapt and move to anything.

“This discipline focused on Knowing the Enemy, and the tacticians of Naramon believed that to truly understand a foe would confer the greatest advantage upon a warrior. All knowing. Peace. Like that of the Bonsai Tree.”

I… can kind of see that. The representation at least. I know Celestia has a Bonsai tree that she tends to, she explained to me once how it brought her peace at times. They have been seen as very important to the Sika Deer across the North Luna Ocean.

“And finally, Zenurik. They believed the clearest path to victory was to Dominate the Enemy. They sought to choke an opponent of all resources; that sheer strength could erase any resistance. To harness the power held within the void crystal. To use that hidden power take everything.... And give them nothing…”

I nodded my head. The power! Even though we ponies have magic, or a form of energy that every sentient being on the planet has been exposed to, is very powerful. Unicorns have spells, Earth ponies are inherently strong and literally, down to earth, and pegasi can fly, feel the air around them, we can all do so much…

But we’re so limited.

Even as an alicorn, which I now have two other forms of magic that I am yet to master and will take years to. It almost compares little to the vast power that humans have created. How I would have loved to see what this magicless race could create! I have had a taste, and I want the full experience! Through sheer will and imagination, they made the impossible, possible. So much to study, so much to learn, so much…

Power…

“I remember watching through his helmet as he ran as fast as he could from this one female that was begging him to bear his child as he screamed,” Ordis played the recording of Excalibur's voice. “Ordis! Engines! Now! This bitch is crazy!”

Another, more feminine voice played. “Please! I love you baby! Let me have all twelve of your children!”

Everypony burst out into hysterical laughter as my attention moved to the table. All around the round table, all my friends sat, with their favorite treat from Sugarcube Corner in front of them. Applejack was rolling on the ground using her hat to cover her face as her muffin sat, partially eaten in front of where she would be sitting. Rainbow fared no better in her chair as she slammed her hoof on the table and held her belly, her root beer float bouncing on every hit. Rarity held her belly as she kicked both legs out and shook them as she laughed along. Her triple hot fudge and caramel sundae sat on the table in front of her.

Fluttershy had a cookie with a lone bite out of it on her plate as she giggled along with the rest as her hoof covered her mouth. Pinkie was face down with both hooves splayed out with her five cupcakes safe between them as she laughed into the table. In the center of it all, Ordis sat in front of a tall glass of cola with a large straw bent down to reach his small form.

Now that I think about it? Why does he need a drink?

As the laughter came to an end, Rainbow wiped a tear from her eye as she continued to giggle. “W-Wow Ordis, you can sure tell a story.”

“I have a million of them!” The cephalon replied happily. “And I mean it! I have 1,267,935, stories of Excalibur running into very awkward situations!” If he could smile, I think Ordis’ would be massive! Everypony went silent as they slowly looked at one another with blank expressions.

“BWAHAHAHAHAHA!”

Heads slammed against the table while others fell out of the chairs with roaring laughter. Even I couldn’t help the giggle. I would have to hear some of these! Ponies all around gave us strange looks as they passed but we paid them no mind as we made foal of ourselves! After several more minutes of laughing along with several more giggle fits, we eventually composed ourselves.

“W-well,” I started glancing up at the slowly dimming sun. “I think it’s time to take Ordis back and head home.” Pushing my seat back and grabbing Ordis, I threw a few bits on the table while my friends did the same. Orienting ourselves toward the Liset, we walked along. My friends continued to giggle and repeat the story I seemed to have missed.

Although I could imagine!

A few blocks later I came to a swift stop. “Uhhh…”

Everypony came to a stop and looked at me with confusion. “You alright, Twi?” Rainbow asked with a tilt of her head.

“Uhh,” I replied dumbly. “Wasn't there a massive ship here?” I asked, gesturing to the massive open spot where the Liset used to be. All around the spot where the ship sat, tools laid haphazardly, and the broken and torn hull panels were still stacked in a massive pile. Everypony gave a look of their own before gasping loudly. How does something that big disappear!

“I…” Ordis started before going silent. “You may want to cover your ears.”

All of us looked at him, still confused. “Why?”

“*BZZT* JUST DO IT! *BZZT*” All of us dropped down and covered our ears while I held him with my magic. Pretty soon, a low roar started to fill the air. Confused, we searched the area to find nothing. “Incoming!” Ordis screamed.

The roar grew louder and louder before a massive explosion shook us to our very core. Were we under attack! Just then… the Liset roared by! It was flying! He got it airborne! She made a sharp turn and came to a hover out in the field before her engines flared before exploding yet again as she shot off high into the sky.

We watched in awe as the ship ascended faster than any pegasus! She made a hard right bank before dropping into a dive. The ship slowly pulled up and leveling out before flying just above the rooftops of Ponyville! So nimble! As she roared past homes, dust flew, ponies held their hats and looked to the sky in jaw dropping awe as she raced through the air. As she quickly raced to the edge of town, she made a quick roll and a hard left bank before heading off towards Canterlot.

Celestia stood on her balcony, her sister at her side as they prepared to lower the sun fully and raise the moon in preparation for night. As they stood in content silence, the two sisters glanced at each other before they leaned in for a loving nuzzle. Celestia draped a wing over the smaller alicorn and squeezed her tighter.

Their happiness turned into confusion when they heard a low rumble. “What is that?” Luna asked her sister.

“I… I don’t know,” Celestia replied, worried.

The Liset came in low and fast, like the first day she arrived. Ponies looked to the sky and watched in jaw dropping awe as the landing craft roared overhead, kicking up dust from the street below. She raced hard towards the castle, ponies of all walks of life gasped as they watched what they expected to be a horrible scene.

The last second, she rotated and flew right in between the twin towers of the castle. Both sisters watched in awe as she banked high and silhouetted past the setting sun before coming back. The ship soon came to a slow glide towards the mares as they watched its darkened and battle beaten hull. The large ship came to a hover in front of them as they watched in awe of the way she handled. Better than any chariot or blimp!

The ship made a slow turn and pointed away from them before slowly accelerating off into the skies. “All be damned…” Celestia said as the ship became a dot in the distance. “He did it…”

Cadance stood on her own balcony in the Crystal Empire with her head hung low as she finished up her letter. She quickly signed it and sent it off with a depressed sigh. Behind her, her husband rolled himself out next to her via his wheelchair. The scar across his eye having now scabbed over. Reaching out, he rubbed her back lovingly. She lifted her head slightly and looked over at him. Her eyes were wet and bloodshot. Leaning in, she nuzzled her husband before resting her head on his shoulder while he rested his on the top of hers.

The duo stayed like that for several seconds. They were so lost in their embrace that they failed to notice the small dot enter through the force field that protected the Empire. A low hum caused the two to lift their heads. Both of them gasped loudly at the nose of the massive ship that hovered just feet from their balcony. All they could do was stare as it stared back, un-moving and all knowing. After several seconds she very slowly turned away and headed back to Ponyville...

Leaving the pair to watch as it left...

Author's Notes:

That little talk. Also explaining the Tenno Abilities, not the Warframes, the operators. Warframe is a very powerful game with a lot of unique powers. I'll leave the link to the operator abilities. Also explaining how Excalibur could use the powers he did with a change in the lore to make this story work.