//------------------------------//
// Chapter 21 - Welcome To Cop 
// Story: Twilight Daylight: Psera, The Legend of Legends 
// by thedarktome 
//------------------------------//

After those who decided to reside in the castle were rounded up, the vehicles were escorted away from the camps near Lavender. They turned back onto the road and drove past the full magnitude of Arcadia's refugee camp bustling with activity. There were five of those large things, a playground, a shed and a lot more. It was practically classified as a huge neighborhood. No wonder she was concerned about land space. This one alone took up a third of all the free space here for miles.

During the ride, Fresh Dawn was really expressive about her extreme excitement that Aunt Celestia and everyone else were visiting. She could hardly stop moving. But she did eventually fall asleep and stop talking when the pods didn't stop. Either that or the flashing yellow lights from the security pods up ahead were making her drowsy. The sky was growing to overcast, so that may have posed as a reason.

In the pods behind the King, Queen and Princess, the Royalty for Foreigners were adapting themselves to this technology. It wasn't as nice as the King and Queen's—not even close—but there were plenty of ways to get comfortable. Such as the button to warm up the seats that Flurry Heart was messing with. Secretary Gardeen was assigned to be in the back with them while they rode and stared out the windows at all the farmland of Fenix.

With her eyes on the land beyond the windows, Amira of Saddle Arabia brushed her long purple mane to the side and stated, "There is certainly a lot of land here in uhhh...Psera."

Gardeen shot back awake and looked around with tired eyes. "Oh yeah, Fenix. It's all Farmland. Miles and miles of farmland. We should be reaching the city-side shortly before we hit the sacred land. Then reach Cop afterwards. I'm sure his and her highness will be sleeping the rest of the way. Just like I'll definitely be."

Celestia smirked and asked, "Long day?"

Gardeen covered her mouth and yawned before answering. "Really long day. And I still have to file those forms before I get off and get to Pink."

Madam Singe peeked out from the seats on the side and asked, "Your job must be tough."

"When Queen Arcadia took the throne, requests started coming like mad. Her first day on the throne was a record holding five hundred requests for the present and the future. When she helped rebuild Psera, they thought she could rebuild their lives. So a line out the front door of the castle. Let me show you." Gardeen reached under her seat and pulled out what looked like a glass pad that she played with. Then held it out to Celestia.

It was an even shot of the inside of the foyer of the COTG inside of a standard glass picture frame. There was a squiggly line of Pserateps waiting for their calls to be answered narrowed in by red velvet rope.

Gardeen pointed to the ponies and said, "This is the first floor. The line had to be extended throughout the entire first floor, the second, then the third before reaching the throne room. It was so big a policy had to be set in place. And not everyone got in that day."

Luna and Celestia shared a wide-eyed look and slowly passed the pad back. That was a lot of requests in one day. On their own first days on the thrones, they had a minimum of seventy. Arcadia had five hundred. King Chancellor whispered, "She's taking on a hard job, huh?"

"Definitely. But she's handled bigger issues than answering questions and making projects. I suggest you relax right now though, it's going to be nearly two hours before we reach Cop. And before you ask, Princess Cadance, there's no flying by chariot or wings when there are visitors. It was put in place after the alliance with Equestria was settled."

"Oh. Well a long drive indeed," she whispered. She looked down at Flurry in between her and Shining Armor. Just snoring away the time. It was definitely going to be awhile before they reached Cop. So Cadance decided to close her eyes and sleep too. A long drive indeed.


Two hours later


The pods were entirely silent save for the motor of their engines, humming away through their bones. Celestia was enjoying the peace. The silence for once in her lifetimes. The noise seemed to fade away when they reached her ears. It was so peaceful. So quiet and serene. Her dreams came in a fluid torrent of waves.

"Mom? It got dark."

Celestia's eyes snapped open at Flurry's voice and scanned the Pod's interior. Sure enough, the sky disappeared and the only lights on were the tiny ones above inside the Pod. And those were providing a more romantic setting than anything.

The others must've heard her announcement too because they all snapped awake and looked around. Queen Novo was the first to ask. "What happened? Is everything alright?"

Luna raised a hoof and replied, "Calm yourself, Novo. We're just entering the Capital. We're here."

Gardeen stretched her back and sighed in relief before the sliding window for the drivers by her head slid open.

"Secretary?" A Guard called. Just one of the two up there.

Gardeen turned towards it and replied, "Yes?"

"The Elite Guard is ordering us to go to Leebel B Nine."

Gardeen got a confused look on her face before she acquiesced. "Okay, thank you Sergeant." The door slid back before she turned to the rest of the ponies. "Okay, so new orders but they don't change the endpoint. While the King and Queen go through the main route, we're taking a different one. So while they're moving ahead, we're taking a right and adding ten minutes to the route."

Shining Armor just shrugged and laid back once more. "That's fine, more sleep."

"I agree." Luna slapped her head back right up to the cushion and would have started snoring again if the light at the end of the tunnel didn't reach her eyes first. She sighed and opened them back up. "Nevermind."

Novo looked out the window and slowly dropped her jaw. They were in the biggest city she's ever seen. And that wasn't in miles, although that could still be accounted for if her sight was still something to brag about. Even though a majority of the buildings here were medium sized, the big ones blew the Hippogriff's structures completely out of the water. There was definitely something going on here. So many long winged ponies walking and flying around. Roaring across the sunny cloudless sky like lasers. Pods driving over their expansive bridges that overlapped through the city as far as they could see in a tangled mess. Foals flew past over their pods and playing with each other. Towers made of glass that reached for the skies.

Madam Singe was just staring with a wide open mouth and the biggest eyes Celestia had ever seen on her. Trained directly on one of the many skyscrapers with the animated windows that Celestia had questioned plenty of times. At the moment, it was showing a visual of some explosions and ponies jumping off of ledges onto the ground quickly. A trailer for some film more than likely debuting in Rayray.

A bunch of cheering was progressing from some other building downtown, rattling their ears. It just so happened to be some really big party with fireworks. Then by some strange but miraculous point of time, the music literally cut and all of those partying ponies stopped. And bowed.

Shining Armor whistled a descending legato tone and muttered, "Whoa, that is creepy."

Celestia silently agreed. She just assumed there were too many ponies here for Twilight to say "Stop bowing" to. Either that or it was a requirement.

"Holy buck, is that the c-c-castle?!" Consort Snow stammered. His light blue eyes were trained directly on the massive gated structure seen yards away. Towering over everything.

Luna nodded and answered, "Yes, this is the home to the Royalty."

They literally had no words. Especially when they locked eyes on the Central PDS Obelisk bright and flowing with active magic. Literally swirling around on the inside.

Gardeen looked around and informed, "We're breaking off." Before they could question it, their Pod broke off from the main group and started on a different path on an adjacent highway. So instead of going straight for the COTG like the King and Queen, four pods were going for the side of it.

King Madun watched the Pods on the other side move before Arcadia asked, "So a thorough checking?"

"Of course. Just to keep everyone safe. As well as a little security theater just in case to keep our own ponies safe with the knowledge that they're all danger-free."

Arcadia couldn't complain. Besides, she had to catch up on some urgent work. At a silent nuzzle, she looked down at the filly on her left obviously tired. Dawn was leaning into her wing trying to bury herself in all the feathers. Maybe she and Rainbow could sleep on a cloud together.



This was a really big castle. When the four separate security pods arrived, they had went around the building. This building was massive. A little too big really. Gardeen pulled Queen Novo out of her thoughts when she said, "Upon entry, the Elite Guards will be conducting a thorough checking."

Cadance sighed and replied, "Let me guess..." She pointed at her muzzle while her eyes delivered the question.

Gardeen nodded and answered, "Along with other places. All ponies are going through one. This is a very secure castle and everyone will be watched. Especially during this time."

Celestia nodded and turned to everyone. "To put Secretary Gardeen's words into a precise point... When the Guards tell you to do something, just do it. No words, no complaints, just do it. Psera is really strict on security."

Queen Novo had a bad feeling. She raised her eyebrows and slowly inquired, "What exactly are you implying?"

Gardeen clarified, "The Guard take the Fire Family's safety very seriously. So in order to provide security, they monitor and check visitors now each time someone enters. And they check.... Everywhere. Same for me."


~✶~


Queen Arcadia was so happy when she dropped back down behind her desk. She's been at sea for so long she nearly forgot her setup. The smoothness of the wood, the large floating sun in the middle of the room made of nature. The smell of flowers, trees, little butterflies flying around all on the inside. And the wind that lightly blew the two tiny flags for Psera and all of her City-States on the corners of her desk.

Fresh Dawn was apparently happy too. Bouncing up and down on one of the many giant mushrooms in front of the desk with a gleeful smile on her face.

"Daddy wouldn't let me come in here when you were away," Dawn said. She jumped back onto the floor and trotted around the desk for her mother. "Daddy was all, 'Stay away until your mother gets back.'"

Arcadia fawned and ruffled Dawn's mane happily. That little attitude kept her on her hooves each day. "Was daddy a big mean stinky pants?"

"Times two!!" Dawn added. She jumped into her mother's lap and looked at the stack of documents Arcadia needed to look through. "This is a lot of homework. I can't do this much."

Yeah, she will. Arcadia shushed that little voice in the back of her head and used her magic to slip a paper from the bottom in front of her. She looked down to Dawn and said, "This is just one of those things I have to do as Queen, sweetheart. All of the 'rescuing the rest of the world' is actually volunteer work."

Fresh Dawn looked behind her and repeated, "Volunteer?"

"I choose to do that. But I have to do these."

Dawn looked between the stack and the sword on the wall she saw her mother have earlier. That brought up a question.  "So...you chose the world over Psera?"

"Not exactly. Sometimes in order to save your home you have to leave it and save the rest of the world. I didn't do it because the world needed it. I did it because mommy didn't want to lose her little filly, daddy, or the rest of her family and friends here."

"Oh."

She didn't get it. She usually says that in a sort of way that gives that impression. Arcadia kissed the top of Fresh Dawn's mane then kindly whispered, "Someday, you'll understand. In the future I'll leave a notebook in here that you can find all of my best quotes in, okay?"

"Sure, mom."

Arcadia kissed her once more before she picked up the document she needed to review. "Now go and play, okay? Mommy has some really important work to do." Fresh Dawn hopped off of her lap and quickly bounded for the door. "And stay safe!! When the Guards tell you something..."

"Listen and do it, I know!" Fresh Dawn bounded out the door with fire in her hooves and into the secured luscious garden outside of her mother's office. Queen Arcadia eyed her while the door slowly creaked shut with time. Scampering away before it fully closed. Leaving her to peace and work. Her job was never truly done.



Way in the back, on the first basement level of the Castle, the members of IHT and Queen Arcadia's friends were eagerly making their way out of the security room like their tails caught on fire. Gardeen just giggled and walked out casually. "Amateurs," she teased.

Rarity whipped around and replied, "Well I am sorry if not all ponies are familiar with getting their...You know what groped like that. I mean really, what am I going to hide in there of all places?"

"You'd be extremely surprised." Ignoring Rarity's expression of horror, Gardeen reached into her bags and pulled out a Comm Block she slapped on her wrist. Then spoke into it when she passed through the rest of the rulers.

"Secretary Gardeen to Captain Dark Silver." She gestured with a hoof for the rulers to follow along with their things down the large and bland hallway. A complete contrast to everything upstairs. While everything there was colorful, historical,geographical and beautiful, everything down here was just...bland and long. A serious atmosphere.

Captain Dark Silver replied, "Ten four, Secretary?"

"I have Queen Arcadia's visitors here in the basement, where are their rooms?"

"Let me check for you. Standby." Gardeen looked back towards Cadance and pointed forward. Then made her hoof move to the left. Cadance just decided to follow along before Dark came back. "They're on the second floor, Section D, Secretary."

Gardeen raised her hoof once more and turned a left into a cut in the wall where an elevator sat. "Ten-four," she replied. Then pressed the key button for the elevator. She referred back to her guests. "Okay, so your rooms are going to be on the second floor. The second floor is for quick access events. All the Government offices are on the third floor. It's close and simple to reach. Just take the stairs up." The elevator dinged open next, ceasing that conversation and bringing them to the present.

Most of the time when Arcadia or her friends were here, they would take the stairs and such. But then again, they've never been in the basement. This was a whole new level. They all piled into the really large elevator and gathered mostly in the back. Once they were in, Gardeen pressed a seemingly random button out of the many on the panel with an Old Pseratopian number.

The ride up was quiet and serene. The sound of silence was ignored in favor of thoughts. Then Gardeen's Comm Block turned green. A request. She lifted it up to her face and played with it for a second.

"Secretary Gardeen," she yawned.

Queen Arcadia knew that type of voice. That was Gardeen's tired voice. Arcadia pressed one out of the many buttons on the hidden panel behind her desk and greeted, "You need a break, Gardeen."

Gardeen smiled and answered, "I still need to file these forms, your highness."

"I can do that, you obviously need rest. Just leave the stuff on your desk and I'll do it, okay? I'm in a working mood today."

"Well...If you insist, your highness." Gardeen looked to Celestia and made a silent happy face that had her snicker. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Just on time, the elevator door dinged open. Letting those familiar with the castle, and those definitely not familiar with these long and tall paths out into them. Gardeen stepped out first and looked left and right down the slightly occupied halls. The only ones here were a few government Pserateps wearing suits walking around reading documents, or talking with other ponies.

It was as if a cloud of ponies just stepped out into the halls and gazed around. The Cutie Mark Crusaders fawned and pointed at a few preserved historical artifacts while the Royalty nodded in envy.

King Chancellor hummed and stated, "This is really nice." He used his hoof to feel the marble underneath, gliding against the surface with little to no form of friction

Gardeen nodded and said, "Yes, this is an older castle that has been maintained for centuries. Follow me please to your rooms."

Gardeen started the trek by turning right and making her way down these large halls. The foreigners grabbed their things and quickly followed along.

During the move, they happened to glance into open offices. Really nice and luxurious. Glass desks, picture frames, flags, all types of stuff. LiVAMs, things of that nature. It was certainly different from what they've seen so far.

Gardeen looked over her shoulder and stated, "Whenever you leave the castle to tour Cop, you will need to wear your Foreigner Tag. These help us identify you and your position on Psera. And just like Arcadia planned, each pony here will be given jobs to keep our economy moving. That is very important."

Cadance nodded and replied, "That sounds fair. As long as we live here, we should be able to contribute to the well being of this country."

When they reached an intersection, Gardeen's ears flickered before she raised her wings in front of them.

"Wait," she ordered. Then sat down with a smile and added, "We have to let a specific filly past real quick. I know those scampering hooves anywhere."

Celestia was about to ask her to clarify when she heard it too. They were small, they were fast, and they were anxious.

"Porsheema, porsheema!!" Fresh Dawn yelled. She rushed down the hall as fast as her little hooves and large wings could carry her. Her cousins Lightning and Daisy Fire were behind her shouting at each other. Again. Those two could never get along.

They ran past the them and actually ended up blowing Rainbow Dash's mane to the side with their speed. Once again running for nothing. Gardeen sighed and yelled, "Slow down, Princess! Mommy doesn't want you hurt!"

"I'm fine!"

Gardeen just smiled and shook her head. That filly could blow the roofs off of buildings with her type of speed. "Okay, now that she's passed, we can move again."

Celestia walked up to Gardeen and asked, "Is Fresh Dawn a common happy sight around here?"

"Every. Single. Day. You'll see her performing some type of harmless prank later on one of the ponies she knows. So just be careful of that. Let's continue."


~✶~


Arcadia could feel a rut coming on. After she finished half the stack, she decided to take a short break and leave the office. She had to file Gardeen's paper as promised, then take a break. Psera Skies Extra should be placed well above the ground by this point. She'd be notified by letter about the tasks needed for temporary settlement and segmentation that required her and Madun's signature before it gets forwarded to record. Then they can move on to defense. The most important of all of this.

Arcadia was sure their barrier of Aquatas would restrict any from reaching land if her PDS didn't. Their newer weaponry was a huge success over in Equestria. All of that was magnificent work. Loud, but magnificent. There were some promises in the future. But also uncertainty. Such as Maheera Dark coming to Psera. They weren't taking any chances.

Arcadia slowed her escorted movements through the quiet halls at the front of the Castle Library. Then strode in while her eight guards protected the open doorway in a radius. The many levels of books were placed neatly and kept clean, just how she liked them. The walkways above for even more books were deserted, leaving the Queen to one of her many playgrounds.

The cool reflective marble floor was quiet right but another was around there somewhere. Librarians and others. They dared not leave for the loss of potential knowledge these mass of texts hold were their weakness.

Queen Arcadia started browsing the maze of high shelves. If one wasn't careful, one would be lost among the information. It's happened to her a few times. One of her favorite pastimes was reading. No matter her status, she would always take a few moments to read. Starswirl The Bearded's work in Equestria and SERL's work in Psera. And, just to go back to simpler times, Gardeen's work and some fiction writers.

A pink beanbag in the tight lonely corner of the library's first floor usually reserved for Fresh Dawn was now her mother's for the time being. Just something about the softness of the bag, the stuffed animals around it Dawn would read to, and the lack of hard light was enough for her to forget where they were.

A book held alight in her magic while it's pages were flipped by the first Alicorn-Pseratep. In here were where all troubles and manners were pushed to the side. Because out there was where trouble found her.

On another side of the castle, the hallways were filled with Princess Celestia's clopping hooves. Soft but urgent. No Guard in sight. It was really easy to get lost inside the COTG. And the signs in Old Pseratopian weren't really helping either. She could only read Ponish, not all these shapes.

She sighed in timid agitation. Where was a guard when needed?

"WE'RE GONNA HAVE SO MUCH FUN!" Celestia jumped and looked down to the four Pseratep foals running through her legs. Then out the other side behind her down the hall. Looks like Fresh Dawn found her cohorts in chaos.

She chuckled and started the trek again before she bumped into something.

"Oof! Ow!"

"Oh, I'm very sorry." Celestia regained her senses and looked down into the face of a dizzy gray coated Pseratep mare with a short and curly black mane and tail. Her dark brown eyes were going all over the place. Was it really that hard? Was Celestia putting on weight, or muscle?!

Celestia used her magic to place this mare back onto her hooves. Then chuckled nervously and said, "I have a feeling my speed will be slowed for the time I am here."

The Pseratep moaned and replied, "Oh it's not you. I've been trying to catch up with these foals and let me tell you. It is no easy feat. Hold, children!!"

The foals way up ahead slowed their speed and turned back to observe. Dark Dust pointed to her with excitable light brown eyes. "Mommy needs help!" He announced.

What? Fresh Dawn gasped and reared up on two hooves. "Let's save her! Chaaaarge!"

While the foals were soaring back, the Pseratep Celestia was speaking with politely introduced herself. "I'm Elegant Shadow. I look over Madun's daughter whenever she wants to play with my son. You're obviously not from around here. One of the foreigners her highness is helping."

Celestia nodded and replied, "Yes, I'm—"

"GRANDMA CELESTIA!!" Fresh Dawn's body slapped directly onto Princess Celestia's face with her hooves around her muzzle.

Celestia playfully licked Dawn's hoof and got the desired result. "Ew, gross! Granny germs!"

The two adults just giggled at her fit to rid of any possible granny germs so she "doesn't get old." Foals these days.

Celestia kindly corrected, "I'm Princess Celestia of Equestria."

"Oh, one of the rulers Madun mentioned. Yes, I remember. The pony who raises the sun. Come, children. Would you like to have tea?"

She and Celestia walked completely off the straight path Celestia was taking from the back. This place was a lot more than a maze.

She nodded and replied, "That would be lovely. I come here to see Queen Arcadia often, but I don't usually get out of the castle as I'd like. I noticed you address the king in a much more casual manner than everypony else."

"Oh yes. In the past he preferred everyone either call him Shimmering or Madun. Prince was 'too formal' for him." Prince? That was in the earlier years before Queen Arcadia was around. "We had actually grown up and attended High School together. Then college when..." Celestia raised an eye before she sighed and added, "We started dating."

Celestia whistled and asked, "What was that like?"

"He was entirely different back then before now. He was smaller and he took things less serious than now and that was the main reason we broke up. He had a more playful streak. Too playful. I think after we parted he began to change. I lost contact with him after that and next thing you know, he's crowned as king, put on the throne, the tragic attack on our soil, then Arcadia Nova arrives and things get seriously better. And finally I hear they're dating and get married. The first time was horrific. The second, much better."

Elegant Shadow turned them to the right and made a "U" into a red carpet stairwell leading down to the first floor. Golden rails cut off one side from the center as a median in case someone fell, and dim lights were buried in the smooth white ceiling.

Celestia nodded while the foals raced past and queried, "Was it awkward when you met my student?"

"I've...actually never met her." They arrived on the floor and turned a sharp right where Princess Fresh Dawn had raced off to play hoofsies with one of the Guards. She would touch her hoof then rush to the side so she couldn't touch her back.

But Elegant's admittance took Celestia by surprise. "Never?" She repeated.

Elegant shook her head and repeated, "Never. I keep in touch with Madun ever since the disaster to show him I still cared and he talked about her like she was gold. I've never seen her in person, but I see her a lot on LiVAMs and newspapers. Come, Dawn."

Celestia bent low and allowed Fresh Dawn to climb up her face for her back. Then rose again while she shuffled for her head. "Is it a bummer?" She asked.

"Well, not really. I would like to meet her, but I am aware she's Queen of a really busy nation. Which is even more busy now since your arrival. Getting to King Madun and Queen Arcadia will be much harder."

Celestia sighed and sadly apologized, "Yes, I am very sorry about Psera's reveal to the world. I can only imagine how uncomfortable it makes the Pserateps feel."

But Elegant laughed and replied, "Not all of us. Yes, it's uncomfortable for foreigners to be on our sacred land. But we also realize the results if we did not let you on. Queen Arcadia made that very clear in her State of Emergency address."

She turned left into a hallway connected to another with a pair of Gold-plated doors standing wide open for a Cafeteria that Fresh Dawn pointed to.

"Chocolate!" She cheered. "I spy with all eyes...Chocolate bars!"

The twin Princesses rushed forward into the cafeteria while Dawn just glided in from above. Dark Dust, however eager, walked in patiently. "Girls, we have to walk!" He reminded them. "Walk, please!"

Celestia chuckled at his cuteness then looked to Elegant. "Your son?"

"Yes, he is. His father passed away years ago before he was born due to the attack. The air quality affected his health gradually. We've been solo ever since."

"Oh. I am very sorry to hear that."

"I've moved on as best as I could. It doesn't do me or Dark any good to think of the past. We just need to work towards a better future. The Queen gave us that opportunity."

Celestia could agree on that. Things were looking bleak all over the world. Chaos was spreading, darkness was infinite, and the land was dust. Except here in Psera. They couldn't think about what was happening in Equestria right now. Or Mount Aris or any other land. They had to think about how to fix it. And it all started here in Psera. Celestia was overall curious about what Twilight meant by "limited" though three days ago.

She shook that thought aside and looked around the chill hangout spot in the castle. It looked like a large cafeteria that held booths, tables, couches, a meeting room, some type of table for a sport on the other side, and a "Quick Bite Deli" that the foals were trying to get to. There was a ring of LiVAMs crowding the top of the room in the corners and sides.

Celestia kept her eyes on Fresh Dawn while she and Elegant made way for the counter. "When I first came here," she said. "I was very impressed by the castle. I've only been on the third floor, the second floor, and the top floor when Her Majesty Molten Ice called for us to meet with her."

Elegant nodded and replied, "The castle is one of the many large historical structures spread throughout the country. It's the third biggest next to the Main Hospital. The first I'm sure you know is Events at Eventa."

"That must've taken years to build."

Elegant grabbed a few tea bags and walked over to a nearby coffee table holding steaming water pots. "I'm not sure how long it took. When it opened Ialso don't know. But I definitely know it was packed when it did. Even to this day, Ponies that lived throughout its construction still live within its walls."

"Their stories I imagine are legendary."

Elegant grabbed two cups and set about brewing their tea. "Ponies older than Her Majesty. You won't see them very often. But you will. They may as well be bards of Psera. Their stories are downright poetic. Come get a cup."

Celestia grabbed one with her magic and took a light sip. It was hot but pleasant. It tasted like cinnamon with a hint of lemon. It put a warm smile upon Celestia's face.

"This is really good," she said.

Elegant chortled and walked back to their booth. "I thought you'd like it. Her Highness is rather fond of Psera's exotic concoctions. Teach me about Equestria. I'm rather curious."



Queen Arcadia's eyes scanned this book's pages plenty of times. But she could never get enough of it. The lights from the high ceiling bathed her body and the beanbag she occupied in a pleasant blue glow to keep her awake. No matter how much she needed to sleep, science won out in the end. The book she was reading were on the legends of Psera. Odega, Narmeelah, Mahloo and Marloo, The Creature of the Depths. But there was still no mention of a Neemorah. So either Odega was messing with her, or even Psera doesn't know about her. Strange.

She hummed and stroked her flowing mane with a free hoof. She had to learn about Maheera Dark. There had to be something about her mentioned in here hopefully. The Diary of Narmeelah only held information from Narmelah's view. Psera's citizens apparently didn't have any type of view. She's already checked the archives.

"Your highness." Arcadia glanced up to the voice belonging to one of the Arcadian Elite Royal Guards bowing a few feet away from her. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but you have a visitor."

Arcadia nodded and asked, "Who?"

"A Shining Armor."

Shining? Since when did...Actually, now that she thought about it, he had never visited her here in Psera after she took the throne years ago. She would always be over there in Equestria to visit them, but he never came over here. It's nice to have him and his family here in her world.

Arcadia gained a smile and ordered, "Let him in."

The Guard straightened up and walked back through the aisle of bookcases for the door again. Leaving Queen Arcadia to her book and thoughts. Maheera Dark was one big Draconequus. And she seemed afraid of the Pserateps.

"'Her creations would try something,'" Arcadia recalled out loud. She knew they were coming. Which means they were probably a little predictable. That was maybe in the past.

This was a new age.

"Reading like usual, huh?" Queen Arcadia smirked and glanced over the top of her book into the smiling face of her brother wearing his prince consort uniform.

Arcadia placed it to the side and slid her right wing in to give him space.

"At this time, I need to be studying about Maheera Dark," she answered. Shining took advantage of the invitation and plopped down onto the bean bag. "Based off of what she said when we attacked, she was expecting us to come there. I wonder what else she's expecting."

Shining shook his head and commented, "Your best bet is to do what Psera does best, prep your weaponry. Seriously, they were shooting your magic. I've never heard of it."

"Those were recently upgraded. Remember in the past at the first wedding attempt?"

Shining scowled and replied, "How could I forget?"

"After that the Office of Defense decided that in the case of an emergency, magic would be needed. She reluctantly admitted that magic was indeed faster than a majority of their weaponry. So they used maybe half of my monthly donations to Psera's emergency magical reservoir for their weaponry. Ever since then, I've been donating weekly."

Shining Armor plucked the book out of his sister's hooves and looked at the cover. "And how much do you have already?"

"Way more than enough to last us ten years. Seriously, I donate a lot of magic."

"That's really hard to tell." He ducked from that playful swoop from Arcadia's hoof laughing. "It is though!"

Arcadia playfully rolled her eyes and snatched her book back. "I am very much aware that my wings are big. My daughter doesn't seem to complain."

Shining looked around and asked, "Speaking of, where is Dawn?"

"Off playing with her friends, there's no school today. Madun should be coming back soon from his meeting in Rayray. And there's no court today. He's been really busy lately taking over my side of the crown. It'll be nice to have a family night."

Even in Equestria, spending time with Shining's own family was hard because of the distance. Even in the same city. Cadance was a Princess, Shining was the captain of Equestria's defense, and Flurry was always doing school. They were always apart.

Psera was ten times bigger than Equestria. Or even more. They're castle overshadowed the Crystal Empire's. He could only imagine what it was like for the three of them.

Shining assumed, "Being King and Queen of such a rich country spreads you all apart, I'm sure."

"You're right. Being King and Queen tears us away from her at times. Her fifth birthday is coming up and I certainly don't want to miss that. I may have to enroll a certain Pink Earth pony to make her birthday party memorable."

Shining knew exactly who she was speaking of. "I'm positive she won't mind. Isn't there a cake shop nearby?"

"Yes, but Dawn likes her sweets from Rayray. She's really picky about that."

"You spoil her."

"A Queen is supposed to spoil her princess." Arcadia stood up and used her magic to hold the book. "I have to go speak with Odega about the 'Legends of Psera.' Neemorah wasn't mentioned in either books and there was little detail about them in her diary, so I have to do in-field research."

Shining stood and stretched out his limbs with a few grunts. "And I have to go see where Cadance flew off to. How can you navigate this place, it's huge!"

Queen Arcadia laughed and started their trek back to the doors of the library. "Well I have been living here for five years. I should hope I got it down by now. How many times have you gotten lost?"

Shining stood up and admitted breathlessly, "I stopped counting after I somehow ended up in the Castle's broom closet. Does that have to look like an armory?"

"Don't look at me, I didn't even know we had a broom closet."