[Authors Note - I am so, so sorry about the weak chapter yesterday. I had a very long day, and I wasn't really feeling it. So, have this.

Oh... and does anyone oppose to shipping in the future? Just curious. This shit does happen.]

Celestia stood and watched as her student was lowered into a pool of oxygenated water, fresh blood mixing with the water and tainting it a light pink. A few robot arms lowered into the pool, removing the blood stained bandages from Twilight's side. The princess cringed at the sight of the large hole she made in her students side, which was still bleeding quite heavily.

"This is all my fault." someone said from behind her. Celestia glanced behind her to see Shining Armor walking up behind her, two Marines following close behind. They stood side by side in silence, watching as the nanobots were injected into Twilight's wound via a robotic arm with a needle.

Celestia decided that she should be the one to break the silence. "Come on, Shining Armor. Don't be like-"

"It's all my fault!" Shining Armor snapped, causing the Marines behind them to train their rifles on him. He noticed this, and did he best to tone it down, lest he be shot once more, "if it wasn't for me, this wouldn't have happened in the first place. I am so stupid!"

Celestia glanced at him, then looked back at Twilight and sighed. "No, Shining, it's my fault." she said.

Shining looked at the princess strangely. "What do you mean?" the young officer asked.

"I made you a Captain just because you were dating my niece. I thought that maybe over time, you would mold into a professional soldier and leader, but judging by how you handled our first contact with an alien species, I was wrong. Because of your rash leadership, we lost over two hundred of our best trained soldiers, and could have possibly ruined our chances to establish peace with a possibly friendly race of aliens. I shouldn't have given you any special treatment whatsoever." Celestia said, before another heavy sigh escaped her lips, "I'm sorry, Shining Armor, but I'm going to have to dishonorably discharge you."

Shining Armor turned towards Celestia and glared at her. "You cannot be serious." he scoffed.

"Oh, but I am. I'm sorry, Shining Armor, but I cannot have somepony like you leading my troops into battle. Don't make this worse on yourself, Shining Armor, I could have you thrown into the dungeon." she said.

Shining Armor stood there in absolute silence, completely in disbelief. Suddenly, something deep inside of the former Royal Guard snapped. "Being a Captain is my life! How dare you take it away from me!" he bellowed, before releasing a war cry and charging at the princess. Before he could make contact with Celestia, he found himself being pinned against the ground by Warrant Officer MacManus. Shining Armor struggled with all his might, but before he managed to escape MacManus's pin, he found himself being carried away by his two Marine escorts.

"I'll kill you, Celestia! Mark my words! I will kill you!" Shining Armor screeched as he was carried out of the medical ward.

"Well, that escalated quickly. I mean, that really got out of hand fast." MacManus commented, "you alright?"

Celestia put on an obviously fake smile. "Perfectly fine, but his words did sting."

The Marine shrugged. "He'll get over it eventually."

The princess released a heavy sigh. "Eventually." she said, "Say... what are you doing here, anyways?"

"Prisoner escort." he stated, motioning over to a tiny yellow Pegasus trembling in the corner of the room, "I was ordered to turn her over to you after the peace talks. Which, you are late for, might I add."

"Excellent. I will see you around, Warrant Officer MacManus." Celestia stated, making her way out of the medical ward.

"Certainly. And please, call me Mac." MacManus stated.

"Alright, Mac. See you around." Celestia stated, before walking out of the medical ward.

After being escorted throughout the ship by a Marine security team, Princess Celestia found herself in a cozy conference room, surrounded by weird and strange devices. There was also a nearby table covered in sweets and delights, as well as coffee, various meal items, and what looked like soda. But, out of politeness, Celestia refrained from engaging in a feast of epic proportions until the others arrived.

After what seemed like forever, a tall, clean cut man walked into the room, dressed in what Celestia guessed was the aliens version of a dress uniform. Following him were Colonel Simmons, as well as two other alien soldiers.

"Hello, Princess Celestia." the human in the dress uniform greeted, "allow me to introduce myself. I am Admiral Stanford of the United American Federations First Fleet. I am sure you remember Colonel Simmons from earlier."

"Evening, ma'am." the Colonel said, bowing before the princess.

"Also accompanying us are Captains Johnson and Harrison. Captain Harrison is the Captain of our flagship, the U.S.S. Hope, and Captain Johnson is the Captain of our frigate, the U.S.S. Athena. Now, let's get down to business." the Admiral stated, taking a seat at the conference table in the middle of the room. The other aliens joined him, while Celestia remained standing.

Meanwhile, Fluttershy and Warrant Officer MacManus were passing the time by playing go fish.

"Got any twos?" MacManus asked.

"Nope. Go fish." Fluttershy responded.

"Bloody hell..." he muttered, fishing a new card out of the deck.

"Now, first things first, from what the officer we captured told us, he ordered his men to attack us without being ordered to do so himself. Is this correct?" the Admiral asked.

"That is correct, Admiral. I did warn Shining Armor to be careful, but I did not order him to ambush you, especially in the manner depicted in the video logs you have shown me." Celestia answered.

"Just as I thought. Just a horrible failure in communication." Simmons commented.

Captain Harrison nodded. "It is my understanding that you have taken one of my men prisoner, a Left-tenant Robinson. Is this true?" he asked.

Celestia nodded. "Yes, but don't worry. He's perfectly fine, and I will release him into your custody once we're done with our peace talks."

"That's good. He's a good soldier. Single father too. I'd hate to be the one to tell his son his father wouldn't be coming home." Captain Harrison stated sadly.

Celestia nodded. "I know what you mean, Captain. It is not fun. Now, as for your prisoners, when will they be released?"

"The yellow Pegasus known as Fluttershy will be released into your care the moment you leave, but as for the Royal Guard, do to his recent attack on you, we will be holding him for the time being. We will turn him over to you once Left-tenant Robinson is released." Admiral Stanford stated.

"That sounds fair." Celestia said.

"Admiral, may I say something?" Colonel Simmons asked.

"Go ahead, Colonel." the Admiral stated.

Simmons cleared his throat and stood up from his chair, walking over to the refreshments table and acquiring a can of sprite. "I do believe that in the interest of peaceful coexistence," Simmons began, taking a drink of his sprite, "that we should cover up this little conflict. After all, we don't want our two species to be suspicious of each other. Especially after what our species has been through."

"I agree." Celestia stated, "my subjects, despite how friendly they may be, can be quite suspicious of new things. If they knew about this little conflict, it wouldn't help them trust your species any faster."

"Alright, we'll cover up this conflict. Our Marines died in a crash, and your soldiers died in a training accident. Clear?" Admiral Stanford asked.

"Alright. Now, you are planning to stay on this planet, correct?" Celestia asked.

"That is correct. We're starting to run low on fuel and food, and I doubt we would be able to take anymore travel." Admiral Stanford responded.

Celestia nodded. "On the outskirts of the town of Ponyville, which is the town our little "conflict" took place around, there is plenty of room for you all. However, that would put you right beside the Everfree Forest, a dangerous and unforgiving place, filled with dragons, hydras, manticores, and other many dangerous creatures. Do you think your Marines would be able to fend them off?" Celestia asked.

"That shouldn't be a problem. We'll send in our troops to clear out the area around where we shall be settling." Captain Johnson stated.

"Is that all there is?" Celestia asked.

"I believe so. Just need you to sign some documents to make this peace declaration official, then we will send you on your way." Admiral Stanford stated. Celestia nodded, picking up a nearby writing device (something she saw Colonel Simmons writing with earlier) with her telekinesis. Colonel Simmons placed a piece of parchment in front of the princess, which upon examination, detailed everything they had just discussed. She signed her signature on the dotted line and levitated it over to the Admiral, who gave it a quick look over.

"Well, it's been a pleasure, Princess Celestia. I look forward to making an official visit to your capital, that is, assuming you have one, soon." Admiral Stanford stated.

"Of course, I'll have a few aides come over and schedule a meeting with you once you are done settling in." Celestia said with a smile.

The Admiral nodded. "Colonel Simmons will escort you and Fluttershy to a transport."

Celestia nodded, bid the officers farewell, and followed the Colonel out of the room.

~End of Part One~