Sleeping was good. Sleeping was great. Sleeping was the best thing Madun has ever had in his life. Dealing with his twin sister for years, having an omnipotent pony for a wife, and the needs of his citizens interrupted his rest on a constant basis. But nothing wakes up a pony more dramatically than a little filly bouncing around with energy.
One second, Madun was snoring away his worries with the essence of time. The next he shot out of bed from a yell in his ear. "Daddy, wake up!!"
Madun shouted and immediately flew straight to the ceiling, flinging Dawn off unknowingly. "I'm awake, what's happening?!" He shouted. He landed on the bed and looked around the room for any intruder. That had better be the only reason someone was shouting in his ear.
After flying off the bed Dawn caught herself before she could hit the wall and calmly fluttered back to the ground. Madun's eyes scanned the room that was rendered empty save for his daughter's confused face by the door. It was just her. Just Dawn. Ugh, it was one of those days again.
He took a deep breath to calm his beating heart then crawled out of bed to meet his grinning daughter by the door. It was a good sleep, at least. He leaned down and nuzzled Fresh Dawn's face. "Good morning, Sugar Plum," he greeted. "You scared your father."
She flew onto his head and greeted in pure excitement, "Good morning, Daddy! I could barely sleep!"
Her innocence was an apology enough. With a renewed smile Madun started the quick trek to the kitchen. "Oh? And why is that?" He stopped at the table and bent low for Dawn to scamper off. Then lifted her up and placed her in her chair so he could make her a quick breakfast.
While he shuffled away, Dawn took a deep breath and answered quickly. "Today I get to see Dusky again!"
Madun nodded and asked, "Are you excited to see your friend?" What time was that appointment anyway? Madun turned towards the cluttered calendars on the fridge and looked it over. It was at twelve to two. Perfect timing. A good lunch and play time before they were back to work. And since it was a saturday, there was no school. So Dawn was definitely about to sneak off and do her own thing.
Children in Psera mature really quickly. He wouldn't be surprised if Dawn was two-thirds her mother's size in two months. But even though she would have grown in height, she still causes troubles every now and then.
There were plenty of ponies in the castle who would be looking out for her to make sure she wasn't doing anything she had any business doing. And according to some of the Guards who report back to him about the day's ventures, "She acts like she owns the place."
Fresh Dawn nodded eagerly and answered enthusiastically, "Yeah, uh huh! We're going to play games and run around the castle."
"Yeah, I figured that." Madun made his way to the refrigerator and pulled it open to grab some blue milk. Once cereal was poured into a small bowl he turned around for his daughter. "If you're going out, what are the rules?"
Dawn rolled her eyes and drawled, "Stay away from the kitchen."
"Uh huh. What else?" He placed the bowl in front of her and dropped in a spoon.
"Don't break anything, stay away from large objects, and be back by three."
"And what's the most important one?"
"Make sure the Guard is watching." She used her magic to pick up her spoon and indulged in her breakfast.
Satisfied with his daughter's answer, Madun turned around to place everything back. "Good job, sweetheart! Listen to what they have to tell you, okay? Take a bath, put on your crown, and be safe. Grandma and Grandpa are definitely going out there with you."
The morning wake up for Twilight was different. Extremely so. The sun had barely peaked over the horizon and Celestia wasn't even up yet. But there were definitely some ponies up out there right now. Specifically two. Underwater. Twilights eyes cracked open at a random unspoken time, training on the bedside table where her crown lay. She blinked away the blurriness then sat up to yawn and stretch out her stiff limbs. A reminder that she should work out more often.
Bones cracked and more made movements well welcomed. Seriously, she didn't realize how tired she was until she was in bed sleeping it off. Well it was another day, another war.
Twilight used her magic to fold her covers to the side, exposing her body and slipped out from it's embracing warmth back onto the cool floors. She had another obstacle today. This morning.
Her eyes directed to the LiVAMs above the door. Everything seemed stable and ready. Nothing had changed on the waves and they were still on a direct path to Psera. She'd ask for a report on the bridge. Twilight sighed and made her way into the bathroom to get ready. Mainly a nice decent shower and a brush of the teeth. Once she was done, she dried herself off and stepped out the bathroom with her head held high, elegant as always.
She lit her horn and walked through her portal, coming out the other side once more with her armor on and hair in a bun under her helmet. Purple steel with sharp edges, guaranteed to hurt any creature who applied pressure without the proper wear. There was going to be a big fight today. According to the diary, Mahloo and Marloo were twins, brother and sister seaponies. But not the nice kind. They were fast, and they were deadly. They don't speak, they attack first.
Narmeelah described it as "capturing dominance". They weren't feral, but they start off that way. Once they were good and tired, then they would listen. But if you fall, you weren't getting up. The cannons weren't going to work, those were slow compared to them and according to the instruments above, they were coming up on their battleground.
Arcadia took a deep breath. A deep calming breath. This was going to be the biggest and final obstacle all the way out until the final fight with Maheera. She had better make it count.
Arcadia used her magic to grab her sword, glowing with magic even in its scabbard. Once she was comfortable as she could be and her Comm Block was on hoof placed between her armor, the door was thrown open and she marched out, immediately flanked by the guards stationed there. She walked through her saluting soldiers with determination. Her path lead way for the upper deck's access to the bridge. When she reached the cool wooden deck, the sun was rising into the sky. The blue seas reflected the light into her eyes and off the hulls of all the Aquatas. Looks like Celestia was up.
Captain Sword was on the deck glaring at the waves with Dark Silver and more notable captains. "Salute!!" They turned around and saluted to the Queen at the Admiral's command, watching from above and behind.
Arcadia stopped a mere feet away, then nodded at them from underneath her helmet and greeted, "At ease, and good morning. Your orders are this: Ready all weaponry but do not fire unless I say so. Keep the refugees away from the edges and inside. And last but not least, leave it to me, unless I request your assistance. The battle shouldn't require a lot of magical usage, but it's still very dangerous."
"Yes, ma'am!" They responded.
"Dismissed. Make sure every creature gets breakfast. And could someone have a census made for all Pegasi on every Aquata?"
Captain Gliding nodded and answered, "I'll see that it's done." Then scampered off behind the Queen, heading to fulfill the order. Arcadia watched her leave for a moment. Then nodded to her own personal guards. They saluted then marched away, leaving the Queen to her task. Once they were out of sight, Arcadia slowly unsheathed her sword with her magic and closed her eyes, focusing on the waves. It would be a while before they showed up. She should've gotten breakfast, but there was no telling when they'd attack.
~✶~
Once the sun was in the sky, Celestia stepped back from the east edge of Aquata Zero and back to Luna stretching and watching everyone else. Even though they weren't the only ones up a high percentage chose to sleep in. The crusaders for example, even in their teenage years, were piled on top of each other snoring logs through the sun's warm rays. Even in the midst of discomfort, they still managed to find each other.
Celestia smiled at the sight before making her way past. Along the way, she spotted one of the only ponies who'd of course keep themselves hidden. Tempest, or Fizzlepop Berrytwist. She didn't have her armor on anymore, but that coat of hers had definitely seen better days.
After the Storm King was defeated she was sentenced to small community service and had befriended Twilight on a much smaller scale than anyone else. When she heard Twilight had went off the map, she was surprisingly worried.
She was checking her body over for any dirt and grime. She would wipe off any patches of dirt and grime she'd see. No showers meant they had to use what they had. Celestia could attest.
Upon approach, Celestia kindly greeted, "Good morning, Fizzle."
She looked up from cleaning her hooves and graced her speaker with a smile. "Good morning, Princess Celestia."
"Did you sleep well?"
Tempest shrugged and answered, "As well as I could on steel. Do you know how much longer until we're in uhhhh..."
Celestia glanced up to think. Then answered, "I believe by tomorrow evening. According to Queen Twilight, we'll be reaching a defensive Obelisk line this evening. Then crossing one hundred miles to port."
Fizzlepop chuckled and stood up stretch, thus straining her words. "Was that really Twilight? The same Princess that I uhhh..."
Celestia nodded and answered, "Yes it is. She's been watching our backs and fronts this entire time."
"ATTENTION, ALL CREATURES!" A voice boomed through the air. All ponies rose from their slumber. The crusaders tumbled, Rainbow zipped up from her cloud, and one of the dragons flapped their wings. Upon the walkways above Admiral Star looked down unto all the creatures below with more personnel. He held a Comm Block up to his mouth, speaking loud. "This is your Admiral of the Fleet speaking! This morning we are going to come across our last and final obstacle before we reach our safety point by tonight. Then we'll be reaching Psera by tomorrow evening. Queen Arcadia has requested all ponies stay away from the edge at least three meters or ten feet save for the Psera Military. And to strictly let her handle it. The Queen knows what she is doing."
Celestia shared a glance with Luna and Cadance with the same thought on their minds: What exactly was she handling? They knew about the final obstacle, but not the nature of it.
"We will be passing out rations in a few minutes so please remain calm. Thank you." The Admiral cut the feed and raised his hoof to wave around in a circle, sending the signal to continue normal operations.
While they were setting up, Queen Novo and her daughter, as well as Madam Singe made way for the Princesses. Novo immediately asked the same question they wanted to, "So what is she handling?"
Celestia shook her head and answered, "Not sure. But I know who might. Odega!" She waited for a moment and stayed quiet amongst all the chatter before a fireball fell right in front of Tempest.
She yelped and jumped back a little out of surprise, nearly bumping into the back of a sleeping pony. Odega walked out of the flame created and yawned. Then smacked her lips and asked nonchalantly, "...what?" She was clearly not in an answering mood this morning.
Cadance asked, "What is today's obstacle?"
"Mahloo and Marloo. Two aggressive seaponies." Novo only blinked at that.
Luna asked her own question. "So what exactly are we dealing with? What's happening right now."
"Exactly? Two aggressive Seapony twins that don't ask questions and move really fast. They were really mean to me in the past. No one else can fight them right now except Arcadia because she can feel them move through her Aura. Even the Guard can't get them. They're secondary defense to Psera and listen solely to Narmeelah. The only way to get them to listen is to gain dominance. So Arcadia has to fight them in a death match this morning to get them to listen and obey orders.
"First creature too tired to move loses. If Arcadia gets one down, they're out. Then she has to focus on the next. But if she goes down, there's no getting up. And we're done for—oh excuse me. You're done for. Now I'm going back to sleep."
While Odega flew away, Cadance, Luna, Celestia, and Shining Armor were only focused on one term. "Death match?!" They exclaimed. That's insane! This has gone on long enough.
Shining looked around and hectically waved over a guard. The all black, scary looking one. She was carrying one of the cannons on her back and had some strapped to her when she made it over. Nonchalantly she asked, "Yes, what do you need?"
"Where is my sister?" He asked quickly. "I would rather she not go into a death match with ponies she doesn't know about."
Private Smalls sighed through her nose and answered, "Sir, her highness is not to be disturbed. Follow orders and let the Queen handle what she wants. She is far more than capable of defending herself and all of us."
While her friends and family were going nuts below, Arcadia's closed eyes and lit horn were focused on the movement of the waves from the front of the ship. The motion of the sea.
The growling beneath.
Arcadia popped her eyes open and swiftly raised her hoof. "Aquata eleven, lead your squad to the right and split off! Aquata one lead your squad to the left and meet Aquata Eleven's back in the middle two hundred yards out, forming a circle! Then all Aquatas cut all engines! We're here!"
Cadance plugged a hoof into Shining's ranting mouth for a moment with the other holding Flurry to her chest. He was about to start rambling to an Elite Soldier. She chuckled nervously and clarified, "We're just a little concerned that Queen Arcadia is fighting alone. I'm sure we could be of some assistance."
Private Smalls raised her hoof to silence her. Then placed it on her earpiece to listen in. After a few seconds, she locked eyes on them. "You may want to hold on to something."
"...what?" The boat's alarms blared before it tilted to the right, moving to the left.
"Buck!" Tempest dropped to the ground like everyone else while Smalls scrambled away to her post. "Wh-What's happening?"
"Not sure!" Cadance responded. After a few more minutes of tilting the alarms stopped blaring and everyone slowly rose to their hooves. Cadance gasped and pointed towards the Bay Doors. "Look!"
The fleet had been split up and formed a wide circle. They were all still within sights of each other, but that still made things all the more uneasy. The Aquata shook before all power in the hangar cut off, save for the repetitive beeping of some unknown instrument. Celestia raised her hoof and immediately ordered, "Every creature, please stay calm! Do not yell or scream!"
Dragon Lord Ember flew over to her and landed next to Singe to ask, "What's going on?"
Celestia shook her head and answered, "Not sure." She with Luna and Cadance teleported over behind the defense line and scanned the blue sea in between them, surrounded by gray steel. They seemed to have stopped progress entirely.
Captain Gliding raised her hoof and reported, "Team Sword Aquata Zero, ready!" Celestia waited for a few more seconds of silence. It was like a giant stick of butter was in the air, replacing an easy morning with a difficult air to breathe. A shadow flew straight over, spurring interest.
Arcadia reported, "I'm moving in."
"Ready cannons!" Dark ordered. The turrets started spinning, but didn't start firing. The Queen could handle this. This was all her. Arcadia zoomed up when she was over the middle of blue waves. Then activated a spell and dropped down. Any who could see her just watched her fall and hit the waves, forming it into ice. It spread out from Twilight, turning the blue seas into white. Then all was once again quiet by the time it hit Aquata Zero and climbed up the sides creating a very thick ice skating rink.
Queen Arcadia spread her large wings and took up her pose. Steel hooves gripped the ice and eyes watched the waves, magic on her sword and ears trained on the waters beneath. There was a lot of movement in her Aura. From only two, just like she predicted, but speeding around like bees. Concentration was essential to track them.
She closed her eyes and focused. One of them just dipped directly below her. Now they're rising straight up. Queen Arcadia jumped forward and slid out of the way before they breached the surface, crashing straight and into the air. Marloo. Similar to a Gray mare the size of Luna with snake eyes and flaps behind the head like a lizard that shook like a rattlesnake's rattle. They had a long thin tail that served as a rudder in the waves and wings that helped them fly underneath, like a dragon's. These were the savages of the sea.
Marloo landed in front of Arcadia and spread her head flaps and wings. Then screamed right at her. Thankfully her helmet was on. Everyone else wasn't so lucky. The backup and foreigners covered their ears and grimaced while her scream passed. Then slowly paid attention when it did. Arcadia Nova prepared for her running start before Mahloo came in next.
Copying his sister, he landed on his claws after breaching the ice. And screamed at Arcadia from behind. Twilight's armor vibrated against her fur from it's sheer velocity and frequency. But it didn't deter her. She readied her sword with her magic and shifted her stance so she could watch them both. One from behind, and the other in front. Captain Gliding Sword gulped loud but kept those cannons trained on those things. They looked far more than dangerous and definitely worse up close.
Arcadia's breathing slowed before the first one zipped forward. Claws sharp and fangs ready to bite. Marloo. Cadance gasped but was completely surprised by what happened next. Twilight raised her right wing over Marloo and brought it straight down. Trapping her between it and the ice. Once she was trapped, she teleported back by the time Mahloo came and slammed straight into his sister, sliding across the ice.
They quickly scampered apart before Queen Arcadia landed right where they were. This wasn't their regular feud. This pony was different. No more one-on-one. Two-on-one was more like it. Like a Pseratep, they zipped forward at the same time with their wings. Their claws glistened in the sunlight, reaching their target within a second. In response Arcadia spun around with one wing and her bottom left hoof out, slapping Mahloo back a little and kicking Marloo in the face. Both flew to the side. Whoever this was, they were good.
Mahloo quickly regained his steps and realized his mistakes. They were being too forward. He scuffed at the ice, digging in deep claw marks before flying forward once again. Arcadia saw this coming. Sort of. He jumped to the far left and right, just like his sister to try and confuse her. Then swiped his claw into Arcadia's chest armor leaving a nasty gash in the steel. Thank Narmeelah for this metal or there would be no Queen right now.
Twilight brought her hoof back and slugged him. Then used her sword to cut Marloo when she approached. She yelped and ducked back, but kept her evil eyes on the pony. Sometimes being Queen meant you had to get dirty. And drawing blood was the dirtiest you could get in her position. While she was licking her paw, Mahloo bit down on Arcadia's right hoof and tried to yank off the armor. But immediately stepped back from that near jab from Arcadia's horn.
Finding this a great opportunity, Queen Arcadia stood up on her hind legs and raised her hooves. The ice under Mahloo grew spikes to wrap around him, immobilizing her target so she could deal with Marloo. One legend at a time is better. Marloo was zooming straight for her from what she could hear. She looked over her shoulder at the same time Marloo collided straight into her, knocking her off her hooves.
Arcadia lost focus on her magic. She dropped and clattered her sword on the ice, shimmering in the sun. They flew back and landed on the ice, sliding to a stop with Marloo on top.
Arcadia planned for this way before time. An organized Queen was the best Queen. Marloo brought back her right paw with sharp claws bearing gruesome intentions when she was grabbed and thrown off of Arcadia. She immediately pounced back up and screamed at a copy of Arcadia, completely confused by how. The original had her horn shimmering, summoning a spell. A Spell...
Marloo turned to her struggling brother not too far away, scrambling and sliding desperately to get out of the ice spikes.
"Hurry, you fool!! There are two of them!!" She scolded. Her voice was rough. Old but young at the same time. Mahloo screamed too and had enough.
Like a cat, he swiped wildly and successfully broke from the freezing ice. He shook off the moisture on his fur and swiveled around to face Arcadia one, and Arcadia two.
Twilight prided herself in completing these spells, which according to Equestrian magic were impossible. For Equestria. The copy was raw magic. A lot of raw magic. They did what she wanted them to do. Such as fire a beam of magic at the incoming two. But instead of firing at Mahloo who was coming for her, she fired at Marloo who was coming for her original. The favor was returned. The beams crossed and created an X, soaring straight for the other. The two were completely surprised. Of course they were.
The magic blasted them back onto their own backs. And Arcadia pounced on before they could rise and start again. Now, they were done. Gliding seethed through her teeth and shut her eyes while Arcadia laid it on them.
From her immediate right Private Smalls squinted and asked, "Did she break their jaws? Oh stars, there's some blood in there."
"I think so. Yeah, she got this. At ease, soldiers, the Queen declares victory once more." Celestia's right eye was twitching while Shining's mouth was catching sea flies. One of them tried to get up but was immediately knocked back down. Cadance flinched at their whines and whimpers.
Without ripping her eyes away, Luna asked, "Is it just me or did Twilight get wayyy more violent?"
Celestia shook her head and answered, "It's not just you."
Marloo's head was slammed onto the ice by her right cheek, facing Aquata Zero while Mahloo was just getting laid out by Arcadia two. Arcadia One, the host leaned down and yelled, "ARE YOU GOING TO PAY YOUR BUCKING TAXES, PONY?! HUH?! ANSWER ME WHEN I ASK YOU A QUESTION!!"
"I'll pay my taxes, I'll pay! I'll pay!" Marloo coalesced. This pony was angry about something that had nothing to do with her, but Marloo didn't have the strength to ask what about. And she didn't feel like asking the pony holding her head into ice why.
"Are you going to obey orders?!" Twilight kneeled on her back and held one paw behind her with one hoof, and using the other to squish her face into the ice.
"I'll obey orders, I'll obey orders!"
"I am Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle of Psera! Maheera has risen and Psera requires your assistance!! Are you aligned?! All creatures are working together to defeat her, are you with us?!"
"...MAHEERA'S AWAKE?!"
Twilight slammed her face harder and bellowed, "YES OR NO?!"
"Yes, yes!! In the name of Narmeelah we swear our allegiance to you 'til death do us part!"
Arcadia harrumphed and let them go. Mahloo was not too far away groaning and stroking his bleeding muzzle. He spat out a tooth and stood up to face Queen Arcadia. This mare had a really hard hit. Then bowed with his sister. "We pledge our allegiance to you, Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle of Psera."
Arcadia waved her hoof towards her copy and diminished her away. Then used her magic to grip her sword and bring it back to her side. She nodded to Mahloo and Marloo and asked, "I take it you know Odega?"
Mahloo spat out some more blood and fixed his neck. Jeez, this pony has some hits. "Know her? She annoys us."
"I Heard that!"
Mahloo turned to Aquata Zero and screamed to ring their ears. Then turned back to Arcadia and asked, "So... You're the new Queen of Psera? You have a horn. Interesting." His voice was deep. Arcadia could tell these ponies were really ancient. Old, and ancient.
"Yes, I am an Alicorn-Pseratep. Follow me." She turned and made her way to the ship for a few steps then raised her Comm Block to her mouth. "All engines power on, we're moving forward to Psera." She looked over her shoulder and asked, "Did you know Narmeelah personally?"
Marloo nodded before the three of them took flight towards Aquata Zero. Once Twilight left the surface, the Ice began to melt back into blue sea. "Yes, we fought alongside her in the fight against Maheera," she answered. "What do you mean she has risen? She's back?"
"It's exactly how I answered it." Arcadia flapped her wings to slow her descent. Then landed on the deck of Aquata Zero when the horn blared. Mahloo's flaps shout out by instinct before calming down and he focused back on the Queen with his sister. "Maheera has taken over all known lands on Equus, leaving Psera the only continent available. It took a while, but we're only allowing refugees for this time being until we figure something out. I'm regrouping all of the Legends of Psera for a combat team to stop her. Only my magic can truly hurt her. No other magic. We're en route to Psera so we can plan and provide refuge. Do you need anything?"
Mahloo shook his head and answered, "No, we are fine your highness."
Arcadia nodded then walked through her portal once more. Then came out the other side in her royal wear. "Okay. Let me know if you need anything. Or even Odega for that matter." She ordered into her Comm Block, "They're yours, Admiral. Let's move." She nodded to the dangerous Sea Ponies then turned and made her way back into the ship. She had to eat breakfast.
Marloo and Mahloo glanced at each other then watched her walk away and disappear down the steel steps into the ships.
Without taking her eyes off, Marloo asked, "Do you believe Maheera has risen again—you must have your muzzle examined you ignorant filly!!"
Mahloo wiped his hoof along his face. Then used the other to snap it back into place comfortably. "Auuuggghh, no I do not," he retorted. Marloo rolled her eyes. He was constantly allowed his pride to get the best of him. Flexing his jaw, Mahloo answered, "And yes, I do believe Maheera is up again. Do you not feel it in the air? Even at sea you can feel her chaos."
"Yes, it is thick and very gross. Now wash your face. You reek with blood and death."
The bridge was once again in motion. All ships were on the move once more, assuming formation in a large triangle and heading out for the great land beyond the horizon of nothing but blue. Even after what just happened, it was as if nothing changed. The air was still cool, the wind was full of chatter and magical signals from the Queen's communication systems, and the goal was still get to Psera.
The creatures below were supposedly getting breakfast. Twilight had yet to go down there and check on them concerning issues. She had more important matters in her office. Like getting some food into her own stomach and an update on diplomatic affairs. But the latter could wait.
As usual, Arcadia walked onto the bridge and was saluted to. "At ease," she ordered. "Update me."
She made her way for the glass on the far side of the room while Dark followed along after her. He stated, "We're currently in the process of updating your census as requested, and our guests are receiving breakfast on every ship. As of this moment, we have three million rations left and being held on Aquata Three. Enough for dinner and a small breakfast."
That was enough for a day and a half. Arcadia nodded and read the Old Pseratopian instruments above the glass. Aquata Zero was currently going through its morning water check and needed to be looked at for its magical supply. That was her department. She had to go down and check it out. Probably bring Cadance with her to do it just to talk. It got lonely on these Aquatas.
"Er... Oh, excellent. Sorry, Dark. How are Lieutenants Worn Weather and Shining Sword?"
He shrugged and waved it off playfully. He always had that streak about him. He treated those two like they were his sons. It made her smirk. "Puh. Those two damoos are keeping watch on the rear helm. More than likely doing something ridiculous."
Arcadia smirked and rolled her eyes. "Oh, stop, you know they mean well."
"I do. But that still doesn't mean I can't tease my two boys. Now onto more... Personal matters. Private Smalls of Gliding's team reported that your family and a few of the royalty down below weren't too happy with you fighting Mahloo and Marloo."
"They are not used to the way we run things in Psera."
"Clearly. It would do them well to relax."
"They don't know the meaning of the word. I'll go talk to them in a few minutes, even if they don't have a say so in the matter. I'd like my breakfast to meet me by the entrance to the hangar please, if you will. I have to go and check out the magical supply of all the ships to ensure they're moving along smoothly."
Arcadia turned around and made her way back to the door with a purpose. Dark called, "Do you need any assistance?"
Without turning around, she shook her head and answered, "No, I'll be fine. Thank you, Dark." Dark watched her disappear out the door. Then sighed and slowly turned back around to face the ocean. Hopefully that giant monster thing wasn't following along like some soldiers think she is. It'd be a complete disaster if she was.
The lines of lights brightened the gray steel stairs path Arcadia walked down leading into Aquata Zero's innards. Then onto a walkway over another level. Her shadows danced on the floor beneath her, busy with the movement of more ponies than before. Small lights flashed on the wall for more technology that had to pass inspection by the end of this quarter. Something else to remind the Aqua General of.
After a few more seconds, she made her way down another pair of stairs and was once again saluted to. Ignoring it like usual, she met up with the chef at the doors as requested, balancing a covered tray on his back. He was wearing a military uniform, but Private Colored Stars' white pristine coat practically shined right through.
"For you, your highness," he greeted.
Arcadia used her magic to lift the lid and check what was underneath. Her mouth watered at her find. A million ways to eat this raced through her head. For now she settled with grabbing the plate with her magic.
Arcadia nodded at the soldier and replied, "Thank you, Private. Have a great day, okay?"
He saluted and replied, "Yes, ma'am." Then made his way back to his post. Arcadia watched him leave then used her magic to open the doors in front of her into the cool—and dark—hangar packed with soldiers and refugees.
She stepped out onto the walkway and turned right, making way through the saluting soldiers of Psera. It was cold and needed to be heated up with the heat of the sun. Unfortunately, the only ones who could actually have that were the pegasi who could simply fly out and into the heated air.
Admiral Star was currently speaking with one of the captains and had his back to Arcadia on the main bridge leading to the other side of the hangar. The soldier in front of the Admiral widened their eyes and saluted. The Admiral not too soon followed along.
"As you were," Arcadia ordered.
The admiral waved the soldier away and then turned to Queen Arcadia who finally relished in the taste of one of the three Maphitos she was currently chowing down on. She moaned and hummed in satisfaction, facial expression graced with a pleased smile. Maphitos were pretty much donuts in Psera. But they had a much better sugary, creamy taste and feel to them. She mainly went for the texture, but the flavors were certainly a bonus.
She turned her body and trained her purple eyes on the events below the lights and walkways. A lot of motion. A few decided to sleep the time off while others indulged in games, conversations, reading, or talking about the personal items they brought with them.
After swallowing her food, Arcadia motioned with her head to the floor way down below and asked, "Aren't Maphito's great, Admiral?"
He confusedly followed her gaze and answered, "They're the gold in my mouth. But I have a feeling you don't want to talk about gold though. Or food for that matter, your highness."
Arcadia nodded and coalesced, "Eh, true." Then took a bite out of her food and motioned towards the ground, asking her question without words. The admiral knew her well enough to successfully guess.
Admiral Star answered, "All was calm during your battle at sea. Not a lot of movement but a lot of worry from your family over there." He motioned with his head towards the white stallion with a blue mane, and the pink Alicorn with a foal in her hooves. Along with Celestia and Luna. They looked like tiny dots. Admiral Star chuckled and said, "Private Smalls said your brother was trying to be tough and demanded to see you earlier."
Arcadia rolled her eyes and responded, "Well, Shining is used to giving orders and having ponies obey them. He's the Captain of the Royal Guard in Equestria. A colonel of their military."
"High ranking."
"Yes. But even they were not ready for this. Send for Princess Cadance please, and direct her to the batteries. I know we're supposedly out of danger at the moment, but there may be some things at sea I do not know about. So keep the Guard on their hooves and scan for nineteen thousand depths in the next hour. North, East, South, and West. Just to be safe. Then send the results to my office."
"Yes, ma'am."
"I'll be doing my checkups." Arcadia turned around and left him to fulfill those orders. She had her own duties today.
~✶~
Shining wouldn't stop pacing, and it was beginning to annoy Cadance. Not to mention Flurry. He crossed her sight one more time before Cadance sighed and said, "Shining, she's fine. I am sure of it."
Celestia bumped in with her own worries and asked her, "But what if she's hurt?"
Then Luna added, "Or maimed?!"
Cadance and Flurry groaned and rolled their eyes. Great, now he has the others started.
An Elite soldier suddenly dropped down in front of Shining's path and saluted to the Princesses. Shining unfortunately had the pleasure of greeting his weaponized wings personally, receiving a face full of feathers in the process. The soldier asked, "Princess Cadance?"
She stood up and slowly nodded. "Yes, I am she."
The soldier lowered his hoof back to the floor and relayed, "Her highness has requested your presence in the power levels."
Cadance looked to Celestia then back to the soldier. "Er... O-okay." She placed Flurry Heart in Celestia's hooves since Shining was a little busy checking his muzzle for any cuts. Then stood up and followed after the Elite Guard. There seemed to be more of them than any of the other branches. Why was that? Wouldn't the Aqua Guard be the ones doing all the work since they were on an Aquata at sea?
Cadance shrugged it off and followed without another word. Instead of taking the staircases, Cadance was led to a single steel locked door on the hangar floor. It had a keypad with numbers on it that the Guard pressed in a sequence. Must've been a code. The keypad beeped for about a second, urging the Guard to pull the door open. Then invited her in with a hoof.
When Cadance first stepped inside the first thing she noticed was the atmosphere. It was dark and brown, save for the small lights above casting a small glow on the pipes and panels following brown walkways. An eerie hum reached her ears with no clear hint to origin.
After the Guard closed and locked the door, he walked around Cadance and led her to a staircase for a lower level. Then back to the rear of the ship. That hum was growing increasingly loud until it was all Cadance could hear. They walked towards another door and stepped through. Cadance was the first to walk in, and gasped when she did.
There was a lot of machinery in here. But the centerpiece were the three large purple tubes of whatever in the center of the room, which was more like the throne room back in Equestria.
The tubes were filled with liquid made up of a bright neon violet and had smaller tubes at the top that carried whatever was inside up to the surface in the ship. Cadance had a feeling it was magic. Liquified magic.
"Over here, Cadance." She turned her eyes towards the voice of Queen Twilight. She had her eyes closed and horn glowing with magic, facing one of the giant batteries at the bottom. And was absolutely okay. You can stop worrying now Shining. She was doing something with a spell towards the purple stuff that had it bubbling up to the surface.
"Thank you, Guard," Twilight recognized.
The Guard at the door bowed. Then made his way out and shut the door behind him. Leaving Cadance with Queen Arcadia.
Eyes still closed and spell still active, Twilight asked, "How are you, Cadance? Anything going on out there? Is it cold in the hangar, I haven't been on the floor since yesterday evening."
Cadance asked her own question. "What happened out there? That wasn't like you, Twilight."
"Cadance..." Twilight finished the spell and opened her eyes. She reached out behind the tube and grabbed a clipboard hidden from sight. "As Queen, it is my duty to see to it that every creature on these Aquatas make it back safely. And sometimes hooves must get dirty."
"But what about your soldiers? Twilight, that was really dangerous—"
"Cadance." Twilight placed the clipboard back and turned her body to finally face Cadance. "You're probably not used to that in Equestria. But in Psera, it is tradition that everypony learn self-defense. Merry taught me a few things and Madun and I like to Spar for practice at least twice a month. I can defend myself quite well, even without magic. Getting physical is just part of living in Psera. Let alone ruling Psera."
"So is everyday a new physical battle?" Cadance asked. "Twilight—"
"Cadance, I'm going to have to put a firm hoof down and say anypony not from or currently residing in Psera has no say so about how these situations are handled."
Cadance sighed and shook her head. "Twilight, we just don't want to lose you," she whispered. "You... You're more violent than before."
"I have to protect my family, my friends, and definitely my daughter. The world is growing, Cadance. Magic is getting stronger, threats are getting bigger. One day, you'll understand how precious and fragile things are when somepony tries to take your life, along with your foal's on your wedding day, then realize that everything, everywhere, is not the same as Equestria. Peaceful and pleasant. There are real actual lethal threats out there that we all have to prepare for. I hope one day you'll understand that sometimes, in this world, you'll have to fight back with a hoof and blade, not magic and friendship."
Cadance sighed and stayed silent while Twilight walked around her for the door. "Now, onto more pressing matters," Twilight said. "Last night, I spoke with a few key representatives in Psera who had some bad news. Follow me." Cadance immediately turned around and followed Queen Arcadia out into the ship.
Once they were out of the battery room, Cadance asked, "What bad news? Will it affect us?"
"Possibly. Her Majesty told me that a letter was intercepted in the mail from a conservative who we believe is trying to round up other conservatives all with one common interest. As I'm sure you know my ponies have a tendency to make things go their way. But when they don't, well... They make it happen."
Arcadia walked down the hall and turned left instead of right for the Hangar. Apparently, the Queen had a different location in mind. Cadance asked, "Are you saying we could be in danger on Psera?"
Twilight sighed loudly. "I doubt it, but I've learned to never underestimate ponies of this nature. The police are backtracking that letter to find the pony who sent it. Then are going to go through their information to see if they sent anymore as well as make some arrests. Until then, don't worry about it."
Arcadia lifted her hoof and relayed, "Arcadia to fleet, I'm leaving Aquata Zero and boarding Aquata Three." She pushed open a door and walked up a steel staircase for the deck of the ship. Then pushed open the door for that and stepped out into the cool morning air of the salty sea. Cadance followed along and looked around. This was the second time she's been up here. Yesterday, she was completely shrouded in the cool temperatures of the Hangar while the blazing heat warmed the coats of the many soldiers on deck.
Arcadia lifted her large wings and flew into the air. So Cadance took flight directly after and followed her towards wherever she was needed. Which was apparently the third ship over with the large number three on the top of the bridge. Cadance soared underneath Queen Arcadia and attempted at conversation. "So..."
Acadia smiled and said, "You'll like this one. My daughter's birthday is coming up next week. Usually on that day my ponies all over the nation celebrate in their own ways. Not because it's her birthday, but because she made it through to the birthing stage."
"They're happy she made it out."
"Right. Another victory in Psera's name. She's always wanted a large birthday party, but Madun and I weren't so sure. She never really had friends except those in the family and it concerns me. So I'm really happy that you guys can come along and make it special."