There is a certain etiquette when meeting the Equestrian Diarchy. Everyone is bound to it, from the peasants (as Luna likes to call them), to the dignitaries of foreign lands, and the Viceroys and the members of their Court. Despite Twilight being an alicorn and the ruler of the Kingdom of Twilight, she is still technically a Viceroy and answers directly to Celestia, therefore making her subjugated to such traditions that the rest follow. Not that she is complaining. She actually loves it.

First, there is getting off the Canterlot Grand Central Station, where the group is greeted by a designated representative. In this case, they are greeted by Kibitz, the majordomo of the Palace. The pale, gray eyed unicorn is standing in the appropriate spot behind the yellow line, flanked by a group of golden armored unicorn guards, and he is levitating his pocket watch, anxiously watching the time tick by. When he sees Twilight and her group, with Tempest Shadow staying right in the middle of the Bearers, he stuffs his watch back in his burgundy coat and ushers them to the next phase.

The second part of this tradition is the group is taken through the scenic route of Canterlot in golden plated carriages with the guards surrounding them. They pass white brick and golden roofed buildings, gem lined statues and fountains, and healthy trees in full bloom. The well dressed citizens of Canterlot stay on the sidewalks, watching with near boredom as the small convoy goes through their cobblestone streets. Such a scene is a near weekly occurrence, anyway.

The third part is going to the actual palace. They are taken across the long bridge over the waterfall and given a trip around the roundabout so they get a full view of the lush lawn and colorful flowers. Once that is done, they are greeted by more guards who take them up the towering stairs, through the massive doors made of wood and metal that are decorated with the sun and crescent moon, down the halls occupied by only pillars of white and gold and stained glass telling tales of Equestria, and to the doors of the throne room.

Along the way, Tempest looks at the newest addition of the stained glass collection, which is of the Storm King Invasion. It doesn't show him shattering into pieces, but it does show a pointed stylized Twilight Sparkle breaking apart a storm cloud and scattering pitch black ships with the Storm King falling into a pit. Tempest Shadow is also there, but she is curled up with her hoof extended to Twilight like a sinner begging God to save them. It brings Tempest to wonder how much trouble she would get in if she accidentally threw a brick through it for completely messing up her part of the story.

That said, despite Tempest taking time to loathing the art she is still able to keep up with the group, and when the large double doors open to reveal the expansive throne room they are prompted for the final part of the time consuming tradition. Bowing to Princess Celestia and Luna. Though, while Twilight and her friends do it quickly and smoothly, Tempest chooses to stare at them without so much as a bend in her knees or a care of the glare Kibitz is giving her. But then Twilight slaps her on the back of the head with a magical hand, so she bows. Partially.

“Twilight, I'm so glad you were able to make it with everypony,” says Celestia from her plush red cushioned throne.

Luna, sitting on her midnight blue throne, yawns. “Yes, we are glad you are here, but we have to hurry. Time is of the essence.”

Twilight's group straightens their postures, and the young alicorn steps forward.

“What's wrong? Is there trouble?” asks Twilight urgently.

“No. I'm just not a day pony,” says Luna.

“There is something that we have to discuss, though,” says Celestia. “It is about an island that is in griffin territory.”

“An invasion? I knew it!” says Rainbow Dash.

“No, not an invasion.”

“A staging ground for an invasion?”

“No. There is a facility there that we need to discuss.”

“Like a military base preparing for an invasion?”

“No. I-”

“Or a facility that is preparing mutants for an invasion?”

“Rainbow Dash, there's no-”

“What if the griffins are building a super weapon... To prepare for an invasion!”

“THERE'S NO INVASION, YOU GAUDY HARLOT!” yells Luna in her Royal Canterlot Voice.

The ponies in the room blink, their manes blown back and their fur and feathers in disarray, and all their ears are ringing. Even Tempest is surprised by this, and is more surprised by the fact that the guards are unaffected and Celestia is calmly using a magically summoned q-tip to clean out her ear.

“Luna, please use your inside voice,” says Celestia. “Especially when you are sitting next to me.”

“She called me a harlot...” says Rainbow Dash, her ears drooped and eyes shimmering.

Fluttershy hugs Rainbow Dash with her wing.

“I'm sure she didn't mean it,” says Fluttershy.

“Anyway, we have much to discuss, so if you will please follow me to the library,” says Celestia.

Celestia and Luna descend from their thrones and lead the group through a set of double doors that takes them to a massive room lined with filled bookshelves and scroll racks. A pair of windows let in the sunlight and give a pleasant view of the city outside, and in the center of the room is a long table with enough chairs for everyone involved.

Sitting at the table with a cup of sweet tea and lemon is a snow white griffin whose age is shown by the wrinkles surrounding his golden eyes and the gray tips of his feathers. He is wearing a blue button up short sleeve shirt with a red ascot wrapped around his neck, and on the table next to his drink is a straw hat with a red band.

When the griffin sees the group, a sparkle illuminates his eyes and he stands up quickly while Celestia smiles and points at him as she looks at the group.

“Twilight Sparkle, friends, Fizzlepop Berrytwist-” begins Celestia.

Tempest glares at Pinkie Pie, which she returns with a sheepish smile and blush while the rest of the group looks at the cherry colored pony with confused looks.

“Her name is Fizzlepop? Lame,” whispers Rainbow Dash to Fluttershy.

“This is Dr. Test Tube Rack,” says Celestia, bringing the eyes back to her. “CEO and founder of Life Tree Incorporated.”

Twilight gasps gleefully and her wings snap wide open. “The Dr. Test Tube Rack? The leading geneticist in the whole wide world!? EeeeeEEeee!”

“Exposition,” coughs Pinkie Pie into her hoof.

“That I am, and it is nice to meet all of you,” says the griffin. He rushes around the table and grabs Twilight's hoof, shaking it hard and fast as he peers into her wide eyes. “Especially you, Ms. Twilight Sparkle. I'm a big fan of your work.”

“Princess,” corrects Luna.

“Its actually 'Missus'... And Princess... Missus Princess!” says Twilight.

“Anyway, I do believe we have an important business to discuss,” says Celestia. “Ladies, if you'll please have a seat.”

After the group sits down, a unicorn butler quickly sets down a cup of hot tea and a plate of crumpets in front of everyone. After the butler leaves, Test Tube claps and rubs his talons together.

“I know we are all very busy and very tired, so I will make this quick,” he says.

Luna yawns. “Please do.”

“I have an island 190 miles off the coast of Equestria and 120 miles off of Griffinheim, and on this island is a zoo of sorts. Or a cross of a theme park, zoo and a petting zoo. Nothing quite like it in the world!” says Test Tube. “I want to have it open to the public next year, provided that the lawyers don't kill me first. I don't really care for lawyers. Do you?”

Rarity hesitantly raises her hoof. “I don't mind them. I know a few lawyers that helped me get my businesses started in Ponyville, Canterlot and Manehatten. I'll have another boutique opening up in Fillydelphia soon, too. They are very helpful!”

“I see,” says Test Tube as he slowly rubs the bottom of his beak. “So, you must know your way around the law, then?”

Rarity chuckles. “Oh, I know a little here and there, but I don't know any international laws. I only know Equestrian business laws.”

“That's quite all right. The lawyer my investors sent me knows all about the boring international legal jargon, but here's the thing. I already got approval from the Griffinheim Parliament, but your Princess doesn't want Equestrian citizens going on the island without... eh... trusted opinions.” Test Tube smiles at Celestia. “Sorry for throwing you under the bus.”

Celestia offers an understanding smile. “It is okay. You didn't hurt my feelings.”

Luna yawns and rests her head on her hoof, her eyes glazing over, and Applejack leans forward, casting Test Tube a questionable look.

“So we go on the island. Inspect it, give it a yay or neigh and go home?” asks Applejack.

Test Tube nods.

Applejack puckers her lips and nods. “That don't sound too bad. How long will we be gone?”

“It will take about two weeks all together for travel and a thorough inspection,” says Test Tube.

“That sounds bad. I can't be off the farm that long.”

Celestia summons a pen and parchment and begins scribbling with quick, yet elegant strokes.

“I'll have help sent to your farm,” says Celestia.

“What about my Wonderbolts training? We got a show coming up!” says Rainbow Dash. “Not that I don't want to go to the island and all, because I do, but, you know? Obligations and stuff.”

“Also taken care of,” says Celestia.

“And my animals?” asks Fluttershy. “I don't think Discord can handle the responsibility.”

“I'll have Canterlot's best take care of them.”

“I can have Coco and Sweetie Belle watch over my business while I'm away,” says Rarity.

“And Spike and Flash can handle all the basic tasks of the castle,” says Twilight.

“And I can stock up on bug spray!” says Pinkie Pie, once again holding her mysterious red book.

“Oh, you won't have to worry about that. We will provide all the bug spray you need,” says Test Tube.

Pinkie Pie squints at him, her lips hooked in a suspicious frown and humming like a failing engine. This brings the griffin to return the squint, but more out of confusion than anything else. And as this happens Tempest taps the table.

“Can someone tell me why I'm here?” says Tempest.

“Ah, yes, Fizzlepop,” says Celestia brightly. “I think it will be good for you to get out and get a change of scenery. Maybe provide some security for your new friends.”

Tempest raises an eyebrow.

“It'll be fun,” adds Celestia.

“Babysitting isn't fun,” retorts Tempest.

“I'll make it fun,” says Pinkie Pie.

“You will give me a headache.”

Pinkie Pie snickers and pats Tempest's shoulder. “You know you love me.”

Tempest shakes her head, and returns her attention to Celestia. “Why do you want me as security? If this is only an exotic petting zoo then it should not be anything serious. Besides, I'm sure they can handle themselves if puppies and kittens get out of hand.”

Luna shudders and summons a coffee mug, a coffee pot and a mysterious bottle with two X's on its label, pours the contents of the pot and bottle in her cup and takes a big gulp.

“Can we please hurry this up, my sleep time is already being cut short by this lunacy,” says Luna.

“The soldier is right, you have nothing to worry about,” says Test Tube. “My facility has been built by the best in the field, and the security is top notch. The most you will have to worry about is waiting for your food and for the boat.”

“See? You will have an easy time! You can actually relax and enjoy something,” says Twilight to Tempest. She then looks at Test Tube with an eager smile. “When can we leave?”

“I would say... Probably now,” says Test Tube.

Then the double doors fly open and a group of unicorns march in pulling carts of luggage, each marked with the name and cutie mark of the owner of said luggage. One unicorn in particular is covered in soot, his hair is burnt, his face is covered in scratches and his limbs are bandaged, and he is pulling a cart of two suitcases marked with 'Tempest FPBT Shadow' and a '?' where the cutie mark should be. In Rarity's case her luggage requires two unicorns who are both sweating from magical exhaustion of carrying towers of metal cases decorated with gems, all held in place by multiple straps.

Seeing this, Twilight's group plus Luna slowly turns their eyes to Celestia, and the Sun Alicorn casually sips her tea.

“I may have jumped the gun a little bit,” says Celestia.

Next Chapter: 03 Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 32 Minutes