Chapter 4, Part 1: Humans and Ponies

January 6, 1946

Canterlot, Castle

Celestia sat on her throne, eagerly awaiting the arrival of her human guests. She had received word that they had arrived at the Royal Palace in Canterlot. She trusted that Twilight was escorting them to her.

“I’m sure she is probably begging them for books right now,” joked the Equestrian ruler to her sister Luna beside her, eliciting a cuckle from the Princess of the Night.

The news of discovery by an alien species had sent shockwaves through the population of Equestria. While the concept of another species possessing intelligence wasn’t a shock to the Equestrian population like it was amongst the human race, the fear of the unknown gripped many other ponies. Most ponies were confident that Celestia and the Elements of Harmony would be able to manage any dangers posed by the new group, however many were fearful about the technological powers of the humans. What if they were hostile to Equestria and too powerful for even magic to stop? Such thoughts fluttered through the minds of even the most optimistic of ponies.

It was out of fear of vigilante actions by a fringe minority of terrified ponies that had prompted Celestia to require that the trainride carrying the humans of the USS Alabama be kept a secret from the general population.

Suddenly, the door to her throne room was flung open by one of her guards.

“Your Majesty, I present to you the Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle, and the human guests of the United States of America!”

Rising to her feet she observed as the biped creatures strode into the room behind the purple alicorn. Stopping at the foot of the dais where her throne sat, the humans and Twilight bowed.

“Your majesty, my name is Captain Fred Kirtland. On the behalf of my nation, the United States of America, I come on a mission of peace and goodwill.”

“Thank you for your presence,” replied Celestia. “I’m sure that you will find us most receptive to your overtures of peace and tranquility. I’m sure that we have a lot to catch up on and a lot of questions for each other.”

“In that spirit, I would like to welcome you a state dinner, tonight in the palace’s banquet hall. I’m sure that we can continue our deliberations there.”

“Certainly, your majesty.”