As the Militia team approached the village, even Daniel was silent. The houses were thatch and wood, and as they entered, A few grunts looked in shock at Sugarcube Corner.

"Who the hell built that?" A grunt asked. "Some crazed gingerbread man?"

"I'm not one to judge, Grunt." Daniel replied. "Make sure you're not one as well."

The grunt nodded. Daniel brought the team to the Village square, and sighed.

"I'll take a look around for that Twilight fellow. Stay here. IN, with me."

"Confirmed, Pilot."

As the grunts took up defensive positions, Daniel and IN walked through the silent village, until they arrived at a large crystalline tree.

"I think we've found it." Daniel noted.

"Agreed. The likelihood of this being the right location is favorable." IN said. Daniel knocked on the door, and they heard voices.

"Who could that be at this hour?"

Then, the door opened revealing a small lizard-like being. He looked up at Daniel and IN in shock, then he sighed.

"You're with the aliens, right?"

"Yeah." Daniel replied.

"Come on in, then."

As Daniel walked in, IN took up a guard position at the entrance. Daniel sat down at the table, and Spike offered him some coffee. Daniel sipped it, and sighed.

"This real coffee?" he asked.

"Yeah." Spike replied.

"Geez. Haven't tasted the real stuff in quite a while. Been living off combat rations for too long." Daniel said, downing his coffee.

"Yeah." Spike said.

"Spike, who is it?" Came Twilight's voice.

"One of the aliens." Spike yelled in reply.

"Ohmygosh, one minute!" Twilight replied. Exactly one minute later, she was downstairs, and sitting at the table.

"That was punctual." Daniel said simply.

"I try. So, Mr. Daniel, why are you here?" Twilight asked.

"Captain Ellis sent us. I guess he wanted to make sure we had supplies or something." Daniel said. "He didn't tell us though."

"Well, I sent a letter to Princess Celestia, who rules around here." Twilight replied. "Said she would be here soon."

"Good. My Grunt squad is in the plaza, awaiting orders." Daniel said.

"There's more with you?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah, Ellis asked me to take a squad with me, plus Indy."

"Your Titan, right?" Twilight asked.

"Yes." came IN's voice. "That is my designation."

"Well, good to know. Why don't you gather your squad and bring them here?" Twilight asked. "That way, there won't be a panic."

"Sure." Daniel said. "IN, Guard mode."

"Confirmed."

As Daniel walked to the plaza, he saw the grunts were still present, though some ponies from the town were eyeing them with fear.

"It's okay!" Daniel yelled. "We're here for diplomatic reasons! Nothing to worry about!"

As the ponie gave a visible sigh of relief, he saw a small schoolhouse up on the hill.

"Might as well check it out." he said to himself. As he walked up, he heard voices.

"Why don't you just cry, blank-flank?" said a pink filly flanked by a silver one to a group of three others.

"Just leave us alone, Diamond!" One of the three yelled. "We didn't do anything!"

"That's enough!" Daniel yelled, drawing their attention to him.

"Why do you care, alien?" the Pink one asked.

"Because I don't like bullies. Or bullying for that matter." Daniel said, taking off his helmet. "So, why exactly are you picking on them?"

"Because they're dull, stupid blank-flanks!" The pink one yelled.

"So...they don't have a little picture on their rear end?" Daniel noted, seeing the three lacked one. "Dumb reason, if you ask me."

"But, they don't even have their special talent!" The silver one protested.

"So?" Daniel replied. "Thing is, I'm a Pilot in the Militia fleet. One of the most respected and feared soldiers aboard the Baron." Daniel said.

The pink and silver fillies dropped their jaws.

"Yeah, believe it." Daniel said. "I ride on the shoulder of a giant. I ride into combat knowing my enemies will fall. I can turn the tide of a battle in minutes. And I do all of that...without needing some dumb excuse for a tattoo on my ass. One last thing. Ever heard the phrase...don't judge a book by its cover? I would apply that to your situation right now."

Daniel nodded to the three of them, who squealed with glee before walking back to the square, finding a second alicorn waiting for them. This alicorn was pastel white, with a flowing mane.

"I presume you are Daniel McKenna?" she asked.

"That would be me." Daniel replied. "I can presume you are Princess Celestia?"

"Indeed. Your "Grunts" have moved to Ponyville Castle at my request. Would you accompany us?"

"Yes, your highness." Daniel said as they departed.

Author's Notes:

Update!