//------------------------------//
// Chapter 40 - Trade Arc 
// Story: Twilight Daylight 
// by thedarktome 
//------------------------------//

This place is like a military compound now, Arcadia thought. The large golden, bright and grandeur halls in the Castle of the Gods that led up to the Senate Hall were guarded by Royal Guards on the side entirely while the Elite Guard had formed a defensive perimeter around Lady in Waiting Twilight "Arcadia Nova" Sparkle. She wasn't the only pony on this hall, but she definitely took up space. Any Pseratep walking through on the bottom first floor stepped to the side as her escort team moved past. Their hooves sounded like a light army when they did.

After a few minutes, they approached the guarded gold plated doors that led into the Senate Hall's side entrance, bearing an insignia of Psera on them at the high point that bore the image of Narmeelah. Stopping at the doors, Arcadia took a deep breath, then lightly pulled the doors open, revealing the brightly lit room filled with one hundred seven senators. Each table were elevated behind the one in front of them for each city's Representatives while the giant podium up front stayed at it's same size. Same for the two assistant seats in front of them. All made of wood.

The Congress of Psera were already in there waiting. Not even a minute late had Arcadia arrived, so they all stood and bowed in her direction. "Rise," she instructed while casually making her way inside, destination towards the table and seat in the middle of the Hall, facing the podium. All eyes on her. After setting down her saddlebags, she wiggled around and became quite comfortable in her seat. The center of attention.

"Lady Arcadia," Secretary General Hard Rock greeted. His voice seemed to be much harder than usual. It reverberated around the room, sending shivers down her back. Arcadia could tell he was speaking kindly today. "We were told of a summoning for enlisting one of Psera's new Carriers? The Front Lawn, or Aquata Eighty-Seven?"

Arcadia smiled and for the next few minutes explained the plan to have it enlisted starting with their approval, a safety inspection, and an inspection with her and Madun. And that they were planning on using it for the trade with Equestria, and of course with any other military action. They would be carrying two large buckets with them alongside the steel block, as well as a defensive Aquata escort of two, with a bunch of Elite Guard, Aerial Guard, and Aqua Guard on board who would scout out any disturbances on Equestria's coast before the craft would dock. As well as at sea. Psera was always strict with defense, so it was expected that it was added.

After her explanation which took a good ten minutes, the Senate decided to vote on these terms immediately since it didn't really require much thinking about, and approved it. Their generals, commanders, and more could lead those moments. After the Front Lawn was enlisted, Lady Arcadia gathered her things and made her way back out with the Guard, who held the door open for her and waited for her wings to file out before closing them back with a loud bang like usual. Arcadia wondered how the recycling in Equestria was going this evening. They were soon scheduled to wrap it up.


~✶~


Six o' four was the time in Equestria. They started at six o' six this morning. And tired was the description used to describe the Pegasi now resting on the dirty ground in front of the ponies who were exhausting through their reserves to provide water and whatever else they could. Everyone under the tent before were now in Canterlot underneath the roof of the welding facility that Arcadia and Madun visited weeks ago.

Just like every other remaining building, their doors and windows were open so the Hurricane could wash inside and grab the agent. Celestia and anyone else could tell that it reached in when they stepped inside. Items recently standing were toppled and strewn about, as if someone came in and trashed the place. The stallion in charge named Buff was poking at one of the knocked over bookshelves. "Well... You ponies sure made a mess out there," he stated. "Hard to breath a little."

Celestia walked forward and asked, "Is it ready?" Buff waved his hoof in a gesture then turned towards the hallway leading into the forge. Still in the same condition as it were a few weeks ago. Except this time it were empty, save for the furnaces, steel tables and slabs. Green Lush took a look around the dark warehouse at all the stuff on the floor. The air definitely came in here. The furnace they stopped in front of was already in the process of heating up while they grabbed some masks from the closet. "So the furnace already has a piece of metal in it," Buff explained. He slapped on a steel mask and clicked it into place. "A small steel cube just for this occasion. Will that work out?" He turned to one of the long-winged ponies that seem to have become a necessity around Equestria's reformation.

Bright Gold nodded and answered, "Perfect." She reached up to flip down her mask and turned to Secretary Manny who decided to stick around. Wearing that same angry expression. "This is about to get really hot."

"Let's just see if it worked or not," Manny growled. She flipped her own and added, "I want to get back to Psera." Then turned and filed out of the room with the others, destination for the daunting steel table that seemed to have sunlight highlighting it among the darkness. This was the most important moment in Equestrian history, save for the Pegasi who had flown themselves to sleep in floating dirt for twelve hours. They had all worked and researched up to this point. The Princesses, S3, Secretary Manny, some Elite Guards, and some Royal Guards from Equestria who were standing on tense hooves next to the Elite all gathered around the steel slab. Buff put on some thick hoof covers that may as well have been boxing gloves and opened the furnace, letting out the extreme heat and releasing some flames out that nearly licked their masks. Providing relief to those chilled from the cold atmosphere that winter brought forth.

Manny asked loudly behind her mask, "So what are we hoping for?"

Without ripping her eyes away, Blue Ivy leaned over and answered, "If the steel holds up once it's outside of the furnace, it worked. If it corrodes, it didn't."

"So you're hoping that it does hold up, okay. Let's do it." Celestia nodded in agreement then motioned towards Buff to bring it out. He reached under the slab and grabbed a large pair of pliers. Then stood back up and reached in to grab it. Everyone else watching leaned in with burning anticipation. Caused by the heat? No. But by the silence in the warehouse after the winds had died down, leaving only the crackling of the fire coming from the furnace in front of them that Buff was slowly retreating from, along with the pliers that were holding the block of steel, a bright orange that Bright Gold could see, with a heat nowhere near as hot at the sun that Celestia could feel, but still too hot to even be near with a naked face.

Finally, the moment of truth. Buff fully retreated with the steel, out into the open air, and.....

It held. He rotated over to set it down on the steel slab in front of them and released it from the pliers. The others gathered around it closely, staring intensely for nearly a full minute. It held up. The method S3 suggested worked. Bright Light straightened up and lifted his mask, completely regretting that decision because of the heat that immediately wafted into his face. He raised his hoof and stated, "After it is cooled, I suggest we take the steel back to the Mobile Unit and begin to look it over for any traces of the agent before we declare the air clear of any."

Rising Flutter lifted her own mask, but immediately flipped it back down. "Oh my, it's really hot in here. But I umm... Second that motion. Based off the currents produced in the air from the Pegasi and their velocity, it should all be gone by this point in time. But that has yet to be seen. So the best way to do it would be to check the steel. But the results are extremely promising."

Celestia, Luna, and Cadance all grinned from behind their masks. So the plan had worked. Cadance lifted her mask and said, "We'll let the populace of Equestria know that the results of the hurricane test that has yet to be named will be declared later on tonight and that our visitors are doing last second conclusions. Is tonight too early?"

Bright Gold lifted her mask and with a shake of her head answered, "Not at all. It should actually take us a few minutes, to be honest. We're just taking a sample of the cube's surface, then doing a depth test by reaching into the cube and grabbing a core so we can see the levels inside. After studying that, we'll have our answer. Now I should be expecting a letter later from Lady Arcadia specifying the trade and what's happening in Psera. Or we can talk to the liaison about contacting her. Is the Code Yellow lifted?"

Secretary Manny nodded. "Yes, it lifted at six o' three this morning. Lady Arcadia and Madun sent an OTA Message out all over Psera about there being a high security presence unless something changes. Which it has, ever since we found that medal one-fourth away from the Castle. All Guards are on High Alert and the Security at Events at Eventa is upgrading to a stage three presence during the wedding. Not to mention, Lady Arcadia herself said that if he is caught with any ill will towards her or her family... He is going to Chamber Nine."

All the Pserateps gasped in horror, sending a bad vibe down the Equestrians' backs. Celestia and Luna looked at each other, same question on their minds as were on everyone else's that Luna took the initiative to ask. "What is... Chamber Nine?"

Bright Gold cleared her throat and answered, "Let's just say that if he is caught with with a crossbow, a map, and a picture of either King Madun or Lady Arcadia, or any of the other royals, he will never return to your hooves as he was before after being restrained inside of Chamber Nine."

"So—"

"Let's just get the steel cooled down and then we can talk about the trade," Manny interrupted. The specifics of Chamber Nine were on a need-to-know basis. Only for them to know when it were being used.

Looks like they weren't going to get any answers about Chamber Nine today. So Celestia huffed and turned to Buff. "Could you cool down the steel, please?"



After the Front Lawn was given the go ahead by the Congress of Psera, Arcadia was led outside into the afternoon air, meeting up with Gardeen along the way who she requested for. She was packed up and ready to go. Once Arcadia walked out into the beautiful and shiny foyer of the Castle, Gardeen and any other Pserateps bowed, gracing her presence with respect.

"Rise," Arcadia commanded. Once they did, Arcadia and Gardeen were led out the door, Arcadia letting Gardeen into the know the entire while as they moved. "Congress has given us the green light to allow the Front Lawn to be used during the trade. We're heading out there right now, but I need to send word to S3 in Equestria and let them know that we will soon be ready to go in, drop off the steel, grab the gems, then head back here to Psera with the gems and have them deposited among the businesses who need them. Not to mention Serl, so they can find different uses for them. While we're up here at Serl, I have a meeting with a few ponies about the blue gold."

"Of course, your highness," Gardeen replied.

Arcadia stopped and lifted a wing to stop Gardeen, thus stopping their movement and the guards escorting them. "Buh buh buh," she stammered playfully. "Just Arcadia. I'm not higher than anypony else here on Psera. To me anyway. Besides, we're friends. Even though I wasn't a real princess back in Equestria, my friends also did the same thing you're doing. I'm not a real fan of formalities unless it is truly needed. Like in front of another King, Queen, Prince, Princess, Executive. But when it's just us, Madun, Merry, or our friends, call me Arcadia."

Gardeen smiled and nodded her head before they walked towards the Royal Chariot. Ever since it was discovered that Blueblood was on Psera somewhere, the Guard weren't letting the King and definitely not Arcadia out of their sights. Once Arcadia had her wings in, Gardeen followed in and helped her get comfortable while the Guard shut the door. Then proceeded to take to the air when the Guard already attached to the chariot took off. Running across the smooth road in front before they lifted quickly, taking to the sky in the blink of an eye and followed closely by the guard who followed along.

After a few minutes that were converted into twelve miles, their chariot flew over the high mountain range northeast of Cop, making their way across the barren environment to Serl. Along the way, Gardeen pondered about something that happened recently. Her definite date with Light Pink, who was definitely crushing on her. Question is, she wasn't refusing Pink's advances. So she was confused.

"You're thinking of something." Gardeen turned to Arcadia who was working on some paperwork, apparently reading. Arcadia, smiling, glanced at her from the corner of her eye and stated, "Most of the time when we travel you're playful and talk a lot. So something important must be at the font of your mind if you're this quiet."

Gardeen sighed and turned to Arcadia. "Leave it to you to know exactly what's going on in your friends' minds. Well the day you told Psera you were pregnant, Light Pink was standing at my office door that morning when I returned to drop off some things. Well she decided to ask me to lunch or something sometime. But she was very skittish and unsure about it. Insecure. So I immediately guessed she was asking me on a date.  You know, since she's into mares. So we went to the diner, got to talking. I learned a lot about her. And I enjoyed it, but..."

"You have no romantic feel to it," Arcadia assumed. She lifted a sheet up to her face with her magic, tapping a pen against her mouth while she stared at it accusingly.

"Not really," Gardeen answered. "It's... Hard to explain."

"A friend wishes to pursue a romantic relationship with you, but you don't know if you're sure you even want a relationship, let alone with another mare. So you're confused on what to do. You want to possibly pursue a relationship, but you're afraid of getting your heart broken again, by a mare this time. Let alone, again, actually date a mare. That and you're afraid of possibly hurting Pink, who's so innocent it's adorable. Am I close?" Gardeen didn't even respond. So Arcadia giggled and answered, "I guess I am. Gardeen, what does your mind tell you?"

Gardeen huffed and answered, "Well... To keep pondering about it."

"And what does your heart tell you?"

"Nothing right now."

"Then continue to think on it until your heart speaks. I suggest you stay at a friendship level first and slowly work your way up. Let her make the first move just to be sure. In the meantime, think about how you feel around Light Pink. Focus on that feeling. And love, whether platonic or romantic, will follow. And if you want some background on Pink, ask Merry."

"Learn that when you were Celestia's student?" Gardeen teased.

Arcadia shrugged and answered, "My father actually taught me that. He's deceased." Gardeen slowly lost her smile. Before Arcadia laughed and nudged her. "Sorry, I couldn't help it! You've seen my father at Eventa, the dark blue unicorn with a moon on his flank."

"Oh, Night Light. Don't do that!" Gardeen playfully scolded. "I really thought I had crossed a line."

Arcadia clicked her tongue and shook her head. Then stated, "Gardeen, you will know if you cross a line." The two continued speaking with each other before a mare Elite Guard lowered into their vicinity.

"Your highness," she called. Arcadia stopped talking and turned around to face them. "We're approaching the checkpoint."

Arcadia nodded and responded, "Good. Now let's get ready to see this craft that even I haven't seen yet." The guard lifted at the same time they approached the checkpoint into the city made of labs, warehouses, and huge walls. Serl.  Solid Energy Reproduction Labs. The chariot began to lower at the same time Arcadia and Gardeen spotted the familiar steel walls with posts, lights piercing through the sunset trained on the ground in front of them that the chariot landed and rolled into. The Elite Guards landed next to them and opened the doors so Arcadia could get out with Gardeen's help for her wings. She picked them up and walked off after Arcadia. Noting how longer they've become.

"Have these things gotten longer, Lady Arcadia?" Gardeen asked.

Arcadia laughed and nodded. "Yes," she responded. "Apparently, thirteen feet is the new norm. Still trying to figure out how I'm receiving love from everypony even though I was an Alicorn. I'm looking into it after all of this." Arcadia trotted towards the guards and spread her wings with Gardeen. The guards patted down and looked them both over before giving them the green light. They bowed to Arcadia when she walked past. Anypony coming to Serl had to be checked. Including the new Queen of Psera.

After Gardeen was checked and validated, the gates for the city began to buzz open, letting the two in. Everyone on Psera knew about Serl, but rarely see it. So when Gardeen walked in, she was a little in awe. Nothing but big wig ponies wearing lab coats, glasses... Egghead stuff, she thought in her mind. While they moved, Gardeen reached in her saddlebags and pulled out her badge and threw it around her neck. Just in case.

They approached the vehicle Arcadia was supposed to ride in, escorted by two more. Serl was the second most highly secured location on Psera, the first being a Prison in Lavender that held Chamber Nine. The historical cell that was used back in the ancient times way before Serl was created and during the Wars of Gold. A punishment room that ponies who didn't talk would be subjected in to get them to talk.

Arcadia walked into the pod, wings carried in by Gardeen who followed along. It was the same size as the chariot, just with lights and an engine. Once they were situated, the Elite Guard that were with them took to the air and watched from above as the escort moved forward, heading down the street. Ponies walking on the sidewalk stopped and bowed as they passed, driving ten miles, then passed S4's larger than life facility, heading towards the steel gates at the end that led out into the back of Serl, once more into the desert side of things. But Serl was still out there.

Gardeen turned to Arcadia as the steel gates parted and asked, "So where we headed again?"

Arcadia answered, "We are heading to the production labs. When new items are planned and approved, they are taken here to be developed and produced. The area we just rode out of is the study side of things. Where experiments of small things are. The big stuff is out there. We have to drive another twenty miles to reach the area where my steel blocks are, and where the Front Lawn and its friends reside."

"...oh," Gardeen responded meekly. Still new to Serl here. "Long ways out."

"For security reasons." The vehicle sped forward, flanked by their escort speeding towards the distance and leaving the steel gates behind. Soon, Serl was once more out of sight as they drove along the hidden road. Thirty guards were in the air while a few more were on the side. To be honest, Gardeen thought it was a little ridiculous to have this many guards.

She motioned to them and asked, "Isn't this overkill?"

Arcadia shook her head and answered, "There is a rogue unicorn out here in Psera that nearly reached the castle, sneaking right underneath the noses of the Elite Guard, the Royal Guard, and my PDS. Blueblood is not on my level of magic, but he knows how to use it. He may have a really foolish mind, but he's not dumb. He plans what he wants completed, and plans them well. He could do anything to us at anytime. Psera may be an extremely powerful nation, but even we can't see what's not there. So having this many guards is absolutely necessary. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you, Gardeen. Let alone me, Madun, or my child. I doubt he's all the way out here in Serl though. I need to create a device that can detect magical usage here on Psera. And I need to do it soon."

Gardeen reached into her bag and wrote that down on a checklist. That was very important. So she added a "VIP" as in Very Important Project. After a few more seconds, the guard driving yelled, "Serl Production Labs in sight!" The guards above Arcadia sped up and flew towards the much bigger steel walls up the road while the vehicle slowed a little. Gardeen looked around their environment. Instead of the sand surrounding the concrete they were driving on, they were beginning to turn to rock. They must've been near the shore of Psera. Confirmed by Water Birds overhead, flying towards the facility. After a few seconds, the pod stopped in front of the gates to the facility, guarded by members of the Aqua Guard, ponies ready to fight in the water, wearing outfits similar to the Elite except colored blue.

Two of them abandoned their posts and approached the pod, all business before jumping in realization at who was riding. They both saluted while one of them stammered, "Y-Your highness! We weren't expecting you this evening!"

Arcadia nodded and responded, "I'm here to review the process for the Front Lawn to transport Equestria's Reserved Steel."

"Yes, ma'am! We'll let them know you're here! Open the gates!" The two headed back to the gates while they informed those inside that Lady Arcadia Nova has arrived. She could already hear scurrying hooves as the gates blared an alarm and slid to the side, letting them in. Once they were fully parted, the first escort vehicle drove first, followed by Arcadia and Gardeen, then the second escort vehicle. Just as expected, there were very large, long, and tall warehouses all around sitting by the water. They had reached the edge of Psera. The shipyard. With four added warehouses.

The Guard turned the vehicle onto a side road, heading towards the front of one of the large warehouses. Ponies all around were wearing hardhats, reflective jackets, and Comm Blocks. Pulling large carts that held parts and things. Arcadia turned to Gardeen when the pod stopped and said, "And this is where things get professional." Arcadia stood up and walked towards the door after the guard opened it. Walking out onto the concrete. Gardeen followed after, then walked with her towards the steel doors leading into the warehouse. The concrete beneath them cooled as the sun set in the distance, added to by the cold floors that they walked on once they entered into the building. Right now they were in the front, in front of an office desk, bare of any pony.

But that was quickly changed when a pony wearing a reflective jacket and hardhat ran in. She stopped in front of Arcadia and pushed her face to the ground. "Your highness!" She yelled. "We weren't expecting you!"

Arcadia cleared her throat and calmly replied, "Please rise. I just need to make sure the steel is ready to go and set up for transfer onto the Front Lawn, which I will review next. I have a feeling that Equestria's air is cleared out. So we need to be prepared once the forms are signed here in Psera."

After the mare bounced up, she eagerly nodded and replied enthusiastically, "Yes, ma'am! Follow me!" She turned around and led them all down the wide hall fit with rooms, bathrooms, some other things, and finally a door that led out into the facility. The mare pushed it open and stepped to the side so Lady Arcadia could walk out the door with Gardeen into the hangar-like area. A huge open space that had a bunch of walkways along the walls, lights underneath them that were trained on the seventy story tall and wide block of shining silver steel. Towering very high over Arcadia Nova and Gardeen, who had her mouth open in shock. Eyes wide in disbelief. Lady Arcadia made that?!! There was security lining the walkways around and above it as the ponies managing it moved around with clipboards as if it were an experiment, which had Gardeen confused.

She turned to Arcadia and asked, "This is just a block of steel, right Lady Arcadia?"

Arcadia nodded and answered, "Yes. But it still has to be maintained. So the ponies walking around aren't looking at the steel, but at what's around it. The clipboards are to take notes on atmospheric conditions. This is technically artificial steel. Still steel, mind you. But not naturally made. It has the same chemical compound, base, all of it. Just made with magic. So the ponies here are trying to see if it compares greatly to the real steel found within the dirt and reacts the same like that would to different conditions. So far, it has. And does."

The mare that led them in presented Arcadia a clipboard from the side that she took in her magic and gazed at. Reading off the reports and more. Without taking her eyes off of it, she sighed, "Any day now I can get married, have my baby, and put a majority of Equestria behind me."

Gardeen poked in and asked, "Any specific date yet?"

Arcadia shook her head and answered, "Not yet. But it's more than likely going to be in February or March. When I first arrived and met Madun." The technician they walked in with presented a pen that Arcadia grabbed with her magic, then signed the form with. She passed the clipboard and pen back, then said to her, "I'm expecting a very important message tonight before I go to bed. If the air is clear in Equestria, there will be a final signing here in Psera between both parties—Psera and Equestria—declaring that the air is cleared and we can move onto the trade, which will be broken down into specifics on the agreement that we will read. Secretary Manny, King Shimmering Madun, Her Majesty Molten Ice, Princess Merry Fire, General Shooting Star of the Aqua Guard, and myself will all be there. Once the agreement is signed, a message will immediately be sent here as well as to Lavender so everyone can mobilize and begin. So just be ready."

The technician nodded and cheered, "Yes, ma'am! I'll have the team notified as soon as possible!"

"Good. Now. I wish to see the Front Lawn."


~✶~


The Princesses were anxious. Evident by their constant pacing back and forth across the dirt in front of the S3 Mobile Unit's defensive line. The Psera Royal Guard stationed there cast curious glances to each other, then looked back towards the three princesses walking behind each other in a circle. Celestia lowered the sun a little earlier, leaving them with an orange glow that cascaded onto the cold and hard dirt, caused by the dusty winter air. The Comm Block on the Psera Royal Guards' wrists blared, "Let them pass." Finally freezing the Princesses' constant pacing. The guard stepped to the side to let them through, which they eagerly did. Nearly creating a dut trail as they made their way right up to the door at the same time Bright Gold and the rest of S3 walked out with smiles.

Cadance, Celestia, and Luna walked right up to them and asked at the same time hopefully, "So did it work?"

Bright Gold grinned and answered, "No traces of the agent were found in any depth of the steel. It worked." The Princesses cheered, stomping their hooves in excitement. Then focused back on Bright Gold, who added, "I need to send a letter to Lady Arcadia. Then we can go to Psera and get the final signing done to transport the material, finalizing the trade. The moment it's signed, everything will begin."

Celestia nodded and sighed in relief. She was starting to have doubts about all of this. But Twilight has never let her down before. If anything... She let her down. "Thank you all so much. You have no idea how appreciative we are. Now you have to build the port, correct?"

Bright Gold nodded and answered, "It shouldn't take too long. It's all modular. We just need a big portal and Arcadia's the only one who can make a big portal that can help us get the pieces through. She should be waiting right now for the update."

"Alright, I'll have Sunset Shimmer send her a message immediately. She should be waiting with Starlight."

"Good."



Celebration. Equestria cheered when Celestia sent the news out about the plan's success, how the Pegasi in Equestria proudly and bravely flew through the cold, dirty air dubbed The Great Pegasi Cycle, ridding of the chemical agent that had destroyed everything Equestria worked hard for. And how Equestria had taken it back. Pegasi all over the nation were given hugs, pats on the backs, a chorus on thank you. Some had gotten sick from the air, but still managed to say anything for Equestria. The Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Sunset Shimmer, and Starlight were beyond proud of them for doing what they did. Especially of Fluttershy. Afterwards, Sunset immediately sent the message to Twilight about the results, who immediately replied back, "Tomorrow, 10AM, Canterlot Castle. We are meeting in Psera. Be ready for a trip. As well as a pat down."

And that day was today. The Princesses and a few executives were situated in the throne room back in Canterlot at around nine, waiting for the portal to build in front of them. Sunset Shimmer was with them too. As the Liaison, she was pretty much required so she herself knew the plan and what to do. It was going to be awhile before she returned to Earth. Maybe she'll decide to stay in Equus permanently. At least here she had a registration of existence. She was killing time beside Princess Luna, making conversation with her. Luna was particularly interested in what a parking lot was apparently. Why, Sunset had no clue. Maybe it was because of that thing she said to her when she needed help resolving a case of forgotten friendship.

"So this... Parking lot," she spat out. "It is an area... Of holding?"

Sunset suppressed a snort and nodded. "Yes, it holds vehicles."

"Like chariots."

"Exactly. At Canterlot High my friends and I used to hang out there until Vice Principal tells us not to."

Princess Luna slowly nodded her head and hummed, "Hmmm, this Vice Principal Luna sounds like a being of great power. She must rule over the Parking Lot."

Sunset huffed then glanced away and muttered, "You have no idea." Their conversation abruptly ended when the space in front of them flashed and blew their manes back, grabbing their attention. A violet portal had been setup at approximately nine-thirty. Right on time. Sunset smile and said, "Still the same Twilight."

Celestia nodded in agreement before she took a deep breath. "Let's go discuss then sign this agreement, and let Psera handle Blueblood." She was the first one to step forward, followed by the other Princesses, some more executives, S3, and Sunset Shimmer. Once they were all through, the portal closed.

The first thing noticed was the military presence. They were in another area of the Castle of The Gods, completely different from the other areas they were in since there was not a speck of gold in sight, nor anything else that were decorative. Instead they were inside of a bland brick area with three black lights hanging above them surrounded by Elite Guard. Armed with weapons, trained right at them. One of them strode forward and stated, "Wings and hooves apart! Let's go, let's go!"

They all—including S3—quickly did as ordered before the Guard strode in and patted them down, checking their wings, feathers, horns, and more. Luna had the urge to buck one after they checked her tail. Once the pat down was completed, the Guard stepped back and lowered their weapons. One took off their helmet, revealing themself to be a mare with a scowl on her face. "Word of warning. Follow the rules, follow the orders, follow command, and this will be a successful day for you. Lady Arcadia was very kind to give you this chance. Don't buck it up." She put her helmet back on and motioned towards one Guard in the corner who stepped aside to open a door.

There's the castle, Celestia thought. They were led outside of the bland room and into what looked like a base for the military. Many more Pserateps wearing armor that ranged from Golden Metal to thick blue cloth, with way too many compartments, attached saddlebags and helmets from different rooms walked past, putting on gear. Then headed out the door. All business.

Celestia assumed they were getting ready for the day. Same with Cadance. They were escorted towards a pair of doors that an Elite Guard pushed open, letting them out of the base. The castle halls were extremely guarded. The Elite Guard were standing by, waiting for the action with weapons sheathed at the moment. But the visitors all saw what those could do.

The guard who took off her helmet earlier turned around to face them and informed from behind it, "We will be watching your every movement when you are with the rulers of Psera. One pony got really close to the castle and we can't find him. Arcadia has permitted you to be in the castle. But we are definitely going to be ready for you if you try anything."



After a few minutes of walking, they were all led up to another pair of doors that had the emblazoned symbol of Psera on both, flanked by four guards that were added to the hallway mass of them. The Guard walked forward and pushed them open, showing a large meeting room that were filled with Psera's press, a general wearing blue camouflage, Secretary Manny, and another pony wearing a lab coat with a badge attached. They all stood up when they entered, taking pictures and showing respect. Celestia and the other princesses walked towards the Pserateps and shook hooves with Secretary Manny and the General.

"Thank you for coming," Secretary Manny greeted.

Celestia nodded and responded, "Thank you for having us." She gestured to Sunset Shimmer and introduced her. "This is Sunset Shimmer, the Liaison between Psera and Equestria."

Secretary Manny nodded and responded, "I remember you all from Eventa. The others are discussing nearby and will join us shortly. Have a seat and we can tell you a few things, starting with General Shooting Star. The General for the Aqua Guard." Sunset Shimmer walked with Celestia, Luna, and Cadance towards the three seats by the front doors that the Guard were standing in front of, and stood beside Celestia's seat while she, Cadance, and Luna took theirs. S3 stood on Psera's side while everyone else stood on Equestria's.

"As you know," General Shooting Star started off. "Psera has been assisting your country with restoration by supplying our specialists to discover the reason why your steel has been corroding. From what we hear, it has been eliminated, correct?" He turned around to face Bright Gold.

Bright Gold nodded and answered, "The air is clean of the agent."

"Good." He turned back to Equestria and continued, "Now Psera is helping you with yet another issue that was included in the agreement. Steel."

Celestia nodded and said, "A majority of our metal was going through the furnaces at the time when the shortage began to occur. We are at two percent of reserves right now."

Manny grimaced and commented, "That's not livable at all. We already have a plan in place, but we'll leave it to Lady Arcadia to explain it." The door to the back room opened, signalling everyone to stand up as King Madun with his own assistant, Lady Arcadia with Gardeen, Merry Fire, and Her Majesty Molten Ice to walk out.

King Madun raised his hoof and ordered, "Have a seat." Once they all did and the Royals were in their own, Madun began the day. "Today we are here to speak with Equestria about the trade that will be approaching their borders. Lady Arcadia has told me that Equestria has way more than enough gems for Psera ready?"

Cadance answered, "They are being held in the Crystal Empire."

Arcadia spoke up and clarified, "Yes. Unfortunately, they will need to be moved from there to Las Pegasus. We can't get the steel over to Equestria by dropping it off in The Crystal Empire. It would take one day longer. There is a stretch of land on Equestria that I have seen off it's west coast, like an arm. We would have to go around it. And those are untraveled areas, we have no idea what's over there, let alone myself."

"So we have to move all those gems?" Luna asked in surprise. The princesses exchanged a worried glance. Those were a lot of gems!

Arcadia nodded, confirming their worst fears. "We just need them to be on the West Coast, as far in as you can get it. If you need help, I'm sure the Elite Guard will have no issue in assisting. But right now, since it's not on the West Coast, the exchange may be delayed. So that gives us enough time to have the transfer vehicle inspected."

Madun huffed and placed his hooves on the table, focused eyes on the Equestrians. "That is our next order of business. The vehicle we are using, dubbed 'The Front Lawn', will be going on its first voyage across seas. In the past, many of our trading craft had been retired out of service, leaving them as scraps and more in the yard as of this moment. We recycled those parts and created something new, bigger, and better. This is a prototype and has been tested in its Alpha stage. Now it's going through its Beta stage by actually going to another land, retrieving something, and returning. We are expecting hiccups, but it is less than likely to happen. So on Equestria, a modular facility will be assembled to move the steel, the gems, and to dock the craft. From what we understand from our technicians, the dock won't take up most space on land, but the block of steel certainly will. So most of the area will be constructed for the steel."

"How much land will be needed?" Cadance inquired.

Everyone turned to Arcadia, who answered, "One-fourth a mile from the waterline to the inland and a little more. This is a big trade and equipment is going back and forth. Equestria's and Psera's. The ocean water will be used by the Beacon Poles that were used in the final stage for Equestria's restoration to highlight the direction and guide the craft through. We'll let the Aqua Guard handle that the same moment The Psera-Equestria Trade Agreement is signed. Should barely take two hours because the beams are very light. The campus for the trade will be very big because this is a military deal. And a huge steel block. Everyone on that land will be tense."

Shining Armor asked, "Do you know when it will arrive?"

Arcadia turned to Bright Gold who answered, "Since Equestria has to move all the gems and items towards the coast, and Psera has to build the modular base on the shore, I'd say a week from the date of signing the agreement. While they are building, the craft will be in motion, commandeered by Captain Blinding Silver and escorted by a fleet of Aqua Guard who will be in contact with Psera during the voyage. Just be ready for the craft after the signing is completed and help each other so we can get it done, then move onto greater things. If the other requests help, please assist. Everything will move much faster. I am hoping this agreement can cool down sour tensions between our nations while trouble is on our hooves."

"Which brings us to our last discussion," Manny groaned. "A pony from your land is more than likely threatening the leaders of ours because he's jealous. Question is... Why?"

Cadance decided to take this one, even though she already explained it. To the exact same mare who asked it. "Prince Blueblood does not accept no for an answer, unfortunately. Which is something we have yet to bang into his skull."

Merry turned to Arcadia and asked, "I'll be more than delighted to bang it into his skull. So can I?"

Arcadia opened her mouth to answer no, but paused and glanced up at the ceiling in thought. After a few seconds she shrugged and responded, "If you catch him before the Guard do, then you can do what you want. If he's hostile and shows ill intention. If, Merry. Blueblood has been way too infatuated with me. I wouldn't be surprised if his mansion had a room filled with nothing but pictures of me somewhere in there. He's crazy like that. And thinks just because his name has 'Prince' makes him Royalty. I tried to tell him before, but apparently he didn't understand even when I broke it down to him in simple terms. Let's just hope he's here for an unauthorized tour and nothing else. Because if he's here for an attack..."

Luna cleared her throat and inquired, "What happens if he is here for an attack?"

"Then he is arrested and roughly tossed into Chamber Nine until Madun or myself personally decide to let him out."

Celestia had a bad feeling about this Chamber Nine. Because all the Pserateps in the room became a little uncomfortable. She raised a hoof invitingly and asked, "What is Chamber Nine?"

"That is on a need to know basis," Arcadia responded.

"With all due respect Arcadia, I would very much like to know what would happen to my nephew if he is in fact dangerous," Celestia pressed.

Arcadia nodded and replied, "I understand that. However it would not matter even if you did know. Since he is on Psera's soil, he will be prosecuted under Psera's federal government automatically for International Trespassing, and—if he is found violent with ill intentions towards my fiance or myself—for Attempted Assault Of The Crown, which can be upgraded to Attempted Assassination Of The Crown . Which both have a huge punishment that he will not like. So the details to Chamber Nine will be kept on a need-to-know basis. If he does attack, we will tell you. If he doesn't, you have nothing to worry about except for the fact that when we do catch him, he will be doing prison time for a long time here in Psera."

Madun inputted, "The best you can do is hope he doesn't try anything. Because if he does, the results will not be pretty."

"Now time to wrap this up," Molten Ice stated. She wasn't liking this conversation. "The plan is this. Once the agreement is signed, Equestria will begin moving the gems towards the beach on Las Pegasus while Psera begins to move the modular building materials to Equestria's soil through the portal that Lady Arcadia will conjure here in Psera. While they are building and moving, we will prep the steel onto the Front Lawn, ready the escort made up with two more crafts filled with members of the Aerial Guard, Elite Guard, and Aqua Guard, then wait until we have the go ahead for the ship to pull out, which will happen after the facility is complete.

"The craft will take an estimated thirty nine hours to reach Equestria's soil by the predetermined route, which Arcadia guessed will be between the hours of Three AM and One PM Monday. They will be in contact with Psera the entire time with the military in Lavender, thanks to the PDS. The reason why security is high is because this has always been Psera's prized tools, the Aquatas. Now after hundreds of years, they're going back into service to serve a country that we've never heard of before until Arcadia showed up. So Psera is taking precautions. Madun and Arcadia will not be going, instead choosing to stay here and govern Psera in this time of anxiety. A few laws are needed to be in place and court will begin soon for national issues. Some things are still out of place in Psera after the attack that ruined our soil, and Arcadia has an agenda planned to address them."

Arcadia shook her head and commented, "Next week is going to be really busy. So I have to prepare."

"And Psera needs a king," Madun added.

Molten Ice nodded and took back over. "So the only pony in charge of completing this trade successfully would be Equestria. When our Guards arrive on your soil, they'll need a place to rest. And the steel needs to be looked over. The resting bit will be supplied by Psera, we just need a location to set up, which will fall on your wings."

Celestia, Cadance, and Luna all looked at each other, nodding in an unspoken agreement only they knew. Then Celestia turned back and responded, "Alright."

"Anymore questions?" Arcadia asked.

"Uhh... No. No, that is it."

"Alright. Then we'll begin the signing." Gardeen reached into her saddlebags and pulled out a folder that was slid in front of Arcadia. Using her magic, she flipped it open to a single decorative sheet of paper, complete with the symbol of both Psera and Equestria at the top, fine font, and borders of golden shimmering shapes. Arcadia looked up to the Princesses and stated, "Signings are done differently here in Psera. So I'll start it off."



After Arcadia read the treaty, she was the first to sign it. Then Madun, Secretary Manny, and General Shooting Star before it was passed to Cadance, Luna, and finally Celestia. Who stood up to meet Twilight halfway and shake her hoof before the cameras started flashing. With a smile, Celestia asked, "Any genders yet?"

Arcadia grinned and answered, "It's going to be a filly."

Madun peeked in and shook his head. "It's definitely a colt."

Arcadia looked to him and stated, "You said filly before."

"I meant colt."

Arcadia rolled her eyes and turned back to her family. "I'll love them either way. Sunset? If you could inform your friends that Psera is ready for them in Eventa, I'd appreciate it. Madun and I have also decided on a date."

Madun draped a wing over her back and nodded to confirm it. "Yep! March ninth is the day we're getting married at Events at Eventa's Grand Stadium. We're all very excited."

Cadance nodded and began to sniffle. "My little filly's growing up," she whispered.

"Cadance I'm twenty-two," Arcadia deadpanned.

"Stop growing, ladybug," Cadance cried.

Arcadia sighed while Madun smiled innocently at her. He was planning something, she could feel it. "Arcadia~." She turned her attention to Merry who shimmied up to her unseen. Her eyes held innocence, something rarely seen. "I've got something for you. I was going to tell you earlier but Equestria arrived and made things serious. But now it's not serious and I can now soooo... It's ready."

Arcadia gasped and asked excitedly, "It is?!"

"Hanging up high inside my living room. Ready to be tried on before the wedding anytime. My brother's suit is also ready. It has a long train to it though because of your wings. The rest is a surprise."

"Great!" She turned back to the Princesses, brother, and Sunset to share a quick group hug before stepping back. "I'll be in contact with you, Sunset. Until then be prepared. The Guard will escort you back to the portal." The Royalty in the room all shared a bow with each other before leaving.

While the Equestrians were heading down the hall back to "The Hive", as the guards here so-called the base inside the castle, Madun ordered, "Let the ponies at Serl know the green light's been given. Prepare the cube, not ship it on the Front Lawn yet. Arcadia and myself are both heading up there tomorrow morning to watch the action, since we both haven't seen it yet."

While his assistant wrote that down, Arcadia turned to Gardeen and asked, "What's on my agenda today?"

Gardeen cleared her throat and answered, "You have a lunch meeting at Psera Skies East with a pony who wishes to lease land in that city. But the problem is the land has already been bought out by another pony who he declares stole his rights to that land after it states that he has reserved rights to the land when you signed the deed."

Arcadia groaned and muttered, "Oh my Psera. That case has already been shut because I never sign deeds. That's for the mayor's office in Psera Skies East, they complete those tasks. Not I. What's next?"

"Light Pink wishes to speak with you about a garden she wants to build on the edge of Psera Skies North mainly for birds and children."

"That... Doesn't sound too bad actually. But, once again, she would have to consult with the Mayor's Office. They handle the cities, I handle the nationwide issues. Things like possible pandemics, Earthquakes, food shortages, voting, schools, head over heads, things of that nature."

"Then you'll like this next one. A meeting at two with the Pseratopian League of Hospitals to speak with you about different innovations to make certain medical examinations easier and more comfortable for patients. They wish to get them approved by the city, but the city said the Crown has to approve them. And Madun pointed them to you."

Arcadia turned to Madun who responded back by shooting her a smile. "You're welcome."

She smiled, then turned to Gardeen and asked, "Where is the meeting?"

"First floor lunch hall."

"Great. Anything else?"

Gardeen shook her head when they turned a corner, heading towards the Royal Suite. "No, ma'am. That's it for today."

"Add an	entry for me to meet with Merry so I can gaze at the dress this evening at... Seven. Then you can relax and go home for the day. Or... Go to Pink's house. Ah buck, I forgot Merry was here," Arcadia muttered.

Merry gasped and zipped over to grin into Gardeen's blushing face. "Oh girl, some gossip. Gimme deets!"

"There are no 'deets'," Gardeen promised. "We're just friends."

"Merry, I have a question," Arcadia asked once they entered into the elevator. As the doors shut, she asked, "Why don't you have any guards? Everypony—everyone else in the family has them except you."

Madun laughed and answered, "She doesn't need any. The guards are the ones who need her. She's scary when she's mad, which is why Blazing doesn't want to be around when she goes through her mood swings."

Merry giggled and stated, "Let's skip over me, and move on to Lady Arcadia's mood swings. We've all seen her when she's mad when Bluebutt came here, and didn't listen. I can't wait to see her mood swings in action on King Butt. Remember..." Merry leaned over and whispered in Madun's ear, "You signed up for this the second the bedroom door shut."

Madun pushed her away once the elevator doors parted open. "I know that, and I am prepared for them."

Arcadia became amused, evident by the smirk on her face that was looking up into his. "How exactly are you prepared for mood swings?"

"I made a huge defensive outfit," he answered as they strode out. "You know magic and can levitate so many things at once. I've seen you clean the suite while doing it. Everything was moving around on their own and I'm over here in the room trying to duck the feather duster chasing me. When you get mad, I'm expecting a lot of projectiles. So those pillows will come in handy."



Celestia, Cadance, Luna, Shining Armor, Sunset, and the rest of the Executives were aghast when they stepped back into the Canterlot Castle throne room. Cadance decided to be the one to ask, "She wants us to move over a billion gems from underneath The Crystal Empire all the way to Las Pegasus?!! We have no trains to move them!!"

Celestia stepped out of the line and appeased, "We'll figure something out. We don't need ponies braving through the cold weather up there, it's too cold. Frigid. Freezing."

Luna added, "And it's not helping that it's already Winter."

"Then what do we do?" Cadance asked.

Celestia raised a hoof to her chin to think. And think hard. If Twilight could do it, they could too. But Twilight couldn't do that before, and neither could they. But when she got her magical boost... Magical boost...

Celestia turned around and said, "Magical boost. The only way Twilight could do that was because she had an extremely large reservoir of magic. We all have a lot of magic, just not as much as her. But if we were to combine our magic..."

Luna stomped her hoof and responded excitedly, "We must join horns, and use Twilight's spell! Genius, Tia!"

Cadance looked between the both of them and asked, "But how much magic?"

Celestia proudly answered, "As much as we can to create this portal. Sunset Shimmer?" Sunset stood up and saluted. "I want you to go back to Las Pegasus and let us know if something happens with Psera or if our portal works."

"Yes, Princess." Sunset turned around and bolted out of the room, leaving the Princesses with the executives.

Cadance sighed and started it off. "So step one?" She asked, then groaned, "Getting to the empire."


~✶~


The trade was all that was on Sunset Shimmer's mind as she moved across the barren landscape of Equestria. Although the agent was cleared, everything was still dirt. Somepony would have to supply wood and more. Unfortunately, Twilight wouldn't in the past, and can't for awhile. That made Sunset wonder once she entered into Ponyville after running for awhile. "How stressful is it to configure land?" She thought aloud.

"Very." Sunset jumped and looked into Starlight's face. And pretty much the entire town once she looked around. "Tell us what happened."

"There's good news, and slight bad news that's slightly separate from the bad news. The Psera-Equestria Trade Agreement has been signed. Psera is loading up the steel while Equestria is loading up the gems. But there's an issue. Psera can't get to the North end of Equestria. So Equestria has to move all those gems closer to the beach in Las Pegasus so they can get to them."

Rarity gasped, then exclaimed, "WHAT?! There are over a billion gems! We have to move all of them?!!"

Sunset sadly nodded. "Yeah. In the meantime, Psera is building a facility of some sort to dock a trading craft that will carry the steel over here so they can place it on the land."

Rainbow hovered in and pointed behind Twilight's castle. "You mean something like that?" Sunset followed her hoof towards the ten to twenty beams of violet lights seen all the way from Las Pegasus. Rainbow sat down and stated, "They're all three hundred feet high. The Elite Guard were setting them up earlier after a portal opened up over there. A huge violet one, wayyy bigger than Twilight's average one."

Rarity shivered just thinking about Psera. "Do you think Psera is a threat to Equestria?" She asked with worried eyes trained on Sunset.

Sunset sighed with her own eyes trained on the constant glow of the twenty neon violet beams of really bright lights. "They will if Blueblood doesn't surrender himself. These ponies are strict, smart, big and strong. Blueblood doesn't stand a chance." Sunset shook her head and moved on to more important things. "Celestia wants me to get over there to check on a portal that will be created to move the gems. Their means of transportation for the steel block will be arriving here between Ten AM and One AM Monday morning on the beaches of Las Pegasus. While that's happening, they're building a campus on the site to maintain it."

Rainbow zipped in and asked, "Do you need help?"

"When I get back. I have to get back home to tell the girls Arcadia's ready for them."

"Oh... Right." Sunset noticed they all became a little sad. Possibly because they weren't allowed to help.

"Don't worry, girls," she tried to appease. "I'm sure she has something planned for you. I mean... It's Twilight Sparkle. She has a plan somewhere."

"Sunset, darling!!" Sunset looked towards her right at... Rarity? Definitely from Canterlot High. She was smiling and making her way towards her. "It's good that I found you. There's a tad bit of bad news, dear. CHS is having another dance. And since our last dance was legendary, they have all asked our friends, yourself, and I if we'd be willing to assist. Thing is, the dance is in March and we all want to go."

"So you can't help Arcadia with her wedding," Sunset assumed.

Rarity, riddled with guilt stuttered, "W-We want to, but the school is counting on us to make this dance legendary and we can't let them down."

Sunset sighed and turned to Ponyville's greatest, who were offering giant grins. "I'll let her know and recommend your assistance. But there's no guarantee, she'll say yes. Or no. Can somepony please help me get to Las—" Rainbow zipped over and grabbed Sunset Shimmer. Then flew all the way to Las Pegasus, dropping her off on its beach. "—Pegasus? I really need to.... Huh?" Sunset looked around the environment at all the busy Pserateps. Then back... To her friends. Applejack smiled and pointed to Rainbow Dash who had her smoking wings in the dirt. "Uhhh... Thanks. Now..."

Sunset turned around and looked in front of her at all the Pserateps building. And they got really far. Just like it was stated, a huge portal was setup by the ocean side. Giant and purple with Psera guards constantly pulling and flying things out. The first thing noticed so far were very large and thick mechanics that looked like an assembly line. Just with insanely thick rubber that required fifteen Elite Guards to fly out of the portal and drop on the ground. Along with steel blocks, slabs, and technology. Sunset sat down and watched for awhile. Especially when they pulled out yellow reinforced steel beams that looked like they belonged to a crane, steel stairs, lights, and a vehicle that looked like a truck.

The steel crane beams were the first to go up. The Pserateps flew up high, tilting the beam they were holding in a vertical position. Then placed it on something that locked it in place. For the next ten minutes, the beams were set up really far apart in the shape of a square before the stairs and steel walkways were added in, creating floors with a strange control panel or station directly in the middle facing the ocean and portal.

"Sunset." Sunset turned around and faced Princess Celestia's curious face. "What's... Going on?"

Sunset pointed to the facility in construction and answered, "Twilight wasn't kidding when she said it wouldn't take long to build the facility. These grounds were nearly bare not even an hour ago, now it's almost completed... I think." A few Pserateps carried a few more things out of the portal before it slowly shrank and flashed, disappearing. A bunch of Pserateps wearing lab coats, reflective coats, and helmets were walking around, barking orders. A few guards were on the ground preparing the steel slabs in the middle of the high yellow beams, creating an entirely steel floor while the rubber tracks were placed in the two empty spaces in between them. Those slabs must've been really heavy. Because when they dropped them, the ground shook slightly. Same for the rubber tracks.

Bright Gold flew into view among the other Pserateps wearing the same safety wear the other lab coats were wearing and gestured to the rubber in between the steel. "Are they connected?" She asked. Some of the Pserateps muttered before one flew up to the console on the walkway and made a few movements. While they were doing that, Bright Gold announced, "We're going to do a test! Flash the beacons!" The Pseratep by the console made a few movements before directing her attention towards the beacons in the distance, flashing on and off at the same time she did. On and off for a few seconds before they changed to a pattern like a wave. The farthest one would quickly flash followed by the one before it, then the one before that until it reached where they were. Over and over. They were really bright and were making Celestia's eyes hurt after a while. There was a lot of magic running in them.

Bright Gold nodded and ordered, "Pull the tracks in!" The beacons stopped flashing for a moment before an alarm blared loudly, sounding like something from a high tech facility before the rubber tracks began moving into the beach, pulling nothing but air at the time. "Alright! We're ready! Good job, everyone! The Royal Family's going to be very happy! And we'll all more than likely be receiving a raise. This was a new level Psera had reached. Great job, everyone!" The Pserateps sat down and tapped their hooves together, creating an applause that bounced around the camp of Las Pegasus. Celestia, Cadance, Luna, and the others weren't the only ones watching. Pretty much all the ponies of the camp were too. Creeping out their tents and watching the show. So far, it looked like this was going to be a big block of steel.

Celestia sighed and stated, "Now. Time to move those gems."


~✶~


While Serl and Pseratopian Guards were building the trading facility in Equestria, Arcadia was being led blindfolded towards Merry's home, who wanted to surprise her with the dress. Eager was the description for the Princess of Psera. But also classy. One cannot go showing the bride as if the dress were an old piece of garment. So Merry grabbed a cloth and tied it around Arcadia's head. Then led her towards her room, where the surprise waited on the other side of the double doors. Merry had one wing draped over her back, calmly directing her. The Elite Guard of course followed along. Giggling, Arcadia sighed, "Merry is it really this big a deal?"

Scoffing, Merry stopped her at the door and retrieved her wing. Then answered, "Lady Arcadia, this is Princess Merry Fire's work. I can't just go around and say..." Merry's voice changed into a deep monotone. Complete with bored eyes. "'Here's your wedding dress Lady Arcadia. I hope you like it. It took me a whole month to make and had to pause all of my other clients' orders until after I finished.' Come on, this is Merry Fire! you should know by now that that's not my forte."

"True." Gardeen laughed from behind while Merry opened the door. Revealing the dress to everyone but Arcadia. Gardeen and the Elite guards fawned while Arcadia's ears just twitched. She could smell the scent of Merry's home. Apple Juice, Orange Juice, a little wine. A lot of linen, fibers, old books. "Can I see the dress now?" She exhausted.

"Hold on, a few more feet." Merry carefully pulled Arcadia through the door and into the living room, leaving the guards outside in the hall but followed in by Gardeen who shut the door behind her. Once Arcadia was in place, Merry removed her wing and strode towards the garment. "Alright... Open your eyes."

"Take off the blindfold first." Gardeen laughed at Merry's embarrassed face. Then reached behind Arcadia with her teeth to rip off the cloth. Twilight blinked her eyes to get adjusted back to the light. Then glanced around Merry's luxury before focusing on and widening at the long dress in front of her. It was white, gold, violet, and had a long train to it. There were tight legs to them with tiny symbols of her cutie mark on the sides while there sat a tiara on a stand nearby, protected by a glass box connected with a veil. The shoulders had gold pads on them while the train gradually turned into a violet once it reached the end. The headwear had a slight silky pattern while the rest of the dress had a mostly silk design. Patterned with white flowers all over it. It was indescribable.

Arcadia squeaked in surprise and whispered, "Merry, it's beautiful."

Merry rubbed her hoof against her chest and responded, "Yeah, I'm great. Had to get my girl ready for her wedding day. Which is on..." Merry motioned with her hoof, ready for the details.

Arcadia walked closer to the dress to admire and answer her unasked question, "March Ninth. I can't wait!"

"You're going to be showing by then, Arcadia," Gardeen informed her. She walked into the home behind her, making for the dress Arcadia was astounded by. "At least slightly," she added.

Arcadia nodded. "I know. To be honest, I'm a little nervous about becoming a mother."

Merry scoffed and appeased, "Lady, you will be fine. Madun is the one who should be worrying. He's gonna be the only one without magic around the house, I suspect. Things flying all over the place while you try to calm down your foal's magical... Pulses, I guess."

"Not to mention what her special talent is," Arcadia muttered. "If anything it'll revolve around Psera. But enough about the baby. How are weddings done in Psera?"

Gardeen decided to take this one. She strode towards Arcadia and answered, "Well since this isn't a standard wedding but a Royal wedding, Events at Eventa will be packed. The largest packing in one area. There will be a pulled chariot that will ride towards the stage in between all of the Pserateps. Madun will go first, then you will be second. The mare always gets the eyes. But you will have captured all of the ponies out there. This is a long and white dress, it's going to need to be carried a little bit. Not to mention that baby bump. I'm getting off topic, anyway. Madun is carried up front and takes his side. Then you're next. You come together, say you're vows, kiss. Then everypony cheers, applauds, then transition to celebration, gift giving, and more. Afterwards, you go on a timool."

Arcadia was obvious clueless. Merry explained, "A timool is when you and Madun go somewhere and relax with just each other. Romantically."

"Ohhh," Arcadia fawned. "You mean a honeymoon. Back in Equestria, after a wedding, the bride and the groom would go on a vacation to a nice resort with just the both of them. It's mostly so they can have sex though. Private time."

"Ah, yes. The morning scuffle," Merry sighed. Then pretended to swoon and fell on her side. Playing dead. "When that stallion gets busy when you're alone with him, things get so much more busy in the future. We're both about to experience it."

Gardeen shuffled up to Arcadia and batted her eyes. Then whispered, "I hear it's better when you're pregnant."

Arcadia chuckled. Then turned around to walk back to the door, followed by Gardeen and Merry. "Yeah, well... We'll find out if Madun is actually up for it."

Merry walked forward and pulled the door open, smirking. "Oh he'll definitely be up for it alright. He's going to have trouble staying down actually during the whole wedding. Poor guy."



The rest of the week went by as normal as it could for both sides. Although busy. Just like Arcadia stated, she was busy in Cop, Serl, Merōl, and Rayray. Eventa was left out of the picture. At least for now. While Madun sat on the throne in Cop, Twilight moved throughout the nation. Handling business and hooves on activities on the busy roads of Psera. And with a child, Gardeen and those with her made sure she didn't stress herself out too much in the king's absence. He would certainly have a fit if not a heart attack. While Psera went about their daily events, their military and police were on the lookout for a white unicorn "Prince". Walking the streets, the alleys, rooftops, undergrounds, everywhere. He was actually in Merōl, sitting by the historical docks, reading one of the plaques while Twilight was all the way in Lavender. One of the historical plaques were about how the Aqua Guards held a base here during the Gold Wars, and had sent "Aquatas" out into the ocean to battle them at sea. Battle at Sea? Aquatas? What the buck?

Blueblood had no idea what that was. So he grunted, then turned around to gaze at the modern industrialized city. There were a lot of these long winged ponies walking around carrying items of steel, wood, and more among the land of nature filled with trees, flowers, parks, homes, and more. Primarily construction buildings but there were a lot neighborhoods. There were even strange things that moved around on their own with only one pony inside, using levers to turn and navigate it, carrying building materials through the streets made of concrete in those neighborhoods, making its way towards another home in-progress. They were really advanced. Made Blueblood a little jealous that these ponies had it all. But he wasn't worried about that. Because Twilight was coming home. He was going to make sure of that. And he would make it plain and clear to everyone here on this land to never touch his property again. He had a plan. After Twilight spoke over the air with that King about her wedding on March Ninth a few days ago, Blueblood's been planning his steps carefully. These ponies weren't going to stand a chance. Not at all.

The sea was calming to stare at. It calmed Blueblood's nerves. He had to keep undercover, even though no one knew he was even there, a cloaking spell currently activated to cloak his body. He was surprised Twilight hadn't detected him by now. Maybe it had something to do with all the gold underground. Maybe. Blueblood blinked and watched an Elite Guard walk towards the ocean, look out at it for a moment, then turn back and walk away. "Dumb idiots," he whispered. "That's why Twilight doesn't deserve you." Getting tired of sitting on old wood, Blueblood stood up and made his way back into Merōl. He had to practice on that spell some more. They wouldn't even see him coming.


***


The fireplace blazing in the Royal Suite confused Arcadia greatly as she stared at it. Squinting her eyes, shaking her head, and muttering things that made her fiance's ears twitch each time he picked up on a word. The two were snuggled up on the couch, relaxing from yet another tiring day. Making slight conversation about them with a few romantic moves every now and then. Arcadia seemed to talk about work a lot, but Madun could tell something was itching her. And not the fact that she kept growling at the fire. Sighing, Madun leaned down and nuzzled her, stopping her obvious anger. "Stop thinking about it," he whispered.

Arcadia stopped growling and lovingly nuzzled him back. "Stop thinking about what?"

"Whatever it is you're thinking about that's making you growl at the innocent fire." Madun pulled away and grabbed Arcadia's wing, looking at the feathers. "Maybe it's the fact that your feathers have yet to be preened?"

Blushing, Arcadia looked away and muttered, "I've been too busy."

Madun chuckled and shook his head. Then leaned down and started picking her feathers out with his teeth. Just like usual, she squealed and laughed. After around twenty feathers, Madun pulled back and looked down at her adorable face after she had laid on her back, red from laughing so much. "Jeez, was it really that good?"

Smiling, Arcadia lifted a hoof and booped his orange muzzle. "Yes, it was," she whispered. "Now continue." Madun rolled his eyes, but did lean back in and pluck another feather out. For the next few minutes, the Guards stationed outside the door witnessed Lady Arcadia's laughs, guffaws, and giggles. Sometimes there was even a strange whimper that made them share a glance. They really needed to place a privacy seal on that door to keep the sound from seeping out. Once finished, Lady Arcadia's wings were so thin, she couldn't even tell they were there until she looked.

Then scoffed and playfully pushed Madun back. "You plucked too many, sweetheart," she stated. When Madun shrugged, Arcadia scoffed and threw a pillow at his face with her magic. Their play time was disturbed by a buzzing bass tone in the master bedroom. Arcadia peeked over the couch and towards the room while Madun stood up with the pillow on his face. Lighting her horn, Arcadia teleported it from the dresser onto the table in between them and the fire. Then flipped it open to the page. "Sunset sent a message... And another one I didn't get earlier," she announced.

Madun jumped back on the couch and settled down next to his fiancee to read with her. After awhile he said, "Good news? Equestria's ready for the steel. Bad news? The ponies chosen from Equestria to help out at the wedding have a sudden... School party?"

Arcadia immediately nodded and explained, "Oh yeah, Canterlot High's parties are sad if they don't help out. I've been to a few good and sad ones." Madun looked to her in surprise. Twilight threw out her hooves and asked innocently, "What? A mare can't party? I don't dance. But Sunset asked if it were okay if those from Equestria can help in their places. I guess it'd be okay for them to help, right?"

Madun huffed and answered, "As long as they don't bring trouble, get patted down every time they come, and are escorted to their areas and teams then it shouldn't be an issue.  You said you wanted a little bit of Equestrian tradition, right? We can start there. But they need to follow the rules. Especially the blue one."

"Rainbow Dash. I'll have them meet with me tomorrow morning in front of 'The Hive'. At the same time, we send out the ship. Guard!" The door opened immediately, followed by an Elite Guard who walked in and saluted.

"Yes, ma'am?" He asked sternly.

"I need you to send a message to Captain Shooting Star and Secretary Manny that Equestria is ready for the steel. And to ready the Front Lawn for departure early tomorrow morning."

"Yes, ma'am." The guard turned around and walked out the door, closing it behind him so they could once again have their privacy.

Once he left, Arcadia turned back to Madun's grinning face, right before he reached down and yanked out another feather, resuming Twilight's giggle-fest.


~✶~


Sunset's eyes were trained on the book for Twilight, watching her friend's writing appear on the page. Then looked up and smiled at Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadance. "Alright," she began to announce. "Twilight said they'll be pushing the Front Lawn out early tomorrow morning. And that right now she and Madun are having 'giggle time.' And that her friends and family are welcome to help out in the wedding as long as they follow the rules. She'll be giving out more details in that regard later." Even though the Princesses looked really exhausted from helping move all those gems through the large portal they struggled to create, the fruits of their labor manifested. Behind them, were mountains of gems that The Royal Guard, any others that wanted to help, and the Princesses themselves moved in parts in the empty land that was left of Las Pegasus beach, bathed in the setting sun's orange glow that Celestia had yet to lower. The Pserateps that were there were ogling them like they were the most precious things on the planet. Sunset could tell that this was going to be a good trade. Hopefully.

Celestia reached up with a hoof to cover her mouth when she yawned. Then smacked her lips and smiled. "Excellent, Sunset. Thank you so much for your kind service."

Sunset nodded and responded, "Thank you. I need to head back home to get info about this party happening back at Canterlot High."

"I would be happy to give you a ride," Cadance suggested. Then yawned into her hoof before adding, "Then I'm going to sleep."

"As well as I," Luna admitted. "I cannot wait to see the steel arrive. So I need my rest. Were there no arrival estimate?"

Sunset slid the book back into her saddlebags and answered, "We'll more than likely know tomorrow morning. I'll let you know."



It's been a while since Lady in Waiting Twilight "Arcadia Nova" Sparkle felt rain hit her fur. But as she, her fiance, Merry, and Her Majesty Molten Ice were escorted through the desert between Serl and Serl Production Labs, she did. It just had to rain this morning, something Arcadia always happened to be inside for. It was odd. She only saw it rain once and she was above it, not under it. It felt good to get her feathers wet at this time of morning, five. Way before daybreak. Unlike Equestria, Psera let rain run its course. It wasn't raining too hard, but still hard enough to have her wings wet, even while wearing a poncho-like cover over her body. The pods escorting them were all moving through the muddy terrain, following the symbols towards the Serl Production Labs, currently under massive activity. Even from where they sat, all the Pserateps could see the lights flashing and more coming from the facility's lime lights, trained outside and inside as if it were a prison.

Arcadia turned to Madun, who in turn looked back. Today was the day. The day Solid Energy Revolution Labs were sending out their Beta Testing craft code named Front Lawn to trade with Equestria. The steel had to be loaded onto the Front Lawn, then sent out early this morning at seven. Madun leaned over and placed a kiss on her lips. Then turned back and watched the large steel gates come closer and closer before they froze directly in front of them. The Guards with them opened the doors for the royals, holding umbrellas over them as they did. Then made their way towards the doors o get checked. Once they all did and were verified, the doors blared open, revealing a bunch of Elite Guard and executives standing at attention. Saluting and bowing to their superiors.

"At ease and rise," Madun ordered. Then strode into the facility and towards the pony wearing a white dress suit, complete with a hat and black tie. "Captain?"

"We're ready to go, sir," Captain Blinding Silver answered. "We were ready to go yesterday."

Smiling, Madun and Arcadia nodded. "Great," Lady Arcadia responded proudly. "We are here to see the takeoff." The guards led the large group towards one of the larger buildings in the back by the shore. After a eight minute walk and a bit of discussion, the door for the very tall warehouse was opened. Two Elite Guards walked across the marble flooring first before King Madun with Lady Arcadia, Princess Merry, Her Majesty, then the captain and the rest of the guards. The Aqua Guards inside stationed by a nearby brightly lit hallway entrance saluted as they walked past. The hallway was void of anything else save for all of their breathing, eyes trained on the double doors ahead that read Hangar Entrance in reflective yellow writing. The guards stationed there saluted, then pushed the doors open, letting them all walk out into a dark area littered with small lights, a lot of steel beams, and five lower areas, leading down towards the sea below. They made it to the trade point.

The Pserateps all filed out of the hallway and stood on the steel walkway, eyes on the humongous block of steel sitting in the middle of the hangar. Arcadia's creation. The biggest steel block in the world. Known world. It's reflective surface reflected off the Lime Lights trained on its body. But not enough to reach them. Multiple technicians, operatives, and soldiers were walking around on the walkways around it, standing by and ready to launch. Arcadia walked towards the rail and looked down. That was a long ways. Thankfully, all the ponies here could fly. It's be terrible if they couldn't.

"Alright," Arcadia muttered. Then backed away and turned towards the party. "I was told the steel would be lowered down towards the platform by the sea. Then pushed and pulled into the ship when it arrives. Where is it now?"

Captain Blinding Silver answered, "It's currently preparing to leave. My team is already there boarding and getting situated. I'll be told when they're ready, then I'll go and get settled. I'm just here to let you know, ma'am."

"Alright, well you may want to leave now so we can begin." The Captain saluted, then turned around and made haste towards the doorway. Once out of sight, Arcadia turned around towards the steel and asked anyone listening, "How do we watch?"

Madun walked forward and pointed towards the staircases that rose towards a platform that ringed the space above the steel block. "This is connected to the Observation Ring. We go up and lower down with it, then witness the steel, ship, and everything else from above."

Arcadia nodded then led the team up the stairs, headed for the steel ring. They didn't need to worry about falling or anything, everyone could fly. As they ascended the stairs, Arcadia peered down at the giant block of steel, glistening from the humidity originating from the rain. Then up at the huge mechanics on the side that would lower the steel to the side. Like an elevator, just a few hundred times larger. After a minute long climb, Arcadia's hoof touched the level of the observation ring. The technicians and observers up there saluted and bowed as she walked past, going around the cube towards the front where the ocean side would be. Then sat down and waited, flanked by Madun and everyone else.

Merry sighed then whispered, "They better bring those gems back."

Arcadia nodded in agreement and suggested, "I'll engrave it in their minds so they do. Status on the ship?" A mare wearing a reflective suit with a clipboard zipped over, all business. And nervous.

"I-It should have hit the waters by now ma'am," she quickly responded. "It should be here in a few minutes from the port. And the steel should be lowering in a few seconds."

"Excellent. Thank you." The Mare bowed slightly then shuffled off back to her station. Arcadia's eyes stayed on the waters below, thinking about the results of this. She wanted to be updated on every single thing that happens during the trip. Every  time the ship hit a rock or something, she wanted to know. Before they knew it, the time had arrived.

"Lower the steel!" Somepony yelled. An alarm blared throughout the facility for a few seconds before the loud sound of deep mechanics turning reached their ears. The platform they were on, jolted for a second before it started to descend. Slow, but still lowering. The platform the steel was sitting on wasn't only a platform. It was the tool they were going to use once they landed on the ground below. Directly underneath the steel were the exact same pads they had set up in Equestria. Just on a giant vehicle that will carry it to the ship using large metal tracks directly underneath. Technically, this vehicle had a bunch of engines inside of it. Blazing Fire told Arcadia at the castle one day that it was used in the past when they had to trade large loads, and was hundreds of years old. It looked fine to her.

Soon, they descended into the dark crevices of the cliff this facility was situated on. There were still a bunch of rooms and others inside of it though. Filled with Pserateps operating controls, barking commands, and from a few feet away, bowing when they moved past. Then rose back up and looked at the feeds from the cameras inside the transportation vehicle. Monitoring cords, oil, power supply, and definitely pressure which was off the map. The alarm still blared, sort of annoying Molten Ice a little before the rain returned to their vision. "Will the platform vehicle survive in this weather?" Arcadia asked.

A technician on the side answered, "Yes, ma'am."

"Good." Arcadia spotted a team of military down below, monitoring the steel's progress when the observation ring showed next. The rain was pouring down by this time, but the waves underneath the massive ship that towered over them and the cliff they just lowered down into were calm. Just like in the past week, the ship hadn't changed. Long, big, shiny and slanted steel with a bridge on the very back. As big as two hoofball fields and as tall as the Canterlot Castle. There were more things on the top that made it look fantastic. Well according to the only stallion ruler there. After a few more seconds the machine landed on the ground below, facing the ship's steel side. Someone at the top toggled the controls to unlock the device used to lower it. Then slowly lifted those back up, leaving the machine on the ground.

Arcadia looked up and watched the long and strong steel arms ascend back up into the facility above. Then trained her eyes back on the ship in front of her. The ship blared a strange siren similar to a constantly screaming foal while yellow lights flashed on the top, creating a tense moment. There were two block cutouts on the side facing them that pushed out at the same time slowly. This was definitely a billion shim project. Psera was all about the big stuff anyway. Once it was out, they began to slowly split to the side, forced by cranks and more on the inside so the path wouldn't show on the outside. The inside was big, large enough to fit over three hundred Pserateps. The ponies inside were moving about. Flying left and right as they prepared while the siren blared, the lights danced, and the doors parted. After three minutes, the door was finally done pushing and pulling. Nodding, Arcadia whispered, "So far, so good. Let's move it in."

A guard on the right nodded then lifted up her Comm Block. "Observation to Front Lawn, push it in."

The thick rubber tracks inside the Front Lawn began pulling in slightly with a low sounding rumble while the beams on the top of the ship slowly but quicker than the steel's progress leaned outwards, hanging over the side and onto the land, pushing down hard to balance the craft so the steel could board without hassle. Next, the machine the steel was on roared to life, its engines drowning out any other noise. After a few seconds of observation, it began to creep forward, operated by a group of ponies back inside the hangar above them. Their tense and careful eyes trained on the controls and camera feed of the Front Lawn's dark and metal entrance, filled with steel beams, walkways, lights that brightened it up like a bedroom. They could even see a bathroom that a Pseratep walked out of, sighing in relief. Then glanced their way, gasped, and quickly sped off towards an observation deck.

Ignoring that, the pony behind the controls checked the pressure gauge next to the feed, watching the Pseratopian numbers dance and move drastically while also concentrating on the block's approaching progress. The steel in front of them was over fourteen thousand tons. The machine they were using to move it could only hold sixteen thousand. This was a very important part. Too fast could force the weight inside the metal to shift to one side all of a sudden, adding more weight to the transport vehicle and cause it to collapse. Failing the mission before it even began. Once it was inside the ship, which would be supported by the arms that just went down, it would be safe. As well as in Equestria. This was just the most trickiest part because the machine they were using was very old, and they would have to wait for a while before they could get a new one built. Those blueprints were around there somewhere.

Finally, after a few seconds they reached the point when the machine gradually began to slow. Arcadia and everyone else above bit their lips and watched the bottom of the ship slowly leave their sights, now approaching the... "Moment of truth," Madun whispered. He draped a wing over Arcadia's back, who moved closer, eyes on the approaching ship. The ponies on the ground watching had their wings buzzing lightly in anticipation. The moving platform neared less than a millimeter from the tracks inside the ship. Then everything stopped. Nothing moved, no noise save for the engine inside the Front Lawn and the multiple ones inside the Platform, and the rain hitting the coats of everyone outside.

The mare operating the controls inside gulped loudly. Then timidly let go of the levers and flipped a red switch on the right. The platform let out a bunch of air brakes, blowing wind and air out of its engines and away the fears of the ponies watching. Twilight flopped down and took a big relieving breath. Closed eyes and face to the steel floor. She whispered, "Somepony give that pony a raise. Let's push it in, then I can send the message that it's on its way."



Celestia nearly overslept. So much so that the sun was a little late to peek over the horizon. Only by thirty minutes, no big deal. Right? When Celestia walked into the throne room, she saw Luna, Cadance, Shining Armor, and a few military already waiting for her. Walking urgently to her throne, she greeted tiredly, "Morning everypony. I am very sorry for the late rise. It was a tiring week." Celestia sat down on her throne and graced them with her leader-like expression. "Now..."

One of the generals raised his hoof and asked, "Is there an update on the Psera-Equestria Trade Agreement?"

Celestia shook her head and answered, "Not yet. But we are very anxious. I just want our tools ready for cutting. And the Guard on standby. Hopefully we'll get something started this morning."

"Correct, Celestia." They turned to the far side of the throne room where Twilight was standing. Thirteen foot wings trailing the floor behind her decorated with small ornaments. A lot of them that were similar to snowflakes and bells while there were a few Pseratopian objects in there they've never seen before.

Celestia looked around then back to Twilight and asked, "No guard?" Cadance took the initiative to trot over and pull her into a hug. Well, attempt was more like it. Her hooves swept straight through Twilight's body, creating mist and confusing the spell before Arcadia appeared as a whole once again.

Shining stepped over and assumed amusedly, "New spell?"

Arcadia nodded and answered, "I've been working on it for a while. I can go anywhere from the comfort of the castle in Psera. Either at home or in my offices. My office in Cop is much better. Anyway, your package is on the way. The Front Lawn departed the station at seven fourteen this morning. A wet day in Psera, it was cold and raining."

"Another victory?" Luna asked from her throne.

"Another success," Twilight corrected. "A victory implies we are competing, there is no competition. A group from our innovations department is aboard and will help move the steel. It was a very tense and careful moment. It will arrive on Monday. After the trade is closed I can finally focus on tasks here in Psera and raising my family. Because Firehead needs help and I love family."

Cadance smiled and stated, "Nopony knows their child like their mother."

"Exactly. Now on a more serious note..." Arcadia's tone took on a more hard state. Her narrowed eyes trained on Luna and Celestia. "Your nephew on Psera is causing disruption among my ponies. From what I detect, he is using large amounts of magic in Merōl. But every time our soldiers get close he disappears. I would do it myself, but Madun isn't letting me out of his sight anytime soon if he can help it. Psera is really strict on my safety since we announced my pregnancy. If you have any insight on his plans at all, along with a possible destination..."

Celestia shook her head and peeled off her throne, making her way towards Twilight. "We only know he is jealous and wants somepony out of the picture. How and who, we are not sure. I am very sorry that Blueblood is being a pain in your side."

"He has been a pain in my side for the longest, Celestia," Arcadia corrected sternly. "I want him and whatever he plans out of it."

Celestia sighed and shook her head. "Unfortunately, we haven't spoke to him ever since we came to Psera to hear what you had to say to him. Directly after that, he was the first to leave. He hasn't been seen since."

The room bathed in silence while Arcadia stared at Celestia with narrowed eyes for a moment. Then gasped and stomped her hoof, closing her eyes. "My portal," she growled. "That's how he got through. The only way he could have managed to get on Psera that quickly is by magic. It would have taken him a while to get on Psera without it. After I yelled and dismissed him, he turned around and jumped through the portal I had setup for all your leave back inside the Canterlot Throne Room. But I left the portal open for maybe a minute or two while we spoke. He could have slipped through back on Psera without being seen, which is quite easy for a unicorn. He arrived inside my throne room. And I didn't even see him." Arcadia shook her head. She was tired of thinking about that stallion. "No matter. He'll be caught and apprehended under Psera law eventually. Now a little bit of bad news. Sunset Shimmer informed me that the girls from Canterlot High were unfortunately called upon by their own to help with a party and will not be able to help me with mine. So now, I am requesting the assistance of my friends here. And..."

Shining smirked at his sister's nervous face. "Mom and dad?" He asked.

Arcadia blushed and answered, "I-If they want to."

Cadance rolled her eyes. Let it be Twilight to get all nervous. She smiled and stated, "Your mother and father would be delighted to help you out with the festivities. Especially mom."

"I know," Twilight whispered. Then cleared her throat and decided to wrap this meeting up. "Overall, the steel will be here on January 14th, next Monday estimated to be early in the morning. Very early. You will know when it arrives. The unloading process will take a while and the loading process of the gems will also take a while. I wish I could assist with your grass issue, but it will be a long time before I can. I am rooted in Psera at the moment until... You know."

"Until your pregnancy ends?" Cadance guessed.

Arcadia nodded and answered, "Until I give birth. And even then I'll be a mother, Lady in Waiting and Madun is the king of Psera. I cannot just up and go to Equestria when I have a foal to take care of. After the gems are dropped here in Psera at our testing facility, then the case is closed and I can focus on the wedding. Be ready for the craft. The Pserateps here have already been informed. I will be in touch." Arcadia's form literally broke apart into air, dissipating into the form of smoke. Back in Psera, Arcadia's eyes opened and her horn ceased glowing from behind her large glossy wooden desk littered with papers and documents. As well as a photo of her and Madun, situated on the far right corner. The high ceiling held a large chandelier, casting light onto the high walls entirely littered with shelves holding books. The entire wall had nothing but books, both sides with multicolored texts of highly valued information. Some on the laws of Psera, History of Psera, and lineage of Psera. All starting with Narmeelah. Narmeelah.

Arcadia turned around and looked at the giant symbol of Psera behind her on the wall. The middle graced by a perfect mock copy of Narmeelah, large wings spread with her mane splayed out behind her, feathers larger and larger. According to many Pserateps, Arcadia was viewed among them as Narmeelah's descendant. Directly in her main family line. Apparently she is just as strong. It raised a few thoughts in Arcadia's head as she stared. Thoughts better left alone. Thoughts interrupted by two knocks on the door that echoed around the fancy, large, and tall office.

Deciding there were more important tasks, Arcadia sighed and turned back around. Then cleared her throat and sounded off, "Enter!" The door opened and Merry strode in, wearing an elegant golden dress with her eyes closed and muzzle turned up. Apparently the theme for today were big shims, the currency in Psera. Arcadia smirked and leaned on one hoof, eyeing Merry as the door closed behind her, her steps echoing around the room. "Hello, Merry," Arcadia calmly greeted.

"Mmmm, Merry is not present at this time," Merry greeted. She stopped in front of the wooden steps and turned her head. Then ran her hoof through her mane multiple times. "I am... Magnificent Merry, her replacement."

Arcadia had to bite her tongue. "'Magnificent Merry?'" She repeated.

"Yes, that is my name. Be a dear and refrain from wearing it out, yes?"

Rolling her eyes, Arcadia lit her horn and plucked a feather out of her wing. Then placed it in "Magnificent Merry's" Mane. She chuckled and asked, "Why are you here, Merry? I have a lot of work to do."

Merry dropped the act and turned to Arcadia. "Come on, Twilight, you were supposed to run with it! Jeez, you ruin my fun."

Smiling, Arcadia responded, "Sorry, Merry. But I am a little too busy to be having fun." She gestured with a hoof towards the stack of papers on the corner of the desk. Arcadia levitated one over in front of her face and read it aloud. "'Department of Medicine Tax Compromise.' The Department of Health wants to lower taxes. I'm not sure why, it makes no sense. I'll have to get back to it." She grabbed another and read, "'Eventa Events Amendment To Stature Four-Nine-One-Nine .' They want more laws in Eventa regarding certain celebrations. To keep Pserateps from becoming too wild."

Merry immediately nodded and suggested, "Yeah, that'd be a great bill. You know how crazy it becomes in the whole city when a holiday or celebration hits? Let me tell you. Utter. Destruction. I guess this pony—"

"City Hall," Arcadia corrected.

"City Hall? Eventa's City Hall sent that?" Merry asked in astonishment. No way the brains of the party city wanted their inhabitants to turn down their partying. Smiling, Arcadia nodded slowly and hovered the bill closer to Merry to take a look. Sure enough, after only a few seconds of reading, the mayor indeed asked for a bill to tone down the intensity of the parties, with the exceptions of national celebrations.

Arcadia stood up and stated, "At least the ponies of Eventa can get some good night's sleep. There are still foals that have to go to school the next morning and the city's partying can get a little intense. I've seen it happen before and I'm expecting it to happen again on our wedding day." Arcadia turned and walked out from behind her desk to take flight towards one of the bookcases, rummaging around the older texts to look for a certain article. Finding it, she grabbed a slip of paper, a bookmark that was lying on top of the book, then the book itself. Then slid the bookmark into the space where the book was at before. She didn't want it to mess up her organized system.

Landing softly on the floor facing Merry, she theorized, "Since their partying is a little intense, I'm pretty sure there is a law in here about it not being legal to party that hard after a certain time."

Merry shrugged then placed the bill proposal back down on her desk. She turned to Arcadia and responded quietly, "Well I've never heard of it."

Ignoring that, Arcadia rapidly muttered something to herself while the pages turned. Then suddenly lowered the book down and jabbed at a certain line. "Ah ha! It reads, 'For Pserateps who inhabit Eventa, all celebrations, included but not limited to birthday gatherings, civil gatherings,' or what is called a block party back in Equestria, 'organizational gatherings, monumental gatherings, national celebrations must conclude at eleven o'clock in the evening.' That is law A1 dash one nine one one dash twenty-six dash zero six. This law was created in seventeen eleven, a very long time ago. Somepony's been letting this slide. I'll schedule the mayor to meet with me in the throne room soon. It is nice to celebrate, but it's still not good to stay up that late, others have to go to work and school the next morning and need their rest. Consideration is important."

Merry smiled as Arcadia made her way back to her seat to send orders to Gardeen. She was somewhere walking the halls in the castle handling business.



Calm blue seas were the life and blood of the Front Lawn as it moved effortlessly through the waters. The Sun's rays shone directly on the steel surfaces of not only the massive carrier, emblazoned with the Crest of Psera on the sides of the hull.  Packed tight with Aqua Guard, Elite, Elite Guard, and a few from Serl. At this moment, the craft pushed through wave after wave of water. Watched over by the security above. The Aerial Guard were above, accompanied by one another flying at the same speed as the Aquatas. So far, they had gone two hundred miles off the coast of Psera. Non-stop. Captain Silver stared at the blue seas on the other side of the glass beyond the ship's hull. Shining with the sun while others behind him worked controls and communication.

Every now and then, a transmission would come in from Psera. Requesting an update on their position and status. Two hundred miles off the coast of Psera. Three. Four. Equestria in sight as a dim blip on the night's horizon, visible to the Captain's eyes as he peered through a powerful Serl-issued telescope. The Guard around him stood to attention when he turned around. Then ordered, "I want a transmission sent to the Psera-Equestria Trade Facility and her highness now. Let them know... The package has arrived."



Sunset managed to convince her friends from school to come back to Equestria when the due date for the steel closed in. The Princesses, Guards, and pretty much all of Equestria were on dancing hooves as the day neared. So much so they could barely sleep. Like Rarity when a huge deal closes in at the mall in Canterlot City. Sunset barely could, tossing and turning in the tent she shared with her six friends while the Princesses slept in a large one on the left of them. Then Twilight's friends on the far side of them. All sleeping peacefully with the thousands of other ponies in the dark camp. Twitching wings, snores, mumbles.

Until an extremely loud alarm blared throughout the entirety of Las Pegasus all the way to Cloudsdale. Sunset screamed and woke up immediately just like everyone else. Rainbow Dash with Sunset flapped her wings and yelled, "What's going on?! What's happening?!"

The rest of the camp were peeking out their tents, looking around and yelling at the same time the beacon beams began flashing violet. On. Off. On. Off. Then the Elite Guard and a few Aqua Guard ran out of their tents towards the facility. Bright Gold and the rest of the team walked up the stations' stairs towards the observation ring, destination for the box serving as the control station. Bright Gold stepped over the box and looked at the screens when a loud roar sounded overhead, accompanied by flashes of the Aerial Guard.

Celestia asked from in front of the shared tent, "What is happening?" The others sadly couldn't tell her.

Bright Gold grabbed a comm block and hoisted it up to her mouth when another Pseratep cut the alarm, leaving the lights. "Equestria to Front Lawn, what's your status?" She asked.

"Captain Silver of the Front Lawn to Equestria. We're three miles out and coming in fast. Requesting skybeams."

Bright Gold nodded and responded, "Ten-four. Someone turn on the skybeams! Can you brighten your sky, Front Lawn?"

"We're waiting for the Aerial Guard to give us the clear."

"Understood." Bright Gold turned to a random Pseratep and told them to take over. Then soared off the floor for the curious ponies below. She landed a few feet away from Princess Celestia with a smile.

Celestia asked tiredly, "What is going on?"

"...it's here."

The Princesses gasped before Cadance repeated, "It's here?!"

"Yes, the Front Lawn has arrived." The Aerial Guard flew right back over, brightened by the sky beam before flying back into the darkness. Bright Gold lifted her wrist and ordered, "Flash the Beacon Beams!"

The beams on Equestria's land that were turning on and off glowed in a far left-to-right pattern. Directing where the Carrier should pull in from while the dock glowed violet, highlighting the tracks. Captain Silver's voice poked through the block once more. "Ten-four, our eyes on the prize. Lighting the sky." After a few seconds, the sky over Las Pegasus turned white, turning night to day. In the distance at sea, Celestia could make out something huge. Something big sitting on the water with a lot of dots over it heading for Equestria. As well as two slightly smaller ones on its left and right before the light dimmed. Then flashed again and dimmed once more. After a few seconds something soared overhead, creating another roar.

Bright Gold turned back to the Princesses and stated, "It will take them a few minutes to get here. They have to get in the path for the intake. Then we'll go through the process at ten so we can see better. Sorry for disturbing your sleep."

After a quick yawn, Celestia smacked her lips and responded, "It's alright. This is a good reason."

Bright Gold nodded and lifted her wrist. "Bright Gold To Observation Ring. Do we have a shared feed of the steel?"

A mare on the floor looked at the feed above the controls on the dashboard setup in front of her. Then shook her head and responded, "Not yet, too far out. I'll give it two more minutes before we get a good one."

"Alright. Celestia, we'll be able to get the steel down at around nine, it depends on when the sun rises. We want to be able to get a good clear eye today."

Celestia hummed and stated, "Well the sun is scheduled to peak out from the horizon at six o' seven."

"Then we'll begin at that time. Hopefully the cold won't mess with anything. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask."

Cadance stepped forward and asked, "Is there anyway for the noise to... Quiet a little?"

"Well there's a huge chunk of metal coming onto the land, a bunch of lights for the docking, and a bunch of heavy powered engines ready to take on a fourteen thousand ton of metal, and an Aquata that has loud engines and a blow-back system for braking. I'm afraid not, Princess."

Bright Gold's Comm Block buzzed before a mare reported, "We have our eyes on the steel. The feed just came in. She's a beaut."

"Would you like to see the steel?" Bright Gold offered to the Princesses.

Celestia nodded and answered, "Yes, please!" Bright Gold turned around and led them through the line of security, making way across the cold hard dirt for the steel facility. There were a few boxes on the ground that they walked around while making their way for the yellow steel stairs, brightly lit by the bright lights casting down, lighting up the property. They walked up one flight, then another, and finally the last before Bright Gold led them towards the observation booth that had two technicians standing in front of it. They stepped away so they could get a good view from the monitors setup in front of them. There were three angles of the inside of the craft's hangar. Lights were casting down onto a large block of steel, the entire area filled with activity of walking and flying Pserateps wearing yellow hard hats, helmets, and full on military gear. But those ponies were like newborn puppies are to Celestia as they were to that huge shining steel mass.

Celestia gasped silently with her niece and sister. Then gestured to it and asked, "Is that the steel?"

Bright Gold nodded and answered, "Yes, it is. It was a hassle getting it on board, but we did."

"Front Lawn to Facility, we're pulling in now," Captain Silver reported before a loud and deep horn resonated across the land, originating from the ocean.

Bright Gold lifted her hoof to her mouth and responded, "Ten-four." Then reached towards one of the controls and twisted a knob. A pair of bright dots on the ground that formed two vertical lines leading into the water glowed bright yellow, adding even more lights before the horn sounded off from their left. Changing their gazes, anyone on the land's mouth slowly parted when the light's hit the craft. It. Was. Huge. Towering high over the facility and everything else out there as it moved slowly towards the line of lights, revealing more and more of its body. Sunset's disbelieving eyes were trained on the Crest of Psera as it slowed into view.

"Toggling Blow-Back." The Aquata honked again before the water in front of it literally exploded in front of them, flying out towards the right in humongous amounts while the Aquata slowed noticeably, eventually coming to a stop with its gates directly in front of the line of lights, and the horizontal pulley that will drag the steel in. "Sending the message to Secretary Manny, King Shimmering Madun, Lady Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, and Her Majesty Molten Ice that the Front Lawn has docked in Equestria. And that we are unloading at Sunrise."

"I'm already here," a tired voice said from the right. Everyone on the Observation Ring turned their heads to that area. Twilight was sitting down with a tired smile, eyes on the ship. "Well, I'm still in Psera. But I'm here too. I'm too tired to explain it. Sunset sent a message and told me it had arrived. Great work, everyone. Once the steel is on the land and the gems on the Aquata, the mission is complete. Equestria can begin to rebuild, which will indubitably take months. But I have faith that Equestria will manage. Her message gave me an excellent opportunity to leave the bed and go to the kitchen for some peaches with cottage cheese. Have you ever tasted them?"

Celestia and Luna calmly shook their heads while Cadance nodded eagerly and answered, "I had that when I was pregnant with Flurry Heart. It comforted me during late night activities."

Twilight nodded and stated, "Merry's having some too. The Wedding dress is amazing, I love it. I can't wait to show you in March. Anyway, Bright Gold?" Bright Gold immediately zipped over and saluted. "When is the steel due to drop?"

"Six o' seven, your highness," she answered. "We're going to need some light." Arcadia nodded then yawned once more. "If I may your highness, it's best if you get some rest. It's not good for the foal if you stay up too late."

Arcadia nodded and answered, "Yes, I can hear Madun tossing and turning in there. He worries. Update me when the Aquata has finally dropped off the steel, then again when the Aquata is leaving port. Record the time it departs and let me know that as well."

"Yes, ma'am." Bright Gold and the other Pserateps bowed to her before Arcadia turned to Celestia and Luna.

"Try to get some rest," she instructed. "Because those gems aren't going to move themselves. Once it's aboard that ship, the difficult part is over. Afterwards, you let nature run its course. Goodnight, everypony."

Twilight's form once again dissipated from view. Back in Psera, in the Royal Suite's kitchen, Arcadia slipped back into her conscious mind state, her eyes locking in on the bowl of strange peaches. She could still hear Madun in there mumbling and groaning. Saying things that she couldn't decipher in his sleep. He'll be fine. Using her magic, she picked up her spoon and went back to eating her late night snack. The Trade was almost complete. Then they can move on. Move on with new beginnings. Starting with the wedding.