[1] and the first shall be first

[blueleader]

[action]
[Anyone out and about today will spot another new face, this one belonging to a dark blue pegasus who looks mighty suspicious of her surroundings, though significantly less surprised than many. Her wings are tensed, as if ready to take off at any time, though the rest of her is carried with confidence. She's even dressed, though in a sharp military-looking uniform rather than anything casual. She doesn't seem shy about walking up to others, either.]

What exactly is the nature of what's going on?

[Text]
[The letter appears written in crisp, black ink.]

I require a status report.

The peace here is too well maintained to be self-enforced; I suspect the work of a tyrant is involved. I am asking all with knowledge of the situation at hand to reply at once. I assure all involved that this information will remain confidential and that anypony who contacts me will remain anonymous. I will also accept anonymous information, though it will be scrutinized more closely than information coming from known sources. Information from those with connections to Canterlot would also be very much appreciated. I am wary of any intel coming directly from the Princess herself, though I am doubtful that any will be provided.

-Lieutenant Commander Slipstream of the armored cruiser Manticore, Equestrian Royal Navy

Comments

[Audio]

[atomicsuperstar]

[Looks like we go ourselves a military man. Pony, whatever. Robo's had enough experience in that particular field to harbor something of a mistrust towards military types. It's nothing personal.]

Yeah, you're gonna get plenty of answers with that attitude.

[Not that he really sets the world record for politeness himself.]

A good explanation would involve a lot of polysyllabic words, but here's the short version. Far as I can tell, this isn't your Equestria. It's little too bright and cheerful to allow armored cruisers.

[The name is probably the worst part about this place. Seriously.]

Some kind of spatial anomaly's pulled people from across several alternate dimensions and clumped them together here. I can guarantee you this is either my fault or somebody else's.

[Or, at least, somebody under his employ. When he gets back, there's going to be some downsizing. If he gets back at all.]

[Audio]

[blueleader]

[Oh hey, there's audio on this thing. Neat. Also, that explanation makes a surprising amount of sense, at least for something very strange and seemingly coming out of nowhere.]

My Equestria was much more peaceful a year ago. I had almost thought someone had used a time spell, though one of this scale would take more powerful unicorns than I believe exist.

Regardless, I would prefer the long version, and I could do without your sarcasm.

[Audio]

[atomicsuperstar]

And I could do without your attitude, but we can't have everything we want.

Besides, that was the long version. You understand about as much as we do now.

Re: [Audio]

[blueleader]

Excellent; I can begin my investigation immediately then. Despite your tone, you have been very helpful.

[Text]

[noxequus]

[...This was certainly the sort of thing that Celestia needed her here for.]

Tyranny does not bring happiness. These ponies are happy for the sole reason that they are not under the grasp of a tyrant. This is not your world, and it follows that you cannot expect ponies here to be identical to your ideas of the Equestrian citizenship.

I notice you use the term "Princess" in the singular. Please elaborate.

-HRH the Princess Luna

[Text]

[blueleader]

Your Highness,

Well met. You are correct; tyrrany doesn't bring real happiness. It brings with it conformity and fear; fear enough, perhaps, to play at happiness to appease a despot. That was the source of my suspicion. Written correspondence is easily forged; I meant no disrespect.

I refer to a single princess because I would not receive anything from Your Highness at all were I in my native reality. A bloody civil war has broken out and I am not among the revolutionaries.

I await a response before continuing. My reality is not a pleasant one.

[Visual]

[ensembledarkhorse]

[This time the visual effects are activated, to show that Slipstream is in fact talking to the Princess of the Night.]

Be quite assured, Lieutenant Commander, there is no such uprising in this world. I do not remember armor carriers in the days a thousand years past, either, so I believe it is my place to offer my deepest apologies for whatever intolerance my other self in your home hath wrought.

[Visual]

[blueleader]

[Slipstream bows her head a bit.]

It isn't what you do, Highness. Your return sparked hope in the populous that there would be a change in leadership; the earth ponies in particular felt they were underrepresented in the government. When things continued on the same as before, only with two princesses, many felt betrayed and attempted to split off from the rest of us. The battles that ensued in your name, though Your Highness had no part in them, caused a rift between you and your sister.

[She hesitates, but only for a moment. It's important to relay this information.]

You didn't change again. You did, however, move to quell the uprisings, but your leaving the castle only made things worse. The two factions could now be more easily identified, each headed by one sister. Her Highness Celestia... she grew distant. Even the wielders of the Elements were divided. No one knew how to bring peace.

That is the land I was taken from.

[Visual]

[solequus]

Good afternoon, Lieutenant Commander!

As far as can be ascertained, you were brought here by an unknown magic power which has also been bringing everyone else in. I have been searching for a possible cause, as have others, but have thus far been unsuccessful.

Unfortunately, that is the long and short of it. I do apologize for the lack of information!

Re: [Visual]

[blueleader]

[Oh, visual too. That makes things especially convenient. She dips her head a bit before continuing.]

Well met, Your Highness. I thank you for the information. If I may ask, are you from a foreign reality as well, or is this your home reality?

Re: [Visual]

[solequus]

Ah, this would be my home!

Re: [Visual]

[blueleader]

That is good to hear; it gives a solid starting place. Have there been any other noteworthy anomalies, Your Highness?

[Audio]

[surpriserainbows]

Uh well.

I can tell you I'm pretty sure there are no tyrants here.

Like 80% sure.

[Audio]

[blueleader]

Only eighty percent? That leaves quite a bit of room. I'm starting to realize that this is the case, however.

Regardless, I don't believe we've met?

[Audio]

[surpriserainbows]

Yeah, well, haven't been here long enough to know for sure man. But it isn't looking like it.

[By this point, Surprise is relatively sure she'd recognize if this Equestria was anything like her own.]

Oh. Surprise.

[Audio]

[blueleader]

I must concur. If that is the case, then there's considerably less to worry about.

[She nods her head a bit, the beginnings of a smile playing at her lips.]

Well, it is good to meet you, Surprise.

[visual]

[snowpointvictor]

[Zoey's beginning to wonder now if everyone here in town is crazy...] Tyrants? What Tyrants are you talking about?

[visual]

[blueleader]

Apparently there are none; I find this surprising, but pleasing. I was startled at the lack of... infighting, I suppose, and mistrusted it.

[visual]

[snowpointvictor]

If you don't mind me asking, why do you find this surprising?

[visual]

[elementofloyalty]

[Well, all that grim and miserable study of the Garden Code is about to come in handy. Rainbow opens her visual response with a salte.]

Ma'am! This Equestia is not militarized. It possesses no standing army, navy, or air force. We are currently dealing with a nonhostile offworld incursion of which you and I among many others are an inadvertent part!

[visual]

[blueleader]

[Slipstream returns the salute, nodding in acknowledgment.]

My apologies. If I could have prevented it I would have; there are pressing matters at home.

How do you keep the peace?

[visual]

[elementofloyalty]

Speaking as someone with experience... these things don't get prevented, ma'am. All we can do is adjust.

This Equestria is primarily peaceful by nature. The main problems are creatures from the Everfree Forest and isolated incidents. Large-scale problems like dragon attacks sometimes get the Wonderbolts' attention, but generally ordinary townsfolk will mobilize and take a role in the defense as necessary.

( action )

[gunsnponies]

[ Pony or not, people of state, lawmen and military alike, were something to be wary of. Not that it's possible to see, because he's still acting as if he's not suspicious at all. ]

More than that people've been turned t'horses when they were shoved into this place, I have no idea.

[ Well... He might look a little apologetic at not being able to provide any information, but anyway. ]

( action )

[blueleader]

Wait... some of you weren't originally ponies?

Explain, please.

[Her tone is brusque, but not intentionally offensive. She wants to know as much as possible.]

( action )

[gunsnponies]

[ Urgh.. ]

I weren't. And from what I've heard, most weren't, either.