ACT I
The Land of Equestria. The land where magic reigns totalitarian among every creature. Every animal, bird, and sentient being. A colorful place ruled by three Princesses. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance. And Princess Flurry Heart, the daughter of Princess Cadance and Prince Consort Shining Armor, now eight years old.
The land they ruled over was beautiful. Shining green grassland dotted with small homes in the town of Ponyville while skyscrapers made of stone and windows littered the city of Manehattan. Appleloosa, their countryside and Las Pegasus their beaches. It wasn't like this years ago, thanks to a plague that held a deep grudge with the steel apparently. The building blocks of everything they had here. Everything standing had steel in it, and that steel was decaying.
Somehow, a chemical of some sort had been released into the air, stopping the welding and recycling process of steel. The second they were pulled out of a furnace, they broke down into nothing but rust. An accelerated rate. But thanks to an unknown race of ponies that lived nearly five hundred miles off the coast of the city of Las Pegasus, they were once again whole. Prospering among them all.
All because they—ironically—lied to Twilight Sparkle, now the reigning Queen over the Pserateps, an advanced race of Pegasi who lived on a land literally made out of self growing gold that provided them with unlimited resources. Or so they were told. Queen Twilight "Arcadia Nova" Sparkle, Saviour of Psera. Married to King Shimmering Madun, and mother to cute little Princess Fresh Dawn. Whom of which was nearing her fifth birthday. Oh boy.
At one point, Psera and Equestria were about to go to war. All because of Prince Blueblood, who shot an arrow at Arcadia on her wedding day inside the large stadium of Events at Eventa. A stadium literally as big as a city. Triggering a Code Black. And a Cold War.
The lights were shut off, Blueblood was knocked to the ground, and Arcadia was flown all the way to the main hospital. Her dress was ruined, there was a lot of blood loss, and her baby had her ear pierced. Thankfully, they both survived. But Arcadia was forever stricken with the fact that she was nearly killed on her wedding day each time she looked at Fresh Dawn's ear. There was a hole that took up half of her ear's mass where the arrow went through.
Somehow, Arcadia was able to redirect her magic towards the foal, keeping the blood flowing inside while the doctors and nurses removed the arrow and patched her up, as well as during a coma that lasted two months. There was a lot of blood on that stage.
Blueblood was thrown inside the worst prison immediately, inside a cell called Chamber Nine. A cell that had nothing but dark walls and an air shaft. He was locked inside of it for a week. In the dark, left alone. The Chamber held a lot of history. In a war, Psera would grab enemy ponies and interrogate them. Just ask questions. And based off results, it was classified.
When they wouldn't talk, they were thrown into Chamber Nine and kept inside for a week. Then let out and asked again. They quickly talked. Some nearly insane. It was underground, dark, and very scary according to Blueblood before he was thrown inside the worst Prison on Psera. Equestria couldn't save him. And to this day. He's still there.
Arcadia got married, gave birth, was crowned, and now sits on the throne with her husband and Fresh Dawn tugging at her wing. And somehow managed to establish a relationship with Equestria and Psera involving trade. Psera was very technological and Equestria was old fashioned. Equestria offered the fashionable that Psera could use for design and textiles while Psera offered technology, benefiting them both. Eye candy was Psera's number one weakness.
Even evident now as Celestia read through another sheet from the stack on the left corner of her new large desk, basking in the sun's rays that were pouring in through the stained glass windows inside of her study. Very similar to Arcadia's in Psera. She couldn't help but be thankful for Arcadia's kindness. She held enough power to be able to actually destroy Equestria on her own. But turned that anger into positive tactics that benefited her country. Who knew Twilight could get so angry. She practically threw Celestia into a muddy swamp with Cadance. That was a day. Now they could think about those times and laugh instead of getting angry.
The thoughts of the past were pushed aside for the future. Celestia's office was silent save for the shuffling of forms and documents for her to review and judge. The sunlight bathed her room in an orange glow. The velvet carpet in front of her desk was with illuminated with the sunlight. It wasn't as nice as Psera's but it was enough for her.
Celestia sighed from behind her grand desk and grabbed a stamp with her magic. She stabbed a big red DENIED on the title of this request before shooting it over to the "Finished" stack. There was just something about Equestria's bit-loving nobles asking for bills to be amended. She knew what they wanted. Everyone knew what they wanted. She grabbed another sheet and looked it over. This one was different. Instead of a bill or request, it was a notice. Interesting.
At the top it held the crests of Equestria, Saddle Arabia, Prance, YakYakistan, Mount Aris, Seaquestria, and more countries that Equestria has contacted in the past. Celestia raised an eyebrow and read it aloud. "'Dear members of The International House Of Trade. Eight years ago, when The Storm King Invaded, many of our delegates of our member board decreed for us to hold a mandatory International Conference in the land of Equestria's Crystal Empire to speak trade, knowledge, International Issues, rebutes, and formalities. Courtesy of Princess Twilight Sparkle. We are really looking forward to this event and cannot wait to see you there. Queen Novo of Mount Aris; Seaquestria.'"
Celestia slowly lowered the letter to reveal an expression of horror towards the door directly across. This was a mandatory meeting. She remembered this. A little while after the Storm King invaded, Twilight came up with an idea that benefited each country. They would all band together and create a league in case trouble such as that brewed again. Equestria was home to the most powerful weapon in the world. The most powerful known weapon. Magic. If something like that ever happened again, the military from all nations would band together and take them down. As well as other activities. Twilight's idea. All delegates, noble houses, and Royalty were required to attend these conferences.
"Twilight won't be able to," Celestia whispered. "Or Blueblood. Oh no, this isn't good. Our first full conference and the pony who came up with the idea won't be able to make it." Celestia reached over and rapped desperately on a silver bell placed on the corner of her desk for a guard outside. The office door quickly opened and a Royal Guard stepped in wearing gold plated armor.
He saluted and asked, "Yes, ma'am?"
"I need to request an audience with Psera at once!" Celestia yelled. "As soon as possible!"
Nearly five hundred miles off the coast of Equestria sat a land. A continent. A massive continent packed tight with millions of Pegasi with large wings. Some lived on the ground in their eight cities, some on the cloud cities. Directly in the middle were a ring of mountains surrounding a bustling city of skyscrapers with flashing lights, and flags of the country.
Vehicles moved around transporting those who were drinking coffee while reading the newspaper. Others chose to strap on a suit and tie then walk through the slightly busy concrete sidewalks to their jobs. Some at small storefronts, others at big and tall executive buildings reaching for the sunny cloudless sky. But the biggest job in the whole land of Psera resided at the humongous Castle of the Gods. A castle bigger than any other that cast shadows on the city until twelve noon. A historic landmark of riches and royalty.
Today was a very special day. August 24th. The birthday of Queen Twilight "Arcadia Nova" Sparkle. Her twenty-sixth. The decorative street lamps bared the Crest of Psera from a blowing gold flag, directly above a Violet flag of their Queen's mark, flapping in the warm spring wind. The buildings even had large stickers or signs reading "Happy Birthday, Queen Arcadia Nova!" in their windows.
Deep inside of the Castle, directly in the middle resided the royal family. The ever-so-humble Royal Suite inside the castle was quiet and dark, save for Twilight's soundless snores. They bounced off the darkened white walls and carpet, lit by a single light in the kitchen. The walls and tabletops were littered with family photos of Twilight and Madun when they first began dating, proposal, movies, dances, wedding before the near tragedy, and the day Arcadia took the throne beside Madun, looking elegant in the white and purple with a little foal in her hooves. She was bestowed with a golden crown on her head fitted with gems that sparkled when the sunlight hit. As well as the day Twilight gave birth to a light red headed, purple coated Alicorn-Pseratep Filly. Smiling up at the camera with a sweating face holding a crying foal cradled in a blanket.
The sounds of cooking utensils scraping against each other echoed off the halls while Madun quietly made Arcadia her birthday breakfast, accompanied by his favorite little birthday helper. He flipped another pancake then looked down towards a bunch of short red hair decorated with glitter and other things.
"Okay," he whispered. "Grab the bucket of batter for me?"
Behind them, a red aura surrounded a small white bucket on top of the counter then lifted it towards Madun. He plucked it out of the air with his hooves and softly set it down next to the griddle. "Thanks, baby."
"You're welcome, daddy," a petite feminine voice responded. "Is mommy going to like it?"
"Of course, Sugar Plum. Go check on mommy for me, okay?"
Their little filly trotted out from behind the counter with a light red mane. A dark purple coat with nine foot wings that trailed behind her as she moved past her father with a destination towards the hallway of light snoring. Her pierced ear flicked and twitched when she picked up the sound of her mother's snores. The ones that filled the hallway and let her know mommy was having a good sleep.
Fresh Dawn stopped at the door and slowly peeked in. Her dark purple eyes trained on the rising and falling of the covers. Her mother's wings poured out from the bed and onto the wooden floor. They would twitch every now and then, but no movement besides that.
Snickering, Dawn turned around and began to walk back. But before taking a step further, she was wrapped up in a violet aura, and pulled into the room, straight into a pair of purple hooves. Oh no, she's been spotted!
"And where do you think you're going, Princess?" Twilight whispered in her ear. She lifted herself out of bed and attacked Dawn with a ticklish nuzzle behind her right ear.
Dawn struggled in Arcadia's hold before she gave up. "No fair, you cheated!" She cried out. "Now we have to start all over!"
Arcadia chuckled and set her daughter back down on the carpet so they both could stretch. Then leaned down and happily nuzzled her head of red hair.
"Good morning, Fresh Dawn," she whispered. Twilight's mane draped over Dawn's form. It had grown noticeably over the years and began to turn into an ethereal mass like Celestia and Luna's, glowing with stars and moving on its own. She was becoming a more ethereal pony than anything else.
"Good morning, mommy! Happy Birthday!" Fresh Dawn pounced on her muzzle, squeezing it tight with a grin. Shortly after learning to speak, Dawn began walking. Then jumping, and finally jumping and grabbing things. Rolling her eyes, Arcadia walked out of the bedroom and into the hall with a smile before using her magic to pry Fresh Dawn off her face. She usually does that to ponies she really cared about. If she doesn't do it to you, don't even bother asking for water. Apparently, according to Molten Ice, she gets it from her father.
After setting her on her hooves, she responded, "Thank you, sweetie. Now what exactly smells so good?" With an urge to investigate, Twilight started to walk forward. But Fresh Dawn swiftly raised her wings with a rush of feathers to deny her access towards the kitchen and living room.
With her head held high and eyes closed, she yelled, "You're not allowed to go yet! You ruined breakfast and now we have to start over! Daddy! Trash it!" She ordered. That last bit she picked up from her mother. Twilight could tell.
Madun poked his head into the hallway with an unamused expression and responded, "Yeah, not happening. Keep your mother entertained while I finish. Then we have to get you to school. Good morning, bedhead. Happy birthday."
Fresh Dawn lowered her wings and whined with a stomp of her hoof, "But I don't wanna go to school!"
Arcadia leaned down and stated, "All colts and little fillies have to go to school. Even princesses." Twilight swept Fresh Dawn up into a hug and looked into a copy of her own eyes. "Now be a good little princess and go to school. It's my birthday."
Fresh Dawn groaned and muttered under her breath, "Fine. Since it's your birthday. But I'm not eating their food."
"That's all I'm asking for. No more fighting?" Fresh Dawn shook her head. "Did you take a bath?" Another shake of her head. "Go take one then I can take you to school. Your father has to work too."
King Madun poked in and yelled, "Yep! Tiring day up ahead! Your mother is going to relax though, I suspect." He punctuated the last word with a hopeful strain. Attempting to emphasize his point. It unfortunately didn't hit home.
Arcadia set Fresh Dawn down then walked over to give him a kiss and a nuzzle. "Sorry, sweetheart. I'm always expected on the throne until one of us gets sick. So... I'm working."
Aghast, Madun asked, "What? Sweetheart, it's your birthday. The entire country is practically begging you to take a day off."
"I know, I'm sorry. But as Queen, I'm always at my citizens' beck and call. And if I'm not on the throne, I'm at Serl." Arcadia pulled back and sniffed the air while Fresh Dawn walked into the bathroom. And gained a dopey grin and a watering mouth. "But the smell of pancakes is begging me to stay home."
"Then—"
"Sorry, can't." Arcadia lit her horn and grabbed water from the faucet in a long snake that swam over her body, rinsing out any dirt and anything they couldn't see. Madun rolled his eyes at the tactic and reason for use. She typically does this when she's in a rush.
She's always in a rush.
After applying soap and turning into suds, Arcadia rinsed all of that into the sink and came out like she was a model. Complete with her long and glowing curved hairstyle apart from that bed head she was sporting mere seconds ago. Smiling, she reached up and ruffled her hair. Then glanced at Madun and whispered, "Do I look nice?"
"Ravaging," he responded. Then darted forward and latched his lips onto hers. Unexpected, but appreciated. Arcadia hummed into it and embraced the moment while it lasted before they broke apart at the same time the bathroom door opened. Fresh Dawn walked out, ready for school.
After Arcadia grabbed her crown, and after the Sword of Arcadia that Madun gave her on her Coronation day was strapped to her dress and put on, and Madun had grabbed his crown and royal garb, Arcadia placed the little tiara on Princess Fresh Dawn's head with her school supplies that came with a stuffed toy and lead her out the door with her father. But not without those three pancakes. It was her birthday, she should at least get that.
The garden outside looked the same, save for the growing flowers that Fresh Dawn zipped into. Her guards immediately followed as she ran through them, laughing in glee while the others watched.
"Fun, fun, fun!" She cheered. "I want it all!"
"Uh oh, some filly's being impatient again." Gardeen walked out of the Castle's office hallway and towards the family of three, wearing her badge and smiling proudly. Her white coat seemed to have more shine to it than usual. Her light green eyes had a glimmer within that Arcadia's never seen before. What's up with her this morning?
Gardeen stopped in front of the family and bowed deeply. "Good morning, your majesties. Happy Birthday, Queen Arcadia."
Arcadia nodded and greeted first, "Good morning." Then tossed a pancake into her mouth Pinkie Pie style. She woke up hungry this morning.
"Good morning, Gardeen."
"Hi, Ms. Gardeen!" Fresh Dawn greeted. She flapped her large purple wings and flew on top of her back behind her neck. Clearing her throat, she decreed, "I want thirteen Maphitos! Stat!" Once again, from her mother.
Glancing up, Gardeen chuckled and responded, "We'll get you some on the way to school."
"We'll get you one on the way to school," Arcadia corrected. She walked forward and was followed by her guards wearing her signature purple armor. "You don't need that much sugar. How are you this morning, Gardeen?"
Gardeen smiled and responded, "I'm well, Arcadia. How are you on this birthday? Big twenty-six."
Arcadia sighed and whispered, "I'm waiting for Merry to jump out of a bush or something. Maybe even one of the twins."
"That's a scary sight. Haven't seen her all morning."
"Suitable for Nightmare Night." Arcadia turned to Madun who quickly approached Gardeen's side to plant a loving kiss on his daughter's cheek. She made a disgusted face and pushed his muzzle away so she could wipe off his germs. Fresh Dawn is going to be a Germaphobe when she grows up, Twilight thought.
"Listen to the teachers, alright?" He ordered. "They know what's best for you."
"Fine," Fresh Dawn replied. Gardeen noted she had a rebellious streak to her. Oh boy.
Madun turned to Arcadia and asked, "I'll see you in the throne room, okay?"
"Of course." Arcadia pecked his cheek, then walked with Gardeen holding her daughter and her guards down the hall, leaving Madun for a few seconds to watch her move. Every step she took was so elegant. So beautiful. Hypnotizing.
"...your highness?" Madun broke out of his trance and focused on the guard standing next to him. "Are you ready to go?"
Madun reached up and adjusted his crown. Then flapped his cape and nodded. "Let's go."
Just as expected, the moment Queen Arcadia was seen in the offices of The Castle, ponies bowed and greeted, "Good morning, your majesties."
Fresh Dawn would respond with, "Good morning, my pony!" Similar to her mother, who was more mature with it. After a few more minutes of walking, they reached the foyer of the castle and out the doors into the fresh morning dew that tickled Fresh Dawn's coat. She jumped off of Gardeen's back and flapped her heavy wings to ascend a little higher before being flanked by the guards. Arcadia sighed and shook her head. This was going to be a long day. Morning, anyway.
After getting Fresh Dawn down, grabbing her Maphito, and dropping her off at school with her three guards and twin cousins, Arcadia and Gardeen double backed to the Castle. The air felt good when it flowed underneath the Queen's large wings, blowing back her mane and dress as she flew through the sky. It lasted a short while before landing once more at the castle stairs behind the safety of the gate. "What is my schedule for today, Gardeen?"
Gardeen turned to Arcadia and shook her head. "Since today is the Queen's birthday, all parties rescheduled their meets with you for the next available slot. It's empty today, save for the last minute addition from—get this—Equestria."
Arcadia widened her eyes and repeated, "Equestria?" Equestria summoned her? Strange.
Arcadia turned and walked up the stairs with Gardeen and her twelve guards. The Guard at the doors pushed them open to allow them back inside onto the cool glossy marble floors of the Castle, decorated with glass cases of expensive photos, drawings, plaques. Many items.
"Specifically, the Princesses," Gardeen clarified. "They're already in the waiting room."
"Then it must be an international issue. Someone escort them to the Royal Throne Room please." While a Royal Guard delivered the orders, Arcadia lit her horn and teleported all of them away, leaving no clue they were ever there.
The ticking of a clock and the very light sounds of breathing were the only thing going on in the Psera Royal Throne Room waiting room. On the third floor of Psera's massive castle sat the throne room with a waiting room down the hall for executive parties.
Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadance were sitting within in three different spots either looking towards the walls at the photographs of Pserateps, the giant Crest of Psera chiseled out of a round slab of stone, the marble carpet flooring, or the Royal Family. With Madun, Twilight, and little Fresh Dawn in her father's hooves when she was a few days old. Reaching out towards her father and paying no mind to the camera. The lights along the walls were trained on the ceiling, casting an incandescent glow on the matter below it.
Princess Cadance sighed from across Luna then reached out to grab a magazine on the glass table when the door opened. One of Twilight's interns, Celestia assumed, walked in with a clipboard, a mare wearing a golden badge of some sort. "She will see you now. She just got back in."
After a quick trek through the long hall of statued rulers, Guarded by the Royal Guard with winged weaponry, they stopped in front of the grand and tall doors of the Royal Throne Room. Gold and blessed with design that shimmered when the light hit it. The intern knocked on one of them hard. The sound resonated through the hallways and definitely through the room itself.
"Enter!" Two voices, male and female ordered. The intern pushed one of the golden doors open and stepped to the side, allowing the three Princesses in. Psera didn't know it, but the Princesses of Equestria knew why there was so much gold. The land Psera was built on was made of gold. Underneath all the dirt, clay, all of nature was nothing but gold that grew on its own. Where they were getting the steel from had yet to be known.
They had dropped off a massive block of it on their land two years ago, finishing the Psera-Equestria Trade Agreement, and opening doors for the Psera-Equestria Trade Treaty that deems Equestria and Psera have the opportunity of trading with each other.
Equestria uses the Psera-Equestria Trade Facility left on their land as a location of where they trade with incoming Aquatas. Along with an added warehouse that gave many ponies more jobs. Even when she wasn't an Equestrian anymore, Arcadia was still helping Equestria.
It never changed. The Royal Throne Room was still built out of gold and marble, high ornate Golden columns each with a unique design that reached the ceiling, decorated above with wild paintings. Arcadia had one up there of her cutie mark as well as the famous painting of her first arriving on Psera, dragging her face through the dirt, dubbed Saviour of Psera. A long red carpet highlighted the path up to the four thrones, currently occupied by two but sometimes held by three, if that sheet of paper taped to the back of the child-sized one next to Arcadia's was anything to go by. It had a drawing of a little crown on it and the name Fresh Dawn. Obviously created by a foal. Looks like Fresh Dawn was decorating her throne for the future.
Madun was going over a document while Arcadia was watching them enter with a calm and collected gaze, fit with a smile. "Hello, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance," she greeted happily. "Welcome back to Psera."
The three bowed in front of them while Cadance responded, "Good morning, Queen Arcadia." They righted back up and took a seat. "How are you on this wonderful birthday?"
Without lowering the document, Madun answered sourly behind it, "She's working apparently."
Rolling her eyes, Arcadia clarified, "Madun doesn't want me working today, and prefers I relax. It's my birthday, I'll spend it how I want to spend it." Arcadia leaned into his proximity behind the document and did something unseen that had the king laughing deeply before she ducked back out, licking her lips. "Now. How can I help you? I can tell this isn't one of our weekly visits."
Celestia cleared her throat and answered, "An event is coming up in three days that will cause a lot of trouble."
Madun instantly lowered the document and trained his magenta eyes on Celestia. "Trouble?" He repeated. "How much? And for who?" Arcadia was just as concerned. Her calm gaze changed to focus.
"For both of us," Luna answered, referring to their nations.
Arcadia asked, "What is the event?"
"International House of Trade," Celestia answered. "Queen Novo is hosting."
Arcadia gasped, then stomped her hoof and yelled, "Buck!" Everyone widened their eyes at her outburst before she quickly backpedaled by clearing her throat. "Excuse me. But that is in fact a big issue. I forgot all about IHT."
This sounded big. Madun sat his document to the side and asked, "What is an International House of Trade?"
"Before I tell you about it, let me give you an Equestrian History Lesson. Around a decade ago when I was... honored, I guess, I was hoofed the opportunity of organizing a Friendship Summit. My first national event. Ponies all across Equestria gathered in Canterlot to interact, converse, and acquire each other's services. That was the plan anyway. The summit was interrupted when a Captain for an evil minotaur named The Storm King, who wanted power, dropped in the Castle Courtyard and demanded we give up our magic. We said no. They didn't like that answer.
"The Princesses were turned to stone, and my friends and I were tasked with traveling Equestria all the way to the far south while the rest of Equestria were imprisoned. We traveled miles off the coast to a single land called Mount Aris to find a Hippogriff named Queen Novo while also being chased by the captain who wanted my magic. But Novo had grabbed her own citizens and fled underwater for safety from the Storm King. They wouldn't help us.
"To make this hour-long story short, the Storm King was defeated, his captain reformed thanks to me, and a beautiful song was performed at the end."
"Sounds like a blockbuster," Madun stated. The Princesses had no idea what that was, but the Pserateps standing around did apparently since some of them chuckled.
Arcadia grinned and whispered, "If it were a movie maybe. But after all of it, I came to the realization that Equestria may be the strongest nation in the world, but were still vulnerable to sudden attacks. So I met with Queen Novo and came up with a plan. After two months of organizing, and slight apologizing, she and I created a treaty founding an Organization with an important main focus: If one country is attacked, all the countries will assist in defense.
"Queen Novo loved the idea, but she wanted bigger. Every creature knew each country had something that could benefit the other. Innovations, inventions, weaponry, ways of transportation. All of it. So to show we were all Friends we decided to gather every delegate, ruler, and head of the noble houses of the known world under one roof, or house, and schedule trade. An example would be the Psera-Equestria Trade Agreement. Just on a much larger scale. It would happen every five years in either of our lands that were chosen. We created the International House of Trade."
"Okay..." Madun glanced to the Princesses and asked, "Now how is this trouble?"
"Because of the rules," Arcadia answered. "Specifically one. All members are required to attend or have a representative in their place. Those that do not... Are investigated as to why they couldn't make it. Myself, 'Princess Twilight Sparkle', was the first pony to sign it. I am the first member and co-creator. If we do not come up with a plan in..."
Celestia answered her unasked question. "Three days."
"If we do not come up with a plan in three days, an investigation into my absence will be commenced, starting with questioning the absentee. It already looks bad that Princess Twilight, the organizer and creator of this event has not arrived to the second annual meeting. What happens when they go to my castle to question me, which has been turned into an Embassy of some kind that belongs to none of their nations and void of my presence, as well as the gate to travel back and forth between our two countries inside? Not to mention the unexplained phenomenon that Equestria had quickly overcome their metal shortage so fast? As well as the Psera-Equestria Trade Facility that takes up a lot of land on the coast of Las Pegasus?
"During the breaks, ponies go on tours across the nation. I'm sure all the countries know that Equestria went through a shortage, there's no way that they rebuilt everything in a year if they had a shortage of steel, which takes a long time to regenerate on its own. They will begin asking questions and eventually... Will learn about this land. We cannot have that."
Arcadia sighed and stepped off her throne, dragging her long wings behind her so she could start pacing. "I already have an idea, but involves me attending this meeting." Arcadia stopped pacing and lit her horn, brightening up the room when she flashed. In Queen Arcadia's place stood Princess Twilight. No long wings, a less than sharp horn. But everything else was the same. Like the gold and glistening crown on her head.
Madun smiled and stated, "Just like the mare I fell in love with."
Arcadia smiled up at him and explained, gesturing to herself. "Even though I look like how I used to, there is unfortunately no way to hide the size of my wings, or the fact that I am Queen here. A pony could step on something unseen and I may blow up. My Pserateps look to us for protection. To keep them a secret. Not be discovered. So I must go back to Equestria for a few days. I need my Guard and my clothes to showcase where the true length of my wings truly stand so they won't be stepped on. I will leave tomorrow evening. Gardeen!"
Gardeen was at her side in a second, one hoof raised to her head of silver hair in a salute, bearing a serious expression. "Yes, your highness?"
"Get me Secretary Manny of the Elite Guard please. An urgent trip to Equestria is in order for the safety of Psera. Any appointments for this week move them to next week."
"Yes, ma'am." While Gardeen shuffled off behind the throne, Celestia decided to pass Arcadia and Madun the letter by giving it to one of her interns.
"This is a letter from Queen Novo addressing Prance, Equestria, North Neighton, South Neighton, Seaquestria, Mount Aris, Hoof Yun, Saddle Arabia, and The Forgotten Land."
Arcadia took it from her intern and read it over with Madun. Paying close attention to the Crests. Thankfully no Crest of Psera. With the same idea, her husband Madun pointed to them and stated, "We must ensure it stays this way."
"Of course," Arcadia agreed. She was still cloaked as her old self. And sort of enjoying it. "And you have to watch Dawn until I get back."
Madun lowered the letter and hoofed it back to one of the interns. "She'll want to go with you, you know."
"Oooh, I know, but she still has school. Just until I get back, okay?" Arcadia nuzzled his cheek.
"No need to ask, she's my daughter too."
The doors behind the throne opened, followed by hooves as Secretary Manny approached. Still blue and in a mood since she was still wearing that narrow eyed expression on her face when she locked eyes on Equestria. Seems like she never forgave Equestria after one of their inhabitants attempted to kill Arcadia on her wedding day. Evident by her next extremely loud words.
"Equestria? That pony is still rotting away in that cell!" She turned to the rulers and bowed. "Good morning King Madun, Queen Arcadia. Happy Birthday." Celestia and the others were glancing around awkwardly after her sudden outburst, but everyone else in the room were calm. They must've been used to it by now.
"Good morning, Secretary," Madun greeted. "Arcadia has to tell you something."
Huffing, Arcadia took the floor. "It has come to my attention that Psera's secrecy from the rest of the world may soon be compromised. Listen closely..." Arcadia spent the next two minutes telling Secretary Manny about what was happening in Equestria, and pretty much the same tale about The House of Trade. "So I must head back to Equestria to attend this seven day conference and make sure that Psera is kept a secret."
Manny sighed and stated, "The Aqua Guard and Elite are ready to get back into the field anyway."
"Now Secretary, this is an unofficial cold war," Arcadia reminded her. "Not an Elite-Guard-Aqua-Guard-walking-out-of-the-water deal. I just need twelve Elite Guards on land with me, and two Aquatas at sea just in case."
Two Aquatas full of soldiers? Celestia raised a hoof and asked, "Queen Arcadia is that really necessary?"
Arcadia shrugged and answered matter-of-factually, "To be honest, security for international interactions isn't really my decision. It's Secretary Manny's. I'm just giving a base order."
Manny countered, "Thirty Elite Guard and two Aquatas of Aqua Guard. From what you're telling me, Royalty from other nations are coming to Equestria, the same land you will be staying at for seven days with their own security. Psera has no idea who they are, what they do, or how violent they are. You need protection, your highness. Not ragtag protection, but solid protection."
Arcadia sighed and nodded. "Very well. I leave tomorrow morning to catch up on a few matters, so deploy them tonight and have them stop two miles off the coast of Equestria while The Elite Guard follow with me through the Independent Portal at the Equestria Embassy here. They'll need Comm Blocks and of course whatever your Captains prefer for safety."
Secretary Manny saluted and blared, "Consider it done!" She bowed briefly then shuffled away, making her way for the hallway in the back to prepare the venture.