//------------------------------//
// Chapter 04 - IHT Day Seven 
// Story: Twilight Daylight: Psera, The Legend of Legends 
// by thedarktome 
//------------------------------//

Each morning for the last few days Fresh Dawn would wake up in her room with wide eyes holding her dolls after having the same dream over and over again. That Pseratep pony with the giant green wings would always visit her in a seemingly white void, telling her something about Equestria. Last night was no different, but this time... There was a twist. Just like usual, Fresh Dawn would sigh and sit down in the white void, waiting for her. Narmeepah. She would usually let her walk around for a few seconds before popping in.

And just like usual, Fresh Dawn spotted a Green feather drop down from above before she turned around, staring at the tall and elegant green Pseratep in front of her. She had ice blue eyes and a light orange-red mane similar to her dad's. Her body was glowing neon, the color washing off of her neon body. Her eyes expressed worry like usual, wings outstretched behind her as she stared down to Fresh Dawn's nonchalant expression. "The answer is in—"

"Equethria, I get it, Narmeepah," Dawn interrupted. "Why do you keep telling me the same thing?"

"The answer is in—"

"UGGGHHH!"

"Equestria, in the Crystal Empire." Fresh Dawn perked her ears up and tuned back in to Narmeelah radio intrigued. "Your mother is the key... To saving the world. My world."

"Wait, what? Narmeepah, what are you talking about?" Dawn walked closer so she could hear better. She was talking about her mother?

"Queen Arcadia is the key. No other can activate it but my descendants."

"Wait, hold on, I neeth to write thith down!" Fresh Dawn looked around for something so she could note this. Mom had to hear this!

"My diary, activated by the magical signature of myself, I give to your mother. Let her know, Princess of Psera, that only she can read it. As well as yourself when you are of age."

Narmeelah's wings glowed blindingly bright before Fresh Dawn opened her eyes, staring into the eyes of one of her teddy bears. She quickly flapped her wings in a frenzy and threw her covers off. "Daddy!"

The sound of urgent footsteps reached little Dawn's ears before Madun popped in the doorway wearing an apron. "Yes, what is it sweetheart? Are you hungry, feeling strange in your tummy?"

Dawn shook her head and tossed her red hair around. Madun took a note that it needed to be cut. "No. But I saw Narmeepah again! And she was talking about a diary, mommy, and a Crystal Emperor!"

Arcadia had spoken to Madun about their daughter possibly having a special talent in dreamweaving, or interacting with and manipulating dreams like Princess Luna. Now he could see why. Madun walked for her bed where Dawn awaited with her hooves up.

He pulled her up and held her close. "Why don't you talk to mommy about that, she understands magic more than I do."

"B-But mommy has to pop in first and I have to pee!"

Uh oh. Madun squeaked and Immediately bolted for the bathroom with his daughter. "Hold it in, hold it!"

"I have to go now!"

"Almost there!... Okay, go ahead."



Just like for the last six days, Queen Arcadia woke up and looked down at the special doll her daughter gave her, held close in her grasp underneath the white sheets. She sighed and breathed in the morning air from the open window while Celestia raised the sun. Basking in the warmth of its rays as the light touched her fur. She sighed and closed her eyes again to contact her family, opening them once more in the home's kitchen.

"Mommy, mommy!" Arcadia's head whipped to the right and looked down at Fresh Dawn who just happened to walk in with her father. But instead of a smile though like usual, it looked like she was about to cry.

Arcadia gasped and Immediately went into mom mode. "Oh no, what's wrong sweetie? Madun, what happened?"

Madun picked her up and answered, "She had a dream and she's worried. Go ahead, tell mommy."

"N-Narmeepah visited me again last night! But this time she finally made since!" Madun and Arcadia smirked innocently. "I remember everything important! She said, 'The answer is in Equethria, in the Crystal Emperor. No other can open it but my descendants. My diary, activated by the magical signature of myself, I give to your mother. Only she can read it.' Then something about saving the world! It's in Equethria, mommy!"

"Fresh Dawn, are you talking about the legendary Narmeelah's Diary?" Madun asked.

Fresh Dawn eagerly nodded. Arcadia hummed deeply. This was something she had to think about. "Okay, sweetie. I'll look around for it, alright? How did you sleep?"



Most of the time Cadance and Shining Armor would be the first ones up in the morning to review with the castle staff. In the kitchen, offices, guards. All that jazz. This morning though, they decided to stay in bed and cuddle. Leave it to the Princess of Love to literally keep somepony close to her. Whether by words of mouth, or kisses and other things that Shining definitely enjoyed. Unfortunately, their time underneath the bed sheets were disturbed by a simple knock on the door across from the bed.

Shining groaned and removed himself from above Cadance. They really needed a "Do Not Disturb" sign. Especially early in the morning. After adjusting himself and making way for it, he cracked it open and peeked out tiredly.

"Yes, what is it?" He groaned.

A Royal Guard saluted on the other side and answered, "Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle is requesting your presence in her quarters. She says it's extremely important."

Shining yawned and nodded his head with a smack of his lips. "Alright, we'll be there soon." He closed the door back and turned to Cadance. At the voice of the Guard she sat up in her bed.

"Twilight needs to see us," he informed her.

After groaning and dressing, Cadance and Shining made their way up to Twilight's room. Walking across the cool crystal floor past the other Kings, Queens, and Diplomats. Including King Chancellor who had the luxury of sleeping right next to Twilight's. She's been complaining about that stallion, constantly having a feeling that he was looking at her flank. Shining waved it off, but couldn't help but get that feeling too for his wife when they passed and walked over to the Elite Guard flanking his sister's bedroom door. Cadance knocked before it was opened by Celestia, who waved them in and closed it back once they were.

The first thing noticed was Twilight behind her desk, already dressed and sorting through a book's worth of papers. Even as Queen she still had the spark of a filly. When they walked in, she looked up and dropped her serious expression for that playful one. "Good morning! Glad you could make it!"

Cadance yawned and asked, "Yes, but what did you need?"

"First, let me start with what happened. This morning, I spoke with my daughter who was extremely worried about something. She told me she had that same dream involving Narmeelah. I believe my daughter may have the ability to interact with dreams. But either way, she said this time it actually made sense. She said that Narmeelah told her, 'The answer is in Equestria, in the Crystal Empire. No other can open it but my descendants. My diary, activated by the magical signature of myself, I give to your mother. Only she can read it.' Now that's important. But not because my daughter dreamed about Narmeelah, that's not surprising. She always has dreams with her. It's the fact she had one with Narmeelah about her Diary."

Luna whispered, "I take it this Diary is important?"

"Her diary is legendary, an unsolved mystery. Let me tell you why. Long ago in Psera—as you know, Narmeelah was their first ruler. She founded the land, built their cities, and provided defense. As well as peace, prosperity, and love. Narmeelah to Psera is like Luna, Cadance, and Celestia all supercharged, and rolled up into one. But even that isn't enough. She ruled for centuries before she mysteriously disappeared. You know the story. Saemool dispatched military all over the nation, no one could find her, I told you. But what I didn't tell you was that they found something. A clue, previously classified but disclosed to the public.

"They searched the entire continent, but they also searched her room. In her bed mattress was a balled up sheet of paper bearing what was believed to be a discarded note. It was written in old Pseratopian, which I pride myself in learning a few weeks after I landed there. It read... 'Even the darkness comes, they must not be victims to this one. I will give up my very existence to keep them safe before another arrives to take my place.' No one really thought much of it because it was balled up and stuffed in her bed. Until a second and third were found. The second sheet was the most important because it held two words that turned her legacy and disappearance into a mass of conspiracies."

"And what words were they?" Celestia asked.

"Dear. Diary. The words were Dear Diary. They believed Narmeelah had a log of her daily activities, feelings, emotions, conflicts, illnesses, all of it. Others in her board of advisors, servants, and guards have actually recounted her carrying a strange book around the castle. And all their stories matched. So they weren't lying. Narmeelah had a diary. Which meant that if we couldn't find her, we could find the diary and discover what may have happened to her. But... There were no other clues of its existence other than the three loose pages, the ponies who testified she had one, and the pens she used. Which created a new conspiracy. If the diary wasn't there, that means it disappeared with Narmeelah. Which concludes that Narmeelah... Possibly left Psera."

"She ran away?" Cadance asked.

"Not ran away. But based off the text of the pages found, she left for a reason. The theory was protection. Narmeelah was protecting Psera. The excerpt was, 'Even the darkness comes, they must not be victims to this one. I will give up my very existence to keep them safe before another arrives to take my place.' Based off that excerpt, it was believed that Narmeelah ran away to keep Psera safe, which would explain why everything originally catalogued to be in that room except her legendary diary were still in there. She grabbed her Diary, and she left Psera. What the darkness was caused the major conspiracies.

"Now my daughter just told me she had a dream about Narmeelah and her diary. But she never learned about her diary, that's in grade seven and she's still in elementary. Fresh Dawn can remember dreams and they'll come true. It's extremely rare she gets them wrong. The only time she did was when Aunt Merry came and told her that it was her birthday. It was two weeks later. Other than that, all of her dreams were accurate, down to a color on a parchment. Last night she had a dream that Narmeelah admitted to having a diary and told her, 'The answer is in Equestria, in the Crystal Empire. No other can open it but my descendants. My diary, activated by the magical signature of myself, I give to your mother. Only she can read it.' Do you know what this implies? If that Diary is here, then that means Narmeelah ran away to the East! Equestria! Which backs up my research that someone ran away from Psera and that I have an ancestor from there! And with Fresh Dawn's dream, whose dreams are rarely wrong, my ancestor would be—'

"Narmeelah," Cadance whispered.

Twilight nodded eagerly. "Yes! Myself, Flurry, Shining, mom, and my daughter would all be related—"

"Whoa, okay, hold on Twily," Shining interrupted. "This is really exciting, but let's focus on two things for a moment. One? Today is the trading day of the conference, the last meeting. And two? Nopony is related to Celestia's super-twin until the diary is actually found. So let's get through the meeting first before anything else. We need to focus on that first."

Twilight sighed in obvious disappointment, but could understand where he could be coming from. "Yeah, you're right." She smiled and added, "But afterwards, we'll go out and look for it."



Once they were all ready, Equestria entered the Trade Room, already packed with everyone but them. Twilight locked eyes with Madam Singe, still bearing that head held high, think-I'm-big-shims look. She refused to apologize to Twilight by how she spoke to her. Everyone from Psera were furious at how the legendary Queen Arcadia Nova was treated because of her age. Gardeen had a good mind to slap a fish on that plate of rice she was eating.

Arcadia took her seat while a guard lifted the lid for her breakfast. Underneath were eggs with spices. Along the way to the hall, Arcadia told Gardeen about the situation discussed upstairs privately. She said that it would make everything revolving around Queen Arcadia herself very ironic considering the fact that many ponies consider Lady Arcadia an actual descendant of Narmeelah back home. And that by legal terms, if she were not elected in, she would actually inherit the throne by default in the past.

But—like usual—Arcadia shot that down by staying humble. Stating she wouldn't want to become Queen by default because of inheritance. But because she earned it, and that that was the reason she was queen. Gardeen agreed entirely.

"Okay, every creature," Novo announced through her microphone. "Today is the final day. IHT Conference Day Seven. Trade Day. All of our countries and nations have an acceptable amount of trade value here with them under lock and key for reasons that will stay unknown. Equestria does not have much, but will provide knowledge thanks to Princess Twilight, who factually holds the highest IQ in the entire nation, as well as any creature in this room. Not to mention has the largest surplus of information. She has offered to distribute that information to any who may need it in trade for anything Equestria may find interesting. As well as spell books she herself created many years ago."

Equestria gasped and turned to Twilight in surprise. Shining whispered, "You're giving away your books?"

Twilight nodded and added, "These are copies from home. Nothing is missing in them."

Queen Novo motioned towards a Noble on the right from Seaquestria. "We'll let Miss Nemee begin before we move."


~✶~


Twilight wasn't interested in any of the things that were being traded at the moment. Mostly gems for jewels, cleaning systems which were something Mount Aris and Seaquestria invested in by giving them a lot of gold for, nearly their whole surplus of it by current measurements if her knowledge of Seaquestria served her correctly. Equestria did buy a few offerings, but spared Twilight's knowledge and books for some of the amounts of steel that were given to them from Psera. Raising a question in a certain pony's mind.

Madam Singe raised her hoof and asked, "Excuse me Equestria, but may I ask a question?"

Celestia motioned and answered, "You may."

"However did you escape out of that dreaded metal shortage? According to my technicians and lab coats back home, there is absolutely no way you could have managed to pull yourself out of a metal shortage within one quarter. From what we've heard, and rather seen, the entire country save for the Crystal Empire was affected. Add that to the fact that your steel reserves from what you sent us in a letter were declining at a rapid rate, which was said to be at two percent when you sent us the letter." The Pserateps in the building froze when they heard the question. This is the moment of truth.

Luna answered, "Let's just say we were sleeping on a wonderful land that holds materials to create steel instead of mine it."

The Trade Room erupted into quiet chatter. Whispers and motions towards Equestria, who stayed diligent with stoic expressions. After a few seconds, Queen Novo raised her hoof to quiet them all down. Then lowered it and locked tense eyes on Equestria. Twilight could already tell that she, Madam Singe, or both will cause trouble in the future for Equestria and Psera.

"Are there... More specifics?" She asked.

Luna shook her head and answered honestly, "It was extremely complicated."

"Very well. Moving on, we have one last additional trade from The Forgotten Land." Arcadia made a calming motion towards two of her guards, flowing relaxation into her ponies and Gardeen.

Everyone trained their eyes on King Chancellor, wearing that strange smirk. "Recently, my men and I encountered something underneath my castle. It's not much, if anything at all, and it's imbued interest. But they can't figure it out. Since they're refusing to give up on it, I decided to have it reprimanded and sold in favor to more important matters."

One of his guards carrying a large suitcase set it down on the table in front of the trade. All eyes were on it a they unlocked it, then popped it open. Lifting the lid to reveal...

A grass green book with an emblem on it. It was really old and thick, fitted with yellow pages on the inside that were visible.

King Chancellor pointed at it like it was a worthless rock and said, "Like I said, it's really old. Possibly holds slight value, but based off the emblem on the front and the strange symbols below it, my people said it dates back thousands upon thousands of years ago. It holds many questions than it does answers. There's a weird spot on the cover as big as a standard hoof with an emblem we can't cross-reference with any text or language in the world. So, to me, It's completely useless."

The room started talking at once about the old and grangy book in front of them in the center of the room. Twilight liked books.

North Neighton raised their hoof and decided, "Not interested." Mount Aris and Seaquestria were the same. As well as Hoof Yun, Prance, South Neighton, Breighton, and the Dragon Lands.

Novo turned to Equestria and asked, "What is your vote?"

Celestia looked to Cadance, Luna, and Shining Armor. They all shook their heads before turning to Twilight. She was eyeing the book carefully.

"Hmmm..." She hummed. She was always ready for a challenge. And this book... It looked strange. Without taking her eyes off, she asked, "Can you raise it up please so I can see the front?"

King Chancellor nodded to the guard who calmly did as asked. Once it was and facing her, Twilight slowly stood up and eyed it closer. Then gasped loudly when she recognized it. The text... Was Pseratopian. "Oh my stars..." She whispered. Twilight raised her wings and lifted out of her seat, hovering over the table for the book. Landing back on the ground between them, she stalked closely and asked in a timid fashion, "Where did you find this?"

"A mile deep underneath the castle," Chancellor answered. "We have no idea what it is and we can't open it. It's impossible."

Arcadia slowly shook her head and stopped directly in front of it, reading the words carefully. "...oh my stars. Gardeen."

Gardeen stood up and made her way around the table for the entrance to the middle. When she reached her side, Arcadia pointed to the symbols. Gardeen gasped too. Then leaned in and whispered, "Is this what I think it is?"

"I believe so, what other explanation is there? May I scan the book?"

King Chancellor waved his hoof her way, prompting her to light her horn and surround the object in a violet aura for an in-depth scanning spell. While she scanned, Gardeen leaned over and whispered in her ear, "The Original Crest of Psera."

"I know... It's centuries old, Gardeen. Dating back to... Thousands upon thousands of years way before...." Arcadia stopped the spell and asked, "What would you like to trade for this?"

King Chancellor sat back surprised. Same for most of the ponies in the room. Then asked, "Uhh... You're buying it?"

"Yes, how much?" Arcadia repeated louder.

"Well... A book on Starswirl the Bearded. Two of them please."

"In what skills?"

"Natural Magic."

Arcadia stomped her right hoof twice, prompting a saluting Guard to her side. "Go back to the Castle's main library and grab two books. Starswirl the Bearded's Ethics on Nature, and Starswirl the Bearded's Natural Magiks at once. They're in Section S. You can find the map in the Castle's foyer." The Guard bowed before shuffling off to do just that while Arcadia looked at the book some more. They wouldn't be able to take it until the books were in his hooves. "Captain?"

Gliding Sword saluted from behind her chair. "Yes, ma'am?"

"Have Shimmer send a letter to Bright Gold and tell her to send a Protection and Preservation Unit straight here to the Crystal Empire. And note that we're enabling Code B Protocol. PPEs, all the way." Captain Gliding Sword turned around and made her way out the room. Destination for the front door to the Castle. She knew what Arcadia hinted at. They didn't need Sunset Shimmer to get in contact with Serl. All they needed was to get in contact with the ship miles off the coast of Equestria. And she would.

Once outside, she reached up and toggled with her earpiece. "Captain Gliding to Captain Blinding Silver. Her Majesty is requesting a Preservation Unit from S1 following Code B Protocol Procedure."

Just as ordered, an Aquata one hundred miles out with three more flanking rested on the waves. Full of resting soldiers, but ready for possible altercations at the first call. Alone on the bridge, Captain Blinding reached up and paid attention to the screens in front of him. Bearing news from Psera. There was a big Hoofball game coming up. "What for?"

"Not sure, just do it."

Blinding Silver sighed and wrote on a notepad connected to one at the Castle of the Gods. Similar to Queen Arcadia's journal so she could communicate personally with ponies in this region. "Alright. Inform her highness the ETA is pending. But that I'm guessing two hours."

"Ten-four." Gliding turned around and trotted back inside, making her way for the Trade Room where Queen Arcadia was still staring at the book. "A possible two hours before it will arrive your majesty," she whispered.

"Good, thank you, captain. Could you please reserve this for a few hours? This is extremely delicate." Arcadia looked towards King Chancellor who was glancing around awkwardly, all eyes on him.

"Uhh, are you sure?" He asked. "I mean it's pretty sturdy, we just like dropped it on everything."

Arcadia's mouth was wide open in shock. "What do you mean you've been dropping this?! This is extremely delicate! You said you found this under your castle right? The only reason it's alive right now is because it's been naturally preserved, any other movements like that could break it down into dust! Thankfully, it's held up just fine. Guard, keep an eye on this, please."

Not waiting for an answer, Arcadia turned back around and teleported in front of the door, followed closely by the other Princesses, and her brother as she walked urgently out the door, leaving Gardeen in the room with the other surprised and confused rulers. She calmly scuffed the floor and asked, "So... Anypony like music?"


~✶~


The Princesses walked the hall of the castle with Queen Arcadia taking deep breaths, heart going a mile a minute. After reaching the library and closing the door, Celestia turned to Arcadia and asked, "What just—"

"It's the diary," she interrupted. "That symbol was the Original Crest of Psera, even Gardeen recognized it. The text underneath it was Old Pseratopian. My daughter was right, but my theory may be slightly possibly wrong. If the Diary is—oh my stars I can't even think straight. The Diary... Narmeelah's diary! Right there! Going through a trade! I thought I had to look for it, but it's right there being hoofed over to me! I sent for a Protection and Preservation Unit to arrive with a pod so we can take it back to Psera. I need a lab coat. I need my lab coat! Give me a moment."

Arcadia lit her horn and teleported back upstairs to retrieve her lab coat. It was violet, just like the rest of her treasured possessions and had her her name on the side. This one without S3 on it, but did have the golden font on the right chest, along with a few delicate medals. Twilight grabbed a few more necessities, including a mask and hoof covers. Then turned around and teleporting back into the library when someone knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" She asked.

"Gardeen, ma'am. Captain Gliding said they'll be here in two hours with a PPU." Arcadia opened the door and pulled her inside before shutting it back. After Gardeen's eyes were done spinning, she focused them on Arcadia and said, "Narmeelah's Diary was tossed around like some bag of garbage. That pony is gross and despicable. No wonder he cannot get a suitable mare for himself."

Cadance giggled while Arcadia gripped Gardeen's shoulders, staring into her eyes with so much intensity Gardeen was surprised her eyes didn't burn out yet. "I told you my little filly's dreams are never wrong. That has to be her special talent, I know it is."