With hands in his duster pockets, he halts his stride at arriving under the lush tree that shields him from the morning sun. The general ruckus of ponies calling cadence and training gives the Guard field its usual energy. His meandering presence is quick to attract friendly eyes, both from the guards around and from his squad that already lingered under the tree.

"Huh. Well look at that." Snowfall's stoic front enlivens at the sight of the man. She and the rest of the Elite squad are standing out under the tree, and same as before, there are trunks of equipment seated next to them that wait to be carried off.

Crimson notes that Snowfall isn't the only one to appear impressed at his majorly improved state. The rest of the squad, save for Banter, look very pleased.

"Are you the same corpse from yesterday?" Snowfall asks facetiously.

"Do I look it?" Crimson replies with a smile.

"Not even close. Though you're still rough around the edges, you really turned yourself around overnight. I'm shocked something like this is even possible."

"Guess you can say I took yer advice to rest up a little more seriously than I thought I would."

"That gives me a bit of reassurance. Maybe you can follow orders after all, which is good since our next mission is at hoof. Moonlight was generous enough to send a letter my way, it ran me through everything I needed to know surrounding the details of the belt."

Crimson's brows raise in fascination at Moonlight's extraordinary ability to communicate with the entire Castle without ever needing to leave her room. It may also come across as a negative thing since she, in fact, doesn't leave her room, but she never shirks her duties regardless. Above and beyond her obligations even, he hadn't asked to write Snowfall a letter, she simply did it. Moonlight had told him that she wrote the letter after she woke up a bit earlier than him. She was right, it certainly was a faster and more efficient process than walking and saying everything.

"Which unfortunately," Snowfall continues, "was less than we hoped. Since we're waiting for Moonlight's full report, we'll proceed with our original mission today. While a new balloon is being prepared for us, I'll give you a sit-rep on what today should hold." Crimson nods to her. "We'll be taking said balloon to Las Pegasus. And before any of you get any bright ideas, no, you may not partake in any attractions. We're heading there strictly for business."

"'N what about afta?" Bulletpoint asks with a hopeful grin.

"We won't be there longer than we have to, so no."

Bulletpoint clicks his lips in disappointment.

"What business we got in the city of the high-rollers?" Crimson inquires.

"We're delivering two items to the Royal Researchers residing there," Swirl answers promptly, encasing her left hip-bag with her pink aura. She opens it and presents a small cube and a rolled-up sheet of paper.

"That Moonlight's mini-ANA? Wasn't that meant fer you?"

"Yes. The blueprint will stay with them so they may replicate the device, but they must first understand how it works. It is quite complicated, which is to be expected from the brilliance who invented it. We shall acquaint the Researchers in Las Pegasus with the one in my possession, but they will not keep it."

"Got'cha. Is that all we're doin' then?"

"Negative," Snowfall responds, "giving the Robes their tech is one part of the mission. After we speak to them, we'll break into two teams. Team one will stay with the Robes and cater to what they may need. Team two will descend from Las Pegasus and use the ANA device for scouting. We have received reports indicating a magical anomaly appeared a few klicks east of the city, and that's what team two will investigate. We'll have call buttons on us in case reinforcements are needed, which will be highly probable all things considered. I'll distribute the buttons once we arrive at Las Pegasus."

"The teams already made up?"

"Affirmative. You, Swirl, and Bulletpoint are team one. Banter, Strix, and I are team two."

"Alrighty."

"No questions or concerns?"

"Yeah, one. You said it's a high possibility yer gonna need reinforcements. This anomaly still active?"

"Negatory. The anomaly was reported to be defunct, but the danger comes from what could linger after. We aren't sure if we'll have to deal with magically corrupted creatures or the-likes. We'll handle any potential threats ourselves first, it's why I have Banter coming with me. Though if the situation becomes difficult, you will have your buttons ready for the assist. Anything else?"

"Nah. Nothin' right now."

Snowfall looks back, in between Strix and Swirl to glance past them. She sees that the balloon resting on the elevated platform over yonder is already being inflated. "Alright, we're green."

Crimson moves to acquire the trunks of equipment along with Bulletpoint. The man stacks three against his chest while Bulletpoint takes one on his back and they muscle them behind their squad.

Snowfall ascends the platform and quickly scans the blimp of the balloon for any irregularities, to which everything comes squared away.

"You take care'a this one now, y'hear?"

Snowfall looks towards the freckled orange mare who wears her oiled-stained denim suspenders. She nods once to her in affirmation, "My condolences to your last balloon, misses Pear. Know that she served her purpose to her fullest extent."

The orange mare chuckles heartily, "Aah, it ain't no worry, cap'n Winter. She was gettin' old anyway. Practically patchwork, the dang thing! Glad she went out with'a bang~"

Snowfall smiles very slightly, knowing full-well that she is just being modest. Her balloons are nothing short of grade-a, and losing one is nothing to scoff at.

Seeing the two males lugging weight coming up the ramp, Snowfall steps out of the way to allow Bulletpoint and Crimson to enter the basket first, then moves to enter after them with the rest of the team.

With all items boarded and checked, they are released into the air for their second trip to the west.

‎

---

‎

Three hours later, the silver and gold air balloon carefully makes its descent as Snowfall eases the burner towards a specific set of landing platforms marked with the Equestrian insignia. At her command, everyone acquires their weapons and gear from a trunk and equips themselves promptly. As soon as the balloon touches the landing platform, everyone is ready for the basket door to be opened.

Already, Crimson is mesmerized by countless flashing lights, mountainous noise, a plethora of colors, luxurious buildings and attractions, all suspended hundreds of meters in the air by an imponderable force. The mood that this floating city gives is starkly different from Canterlot, where high social status communing is shared, but in very different contexts. There isn't a pony in sight looking like they don't make a killing, yet they're all dressed so casually.

Tons of games, rides, and tables for gambling can be seen even from this platform looking in through the towering archway into the city. He never fancied himself a gambler, but he knew how to sucker out a chump of his cash at the poker table before making an exit. When he was younger, it was sometimes his only method for scrounging up income to put food on the table. A place like this doesn't even exist back on Earth, but something tells him he'd be able to blend in as one of the regulars here.

Even so, running two or three men dry at a table in a saloon is much different than a place like this. He's never seen so much controlled gambling all in one sitting.

The waterfalls, the golden-encrusted everything, the extravagant plant life, it's all a bit overwhelming. The likes of Las Pegasus isn't detestable to him, and in fact there's something charismatic about a place such as this, he just prefers peace and quiet over the constant bustling.

The basket of the balloon is opened by a stallion in golden armor who was standing on the landing platform. It seems the Guard has its presence here, and from what Crimson understands, in every major city as well. The Elite squad is humbly greeted by a stationed team of guards at this platform, where Snowfall and the stallion exchange a few out-of-earshot words. With a firm salute coming from the stallion, Snowfall looks back and tilts her head to the city, signaling their march.

The team exits the balloon, leaving the balloon's crates of supplies under the supervision of the stationed guard team. Snowfall respectively takes the lead with everyone else behind her and Crimson tailing at the back.

Now entering the city, the first sight to be had is an intricate lobby-like area with an enormous water fountain acting as the center, having walkways pathing around it that lead to various parts of the city. Many ponies going by their business are quick to shoot eyes to the squad of silver armor. Their presence is seen as unusual; the unspoken sign given off by the Elite conveys the same idea into every citizen of Equestria: something interesting is happening.

Were it not enough for the Elite's presence to make Crimson stand out, he himself is the prime target for curiosity. He figures he'd be used to getting stared at by now, but somehow, it still irks him a little. The more he thinks on it, staring isn't the issue, it's the fact that they might try approaching him again. He really didn't find his previous encounter with the denizens of Canterlot Castle very exciting, so he hopes they keep their distance.

The squad's trail continues. Crimson sinks his hands into his duster pockets so that his sword doesn't bounce as much. He shoots sly glances around as he moves, taking in the scenery without accidentally looking at a pony in the eye. The last thing he wants to do is stoke a pony enough to cause them to come up to him. But as they march on, he notices that despite hungry eyes and tons of overlapping voices, he isn't being approached...

Now that it dawns on him, there are guards in golden armor posted at almost every nook and cranny of the city. Their presence is discreet, but obvious enough to shut down any potential disturbances. That might explain why he hasn't gotten rushed yet. Hopefully these equines fear their law enough to keep a respectful distance the entire time.

Guarded by the Guard. ... He reflects on something he finds amusing. Not long ago, the image he had of ponies in armor was nothing short of bitterness and distaste. The first three interactions he had with them were, in the simplest terms, shitty. He would understand a first impression going wrong, but three whole interactions were dominantly negative... well, it would be more fair to say two and a half.

He doesn't consider the last one to be a fully-negative experience because Bulletpoint was there to shine a light on the ordeal. Before that, when the Guard arrived at Moonlight's home in Baltimare, they were stuck up and snobby. Despite being different ponies entirely, they acted just like the assholes who abducted him from Dahlia.

... Dahlia.

Now again, he finds himself thinking about her.

"D'you say somethin', mate?" Bulletpoint asks as he turns around to look at him.

He hardly realized that he mumbled her name to himself. Crimson takes his left hand out of his pocket and scratches the back of his head, "Nah, just... thinkin' to myself, is all."

"Mm," he acknowledges and faces forward again. "Don't keep ya' head too far from the ground, ya' feel?"

"But we're on a cloud~" Strix comments breezily.

"You know what I mean, ya' half-witted broad."

Crimson slowly cancels out their ensuing conversation, thinking back to that peculiar mare... he hasn't had an opportunity to really sit down with himself about her. Every time she pops into his mind, it's always an image of this tired, dirty, lonesome pony with no one to talk to. But then, that picture is mixed by the visage of a mare who was rubbing her conniving hooves together in order to use him for self-gain. He hasn't settled on which one it could be, or rather, he'd never know... but what he knows for sure is that he wants to find out. He hopes to get some free time soon so he can put this thing to rest once and for all.

Regardless, that is a cavalry belonging to the future. Now returning his thoughtful self to his surroundings, they are entering a plaza area with lots of gold forming the infrastructure. This plaza has a very high beam ceiling that forms a star, with holes in each triangle of the star to leave the sky visible. In the center of the plaza, a large solid gold statue of some pony stallion stands present, possibly the founder of Las Pegasus. There's an etched sign at the base of the statue that reads off whatever it might be, but of course, he can't understand it.

Snowfall appears to be leading the squad towards an expansive building at the far end of this plaza. Its silver and gold coloration, along with an unmissable Equestrian insignia etched and painted on it, is a crying sign of Canterlot business. The building is shaped like a mallet, with the body being a bit thinner than the last few floors at the top. Up there, almost punching the clouds further above, long rectangular windows beset the structure. He reckons you could get a mighty good view of Las Pegasus from up there.

One of two guards standing at the front of the building opens the door for Snowfall, while the other guard salutes sharply. Snowfall mumbles a simple "at ease" at them before entering, and the rest of her squad follows suit.

They are lead into a spacious receptionist area with staircases on either side. It kind of looks like the receptionist area in the Castle, just scaled down. Snowfall doesn't bother the busy receptionist mare at her desk as she is tending to another guard wearing a type of armor that Crimson has never seen before; it's a type of armor that even Strix failed to mention. The plates of the armor are dark purple along with the helmet, and the crest of said helmet is white. Some deep-blue colored mare dons it, her dark color-scheme fits her gear so well, it's a little uncanny. Though Crimson has countless questions, he'll save them for another time.

He follows his squad into a lift on the left side of the lobby, and once everyone is boarded, Snowfall taps a button to begin the ascent. A pulley-system above them glows a gentle blue aura and it begins to work, taking them up many flights before they halt at the very top.

The steel double-doors open, giving way into the Las Pegasus Royal Research Lab. The squad enters the area and are greeted by a wide expanse that is sectioned off by walls that don't reach the ceiling. The extensive room is a pasty-white color from the tile to the ceiling, but the ambiance of the room itself is a vibrant light-orange color due to the sun shining through the rectangular windows that encompass the outer walls. There are no doors to separate the areas, one could simply walk throughout the entire lab without being stopped, just like the lab back at Canterlot.

The room smells of floor cleaner and lime-scented wax. Seems that keeping the workplace tidy is a ritual that follows across Equestria's brightest no matter the location. Mechanical devices beeping, liquids boiling, and a set of clopping hooves give the silent room its audio.

Speaking of hoof steps, there isn't any ponies around to greet them out of the elevator. From what it sounds like, there's only one in here.

Adding to this proof, one curious mare pokes her head out from a cubical on the far left side of the room. The entire squad turns their attention to her. Upon receiving their eyes, she steps out into full view.

She's a light-purple unicorn with sky-blue hair that streaks green at the tips, thin rounded glasses resting in front of lime-green eyes, and wears a Scribe robe akin to Moonlight's and Swirl's.

Her wide-eye'd front turns for a beaming smile. "Hi," she says with her polite and rather sugary voice, matching her positive and bright appearance. ... Crimson can't seem to recall her name. He knows that Swirl told it to him back when Moonlight wanted to know, but he can't seem to recall it now...

... Ah, wait! He remembers now. "Lightheart Trot."

"Oh! Hah. Why, yes, that is I!" she grins with a small tint of pink on her cheeks.

"You must be Crimson!" she calls happily as she plasters him with her lively orbs.

Crimson's expression becomes solid as he realizes he thought out loud again. This certainly isn't usual for him. But now that he's accidentally butted himself into an interaction, he'll take it. "Sure am. Pleasure to meet'cha."

"Likewise! ... Uhm..." she notices Snowfall's lukewarm gaze, probably a little annoyed that she wasn't addressed first. "Captain Winter! Your impending arrival was not relayed to me, I apologize for my lack of preparation for your visit. How may I assist you today?"

"We need to speak with Second-Head Mace Collateral. He informed me that he would meet me here at this time. I assume he isn't around."

"He should be returning any minute now, Captain Winter! Head Scribe Running Water was insistent that he and Second-Head Collateral acquire new flasks this morning. I can only assume they anticipated returning in time for your arrival, but I regrettably inform you that they are slightly tardy." The gears behind the Elite squad clank to life and the lift is sent downwards. "Ah! They're here."

The squad promptly turns about-face and steps clear of the lift. Gears churning at deepening octaves indicate that it is rising up the many stories of the building, all the way until it stops at their floor. The steel doors open again, presenting two stallions inside.

Both stallions hold closed cardboard boxes in their magic. One of them is fairly young, with an expectant and interested energy. His green coat is accompanied by his light orange mane, along with his amber eyes and a unique-looking robe of similar color. His clothing certainly marks his higher status as the Head Scribe. Upon catching sight of her, he directs his gaze to Snowfall. His brows raise slightly and he smiles at her despite not receiving any reaction back.

The other stallion, an older-looking fellow with mellow green eyes, suits a tired brown coat with a grey-white mane that spans all the way to his mouth as a beard. His attention waves between each member of the squad before resting it on the captain, first stepping out of the lift with Running Water before speaking up, "Greetings, Captain Winter." His voice is rather slow, textured like gravel, and lacking emphasis. "You will forgive me for running a few errands prior to your arrival."

"You want to set those boxes down before getting to business?" she asks promptly.

"That would be preferable."

The squad tails the two researchers towards the right side of the room opposite to Lightheart. Collateral and Running move to a desk closest to the entryway of the spacious cubical and set their boxes on it. Running levitates a pair of scissors into his amber-colored magic and begins slicing the tape that closed the boxes. Meanwhile, Collateral returns his attention to Snowfall.

"Do you have it?" he asks the captain.

Snowfall looks back at Swirl, to which she quickly opens her bag with her aura and presents the small cube along with its blueprint. Swirl lowers her head slightly in respect as she floats the objects closer to the Second-Head. Her pink magic is encapsulated by Collateral's own green essence, swapping holds by drowning out her magic. He moves the objects closer to him, scrutinizing both the cube and the blueprint with a squint.

"... It certainly does not look it." Collateral pauses for a moment as he thinks to himself, just before realizing everyone is eyeing him strangely since he needs to finish his sentence. "Complicated, I mean. This device appears rather... rudimentary."

"That why you couldn't figure out the first one?" Crimson abruptly asks with a degree of acerbity. Collateral's eyes squint further as he sears the man with his gaze.

"Crimson," Snowfall reprimands his name to command his silence.

"Mm. Yes." Collateral's eyes run up and down the man's form with heavy gravity. "The human. Greetings to you as well. I will pardon your sudden outburst of disrespect. This time. Do not test me further." He looks at Snowfall with terrible bemusement. "I do not suppose he is in your Elite?"

"Not officially, but I treat him as such. So I expect him to hold his mouth and maintain a level of courtesy," she looks back to him sternly. "Understood?"

"... Yeah. Pardon me." Crimson pockets his hands and lets his expression relax, aiming to stride over the weighty air that has amassed in the room.

"As I was saying," Collateral continues, "I do not believe this is as complicated as the Head Researcher made it out to be."

"With all due respect, Second-Head Collateral," Swirl begins, "the design of the ANA device is quite revolutionary, both in functionality and practicality. Please, take the time to truly analyze its mechanisms."

"Hmph," Collateral levitates the mini-ANA back towards Swirl and moves the blueprint to the desk behind him, setting it down next to the boxes that Running has opened. "Now then, if you have nothing else for me, reattain this device and proceed with your calling--"

"Would you like me to first demonstrate how to properly use the device, Second-Head?" Swirl offers anxiously. "It would take no time at all, and--"

"Not necessary, Scribe. Though you may think me incompetent, I assure you, I am not."

"N- ... No, Second-Head, that is not what I was--"

"Reattain your device, lest it drops to the ground, perhaps test its durability against tile flooring."

Swirl bites her lower lip and charges her magic again, taking the mini-ANA back into her hold. She levitates it to a bored Snowfall who acquires it with her wing.

"Once again, before I was interrupted," Collateral huffs, "if no other business must be held, proceed with your designated mission, Captain Winter. We will be here if there is anything you require."

"Understood," Snowfall acknowledges. "Team one, front and center," she orders fleetly. Crimson, Swirl, and Bulletpoint move to stand before her. Snowfall reaches into a bag around her belly and takes out three golf ball-sized silver disks with glowing red buttons in the center. She holds them out for team one to take, and each individual retrieves theirs. "Quick explanation for you, Crimson. If you get into trouble, press the red button. If we get into trouble, we'll press the red button. If we do, your own button will start vibrating and glowing, and vice-versa. We'll have about a minute of voice-comms before the magic in our buttons die out. The rest from there should be self-explanatory."

"Got it," Crimson nods while slipping his button in his inner chest pocket.

"Hey, uh," Running Water suddenly sounds out, "it was nice seeing you again, Snowy. Best of luck in your mission today." His tone comes off confident and reassuring, matching his forward-looking appearance. Though Snowfall doesn't look very impressed at the nickname that was used, it came from his mouth rather naturally, and neither does Snowfall bother commenting about it. Oddly enough, no one but Strix and Bulletpoint appear phased by it either.

Snowfall sighs and turns for the elevator. "You too, Head Scribe. Alright team two, we're moving out."

Banter tightens his grip on his partisan and smirks slightly while following behind, and Strix appears decently confused but follows as well. Snowfall activates the lift, and the steel doors close them off. They depart for their scouting mission, leaving team one to idle with the researchers.

Crimson turns back to the ponies behind him, seeing Collateral already walking away with the blueprint in his magic. Swirl is quick to trot after and mumble things to him, following him as he takes the blueprint to a desk at the far end of the cubical, one that sits next to the windows which overlook Las Pegasus. He sits down and acquires writing instruments, readying himself to dissect the 'rudimentary' schematic in his possession. He and Swirl begin to exchange words as they look over Moonlight's creation. Crimson assumes they shouldn't be bothered right now.

He glances to Running Water who is already looking at him, or rather, past him, towards Bulletpoint. "Hey, B.P," Running calls, "you mind helping me label all these flasks?"

"Ch, what a drag," Bulletpoint scoffs ironically, giving the green stallion a smirk.

"Remember what Snowy said. You're catering to us right now~" He returns an equally abrasive smile.

"Snowy, hm?" Crimson asks, garnering both his and Bulletpoint's attention.

"Cute, right?" Running returns the question.

"Yeah, I'd say so. You've got some cajones on you being able to tease the cap'n of the Royal Guard in front of everyone like that. Much due respect."

"Heh, thanks, but it's not teasing. We go way back, you see."

"Hmh. She sure didn't look too thrilled when you called her 'Snowy'."

"Aaah, she's just acting tough because she's on-duty."

"Huh... that so?" Crimson raises his left brow in amusement.

"Eeyeah," he grins casually, "hopefully she sticks around long enough so I can talk to her when she's off."

Crimson crosses his arms and scrutinizes the stallion. "What kind'a string a Robe like yerself got pullin' with Snowfall?"

"Sheesh, that's a loaded question," Running rubs the back of his head.

"Aah, nah-nah-nah," Bulletpoint interjects while leaning his head in. "Can't side-step the story forever, ya wanka. C'mon, 'bout time we seen what the chef's been cookin'."

"It's not like I don't want to tell you, you just never ask at the right time. I could tell you right now, buuut I'm certain that--"

"Enough yammering, Head Scribe," Collateral calls from his desk while interrupting what Swirl was telling him, not bothering to look up from the blueprint.

"... See?" Running sneers. "Anyways, let's get these flasks labeled, yeah? I'll fetch a list of what we're jotting."

"Should I be doin' somethin'?" Crimson asks once he realizes he's the only idle body around.

"Uuuh... mmm..." Running mulls briefly. "... Ah! Go check out what Lightheart needs. She might want some help with something maybe."

Crimson acknowledges him and takes a step backward before directing himself over to the purple mare's cubical.

As he steps into view, Lightheart quickly flashes her eyes at him, then returns to the piece she's working on. It looks like some sort of circuit board, webbed with wires of varying colors. Her attention doesn't last long on her piece, returning again to the man.

"Howdy again, misses Lightheart."

"Hi again! Oh, and uh, I'm not married. Still single!" she beams rather happily about that fact.

"Ah, pardon me. You look the type."

"Do I? Haha, I must be getting old!"

"Not at all, miss Lightheart. You've got a mature look about you, but definitely not old. I'm thinkin' the word fer that is 'beautiful.'"

She blinks twice quickly and lifts her left shoulder closer to her head, "Why thank you~"

Crimson smiles at her before sliding his eyes back to the unfinished tech on the lab table. "What'cha workin' on?"

She bounces her gaze between him and her work, "Oh, just a little bit of electrical engineering. I'm hoping to simplify this module called a parallel circuit! At least, that's what I'm calling it because of how it looks. Its practical function is the same as a series circuit, but with a much higher grade of stability! Now, I beg that you do not assume that I am calling the work of my forefathers terrible, but the series circuit is quite inefficient. Do you have electricity in your home?"

Crimson nods, using his home back on Earth to answer. "Sure do."

"Did you ever wonder why every socket in a room stops working when only one of them goes out?"

"Never really gave it serious thought, but it happened more than once. Takes forever to figure out which one's the culprit, it's pretty annoyin'."

"Haha, it is, isn't it? The series circuit relies on every part of the connection to be functioning. If one thing goes out, pfft!"

Crimson smirks a bit at the adorably silly fart noise she flapped with her little tongue.

"Now with this new circuit design, even if one thing goes awry, the rest of the components can still retain their functionality! With this leap in cohesion, I'm hoping to implement electricity more widely in Equestria! As you might already know, many things are still powered with magic, and while serviceable, it's dangerous to rely on it fully. Like that lift that you used to come to this lab! If the magic in the gears was suddenly dispersed for any number of reasons, you would be met with a catastrophic end!"

"..." Crimson looks backwards towards the lift with mild insecurity.

"But fear not! I regularly maintain the lift, so it will not go astray under my care! Soon enough, it, along with the rest of Las Pegasus, will be powered electrically!"

"Sounds incredible, miss Lightheart."

"I'm glad you think so!"

"There doesn't happen to be anythin' you need, is there? Need me to fetch somethin' fer you?"

"Uuuhm... not at this exact moment. Thank you for the offer! ... Though, I was interested about something..."

"Shoot."

"Well... when you first arrived with your team, you knew my name from the get-go."

"Yes, ma'am."

"... Is there some particular reason that you do? It's not that I mind, but I'm... curious."

"I was runnin' an errand fer Moonlight. Involved gettin' the names of the current researchers in position."

"Oh!" she lightens in realization. "It was purely business-related. I see."

"Moonlight was wantin' a check up on her team, so I figure."

"So you only remember my name because of an... errand?"

Crimson's left brow raises, knowing exactly what she's implying. "Hmh. I wouldn't say so, reckoned knowin' yer name would come in handy at some point. Gettin' that tender reaction outta you earlier was definitely worth the space in my head."

"Hohohoo~" Lightheart giggles and gives him her cheek. "You sure are a flirtatious one~"

"I only call it how I see it, ma'am. Now to turn the table on you, it's lookin' like you knew my name too. Reckon it had somethin' to do with Moonlight?"

"Yes! She and Celestia are the reason I know your name. Mister Crimson!"

"Just Crimson, if you will. I recall Moonlight sayin' you two don't know each other very well."

"Indeed, I am not acquainted with Moonlight personally, but we have been writing to each other more frequently now that she's back at Canterlot. She seems like a very nice pony."

"And you'd be right about that, she's a swell gal. What kinda stuff ya'll been chattin' about me, if you don't mind me askin'."

"Oh," she faces away from him and giggles, "well... things."

"I have a feelin' I know what they are."

"I'm certain you do~ Though it's one thing to read about it in a letter, seeing it happen is quite a different concept."

"Thinkin' you're referrin' to somethin' specific here. C'mon now, you ain't gotta beat around the bush with me." With his left lip curved upward, he leans his upperbody forward to loom over her a bit.

"You are demonstrating it right now actually!" she twitters effeminately. "So bold, so forward. If only other stallions had half the male you had~"

Crimson's brows raise and returns to a straight-standing position. "Now that you mention it, it's quite a concept that you ain't repulsed by my likes."

"Oh?" her brows raise in mild worry. "What ever do you mean? You're tall, strong, handsome, and have quite a way with words~ What should I be appalled by?"

"Well, beckonin' back to what you said, I ain't exactly a stallion. I'm a man."

"Eh-eh... e-yes?"

"Doesn't it come off strange with the way I'm talkin' with you?"

"Not at all! It's very flattering, it makes me feel like a filly again~"

"So you're alright with my type?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

Crimson puts his fists on his hips and tilts his head. "It really doesn't rub you the wrong way that I ain't a pony?"

"Mm-mm!" she shakes her head. "Many ponies find humans attractive, and some humans are more attractive than others~ ... Oh!" Her irises glisten in a sudden burst of eureka. "I think I understand it now! You're being coy with me because you wanted to test a hypothesis."

"... Care to elaborate a little on that?"

"By hypothesis I mean, you are purposefully engaging in flirtatious behavior with me in order to gauge my reaction." Her tone sounds pretty lighthearted for such a matter-of-fact statement.

"Uuh," Crimson's eyes shoot left and right, "well, puttin' it like that, that could be a good reason for it, but it ain't actually why. I just like you. No other reason besides that. Though I do like your angle on it, it's very interestin' to see yer mind at work. Calls lots to question."

His sentence throws Lightheart into a roller-coaster of several different emotions all in the span of ten seconds. She blinks her befuddled eyes to internalize his words, and she chuckles merrily once she does. "A charmer as much as an inquirer! You would make a good researcher with that type of thinking!"

"Appreciate your sayin'-so, but I reckon I'm too dumb for the likes of y'all. Book-smarts wasn't always my fancy."

"I don't believe a word of it! I have a nagging feeling that you'd be great as a researcher!"

"Nah, nah, trust me. You'd rather not have me ruin an experiment tryin'a butt in. I'm good for the manual, not so much intricate abstracts. I'll be there if you need someone to pick up heavy stuff 'n put it back down."

"A modest one, are we? Hohoo, I think your experiment is proving to be fruitful! Say, what is your opinion on the matter?"

"On... the pony-unto-man thing?" She nods excitedly. "... Can't say I've really concluded anythin' on it. I've had some, eh... 'data', but I haven't really, uh... what's that word you use when you bring all them datas together?"

"Compiled!"

"Yeah, compiled. Haven't done that yet."

"Mmm~" Lightheart hums eagerly. "Prithee reflect! The only thing worse than ignorance is wasted information!"

"Those'r some wise words, miss Lightheart. I'll definitely keep that in mind."

"Hoh, please, just call me Lightheart. Adding the prefix at the beginning makes me feel like an older mare."

"Anythin' to preserve your youthful self, Lightheart. You look about as old as Snowfall, which definitely ain't old."

"An astute observation! She and I are the same age!"

"Well ain't that somethin'. You two know each other?"

"Many of us know each other! More specifically, Snowfall, Banter, Running, Magnifying, and myself all know each other personally. We all joined Canterlot's united forces in the same year! We've all known each other since grade school."

"That far back, huh?" Crimson smiles at her, contemplating on the concept. He draws interest and understanding from it, not because of the social circle that is formed, but more that the history of Equestria has existed before he was even conceived. Before he had even realized Equestria was a location, before he had been sent to this land, lives were being lived prior to his coming. Of course he knew this to be true, but to have it put in perspective makes him sit on the idea more clearly.

There are many past events involving those he has come to know, and while he sure won't know all of them, he'd like to hear as many as he can. The idea of camaraderie with his new-found connections drives a soothing warmth into his soul.

"Yes! Much history to be had with... those... ponies?"

Crimson blinks once to come back from his musing. He sees Lightheart's front has turned with a fusion of addlement and awe.

"... Oh~"

"There somethin' wrong?" Crimson asks curiously.

"Your eyes. Did you... did you do that? On purpose?"

"My eyes?" He stops for a moment, knowing he's heard this before. "My eyes. Did they glow some sorta..."

"Gold?" They both say at the same time.

"Yes!" Lightheart beams excitedly. "They did! I've heard all about it! Well, as much as Moonlight and Princess Celestia could describe! It's so exciting to have seen that! It was like nothing I've encountered! The sensation, the swirling vivacity, it was amazing to witness! You sure do know how to make a mare smile!~"

"Eheh, I appreciate the fondness."

"Calming yet deliberate! Soothing but pensive! Hoh, it would be a dream come true to see it happen again!"

Crimson's lips line a little longer across his face as they purse, feeling a little overwhelmed by her unsullied adoration. He wasn't even aware that he pulled it off, he didn't feel a hint of exertion in his body occurring. Yet, according to her, it literally just happened.

He supposes he'll tag along for this stunt anyways. It takes a brief silence for him to answer her eager petition. "... You wanna see it again that bad, mm?" Lightheart nods quickly a multitude of times. After another short-lived pause, Crimson comes down onto his left knee, slouching a bit to even his face with hers. He extends his right hand forward, motioning with his four fingers together for her to come closer.

She walks towards him with an ever-growing smile, her eyes never remove themselves from his. As soon as they stand nose-to-muzzle, Crimson lets his eyes slowly close. Under his clothing and bandage wraps, his muscles contract as he commands his Arch to awaken. His eyes reopen just after, allowing Lightheart to witness a hurricane of golden energy swirl fiercely in his irises, causing them to radiate a majestic light. After the initial discharge, the inclement movement in his irises calms to a passive stir, appearing as gently churning gold magma.

Lightheart's orbs widen with adore, her large reflective pupils dance with the light coming from him. Her mouth opens without her accord, growing from ear to ear with a delighted smile. Her chest wells with a puffing excitement that is released in the form of a girly giggle.

Crimson sees her lips attempting to come together, possibly trying to form words, but they keep coming apart because of her big smile. Whatever is going on inside her mind, it doesn't seem she'll be able to vocalize it right now. She's certainly having an interesting reaction, he can only recall one person ever having a display like this, with similar beaming teeth and feminine giggling. It was his sister's best friend, and by extension, his best friend too. A friend that was around since childhood. She was like family -- no, she was family. A girl by the name of Violet, who had to move away and cut contact with him in order to be spared a life of agony.

Lost in thought, Crimson's fingers on his right hand twitch slightly. Without his active approval, his hand slowly begins to rise, approaching Lightheart's face. All he sees right now is Violet, reminiscing on this very same action he did to her before she moved away.

With a quick and quiet gasp, Lightheart's eyes finally break contact with his shimmering lights to stare into the void. The warmth of his hand encompasses her left cheek, along with an indescribable peace that flows into her body like a surge of electricity. "Cr... Crimson?" she murmurs meekly, returning her sight to his stargazing front.

Crimson slowly blinks once at his name being said, returning down from his contemplative heights for the numbered time today. He's starting to realize how thoughtful he has been since this morning, it's definitely not his standard mental tuning.

He becomes fully aware of what he's doing, but certainly doesn't feel like backing off of it now. A small smile forms on his lips, "A little much?"

"The touch is certainly... um... unexpected, yes? But! It is a part of the scientific bushel it seems!"

"Nah. I just wanted to touch you~"

A deep fluster reddens Lightheart's lavender cheeks and muzzle like a ripe tomato. The tingle in her chest returns again, released once more as a giggle. This one, however, is considerably unrefined and trepid. "It-It is very difficult to discern what actions are due to your research matters and which ones aren't..."

"I don't reckon they have to be mutually exclusive."

"A-Are you certain that you don't already have a conclusion on the matter?"

"What makes you think that?" he asks with a teasing simper.

"The way you are treating me... I haven't felt this fawned over in... a very long time. You are either a very good actor, or... you feel something more."

Crimson absorbs her words while staring at her deeply blushed front. Backing into his thoughts again, his hand begins to move on its own accord by reaching down a little to gently scratch the bottom of her chin. She automatically tilts her head up and moans from the euphoria caused by such pampering.

He tends to her comfort while thinking, bouncing her last sentence around in his head. 'You feel something more'... maybe. Maybe not. As he continues gazing at Lightheart's cherried face, at her adorable features, he comes to realize that it's very difficult to be unattractive as this model of equine. Lightheart's blushing cheeks combined with her healthy coat shine light off like a waxed sphere, her curly mane is a wave of beautiful pointed-off streaks, and her tiny pinchable muzzle can be heard taking in and releasing small bursts of oxygen.

These ponies are so damn cute, one would be hard-pressed to not find them attractive... more-so in the sense of how one would find a puppy or a kitten, and not so much romantically.

'You feel something more.'

"I-I would..." Lightheart stammers with a heated breath, "... would not mind if this became a more... permanent matte-- mm... nh?"

Her weakly mustered confession is left ambiguous when Crimson's hand ceases its movement on her lower cheek. Her waning eyelids break open immediately once her catering is halted, looking down to Crimson with deepening worry. Perhaps he knew what she was going to say, but--

"O-Ooh," she dribbles quietly. To her internal relief, she quickly spots what interrupted him, and it's glowing red in the inside of his duster pocket.

"That didn't take long, did'nit, mate? ... Mate?" Bulletpoint comes around the corner of the cubical to see Crimson and Lightheart centimeters from each other's fronts, with the glasses-wearing Scribe deeply red at the face. Both of them turn to look at him, with Lightheart smiling awkwardly.

Crimson faces Lightheart once more, directing her attention back to him. He reaches into his inner chest pocket, taking out the glowing and vibrating button. Lightheart glances to it then back to Crimson, and her lop-sided smile trembles. She clears her throat before speaking, "It appears you are needed..." her voice hums out much less excitedly than she previously was when he first arrived.

"... Looks like it." He smiles solemnly back to Lightheart before using the index finger on his free hand to gently push back and correct her skewed glasses for her. He then stands up, turning to face Bulletpoint... and Bulletpoint himself has this shit-eating grin that definitely indicates some railing to be had later. "Has Snowfall tried talkin' to us with this thing yet?" he holds the button in the tips of his index finger and thumb.

"Momentarily," Swirl's voice comes from behind Bulletpoint as she walks into view. "It takes about ten seconds for the resonance magic to take effect."

Khtzz-Chzzzrr! "Team one!? Team one, come in!" Snowfall's voice arrives slightly distorted but coherent. Moreover, there is a lot of noise coming from the background of her end, sounding like shouting and explosions.

Swirl takes her button with her hoof and holds it close to her mouth, "Yes, captain?"

"One klick east of Las Pegasus! The base of the Applewood mountains! We've got Wildmanes! Get over here now!"

"Wildmanes? Shiet," Bulletpoint mumbles fiercely while shaking his head once. "Should we take the balloon, cap'n!?"

"No time! Get to the balloon, gear up and give Crimson a cloud flask! Fly over ASAP! We need you all here NOW! Banter and I will hold them off as best as we can!"

"Copy that, cap'n! Anyone injured?"

"Negative! But we'll be more than just injured if you don't get here! We've got at least--" Ktchzz! "Move!--" Ktzzeo!

"Rrrrh!" Bulletpoint aggressively shakes his button around from its lack of reliability. Once it dies and cuts off, he throws it onto the ground to shatter it into pieces. He darts to the lift and presses the button a little harder than he should have. The lift works its gears and begins to ascend...

... and ascend.

Bulletpoint angrily hits the lift button again. And again and again.

"It is not going to rise faster if you keep pressing the call button, Bulletpoint," Swirl squints at him.

"Well that fuckin' shit's takin' bloody foreva'! Rrh, can't we just jump off'a the roof!? There's a ladder right thea!" He points to said steel ladder on the wall just next to the lift.

"Do not be so idiotic, Crimson and I cannot fly, and you are not strong enough to carry either of us. We need to retrieve the flight potion from the trunk in the air balloon if we are to adequately descend from Las Pegasus--"

"I can fly," Crimson interjects.

Swirl gawks at him with furrowed brows. "There is no time for putrid humor," she grits. "Humans do not fly."

Crimson shakes his head in annoyance and blows her off, marching directly towards the ladder. He climbs it and unlatches the trapdoor above him, pushing it open to shine the noon sun down upon him. He climbs up and onto the roof, feeling quite a breeze being this high up without any buildings to block the wind. On the edges of the roof to this tall building, steel rails that come up to his groin are the only protection from someone jumping off the side.

Begrudgingly, Swirl rolls her eyes and charges her horn, blinking herself onto the roof with him. Bulletpoint ignores the ladder and simply flies up the hatch, landing at his other side.

Lightheart's eyes shimmer as she stares up towards the roof. She trots towards the ladder and begins carefully ascending it.

"Where the heck are you going, Lightheart?" Running asks while he and Collateral both eye her dubiously.

Lightheart looks at them but doesn't respond. She returns her attention up and climbs the ladder more, up until her eyes barely peek out onto the roof to secretly watch the three members of the Elite.

"Crimson, stop wasting our time," Swirl states caustically. "The lift is about to arrive. Return down to the lab immediately, or else." Crimson directs his furrowed gaze to her, to which she purses her lips with a deepening frown. She can sense a profound sincerity upon his face, making her believe that he might not be joking after all. Still, she takes one stomping step towards him, "Regardless of your advocated capability to fly, I cannot. I will not allow you to leave me behind."

"Swirl, I can--" Bulletpoint tries to speak, but Swirl cuts him off quickly.

"You would move too slowly if you wanted to carry me. No. This will never work. We are returning to the balloon, we are not wasting any more ti--aahEEM!?"

Crimson quickly grabs Swirl by her hoof and pulls her towards him, holding her firmly against his pecs with one hand at her chest and the other on her belly. He grips onto her floppy robe tightly so as to not give any slack for jostling.

"Nnh! Mmrh!" Swirl fidgets angrily. "You! You will suffer for handling me like this!"

"Keep yer mouth shut fer a minute," Crimson grumbles into her ear as his eyes begin to sheen with gold. Her bitter expression halts at the sight of his radiating orbs.

Of course she knows what this is, what he's doing, but she didn't actually have a reason to believe any of it. She never personally saw any concrete display of his power, only hearing rumors of it by other ponies who had. First-hand disproval of her prior assumptions is now riding back at her full force, and Bulletpoint sure is getting a kick out of it.

Crimson's fingers tighten on her robes. "Get pissed off at me after we're done helpin' out our friends." Saliva builds in her mouth under his gaze. He then turns his face to the stallion at his side. "Ready, B.P?"

"Been ready, mate," he nods firmly.

Crimson looks to the ground in front of him and he lines his brows at the top of his eyes. His teeth grit together while every muscle in his body clenches tightly, actively keeping himself from crushing Swirl. "Mrh... nrh-- MRRH!"

Bulletpoint and Swirl, and the peeping Lightheart, are shocked when a gust of energy passes their bodies like a spirit walking right through them. Crimson's form combusted with golden essence, inflaming his entire being with golden fire. The particles that dance around him come together to form a set of two wide powerful wings and a halo at the top of his head.

Crimson's muscles are already starting to argue with him, so he reckons its best to get moving immediately. He looks back towards Bulletpoint, who feels the weight of his stare even though his eyes are purely sockets of energy with no pupils or irises in them. "You lead, I'll be right behind you." His voice resounds from his mouth as if several beings were speaking at once.

Bulletpoint is frozen in place at the sight before him, and it isn't until Swirl stammers out that he acknowledges. "G-Go! Go, Bulletpoint!"

"Go! Roight!" His dilated eyes turn away from Crimson, then back to him, then away again. "Fackin' A," he whispers to himself as a huge grin forms at his mouth. He spreads his feathered appendages wide, proceeding to crouch down and spring into the air.

Crimson holds Swirl against him more firmly. Simultaneously, he performs a calf raise to stand on the tippy-toe of his boots while giving his wings one powerful flap. The movement is enough to jet him high into the air, turning down in an arc to follow behind Bulletpoint.

Lightheart covers her face with her hoof when the angel flaps his wings, the gale of wind caused by him forces her to look away. Her mane wildly flaps and her glasses nearly fall off of her face, but once the tide surrenders, she blinks and adjusts her bifocals. She looks back up into the sky, marveling at the angel that flies off towards the mountains.

She can hear the folks of Las Pegasus shouting and reveling at his sight. With a breathless smile, she takes their screaming and cheering as her own.

Next Chapter: The Calamity Estimated time remaining: 20 Hours, 36 Minutes