SE 1000

PRINCESS CELESTIA TO VISIT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT  TO TALK ABOUT THE GROWING THREAT OF CHANGELINGS - The Guardian, April 29, 2018

“Look, I get it, after The Bubble, people have been displaced and need to get back on track. However, I will not let that be an excuse for freeloaders of this country to get government funds left and right!” - Sen. Goleman. April 30, 2018

“We're now one year after the faithful event. The event that has irreparably changed the history of our two cultures forever. Standing here on this monument, one criminal decided they could escape justice, by traveling to another world. But they didn't stop there, oh no. They decided to cause trouble right here on the streets of New York! (boos from the crowd) And now the world has to deal with the consequences of their actions. But mark my words, America, the Changelings. Will. PAY! (cheering)” - Speech given by President Melissa Garza at the Sealed Empire Memorial in Manhattan, May 1, 2018

Chapter 1 – Never send a Unicorn to do a Soldier's job

“Please hold out your hooves please” said the human officer in a tepid tone. The purple unicorn complied in an equally indifferent capacity, idly complying with the gate officer's demand. She kept reminding herself that the security check would be long, even if the guards knew ahead of time that she'd be coming, but that still didn't make the experience any less tedious.

Another guard, a unicorn, came over and he started to scan  around her person, wielding a scanner with his magic. She took a glance at his forehooves and saw he was wearing a pair of devices that mimicked the function of a human hand while attached to his hooves. Twilight raised an eyebrow at this.

Hmm, for a Terraquis he's not half bad at using magic She pondered. Eventually, the unicorn finished his meticulous scan and nodded. “Okay, Miss Sparkle, you're all clean. You can gather your things over at the office over there” he said in a half-hearted tone. “Thank you for your time, and welcome to the United Nations.”

“Thank you, gentlemen, and have a wonderful day.” Twilight said, trying her best not to sound tired from the whole ordeal. She gathered her belongings and trotted down the hallway. As soon as she was out of earshot, she breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that they were only doing their job, but she still felt a little desensitized by how through the search was. She shook her head and briskly trotted into the main building itself.

Dozens of people and ponies were bustling about on the marble floors, all of them dressed up and looking very professional and fully clothed. Twilight nervously adjusted her saddlebags, suddenly feeling very under dressed. It was very obvious to everyone that she was a native Equestrian and her efforts to remain unnoticed just amplified how out of place she seemed. As she slowly trotted toward her destination, she heard a familiar voice.

“Twilight? Is that you?” a warm inviting voice beckoned to her.

Twilight turned around and grin from ear to ear. Standing just a little bit away was Twilight long time friend, Cadance, the Princess of the Crystal Empire, standing next to a pony she didn't recognize.

“Cadance! I knew you'd be here but I didn't expect to cross paths. How are you?” Twilight gleefully asked.

Cadance gave a tired smile and sighed. “Well, a lot of things, really. It's pretty hard running a nation by yourself, but I'm doing well, meeting with people and ponies.”

The grey unicorn standing next to Cadance, nodded at Twilight, acknowledging her presence. “Greetings, Miss Twilight” he said pausing weirdly before saying her name. “The two of us were actually talking about you earlier. My name is Shinji Yukimura, Secretary of Defense.” he said, bowing his head a bit and offering a hoof to her.

She looked at the hoof briefly before shaking it awkwardly. She knew it was a human social cue but doing it with hooves was a bit weird. She made a mental note to get better at shaking.

“H-hello there, Mr. Yukimura. I hope I wasn't interrupting something important.”

“Oh no, we were just about done talking. Cadance has told me about your new position. I hope you'll have good fortune in your duties. These are trying times after all.”
“...yes, they are. I'll be honest I didn't want to take this job. It's a bit weird asking a pony like be to be a consultant for a military organization. Still, after a bit of hoof twisting, they convinced me to join. I don't condone violence, but I'm willing to help out in anyway I can!”

“Ah, good. Well, I wish you success in your endeavors. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some other business to attend to. Miss Sparkle, Princess” Shinji nods and trots away.

Twilight stares at him for a little bit before turning to Cadance again. “Was he...always that awkward to talk to? He seemed a bit off.”

Cadance waved her hoof and shook her head. “He's a bit of an oddball. Don't worry about it” she dismissed. “Anyway, it's great to see you, Twilight! It's been way too long since we've talked” she smiles. “We need to catch up some time while you're here on this side”

Twilight smiled, taking out a pocket watch. Her smile faded, replaced with a sense of worry. “Ah, shoot! I'd love to, but I have to go! I've wasted enough time already. Sorry, sorry!” she quickly excused herself and trotted away at a brisk pace.

Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no! Twilight repeated the mantra in her mind as she made her way through the halls and out the door. She quickly scans the area before spotting a nondescript black van just a bit away with a tall human in a uniform standing next to it. She sighed a breath of relief and trotted over towards the vehicle, making sure not to go to fast in her approach.

The man turned towards Twilight as she drew closer and he cleared his throat.