Lieia finished the last of her drink, tossing the paper cup in the replicator. She wandered outside Arcelia, taking in the serene beauty of the rolling fields around her, but she still felt tense. Unaccustomed to simply sitting idle, she was itching for a fight. Her eyes wandered around, until she decided to head to the Sweet Apple Acres. Moments later, she headed down the road in one of the Jackal LRVs, enjoying the roar of the big V10 engine.

Applejack struggled to fit the wheel on the cart, when she heard something roaring angrily. The cart slammed down on the ground, its replacement wheel trying to make a run for freedom, but its escape was cut short as it bounced off the Jackal’s bumper. Applejack simply stared at the strange machine, when Lieia cut the engine and leapt out, patting its hull fondly, and then turned to Applejack.

“Hey, how ya doin’?”

“Oh! Hey, Lieia! Ah was tryin’ t’fix this cart, but it’s too heavy f’r me.”

“Here, let me help you with that.” She cracked her knuckles, and then lifted the cart upright single-handedly, while the pony stared in surprise.

“That wheel ain’t gonna put itself on, Applejack.”

“Oh, right. Sorry. You kinda surprised me there.” She bucked the wheel in place, and Lieia let go of the cart.

“Much obliged, pardner! Now, what can Ah do f’r ya?”

“Well, I was wondering if I could help you around the farm or something. I know the Gala’s only a day away, but it’s killing me to sit around doin’ nothing.”

Applejack chuckled, motioning Lieia to follow her.

“We could use some help ‘round here, even though all of the Apple family is here. The harvest’s pretty big this year ‘round. Also, that bar o’ gold ya left previous time sure helped out a lot. We could fix up our roof; buy a new plough, and other much-needed odds ‘n ends.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Hey, Big Macintosh, come ‘ere fer a moment!” Lieia eyed the big red stallion as he cantered up to meet them.

“Lieia, meet Big Macintosh. Big Mac, meet Lieia.” He extended a hoof and Lieia grasped it, shaking it.

“Howdy.”

“Man-er, stallion of few words, aintcha?”

“Eeyup.”

“So, shall we get to it?”

“Eeyup.”

“Right, Lieia, Ah think Ah’ll have ya buckin’ the apple trees. Jus’ fill the baskets an’ bring ‘em to the barn.”

“I’ll get right on it, AJ.” She sauntered off, picking a tree and shook it, taking care not to break it. She gathered up the apples, carrying the full baskets to the barn, picking up a couple more of empty ones, and then headed back, unaware that she was being watched by a minty green unicorn with glinting yellow eyes. As Lieia knelt down to tie up a shoelace, she was pounced upon by the unicorn.

“Whoa, what the hell!” She twisted around, using her close-quarters training to throw the unicorn off her and pin her to the ground. Her wrist-blade leapt out and she was about to slip the seven inches of steel between her assailant’s ribs, when she heard the unicorn squeal in fear and she was hard-pressed to stop herself, pumped up as she was by the brief tussle. She stood up, and the unicorn stared at her both fearful and interested.

“Okay, first things first. What the hell do you think you’re doing, ambushing me? D’ya know how close you came to being dead?”

“Oh, I-I’m sorry…”

“Yeah, well, sorry’s not gonna cut it. I nearly put this knife through your heart! What possessed you to attack me?”

“Your hands, of course! They’re glorious!”

“I’m sorry, what? You nearly got yourself killed because of my hands?”

“Tell me how it feels to have them! Pleasepleasepleasepleeeeease!”

“Well, how does it feel to have hooves?”

“I don’t know, I’ve always had them.”

“Well, that’s how I feel about my hands. I can’t explain it any more than you can. Now, if there’s nothing else, I gotta get back to work.” She turned back to pick up the baskets she’d dropped and headed towards another tree, shaking its load of apples free. Rinse and repeat. Rinse and repeat. The only interruptions were by the rest of the Apple family, as ponies went about, carrying baskets both full and empty, greeting her with a friendly call, and she responded in kind. The skies had gone a dark red as the sun crawled closer to the horizon when Applejack sought her out.

“Alright, Lieia, you’ve done a very good job o’ this indeed! Ah’m in yer debt, friend.”

Lieia shrugged awkwardly. “Think nothing of it.”

“Yep, there’s nothin’ better than a day of simple, honest toil.”

“The best kind.” Lieia agreed.

“Say, want to stay over f’r dinner? You’ve really helped us out today.”

“I’d like that, Applejack.”

“C’mon, then. Granny Smith’s just about finished cookin’.” She followed the orange mare back to the farmhouse, where a number of tables were already occupied by a number of ponies, their amiable banter rising in the air. Lieia sat down in a free spot besides a mare that introduced herself as Apple Fritter and sure enough, she’d drawn quite a lot of attention and was surrounded by a crowd of ponies. Rescue came in form of Granny Smith and Applejack, who brought with them a big pot. In an instant, they were back in their places, waiting eagerly for the dinner. Whatever it was, it smelled delicious and she tucked in, relishing the taste of something different than freeze-dried food.

“Sure you don’t want t’stay for the night? Ah’m pretty sure we’ve got a free room or two.”

“No, I’ll be fine. Thanks again for the dinner, though.”

“Well, don’t be ‘fraid ta drop by again! You’ll be always welcome here!”

The Jackal’s engine came to life with a splutter and Lieia grinned sheepishly.

“I guess I’ll see you sometime later, I s’pose.” She took off, feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. She’d made a friend. An honest to god friend. That’s not something you’re trained to do in EXO corps. She sighed happily, relaxing for the first time in a long while.

This planet ain’t that bad, all things considered.

Next evening

Carousel Botique

Rarity opened the door, and brightened up, seeing the Reaver squad had arrived.

“Oh, greetings, friends! Do come in, I have the dresses and suits all ready!”

“Hey, Rare, how ya doin’?” Lieia closed the door behind her, as the white unicorn doled out the suits to the wearers.

“Very good, thanks for asking! Here’s your dress!” Lieia studied the dark red garment, her eyes lingering on the sparkling gems worked in the fabric.

“Oh, I almost forgot! Here’s the necklace that goes with the dress, and the shoes.” She brought over a golden necklace, inlaid with diamonds and rubies in a stylised sun, causing Lieia to shake her head as the colour-matched high-heels landed at her side.

“I don’t know what to say, Rare. You really don’t cut corners, do you?”

“I never have done so, and I don’t intend to.”

“Well, I must pay for this. I, er, got some gold bars with me. Will those do?”

“I believe so. How much do you have?”

“Three kilograms. Purest Arcelia could replicate.”

There was an audible thud as Rarity fainted and collapsed on the floor.

“Boss, what just happened?”

“No idea.”

Briggs knelt down and gave Rarity a shake.

“Yo, sleeping beauty! A dog’s eating your dresses!”

“AAAAGH!” Rarity shot upwards, nearly taking Briggs’ eye out with her horn.

“Whoaaaah, calm down, I was jus’ kiddin’. Nothing to worry ‘bout. Why’d ya pass out all of a sudden?”

“Oh, it’s just that the gold Lieia offers me… Well, nopony’s ever managed to refine even a single drop of completely pure gold! Oh, this is just brilliant! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ll never forget this!”

“No worries, Rare. Thanks for the suits. Soon as Navy returns, y’might be looking forward to expanding your business. I’ll pass on the word. ‘S the least I can do. D’ya mind if I take a shower? I feel kinda sweaty.”

“By all means, darling! It’s upstairs, second door on the right side.”

“Much obliged.” She picked her dress up and headed towards the stairs, returning after half an hour, dressed in the glittering dress, the sun necklace nestled in her cleavage. Driscoll gave a low whistle upon seeing her.

“Damn, Cap. You could’ve been a fashion model with that figure.” Lieia blushed furiously.

“So, do I look good?”

“Simply splendid, ma’am.”

“Okay, enough with the brown-nosing, get yourselves suited up. We got an appointment to keep with the royalty.” Mumbling in agreement, the rest of her squad changed out from their combat fatigues, exchanging them for the clean suits and dresses.

“Moriv’i srilie, ormalae!”

“A’lrav astari, Wrimali!”

Rarity leaned closer to Lieia.

“What are they saying, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“They like the dresses. They’re speaking in their native language. It’s a bit difficult to understand; even I know little of it.”

Rarity nodded understandingly.

“Ah. Well, I’ll see you at the Gala, then.”

“Ditto. Thanks again for the suits, Rare. I appreciate what you did for us.”

“Think nothing of it, dear.”

Luna glanced around, greeting the arriving nobleponies, but she was somewhat concerned that she’d yet to see hide or hair of Lieia. As she greeted another pony, she heard the rustle of wings and turned to see Celestia, smiling as always, looking splendid in a beautiful dress.

“Oh, hello sister! What’s the occasion? I’ve never seen you wear a dress before!”

“Oh, I just felt like it this time.” Luna felt the answer was a bit rushed, but said nothing, instead returning her attention to the guests, just as the familiar roar of Arcelia drowned out every other noise and the all-too familiar bulk of the dropship appeared, scattering the nobility of Equestria as it landed in front of the castle. Luna tsk’ed irritably.

“Always with the dramatics, right?”

“I guess it’s a human thing.” The ramp opened and Celestia’s breath caught in her throat a bit. The woman striding down the ramp bore little resemblance to the Lieia she knew, dressed as she was in a dark red dress, lacking the aura of wary edginess she had. The rest of her entourage followed, all of them dressed in fine clothes, coming to a stop in front of the two alicorns.

“Good evening, princesses.” Celestia noted, with some surprise, that Lieia had a necklace around her neck, in the shape of sun.

“Oh, hello, Lieia, how are you?”

“Pretty good, all things considered.”

“Applejack told me of your time at her farm. What you did was a step forwards to earning other ponies’ trust. I’m very proud of you.” At this, Lieia blushed, chuckling awkwardly. Inside, though, she was a mess of swirling emotions as she was taken back to when she’d won the Linv Annual Thunder Run and her parents had scooped up in a crushing hug. It had been the best day of her life. And now, Celestia had brought those memories back with a couple of words.

“Lieia, are you alright? You zoned out for a moment.”

“Oh? No, it’s nothing. Just a bit preoccupied.” She tugged at her ponytail, pulling the rubber band out, letting her hair loose and for a brief moment, Celestia wondered what it felt like to touch.

“Let’s go inside then, shall we? Almost everypony is here, too. I’ll join you in a moment.” Nodding to Lieia, she returned to greeting the guests.

As they entered the grand hall, Lieia ran into a light brown stallion who was wearing a tie, of all things. His mane was dark gray, and he scowled at her, obviously thinking himself higher above others.

“You’d do well to learn some manners, human. I have friends in high places, and they could make your life very uncomfortable.”

“I’m sorry, what was that? I can’t hear you ‘coz your head’s so far up your ass, you knobhead.” The stallion spluttered with indignation, while Briggs chuckled quietly.

“Good one, ma’am.”

“My name is Filthy Rich, and you will shut your mouth unless you want to spend the rest of your life in jail!”

That sort of did it for Lieia. She grabbed Filthy by neck, pulling him towards her effortlessly.

“Now, you better listen carefully, prick. I could snap your scrawny neck with my bare hands, but I promised Celestia I wouldn’t do anything of the sort while here, but my patience only lasts so much. So. Shut. The. Fuck. Up.” She shook him like a rag, the let him fall on the ground and walked away without so much as a second glance.

“Money and power don’t matter anything to me, so don’t try to cow me with threats or I might just break that promise to Celestia.” Briggs leant down to face Filthy, shaking her head.

“You really don’t want to get on Cap’s bad side, y’really don’t, take my word for it, dude.” She stood up and followed the rest of her squad, leaving the stunned pony behind.

Sticks and Sharp opened the huge doors, looking more like bodyguards than guests. Dunbar gave an appreciative whistle at the sight. Dozens of ponies were inside, either deep in conversation or sitting at the tables and eating.

“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m hungry. I’ll see what grub they have. Be polite to the ponies, got it? Okay, move out.” The troops scattered, striking up the odd conversation or trying the Canterlot cuisine, but kept to themselves. Lieia was quite impressed by the array of food available, and made sure to try a bit of everything. She wandered outside in the gardens absentmindedly, gazing at the starry skies, picking at her nails with her wrist knife.

“I say, that dress is positively glamorous!”

She looked up, seeing a light gray unicorn with a light blue mane trot up to her, holding out a hoof to shake, but then noticed the wrist blade and chuckled nervously.

“Heh heh, do you mind putting that away?”

“Oh, right. Sorry.” The blade disappeared in her arm and he stared at her arm for a moment, then introduced himself.

“Name’s Fancy Pants. I couldn’t help but notice that simply amazing dress you’re wearing. I’ve never seen such a seamless blend of fabric and gems! If you don’t mind me asking, who made it?”

“Rarity did. Celestia intends to introduce us properly this evening.”

“Oh, you’re friends with Rarity? She’s a pony everypony should know, and no mistake! She’s one of the most talented fashion designers I’ve had the luck to meet.”

A bell rung loudly, echoing through the air and Fancy Pants perked up “Oh! Princess Celestia is going to address us very soon. Better get back inside.”

“Yeah, I guess so. Nice meeting someone who isn’t a total snob for a change. Name’s Lieia.” Fancy Pants did an exaggerated bow, smiling amiably.

“Nice to make your acquaintance. Well, we better get going. Wouldn’t do for us to be late, eh?” They entered just in time to see Celestia land in her throne, Luna at her side. Everyone bowed to her.

“Rise, my ponies. As some of you may know, we have guests from alien worlds. I’ve been told that the fleet that brought them here has left, but will soon return.” Everyone started protesting, but quieted down, albeit unwillingly, once Celestia raised a hoof.

“Rest assured, they bear no ill will towards us.”

“How can you know that for sure, Princess?” A grey stallion in the crowd asked, and those nearby murmured their agreement. Celestia chuckled.

“Why, because they are amidst you this very moment. Take a look around and see for yourself.” Surprised cries came up from the crowd, as they finally saw the Coalition troops among them.

“As you can see, they’re here, and hopefully, they’ll answer any questions you have. Lieia, if you’d please come here.” She complied, and was standing besides the alicorn moments later, the squad clustering behind her. She could feel power and authority flowing off her. She faced the dozens of eyes facing her, waiting for answers and cleared her throat.

“Uh… Hi.”

That was so lame.

Next Chapter: Chapter 9 Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 39 Minutes