The landing was by far the worst part of the flight. Not saying it was rough, not at all. In fact, the stallion-and-mare team had eased the chariot down as smoothly as possible. That wasn't about to change my thoughts on flying, it still sucked!

Stepping off the back and planting my feet back on the ground, I found myself exhaling in relief and silently mumbling a prayer to the gods for arriving safely.

Hearing the others land, I moved my gaze up to watch ponies stepping off of the other chariots, and observe as the alicorns came in for a landing. Twilight, by far, being the roughest of three, stumbled a bit, but to her credit, didn’t faceplant.

“See, thou are okay. Flying tis not so bad.”

I shook my head and turned to the lunar alicorn. “Just not for me, ma’am. I have to echo the earth pony there—” gesturing to Applejack. “—and say, it ain’t natural having my feet off the ground.”

Quite a few chuckled at me, but I didn’t care. One pony had caught my attention, he—or she—had been eyeballing me for some time now. It was hard to tell genders apart when their armor hid not only cutie marks, but their natural coats as well. The day guard set his jaw, then turned and looked at Celestia.

“My princess, I cannot hold my thoughts anymore. While I understand the creature has not shown aggression yet, I do not think it is wise to allow it to keep its weapons or walk around unrestrained. We are in the heart of the capital now, in the castle no less.”

Well, shit. I figured it would take a bit to get to this point. On the other hand, it was not my call, so I looked over to where Celestia stood with a few others looking down at the one who just spoke.

“Captain Cross Swords, I understand you are doing your job. In fact, I commend you keeping my—as well as everypony else's safety—in mind. However, you will show respect to our guest. He is not a creature, he is a human being, and his name is Shane.”

Her face passive, that smile still there, but it was pretty clear—at least to me—that she was dressing the guard down.

“To address your core concern, while I agree we do not know the extent or power of the humans weapons, I will remind you that he is no more or less armed than any of the ambassadors from other nations that have come to our court. As such, I will extend him the same trust I do them, until a time he proves untrustworthy.”

I did note quite a few eyes on me, including Celestia who looked up after speaking. Pondering for a moment, I gave a nod.

“Captain,” I said, looking at the stallion. At least, I hoped so by the tone of voice I had that right. “I can appreciate your concerns, too. How about I alleviate them some? I will offer to unload the one on my back, as to my pistol.”

Using my head to gesture in a nod to my side. “I will put the peace tie on it, makes it all but impossible to pull rapidly. Will this at least give some peace of mind?”

I watched him glare for a few unsettling moments. The unicorn stallion seemed to be sizing me up before he eventually nodded. “If you are willing to do that, I withdraw my complaint.”

I lifted my eyes back to Celestia, and then to Luna, who both in turn nodded once. With slow actions, so as not to spook anyone, I drew my shotgun out of the scabbard, using a finger to press up into the port and release each shell. After a few moments, I held five shells, tucking them into my shirt pocket with the round I had ejected back at the clearing, returning the weapon to the sheathe across my back.

Next, I reached down, again slow, but steady. There had been no need to make ponies jumpy, and no need to give the guards who were already on edge a hard time. I may have the trust of the sun and moon figuratively, but I am still a predator species and still an unknown one, too. I could respect the way they were on guard, but not aggressive in their thoughts.

Using a few fingers, I slid a little loop of leather up and over the hammer of the old single-action, making sure to snug it down. I then showed the captain by tugging on the grip some, it was held fast in place.

He continued to watch for a moment then I saw him nod his head. “Thank you. Do please understand that I hold no ill-will towards you, but my job is to keep my princesses safe.”

I found myself admiring him a bit, faced with a creature he has never seen, nor anyone else for that matter, with three of his charges standing here along with quite a few others. He could have said nothing but instead he decided to thank me. Respect, it is something that goes a long way in my book. I took a few steps over in his direction. He was slightly taller than Applejack was, so he came up to the bottom edge of my rib cage.

Offering out my right hand to him, I said, “Captain, thank you for being up front. I promise you, I will do all in my power to not make your job any harder. Like I said, back at the clearing, I am a stranger in your world, the least I can do is go the extra steps to not be a jerk.”

A few moments hesitation followed, then he set his hoof in my hand, and we shook firmly. I noted out of the corner of my eye, smug looks on many of the Elements, and a knowingly-warm smile on both Luna and Celestia’s muzzles.

Once he drew his hoof back, he gave a dip of his head and backed off some. I looked up once more at Celestia.

“Again, my sister and I thank you, Shane. You are handling all this quite well.”

I touched the tip of my fingers to the edge of my hat. “Just tryin' to make the best of a really bad situation, ma’am.”

Truth was, fear hadn't released its unrelenting grip on my mind, and I was still confused and rather jumpy. However, it was also clear to me being such openly would not do any of us any good at all. So, I kept a tight lid on it and decided to just go with the flow for now.

“My daddy always said to me, be like a duck,” I watched most of them get a confused look, but two seemed to smirk some. Applejack, and Celestia both had a knowing smile form. It was Applejack that spoke up.

“Be calm and in control above the surface, but paddle like a timberwolf was after you under the surface.”

I had to laugh at that, just the way she said it. The moment, the stress, it all kind of hit me at once, and I started to chuckle. Soon, I found myself laughing a deep, good ol’ belly laugh. A few of the guards looked at me weird, but many of the Elements joined in. I suppose I needed an outlet to vent off some of the pressure I stood beneath.

I tipped my hat back after a few moments, trying to get myself back under control I looked over at the orange mare once more. “Not quite how my father would have said it, but, close enough to be truth.”

Twilight threw a rather odd look in my direction, then looked over at her former mentor. “I... don’t get it?”

Again, I found myself holding down a bit of a chuckle, the remains of a laughing fit.

It was kind and quiet Fluttershy that answered her. “Think about a little duckling, Twilight. When they are swimming on a pond, they look so calm, so peaceful as they glide. Yet, under them, their little feet are paddling away just as fast as they can.”

We all watched as the bookish princess pondered that, then dawned on her. “Oooh! Heheh, that is funny. I get it now! Shane meant that inside he may be worried but on the outside he remains calm,” her smile bright and warm, her reaction enough to make a few of us laugh a second time, including myself.

I had to nod my head to her. “That is right, Princess Twilight.”

She frowned up at me. “Shane! We talked about this already. Please just call me Twilight, okay?”

I blinked, and then, once more tapped the brim of my old stetson with a finger or two. “Yes, ma’am.”

---

Once we had all gathered up, the alabaster-white alicorn led us across the garden where we had landed, heading for the hallway into the palace. I took note of a few crossbows held ready, but not aimed directly at me. I guess I could not blame them for that.

“Shane, we would ask later, once things have settled down, that you give a demonstration of your weapons to us and our guard captains.”

I gave the dark blue alicorn a nod. “Will be my pleasure, Luna. I will say, I don’t have a ton of ammunition, but I can spare a few shots,” I did pause after that. “But, with all due respect, I won’t be letting you folks study them.”

Glancing over, I witnessed the huge frown purse the purple alicorn's lips. “Sorry, Twilight, but introducing technology like this... Well, it could push the peace between nations in a bad way.”

It was Celestia that spoke up. “I would be inclined to agree, Shane. However, I would appreciate if you allow myself and some of my staff make that determination. While weapons of war are a destabilizing factor, the facts of the matter are, things could be learned that could be used for peaceful endeavors. After all, a fireball spell can turn entire buildings to ashes, but used with more care, and less magic can ignite a campfire or a stove.”

I pondered that a bit then gave a nod of my head. “Fair enough. I respect that, and will agree, on the proviso only ponies study this and none of the info is placed where someone—er, somepony else may take it to other governments.”

She looked over at me for a moment, then nodded again. “I can agree to that, but later, when we sit and discuss your home, you will explain why you made that decision. I will not press you right now for it.”

I had to once more chuckle a bit. She most certainly was not the 'Trollestia' as many had made her out to be. “Fair enough.”

We turned as a group and started down a ramp. I could smell the dampness in the air, so I had a pretty good idea that we were moving now into the mountain itself.

“Princess, tell me something. Why not just take it from me, strip me of my items in the name of progress?”

I watched as Pinkie Pie hopped around me in a circle as we walked. “Because, silly, that wouldn’t be very nice, would it?”

It was Rainbow Dash that added afterwards. “Or very loyal to a friend.”

Then, Applejack spoke up next. “Or very honest.”

I should have not been surprised when I heard from behind me two more voices speak up.

“Or kind."

“Or very generous of us.”

I had to think for a bit. I grew silent, but again, out of the corner of my eye, I noted the white alicorn nod her head in agreement.

“Shane, while my duty is to my little ponies, it is also to the tenets of friendship and harmony, ideals that founded and shaped this country into what it is today. For me to act on you in such manner would violate the very core of what we stand for. Do not get me wrong, my little human, if you were to behave in a manner that was a threat to my ponies, I would without hesitation act to stop you, however...”

She grew quiet for a bit as we turned, the stone around us becoming rougher, a bit wetter, and the strong scent of moisture in the air grew.

“I do not think you are someone who would willingly harm others, unless you had no other option. I sense a control in you, a level of truth and honor that reminds me very much of our guard and our law enforcement.”

She was watching me, and I am sure she saw me wince and look away. When I did, I missed the look given from Luna to her and over to Twilight. If I had caught it, I might have realized far sooner that my attempts to keep some of my past hidden was a fool's errand.

---

After what must have been another ten minutes of walking, we found ourselves before a great set of doors. Solid metal, from what I could make out, and no break in them: just massive hinges and a hint of locking systems. Vault doors, much like a bank back home would have. However, they were nearly twenty feet tall and that wide, not quite round, but more of an oval in length rather than height.

I had spotted the murder holes and guard spots all along the walk down here. What ever was here, was something they wanted no one—no pony—to see, unless invited. Two ponies sat at desks, and both looked up when we arrived and leaped up, bowing down to the diarchy princesses, dipping nose to ground before them.

“Gate Keeper, Key Master, rise, if you would please, open the vault.”

Key Master, Gate… I—what the? I started to snicker. I couldn’t help myself. It just bubbled out and I started to snort and giggles under my breath like a school kid at a dirty joke!
I knew everypony was looking at me now, yet I just could not help myself. The irony of the names and the exact nature of their job was not lost on me at that moment. I snorted harder and choked down the laughter trying to bubble its way out.

“You don’t have Gozer behind there, do you?”

Luna blinked in confusion. “Who?”

I had to wave my hand in the air as I sucked in breath after breath, trying my best to keep the mirth from overflowing. “N-nothing, I will... I will explain later.”

Ignoring me now, the two ponies trotted over to small boxes on the wall while Celestia moved to the center of the door. Together, we watched as they touched horns to their prospective spots. From deep in the stone, metallic sounds clanked and started to grind. I observed as the door stood still for a moment, as Celestia backed up, then started to swing out to the left.

Once it opened, all that could be seen was total darkness, another hallway of some sort, but short in length—perhaps twenty feet that ended in a second vault door. Unlike the tunnels, however, this hall was all steel. Something bright, shiny, and clearly, not just iron.

“You don’t kid around with security, do you?” I said out loud.

“Shane, I have never seen the inside of this vault. Heck, up until just a few minutes ago, I didn’t know it existed at all.”

I looked over at Twilight and lifted an eyebrow. “Really?” then glancing back to Celestia and Luna who both gave a curt nod of their heads. I exhaled softly and waited for them to lead us in.

Once inside, the first door began to gradually close behind us. I did hear Fluttershy give a little whimper. After all, there were fourteen of us packed in here, plus myself. The clang of the door closing behind us echoed throughout the room, brought with it, the sounds of the locks engaging. Light in here was not a problem, as it was provided by some kind of crystal stones along the ceiling area.

Once the locks had finished moving, a new set of metal-on-metal sounds kicked in, this time from the door ahead of us. Gesturing with her wing to have us stand back, Celestia stood where she was clear of the new vault door as it also swung out slowly. “Shane, just, please, remain calm when you see this. If it is as we suspect, it may be quite a shock to you.”

I glanced up at her, then back to the room as it was slowly exposed. Lights started to flick on inside the vault. I took note of twenty or so pedestals each holding small black stones or gems of some kind. My eyes wandered each tell they came to a item at the back of the room.

I didn’t hear the princesses call my name. I couldn’t even hear the mares calling out for me. I just walked past it all to that large... thing. It was burned and blackened, twisted and bent. However, as I walked past the various shaped stones, my heart started to hammer even harder.

Trembling, my mind tried to wrap around what I was looking at, for there sat a wreck that should not be here, should not exist here. On that wreck was a golden plaque that bore a drawn shape of a naked male human, and a naked female human, standing before a crude drawing of what this wreck once looked like.

My heart would not slow down, my breath came faster and faster. Somewhere, deep in my head I knew I was going into shock, I could feel myself starting to shiver a bit. However all I could do was stare at the remains before me, something sent into the vast depths of space fourteen years before I was born, the remains of Pioneer Ten.