//------------------------------//
// Chapter 64 - Disbelief 
// Story: Twilight Daylight: Psera, The Legend of Legends 
// by thedarktome 
//------------------------------//

So they wouldn't believe her? Fine. They can handle the world without her. That was the last they would see of Twilight for the whole day. She stomped her way down to her office and locked the doors. As for the party?

Well, ruined for the most part. The only cut in the cake were from Twilight's knives. Barely noticeable to the uncaring eye. A few balloons popped. The party would have been preserved. But you sort of couldn't miss the weapons on the floor.

Twilight couldn't care less about what was happening above. She took her "crazy mind" and moved it underground. She had to clean up her lab anyway. Getting these books back on their shelves were going to be a struggle, and now would be a great time to do them. But then again, so would getting her Obelisks up and running again. Guess that's why she was out here at the Central PDS Obelisk against Doctor's orders. An ignored salute from the Guard at post and she inserted her horn into the Obelisk's control panel. Changing data and information. This would have to do for now.

When she turned to leave she wasn't surprised nor fazed that Luna was standing there watching. She simply walked past her. "Forget it," she said.

"Twilight—"

"Nope."

Luna sighed and followed Twilight outside back to the castle. It wasn't until she was back inside that Luna got into her line of sight and stopped her to at least hold this simple conversation.

"Twilight, I know things aren't looking good," she started off. "But maybe you should just trust Molten, and the rest of Psera, about the Zebras. Like she said, there's only one here."

"Or maybe she should trust me and my intuitions," Twilight sternly suggested. "There is a reason they wanted me Queen here, Luna. To protect and secure a peaceful future. That is what I'm going to do. I took an oath, Luna."

"I know, but look at this from her point of view. She knows the Zebras more than you."

"No, she doesn't. The Gold Wars was the first time she's had contact with a single Zebra, and that was during a war. She hasn't made contact with the Zebras in over a century." Twilight walked around her and muttered, "Things change in decade."

"I know what it's like, Twilight." Twilight stopped walking and sighed to the air. "I know what it's like to return to distrust and hurt."

"Ponies died, Luna," Twilight stated. She turned halfway around and informed her, "When they first took over, my Pserateps were murdered. Children slaughtered in cold blood for Gold. They never saw it coming. In Equestria, ponies are taken hostage and drained of love, but here... They're drained of blood. Of life. Life that you can never bring back. That memorial for the thousand plus ponies is the result from my first mistake. There will not be a second. Not if I can help it."

"I know what it's like to wake up to change, Twilight," Luna said. "That everyone has moved on without you. At least yours was a decade and not a millennia. Be happy that your daughter is still here."

Twilight turned her head back and continued walking. "Let's hope she stays. You may all leave now," she decreed. "There is no reason for you to stay any longer. You did your job, and I thank you."

"Are you sure?" Luna walked behind Twilight and suggested, "Maybe we should stay just a little longer for—"

"No." Twilight whipped around to face her and growled, "You did what you were asked to do, there is no reason to stay any longer. I'll have your portal ready tomorrow morning sometime. So pack tonight and be ready for a quick trip home. All of you." Twilight didn't wait for a response. She turned back around and made her way back from whence she came, ignorant to the saluting of the soldiers standing around watching discreetly.

Luna could only sigh and teleport back to the Dining Hall where everyone else were sitting after taking down party supplies. Twilight had her mind made up. When Luna reappeared, she walked back over to the table and announced, "She wants us to go."

Celestia cast a double take to Luna from next to Twilight's family and repeated, "She wants us to go?"

Applejack shook her head from directly across and replied, "Ain't no way we're just going to leave after seeing that. We didn't even get a chance to welcome her back."

Luna sat down next to Molten Ice and explained, "I think it would be for the best. She's too on edge right now for a party anyway. She wants us to leave tomorrow morning."

Molten rubbed her face with minor stress and said, "I apologize greatly for the loss of your party, Pinkie Pie. I was hoping Twilight would be happy, but... She's still living in the war right now."

That was what confused Celestia. She rubbed her chin and asked, "Are you sure she's still... Living in a war?"

"I was in her place after the Zebras killed my family," Molten admitted. "The government had to be shut down because it was during our funding season. And they needed me to be there to sign authorizations. But with my state of mind I was not up to the tasks they needed. And I had to bounce back quickly. So I slept the time away. Queen Arcadia refuses to sleep."

Twilight Velvet seethed and admitted, "Well I wouldn't want to either, considering I haven't been able to move or wake for years away from my family."

"Be that as it may, she needs it," Molten argued. "Psera is looking to her for her leadership. And she can't lead sleeping."



Even if she wanted to, Twilight couldn't. Not with the Zebra in the castle. So here she was sorting out all of her spells and cleaning her lab once more. Sassy Twilight was watching nearby chewing on some gum she got from somewhere.

"Uh oh, she's angry," she announced.

Twilight sighed and after placing the last of her books on their shelves turned next to her Mecrah Portal.

"You would be too were you in my hooves," she assured. "Look at this. Look at what I accomplished. I managed to capture Narmeelah's greatest enemy and lock her away. Psera believed me with barely any evidence. I sacrificed my joy and happiness that would have stemmed from living in Psera's peaceful years and watching my daughter grow with my husband. Our anniversaries. Birthdays. For all of them. Yet, they call me crazy because I feel danger in my castle. Does that make me crazy, Sassy?... Sassy?"

She's gone. Again. Annoyance would have thrown something at her. Maybe some alone time would do Twilight some good anyway. She sighed and sat down at the exam table's chair, dropped her head down on the metal surface, then closed her eyes and started snoring away. Psera would be fine without her. They were fine without her for a decade, they could do for a few hours.



Dawn's school always blew up after the final bell sounded for the day. School was out. Doors opened and Pserateps traveled the floor for their hangout spots. Dawn unfortunately couldn't hang out today. And the reason why was all over the school. In the cafeteria, in the stairwells, on lockers. Rayray Vs. Cop. The final game of the season. And Dawn was Cop's forward.

When the bell rang, she double timed it to the bustling locker bays in the middle of the school. Waving at other ponies that knew her and actually talked to her. She wished she could talk more, but she had a game to warm up for. She stopped in front of her emerald green locker and dropped her saddle bags at her hooves. Then reared up as far as her dress would allow and went to work working the combination. It opened with ease. She reached inside and grabbed her duffel bag and... A small box?

Dawn dropped her duffel bag and slowly pulled it out of her locker. It was big enough to put a cupcake in but held no clue to its origin. She gave it a little shake and listened. Something really small and light. Like a pin. Definitely nothing she should be scared of.

Dawn used her magic to open it and levitated out... A horn ring. Mom has accessories like this in her closet. It was golden and had tiny characters embossed on it. Big enough to cover one half of her horn.

A small note grabbed her eyes next. A note she pulled out and stared at. It was in Old Pseratopian. Easy to read.

"'Good luck at the game,'" she translated under her breath. "'I know you're gonna make the winning point. Your secret admirer.' I have a secret admirer?"

Someone was admiring her? Did someone have a crush on her?! Finally! Dawn smiled and slid the horn ring on.. It would go great with the rest of her jersey and shorts.

The second it made contact with her horn, it flashed for less than half a second. And more than two miles away, Queen Tarsafani stopped what she was doing in her room and straightened up. Her one eye glowed bright before she smirked. Controller placed and the curse was being applied.

She quickly cleared the middle of the floor with a swipe of her hoof and set up contact with her superiors. "Norwee Sercue," she greeted. "The spell has been applied. You're free to move in two day's time."

Norwee looked up from his work and smirked at Queen Tarsafani. That smirk she's come to love. "Fantastic work, Queen. Her Majesty will be more than surprised. Our ancestors will be very proud."

"I have even better news." Norwee set down his feathered pen and paid attention to Queen's next words. "They believe Queen Arcadia is too paranoid to believe something is going on here in Psera. But that can only last but so long."

"She has no backup?"

"None," Queen answered. Then leaned in and whispered, "They trust me completely. I'm waiting for Queen Arcadia to be put on Administrative Parole next."

"Outstanding. I feel this will be the last time we speak face to face, Queen. May I see you in the everlasting sky."

"Farewell, my sister. I will see you there." The flame died out and the glowing rune in the middle of the room's floor dimmed to white chalk once more.

A sudden knock on the door pushed her out of her plans and back to the present. She jumped up and quickly walked over to the door. After it was unlocked, she opened it a crack to let the light seep in and poked her head out. She was greeted by the sight of Princess Luna on the other side offering a sad smile.

"Good afternoon, Queen Tarsafani," she greeted. "We haven't seen or heard from you since we've arrived. Is everything alright?"

Tarsafani nodded and answered, "Yes, everything is well. I'm just passing the time by reading my tomes. How's the Queen?"

Luna glanced to the ceiling to find a better word for her answer. In the end of searching she decided on, "She's... Getting better, I suppose." Luna honestly didn't have an answer. Everything at this point was uncertain.

She glanced back to Tarsafani and briefed, "We'll be leaving tomorrow morning per Queen Arcadia's request. We're no longer needed and Queen Arcadia needs time to recover."

Great news. Queen Tarsafani nodded and replied, "I'll pack my bags. Is there anything else?"

"No, that's it. You can get back to your tomes. Sorry for the interruption." Then Luna pranced away with the practiced movement of a long-serving Princess. Flurry Heart could learn a few things from her if she actually paid attention.

Once the door was softly shut, Tarsafani's look morphed into a small smile. Things were turning out too perfectly.



Twilight overslept, she knew she did. When she opened her eyes, she was met with darkness, the lights down here cut off due to no movement, and it was cold. The clock she used down here in the past was long gone. More than likely as quickly as she disappeared.

After a stretch in the dark, Twilight teleported from her lab up to her office to witness a disappointing sight: Her Sun had turned blue, which meant it was night.

Twilight's eyes and ears drooped in disappointment. "I missed my baby's game," she whimpered. Oh Dawn was going to be so upset. Well better face the explosions.

Twilight's hooves couldn't have sounded any louder traveling the darkened halls. It was really late and all major lights were out. Guards doing their rounds with flashlights and Comm Blocks blaring her position. It wasn't long before she was back at the Suite's doors. As quiet, serene, and dark as possible.

That changed the second she was inside. Dawn was sitting on the couch watching something the LiVAM and Madun was making some dinner. And based off the clock it was nearly nine.

"Great," Twilight grumbled. Then walked in and closed the door back.

Madun and Dawn both looked to her when she walked closer. "I'm so sorry I missed your game, Veola," she apologized. She walked over to Dawn and nuzzled her behind the ear. "I know how much it meant to you."

When Dawn didn't reply, Twilight knew she messed up. All she had to do was go to the final game and she couldn't even do that. "I'm going to make this up to you, okay? I promise."

"Dawn, go to your room." Dawn slipped out from in front of her mother and walked away at Madun's order. Leaving Twilight with her nonchalant husband. Something was wrong. She could see it. He had a letter under one wing and no emotion on his face.

After Dawn's door clicked shut, Madun explained, "I heard about what happened. Twilight, I can't believe you would be so irresponsible."

"Irresponsible?" She repeated in disbelief. "I was just—"

"Twilight you put yourself into a war simulation. We're trying to get you out of it. When you passed out yesterday, it was from fatigue, flashbacks, and stress. Then you're going crazy over Queen Tarsafani—"

"Madun, I know for a fact that—"

Madun sternly raised his hoof.

"Stop," he interrupted. "There is no evidence and no proof of any foul play. She's innocent. Stop scanning for runes and... Anything else magical."

Twilight stomped her hoof and irately replied, "Madun, I have been through too much for a denial of even a small investigation."

"Yes, but you also admitted to having hallucinations and triggers inside of the Mecrah Portal. Everyone wants you to get better so you can get back out there and get back on the throne. But you disobeyed Doctor's orders—"

"I had to fix the PDS sensitivity—" Twilight mumbled.

"You snuck around weaponry, and you keep going back to the Mecrah Portal."

"Well I did build the darned thing."

Madun deadpanned, "And you trapped yourself inside of it for a full decade because no one knew where it was. Look, this is from the Council. It's out of my hooves."

Twilight took the letter she was offered and ripped open the top half. She pulled out the document folded in thirds and unfolded it to read in silence.

Madun stuck his tongue in his cheek and glanced away when she read. Then one of their water glasses shattered in the kitchen. Twilight growled, "You have got to be bucking me right now."

Madun sighed through his nose and answered, "I'm afraid not."

Twilight slammed the letter down and said, "You know, when someone wakes up from a decade long nap, they don't nearly get treated with this much disrespect. After all I did and gone through, and I'm being put on Administrative Parole?!"

"Twilight—"

"No, it's my turn to talk. You and the rest of Psera's government have had your say, it's time I had mine. I have done nothing not nearly as bad to be put on Administrative Parole like... Like some kind of delinquent."

She turned around and trotted towards the living room when Madun said, "Twilight it's to keep you stable. You did disobey Doctor's orders after all."

"And they seriously believe me being put on Administrative Parole is going to 'keep me stable?'" Twilight stood in front of the LiVAM facing Madun. "I was perfectly fine until Molten brought that Zebra here, that is the only reason I'm on edge. Now that Zebra has planted a seed of Death in my castle—"

"Twilight, enough about the bucking Zebra!!" Madun yelled. Twilight flinched and stepped back while Madun took a deep breath. To calm down. In a much softer tone he said, "Twilight, you need to drop it. That is what is causing you problems. Your paranoia."

"I'm not—"

"Twilight." She sighed and looked away. "You're paranoid and it's completely understandable. The war has been over for ten years for us, but it may have ended just yesterday for you. It's still a lot to process. We want to help you, but you're fighting us. The deal is that you have to go through Administrative Parole for thirty one days with no magic. Or you will not sit upon the throne again."

Twilight could barely believe her ears or her eyes. They wanted her to be a prisoner inside her own castle. No magic, a timed schedule, and everyone was her boss. But herself. Telling her what to do and where to go with a four guard escort twenty-four seven. For a whole month inside this castle.

"This is beyond disrespectful," Twilight mumbled.

"It's in your best interests."

"But what about Dawn?" Twilight looked up from the floor with sadness in her eyes. "I promised I would teach her magic. This isn't fair to her and she has done nothing wrong."

Madun placed a wing on her back and attempted to guide her to the bedroom. But she remained rooted to her spot. "You can still teach her. But you just can't use magic. Maybe some textbook stuff. Now, I'm sure you have a few more things left to say?"

Oh boy did she. She had a lot of things to say. And so many ways to say them. But there was only one topic she wanted to touch down on. "Madun, I want you to look at me. I want you to look into my eyes. Actually, step outside."

"Twilight—"

Twilight turned towards the door and walked out with practiced ease in sight of their uncomfortable Guards. "Come on, the faster this is done, the faster we can go to bed. Let's go."

Aww jeez. Madun—in the end—followed her outside to stand with Twilight in Dawn's old playground. Where the swings were and tiny park lived through time. Underneath the moonlight shining down through a sunroof. Their bodies were highlighted by the iridescent glow. Leaving only small insignificant shadows.

Once they were perfectly placed, Twilight looked into Madun's violet eyes and requested, "I want you to really look at me. I want you to scan me with your eyes, Madun. And tell me what you see. And get specific. Like a scientist."

Well Twilight was right about one thing: The faster he does this, the faster he can go to bed. He looked Twilight up and down and reported, "A mare with long wings, a long sharp horn, violet eyes, standing ears, a long mane and tail, cutie mark of a few stars on the flanks..."

"Anything else?"

"...a strong backbone."

Twilight giggled but got back to it. "Good. Now, you of all ponies should know what it looks like when I'm anxious and nervous." Madun sighed but listened. "You know the telltale signs, you know the looks, you know the fidgets. Now I want you to think hard when I ask you this question: Am I anxious right now?"

Madun looked Twilight up and down for a second and at her peaceful expression. At her still form and calm body. "...no," he answered.

"How about when we were at the hospital?"

"...no."

"There was nothing to be scared of. I'm not anxious or forced to believe everything through superstition. I'm not paranoid. This isn't the first rodeo I've been through where I know something's wrong and ponies don't believe me. It has been my job—has always been—to notice these things and report it. And I'm good at my job. Or I would not have kept it. I'm so good at it, that it just became second nature. To feel a disturbance. Remember when I felt that something was wrong with Dawn here and we were all the way at the hospital? And that wasn't from her magic. It's my second nature. There was no proof until we checked it out. And you supported me.

"Years before I disappeared when Dawn was still a young filly, we had a meeting all the way in Rayray when I sensed a danger. Something was wrong. Do you remember what it was?"

Madun nudged Dawn's swingset with a hoof and answered, "...The stove. It was left on."

"That's right. And it would've caused a fire in the castle. I didn't need proof to know that. I was nowhere near the stove that morning, but I still knew. I didn't need proof to know Serl had a chemical imbalance that would've resulted in an explosion in one of our major labs fourteen years ago. Psera trusted me. And my judgement. What happened to that trust, baby?"

Madun sighed through his nose. Even the Guards standing by listening silently were a little apprehensive by this point.

Twilight walked around Madun and left him standing there to watch her wings drag past. "Now, I'll put on the ring and follow the order of the courts. I'll follow the rules, I'll stay inside the castle, I'll adhere to the schedule. But I want you to tell the five wise judges this, like how I told Molten: If anything happens to my family, I'll be holding them all responsible. This parole may be for my best interests. This magical suppression may be for my benefit. But based on my track record..."

Twilight looked back to Madun. "It's not in the best interests for the safety of the ponies of Psera. When the coming disaster strikes, their going to wish I never put on that ring. I warned them and they denied my warning. Very well. All I can do now is sit back... And wait."