//------------------------------//
// Chapter 21 - Intermission 2 
// Story: Twilight Daylight: The Cold War 
// by thedarktome 
//------------------------------//

Was it the right decision to make? Was giving them a chance at redemption by accepting their offer worth it in the end? Was this battle over too soon? Has the fight for her honor ceased? Queen Arcadia didn't know. She only trusted her heart and her sharp mind. She stood by the window and took a sip of her wine, thinking of the ramifications of her actions. It wasn't too late to set everything back to where they were before.

The Senate Board had been notified of her decision and now await her presence down in Cop. She would be going there alone, per her insistence. Time? Fourteen-hundred. Location? Flying into Cop. This time, only two Arcadian Elite Royal Guards traveled with her. No need for the jostling of a secured chariot to scatter her thoughts from the matter at hand.

IHT has offered land, their one shot at redemption. If it were up to her, Queen Arcadia would send her soldiers into Equestria before moving into the rest of the nations. But it was no longer up to her, the Saviour of Psera. Now it was up to Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship. A return to her roots and her past methods were being called into action. Despite Queen Arcadia stirring to fight on the side.

There would be no Empress Arcadia.

The flight to Founder's Circle ended faster than she'd like. Queen Arcadia already missed the cool breeze of winter in her mane. The stories of the past whispered in her ears. Now she was left to come to full grasp with what was happening upon landing in Founder's Circle courtyard: accepting land as payment for her family's life. As well as others'.

Queen Arcadia was utterly disgusted, enraged at the prospect. But kind and forgiving Princess Twilight was now in charge. There would be no slaughtering of Zebras. As long as they held up their end, and the promise was good, there would be no need for a war.

Right?

Queen Arcadia gently flapped her wings to land as a dainty butterfly would beyond Founder's Circle's gate. The guards saluted upon her arrival. She could make out the increase in normal activity prior to her arrival. The news spread rather quickly within the last few hours.

Their appearance would not deter her. She quickly walked towards the main dome of Founder's Circle with her head held high and determination in every step. She passed every bowing and saluting pony in favor of the escalator and soon the doors for the Senate Hall were thrown open for access.

The news and information had summoned all members of the Senate here by five o'clock. Currently talking among themselves and awaiting the Queen's arrival. They circled half the room, ascending to three levels. Multiple colored Pserateps who would argue for rights.

Queen Arcadia walked through all of them when they stood, genuflecting to her presence among this room of government. Her trek took her to a small staircase leading up to her place underneath the panel of Supremes above her, but over the Speaker and Clerk beneath her.

Only when seated did she address her subjects. "Please be seated." All members quickly dropped into their chairs, eager to hear the Queen's piece. "At around eleven this morning, I was contacted by our Equestrian-Psera representative, Princess Merry Fire, regarding a compromise for Psera. A member of their board, Princess Flurry Heart of the Crystal Empire, an Equestrian Territory, has offered Psera Real Estate.

"At first, I refused any Real Estate as a form of restitution. But it has come to my attention that I may be a little..." Queen Arcadia cleared her throat. "Too eager to jump in. I believe that this offer of Real Estate is worth a try."

One of Cop's representatives from afar raised their hoof, garnering their Queen's attention. "Are there any specifics regarding this Real Estate? Or are we trotting onto unknown land?"

"The offer has only been placed on the table," Arcadia answered. "The Crown is awaiting more specifics but so far the offer has been raised. Therefore I brought it before The Senate Board before taking any action."

"I believe that more land isn't what Psera needs," another said. "It would be quite costly. Anything we build here would cost even more to build overseas."

"There are plenty of options for what we could do with the Real Estate when offered," Queen Arcadia reminded them. "Of course, our quarrel is still with the Zebras, which I am hoping to end on a rather high note. I am awaiting a report from Merry Fire about their decision to the treaty. She is well aware of my decision prior to this meeting and had the treaty presented before them. Of course, while I am still rather furious and awaiting some form of reimbursement, I am also attempting to establish an understanding with the Zebras."

"Excuse me for interrupting Queen Arcadia," one of the judges behind her said. She barely swiveled her head to acknowledge them. "But last I checked, you and the Zebras were on rather tense terms with each other personally after the assassination of both King Madun and Princess Dawn. Are you sure you are well enough to try and establish peace with them?"

The question of the year. Her answer? "Of course I'm not. As a matter of fact, I am quite eager to deploy our soldiers across seas at the first sign of Stripe movement. But I also swore an oath to seek peace when I first became Queen. I will not reserve any of my ill will towards the Zebras personally, but I will attempt peace for the good of the nation. What I do is for Psera, not for me."

Queen Arcadia turned around to face the hall once the muttering cooled down and cleared her throat, reigning in attention once more. "Now, I have prepared a plan, an Accord, to get the Zebras to leave Psera in peace. To have all of our nations settle within this frigid ice age and begin anew. I am proposing this accord between Zebrica and Psera to be reviewed in another two days, and transferred to IHT's Trade Rooms within three to be reviewed internationally and signed."

"And what is the basis of this treaty, Queen Arcadia?"

"In exchange for peace and new land for the Zebras, Psera will allow IHT to pay in credit for the Zebras' attack on our country, as well as interest, ranging to a maximum of three decades."



Psera's demand was simple: Give land and they'll stick to the contract. All debts will be paid off, there is hope for a trade agreement and the war will be over. But there was only one problem:

Psera needed land. Psera’s definition of land would be a distance so great, that even Manehattan wouldn't be enough. Or would it? Of course Queen Twilight "Arcadia Nova" Sparkle wouldn't be unreasonable with her demands. She knew she would have to be backed up by Psera's Senate Board first, as well as the country's Treasury Department to assure they have enough Shims to allow this grand investment. Then they have to confer with Equestria's agricultural committee to ensure all of that was in concrete before making any kind of signing on that treaty, a month's worth of work. But at the end of the day, their problem still wasn't solved.

IHT was dismissed to their reserved offices for the rest of the day while Equestria's cabinet conversed with Princess Merry Fire themselves. Bearing a closer relationship with their royalty than with the rest of IHT, they could understand and get a better insight on Psera's plans.

They walked the hall in a large party, hooves clattering along hard marble floors. Equestria’s Royal Guards stood stoic on the side while Princess Merry was associated only by her single one, the pony with the coat so white it may have been freshly fallen snow. Crystaltite was very much aware of their eyes on her. She could feel it.

"What is next for Psera's process?" Princess Cadance inquired. "I understand this changes your efforts."

Merry answered, "Queen Arcadia will bring this situation back up with the Senate Board, who will then weigh the pros and cons of this proposal. If Everything checks out, either the Queen herself or the Pseratopian Ambassador to Equestria will come to align the treaty and put everything into place. Then once the treaty is signed without any incident, the Cold War between our nations will be over."

It sounded so simple. Weigh the treaty, correct a few matters, sign it, done. But they were dealing with Psera, the greatest of all countries, and they were going to get their money's worth for the assassination of the King and Princess. This wasn't going to be easy.

While they delegated, two were tasked with another matter: getting Equestria's proposed shield up and running. Psera could, at any time, declare war against IHT. Time was bought for today, but tomorrow their fleet may approach their waters. Thus the reason why the Princesses urged Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer to get to work. But there was only one problem.

When the two arrived at the old Friendship Castle and walked through its doors, they were bombarded by one unfotunate fact: They didn't know anything about how to channel the magic through the castle and expel it into a shield. It was a concept and theory, not considered a process.

They stood still in the foyer's entrance, intimidated by the ghostly presence of silence. There was no wind, there were no voices.

Sunset swallowed the growing lump in her throat and said, "Well . . . We're here."

Starlight took a few tentative steps forward and whispered, "I've never seen friendship so lonely."

"Yeah. How exactly are we going to send friendship magic through a place desolate of it?" Sunset and Starlight walked the halls of the old castle and delved back into the past. When Friendship lessons were the most important. When the Map was active and running. Sunset hasn't seen it in action as much as Starlight, but the table certainly held memories. It went without a doubt that this was the center of this castle's operations way before Psera moved in.

Starlight and Sunset pushed aside the velvet rope protecting the entrance into the library and timidly walked in. Books littered with dust lined the shelves. In an arch, they were surrounded by knowledge that only Queen Twilight knew. Walking in this room was a taboo, in here Friendship and power existed, and from here, control was maintained throughout Equestria. This room was the pinnacle of Equestria's famed friendship management.

It was so hard to believe that it's been desolate for over a decade.

Starlight walked over to the table void of any map of any sort. She glided her hoof over it's smooth surface, wiping off a firm layer of dust that fell to the ground beneath their hooves.

"You would think they would clean in here," she whispered.

Sunset walked to her side. "They can't read or understand any of this stuff. I think they decided just not to enter period. It was useless to them."

"Still. Twilight should've said something." Starlight sighed and removed her hoof. "It's as if she's truly fallen."

"Then let's make sure she's flying once more." Sunset surrounded herself in a bubble and floated up to the books. "We can figure out how to work this thing. Like Princess Flurry said, Twilight wasn't imbued with knowledge, she picked it up by studying. If she can do it, we can do it too."

"And you're not doing it alone!" A Rainbow blur sped from the door up to Sunset's side, materializing into Rainbow Dash. She was focused on the books, wearing the Wonderbolts' uniform.

"Rainbow Dash?!" Starlight floated up and stated, "I thought you were in Canterlot."

"I was." Rainbow picked a book and blew the dust off its jacket. Just what she was looking for. She smiled and hoofed it to Sunset. "Then I heard about this awesome plan of Luna's. What's the point of standing by waiting for an attack when we could prevent any damage before an attack even hits the shores? I know this place inside and out. I used to work here too you know. Twilight's system wasn't the most practical, but I got it down. Especially when we technically owned the place. This book is about Energy Manipulation."

Starlight flipped it open and scanned certain pages. Sure enough, it had bits and pieces of the supposed science lining its pages. Book after book was tossed out and onto the table behind them.

"Why exactly are you helping, Rainbow Dash?" Sunset asked. "We know you. You want something."

"You're right." Rainbow Dash grabbed one more book and floated down to the table between Sunset and Starlight. "I want Scootaloo to come home safe and unharmed. And I want Twilight to stay away from our families. We have nothing to do with this and neither does Scootaloo. Now let's get to work."



How long has it been since Dawn's been declared gone? Months? Years? Did time work different in here? It sure seemed like it. From Dawn's observation point, upon one of the many mountains trapping their town within this valley, Dawn could make out time. She could see the sun moving through the clouds. The storm approaching their fair little town. Something was coming.

All inhabitants were ordered to remain indoors. The sky began to weep, pelting its tears against their windowsills. Without the luxuries of Psera in her ears and the insulated walls of the castle to keep her warm, the sense of boredom and frustration quickly surrounded Dawn. Here she sat, the Princess of Psera, Daughter of Queen Twilight "Arcadia Nova" Sparkle and King Shimmering Madun, at a windowsill watching the rain fall.

It was elegant, like falling jewels that crystallized the ground. But no matter how pretty this was, other matters lied at the front of her mind. They needed to find that bridge before things on the other side got worse than they were. Narmeelah was going to pull out all of her methods to take out her mother because she was a threat to her plans.

"Tired yet?"

Ugh. Dawn glanced over her shoulder to meet those cold eyes staring upon her from the darkness of her home. Heated Wings glaring from her makeshift prison. Unfortunately, she had to live in the same house with the mare who wanted to kill her. She could always move in with Night Life, but then again she'd rather be by herself.

"I will never tire," Dawn answered.

"You will. Just like the rest of them. Your army and support will dwindle."

Dawn left the windowsill and cautiously approached the restrained goddess restrained before the fireplace. She had a plethora of questions lying on the top of her mind, staged at the tip of her tongue. She stopped directly in front of Heated Wings and glared into her eyes.

"Who are you really?" She asked. "What's your real name?"

"My name is Shaoloh," she answered. "Princess of Psera. Who are you?"

"You know who I am."

"I don't even think you know who you are. Are you the daughter of Queen Arcadia, or are you the creation of Queen Arcadia?"

Dawn's hoof impacted against the brick next to Shaoloh's head. She bared her teeth, snarling to the enemy an inch away from their face.

"Do not speak of us that way," she threatened.

"You won't win this," Shaoloh assured. "You believe your mother, the vaunted Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, is ready for this war." Shaoloh silently chortled with deep amusement. "Ha! Foolish fillies, you know nothing of power."

"And you know nothing of knowledge. You can't fight with magic if you don't know how to use it effectively and efficiently." She backed off and glared down to her. "I meant what I said. You'd better hope we find the way out because if we don't, I'll be digging through your head for the answer."

"You think I want to stay here?" Shaoloh scoffed. "I lie to leave, to flee this boring world trapped in the pocket of reality. Why would I stay in a static environment that never ages?"

"Because your mother clearly wants to, and without her, you are truly alone. She can't accept change, something Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, Saviour of Psera, my mother, embraces."

Dawn turned around and walked back for the window. Her eyes sparkled with the rain, reveling in the back of her mind. "It's the time for the rest of you to do the same."

Shaoloh said nothing in response.



The halls of Canterlot Castle were thickened with unicorn guards, trained in battle magic. They lined the walls, staring across at each other awaiting the first sign of trouble. With Pserateps in the building, anything could happen.

They shuffled only briefly from anxiety eating at their bones. Not just from the Pserateps as a whole, but because of the single mare slinking down the hall as if she owns the place. The one with a coat the color of snow wearing the honorable fatigue of their enemy. The pony made of water and ice.

Crystaltite strode these halls alone with her head held high. She didn't need all the gear the rest of the guards had to protect themselves. She only needed her water.

Her approaching hoofsteps were stentorian, the only sound they could hear. With them was a small resounding crunch of ice, as if snowflakes dotted the ground with each step.

Her guard was barely up, for she knew if there were any ambush, all she had to do was flap her wings and they would all freeze. She was no mere Pseratep, she was the strongest of them here. Thank Narmeelah Queen Arcadia wasn't. The magical energies she gave off were so intense that it would get in the way of her task, searching for power and energy.

She proceeded walking past another guarded when she had to stop, as if someone somewhere was pulling at her senses. Her years of magical detection determined that something powerful lied at the end of this one.

Crystaltite turned her head to face its origin, the guarded hall bearing a single wooden door at the end of it. Something was behind it.

She spoke. "What lies behind that door?"

The guards at the end glanced at each other before focusing once more on her. "It is none of your concern."

She turned and walked in their direction, passing the Guards glaring at her. "As Captain to Princess Merry's Guard, I have every right to investigate whatever room I feel may pose a danger or threat to her wellbeing. Someone lies behind this door.  I can feel them. Either you tell me who it is, or I find out myself."

"This is Princess Flurry Heart's room," he lied. "Her magic is strong. We are rewarded with headaches by simply standing here."

Headaches, huh? Now why didn't Crystaltite believe that? She measured the stallion up and down for any source of tales or lies. She listened to his breath, watched his eyes, observed his stance. He had a good poker face, but she could tell he was hiding something.

But whatever that something was, she wouldn't know today. With a firm nod, Crystaltite turned around and walked back down the hall. Whatever lied on the other side she would discover sooner or later.

The source of the opposite of Crystaltite's emotion lied on the other side. Mimi had her back to the door and her head tilted back to let out that breath of air she held within her lungs. She knew Crystaltite was good, but she didn't know to what extent.

"Too close," she whispered to herself. If Crystaltite saw any of this, this entire plan would've blown up in her face.

This was a small bedroom, one more suited for another prince or king instead of her. Well, her appearance that is. The light was absent, a lot more so than the rest of the castle to the point where she had to use candles to surround the desk in the corner. The windows had been shuttered, all source of external orifices leading to outside of this room were covered and sealed. Of course she could've used more convenient methods, but sometimes staying in character outside of sight worked wonders.

She could no longer hear Crystaltite's hooves in the hall or feel her presence in the air. With a sneaky smirk, Mimi made herself known from the darkness She sneaked out from her hiding spot and strode over to the desk in the corner, overshadowed with plans, photographs, and a single diagram tapered to the wall, one of all the most powerful ponies holding back her plans. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, Princess Flurry Heart, Princess Flurry Heart, whom's power she could feel crawling these very halls, and finally at the very top of the list...

Queen Twilight "Arcadia Nova" Sparkle. It would be rough getting past her but it would all be worth it.

Mimi smiled at the picture. Because of her instigation, everything was out of plan. the experiment was wrong. Nothing was going right and it wouldn't be right as long as she was still walking this plane.

"I know your power," Mimi said. "And I know you're on your way." Her eyes gradually changed to darkness, losing their icy blue. Her fur transfiguring into a translucent body of stars, gasses, and universes. Her body was outlined with energy coursing through as her true form took place.

"Come to me," she whispered. "Face your goddess."