> Twilight Daylight: Psera, The Legend of Legends
>  by thedarktome
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> Prologue
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ACT I


The Land of Equestria. The land where magic reigns totalitarian among every creature. Every animal, bird, and sentient being. A colorful place ruled by three Princesses. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance. And Princess Flurry Heart, the daughter of Princess Cadance and Prince Consort Shining Armor, now eight years old.

The land they ruled over was beautiful. Shining green grassland dotted with small homes in the town of Ponyville while skyscrapers made of stone and windows littered the city of Manehattan. Appleloosa, their countryside and Las Pegasus their beaches. It wasn't like this years ago, thanks to a plague that held a deep grudge with the steel apparently. The building blocks of everything they had here. Everything standing had steel in it, and that steel was decaying.

Somehow, a chemical of some sort had been released into the air, stopping the welding and recycling process of steel. The second they were pulled out of a furnace, they broke down into nothing but rust. An accelerated rate. But thanks to an unknown race of ponies that lived nearly five hundred miles off the coast of the city of Las Pegasus, they were once again whole. Prospering among them all.

All because they—ironically—lied to Twilight Sparkle, now the reigning Queen over the Pserateps, an advanced race of Pegasi who lived on a land literally made out of self growing gold that provided them with unlimited resources. Or so they were told. Queen Twilight "Arcadia Nova" Sparkle, Saviour of Psera. Married to King Shimmering Madun, and mother to cute little Princess Fresh Dawn. Whom of which was nearing her fifth birthday. Oh boy.

At one point, Psera and Equestria were about to go to war. All because of Prince Blueblood, who shot an arrow at Arcadia on her wedding day inside the large stadium of Events at Eventa. A stadium literally as big as a city. Triggering a Code Black. And a Cold War.

The lights were shut off, Blueblood was knocked to the ground, and Arcadia was flown all the way to the main hospital. Her dress was ruined, there was a lot of blood loss, and her baby had her ear pierced. Thankfully, they both survived. But Arcadia was forever stricken with the fact that she was nearly killed on her wedding day each time she looked at Fresh Dawn's ear. There was a hole that took up half of her ear's mass where the arrow went through.

Somehow, Arcadia was able to redirect her magic towards the foal, keeping the blood flowing inside while the doctors and nurses removed the arrow and patched her up, as well as during a coma that lasted two months. There was a lot of blood on that stage.

Blueblood was thrown inside the worst prison immediately, inside a cell called Chamber Nine. A cell that had nothing but dark walls and an air shaft. He was locked inside of it for a week. In the dark, left alone. The Chamber held a lot of history. In a war, Psera would grab enemy ponies and interrogate them. Just ask questions. And based off results, it was classified.

When they wouldn't talk, they were thrown into Chamber Nine and kept inside for a week. Then let out and asked again. They quickly talked. Some nearly insane. It was underground, dark, and very scary according to Blueblood before he was thrown inside the worst Prison on Psera. Equestria couldn't save him. And to this day. He's still there.

Arcadia got married, gave birth, was crowned, and now sits on the throne with her husband and Fresh Dawn tugging at her wing. And somehow managed to establish a relationship with Equestria and Psera involving trade. Psera was very technological and Equestria was old fashioned. Equestria offered the fashionable that Psera could use for design and textiles while Psera offered technology, benefiting them both. Eye candy was Psera's number one weakness.

Even evident now as Celestia read through another sheet from the stack on the left corner of her new large desk, basking in the sun's rays that were pouring in through the stained glass windows inside of her study. Very similar to Arcadia's in Psera. She couldn't help but be thankful for Arcadia's kindness. She held enough power to be able to actually destroy Equestria on her own. But turned that anger into positive tactics that benefited her country. Who knew Twilight could get so angry. She practically threw Celestia into a muddy swamp with Cadance. That was a day. Now they could think about those times and laugh instead of getting angry.

The thoughts of the past were pushed aside for the future. Celestia's office was silent save for the shuffling of forms and documents for her to review and judge. The sunlight bathed her room in an orange glow. The velvet carpet in front of her desk was with illuminated with the sunlight. It wasn't as nice as Psera's but it was enough for her.

Celestia sighed from behind her grand desk and grabbed a stamp with her magic. She stabbed a big red DENIED on the title of this request before shooting it over to the "Finished" stack. There was just something about Equestria's bit-loving nobles asking for bills to be amended. She knew what they wanted. Everyone knew what they wanted. She grabbed another sheet and looked it over. This one was different. Instead of a bill or request, it was a notice. Interesting.

At the top it held the crests of Equestria, Saddle Arabia, Prance, YakYakistan, Mount Aris, Seaquestria, and more countries that Equestria has contacted in the past. Celestia raised an eyebrow and read it aloud. "'Dear members of The International House Of Trade. Eight years ago, when The Storm King Invaded, many of our delegates of our member board decreed for us to hold a mandatory International Conference in the land of Equestria's Crystal Empire to speak trade, knowledge, International Issues, rebutes, and formalities. Courtesy of Princess Twilight Sparkle. We are really looking forward to this event and cannot wait to see you there. Queen Novo of Mount Aris; Seaquestria.'"

Celestia slowly lowered the letter to reveal an expression of horror towards the door directly across. This was a mandatory meeting. She remembered this. A little while after the Storm King invaded, Twilight came up with an idea that benefited each country. They would all band together and create a league in case trouble such as that brewed again. Equestria was home to the most powerful weapon in the world. The most powerful known weapon. Magic. If something like that ever happened again, the military from all nations would band together and take them down. As well as other activities. Twilight's idea. All delegates, noble houses, and Royalty were required to attend these conferences.

"Twilight won't be able to," Celestia whispered. "Or Blueblood. Oh no, this isn't good. Our first full conference and the pony who came up with the idea won't be able to make it." Celestia reached over and rapped desperately on a silver bell placed on the corner of her desk for a guard outside. The office door quickly opened and a Royal Guard stepped in wearing gold plated armor.

He saluted and asked, "Yes, ma'am?"

"I need to request an audience with Psera at once!" Celestia yelled. "As soon as possible!"



Nearly five hundred miles off the coast of Equestria sat a land. A continent. A massive continent packed tight with millions of Pegasi with large wings. Some lived on the ground in their eight cities, some on the cloud cities. Directly in the middle were a ring of mountains surrounding a bustling city of skyscrapers with flashing lights, and flags of the country.

Vehicles moved around transporting those who were drinking coffee while reading the newspaper. Others chose to strap on a suit and tie then walk through the slightly busy concrete sidewalks to their jobs. Some at small storefronts, others at big and tall executive buildings reaching for the sunny cloudless sky. But the biggest job in the whole land of Psera resided at the humongous Castle of the Gods. A castle bigger than any other that cast shadows on the city until twelve noon. A historic landmark of riches and royalty.

Today was a very special day. August 24th. The birthday of Queen Twilight "Arcadia Nova" Sparkle. Her twenty-sixth. The decorative street lamps bared the Crest of Psera from a blowing gold flag, directly above a Violet flag of their Queen's mark, flapping in the warm spring wind. The buildings even had large stickers or signs reading "Happy Birthday, Queen Arcadia Nova!" in their windows.

Deep inside of the Castle, directly in the middle resided the royal family. The ever-so-humble Royal Suite inside the castle was quiet and dark, save for Twilight's soundless snores. They bounced off the darkened white walls and carpet, lit by a single light in the kitchen. The walls and tabletops were littered with family photos of Twilight and Madun when they first began dating, proposal, movies, dances, wedding before the near tragedy, and the day Arcadia took the throne beside Madun, looking elegant in the white and purple with a little foal in her hooves. She was bestowed with a golden crown on her head fitted with gems that sparkled when the sunlight hit. As well as the day Twilight gave birth to a light red headed, purple coated Alicorn-Pseratep Filly. Smiling up at the camera with a sweating face holding a crying foal cradled in a blanket.

The sounds of cooking utensils scraping against each other echoed off the halls while Madun quietly made Arcadia her birthday breakfast, accompanied by his favorite little birthday helper. He flipped another pancake then looked down towards a bunch of short red hair decorated with glitter and other things.

"Okay," he whispered. "Grab the bucket of batter for me?"

Behind them, a red aura surrounded a small white bucket on top of the counter then lifted it towards Madun. He plucked it out of the air with his hooves and softly set it down next to the griddle. "Thanks, baby."

"You're welcome, daddy," a petite feminine voice responded. "Is mommy going to like it?"

"Of course, Sugar Plum. Go check on mommy for me, okay?"

Their little filly trotted out from behind the counter with a light red mane. A dark purple coat with nine foot wings that trailed behind her as she moved past her father with a destination towards the hallway of light snoring. Her pierced ear flicked and twitched when she picked up the sound of her mother's snores. The ones that filled the hallway and let her know mommy was having a good sleep.

Fresh Dawn stopped at the door and slowly peeked in. Her dark purple eyes trained on the rising and falling of the covers. Her mother's wings poured out from the bed and onto the wooden floor. They would twitch every now and then, but no movement besides that.

Snickering, Dawn turned around and began to walk back. But before taking a step further, she was wrapped up in a violet aura, and pulled into the room, straight into a pair of purple hooves. Oh no, she's been spotted!

"And where do you think you're going, Princess?" Twilight whispered in her ear. She lifted herself out of bed and attacked Dawn with a ticklish nuzzle behind her right ear.

Dawn struggled in Arcadia's hold before she gave up. "No fair, you cheated!" She cried out. "Now we have to start all over!"

Arcadia chuckled and set her daughter back down on the carpet so they both could stretch. Then leaned down and happily nuzzled her head of red hair.

"Good morning, Fresh Dawn," she whispered. Twilight's mane draped over Dawn's form. It had grown noticeably over the years and began to turn into an ethereal mass like Celestia and Luna's, glowing with stars and moving on its own. She was becoming a more ethereal pony than anything else.

"Good morning, mommy! Happy Birthday!" Fresh Dawn pounced on her muzzle, squeezing it tight with a grin. Shortly after learning to speak, Dawn began walking. Then jumping, and finally jumping and grabbing things. Rolling her eyes, Arcadia walked out of the bedroom and into the hall with a smile before using her magic to pry Fresh Dawn off her face. She usually does that to ponies she really cared about. If she doesn't do it to you, don't even bother asking for water. Apparently, according to Molten Ice, she gets it from her father.

After setting her on her hooves, she responded, "Thank you, sweetie. Now what exactly smells so good?" With an urge to investigate, Twilight started to walk forward. But Fresh Dawn swiftly raised her wings with a rush of feathers to deny her access towards the kitchen and living room.

With her head held high and eyes closed, she yelled, "You're not allowed to go yet! You ruined breakfast and now we have to start over! Daddy! Trash it!" She ordered. That last bit she picked up from her mother. Twilight could tell.

Madun poked his head into the hallway with an unamused expression and responded, "Yeah, not happening. Keep your mother entertained while I finish. Then we have to get you to school. Good morning, bedhead. Happy birthday."

Fresh Dawn lowered her wings and whined with a stomp of her hoof, "But I don't wanna go to school!"

Arcadia leaned down and stated, "All colts and little fillies have to go to school. Even princesses." Twilight swept Fresh Dawn up into a hug and looked into a copy of her own eyes. "Now be a good little princess and go to school. It's my birthday."

Fresh Dawn groaned and muttered under her breath, "Fine. Since it's your birthday. But I'm not eating their food."

"That's all I'm asking for. No more fighting?" Fresh Dawn shook her head. "Did you take a bath?" Another shake of her head. "Go take one then I can take you to school. Your father has to work too."

King Madun poked in and yelled, "Yep! Tiring day up ahead! Your mother is going to relax though, I suspect." He punctuated the last word with a hopeful strain. Attempting to emphasize his point. It unfortunately didn't hit home.

Arcadia set Fresh Dawn down then walked over to give him a kiss and a nuzzle. "Sorry, sweetheart. I'm always expected on the throne until one of us gets sick. So... I'm working."

Aghast, Madun asked, "What? Sweetheart, it's your birthday. The entire country is practically begging you to take a day off."

"I know, I'm sorry. But as Queen, I'm always at my citizens' beck and call. And if I'm not on the throne, I'm at Serl." Arcadia pulled back and sniffed the air while Fresh Dawn walked into the bathroom. And gained a dopey grin and a watering mouth. "But the smell of pancakes is begging me to stay home."

"Then—"

"Sorry, can't." Arcadia lit her horn and grabbed water from the faucet in a long snake that swam over her body, rinsing out any dirt and anything they couldn't see. Madun rolled his eyes at the tactic and reason for use. She typically does this when she's in a rush.

She's always in a rush.

After applying soap and turning into suds, Arcadia rinsed all of that into the sink and came out like she was a model. Complete with her long and glowing curved hairstyle apart from that bed head she was sporting mere seconds ago. Smiling, she reached up and ruffled her hair. Then glanced at Madun and whispered, "Do I look nice?"

"Ravaging," he responded. Then darted forward and latched his lips onto hers. Unexpected, but appreciated. Arcadia hummed into it and embraced the moment while it lasted before they broke apart at the same time the bathroom door opened. Fresh Dawn walked out, ready for school.

After Arcadia grabbed her crown, and after the Sword of Arcadia that Madun gave her on her Coronation day was strapped to her dress and put on, and Madun had grabbed his crown and royal garb, Arcadia placed the little tiara on Princess Fresh Dawn's head with her school supplies that came with a stuffed toy and lead her out the door with her father. But not without those three pancakes. It was her birthday, she should at least get that.

The garden outside looked the same, save for the growing flowers that Fresh Dawn zipped into. Her guards immediately followed as she ran through them, laughing in glee while the others watched.

"Fun, fun, fun!" She cheered. "I want it all!"

"Uh oh, some filly's being impatient again." Gardeen walked out of the Castle's office hallway and towards the family of three, wearing her badge and smiling proudly. Her white coat seemed to have more shine to it than usual. Her light green eyes had a glimmer within that Arcadia's never seen before. What's up with her this morning?

Gardeen stopped in front of the family and bowed deeply. "Good morning, your majesties. Happy Birthday, Queen Arcadia."

Arcadia nodded and greeted first, "Good morning." Then tossed a pancake into her mouth Pinkie Pie style. She woke up hungry this morning.

"Good morning, Gardeen."

"Hi, Ms. Gardeen!" Fresh Dawn greeted. She flapped her large purple wings and flew on top of her back behind her neck. Clearing her throat, she decreed, "I want thirteen Maphitos! Stat!" Once again, from her mother.

Glancing up, Gardeen chuckled and responded, "We'll get you some on the way to school."

"We'll get you one on the way to school," Arcadia corrected. She walked forward and was followed by her guards wearing her signature purple armor. "You don't need that much sugar. How are you this morning, Gardeen?"

Gardeen smiled and responded, "I'm well, Arcadia. How are you on this birthday? Big twenty-six."

Arcadia sighed and whispered, "I'm waiting for Merry to jump out of a bush or something. Maybe even one of the twins."

"That's a scary sight. Haven't seen her all morning."

"Suitable for Nightmare Night." Arcadia turned to Madun who quickly approached Gardeen's side to plant a loving kiss on his daughter's cheek. She made a disgusted face and pushed his muzzle away so she could wipe off his germs. Fresh Dawn is going to be a Germaphobe when she grows up, Twilight thought.

"Listen to the teachers, alright?" He ordered. "They know what's best for you."

"Fine," Fresh Dawn replied. Gardeen noted she had a rebellious streak to her. Oh boy.

Madun turned to Arcadia and asked, "I'll see you in the throne room, okay?"

"Of course." Arcadia pecked his cheek, then walked with Gardeen holding her daughter and her guards down the hall, leaving Madun for a few seconds to watch her move. Every step she took was so elegant. So beautiful. Hypnotizing.

"...your highness?" Madun broke out of his trance and focused on the guard standing next to him. "Are you ready to go?"

Madun reached up and adjusted his crown. Then flapped his cape and nodded. "Let's go."

Just as expected, the moment Queen Arcadia was seen in the offices of The Castle, ponies bowed and greeted, "Good morning, your majesties."

Fresh Dawn would respond with, "Good morning, my pony!" Similar to her mother, who was more mature with it. After a few more minutes of walking, they reached the foyer of the castle and out the doors into the fresh morning dew that tickled Fresh Dawn's coat. She jumped off of Gardeen's back and flapped her heavy wings to ascend a little higher before being flanked by the guards. Arcadia sighed and shook her head. This was going to be a long day. Morning, anyway.



After getting Fresh Dawn down, grabbing her Maphito, and dropping her off at school with her three guards and twin cousins, Arcadia and Gardeen double backed to the Castle. The air felt good when it flowed underneath the Queen's large wings, blowing back her mane and dress as she flew through the sky. It lasted a short while before landing once more at the castle stairs behind the safety of the gate. "What is my schedule for today, Gardeen?"

Gardeen turned to Arcadia and shook her head. "Since today is the Queen's birthday, all parties rescheduled their meets with you for the next available slot. It's empty today, save for the last minute addition from—get this—Equestria."

Arcadia widened her eyes and repeated, "Equestria?" Equestria summoned her? Strange.

Arcadia turned and walked up the stairs with Gardeen and her twelve  guards. The Guard at the doors pushed them open to allow them back inside onto the cool glossy marble floors of the Castle, decorated with glass cases of expensive photos, drawings, plaques. Many items.

"Specifically, the Princesses," Gardeen clarified. "They're already in the waiting room."

"Then it must be an international issue. Someone escort them to the Royal Throne Room please." While a Royal Guard delivered the orders, Arcadia lit her horn and teleported all of them away, leaving no clue they were ever there.



The ticking of a clock and the very light sounds of breathing were the only thing going on in the Psera Royal Throne Room waiting room. On the third floor of Psera's massive castle sat the throne room with a waiting room down the hall for executive parties.

Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadance were sitting within in three different spots either looking towards the walls at the photographs of Pserateps, the giant Crest of Psera chiseled out of a round slab of stone, the marble carpet flooring, or the Royal Family. With Madun, Twilight, and little Fresh Dawn in her father's hooves when she was a few days old. Reaching out towards her father and paying no mind to the camera. The lights along the walls were trained on the ceiling, casting an incandescent glow on the matter below it.

Princess Cadance sighed from across Luna then reached out to grab a magazine on the glass table when the door opened. One of Twilight's interns, Celestia assumed, walked in with a clipboard, a mare wearing a golden badge of some sort. "She will see you now. She just got back in."

After a quick trek through the long hall of statued rulers, Guarded by the Royal Guard with winged weaponry, they stopped in front of the grand and tall doors of the Royal Throne Room. Gold and blessed with design that shimmered when the light hit it. The intern knocked on one of them hard. The sound resonated through the hallways and definitely through the room itself.

"Enter!" Two voices, male and female ordered. The intern pushed one of the golden doors open and stepped to the side, allowing the three Princesses in. Psera didn't know it, but the Princesses of Equestria knew why there was so much gold. The land Psera was built on was made of gold. Underneath all the dirt, clay, all of nature was nothing but gold that grew on its own. Where they were getting the steel from had yet to be known.

They had dropped off a massive block of it on their land two years ago, finishing the Psera-Equestria Trade Agreement, and opening doors for the Psera-Equestria Trade Treaty that deems Equestria and Psera have the opportunity of trading with each other.

Equestria uses the Psera-Equestria Trade Facility left on their land as a location of where they trade with incoming Aquatas. Along with an added warehouse that gave many ponies more jobs. Even when she wasn't an Equestrian anymore, Arcadia was still helping Equestria.

It never changed. The Royal Throne Room was still built out of gold and marble, high ornate Golden columns each with a unique design that reached the ceiling, decorated above with wild paintings. Arcadia had one up there of her cutie mark as well as the famous painting of her first arriving on Psera, dragging her face through the dirt, dubbed Saviour of Psera. A long red carpet highlighted the path up to the four thrones, currently occupied by two but sometimes held by three, if that sheet of paper taped to the back of the child-sized one next to Arcadia's was anything to go by. It had a drawing of a little crown on it and the name Fresh Dawn. Obviously created by a foal. Looks like Fresh Dawn was decorating her throne for the future.

Madun was going over a document while Arcadia was watching them enter with a calm and collected gaze, fit with a smile. "Hello, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance," she greeted happily. "Welcome back to Psera."

The three bowed in front of them while Cadance responded, "Good morning, Queen Arcadia." They righted back up and took a seat. "How are you on this wonderful birthday?"

Without lowering the document, Madun answered sourly behind it, "She's working apparently."

Rolling her eyes, Arcadia clarified, "Madun doesn't want me working today, and prefers I relax. It's my birthday, I'll spend it how I want to spend it." Arcadia leaned into his proximity behind the document and did something unseen that had the king laughing deeply before she ducked back out, licking her lips. "Now. How can I help you? I can tell this isn't one of our weekly visits."

Celestia cleared her throat and answered, "An event is coming up in three days that will cause a lot of trouble."

Madun instantly lowered the document and trained his magenta eyes on Celestia. "Trouble?" He repeated. "How much? And for who?" Arcadia was just as concerned. Her calm gaze changed to focus.

"For both of us," Luna answered, referring to their nations.

Arcadia asked, "What is the event?"

"International House of Trade," Celestia answered. "Queen Novo is hosting."

Arcadia gasped, then stomped her hoof and yelled, "Buck!" Everyone widened their eyes at her outburst before she quickly backpedaled by clearing her throat. "Excuse me. But that is in fact a big issue. I forgot all about IHT."

This sounded big. Madun sat his document to the side and asked, "What is an International House of Trade?"

"Before I tell you about it, let me give you an Equestrian History Lesson. Around a decade ago when I was... honored, I guess, I was hoofed the opportunity of organizing a Friendship Summit. My first national event. Ponies all across Equestria gathered in Canterlot to interact, converse, and acquire each other's services. That was the plan anyway. The summit was interrupted when a Captain for an evil minotaur named The Storm King, who wanted power, dropped in the Castle Courtyard and demanded we give up our magic. We said no. They didn't like that answer.

"The Princesses were turned to stone, and my friends and I were tasked with traveling Equestria all the way to the far south while the rest of Equestria were imprisoned. We traveled miles off the coast to a single land called Mount Aris to find a Hippogriff named Queen Novo while also being chased by the captain who wanted my magic. But Novo had grabbed her own citizens and fled underwater for safety from the Storm King. They wouldn't help us.

"To make this hour-long story short, the Storm King was defeated, his captain reformed thanks to me, and a beautiful song was performed at the end."

"Sounds like a blockbuster," Madun stated. The Princesses had no idea what that was, but the Pserateps standing around did apparently since some of them chuckled.

Arcadia grinned and whispered, "If it were a movie maybe. But after all of it, I came to the realization that Equestria may be the strongest nation in the world, but were still vulnerable to sudden attacks. So I met with Queen Novo and came up with a plan. After two months of organizing, and slight apologizing, she and I created a treaty founding an Organization with an important main focus: If one country is attacked, all the countries will assist in defense.

"Queen Novo loved the idea, but she wanted bigger. Every creature knew each country had something that could benefit the other. Innovations, inventions, weaponry, ways of transportation. All of it. So to show we were all Friends we decided to gather every delegate, ruler, and head of the noble houses of the known world under one roof, or house, and schedule trade. An example would be the Psera-Equestria Trade Agreement. Just on a much larger scale. It would happen every five years in either of our lands that were chosen. We created the International House of Trade."

"Okay..." Madun glanced to the Princesses and asked, "Now how is this trouble?"

"Because of the rules," Arcadia answered. "Specifically one. All members are required to attend or have a representative in their place. Those that do not... Are investigated as to why they couldn't make it. Myself, 'Princess Twilight Sparkle', was the first pony to sign it. I am the first member and co-creator. If we do not come up with a plan in..."

Celestia answered her unasked question. "Three days."

"If we do not come up with a plan in three days, an investigation into my absence will be commenced, starting with questioning the absentee. It already looks bad that Princess Twilight, the organizer and creator of this event has not arrived to the second annual meeting. What happens when they go to my castle to question me, which has been turned into an Embassy of some kind that belongs to none of their nations and void of my presence, as well as the gate to travel back and forth between our two countries inside? Not to mention the unexplained phenomenon that Equestria had quickly overcome their metal shortage so fast? As well as the Psera-Equestria Trade Facility that takes up a lot of land on the coast of Las Pegasus?

"During the breaks, ponies go on tours across the nation. I'm sure all the countries know that Equestria went through a shortage, there's no way that they rebuilt everything in a year if they had a shortage of steel, which takes a long time to regenerate on its own. They will begin asking questions and eventually... Will learn about this land. We cannot have that."

Arcadia sighed and stepped off her throne, dragging her long wings behind her so she could start pacing. "I already have an idea, but involves me attending this meeting." Arcadia stopped pacing and lit her horn, brightening up the room when she flashed. In Queen Arcadia's place stood Princess Twilight. No long wings, a less than sharp horn. But everything else was the same. Like the gold and glistening crown on her head.

Madun smiled and stated, "Just like the mare I fell in love with."

Arcadia smiled up at him and explained, gesturing to herself. "Even though I look like how I used to, there is unfortunately no way to hide the size of my wings, or the fact that I am Queen here. A pony could step on something unseen and I may blow up. My Pserateps look to us for protection. To keep them a secret. Not be discovered. So I must go back to Equestria for a few days. I need my Guard and my clothes to showcase where the true length of my wings truly stand so they won't be stepped on. I will leave tomorrow evening. Gardeen!"

Gardeen was at her side in a second, one hoof raised to her head of silver hair in a salute, bearing a serious expression. "Yes, your highness?"

"Get me Secretary Manny of the Elite Guard please. An urgent trip to Equestria is in order for the safety of Psera. Any appointments for this week move them to next week."

"Yes, ma'am." While Gardeen shuffled off behind the throne, Celestia decided to pass Arcadia and Madun the letter by giving it to one of her interns.

"This is a letter from Queen Novo addressing Prance, Equestria, North Neighton, South Neighton, Seaquestria, Mount Aris, Hoof Yun, Saddle Arabia, and The Forgotten Land."

Arcadia took it from her intern and read it over with Madun. Paying close attention to the Crests. Thankfully no Crest of Psera. With the same idea, her husband Madun pointed to them and stated, "We must ensure it stays this way."

"Of course," Arcadia agreed. She was still cloaked as her old self. And sort of enjoying it. "And you have to watch Dawn until I get back."

Madun lowered the letter and hoofed it back to one of the interns. "She'll want to go with you, you know."

"Oooh, I know, but she still has school. Just until I get back, okay?" Arcadia nuzzled his cheek.

"No need to ask, she's my daughter too."

The doors behind the throne opened, followed by hooves as Secretary Manny approached. Still blue and in a mood since she was still wearing that narrow eyed expression on her face when she locked eyes on Equestria. Seems like she never forgave Equestria after one of their inhabitants attempted to kill Arcadia on her wedding day. Evident by her next extremely loud words.

"Equestria? That pony is still rotting away in that cell!" She turned to the rulers and bowed. "Good morning King Madun, Queen Arcadia. Happy Birthday." Celestia and the others were glancing around awkwardly after her sudden outburst, but everyone else in the room were calm. They must've been used to it by now.

"Good morning, Secretary," Madun greeted. "Arcadia has to tell you something."

Huffing, Arcadia took the floor. "It has come to my attention that Psera's secrecy from the rest of the world may soon be compromised. Listen closely..." Arcadia spent the next two minutes telling Secretary Manny about what was happening in Equestria, and pretty much the same tale about The House of Trade. "So I must head back to Equestria to attend this seven day conference and make sure that Psera is kept a secret."

Manny sighed and stated, "The Aqua Guard and Elite are ready to get back into the field anyway."

"Now Secretary, this is an unofficial cold war," Arcadia reminded her. "Not an Elite-Guard-Aqua-Guard-walking-out-of-the-water deal. I just need twelve Elite Guards on land with me, and two Aquatas at sea just in case."

Two Aquatas full of soldiers? Celestia raised a hoof and asked, "Queen Arcadia is that really necessary?"

Arcadia shrugged and answered matter-of-factually, "To be honest, security for international interactions isn't really my decision. It's Secretary Manny's. I'm just giving a base order."

Manny countered, "Thirty Elite Guard and two Aquatas of Aqua Guard. From what you're telling me, Royalty from other nations are coming to Equestria, the same land you will be staying at for seven days with their own security. Psera has no idea who they are, what they do, or how violent they are. You need protection, your highness. Not ragtag protection, but solid protection."

Arcadia sighed and nodded. "Very well. I leave tomorrow morning to catch up on a few matters, so deploy them tonight and have them stop two miles off the coast of Equestria while The Elite Guard follow with me through the Independent Portal at the Equestria Embassy here. They'll need Comm Blocks and of course whatever your Captains prefer for safety."

Secretary Manny saluted and blared, "Consider it done!" She bowed briefly then shuffled away, making her way for the hallway in the back to prepare the venture.
> Chapter  01 - Welcome Back To Equestria
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

To see the Queen walking the streets through Cop wearing Golden hoof shoes decorated with crushed gems and a chestplate similar to Celestia's, and a grand crown was a common sight. Especially on Sunny days. She usually held a minimum amount of Guards, at most seven Royal Guards in Gold plated steel armor, as well as weaponized wings, looking out for her security. Seeing her with her husband King Shimmering Madun was also common. Seeing little Fresh Dawn was as well.

But to see them walking with the same foreigners who were related to the pony who attempted to kill her was... strange. So apart from bowing and wishing their Queen a happy birthday, those who saw the royals stared immediately after. Wondering why their fair King and Queen were holding a conversation with them.

They stopped at a crosswalk, discussing something that has bothered Arcadia when she first arrived on Psera while waiting for the honking Pods to pass. Just watching them were mesmerizing to the foreigners.

"I have been conducting a private research study on myself," Arcadia explained. "Based on a find from one of my research facilities, centuries ago it has been discovered that wing length is inherited through love and admiration. The only ponies that I can tell have been admired by Psera from Equestria besides myself is Flurry Heart, whose wings have grown many years ago when she visited to see Events at Eventa. She has received even more when she sees her cousin, and whenever I decide to visit. But based on recent events and findings, I am led to believe... Pserateps were everywhere."

The light changed and gave them a chance to cross the crosswalk as a large group. "What do you mean?" Cadance asked.

"Just like a unicorn, Pserateps have magic. But cannot manipulate and use it as an everyday universal tool like unicorns since they have wings and not horns. Magic courses through the body. But in the end, magic works in the same basic way. When a pony has a foal, that magic is transferred over. You literally make a copy of yourself and another with selected mixed in traits from both partners. Their magic is passed down. And for Pserateps, with the ability to gain more magic through love and admiration."

Celestia stopped once they reached the other side and asked, "Are you saying... You could possibly have a Pseratep Ancestor?"

Arcadia stopped too and nodded, surprising even Madun. "Yep. So, me returning to Equestria for a week will give me plenty of time to conduct this bit of research in the field. It's just a theory, but a very promising one." Arcadia continued walking while Madun held his own theory.

"You may actually be related to a Pseratep in Equestria, and there may in fact be more there besides the ones at the Embassy."

"May have been," Arcadia corrected. "Pserateps gain their longevity through Pseratep magic. I'm not entirely sure if they are still alive by this point. But overall, this is a National Security issue and an investigation, and will be treated as such when I arrive."

The group stopped in front of a three floor office building made out of glass. A cube with a large imprinted symbol of Equestria in the center colored white. A golden text underneath it with a centered alignment, reading "Embassy of Equestria."

Without taking his eyes off the symbol, Madun stated, "I expect my wife to be safe and away from danger." He lowered his gaze and turned his sights to the Princesses. "Even though she has security and can very well take down any creature if she is tense without a sweat, Equestria is an ally to Psera and I expect them to treat her as an ally by protecting her."

With a smirk, Cadance reminded him of a few important facts. "King Madun? I am engaged to her brother, her teacher is Princess Celestia, she saved Princess Luna as well as the whole country on numerous occasions, including recently, saved Seaquestria and Mount Aris; to not provide protection for her would be beyond disrespectful. You have our promise that Queen Arcadia will be thoroughly protected."

Madun nodded in approval. He could practically feel reassurance flowing off of her. "Good. Make sure that it is so. Have a great day, and thank you for informing us of this." He shared a hug with all three Princesses and wished them farewell before they moved on to Arcadia.

Cadance and Twilight shared a loving nuzzle before Cadance suggested, "Be gentle with Fresh Dawn. She likes to visit her cousin, and Flurry enjoys her visits."

"I know. I'll be gentle."



Fresh Dawn gasped and yelled in the Royal Suite living room later on that evening, "Y-Y-You're leaving home without me?! Mommy!!"

Arcadia was standing in front of her daughter calmly using her magic to pack her bags on the couch. Madun was still on the throne until seven and then works back at home or at the office. It was five right now. Thankfully, Arcadia was ready for this. She asked for Merry to bring the twins as well as herself.

Arcadia stopped packing her bags and pulled Fresh Dawn close before she began crying. She immediately wrapped her tiny hooves around her mother's single right hoof. "I don't want you leaving! You have to stay here! You have to! Daddy's gross!"

Arcadia sighed and countered, "Dawn, I'll be back in seven days, I promise. I would never leave my little filly behind, you know this. But I have to keep Psera and you safe, so I must to do my duty as Queen." She leaned down and lovingly nuzzled her daughter's head of short red hair. "I'll bring back something from Equestria for you and tell your cousin you said hi. Merry is watching over your father so he can watch over you. Lightning and Daisy are helping too."

Lightning and Daisy Fire were Merry's twin foals. Both were fillies and managed to copy Merry's attitude exactly. While Lightning was more impulsive like her mother, Daisy was more like Blazing, their father. She would at least think first before saying something while Lightning would just blurt it out.

When Merry gave birth, she finally got guards. Princess Merry may be able to defend herself, but her fillies couldn't. At least not until they turn into their mother and end up assaulting one of their own guards. The two were easy to tell apart. Lightning's mane was electric blue and red while Daisy's was orange and red. Other than that, they looked just alike.

Dawn shook her head and spat, "But we never spend time together! I want to be with you, not daddy!"

"When I get back, I promise. You and I can spend a whole day together, do whatever you want without too much sugar." She could tell Dawn was looking forward to spending the day at her favorite ice cream shop because she painted her face over with an expression of disapproval at that last bit.

"If you're leaving, take this with you!" Dawn eagerly trotted out of the bright living room towards the hallway. Then pushed the door open for her bedroom. After she turned four, her parents decided to give her her own "Playroom," filled with toys, books she was able to read at the age of five, and her bed shaped like a book, covered in stuffed animals. The walls were painted like the skies of Psera, synchronized with the time of day. At night, the moon, stars and dark skies filled them. In the day, clouds. Right now, it was nearing Sunset.

Dawn walked towards the bed and dug around in the stacks of dolls. Then used her magic to grab a stuffed green-spotted white bird with a long yellow beak. She turned around and walked out of the room to anxiously run back to her mother.

Arcadia was packing her research bag now, complete with Serl-issued pens that had thermometers. She glanced up and smiled as the doll floated over to her face. Then down to her daughter. She took note that her magic skills were progressing well. Far more than her own when she was her age. By the age of five, she herself had learned to levitate. Fresh Dawn learned it by the age of two. Even though it was an accident.

With a bland face and lively violet eyes, Fresh Dawn explained, "This is Blue Sky. She keeps the bad dreams away. You should take her so she can keep your bad dreams away too."

Arcadia knew for a fact that this was Fresh Dawn's favorite doll. She took it with her everywhere except at school. Her number one friend. Speaking of which it needed to be washed soon.

Arcadia lit her horn and took it for herself, looking at the doll closely. Then leaned down to her daughter and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Thank you, Dawn," she whispered. "But I won't be needing her until tomorrow. Are you sure you don't want to sleep with her tonight?"

Fresh Dawn shook her head wildly and answered, "Nope! I'm sleeping with you and daddy tonight!"

Before Arcadia could respond, the door opened up and two little fillies mosied on in. Speak of the little... Lightning zipped right up to Fresh Dawn and tapped her wing while Daisy walked in, looking around the suite. Then Merry strode in last, zipping right up to Arcadia and pulling her into a hug.

"And we're back~!!!" She sang. Some of her orange and red mane got into Arcadia's face. She was used it to it by now.

Sighing, Arcadia set down the doll into the middle of her bag and greeted kindly, "Hello, Merry. How are you?"

Merry let her go and made way for the fillies, grinning all the while. Her green coat seemed bright today. She trotted up to Fresh Dawn and answered, "Spectacular."

Arcadia lit her horn and closed the door while Merry grabbed the three fillies and sat them on the couch. "One little mommy's going on a super important trip while the other one is babysitting four little fillies."

Arcadia was about to correct her before she figured it out. She settled for a snicker herself. Madun. She was always making fun of her brother, but could tell Merry meant no harm. Just playful brother-sister rivalry.

"What about Blazing?" She asked.

Merry shrugged and made her way to the kitchen. "He works too much. Been talking about the Blue Gold Experiment happening at Serl that he has a hoof in. You eggheads and your science. Can I have some Orange juice?" Arcadia dropped her smile, settling for a deadpan expression that reached Merry's eyes. "I'll take that as a yes."

While Merry rummaged through their fridge, Arcadia rolled her eyes and bent down to the level of the foals smiling. "Are you fillies going to be okay when I'm gone?"

Daisy and Lightning screamed, "Yes!" While Fresh Dawn screamed, "Noooo, I want Mommy to stay!"

Merry peeked out from behind the fridge with a grin directed towards Dawn. "Looks like some little filly is being overprotective."

"Nuh uh!"



A cool breeze passed through the mane of Rainbow Dash's relaxed body. Positioned staring with closed eyes off the largest hill overshadowing Ponyville that was with grass. It waved with the passing air, tickling her coat. Usually she would be taking flight and flying through the sky right now. But Sunset Shimmer decided to make her meditate with her by simply sitting on the grass during her off time when they both don't have to work.

After the Embassy of Psera was created, Sunset Shimmer became Ambassador. A big job for such a small time pony, but Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Queen Twilight "Arcadia Nova" Sparkle knew she could handle it. And she has so far. Rainbow Dash still served with the wonderbolts, but they were all out until something happened. So they chose to chill with each other until things got back to normal upon a hill overlooking Ponyville, directly behind the Embassy.

The only sound were the birds tweeting, the laughter of children, and the sound of water nearby. Fluttershy gave them the idea of finding a way to escape the life of government by taking it easy with soundless nature. Finding peace.

Rainbow immediately stated she was out because it was uncool and she was all about noise. Sunset decided to try it, and somehow managed to pull Dash in.

Sunset blinked open her eyes when she felt the presence of another. Her vision bore straight into the eyes of Starlight Glimmer who was staring back confused. Rainbow Dash still had her eyes closed while they held their staring contest for a few seconds. Which had to eventually come to an end with Sunset asking, "Starlight?"

Rainbow yelped and woke back up with a start while Starlight asked her own question awkwardly, "You . . . Guys okay?"

Rainbow yawned and stood up to stretch, crack, and relax the kinks and more inside of her bones. "Yep!" She answered. Then raised up her rear leg to pop that. "Whoo! Fluttershy was right! That nap was amazing!"

Nap? Sunset shook her head and stated, "No. Rainbow, meditating is when you shut off everything going on currently and just focus."

Rainbow glanced around like it was obvious and responded, "Yeah, that's sleeping."

Sunset shook her head while Starlight just giggled. Then turned back and asked, "So why are you here, Starlight?"

Starlight stopped laughing and cleared her throat. Her eyes took on her serious gaze that Sunset had to kick herself to not laugh at. "Well, orders just came in. The Embassy is going to be locked down for eight days and is currently in an evacuation."

Sunset and Rainbow gasped in surprise and directed their sights down towards the Embassy of Psera. Emergency evacuation?! Standing up, Sunset asked in worry, "What happened? Is everything okay?"

Starlight shrugged in cluelessness. "Not sure really. But a memo came stating Queen Twilight's staying in Equestria for eight days. As of right now, the Embassy is closed and is completely empty. She's coming here tomorrow morning to explain the details but whatever it is the Princesses are involved because they're mandatory on the attendance."

Rainbow poked in and suggested, "Maybe it has something to do with the Crystal Empire."

Sunset and Starlight turned to her with questions in their eyes. Sunset asked, "The Empire? What are you talking about?"

"One of the Wonderbolts is into news and stuff. So much that it's creepy really. Says that an event is coming up revolving around something called International House of whatever and that all World Leaders are meeting here in Equestria, in the Crystal Empire's Senate Hall. Royalty's coming in. Said the city's been all prettied up with flags from the nations. I don't know but it's in the newspaper. I don't read the newspaper."

After rolling her eyes, Sunset made her way down the hill with Starlight and Rainbow Dash for the Embassy of Psera. As the Ambassador, she was required to know this stuff. Why wasn't she informed beforehoof? They picked up their speed when Sunset realized the access gate for the building were void of any guards. There was a crystal gate surrounding the Embassy that absorbed magic, created from the gems Equestria gave to Psera as a trade for that huge block of steel nearly three years ago.

According to Celestia, Psera did in fact give them more than enough. So much in fact that it helped their economy by creating more governmental buildings and additions to the castles, and still have enough for a surplus. They have half of that cube left sitting in Las Pegasus where The Psera-Equestria Trade Facility is. Right next to it actually. They had to build a warehouse around it using the metal traded to them. It was a large warehouse secured by a few members of the Royal Guard here in Equestria. Now that Sunset thought about it, they never found out where they got it from. That wasn't important right now though.

Sunset reached out and pressed her hoof against a specific block on the gate, unlocking it with her magical signature. Then pushed it open and walked towards the glass double doors. Two years ago the doors on the castle had been replaced. While the Castle remained mostly crystal, the doors had been replaced with glass, and the balcony overhead had been taken off to be turned into a tinted office for Sunset Shimmer. The ruined top had been shaved off and replaced with a flat roof made out of "A combination of steel and gems." So said the Pseratep overseeing the reconstruction at the time. Other than that, everything inside was the same.

The map room was archived. No one was allowed in there except the Element Bearers, including Twilight whenever it decides to work again. And the extra rooms all had a purpose. Copy room, storage room, mostly storage rooms. Extra libraries, record rooms, data rooms, security rooms, engineering, all types of rooms. The bed rooms for the royals of Psera were upstairs with Sunset's.

But when Sunset, Starlight, and Rainbow all walked inside onto the cool crystal flooring, all of them were abandoned and everything was creepily silent. The only ones around were one or two more Pserateps packing up and making their way towards the Independent Portal room to head back to Psera. Even the LiVAMs behind the information desk were off, along with the lights. The embassy was closed.

"Ambassador Shimmer!" Someone called from beyond the hallways.

Sunset yelled, "I'm in the lobby! Why does that pony sound familiar?" Starlight shrugged at the same time Secretary Manny trotted out from one of the hallways. Quite eagerly making her way towards the lobby and straight for Sunset wearing a dress military suit complete with a black tie and medals on the dark yellow coat.

Sunset smirked and greeted, "Secretary Manny, strange to see you here. Is Equestria in trouble?"

Manny didn't have a problem with Sunset. Just the Princesses here. Sunset knew that. When she reached her, Manny answered breathlessly through her exotic tongue, "No, not at this moment. Queen Arcadia will be staying here in Equestria for eight days to prevent a possible National Security breach starting tomorrow morning. The reason for the evacuation is because this building is to appear lifeless and restricted to anyone until the Conference in the Crystal Empire is over. But will also serve as a temporary on-site fallback for Arcadia and The Elite Guard escorting her here. There's a few here already setting up down the hall at this moment. I have a few questions to ask you involving publication of the event."

"Unfortunately, I have no idea what is going on, but I will answer as best as I can," Sunset admitted truthfully. "All I know as of a minute and a half ago was that the Embassy was evacuated and closed for eight days."

Secretary Manny nodded to confirm Starlight's claims. "That is correct. Apparently an event was setup that the Queen has to attend in order for Psera to stay anonymous to the rest of the world. She is coming tomorrow to plan out strategy. Until then, my soldiers need a place to set up and the Queen needs a place to sleep. So be ready for activity tomorrow morning when she arrives at seven. Now my soldiers need to have a look around this place to secrete any evidence of Queen Arcadia's direct involvement with Psera."



Today was the day. Yesterday, after Madun got home and they sat down and ate dinner, the three went straight to bed. Arcadia had to get up at five to get ready and leave at six. It never took her long to get ready. Especially since her magic had progressed impressively. At the first sight of light that hit the guarded top of the Castle of the Gods, Arcadia's tired eyes blinked open, training directly on the mess of red hair attached to a purple filly underneath her large wing. This was the only time Fresh Dawn ever remained motionless. Sleeping.

Arcadia leaned over and calmly nuzzled her hair, soon moving her eyes from her mane to her right ear. Pierced because of that arrow. When the bed began to quiver, she calmed herself down. Her magic was strong enough to cause chaos.

She didn't want chaos. She wanted order. Arcadia sighed through her nose and slowly slid out of bed before Madun did the same thing. It surprised her enough that she froze. Madun touched down on the floor and stretched. Then smacked his lips and locked eyes on Arcadia with a smile.

"I woke up when the bed shook," he explained. "Thinking about it again?" Arcadia's closed eyes and sigh gave him all he needed to know.

She turned to Fresh Dawn and whispered, "I will never forgive him for what he did, nor forget. I'm happy my baby's alive. But it shouldn't have happened anyway."

Madun sighed. He hated seeing his wife this way. So he quietly tip-tapped his way over, whispering, "It's not your fault this happened. You're a fantastic mother and a wonderful mare. That disgusting stallion just wasn't born right. He had an issue upstairs. Well now he has an issue downstairs."

Arcadia smiled and covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. It was too early for that. "That was a low blow," she whispered.

"Yeah, and he's giving some low blows." Madun turned to Fresh Dawn and walked around the bed while Arcadia giggled. Then leaned down and nudged his daughter. "Dawn~, wake up. Mommy's getting ready to go."

Fresh Dawn hummed and wiggled around under her covers. "No school today, daddy," she grumbled. "Next week."

Arcadia walked over with an eye on Madun. "She definitely gets that from you," she whispered. Then sat down and lightly picked up her long-winged magical daughter. She pulled her in, placing her by her left shoulder for a few seconds. This would usually wake her up.

Within that time frame, Fresh Dawn began to lightly stir. Her eyes blinked open first. Next she yawned and glanced around before Twilight pulled her back and looked into her confused eyes with happy ones. "Good morning, Dawn," she greeted.

Dawn didn't respond for a second until Madun walked into view. Then began to smile and laugh like the filly she was. "Mommy!" She cheered. "Daddy!"

Madun leaned in and nuzzled his daughter. "Good morning, sugar plum!" He greeted more than enthusiastically. Fresh dawn laughed and grabbed his muzzle. "We have to help mommy get ready to go this morning."

"I'm doing her hair!" Arcadia's eye twitched. That only meant one thing. Next, Arcadia had a braid in her hair with ribbons, and slight glitter. Possibly a sticker and... Is that a toy?

She walked out of the bathroom after bathing and fiddled with the strange lump in her mane while Fresh Dawn ran between her legs with a destination for the kitchen. There was definitely something in there.

"Mommy looks so pretty," Fresh Dawn fawned.

Madun referred to his wife from the fridge. She did gleam like the summer sun in her golden hoof shoes with a single violet gem on the front of each like her chest plate adorned with her crown, all tied together by that messy single braid. There was something in there he couldn't make out and made a face at. But he smiled and nodded in approval.

"She looks gorgeous, sugar plum. Ready for breakfast?"

After getting Fresh Dawn into her high chair, Twilight sat down and ate breakfast with her family. She was already missing her little filly. And not just because of this terrible braid that says Dawn all over it. But also because she was going to be missed too. By her family and friends here. At least Gardeen was coming. How they were going to hide their wings were the issue. They had a full day to figure it out. There was no magical artifact to hide them and the guard needed their wings. Maybe a bunch of gear? She'll leave it to the Lieutenants to figure out.

Finally, the time for departure had arrived. After grabbing her bags, Arcadia swung the door open and walked outside. The guard escorting her were already there waiting. Along with Gardeen wearing her badge and a silver jacket. All strapped and ready to go. When Arcadia set down her bags the Elite Guard quickly strapped them to themselves while she turned around to wish her family farewell.

She and Madun nuzzled and kissed, expressing their love. "I love you, sweetheart," he whispered. "Make sure you get home safely."

"I love you too," she whispered. Next, she leaned down into her daughter's tear streaked face and lightly pulled her into a tight hug. "Don't cry, Veola, I'll be back. I even have Sky Blue to watch out for me, okay?"

Dawn nuzzled into her Mother's coat and ordered, "T-Take care of Sky Blue, mommy! Sky is my best friend!"

"I will." Arcadia pulled back and kissed her daughter multiple times on the cheek. "I love you, Dawn."

"I love you too, mommy."

They hugged a little longer before Arcadia reluctantly pulled back and took a deep breath. She stuffed down those feelings of remorse and regret for leaving her family behind. Then turned around and proceeded to make her way towards the offices hall. Followed by her assistant and lead by four of their guards. She had a home to protect.



Mount Aris. Home of the Hippogriffs. Half bird, half pony. Tall creatures with shining sharp beaks and claws ruled and protected by the beautiful Queen Novo who bravely ordered the Hippogriffs go underwater when the Storm King invaded. But thanks to Princess Twilight and her friends of Equestria, they managed to take him down. And reform his captain, who she hears now resides as an EUP commander in Equestria.

Even now as she sat on her throne at the highest peak in her castle, she couldn't help but feel grateful to Equestria for letting them feel the heat of the same sun that bore through many of the stained glass windows on the side of the castle, heating up the room and warming the armor of her guards that outlined the path from the throne to the double doors. Giving a glint to the golden base of her three feathered crown as she stared down her carpet with intense magenta eyes.

Equestria. She had to admit, she was worried when Princess Celestia sent a letter describing an approaching metal shortage. Unfortunately, they couldn't help them. The Hippogriffs and Seaponies have never utilized much metal except for armor and slight building material. After that, stone and nature were their homes. They didn't have nearly one percent of what they needed, and Equestria's continent magnified their own, shadowing their IHT Allies. The Dragon Lands, Prance, even Hoof Yun. None were as big as Equestria.

But now her mind was telling her things. She attempted an in-body contact with relief efforts nearly four years ago with a full company of military. However, they were apparently in the midst of a hurricane or something because there were so many high winds with a lot of dirt and dust, her troops couldn't get through. They were forced to turn back. Two years later after no contact, it looked as if Equestria had never went through a shortage. Complete with apparently new governmental buildings.

Strange. This seven day conference coming up would give her a grand opportunity to speak with them about it. It's truly amazing how they managed to persevere a metal shortage so quickly. To lose a well adapted material such as metal would be a catastrophe to any civilization. Hoof Yun is a prime example. All of Hoof Yun's cities held skyscrapers with businesses. All using steel and magic. The city was overpopulated, riddled with unicorns with smaller eyes, adding to their uniqueness than the fact that they do not speak much if any Ponish. Their ruler Jim Sun had also noticed Equestria's sudden resurrection. He called it, "Truly suspicious."

As a matter of fact he wasn't the only nation to notice. Prance, North Neighton, South Neighton, Saddle Arabia, Breighton, The Dragon Lands, even The Forgotten Lands noticed. The land occupied with nothing but Alicorns, who never pay attention to Equestria noticed them this time. How did they overcome this plague was the question. Still without an answer.

Queen Novo took a deep breath then slinked off her throne, making calm and elegant progress across the red carpet for the door. She had to grab Skystar then board the chariot for the Conference tomorrow. Most Royalty tended to arrive at the conferences early by at least a day to interact and catch up. This time would be no different.

The guard at the end of the room pushed open the doors, letting her out into the decorative comfortable hall where she called, "Is my chariot ready?"

A female Hippogriff with a shining golden coat, blue beak, and yellow eyes and tail was at her side in a second, saluting. "Yes, ma'am. Do you want me to grab your daughter?"

"Yes, thank you Shining Pearl," she answered. "And please make it quick, I've been thinking too much lately and I seem to have forgotten how long I usually do that."

"Right away!" Shining Pearl quickly zoomed off down the hall, leaving Novo to make her way down the opposite direction filled with windows displaying the beauty of Mount Aris. The land wasn't too big, but was in no means small either. She could see the rolling hills, the busy towns, the flourishing waters of Seaquestria.

She could see her guards packing her things into the Chariot far down below while four others were attaching themselves to the craft. Most of the time, these meetings were tense. The last one was as if somepony had managed to push a huge block of gas into the room. Somepony was bound to create some negative effects. Most of these creatures in the world were hostile towards a new civilization. Either that or wanted to take whatever they had. Once again, this time would be no different.



The inside of the Embassy of Psera in Ponyville was once again active. But not with office ponies. Celestia could tell that the second she, Luna, and Cadance arrived on the soil in front of the gate. Two Elite Guard Pserateps were already there, standing by the entrance with full armor, helmets, and a strange small device curled on their ears. They didn't see a Comm Block, but they knew for a fact that they were definitely needed.

Shrugging it off, Celestia and the other Princesses strode forward and lifted their wings to be checked. Even though they were on Equestria, it was for Twilight's safety. She wasn't scheduled to arrive yet for a few more minutes. Cadance could practically feel the tears going on on the other side of the portal from little Fresh Dawn. She was a crier.

After they were verified, they were allowed to pass and enter the gates that protected the embassy. Four Elite Guards were on the top of it, smoldering at the landscape of Equestria for any suspicious ponies while making idle conversation. Since she wasn't here yet, they were allowed to relax until she was.

Cadance reached the door first and pulled it open, revealing the inside of the castle. Two more guards worked behind the desk setting up some type of serious equipment immediately looked up when they did. They eyed the Princesses passing by before they continued on with what they were doing.

As they moved Cadance leaned over into Luna's peripheral and asked, "So many already?"

Luna nodded and answered, "They just don't want a replay of the wedding. Even though most of Equestria is peaceful, they'd rather she have a handful of guards."

"And an Army off the coast. Don't forget the Aquatas. Do we have any nations on the West Coast?" Luna shook her head. "Good, it would have caused issues."

They turned down a hallway and slowed to a calm walk by one of Twilight's many libraries. In front of her portal room to be exact. Twilight Velvet, Night Light, and Shining Armor were already there. The former was blowing her nose into a napkin and trying to stifle her tears. "My little filly's growing up!" She whimpered. "She hasn't been home in so long!"

Night Light and Shining Armor sighed after the Princesses joined them. Night Light blandly corrected, "She visited last month, remember?"

Twilight looked to him aghast and answered loudly, "For a day! Not seven!" She cried again and blew her nose into the napkin. "She's growing up so fast! I remember her carrying around her little Smarty Pants wearing diapers. Now she's carrying around her little filly with extra diapers!" The Princesses smiled and nodded. Well Celestia and Cadance. Luna just blinked at her use of words. What was a Smarty Pants?

Someone sighed on the other side before four Elite Guards stepped through and moved to the side, followed immediately by Queen Arcadia. Twilight Velvet squealed and darted forward to wrap her hooves around her daughter's neck. The action would've tackled her to the ground. But Twilight was beyond used to it.

"Mom, I barely stepped out the portal and you're already embarrassing me," she grumbled.

Twilight Velvet pulled back and placed a kiss on her horn. "Hey, sweetie! How's Psera, Madun, and precious little Fresh Dawn? Oh I miss my little baby!"

She pulled back so everyone else could get a hold of a hug while the Guard and Gardeen continued pouring out of the portal. "Madun is doing well, and Fresh Dawn is still being a little filly. She really didn't want me to go, and decided to gift me with two good luck charms. One is her favorite doll, and the other..." Twilight seethed through her teeth and slowly turned her head. They all trained their sights on the braid with so much stuff in it.

Shining chuckled and asked, "Is there another toy in there?"

"I feel something. Not sure if it's a toy." Arcadia moved to embrace Cadance and her brother with love while the Guard set down her bags. After a few more seconds, she pulled back and hugged Princesses Luna and Celestia. "Hello, Celestia and Luna."

They both gifted Arcadia a loving squeeze and delivered their own greeting before pulling away a second later. Celestia sighed and calmly addressed her. "Thank you for coming... Princess Twilight."

"Thank you, Princess Celestia," Twilight responded. "What is the status on the conference and where will I be staying? In the Empire?"

Luna nodded and answered, "More than likely. As you know, most of the members arrive early to meet and greet with each other. They bring their team, tour and converse before tomorrow at ten. So far, North Neighton's President has arrived in Canterlot and is enjoying the sights and stores with her guards of four. She is not expecting much if anything."

Sounded good. "Great. Now, I wish to speak with you about how we're going to get these guys in. Captains?" Arcadia turned to two familiar stallions who immediately trotted forward and saluted. Arcadia turned back to those in front of her and motioned with a hoof towards the captains. "This is Captain Dark Silver of the Elite Guard, and Captain Blinding Silver of the Aqua Guard, no relation. They decided to combine forces for this one. Captain Dark Silver was actually part of the Royal Guard in the past and was actually the first Pseratep I ever met when I was on my way there. Him and two of his soldiers were sleeping in a boat an estimated fifty miles from Psera's East Coast."

"Permission to speak freely," Dark requested.

"Granted."

Dark lowered his hoof and motioned to Twilight. "She scared the life out of me and made me fall out the boat when she landed on it. But we quickly became the best of friends and am proud to say she has led Psera into the most wonderful of years. We want to keep those years running, but our men and women need cover ups to be able to protect her in visible sight."

Gardeen poked in and whispered, "As you can see ... Psera is really serious about Arcadia's safety."

The Princesses and the family looked around. There had to more than seventy guards setting up, gifting Cadance a wonderful idea. She turned back with a smile that Twilight was suspicious of and suggested slowly, "This may be out of your league, and comfort zone, but I have an idea."



After the idea was delivered, and the Princesses went into the map room to conduct a meeting with the Queen, the guards were left outside to each other. A changing room had been setup in one of the many others inside the embassy that Dark had a sneaking suspicion was another library. Point being there were books everywhere. On the walls, in the closets.

"Jeez, Queen Arcadia," Dark whispered. He closed the closet door and turned back around to head for the bench where two more guards were dressing themselves up in suits and tuxedos. "She suggested we be... Hosts?"

"Unfortunately," Captain Blinding Silver replied. He sighed and adjusted his tie while checking his inconspicuous wings. "Thankfully, that trick they teach you in training about folding your wings works out perfectly. We look like regular pegasi. Uncomfortable, but still."

Dark Silver reached up and adjusted the earpiece connected to the Comm Block underneath his suit. "Everyone make sure your 'pieces are in place. We don't want a relay reaching the ears of these ponies."

The rest of the Guard saluted and agreed before one, a mare with a familiar accent stepped in. "Wow, look at you boys getting all handsome." Captain Dark and Blinding turned their nonchalant attention towards the door that a mare guard walked through, smirking at all the "Handsome" Pserateps wearing a different suit and tie, along with sunglasses. Dark knew that voice anywhere.

"Captain Gliding Sword," he greeted. Then sighed and asked exhausted, "Why are you here?" He really didn't care about her answer and continued getting ready.

Captain Gliding Sword took off her sunglasses while she walked and gazed around, allowing her green eyes to scan Dark Silver up and down to answer, "I was here last night. One of the first few to arrive and scope out the Crystal Empire. Now that is a pretty place. I'm telling you. This is my first time in Equestria ever since they completely renovated every single thing and I have to admit... It's nice and laid back. But to answer your question, I'm Captain of Queen Arcadia's personal Guard. I'm the one that moves around with her everywhere she goes with nine others while you two commandeer the outside troops wearing sexy tuxedos. Jeez, you gonna hurt somepony with that thing, aren't you? Poor mares don't stand a chance. Oh, and word of advice?"

Gliding Sword walked up and informed, "They use different words here. Say Everypony, not everyone. It may cause some suspicions. Heard there were some Aquatas two miles out?"

Captain Blinding Sword nodded and answered, "Yep, we're not expecting trouble. Nopony is. But we don't want to risk Queen Arcadia's safety and have a Royal Wedding repeat."

At that, Captain Gliding Sword growled in anger. Fueled by the playback in her mind when she witnessed the arrow impale Twilight into her side. "That pony's rotting away in that cell. Last I heard, he was beaten nearly to death in there. Guards had to use a stun dart to take down the attacker. I also heard they took their time."

"Good riddance." Dark turned around and yelled, "Alright, everyone listen up!" All nearby focused on him. "I'm sure you all know the mission! Keep the Queen safe until this week is out and our home is still a secret. Rules of Engagement: Stay in character until Arcadia is hurt or is under attack, we need to keep ourselves a secret as close as possible. If there are any questions, refer to Captain Blinding Silver, Captain Gliding Sword, or myself, am I clear?"

The Guards in the room saluted and yelled, "Yes, sir!"

"Good."


***


The Map Room inside the Embassy was a little dusty. But with a sweep of her wings, Arcadia happily resurrected its current state to how it were in the past. Spotless and shiny. She made her way from the door towards her old throne and sat down while the Princesses sat in the thrones made for the Element Bearers. They wouldn't mind. Two guards waited by the entrance to the room while the four Royals spoke with each other.

Celestia laid out a stack of papers and motioned to them, training Twilight's eyes on them. "I recently showed you the Countries that will be attending. Now we must focus on their current leaders." Celestia grabbed the first one and pointed to the photo of an off-white Earth pony stallion with a snow white goatee, mane, and tail. With a sneaky smile and light blue eyes.

"This is Consort Snow, the ruler of Prance. He stays out of Equestria's mane and usually sticks to talks with Breighton."

Cadance leaned in with a serious expression and added, "He's really nice, but some of his advisors find it as a weakness. So they come up with 'kind reasons' to help him make the wrong choices."

Arcadia nodded in understanding before Celestia flipped that sheet and moved it over to the side. Then grabbed another and slid it in front of Arcadia. This one of a yellow unicorn mare with thin eyes, and ears that were folded back on her head.

Luna pointed and introduced them. "President Manamar, ruler of North Neighton. Has a tendency to stutter and believes she is the third strongest in the House because she inherited the throne in her father's name. But she is very kind and doesn't abuse that power."

Arcadia nodded her head before Cadance moved on. An alabaster unicorn mare with no smile that was similar to North Neighton's looks. But had ears that stood up straight. Twilight could already tell she was going to be an issue.

Cadance sighed and groaned, "Madam Singe, ruler of South Neighton. Separated North Neighton from their alliance because 'they are weak'. North Neighton doesn't like South Neighton, but North Neighton at least makes attempts to befriend. Madam Singe does not, and is only under the House for what the rest of the world has to offer."

Celestia slid the sheet over to the side and revealed another photo and biography. One very familiar to Twilight. "Queen Novo, the Co-Creator of IHT and ruler of Seaquetria and Mount Aris. You already know about her. She's bringing her daughter to this one, so let your Guard know there is an excitable Hippogriff on the loose."

Twilight nodded before another sheet was slid to her. This brown themed pegasus stallion looked similar to North and South Neighton, but their coats were a gradient to two colors.

"Hoof Yun, ruled by a dictator named Jim Sun. Not much on him, he usually stays quiet. But ponies like that you must watch out for. He aligned his country with North Neighton, thus becoming an enemy with South Neighton. But just like his partner they wish to join forces and benefit each other. South Neighton, once again, wants nothing to do with them."

Twilight glanced up to Celestia and stated, "It seems South Neighton is violent."

"With their mouths, yes."

"That could become quite an issue with my guard. The Elite treasure me greatly since the wedding and stepped up their training regimen by involving... Offensive terms as clues to a violent pony. They say a certain word, they are trained to take them down or watch them very closely. I will have to amend that since South Neighton's ruler is in fact very violent."

"Yes, although she holds tensions with every creature in the room the second she walks in," Luna admitted. "It's as if she feeds off of anger and emotion. If there is anypony you have to worry about, it would be her."

"I'll alert my captains. Who's next?" Twilight moved her eyes to two familiar faces from—

"Saddle Arabia's Haakim and Amira," Cadance introduced. She motioned towards the two earth ponies. "They were elected recently and have now taken up the office of Saddle Arabia. As I'm sure you recall, they are fair."

Twilight hummed and nodded. "Yes, very. Guard?" One of the Elite by the door saluted. "If the teams and squads are ready to move out and are prepared, let them know I grant them permission to move with Shining Armor, the captain of the Equestrian Royal Guard."

"Yes, ma'am." The guard quickly scampered off, leaving Arcadia with only one that was quickly replaced by another. She'd apparently never run out of protection. Something Cadance wanted to ask about.

She turned to Twilight and asked, "I am aware that you need protection Twilight, but I'm sure Psera and Equestria knows you can protect yourself quite well. Why all the security?"

Arcadia took a deep breath and smiled. "I've asked that question many times to different ponies and I usually receive the same answer. This may give you the wrong impression, but listen closely: It is because... I am a mare."

"Huh?" The Three gasped.

"Even though Psera has their share of terrorism, pain, and reasonless rebellion, and the Royals as a whole are targeted, the ones who are mostly hurt are the mares. Narmeelah goes missing, Saemool her daughter was abducted and disappeared because she was believed to have killed her mother, another mare ruler was attacked, Her Majesty Molten Ice was attacked on stage a few times, and I was almost killed on my wedding day. All five mares in power in Psera were attacked one way or another. Another reason why Secretary Manny is very protective of the Royalty enough to send three hundred guards by boat out to sea while seventy are on land with the Queen. They don't want to take any chances since I'm, admittedly, a priceless asset to Psera. Who's next?"



Royal Guards walking around The Crystal Empire were a common sight. Doing patrol in front of shiny buildings, monitoring streets and more. Mostly just to cool down emotions. Crime in the Crystal Empire weren't as serious as one would expect. The big problems would be the fact that a Changeling was running around, taking love from the spinning Crystal Heart that captured the sights of the many tuxedo wearing "Pegasi" entering the city by Chariot. And train.

Arcadia and the Princesses were entering in later on when the place was secure. But first, they had to set up her living quarters and study area. Shining Armor had directions to her living quarters which were in the Crystal Empire's castle.

Captain Blinding Silver was adjusting his earpiece and testing it out when he spotted the castle. Same for the rest of the guards following along except the ones that arrived yesterday. They were impressed by the crystal buildings and the bodies of the Crystal Ponies, casting curious glances as they came and went about their day through the signs and more. But the true glory was the castle. Their mouths dropped open when it entered their vision. The sunlight glinted off the giant crystal structure. Although much smaller than the castle back in Psera, the glory were the crystal side of things.

The street lamps were decorated with flags representing each nation. So far there were around ten or twelve that the captains could differentiate. As well as soldiers from different regions.

Captain Blinding Silver recognized a few from the dossier he and the other Captains reviewed earlier from Shining Armor. Him and his men were tasked with providing overall security for the event because, for some odd reason, anything happens during these times. A changeling invasion to steal love, a rogue alicorn makes an appearance, and sometimes an old and ugly manticore with an army shows up and ruins a summit.

Something Captain Dark Silver took note of as he and his twenty men walked down the sunny concrete sidewalk for the castle. They passed a few soldiers that looked like giant birds wearing golden armor watching them closely. He and his own men were watching them too. With even more guards.

Once they were out of sight, Dark reached out and contacted Captain Gliding Sword back at the train station through his earpiece. Approaching the Crystal Heart  thoroughly protected by Equestrian Royal Guard. "Dark to Gliding, the streets are easy," he whispered. "You're clear to enter."

Gliding Sword was with ten more Elite Guards wearing Royal Guard armor around "Princess Twilight" carrying her bags. She reached up to her right ear and responded, "Ten-four, we're on the move."

She turned her head to Princess Twilight wearing her Royal attire. Only the Hoofshoes and a small crown she used to wear when she lived here in Equestria. "We're moving. Let's go, everypony. Pony. Oh my Psera. Jeez." It certainly didn't match her tongue.

Twilight giggled before they moved, rolling down the street in a golden chariot followed by a second one with her guards. The ponies around watched the chariot move and recognized her as the purple Alicorn from off Equestria but didn't pay it no mind as they passed. While they did, Twilight looked up and around the area. It's been so long since she's been here on business that it felt alien.

One of the guards in her chariot was watching the Crystal Heart twirling as they passed it. "The Crystal Heart," she explained. "It's what keeps this city in the middle of a frozen wasteland alive. Without it... This entire area would be buried underneath snow, thanks to a curse cast by a pony who wanted to take it over."

Gliding Sword commented quietly, "Equestria sure attracts trouble."

"This country is just full of magic. A lot of magic. That attracts trouble. Especially since, as of later down the line, three ponies can raise and set the sun."

"Interesting." Gliding Sword reached up and relayed, "Escort to Servants, we're approaching the castle."



Just as expected when they walked in, there was a lot of activity. Different creatures were walking around wearing dress outfits in all types of colors. Some were of their customs back home, while others were of the custom here in Equestria. A lot of creatures with snide looks. Mostly ponies, A few dragons, and a few of those birds, all conversing with who Dark guessed were nobles from each country. Not much was occuring. But there was always a reason to be tense. Especially since the ones with their ears folded back were watching them with suspicion. One had careless nature written all over them while the others stared ominously. That one gave the Elite Guard a reason to be suspicious. What, scared an Elite Guard was going to put your head in your own flank?

Ignoring those thoughts, Captain Blinding Silver reached up to his earpiece and relayed, "We're in. Waiting for instructions."

"And we're in the loop," Captain Gliding added right when their chariot pulled in. They didn't need to worry about Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadance. Just to cover up Twilight's arrival they went ahead and set up a few things with the security, as well as to meet the dignitaries, Queens, Kings, and anyone else who made it this early.

Gliding turned to Twilight who had already applied the spell to her wings and long light blue dress, letting everypony know the true size of her wings. "Are you ready your highness?"

At Twilight's nod, the guard attached to her chariot ran to the side and helped her out. They carefully moved her dress and anything else that came out with her before she was safely on the ground. Then began to lead her down the sidewalk towards the castle. Even if her wings weren't big, the dress would still be a little appropriate. This was her original home after all, they couldn't tell her how to dress.

It's been a while since Twilight came to this castle and it was this active. So much so that it brought back memories of when she first came here. When she and the others helped save it. Mainly Spike did, but still.

"Twilight~!" Someone sang from the street. Twilight looked over to Rarity striding her way with—speak of the dragon—Spike on her back, both obviously pleased to see her. While Gliding reported that Twilight was speaking, the rest of her guard were eyeing Rarity closely. Not to mention Spike. So much that it made Rarity shiver. "Whoo, your friends are giving me goosebumps, darling."

Twilight chuckled and nodded "Yes, that is their job. What are you doing here?" Rarity pulled Arcadia into a hug, delivering love and emotion before backing away to allow Spike to deliver his own.

Twilight lovingly nuzzled his head and asked, "Is everything okay?" He nodded. She didn't need to treat him like a baby dragon anymore. "Good. You know you can visit sometime. Fresh Dawn would love it."

Spike shrugged and popped a gemstone into his mouth. "I'll think about it," he responded.

Rarity smirked and answered Arcadia's earlier question with, "Well darling I have a store I'm setting up here and I came to review its success!" She pointed behind her at a building in progress currently on its wooden skeleton. Staring at it with pride, Rarity added, "It will add profit from the Empire and help my business grow."

Twilight eagerly nodded. "That's really great, Rarity!"

Rarity nodded in agreement. "Ah yes. Even little Spikey-Wikey has been enjoying it too as my little helper. How's the filly?"

"She didn't want me to leave and gave me a parting gift. She also braided my hair, but a toy fell out of it earlier."

Rarity, with a knowing smirk asked, "Had to take it out?" Twilight honestly nodded. The toy was beginning to hurt her. "At least you have whatever else she gave you. I'll leave you be and tell the others you said hi. Ta ta!" Rarity turned around and quickly left the area, watched closely by the Elite Guard.

Taking her eyes off of Rarity, Gliding Sword asked, "Are you ready your highness?" Twilight turned back and eagerly nodded before Gliding reported in. "Escort on the move again. How's the castle?"

"Were setting up right now in an office behind the kitchen. Perfect place for command." Dark Silver watched two Guards from the office doorway carry in a black plastic crate and set it down behind a desk, in the middle of two others that were currently in the midst of being decorated with two display screens. They were connected with a cord towards a large blue crystal set up on the side. "The Equestrian Guard are setting up our eyes while we connect them down here. Have fifteen in here, the rest are out there reporting what they are seeing."

"Ten-four, we're coming in." One of the guards pushed open the door to the castle and walked into the large foyer, busy with activity. Just like Twilight remembered it, except there were a lot of creatures in the building. And chatter. And a little of laughter. Very lively, unlike usual. A large banner was hanging overhead reading "2nd Annual IHT Conference" with the flags as logos to the attending nations.

"Princess Twilight I presume?" Twilight turned her attention to the left at who she guessed was President Manamar. She had her own all-unicorn guards, wearing kimonos armed with swords on their sides while she wore a single Kimono. Her eyes betrayed what her words sounded like, which were a greeting. Twilight felt like she was being sized up. Wasn't she a kind pony?

Princess Twilight feigned a smile and nodded her way. "I am she," she answered. "President Manamar?"

"That is I. It is a grand opportunity to meet you in the flesh. I hope this conference will bring forth grand opportunities for both of our nations."

"I as well." Twilight turned and continued moving while the Guard covering her rear made it known to not step on her trail by walking around it. President Manamar watched her walk away then moved on herself, heading to Celestia knows where.

Speaking of the Princesses, they were conversing with Captain Shining Armor in the corner of the meeting hall, which was actually just a very very big room with an equally as big round table. Equestria had the biggest side. The room was occupied by Dragon Lord Ember with two of her own guards, and Queen Novo with her daughter making conversation with one of the Guards. So far, it looked like they were all here. Except for one.

With worried eyes on everyone Celestia asked, "Have you seen King Chancellor?"

Shining shook his head. "Not yet, but my soldiers are ready to reassure the Elite that Twilight is safe and that he means no harm if he does show up."

Celestia groaned and whispered, "Twilight's going to have an aneurysm if he talks to her and acts like—"

"Princess Celestia!" A cheerful, yet strange voice called behind. Princess Celestia stretched her jaw by flexing her mouth muscles and ending with a smile. Then turned around and faced King Chancellor while Shining trotted off for the kitchen. The pony in front of her was a dark blue coated Alicorn stallion with a light blue mane, tail and neon blue eyes. He had six guards around him wearing armor too similar to Equestria's. He wore a sneaky smirk on his face. Something Celestia didn't like. Not one bit.

But she went ahead and greeted him. "Hello... King Chancellor."
> Chapter 02 - IHT Day Zero
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The kitchen in the Crystal Castle wasn't that busy save for servants wearing tuxedos applying ammunition of completely steel darts to the cartridges on their forehooves. They trailed up to their shoulders under all the clothing while they prepared other weapons issued from Lavender to their suits.

Those that weren't patrolling were all in the kitchen settled around the Captains who had a large map to the castle settled on a stainless steel table in the middle of the room.

Captain Blinding Silver pointed to the third floor and stated, "I want ten here since, according to Princess Cadance, this floor is not as popular and is going to be used as a residential hall. Arcadia's is the one on the very end, little bit away from Celestia and Luna's. Those not patrolling inside will be outside. The entire city. Leave no block untouched. Those in the sky, stay in contact."

"If you see something strange let us know immediately," Dark ordered. He quickly rolled up the map and pointed at them. "Remember. We're here to prevent the knowledge of our existence, not be the proof."

"Captain Dark." The Guards directed their sights to Shining Armor when he urgently approached the table. He was wearing a red and blue suit with only a golden sun as a medal on his right chest. "The Princesses and myself thought it'd be a good idea to let you know of a certain pony that may cause discomfort to my sister." He stopped at the table and reached into his suit to pull out a sheet he placed on the table of King Chancellor. The soldiers all gathered around to check it out.

Dark looked the photo over and immediately came to the conclusion that this pony was cocky.

"Another Alicorn," he assumed.

"Yes. He's from The Forgotten Lands, a land of Alicorns. But they don't automatically fall into Royalty just like that. The reason I'm telling you about him... Is the most foalish. He's always on the prowl, continuously looking for a spouse. And rumor has it, he fancies my sister."

Dark rolled his eyes with annoyance. Of all the... He threw his hooves out asked, "What is it with these foreign stallions and Queen Arcadia?"

Shining took the sheet back and answered, "Not sure. It makes me feel terrible I can't do anything about it at the moment. Just let your soldiers know to watch out for him. He's similar to... You know who."



The last pony Celestia, Luna, and Cadance ever wanted to speak with were urging them into a conversation. Maybe it was because he had attempted to ask them all out so many times it was annoying. It reminded them of Blueblood. Which was why he had to stay away from Twilight.

With a big grin, King Chancellor greeted, "Oh wow, Celestia. It's been awhile since we've last spoken. How are you?"

Celestia nearly broke her jaw trying to feign a smile. "I'm well. How are you?"

Cadance could tell Celestia wanted him to go, and her patience didn't apply to him. At least not anymore. He's reached a grave point in his life.

"I'm. Just. Peachy," the King answered. He scanned the room with a wonderful grin and stated, "It seems we are having the conference on your land this time. In the beautiful land that a beautiful Princess rules over."

The last time he tried that Shining was around and was literally growling at him. Fond memories popped into Cadance's head.

"Thank you, Chancellor," Cadance whispered. "I hope you are excited for tomorrow's agenda."

"Ah, yes I am. But first I would like to have a look over your entire country."

"That reminds me. Everyone?!" Those in the room stopped speaking and conversing to turn their attention to Princess Celestia. "If you could all gather around, we must let you in on a few important notices." Royalty, nobility, and assistants walked into the room. Including Princess Twilight with her guards and Gardeen by her side with a clipboard, glasses, and her badge. Celestia could just feel Chancellor's eyes trained on her as she passed to stand beside Cadance.

"Thank you so much for coming," Cadance greeted. "From The Dragon Lands—" She held out a Hoof to Dragon Lord Ember. "—to Zebrica." She held out another to a dark-coated Zebra on the right holding an ornate staff wearing a lot of jewelry that Twilight vaguely measured up. The same for the Pserateps with her. A Zebra. They were going to be tense. "As you all know, Equestria had recently surpassed a Metal Shortage. Different areas of our land has unstable buildings and is currently under reconstruction."

With a smile, Twilight added, "Those areas are Las Pegasus and Ponyville. Please stay away from these cities for your own safety."

"Ugh, how disappointing." Twilight turned to a mare with an alabaster coat and thin eyes. Ears straight up. Madam Singe of South Neighton. Oh boy. She lifted her hoof up to her chest and held her head high, face scorned with a disapproving frown. "I was really looking forward to visiting Las Pegasus."

Twilight shook her head and apologized. "I am very sorry, Madam Singe. But that town and city are off limits. You are very welcome to tour any other town or city."

"Hmph. Very well."

Celestia reported, "That is all we have to say. Thank you, everycreature." The hall continued back into their conversing almost immediately. And since Twilight was being left alone, she found this a great opportunity to turn around and attempt a conversation with Gardeen. She wanted to speak with her about her living quarters anyway. Well King Chancellor found this a grand opportunity for something else.

"Ah, and you are?" Twilight turned back around to face King Chancellor's eyes and strange smile. He was about as tall as Cadance, wearing a silver crown on his head that shimmered a little.

With a straight face she answered, "I am Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria. Creator and Founder of IHT. And you are?"

"I am King Chancellor of the Forgotten Land!" He answered rather proudly. Luna witnessed Twilight's left eye twitch. Urging her to partly cover face to hide an amused smile. "The land of Alicorns!"

Twilight slowly turned around and spoke quickly at the same time. "Nice to meet you, King Chancellor. I am sorry but I'm afraid this conversation must be cut short, I have tasks to complete. Cadance, could you—"

"Absolutely!" Cadance didn't let her finish. She was next to Twilight in a second and filed out the door with her, Gardeen, and her guards, urgently leaving Chancellor. She could tell Twilight was having some dark thoughts.

Once in the hallway, Cadance led her towards a silent stairwell that they climbed. "I take it Chancellor's not a good character," Gliding assumed.

Cadance shook her head and answered, "Understatement. He's very natural, I suppose. As I'm sure you could all tell, he's very similar to you-know-who. Well he's like a different type." They breached the top of the stairs and continued down the hall. "Just like the other, he continues asking, but stops eventually. And he believes in a natural order involving... Mares."

"I'm afraid to ask," Twilight whispered. "So just tell me."

"When it's that time of the year that all fillies and mares go through, he believes she should give herself over willingly."

"Please tell me he didn't make that a law, that is absolutely horrid," Twilight deadpanned.

"No, but it is a custom and expected among all female Alicorns. He's tried to make advances on any Alicorn he could find. He's tried it with Celestia, Luna, and myself. Now it's your turn."

"My team will make it a priority to observe his every step," Gliding Sword assured. She reached up and touched her earpiece. "Best Friends to Castle Floor. Keep an eye and ear trained on King Chancellor, a blue alicorn. Disrespectful motives in that one."

"Ten-four."

Gliding nodded and turned back to Cadance. "What else should we look out for involving him?"

"Creepiness." Cadance stopped their movements at a certain door at the very end of the hall. "He pops in when he's not wanted."

"Which means he watches ponies. Gross," Twilight groaned. "Nopony gets to watch me except ponies I actually like."

Cadance chuckled and pushed the door open. It was a bedroom with—of course—a bed, a bathroom, a closet, a large mattress, a large desk, and two bedside lamps on two dressers. There was also a mirror and window with an excellent view of the Empire. Twilight's things were already inside.

As she strode in, Cadance stated, "This is your room. Your window's been reinforced with a shield because we know your guards would have a fit if you didn't have something like that. And a desk for you to log and perform your research. This is actually the biggest room on this floor. Because for one..." Cadance looked down to Twilight's dress and her blush. "And second, because you saved Equestria. This is the least we can do."

"Thank you, Cadance." Twilight turned to her and delivered a deep but gentle hug before pulling away. "Now where's mom and dad? And Flurry? I wish to see them for a moment."

"I think they're in the kitchen eating. Follow me."



The Castle's kitchen was before the actual meeting room where IHT was discussing. It was small and fit for a small family. Like Twilight, their home was built to be compact but not tight. Small and not too big inside this castle. Unlike Psera's.

Twilight Velvet placed her cup on the white crystal table setup inside the kitchen that was previously filled with apple juice while Night Light was playing with Flurry directly across by the door. Every now and then he would shoot his hoof out and ruffle her mane. Flurry was now on tense hooves. She watched Grandpa's every move before he could do it again.

But her focus was disturbed when Twilight walked in with her guards. "Hey, mom and dad," she greeted. Then locked eyes and an excited grin on her second favorite foal. "Hey, Flurry!"

Flurry gasped and was about to cheer before Night Light got her mane again. She pouted then tossed a fork at him before shooting out of her chair excitedly, straight for Twilight.

"Aunt Twilight!" She locked onto her muzzle before Twilight could do anything else, nearly giving Gliding a conniption. What is it with foals and her face. After a few seconds, she pulled away and hovered in front of her. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for the meeting with other ponies," Twilight explained. "We're not really doing anything until tomorrow, so I came to see grandma and grandpa about a few things." Twilight turned to her parents and said, "I need you guys to come with me. You're vital to my research."

"Sure, dear." Twilight Velvet stood up and made her way to the door with Night Light. Flurry settled on Twilight's clothed back when she turned and led them towards the front of the castle. Gliding lifted her hoof and reported on their movements and destination, letting the guards all over the Empire know. Equestrian and Elite.



Celestia was impressed by the progress the Elite Guard had to secure Twilight's safety. They had setup a station inside the kitchen's office to observe "feeds of the event." Watching live of everything going on outside, inside, and everywhere else that Twilight had access too. Bathrooms weren't on the list. But the main meeting room definitely was. All the corners of the room were fitted with light pink crystals receiving everything. The room was set up like a hexadecagon, a sixteen-sided polygon. There was a wide ringed glossy wooden table in the center with labels for the royals attending at the places they would be sitting. As well as a press corner for each nations' main news outlets.

Celestia was eyeing it while twirling around a cup of water. Thinking about how this seven day conference would go. Of course tense hooves were involved.  Along with a lot of words. As much as Equestria was the symbolic home of friendship, not many were friendly with each other here.  Everypony was aligned together, but that didn't mean you could take them to your monthly book club. Everyone here had a favorite. And here comes Equestria's.

Celestia spotted Queen Novo approaching from the corner of her eye wearing a dark yellow dress with a gorgeous design of roses. She gave her a feeling she couldn't explain. One that made made her stop swirling her cup and actually smile. She turned to her with a smile and greeted professionally, "Queen Novo."

"Princess Celestia." The two gladly bowed to each other then stood up straight and placed a kiss on the other's cheek before attempting conversation. "I am glad to see a majority of Equestria was unharmed by the shortage you contacted us all for."

Celestia sighed and replied, "Yes, the great nation of Equestria perseveres once more. A lot of magic here." Celestia took another calm sip of her drink and glanced away in an effort to end this conversation. It didn't work.

"Yes. I attempted to supply relief efforts a few years ago." Celestia lowered her drink and urgently nodded. "It took awhile to get it approved by the board, but it did. However when we approached your land you seemed to be in the midst of... A Hurricane. We were forced to turn back."

The Pegasi Cycle, Celestia thought. She had to come up with an alibi. This would be the first instance somepony had asked them about the shortage. "Yes, it was a dust storm that damaged many buildings," Celestia lied. Great, now she feels bad. She had to let the others know about this so they knew what to say.

"Ah, well we couldn't get through. We are terribly sorry we couldn't supply any metal, but... You seem to have plenty all of a sudden for it to be... A shortage."

"We got lucky. Thanks to some of our scientists led by our own Princess Twilight, we were able to rebuild. As if nothing ever happened."

Queen Novo searched the room for the mare mentioned. She had a feeling of doubt about that. It was way too fast. Novo looked back to Princess Celestia and asked, "Where is she anyway? I thought I heard somepony around here talking about her earlier. I wish to speak with her for a moment."

Celestia inhaled deeply and calmly answered, "She left with Cadance, not sure where. She is around though."



The sun was blaring by this time, heating up the coats of Twilight and the large group with her. Calmly walking around the castle's radius of flowers towards the back where she knew a Royal Guard training field was located. Shining Armor used it to train the Guards stationed here. As they walked along the busy sidewalks, she told her parents what was going on and her theory about one of them being related to a possible Pseratep. And that it would explain Twilight and Flurry's ability to gain magic from Pserateps back home.

Twilight Velvet leaned in and asked, "Are you saying our roots date back to... Psera?"

Twilight nodded and eagerly answered, "Yes, it's truly exciting! But it's also an issue. If this test is true then that means a Pseratep somehow managed to get off of Psera and here to Equestria. I know Her Majesty Molten Ice said she visited Equestria before as an adventurer, as well as many other nations. But she stated that she did it alone. No other Pseratep was with her. If there was in fact a Pseratep that left Psera, we need to learn how and prevent another occurrence. All we need is a name. I know they may be related to us, but from what side of the family is the mystery."

Twilight led them all out into the back of the castle where a training grounds were set up for the Royal Guard here littered with many obstacles. Twilight needed a clear field.

Cadance must've read her mind because she pointed to the far left in Twilight's vision at a shooting range for crossbows. There were ten red and white bullseyes settled on the ground, supported by long wooden sticks behind them in dirt. Twilight smiled in approval. They would do perfectly.

"Excellent, thank you Cadance." She eagerly walked that way through the grass then stopped a few seconds later a few feet away from the bullseyes. "Okay. Dad? You're up first."

Night Light stepped away from his wife and trotted forward beside Twilight. He wore a confused expression on his face, similar to a foal's who had no idea what was going on. "So... What do I do?"

Twilight pointed to the Bullseye in front of him and answered, "I need you to gather all of your magic, every last bit, and fire it at this Bullseye. Try to shatter it."

"Is this safe? I don't think I have enough for that," he stated in worry.

"Just give it a shot. Just once. Pserateps have magic but don't use it like we do in Equestria. Add that to the fact that it constantly grows and builds over time and you have a powerhouse. Only way to tell is if you shoot it out."

Night Light sighed while Twilight stepped back. "Well, alright," he coalesced. And turned his head back her way and asked, "All of it?"

Twilight nodded and answered, "Yes. It'll make you tired afterwards. I'll help you with that."

Night Light shrugged and faced forward again. "Alright, here goes nothin'." He lit his horn and began to gather his magic. It grew brighter and brighter with Night Light obviously struggling a little before, with a loud grunt, he pushed it all out. A medium sized light blue beam soared with a whistle straight into the bullseye. Night Light immediately afterwards slumped to the ground, completely spent and taking deep breaths. He hasn't used magic like that in years! The last time he did was in college!

Twilight stepped over, bent low and touched her horn to his for a few seconds before pulling away. Night Light immediately jumped up straight with full energy, turned to her and yelled, "WOW! Did you see that?!" He pointed towards the average black scorch mark on the bullseye. The middle of it was partly cracked, but not shattered.

Twilight smiled and answered, "Yes, dad. I see."

Night Light literally jumped back up and danced in place a little. "Oh, pumpernickel!" Cadance glanced to Twilight and mouthed "Pumpernickel?" Twilight shrugged. She didn't know what that was either. Night Light continued dancing in place, adding, "I haven't felt like this in years! It's euphoria!"

"I'm beginning to regret this decision," Twilight whispered before turning and smiling to her giggling mother. "Okay, mom, you're next."

"Oh, Nightie, move aside." Twilight Velvet moved in and used her head to calmly push her husband away, interrupting his little mini-party and ignoring his protests. "Let me show you how a mare does it."

The Pserateps were stifling their giggling while Gliding updated the captains on their position and continued their defensive stand. Her eyes were on Queen Arcadia's back while she performed her research. She didn't like that Madam Singe character. Or that Alicorn. "Best Friends to Castle Floor, we're in the Castle's rear at a training course. Arcadia's performing tests."



The castle guards were out and about now from the kitchen, leaving only a few inside the office to watch the feeds and inform others when kitchen staff walked in. They were aware when they signed up for this that there would be secret security hosting operations inside the kitchen, so it came with no surprise that when they started cooking that a few of those ponies that assisted in helping Equestria so many years ago were in there. Securing "Queen Arcadia". They knew it was Twilight. Everyone knew the story by this point. Kind of hard to forget it.

So to help with their disguises, they showed them where to get everything and how to carry it. They learned quickly, and were definitely in a position to secure Arcadia in the midst of an emergency because, let's be honest, there will be one eventually.

A few were in a dining area in the west wing of the castle, positioned in the corners and waiting for something to happen while keeping a stern eye out on the ponies that were talking, laughing, and more. Catching up while they provided protection. Same for the guards of their countries. Whoa, were they outnumbered.

Captain Dark Silver casually lifted his hoof up to his ear and responded back from one of the many corners of the Trade Room. "Ten-four." He saw Princess Celestia wave his way from across the room, clearly calling for his attention. His hoovez abandoned his post for a second while the rest of the guards watched him and the rest of the room. He reached her in a few seconds and asked, "Yes, Princess?"

Celestia whispered, "Let Twilight know Queen Novo may be actively searching for her. And that the alibi for the restricted cities was an out of control dust storm."

Captain Dark Silver nodded and reached up to his ear, toggling the earpiece. "Castle Floor to Best Friends. Be advised, Queen Novo may be actively searching for the Queen. Alibi for restricted cities is that a bad dust storm damaged many structures."

Gliding Sword responded, "Understood. Queen Arcadia?" Twilight looked over her shoulder with a face full of soot after her mother showed up Night Light. A different Bullseye that she had fired at had been successfully shattered. Along with four more, and left a large and deep groove in the earth traveling away from them. Everyone there had a dirty face of some sort and Twilight's dress had gotten dusty somewhat. Even when she was shielded by three of the guards. Nothing a little shake couldn't fix. Poor Night Light. He was frozen in disbelief.

Gardeen was scribbling down notes after Arcadia asked her to when they were interrupted by Captain Gliding Sword.

"Yes, Captain?" Twilight asked. Then turned back and said, "It was mom, Gardeen."

Gardeen nodded and wrote that down while Gliding informed her. "Queen Novo may be actively searching for us at this moment."

Twilight huffed and nodded. She really hated abandoning her studies but this may be important. "Alright. Mom and Dad, relax and—"

"Oh my gosh, Princess Twilight!" Twilight yelped in surprise at the loud outburst while her guards looked around. They trained their eyes on a hyperactive Hippogriff that landed and slid through the dirt in front of them. With a grin that could definitely cause health issues, Princess Skystar greeted way too excitedly, "How are you Twilight, it's been forever! Oh my gosh, mom was so torn up when she heard Equestria was going through a shortage of some sort, then got really confused because you were all okay like two years later. She was all how did that happen? I mean seriously, like, oh my gosh—"

"Skystar, SKYSTAR!" Twilight yelled, successfully shutting her up for a second. Then took a deep breath and gestured to her with a hoof. "It's nice to see you too, but why are you here? It seems like you were looking for me."

Skystar hummed and raised a claw to her chin to remember what she was here for. "Umm..... Let's see, oh! Mom wanted to see you for a moment!"

"Oh, what for?" Twilight slowly inquired. She really didn't want to answer any questions about the shortage.

Skystar waved her claw around and answered, "Just to see if you were alright, I guess. She never tells me what any of her meetings are about." She leaned into Twilight's ear and whispered, "Between you and me, I think she has a thing going on somewhere."

Twilight chuckled and shrugged. "Alright, where is she?"

"In the library now, I think. She was in the hall for it before I left her." Skystar led Twilight and her entourage away from the destroyed field, something she asked about. "If you don't mind me asking, what happened here?"

"We were experimenting," Twilight answered. Then motioned with a hoof behind her for a guard. They walked in and leaned down to listen. She whispered, "Take my mother and father back to the kitchen please. Oh, and Flurry too."



Things have calmed down a little bit, according to a few Elite Guards on the Castle floor and Shining Armor. Many of the Royals and nobility had decided to go out and tour the country for the day, leaving a few guards around to watch over their things. They may be in the friendly and magical nation of Equestria, but trading goods were in those bags and they cost a lot of bits, or currency. Or so one of the Elite Guards heard while patrolling near Princess Twilight's room.

Cadance probably didn't realize it, but her room was directly next to King Chancellor's. Oh no. He sighed and walked past, accidentally picking up on two of the guards' conversation.

"So King Chancellor brought an artifact to trade," one said in a deep voice. "Said it was extremely valuable and thousands of years old. Like a book or something in a language no creature could read."

"That weird book I saw last week?" The other asked.

"The one that was sitting in that casing?"

"Yeah, that one."

"Yeah, he's trading it. Since it's useless and 'taking up time and room', he doesn't want the eggheads there in the system looking at it. They say it's really important but he just doesn't want them wasting their time on it since these random disasters keep happening."

"You mean the shortage?"

"Why do you keep repeating what you know I'm talking about?"

The Elite Guard hummed and continued down the stairs. A shortage? Of food? Oh boy, that's not as bad as their own when Chrysallis attacked, but it's still not good. He had to let the Queen know of this soon. And of an artifact she may be interested in.



The library was nice, fancy, and quiet. Just how Queen Novo prefers everything. Sometimes things do get a little loud, but of course those were welcome at times when it was too quiet. Other than that, the smell of the freshly cleaned red carpet, the walls of books, the desks where she can kick her hooves up and relax with a refreshing snack... All while enraptured in the pages of an old adventure, taking her down the railroad of life, full of hardships and destiny. Those were the moments she treasured. Especially while reading one of said books with a nice drink in claw, settling down on the most comfortable velvet couch she's ever felt.

"Wonderful, isn't it?"

Queen Novo yelped and let her drink go. It tipped over and nearly hit the carpet before it froze with the liquid pouring out and the cup suspended in midair. Novo stared for a few seconds before the cup floated back into Queen Novo's hoof along with the liquid that was added in shortly after. As if it never happened.

She blinked at it, then turned her attention to the door Princess Twilight strode through with Gardeen and two guards, heading for the couch across from Queen Novo.

Smiling, she suggested, "Be careful. Cadance will have somepony's treasured coat if that were to reach the carpet." She took a seat on the couch and sighed. "The pony would be Shining Armor."

Queen Novo smiled and silently chuckled. Of course, the studious mage that knew everything about Magic. "Hello, Princess Twilight. How are you?"

Twilight shifted around to get comfortable while Gardeen sat down next to the couch. Then answered, "I'm doing great. And you?"

Queen Novo took another sip and placed the cup quietly on the dining table in front of them, bearing only a single book. "Well... Things could be going better, but overall I am fine. I heard from Celestia that you managed to play a part in the country's restoration during the plague involving science. I always knew somepony would pull Equestria out of the dirt. I always expect you, really."

Twilight smiled and responded, "I am truly flattered."

Queen Novo leaned in and whispered, "Speaking of flattery, watch out for King Chancellor. He's a dog and won't stop sniffing. Celestia tells me horror stories. I think it's your turn now."

"Yes, I had a run in with him earlier after Celestia told everyone about the close-off of the cities. He seemed really... Nerve wrecking." Twilight's horn sparked a little bit that surprised Queen Novo and forced Gardeen back a little. Twilight glanced up back to Novo with an innocent grin while she tried to assess that. Just a little spark of magic.

"Well... Who is this?" Novo motioned to Gardeen who immediately stood up and bowed.

"My name is Gardeen, your highness," she introduced. "I am Princess Twilight's assistant."

Novo turned to Twilight while Gardeen straightened back up. "Wait, what about the dragon? The little—Spike! What happened to him?"

"He's with Rarity and doing his own thing now," Twilight answered. "I can't have him be my assistant my and his entire life. He was really excited. Gardeen's taking over. Now, I have a feeling you wanted to see me for something."

Queen Novo ripped her eyes off of Gardeen's nervous form and locked back onto Twilight. "Yes, I did. You see, ever since Equestria has been through a plague, I noticed a few things off."

Twilight's heartbeat sped up a little. She didn't hear about her altercation with Equestria did she?  "Oh?" Twilight asked. "Like what?"

"Well it doesn't have to do with Equestria, but with Mount Aris and Seaquestria." Gardeen and a few other Pserateps listening in took a quiet deep, calming breath. "Although less than severe at the moment, my civilizations have been on the receiving end of our own plagues."

"Plague?" Twilight and Gardeen shared a look before focusing back on Novo. "What kind?"

"Grass for Mount Aris, and shells and sponges for Seaquestria. As you know, grass is vital to Mount Aris, and sponges are extremely vital to Seaquestria. We use them to rid of toxins and we don't even have to touch them. They work as filters for anything that may happen at sea. The Sponges form a protective wall for all of Seaquestria, all around the entire underwater land."

Twilight lit her horn and created a diorama of the world under the sea, serious eyes locked on the red ring. Queen Novo pointed to a random space and said, "They keep out intruders, enemies, disease, basically our underwater atmosphere of life. Our protection. But recently—" Queen Novo pushed her hoof into a random point to poke a standard hole in it. "They've been dying out. Sponges here, sponges there."

She poked a few more in. "Sponges everywhere are dying out, all in different size. And my ponies are not sure how this is happening, it hasn't before in all our years. Each day, a large section, a small section. It is causing a little chaos on Mount Aris during my courts. The plague is very slow right now, nothing too big to worry about."

"This is something to worry about," Twilight corrected. "These giant walls of sponges are leaving gaps for enemies, catastrophes. Anything disastrous. Right now you're worried about what would happen when your wall finally fails and disaster strikes. You want to act before then. There could be a disease in there right now. I suggest you make adjustments before it does. I wasn't informed of a metal shortage until we had to start rationing out, and I'd rather you not make the same mistake we did by having your people suffer through a cold winter with tensions between tribes. A shift in friendship. I couldn't fix them all."

Queen Novo finished off her glass. Then set the cup back down softly on the table. "I didn't realize it was that bad," she whispered.

Twilight sighed then stood up with Gardeen, a serious gaze to the floor. The guards with her stood up and prepared to leave.

"Neither did I," she whispered unheard. Twilight looked back up and recommended, "If you can't do anything else, have a plan in place for new land. At least. That is all I can say. Until we meet again, Queen Novo." Twilight turned and walked out of the room with Gardeen and those guards. Leaving Novo alone to lean back in her seat to her thoughts.


~✶~


The lights in the Castle of the Gods and the Castle of the Crystal Empire far over seas were dimly lit that night. Lit only by the flashlights of the guards doing patrol in the halls and outside. The feeds in the kitchen were still active, carefully observed for any movement. Especially around Queen Arcadia's room. Earlier she had accidentally bumped into the Chancellor again. She was not happy when he asked if she would accompany him to a dinner.

Gardeen could see it in her eyes, the violet flames that were very much real in the kitchen when the stove all of a sudden burst into just that. Purple flames. Add that to the fact that it was off and they all paid close attention to Arcadia ever since. Cadance was a little amused by her reaction, but ended up a little concerned that Arcadia was still fuming inside her room. So Flurry Heart was enrolled into cute little niece duty to go and cheer up her aunt.

It worked wonders. But nothing was better than talking to her husband by using the same spell she created years ago to reach Equestria from Psera the day the steel was dropped off. He stood in the kitchen making dinner for Fresh Dawn when he spotted a hint of purple in the corner of his eye.

Smiling, he calmly set down the plate and turned his loving gaze to his wife. "Hey, sweetheart," he whispered.

Arcadia's smile grew bigger when she decided to walk closer to him. Sadly, her hoof deformed into mist when she reached out to him. But he let her know that it was okay with that dashing smile he always shot her way.

"Hey, Firehead," she whispered back. "How is she?"

Madun motioned with his head behind her and prompted Arcadia to turn around. Fresh Dawn was curled up in front of the fire, reading a book. So entranced, she didn't even realize her mother was in the kitchen. Twilight grinned and whipped her head back around.

Madun whispered, "She's been reading all afternoon. Ever since she got out of school."

"How cute. Make sure she goes and plays with other foals though, alright? I'd rather she meet a colt or something as a friend, of course. Oh, wipe that look off your face, she's far too young for that." Madun's deadpan glare broke when he sighed and turned his stare to the floor in shame. He knew he was being ridiculous. But Arcadia thought otherwise.

"Hey, it's okay," she whispered. "I understand your protectiveness for your girls."

Madun lifted his face up and whispered, "I just don't want a repeat of the wedding. I know she's too young, but... Our honeymoon was spent in the hospital, with me waiting for you to wake and get better, hoping our foal would be okay. It already happened to my wife. I don't want it happening to my daughter."

"And it won't," Arcadia stated in full volume. She quickly turned around towards her daughter. Not even an ear flick. "Are you sure she's not asleep?" Arcadia asked. Not waiting for an answer, Arcadia's form walked over to her seemingly reading daughter and whispered, "Veola?... She's sleeping, Madun."

"Well, she was definitely reading five minutes ago."

Arcadia smiled and walked back over to Madun. "I'll be back tomorrow morning to wish her luck at school. I love you both."

"We love you too, sweetheart." They blew kisses to each other before Arcadia's form vanished from sight, and her eyes slowly cracked back open inside her bedroom. She stared ahead at the mirror on the dresser reflecting her current state. Lying in an ironic Queen-Sized bed underneath white covers with her full wing length unraveled.

She was holding her daughter's doll tightly in both hooves. The light of the bedside lamp were unused. Instead, Queen Arcadia settled for the candles she found in the bathroom, lit by a lick of purple flame. She had a busy day tomorrow at ten.

She adjusted her body towards the open window into a comfortable position. Then blew out the candle and relished in the glow Luna's moon cast upon her as her eyes closed, dozing off to sleep. Dreaming of her child over five hundred miles away from her current position.
> Chapter 03 - IHT Day One
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning was a little busy. Well that's what Captain Gliding Sword thought when she bounced awake out the bed of three and walked out the door of their Elite Guard Cell outside the castle. The sun was just rising above the horizon, courtesy of Celestia. She could make her out when she turned her tired gaze towards said Crystal Castle. The tiny speck of gold on her horn from one of the upper floors confirmed her thoughts. She still couldn't believe someone could raise the sun and the moon but there it was, right there in front of her eyes.

Gliding Sword raised a hoof to her mouth and yawned before turning to get the others up. They had to get to Arcadia's location soon. The other female guards were still asleep. So she stomped her hoof and yelled, "Up and at 'em, let's go!"

They immediately snapped their eyes open, jumped up, and flared their wings before moving about muttering nothings. Grabbing coffee, some snacks, and getting ready while Gliding Sword shouted aloud.

"Today's the day, let's move. Queen Arcadia is expecting us at the castle at eight. They're having the breakfast first before anything else and she needs security. So let's move it! Sergeants, you have thirty minutes to get your teams in order!"

Arcadia woke up entirely differently. She peacefully cracked open her eyes and hummed when she remembered they would be having Day One today. Issues. This day was the most important and she needed security during this one. Twilight slid this day in first so that tensions could be confronted with before they do anything productive. Celestia called it a genius idea. Basically, it was a huge therapy session involving all the leaders of each country, who all have weapons, soldiers, and a big itch to scratch with each and every one of—

Arcadia was suddenly having second thoughts about her "genius" idea.

She slowly sat up and shook her head. It will all be fine, she thought. Nothing's going to happen today. I should be used to it by now. Using her magic, she peeled the sheets off her body and slipped out of bed to stretch in the middle of the room. After cracking the bits in her wings and other joints, she moved sluggishly towards the bathroom, taking note of the time on the analog clock along the way. Six fifty-six. She had to be downstairs by eight.

She was out of the shower by seven eighteen. After buzzing her wings to get the moisture off, and sending the water flying all over the place, she steamed herself, accidentally turning her body into a giant poof ball. After fixing that, she dried herself off and placed the spell upon her body to hide her wings. All of her clothes that she packed were made for interaction with ponies who didn't know about the Pserateps. Long dress and Equestrian colors. No gold, no veil, no horn rings or facial beads.

Someone knocked on the door at the same time she prepared to put one on. Without taking her eyes off the cyan and flowery design she asked, "Who is it?"

"Gardeen, Twilight."

"Oh come in, I could use your advice." Gardeen gladly opened the door and walked into the room, enraptured by Arcadia's beauty as she stood in front of the window, visible only by the silhouette the sun created when it's light coming in from the window behind hit her.

She was holding the dress, looking at the design or something when she walked in. "So I'm trying to decide on whether I should wear the Cyan one, or the violet one. Cyan sticks out more while the Violet everyone knows about."

Gardeen smiled and chuckled silently. It wouldn't be Twilight if it she didn't make a big fuss out of this. She stalked forward and suggested, "Violet. It brings out your coat more and just like you said, everyone knows about that color. Cyan would be a new look, but Violet is more comfortable to everyone else, especially at a conference. So go with that this time."

Arcadia hummed. Then after a few seconds of contemplation, she nodded. "Alright. Yeah, Violet's more my thing. Cyan is more like Rainbow Dash."

While putting on her dress, Gardeen asked, "Are you going to visit your friends while you're here?"

After Arcadia's head popped through the neckline, she sighed and shook her head. Gardeen rushed forward and helped straighten out the trail so it wouldn't catch when Twilight answered, "Maybe. Most of the time, they just show up. I'm surprised Pinkie didn't pop out of a wall or something. Yet. Thank you, Gardeen."

"You're welcome. You look beautiful."

Arcadia grabbed her crown with her magic and placed it on her head. Then looked to Gardeen in the mirror. "So... How is Light Pink?"

Gardeen sighed and answered, "Still pretty terrified of large gatherings."

Arcadia sighed and walked towards the door. "Poor filly. Have you popped the question yet?"

Gardeen blushed then zipped towards the door to pull it open, revealing the hallway while Queen Arcadia Nova changed to Princess Twilight. "N-Not yet," she answered. Then followed Twilight with the two guards down the hall who reported her position.

"Well what's stopping you? Let me guess. Doubts again."

"N-No," Gardeen stuttered. Then nervously glanced around for listening ears before whispering, "Fear."

Twilight glanced her way awkwardly before they moved down a stairwell. "Fear? Of what?"

Gardeen couldn't respond. At least not right now. A Guard from The Forgotten Land walked over and bowed at the foot of the stairs. "Princess Twilight."

Twilight stopped and asked, "Yes, what is it?"

"King Chancellor would like for you to join him for breakfast."

Twilight shivered and waved with her hoof. "Tell him thank you, but I will have to respectfully decline."

The Guard bowed once again. Then shuffled off. Twilight turned to Gardeen and made a face of disgust before they giggled and continued along. She's admittedly missed this part of the castle. The smooth carpeting reminded her of home, where she could lay down and read her books with her filly next to her. She would cuddle into her wings and hum at their warmth. Stars, she's missing it.

Speaking of Dawn...

"I must speak with my family," she said suddenly. "I should have done it in my room. My filly's about to go to school and I always say something to her before she does. Hopefully Celestia, Luna or Cadance are in there so I can."

Gardeen said, "I see Luna." Then motioned towards the open doors for the Trade Room.

Luna was sitting in her assigned seat with her back to them looking at something in front of her. A few more ponies, nobles and others were up as well. Including King Chancellor who was looking rather bummed. Stirring a cup all sad from across in between his group.

"Good morning, Luna." Luna looked up from her book and smiled warmly at Twilight when she took her seat.

"Good morning, Twilight. How'd you sleep?" Luna greeted back. She shut the book she was reading and slid it a few inches away from her.

Twilight answered, "Very well, thank you. Listen, I need to speak to Fresh Dawn before she heads to school, can you watch my back please so I'm not disturbed?"

Luna nodded. "Of course, take your time."

"Thanks, Luna." Twilight closed her eyes and bowed her head, relaxing and lighting her magic. She thought of her daughter's magical signature. Over the ocean and past Merōl into Cop. And created a copy of herself right behind her in her bedroom. She was digging through her toy bin, looking for her daily toy she brings to school.

Smiling, Arcadia sang near silently, "Oh, Dawn~"

Fresh Dawn whipped around with another plushy in her mouth. Which she dropped. "Mommy!" She yelled. Then scampered over and attempted to pull her into a hug. Sadly her hooves wafted straight through. "Uhh... Mommy?"

"I'm using a spell to talk to you, sweetie. How'd you sleep?"

Fresh Dawn nervously scuffled her hoof. "Well... I had a weird dream."

"Would you like to talk about it?"

Dawn hesitated for a few seconds. "Umm... There was a pony. She was... This color." She held up her green doll. "And had... And had very long wings."

"Oh? What was her name?"

"She kept saying Equethria over and over. Equethria, Equethria. Or something like that."

"You mean, Equestria?" Arcadia asked.

"Yeah, Equethria!" Arcadia smiled harder. She hasn't managed to put together most sounds yet. "She kept saying Equethria. And 'The truth is in Equethria.'"

"What was the pony's name?"

"Uhh... Nar-something."

Oh no. "Was it... Narmeelah?" Arcadia asked tentatively.

"Yes! Yes, Narmeepah!" Her innocence was too adorable. But this was troubling. "She said the truth is in Equethria. That's it. Then I woke up."

Arcadia sighed and settled down in front of her daughter. "Quite the dream. Blue Sky knows how to keep my dreams away. She's also a good listener."

"Yeah! She's my best friend. Is she okay, I don't want anything to happen to her."

Arcadia nodded and answered, "Blue Sky is fine. She's resting right now. But I have to get back to work okay? I'll come back tonight, alright? Have a wonderful day at school, my little Princess. Tell your father and give him a kiss for me whenever he decides to stop listening in the hall."

Arcadia turned around and stared at her husband's face that was peeking out from the side. With a shake of his head, Madun whispered, "How do you do that?"

"It runs in the family." Arcadia turned back to her daughter and asked, "Be a good little filly, okay? I'll be home soon. I love you, Dawn."

Dawn smiled sweetly and responded, "I love you too, mommy!"

Arcadia turned around and smiled at Madun. "I love you, Madun." Madun smiled and blew her a kiss before she dissipated away.

Her horn stopped shimmering and she opened her eyes back up, training them on the steel covered plate in front of her. She sat back and hummed while her eyes gazed around the room. Everyone attending the conference were inside and seated, making conversation. This was just the breakfast, so unfortunately all the drama happens immediately afterwards.

Celestia leaned in and nuzzled Twilight behind her left ear which buzzed in reflex. Then asked, "How are they?"

Arcadia smiled and whispered, "Madun was playing creepy dad and peeking at me from behind a wall, and little Dawn was searching for another school toy. She always brings one. They are doing fine. I miss them already."

"Sounds beautiful."

Arcadia nodded and locked in on the cover. "And this?"

From further down, Cadance answered, "Breakfast."

Twilight lifted the cover with her magic and looked at a stack of Pancakes. "Not bad," she whispered. Then proceeded to eat before turning to her immediate right to Gardeen. "Have you eaten?"

"Uh... N-No ma'am," Gardeen stammered. She was in fact a little hungry, Twilight could tell that by just looking at her. But her presentation and representation of the Queen was apparently more important.

Horseapples. Princess Twilight grabbed a knife and cut the stack of four in half. "Can somepony get another plate please?" While a Guard called over a "Servant" Arcadia proceeded to eat her own half. "Just because you are my assistant does not mean you get anything less. You are a friend."

"B-But isn't it against customs?" Gardeen whispered fearfully. "I'd rather you not get in trouble."

"Oh Gardeen sweetie, this is Equestria. This is the custom." One of the Elite Guards, or servants returned with a white ceramic plate that was placed in front of Gardeen. Then the cut stack of pancakes was placed right on by magic. "Eat up, Gardeen."

Gardeen looked around nervously first. Then leaned in and took a bite. It seemed nopony was watching her so she took another. Satisfied, Arcadia turned to Celestia and said, "My filly had a strange dream though revolving around Narmeelah. And the mystery of her disappearance."

Cadance whispered from behind Luna, who was behind Celestia, "She already knows about that? I barely know any specifics."

"It was one of the first curriculums ever taught. She said she saw Narmeelah who told her... 'The truth lies in Equestria.' Not sure what it means."

Celestia smiled and appeased, "You'll figure it out. You always do. And we'll help you. Have you seen your brother this morning?"

Arcadia shook her head and asked, "Where is he?"

"Cooking with Flurry. She wants to be a chef now." Arcadia and Cadance giggled before returning to their breakfast which lasted ten more minutes. Once the time passed, Queen Novo stood up and tapped her glass with a talon, getting everyone's attention.

Once the room quieted down, she smiled and greeted, "Good morning, every creature. I hope you slept well. Today starts the Second Annual IHT Conference, Day One. Today is a pretty simple one, albeit private and can cause emotions to flare. Discussing what we expect from each nation and the issues we hope to solve." While she spoke, the kitchen staff and Guards trotted around to collect the finished plates.

One of the Guards observing from the kitchen seethed through their teeth and interpreted, "So basically the first thing today is... Arguing. Oh boy." The others inside managing command huddled around the screen to watch.

South Neighton's Madam Singe raised her hoof up when Novo sat down and decreed, "Well I for one expect maturity from all in here. From both the..." She glanced to Twilight and growled, "Too young... And experienced."

Well that's just great. The first one up is... The Queen. Gardeen glanced to Arcadia who slowly shook her head.

"I expect that as well," Saddle Arabia's Queen Amira stated. "But I am sure many or all have great experience and reputation, and can, or has already provided benefit for others." She glanced over to Twilight and winked, something she smiled at.

South Neighton's Madam Singe raised her hoof and stated rather bluntly, "Well I do not expect much from Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria. I have not even heard of her, and I study a lot about Equestria."

Wait, what? Cadance slipped Twilight a note she wrote way beforehoof before Twilight could respond reading, "In order to keep Psera a secret, we hid your existence from Equestria as far as possible by removing you from all textbooks and anything else. It may seem harsh, but if somepony constantly showed up to speak with you, and you are always absent, red flags."

Ah, okay. Twilight incinerated the note with a purple flame and responded, "I prefer to be left out of the History books as much as possible. It is not the Princesses who make Equestria strong, but by their ponies. If it were not for them, I would not be here. So I put them first and all their hard work before myself."

"Be that as it may, I still do not expect much."

"No creature is asking you to. That is your business what you think of me."

"I actually do not expect much from Equestria, considering they just went through a metal shortage."

"That is your opinion. Equestria is in by no means alive to provide you with pleasure and comfort, let alone anything else."

President Manamar harrumphed and retorted, "I still stand by my mindset that you are a little young to be in place of power. I was elected into office at the age of forty three, how old are you Princess Twilight?"

Twilight growled in her mind and answered, "I am twenty-six." Many of the leaders in the room muttered something about her being in fact a little young. "But I assure you my place in power was in by no means an accident, or an excuse to put somepony in this place with knowledge of magic. I have led many victories in Equestria's name, and many others."

"Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship," Consort Snow of Prance commented from the side. "Your duty in Equestria is to grow the bonds of Friendship, not lead an entire nation."

"Oh no he didn't," Captain Gliding Sword commented under her breath.

Twilight took a deep breath and responded, "For your information, Consort Snow, I have in fact done many things in Equestria that are added to my accomplishments for forging bonds whether friendship or more. And I still do. The Princess of Friendship is merely a title, and does not define the overall role of the pony who hosts it. Your approval is irrelevant to anything that happens in Equestria and are utterly powerless against me, Princess Cadance, Princess Luna, or Princess Celestia. Let me remind you, Consort Snow and President Manamar, since you seem to have forgotten. We are here to bond and forge partnerships with each other, not neglect each one another for what we do, what we have done and or what we are. We are all under one roof for that reason."

"We understand that," Consort Snow responded. "But we are not entirely sure that you should be here for it."

"Well, unfortunately, I am already here. And I am not leaving. I have done many things, such as co-created the International House of Trade and I wish to be respected as such during these events or so help me I will ensure you do not enjoy your stay here in the Crystal Empire, as well as Madam Singe."

Gardeen bit her lip and groaned. This just escalated really quickly. A few guards seethed while those in the kitchen office nodded their heads. Madam Singe widened her eyes, which quickly turned into a scowl. "Watch your tone, young lady when you talk to an elder."

Twilight retorted, "Then you watch how you talk to someone in your position in a place that isn't yours, as if you are above any other creature in this room. Something may happen that you will not enjoy. Nor anyone else in here."

Singe turned to Novo with a hoof to Twilight and demanded, "I would like this pony removed from the House. She is very disrespectful."

Novo shook her head and responded, "Under rules, it would have to come to a vote. And we are not on that day. In Princess Twilight's defense, she has in fact done many things to assure the prosperity of Equestria in terms of defense and does not deserve to be spoken to in such a tone." Novo gestured towards one of her own Hippogriffs and told them something. They nodded and moved on to go and grab something.

"Then she should in fact be in the position for defense, not Princess of Friendship."

Celestia stepped in and stated, "With respect, I believe what position Twilight is given is given to her under Equestrian law. Not Neighton law."

Singe scoffed and countered, "Well from what I understand, the Equestrian Law doesn't actually apply since she was given the position as Princess by the famed Tree of Harmony."

Celestia sighed deeply through her nose. "Be that as it may, it is still not your decision."

"Speaking of decisions," Novo interrupted. Her eyes were currently scanning an old scroll that her pony went to grab, face hidden behind it. "According to the rules, the only ones who can actually remove any creature would be the Creators and hosts. Which would be myself, or..." She peeked over the scroll and added. "Princess Twilight. And she knows that."

The room got so quiet that even a cricket wasn't heard. Gardeen glanced around, then put a hoof up to her mouth to cut off that impending laughter on the tip of her tongue. Some of the guards were no better when everyone slowly turned back to Twilight and Madam Singe. Back and forth. Twilight's expression was unreadable, a little unnerving to the Pserateps. They've heard and seen their Queen's side of fury. They'd rather not again.

"Let me make myself clear," Twilight finally said in the most slowest tone and voice she could manage to drag out the feeling of mystery involving her emotion. "I am not here to be your enemy. I wish to befriend you, not neglect you, like you have so done to me when we first started. Why, I am not sure and I really don't care. So this is my one and only warning. If you ever speak to and of me like that ever again, I will toss you around myself. I have been through TOO MUCH FOR YOUR MOUTH!!!"

The room jumped at her sudden outburst, including her guards throughout the whole castle. Captain Blinding Silver stopped moving on the third floor and reported, "All units, be advised... Queen Arcadia's angry again."

We know, Gliding deadpanned in her head.

"The first issue I hope to solve is with South Neighton's Madam Singe," Twilight informed. "I would like an apology for the way I was treated and talked to just now when I have done nothing to earn her ire, let alone stepped on her land."

Everyone turned to Madam Singe who had her eyes on Twilight, holding the exact same expression she had a few seconds ago. An expression that had Arcadia's guards on edge. Somepony had to intervene. Celestia stood up and stated, "I believe we have seen an issue regarding Princess Twilight and Madam Singe. I motion for a recess until emotions are cooled down between both parties."

While the two rulers held a staring contest, King Haakim raised a hoof and responded, "I second that motion. All in favor, say aye."

"Aye!" The room agreed.

Everyone stood up and began to make their way out into the halls. The Equestrian side turned to Twilight who was quickly flanked By Gardeen after standing up. "Are you okay, Arcadia?" She whispered.

Arcadia huffed through her nose and turned around to head out the doorway. "I need to vent," she growled. "I need to speak to someone... Back home."

"Merry?" Gardeen guessed.

"Merry."



It was going to be awhile before Daisy and Lightning got out of school, giving Merry plenty of time to finish this last sports jacket inside of her comforting home. Blazing was at work and all was calm and silent. Allowing Merry to do her best. That executive was going to be so proud of this one. The matte gold color was striking. It would match his body perfectly.

After tightening the middle, Merry cut the thread from the machine and lifted it in front of her face, staring at the—

"Merry." Merry yelped and nearly jumped from the affect caused by Arcadia's sudden voice in her ear. She turned to her right, staring straight into the Queen's eyes that had that familiar spark of anger. "I need to vent."

Uh oh. Merry set down the jacket she was working on and gestured for her to follow along up the small stairs out of the living room for the library. Arcadia's favorite area in any building. It was quiet, peaceful, had a fainting couch and an office chair with a desk on the side. The lights were dimmed, the room highlighted only by a single lamp in the corner casting an orange glow onto a couch Arcadia settled down on.

Merry walked behind a mahogany desk and pulled out a rolling chair, making way for the front of it. Then jumped on it and faced the Queen.

With a sweet voice unlike Merry, she asked, "Care to tell me what happened, Queen Arcadia?"

Arcadia took a deep breath then huffed out, "Okay, so today was Day One. Solving issues between nations. The leaders there were supposed to talk out their issues with each other and work out a compromise during that day. Well there was this one nation, South Neighton ruled over by Madam Singe. I don't know what her itch is, but she was the first to go and she targeted me. She was saying I didn't deserve to rule, I was too young, I had bad hair—"

"She didn't say that last part did she?" Merry interrupted. "Because if she did, send the signal."

"No, but it sure sounded like she was going to," Arcadia answered. "She and another pony were hounding me down! And I don't know why! The other one, Consort Snow of Prance said that I was to be the leader of Friendships, not an entire nation. They were doubting me rudely and I asked for an apology, but that mare didn't even bother speaking afterwards. And if I find out something happened while I'm in this room because of one of her guards, her nobles, assistant, whatever, I will bring forth magic she wish she had never witnessed before. And she will have no one but herself to blame. I am a good ruler..." Twilight turned to Merry with sad eyes and asked, "Right?"

"You are the best ruler Psera has ever had," she answered truthfully.

"But what if she's right, what if I'm too young to be in this position? I admit, I have done a lot, but rule an entire nation? I... I've never done it before."

"Well that's a lie because you've been doing it for five years now while raising a family and a little filly, who is sure as buck proud of you. Not to mention my mom believes you are doing far above ruling. Arcadia do you remember your sword Madun gave you on your coronation day?"

Arcadia sighed and laid back down on the couch. She smiled through fond memories. "Kind of hard to forget it," she whispered. "The Sword of Arcadia. A violet handle with a starburst pommel, and a reinforced steel golden-colored blade with a sharpened diamond cross guard, double edged. A long sword. It was beautiful. It's hanging inside of my office right now under a locking enchantment."

"Your husband gave you that sword to show your power and to strike swift and fast with the Honor of Psera, a text emblazoned on the blade. You protect Psera, you manage Psera, you rebuilt Psera from the literal dirt. You technically just turned into Narmeelah. You are doing so well, why are you doubting yourself? The ponies across the sea may not believe in you, but the great land of Psera, the Homeland of your daughter, your husband, your friends and family, we do. What they say do not apply to you because you know we love and appreciate you, and can't wait to see what you will bring to us next."

Arcadia huffed and nodded in agreement. "You're right," she whispered. "Thanks, Merry."

"As long as it's not like a Minotaur, Sea Serpent, bomb or something like that. Seriously, leave that to the real bad guys. Are we done here?"

Arcadia stood up and faced Merry with a smile. "Yes, thank you."

"You're welcome. Feel free to stop by anytime, your highness. I'll give your daughter a kiss for you."

Arcadia rolled her eyes then closed them, opening them once more a second later. She was back in Cadance's garden in the back of the castle where they took her to get some fresh air. Captain Gliding Sword was definitely upset with how that pony treated Arcadia, based off her ranting in the garden a few feet away.

"How dare that pony talk about Queen Arcadia that way," she snarled. The Princesses were just standing by watching her pace with the rest of the guards. "Why she got an attitude, I don't know. I'll be happy to wipe that smirk off her face when I see it again though."

"There will be no smirk-knocking... Offs." Everyone directed their attention back towards the flower bed that Arcadia was looking at. She leaned down and sniffed a Rose. "You must relax, Captain. We can't give away our power and skill. Now these are really beautiful Cadance. Flurry?"

Quickly approaching, Cadance nodded and answered, "Me and her. Are you alright, Twilight? That pony was not supposed to take her issue out on you like that, she has never even met you."

Twilight smiled and calmly made her way past to the others. "I am now, thank you. But I am still waiting for that apology that I rightfully deserve because I definitely did not deserve any of that mouth. Why she felt the need to talk to me that way, I have no clue. We were supposed to be discussing issues with nations as a whole and providing ideas and solutions, not discussing a pony and providing ignorance. Although, I admit I feel ashamed that I talked to her out of turn as well. But let it be known that she literally pulled the anger out of me. I will apologize even if she doesn't, because that is what I do as Queen. I have an example to set."



A few minutes later, all the diplomats and rulers were called back into the Trade Room. Twilight and Singe were watched as they took their seats. The room was once again tense as steel, ready to break at any moment. Twilight took a seat and got comfortable with Gardeen before saying, "Madam Singe. On behalf of Equestria, I would like to apologize for the way I treated you, as you did me. It was unkindly of me to treat our guest in such a manner and I am sorry."

Madam Singe hummed and nodded. "Thank you very much, Princess Twilight. I forgive your transgressions. Now may we move on to the rest of the meeting?"
> Chapter 04 - IHT Day Seven
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

"The answer is in—"

"UGGGHHH!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I have to go now!"

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

"Yes, what is it?" He groaned.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"And what words were they?" Celestia asked.

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

"She ran away?" Cadance asked.

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

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

"Narmeelah," Cadance whispered.

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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


~✶~


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

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

Celestia motioned and answered, "You may."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Yes, how much?" Arcadia repeated louder.

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

"In what skills?"

"Natural Magic."

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

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

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

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

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

"Not sure, just do it."

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

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

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

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

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

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


~✶~


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

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

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

"Who is it?" She asked.

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

Cadance giggled while Arcadia gripped Gardeen's shoulders, staring into her eyes with so much intensity Gardeen was surprised her eyes didn't burn out yet. "I told you my little filly's dreams are never wrong. That has to be her special talent, I know it is."
> Chapter 05 - The Diary of Narmeelah
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After receiving an urgent notice from Queen Arcadia overseas, Bright Gold abandoned her works and got on the Comm Block down in Building Three at Serl, a little feet away from S3. Wearing a standard white lab coat, she walked past the guards wearing golden plated armor, reflecting off the hot sun and pushed open the glass doors for the building. This was just the communication side of things. Like how Cop holds the PDS Main Obelisk, Serl holds Building Three, the main server for communication with the Comm Blocks used in Serl. From here, she could get in direct contact with the ponies in Equestria. Whatever was happening there must've been big for Queen Arcadia to send an urgent notice.

A Guard sitting behind a desk shot their head up as she entered. Bright flashed her badge and continued walking, making her way towards a room on the right while the guard continued whatever they were doing behind that desk. Her hooves stopped at the steel door while a single one messed with a pad on the side to unlock it. Once it did, she strode into a comparatively dark area of the building, fitted with crystals all around her connected to each other by a massive body of glowing wires.

Directly in the middle was a single large crystal, bigger than the rest in the shape of a starburst. Spikes stuck out like miniature knives that all the cords eventually reached back to. Hundreds of them all hitting Queen Arcadia's star. Bright stared upon this amazing device for a moment, reminiscing when she first met Queen Arcadia. Has it been that long already? Without taking her eyes off the glowing star, She gripped her own Comm Block and took it off.

She made her way through the cobweb of glowing wires over to a wall where there were even more spare channels. She sat down and randomly grabbed another then lightly touched it to her Block. The wire automatically split off into what look like a claw and latched on. A violet glow like the others climbed up the cord, latching itself onto Queen Arcadia's star. Then the connection was complete.

This is my first time doing this, she thought before Bright raised the Comm Block up to her mouth and asked, "Bright Gold to Queen Arcadia, can you hear me?"

"Bright Gold, I need that PPU over in Equestria as soon as possible," Queen Arcadia responded back.

"They're already on their way. But if I may, why are you requesting the PPU?"

"...we found the Diary. The Diary of Narmeelah. It has to be the Diary of Narmeelah. According to record, there have been no other ponies who left Psera. During the trade today, a book that a king found as a distraction was put up for sale here. Upon further investigation, I realized the book has a title in Old Pseratopian reading, 'Diary.' And it held the Original Crest of Psera on the front. Gardeen can validate this. I'm afraid it may collapse."

"Yes, ma'am. Serl will be waiting by the portal on the other side for you. Until then."

"Until then." Bright Gold grabbed the claw and pulled it off. Then placed the Comm Block on hoof and hightailed it out of the room. She needed to gather all the technicians and more to the Embassy of Equestria in Cop. Immediately.



The Trade Room was once again amidst babbles when the Royals of each country began to pack up and prepare to head home to their lands. Princess Twilight was eagerly speaking to the Royalty of each nation, thanking them for coming while Equestria waited for the trade items. And with a strained smile, did the same to South Neighton's Madam Singe when she approached her.

She held out a hoof with a smile while their guards held a staring contest. "It's been wonderful having you join us, Madam Singe," she appeased.

Madam Singe didn't even bother a smile of her own. "Thank you, Princess Twilight Sparkle. I felt welcome." Since she didn't offer her hoof, Twilight cleared her throat and awkwardly pulled hers back. Shining Armor was really fuming.

"Princess Twilight." Twilight looked over at the Guard she sent to retrieve those books currently making his way over, balancing the large tomes on his back.

"Excellent timing!" She cheered. Then gestured for him to follow her back into the circle where King Chancellor was sitting and waiting. "I am sorry for the wait, but here are the tomes for Starswirl the Bearded." The Guard leaned over and slid them on the table in between them. The Diary of Narmeelah was on the right, still held under lock and key since they closed it back when Arcadia asked them to kindly preserve it.

King Chancellor stood up and approached the books with an eye of hope, something Twilight took note of. Using his magic, he flipped it open to a random page and read it for a few seconds. Then smiled and nodded eagerly towards Twilight. "Yes, these will do. Thank you, Princess Twilight."

"You're... Welcome," Twilight responded awkwardly. Then thought about what she just saw. From what she remembered about the Forgotten Land they don't use a lot of Natural Magic. Grass, trees, anything like that. And haven't for many many years. Why would he need a book on Nature Magic all of a sudden? They usually preferred for everything to grow on its own. "Um, King Chancellor? If I may ask you a question, it's about your country."

Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Shining Armor turned their way when they heard her speak. King Chancellor nodded and motioned for her to ask. "From what I understand, The Forgotten Land does not use Nature Magic, a law that your country put into place many many years ago. Why ask for books on Nature Magic?"

King Chancellor took a sad deep breath then sat down. "I'll be honest with you, Princess. Our country is... Going through a bit of a crisis at the moment."

"Crisis?"

"Yes. Our food shortage. I do not think anyone in here knows this, but my country, The Forgotten Land, our food is... Changing." Queen Novo looked over and listened in when she picked up on their conversation. Same with a few more nations. "Our carrots mysteriously change into this... Gel like material. Our Cabbages melt into puddles of goo, and anything else that is a vegetable... Dies."

"Your nation is going through weird changes as well?" Queen Novo asked. She walked over with her party and stated, "My defensive line of sponges that protects Seaquestria is mysteriously dying. They turn gray and out of life in a moments notice."

"Are your countries going through plagues?" Madam Singe asked from afar. "South Neighton is going through weird things and strange plagues also. My ponies there change colors and tongues drastically. As if they were three different ponies while my land goes through a plague of fruit. Like your vegetables and sponges, they die out."

"You believe that is strange?" Everyone turned to Prance's Consort Snow who said, "Unlike most of the world, the land underneath my ponies' hooves gives way, which is void of magic. Instead of staying on land, they rise into the air without wings, and our trees are dying out. Including in our preserved parks. We have no explanation, their roots are lively and filled with life until they reach the tree above ground, which dies."

After that, one by one, the countries all recalled the strange happenings in their lands. From Hoof Yun's lack of Freshwater and their runaway animals, to the Dragon Land's sudden appearance of underground water, which has never happened at all. South Neighton has experienced Wildfires that are colored purple, and their Seaweed has gone missing, something edible for them. Saddle Arabia has been having massive Earthquakes, despite having no Fault Lines. And Breighton is just now witnessing a wood shortage that becomes wet all of a sudden. After that, all countries were talking at once.

"What's happening?"

"This cannot be a coincidence!"

"Is there a new enemy?"

Eventually, it annoyed Queen Arcadia. "Everypony, PLEASE!" Everyone stopped talking, ceasing all the noise in the room and turned their wide eyes to her in surprise. After rubbing her forehead, Arcadia explained the issue.

"Look. All of you seem to be going through a crisis at the same time and they all may be connected. But we won't figure it out now. This is why the International House of Trade was created. For instances such as this so we can help one another. Equestria has already been through a plague and we managed to get through it. But for right now, we are still recuperating our losses. Until then, I suggest everyone research and discover the main issues in their losses. I was already spoken to by Queen Novo regarding their plague of sponges in Seaquestria and loss of grass on Mount Aris. My suggestion was to act fast so your ponies can survive. Adaptation is your greatest tool, and it is the only thing you can do until a remedy is found. So, the first thing I recommend you all do is adjust to your backups. Food that you rarely eat start eating it. Tools you rarely use, start using them. Buildings you don't live in, start living in them. And at the same time, try to figure out."

"Why should we listen to you?" Arcadia groaned and rolled her eyes. Then turned them to the snide voice of Madam Singe, still holding that I'm-big-shims look. She's about had it with this mare. "We will run our countries how we see fit." Queen Novo shook her head. This Mare.... 

Twilight sighed and answered, "I really don't care if you don't listen to me. For all I really care, you can take my words and stuff them in a bin. I'm just trying to help. But listen closely Madam Singe..." Twilight turned her body and began to slowly make her way up to Madam Singe with her guards. "When Equestria went through a metal shortage, and they couldn't figure it out, guess who they turned to." Twilight teleported right in front of her, eyes full of fury. "They turned to ME!" She yelled, right in her face.

Out of surprise, Madam Singe's guards swiftly pulled out their magically enhanced swords before they found their necks pressed against with cold steel, freezing them. Four of Arcadia's guards still in Equestria's Royal Guard Armor put their own bladed weapons to their bodies in the front while two more had spears at their sides. Six guards on two. The other Royals stepped back from their sudden appearance while Arcadia continued to speak through her teeth. "Guess who ponies turn to when a problem is abound? When there is trouble? When some creature is in need? They all. Turn. To me. But at the end of the day, I just give them advice and I may, or may not take defensive or offensive action. I just give them a few words. It's up to them if they listen or not, so right now I do not care if you listen, if you don't listen, if you take those words and shove them up a pony's flank, I just don't care. Because you have been giving me nothing but trouble on the first day since we've been here. But I know for a fact that if you don't do something now, this plague will only get worse. I've seen it happen with my own eyes. In body. So what are you going to do? Listen to a pony that actually has experience in the midst of one of these plagues and helped fix it, or listen to yourself who has absolutely no idea what is going on and is screaming questions to the sky asking, 'Why is this happening? Who is doing this?' You can only make one choice, Madam Singe. I recommend you make the wise one."

"Your highness." Twilight turned towards the entrance to the hallway. A Pegasus had walked in with a lab coat, a mask, and hoof covers, waving her way. "The PPU has arrived."

Twilight immediately beamed and teleported over, completely forgetting Madam Singe's face. Her guards removed their weapons and trotted after her, leaving them all frozen in surprise. "Excellent!" Twilight teleported out for a moment before returning with her own things. A violet lab coat, hoof covers, and mask, all on. "I am not so sure how it reacts to magic, so we have to use our hooves. Be extremely careful."

The technician nodded and turned around to grab something while more voices spoke in the hall. She, along with five more ponies pulled in a long and wide white tube with a round glass cover and big rubber wheels into the room, following Twilight towards the center where the case sat. Many ponies moved out the way so they can roll it by and stopped it right beside the table.

"Gardeen!" Twilight called. Gardeen was at her side in a few seconds. "I need you to have everyone waiting for me at the castle. Hopefully we can have this back before something happens and put in containment."

"Yes, ma'am." Gardeen quickly walked away while the technicians applied brakes on the pod. Then unlocked the airlocks on the sides. It hissed loudly and popped open, letting in air. Celestia and the rest of Equestria walked forward, looking inside. The interior of it was mesh and extremely soft, based off of a Pseratep's prodding.

The one poking at it looked up at Queen Arcadia and nodded. She nodded back and turned to the case. "King Chancellor, I need you to unlock the case." The King, who was watching with surprise like everyone else motioned towards the same guard who quickly did as asked. Once it was unlocked, the technicians all gathered around. And when the book came into view, they gasped loudly.

"Oh my stars!"

"It's still intact! It has the crest!"

"How long?!"

Twilight cleared her throat and said, "This is real. I scanned it for a few seconds with my magic. It dates back nearly a million years ago."

"Oh my Celestia, it's hers," one whispered. "We finally found it."

Twilight nodded and replied, "Yes, now let's make sure we can transport it one piece. Where's the paddle?" A regular plastic paddle that smelled of disinfectant was raised by her head. Twilight pointed to the book and ordered, "When I pick it up, I need you to slide it underneath so we can get it onboard."

"Yes, ma'am."

Twilight sat down and lifted her front hooves. Then leaned over and took a deep breath. This was an important moment. There was no telling how long it's been exposed to constantly changing air. Her hooves calmly touched the sides and lifted it. The paddle was swiftly pushed underneath it and the book was laid back down. Those not holding the paddle stepped to the side while the Pseratep that was holding it slowly rotated their body, pointing the book towards the open door to the pod. Then cautiously pushed it into the padded region. Once it slid off and was comfortably settled in on the extremely soft padding, another technician closed the door back while one more shut the lid.

"Your highness, I just thought of something." Twilight looked towards a Guard while the technicians locked the pod by flipping large switches between the glass and the carrier. Then messed with a control panel on the side. They whispered, "We have no idea how it works with magic, but... Your portal..."

Arcadia nodded and replied, "I am well aware. But magic cannot move into the pod since there is no air circulation within its environment. It should be unaffected when we let it out. Your concern is appreciated."

After the Guard saluted, Twilight trotted over to the technicians and bent low, looking at the control panel on the side of the pod facing away from the rest of the lawmakers. "These readings are safe," she whispered. "Okay, I'm compressing it." Twilight flipped a switch, triggering a beeping and an air release. The wind being pushed out of the pod blew back Twilight's mane, as well as anyone else standing nearby.

"What is that?" Madam Singe asked, impressed by the machine. The technicians turned her way, then back to Twilight, who was shaking her head. "Young lady, I am talking to you."

"Excuse me." Twilight turned to the door where... Uh oh. Twilight Velvet just so happened to poke her head in and heard what she just said. As well as her father. Shining and Twilight smiled, this just became really interesting. Ignoring everyone, Twilight Velvet strode in and stated, "I don't know who you think you are—"

"I am Madam Singe of South Neighton," Madam Singe interrupted.

"Yeah, and I am Twilight's mother." The room was once again quiet, just like on the first day as Twilight Velvet strode up to Madam Singe. "You could rule the entire world and I will not tolerate your mouth to my daughter. You apologize!"

Madam Singe swallowed hard and whispered, "I apologize—"

"Not to me." Twilight Velvet pointed to Princess Twilight, wearing her getup.

Madam Singe groaned and turned to Twilight. "I greatly apologize for how I treated you."

Twilight glanced up and responded with a smile, "Thank you."

Twilight Velvet turned back to Madam Singe while the technicians and Twilight proceeded to move the pod out of the room, and soon the building. "I don't want to hear you talking to my daughter that way ever again. How would you feel if someone talked to your child that way?" Twilight Velvet held her head up high before she filed out of the room. Literally leaving on a high note. No one messes with her filly.

Shining chuckled and whispered, "Go mom, go."



It didn't take long for the book to be compressed. And once it was, the brakes were lifted and the PPU was pushed back through the Crystal halls for the entrance to the castle. While Twilight watched over the book inside the pod as they moved through the guarded hallways, Twilight Velvet trotted over and asked, "So, dear? What is this?" She pointed to the pod.

Clearing her throat, Queen Arcadia answered, "This is a very important record of events that hold possibly hundreds of clues involving a missing pony. It's been sought after for years, but we could never find it. Because it was buried a mile deep underground."

"Oh." Velvet looked inside at the book's state. The area where the book would be opened was covered by a flap with a rounded turquoise gem. "It... Looks like a diary."

"That's what it is, yes. But it's very important. I'm taking it back home."

The guards at the end of the hall opened the doors, letting the group walk out and into the sunny warm air of the Crystal Empire. Arcadia's guards were already out there, a league of twenty. Arcadia stopped at the door and ordered, "See to it that this pod gets back to the station."

Captain Blinding Silver saluted before Twilight turned around and made her way back inside. Two of her guards stayed with her and her mother as she moved for the staircase. "I have to pack my things and get back to the Embassy," she whispered. "My little Filly's expecting me home soon."

She stopped in front of her room and pushed the door open. Then walked in and made her way to the bed while using her magic to collect all her things. Twilight Velvet repeatedly ducked to the side and jumped over things as they flew around. Even folded up and tucked themselves into the suitcases. Arcadia smirkef and picked up her daughter's doll. "Fresh Dawn gave this to me to help with my dreams. I'm telling you, her special talent definitely has something to do with dreams."

Twilight Velvet immediately bolted over and looked at the doll. "Awww, she's too sweet. If she needs more dolls, I'm sure Flurry would be really happy to loan some of hers. She's starting to get rid of them anyway."

"I did promise to bring something back to her." Arcadia calmly set the doll inside. Then closed the lid and locked it back. "I'm hoping that Diary holds answers. Because I really just want to go back to my family."



The mountains of The Forgotten Land, a continent past the Frozen North of Equestria that was as big as Equestria, just riddled with high green Mountains, and hills of grass. The Valley of Veil, an area filled with nature, homes, a large community. Huge by Forgotten Land standards compared to the much smaller towns spread throughout the small continent, filled with Alicorns. Foals rumbling and tumbling through the many flowers and dirt, using magic and more as they moved, trying to catch each other. Adult mares and stallions as well moved about the land as they worked, making their country a better place.

The castle cast a shadow on the valley once the sun began to set, raised and set by their friends in the far South of Equestria, where Magic was truly a thing. The building was constructed out of stone and steel, its halls busy with servants, nobilists, and guards. As well as the King. There was a mail room, a dungeon, and more below it in the lower floors of the five floor building with tall hallways, spires that held lookouts, barely used by the Guard since their captain rarely expects trouble. No reason to waste their vision on looking at horizons.

Trouble was directly below them. Deep down below all the dirt, gravel, nature, oil, all of it was a very large cavern built out of rock. The round walls had been scribbled over with writing all over the ceiling, created out of some type of old chalk. Flames of purple lit the walls, highlighting the text, the top of the cave, and the true size of it. About as big as Psera's royal dining hall. Flames licked and danced along the wall bearing a locking rune in Pseratopian. A locking rune that shimmered a light green and moved.

It spun to the right. Faster and faster before it shattered, bringing a crack to the wall fitted with even more runes that continued to pop and shatter like combusting lightbulbs. The power within was too much, and the runes too old. Eventually turning it into a bunch of spiderwebs. All was silent for a few seconds once they were all gone, leaving the wall gray and dark.

A very large claw shot out of the wall, sending flying dirt, dust and debris over the floor and into the air while the flames changed from violet to red. The claw clenched at the air before a second one thrust out of the wall, holding the same affect. Then the rest came tumbling down. Behind that wall was a tomb. A tomb that was much bigger than the hallway leading up to the seemingly empty wall. In that tomb held a creature. A Draconequus.

But unlike Discord, who seemed silly in this comparison, this Draconequus was big. Very large. So much so that the tomb couldn't contain all of its body mass and their snake-like body poured out onto the stone floor, shaking the area around it as their body filled the entire hallway. They had bared sharp teeth, unlike fangs that held only two. Her maw was filled with them, big enough to engulf an entire pony. Her head much bigger with closed eyes and dragon ears. Her many manyscales were multiple colors that changed each time a light hit it while she had big rear hooves in the back of her body. The tail was that of a large dragon's with a very sharp edge.

The creature remained motionless before the eyes popped open, staring ahead at the stone wall with intimidating red and black reptilian orbs. They glanced left. Then right. And slowly narrowed before the creature's maw of teeth turned into an intimidating and sadistic grin. Using her large claws, she lifted them up and slammed them down on the ground, turning it into lava almost instantly. Then took a deep breath and slowly rose to her claws and hooves, staring at the wall directly across from them.

This one was too covered in runes. But unlike the Draconequus', they were branded with protection. The creature sighed and whispered in a booming feminine voice, "Oh Narmeelah. You may have won the last battle..." She crawled forward through the suddenly small space and submerged her long and large reptilian body into the lava. Then rose up so only her angry eyes and a bit of her head were visible. "But your spell trapped me for only a limited time while yours was permanent. Entirely foolish. I bet you forgot..."

She dunked her head back under for a few seconds, filling the cavern with only the sound of the lava's bubbling. Then a small black hoof like a regular pony's emerged and landed on the remaining land between the river of lava and Narmeelah's tomb. An adult unicorn mare with a dark blue coat with a blue and green mane and tail crawled out, smiling up at Narmeelah's symbol with black and yellow reptilian eyes.

"I never give up on my original goals. Like the original plan to... Rid of you, thus leaving nothing in my way as I... fix your oppressive world. Enjoy your eternal sleep, my old foe. Because I am awake."

Chuckling silently, the pony ran back and jumped straight into the lava before it turned back into stone. Once it did, the red flames blew out, turning the region dark. Leaving her tomb. And the tomb of Narmeelah.
> Chapter 06 - The Diary's Lock
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Each motion was careful. Since the pod was not meant to be pulled for safety reasons, the Pserateps were pushing it slowly along the slightly bumpy and busy hot streets of the Crystal Empire, guarded by twenty, a majority looking into the pod at the green book reading Diary on the front. Bearing an older Crest of Psera in gold. "Is that what I think it is?" A guard asked over the Comm Blocks.

Dark Silver nodded and answered, "Queen Arcadia believes so. It holds extreme value. Keep an eye on and around it. We have to take it back to Ponyville. Overall, I have enjoyed my stay here in the Crystal Empire. I only hope the Queen did as well with that Singe character."

"I really wanted to shoot her," Gliding deadpanned.

Dark smirked and admitted, "I did as well, but we needed to stay as inconspicuous as possible. So... Struggles."

Gliding Sword trotted up and stood next to him with a few things she had to say in body. "I have a bad feeling about this."

Dark Silver glanced over and repeated, "What?"

"This conference. Everyone in there except Equestria were stricken with plagues. Something was wrong with their nations, their lands. Everyone was worried. Will they be able to help each other? Not sure. When Equestria didn't have anyone, Queen Arcadia was correct. They turned to her. Everyone in there has a possible fifty percent chance going about this alone, but that will dwindle really soon because winter is coming, disabling most recovery operations. So, just like Queen Arcadia said, when things get tough, they'll turn to her. But they think she resides in Equestria. Eventually, they will discover she no longer resides here. And there's no telling what will happen after that."

"Think Psera will be exposed?"

"Possibly. Equestria is reliable, but when nations start asking for information on a single pony, things may get... Dirty." The two captains stopped outside the Train station after a few more seconds and turned to each other while the rest of the Guard continued their escort.

Dark Silver responded, "Then we must let Queen Arcadia know that Psera has a fifty percent chance of being exposed thanks to these plagues. In the meantime, we need to make sure that this pod gets back home safely. They are expecting this package, and have been for years." The two nodded and made their way up to the train station with the rest of the guards. All of them failed to notice the one Hippogriff standing on top of a building gazing down at them. Princess SkyStar had spotted that book earlier when Princess Twilight went all nuts for it and decided to take the back way out to follow and get a closer look. She couldn't really tell what was very important about it. But knowing Princess Twilight, she would probably just study it. But then a lot of words involving Queen, Diary, and Psera got put in. Whatever that is. Not to mention the term everyone. Thus intriguing her even more and adding to the mystery of whatever that book is.

Narrowing her eyes, Skystar hummed and shrugged it off. It didn't seem really important at the moment. But she had matured a lot over these years. And during the journey, one thing she did take note of was that if something seemed strange then you had better archive it in your mind for later reference. It could come in handy. So Skystar did just that and took back to the sunny air for the Castle. She had some bags to pack.



As the day neared to an end back in The Forgotten Land, so did the journey for the recently imprisoned Draconequus. It was taking her forever to find her way out from underneath the ground. A mile is a long ways down. She cursed Narmeelah's name each time she ran into a rune, knocking her back down until she finally managed to reach the grassy green above.

On the surface, a large patch of grass turned gray and lifeless before disintegrating into a puddle of mud that she crawled out of, silently laughing with her mouth closed. The mud on her coat poured off into the air upwards instead of downwards, soaring into the blue sky. Still in her disguise as a pony, she sat down and looked around at the precious environment. Full of life. Flourishing in Narmeelah's corruption.

She stuck a hoof in her mouth and gagged. "This is all just absolutely dreadful," she whispered. After a few more seconds of eyeing her surroundings and mocking the castle near her, the Draconequus sighed and raised a hoof. She touched a tree to her right, taking away the life inside of it and poured in a different kind of magic to replace it. Afterwards, she removed her hoof and turned to it.

"I want you to infect every single thing here that has this dreaded essence," she snarled. "Everything but the ponies. I have my own plan for them. Go forth and take it all apart. Drive them off this continent. Go!"

The grey of the tree spread rapidly, soon infecting the entire body. Its leaves fluttered to the ground below, dead as dust. Soon the darkness reached the grass. The spreading slowed, but it continued to infect whatever was in its path for the castle and the towns beneath it.

Satisfied, the pony chortled sadistically before retreating through the woods behind her leading into the mountains. While she moved her body morphed back into her true form the entire way. Moving slowly, her front hooves grew longer and bigger, eventually expanding her joints back into the giant golden sharp claws. Her horn flattened against her head as that too changed, growing bigger and bigger, expanding her teeth into fangs while her eyes turned a blood red. Her rear hooves became bigger and her tail into scaled skin with a sharpened tip.

Once her body was finished, she snaked her way through the trees, leaving a bunch of destroyed ones in her wake as she moved. She had some traveling to do. The task here on this continent was complete. Narmeelah would have caught up to her and fought her by now. But thanks to her spell, she's trapped in stone. Nothing could stop her. And she was going to take advantage of this fact.



After the PPU was aboard the train and the Guard had managed to get on board with them, Queen Arcadia was led to the Empire's train station with Princesses Luna and Celestia. Cadance and Shining Armor stayed behind. But they didn't leave until Flurry gave her aunt a toy to take back to Fresh Dawn. The Elite directed her inside a lone car in the back with the two others, then followed in after them. Once the door was shut, everyone relaxed and took a deep breath after they took a seat on the couches. All of that was finally over.

Twilight sighed in relief after disabling her wing spell, showing the true length that held feathers flowing all the way to the door. She took off her crown and laid down on her back, closing her eyes in relief as the train began to move.

Celestia cleared her throat and asked, "So... The Diary of Narmeelah?"

Without opening her eyes, Twilight answered, "There is a process that my team back in Psera takes when we discover something new. We stash it in the PPU, we take it to a lab, we place it in a clean room for a day, then once it's been fully disinfected after twenty-four hours, we take it out and study it. But since this is the Diary of Narmeelah, it's going to be put under extreme care. I'm talking careful movements, all physical. No magic if I can help it. This is an extremely important piece of history for Psera. What I'm hoping to find is Narmeelah's record for everything involving the creation of Psera. There are so many questions that could be answered by simply reading this record of her life. Her ups, her downs, her momentous moments, her children, how she created everything."

"I hope I'm not making things weird with this question," Luna started from the side. "But... I never truly understood Narmeelah's role in the Psera society."

"Narmeelah to Psera is like Celestia to Equestria. But instead of moving the sun and knowing magic, Narmeelah created life, created earth, created air, created water, and created fire. Created everything as a basis. She is the first pony to walk the planet. And Psera is the first nation and land she's ever created. That is why Psera is strictly forbidden apart from the wars for our land. Nopony except the Pserateps, who are believed to be her first living organisms, have the right to own that land. They have maintained it for centuries and until the Changeling Queen Chrysallis came and disrupted their harmony. Then I arrived and put it back together.

"But if my daughter is correct and I am a descendant of Narmeelah, then I believe I was pulled there for some reason." Twilight adjusted herself so she was facing the Princesses with a smile. "Fresh Dawn's dreams, like I told you, are rarely wrong. But I'm afraid it will have to wait until tomorrow evening before we get any information out of it."

Luna adjusted her own body so she was lying on her side. "What are you expecting to find?"

"Well I'm expecting to find out all concerning Narmeelah and what may have happened to her. Just like the rest of the Historians and more out there. And what Fresh Dawn meant by her saying that only I can open it. Whether she meant the Diary or something else has yet to be known. But I am really anxious to find out."

"Well that's some news," Celestia commented. "Now. What do you think about whatever else is going on?"

Twilight's smile dropped and she asked, "You mean the plagues?" Celestia nodded. "Not sure. I feel they are connected and may be linked to the one Equestria suffered here years ago. But it wouldn't really make sense since Equestria's was years ago on its own and all these other countries are just now having theirs at the exact same time. It makes no sense at all. But then again... None of this is making sense. However, no solution will be brought up until it becomes worse and they can't figure it out."

"My Queen."

Queen Arcadia faced Dark Silver and rolled her eyes. "Dark, I told you a million times now. We're friends, you don't always have to call me Queen in a casual setting. We're away from all the Royal and Political fanfare, just call me Arcadia. Or Twilight."

Dark chuckled and shot her a smile. "Yes, my—Arcadia. Yes, Arcadia. Earlier, Captain Gliding Sword made a good point. She was telling me that because of these plagues... Psera may still be at risk of exposure."

Arcadia raised her eyebrow and asked slowly, "Why?"

"Well she said that you were correct earlier in the Trade Room that Equestria turned to you for help. You also let it be known in there that you did in fact provide a majority of the help in solving the crisis. So now, those nations believe you are smart enough to figure out these plagues. And if these plagues do become worse, they will come to Equestria and ask for your assistance."

"But I won't be here," Arcadia whispered. Then shook her head. "Oh no. Oh no, she's right, this is bad. Celestia and Luna may be able to cover for me, but that can last only so long. So eventually, they will learn that I left Equestria. Thus starting an involuntary investigation into Equestria, because those are the rules in IHT."

Celestia sighed and suggested, "Then you can use Psera—"

"No, no, no, I do not want my country getting involved in this. But then again, they're already involved. So basically, Psera's secret existence relies solely on whether or not those Starswirl the Bearded tomes work."

"And if they don't?" Luna asked.

"Then... We'll handle it when the time arises. We'll figure something out. I'll let the Captain of the Embassy's security know to tighten their guard around Ponyville and the Embassy itself. As well as the Senate Board. Because I have a feeling something huge is happening."

After that, the conversation ceased as the train moved through the Frozen North. Even though Twilight's thoughts were on the Diary, they now shared thoughts on the future of Psera. Even staring out the window at the frozen landscape of Northern Equestria did nothing to rid her mind of those thoughts, and nothing even after they reached Canterlot to drop off the Princesses. After a stop there and a loving hug, thank you for coming, and so much more they moved on, soon arriving in Ponyville, where a few more of the Elite Guards were waiting.

Sighing, Twilight stood up and stretched her hooves out when her Guards opened the door. Then made her way towards it so she could step off the small stairs into the warm and sunny afternoon air of Ponyville. Everything looked the same like it was so many years ago. As if there was never a metal shortage that turned this place into a campsite. Now Arcadia could see the suspicions of the other nations.

Other nations.... Arcadia rolled her eyes at the thought of South Neighton. That Madam Singe was such a.... "Ugh," she grumbled. Then shifted her sights to the PPU they were carefully pulling off the train. Along with the eyes that followed it as they did. Thankfully, the Guards were providing excellent security from the rest of Equestria's populace.

Once the wheels were set down, they began the slow movement from the station platform to the town, followed closely by the Queen with a diamond covered crown on her head, and a thin golden chest plate adorned with a single violet gem in the middle. As well as her golden hoof shoes. Soon enough, the inhabitants of the town just stared once they entered with the large pill shaped device, pulling it along the dirt ground toward the Embassy.

Although they didn't have any trouble along the way, Rainbow Dash thought it was a good idea to swoop over to Arcadia's right side and land. Twilight didn't even have to turn her head. But she did smile. "So, Queen Twilight," Rainbow greeted. Then deadpanned, "Why are you here, why didn't I know about it, and what's in the box?" She pointed at the PPU as they neared the Embassy.

Slapping her hoof away, Twilight playfully scolded, "No pointing. And the box is a preservation unit. We found something Pseratopian that has been sought after for centuries from one of the nations after I attended a seven day Conference, just to keep Psera in the dark. I thought Rarity told you."

"Ooh, so you did go to that thing up there in The Crystal Empire. Yeah, I figured that had something to do with Sunset being clueless about the Embassy's week long closing."

Twilight smirked and whispered, "Speaking of Sunset, she told me you were practicing meditation?"

Rainbow immediately denied that while at the same time looking for a way out of this conversation. "What? Pffft, that's ridiculous." She glanced left and right. Then glanced up with a thought.

"Rainbow Dash, there's nothing wrong—"

"Whoa look at the time!" Rainbow interrupted. She showed Twilight her blank cerulean hoof. "I'd love to stay and chat but I have something to do right now, enjoy Psera, bye, say hi to Fresh Dawn for me!" Before Twilight could respond, Rainbow Dash left a rainbow trail in her wake that trailed up into the clouds. Twilight sighed and shook her head. She could see Rainbow's mane peeking out from above. Obviously still intrigued.

Chuckling, Twilight continued her movements to catch up to the pod with the rest of the Pserateps. After a few more minutes, she exited the town and approached her old castle that was refurbished into the embassy, complete with the symbol of Psera on the glass doors that she walked through, stepping onto the cool crystal inside. They were already waiting for her, eyeing the Diary as they did. Even Gardeen, who stopped her oggling to approach the Queen.

"S3 is at the portal on the other side with a full crew," she reported. Then hoofed over a Comm Block. "They're standing by and ready for a safe transport back to the labs. It's Bright Gold."

Arcadia nodded then lifted the Comm Block up to her mouth. "Queen Arcadia Nova to Bright Gold."

"Yes, ma'am?"

Queen Arcadia motioned with a wave of her hoof to start moving again, prompting the technicians to start pushing forward. "We're beginning the transition from the Psera Embassy to the Equestria Embassy. Is your team ready?"

"All of Psera is ready. We're waiting for you."

"Ten-four. We're coming through now." Arcadia gave the Comm block over to Gardeen beside her, then moved with her team into a room on the side. The PPU entered the room first before everyone else followed along. On the far wall was a violet rotating portal outlined by a steel ring. Flanked by two guards. Arcadia pointed to the pod and said, "We need to pull it through first. Two ponies on the other side of the portal so it doesn't roll off."

Two technicians on the PPU's side saluted then eagerly trotted across the room's crystal floors into the portal with a slight ripple. While they did that, Arcadia lit her horn to open one of her bags that one of her many guards were carrying behind her. After a few seconds of loose tongue and poking around, Arcadia levitated her daughter's doll into a hoof and closed her bag back up. Then motioned with her hoof for the portal.

The technicians eagerly pushed through, arriving back inside the Embassy of Equestria. Just as expected, a whole team from S3 were already in place. Wearing suits, masks, hoof covers, and more with eyes trained on the PPU as it rolled onto the marble floors of the Embassy of Equestria. But unlike the building back in Equestria, this one was fresh and new with two floors, plenty of office space, and many more accomodations. The floors were gray marble and in the middle of the entire floor was the Crest of Psera. The floor was crowded right now though. As well as the area outside of the doors. All eyes on the building. But Arcadia had another mission in mind. She knew her family was around there somewhere.

She nudged Gardeen, shooting her a smirk before playfully gasping, "Oh no, where's my little filly?" Gardeen heard a little snicker somewhere. After sitting down, Arcadia covered her eyes and pretended to sob.

"I'm right here, don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, don't cry!" Fresh Dawn shot out of the crowd in the back and up to her crying mother. Flapping her wings, she buzzed onto Arcadia's back and hugged. Hard. "Please don't cry mommy, I'm right here! See?" Fresh Dawn crawled up her back and poked her head.

Arcadia's folded down ears popped back up. Then a violet aura surrounded Fresh Dawn, pulling her around into Arcadia's hooves. She hugged her daughter tight, humming into her head of red hair while holding her violet body close. Then lifted her sideways and blew a raspberry into her stomach, eliciting a hoard of laughs out of her.

"Hey, sweetie," she greeted. "Did you miss me? Where's daddy?"

"Daddy's talking with somepony," she responded. Arcadia grinned then nuzzled her daughter's hair lovingly. "Where's Blue Sky? She said she would come back right?"

Arcadia set her daughter back down and responded, "Yes!" Blue Sky floated from behind the Queen's head and onto Fresh Dawn's. "She was an excellent helper. Thank you so much, sweetheart. And look, she brought a friend!" Another stuffed doll floated out from behind and danced on top of Fresh Dawn's head. She squealed and reached up, plucking the stuffed bear out of the air and into her hooves. She hugged it to her chest and cheered.

"You're welcome, mommy! Thank you!" Fresh Dawn caught her doll between her teeth and the gifted one underneath one of her wings, and trotted for a seat between her mother's hooves.

King Madun meanwhile excused his way past the Serl technicians looking over the Diary, staring at it as he moved. "Uh oh, someone's making history again."

Arcadia rolled her eyes before the king kissed her cheek, then shared with her a loving nuzzle. "Hey, Firehead," she whispered.

"Hey yourself, Twilight. How was the conference?"

After separating, Arcadia sighed then locked her eyes on the note taking Serl were already doing. Watching the diary as if it were going to run off. "Well," she answered. "It was... Eventful. I am not fond of South Neighton's Madam Singe. I told you about her, remember?"

"The mare that had a grudge against you for some unknown reason?" Madun guessed.

Arcadia nodded and added, "I guess because of the fact that I'm so young makes her jealous or something. Either way it doesn't matter. Because I never ruled in Equestria's name. Technically, I was an advisor over there. But I don't want to think about her right now. Even if the entire world is starting to go through a plague of some sort, it's not Psera's responsibility to help them. We've already helped one nation and we used our classified city to help. I'm not risking Serl's existence to other nations, let alone our land."

"And if the plague comes here?"

"We'll deal with it as we move along. But for right now..." Arcadia smiled down between her hooves at Fresh Dawn, busy grooming Blue Sky's hair with a comb she was holding in her mouth she got from somewhere while the new one sat nearby. "I have a daughter to spend time with. Bright Gold?"

Bright Gold was in front of her in a nanosecond, saluting. "Yes, your highness?"

"See to it that the Diary of Narmeelah is safely taken back to Serl, and undergoing the protocol. Gardeen, if there are any, could you please move all of my appointments to monday? Today, my little sugar plum is going to spend some time with her mommy." Fresh Dawn set down the comb and looked Blue Sky over, picking her up and looking at her belly. "You hear that sweetheart?"

Fresh Dawn looked up at Arcadia. Then placed her doll in her mouth and lifted her hooves. Arcadia smiled and picked her up in one hoof while Madun grabbed the doll she left. Then followed Serl with her husband towards the front of the Embassy. Just like inside, the outside of it was crowded. The back of an Open-Top Radwood Pod had been backed towards the door, creating a direct entry point for the PPU. The technicians pulling it walked across the steel bridge onto the Pod while the others pushed it on. Once it was onboard, they grabbed some thick rubber from a spring and started attaching it to the PPU. Then tugged them, testing their hold over the PPU.

"Ensure its securement back in Serl, Bright Gold," Queen Arcadia ordered.

Once comfortable, Bright Gold saluted. Then announced quite loud, "We're ready!" The escorts in front of the vehicle moved first before the carrier followed after, leaving the King, Queen, and family to watch. Hoping for good results.
> Chapter 07 - Theories
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After the Conference in the Crystal Empire, the rulers, nobles, and representatives of each country hopped back in their chariots and took off into the air, leaving the Crystal Empire and Equestria, and soaring back into their problems. Those plagues. Seaquestria's defense, and Mount Aris' grass. Twilight's words rang in Novo's head as her Hippogriffs flew overhead, heading for the mountain just outside of Equestria's border. They had to be ahead. Evacuate Seaquestria first. Worry about the sponges second. They could be toxic. But how? Strange.

Speaking of strange, the same was for Twilight's attitude for that old book. She seemed exuberant. Way more than Novo's ever seen her. The second she could read the cover, and whatever those strange shapes were, she was like a filly. Dancing around and whispering things. And those ponies that came in wearing all white and pushing that strange pod thing. It looked very... Not Equestrian. Something was going on over there. The sudden metal resurrection was a clue.

Too soon, Queen Novo landed back on the browning grass outside the castle in all its glory. The nature on the land was clearly dying. The castle was a little ways away from the farmland they flew over, but they could still make out the dying brown slowly inching towards their castle, eating through their food. Not only that, but it seems that the Hippogriffs of her countries were waiting for her in a line. Trailing out the door of the castle. That was a very troubling sight.

Once the chariot rolled to a stop, a Guard standing by grabbed the handle for her door and let them out. Skystar's eyes trained on the land in sadness. Some of the ground on the castle's property was turning a sickly brown like the farmland. It wasn't there exactly, but it was reaching that point. Skystar lifted a claw and grabbed some of the grass. It practically turned to dust.

Queen Novo looked her way and sighed. Her daughter held that depressing look on her face, the one she usually wore when things looked bleak. "It will be okay," she whispered. "This will only be temporary."

Skystar took a deep breath and nodded, eyes still on the grass and the brown slowly but definitely approaching the castle. "Hopefully," she whispered. In her heart, Skystar knew they could get through these plagues. But in her head, she knew they couldn't do it alone.



While riding the Royal Chariot through the air, destination for Eventa, Arcadia wrapped a wing around her sister-in-law's body, who decided to come along. The four of them were facing the distance at the approaching city of Eventa.

"Thank you so much for coming, Merry," she told her gladly. "Little Fresh Dawn, her father and I are both appreciative. Right sweetheart?"

Madun sighed and asked tiredly, "Why are you really here, Merry?"

"Madun!"

"What? I know she has another motive. I know my twin sister. Why are you really here, Merry?"

Rolling her eyes, Merry decided to answer. Madun knew her too well. "Well... Light Pink wanted to talk to me about something. It's about her girlfriend, Gardeen. She sounded worried, so..."

Confused, Arcadia asked, "But doesn't Pink live in Psera Skies North?"

"Close. She works in Psera Skies North but lives in Eventa. Right in the Mall's Office as a secretary. Gardeen lives in Cop. Pink didn't say if anything was amiss. But she rarely does. She just asked me to come over so I am."

"But about Gardeen? I never notice anything wrong with her. Should I be worried?"  Arcadia looked down between her hooves at Fresh Dawn looking at one of her dolls. She left Blue Sky at the castle "so she could rest" and "snuck out with Ms. Goldilocks," her new doll. Too cute. She learned that from her father, definitely.

Merry shook her head and answered, "No. I'm sure if there was something wrong with Gardeen, she'd tell you herself."

"If you say so."

Fresh Dawn squeezed out from between Arcadia's legs and made slow moves towards her father with her doll. Then sat down between his hooves. He smiled down at her and nuzzled her mane with his muzzle. "Ready for ice cream, Sugar Plum?"

Fresh Dawn looked up and nodded happily, bearing the most beautiful grin she could manage. "Yeah! Ms. Goldilocks said she wanted two ice creams!"

"Er... I think Ms. Goldilocks needs a nap."



After they were dropped off back in Canterlot, Celestia and Luna slowly made their way through the crowded rejuvenated city for the castle. It was common to see the two Princesses walking around casually. Tall and elegant with strangely blowing manes that had no source of force to be given that type of movement. Hooves nearly silent as they moved across the concrete sidewalk. They were seen so much that just like everyone else they were paid no mind. It must be different in Psera for Queen Twilight "Arcadia Nova" Sparkle. During the time it took to walk back up to the castle, Celestia's mind was coming up with different possibilities and theories of what could be causing the international plagues that were affecting all the lands but theirs.

It wasn't until they were back in the privacy of the castle, walking the slightly empty comparatively tall hallways and into the empty throne room that she voiced them.

Sighing, Celestia whispered, "Luna... I may have an idea on what is happening." The two walked up and took a seat on their thrones before they faced each other. "I believe this is a magical affair. We are all experiencing times of loss. These are no accidents."

"What do you mean, sister?" Luna asked. She grew concerned. How could any of these plagues not be an accident? Celestia could tell that she caught Luna's attention. So she cleared her throat and began to explain.

"When our steel dropped, S3 told us a possible chemical may have been released into the air. I actually spoke with Twilight about it when I visited one day after she became Queen and she said that even though that may be the case it would be highly unlikely since there is no Chemical Agent in Equestria that could eat through steel in that timeframe, boosted or not. Her own theory was a spell casted incorrectly and created a curse. She also said that it was entirely easy to do, to just lose focus while using transfiguration spells have the potential to yield disastrous results and doing it on purpose is as simple as focusing on another pony walking past. I asked could it have been anything else. She said that since Equestria is and has always been prone to attack that it could have been by an enemy."

"An enemy," Luna repeated. "Like by the changelings who are not reformed."

Celestia shook her head and answered, "No. Twilight stated that in order for something to affect steel all over the country like that there had to be a constant flow of magic. Not to mention our own nature. The ground turned lifeless, the food inedible. We had to go through what we had rationed, nothing fresh. Twilight said all of this was one spell. One very destructive spell that would make Discord proud were he not reformed. Twilight believed that we were attacked by a very powerful creature. A creature that has enough magic such as her own."

"So we are dealing with a creature of possible legend."

Celestia nodded. "Yes. But Twilight also admitted that even though they may be powerful, all magic must come from somewhere. Herself alone, even though Psera's love supplies her with a constant flow, admits she still grows tired after a while of using it and will have to take an hour or two. Psera is the biggest country in the known world. Way bigger, stronger, and smarter than any creature's. She said this creature cursed Equestria for a total of three months. Their plan failed here. Equestria is second best to Psera. If they cannot grab Equestria, they will try somewhere else. And that it would be a good time before it happens due to how much magic was used. How do two years sound?"

Luna nodded and answered, "Sounds long enough. Queen Twilight's involvement in the resurrection has made her a major VIP in this issue. Those ponies may never figure out it could be a curse. We certainly did not until she told us."

Celestia nodded and relaxed in her seat. "Twilight and S3 are the only ones who in fact know what is really going on. So if worse comes to worst, then she's right. They'll come to Equestria for help. Specifically her. And she will not be here. Triggering an investigation."



"This place is big!!" Cheered the Princess of Psera from atop King Madun's back. After grabbing tickets and trotting past the bowing from the rest of the ponies, the Royal Family walked through the gate and into the amusement park. Multiple colorful and decorative shelters and buildings lined the concrete streets on the sides that held games, contests, and rides. Noises of fun and play bounced off the concrete ground and rollercoasters. Just like usual, the family were escorted by the Guard, although on less tense hooves with smiles. Usually, they were replaced by the oh so serious frown, focused on the crowds.  And even though Arcadia scared the ponies who were possibly in a terrorist group targeting her when Blueblood had been incarcerated at the trial, the organization in charge of their safety were taking no chances. The Queen may be impossibly powerful, but even she had her weak moments. Doubly so because they have a daughter now. So the guard were pretty much required. Unless she were to attack the guards. Like someone.

Arcadia eagerly nodded and replied, "Yes it is, Dawn. The park goes on for a while. Not as big as Eventa, but still pretty big."

Merry nodded and zipped over to her. "That's right! So what do you want to do first, pipsqueak?" She lifted a hoof and playfully poked Dawn's nose.

Her eyes crossed for briefly before grinning again. Giggling, Fresh Dawn looked around excitedly and jabbed her hoof towards a ball pit a few more foals were playing in. Oh boy. "There, there!" She jumped off her father's head and quickly scurried away from her parents. And the guards, who quickly pursued.

Arcadia squeaked and quickly called, "Fresh Dawn, no! Walk!" Fresh Dawn jumped up, opened her wings and sailed down straight for the plastic balls before she was encased in a violet glow, freezing her movement in front of the other parents watching their children. And directly over the plastic round colorful balls below her. The Queen quickly trotted over with her horn bright, taking deep breaths to calm her rushing heartbeat. "What do I tell you about walking and patience? You could have been hurt."

"To always go fast?"

"No, that's what daddy says and something I have to scold him about." Arcadia slowly lowered Fresh Dawn into the ball pit then released her magical hold. "Much safer."

Dawn's head popped up out of the mess of balls with a strange expression before she locked eyes on a dark brown Pseratep colt across from her, staring at her with his mouth partly open holding an orange ball. The other foals were playing with each other nearby, but he was focused on Dawn a lot more.

Excited, she lifted a hoof and waved eagerly with a grin. "Hi!"

The colt dropped the ball and shyly waved back. "...Hi," he whispered.

Fresh Dawn swam through the balls over to him and greeted, "I'm Fresh Dawn! What's your name?"

He glanced around nervously and whispered, "I'm... I-I'm Dark Dust. You have a cone on your head."

Fresh Dawn could tell that he felt out of place. Maybe it was because of the weird shiny thing she had on her head that her mom and dad tell her to wear. What was it called again? A tiara. She needed to figure out a way to make him more comfortable.

Dawn anxiously looked around her claimed space and grabbed a light brown ball. Then turned back and pushed it his way grinning. "Ball?"



Serl was tense, the air inside all buildings packed with a dense anxiety that even Bright Gold couldn't get through. They had found the Diary. The Diary of Narmeelah. It could and would hold answers to Narmeelah's disappearance. Along with more clues to whatever else she did in her lifetime. Maybe even the cause of the Blue Gold! All of it a page turn away from the many technicians and more settled in the clean room wearing suits and masks, eyeing the old dusty book lying on top of a glass table. The Clean Room was entirely white and cold. Lit up with neon yellow lights that shone all over the room, keeping out bugs and dust. There was a timer on the far wall reading how many more hours, minutes, and seconds were left before the book was completely sanitized. It was currently at a minute and fifteen seconds.

Bright Gold stood at the head, eyeing the clock. Then turned her eyes back to the diary in front of her. The pages were practically screaming at everyone to open and read them. But they had to be careful. The book was centuries years old. It should be dust by this point really. Written in Old Pseratopian. Queen Arcadia Nova was presented with it from a foreign nation, who apparently thought it was a dusty old book and was only interested in it because they had never seen the writing, and was unable to open it. Now it was Psera's turn to open it. Or try.

Bright Light's head poked into Bright Gold's peripheral vision and stated, "Time's up. Let's make these attempts."

Bright Gold looked up at the clock. Sure enough the timer was at zero on all ends. She nodded and focused back on the book. "Agreed. Take a note. Attempt number one at... Nine-fifteen AM." Bright Gold grabbed some hoof covers and put them on like everyone else. Then made a motion to Rising Flutter to make the first attempt.


Seven Minutes Later


Bright Gold flopped down on her rear and sighed behind her mask tiredly. "Attempt number.... Thirty-eight?" She groaned. "Unsuccessful. Put down the tools." Rising Flutter calmly set down the crowbar underneath the glass table. They were becoming a little desperate, but that desperate wasn't necessary.

One of the technicians grumbled and shouted in frustration, "This is getting us nowhere! How in the stars are we supposed to open this?"

Blue Ivy shook her head and answered, "I don't know. Maybe ask Queen Arcadia? This seems like something she may have a solution for."

"Maybe," Bright Gold responded. She rubbed her mouth and stood on her hooves with a decision. "I'd hate to drag her away from the rest of her schedule that I know she has for today, but it can't be helped. Hopefully, she can make some arrangements. It doesn't even have to be today."


~✶~


Yesterday was fun, but Fresh Dawn had to go back to School, and Arcadia had to sit on the throne once again. She made her first real friend outside of the Castle that wasn't in the family! It was so exciting! She couldn't even focus on the three meetings she has today. Even now before Arcadia could jump onto her throne, she skipped away from Madun's side when they entered the Throne Room and towards it.

Watching her, he asked, "And what has you so enthusiastic?"

Arcadia skipped past the smiling guards and onto the throne. Then whipped around and sat down before Madun followed suit. "Our little foal has her first friend that isn't a relative!" She cheered. "Isn't that exciting?"

Madun nodded and answered, "Yes, sweetheart. But we still need to talk to Dusk's parents before they can actually go on a play date. For now, let's focus on Psera, okay?"

Arcadia adjusted her body in the most regal and serious position, eyes on the large golden double doors at the end. "You're right. Psera needs Queen Arcadia right now, not Mommy Twilight. Enter!" The doors opened and a single Pseratep stallion entered wearing a business tie. While he approached, Arcadia could feel Madun's eyes on her. "Stop staring," she ordered.

Trying to contain his laughter, Madun whispered, "You switched so quickly."

Arcadia nudged him with the bridge of her wing and greeted the stallion, "Good morning."

The stallion bowed and greeted, "Good morning, your majesties. I've been meaning to meet with you for awhile regarding the Embassy of Psera in Equestria."

An Embassy problem? "What is the issue?" Madun inquired.

The stallion stood up and looked at Arcadia. She may be small, but she sure as buck was intimidating with her eyes narrowed wearing all the gold. Not to mention the sharp horn on her head with a decorative gold tip, dense with gem dust. "As one of Ambassador Shimmer's Secretaries, I handle all requests and documents at the front. However, this one pink pony somehow in unexplainable ways continues to get past security by just... Randomly appearing with 'Twitchy Tail and Itchy Nose'—whatever those are—trying to get me to send you a letter about trouble involving you."

"Pinkie Pie's Pinkie Sense," Arcadia explained. "She must be sensing something. Strange. Gardeen."

Gardeen was at her throne saluting in a nanosecond. "Yes, your highness?"

"I need you to send a letter to the Security Directors of both Embassies about escorting Pinkamena 'Pinkie' Pie to the throne room at their earliest convenience for my audience. And to keep a very close eye on her. She's a slippery one." Arcadia turned back to the stallion while Gardeen wrote. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. She'll stop bothering you now. She knows I know that she needs to speak with me ... Somehow."

"Er..." The stallion chose to bow instead of question it. "Thank you, your majesty." He straightened back up and made his way out before Gardeen could stop writing.

Madun turned to Arcadia's serious expression with a knowing grin and whispered, "I can tell you're still excited."

"I am! I admit it!" Arcadia cried. She danced in place and added, "Before I dropped her off, she asked, 'When can I see Dusky again?' I told her I was going to setup a play date with his mother, just so they could get to know each other better! Eee!" She turned to Gardeen and clarified in a whisper while the next pony strode in to converse with Madun, "Fresh Dawn has a friend. Her first one outside the castle. I'm more excited than her."

"No kidding," Gardeen whispered. After two hours and the burning through two scheduled meetings, or sixty more Pserateps, the next one to walk in was Bright Gold.

Surprised, Arcadia greeted, "Bright Gold, Madun and I are surprised to see you."

"Above it really," Madun added. "What brings you here?"

On the red carpet, Bright Gold bowed and greeted humbly, "Your majesties. We are having trouble opening the Diary. We are requesting Queen Arcadia's wisdom and skill."

Arcadia hummed and stated, "I'm not surprised. Chancellor did say his mages had issues opening it, and that was why he gave it away." She thought for a moment, trying to find a solution. Or rather... Remember! Fresh Dawn! "The only pony who may actually know how to open it... Is in school. I remember telling you about my daughter's interactions with dreams. To be honest, because of her, we were able to discover the Diary. I believe she may know how to open it. Keep it in the clean room until I call it over in a few hours. We will find a solution."



Things were getting worse. Seaquestria's defense sponges were beginning to break, all the grass on Mount Aris had reached their zenith and molded into a deep lifeless brown, and for some other unknown reason, the air was becoming gassy and dense. Fogged with something brown Novo couldn't explain. Neither could the smartest Hippogriffs on the land taking samples and confronting with the Zebras for information, who seemed to be going through the same thing. Something was going on. It's been over a week since the Conference and things did not get better. In fact, they were worse. Food refused to grow by this point.

The hot wind tickled the fur of Queen Novo observing from the balcony of her castle. Her thoughts moved to the other lands. The only one seemingly unaffected was Equestria. Their steel shortage and that dust storm was possibly their plague. But they overcame it. Somehow. Something was amiss with the "sitting on steel" story. She could feel it. But it wasn't important right now. They needed some help. They needed brains.

They needed Twilight.

Coming to a decision, Novo whipped around and ordered, "Some griff prepare my guards. I am heading for Equestria. And send an urgent letter to Princess Celestia requesting an audience with her."



That same Saturday morning, after a week of anticipation and catching up, the diary of Narmeelah was securely taken to the Castle of the Gods. Just like Bright Gold, the technicians of Serl were extremely reluctant to believe a foal still learning to form words could figure out how to open a book that even the smartest minds couldn't. But as ordered by her highness they brought the book, and themselves to the castle throne room. Since the rulers of the land refused to keep their citizens in the dark, cameras were allowed. A large brown, glossy wooden table had been setup in a standard meeting room connected to the throne room decorated with large picture frames in the corner. Twilight and Madun sat in their own while their daughter was in hers, reading something. Arcadia couldn't tell what, but it must've been important. She was entirely focused on it.

After a few more minutes, and after the Diary of Narmeelah was carefully placed on the table, everyone got silent and turned to the King, Queen, and Princess. The latter didn't even move, too busy reading to care. Arcadia and Madun leaned forward towards the table. Eyes on this book that has be causing trouble. It hasn't changed. Still green and strange.

Arcadia looked onto the throne next to hers and asked, "Dawn? Could you come up here for a moment?"

Fresh Dawn peeked over her book at her mother. Then practically threw it to the side to hop onto Twilight's lap with long wings dragging. "Yes, mommy?"

"Mommy and daddy need your help. Do you remember the dream you had of Narmeelah? About her diary?"

Fresh Dawn turned around and used her magic to grab another book. "I write down all my dreams by date!" She answered. The book hovered in front of and towered over her smaller form, shrouding her from view. Page after page turned for a minute before she found what she was looking for. "Oh! Oh! I found it! Narmeepah thold me that her diary could be found in Equethria!"

The eggheads in the room muttered silently amongst themselves. Arcadia nodded with a smile. "That's right dear. Did you write down anything else?"

"Uh huh! Narmepah also said that—Hey, hush, I'm talking to mommy!" Fresh Dawn narrowed her eyes at the stallion talking on her right. Then turned back to her book while Gardeen covered her mouth from the side. Merry would have been in hysterics. "Narmeepah also said this just like this: 'Queen Arca...Arca.... Arcadia! Arcadia is the key. No other can open it but my descendants. My diary activated by the mathical signature of myself, I give to your mommy. Let her know, Princess of Psera, that only she can read it. And yourself when you are of age. Your mother is the key to saving the world.'" Dawn dropped the book and grinned up at her mother. "I studied those words."

"Amazing job, Dawn!" Her father congratulated. Arcadia reached down and picked up her daughter to hug and hold close.

Bright Gold raised her hoof and stated from directly across, "I admit that it was really good. However, we still don't know how to open it. Apparently, the only pony that can is a descendant. According to record, Saemool never had any children. Unless Narmeelah had a long lost son or daughter, then this book is permanently shut." The table erupted into chatter, all ponies attempting to come up with theories and more. Arcadia and Madun just sat back and watched the chaos for a moment. Somepony even cried out that it's a lost cause.

"Mommy." Arcadia looked down at her daughter in her hooves. Purple eyes into purple eyes, she whispered, "Only you can open it, remember?"

Only her? How many times has she said that? "How exactly..." Arcadia rolled her eyes and raised her right hoof to silence the noise. She couldn't even hear her daughter. Once all eyes and cameras were on her, she paid mind to Dawn. "How exactly would I do that dear?"

"Narmeepah said that it can only be activated by you. Right there." Fresh Dawn pointed at a specific point on the cover, next to the gem. Arcadia and everyone else leaned in to see the empty space. "You put your hoof on it!"

Rising Flutter stammered, "B-But then that would mean that Queen Arcadia is a distant relative of Narmeelah herself." The table once more erupted into discussion.

"Impossible!"

"I'm not too sure."

"It would open the eyes of all of Psera and change history!"

"An investigation would commence!"  One of the technicians whipped out a notepad and placed her hoof on the point for five seconds. Since nothing happened she wrote down "Attempt Seventy-Seven(Standard Pseratep Physical Contact): Failed."

Fresh Dawn grinned towards her mother and jabbed towards the book excited. Arcadia followed her hoof and asked, "A-Are you sure, sweetie?" Arcadia admitted she was a little skeptical. Because if that book opened...

Fresh Dawn nodded and answered, "Yes!"

Gulping, Arcadia hoofed Fresh Dawn to her father and eyed the book. Then following her filly's instructions, timidly reached out and laid her hoof on the top of the book. The intense chatter died down for a second while everyone watched. Lenses and eyes zoomed onto her hoof, breathing halted. When the book showed no change, Arcadia took a relieving breath and closed her eyes. She had no idea what would happen if—

Click. Thud. The room was silent. Arcadia fluttered her eyes open and trained them on the book. The flap that was keeping it closed was open and lying on the table, exposing the previously hidden right of the book, and the pages within it. Eyes trained on Arcadia's hoof when she used it to timidly flip back the cover, exposing and reading the inside, written in old Pseratopian. "'Dear Diary... Today I fear I grow... Lonely. This large world with no life troubles me greatly. The land and water has been made. Now it is time to add life... Narmeelah.'"
> Chapter 08 - A Talk With Discord
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

With the water moves the waves. And with the waves, move the Draconequus. She cherished in her Draconequus form the most. Apart from the pony side of things, she was bigger, stronger, and exceptionally more intimidating. That foal she encountered earlier thought so. He quickly bolted from the woods she crawled out from crying. And she didn't even do anything.

After hitting the bottom of the ocean, she swam with the current, unknowingly spreading her disastrous dark magic as she moved. When the water hit the land, her magic spread with it. Destroying trees, beaches, anything natural. Apples melted like butter, wood turned into sawdust. And ponies everywhere became worried.

Queen Novo could tell something was amiss the moment she flew into Canterlot with her three guards. They were ready to return back home, but honestly told themselves this was important. Queen Novo really didn't need any guards here. Equestria was a very friendly nation. So friendly it was weird.

When they touched down behind the Castle gates was the same moment a stallion Pegasi guard came over and waved with a huge grin. "Hi, welcome to Equestria! Here to see the Princess?"

Novo was a little taken back, and nearly jumped back in surprise, but answered, "Yes, we're here to see Princess Celestia."

"Right this way." The stallion quickly turned around and walked back through the open doors, leading them from outside to the cool inside. The hallway was clean and flawless. Decorative vases positioned on stone stands flanked their sides. Pictures of ancient cities hung on brick walls. An office pony would walk past at random intervals of time during their journey before they finally arrived at Celestia and Luna's busy throne room. The doors were wide open, letting them stride right into the horde. Looks like Queen Novo wasn't the only pony with issues.

All of the ponies from a over a week ago were there in front of the Princesses, yelling and whatnot. Of course Madam Singe was. But it must've been bad if even Thorax of the Changelings was there, whose land was deemed a territory of Equestria. Not exactly on Equestria, but there nonetheless.

Celestia and Luna were sitting on their thrones, listening to their complaints with intent. "I do not know about everypony else," Singe stated. "But nothing we do is working. We have tried everything. Our Seaweed is entirely gone, and the wildfires are spreading, turning one-fourth of our homes to ashes."

"We have no more wood in Prance to build," Consort Snow. "The ones that are left are too thin."

"Everything at the hive is returning to the days when Chrysalis was around!" Thorax cried.

Novo finally made herself known by adding, "And I had to evacuate Seaquestria, and move all of my ponies to Mount Aris since our defensive sponges have completely deteriorated. We do not have enough food to supply them, and nothing we do is working. We have begun rationing out what we have. Hello, every creature. I suppose you're all here to request assistance?"

Celestia sighed and answered, "Hello, Queen Novo. Yes, every creature here is in need of help. Unfortunately, we cannot supply much material from our country to assist all of yours. It would run ourselves dry and cost us billions. We simply do not have enough resources. Especially for Saddle Arabia, Prance, and South Neighton. I am sorry, but we cannot do much."

President Manamar's eyes added to her pleading. "W-Well what can we do to at l-least have you provide refuge for my citizens? Fr-Fruit is very important and it is being demolished by an unknown force!"

Celestia and Luna exchanged a sorrowful glance, ignoring the flash in the corner of the room before Luna answered, "Even if we did provide refuge it would foresee drastic economical damage. The food, water, space, all of it would run out. Equestria is only over two hundred fifty miles total. All of your smaller countries and their needs will eventually dry up our resources."

"What about possible answers?" Novo asked. "There must be some explanation. Would Princess Twilight have any insight? From what I recall, she played a major part in restoring your land." The other leaders also spoke in agreement.

And we begin, Celestia thought before answering. "I am very sorry, but Twilight is not available at this time."

Haakim and Amira gasped. "Not available?" Amira inquired. "How is that possible? No offense, but what could possibly be more important than a worldwide crisis of unknown origin affecting all substances of life?"



Twilight was beginning to feel irked from the attention. Just as expected, the discovery of Queen Arcadia Nova proven to be a distant relative of Her Majesty Narmeelah spread all over Psera like wildfire fueled by excitement as well as speculation. After Arcadia opened the Diary and read the excerpt, all the ponies except Fresh Dawn and Madun bowed her way. The ponies from Serl insisted she take the book but she declined and let them take it, reminding them that she was a Queen with a nation to run.

After that, Arcadia grabbed her daughter and zipped out, leaving Madun with the rest of the duties for now while she took on her motherly one. She didn't need to be around all that fanfare. With Fresh Dawn on her back holding her dolls and four Elite Guards behind them, they made their way into the castle's innards.

Arcadia glanced up and asked, "Have you seen Daddy's gardens?"

Dawn asked, "Daddy has a garden?" Then smiled and teased, "That's for girls."

"And that's why he makes them. For us girls. Wanna see one?"

Dawn shook her head and answered, "I wanna play with Dusty! He's funny! And has buggy eyes!"

"Dawn!"



Celestia blinked and finally answered, "A lot, I assure you. Look, here's the deal: Last out for as long as you can, but when things become dangerous that involve medical or defense help we will do what we can. That is all we can offer at this time."

"And Princess Twilight?" Novo asked.

"We will speak with her as soon as she is available. But with her own problems it may take at least a week. If we're lucky, sooner. Until then, I urge you to keep away from her and to neglect any pursuits you may have in mind."

Novo sighed and responded sadly. "We'll survive as long as we can. Thank you, Princesses."

After that they all bowed and made their leave. Once the doors shut, Luna smiled and whispered, "You can come out now."

A tiny violet head of red hair popped out of the water beside Luna's throne. The eyes scanned the room before Twilight walked out in a protective bubble wearing her crown, hoof shoes, and six different steel horn rings with Fresh Dawn on her neck.

"I guess I came at a bad time," she assumed. Then popped the bubble and kneeled so Fresh Dawn could skip off. "Fresh Dawn wanted to visit, and I wanted to get away. Things escalated really quickly. The Guard and Castle Security are handling things and will let me know when all has returned to normal."

Celestia chuckled and stood up from her throne with Luna. "What happened? How are you today, little filly?" She leaned down and nuzzled Fresh Dawn. Then did the same to Twilight.

Fresh Dawn sat down and raised her hooves, demanding to be picked up. Luna quickly obliged, swooping her into a loving embrace. She never truly had that many interactions with Dawn as much as the rest. Who knew she would be so fond of children.

"Ohhh, you're so precious!" She squealed. "Have you been a good filly?"

Twilight laid her wings out behind her. Then sat down and answered Celestia's question. "Well my theory was correct. I had a Pseratep Ancestor. And that Pseratep Ancestor just happened to be Narmeelah. With Dawn's help, we finally managed to get the Diary opened. The greatest minds of the country couldn't even crack it because only my hoof could open it. But now it's opened and everyone believes all of this is no accident. That I was meant to be in Psera, rejuvenate the land, marry Madun, become Queen, etcetera etcetera. Don't know where getting shot with an arrow by a demented pony and going into a coma is placed in it though."

Dawn wiggled her hooves in Luna's hold and huffed, "I-I-I learned new words!"

Celestia grinned and replied, "That's great! Can you tell me one?"

"Experience!"

"Good job, sweetheart!" Twilight praised. "Do you want to tell them about your new friend?"

Celestia grinned and repeated, "New Friend?"

Dawn nodded and answered, "Uh huh! His name is... Dusty Bug Eyes!"

Twilight giggled and corrected for the Princesses, "His name is Dark Dust. A little Colt she met at the park earlier this week in Eventa. He's really shy and Dawn's really active. Either Madun or myself is going to meet with his mother and hopefully get a play date started. What was going on in here?" Twilight may have been talking to Celestia but her eyes were watching Luna, who was tossing Fresh Dawn's laughing form up and down in the air. Celestia still can't get over the fact the little filly she used to teach had a little filly of her own. Even after all these years.

"The plagues are becoming worse," Celestia answered. "Each nation has experienced a rise in chaotic experiences and proportions."

Dawn gasped and yelled, "You said experience!"

"Chaos, huh?" Twilight repeated. From Celestia's point of view, she could practically see the gears turning underneath that sparkling crown. Serious situations to the side for a moment, Pserateps were definitely stylish.

But she knew what she was thinking. Celestia shook her head and stated, "I do not believe Discord has a hoof, claw, or talon in these events."

Twilight nodded and agreed. "Neither do I. But he may have an idea on what is happening. Discord!"

Luna caught Dawn one last time then hoofed her back to her mother at the same moment Discord appeared with an umbrella hat, a beach shirt and sunglasses, drinking out of a pineapple in a beach chair.

He looked around for a moment and sighed the next when he locked eyes with Celestia's smiling face. "Hello, Discord," she greeted.

Fresh Dawn squeaked and immediately zipped underneath her mother's body, hiding from view. Discord scoffed and greeted sourly, "What is it, I am on vacation. Las Pegasus is just bustling this time of year."

"But you don't work. Every day is your vacation. Why does thou need a vacation?"

"From—oooh, Hello, Twilight!" He teleported over to Twilight and got in her muzzle. "Look at you~! Somepony got a promotion to super princess." He reached up and teasingly tapped her crown. Twilight's hoof reached up and immediately smacked it away.

"Hello, Discord," she greeted back. "I need to ask you a few questions regarding the plagues that I'm sure you know about."

Discord gasped and asked, "Are you blaming moi for these disasters? Tsk, tsk, tsk. Twilight you should know better. I think you need a time out. What would Fluttershy say?" Discord snapped his claw and conjured a Dunce cone on Twilight's head, overlaying her crown. Grinning he asked, "Now what do we say?" Twilight groaned and lit her horn, surprising Discord when it broke down into sand and piled on the floor. "Well... That's new."

Rolling her eyes, Twilight persisted. "Do you have any idea on what may in fact be happening? I know you've been watching it all during your 'vacation.'"

Discord raised the pineapple to his lips and took a sip from the straw. Looking to the ceiling in thought. After a few seconds, he smacked his lips and answered, "I do. But it is so far fetched it is unlikely."

Luna demanded, "Tell us."

"My predecessor has finally woken up." He took a sip from his pineapple while that sunk in. It took a few seconds. Twilight's face was of utter confusion, Celestia's was of utter disbelief, and Luna's was straight.

Finally, Celestia gasped and asked, "Predecessor?!"

Discord laughed and answered, "Yes, every creature has a predecessor. How do you think I came to be? I can't make myself, no matter how much it looked like I did." He took the pineapple and tossed it into the air to fall into his wide open mouth. Along with the straw.

Twilight shared a glance with the other Princesses and asked, "So who is this Predecessor?"

"From what I recall? Her name is... Maheera Dark. Way before Celestia, Luna, or even Faust, there was Maheera Dark."

"So possibly around the time of Narmeelah," Twilight whispered to herself. Or what she thought was to herself.

Discord gasped loudly then leaned in to Twilight's space excited. "Narmeelah?! What do you know about Narmeelah?!"

"She's my ancestor," Twilight answered.

Taken back, Discord replied, "Well then you should know that Maheera and Narmeelah do not sip the same tea. Are you a Pseratep? Oh boy." It didn't surprise Twilight in the slightest that Discord knew what a Pseratep was.

But it certainly blew his head off when she answered, "I'm the Queen of Psera."

Discord stared at her for a second before he melted into a puddle of different colors. Then popped right back up and cheered, wearing a hat and waving a flag, both bearing the Crest of Psera. "Huzzah! Go team Eventa! Undefeated in the national Hoofball Championships! But as I was saying, you should know that Maheera and Narmeelah never had the same thing happen upstairs."

He tapped his head, implying the brain. "Harmony. While Narmeelah adored peace and prosperity, Maheera adored destruction and prosperity. From what I recall, Maheera and Narmeelah had a big falling out and both were never seen again after a huge fight. Last I heard from an old friend of mine, Narmeelah cast a spell that put herself and Maheera into a deep sleep. But based off of the signs, I'd say Maheera woke up for a midnight snack."

Twilight took a seat while her daughter hid under her wing behind her. It looked like a lump. "So who exactly is Maheera Dark?"

"The Original God of Chaos. But on a more... Deadly scale. My size compared to Maheera is like a puppy to Celestia. And a pony to Maheera is like a puppy to a full grown Dragon. If she is in fact awake, and Narmeelah is not around to control her, you run and hide."

Luna asked, "So what was her itch with Narmeelah?"

Discord snapped his fingers and created a rocking chair right behind him, which he promptly sat down in. Then pulled out two needles to crochet with. Rocking back and forth, he answered, "Narmeelah and Maheera did not share the same views. Maheera saw all the pretty things Narmeelah created disgusting, and Narmeelah saw all the destructive abominations Maheera created vile and disgraceful."

Luna commented, "It sounds to me like they both agreed each other's creations were inadequate."

"In a way. But Maheera's creations weren't like ponies or anything. As a matter of fact, Maheera can't make anything like Narmeelah. Maheera has a type of magic that possesses an object, and turns it into whatever she wants."

"Like a Virus."

"Precisely. Creatures or inanimates. She can't make anything from scratch. Most of the time they're evil golems or something. Zombie ponies. Fireballs for eyes, large sharp teeth. Practically screams pain and destruction. Narmeelah didn't like that. And Maheera didn't care. To prove it, Maheera went around and used her magic on Narmeelah's creations. Changing them from pretty ponies like Celestia to creatures like me mixed with a timberwolf and a thirst for blood. She did it before to all the lands here only once. Except Psera. I believe it was too far away or something." Discord held up the sweater created out of Random things that created the face of Narmeelah.

Twilight hummed and asked, "So Narmeelah stopped her."

"Temporarily. She put Maheera to sleep. But she may be awake. It's been nearly ten million years since then. If Maheera is awake, then Narmeelah may be as well. But I doubt that. If she were, you would know."

"So a new enemy," Celestia assumed. "An ancient enemy even before us."

"The signs of Maheera's return usually begin with what you are calling plagues. Actually, it's just Maheera's magical breath of hot air when she sighs in annoyance. Like gas when you eat something bad, It stinks up an entire room, or in this case a continent and changes everything. Next she touches something and spreads her magic over the land. It's quite interesting."

"Or like a curse," Twilight, Celestia, and Luna said at the same time.

"Yes, like that. Once the curse takes over the nature it begins to go after creatures. It latches onto the inhabitants and changes them into beings unimaginable. And then they follow Maheera's orders."



When Novo arrived back at the castle on Mount Aris, the last thing she expected to see were the Royal Guard ready for a war right behind the castle. Something was wrong. She could feel it. Her captain's light blue coat stuck out the most. Dirty with small scratches and dried blood on his cheek.

His blue eyes watched the Queen land and trot right over to him. "What happened?!" She quickly asked.

"An attack," he responded in a deep voice. "But of creatures we have never seen before." A Hippogriff squawked loudly behind them, prompting the Guard to turn around and point their spears at what looked like a dog with very sharp teeth, similar to Equestria's Timberwolves. But they were mixed with all the deadliest creatures imaginable. What was supposed to be claws appeared to be be small scythes, glowing red balls for eyes, and a white coat reddened with blood. It had latched onto the sides of one of the Guards after sneaking up from behind, digging those claws into them.

The guard beside him took his spear and whacked it in the side of the head, disorienting it before another jabbed into its side. The Hippogriff that was bitten lied on the ground before he jumped up and onto the guard who just saved his life. Before he could lay a talon on him, they were knocked out cold to the ground.

The Hippogriff who was talking to the Queen grabbed her claw and led her away.

"We have to get you out of here!" He yelled. Then took her back to the dirty muggy air right before a horde of those animals came out of the door to the castle. Screaming and screeching. Down below she could see nothing but those things, swarming the villages and towns settling in down there. Even Harmonizing Heights was flooded. How did Novo not see this before?

Novo had to focus. Shaking her head, she yelled, "Where's my daughter?!"

"She's in the east at the safe region. We're protecting her with a full contingent! The Hippogriffs that get bit turn into them! We don't know what's going on! The citizens are being rounded up and taken to the East!"



Back to Canterlot, Twilight asked, "So what is her goal?"

Discord presented an ugly sweater with a face of himself on the front. "No clue. But I'm getting the sense, just like any villain, to overwrite everything Narmeelah has created in her own image. Don't I look great on this sweater? I mean really, no creature can defeat craftsmanship like this."

"Do you know anything else about Maheera?" Luna asked.

Discord tapped his chin. "There was—Oh! Right, how could I forget that? You can't hit her. The only pony who truly had an effect on her was Narmeelah herself, which I suspect was because of Psera magic. Any other type of magic she just absorbs. You can destroy the creatures, although I suggest you don't. Because they're still ponies under there. Just... Overwritten. I've never seen Maheera fight Narmeelah, so I don't know how to take her down."

Twilight gasped with an idea and whispered, "I have a clue. Sorry, sweetie. We have to cut this visit short."

Discord was about to ask why did she just call him sweetie until he spotted the Violet colored eye peeking out from beneath Twilight's right wing. Dawn eeped and ducked right back in while Twilight lit her horn and created a portal in front of her back to Psera. "We're leaving, gentlecolts." Fresh Dawn zipped out first and zoomed straight through the portal without even saying goodbye to Celestia and Luna. The invisibility spell shrouding her guards dropped while Twilight walked forward.

"Stay in contact, Twilight," Luna called before Twilight left Equestria and stepped onto the cool marble floors of the Castle of the Gods. The twenty Elite Guards back at the castle saluted to Celestia and Luna then followed mother and daughter through the portal.

After the portal closed, Discord turned to the Princesses with a strange expression. "So... Who was hiding under Twilight's wing?"
> Chapter 09 - Ho Oh Boy; Takeover
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was pure chaos on the Eastside of Mount Aris. It was crowded, busy, and scary. Full of fear. Hippogriffs of all types and sizes were crying, running around, and shouting. Medics and doctors, those that survived were doing what they could to tend to the wounded that were nearly scratched. It almost made Queen Novo cry when she looked at the hundred something Hippogriffs running around below her, trying to get to safety while the guards were knocking back the pursuing Infected Hippogriffs. It was a battle on her home, once more.

She landed with her own group at the hill of her citizens and looked around at the chaos. "Skystar!" She shouted.

"Mom!" Skystar zipped over from out of the crowd and wrapped her hooves around Novo's neck.

Novo hugged her tight. She was safe and unharmed. That was all that mattered for her family. She pulled back and asked, "Are you hurt? What happened?"

Skystar pointed towards the ocean in the distance and answered, "They came in from Seaquestria! I think these creatures are the Griffs who never made it out. Shining Pearl helped me get out. But something happened to them in that water." Novo sighed and looked to the dead brown grass beneath her talons, making a mental note to thank her Assistant later. Twilight was right. If she didn't act by now this would all be so much worse. They needed to evacuate Mount Aris. Now.



The Castle of the Gods was silent. All eyes were on Queen Arcadia Nova's progression, making her way to the Royal Suite carrying reports and notices in front of her face. Reading and listening to her excitable daughter. Fresh Dawn was scampering around a few feet ahead of her talking about flowers. "Then daddy showed me pink flowers, red flowers, orange flowers, white flowers, so many flowers!"

Arcadia lowered the sheets and looked to Fresh Dawn with a loving smile. "That's wonderful, Sweetie. Did you enjoy yourself?" Fresh Dawn tapped her hooves together excitedly, laughing cutely. "I'll take that as a yes."

After Arcadia landed in Psera from visiting Equestria and talking to Discord, she dropped her daughter off with her husband and zoomed straight to Serl's much lower facilities. Underground, where the diary of Narmeelah was being held. Her reason? A possible international emergency. She also informed the Senate about it just to be safe. The book was secured by a six foot thick steel door that slid to the side after Queen Arcadia typed her code in on a nearby keypad.

Wearing a lab coat, mask, and covers, she walked in and made way for the book held inside of a glass box. Unlike anyone, Twilight didn't need to endanger its current state to the elements. Using her magic, she flipped it open and started reading. Taking notes and more. The book held amazing information. Narmeelah was real. How Psera was created, the gold underneath the land for building material who shockingly did what Twilight did. Changed it to steel. She never planted straight steel because it would grow too slow and prove difficult to mine. Gold was more simple and soft to extract than the coal here. Wow.

After a few hours into that evening, Twilight found what she was looking for. And dreading it. An entry of an enemy. The same one Discord told her about. "'Dear Diary,'" she read. "'The land slumbers while I stay awake. Plagued with the thoughts for my opposite. Maheera grows uneasy. Anxious to undo all I have done for the sake of equality and greed. The Goddess of Chaos makes steps to create more. I fear time is running short. As of now, she attacks the land of magic. I must act quickly.'"

Twilight hummed behind her mask. Eyes narrowed and trained on that name. Maheera. The Original God of Chaos. She wanted a world of nonsense while Narmeelah wanted order and peace. Sounded like Equestria versus Discord. Just on a way more large and deadlier scale. Twilight sighed and began to close the book before a single word caught her eye on an earlier page. Obelisk.

Obelisk? Narmeelah had tall spires and other shapes for building materials. But an Obelisk definitely wasn't one of those. None that she read or even heard about. Intrigued, Twilight opened the entry and read it. "'Dear Diary. I had another vision. This one more peculiar than the earliest. I have seen purple Crystal Obelisks surround my nation. Unbeknownst providing defense to my Pserateps, keeping Maheera herself away shall she ever approach. They hold unimaginable power. I have seen the creator as the only one who can defeat Maheera. Her magic equal to my own. The only Pseratep who has a horn, such as my Unicorns. But wings for the love of Psera. The land she walks blooms with green. A descendant of thee with streaks of purple.'" The more Twilight read, the more unbelievable it became. A white noise was beginning to ring in her ears, body shaking in fear. The clean white room was becoming blurry when all of her senses trained only on the words. "'Thy knowledge unbeaten, intelligence matches my own. My descendant of millions of generations. I have seen... Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, Saviour and Queen of Psera... Save my world.'"

Twilight raised a hoof and rang the brass bell beside the glass box madly. "Get me Bright Gold! At once!" She yelled. "My name is in the Diary of Narmeelah!"

When Bright Gold read the entry, she just stared at it with a very weird face. Like everything in her head broke. While she stared, Arcadia gathered her notes and ordered, "I want the Diary of Narmeelah packed and ready for a visit to the Senate Hall in Cop as soon as possible. I must speak with Celestia at once." After that Arcadia zipped right back to Cop and inside the castle. Her daughter just happened to be running around causing trouble again. Something involving the kitchen downstairs and a dune of sand. She somehow snuck away from the Throne Room and went adventuring. Twilight empathized her anxiety. The castle was really big. Huge actually. So for her to get lonely in here was definitely bound to happen. She was likely wandering to find someone to play with. Thus the reason her mother thought it a good idea to stick with her and keep little Dawn close.

"Daddy was strange though," Dawn added to their conversation. "He didn't want to talk."

"That's because Daddy has to run the country. Just like mommy." Arcadia lowered the papers and stacked them together. Then used her hooves to swoop her daughter up and hug her close. "But that doesn't mean we'll forget our favorite filly in the entire world! Who's my little filly?" Twilight flipped her and blew raspberries in her tummy. Dawn giggled and wiggled her hooves around.

"Mommy, stop it! That tickles!" Arcadia pulled back and levitated Dawn onto her back. Then continued walking for her office. Thankfully the Guards found it a good idea to finally leave them be while they were in the castle to give the family some space. All of that was out of their control. The Guard knew best.

Up ahead, Twilight spotted Gardeen running past onto another hallway and glance her way. She slid out of sight for a moment then doubled back down to them, huffing and puffing.

"Arcadia," she gasped, taking a breather. She slowed to a stop in front of them. Then fell on her chest, exposing her rump to the air. Twilight couldn't help but think of Pink's face if she was right behind her. Where did that thought come from? "Princess Celestia wants to speak with you as soon as possible. She's waiting for you in the Throne Room."

Arcadia nodded and ordered, "Have her escorted to my study please. And Gardeen, you need a break. Really." She leaned in and whispered, "Maybe with Pink? Try not to have your flank up in the air like that unless she's around watching somewhere." Gardeen immediately shot up and looked around with dark red cheeks.

"Y-Y-Yes, ma'am." Arcadia smiled before Gardeen shuffled off, leaving Arcadia with her daughter once again.

Dawn watched her walk away for a moment. Then yelled, "Aunt Gardeen!!" Gardeen turned around to the little Princess with a face of wait. "Bring back Maphitos!"

"No, no Maphitos!" Arcadia quickly denied. Then shuffled off for her office. What was so important that Celestia had to come here during her Ruling? She told Celestia to only come if it were an emergency.

Maybe it was an emergency.

Arcadia broke into a run with Fresh Dawn's hooves around her neck. After a few minutes she slowed down to in front of the violet double doors, flanked by two Elite Guards wearing violet steel armor with Twilight's insignia on the sides. They saluted as she walked past with Dawn, who responded in her own cute little way.

Waving wildly, she greeted, "Hi, everypony! Hi, hi!" The guards smiled at her while Arcadia used her magic to open the doors, revealing the glowing room, lit by an artificial sun rotating from above that could warm the room. Arcadia's study, or office was the biggest in the entire castle. Unlike in the past, it had been remodeled by herself, expanding the packed bookcases up two floors, packed with books from the castle back in Equestria. Along with some from Canterlot and the Crystal Empire. Decorative overgrowth grew on the bookcases, traveling up on the borders between them while flowers and more grew. Large paintings and pictures flanked the wall behind her desk of her friends in Equestria, in Psera, newspapers of her, pictures of her family, and many more.

And in the middle inside a glass box on the wall was the Sparkle Sword, kept under a locking enchantment to keep ponies from taking it. After her husband gifted it to her when she was crowned in front of all of Psera, Arcadia placed a bit of her magic inside, creating a glow and an emergency escape effort. At the time it held one-fourth of her magic before it all came back to her from Psera's love. The sword held great magic. So much energy.

Once the doors were shut, Arcadia calmly walked towards her desk and placed her documents down. She levitated Fresh Dawn off her back into her chair to grab a folder. Grinning, Dawn ran her hooves over the cool wood of the desk, fawning at her reflection on the top. Blinking at it, she looked up towards her mother, who was smiling just the same. Twilight was already seeing a young queen at the age of four. But first, she had to make one thing known.

Sighing, she softly placed the notes inside the folder she found. Then sat down and picked up her daughter, smiling into her eyes. "Dawn... When you grow up, I want you to know something," she whispered.

"What's that, mommy?" she whispered back. Her eyes were so full of life and attention.

Arcadia reached down and softly stroked her mane. "That you don't have to be Queen. When you were born, you were given the right to become Queen when either your father or I step down from the throne or move on to be with Narmeelah because of Psera's laws. But you don't have to make that choice. In the end, your happiness is what counts. Okay?"

Dawn blinked at her. With an ear flick she replied, "I don't get it."

"When you become older, you will know. I love you, Dawn."

"I love you too, mommy." The two shared a deep nuzzle that lasted seconds. Dawn knew that if there was no one else around, her mother definitely would be. They ceased their nuzzling after Arcadia planted a kiss on her head. And after somepony knocked politely on the door.

Coming up with an idea, Arcadia smiled and asked, "Want to play a joke on Aunt Celestia? I want you to say this, okay?"

On the other side, the Guards were eyeing the Princess oddly. She didn't look too good, but they were going to leave it to their Queen to handle. Celestia swallowed and tried to straighten her multicolored mane. "Enter!" A small squeaky voice yelled. Strange. Celestia took a deep breath and pushed the handle down.

The office was elegant as always. Full of light, bright, warm. Decorative. Neat and in a system. Just how Twilight likes it.

Celestia quickly strode across the carpeted floor bearing a giant version of Twilight's cutie mark towards the desk with the backwards-facing chair right behind it. Celestia's mane was all over the place, and her eyes held a tired look to them.

"Twilight, we have an emergency involving all IHT Members," she immediately started off. "There are creatures matching Discord's description raiding their lands and hurting others. They are currently residing in Equestria, but I fear we have only just begun in these strange attacks... Twilight?"

The chair swiveled around, revealing... Fresh Dawn?! She was grinning like usual with outstretched hooves. "Hi, Aunt Celestia! Welcome to my castle! Did you come to see me? Or mommy? Or daddy? Or Grandma? Or Aunt Merry?"

Oh Faust, no. "Hi, Fresh Dawn. Yes, I've come to see your mother. Where is she?"

"Right behind you!"

Celestia turned around and yelped at Twilight's grinning face. The Queen laughed then poked Celestia's nose. "Gotcha! Sorry, I'm not really good at jokes. Now what is this about IHT Members being attacked? Great job, Dawn."

While Arcadia made her way around Celestia and for her chair, she answered, "Equestria has unfortunately been suddenly stuck with all the creatures of the world!"

Twilight nearly tripped out of surprise. She grabbed Dawn in her magic and sat down with her on her lap. "What? How? Why? When?... And where are they being held? Equestria's only so big, it's nearly impossible to hold them all."

Celestia sighed and sat down. "We have placed them everywhere, but mainly in the north. The Creatures Discord spoke of have landed on the foreign lands and infected a majority amount. Just as he said, we can't hurt them. They're still ponies, you can see it."

Twilight asked, "Wait, when did you even start opening your borders for them?"

"We didn't. Let me tell you how it happened."


Seven Days Ago, East Coastline of Equestria


Mount Aris was a friendly nation with Equestria. Everyone on both lands knew that. Those ponies were allowed in. You couldn't miss a Hippogriff if you tried. But other countries had to have special access. Those that didn't had to be excluded and apply for entry through the Embassies in their lands. The Guards that stood at their post were slightly sloppy. But overall good. They never really had to worry about anything in the past. But now, things were slightly tense. Thanks to these plagues, the coast to Mount Aris was dense with a brown fog of some sort. And it was silent. The train conductor who moved the train that way was paranoid. So much so that the train system administrators ceased operations for Aris.

All eyes were on the haze, watching every single speck behind it move. Of course there was always that one pony who just needed to break the silence. The eerie creepy silence that washed over everything. Even the wind just stopped. The line of guards were like a large bar of gold to anyone incoming. Full of Earth Pony, Unicorn, and Pegasi. "Hey." Everyone turned to the pony in the middle, investigating his crossbow. "So I got this new crossbow. I have yet to test it out."

The guard on his left asked, "We all have new crossbows. Why is yours so special?"

"Because... I painted mine." The guard rolled his eyes and focused back on the distance when suddenly something screamed. He widened his eyes and whispered, "What the buck?"

The Captain raised his hoof and yelled, "Hold your fire! Hold it!" The Guard all trained their weapons on the fog but didn't make a move. The Guard who was very fascinated on his new gear took a few deep breaths. A Hippogriff. One single Hippogriff ran out of the fog, heading straight for them.

"Help! They're attacking, they're—" Another Hippogriff or something, one that looked extremely dangerous ran out of the haze and jumped right on the other, pinning him to the ground. This one had long fangs and claws, a mishmash of creatures. The guard gasped before the Hippogriff was dragged back into the fog. His screams died down. Then everything was once again silent.

"What was that?" The Captain whispered. Using his magic, he grabbed the sword on his waist and readied himself.

"Above!" They all looked up at the sky at what looked like an army of dirty Hippogriffs and Queen Novo, all flying straight into Equestria. One of their guards swooped down low and landed in front of the Captain of the Border.

Saluting, he stated, "Captain Rising Showers! We are requesting assistance in arms!"

"At ease, what's going on?" The captain asked. Then readied his sword and spectated the faint outline of the great land of Mount Aris.

"Creatures of unknown origin are attacking Mount Aris and we believe Seaquestria! We aren't sure what, but when they bite another Griff, they morph into them!" The captain turned towards the Mountain and pointed a claw. "There's a horde of thousands up there! We're doing everything we can to keep them back, but no magic affects them! It's unnatural!"

"Incoming!" The captains turned towards the water below and witnessed an entire army of those things run out and onto the beach, heading straight for the hill. Some took to the air, claws and teeth ready.

The unicorns stepped back and locked their hooves into the dirt. Then fired wave after wave of magic at them. But like he said, it never affected them, instead went straight into their bodies and disappeared. They landed on the ground and swiped their claws, hitting the guards one by one.

"Fall back, fall back!" The guards dropped their weapons and ran back towards the land while the Captains followed their own soldiers. Some never made it. Those retreating could hear their voices fading into the growls and howls behind them. "Sound the ALARM!!"

While frustration and a battle waged on the East, Central Equestria stayed put. Elegant and beautiful. The castle glistened from the sun's rays, made possible by Celestia reading on the throne next to Luna. She herself was entirely focused on building a boat in a bottle. Her tongue was sticking out while her eyes were narrowed. Locked in on the piece. Almost there... Almost got it...

The door to the room burst open, forcing Luna to lose focus. Her magic lost hold of the bottle, which fell to the floor and shattered. Celestia and Luna both stared at it for a moment. Then up to the pony who barged in. Surprised and taken back by what they saw. A huffing guard with a plethora of scratches on his armor and one on his cheek was saluting. "Your majesties! Mount Aris is under attack! Hippogriffs have flown here for safety!"

"What?! By whom?!" Celestia didn't wait for an answer. She threw her book to the side and ran towards the door, then out into the hall with Luna closely behind. Along the way, guards readied their weapons. Instructions and orders were given before they flew out the door to whatever fight was happening.

The doors were pushed open into the outside world. All over Canterlot, Hippogriffs were landing, scaring the ponies a little down below them. So much they ran in stores, shut and locked the doors, and hid. Celestia looked around in worry. They did not look good. Their coats and such were dirty, some had deep gashes, scratches, all types of injuries. "Where is Queen Novo? Novo!"

At the mention of her name, Queen Novo looked down from her position in the sky. Many Hippogriffs remained out there, but unfortunately she couldn't save them. At least not all of them. They could only run. Sighing, she jetted down to the ground below. Celestia watched her land, then trotted over to look her over. She didn't look injured. A little scratch here or there on her pristine coat. Other than that she was unharmed.

Luna quickly asked, "What has happened?"

Catching her breath, Queen Novo answered, "Creatures. Monsters! Something is latching onto my ponies and changing them into blood thirsty monstrosities! Taking them down by a single bite or cut! We flew here as fast as we can. My Hippogriffs need medical attention, as you can see." She turned her head around towards the tired Hippogriffs, all waiting for them.

Celestia and Luna shared a look. What happened out there in that fog? Luna asked, "What did they look like?"

"They had the shape and body of a Hippogriff and Seapony. However, they were mixed with all types of dangerous creatures. Snakes, bears, Cockatrices, Timberwolves. It was... It was..."

"Chaotic," Celestia finished for her. She and Luna shared a knowing look. It was happening. They needed to get in contact with Psera as soon as possible. Celestia looked back to Nova and ordered, "Have your citizens move to the land in between Ponyville and Canterlot. It's more than big enough. We'll work out a solution as soon as possible."


Currently


Celestia took another sip of the tea Twilight made to cool her nerves. Then set down the cup on and continued. "Soon after, Breighton, The Forgotten Lands, Prance, even South Neighton, all that were left of them came to Equestria. There were not many of each, but we've run out of space. We're doing what we can to hide the existence of Psera by providing a twenty-four hour glamour through our guards. Because we had to use out our cities. Whatever these creatures are, they do not enter Equestria."

Twilight raised an eyebrow in question. "Why not? Maheera would have everyone in her hooves by then." Twilight took a sip from her own cup with her eyes on Celestia. Fresh Dawn was in the corner playing with her toys, oblivious to their discussion.

Celestia shook her head and answered, "We are  unsure. But whatever is happening, all of our military have joined forces to stop them. But we can only do so much. Not to mention, they continue asking for you. We're doing everything we can to ensure you aren't disturbed, but the situation is spiraling out of our control."

Twilight sighed and closed her eyes. The entire world was in an international crisis right now. In the same month they had a theory on what may in fact be going on. "Where are they located?"

"Mostly in between Ponyville and Las Pegasus. No creatures are allowed in the woods. We know they are waiting outside of our borders. Our military are waiting for them."

"Keep them there until it becomes too much. I am sorry this is happening to you, even South Neighton. Thankfully, you're in luck." Celestia gestured with her hoof for Twilight to continue. "Three days ago after our meeting with Discord, I visited the Diary of Narmeelah to investigate what he said. And made... A chilling discovery." Celestia could tell that whatever she found inside of that book made Twilight a little scared. She shivered and one of her feathers on her large wings fell off. "I discovered my name."

Celestia set down the cup and repeated, "Your name."

"My name. Written in a diary over ten million years ago. Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle. My name was written from a vision Narmeelah had. The reason she had it was because I was meant to save the world. Against Maheera."

"She knew about this," Celestia assumed. "That Maheera was going to get the upperhoof eventually."

Twilight sighed and stood up from her chair, staring up at the large globe above, providing light and heat. "Yes, she did. And she knew that I was going to save it. After that, I had the Diary carried back here permanently, deep within the Castle in a secure location that nopony can get through. I read through it a few more times and discovered... I play a huge role with all of this."

Twilight walked over to her daughter. Too busy making kissing sounds to even notice until Arcadia picked her up. She squealed out of surprise and stopped moving. "That I am supposed to save everyone by taking Narmeelah's place." Twilight looked back towards Celestia with a straight expression and stated, "I am supposed to fight Maheera. Because only my magic matches the strength of Narmeelah's. It has the same signature, makeup, and compound to be able to hit her. The reason your magic doesn't work against these creatures is because only Pseratep magic works against them."

"You're talking as if Maheera created these creatures," Celestia corrected. "I was told they crawled out of the water and bit others, changing them into monsters."

"Maheera creates these monsters by spreading her magic through the land. Like a shadow. You step in the shadow, you change. Your mind is taken over and you are overwritten. You can be saved, but I don't know how to do that. It's not in her diary. After that, the creatures start spreading by biting, yes. Tired, Dawn?" Dawn yawned and smacked her lips, curling her body into a cute little ball while Arcadia cradled her. "I'll take that as a yes. I'm meeting with the Senate Hall about these discoveries soon. Did you need anything?"

Celestia sighed and turned her head. She was already regretting this. But Celestia answered, "Equestria is becoming overloaded with creatures and we are surrounded by the enemy. They appeared out of nowhere, took us by surprise and weakened us by a few days. Our military is no good if our magic won't work on them. All of our lands are completely overtaken by them in such a short amount of time."

"Are you requesting Military assistance?" Twilight asked.

"We are requesting Psera's assistance, Queen Arcadia. We are requesting... A sanctuary on Psera."
> Chapter 10 - Ready Arms
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia could feel how tense that made Twilight. And possibly Fresh Dawn since her snoring stopped. Twilight locked eyes with Celestia and practically stared through them. Celestia knew her student. She knew her well enough to know that Twilight was thinking. That amazing brain was processing. But processing what exactly? In mere seconds, Twilight sighed and looked back down to her filly. She was curled up in her hooves and sleeping peacefully.

"I... Promised that I would never house others here..." Celestia could feel she was going to say more. "I... l will speak with Madun when I see him. You are requesting an extremely big favor Celestia. But I understand why. Psera is the last known place on the globe unaffected by Maheera's Chaos. We haven't even seen her yet and she has taken over. But Psera knows about her. Who she is, where she came from, and are now looking for how to take her down, the upper hoof. And they house the only pony who can fight her."

"So there is a possibility?" Celestia whispered excitedly.

Twilight nodded. "Yes. But as you know, I need intelligence and more to proof your claims. You, myself, Luna, and Cadance all know something evil is out there. As well as the rest of the world. Except the citizens of Psera. They know nothing of this. And I would very much like it to stay that way. But we both know that's not an option. I can't keep secrets from my ponies. I will tell them what is happening. Give me up to four weeks. That is all I can do right now. Send for Ambassador Shimmer and Secretary Glimmer with proof of these claims and we'll move forward from there."

Celestia stood up and calmly approached her. "You. Have. No idea how grateful we all will be."

"I hope so. Honor and respect is huge in Psera tradition. I'll be watching South Neighton like a Hawk. How is my family?"

Celestia stopped beside Twilight and looked down at Fresh Dawn. "They are in Canterlot riding it out as best as they can. She's so precious." Celestia leaned down and almost unnoticeably nuzzled her head of orange-red hair.

"She's our little baby." They looked towards the door at the King of Psera. Striding in with a tired smile. "Hello, Celestia. How are my two girls?"

Arcadia smiled at him then focused back on her filly. Her hooves danced in her sleep when her father approached and kissed the side of her head. "Well one is asleep, and the other needs some. I'm glad you're here. Celestia was just telling me about an International Global Crisis." Twilight looked up and added, "That was mentioned in the Diary of Narmeelah."

"So you did read it." Madun leaned in and nuzzled Arcadia's cheek. "What is the crisis?"

"A foe Narmeelah fought in the past in secret has awoken. But Narmeelah hasn't, leaving everything vulnerable. The creature is the Original God of Chaos, and they wish to overwrite everything Narmeelah has ever created. So far they have taken over Breighton, South Neighton, North Neighton, Prance, Mount Aris and Seaquestria, Saddle Arabia, Hoof Yun, Zebrica, and The Forgotten Land. All by using a magic to overwrite the—I assume—body and mind of the citizens. I have yet to hear on the status of The Dragon Lands. All of this is mentioned in the Diary of Narmeelah.

According to her, the only safe place where her magic cannot reach... Is Psera. Whether literally or figuratively, I have yet to decipher. But either way, she never comes here."

They were in a real pickle. Madun's eyes narrowed and focused. He glanced up to Celestia. "And what of Equestria?" He asked.

Celestia answered, "It is beginning to crowd. Our magic does not hurt these creatures. Everypony is coming to Equestria since they have yet to attack there and they attack in hordes like animals. Now we're waiting for them to pour in from the sea."

Arcadia clarified, "That means when they attack, they are like dogs. Every three per one pony. Based on my estimates, IHT outnumbers them by a vast majority, but it would be pointless if magic doesn't hurt them, and a mere scratch and or bite changes them immediately."

Celestia added, "Magic is our number one weapon. But it has been taken from us. As of this moment, we are doing what we can but are indeed sitting ducks. Once they flood Equestria, every creature will be done for. Equestria is requesting Sanctuary in Psera."

Madun was about to say no. But after a quick thought, he understood. Equestria, the last known place in the world that was safe would eventually be over run and the world would lose. In a matter of a month from a threat no one knew about. Leaving Psera isolated. They were already alone but the Government had actually admitted that partnering with Equestria was actually quite pleasant. When they weren't shooting ponies with arrows.

Madun sighed and replied, "I will organize an Emergency Senate meeting at once. Send for Ambassador Shimmer and any other representative; Equestria needs their leaders." Madun leaned in to nuzzle his daughter and plant a kiss on her forehead. Then shuffled out of the room. "I'll see you back home, love."

"Okay." Twilight turned back to Celestia and nodded once. "We'll do what we can while you hold out as long as you can. Gather proof of these claims. We can't mobilize our military until then."

"I will. Thank you, Queen Arcadia." They shared one more nuzzle before Celestia shuffled off urgently after Madun. Arcadia watched her run out, dreading what would happen next. They will indubitably help them. Psera was kind, but definitely had a firm hoof. Will it be too late? Hopefully not. Arcadia knew Maheera's plan. She could see it plain as day. She was rounding them up, all in one place, fish in a barrel. Then once they were all there, she'd send the signal. They would all fall.

But why? It was a legendary move that she tried to use on Narmeelah over ten million years ago. It didn't work on her, the creator of everything. But the pony they needed to defeat her was asleep. Or gone. Now they need the descendant who holds enough power to defeat her. As well as a pinch of her magical signature to break through the creatures.

They needed Arcadia. The whole world does.

Twilight looked down at her daughter, sleeping peacefully in her hooves. She didn't want her growing up in a world where danger lingered right outside the country. The safest place at this moment were behind the Obelisks one hundred miles off the coast, filled to the brim with her magic and providing a possible gate. A pass that Maheera wouldn't and couldn't get through. It would be suicide. They could stay and hide here. But if they didn't fight, Maheera would build an empire around them. They needed to fight.

With a goal in mind, Arcadia stood up and made her way for the doors. But before she opened them, she stopped and glanced over her shoulder at her sword hanging on the wall. She had a nagging feeling it was going to see some use.



Dragons, Zebras, Earth Ponies, Unicorns, Pegasi, Alicorns from the Forgotten Land. The Yaks' status was unknown. All riddling each and every city of Equestria. When Celestia said they were crowded it was true. The rooftops of buildings in all the cities were being used as makeshift homes. The Zebras were camping out. Twilight's friends could see the pressure all the way from in front of "Twilight's Castle", disguised as a glamour. But everypony in Equestria knew what was really behind that spell.

The Elements of Harmony and their friends were watching from in front of the disguised Embassy of Psera, observing all of the creatures moving around Ponyville from afar. The refugees were kept away from this area as far as possible. Even while things were hitting the fan, Psera was still kept secret.

Rainbow drafted a wing over Fluttershy, holding her close and cradling her with worried eyes on the town. As a Wonderbolt, she's required to assist in emergencies. But even while deployed she'd watch out for her friends.

Sunset Shimmer took on the responsibility of having the Element of Magic on her person in a saddlebag, as well as her communication journal. At all times. All of Twilight's friends were watching the madness with uncertainty. Within three days, all of the countries fled and stayed in Equestria.

Their armies were doing all the training and forging of weaponry as fast as they could. The Crystal Empire had been evacuated as a precaution. If those creatures and monsters managed to storm the Empire, everypony would be sitting ducks. Either face the monsters, or the bitter cold that would freeze them all.

The Crystal Heart was packed up, sealed and taken all the way to Las Pegasus with the Pserateps there for protection, leaving the empire to be overlayed with snow and ice. They were more than capable of assisting. But per the Psera-Equestria Trade Treaty weren't allowed to assist except through an executive order.

The Wonderbolts were offering their speed as lookouts to zip in and out of the border's airspace as fast as possible and report on the enemy's positions. They weren't moving. More like waiting. 

Sunset turned to Rainbow and asked, "Any news?"

"They're just gathering on the border," she answered. "We're doing what we can. But everypony knows that without magic, we're done. Even Starswirl can't help us out here. Rockhoof unfortunately can't take down ten ponies at once without getting touched."

Applejack grabbed her stetson and slammed it on the ground. "Consarnit!" She yelled. Then took a calming breath and whispered, "We're done for."

"Not yet, my little pony." Everyone in front of the castle turned their heads around to Celestia who was walking out of the double doors. Smiling, she clarified, "Our friends overseas have summoned an emergency meeting with their Senate. But they need claims, evidence, and a story. Sunset Shimmer? The Royal Family calls upon you and Starlight Glimmer to attend. Grab the evidence and go."

Sunset and Starlight gasped and looked at each other. Then immediately took off for Ponyville. It wouldn't take much to grab evidence. It was flying through the air. Trixie raised a hoof and cried, "Do us a solid, Starlight!"

Rainbow turned to face Celestia and asked, "Can they help us fight these guys? I've seriously been waiting for some action from them."

Celestia sighed and answered. "It goes deeper than that. Our magic will not work on them... Because only Pseratep magic can."

Applejack zipped over and stated, "So they will help. Right?"

"Fifty-fifty. Yes or no. Hopefully, Queen Arcadia and King Madum can secure us a yes. They have substantial evidence that Psera is unfortunately involved. In this."

"How? What evidence?"

Celestia sat down and answered, "Narmeelah. You already know that she is the creator of Psera. But according to Twilight and everyone else there, Narmeelah is the creator of everything. All the land, water, everything. Equestria, Saddle Arabia, Mount Aris. The creature we are facing is an old enemy of Narmeelah. Nothing else can fight them but her. Discord called them, 'Maheera Dark. The original God of Chaos."

Rarity assumed, "So we're up against Discord's mother?"

"Not sure. But they're much more powerful. You'll need a surplus of magic to defeat her with a specific signature. Which means..."

"Twilight," Pinkie figured.

Celestia nodded. "Correct. The Pserateps, who gain magic from each other. And their Queen, who has even more magic than myself, Luna, Cadance, the Alicorns, everypony noticeable combined. Only Queen Twilight can fight her."

"Well where the buck is she?!" Rainbow shouted. She flew up and exclaimed, "We need her!"

Celestia shook her head and answered, "She didn't even know any of this was happening until this afternoon. When I told her. They just initiated an emergency meeting with the ponies who will decide Yes or No. It relies on every creature. Including Starlight and Sunset." They turned back towards the road that Sunset and Starlight were anxiously approaching from. "For now, we need to hold out as long as we can. Sunset? Starlight?" The two slid to an anxious stop at Celestia's hooves. "Please. Be convincing."

Sunset nodded and led Starlight through the Glamour. The Embassy looked strange. Really strange and not Equestrian. Behind the Glamour were an entire row of Elite Guard. Weapons out and ready. Unlike any of the other countries out there, theirs were like electrical crossbows. Small rotating cannons on the side of their bodies underneath the large wings fitted with extremely sharp blades. One of them even had a very long blaster-thing of some sort at the top of the building.

Starlight and Sunset shared a glance when they entered the Embassy. They really needed soldiers like that. It was no news that Psera was a military nation. Heck, Events at Eventa looked like a military base on its own. Same for the Castle.

They slowed their speed and walked towards a guarded door. Sunset and Starlight flashed their badges, earning a nod from the Guards standing in their common stoic positions. Given the green light, Sunset and Starlight opened the door for the Portal room and walked in front of the violet colored portal in the middle of a giant steel ring, reading "Psera" at the top. Arcadia had this made when the Embassy first opened. It's master connection was in Psera. If there was a threat in Equestria and Psera knew about it, the one there would be shut down, and this one would mirror it.

Sunset took a deep breath to gather her wits. Then opened her eyes and strode right through with Starlight into the International Embassy of Equestria. They knew the drill. The Guards there immediately barked, "Hooves apart, stand up straight, let's go."

Once patted down and hair checked, they were given the green light out of the Portal room and into the large offices. Like an office complex, the offices were placed in glass cubicles, sized to accommodate the wings of the Pserateps in here. The second floor was pretty much the same, along with the back that actually contained records and meeting rooms. The glass that made up the walls of the Embassy let in the heat and sunlight, blinding Sunset and Starlight. But they were more adapted to it, having been here on multiple occasions for visits and other things.

Pserateps of all forms strode around with papers and documents. Not many ponies knew of Psera in the world. Only Equestria. They watched them move around for a moment, long wings behind them. Starlight nudged Sunset, taking her out of her trance and into the present.

"Let's go," she said. Then shuffled off for the front doors at the end. Sunset huffed then walked across the glossy floors behind her. On the way, she happened to look up at the many LiVAMs attached to a few areas and regions that held the news talking about an Emergency Senate Meeting involving "The Diary of Narmeelah." Sunset bet her bits Twilight had it with her.

They exited the building into what looked like paradise. High buildings, tall palm trees lining the meridian of the streets packed with Pserateps driving Pods, ready to head home among the setting sun in a cloudless sky. "Hey. It's a Sunset, Sunset." Sunset sighed at the lame pun Starlight just told her from the bottom steps near the street. 

She rolled her eyes and followed her once more to the crosswalk, waiting for the signal to cross to the other side with the other Pserateps ready to head home. They had to get to the Castle of the Gods, very suiting since they could see it's gigantic structure from this far away.

It took them five years to build this magnificent place. And it was open to the public with, of course Guards. Can't have the Royal Family and little Fresh Dawn in danger. She was just too cute to be in the middle of that.

They walked up and down the sidewalk, passing other Pserateps who eyed them briefly before moving along. These ponies have some serious wings, Starlight thought. She passed one whose were beginning to hit the cement ground like the Queen's. They stopped in front of an ice cream shop for a moment and peeked through the windows. They've only tasted the food here once and that was during the wedding months before all of that Cold War stuff started happening. Other than that, nope.

Tired of mentally savoring those delicious treats, Sunset poked Starlight and they were on the move again. After nearly getting hit by a Pod and ducking under a landing Pseratep, admittedly one of the most exciting instances in Sunset's life, they arrived at the magnificent Castle of the Gods, front packed with Press. Including other Pserateps wearing those lab coats and more. Some had on suits and ties. Whatever was happening, it involved S3, or whoever the heck managed all of this. Who were they anyway? Sunset knew for a fact that Twilight wasn't telling them everything about Psera. Like how they managed to create all of this stuff. There were ponies driving vehicles here, for crying out loud! Where do they even make those? They couldn't be in Merōl!

Starlight sighed and adjusted the badge around her neck. Then approached a security guard and held it up. "We're here for Queen Arcadia Nova's evidence during the Emergency meeting."

The Guard scanned the badge for a moment before utilizing his Comm Block and relaying, "We have two Unicorns from the International Embassy of Equestria who say they are with Queen Arcadia." He listened to the voice in his earpiece for a moment. Then responded, "Ten-four." He stepped to the side and gestured with his head for them to enter.

They quickly passed through the gates to the staircases leading up to the many doors inside, packed already. Sunset felt the tension in the air the second they walked past the other Government leaders into the magnificent and grand foyer of the Castle of the Gods. Sunset couldn't even see where they were going, it was so packed in there. Where's the organization?

"Hey, there's Gardeen Daisy," Starlight whispered in her ear. Then pointed towards the side where a white coated Pseratep with a silver mane was sitting. Starlight took the lead and made way over there, moving through the fast Pserateps. She was looking at a clipboard, checking off something before they blocked her light, grabbing her attention.

She glanced up to find the source of her disturbance. Then dropped her pen and greeted, "Hello, Ambassador Shimmer. Starlight. Her highness has been expecting you. She's in the Senate Hall already and told me to look out for you. How is everything?"

Sunset sighed and answered, "Honestly? Tense."

"I understand. Follow me." After tucking away her clipboard, she rose and made her way down the hallway towards the other Pserateps with Sunset and Starlight directly on her wings. "From what I was told," she whispered. "An imminent disaster is nearing our shores?"

Sunset shook her head and answered, "Not sure about Psera's borders. But it has already reached every other single nation. Countries all around have been taken over by some unknown force and we can't fight them because our magic doesn't affect them. Every creature except the dragons reside in Equestria now and we're surrounded. When they attack, everyone loses. We need Psera's help."

"And that's why this is an emergency, I see. Over here." Gardeen lead them down a hallway past two big and muscular Pserateps wearing Queen Arcadia's armor. The Arcadian Guard. A branch for the Elite that consisted only of the strongest of Pserateps. Like Pump-weight-everyday strong. Something Rainbow Dash would be into. Gardeen walked past them without a sweat while Sunset and Starlight were more careful. Man if Equestria had those guys with them it'd be over before it even started. They were matted down with stell, not a single piece of fur was out. Even their wings. It must've been difficult to fly.

Gardeen approached the door on the end and knocked calmly. "Enter," a calm voice responded. She twisted the door handle and stepped to the side, letting in Starlight and Sunset. Twilight was sitting in the middle of a waiting room speaking to Molten Ice.

In her hooves she held Fresh Dawn. Her first Granddaughter. Her little hoof was reaching up towards her chin and batting at it while her mother delivered instructions.

"Make sure she goes to sleep with Blue Sky." Using her magic, Twilight made the little doll in Fresh Dawn's hooves shake, pulling a bit of laughter out of the filly. "And that she gets her blanky. She can never go to sleep without her blanky and Blue Sky."

"I can too!" Fresh Dawn denied. "I'm a big Falafel, I can!"

"Filly, dear," Twilight corrected. "Make sure—"

"Twilight, Twilight!" Molten interrupted. She laughed and stated, "I've raised two foals already, I know what Fresh Dawn needs. Just do what you have to do for Psera. They're your children now too." She turned to Sunset and Starlight awkwardly standing by with Gardeen. "Hello, girls. How are you?"

"Tense," Starlight repeated. Then turned to Twilight and greeted, "Hey, Queen Twilight. Haven't seen you in a while. How's the mom and married life as a Queen?"

Twilight sighed and answered, "Stressful. How's Equestria doing so far?"

Sunset strode over and reached into her saddlebag with her magic, pulling out a card. "We're holding out, but every creature knows it's any time. We've lost a half of our troops to this army and we can't hit them. Only run." She hoofed the card over to Arcadia who took it in her own grip.

"So that's what Discord meant," Arcadia muttered to herself aloud. She sighed and turned back to her daughter. After a quick nuzzle and a peck, she stood up and told her, "I have to go meet daddy, okay? I promise I'll be back."

"Bye, mommy!" Fresh Dawn called. She wasn't worried. Dawn had Grandma Icy.

Arcadia smiled at her then walked towards the girls by the door. Sunset could just feel the magic pouring off of Twilight. It was as if she were getting stronger everyday. She may have been the same size of herself, but there were miles worth of raw magic in that itty bitty body, if not around it. Her wings dragging the long floor were a prime example.

"Let's go," Arcadia ordered them. She walked past and out into the hallway. "Milk, Molten!"

"I'll give her some," Her Majesty responded. "She's in safe hooves."

After they breached the hallway, the Arcadian Elite Royal Guard abandoned their post and followed after her. Those guys were like boulders rolling after Starlight and Sunset. They were just that big.

Everyone that were in the hallway earlier had vanished by now. Probably in that four-doored room they were approaching.

"Madun is already inside," Arcadia informed. She held up the card Sunset hoofed over in her magic and asked, "Everything is up here?"

"Yes," she answered. "I still have no idea how you guys make this stuff."

"It's a secret," Twilight responded. At least she was obviously honest.

The guards standing by the doors saluted then pulled them open to allow Queen Arcadia inside and everyone else with her. Just like Sunset assumed, all the ponies they saw in the hallway were in the Senate Hall. It looked like the throne room but with eight seats at the panel and elevated ones across. Like the Supreme Court on Earth.

When Arcadia stepped into the room, all conversations cut, everyone stood up and bowed deeply. Even the Pserateps on the Panel.

Upon entry Arcadia ordered, "You may be seated."

As instructed, the Pserateps all sat down and focused on her. She gestured for Sunset and Starlight to follow after her towards Madun. One of the ponies on the panel, a blue themed stallion greeted, "Good evening, your highness." Sunset recognized him as the same Pseratep who swore Arcadia to the throne so long ago.

"Good evening, Judge Berry. Thank you all for responding so quickly." She stepped into the middle of the floor while Sunset and everyone else stepped back where Madun was sitting. "First off, I want to thank everyone for attending at the last moment. But an emergency has come to my attention this afternoon from Princess Celestia, one of the ruling Princesses of Equestria. She has been burdened with the task of looking out for multiple nations at this very moment from a threat. Of Psera origin."

The hall erupted into chatter a little before one of the judges, a yellow one raised his hoof, silencing the hall. "Could you elaborate more, my Queen?"

"Early this week, I retrieved the famed Diary of Narmeelah, which revealed everything we theorized were inside after I opened it. As well as the fact that I am a descendant of Narmeelah herself. Thus giving me the ability to open the book. When I did, I read through every chapter discovered many things. Including my own name written in the book millions of years before I was even born. The story was that Narmeelah wasn't the only living deity. With Harmony and Peace, there is Chaos and Destruction. A balance of peace and harmony with disharmony and chaos.

"A being by the name of Maheera Dark, a secret foe of Narmeelah, sought to overwrite everything Narmeelah created. All creatures, lands, everything you can think of. But not Psera. Why, I'm not sure. But we were not in her eyes. Narmeelah describes Maheera in her Diary as a being of unnatural power, able to wield and control anything to her word and magicks. Her last entry being the night she disappeared. And hid the Diary."

"She hid the Diary?" One of the ponies behind her repeated.

"According to her words in the Diary," Twilight cleared her throat and recalled, "'This book holds the answers to the strength and reason for Psera. Even though I will slumber, I knew my vision will come true. And this book be found by the right one.' She hid the Diary and created a spell that put the both of them to sleep. Maheera and Narmeelah both. The reason I called this meeting is because Maheera Dark has awoken. Early this month, I visited Equestria incognito to keep Psera a secret in a meeting. In that meeting I learned that the lands were all experiencing plagues of unnatural causes.

"Plants were dying, fruit melted, trees coming to life in lands of no magic, like Saddle Arabia. Those lands were depending on each other to help. I even gave one some of my Starswirl the Bearded books to help in trade of the Diary. From what I was told, the spells did not work. Why? Because what was happening there in the Forgotten Land was of magic that no pony can heal. Except Narmeelah's magic. Psera Magic.

"Shortly after, as of three days ago, Mount Aris and Seaquestria were overrun by creatures of unnatural origins. Ambassador Shimmer delivered to me a recording of this event from the memory of a Hippogriff who claims witnesses the start." Twilight tossed the card Sunset hoofed over to her earlier in the middle of the floor and stepped back before it glowed and shot a beam of blue light into the air. Then split off diagonally, creating a light blue "V". In the middle was a recording from a memory of a Hippogriff running through the woods. Huffing and puffing. Pushing aside brush and branches.

"This is from the memory of a Hippogriff in one of the southern cities of Mount Aris," Sunset clarified.

The Hippogriff ran out into the clearing of a town, hustling and bustling. "Everygriff!" He shouted. "You have to run! you have to run now!!" The Hippogriffs there stopped and looked at him for a moment. Then continued what they were doing. "You don't understand!! Run!" He turned to the left and watched a foal, a filly walk towards the woods for a ball that had rolled over. Before something black like a shadow shot out and grabbed her. She screamed and flapped her small wings before the pony yelling ran over and grabbed a stick. Then hit the darkness with all he had. Once the shadow let go, he grabbed the filly and hightailed it back towards the shocked and screaming Hippogriffs.

"What is that?!!" One of them yelled.

"No questions, run! Run!" He turned to the left at a bunch of them who were beginning to turn around and fly away. But were grabbed by the shadow and taken into the woods. "NOOOO!" A few seconds later, they hopped back out. But they weren't the same. They looked like they were mish mashed of dangerous creatures. Creatures with sharp fangs and claws. It happened so fast. They immediately ran into the town and rained down on other Hippogriffs, changing them in mere seconds.

Guards there with spears rushed in and aimed. Then fired all they had. But just like Queen Arcadia stated, they had no affect on them. As a matter of fact, it just made them angry. So angry, they jumped on them and changed them too.

"Mommy!!" The filly screamed.

"Let's go, kid!" He took off into the sky with all the other Pserateps. Into the brown haze that had overtaken the entire sky as far as they could see. While in flight, he looked down at the trees and nature below, making out a whole lot of movement. As if an army were heading straight for the castle in the distance before the footage paused. The senate and judges muttered amongst themselves, making decisions already.

Arcadia stepped forward and said, "From what I assume, that was taken an hour or so before Mount Aris and Seaquestria flew the nest and now resides in Equestria. Alongside the inhabitants of Hoof Yun, North Neighton, South Neighton, Prance, Saddle Arabia, Zebrica, The Forgotten Land, and Breighton. Celestia has informed me that crowding is becoming a secondary issue and that these creatures and metamorphosed ponies now wait outside their borders, leaving them with no where to go and no defense. Celestia told me they have no idea why they're waiting. In Narmeelah's Diary, she wrote about this from one of her battles. As well as envisioned this very day. These very events. Maheera isn't scared to enter in. The only group not in there right now are the Dragon Lands. And once they all are, Maheera will strike. Caught between a rock and a hard place. They are surrounded entirely by creatures who can't be hit by Equestrian magic. But Psera doesn't use Equestrian Magic. That is why Narmeelah was able to defeat Maheera. Narmeelah was able to wield magic and use it to fight her. And defeat her time and time again. But now.. Narmeelah has spoken of me. From a piece of the diary..."

The doors to the side of the room opened, letting in those Pserateps in the lab coats. They pulled in a large pod thing on wheels, containing an old green book that Sunset and Starlight could make out. They stopped it in front of Queen Arcadia and typed in a code on a pad on the back. The airlock on it lifted, letting in the air with a very dramatic hiss. Once it stopped, they lifted up the glass lid and exposed the Diary to the elements once more.

After unlocking it, Arcadia opened the book to a certain bookmark and read it aloud. "'Dear Diary. I had another vision. This one more peculiar than the earliest. I have seen purple Crystal Obelisks surround my nation. Unbeknownst providing defense to my Pserateps, keeping Maheera shall she ever approach. They hold unimaginable power. I have seen the creator as the only one who can defeat Maheera. Her magic equal to my own. The only Pseratep who has a horn, such as my Unicorns. But wings for the love of Psera. The land she walks blooms with green. A descendant of thee with streaks of purple. Thy knowledge unbeaten, intelligence matches my own. My descendant of millions of generations. I have seen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, Saviour and Queen of Psera... Save my world.'"

The hall was silent. Even Sunset was shocked. Twilight lightly shut the book and stated, "Imagine my face when I read that. My name was in the Diary way before I was born. She knew Psera needed to help. And that the rest of the world needs it. Psera is more than capable of supplying assistance to these ponies who need it the most. I understand our reluctance to help any creature who approach our borders. We have families, have a great land with beauty and prosperity. Friends. A life here. We do not need attention, mysteries, rumors, or trouble. Their trouble. But unfortunately, this is our trouble too. This God of Chaos has come and attempted to take apart the world that Narmeelah created. For her own evil greed and ways. And the only ponies who can stop her... Are us. Psera.

"The ponies overflowing with more magic than anypony else. The only creatures with the magical signature of Narmeelah, giving them the ability to pierce Maheera's magic. And the strongest one here has the strength of hundreds of millions of us. They have asked us to please open our borders and provide sanctuary while we work out a plan. Now before anypony says no, let me tell you something. If we do in fact say no, those waters out there?" She pointed to a random spot. "Will be uninhabitable. Every creature out there will be against us. The pony who can control the sun will be the same pony who can and will destroy us, more than likely against her will.

"The only thing keeping them back will be the three hundred Obelisks filled with my magic and the armies we have here. But at the end of the day, we'll know that we can never leave Psera, and we will be constantly under threat once again, such as over twenty thousand years ago. Because every creature out there is waiting for the chance to take us down. And sadly the only pony who can take them down... Is me."

Once again silence. Even Madun was considering the possibilities from what Starlight could tell. They all knew what Arcadia was asking. Authorization to open the borders. To let in ponies from all over the world. All gathered in Equestria. But would they say Yes? Or no? Arcadia turned to Starlight and Sunset and gestured with her head for the door. They knew what that meant. It was time to head back home. And hope for the best. The case would more than likely be opened and a decision will be made to push aside a centuries-old law: Keep away from other nations.



While Starlight and Sunset were dealing with everything overseas, Celestia flew back over the crowded land of Ponyville from the Embassy of Psera, dotted with creatures and ponies of all kinds towards Canterlot. The road that lead up to the city and the green lands besideit were packed with Zebra and more. All the way to Canterlot, where more ponies stayed. So much that chariots and more were restricted to avoid any possible conflict. Just like during the plague they held here in the past.

Once Celestia was at the castle, she landed on her bedroom's balcony and walked inside. Her bedroom was pretty. She had a feeling it wasn't going to stay that way. Just in time, Luna teleported into the room with a look of urgency.

"Sister, the Changelings," she said.

"What about them?"

"Both kinds, Thorax's and Chrysalis' have arrived to take up refuge. They are situated in Ponyville."

"I saw, now what is wrong?" Celestia trotted past and made way for the door.

"Psera was attacked by Changelings. There is no way they'll—"

"They will, Luna," Celestia interrupted. "This is Psera, ruled by Queen Arcadia. Twilight. She would never leave a pony behind. Queen or not, harmful or kind. How are the rest of the rulers?" Celestia opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, followed by Luna. If her hunch was correct, everyone important was inside of the cafeteria.

"Madam Singe continues asking for 'The filly.'"

Celestia grumbled and stated, "She is beginning to eat at my nerves. The others?"

"Every creature is asking for Twilight. I told them she is not available. How did the talks go?"

Celestia walked eagerly down the hall with Luna right behind her. "She wants her parents evacuated there as soon as possible. And has summoned an emergency meeting with their Senate Hall. I know they are upset with us right now. But the rest of the world is going down soon. It's been three days. We need everything we can get to. Any news on the Dragon Lands?"

"None. Dragon Lord Ember is watching over her father, who is saying he can handle these creatures on his own. The poor fool."

Celestia rolled her eyes and stopped in front of the Throne Room where the Royals and defense set . "He's too big. He won't be able to see them, let alone know when they bite."

"His pride shall be his biggest folly."

Celestia couldn't have said it better herself. She pushed the doors open and walked into the room. Everyone was bickering and arguing. Saddle Arabia was doing what they could to keep the peace, but North and South Neighton were at it again. What surprised Celestia the most was when she spotted Dragon Lord Ember on the side, claws crossed and watching the back and forth with her staff in hand.

"Ember?" She asked. Ember looked her way. "When did you arrive? Luna?"

"I just got here," she answered sadly. "My father's been bitten, as well as five more major dragons. We had to evacuate as soon as possible. Where are they coming from? They just appear out of nowhere."

Celestia sighed and answered, "I have a feeling we'll soon find out."

Celestia sat down at her throne and got comfortable for a moment. Haakim asked, "Where is—"

"Twilight is still unavailable. But she knows the situation and is putting together a solution as fast as she can. You must be patient. Believe in Twilight, she knows what she is doing."

"I find it hard to believe Twilight can figure this out," Ember stated. "I mean yeah, she's really smart. I'll give her that. But everything here is about unknown magic. And from what I can tell, this isn't even dark magic these creatures are using. I've never seen it before."

"Neither have I," Chancellor admitted. "But we have to do something, and fast. The last country to hold out was the Dragon Lands. Now every creature is here. Without a possible defense that can hurt these monsters. It happened so fast."

Celestia wanted to tell them to not give up hope. But she knew that'd be futile. So she only sighed and folded her hooves in front of her face, eyes on the map of the lands they had on the table. All the known lands were scratched out, leaving only Equestria in the middle. And unbeknownst, Psera. The unmapped land on the far left.

Come on, Twilight.



After Sunset Shimmer left, so did Twilight with her husband and Guards. They really didn't need to do anything. They saw the proof, the evidence, and the story. Twilight just needed to seal the deal which would take a few weeks. Hopefully, everything would work out in their favor in time. Twilight would really hate to have them fall victim to this enemy of Psera, and not do a thing. She loved her country. But those ponies out there did not deserve this. None of them do. Even Madam Singe.

While they walked side by side, Madun sighed and stated, "I don't want you going out there. I know that's what you're going to do."

Arcadia closed her eyes and sadly nodded. "I know. I don't want to either. I want to stay here with my country, and my family. Especially Dawn. But you and I both know that without me, all of those ponies will fall. In one week. I can easily get us there. But it will not be easy to get out. Those are a lot of creatures. Add that to the fact we have to secure them here on Psera and the dangers the transportation poses, if the Senate does in fact say yes. Eventa is not an option. But there are gray areas between the lands we can have them stay at. Not much really happens there. We can have them stay there. Seen to by medical professionals. But of course our resources will come at a cost because I have to create them to keep our economy stable. Food, water, all of it I have to create. And those are a lot of ponies."

"I know you can do it. Because you're Twilight Sparkle." He held out a hoof, stopping his wife in her tracks. With a smile, he said, "You've overcome so many obstacles without magic. I know for a fact you can do so much more with it."

Twilight smiled and blushed. She glanced away to avoid his loving eyes. "Thanks, firehead."

"You're welcome, my love." He leaned in and kissed her cheek. Then followed her down the hallway where his mother watched over their slumbering daughter. Hopefully everyone else can get a good night's sleep tonight.




3 Weeks Later


Sunset could barely sleep a wink. Her room was inside the Embassy with the rest of the Elements of Harmony. While Starlight and Applejack with her sister snored from next door, both sides, she lied awake, eyes on the ceiling with her hooves outstretched from her barely covered body. The room was dark and quiet, save for the ticking of the clock over her desk.

The dragons have arrived. They were all rounded up. They were ripe for the plucking. And Twilight still hasn't responded yet. It's been three weeks. According to Luna, things were becoming tense in the castle and they were doing everything they could to keep the rulers from sending out an executive order in IHT to apprehend Twilight. Which meant the Guards would stride right over here and force their way in. Thankfully they were holding out.

But there was good news, if not absolute. Every now and then, Twilight would tell Sunset what was happening in Psera. Just like it was expected, this whole thing was a huge major deal. It was capturing the eyes of every single Pseratep there. Each time an update came on the Nation was silent. Nopony talked save for the senators and their rulers. They were small and simple ones, but they held a lot more meaning.

One sixths of the house voted for weaponizing Equestria to defend themselves, but were then compromised with the fact it would take forever to teach them how to use them. Two thirds voted for a spy to fly in and see what was really happening, but were then countered that it would take too long and there was no telling when the "Infected" would attack, as they called them. Then finally, they settled on arming Aquatas with batteries of Arcadia's Magic to supply defense off the borders. That was currently pending.

Sunset rotated her head towards the journal sitting on the mahogany desk. It's been silent. No vibration. Nothing. Sunset sighed and looked back towards the ceiling. Would they rip her apart and put her back together? Or would they give her some options? Knock out, ripped up, stitched together, then back in one? Maybe.

Sunset sat up and got out of bed for the bathroom. She had to go something fierce. Like a bubble about to burst. She was halfway to the zenith of relief when a vibration reached her ears. She froze all movement for a moment. Then slowly turned her head back towards the book.

It was vibrating. The bathroom suddenly lost interest in Sunset's mind. Using her magic, Sunset grabbed the book and brought it to her face. Then gulped down that fear and flipped it open.
> Chapter 11 - Legend of Rescues
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash snores, was the thought that crossed Scootaloo's mind from one side of their shared bedroom. Just like their friends, they were bunked together inside the Embassy in Ponyville. Only the Element Bearers and their families were allowed in unfortunately due to rules. Scootaloo was like family. But if an alarm rang, Rainbow had to be up and ready to fight, which might wake her up. Okay, it would definitely wake her up. Sweetie Belle was sleeping with her family and Spike, and Apple Bloom was probably snoring away. Just. Like. Rainbow Dash.

"RAINBOW DASH!" Rainbow's eyes popped open before she, and everyone else were up and out of bed in a frenzy. Like somepony poked a bee hive. Sunset slid into Rainbow's room and stopped at her bed. "I need you to get me to Canterlot!"

Rainbow stared at her for a moment with tired crusty eyes then yelled, "Are you nuts?!"

Sunset slammed the open journal in her face and ordered, "Read!"

Grumbling, Rainbow pried the book off her muzzle and read the entry. "This better be good." She trained her sight on the book, and after awhile her narrowed eyes slowly widened. Then she gasped. "Come on!" She threw the book into Sunset's face. Then grabbed her hoof and zipped out of the room, nearly bumping into Fluttershy. "Sorry, Flutters! Gotta go!"

Soon Rainbow blew out the doors and through the glamour, zipping into the air for Canterlot. She got there in ten seconds. After landing at the gates, Sunset jumped out of her hooves and onto the cobblestone. Then ran over to the Guards at the gates. "I need to see Princess Celestia right now."

The Guards immediately shook their heads. One responded, "Sorry, but no interruptions. Come back in the morning."

Sunset opened the book and presented it in their faces. "I. Need. To see. Celestia."

The guards quickly gasped and opened the gates, granting quick passage. Rainbow grabbed Sunset and zoomed straight up to the doors. Then burst through and into the castle. Next, she zipped onto the hallway for her room. "Celestia! Celestia, wake up!"

One of the doors on the side opened up and Cadance popped out with Shining Armor. "Girls we are all trying to sleep. What is it?"

Sunset ran over and opened the book once more. Cadance and Shining both read it. Then gasped and yelled, "Celestia, wake up!"

Celestia's door opened and a blue hoof waved them in. Sunset, Starlight, Cadance, Shining Armor quickly rushed into her room. Surprised but not so much to see Luna and Celestia already speaking to Twilight. She was sitting in one of the chairs drinking Hot Cocoa with a pleasant smile on her muzzle. She seemed tired yet relieved, her eyes droopy with stress.

Once they were in and Cadance quietly shut the door, Twilight smacked her lips and said, "You girls could've woke the whole castle and broke my cover. Now. As of two hours ago, the Senate agreed to let you seek refuge on Psera under strict limitations which will be clarified later. We are setting up places of residence at this moment but no solid location as of yet. The only problem is food and water. We have way more than enough for utilities, we're just having trouble with that. We'll figure it out. Right now, we are readying a military convoy of twelve combat Aquatas and three Carriers, and all the branches. As well as new weaponry. I myself will be coming in as well to help secure a getaway. Be ready for a lot of running."

"Is there a plan?" Cadance asked. 

Twilight nodded and answered, "Las Pegasus. We know they're there on the coast watching. So we're going where they can't."

"Where's that?"

Twilight lifted a hoof and pointed below. "Underwater. We're very resourceful. Once the beach is secure. We'll take Las Pegasus. None of them are leaving. My big guys are coming in, so just be prepared for a lot of fighting. They're ready for a war. How are things here?"

Luna sighed and answered, "Madam Singe keeps slandering your name."

"Oh I have something in mind for her. Don't worry. She's beginning to irk me and I'm not even here. She's not staying at the castle. You're welcome to though. There are strict rules that I'll explain once you're on the boats. Be ready by nine. Have everyone pack light. My soldiers will arrive early tomorrow morning to escort you out. Because Maheera is big." After a simple wave, Twilight dissipated into air, leaving them alone. She had some major sleeping to do.



The last thing anyone expected the next morning at five were soldiers running across floors, banging on doors and ordering everyone to pack up. Even those inside the castle were confused. They never saw guards like those before. Wearing all black with weird weaponry.

Celestia stuck her head out next and whispered to herself, "The Royal Family must've made an executive order." Using her magic, Celestia grabbed a few pictures, her scrolls, her crown, and a bag. All of her most valuable items. She tossed them all inside then strode out at the same time Luna, Cadance, Flurry Heart and Shining Armor did. They didn't make any good morning greetings. Now was the time to move and get out of here. So with their things, they followed each other after the Guards.

From across, Cadance yawned and whispered, "Quite the wake up call."

Luna nodded and agreed. "Yes, very much so. Colonel?" One of the Elite Guards looked their way. "Where are their positions?"

"Last we heard making way through the Queen's portal."

"Thank you. And the evacuation procedure?"

"We are starting from Manehattan all the way to Las Pegasus. While the incoming are clearing the city, we're moving you in."

Celestia nodded and continued moving. It was really early and the sun wasn't even up yet. Well not entirely. She had yet to raise it.

"Princess Celestia!" She looked down an adjacent hallway where an obviously tired Madam Singe was approaching from, wearing a gown. "What is going on?"

"Nationwide evacuation. Don't start asking questions. Let's go."

"But where—"

"No. Questions. Pack your things and let's move." Celestia didn't wait for a response. They continued moving, leaving Madam Singe to watch with a confused expression. Where the buck were they gonna go?!

In the end after five minutes, she and the others staying in the castle gathered supplies and walked out into the night. All streets in Canterlot were with movement. Ponies were moving from right to left, heading towards the emergency mountainside where the slope was steep enough to trot down. There must've been a checkpoint somewhere down the road.

While they moved with the crowd, Haakim clarified, "So let me get this straight so I'm hearing you correctly. We're evacuating Equestria, the last available place of refuge, and going... Where?"

Luna smirked and answered, "You'll see. Just trust us, I promise you'll be safe." One of the Elite Guards evacuating walked over to Luna's left and whispered in her ear. Then ducked back out when his Comm Block went off, telling all the guards something.

He raised it up to his mouth and replied, "Ten-four. Hold them there. Group yellow, you're on the east, eyes on everything. Even a moving star. Do it. Group Blue, eyes on the North. Let's pick up the speed, ponies!! We have until sunrise, let's move, let's move!!"

After a treacherous two hours of trotting along the ground, down the mountainside, and of Celestia raising the sun, they arrived in Ponyville. The time was almost seven. Not much running yet except from the foals who "wanted to get ahead of everypony else." Good luck with that.

Unlike on Canterlot, Ponyville didn't have many Elite Guard. But did have some Royal Guard. Cadance took note of the time. They had two hours to get to the coast where the Aquatas were waiting for them. Looking around, she noted how many creatures they were really housing. Thousands upon thousands of them. Their numbers had dwindled after a majority attempted to defend their homes. They became victims. Now they were down a conspicuous amount. There were still thousands, but nowhere near the numbers they had before. Thankfully all the rulers got out safely.

Taking a break, Shining took a deep breath and sat down. He was in his Royal Guard outfit and should be watching out for everyone around him eating and drinking. But his wife had a daughter on her back while he carried a majority of supplies. He unbuckled the bag and looked around like everyone else. Looks like they were taking a break.

"WELL WELL WELL!!! The coats of everyone shivered at the voice. It was loud, deep but feminine, rattling the bones of those below it. It made the fur on Celestia's coat rise. And ceased all chatter and noise. And movement. All eyes were on the sky, waiting for something. "Were you really expecting to just leave? I can't let you do that, everything is too close. So very, very close. So close in fact, I can touch it."

Something touched Celestia's rear hoof, making her yell from surprise. It was cold as ice. Literally. She looked behind her into the most evil face she's ever witnessed. A mare, colored black around the size of Luna was grinning at her with sharp teeth and yellow slitted eyes. "Oh, calm yourself, Princess. I didn't eat you. I'll let my ponies do it for me."

At that declaration, a round of howls, screams, and more sounded out. From the hill they were approaching before were an army of those poor ponies, heading right for them. From the ground they dug to the surface. Running down the hill of trees and spreading out towards the sides of the caravan to box them in. Some even took to the air, purging the sky into darkness.

Those underneath it screamed, running around in circles to try and get out. But those ponies, griffs, dragons, and Changelings landed, growled, barked, roared, everything. Just to keep them in. "Stand your ground!!" Celestia yelled, although she wasn't stupid. She too was backing up. They were close. So very close. Where did they even come from?! Soon, very soon, all of those ponies were backed into an extremely tight circle.

"Buck," Rarity growled. She was tempted to fire a shot from the front lines, but she didn't want to risk being attacked. Her little sister and parents were behind her. She had to protect them.

Luna looked around at all the yipping and snarling like dogs they were doing. "They're not biting," she whispered. Then everything became silent. "They're rounding us up." She looked into the dark eyes of a Hippogriff who became infected. A mare. Possibly had children.

The black pony that was behind Celestia teleported in front of them in a puff of white smoke with a gerbil in her hoof. "Thank you so much for your cooperation!" She boomed. Then put the gerbil up to her mouth and took a bite. But instead of blood and death, the inside just looked like a regular apple. Celestia could see the difference between her and Discord. While Discord was careless and a little predictable, this mare was coming straight out of the box with surprises.

"Now," she wailed with her mouthful. "I'm really sorry to say that you are all just victims from an old foe of mine. All you poor creatures, just ugly and terrible. Disgustingly vile. I mean look at this one!" She pointed at Rarity, who gasped and snarled. "Thankfully, she's not around. I can enjoy myself this time and help you. This is a really good gerbil, seriously. Have any of you ever eaten a pony before?" Celestia could just imagine Fluttershy's face right now.

From her right, Luna could hear the talk of one of the Elite Guards. "Ponyville to Violet Star. We're pinned down. Requesting immediate assistance."

Ceasing her chewing, the pony's eyes dilated and watched for a reaction. "No? Has no one ever eaten meat?" Still nothing. "Oh you have got to be... What did Narmeelah make you for?! You know, what? I'll just knock you out of your misery. Eating meat is fun." The horn on the pony's head lit up white before it spurted out... Lava? The ponies she was standing in front of immediately shouted and backed up while it grew into a very large lake.

"Who the haystacks is this?!" Madam Singe yelled. She was a little fed up with this pony. But what shocked everyone was the fact that once the lava was large enough, she jumped straight into it, melting from view. It was all silent for a second, with the exception of ponies from the middle of the hot circle asking what happened.



The night in Psera was the opposite of usual. While a majority of the Pserateps slept in their beds, cuddling themselves, one tenth of the soldiers in Lavender were barked at with orders. "Get ready for a war!" And, "Let's move! We need those boats with weapons, armor, all of it! Let's go! Put on your armor, son! Let's move it!!" From the forward deck of the ship in purple steel armor, one hoof on the helmet she set underneath her, Arcadia stared at the waters ten miles from off the coast of Equestria. The stopping point.

She looked to the left of her and counted the six massive Aquatas basking in the rays of the sun that Celestia finally rose. After kissing her daughter on her cheek and wishing her a great day at school while she slept, and kissing her husband at the Naval Station at six, she opened a portal for the seas of Equestria, coming out ten miles back. Their current position. Her eyes were focused on the horizon of brown atmosphere. The atmosphere was beginning to grown dark. Something may have happened. Something did.

"Your highness." She looked over her shoulder at Captain Dark. One of her loyal Captains. Stuck by her side since the beginning. Saluting, he stated, "Equestria is under attack."

"What?" Twilight turned around and made her way for the bridge. Already? They were expecting Maheera to attack later on in time! She levitated her helmet onto her head and locked it in place. "How?"

"A possible surprise. The Fourth Battalion said an all black pony with sharp teeth and glowing eyes appeared out of nowhere."

"Maheera. Ready the Aerial Guard and Aqua Guard for deployment, tell them to stand by. They need help now. No time for the Aquatas to arrive first. Arm all cannons and prepare for a fight." The Guards at the rails watching the waters moved to the side to let the Queen pass and run up the stairs for the bridge, leaving Dark Silver to the command.

She walked past a high velocity steel door into the busy and high tech control room busy with Aqua Guard. "Admiral!"

Admiral Shooting Star and his Commanding Officers were busy focusing on the map they had setup at a table behind the command stations, fitted with screens and more for the cannons on board. Behind them were the engine controls for the ship to direct on an elevated floor. The entire room was made out of gray steel with the Crest of Psera painted in the back behind the controls. The Admiral hadn't changed. Besides the medals on his new coat, he was the same pony who directed the transfer of the steel block to Equestria. Entirely blue. Dark blue mane, tail, eyes, wings, coat, all of it blue.

He turned towards Twilight at the mention of his name and saluted. "Yes, ma'am?"

She walked over and put a hoof on his chest with eyes bright with determination. "We have to move in now, Maheera made an early appearance. Have the Aqua Pods dropped in the water to move forward to the beach, and have the Aerial Guard move in now to bring purple rain down on Las Pegasus, then have the Arcadian Elite Guard positioned to provide escort into White Tail." Arcadia turned around and walked back out with her sword hitting the steel on her ribs before he responded.

"Yes, ma'am." He reached down and pressed a switch, turning on the intercom.

Captain Gliding Sword was ready with the rest of the guards in their insanely large hoofball stadium-like hangars in the Royal Aquata—Aquata Zero. Waiting for the command with the rest of the platoon, ready to move out with a mouth trigger hanging around her neck for the cannons on the side. Weapons ready and Comm Blocks on, their eyes were trained on the open air outside. It was beginning to get a little dirty, why was that?

"Platoon One! Proceed!" Admiral Star blared over the intercom.

Party time. Captain Sword grinned and yelled, "Alright let's move, ladies!" Then placed the trigger bite in her mouth and ran forward with the first row. Once they were out in the air, they opened their wings and rotated their bodies, flying straight and roaring with the wind into the sky.

Arcadia ran up to her spot on the ship and took a deep breath, eyes on the thousands of guards flying towards the horizon. Then unsheathed her sword and took off right after the mass of grey on the sea and in the air, racing against time.



It confused Celestia greatly as to why this pony just jumped happily into a boiling pit of lava. That was a Pinkie Pie move. Then a huge massive scaled claw shot out and slammed on the soil in front of them.

"Holy—!" Rainbow Dash grabbed Scootaloo and tried to run back like everyone else before another as equally large shot out slamming next to that one. A single talon was as big as twelve ponies. The Infected didn't even move. The muscles clenched and shifted before a dragon, an insanely massive dragon bigger than Ember's father rose up out of the lava, starting with the head.

Black and with older feminine features. But upon further inspection had multicolored scales that changed with the light, starting with dark blue. Maheera climbed out and pulled her body to the side, slithering across the grass, with a circumference that blocked out the sun from Celestia's height

She was one fourths as big as the mountain of Canterlot, long enough to curl around the entirety of Ponyville. Body spanning the entire radius of the Caravan, keeping a wall around the captured. Celestia watched with utter horror as she circled them entirely before her rear hooves even stepped out. One of the Elite Guards swallowed and immediately relayed into his Comm Block.

The Guard coming in from the sea could see the faint outline of Equestria. The lights for the trade ships were off, making landing a little difficult. But they knew that the second they were over it, they had to storm it. Those creatures had probably taken Las Pegasus now. "Equestria to Psera... Maheera... Is big. Oh my Stars," a guard relayed.

Captain Sword lifted her hoof with her eyes on the horizon and responded, "Hold your ground, help is on the way. ETA two minutes."

Arcadia sighed and readied her sword. Then ordered, "All Elite to the air! I want two hundred taking the mountain ring and everyone else in that warzone securing an escape! Aqua Guard, take the beach and swarm Las Pegasus. Captains, move 'em!"

"Yes, ma'am," Gliding assured. "Let's go, Psera!!!" And with a flap of their wings were roaring for the coast. Arcadia grinned, flipped her sword and flew after them, cheering with everyone else.

Maheera circled around the group of shivering fearful captives. It was a Draconequus. Like Discord. But way more scary and big. Applejack gulped and took off her hat. "Oh... My... Faust," she whispered.

"You're probably wondering why I haven't taken you over yet," Maheera boomed. Her voice was like the wind. Shifting their coats and vibrating the fur. She opened her mouth wide and reached in, pulling out a shining orange orb. "I need your magic. So that means I have to squeeze it out of you. You see, I feed off of fear. And that fear runs through your magic. The more I scare you, the more fear in your magic, and the more plentiful the meal. This alone will last me a billion years." She held up the orb and twirled it around. Then tapped the orb and hummed. "So... Who's first?" Maheera's eyes scanned the crowd before her claw reached down and randomly grabbed Cadance.

"CADANCE!!" Celestia and everyone else went haywire, protesting, firing magic like Shining Armor. But it simply hit her scales. Celestia took a deep breath and fired the strongest bolt she had. But it just caused a ripple. "It... It's no use. She's... She's just too big. Cadance..."

Cadance looked into the red slitted eyes of Maheera, quivering in fear. "No, please. Please... I have—"

"Maheera Dark!!!" Maheera stopped pulling Cadance towards her mouth and looked towards the hills. Everyone else followed her gaze before a massive purple blast knocked Maheera's face to the side, sizzling the air and blowing static across the field, as well as a shockwave.

Maheera nearly lost her balance from the sheer magnitude. She roared and lost grip of Cadance, who zipped back to Shining Armor. They checked on her for a moment before focusing on Maheera.

That blast hurt. A lot. Maheera turned back with her large fangs and roared, shivering everyone's coats. 

"Foolish pony!!" She yelled. Then slithered her body surprisingly fast towards the Purple speck in the distance, standing on the hill. Narrowed eyes on Maheera, Twilight raised her large wings, silhouetted by the sun behind her. Gasping, Maheera stopped and growled. "A Pseratep!!!" She roared. Then pointed a claw and yelled, "TAKE!! HER!! DOWN!!"

The Infected ponies on the ground riddling the country followed her order and immediately abandoned their posts to run for Twilight, unaware of the storm waiting behind her.

She watched the hundreds run towards her. The green grass vibrated on their approach, rattling her armor. It was time. Twilight took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. "Let's get these ponies out," she whispered. Then raised her sword and cheered, "For the Honor of Narmeelahhhhh!!!!"

After a loud thunderous cheer, the refugees witnessed nothing but black, blue, purple, and brown pour down those hills behind and around the Embassy. Cheers from the ground, roars of the many aerial guards above. Then the first shot was fired.

From the air, Gliding Sword bit down on the bite in her mouth. The cannons underneath her wings rotated before firing, sending ultra-fast purple streaks into the incoming horde. Twilight's magic. Then the rest of them began firing. It was loud. The Aerial guard zoomed low and forward, sending magic into the incoming Infected, kicking up dirt and more, knocking the ponies to the ground and causing slight collateral damage. Their speed rang through ears.

Celestia took this as a good distraction and yelled, "To the hills!! Run!!" She grabbed her things and took off first before the thousands more yelled and followed behind her, kicking up a cloud of dust as they did. Rarity grabbed Spike and tossed him on her back then pushed her sister after everyone else.

"I knew she'd come through!!" Sunset cheered. A few Aerial zoomed their way overhead and fired dangerous shots towards the horde following, ringing their ears and stunning their targets.

Novo ran up to run with Celestia and yelled, "What just happened?! Who are they?!"

Celestia shook her head and answered, "Do not waist you breath, keep running!!"

"Whooo!!!" Captain Dark Silver landed in front of them, running and yelled, "We're crossing the hill!! Keep going towards the Aquatas!! Don't stop!! Captain Dark to Aquata Zero!! We're coming in, ready the engines and prepare to engage!!"

While they were running away, Arcadia was running straight for Maheera. A few ponies got in her way, but with a shot from her horn and a swing from her sword, stunned them to the ground. Maheera roared and crawled forward towards the fighting. "PSERATEPS!!! I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN HER CREATIONS WOULD TRY SOMETHING!!"

Arcadia opened her wings and flew into the air. Then fired shot after shot of magic into Maheera's face. It was like she was getting punched over and over again. Having enough, Maheera swiped a claw for Twilight. But she twirled around it and flew past her neck. Throwing a nasty swing from her sword at the same time and successfully slicing off a scale. Then flipped upside down and zoomed up.

Maheera threw her arm around and roared before a blast hit the top of her scalp. Taking the initiative, she reached up to grab Twilight successfully and brought her down to her face. She yelped in surprise, cursing herself for falling for that one.

Maheera brought her into view and opened her mouth. But Twilight's teleportation rendered that void. She appeared once more by her teeth and pulled back a glowing hoof. Then sent it sailing into Maheera's mouth.

Her head twisted to the side and she fell on the ground, vibrating the land, and shattering still standing homes in Ponyville. Those running up the hill nearly lost their footing but didn't stop running. But what surprised them all were the line of around thirty Purple Guards waiting when they arrived. Arcadian Elite Royal Guard. The big guys. 

"Stay behind us," one ordered. Then flipped down his helmet and ran down the hill into the Whistling Woods, currently being ripped apart from very intense fighting. Celestia saw one Elite Guard take out three. Then a few of infected Hippogriffs jumped out to try and grab a bite of the Caravan but were pretty much knocked out and to the side by the huge stallions.

Princess Skystar yelled, "Where are we going?!"

Cadance answered, "No time to explain, just keep going!!"

Back in Ponyville Twilight dodged another hit and fired her own, hitting part of Maheera's Abdomen. This pony was like that annoying bee she ate earlier! Having enough, Maheera growled and yelled, "UGGGH, ENOUGH!!! FORGET THE SOLDIERS, TAKE THIS ANNOYING BRAT!!" Maheera turned around and slithered away towards Canterlot. Why would she leave her goal like that?

Twilight turned her head and saw all the creatures lock in on her. Then aim their horns and fire, or fly up to her screeching and yelling. There was a cloud just flying alone. The Elite Guards saw and immediately took chase, barking orders. All Twilight did was gulp. She needed backup.

Raising her hoof, she relayed, "Ponies at sea, I NEED A SKYBOMB!" Then turned and flew back, followed close by the infected and everyone else.

"Ten-four, your highness."

Back to the Whistling Woods, Shining Armor ducked out of instinct from the rain of purple magic in front aiming straight for the creatures on the side. Whistling past his ear loud and proud from a guard up ahead. A Pseratep on the left dodged a swipe and lifted their wing, slicing it through the Equestrian Royal Guard Armor. Then bucked it away.

Queen Novo looked around at all the damage. Everything was either falling, on fire, or in action. Even the trees simply exploded. Celestia didn't even know there were this many Infected here! A sudden wave of purple magic from above shocked everyone by turning the trees to ashes on the left, revealing the Infected for the Guard to attack.

"Approaching the warzone!" One Guard up front announced.

Ignoring Spike's clutching of her sides, Rarity looked down at her sister, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. They were growing tired, Scootaloo was buzzing her little wings desperately.

"Almost there, girls!" She yelled. "Almost there!"

A dark shadow passed overheard, spurring interest. Queen Arcadia's large wings flew over, followed after by hundreds of those creatures and the Aerial Guard, turning their vision dark.

”Take the shot, take the shot!!" She ordered, heard loudly over the radios at the same time they breached into Las Pegasus. Revealing a breathtaking sight. A huge Fleet of Aquatas were on the coast, firing nothing but purple towards Equestria, specifically Las Pegasus. There were thousands of Infected running right for them. But someone on that ship had a large weapon.

Flipping a switch, Worn Weather sat down in a padded seat connected to a large rotating cannon on Aquata Zero's forward deck and pulled the trigger. It started spinning first, firing second. Letting off large torrents of Twilight's magic, connected by a gem container filled with it in the ship.

"WHOOO YEAHH!!" He cheered. Then swiveled his chair and aimed at more.

The shots hit the ground and kicked up dirt, sending those creatures back with others while more cannons fired into the air, knocking those flying down. A much bigger one glowed like a star from way in the back. An Aquata armed with nothing but weapons. Ready for war. Then fired a single shot straight into the mix. It left a smoke trail the closer it came to Equestria's airspace. It ascended in pitch, whistling like everything else then blew into a sphere over Las Pegasus, blowing back manes and every last single Infected following Twilight. Celestia was so happy they didn't go to war against these behemoths.

The Guards lead the giant Caravan down into the city, raining with fire, destruction and a few ponies falling to the ground from the skyscrapers. Luna witnessed a Pseratep crash out of a window up ahead and towards the cement below before another swooped in from up ahead and caught him just in time. They flapped their wings and pulled back to a stop directly in front of her face. Then turned and flew back into the air while magic from the Aquata took care of that building.

Debris and more fell down, ripping apart that floor. Angel Bunny was holding on for dear life by Fluttershy's left ear, flailing in the wind they were running in, who was hoping that he was okay. Up ahead, Rarity saw a line of Elite forming a barrier and firing bolts straight into an incoming horde, taking them all down with stuns. Maheera's roar once again ruffled the coats of the the ponies before the ground lurched. Everyone screamed once more and fell on the ground before it stopped shifting.

After hitting her head, Starlight heard nothing but ringing in her ears while she looked around. White noise, dust and muffled voices. Sunset's blurry face popped into view yelling something to her, but she couldn't make it out.

Using her magic, Sunset tossed Starlight's heavy form on her back. Then took off behind those on their hooves already. "Starlight's out of it!!" She reported. Celestia looked over to the two of them, then back towards the giant Aquata they just arrived at. Not as big as the Front Lawn, but big enough. Towering over their caravan and busy with soldiers wearing different colors, bearing weapons towards the door.

King Chancellor and Shining Pearl were tempted to just fly, but something's telling them nope. "PICK YOUR SHIP!" The Guards in front yelled. "LEFT, RIGHT, OR AHEAD!! GO, GO, GO!!!"

Celestia and a majority chose to stay and run across the steel bridge in the middle, but some did flank left and right. While they were running inside, Admiral Silver watched them through feeds setup on the bridge, ignoring the booms, roars, and yelling through the comm blocks. As well as the ponies at their stations. Once the last pony was on the ship, which took an impressive five minutes, he gave the order.

Raising his Comm Block, he relayed, "All units, fall back! Package retrieved! Cannons, fire on anyone following the Queen that are not from the Guard! All Aquatas, let's move!"

Once they were inside, Celestia slowed and fell on her side to the steel floor, gasping for air like everyone else. She's never ran like that in her entire life. Twilight's warning from last night rang true in her mind. 

"Oh... Oh my faust," she huffed. Then focused on Luna right beside her taking up the same position. Alarms throughout the Aquata blared before the steel doors began to slide shut, slowly groaning from the sides, like a bass that rattled the metal at the same time the boat lurched. Then quickly began moving with the doors still closing. It advanced forward and to the left at the same time at a fast pace, leaning to the right side while gunfire still sounded from above. The Aerial Guard zoomed overhead and fired down to the ground, knocking back any followers while another squad made moves for those in the air.

A pony from above inside the hangar was controlling the door while more kept their eyes on the ponies inside. Those able to see saw the other ships move just like theirs, still firing while much smaller ones zipped past.

Queen Novo whispered with her eyes on the fleet, "Who are these ponies? I-I've never seen anything like this before!" King Chancellor and everyone else just shook their heads before another Aquapod zipped past with shouting Pserateps. One was on the back with a crossbow, pointing behind him. He looked over his shoulder and cocked it, firing some type of dart that blew high in the sky, taking down more of the Changelings that were Infected.

"All hooves on deck, and eyes in the sky!" Arcadia's voice boomed through all of them. "Keep an eye on the Draconequus!"

Arcadia was the last pony off Equestria. Admiral Silver could see her through his binoculars on the rear helm running through Las Pegasus with her sword out. She took to the air and zipped at a much faster speed towards them. Then raised her hoof and relayed, "All units and teams, ready for a surge."

One of the Lieutenants inside Aquata Zero's hangar watching everyone activated the intercom system and ordered, "Everyone on your stomachs, we're speeding away!! Get down, get down!!"

While Novo followed instructions from these ponies, she covered her head and said to Celestia beside her, "You're hiding something."

"What? Now that is ridiculous—whoa, whoa, whoa, WHOA!!" The ship underneath them began to tilt forward, as if it were going to flip, pushed from behind by the large massive waves Arcadia was creating from high above, controlling the water.

The Queen's hooves were raised with her horn lit, raising a wall from behind that cast shadows on the sea. Then pushed it into the ships' back, sending them speeding into the ocean. Once they were off and joined the security fleet, Arcadia turned and faced Maheera pushing through the ground, creating an explosion of dirt and fire. Face angry and furious from the mountain. This was one big Draconequus. Did she crawl into the ground? Twilight thought. Then took off for the Aquatas. She didn't have time to think on it.

"NO!!" Maheera screamed. She quickly slithered through Las Pegasus for the beach. Abandoned buildings and carts were either pushed to the side or decimated when she did, kicking up dust and flames. "I WAS SO CLOSE!" She was about to jump into the water before Twilight lit her horn and fired a large beam at Maheera, knocking her to the side and into a building. Then focused once more on the Aquatas she was following.

After getting back up Maheera watched in utter horror and fierce anger as the Aquatas sped out of sight, leaving Equestria with her and the Infected. Roaring, she slammed her fist down with a dusty boom and screamed in pure raw anger. She had them. She had them!! They were rounded up and ripe for the taking!! That pony! They were like a second Narmeelah. She had to go. And soon.

Maheera roared and swiped her claw through a standing building, sending it crashing to the ground and whoever was in it. She needed a new plan. She had a feeling that pony would be back. And she'll be waiting for them.



Arcadia looked over her shoulder as Equestria's destroyed coast soon faded from sight. Time for one more simple phase. She turned around while more Aerial Guard joined her in formation.

"Arcadia to the fleet," she relayed. She took a deep breath and said, "...mission complete. Send the order to the Embassy to shut down the portal and prepare the bay doors. Provide water and rations to our guests."

On Aquata Zero Sunset Shimmer gazed around the massive lit interior of the hangar they were in. A bunch of confused ponies looking around just like her. Full of steel, weapons, and technology.

She turned to the ponies and witnessed their own expressions of awe. Except Madam Singe who just looked like she lost everything. She couldn't believe where she was. This room was so big. It couldn't even be described as a room!!

Rubbing her face she asked, "Wha... Wh-what just happened? Seriously? And who are they?" She pointed at a group of Force Guards cheering and hitting each other on the back by the steps leading up to the station. Even bashing their helmets into each other in a friendly aggressive way.

Celestia took a deep calming breath and answered, "These type of ponies are Legends. The real warriors of the world." The alarm blared, ceasing all conversation before the bay doors slowly opened up.

"All ponies are free to relax about the Aquata," Admiral Star acknowledged.

Queen Novo and everyone else with wings took advantage of this and flew through the parting doors and out into the air. Novo looked around her at the massive vehicles on the water. Then the ponies above, noticing one thing. Their wings. They were large and thick.

She, Skystar, and King Chancellor landed on the deck and observed all the weapons on this one. They had nothing like this. No creature did! The Aerial Guard from above cheered and shouted. Doing tricks in the air while more joined them on the deck.

Captain Gliding landed hard directly in front of the Princesses and wiped some sweat off her dirty face. Then unsnapped her black helmet and took it off, letting her green mane and eyes sparkle and wave. Smile radiating. She thrust a crossbow of some sort into the air and fired a single bolt of purple off, ringing their ears. Then two more. "WHOOO!!! All hail the Queen!!" She walked over to a nearby Pseratep and ruffled his mane. "Good job, lady!"

"You know I'm a stallion."

King Chancellor and anyone else who took this chance to listen did. "All hail King Madun, all hail Queen Arcadia!!!" The rest of their military did the same, voices soaring over the waters.

"All be advised, her highness approaches." After hearing the update from Admiral Star, Celestia grabbed Twilight's friends and teleported them all onto the deck that weren't up there already while other Pegasi flew around.

Novo turned to the Princesses and asked loudly once again, "What just happened?!"

Luna smirked and answered, "We were rescued."

"By who?!" King Chancellor asked. Then laughed and asked, "Who could have pulled this off? Who's Queen Arcadia?"

Cadance sighed and nodded towards the distance at the approaching Pserateps. Their attention were directed towards the massive one in the middle silhouetted by the morning sun. The smaller ones broke off while the purple dipped low, nearly skimming the waters. Her large wings sent a breeze over the coats of any nearby while a majestic sparkle trailed behind her.

Celestia and everyone else watched her zip past out of view and rise once more in front of the fleet. She circled around and righted herself, aiming for her ship. Aquata Zero, her own personal one. Flapping her wings, Twilight slowed her speed and landed on the deck's front side by the bridge. Then used her magic to create a portal that she walked through. It replaced her armor with her rich wear of Royalty. From golden crown and chained horn rings to the diamond covered hoof shoes and chest plate. She kept the glowing sword though.

The Pserateps all grew silent and bowed. Even those who couldn't see her. "All rise," her voice echoed. It covered very space on every single ship. Her voice touched everything. The Arcadian Royal Guard landed next to her and flanked her path, saluting as she moved towards the walkway. The Guard behind the deck saluted as well and poured silence on the Aquata. Only the metallic tapping of Queen Arcadia's hoof shoes and the waves crashing below were the noise.

Madam Singe gulped in slight fear, intimidated by the big purple Guards and the respect they showed for one single pony was enough to even put her on the tips of her hooves. As far as she knew, even Celestia didn't have this. "At ease." They relaxed before Arcadia stepped out, shocking everyone.

Twilight smiled at all the national leaders, who just gasped in surprise. "Hello, every creature. You're now aboard an Aquata. My Aquata. I'm Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle. Queen of the legendary nation of Psera."
> Chapter 12 - Psera, The Legend
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silence. That was it. The one who saved all of the ponies and put them on boats in the middle of the sea was the same pony that was missing during all of this. Twilight Sparkle. But she looked a little different. Her mane was flowing like the other Princesses, and the biggest change was her wings. They draped over her back like a long cape that covered even her tail.

The only pony who had a physical reaction and wasn't frozen was Flurry Heart, who eagerly jumped past and into Twilight's hooves. "Aunt Twilight! You're so awesome! That monster was about to eat mom!"

Twilight nodded and ruffled her mane. "I know. But she never got the chance. I told Celestia that only my magic can hurt her. How's my favorite niece? Oh I can't believe how much you've grown! Ready to see your cousin? Oh my stars, you're so dirty, you need a bath." Oh! Before she forgets! Twilight raised a Comm Block and ordered, "Queen Bee to Admiral Star. Send a message back to the Senate Board that the package has been retrieved."

"Ten four."

Good. She focused on Flurry and repeated, "You need a bath!"

Before she could answer, Starlight hobbled over and sort of fell on Twilight with derpy eyes. Twilight pushed her back gently, but knew what she was requesting. While they hugged, Sunset laughed from the corner and explained, "Whatever made the ground move made everypony fall. And Starlight may have hit her head."

Arcadia gasped and pushed Starlight back to look her over. Her eyes were all wobbly. Moving everywhere and focusing on nothing. She probably had a concussion. 

"Oh! Guard!" One of the Arcadian Guards strode in and saluted. "Would you please take Starlight to the medical bay?" He nodded then scooped up her body like a bag of sand and made way for the open doors on the bridge.

Twilight took a second to watch then turned back and assured, "She'll be fine by the time we reach home. We should reach Psera in two and a half days at our speed which gives the ponies there time to get ready and prepare locations of temporary residence while I read on how to defeat Maheera." Twilight set Flurry Heart on her back so she could speak better. Talking with a filly in her hooves was one of the most struggling things she's ever been able to do as a mother.

Consort Snow raised a hoof and yelled, "Wait, you know who that is?! What just happened?!!"

Twilight nodded and answered, "Yes. Her name is Maheera Dark. Follow me please and I'll explain everything." Twilight levitated a catatonic Spike onto her back behind Flurry, then turned around and made way for the open steel door. Before they could follow along, Celestia held out a hoof to keep everyone back while Arcadia's wings twisted with her, dragging the ground like a long cape. Once they were far enough away, Celestia lowered her hoof and inched in with everyone else.

Shining followed her quickly down the wide staircase to flank her and asked, "So... You created more?" Then shared a nuzzle with his sister. He hasn't been able to be this intimate with her for a long time. It felt good to be close to family like this again.

Twilight pulled back and nodded proudly. "We have over two hundred of these. The Front Lawn is just the biggest out of all our Aquatas." She stepped off the stairs and made a few twisting turns. They passed various forms of Psera military who saluted when she moved past. Then finally after two minutes of silence, they arrived at an open steel door leading into a really high tech meeting room.

The lights were dimmed, shining down from a reflective glass ceiling and onto the pads in front of the many seats connected to the table. They displayed only the Crest of Psera and looked fragile enough Celestia was afraid she'd break it.

Twilight walked in first and headed for the purple seat beside the red one at the very end facing the front while everyone just stared in awe from the doorway. Everything was so... Not theirs. Futuristic. Strange.

"This... What is this?" President Manamar whispered. "This is amazing."

Arcadia hopped into the big violet chair at the very end of the table furthest from the door and put her large wings to the side. "Everyone take a seat," she ordered. Her friends took those on the right while Royalty took the left, eyes on the pads in front of their face connected to the table. The chairs were so soft, Novo was tempted to just catch up on her sleep right then and there.

Twilight got comfortable then leaned into the pad in front of her and made a few on screen adjustments by tapping her hoof rapidly against it. It was a wonder how it didn't crack yet.

"As you all know," she began. "The lands you called home have been taken over by a magic you can't fight against. Creatures of unknown origin come and infect friends and family, turning them into foe. And no magic can hurt them."

"Do you know what they are?" Ember asked from the very end of the line. "And... Where have you been? We've been requesting your presence and expertise in magic. Starswirl couldn't do anything."

"I have been at home, and yes I do. They're creations from an old foe of my ancestor, Narmeelah." Arcadia pressed a few things on her pad to begin her presentation. A depiction of Narmeelah was plastered onto their screens. Light green coat, ice blue eyes, and a fire red mane smiling at their faces.

Twilight leaned back into her seat and relaxed with an exhale. "Let's begin. Before the time of Celestia, Luna, or even Discord, and when Equus was very young and new, there was Narmeelah. The creator and founder of everything. Water, Fire, Earth, and Air. The main elements needed to create. She was a Pseratep who could harness magic and use it at her will. She created the mighty and great nation of Psera."

Twilight next presented an old painting of Psera, similar to something that would be seen in an Equestrian textbook, like the nightmare moon legend. "She founded it, and ruled for millions of years. Protected its people while they prospered and grew in knowledge. We learned of love, which give us our magic. Our land grew larger and larger, officially making Psera the biggest and strongest nation. Narmeelah created more lands, but always returned to Psera. She soon had a daughter named Saemool. Everything was well and Psera prospered. Until... She disappeared."

Singe was confused why Twilight kept saying "our" since she wasn't from whatever Psera was. But she ignored it, craned her neck and deadpanned, "Disappeared? How?"

"I'm getting to that. The country searched high and low for her. But she was never found. But we did find something. Three discarded notes around her room." Twilight pressed something on the pad, directing their attention to it. There were three black and white evidence photos of balls of paper. Then a photo after that of one unraveled. It showed a text in Old Pseratopian. "Two made no sense to us once we read them. But one clarified everything. It held two words that opened up a conspiracy and hope. Dear. Diary.

"Narmeelah was believed to have a Diary. A record of everything she had done in her life. Every secret, every truth. Everything. It was later confirmed by multiple credible sources that she did in fact have a Diary she carried around the castle. The entire nation abandoned the search for Narmeelah and instead searched for the diary. Because if we found the diary..."

"You'll know what happened to Narmeelah," Skystar assumed.

"Right. Unfortunately, we never found it. And it became a Legend, just like Narmeelah. We moved on for thousands of years afterwards, avoiding trouble and staying anonymous. Soon after thousands of years, a new king and family line took the throne." Arcadia put up a rather striking photo of King Madun next, earning a few naughty under-the-table comments from Skystar and Queen Novo. Even Luna and Celestia. And that bucking Singe. Cadance had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing at Twilight's offended face.

"Er... But after a plague and disaster!" She yelled to silence the room. "Psera was given the choice to abandon their land and search for new land. They didn't have to." Twilight moved the photo to the side and replaced it with the famous one of her, dragging her face through the dirt and creating grass. "Psera never knew of magic. But after a... Disagreement with Equestria, I discovered they needed help, and showed them what I could do. I brought magic to them. And with a single horn and teamwork, restored Psera from this—" Twilight changed the view to a sky image of Psera without life. Brown and dead. "To this." She shifted the image to one with way more life full of green, clouds, and cities. She even put up a night time image of the striking light of Psera creating a pattern.

"The king refused to let me leave and offered legal residency after I refused payment. I was given the title as Secretary of Royalty once the country was restored. I did what the Royal Family of Psera needed to be done. I became a friend, an ally. And soon, a family member after I was asked on a date by the king of Psera."

She slid the photo to another image of the two of them dancing in front of the castle doors with a few more Pserateps, smiling with glee and pleasure. "We went on a few more dates and I discovered that I had been voted to be Queen of Psera after he proposed. And I said yes. And after an attempted assassination by a pony who shall remain unknown, I was married and had a foal." Twilight moved the image to the side, showing a press image of King Shimmering Madun and Lady in Waiting Twilight "Arcadia Nova" Sparkle walking out of the castle with their foal. "She's turning five soon. Later on, I was crowned as Queen and took my place on the throne beside my husband after we pushed the timing back."

She slid another photo to the side, showing the image of her inside the castle throne room, sitting on a big throne next to Madun's, holding his hoof with little Fresh Dawn in her lap. Grinning proudly while Fresh Dawn was sucking on her hoof, wearing a pretty little dress with long wings. Purple eyes full of innocence.

"With all due respect, why are you telling us this?" Novo asked. "No doubt, I am very happy for you—even if I do have some questions—but how is this relevant to now?"

Twilight lightly waved a hoof at her and answered, "I created a life here in Psera. I knew its ins and outs. Where everything is. Every story, every legend. I rose up from the ranks and settled down. Until Celestia, Luna, and Cadance walked into my throne room and reminded me of IHT. Then everything came back to me. I completely forgot about the International House of Trade. It was in three days and I didn't even know. Thankfully, Celestia told me and I created a plan to attend. Our nation has an extremely strict secrecy policy that we just rendered partially void by saving you today. So to prevent any investigation in the past, I had to attend."

"That's why you were acting strange," Manamar commented.

Twilight didn't know what that meant, so she just moved on. "My husband watched over our daughter while I created a plan. I gathered my guards and attended. Now here is where everything ties in to now. Celestia and the rest of my family knows this. My daughter is thirty-three percent Equestrian and sixty-seven percent Pseratopian. But Pserateps don't get cutie marks. They just have talents. So it came as a surprise to me when I began to notice a few things. She's taken on a bit of Luna's role. Dreams."

Dictator Jim Sun, who has been silent most of this time raised his eyebrow and repeated, "Dreams?"

Twilight nodded and explained further, "She's able to interact with and remember her dreams. She'd tell them to us, and later on in life, maybe further down the road or even a few minutes after she does, they happen. I'm positive she'll get a cutie mark. Or if not, she'll still have her special talent by the age of seven. Recently, on the last day of IHT, I visited my family back home with a spell I created to travel between great distances out of body, using magic. She was really excited about something, saying 'Narmeepah' has been telling her a few things this week. But this time 'she finally made sense.'"

Celestia never thought she'd see the day when Madam Singe would grace them all with a smile. She fawned, "Aww, how cute."

"Yes, it was really adorable. Fresh Dawn told me that Narmeelah's Diary was currently in Equestria. She has no idea what Narmeelah's diary is yet, that's way down the line. So for her to tell me about it was a flag. Later on that day, during the trade agreement, after thousands of years... We finally found it. The Diary of Narmeelah. And it was given to me by a pony who couldn't open it." She directed her eyes to King Chancellor who had his mouth partly open.

"...it was a diary... by a God?" He whispered.

Arcadia shrugged and nodded. "Technically? Yes. You hoofed it right over to me. I had it carefully taken all the way back to Psera where it was sanitized and stored in a cold room. However, just like King Chancellor, they couldn't open it."

"Told you."

Arcadia rolled her eyes and continued. "They came to me for help, since they believed this to be a magic thing. And I called forth my daughter. On that day, she pointed at the book and said, 'It can only be opened by Narmeepah's descendant.'

"What that means is that the diary was coded to Narmeelah's magical signature, a move that is used in Psera with Royalty and higher ups to keep ponies and more away from precious items. Which can only be accessed by a specific point of the pony's body.

"During the family line, copies of the magical signature are passed down. The technicians believed that the book was a lost cause since there is no known living descendant of Narmeelah. Saemool never had any children. But Fresh Dawn insisted that I go ahead and lay my hoof on the cover. I did. And now..."

Arcadia reached under the table for a moment and pulled out the old dusty book that was not there a moment ago. This table was completely flat like a large "T". Celestia knew she was a mage. Arcadia placed the book on the table and placed her hoof on the cover. Just like before, it clicked and the flap flipped open. Just like King Chancellor's mouth immediately after.

Twilight sighed and explained, "What this means and implies is that I am a distant descendant of Narmeelah. Even though the Pserateps were created by her, she didn't exactly give birth to them. It was all magic that created and made life. Narmeelah found a soul mate, had sex, and had children somewhere that was not in Psera. That family line went down millions of years and created moi. And I also had a little foal. So now Fresh Dawn continues the line. And possibly others. After everyone went crazy in that throne room, I decided to read the diary. And discovered the things we expected and clarified to the public."

Arcadia locked the diary back and pushed it back under the desk, sending it back to wherever she got it from. "One of them was the talk of a battle between Narmeelah... And her opposite. Maheera Dark. While Narmeelah wanted everything nice and pretty, Maheera wanted dark and ugly. To her it was grand but to Narmeelah it was utterly vile, and vice versa. I visited Celestia one day to talk to her about it. And I thought Discord. The current god of Chaos. That was the day you all were worried about your lands and asking to seek refuge. I was nearby watching, listening."

"We questioned him and he told us that Maheera was an old ancestor of his. The original God of Chaos. But unlike Discord, her skills are more ancient and evil. There is no chocolate rain, but blood rain. There is no barking plants that have legs and dance. There are screeching plants that grab and rip you apart. THAT is the kind of world Maheera wanted.

"In the past, Narmeelah was able to fight her and keep her under control with spells that I have no idea how to cast and must research back home. She was powerful. The last fight they had was over ten million years ago. I don't know what happened in that fight, but whatever it was made them both go to sleep. And recently, Maheera woke up. Narmeelah hasn't. So now the entire world is stuck with a Draconequus that is bigger than a mountain, has large teeth, and a thirst for pony magic. And the only one who can fight her is a pony with Pseratopian Magic, knows how to cast it, and be a descendant of Narmeelah. And that pony would be... Me."

Novo pointed at her and repeated, "You? You're the pony that saved us back there? And had us evacuate?"

"Yes. I am. And now she knows there's another pony out there that can hit her. I bet she is furious. If we didn't arrive, you would all be gone right now. They swooped in fast, taking Las Pegasus by storm. Everyone there lost and we didn't know it. That's why there were so many. We were too late there, so we reached over and grabbed who we could. Now we're rounding up everyone and taking them to Psera. Even... Changelings." Arcadia's shiver caught everyone's eye. A might of slight offended stares.

"Is there an issue with Changelings?" Shining asked. Twilight's deadpan look gave him his answer.

"Remember in the past? I dropped them off in Equestria? Remember?"

Celestia gasped and nodded, "Ahh, right. But what about Thorax? And the reformed?"

Arcadia closed her eyes and shook her head. "I'm not too sure. It's nothing personal. But I vowed on the day I took the throne that I'd put Psera and Pserateps first before any other creature. And there is some bad blood between Psera and the term Changeling. I can already feel the Guards watching every single move they make and a few looks from my ponies. Now, Cadance? Shining Armor? Since no one asked, we managed to secure the Crystal Heart. It's being held in Aquata Eight and will be secured in Lavender when we arrive."

Cadance gasped, then slumped in her chair. "Oh, I completely forgot about it. Thank you, Twilight."



While the Queen was speaking with the ponies in the middle of the ship, many ponies were being looked at in the areas below. As well as looking around. Sunset and Trixie were just one of those sitting on the edge of one of the Hangar Bays watching five other Aquatas in the distance, buzzing with activity. Bon Bon leaned over to Lyra and whispered, "Who's in charge again? An Admiral, right?"

Lyra shrugged and answered, "Don't know. Where are we going though?"

"Greetings, everyone." All conversations ceased and all eyes turned towards the relatively large display of Arcadia sitting high in the middle of the hangar floor. Smiling down at everyone inside every Aquata. But she was actually in the suite inside her bedroom, eyes closed and horn lit.

Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Flurry Heart were on the side. Listening and watching the LiVAMs over the door.

There were a total of eight displaying different readings they couldn't figure out. The other rulers had evacuated for the hangars to explain to those in there the matter.

Bulk Muscles was directly in Arcadia's holographic form in the Royal Aquata. He glanced around before darting out to somewhere that wasn't holding magic. Arcadia's kind violet eyes never wavered. "Firstly, I want to thank the Aqua Guard, Elite Guard, Aerial Guard, Force Guard, and Arcadian Elite Royal Guard for risking their lives and running into the flames of Infected. It was some tough work and I am very proud. Thank you.

"Next, I want to thank everyone for following procedure and listening to the captains in the midst of running. If you didn't, it would have been an utter disaster and plans would have gotten out of hoof with disastrous results. As you all know, a creature of Chaos walks among us and has taken over a majority of your homes."

The ponies in a different Aquata held their eyes on the display Arcadia was speaking from, not even whispering. Even the reformed changelings. "She is an ancient being of incredible power who cannot be stopped by magic. Equestrian magic. Myself and my experts are coming up with a plan to take her down, but have also offered you housing in a very distant land hundreds of miles away from Equestria and the others while we do so. As of this time, we should be docking in Psera after approximately fifty-two hours. And before anypony starts complaining, at least you're not with the Draconequus, who was going to eat you." That immediately ceased any retort before it began. Sunset held a hoof up to her mouth to stifle any laughter.

"Now, I want to mention that Psera has a zero tolerance policy for visitors, and that by ancient law you should not be on your way to our nation. Those that do are usually captured and taken straight to me, where I send you straight back to where you came from after a little... digging and reorganizing." Madam Singe wasn't sure she liked what that was implying. "So I alone am doing you a massive favor. Next I want everyone to know that we may in fact experience a few bumps along the way if my theories are correct. Nothing to be worried about at this moment, the Guard and myself are on top of it, and are thoroughly prepared for encounters.

"Now I want to make it plain and clear that while aboard our Aquatas and nation that all rules are to be followed. ALL rules. Psera is a wonderful nation and friendly. But above all, behind the protective Obelisks, Psera is a military nation and will not tolerate any ignorance, bigotry, and definitely threats. Any creature who does so will not enjoy their stay. I want to make it very clear that even though Psera loves all creatures, you are still foreigners and military police have the right to make adjustments. Moving, transfers, all of that will be laid out in more detail by your rulers, who will be answering to the Fire Family once we dock.

"Now if you all behave and stay on your best behavior, no need to worry. Just enjoy your stay as best as you can. But for right now, we will be only watching and maintaining a clean and healthy atmosphere. If there are any questions, please refer to a nearby guard. That is all." The holograms of Twilight disintegrated into stars. Twinkling down to the ground in a show of brilliance.

Back in her bedroom, Twilight's aura faded from around her horn. Then she opened her eyes and blinked them to recognize her room. She took a deep breath and stood up before Luna commented, "Quite forward."

Twilight turned to her and responded, "I'd rather not beat around the bush. It's better to just come straight out the box and tell you. Now, Admiral Star is commandeering the fleet. It's eleven o' six, and I have to do a water check."

Rainbow raised a hoof to get her attention. Then recalled, "You said 'encounters?'"

Twilight nodded and clarified, "As you know, there are legendary ponies and creatures out there. Narmeelah, Maheera... myself."

"You're considered legendary?" Rarity repeated.

Twilight nodded and answered, "You'll see why. But there are also other creatures. Two of them are Sea Creatures. Like ponies of the sea that are definitely not Seaquestria's Sea Ponies. Narmeelah spoke of their appearance in the Diary. Mahloo and Marloo, the protectors of the sea. In the past they partnered with Narmeelah to keep ponies away from Psera in a violent matter. And we may encounter them."

"So they were guards," Celestia assumed. All of this was truly fascinating. The fact that there were creatures besides Discord and those held in Tartarus? She wanted to turn into Twilight and take notes.

"Yes. Sacred guards of the sea. But only when Maheera struck. It's been millions of years and they may be awake. Let it be known that when Maheera rises, all do. Before the twins, there is another around my size. But I'm prepared. Unfortunately, Narmeelah failed to clarify when. It could be now, it could be when we reach the obelisks. Now I want to make something else known here too."

"And what is that dear?" Rarity asked.

Twilight took a deep breath, leaned her head back then shouted, "I miss my babies!" Cadance jumped a little. Then held a hoof over her chest. She was just going through Mother's Longing. Sniffling, Twilight cried, "Little Dawn is going to leave school soon and she's going to come home and ask where's mommy and I'm at sea, baby-y-y!"

"Awwww!" Rarity strode forward and pulled her friend into a hug. "It's okay~! I'm sure she enjoys her father, darling."

Twilight took a deep and calming breath to calm her nerves. "You're right. My baby's with her father and the rest of the family. She'll be fine." She took one more calming breath then pulled off of Rarity and made way for the door. Next she stopped and asked, "Are mom and dad in Psera?"

Celestia nodded and answered, "They should be with Madun by now."



That same morning at nine after dropping his daughter off at school and a nuzzle in her mane, Madun soared all the way back to the castle with two Elite Guards by his side. A list of things were running through his head: Meet with Bold Shoulder to talk about defense, court, reading, lunch with his sister, and meeting with "Dusty's" mother to setup a playdate. This Maheera business screwed up a lot of plans.

The castle was quiet. No noise whatsoever. He could hear his hooves as well as his own thoughts for once. It was great.

"Oh, Maduuuun~!" It was. He stopped in the middle of an intersecting hallway and turned to the right in surprise. Twilight Velvet and Night Light were waving from down the hall. Then proceeded towards him. Oh no. Oh please no.

"In-laws," Madun whispered to himself.

Twilight Velvet reached him first and pulled him into a loving hug. "Ooohhh, look at you! Still lugging those bulging muscles around in your body, I see. How are you? We haven't seen you in ages!"

Madun smiled innocently and responded, "Ohh, Still on the throne."

Twilight Velvet looked around and asked, "That's great dear, now where is little Fresh Dawn?"

"Yes, where is the little scamp?" Night Light added.

"She's in school."

Twilight Velvet gasped and asked, "Already? But she's only four! You know when I was her age..." Madun sighed and sat down. This was certainly going to take awhile.



Back on Aquata Zero, Twilight smiled and nodded in approval. "Excellent. You're free to explore. Rainbow Dash? Try not to boast. My Guards don't like that."

Ignoring her eye roll, Applejack wrapped a hoof around Rainbow's neck and assured, "I'll take care of her, Twi. Don't you worry."



While they were in Twiligh's bedroom, the rest of IHT's members stood around Aquata Zero's Hangars. Some deep within, others like Novo at the edge of the bay, staring out to the sea and the other Aquata's escorting them back. The steel floor was cool under Queen Novo's hooves as she treaded the crowded hangar. According to an "Elite" Guard and from Queen Twilight, they were aboard an Aquata. An aquatic vehicle. But... What's a vehicle?

Skystar asked from her immediate right, "So we're going to another land until all of this is handled?"

Novo nodded and answered, "Yes. A much more ancient part of society I think. According to Queen Twilight, this land was around before any of ours. Celestia calls them the true warriors. I have no idea what that means." The two moved through a few more ponies and sat at the edge of the hangar bays, watching an Aquata approach up next to them. At the helm was the crest of what must be Psera branded a light gray, moving past them. And all around them as far as they could see were deep blue water. Ocean. By now they would have arrived at North Neighton. Wherever they were headed it was very far. Not to mention... It seemed like most of these ponies from Equestria knew about them. Celestia herself didn't even hold a reaction.

"I can tell you are thinking." Novo looked to her left at Luna. She had taken a seat next to her drinking from a glass cup with her eyes on the sea. Where'd she get that?

Novo nodded and admitted, "These... 'aquatic vehicles' are big. Massive."

Luna followed her gaze towards even more ponies sitting on the edge of another ship directly across. Immediately everyone started shouting and waving, trying to get the others' attention. Luna merely smiled and waved among all the noise. "Yes, well... These are not their biggest."

"So you do know them."

Luna sighed and admitted herself, "Yes. Pserateps. Equestria... Had a tense relationship with Psera in the past, something you could easily get into if you do not watch where you poke your nose. After Twilight left with the Element of Magic, Equestria was put on lockdown and a search to find her was commenced. We never did. Although she made appearances, she always disappeared before we could grab her. We had a suspicion she had joined a different society, but we had no idea why. Well when we learned she was inviting a friend from Equestria over for a celebration, we quickly followed along through a portal and onto Psera.

"We were astounded when we arrived in Cop, their capital. When Arcadia says that Psera is a legendary and grand nation... She's not joking. It truly is a sight to behold. But we landed at the wrong time. Like she said, Psera is a military nation. Turns out, Arcadia has an extreme influence over them after she healed their land. Gained a level of respect from even Royalty. Next thing you know, since we were foreigners we were taken by her and thrown into the nearest holding facility where we learn that she is a Lady in Waiting. Which on their land means a pony about to be merged with the Royal Family. Whether through marriage or through vote as Queen. She got both.

"The rest of Psera didn't like us. At all. And Pserateps fly really fast. Arcadia isn't the fastest, but the second. She flies faster than Rainbow Dash on a bad day. All Pserateps except the foals can. The rest of it is history. But as you can see..." She gestured out with her hoof towards the ship. "They've been around for a very long time. And no creature knew about it."

Novo sighed and looked around. This was an apparent big deal. Whoever these ponies were... They were strong.



Twilight loved to sleep. She loved it so much. Fresh Dawn was her love and life, but sometimes she drives her up the wall. So getting a wondrous sleep inside the Royal Suite in the middle of the ship in the middle of the day was much appreciated. Her friends and the Guards were out doing everything they could to manage the ship and get everyone comfortable.

Twilight hummed under the comforter and shifted her hooves, cuddling the pillow. Then stopped and sighed. These pillows were really soft. Oh the stars, so soft. She didn't want to get up. Or move. Or...

Twilight's eyes popped open. What was that? She felt something, and she still feels it. Something down below in the ocean. Slowly, she pulled herself up and looked around her room. Something was up. She could feel it. It was... Wrong. Unnatural.

Something was nagging at the back of Twilight's mind to check the Diary of Narmeelah. Page two hundred forty six. Twilight lit her horn and teleported the book to in front of her face. Then quickly flipped it open to the page. "Naanananana deep ocean... Oh my Psera!"

Twilight softly closed the book and set it down. Then quickly grabbed the Comm Block and slipped it on. "Admiral, stop the fleet!!" She ordered. "Stop them now!!" Then teleported out of the room and into the hallway where her Guard waited for her. Then walked quickly across the steel walkway with her towards the deck. She was quickly moving past the rest of the Guards on that floor, making her way to the deck.

From behind the wheel and with his eyes still on the ocean, Admiral Star lifted his Comm Block and repeated, "Stop the ships?"

"Yes, every last one of them!! Stop them now! Emergency Blowbacks!!"

"Yes, ma'am, all Aquatas hold!" Admiral Silver lowered his hoof and flipped a plastic cover on the control panel. He jammed a very bright yellow button underneath it, triggering an internal sequence of events.

While Twilight was coming to her senses, Rainbow Dash and everyone else were enjoying the sights of the ocean on the deck, feeling the wind blow through their manes while the Guard and military worked. Even Haakim and Amira were enjoying themselves, and they were land ponies. Very rarely went overseas.

Celestia, Luna, and Cadance smiled at each other before a very loud siren blared, ringing their ears and forcing a jump out of every single creature. The ships around them blared the same siren before they activated their blowback systems. The ship they were on tilted forward and drastically slowed, almost causing the loss of footing from those on deck and blowing gallons of water out of the sea into the air. Then came to a stop, as quickly as it started. 

"Wh-what's happening?" Cadance quickly asked. The rest blared the same alarm and flashing bright red lights along the hull, coming to a complete stop. After a few seconds they were all at a halt. Humming, Celestia and the others made their way towards the bridge, meeting up with Twilight and her commanding officers before she could start climbing the stairs and barking orders. "What happened?"

She held a hoof up, signalling them to hold on a moment. Then shouted into her Comm Block, "I want all Aquatas to use a nine thousand depth scan now and tell me what you see! Put the Aqua Guard on Standby and have all weapons trained ahead!" The captains of the ship responded in kind While Arcadia walked to the edge still barking orders. "Captains of the Guard, I want you to reassure our guests that they are not in danger... At the moment."

Celestia didn't like that. She and everyone else shared a look while Twilight looked over the ship and into the deep blue sea below. After a few minutes, Admiral Star stated, "All ships are seeing fish, whales, and water, ma'am."

Arcadia nodded and responded, "Okay... Okay, Admiral bring me a history of the Depth scan to the deck, please, from leaving Equestria to now. All other Captains of the Aquatas meet me on the deck of Aquata Zero." She lowered her hoof and looked back to Celestia. "Something's wrong."

"What do you mean?" She quickly approached Twilight and followed her gaze into the water. She didn't see anything amiss.

Without taking her eyes off the water, Twilight asked, "Have you ever heard of a Magical Aura, Celestia? Luna, Cadance, Shining? And whoever else has a horn?"

Celestia and Luna shared a look while Cadance responded, "I... Can't say I have, no. What is it?"

"A Magical Aura is the term used to describe the magical feedback coming from a magic-wielding pony's body. It's created because there is more magic than the body can hold. So the magic sort of stores itself outside, creating a body in itself. The more magic you have the bigger the aura. And just like any body, you can feel what happens to it. Celestia, Luna and Cadance may in fact have a Magical Aura and probably don't even realize it. Let alone know how to recognize it.

"I have a magical aura and know how to recognize it. It's five miles long and I can feel and sense whatever's happening around me, but the closer the better and more clarified. A good example is what happened years ago when I retrieved books from the castle and you all spotted me. Rainbow Dash flew forward to try and stop me, but I felt her in my Aura and slapped her back." Rainbow sighed in embarrassment while Applejack bit her lip with a smile. "I trained myself in it with my daughter by playing hide and seek. She thought I was cheating. The reason I've temporarily ceased our progress was because I didn't feel something that I've been feeling for quite awhile. And it's a red flag."

"And what was that?" Luna asked.

The Admirals and ship ponies landed on the deck and saluted, hooves filled with rolled up paper. Admiral Star saluted and hoofed over one, allowing her to read it. After unrolling it, she looked it over from the beginning and then to the end. She slowly shook her head and gave it back. Then read another one. This went on for a few minutes before Twilight shook her head angrily. "No, no, no, no, no!" She yelled. Then walked over to the edge and looked it over. "It's just a legend!"

"What's wrong, your highness?" Admiral Silver asked. He and the rest of the captains walked over and looked down. Nothing but water.

She pointed to the charts they were holding and asked, "What do you see as of the second most recent time point?"

They looked at it for a moment, reading the mass of scribbly lines that gave Rainbow Dash a headache just by staring at them. Admiral Silver nodded and answered, "Well... ten thousand depths."

"Right. Now what do you see as of the most recent time point?"

The admirals checked again and nodded. "Well... It goes off the chart," one answered slowly.

"Right. So..." Twilight turned around with a grave look on her face. "Where did the ground go?"

Admiral Silver widened his eyes and looked back at the graph. Then he shook his head and answered, "It's... gone."

"Exactly. I want all sonar equipment using two percent to scan. Now."

Admiral Silver raised his comm block to deliver the order while Twilight turned to the worried ponies behind her. Rainbow Dash zipped over and asked, "So what's happening? Are we in danger?"

Arcadia shook her head and answered, "Possibly, but I won't know for sure until we get those results back. Until then, we're staying put. Now about the Magical Aura. It's like an extension of your body. You can feel and hear everything. Someone make a movement behind me or something. Just do it." Arcadia squeezed her eyes shut and stood still.

Rarity looked to Applejack and shrugged. Why not? Then flapped her ears like PInkie PIe, who was behind Applejack eating a cupcake. "A Pinkie Pie move. Someone is moving their ears. Flapping them up and down." Celestia and the others with horns slowly opened their mouths in awe while Twilight opened her eyes. "I can feel and assess things within a five mile radius. The closer they are the more detailed it can be. I stopped the ships because I stopped feeling something. I stopped feeling the ground. The ground underneath us at the bottom of the ocean disappeared. There's some over there—" She pointed to the rear of the ship where they came from. "But not over here." She made a motion to where they were headed.

"So there's a dip in... Mud?" Rainbow deadpanned.

"Maybe. This is a Legend. Back when Psera was in a very violent time, we used to send Aquatas and more to sea to fight others and keep Psera safe. The Border Guard. However... None of them returned."

Celestia widened her eyes and repeated, "None?"

"Both sides lost every single ship, every single living creature in the battle with no explanation. Until one Pseratep returned. They floated into Merōl on a sheet of metal, telling tales of how he survived and what happened. Narmeelah made a record of it in her Diary. The pony said he was on the ship one second, next there was pink all around. Flesh. Then teeth. They were in a mouth. A very large and big mouth that was bigger than all of these ships. Whatever it was ate all of those ships.

"The soldier recalled escaping the ship when it was pulled very far underwater and looked down. He saw no land. No dirt. Just... Darkness. The lights of the Aquatas were still on, sinking further and further, and he saw the creature. He was really far down. Yet the creature continued going further and further out of view with those ships in its mouth.

"Narmeelah declared that no Pseratep were to go there ever again. She said she recognized the description. A Sea Monster that dwells deep in the ocean. So deep it's undetectable. And if something disturbs the light above it, they rise up out of the water with an open mouth, close it, then dart back under, taking whatever was inside with them. In the recent past, maybe a hundred and a half years ago, a group of Pserateps decided to disobey this law and went that way anyway for jokes. They were never heard or seen from again."

Cadance asked, "But how did you get to Psera in the past? Didn't you take a boat or something?"

Twilight pointed up to the sky and answered, "When I was in Equestria, I grabbed a cloud and used the cloud walking spell on what I had with me. I placed them on the cloud as well as my body, and flew that way. I was never on the water. I was in the air."

No one in front of her moved to process this legend. Arcadia turned around and made motion for the Admiral's findings. He shook his head and answered, "Nothing. One hundred thousand depths and nothing. And that's as far as we can scan on two percent."
> Chapter 13 - Monster of the Sea
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arcadia immediately shook her head. "Yeah, no, we're not going this way. All ships back five thousand hooves and hold positions!" The Admiral and Captains saluted then moved back for the bridge and their own crafts. Arcadia looked back to the waters and sighed. "Oh, I really don't want to go around. It would delay us by days."

"What?!" Rainbow yelled. Then zipped over to Twilight. "How many days?"

Twilight shook her head and answered, "Not sure. But I'm not risking over a million lives including my own soldiers over a hole in the planet that even Narmeelah told us to stay away from. I'm so happy I have access to the Diary."

Haakim walked forward and asked, "Your highness, how exactly did you get to Equestria from Psera today?"

"An extremely large portal of my build. I had all crafts line up and move forward, but it was tiring and left me winded..." Twilight stopped speaking then slowly turned back towards the water with narrowed eyes. "Something's moving down there. It's big enough to take up a fifth of my aura." She held up her Comm Block and ordered, "All Elite Guard, ready every single weapon on these Aquata and aim at the water! I'm going in!"

"Ten-four, your highness."

"All hooves on deck, all hooves on deck!! Let's move, let's move! Everyone away from the doors!"

All ponies relaxing by the bay doors jumped out of the way so the Elite, Force, and Aqua Guard could reach the bays carrying large machinery. One pony would setup a stand while another would place a steel rotary cannon on top. Then spin it and aim at the water from the bay doors. Those who didn't have weapons unsheathed their wings and stood at the edge, watching the seas and waiting for the command to swarm in.

The large cannons on the deck hummed then swiveled and tilted for the water. All weapons were trained, armed and ready. The Admiral listened for the confirmations inside the Bridge. Once everyone was ready, he gave her the go-ahead. "We're ready, your highness."

Queen Twilight lit her horn and conjured a portal that she trotted through. Then came out the other side wearing her armor, finished with her sword. With her eyes on the water, she ordered, "All units... Cover me." Then jumped over the edge and glided down towards the seas.

"Admiral and captains, I need those ships backed up." Arcadia opened her large wings at the doors' levels and flapped them to slow and level her descent. The crafts behind her blared before doing as requested. Blowback systems activated, their Aquatas backed away, leaving the Queen. But those eyes never left her. "Admiral, put me on the intercom." Twilight stopped flapping over the water then lit her horn once more.

The admiral paired his crystal block with a pad on the bridge. Then responded, "You're on."



"What exactly is happening?" Madan Singe asked. She walked away from one of her own guards towards an Elite manning a cannon and poked her armor to get attention. "What is going on? Why did we stop?"

She shook her head and answered, "Not sure. Her highness may have sensed something. That's what it looks like." Madam Singe peeked out at the purple speck up ahead of Twilight, wings raised, and hooves on the water. Slowly treading the waves.

"Hello, everyone," Twilight boomed over the intercoms. "This is Queen Arcadia. As you may have noticed by now we have ceased all progress due to a possible threat and are investigating at this time. Please stay calm and in control."

Back on the top deck, Celestia watched the Queen move further and further away on tense hooves. The air was thick with anxiety, no one even spoke. Twilight suddenly stopped moving when she noticed something unnatural. The waves. They stopped moving with the water. It was still like something broke the current.

She lit her horn and flew back into the air, watching the water. If there was something down there, she knew exactly how to grab it. Celestia and everyone else watched her soar upwards.

Then suddenly she saw it. Movement. The water was getting darker. Darker, darker. Green. Arcadia gasped and yelled, "Hold your fire!!!!" She flapped her wings and jumped incredibly high into the air, flipping backwards.

Rainbow Dash yelled, "What?!" No one answered.

The deep water they were about to float into underneath Queen Arcadia suddenly pulsed and grew two blue mountains, slowly overshadowing the ships and splashing water down onto the decks. They gasped before the water fell away, revealing green skin, small eyes, and rows upon rows of giant razor sharp teeth sticking out like scythes. Way bigger than their entire fleet on both sides. Celestia's mouth dropped open. It was some type of sea monster. Definitely. All Aquatas tilted backwards from the waves tossed high into the air, crashing onto the ship's decks.

"Hold your fire, let the Queen work her magic!!" Admiral commanded. The water by their ships suddenly glowed a deep violet, morphing into long tubes and shot towards the creature of legend. It was like a gigantic deadly catfish. With very deadly teeth. King Chancellor didn't want to get caught in those things.

The water twirled around said creature up to its wide open mouth. Then squeezed. The mouth slowly shut, ceasing any roaring. Then the tubes pulled up higher to pull up this monstrosity while more caught onto the rest of its body by the tail.

Twilight was struggling but she's handled a block of steel heavier than the Castle back home. She could handle this. Twilight grunted and watched with fascination at the size. It was just like the Diary said it would be. As big as a mountain with teeth as the valley.

She raised it higher with her magic and brought it into the atmosphere until finally its finned tail of yards rose out with it. Once it was high enough, she used more "Water ropes" and snagged it. Then tilted its body until it were horizontal, facing the way they were coming from before.

She lifted it up to her face and looked into its black eye. She couldn't even read an expression. It wasn't even fighting. But just in case, Twilight tightened her grip on it. Then ordered, "All craft, full speed forward. If another one is coming, I'll know."

"Ten-four. Hold on, everyone." Admiral Silver slowly pushed on the levers that powered the engines and turned the rotary fans underneath the boat just like the rest of the captains. Aquata Zero pushed forward first, then the rest. It was so sudden Celestia nearly fell backwards. PInkie Pie on the other hoof let it happen with her hooves in the air, eyes on the sky. Those inside the ship nearly lost their balance too, but stayed upright as it swam through the waves.

They passed the first tube of water, staring at all the fish and more inside of it that swam up and down. Cadance tracked them up to the monster currently beginning to cast a shadow on their Aquata. At the growling emanating from inside. The guard underneath it swiveled their weapons so they were still aiming at it directly. They remained on tense hooves.

"That... Is one big beast," Applejack whispered.

Even when they were all on the other side, Twilight continued holding it up. She grunted each time she almost lost focus. Maintaining all of these ropes was a struggle. It huffed out a breath of air through its nostrils, spraying water and whatever that blue stuff was into the sea. Celestia was still watching it, even when they were a mile away. It was still in sight as if it were a large trout. Queen Novo gulped down her fear with Skystar, surrounded by their own soldiers. But they were all thoroughly impressed by Twilight's strength. She was still holding it, even after ten minutes.

"Distance, Captains," Arcadia requested.

Admiral Silver answered, "One and a half miles, ma'am. The land is back on the readings as well."

"Good. I'm dropping it now." Taking a deep breath, Twilight ceased her magical flow and returned the tubes of water into droplets, thus releasing the creature. She watched it fall and land belly-first in the ocean. It sent gallons of water into the air, shrouding Twilight's vision from the wall it created. Many droplets hit her armor, but it didn't wear. Once it was back in the water, Twilight felt it move in a backwards arch. Then slowly descend back into the depths of the ocean.

Twilight checked one obstacle off her "Mental List of Obstacles." Two more were scheduled to get in the way. But this one was the only one on her list that was... Slight Imminent Danger. And really big. Much bigger than the others and less aggressive.

Once the monster was out of reach, Twilight flapped her wings and soared through the moist air back down, then over the water. Heading back for the Aquatas. Once she was within sight, she zoomed up over the large back of Aquata Zero, and landed on the deck towards the rest saluting soldiers. "At ease," she ordered. "It's gone under. We barely wasted any time, great. Well too much time anyway."

Celestia and the guests on the deck stared upon her with wide open mouths. Slowly shaking her head, Rarity whispered, "No wonder you're called a legend."

Twilight blushed at the praise and made way for the Bridge. "Yeah, I know. So we're back on schedule. I'll let home know that we're moving forward and making way for Psera. But that was just one obstacle. My team and I have estimated there to be three."

Celestia followed up beside her and asked, "Wait, three more of those?" She pointed a disbelieving hoof behind her.

Twilight immediately shook her head. "What? No! No, no, no, no, like small things. There are the Twins, Marloo and Mahloo. And there's another that's actually... A pony."

Cadance and Luna followed Twilight up to the bridge while the others moved towards the doors for the inside of the Aquata. Luna asked, "Another pony? In the middle of the ocean? Must be lonely."

Twilight turned and walked into the bridge with the Princesses right on her tail, once again blown away by their advanced qualities. A bunch of steel, manipulated lights with shapes, and glass tables. The bridge held two levels. The first level was smaller than the second one below them and was definitely for the captains and higher heads. The one below were for communications and weapon control. The floors was a smooth steel and cool to their hooves when they stepped on.

Below them were five rows of four stations hosted by Pserateps in communications. They were focused on their work and less so to the Queen's voice. Psera was too advanced. Celestia couldn't help but feel dread at the immense power Psera held. May Faust help them should they ever go to war with each other. Hopefully that day would never come.

Queen Arcadia made her way for the biggest glass table between the Wheel and abandoned stations surrounded by a few more higher-ups. Admiral Silver, Captains, Lieutenants and more wearing medals and clothes belonging to their branch of Psera's military.

One of them noticed her presence from the far side and saluted. Then the rest followed suit. "At ease," Queen Arcadia ordered. They parted to the side to let her and the other three princesses pass, and observe the table. They were observing a map, a digital one made of lights. It hurt Celestia's eyes and forced her to squint from the intensity. Among the LEDs were more noticeable ones, such as a blinking red light on the far left while two blues were up ahead in the middle of the table. Then a little bit past that was a vertical line of purple dots forming a sort of barrier.

Twilight pointed at the blinking red dot and explained, "This is us. We're approximately four hundred forty-five miles off the coast of Merōl. By tonight we should be four hundred and one miles. And by tomorrow evening, two hundred one. And this..." She pointed to the second blue dot. "Is Odega. According to legend, Odega is a pony made of flames and fire.  A physical form of ignited Hydrogen. According to the Diary of Narmeelah, she's a close friend. The only ponies who are allowed to pass are those from Psera. Any creature who is not from Psera... Are burned alive by Odega herself."

Cadance deadpanned, "I can't wait to meet her."

Twilight nodded and faced them to brief them. "I asked Merry about the legend and she went all haywire over the fact that Odega was a close friend of hers. I find that very hard to believe, but I went ahead and asked her for more details. She said that she would let us pass if there was an escort, and that all I would have to do is tell her that I am the Queen of Psera, pass the quiz, 'her mouth,' and take her to Psera. Not sure why, but I'll just bring her 'friend' to Psera. What time are we estimated to reach the next checkpoint?"

One of the Captains saluted and answered, "We should reach the spot by nine tonight, your highness. It may be earlier based on our current speed."

Twilight nodded and looked back toward the map. "Good. Now, I want information on preparations for the docking as soon as possible. Get in contact with Secretary Manny and the Department of Welfare for a briefing of their setups. I want all of the details."

Order given, Twilight turned around and made her way back towards the door while they responded. Celestia, Luna, and Cadance followed along back into the noon sky. "Now, it's time for food. Oh boy," she muttered.



At the same time Twilight was taking safety measures at sea, King Madun was taking measures to ensure things were in order on land. Now if only Twilight's parents would disappear for at least an hour. One hour, that's it. The castle's halls were noisy with Madun's hooves as he trotted around without most of his Royal Wear. His wife wasn't the only one who wore hoof shoes. Hers were more on the "pretty" side while his were more fierce.

The gold was forged into the shape of flames, representing the family. Fire. They all had different last names, but overall, they were the Fire family. The thought of why that is ran through Madun's mind as he treaded through the Castle Halls for one of the meeting rooms. Wearing only the dark orange suit Twilight gave him on Hearth's Warming years ago with a medallion pinned to the right chest. Loyalty.

He knew what that term meant. Yet running away from Twilight's parents seemed like the more reasonable idea. He had to pick up his daughter in a few minutes anyway. Both Twilight and Madun knew that they could just send for an Assistant to do it instead. But they wanted as much as an impact on their daughter's life as possible. Being King and Queen sometimes tore them away from their little Princess. So spending as much time as they could was a priority. As the mother, Twilight was addicted to her foal. And speaking of Twilight, she was beginning to study too much again.

This morning before they left, Madun witnessed "The Chaos of Twilight" in the living room; a lot of open textbooks, notes, and other educational material. All of that stuff was just lying out. He was pretty sure he saw Fresh Dawn trying to wrap her curious little red head around whatever was in them. Her ears were flicking all over the place just trying to figure it out. Madun didn't bother with it. It confused him a lot when Twilight talked about what were in them, he didn't want to actually read the source of these great tales.

When he reached a corner, Madun stopped and peeked around it. No in-laws in sight. Great. He took this opportunity to dart across. Then followed by four guards. After a few more minutes he reached the meeting room and stopped in front of it. Then pulled the handle down and pushed the door open. Those required to attend were already in place.

Director State, the Director of the Department for Civil Welfare. He was an all business Stallion with no sense of Humor. At. All. A pretty boring guy at a party, but was always ready to work. He had a light blue mane and tail, light blue eyes, and a red coat underneath that dark blue vest with a red neckline. Secretary Manny and General Bold Shoulder were there too, as well as a few more ponies in the C-suite side of Psera who stood up when he walked in. 

"At ease," Madun ordered. Then walked around for the chair at the very end. "So what do we have?"

He dropped down into his place while the Guards softly shut the door, encasing the room into a business state of noise. Secretary Manny sat in her seat and answered, "Well I think it's without question that Events at Eventa is off the list." The table erupted into agreements at once. "We were thinking between Fenix and Merōl, and Fenix and Lavender. That seems like the most reasonable option. We would like them to actually live in a home of some sort but the only available homes are out of their reach. Serl. They house plenty of empty bunkers in case of a National Emergency in the underground sector."

Madun shook his head and responded, "Yeah, that's a no. So between Fenix and Merōl, and Fenix and Lavender huh? Yeah, both of those areas seem like the biggest they could all dwell in. They're not entirely uninhabited, that'd be ridiculous. But we do have enough space to have a refugee camp there combined. Queen Arcadia just needs to set up the living areas, which she planned should be a large complex or something of some sort. That she would expand the nature there to create homes. They just have to make it back first. How's that coming along?"

One of the generals, a mare responded, "They just checked in a few minutes ago. A little bumps along the way like they expected, but are still on the move back to Psera. They're also keeping an eye out for Maheera Dark, who definitely wants them for some reason that Serl is researching. All systems are a go and Queen Arcadia is doing just well. They've also reported that fifteen of the packages for Serl to research are in their custody."

"Great. Keep me posted on their status. Now about the military presence here. They should know by now that Psera is doing them an ultimately huge favor by allowing refuge on the only place Maheera can't get to and are exhausting our resources for them. But Her Majesty Molten Ice is going to let them know for sure when they arrive."

"Yes, sir," they all responded.

"Excellent. Like I said, keep me posted. I have to go pick up my daughter." The King stood up and made his way for the door just like everyone else. One handle twist later, it was pulled open. But he stopped immediately and yelped into the face standing there waiting for him.

Twilight Velvet gasped and asked, "Are you picking up little Fresh Dawn? Can we come with you?"

Oh Psera, no. Madun chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. "I usually fly there and grab her. You're welcome to wait, Mrs. Velvet. It doesn't take too long. I have to meet with the parents of one of her friends so they can have a playdate set up some time this afternoon."

"Great! We'll wait here for the little filly. Ohhh, I can't wait to see her!"



A majority of Psera's guards relaxed and slept in the lower levels of the Aquatas, listening to the sounds of the engines and silent waves crashing. Some talked, laughed, prepared their weapons, and play fought. But some, like Captain Gliding Sword, preferred to relax in a dark room and take it easy with a deck of cards in their hooves, eyeing the symbols. Only one light shone down onto a round table of four. All the Elite Guard holding decks and measuring up the one across for some sign of cockiness.

It was Gliding's turn. Her turn to show these rusty stallions sitting at this round wooden table who's the boss. She glanced up at their anxious faces, reading their expressions highlighted by the overhead table lamp. The new private was keeping her eye on the captain from the top right corner, trying to read her own expression. Private Smalls was new to all of this wartime, get-out-of-bed-and-start-shooting lifestyle. But she proved herself out there in that field during the quick evacuation. She was doing some impressive air work, and blended in perfectly well.

Gliding was watching her, just like the rest of her team. Those were some classic moves. That completely black coat with red eyes may strike fear in the most fearful of ponies. But that was something they all looked past. Off the field, Private Smalls was like a soft pillow. But on that field, she was just as fierce as a mother going at it for their foal.

Deciding to cease the tension in the room, Captain Gliding grinned and threw her deck down. "Gamble and won!" She cheered. They all looked at the deck, groaned in disapproval and threw their decks at her. "Hey! Assault on a higher officer!"

One of the older guards crossed his hooves and shook his head. "No hoof has been laid on you, Officer."

"Whatever. You ponies are just mad that I beat you four times! Whoo! Go Gliding! Yeah, I'm goin' for a drink." She hopped out of her seat and towards the steel door behind her. The rest decided this was a momentous time to relax in their own ways.

Many sat back for conversation while others like Private Smalls hopped out of her seat and made way for the door after the captain. She had to get some sunlight. Being in the dark like these ponies and she'll be darker than she was now. The halls in Aquata Zero were more quiet than usual, even with the tip-tapping on the steel floor. Private Smalls hasn't actually been on an Aquata before except during training. So this was a first for her.

She walked up the steel stairs to the busy first floor for the Hangars and Bays. Just to get a glimpse of what was going on. This area were full of Lieutenants and Captains. Mainly because she was on the same level as the Refugees. Smalls pushed open the door and stepped out into the beyond-busy hangar. Nothing but Ponies, Hippogriffs, dragons, and some colorful bugs. They seem nice so... Maybe they're not so bad?

Private Smalls shook her head and walked out just to look around like the rest of the soldiers. Some foals were investigating and poking at the armor of the Arcadian Elite. Making fawning sounds while they just remained more stoic than a rock. Those guys were some serious business.

Smalls smiled and proceeded further in. Was it just her or did all of these ponies except the black bugs have marks on their butts like the Queen? Weird. She noticed they had their own military too. Less advanced like their own, but ... It was something.

The Guard in all the gold with spears, crossbows, and wearing blue jackets were Equestria's. She recalled seeing them before. But they've never seen her before. She wasn't new to the stares. The only Elite Guard who had a black coat with a black mane, black tail and red eyes was bound to grab some attention. It matched her uniform perfectly.

Rainbow Dash was in the midst of a conversation with Applejack when she spotted the most darkest guard she's ever seen walk past. She was definitely an Elite if all that gear was any indication. As well as the purple block on her wrist. But that was a really dark coat. Applejack followed her eye and nearly blanched. She wasn't too scary. More calm than anything. But still scary nonetheless.

Smalls calmly moved past and over to the open door, took a seat in an empty spot and watched the sea move past. It was around two o'clock and according to the ponies barking in her earpiece they've reached the one hundred mile mark. A little early. Queen Arcadia must be over the clouds.

Something soft brushed up against her right hoof, grabbing her mind. She looked over into the eyes of an orange coated teenage mare with a Magenta mane. She had one of those butt marks of a purple shield with a lightning bolt.

Scootaloo looked her over and asked, "So... You're a... Guard?"

Private Smalls smiled and answered, "Yes I am. I'm First Private Smalls of the Royal Elite Guard, at your service."

"Coooool," Scootaloo fawned. "So do you like go hoof to hoof or..."

Private Smalls looked back to the sea and answered, "The Elite Guard are the first ones in the field. We secure the landing site for other troops or it's just us. We provide protection for Queen Arcadia Nova, King Shimmering Madun, and any other envoy of importance. King Madun, Princess Fresh Dawn, Princess Merry Fire, Prince Consort Blazing Fire, and Her Majesty Molten Ice. We do all the heavy lifting for them."

"Ohhh..." Scootaloo looked out towards the sea that she was staring at, gazing at the other ships in the distance. "So... How many boats do you have?"

"To be honest, I have no idea. But we have more than enough."

"Oh... Okay. Ohhh, what's this?"

Private Smalls looked over at Scootaloo. Her eyes locked on a tiny orange light in the shape of a tiny sphere coming towards her from the front of the ship. Private Smalls couldn't explain it, but she had a bad feeling about that.

When Scootaloo reached out to touch, she quickly reached out and held down her hoof. "Hold on, kid...." Rainbow Dash, who was watching the entire conversation shared a look with Applejack who returned it. Then made her way over.

She stopped beside Scootaloo and watched the small orange light slowly come closer in silence. "That doesn't look right," Private Smalls whispered. Then reached out with a bare hoof and allowed it to touch her. She instinctively pulled back and hissed through her teeth. It wasn't a light. It was an ember. And it was hot.

"Fire," she whispered. With her eyes on the water, she raised her hoof and relayed urgently, "Private Smalls to Bridge, Aquata Zero, are there any reports of a fire? Leak or something?" She lowered her hoof when more passed. She raised a weaponized wing fitted with razor sharp blades to block Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash. "Step back, ladies."

"No, there's no fire or leakage, Private."

"We have tiny embers hitting Hangar Bay A on Aquata Zero. Captain Sword, permission to investigate."

"Granted, be careful private."

"Ten-four." Private Smalls raised her other wing and pushed down, soaring out of the hangar and into the air beside the door. Flipping, she moved at the same speed as the boat and looked around in front of the doors. Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and a few more were a little interested so they came and sat down beside Scootaloo and Rainbow. Private Smalls looked ahead and moved to the right a little when another passed her. Then flapped her wings and moved forward. "I'm leaving Aquata Zero Hangar A, moving forward," she reported.

"Ten-four. More reports incoming about small embers hitting their ships. Her highness is being informed as of this time."

Private Smalls squinted at the air ahead of her. Then gasped and stopped flying. "Private Smalls to the Captain, I see a wall up ahead!"

"All Aquatas, hold!" Queen Arcadia boomed through the earpiece. Just like last time, an alarm blared then the blowback system triggered. The Princesses on the Bridge nearly fell forward just like everyone else. Rest time was over.

Queen Arcadia walked slowly towards the glass window of the bridge and looked at the giant wall of orange forming up ahead. Those embers were merging together, creating a wall of fire. Sunset Shimmer was with her with eyes on the color before it solidified into an inferno.

She whispered, "What is that?"

"...Odega. The Pony of Flames," Arcadia answered. Then raised her hoof and ordered, "To all Aquatas, all soldiers off the decks at once. Drop everything and get down to the lower levels." Lowering her hoof, Arcadia lit her horn to create a round purple transparent sphere around the entire fleet. It shimmered into view from left to right. Rainbow Dash and those in the lower levels watched it cover the area, keeping them back from the flames.

"Just a precaution," Arcadia whispered. Then created one on herself. "All units, I'm going out there." She turned around and made way for the door that was sealed, all eyes on her. Once she was out there, she closed and sealed the door, keeping those inside in for safety. Then made her way down to the barren deck. The air was too hot. She was here.

Celestia, Luna, and Cadance joined the rest at the large glass window of the bridge, watching her walk towards the helm of the ship and stop directly at the front. She shouted, "Odega! Come out, I know you're out there!" No one spoke. Only the bassy sound of the flames moving reached Arcadia's ears. Twilight's eyes scanned the area, listening to everything.

The water in front of their ship suddenly lurched and shifted the Aquata. Enough to force all to the floor inside of Aquata Zero. It ascended upwards and immediately evaporated with a sizzle to the sky above. Underneath the mass was a lot of orange. After it disappeared, what stood where it once was before was now a beak, eyes, and feathers. All made of flames. A giant phoenix. Even from Celestia's shocked point of view she could see the intense heat waves out there, moving past the glass window. It was like the main Crystal Obelisk compared to Twilight. And the bird was looking right at her.

Twilight slowly backed up, but kept her eyes on Odega. Then it spoke. "You know my name." It was like a deep feminine voice belonging to a forty year old mare.

Twilight nodded and answered, "Yes, I do."

"Then you know my legacy and role in these waters. This is my only warning." She leaned down into Twilight's face. "Turn back now and your fleet survives."

Twilight gulped and responded, "I am Queen Arcadia Nova—"

The Phoenix lunged forward and yelled, "I DO NOT CARE OF YOUR TITLE, LITTLE—"

"Of Psera."

The Phoenix's head pulled back. Celestia was positive her eyes widened at the same time her beak shut. "Oh! Well then!" She raised her wings from her body, flapped them down onto the water, and propelled herself into the air. Then allowed herself to drop with a destination straight for the ship. Before anyone could gasp, her body shrunk and turned into a rotating ball of fire that ignited the front of the deck into a small inferno on impact.

Twilight stepped back and watched the fire dance with a glare. Sizzle and crack. Then a hoof stepped out followed by the body of a pony. She had a hot white coat and long wings made of flames like a Pseratep. The same was for her mane and tail. Moving on its own, similar to Arcadia's own, Celestia, and Luna's. She had a sneaky smirk on her face when she approached Queen Arcadia, neon blue eyes full of mischief. Then sat down and rubbed her hooves together.

That smirk turned into a grin full of sharp teeth made of blue flames. "So... Queen of Psera, huh? Well that makes things really interesting."
> Chapter 14 - Odega
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before Twilight could respond to Odega, she disappeared in a sudden burst of flames and reappeared behind her. She grabbed her wings and twisted them to investigate, earning a glare.

"Oh yeah, top Psera wings," she judged. "How can you walk with these, it's like you're eating love. Daily."

"Hey!" Twilight flapped her wings and successfully spooked Odega to give an unpony-like squawk and back up. Then swiveled around irate. "These are mine! Get your own!"

Odega chuckled and responded, "Oh I do, your majesty. Now... Who are you again?"

Twilight repeated in a voice of authority, "I'm Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle of Psera."

"Nice to meet you, Queen Butt!" Twilight's face slowly lost her look of authority while Odega teleported in flames behind her once again. "I'm Odega, Pony of Flames... I think, unless Narmeelah changed my title. AGAIN! Where is she anyway, I've been trying to call her, but she never shows up."

"Not sure," Twilight responded. "Now, my ponies—"

"Oh yeah, your group of..." Odega counted off the many ships around theirs. "Seven, twenty-nine hundred,—twelve Aquatas full of creatures trying to pass." She chuckled and stomped a hoof. "MAN, it's been a while since I've seen these babies in action! Back a few million years ago they did not look like this. Back in the day, these babies were gold!"

She elbowed Twilight and whispered, "Someone's been busy since she took office. Don't be surprised, I know everything the second they happen. Now from what I can smell, you have three boatloads of ponies who are not Pserateps attempting to cross for Psera. I need a good excuse, and don't say, 'they're my friends.' Friends and family are not allowed like that. And you know that, Queen Butt."

Arcadia mouthed silently, "Smell?" Then sighed and rubbed her forehead. "I thought Merry was lying when she said she knew you."

Odega gasped and reared up on two hooves grinning. "Oh you know my girl Merry?!" She shouted. "Ohhhh, my stars!"

Oh no. Odega wrapped a flaming hoof around Arcadia's neck and whispered, "You? Me? We're gonna be best friends. I take it you know Madun too. Don't you?" When she winked, Twilight grumbled something unheard. "You can't hide any of that from me, you nasty filly."

Twilight groaned and shoved her hoof off of her. "Look, I just need to get to Psera. Maheera has risen and Narmeelah isn't around. We're evacuating any creature we can get. Her Majesty and the Senate have agreed to allow them refuge in Psera and I just had a fight with Maheera myself, and the Creature of the Depths."

"Oh, Ms. Bigshot. Alright, you can pass if you successfully pass this quiz! If you miss one question, I'll burn you and everyone on these Aquatas to molecules. You'll never be seen or heard from again. Now..." With a stomp of her hoof, Odega created a table, and two chairs behind them both. She sat down in hers and from out of nowhere placed a bowler hat on her head. Then leaned back in her chair on two legs and propped her rear hooves on the table.

She pointed a hoof at the chair behind Arcadia and offered, "Have a seat, Queen Arcadia Nova. And let's begin."

While Twilight got comfortable, Celestia, Luna, and Cadance were looking at each other in trepidation. There was literally a pony made of fire walking on the ship. That should be impossible. Yet there she was. At least they thought they were a she. They couldn't read what they were saying but it seemed that Twilight was about to take a test.

Arcadia was sure she was joking around, but Odega placed a burning book made out of fire on the table and flipped it open. "Alright. Question number one. Where is Psera located? I'll take any answer as long as it's right in the end."

"Over five hundred miles off the West Coast of Equestria."

"Correct. How old is Psera?"

"Over sixty million years old."

"Correct. Now who are their current rulers?"

"King Shimmering Madun and Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle."

"Correct. Now this is a tricky one." She raised a hoof and whispered, "I'm enjoying myself. Are you?"

"No."

"Correct, you're not supposed to be, I'm about to burn you alive if you answer one question wrong. Next and final question..." She dropped her chair onto four legs and asked, "Who... Am I?"

Twilight was absolutely positive she answered this a few minutes ago, but she went ahead and did it again. "Odega, Pony of Flames."

Odega stuck her tongue in her cheek and slammed the book closed. Then stood up and stomped her right hoof to get rid of the table and chairs. As well as the wall of fire stopping their ships from moving forward. Twilight fell to the deck of the ship by her flank, grunting and growling.

"Well! I was really hoping to burn something!" Odega shouted. Then dropped her head, sighed, and motioned towards the sea behind her. "Fine! In the name of Narmeelah, I grant thee access to Psera. But at a cost!" Twilight jumped up and eagerly nodded. "I... Come with you. If Maheera's up and running, then Narmeelah needs all of us to help take her down. That and I have to see my girl Merry."

"Oh! Uhhh, about that..." Twilight rubbed the back of her neck and seethed through her teeth. Apparently, she didn't know this. "Narmeelah went missing over ten million years ago."

Odega jumped up and burst into an inferno, yelling, "WHAT?!!" Then landed and returned to normal, flame-filled eyes full of horror. She grabbed Arcadia's hooves and whispered, "Queen Butt, you better tell me everything."

Arcadia rolled her eyes at the term. She really hated that name. Ripping her hooves back, she answered, "Only if you refrain referring to me as Queen Butt. Merry's already enough. Psera's two days and some away, so I don't know where you are going to sleep."

She raised her Comm Block and ordered, "All Aquatas, move forward." Then turned around and walked back towards the bridge with Odega right behind her when a horn blared. They were the same size, but looked extremely different. For reference, one was made of fire.

Odega scoffed and walked up the steps behind her. "Queen, I have slept underwater for millions of years, I'm pretty sure I can sleep on something dry for once."

Queen Arcadia pushed the steel door open and walked in at the same time their Aquata began moving once more, horn blaring. Those inside saluted before Odega strode in behind her. She stopped at the doorway and looked around, whistling at her find.

Awestruck, she said, "Wow, look at all these lights!" The steel, the glamour, the gadgets! And—WHOA!" She teleported in front of Celestia, and surprised her enough that she and the other Princesses jumped back. "An alicorn? Three alicorns?! Isn't this nice. If you don't know who I am, I am Odega, Pony of Flames. Yeah, uh huh. Keep staring, I'm pretty hot, aren't I?"

Celestia, Luna, and Cadance put their mouths into a glaze instead of a response and just stared at her while she playfully made poses. Even though she was fully on fire, she wasn't putting off heat.

Cadance whispered, "It's a pony... On fire... Alive."

Odega's face contorted and she whipped around from her current posture. "On fire? What?" She laughed and corrected, "I'm not on fire, I'm made of fire. Nothing but ignited Hydrogen molecules in the shape of a pony with a personality. Pony of Flames. I'm made out of fire. Hey, fun fact? I haven't talked this much to any sensible creature in six million years. I lived at the bottom of the ocean. So it's usually the fish talking to me like, Glub glub glub. And I'm over here going, 'Sammy laid how many eggs now?' I bet I'm older than anyone in this room."

She looked around at the ponies actually paying attention. Including Queen Arcadia, whom she asked, "How old are you, your highness?"

"Twenty-six."

"Yeesh, so young. Look out little fillies and colts, your favorite super mare Arcadia has come to save the day! Man, I am enjoying this! Do you guys know how old I am?" Arcadia was going to answer but decided to see where Odega was going with this. And at least let her have her fun for a few minutes.

Odega teleported in front of the glass windows and spread her flaming body out for everyone to see. "I am nearly eleven million coming up! And I still look good! Whoo wee! 'Odega, you so hot!' Oh I know honey, don't have to tell me twice! Look at these curves!"

She stood up on two hooves and struck a pose, smiling at a stallion. "Like what you see?" She whispered in a sultry voice. Then added, "Be careful, you may burn yourself out." The one she was talking to didn't even move. Let alone blink. "Fine, be that way."

Arcadia rolled her eyes and ordered, "Odega, stop trying to.... Ugh, seduce my soldiers."

She dropped down onto all fours and teleported into the seat next to the Queen with her rear hooves propped up on the glass table. "Okay, okay," she coalesced. "No more seduction. But be honest. Do I look good?"

Twilight looked the flaming stark-white goddess up and down. Then shrugged and answered, "You look... Hot? Yeah, hot."

"Thanks, Twilight Sparkle. Now..." She looked around the ship at all the technology. Then asked, "What's your agenda, your highness? What's going on? Where are we going?"

Twilight pointed her hoof at the digital map between them inside the table. "Well since we passed you, we just need to get past the twins. So a lot of eyes on the waves."

"Whoo, good luck. Mahloo and Marloo are dangerous." Odega followed her hoof towards the last red blue dot and asked, "And what about Maheera? She's not going anywhere unless she gets what she wants, or she's taken down. I'm surprised she's not following us. I don't sense her chaotic nature nearby."

"We'll worry about that after we get these refugees to safety. According to Narmeelah's Diary, the 'Purple Obelisks' provide a barrier against Maheera's form from their magical feedback. So our goal is to get everyone behind that barrier. Then we can worry about Maheera and what to do with these guys once we're there."

Odega nodded and commented, "Sounds like a good plan—wait, you have Narmeelah's Diary?!" She attempted to sit up but ended up losing her grip on the table and falling on her back. Twilight flinched before Odega burst up beside her unharmed. Oh who was Twilight kidding, you can't hurt fire except with water.

"You have her diary?" She repeated. Twilight was unsure about telling her this. So she carefully lit her horn and nodded her head. "Girl... You have got to let me read that. There must be some really juicy rumors in that thing. I mean I'm sure all of those ponies are long gone now, but I need to know if one of my hunches were correct. Narmeelah knew everything about everyone, but she'd never tell me what was going on that made her laugh. So I bet that Diary has all sorts of juicy secrets in it. There was this one mare who thought she owned the world and Narmeelah did not like her. I was all, 'Girlfriend, she was a mistake.' And Narmeelah..."

Twilight made a mental note to introduce her to Rarity. These two would get along great. Twilight shook her head and interrupted, "Sorry. Only I have access to it. And it's not on any Aquatas out here. It only comes at my beck and call."

Odega scoffed and pranced back around towards her side. "Jeez, way to hold out on this hotshot, Queen." She jumped back into her chair and swiveled her body to the Princesses. "So, who are they?"

Celestia pointed to herself and answered, "I'm Princess Celestia of Equestria. This is my sister Luna, and my adopted Niece Princess Cadance of the Crystal Empire."

Odega whistled and asked, "The Crystal Empire? Phew, Queen Arcadia, you're bringing all the big boys on this journey huh? The last time I heard of the Crystal Empire was when I spoke with Princess Platinum. Now you got her God-Niece or whatever. Who else you got on this big boat of yours?"

Arcadia stood up and gestured towards the door. "How about I just show you? It's easier that way." She made her way to the door and ignored Odega's bursting into view next to her.

"Sounds good, Queen." She let Twilight open the door and walk out before she herself followed along. Meanwhile the Admiral glanced at everyone else awkwardly, sharing the same expression as the stallion who Odega was flaunting the stuff to. That was one strange mare.



Rainbow Dash had no idea what happened, but she was tired. Exhausted really. All that running a few hours ago was a workout she didn't know she needed. And neither did the rest of the ponies on the Aquatas. Some around her on the brightened Hangar floor had the right idea. It wasn't the winter, but thanks to the open doors the wind was blowing in the ocean scent, breeze, and the temperature. Just enough to make you shiver a little bit.

Rarity was sitting with Fluttershy on the edge of the Hangar Bays, watching the waves splash and move. Along with a few more ponies. Many of them were patiently waiting to get overseas to Psera. None of them on this ship had actually traveled all the way to Pera overseas before, let alone at all. And those that have usually went by the Independent Portal setup in the Embassies. Speaking of which, what if that large snake thing made it through that?!

With that terrifying thought, Rainbow Dash turned around with intent on heading to the nearest guard. But came face to face with... Fire? With a smile? Odega grinned blue teeth and greeted, "Hi!"

Rainbow screamed and zipped out of sight, leaving her Rainbow trail behind attracting attention. Odega threw out her hooves and yelled, "Why are you running, pony? I just said hi! Ugggh!" She turned to and nudged Queen Twilight. "She's a scary one. Am I right?"

Twilight shook her head with a smile and answered, "Not really. It doesn't take much to scare Rainbow Dash, but it's also not easy."

"So what, I just got lucky?" Odega scoffed and waved a wing at her, brushing that off. Embers got on one of the ponies' snouts, incurring a brushing fit. "No... No I'm pretty sure I gave it my all there."

"Uh huh." She turned to Rarity and everyone else in front of her. Which were a lot of ponies. Clearly freaked out, so much so they didn't even scream. "Everyone? This is Odega, Pony of Flames. She's grabbing a ride back to Psera with us. She's not a pony on fire, she's—"

"A pony made of fire," Odega clarified. "As in built out of fire? Don't worry, I won't burn ya'. I'm just naturally hot at times and naturally cold at others. Here, if it makes you comfortable I'll just change into something else." Odega jumped in the air and did a backflip, morphing into a fast spinning ball of fire that flashed into a small phoenix. Odega flapped her wings and landed on Queen Arcadia's surprised head. Then brushed her beak. "I can turn into anything I want. But being a phoenix is my favorite."

Rarity asked awkwardly, "Wh-Why is that, darling?"

Odega laughed and pointed a wing at her. "Because no one suspects the pretty phoenix to be of any trouble. I've been all over Psera and whoo wee, don't you ponies have it all! We dockin' in Lavender?"

Twilight nodded and answered, "Yes we are. But it's going to look like we're heading to Merōl. We have to secure all the Aquatas behind the Obelisks."

"We're going straight into the mouth of the real ponies! The behemoths of life! The definition of strength! Undefeated in any war, and finances! You guys literally sit on money, I bet the Queen here does too. How does Her Highness rest?" Odega bent low and stared up into Queen Arcadia's eyes.

This one was really dramatic. She rolled her eyes and answered, "Well... Gold is cold."

"The throne is gold?"

"Yes. Now stop telling ponies about Psera, seriously. You'll give important details away that they are not allowed to know."

"Right, right. Now... How's Madun when underneath those—mmmm!"

Twilight created a strap to keep Odega's beak closed then rubbed the back of her neck, trying to avoid the knowing looks coming from her friends. "Er, excuse me." Twilight teleported back to the bridge, snapping into her chair next to Sunset, who jumped a little in response. She tossed Odega onto the table and growled, "Don't tell ponies about Psera, and don't tell ponies about me or my family. Got it?"

Odega quickly nodded. Twilight was scary when she was mad. Satisfied, Queen Arcadia removed the strap. Odega turned her back to Arcadia with crossed wings and said, "I feel unappreciated."

"And I feel embarrassed. Welcome to the club." Switching moods, Twilight asked, "How's Starlight?"

Sunset shrugged and answered, "Not sure. I have no idea where she is."

"Third level. I'll take you to her later, I have to see my daughter."

Daughter?! Odega whipped around, gasped and asked, "Oh little mini Arcadia?! Awww!"

Sunset grinned and asked, "I know, right? She. Is. Too. Cute. Right, Twili.... Twilight?" They looked around the bridge and saw not a hint of violet. Probably embarrassed again.



Madun needed to put a leash on Fresh Dawn. Did she eat something with sugar, because she was everywhere right now. After picking up his daughter from school in downtown Cop, he flew with her back for the castle. She was still new to using her wings and he had been teaching her. She's been slow and steady in the past, taking "precos, like mommy tells her." Precautions. Madun could tell she was going to be a mommy's girl when she grows up.

The breeze shuffled their feathers as they soared through the blue windy sky. They flew past tall office buildings and more, making way for the humongous castle in the distance.

"Be careful!" Madun shouted up to Dawn. She was doing all types of loops and nearly flew into the guards leading the way. She needed a leash-jacket, just so Madun could keep her close.

After a few more seconds, the huge castle was nearing and becoming more prominent in their sights. Madun flapped closer to his excited daughter to bring her down. She usually had a hard time doing it herself which would result in a scraped knee and boo boos.

After getting a good hold on her body he began his descent towards the steps. And guess who stepped out of a portal when he did.

Fresh Dawn gasped and wiggled her hooves excitedly in her father's hold, grinning at her mother grinning back. "Mommy!!" She cheered. Once they were on the ground and Madun let her go, Fresh Dawn ran straight up the stairs to her mother and jumped into her open hooves, nuzzling into her coat.

Twilight nuzzled her mane lovingly while Dawn basked in her glow. "Ooohhh, how was my little Filly's day at school? Did you have fun?"

Dawn looked up and nodded. "Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh! We learned about numbers and, and, and shapes!"

"That's great, sweetheart!" She calmly let Dawn go to zip under one of her large wings, a place she liked to go. She liked her feathers possibly because they were really soft and felt good around her body. While Dawn was messing around there, Arcadia shared a nuzzle with her husband. Oh stars, is he growing a goatee? Twilight swore she felt some hair on his face.

She pulled back and smirked at him. "Are you growing a goatee?"

Avoiding his wife's gaze, Madun reached up and slyly scuffed his face. "Ehh, you could say that."

Arcadia only rolled her eyes and shook her head. He was always trying out something new. "Uh huh. Well Mr. New, I dropped on by to see my family." Twilight looked out towards Cop, hustling and bustling beyond the castle gates, getting ready for the afternoon. "And to check on the rest of Psera."

"Well little Dawn is as hyper as always. I think she ate something at school today that had sugar."

Twilight turned and looked underneath her wing at Dawn's innocent face completely relaxed. "Dawn? Did you eat a lot of sugar today?"

"Ummm... A butterfly!!" Dawn zipped out and tried to grab at a bright yellow monarch fluttering through the air, flying away out of her sight for a minute before it landed on her nose. Her wide violet eyes crossed for a minute before zeroing in on the butterfly. Twilight and Madun shared a look then burst into a fit of chuckles. She definitely ate something.

With a clear answer, Twilight grabbed Dawn in her magic and pulled her back over. "All little fillies need to stay close to their mommies and daddies, okay? Especially the younger ones."

Dawn nodded and walked back underneath Twilight's wings, who then turned around and made way for the door in between the saluting guards alongside her husband. They strode into the busy but surprisingly quiet castle's interior for the elevator far across.

Madun informed her, "So we believe the best place to set the foreigners would be in between Fenix and Merōl, and Fenix and Lavender. They're both big enough and have a lot of land."

"Yes, but some citizens still live out there," Twilight clarified. "Mostly farmers and loners, but it wouldn't be right to take over their lands for the foreigners. I could probably provide sections, but it still wouldn't be fair." Madun sighed. She had a point, it wouldn't be fair to their own citizens. Maybe they could live by the coast.

Twilight asked, "They did scratch off Eventa, correct?"

Madun nodded and answered, "Yes, that was the first thing settled." The family stopped at the elevator while the Guards there pressed the up arrow for third floor.

Twilight nodded and turned to King Madun. "We'll work out a compromise so the ponies already living out there can keep their land. It's going to be difficult finding suitable areas as well as the necessities to keep them stable while also researching the Infected."

Madun smiled and nuzzled her head. "But I know you can do it. You're a strong mare. Not to mention very lovable." Arcadia rolled her eyes but embraced the fact. "Just do what you can, sweetheart."

"I will. We picked up a Legend named Odega. She said she knew Merry?"

Madun rolled his eyes at the name and answered, "Knew Merry? They're like sisters. Both of them together spells trouble."

"Yeah, I figured that." The elevator door dinged open. So they strode inside the decorative box and turned around. Twilight pressed for six and lifted her wing for her daughter who was gnawing or something at one of her feathers. "And what are you doing under there, Princess?" She asked playfully.

Twilight raised her wing a little higher for Dawn who jumped up to flick the loose feather and successfully knock it down. Then used her magic to grab and place it in the front of her mane.

"I'm putting this in my photos!" She explained. Photos? Dawn has an archive? This filly was something else. At five she was already accelerating faster than a standard pony. Maybe it was her Pseratep genes? Massive magic? Knowledge from her mother? There was no telling.

Twilight smiled and nodded. "You do that, sweetie. Make it pretty, okay?" While Dawn went for a few more feathers, Twilight turned to Madun and stated, "We have an estimated one more obstacle before we reach Psera. Let's find some location. No Eventa. How's Gardeen?"

"Our 'second Filly's' with Pink right now," Madun answered. "Enjoying a date I believe. As for your parents? Here driving me insane again."

Twilight sighed and scolded, "Madun, be nice. They're just really excited."

"They were waiting for me outside the door to the meeting room," Madun deadpanned.

"...You're leaving out a detail, I know you are." The elevator slowed to a stop when Madun cursed in his mind.

"They wanted to see Dawn." They looked down towards their daughter absentmindedly nudging her father's wing with her eyes on the doors when they opened.

Twilight Velvet's squeal snapped them out of their conversation and over to the doorway. Fresh Dawn gasped and Immediately zipped out. "Granny! Grandpa!"

Twilight Velvet held her hooves open in an inviting gesture. Expression adorned with one of happiness. Fresh Dawn jumped out and flew straight into them with a speed that would make Rainbow Dash proud. And latched onto her chest like one of Fluttershy's animals.

"Ohhh, how's this little filly?" She greeted. Velvet pulled Dawn out and stared into her excited lively eyes.

Dawn wiggled around and tapped her hooves together, grinning like a foal should be. Innocent. Her flapping wings reminded Twilight when she and Madun approached that they needed to be preened. Madun leaned into Twilight's ear and whispered, "I'll preen them this afternoon. Dusk's mother is excited for their playdate over the weekend."

Twilight flicked her ear then shot her head to Madun bearing appreciation. "Great, thank you, sweetheart. I've been so busy I haven't had the time to sit down and actually do my Royal tasks. Let alone be my daughter's moth—"

"Don't say it," Madun interrupted. Then leaned in and nuzzled her mane. "You're a fantastic mother. Don't belittle yourself, the King orders you."

Arcadia giggled and responded, "Well the Queen orders you to treat her to a dinner."

"You got it, your majesty."

Twilight tilted her head up and met his lips with hers, expressing his love for his wife, mother to their daughter.

"Eeeeewwww, mommy has Roomahs!" They parted and looked towards Twilight's parents. Fresh Dawn was in "Granny's" hooves sticking her tongue out in disgust, flicking her little ears around. "Mommy, you have to wash your mouth out so you don't get sick!"

Twilight Velvet chuckled and turned her around to face her. "Oh, your parents are just expressing their love for one another. Just like how mommy kisses you goodnight."

"But daddy's a boy! He has Roomahs!"

Twilight walked over and stroked Dawn's mane. "No he doesn't, little Dawn. Roomahs is just a story. Hey, mom." Twilight leaned over and placed a kiss on her daughter's cheek.

"Daddy has Roomahs! Daddy has Roomahs!"

Madun walked in and kissed Dawn's cheek. "Now you have Roomahs." While Dawn was going through hysterics he said to Twilight, "You be careful out there in that ocean, okay?"

She smiled and nuzzled his chin. "Of course." Then turned back to her daughter. "Mommy has to go and get your aunts and uncles, okay?"

Dawn gasped and whined, "What? B-but you just got here." Her face scrunched up before she started to cry, wailing with tears. Twilight nearly forgot she was five, her vocabulary was above normal for her age.

Arcadia fawned and lightly pulled her out of her grandmother's grip into her own. "Don't cry my little butterfly," she cooed. Twilight leaned in and nuzzled her cheek. "Don't cry. Your mommy's always going to return."

Fresh Dawn sniffled and whimpered, "Pr-Promith?"

"I promise my sweet little filly." She rubbed her nose against Dawn's. "I will never leave you."
> Chapter 15 - WHAT?!!(Arcadia's Fury)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia knew she shouldn't be, but she ended up surprised once more when rations were passed out for dinner. Wasn't much, but would last up to morning. According to a commander, they had more than enough and Celestia was forever grateful for that. The Pserateps were constantly prepared.

The sun was beginning to set and basked the bridge in an orange glow. And according to the LiVAMs above the windows in front of Celestia displaying their progress, they should reach Psera in the middle of the day after tomorrow. No word from Queen Twilight who seems to have disappeared.

Celestia sipped from her drink and glanced down to Madam beside her, staring out the windows too. She wasn't talking for once, which meant she was busy thinking. Celestia wondered what exactly.

Sighing, Singe asked, "So... Psera. Twilight mentioned you have seen it?"

Without turning, Celestia silently answered, "Yes. It is a reserved and sacred land littered with intense security. It is an advanced military nation who worships the ground my student walks on ever since she saved them. And protects their citizens by any means necessary. And they to her."

Madam Singe nodded and whispered, "You're... Not saying something."

Celestia decided to tell her what she needed to hear. "Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle has a lot of credit and influence on Psera. She stays humble and likes small things, a seemingly simple pony. But she is very aware of her power and enforces it with a strong hoof. At the stomp of one, she could have anypony thrown into prison and according to their law, even executed under the right conditions. It happened to us before, imprisonment, and almost happened to us again."

Celestia turned her body to look down at Madam Singe. "I mean no disrespect, Singe. But listen to me when I tell you this. The only ruler here is the King and Queen, Her Majesty, and the Princesses. But above them are King Shimmering Madun, and Queen Arcadia Nova. But the one in charge of everything is Queen Arcadia, who in turn has to get approval from their Senate Board. What Queen Arcadia gives you is what you get. If she orders you to do something, you do it. You call her Queen Arcadia on this boat, and on their land. As well as around her ponies. That stunt you pulled for some unknown reason at the IHT meeting will not be tolerated here on these Aquatas, and especially not there on Psera.

"In Equestria, she may have been calm and collected. But on the inside, she was fuming. You may have seen her mad, upset even. But I warn you..." Celestia leaned in and whispered, "Do not make her angry. We have witnessed her angry before, the entirety of Psera has. We'd rather not again."

Singe gulped and looked around to heed her words. The soldiers were working the controls and making contact with others through some devices on their heads, oblivious to their conversation. She saw innocence in their eyes. But also a fierce fire they made clear much earlier.

She nodded and turned back to Celestia. "Alright, I'll... Keep in line."

"See that you do."

"Hut Hut!!" The soldiers in the room stood and saluted when Twilight walked in from a portal.

Destination for Celestia and the LiVAMs above, she ordered, "At ease. Give me a status."

Admiral Star floated over to her calm form and answered, "We just finished dispersing rations and should have a count of how many we have left within the hour. Nothing strange so far but we should reach our next obstacle by tomorrow midday. That night, we reach the PDS Obelisk line."

Twilight nodded and responded, "Excellent. Depth scans?"

"Nineteen hundred. Normal."

"Weather?"

"Nothing new for the next few days. Sunny skies with a chance of rain in four days from now, and raining in five. Psera is going to get wet soon."

"Normal weather. Good. Let Cop know that we will be conducting Obelisk maintenance the night we arrive. I also want eyes behind us. Afterwards, keep me updated. Dismissed."

Admiral Star saluted with respect. Then turned around and moved back to the sternum. Arcadia watched him before focusing on Celestia. "Just came back from home. Mom and Dad are driving my husband nuts again. He is not a fan of in-laws."

Celestia smiled at her and muttered, "Looking for Dawn?"

"Looking for Dawn." She glanced to Madam Singe and greeted, "Hello, Madam Singe."

"Hello, Queen Arcadia."

"Are your ponies spread throughout different Aquatas?" Twilight directed her attention to the LiVAMs above reading the terms and reports Celestia couldn't make out. Just a bunch of lines and flashing characters to her, maybe something deeper to the Queen.

"Yes, ma'am," Singe answered.

She nodded her head and muttered, "Alright... Alright, where is Odega? I need to question her regarding the Diary. It's extremely important."

Celestia motioned towards the floor and answered, "I believe in the hangar."

Twilight nodded then teleported out of sight, leaving them alone once more. She appeared on one of the many walkways above the desired area, beside a few Guards. They immediately saluted while she stared down at the ponies below. A sea of colors and music of the chatter variety. Where was she? She should be... There. The only pony lighting up the floor below. Literally. She was doing something with Fluttershy. Probably scaring her. She rolled her eyes and teleported to the floor to save her. Fluttershy would definitely freak.


~✶~


Odega had an idea. A grand idea to get this completely scary pony to not fear her. She took this yellow coated pegasus as soft, and way too kind. She wouldn't last as a refugee on Psera. So while she was leaning down and doing something with a rabbit of some sort that kept growling at her, Odega snuck up from behind and tapped her on the back.

"Hey. You, pony." Fluttershy stood up and turned around. Then widened her eyes and mouth to scream before Odega pushed a hoof into it. "Please don't. I'm Odega, Pony of Flames. And who are you?"

"What in tarnation?!" Applejack bounded over and locked eyes with Odega filled with malice. "You best let Fluttershy go, ya' hear? If ya' know what's good for ya'."

Odega glanced around but calmly removed her hoof from "Fluttershy's" mouth and asked, "And you are?"

"I'm Applejack. This here's Fluttershy." She motioned with her hoof towards the empty space that held Fluttershy before, once again vacant. "She's a quiet and timid one."

Odega blinked at the area and asked, "Why? Ugh, you ponies are so... Soft." Odega shivered and added, "I couldn't be you right now. Really, I mean I know I'm supposed to love all creatures, and I do, but you ponies are so... Weird and—"

"Odega!" Odega eeped and turned around to bow to Arcadia. She was small, but held an eye of authority and a rock hard stare directed at her. "What are you doing?"

"Speaking with the guests." She rose back up and asked, "And where did you float off to earlier? One second you were there, the next you were nowhere. I know, I searched the entire ship."

"I was back on Psera."

"Whooo! Ms. Bigshot has some good magic if she can go over three hundred miles away in the blink of an eye!" She leaned in and whispered loudly, "Had to see the filly and make sure daddy was okay?"

Arcadia rolled her eyes and asked, "And why are you teasing me about that? I'd think it's great for a mother to worry about their foal."

Odega backed down and chuckled with a fast intensity. "Don't worry, I'm doing the same to Merry. And yes, I know she has some foals too. Cute little twins. I know everything. Nopony can hide from me. Just one of my reasons for defense. The only ones who can hide from my senses are Maheera, Narmeelah, the Twins, and Neemorah, The Weather Dancer."

"Well maybe you can tell me—wait, who is Neemorah?" Twilight quickly backpedaled. She leaned in and repeated, "What's a Neemorah?"

Odega raised an eyebrow and repeated, "Neemorah? The Weather Dancer? One of the ponies that helped defeat Maheera? Doesn't that book of yours say that?"

Arcadia lit her horn and teleported the Diary to in front of her face from across seas. Then used her magic to flip through and read it. After a few seconds she shut it back and shook her head. "Nope, no record. Nothing about them."

Odega shrugged and answered, "Well Neemorah's just one of the ponies of legends. She controls the weather by dancing. Pretty lame if you ask me. But she also has something that is very useful for... Attacking."

Twilight sat down and hummed. How come she's never heard of her? She asked, "And what would that be?"

"Seduction." Twilight blinked at her with no expression while Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy slowly poked their heads in with faces practically screaming, "What the buck?"

Twilight stuttered, "S-S-Seduction?"

"Yes."

Rarity asked, "So like... Getting a pony all hot and frisky in the coat?"

Odega nodded and answered, "Yes, just like they're ready for sex."

Rainbow zipped in from above and asked, "Wait, her attack is... Sex?"

Twilight groaned and stroked her face. "Odega that doesn't make any sense, how is that an offensive move?"

Odega cleared her throat and answered, "Well it's not. It's more like a distraction so we could get in. Yes, I realize that Maheera is a very large and monstrous dragon. Not to mention female. But I also am a female and I would still rut that—"

"Get to the point," Arcadia interrupted. She wiggled her hoof Odega's way and urged her on.

"Right, right. Neemorah was created, according to Narmeelah, as a distraction. A very peaceful and elegant distraction with beauty as her weapon. She's a golden mare with a lot of flash and color. But she's not just a seductress. Actually, she doesn't really do anything. Do you know what a Forly is in Psera, your highness?" Pinkie Pie had no idea if she said forty or Forky.

Twilight nodded and answered, "Yes, it's a poisonous fish that's really pretty."

"Right. Well think of Neemorah as a Forly. Just... More gory and enticing. And unlike a Forly, she doesn't let you touch her to die. She touches you first, if you catch my drift." She grunted through her teeth, "Pretty dangerous mare. But well worth it to see that flank, I'm tellin' you. I'm not gay or anything, but still. I would rut her like it was the end of the world. But those wings are really sharp. Like imagine the Elite Guard's weapons... But worse."

After a few seconds of silence apart from the ponies around them not listening, Arcadia cleared her throat and asked, "So... Her skills are seduction to kill, and the ability to manipulate weather?"

Odega nodded and answered, "Yeah, like she sings, dances, and causes things to happen. She's not an obstacle, so you don't have to find her out here. But she is a little... ehhh, a little hard. She stays on Psera I think for now. Just like everyone else, relaxing and taking it easy underneath the eyes and noses of everyone. Sleeping for over ten million years. But if you want to defeat Maheera, you have to recruit her too. Believe it or not, she serves as a great distraction just by standing still. Like your friend here."

She pointed at Pinkie Pie on Twilight's right side who was trying to dangle her tail into her mouth from behind. Constantly flicking her tongue in and out to touch it. "Seriously, what's going on here?"

Twilight shook her head and answered, "It's just Pinkie being Pinkie. But there's an issue here." She held up the diary with her magic to present to the group. "In the diary, I keep reading, 'Defeated Maheera.' Destroyed Calclon, a giant Crab in the past that tried to enslave ponies to do what he wanted. Along with a few more angry faces that wanted to take over Psera. She wrote great descriptions on how they were done and defeated. But for Maheera Dark, nothing. Just, 'It took me three days, but we finally defeated her.' Over and over and over. There's no description about how she did it. How did Narmeelah defeat Maheera Dark the first few times?"

Odega sighed and answered, "Well... This is probably going to come as a shock, and possibly make you a teensy tiny bit angry after all you're going through to do that, but... You can't."



Cadance had concerns. Not about the trip heading to Psera, but about the future when they did. Not much was promised at the time except immediate evacuation. Now they have to worry about what happens when they do arrive. According to Arcadia, things were still being prepared in Psera. Nothing was absolute and it would be some time before they were. The others of IHT may not be concerned about it, but they don't know anything about Psera. They're already really aggressive to foreigners because of their land that's possibly made entirely out of gold. And may have in the past had a war over it that caused an extinction of the ponies on the other side. So security will definitely be stepped up. And this may in fact hurt Twilight's credit as Queen of Psera. She was doing them all a massive favor.

Shining Armor was somewhere on the ship with Flurry Heart. So Cadance took this time to voice her concerns to her aunts. Walking the halls of the Aquata, their destination for the hangar. The sound of their movement reflected off the steel of the walkways and bounced around the steel interior like the many guards around them exiting rooms, performing duties, or simply talking.

Luna and Celestia were great listeners. Not once did they interrupt. Once those concerns were relayed, Celestia nodded her head and commented, "I understand your concerns. Queen Arcadia is normally organized about these things. But even this may be a challenge for her."

Approaching the double doors for the Hangar, Cadance added, "I'm more worried about the presence of their military and how it will affect the other nations. Equestria knows better than to test these ponies. But the others do not. Their presence may be cause for alarm and may also even be cause for attack. Especially in these dark times."

Luna nodded and stopped in front of the entrance. "I have faith in Twilight to take this matter as professional as possible, and to cease any possible altercations before they even begin."

The ship suddenly shook and all the power went out for a moment. "WHAT?!!" Luna sighed and lit her horn while the emergency lights turned on. Then the familiar sound of the sirens from the other ships blared. Something was happening again. Luna pushed the doors open and walked out into the semi-darkened hangar, specifically one of the walkways above. But the only thing glowing right now was Twilight's form of... Oh no.

Cadance and Celestia stopped by the rail beside her and followed her gaze. Twilight. Was angry. Again. Like last time, her body was flowing with purple flames, softly moving like long hair underwater. Her icy glare was trained directly on Odega who was tapping her hooves together nervously. And had created quite the show for everypony who ducked fast and far away, leaving her and Odega as the center of attention. The Changelings—both reformed and original, the Dragons, and a few Neightons were even shivering.

Celestia tapped her niece and sister's shoulders. Then teleported down to everyone else to see what the problem was. Still on fire, Twilight took in a deep breath and whispered, "Odega? As of this moment, you are the only pony on this ship, let alone the only one I know of in the whole world who even has a possible clue as to how to effectively defeat Maheera. And you're saying there is no way?"

Odega gulped loudly. This pony was even scarier than Narmeelah when she's angry. "W-Well, considering that she's the Original God of Chaos, she... Gets her power from Chaos. As long as there is destruction, she lives. And, well, you can't get rid of chaos. The chaos we're talking about aren't just things that make no sense and shouldn't even exist. But things that are anything but happy. So right now, with your anger, it's somehow making her a bit stronger."

Ignoring the approaching of hooves, Arcadia hummed and looked Odega over. She may be made of fire, but she was still as readable as Spike if he did something he had no business doing. Let alone her daughter. "You’re not telling me something..." Odega gulped. This pony was really good. Raising one hoof off the floor, Arcadia narrowed her eyes and said, "You have three seconds to start talking. One..."

"Qu-Queen Arcadia, it's important that you don't—"

"Two!"

"Her heart!" Odega quickly yelled. She didn't want to know what happened when she got to three. And the Guard's uneasy faces around them were giving her some bad knowledge of what would. "The only way to defeat her is to break apart her heart!"

Twilight softly lowered her hoof to the ground and asked, "What, as in like bad mouthing her? Yeah, no wonder you can't defeat her, even I couldn't do that."

Odega quickly waved her hooves in front of her face and clarified, "No, no. Like her heart. Her physical Heart. That's where everything is. Where her magic flows, where her magic gathers, all of her healing. Every single things starts from there. If you take that out and break it apart, then she's down forever. Gone, goodbye, never coming back."

Arcadia raised her eyes and asked, "And you couldn't do it because..."

"Because it's impossible to get to! Her heart is located in her body deep underneath her scales. But the problem is, we can't get to them because we can't use magic on the entry point. Right here in her chest." Odega reached up and tapped the area on her own body.

"...no magic," Twilight repeated.

"Nope. No magic. Everywhere else, you can use magic, but here? No. Everything has to be done by hoof. No pretty decorative horns, no—"

"Watch it, Odega," Arcadia interrupted. She leaned in and growled through grit teeth, "This is a real horn. A real sharp horn. I am on very tense hooves right now. What you're telling me will change every single thing we have planned. I promised the nation that I would have everyone back home within a span of at most three months. But if what you're telling me is correct then that means that time will be pushed back fifty percent longer."

Odega gulped again and stuttered, "I-I'm sorry, Queen Arcadia. But even Narmeelah wasn't able to get into her scales. And no, a physical and magical combination won't work. A punch in the face that sends her splayed to the ground, it won't happen. In the past, in order for us to get in, Narmeelah figured we'd have to knock her out and then do it by hoof. But she would never pass out. We'd hit her over and over for days. But still nothing. So Narmeelah decided to place her under a spell to put her in a stone prison. That happened over and over. Until eventually, Narmeelah never returned."

Arcadia sighed and closed her eyes. "So... There is no possible way to defeat her." Odega shook her head. Arcadia opened her eyes once again and somehow distinguished the flames from her body. The power on the ship came back on and began moving again across the waters, urging the others onward. Celestia and her friends all took deep breaths. They really hated seeing Twilight that way.

Odega took her own before Arcadia, with her eyes on Odega reached up and spoke into her Comm Block. "Arcadia to all units. I'm going on the front Deck. Alone." She lowered her hoof and lit her horn, teleporting herself and Odega out of view. Celestia sighed and looked around. Everyone was clearly a little fearful about what just happened. Shivering in their hooves and looking around.

Celestia turned to Cadance and Luna to exchange their own worried looks. What just happened?

When Arcadia teleported outside onto the front deck, it was clear of all soldiers. Completely silent save for the splashing of waves and trotting of Arcadia's golden hoof wear, approaching the steel railing a few ways ahead. Odega chose to follow her. She had a feeling she wanted to say something.

Arcadia placed her front hooves on the rail and stared over at the waves down below with an unreadable expression, impacting the hull of the Aquata. Odega approached her right side and glanced at her for a moment. Then followed her gaze below.

Arcadia sighed and whispered, "I'm sorry, Odega. For how I yelled at you back there. Let alone treated you with a sudden imprisonment. That was very unlike me and an abuse of power. I'm just... Stressed. The safety and well being of every last single creature on these Aquatas depend on my decisions. And the safety of all of them plus those already on Psera depend on my Husband and I's decisions as a whole. We were prepared to strike down Maheera with a mighty hoof. But when you said that there's no way to defeat her with magic it sort of... Dashed my expectations. And I snapped at you.

"I guess it's because of the built up anger that I have directed at you. You sort of find humor in all of this during these times as if it's no big deal. But the thing is Maheera has destroyed and conquered every last available land in the known world, leaving Psera as the only location for refuge, which will cost us millions of Shims and possibly hurt our economy, thus hurting the ponies I have to take care of.

"I want to help these ponies too, I do. But I also don't want to hurt my own in a way that could be irreparable. The plan is to have them in and out of Psera within three months, before our next Quarterly Spending Report comes in so we can have a great promise for our next Quarterly budget of Psera. So everyone working in Psera's Government can have a wonderful life. But now, I'm not too sure."

Odega sighed and stepped back from the rails. She whispered, "I... Had no idea. I'm really sorry, Queen Arcadia."

Arcadia sighed and stepped back from the railing. "Well... I can't see how you could have known. You can only find ponies and know where they are. But you can't find out what they're thinking."

Odega walked over and placed a hoof on hers. Then trained understanding fire-filled eyes on Arcadia's sad ones and whispered, "If you need any advice or help, just know I'm here to help you. Alright?"

Arcadia sighed through her nose and nodded. "Thank you, Odega."

"You're welcome. I have a feeling you want to be alone right now, so... I'll be munching on some of those snacks I smell." Before Arcadia could protest, she turned around and made her way for the doorway leading into the Aquata, leaving Arcadia alone with her thoughts.

She sighed and faced the setting sun. The sea was calm. Quiet. The setting was the most beautiful thing Arcadia had ever seen—well, the second most beautiful thing. Little Dawn was the first. She was going to be so happy when Spike showed up. Unlike most ponies, she doesn't fear him. Actually, she wants him around more than her father. Poor stallion. Arcadia shifted her wings and looked out at the waves. The splashing on the hull, the white noise from no other sound. But even with all of these wondrous things, Arcadia knew she could never escape the problem at hoof.

Getting rid of Maheera. Apparently there was no weak point on her that she could hit with magic. A few ideas here and there, none of them would matter if they couldn't get to her. She knew eventually that the only way to get Maheera down was to either go to her, or Maheera comes to herself. She definitely wasn't coming to Psera, that would be suicide. If everyone followed orders there would be a whole fleet waiting for her when she arrived. And there would be no warning. She would feel the might of Psera. And would definitely fall back. Along with the army coming with her. But in the end, she would still be alive. And awake. If she was asleep, it would be much easier... Asleep...

Arcadia hummed and thought a little more. If they could place Maheera in a sleep spell, she'd be easy to take down. But her scales were too thick.

She needed some help on this. But that could wait until they were back on Psera.
> Chapter 16 - Trouble On Paradise
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a night shift. A night patrol. Queen Novo didn't know how she was going to sleep tonight, but there would be a way. Skystar was already knocked out with a few of the Hippogriff guards in front of the bays. And a few more ponies followed her example. The sun had barely set, but it had been a very troublesome and tiring day. A very hectic one. At least she thought so.

While her daughter slept and a majority were quiet, Queen Novo decided to go where the others were speaking by a door. Luna, Cadance, Celestia, Thorax, Singe, Ember, and even Queen Farue of Breighton. Novo could have sworn that pony was on a different boat. They were in some type of discussion with Celestia once again by the time she arrived. 

Chancellor asked her, "How have we never heard of Psera before? It would be hard to miss ponies of this size."

Celestia shook her head and replied, "I'm afraid I cannot answer that question. The only one allowed to answer that would be Queen Arcadia. I am not authorized."

Novo looked around the hangar at the mention of the name. Then asked, "Speaking of, where is she?"

Cadance pointed up and answered, "The last we heard, getting some fresh air on the upper deck. She became heated earlier and needed it. I don't believe she wishes to be disturbed at the moment."

Luna glanced up and commented, "She sure has been up there for quite a while."

Celestia hummed. Whatever happened must've really gotten to her. But Twilight wasn't even really on the boat. She was once more in Psera.

After a notice from inland sent to their Aquata, she told the Admiral she was going off-site for a while. Her Majesty and a few more ponies wanted to meet with her about an urgent matter. One of the best things about being an Alicorn-Pseratep was the time it took to appease their wishes. A simple portal spell and a few hoofsteps forward, she was once more in front of the situation room. Her Majesty, Secretary Manny, Bright Gold, the Chiefs of Police in the city-states, and a few more were with her, along with generals and staff.

Molten was wearing an older golden crown that had a veil of some sort over her face, littered with sparkling gem dust. Not to mention the rest of her. Where in Psera was she going at seven in the evening?

When she walked in, Arcadia bowed to Her Majesty, who in turn bowed back. "Good evening, your Majesty," she greeted.

"Good evening, Queen Arcadia." After rising, Molten said, "We have a situation here in Psera that may impact the safety of our arriving guests."

"How so?"

"A rumored threat is circulating through the cities by mail. It was intercepted at six and was brought to our attention. Some citizens have agreed to allow the ponies peace and enable the law to handle them. But others do not and appear to declare the law weak and soft. Each City-State's governor has received this notice."

Arcadia hummed and asked, "So what is the issue?"

"They don't want them on the land. And some Pserateps tend to take matters into their own hooves, if you catch my drift."

Bright Gold commented, "Serl is also a little fearful of these ponies you are bringing to Psera. What type of creatures are we dealing with?"

Arcadia motioned with her head behind her and conjured another portal. "It is better if I show you. Last I heard a majority were sleeping."

Her Majesty stood up first and walked around the table followed by everyone else. Once they were ready, Arcadia calmly led them through the portal and out onto the forward deck of Aquata Zero pointing towards Psera. The taste of salt hit their tongues and the air's humidity grew thick. The wind blew back their manes and tails.

Night had fallen by this point, urging Twilight to light her horn and observe. It was hard to see through the darkness that is the sea, but Twilight motioned to the left and right of her. The party followed her wings and made out the flashing lights of the Aquatas around them.

"At the moment we have three Aquatas full of foreigners out of the many we have out here. A total of two million. That may seem like much, but Maheera has her claws on three fourths of each nation, whom I will show you to."

At that they began walking again towards Aquata Zero's entrance. The Guard up ahead opened the door leading into the Aquatas clean steel halls and saluted when they passed. Then closed and sealed them in when they did.

From behind the Queen, the Chief of Homeland Security asked, "Are any of them residing in Cop?"

Arcadia shook her head and answered, "At this moment, I doubt any of their civilians will be. Madun and I would like them rounded up in one area. But if there are any it would be their rulers and military leaders. They would provide great insight into what we're dealing with so they need to be close."

Her Majesty asked, "Do any pose a possible threat?"

Arcadia stopped and thought for a moment. Then nodded, "Yes. Changelings."



While Twilight was missing, Celestia decided to get some insight thoroughly on Psera through a pony who was conveniently, and awkwardly nesting in a nest made of fire directly above their circle, mistaken for a light. She was possibly authorized to speak about it. And there was still so much they didn't know about it.

"Odega," Celestia whispered. "Could you come down for a moment please?"

Madam Singe looked around and was about to ask who she was talking to when a tired voice greeted from above. "Celestia, I swear, this better be good or so help me there will be a burned patch on your tail in the morning." They looked up at the "light fixture" above and the tiny phoenix head made of fire peeking out from above it. A talking Phoenix. Well that's a new one.

Celestia explained, "We need info on Psera. Is there anything we need to look out and be prepared for?"

Odega rolled her eyes and clumsily fell out of the nest onto the floor by her back. Cadance grimaced before she then burst into flames, back into the fire maned mare she once was, as if she was there this whole time. Technically she was.

Ignoring the scared face of Madam Singe she nodded and answered, "Well I'm sure you ponies know this, but I'm going to repeat it for those that don't. Psera is a pretty peaceful land full of dashing flowers, an insanely large Castle, and real estate you wish you could own, let alone build. I have a feeling none of you will be living in them.

"But while everything is pretty, there are some ugly spots too. Lavender is a military base, but also a city. It is a city plagued with nothing but military, and that is where we will more than likely be docking. So the ponies there will be keeping a really close eye on you." Odega leaned in really close to Cadance's face. Then backed away and continued. "Some ponies may like you, but I find that hard to believe. They'll give you a chance, but at the end of it all, they're doing it for the King, the Queen, and the whole Fire Family."

Consort Snow leaned in and whispered in his foreign tongue, "The... Fire... Family?"

Celestia answered, "The Fire Family is the Royal Family Queen Arcadia married into. They are the rulers of Psera and are really serious when it comes down to these matters."

Luna pointed out, "Especially Merry Fire, believe it or not. She may seem ignorant at times, but she's definitely stern."

"And Her Majesty. King Madun is the more calm side of things while his wife, Queen Arcadia is a mix of both. Calm, and firm."

Odega nodded and whispered, "Now while Queen Arcadia can enforce a temporary law providing you protection, some ponies may find it funny to... Make some things happen. That's just how Psera is. When it comes down to our land, we're really, really selfish."

Celestia nodded and whispered, "I can vouch for that."

"Not to mention Psera has a past of war and action they wish to never participate in ever again." Odega waved her wing around their environment and added, "There hasn't even been any action involving the Aquatas before Equestria's steel trade many few years ago with Psera."

Celestia found the slicing at her neck to be utterly helpless and just stopped to a sigh. Twilight was right. She talks too much. Queen Novo glanced to Celestia with her eyebrows raised and repeated, "Steel trade? That explains a lot."

Cadance nervously chuckled and stammered, "O-Odega, what else should we be wary of?"

Odega rolled her eyes and sang, "Well... The extremists. You know, like the pony who hurt Arcadia? On her wedding day?" Celestia sighed and facehoofed while the others gasped. "Yeah, he may not be affiliated with them, but it's not uncommon for things like that to make the front page. As long as you don't ever, ever, and I mean ever bring that up you'll be solid.

"I can tell you right now there's going to be some work going around to keep the economy rolling solid. Farming, engineering, things like that. Money needs to flow. And as long as you're staying on their land, they're going to make you work. But at the end of the day, everyone is rewarded with a safe, happy, and healthy life."

"Is there anything else?" Cadance inquired. She had a feeling there was.

"Well besides trying to understand the Pseratopian tongue, which I guarantee you will all fail at, there are areas you will more than likely be restricted from. Such as the... Oh." Odega glanced up to the walkway covering them above. She cowered down and whispered, "I think we should stop this conversation. Like, right now."

"Why?"

"The big crowns are here." Celestia didn't know what she meant until a lot of hard hoofsteps from above made her and the company's ears twitch. Celestia slowly tilted her head up and watched the shadows dance from the passing ponies.

"So... Changelings? Why are they here?" Cadance shared a glance with Luna and Celestia. Then at Thorax who had a confused look on his face. That was Her Majesty Molten Ice. What was she doing here?

Queen Arcadia answered, "As I told the Senate in the past, there are two kinds of Changelings. One I like to call Changed-lings, and the other I call Changelings. Those are the ones that caused us trouble in the past, and the ones my Guard are keeping an extremely close eye on. I'm sure you know I would never leave any creature behind, as long as they're not Infected. Even... The Changelings."

Her Majesty lifted the veil from over her face and approached the rail over the ponies below. Her eyes scanned the still crowd of colors while Twilight flanked her right and delivered information. "The creatures on these Aquatas are the Hippogriffs, Seaponies, Unicorns, Earth Ponies, Alicorns, and Pegasi from North Neighton, South Neighton, Prance, Equestria, Saddle Arabia, The Forgotten Land, Breighton, and Dragons from the Dragon Lands. The Dragons are tough. But they aren't fast. I heard absolutely nothing about the Yaks or Zebras. I believe they are lost."

"Don't Dragons burn things?" Her Majesty deadpanned.

Arcadia nodded and answered, "Yes they do. And they like to break, smash, overall damage. I have the perfect job for them back home. Their scales are impervious to heat."

"The task would save us millions of shims," one of the Generals said from behind.

Arcadia nodded and added, "As well as labor. Some ponies in that department are working themselves to sleep in there. The only issue with the dragons concerns me greatly."

Molten glanced her way and asked, "What would that be?"

"Food. Dragons eat gems." They all glanced her way then back towards the dragons in the corners. One of them, Garble was munching on a sapphire of some sort that confirmed her claim. "And they are hoarders. Psera is a land of luxury."

"So definitely keep them away from RayRay," Molten suggested.

"Without delay. Now about the Alicorns from The Forgotten Land. They do not hold nearly as much magic as myself or even Celestia, Luna, or Cadance combined. And are about the same as a regular pony in Equestria. But their ruler is... Strange." Celestia, Luna, and Cadance smirked and glanced to King Chancellor holding a deadpan expression. "He tried to flirt with me. I of course turned him down, I am a married mare and a mother."

"Ugh, despicable. Shall he be taxed for disrespecting her highness?"

"No need. Madun will see through to him. He did not know."

"When did this happen?"

"At the summit. The Princesses warned me about him. Such a dirty pony. I'm happy Madun wasn't there, he would've pummeled him as if he were a test dummy in Lavender." King Chancellor turned to Celestia and Luna while Odega was struggling to contain her laughter. "Him and the other leaders are around somewhere. The only pony I have an issue with at the moment is Madam Singe." Singe glanced to Celestia, who glanced right back. Twilight was on to her. And now they both knew it for a fact.

Molten backed herself away from the rail and made way for another direction on the steel walkway that was over the ponies and creatures with the rest of their party. "Yes, Merry told me about her. Said you nearly had a conniption in her library."

"I almost had a conniption in that room," Arcadia corrected. "My guards did an excellent job keeping themselves in check. I know Dark Silver was anxious to cause pain. Let alone Captain Sword. Even sweet Gardeen was ready to pounce. I am happy to report they remained professional."

Her Majesty stopped directly above the center where Rainbow Dash was sleeping on a cloud. Madam Singe poked her head out and gazed up to the Great Queen. She looked really intimidating. Not too intimidating where ponies would want to definitely stay away, but with all that gold and the ponies behind her with long wings, she clearly held a lot of power.

Celestia leaned down to her level and whispered, "Her Majesty Molten Ice. The Great Queen of Psera. She holds a lot of respect in Psera and is the mother of King Madun, and Mother-in-law to Arcadia Nova. The former Queen of the country for many centuries."

Odega proudly trotted out from underneath the cover of the walkway and transformed into a small phoenix to fly up to their level. Her Majesty spotted her soaring their way and smirked. "Well, well, well!" She greeted at the same time Odega landed on the railing in front of them. "If it isn't Merry's friend!"

Odega bowed with a spread of her wings and greeted, "Hello, your majesty. Been awhile."

Molten reached out and petted Odega on the top of the head. "Hello, Odega. How are you?"

"Burning alive."

"Make sure you get some water. I take it you met Queen Arcadia, Saviour of Psera."

Odega rose back up and nodded. "Oh yeah, we met. I also met her band of refugees. I was told Maheera's awake. I haven't seen the damage yet, but there is definitely something going on if that one is winded." She pointed down to Rainbow Dash through the steel.

Molten hummed and stated, "I see these ponies are riding along again."

Arcadia nodded and answered, "Yes. I hope they have the Elements of Harmony with them, it may be of good interests. And if they do, they will be held in the castle where we can keep an eye on them."

"If they are weapons, I recommend they be held in Lavender. That reminds me." She turned to face Arcadia. "Are there any magical items we need to know about?"

"Besides the Crystal Heart and the Elements of Harmony, I will have to ask their leaders. We also have the package for you, Bright Gold."

Bright eagerly walked forward from the back of their ground. She nodded and asked, "Where is it?"

Twilight lifted one of her large wings towards the open port bay the walkway was pointing towards. Portraying the over Aquatas. "All fifteen are in Aquata Eleven. Fourth level. They'll be taking a different route for the far side of the continent once we reach Psera by connecting with another Aquata. I'll be doing a check tomorrow morning. Now as for our obstacles. I have predicted Mahloo and Marloo to arrive early in the morning, we passed Odega earlier on as you can see, and later on tomorrow night we should reach the Obelisks. Then later the next evening, we should reach Psera. But something has me concerned. Where is Maheera?"

Molten repeated, "Where is Maheera?"

Arcadia nodded and clarified, "I could tell just by how she rounded up those ponies below us back on Equestria, she wanted them. Nothing else, just them. But when we extracted them, she didn't even give chase. She just... Let us go. I mean yeah, I knocked her to the side, but she still would've followed into the waters. She would've caught up to us as fast as we sped away. So why didn't she follow? A giant Draconequus of that size would've caught up."

Molten hummed and looked back down to the ponies. She had to admit, that seemed a little fishy. Arcadia was right, like always. If she was as big as described, she would've caught them in less than thirty seconds.

"I'm not sure, Queen Arcadia," she answered. Her sights were directed back up to her violet eyes. "But just in case, we'll have more Aquatas waiting at the entry point near the Obelisk line. Just make sure she can't get back to Psera. And please..." She wrapped a hoof around Queen Arcadia and delivered her a hug. "Make sure you get home."

"I will," she whispered. They pulled back but kept one hoof on the other's. "We'll deal with everything once we get across these waves and to Psera. We will figure this out. Meanwhile, I'll be researching my Obelisks and their magic to guarantee Maheera can't get through."

"Do you require any assistance?"

"No, not at the moment. But I will let you know when I require something. Is there anything else?"

Molten turned her sights to Bright Gold and motioned to Arcadia. She cleared her throat and explained, "There is one thing. It's about the... BG."

Ah, yes. The BG. Arcadia nodded and motioned back towards the door leading into the rooms. Then led everyone around towards it. Top Secret matters, nopony else were allowed to hear this. Those on the ground watched them leave in silence.

Odega flew back down and transformed into her pony self. She pointed to King Chancellor and stated, "For real though? You're a dog. Stop it."


~✶~


Arcadia led them to Aquata Zero's situation room, the same one the rulers and Element Bearers were in that morning. Once the door was closed she said, "This is the best place to have this conversation." She gestured to the chairs while she sat in her own, followed by everyone else. "Now. What about the Blue Gold?"

Bright Gold cleared her throat and excused herself. "Sorry, I have a throat thing going on. So far, our efforts to discover the developmental process has been inconclusive save that it grows underground. But we believe at SERL believe Narmeelah created it for a reason and it may have something to do with what is happening right now. The Blue Gold gives off a sort of harmful ray of energy that diminishes when it turns into regular gold. It doesn't hurt us too much, but it does leave the body aching after twenty minutes of being around it. It does it to animals and Pserateps alike. Which would explain the legend of Narmeelah."

"Er... I'm sorry, I'm afraid I don't understand," Arcadia stammered.

"Maheera never came to Psera because of the Gold. The land is made of it, but it all starts at the Blue Gold stage. It's highly dangerous to her. We're not sure if it will harm the dragons, but if it does, we'll have a big problem on our hooves."

"As if we don't already," Arcadia groaned. "Are there any other side effects?"

Bright Gold shook her head and answered, "Not at the moment, we're still doing research. King Madun has already been informed of this information."

"Okay. Then... Hmm..." An idea crossed Arcadia's mind. It was crazy and might not work. But it was worth a shot. She blinked at the blank wall across from her and focused back on Bright Gold. "Actually, while you're doing that, you could sneak in one more item to study with it. Earlier, Odega told me something that scared me. Maheera can't be defeated because her weak point has a defensive scale over it. Reason why she was instead put to sleep multiple times, only to awaken once more. Maybe those scales are vulnerable to the Blue Gold, which would explain why she never came to Psera."

"And why she's not following the Aquatas?" Molten assumed.

Arcadia nodded and answered, "Possibly. I'm not too sure about that since Equestria's coast is nearly five hundred miles away. It wouldn't hurt her this far out. There may be another reason. Until then, I suggest we request for a few scale samples from the dragons. Hopefully Ember's awake." Arcadia stood up and made way for the door. "I'll be back."

Once out in the hall she walked through and to the doors. Then through those and back onto the walkway. She lifted her Comm Block and ordered, "Can someone get Dragon Lord Ember up here please?"

While the Guards were doing as asked, Arcadia kept her eyes on the ponies below, specifically Rainbow Dash. She was snoring logs on that cloud of hers. ...cloud...

"That's it," she whispered. Arcadia made a mental note to request a census in the morning. How many Pegasi were on these Aquatas?

"Queen Twilight! You requested me?" Dragon Lord Ember landed on the steel walkway next to her. Then shot her with a dashing smile. Poor Spike. He would be leaving Rarity for this one soon.

Arcadia casually yawned and turned her way with her own. "Good evening, Ember. My team and I believed we may have found a way to affectively attack Maheera, but we need some scales."

Ember raised an eye and repeated, "You need... Dragon Scales?"

"Yes."

"Well... Alright." That was a pretty strange request, but everything going on right now was. Ember reached up to her left shoulder and ripped off three scales. They'll pretty much grow back overnight.

Arcadia grimaced and asked, "Doesn't that hurt?"

Ember shrugged and presented the scales. "It's a pinch." If she says so.

Arcadia brought the scales up to her face and observed them closely. At the surface shining with a beautiful luster and the rough lining. "Alright. Thank you, Ember." Then turned around and walked urgently back into the hall. After this, she was going to sleep. In the morning, they were encountering Mahloo and Marloo. Based off the diary, she needed more energy for that more than anything.
> Chapter 17 - Mahloo and Marloo
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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."
> Chapter 18 - Welcome To Psera
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After Twilight showed Cadance through the other ships, they soared over the blue oceans and landed on the deck of Aquata Zero. The ocean breeze ruffled through Twilight's feathers while they soared over harmless blue waters. Nothing but blue as far as the eye could see. It was nigh in the day as of this moment. The sun warmed the coats of the Guard standing around making conversation as well as the Princess and Queen.

Once they landed, Queen Arcadia pointed ahead of the bow and stated, "At our current speed I am estimating us to reach the Obelisk line at around eight tonight. Until then, I have business to attend to here in my office."

Cadance smirked and repeated, "Office? You have an office on this ship?"

"Yes. We have a whole suite of business areas on Aquata Zero. You've already seen the debriefing room. Then you have my office and Madun's, then the Secretaries of Defense and Royalty, or Manny and Gardeen. As well as a small library."

Oh stars above, Singe... Cadance giggled behind a hoof and stated, "Singe is going to enjoy Manny."

Arcadia glanced at Cadance nonchalantly. But couldn't help that eventual smirk too that broke out on her face. Yeah, those two would definitely get along. "Yes, I can see them bickering already. But I have a feeling they won't. Where is Spike? I haven't seen him."

Cadance swooned with a hoof above her horn and answered, "More than likely swooning over Sweetie Belle."

"What?" Twilight shot her head back to Cadance from the sea. Did she just hear that right? "Sweetie Belle? What about Rarity? I just saw them in Equestria a few weeks ago."

Cadance chuckled and nudged Twilight with a hoof. "You've missed a lot these past five years. His crush on Rarity has now moved onto her sister. 'She's more his age.'"

Twilight seethed and whispered, "Ouch. Does Rarity..."

"Rarity knows about his new 'crush on somepony else', but not the reason why. She said as long as Spike is happy, she's happy too. He's growing up in a sense."

Twilight nodded and faced back to the waves. "Yeah, I expected him to. Speaking of which, I have to get back to my work before I get behind schedule." Arcadia raised her hoof and relayed, "Arcadia to Guard. I am passing over the head of temporary command to Admiral Star 'til fourteen hundred hours. All be advised I'm moving towards the offices. For all other inquiries please consult Admiral Star, who in turn will consult me for any guidance or clarifications needed. Arcadia signing off."

"Aquata Zero, acknowledged."

"Aquata One, Acknowledged." One by one the ships acknowledged her status.

Arcadia just simply lowered her hoof and smiled to Cadance while ignoring their responses. "I'll see you later on, Cadance. I believe you know how to get back to the hangar from here?"

Cadance smiled softly and answered, "Yes. I'll speak to you soon."

Twilight flipped her sparkling mane out from in front of her face then turned around and made eager steps for the inside of the ship. She needed to get some work done for Psera while they were in the clear. There was no telling when another attack would rear its ugly head.

Cadance watched her go whilst the breeze blew their manes out of proportion. Then focused back on the calm sea in front of her. She should probably talk to some of the other leaders. Even though some questions were answered yesterday, they definitely have more concerning the Pserateps themselves.



King Chancellor sat alone among other more talkative ponies at the edge of Bay A with a straight face. His despondent eyes stared down at the waves of the sea splashing against this Aquata. That was a long way down. His ponies were around there somewhere but he didn't really pay them any mind at the moment. His mind ran chaotically with thoughts about what has happened so far.

Psera weren't to blame for this apparent temporary situation, but their history may have had a hoof in it. No matter how small. All of their lands were struck with plagues because of an evil draconequus. Then zombie ponies. And finally evacuation to Equestria to whatever happened back there. Did Maheera have a part in Equestria's steel shortage? Possibly.

Chancellor abandoned the ledge of boredom and walked back deeper into the hangar of excitement to get answers. Only one pony knew the answer to that question. He strided towards a nearby Aqua Guard, a mare at post and asked, "Is Queen Arcadia available?"

The Guard shook her head and answered, "Queen Arcadia has signed off for a majority of the day."

"Horse apples. Thank you." He had no idea what "Signed off" meant to them, but it must've meant no because the guard shook his head. With his answer, Chancellor turned and begrudgingly shuffled away with a destination for a resting area. It was boring on this ship. Not much to do but sleep really. He's done that more than enough.

But his eyes caught sight of the other rulers gathered in a medium-sized circle in the darkness of a corner. What were they talking about? Changing routes, he swiveled and made way for them. Being left out of a circle was one thing King Chancellor didn't enjoy. Let alone being left out of informative and important topics.

Maybe a few feet away he caught ear of their conversation before he arrived. Cadance spoke in a hushed tone, "Queen Arcadia has informed me we'll be reaching their Obelisk Line around eight tonight. That would land us nearly in Psera by tomorrow morning if all goes well."

"Pserateps aren't the friendliest ponies and as you know don't like to share," Luna put in. "They're technologically advanced and truly adore their rulers as long as they are fair and willing to listen. According to history, Queen Arcadia and King Madun are their second best rulers, running a close second behind Queen Narmeelah. Arcadia herself said that way before all of this, ponies actually considered her as a uhhh... Reincarnation of Narmeelah. Or even a relative. They didn't realize how right they were."

King Haakim asked, "And this... King Madun. What is he like?"

Luna chuckled and answered, "He. Is. A. Darling. Has a soft side for flowers, cooking, and pleasing his family. Then has a tough side for Psera. Fair and firm. But there are some characters in power that you have to look out for. Such as..."

Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Shining Armor all stated with the same pony in mind, "Secretary Manny."

Shining clarified, "Secretary Manny is Psera's Secretary of Defense. She more than likely provided the securement for the rescue off Equestria. Queen Twilight just organized it all. I have a feeling you'll meet her."

Celestia cleared her throat and added, "To clarify further, excuse me Singe, but she's similar to you. Only... Worse. Her attitude is 'do what I say, or you are done here'. She's not one to mosey around."

Dragon Lord Ember muttered with crossed claws, "She sounds more like me."

"The second pony you have to watch out for, but far less so is... The Secretary of Royalty. Gardeen."

That name sounded really familiar to Novo. She repeated, "Gardeen? As in... White pony, silver mane, green eyes." Celestia nodded, confirming Novo's suspicions. "So they snuck in. I believe I may have seen her at the summit. She seemed nice."

Shining immediately clarified, "Oh she is. But if you step out of place, she's quick to push you back in it. Her role as Secretary of Royalty is she takes orders directly from Royalty. Twilight was in her position before she was crowned. She gives orders to the Captain of the Royal Pseratopian Guard, Police, Military Police, all of them. Technically, she's directly under the Queen. If you miss your taxes, you receive a letter from the Secretary of Royalty. If orders are to be delivered personally, she is the pony you see at your front door. To get to the Queen, you have to go through Gardeen."

Singe nodded and stated, "She sounds like a take charge sort of mare."

"She is. But in a place of power there is a pony who isn't. Princess Merry Fire. The Daughter of Her Majesty Molten Ice, sister to King Madun, and step-sister to Queen Twilight. Even though she is Royalty and lives in the castle, she prefers a more simple life. She is a highly sought out seamstress and actually designed the dresses for Twilight during her wedding, and Coronation. At times she enacts her status in a surprising way. She's easy to communicate with but still has an attitude you must watch out for. So watch what you say."

"Then last, but definitely not least of the original family, Her Majesty Molten Ice," Cadance said. "I can't exactly remember how old she is, but I think around five thousand."

Ember whistled and whispered, "Wow, so she's been around before Celestia."

"Way before Celestia. Not much on her really. She's ruled Psera for many years and was an adventurer. Apparently she's toured Equestria underneath our noses a few times, including during the Nightmare Moon era. Eventually she passed on the title of prime ruler to King Madun and retired."

A loud snap-crack ripped their attention from the briefing to the overhead walkways. Arcadia was walking around with a face of focus briskly in a violet robe holding three documents and a golden pen. The Guards saluted when she moved past. She must've been taking notes or something.

Luna motioned up to her and said, "And this brings us to the last of Psera's newest main heads. Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, Saviour of Psera. That's her entire title. Based off of their words, she changed her name in hopes to leave all parts of her Equestrian past behind. As well as keep her secret in case somepony asked who she was. After rebuilding Psera at an extremely quickened pace, she was given the title of Executive Secretary of Royalty, Gardeen's current title. Months later, news of her and Madun's courtship began to circulate. Then, after nine months of dating, a proposal. During this time Pserateps all over their nation held a voting pool to push her to power. During the planning, Arcadia and Madun told the world that she was pregnant with a foal. Then finally, first wedding, disaster, second wedding, marriage, birth, and Coronation."

Thorax waved his hoof and interrupted, "Wait, wait, I have a question! What disas—" Cadance covered his mouth with her hoof.

Leaning in, she whispered, "We don't talk about it on Psera, around Twilight, around any Pseratep, and definitely not around her family."

Luna waved her hoof in a circular motion to the ceiling and added just as timid, "It's a taboo to do so. So refrain from asking or seeking out information in any other form."

Twilight teleported away from one walkway far away to the one directly above their position near the wall. She jiggled with something metallic and pulled open a door. Then started clicking something around. "Arcadia to Bridge, have you received an update?... Ten-four."

Twilight closed the door back after taking a note. Then teleported away once again back into her large and warm carpeted office. There was a large wooden desk in the right corner where multiple documents were laid out, situated between photos of her family, daughter, and friends. Both Equestria and Psera. Dark didn't like photos so he chose to glance away like he heard something when the photo was taken. Cute.

On the left side of the room was a large round glass table where a small LiVAM was setup nearby for conferences. Along the top of the walls were more LiVAMs displaying feeds of the important areas of the Aquata. The battery room, the hangars of course, the decks, bridges, and cameras at the sea for the bow and ports. All labeled so she knew. But she wasn't focused on them. She was focused on her paperwork and the LiVAM on the table. An important call was going to come through concerning the final choice of location as well as anything she may have missed.

After a few seconds, she pushed the paper on the side and focused on the screen when Gardeen's face popped in. Too close. Her nose was in her face. Arcadia smirked and said, "Back up somewhat."

Gardeen's eyes widened before she backed away. "Is this okay?"

"A little more... Okay... Good, right there. Hello, Gardeen."

Gardeen decided to go back to her own desk and take a seat. It was much better than being muzzle to glass with a LiVAM. Smiling, she greeted, "Hello, Twilight. How's the sea?"

Arcadia sighed and responded, "Eh, a little tense. We have it under control. Now what's happening in Psera?"

Gardeen lifted a sheet and answered, "As of two hours ago, the Senate decided that Psera will house the Foreigners in between Fenix and Merōl, Fenix and Lavender, and Psera Skies Extra to preserve land space. Based off the amount of fliers incoming from your census it should dwindle the space taken and appease the Pserateps already occupying these areas. Those areas will be split up into equal sections in numbers and age range. They're waiting for an approval from you and Madun."

Arcadia liked that. It could work. "I love the idea. Place the form on my desk as soon as possible. What else?"

Gardeen looked at the document and checked off a few things. "Uhhh... Serl is requesting to intercept your ship with one of their own so the subjects don't get on Psera."

Arcadia wrote down a note and asked, "What time?"

"Three miles away from Psera. They're in contact with Lavender."

Arcadia took a note to inform the Admiral to stop all motion at Mile Three. "In which direction is Serl arriving?"

"Rear helm."

"Then they're coming in early to loop around. What else?"

"You told me to remind you of the Aquata zero-two-seven's decommissioning? And the welcoming of the V2s?"

Twilight nodded and asked, "What day is that?"

"Lunch, the day after tomorrow."

"Alright. I'll be there to set it off. Anything else?"

"No, that is all."

Arcadia grabbed her notes and put them together into a stack. "I'll inform the leaders on the ship. Now... One more thing, Gardeen." Gardeen nodded and gave the Queen her full attention. Arcadia leaned in with an intense stare and whispered, "...you already know what I'm going to ask."

Gardeen blinked at her nonchalantly for a moment. Then closed her eyes and sighed. "Your highness, I really don't think it's a good idea to tell you."

"Tell me, Gardeen. Come on." She waved her hoof her way. "Give me the details and be honest."

Gardeen stared into the intense and quivering eyes of her Queen. Then sighed. It were as if a loud trumpet was rising into their ears with a single tune. After a few seconds, Gardeen smirked and confirmed Twilight's worst fears. "Eventa lost."

Arcadia sat back with a straight face and stated, "There's a penalty for lying to the Queen."

Gardeen shook her head and laughed, "Four to three. They were close though."

Arcadia shook her head and corrected, "They won."

"Lost."

"Won."

"Lost, Twilight."

"Gardeen, I will speak with you later."

"You're going to watch the recap, aren't you?"

"What? No of course not." Arcadia quickly pressed a button on her desk to cut the feed before she could reply. "No way," she whispered. "No way Eventa lost, they're undefeated." Arcadia crossed her hooves and shook her head. While the seconds ticked by, tiny beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Next a bite of her lip. After a minute of silence and the loud ticking of the clock above the door, she couldn't take it anymore. Arcadia lifted her hoof and turned the frequency control up all the way. She had to know. She had to know now.



Even though a majority of the questions were answered, there were still a few concerns the leaders continued to inquire on the rulers of Equestria. Specifically, Dragon Lord Ember asked about gems and Jim Sun about seaweed for food.

Cadance shrugged and answered, "Well the gems we're not authorized to speak about, and the seaweed... I... Honestly don't know. But then again, we only know a few minor things about Psera and—"

"Attention, all staff on deck," Arcadia interrupted through the Aquata's intercom. Two guards walking past stopped to listen. And Odega burst into view next to Celestia. Where has she been all this time? "I was just informed of some devastating news that... More than likely isn't as devastating to you as it is to me, but I need clarification. And I. Need. It. Now."

Celestia shared a concerning look with Luna. "I want to know... If Eventa actually lost. I mean I was told they did but I don't believe it. I'm desperate, someone tell me."

What? Rainbow Dash yelled, "Huh?" She shared a look with Applejack who only shrugged in response like the other ponies. She was just as lost. Must've been a Psera thing.

Private Smalls snickered and responded, "Rayray won, your highness! Four to three!"

"No, no way! Eventa won, they had to, they've been bragging about this all season!"

Captain Gliding yelled, "Yeah, but Drophoof got knocked off his hooves near the end and actually dropped the ball! Command told me the story! So—"

"No, no, no, I'm going to watch the recap! Is there a recap? I'm watching the recap!"

"Yeah, there's a recap!"

"I'm watching it!" And with that, Arcadia cut the feed.

Celestia blinked once. Then two more times and asked, "Er... What?"

Luna shrugged and asked, "Uhh... Eventa?"

A Guard strode forward and saluted to them with a straight face. "Her highness wishes to speak with you in the briefing room. Follow me." He lowered his hoof and made way for the stairs, followed immediately by Celestia and everyone else, completely forgetting the event that just transpired.

They walked up the steel stairs and onto the oh so familiar hallway. Soon, they arrived at the room's closed door, guarded by the Arcadian Elite Guard, two of them. The one escorting them suggested quietly, "Try not to keep her waiting." Then shuffled back off to his post.

Luna took the initiative and pushed the door open with a vision in mind of Twilight in her chair reading to pass the time. That was unfortunately not to pass. Twilight must've had a soundproofing spell active because when Luna opened the door, all they heard was a bunch of shouting and cheering. "WHOO, YEAH! GO EVENTA LIGHTS, WHOO HOO!!"

The lights in the Debriefing/Situation room were dimmed and Twilight was watching something on the far wall next to the door from her chair beside Madun's. Definitely excited about something.

Shining walked right in despite Cadance's tugging and checked out what she was watching, let alone extremely excited about. It was... A ball game? Twilight liked sports?! Yeah it was a sports game! The Pserateps had on helmets and gear, running across a grassy field while their wings were strapped to their sides. There was a text below in Pseratopian Shining couldn't get but it was obvious it was a game.

"Whaaaaa..." Shining diverted his gaze to Twilight who was hitting her hoof on the table, shooting the LiVAM with a pleading look. Although there were a few documents in front of her, she was focused on the display. Probably just to pass the time.

She waved her hoof to the left and yelled, "Left! Left, my friend, left—yeah, there you go! Keep going!"

The others walked into the room and viewed the LiVAM with Shining Armor. Celestia was the most surprised. And not by Twilight's current actions. But by the fact that...

"I believe Twilight likes sports," Luna guessed. Then turned to Twilight. She had her hooves up in the sky waving them around.

"Whoo yeah!! Go, Eventa! Go, Eventa! Go, Eventa!" The end goal was in sight. Celestia glanced to Novo who was trying to wrap her head around this. A player from the bottom of the screen was running up to intercept the one with the ball. Which he did.

They were knocked off their hooves and the ball twirled in midair. Twilight gasped before it was snatched by a pony on the opposite side, and they began running back the way they came. "NO! NO, SOMEONE STOP THEM!!"

Cadance leaned over to Shining and whispered, "I did not know Twilight was so into sports." He nodded but shrugged.

Twilight stood up from her chair with horror on her face. "Noooo! Come on, come on, come on!!" After a few more seconds the pony with the ball ran into the endpoint. And the crowd went wild. A zoomed in shot of the Pserateps playing zoomed onto the LiVAM before it cut off.

Twilight groaned and dropped her face onto the table. "We were sooo close!!" She cried. "How can you win all the games but the most important one??! Madness!"

Seeking an end to this, Novo lifted her hoof to her mouth and cleared her throat. Twilight eeped and sat back up. Then urgently pressed a few controls on the pad in front of her. The lights dimmed back on, the screen was replaced with the crest of Psera, and Twilight quickly righted herself back to a nonchalant Queen.

Clearing her own throat, she gestured to the chairs and ordered, "Have a seat."

Shining had to keep down a laughing fit while he moved to his chair like the others. Celestia sat near Twilight and shot a smirk her way while everyone got comfortable. They clearly saw everything and weren't so discreet to let her know they did.

Queen Arcadia blushed and stammered, "Uhh... As of less than ten minutes ago, I was informed of your placement on Psera soil. The Senate decided to have you split among three locations to restrict overcrowding: Between Fenix and Merōl, Fenix and Lavender, and Psera Skies Extra. As I'm sure you know Princesses, Eventa is not available."

Cadance replied, "Yes, we've gone over that."

"Good. I just want to make it clear once more.Psera Skies Extra is only accessible to Pegasi. And based off our census, we have a lot on these crafts. That should help us preserve the land for my ponies already living out there. Now as for the basics of what happens when on Psera. Once we're on land and everyone is settled in, you will be assigned tasks to keep our economy moving. Any of your available military will work closely with ours to provide intelligence and assistance of the threat. I have yet to hear what we're already doing, but I have a feeling I'll know by lunch tomorrow.

"Speaking of which, once we pass the Obelisk Line, I'll be returning to Psera to prepare our land for your arrival and leave you in the hooves of the Admiral and military. As for your stay, all of you have the option of either staying at the castle, or close to your citizens. And the same goes for the Captain of your Guard. Whichever one you choose, we need to be able to get to you in case of an emergency meeting. Any questions? Yes, Ember."

Ember lowered her claw and asked, "What about food?"

"We should have enough food for all of you. We have a warehouse of rations and Terquimas. Now as for gems. Obviously, Dragons eat gems but Psera is extremely lacking for those reasons. We use gems for other reasons. But we'll see what we can do. Yes, Jim Sun?"

Jim Sun lowered his hoof and stated, "As Queen, I'm sure you have a lot more on your hooves other than us. Who will be in charge?"

"You are correct to assume I will be sticking to the sidelines. A few of my Guard Colonels, Military Police, Department of Public Safety, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of International Relations, the Princesses, your Guard Captains and whoever they assign, King Madun, then finally myself. Like I said, this is going to strain our economy. But with enough time and effort, it will turn out alright. Now, about... The Changelings."

This again? Thorax sighed and asked, "Queen Arcadia... Are you a racist?"

Twilight gasped and answered, "Absolutely not! Why would you make that assumption?"

Thorax seethed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well... You keep talking about them, so..."

Arcadia smoldered her eyes and clarified, "Changelings on Psera, let alone approaching, is something we do not take lightly, Thorax. Psera's devastating history is actually thanks to those same Changelings on this very boat."

Singe asked, "How, exactly?"

Twilight closed her eyes and sighed. "Well... Let me tell you how it is. A Pseratep's wings don't start of this size. They grow. Through love and admiration. Psera... Is a haven of love. A store full of nothing but orbs of love sitting on shelves. The more love and admiration you receive from another makes your wings grow, albeit small. A few centimeters. Not trying to sound self-absorbed here, but Psera loves me a lot as you can see."

Twilight motioned towards her massive wings going fifteen feet on the floor. Ember nodded and whispered, "Yes, kind of hard to miss those."

"Notice how I also have stayed away from Chrysalis' changelings ever since they got on these Aquatas. I told Her Majesty Molten Ice about them and she said they have the possibility of being Quarantined."

Celestia gasped and repeated, "Quarantined? Queen Arcadia with all due respect this isn't like you."

Twilight responded, "That's because this is not a friendship problem. Chrysalis and her Changelings were responsible for five years of a terrible lifestyle here on Psera before I arrived. Pain, suffering, and death. As Queen I must look out for the safety of my subjects first and foremost. I know it seems wrong, but we're not taking any chances.

"Now back onto another topic. Once you're three miles from Psera's coast you will be intercepted by a special Aquata for an exchange of special cargo. You'll be still for ten to fifteen minutes before a direct trip to Lavender."

Madam Singe raised her hoof and asked, "We've already asked Celestia but we want to be sure once more by asking from the direct source. What exactly can we expect on Psera? Noise, nature, language, dangers..."

Twilight sat back in her seat and answered, "Well for one rules and instructions. Like I said before, Psera is a military nation and all rules apply there. As long as you follow the rules, Psera will remain nice and calm. If you don't follow the rules, then... You'll experience Psera's harsh detention rules and centers even if we see fit. My ponies are very protective of each other and the land, so if we do give you the clear to tour one of our cities, be wary of what you say and do. Other than that, you'll be safe. Anymore questions?" Shining's hoof slowly raised. "That are about the current situation?"

Shining lowered his hoof back to the side. He had a definite question about what he saw earlier. Looking around, Twilight nodded and ordered, "Okay. You're all dismissed to report what you heard to your ponies." Twilight gathered her papers and immediately teleported away before Shining could ask. He really wanted to know what was going on before any of them walked in. Well it looked like he wasn't getting any answers today. But he would get those answers.

He would get Twilight to say that she enjoyed sports.


~✶~


The evening soon fell upon the convoy of escapees, sending the ponies of the lands into a drowsy-like state. The sun basked the steel Aquatas in an Orange glow from behind, highlighting the area from the front. After telling their ponies about what would happen tomorrow, Celestia lowered the sun and Luna began the raising of the moon. Twilight's friends decided to be a few of those sitting on the edge just to watch. It was always a grand event whenever Celestia and Luna did their works. To watch the blue skies be replaced with a black canvas twinkling with stars.

Once the moon was up and the show was over, Luna turned with intent for rest and searching of dreams. But her muzzle bumped into the muzzle of Private Smalls, as dark as the night.

She stepped back and apologized, "Oh, excuse me." Then started to make her way around before Smalls raised her hoof.

"Not so fast," she warned. The others turned to her to witness the situation. "Her highness is requesting your presence on the deck. All of you."

Celestia and Luna shared a look and shrug. Looks like Twilight needed one more thing before heading back home. After a trek and climb up metal stairs, they walked through the thick steel doorway leading into the ship onto the semi-abandoned and lightly glowing deck of the ship.

Everything was peacefully silent, save for the splashing of the waves they could barely see and wouldn't if it weren't for the moon's glow. Twilight was flanked at the bow by Odega and the Twins, Mahloo and Marloo. All facing the seemingly empty dark horizon. The twins had been missing since this morning. Strange. Not as strange as seeing them there though. They were really intimidating and Twilight was standing beside them like it were no big deal. Fearless.

Clearing her throat, Rarity called, "Er... Twilight?"

Without turning around Twilight answered, "Over here. Have a seat."

Odega and the others scooted over to allow them a seat by the Queen. Celestia and Cadance flanked her left and right. Her glowing and sparkling mane licked Cadance's face. It draped over her front while her content gaze was focused on the distance. Celestia wasn't sure what she was looking at, but it must've been important.

Twilight gestured towards the sea and stated, "I figured you'd want to see the Obelisks together before I head back. We're actually really close to them right now. They're in sight, less than a third of a mile."

Rainbow placed her hooves on the steel railing and looked around. All she saw were more Aquatas and an ocean as dark as the sky. "Yeah, uhh... Where?" She asked.

Twilight closed her eyes and calmly lit her horn. Celestia focused back on the ocean, gasping at her find. Not too far but still a ways, a light pink glow climbed from the ocean taking shape in the form of a very tall spire; a monolith, starting from the base and ascending until they reached the apex, reaching up to the sky. Its hue became higher and the glow brighter, bathing the entire fleet in a warm neon violet glow. It looked exactly like the one in Cop. Just much bigger.

The Guards on the bridges of the Aquatas slowly abandoned their posts to check out not one, but three of the Obelisks in sight. One in the center, another on the far right a little ways out, and another on the left in the same suspected distance. Admiral Star smiled warmly at the sight and pressed the key for the intercom. Inside of Aquata Zero, many of the ponies were sleeping, ignoring the patrolling of the Guards before Admiral Star boomed, "All please be advised..." Novo sat up with her daughter and looked around. "We have arrived at the PDS Obelisk Line. It is truly a sight to behold. Thank you, Queen Arcadia."

Obelisk Line? They made it? Novo stood up and made her way to the Hangar Bay with a few other ponies. Those already there were staring with their mouths open at whatever was out there. Even Queen Chrysalis and a few of her drones were entranced. Novo looked her way then followed her eyes to the distance, jaw dropping.

The Obelisk line was massive. And the Obelisks themselves were towers. Before Novo knew what she was doing she—and the others—were on the top deck with Arcadia and the Guard, watching the approaching towers. They even changed colors! From the bottom they changed from purple to green.

Rarity whispered, "That is amazing, darling. Truly inspiring."

Twilight nodded and replied, "Just one of my works. Once you pass this, you'll be in Psera possibly by tomorrow morning. Or at least ten. We're severely over schedule." The Obelisk line was nearing their fleet now, urging the ships to tilt around. Ponies like Moondancer and a others had their eyes glued to the sight when it begin to pass their Hangar bay. They all followed it to the rear of the ship, so close in reach. The dark waves below splashed against the crystal in an eerie silence.

Cadance whispered, "There are three hundred of these?"

Twilight nodded and answered, "Yes. It took a while to build. Two weeks with effort, but... It's worth it. It's time I returned home." Twilight lit her horn and blasted open a portal, blowing back the manes of those on board. "Odega, assist in defense if any trouble arises. I have a feeling there won't be any."

From down the line, Odega saluted and replied, "Yeah, girl."

Twilight nodded back before striding through and closing the portal. Leaving them out of sight. She relished in the stable and soft atmosphere of her home's living room. And the toys and books lying around. Something was telling her Fresh Dawn was pretty busy today. Reading, playing, and sleeping. Good.

Twilight used her magic to quietly pick them up and place them back in the toy bin next to her library where they belonged. Then made her way to the back. Being a Queen was a tough job. But there was a reward at the end of the day. An anchor that kept her grounded through it all. Arcadia's face morphed into a smile when she walked into the bedroom at what she saw.

Fresh Dawn was on top of her father's upturned face snoring logs with him. That was cute. Arcadia took off her crown and placed it in the glass box next to her husband and daughter's. Then crawled into bed behind Fresh Dawn and nuzzled her mane. Her only response was a small wing twitch. This was the part of the job she cherished most. Coming home to her baby. Her family.


~✶~


As the Princesses of the Day and Night, Celestia and Luna were the first to see it. Although they have never seen it on approach, they knew their defenses. Can't miss the fifty something Aquatas sitting at sea and waiting for their escorts pointed towards the ocean. As well as the slight elevation of land in the distance for Cop many many miles away. Once the sun was in the air and the moon was lowered, Celestia teleported back down into the hangar to grab Cadance, happily sleeping with Shining Armor and Flurry Heart.

She nudged them all and whispered, "We're here."

Flurry was the first to wake. Tired eyes focused on Celestia's faded Magenta's. She yawned and greeted, "Morning, Aunt Celestia."

"Good morning, Flurry. We're here in Psera. Wake up your mother and father for me while I grab the others." Celestia straightened up and moved to grab the rest of the ponies needed on the deck. Within four minutes they rendezvoused with each other on deck and locked on the green horizon and the Aquata's nearing them.

Madam Singe yawned and looked around before Luna said, "We should be making an expected stop any—" An Aquata honked at them from behind, cutting her off. Rather rude.

Luna turned and anxiously led them over to the other side of the huge bridge to get a glimpse behind the boat. An odd white Aquata was approaching from the rear of one of the Aquatas, forcing everyone to stop. Unlike literally all the Aquatas the Equestrians had ever seen, this one was really different. It looked like The Front Lawn, just smaller and was white. Entirely white.

Chancellor murmured, "Fancy. What is that?"

Celestia slowly shook her head and answered, "We don't know. When we made visits here in the past, we always had a feeling the Pserateps hid things from us. They didn't answer certain questions about their world and treated it as a touchy subject. If it was friendly, they'd tell us."

With her eyes on the boat approaching the side of another Singe asked, "And I take it they didn't answer a certain category?"

Cadance shook her head and corrected, "Categories." She stepped back and looked around. No Guards in sight. But Pserateps were known for their stealth. She leaned in and whispered, "But a majority is their technology. I remember Queen Arcadia visiting the Crystal Empire in the past, a standard play date for Flurry and Dawn. While they were playing, I inquired on their tools and advances. Arcadia made an excuse that Psera is just way older and has more experience in harnessing without the help of magic—"

Novo interrupted, "Wait, no Magic?"

"None. All they can really do is walk on clouds and manipulate the weather. Twilight is viewed as a God in their eyes. Then again she is stronger than any Alicorn. But back to the conversation. Knowing Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle since she was a foal, I was expecting a lecture of some sort. To tell me how incredible their methods were for harnessing energy and manipulating it to do whatever they wanted. But surprisingly... Not a peep. We moved that conversation to Donut Joes and Maphitos."

Luna looked around then inputted, "We have asked Twilight other questions involving their technology and methods. But I know the Pserateps are hiding something. For one she will tell you about the Comm Blocks and how they work. But she will not tell you about the Situation Room. The room with the equipment blasting your face with the dancing lights. The only clue we have that Psera has secrets is... Well... They're very obvious about it. The only ones who really know the secret would be that of the Pserateps."

"You ponies are loud." All eyes shifted up to the sunny sky into the fierce fiery eyes of Odega. She was leaning over the railing of the bridge maybe teen feet up, gazing down at them with a dreamy look complete with hooves supporting her chin. "If you guys ever try to plot a coup watch your volume. Word of advice?"

Odega teleported down to them in front of Cadance and poked a hoof in her chest. "Never talk possible secrets near a Pseratep."

"But there is a big secret... Isn't there?"

Odega shrugged and answered, "Maybe, maybe not. It's not in my job description to tell you. My job description is to keep ponies away from Psera waters and to defend my race by burning ponies to smithereens. Not wear my sexy body down with the thought that Psera is keeping secrets."

Odega walked around them towards the hull and watched the sun rise on its own. "You're lucky Arcadia's in power. Madun in the past was... He played by the book, he did what everyone else did way back then. But they never had to go through a desolated wasteland thanks to black flying bugs. So when everything went to the Deep he didn't know what to do. Sort of let the generals handle it. Then the idea of mass evacuation was slid across the table. That literally would have killed everyone. Then Arcadia showed up and made everything all sunshine, ladybugs, and flowers again."

Odega faced them once more and said, "If somepony had heard you ponies talking about Psera holding a possible secret, and Arcadia wasn't around, you'd either be dead or watched under a very close eye. It depends on what you really know."

Shining asked, "So there is a secret."

"Yes there is. Like I said, based off what I heard up there you'd be dead once you reached land if a Guard heard you. But thankfully Queen Arcadia is in power. Yaaayyy. The least she would do is kindly ask you to keep your mouth close. Then Secretary Manny would kick a door down and order you to keep your mouth closed, or she'll tie your wings to your side and drop you from five thousand feet. The worst Arcadia could do is erase your mind. Such as a... Group of Changelings led by a black bug? Surely you remember that, Equestria?"

Celestia hummed and eyed the land they were approaching. "How can I forget?" She whispered.

"By dropping the 'Psera Secret' nonsense. You'll never find out Psera's secret. And even if you did, they will grab you in the same hour you found out. Then it's back to the beginning: You don't know, and you never did."

Odega walked towards the door for the innards of the ship while Shining asked, "How can you freely talk about it?"

Odega stopped and answered, "I know everything. Nothing can really be done to me except by Arcadia herself. But even she may have a problem because I'm just a body made of fire. I have no mind to dig through. You can try to pour water on me but I've been living in the ocean for millions of years, it won't work. And I know everything the moment it happens. I could tell you right now that Arcadia is snoring logs with Fresh Dawn all over her face, playing with her ear. Nothing will ever happen to me. So with that, I'll keep it a secret that you know something about Psera."



Fresh Dawn didn't know what this menace was. She couldn't figure it out. But each time she blew air on it, it would dance and vibrate. She had crawled all over her mother's shadowed face just to get to this point. This thing moving in the dark on her mom's head. She sniffed it. Smelled like mom. Was it mom? Dawn shook her head to get her red flowing mane out in front of her eyes. Then poked at the thing again.

Underneath her by Dawn's stomach, Twilight's eyes cracked open first and focused on the darkness that was her vision. She reached up to feel her face, only to come in contact with... Dawn. Her back right leg. What was she doing with her ear? Dawn blew air on it forcing it to dance and move, and forcing her to jump back in surprise. Looks like she couldn't see what this was.

Deciding to mess with her, Twilight purposely buzzed it some more. Madun liked that for some reason. It made him laugh. And it confused their daughter greatly based off her reaction.

She jumped back in Twilight's vision and eyed it in suspicion. What was that?! It was driving her insane. Dawn leaned down into Twilight's face and poked her muzzle. "Mommy?... M-Mommy, something's on your head."

Twilight grinned to Dawn's face and giggled. "That's my ear, sweetie."

"Ohhhh. It moves funny."

"I know, dear." Twilight yawned and rose up to look down at their princess staring up into her eyes in response. "Good morning, my Veola."

"Good morning, mommy." Twilight shifted and moved out of bed to the floor, followed closely by her daughter. "Where have you been? Daddy was sooo boring."

Arcadia chuckled while Madun mumbled something and lead Dawn through the halls for the kitchen. "That's because Daddy doesn't use magic like us," Twilight excused. "As a Pseratep, your father can't harness or focus magic like us Alicorn-Pserateps."

She stepped into the kitchen and flipped one out of the seven switches on the wall by her head. The kitchen was gradually basked in a warm orange glow, much easier on the eyes.

After climbing into her chair, Dawn's curious nature scanned the kitchen while her mother calmly made her breakfast. More than likely cereal. The only time mom gets up this early is to handle business ruling the country. But something was bothering her daughter.

Dawn hesitated to ask a question. A question she's been trying to ask for a while but never got an answer to. "M... M-Mom?"

Without turning from her Cereal task, Arcadia responded, "Yes?"

"Are... Ummm..." Arcadia stopped fixing breakfast and turned back towards their kitchen table to focus on her daughter for a moment. She was becoming fidgety. Something was up. "Are there... More ponies like us? Like you and me?"

The cereal task ceased. Twilight sighed and pursed her lips. She knew this conversation was going to come. But not this quickly. How do you tell a foal that they were the first of their kind?

"Oh Dawn..." Twilight grabbed the bowl of cereal with two maphitos and walked over. "We are the first of our kind. You're the first Alicorn-Pseratep to ever be naturally born. And me... It's difficult to understand. But to answer your question..." Twilight set the bowl down in front of her obviously distraught daughter. "There are no others. Not yet anyway."

Fresh Dawn used her magic to grab the spoon and stir her cereal before the Maphitos were added to the mix. Arcadia watched her in sorrow with a saddened frown. It distraught her to see her filly sad. But she knew just how to cheer her up. Dawn goes crazy whenever she does Magic. So...

Arcadia smiled and whispered, "But hey. Us two fillies can go and have a good time on our own. As the Queen I can make sure you enjoy your time, okay? How about we spend the day together? I want to show you your heritage and other neat tricks that you will one day be able to do with magic. Okay?"

Dawn's ears shot back up in excitement. She was always happy to watch her mother do her tricks. "Yeah! We don't need Daddy here!" Arcadia chuckled when she heard Madun grumble in the back. At least he was up.
> Chapter 19 - On Psera Soil
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia could tell they were nearing land by the fact that a strange seagull with multicolored feathers landed on the Hangar Bays, and squawked loudly at one of the ponies looking out at the ocean. Bon Bon she believed. She had jumped back in fear before Lyra came to her rescue by shooing it away, a sign they were nearing the end of their voyage across the ocean.

After the strange white Aquata disappeared and ducked away, their escort were once again on the move. Eventually passing through, in a straight line, a defensive formation of more Aquatas. The ones ready for war and completely decked out with weapons aimed for the distance.

According to one of the Guards who were tasked to update them, they were just on standby, waiting for orders. Until then they were just supplying a lookout at sea for anything strange.

While Celestia was admiring things on one side of the same Bay, Sunset and the rest of Twilight's friends were on the other, eyeing the only untouched land left in the entire world.

Even from here, they could make out the hustle and bustle of Merōl. It was a big city with a lot of skyscrapers and warehouses. Not like Cop or Eventa, but it was running a close third.

While the line of boats tilted to the left for Lavender, Sunset asked to the air beyond the hangar bays, "So how was your nap? You missed all the excitement by the way." Then shifted her sight to Starlight Glimmer. She literally woke up from having what she called "The Grandmother of all headaches" a little under two hours ago.

With unreadable eyes on Psera, she answered, "It was painful. What happened?"

Rainbow leaned in and quickly answered, "A giant fish nearly ate us, a flaming bird nearly burned us, two monster seaponies fought Twilight and lost, and we got to see her PDS Obelisk Line up close. You. Missed. Everything."

"Gee. Thanks for waking me up."

"You're welcome. I think we're coming up on Fenix."

Shifting her eyes from the green landscape out in the ocean, Rarity turned to Rainbow with a curious eye and asked, "What makes you say that?"

Rainbow pointed a hoof ahead and answered, "You can see the farmland."

All eyes focused on the grassy terrain hundreds of feet away, patched in squares in different patches of the land in different colors. Varying in crops. Applejack nodded and proudly confirmed, "Yep! That's Fenix! I know Farmland when I see it! Well maintained too!"

From the distance a group of foals ran to the ledge and waved at the Aquatas. They could see them even from here. Hovering in the air, doing loops and waving their hooves. Rainbow Dash waved back with a smile on her face. Even though they were children, it was nice to see a friendly citizen.

On the opposite end, Cadance provided the same for the others. Pointing at the land, she introduced, "Fenix. Psera's farmland."

Novo settled down with her daughter and asked, "Is it big?"

"Goes maybe seventy miles inland I think. Psera has way more than enough room to spare. Lavender is up next. We've never been to Lavender, so this is a first for us too."

President Manamar who has been silent most of this time fiddled with her short yellow mane and asked, "H-How long?"

"Umm..." Celestia thought for a moment and answered, "At our current speed maybe fifteen, twenty minutes. Maybe longer. Get comfy."



While they were preparing to Dock, the one in charge was transforming herself from Twilight Sparkle to Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle back in their castle along with her daughter into Princess Fresh Dawn.

She had on soft comfortable hoofshoes, her sparkling tiara, and a dress matching her mother's. Purple and Red with small frills. Madun was a little late getting up, but did rise to the family occasion of matching colors with a red suit and purple tie mixed with red and purple flaming steel hoofshoes, courtesy of his wife for their fourth wedding anniversary.

Before they opened the door, Fresh Dawn was giggling and jumping up and down. What for, her parents had no idea. But went ahead and opened the door and stepped out into their escort saluting on either side. King Madun greeted, "Good morning, gentlecolts."

They bowed and replied their own greeting before the door was shut and they moved on. Full of energy, Dawn bounced away from her calmly walking parents to up ahead, leaving them behind.

Smirking, Madun commented, "Trying to outrun her father already huh?"

Twilight smiled and proudly stated, "She takes after her mother."

"I know I'm faster than you."

Arcadia shook her head and corrected, "I'm faster than you, sweetheart."

"I have a feeling we'll be settling this later."

"Yes we shall. Now while you're meeting up with the others, I have to start the construction of the camps. Guard Captain? Please have an extra Comm Block waiting for me at the front of the castle." A guard saluted and made moves to get that settled while Queen Arcadia continued with her conversation. "I'm bringing Fresh Dawn with me. This morning she seemed upset that she and I are the only ponies here that can do magic. So I'm going to show her how it's not that big a deal by demonstrating what she'll be able to do on her own in the future."

Madun hummed and suggested, "Maybe she's afraid of being alone. Forever. She's got about a maximum of five hundred years growing on her already. Based off her wing size. Now add that to the fact that you two are the only Alicorn-Pserateps in existence and Fresh Dawn's already lonely. Even with Dusty."

"So... Another foal?"

Madun quickly shook his head. One was already enough. "No, no! At least not yet. Fresh Dawn just needs some company. So for now just stick by her and assure her that everything's going to be alright."

"Of course I will." Twilight and Madun walked over to the elevator where Fresh Dawn was bouncing in front of waiting for them. The button was already pressed. While they waited, Twilight leaned down and nuzzled behind her right ear. "Are you ready to show off with your mommy?" Madun rolled his eyes while a few of the guards chuckled.

Fresh Dawn whipped around and grabbed her mother around the muzzle again. "Yeah, yeah, yeah!" Twilight used her magic to pick her up and place her on her back before the door to the elevator opened up. "Are we going flying?"

Twilight chuckled and nodded her head before strolling in with two guards and Madun. "Yes we are. But later, because we're in a hurry. Okay?"



It took a total of twenty-eight minutes before Lavender was in sight. Cadance could tell they had arrived from their lot of steel, and they were nearing an area that held a lot more Aquatas. Their naval base consisted of Aquatas locked behind different large steel barriers with numbers on the front.

There were a full line of them, spanning their sight for yards. This must've been the Naval Station. Apart from that, there were a plethora of personnel tending to business below on the ground. Along with the pods zooming through the streets that made the visitors jaws gawk in awe. Aquata Zero was the first to break off from the group and approach an open hangar.

Now what made this interesting was the fact that these Aquatas were inside their locks sideways. Facing the same direction. They weren't backed in. Celestia lifted a hoof to her chin and thought aloud, "How did they dock these Aquatas?"

Cadance shook her head and whispered, "I'm... Not sure." It was a peculiar thing to think about.

Aquata Zero slowed to a stop in front of the gates while the other Aquatas moved towards the others. Leaving them to this one. Apparently, they were about to find out what happens at the Naval Station and how they work.

Alarms blared at the same time the ship shut down, cutting all power. The alarms weren't coming from their ship though. They were coming from the lock they were parked in front of. The ship suddenly groaned from underneath before it began moving. Upwards. The ship was rising into the air.

Celestia gasped and peeked over the edge. Yep. They were rising out of the water, hoisted by something underneath unseen. After a minute or two of rising they stopped moving. Rarity let go of Applejack's poor hoof and allowed her to 
relax before it was grabbed and squeezed again when they were pulled towards the station.

Sunset sighed and motioned towards the approaching locks. "Well... That explains the horizontal parking." She looked ahead at the rest of the ships that joined them and took note of them doing the same thing. The Pseratep nation was really advanced. So advanced that they managed to make horizontal parking for naval vehicles. Now that's a very strong feat.

Trixie walked forward to join Starlight and huffed with a straight face. "Leave it to Twilight to show off her nation."

From her right Starlight rolled her eyes and said, "Yeah, Twilight doesn't 'show off.'"

Trixie hummed and shrugged after a moment of thinking before their craft hit the final point. The dock for Lavender. They had made it. They were right next to a stable level for concrete leading to a steel gate, currently active with Force Guard taking up positions and forming a barrier with weapons out. Before they could ask what was going on, the doors for the ship were beginning to close, cutting their sight off from the base. Then a voice on the intercom.

"This is Admiral Shooting Star. We have arrived in Psera. All ponies are to evacuate the Hangar Bays in a calm and orderly fashion towards the guards waving a neon beam in the Hangar. Calm. And. Orderly. Then follow the instructions of the Guards to find your way out. Thank you."

Just as requested, the ponies all moved in a calm motion for the three guards on that level, who then directed them inside into the cool steel interior of the Aquata's innards. Another Guard inside directed them down a few levels of stairs. Then towards the large open area where the door was, leading them out onto dry concrete. One of the first ponies to actually step onto clean dry land was Bon Bon, Vinyl Scratch, and Lyra Heartstrings.

They didn't have time to dawdle yet though. A guard in the distance yelled, "All ponies in a straight line! Let's move, let's move! Quathra, Quathra!" They immediately darted over as ordered. And thus begins the cycle.



While they were being straightened into a line at Lavender, Queen Arcadia and the other ponies of Royalty and leadership were outside of the castle speaking business amid all the Guards and Press ponies recording and taking photos from afar. As well as asking for a statement by the gates.

All were wearing their most presentable outfits. Merry's was just straight nothing but Green coat and Orange-red mane. Before they started talking she pointed to Twilight and said, "Matching. Cute."

Queen Arcadia grinned and replied, "Thank you. Now from what I was just informed, the Aquatas have docked in Lavender and the Guard are now rounding them up in the field. The same field I was going to use to create homes. Which means I'll have to create them after. They would have to wait for a few minutes to hear what we have to say first."

Molten raised her hoof and offered, "I'll be happy to assist in the rules."

Twilight replied, "I think you would be best in speaking with the rulers directly. You already know Equestria, but not the other nations. I believe that would be the best place, Your Majesty. You know Psera a lot more than I do. Now as advised, we're keeping the dangerous Changelings inside of Lavender in a more secure location. Are the rules ready?"

Gardeen immediately hoofed over the document Queen Arcadia needed for King Madun and her to look over. He suggested, "We should review it on the way."

Arcadia nodded in agreement. They were burning time and Arcadia had a nation to rule. And a daughter to watch over who was anxiously making mews on her back. She could never stay still in one spot unless she was sleeping.

The executives broke apart and made their way for their designated pods; The King and Queen for their Golden roofless one in the middle while the others moved for the remaining durable Pods. All flanked by security. It wouldn't be Psera if they weren't.

Once they were in the back seat and Fresh Dawn was buckled in, their Captain gave the order to move out of the gates. Driving at full speed for the mountain ring. Destination for Lavender.


~✶~


The walk to the plains between Fenix and Lavender was strenuous and loud. After grabbing their bags a Squad of Guards directed them through the streets of the military city to their destination. Applejack was so glad Rarity didn't have a lot to bring. It would've been a disaster. There was a lot of walking going on. These were big cities. Very big cities.

By the time they reached the thin-out, Celestia had finally marked Psera as the one place where wings were absolutely required. This place was way too big. And they were in the exact same city. A few creatures huffing and puffing around her thought the same. But that was no longer important. The off-road dirt path they were taking was. It lead up to a gated steel fenced-in area.

The fence wasn't towering, picket height. But it was long, and had an extremely wide radius, leaving their sight towards the distance where Celestia knew the ocean was. But in sight was a very large stage made out of metal and plastic. There were four LiVAMs on the sides, spanning high heights for possible viewing of the stage. There were probably more.

"Princesses Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Shining Armor?" They stopped their movement and focused on a Guard nearby. He pointed to the stage and said, "The King and Queen want you and the rest of 'IHT' up here for the time being."

"Oh!.... Okay." While the rest else headed for the fields, Luna lead her family up the stage and looked around. A lot of land. But stable homes were needed. Luna slid her belongings off her back and watched the gathering fill the containment area. Just a sea of multicolored creatures.

Celestia took a seat next to her and sighed while a few more IHT walked up the stage and got comfortable, relaxing underneath the morning sun and resting their hooves claws and talons.

Madam Singe sat beside Celestia and gazed with her. It was obvious they were waiting for something. More than likely the King and Queen. Until then they were being rounded up.

A squadron of Pserateps roared past overhead, cutting her thoughts. Singe turned to Celestia and asked, "Is it always loud?"

Celestia honestly answered, "I do not know. We have never been this far from their capital for nearly this amount of time. But Lavender is a military base, so things might get loud."

Cadance settled down and looked at the ponies in front of the stage. The ones directly at the front were the Element Bearers, their little sisters, Twilight's old friends who decided to stick with them, and some military leaders deciding not to waste time by trying to figure out what happened in Equestria.

After a few minutes of waiting—more like an hour, and obvious flirting between Spike and Sweetie Belle, Cadance motioned towards the distance outside the fence where the mountain range was. "Here they come."

Luna and Celestia followed her eyes towards all the flashing lights coming down the road leading to the mountain range. Madam Singe rose to her hooves with them and eyed the light show with slight apprehension splayed across her muzzle. "Is-Is this normal?" She nervously asked.

Celestia nodded while the ponies off the stage seemed to notice the same thing. They migrated towards the left of the area where the road was. All eyes on the flashing lights. A team of eight pods were escorting three more occupied pods with the security. But it was obvious Twilight and her family were in the golden one. Celestia could make out Madun with his face hidden behind a few documents he was looking at before the pods disappeared behind the stage.

The escort pods directed them off the road towards the entrance they had all walked through. Then they were parked. The guards hopped out first, a lot more discreet in weaponry to appease the foreigners per the Queen's earlier request and stood by the pods of their rulers.

Twilight nudged Fresh Dawn in between her and Madun to rouse her awake. "Wake up, Veola, we're here."

Without lowering the document, Madun unbuckled Fresh Dawn with a press of a hoof, then rose out of the Pod himself while Twilight handled her. The dirt underneath his hooves crunched as he made his way past the saluting soldiers towards his wife and daughter. Secretary Manny was already on the scene. She was standing at the gate, keeping an eye out and barking out orders, patiently waiting for the executives to arrive.

Once she had her filly at her hooves, Arcadia stopped at the entrance next to Manny. "Talk to me."

"Well behaved," she answered. "I'm sure they need food your majesties."

"Have Terquimas and Maphitos brought here as soon as possible. After this, have everyone relax. The other administrators can leave whenever they want. But I have to move some clouds and build some land. We've brought the rules, which my husband is reading over."

Secretary Manny saluted and responded, "Yes, ma'am." King Madun and Queen Arcadia trotted with their daughter and the others out into the fray for the stage.

First to spot them, Celestia eeped and whispered to the others, "Bow and address them as King and Queen." Before doing so herself, followed by her sister and niece. Novo was the most shocked but went ahead and followed. They didn't want to paint any bad vibes among the citizens.

The approaching hoofsteps stopped at the front of the line of bowing ponies. "Good morning, your majesties."

A deep voice chuckled before a reply. "Good morning, Princess Celestia. Please rise with the entourage." Celestia and the others rose and came face to face with the most handsome stallion they had ever seen. King Madun was bearing a fiery-red goatee that outlined his face perfectly. And his suit was perfectly groomed. Arcadia's dress and Madun's suit was matching!

Celestia fawned and motioned between them. "Aww, are you two matching?"

"Us three," Arcadia corrected. She smiled down at the curious face of Fresh Dawn poking out between her legs. She probably didn't know that her family was around. Too busy trying to figure out what was going on.

Cadance leaned down and sang, "Oh Dawn~! Little Veola~!"

Fresh Dawn looked forward and gasped. Then zipped out and wrapped her hooves around Cadance's muzzle. "Aunt Caddy!!" She squealed. "Mommy, why didn't you tell me—" A breath intake. "Tell me Aunt Caddy was going to be here?! Mersheela el comeela!"

Shining Armor poked in and asked, "And what about me?"

"Hi, Uncle Armor! Is Mr. Dragon here?"

Shining Armor waved and figured that's all he was going to get. At least for now. Arcadia answered, "Must've slipped my mind, sweetie. I take it the docking went without trouble?"

Celestia nodded and answered, "The docking was... Interesting."

Madun passed the documents over to Arcadia and said, "Yes, the horizontal docking is something that Psera created nearly three hundred years ago, if my history is correct."

"Yes, it is." Arcadia looked over her shoulder at the approaching Great Queen with Merry Fire and Blazing Fire. Wearing a fire red dress with a golden diamond emblazoned crown. Sitting on top of a hood, similar to what Arcadia wore on her coronation. It matched her coat exactly, down to the hem. Molten added, "Horizontal Docking allows better access to loading much bigger equipment onto our crafts. Greetings... Visitors."

Celestia noticed that Molten added a strain to her words. She'd ask Queen Twilight about it later. For now, she smiled and greeted, "Hello, your majesty. It's wonderful to see you again."

Molten sighed and said, "Yes, well I could say the same. But only for Equestria, not the rest. We did a mighty big favor getting you out of there. Now we have to get you back peacefully. Hopefully in one piece, if you catch my drift." Haakim and Amira glanced at each other thinking the same thing: This pony meant business.

Merry trotted into view from behind Molten with a smirk and added, "The Queen was mighty graceful in getting you guys out. Do not take advantage, alright?"

Cadance set Fresh Dawn down so she could be swept up by Shining and replied, "We'll do what we can with what we have. And of course respect your land and rules. We will work with you."

Madun replied, "That is all we ask for. Now let's get this started." Twilight and Madun walked towards the front of the stage and stopped in the middle, eyes on the sea of Talkative ponies. Madun turned his head towards the entrance and motioned towards Secretary Manny with an unheard command, asking for assistance.

She kindly cleared her throat. Then surprised everyone by yelling, "EVERYONE, QUIET!!!!" Her voice echoed off the suddenly quiet landscape, ringing the ears of the ponies who never heard it. Cadance rubbed her own and checked on Flurry's by asking.

Dawn covered her ears and shouted back, "You're really loud!" 

Now with eyes on them, Twilight used a voice enhancement spell and allowed Madun to go first. With a smile, he started off with, "Greetings, foreigners. I am King Shimmering Madun of Psera. I am sure you have all met my wife, Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, Saviour of Psera. We are the rulers of this great land and are proud at how far we have progressed. Based upon recent events it has come to our attention that an old enemy of our great ancestor has been running amok through your lands. Thanks to meetings and slight amendments, Psera has opened her borders to provide protection and relief. We will do what we can to help secure what is left of your homes."

Twilight stepped forward and immediately added, "We must all work together in order to surpass and usurp this evil. Working together means Unity, Respect, and Honor. While you are here on Psera, you must respect and honor our policies and laws. Psera is not a violent land, but affirmative action will be taken shall something happen that disturbs our citizens. As the King and Queen, the comfort and safety of our citizens is first and foremost. For now we will read you the policies then assign positions based on judgements of your king, Queen, and myself."

All eyes were on Queen Twilight and her documents floating around her. The rules were pretty simple, but did have an overall sharp edge. Psera wasn't joking about safety. If a pony hurts another Pseratep they will be taken to Princess Merry for a Day Trial for the story, then put into a cell for however long she says if the story is fair and just.

Ponies were free to speak with the King and Queen with complaints, suggestions, and other amenities through reservation with a Secretary who will be on site inside the Camps. No excavating of the land except by an authorized official of Psera who has proof of authorization. The only towns available to reach will be Fenix, Lavender, and the coast of either city bearing large stones for the dragons. No further. A pony who does will be taken to the Queen. All creatures here will be treated with respect, Equality, and Equity. Now that's a word you don't hear.

A few more rules were said before a pony greeted quietly, "Celestia." Celestia turned around to Secretary Gardeen in a stylish outfit. Pretty much a black and white business suit complete with a tie, sunglasses, and hat. As well as white saddlebags with some documents in them.

Fresh Dawn poked her older cousin Flurry Heart for attention. Then pointed to Gardeen for her first royal decree, "Aunt Gardeen looks funny in clothes!"

Gardeen took off her sunglasses and smiled up to Celestia. At least Fresh Dawn was right about one thing. It was odd to see this bright Pseratep wearing dark clothes. Celestia smiled back and greeted, "Secretary Gardeen. It's great to see you."

"Likewise, although I prefer under better circumstances."

"As do I."

Gardeen walked over and reached into her bag to pull out a packet with her teeth. "We need all of you to sign so I can send it to record."

Celestia took it with her magic while the King and Queen wrapped up the rules. Madun said to the crowd, "I hope you all understand the simpleness of what we are asking of you during your stay. It falls on all of you. With that said, we'll have the land prepared for residence which will be from what I understand very simple, and will hold all of you."

Twilight nodded and added, "The process will take around three to four hours until completion. In which you will all be split into different areas in order to preserve land space for our natives. Until then, breakfast and more will be orchestrated by our military. Please relax and thank you."

With that, Twilight turned and walked over to Fresh Dawn smiling with Madun. "Are you ready, sweetheart?" She asked.

Dawn jumped up and down answering, "Yeah! Yeah! Uh huh!" About time! This was taking forever!

Nearby, Gardeen reached into her bags and pulled out a long thick harness with multiple straps while Twilight lied down in front of the other ponies. She looked up to a Guard on the stage who immediately saluted. "I want ten to follow."

"Yes, ma'am."

While he sent out the orders through the Comm Block, Fresh Dawn anxiously climbed up on her mother's back. Twilight looked up to Cadance's confused face and clarified, "She was worried this morning about us being the only Alicorn-Pserateps here in Psera. So I'm going to show her it's not as bad as it seems." Once Fresh Dawn was comfortable, Twilight stood back up and allowed Gardeen and another Guard to wrap the harness around her middle, then attach small cuffs around Dawn's torso and hooves. She could still move but it was definitely tight.

Once they were set Twilight moved to Madun and kissed his cheek. Then looked back up to her daughter and asked, "Ready?"

"Yes!! Whooo!!!"

"Okay here we go! Keep everything stable, Gardeen."

Gardeen saluted and answered, "Yes, your highness." Twilight nodded then turned and made her way back towards the steps to the stage. Then jumped off and made way for the exit, out of sight before she took off. They could tell because her daughter started cheering.

"Whooo!! Higher, higher!!! Yay!"

Celestia chuckled at the exclamation. At the heart of this filly was the light of happiness. She was going to be a hooffull in the future.

While Celestia thought, Cadance stood up and walked over to King Madun looking over documents. Smirking she asked, "So... Family stallion, huh?"

Madun looked her way and shot her with a smile. Twilight got her a good one. Her heart practically melted. Madun answered, "Yes I am. My daughter and wife are my Sun and Moon. Without them, I'd be lost, wandering through the darkness of life. Merry isn't much in company and mom is... Strict, I guess."

Cadance sat down next to him and looked out at the wide expanse of ponies, dragons, Hippogriffs, and Zebras. Thorax's Changelings and—wait... Cadance turned to him perplexed and asked, "Where is Chrysalis and her swarm?"

"They are in another region so the Guard can keep a very close eye on them. I understand Equestria embraces friendships and change, however it is they who destroyed our land to begin with. I'd rather my citizens be comfortable with them here by keeping them away. Pserateps are already really hesitant of all of you. Having Changelings here would make it worse.

"Not to mention..." Madun looked past Cadance towards a specific pony conversing with the others. "It's personal for some ponies close to Twilight and I."

Cadance whipped around and followed his sight. Locking them on Gardeen. She was looking at a few documents and talking to Guards. Something about placement. Cadance turned back to Madun and whispered, "Gardeen?"

He solemnly nodded and looked back towards the field. "She lost her parents when she was a little filly. Then lost her adoptive parent when the Changelings invaded. She was only sixteen. I don't know what happened afterwards. She looks up to Arcadia like a mother and our daughter as a little sister. She can't help but feel a little anger towards them. And she is only the first of millions. There were a lot of fatalities in that attack, and there is even a memorial in Cop dedicated to it."

"Oh." Cadance never knew that. She knew they were attacked by Changelings, but never knew the details or results. "I'm very sorry to hear that."

"It's a touchy subject. Try not to look at Gardeen differently, she doesn't like that." A burst of flames hit Madun's hearing, forcing him to pause, lower his ears and whisper, "Oh no. Oh please, no." He knew that sound anywhere.

"Ooooh, King Butt!!" Odega shimmied up to his left side with a proud grin. Madun responded by pulling in his lips and slowly shaking his head, trying to push her out. "C'mon, Madun. Say hi. Say hello. Say something."

"Absolutely not—buck me."

"There he is!!!" Odega wrapped her flaming hooves around his body and embraced him with heat. "Oooh, I missed you, ya' big lug! I washed up on shore that day and you made it worse by tossing water on my face!"

Madun pushed her hooves off and sighed in nostalgia. "Oh how I loved that. Let's do it again."

"Absolutely not. Hey, have you met my friend, Cadance? His name is Madun. Real loser. Hey, where's my girl Merry?"

Madun was about to point her out before Merry materialized in front of his face and screamed, "GIRRRRRL!!!"

Odega cheered and wrapped her hooves around her. "Meecha, Meecha, orula Meecha!" They both squealed like animals and hugged before backing up and engaging in conversation, leaving Madun to shake his head. These two together were trouble. Double trouble.
> Chapter 20 - Buildings And Whatnot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wind blew through Dawn's mane everyday when she flew to school. When she runs through the flowers that tickle her fur back at home and laughs. When she took flying lessons with her dad. But with her mom, the Queen? It was magical!

Dawn closed her eyes as they soared high over Lavender. With the really large birds and the towering clouds that stacked on top of each other. It felt wonderful! The heat of the unfiltered sun warmed their bodies. Adding heat to the cool morning air.

Arcadia could feel Dawn's barely contained excitement as they flew. Quivering like she just ate two bowls of ice cream. But there were still lessons that needed to be taught. Information to be consumed sitting down.

Queen Arcadia flapped her wings and angled for a nearby cloud. Then softly landed on it to teach her daughter a few things. The Guards either hovered or landed with her while Twilight pointed to the sky.

"Tell me, Dawn," she said. "What do you see out there?"

Dawn followed her hoof towards the building down below in Lavender they were previously flying over. Then the ocean. "Ummm... I feel like this is a trick, mommy. You can already see this stuff."

Twilight shared an amused smirk with one of the Guards. Then looked towards the ground from the edge of the cloud. There was a lot of motion far below. "Well I see magic. I see the communication of everyone down below, the life born from their smiles, the beauty of nature; I see life. I see magic. I see a wonder that nopony could understand—"

"Ha! You said nopony, mommy! It's noone! You're so silly."

"Your grandma and grandpa speak the same way. Anyway, the magic that flows here isn't the same like you and I. This is natural magic. Sometimes you don't need to have super pony strength to have magic, sweetie. Sometimes you just need to look around and see for yourself. Okay?"

Dawn blinked once at the space. Then two more times. "Uhh... Mommy?"

"Yes, Dawn?"

"I got none of that."

Twilight sighed and smirked. Of course she didn't. "You will one day. Now. I'm sure we came here to show off, right?"

"Y-Yeah! Yeah, let's show off! Mommy and... And Dawn! Onward!" Dawn pointed a hoof towards the ocean with a face of dreams.

Twilight shook her head. Dawn practically lived to have her blood rushing with excitement. With the little actual blood she has.

"Okay! Here we go! Hold on tight!" Once Dawn's hooves were around her mother's neck, Queen Arcadia ran forward and jumped off the cloud. Then angled herself so they were plummeting to the ground. The wind surrounding them blew past faster and faster past their ears, growing in volume until Dawn's mane was a straight line.

"Awwwww yeaaaaaahhhh!!!!" She yelled. Dad was always careful with her. But mom was the one that truly brought the excitement. Of course safely. If Arcadia wasn't sure, then she wouldn't be doing this.

Halfway down, Arcadia slowly opened her wings and angled herself forward. Soon screaming over Lavender. Dawn meanwhile was cheering and screaming in her most excited form on her back. Soon after a few seconds, they sped over Lavender and onto the other side of the city where Area B would be setup. It was going to take around thirty minutes at Arcadia's current speed. And it would be a thirty minutes well spent.




~✶~Thirty Six Minutes Later~✶~


The sky was nice and all, but Rainbow Dash wasn't really feeling it at the moment. They've been sitting staring up at that sea of blue, not really doing anything to be honest. All conversations had pretty much ceased, basking the land of over a million ponies in silence. It was quite unsettling to a majority of the guards that a mass of creatures could actually stay quiet like this. Even the dragons weren't moving.

Of course the Princesses were sleeping. Odega had changed into a large wolf of fire and was huffing and puffing with Merry leaning against her side facing them. All sleeping. She refused to leave Queen Arcadia out here by herself. Let alone her brother. A few of the executives had taken to other things. But overall. Everything was silent.

Until a General leaned over and whispered in Madun's ear, "Area B is complete. Her highness is heading back this way."

Madun immediately snapped awake and asked, "Is there a certain zone she needs?"

"No sir. She said as long as there are no homes nearby it should be fine."

"Alright... Okay." Madun stood up and ordered, "Gather our guests closer to the stage as comfortable as possible. Area A is about to undergo construction."

He nodded and faced the land full of creatures, about to shout before a tiny voice did it for him.

"DADDY, IT WAS SO AWESOME!!!" All creatures jumped, looked around and woke up their neighbors before a Guard landed next to King Madun with Fresh Dawn on her back. Her mane was swept straight to the back while her violet coat had definitely seen better days.

Celestia smiled at her innocence when she jumped off and made hoof gestures. "Mommy was so fast! She was all zoom zoom zoom and I was all WHOOOOooooOOOOAAA! It was crazy!! Why don't you fly like mommy? Meeno mac'kla eena?"

Madun used his hoof to at least straighten out her mane and be presentable. Then smiled and answered, "Well for one, your mother could spot danger from two miles away while I can't. Along with a few more reasons."

While they were speaking, the Guards were herding the rudely awoken and complaining creatures closer to the stage to allow as much space as possible for the Queen when she flew through.

Odega woke up to look around in her wolf form and barked. Then changed back into her Pseratep form, causing Merry to fall on her back. "Ow! Buck!"

Odega eeped and apologized, "Oh, sorry girl."

Sunset Shimmer with Starlight stopped their own movement and looked around at the high pitched whine getting louder and louder. Sunset asked, "Hey... Does that sound familiar?"

Starlight nodded and looked to the sky, trying to find the pinpoint before practically a bomb flew overhead, pulling a jump or a yell out of everyone on the ground. Breaching the barrier, Arcadia did what could only be described as a magical rainboom. When she cracked past, the sky exploded into a wide-spreading starburst of violet raining twinkling stars down on those below. It was beautiful in the day. They could only imagine what it was like at night.

Eyeing the purple speck, Sunset muttered, "Well... Quite the wake-up call."

Nearly two miles away, Arcadia tilted her body and arched upwards to the left to circle back in the form of a tiny purple dot soaring for them. Queen Arcadia eyed the area ahead and immediately made a plan of action. She lit her horn and performed the Natural Resuscitation spell on her body that casted herself in a neon purple glow.

Once she was close enough Arcadia suddenly flapped her wings and pulled them to her sides, literally bouncing off the air and over the targeted region. She released the spell in the form of a shockwave that ruffled the coats of the ponies. But her goal was clear: Reach the ground.

The grass underneath their hooves turned a light purple, glowing with magic while Arcadia flew past then began to circle back. She did the same move again, layering the grass in a layer of purple. Then moved further out as if she were sewing the land with magic in the form of a dance.

Once the region was clear in ten minutes, Arcadia flew up and grabbed a small cloud to bring down to apparently sit on. She eyed the ponies below with violet glowing eyes, using her hooves to count them off possibly. Once she had what she needed, she flapped her wings to bring herself and the cloud slightly higher into the sky. Once positioned perfectly she raised her forehooves and started the building process.

The grass in front of them immediately grew and reached for the blue skies. Creating strange walls that began to dance before the dirt underneath flew up with them like large tentacles. The grass grew higher and higher, soon cutting Arcadia off from the sight of the foreigners. She lowered herself and directed the tunnels of soil to different areas, creating a walkway and other areas. Hopefully there were no crops in here. So far her region was going to be big.

Then she backed up and spelled more out of sight. Out of instinct, Dawn nudged her way between Celestia's legs and settled down to watch. The Princesses of Equestria were practically family, and Celestia had an unknown soft spot for foals. That and Dawn usually expected petting. She ran her hoof through Dawn's thick fur while they watched.

Pointing, Dawn said, "I want to do Magic like that."

Celestia smiled down at her then back up to the area. Even she couldn't do magic like that. This was way out of her own league. The most she could do was provide knowledge on the subject. But actually providing new spells at Twilight's rate was unfortunately not her expertise. Since all the movement was out of sight, they could only guess what was going on by her hoof movements. It was strange seeing a structure come to life by only dirt and grass. Especially to Madun.

As her husband, he's seen a majority of Arcadia's spells. But according to her, she has many more hidden deep within the castle. He remembered in the past that she promised to never keep secrets from Psera. But he couldn't help but feel she was hiding just a little something. It might not be much, but it was definitely something.

From afar, Celestia walked over to Madun with Fresh Dawn—because she still wants her pets—and asked, "What else is needed before we depart for the castle?"

Madun glanced to the sky and thought. They were already making buildings, pony jobs were going to be delivered next week, they needed a list of names...

Madun turned to Celestia and answered, "We need a list of names to ensure everyone has a job to do. Except the foals, they'll just do school or whatever you can think of. And we also need witnesses to tell the military as much as they can about the threat in as much detail as possible. Give it to one of the Suits, they'll know what to do."

Celestia nodded and looked back to the wall of grass. It was beginning to shift into something different. Or maybe it's just the mud crawling over the face, creating a layer.

Celestia said through her breath, "I remember..." Madun glanced her way. "When Twilight was my student in the past. Treasured memories. She was about as small as Fresh Dawn here just with a little horn. She was very nervous around other foals. Always shying away whenever approached to hide. The best way to coo her out was to pull out a fresh minted book."

Using her magic, Celestia grabbed her bag of treasured belongings and brought it in between her and Madun. Then after digging around pulled out a tied grocery bag containing a sealed bag with a book in it. "This book has been naturally preserved since I first met Twilight so long ago."

Celestia unzipped the bag and carefully pulled the book out. Then held it out to Madun. "Take a whiff. You'll be really surprised."

Since it was positioned under his nose, Madun had no choice but to comply. After taking a silent sniff, his eyes widened with a comment. "Cherry?"

"Strawberry." Celestia pulled it back to stare in nostalgia. "It just so happens that most paper manufacturing plants were near a large field of Strawberries. After they're shipped out and moved to stores, ponies create lines to the outside to get the first books, which are measured in hours. After the books are taken out of their packaging, their scent of fresh strawberries undergo the process of being replaced by the smell of the location. And they are entirely replaced within two hours. With this in mind, I ordered a rarity and kept it in its bag ever since. It was never read. Twilight's inquisitive mind could never resist its smell."

At a tug of the wing, Celestia looked down in between them and smiled. "And it seems her offspring has gained that trait."

Even though her hoof was lightly tugging one of the feathers of Celestia's right wing, Fresh Dawn's eyes were trained on the floating book trapped in a bag high above her. At the smell of strawberries Dawn manically escaped Cadance's hold to investigate. Then she saw the book.

After successfully grabbing her Aunt's attention, Dawn pointed to it and simply asked, "Book?"

Celestia nodded and answered, "I used it to grab your mother's attention in the past."

"Can I read it? Pleeeease!"

Celestia smiled but slowly shook her head. "I'm sorry, Princess. But this is a very important piece of my life I'd rather keep fresh." Celestia placed the book back in its bag and zipped it close.

"Awwww!"

Celestia lied down and placed a wing over Fresh Dawn's tiny form. "I'm sure your mother buys you more than enough books."

Fresh Dawn nodded and cried, "Yeah, but I've read them all!"

Madun raised his eyebrow and repeated, "All of them?"

"The ones I like."

"There it is. Read all of them. Your mother has... A strange taste in books but still fun. I know you'll find one you really enjoy."

Fresh Dawn grumbled and looked away. Thus training her eyes on the one creature she really wanted to see. The purple dragon trying to look cool in front of the silver pony with a purple spot on her butt. Fresh Dawn gasped, pointed and cheered, "DRAGO!" Then soared straight out of place.

Madun gasped and yelled, "Wait, Dawn! Don't—"

Spike leaned back on his tail and started pushing up, trying to make himself look as if he were staring at the sky. "Seriously. Twilight has gotten way stronger. She teaches me some things, but—OOF!" Spike flew towards the right out of Sweetie Belle's sight, leaving her standing and looking around.

Madun decided to just close his eyes and sigh. It's every single time. He's told her repeatedly not to do that. But... She has her mother's mind. Madun jumped off the stage and trotted into the midst of creatures with his guards. "Excuse me, Celestia."

Celestia smirked and decided to walk back over to Cadance to enjoy the build up. Dawn was quite the little rascal. Leave that to the parents.

Spike groaned and let his body relax for a moment after that big disturbance. His large scales adjusted to the bit of weight moving around on his chest. "Hey, Drago!!" Fresh Dawn greeted. Spike weakly reached up and patted her on the head behind her crown.

"How ya' doing, Fresh Dawn?" He greeted. Then sat up and made Fresh Dawn slide into his lap. Shaking his head to clear the cobwebs, he smiled down at her and commented, "Some little filly's getting bigger."

Fresh Dawn spread her wings and grinned widely. Spike noted that she seemed to enjoy attention and praise. Twilight was... Sort of like that. Not entirely, but still. Before she could respond, Sweetie Belle walked over and asked, "Spike, are you okay? What happened?"

Fresh Dawn looked up and pointed a hoof at her face. Then turned to Spike and asked, "Who's she?"

He pointed to Sweetie and said, "This is Sweetie Belle. A friend of mine from Equestria."

Fresh Dawn gasped and yelled, "Equethria?! They're not supposed to be here!! Only Aunt Caddy, my cousin, Aunt Celestia, Aunt Luna, and Uncle Shiny are allowed to be here!! Mom! Mommy!!! She snuck onto my land!!"

Sweetie Belle thought it was cute when this little... Alicorn? She's an Alicorn?! Sweetie turned to Spike and asked, "Alicorn?"

He just nodded fervently and said, "Don't worry, she's fine."

"MOMMMMYYYYY!!!"

The growing of the building suddenly stopped and after a pop and flash later, "What's wrong?! Spike what happened?"

Sweetie gulped and slowly turned around to face... "Princess Twilight?!" She asked. Twilight blinked at her then turned to Spike.

He pointed to Fresh Dawn who zipped under her wing and said, "She got scared because she's never seen Sweetie before."

Twilight nodded and looked underneath her wing at Dawn's quaking form by the time Madun caught up with two Guards. "It's okay, Dawn. This is just Sweetie Belle. She's fine. Everyone here is fine. No need to be scared." She lifted her wing and used her head to nudge Fresh Dawn to Madun's hooves. "Let Daddy read you a story. Those always make you feel better, right?"

Dawn nodded and walked over between her father's legs who decided to greet Twilight's previous assistant. "Hello, Spike. How are you?"

Spike let his hoof go and answered, "I'm doing alright. This is Sweetie Belle, one of my friends. Sweetie, this is King Madun."

Sweetie bowed gracefully and greeted, "Your majesty."

"Hello, Sweetie Belle. I see you've met our friend Spike here. Also known as Drago to a specific little filly. Where are you two staying? Out here, or at the castle?"

Sweetie looked up to Spike and stammered, "Well, I'd rather not be away from my friends, so... I think I'll stay here. Unless they're coming too!" She added quickly.

Spike stated, "I'm sure they are, they wouldn't want to leave Queen Twilight alone. Especially since they're here." He looked up to Madun and answered, "We'll take the castle."

"Very well. I'll let Twilight know when she's finished. If you'll excuse me, I now have to deal with some business. Let's go, sugar plum."

Madun lead Dawn back towards the stage with her reluctantly trapped between his legs. "Awww, daddy!" She whined.

"Come on, Sugar Plum."

Sweetie Belle watched them leave before she turned and smiled up to Spike. "So... Castle?"



While Arcadia was doing her thing behind the wall of Grass, Gardeen was speaking to the rulers of the nations. Clipboard in hoof, she eyed her assignments. "As Royalty suggests, it is highly recommended you stay at the Castle, a few hours from our current position," she prompted. "From there, emergency meetings can be called in and you have access to different secretaries. Of course it is optional but highly recommended."

Saddle Arabia's Haakim asked, "And what of the second choice?"

"With your citizens. Here. But the castle is highly recommended."

A little hoof poked up in front of Madam Singe's face. It surprised her enough that she jumped back. Fresh Dawn turned to Gardeen and said, "She can't move in my house! I will not allow it!"

"Already exercising your abuse I see, huh Red?" Gardeen teased. She calmly pulled Fresh Dawn in between her hooves and got back on task. "When the Queen finishes she will want an answer. She has a busy schedule this week."

Queen Novo nodded and replied, "W-We'll have one ready Secretary Gardeen."

Gardeen smirked at her and replied, "Thank you... Queen Novo. Now, let's go little Red." Gardeen pushed the clipboard into her bags. Then swiftly moved to the side and used her large wing to scoop Fresh Dawn up and onto her back.

Fresh Dawn raised a hoof into the air and cheered, "Kalmee! Terquimas!"

"Nee, kay Kalmee kah Terquima!" Gardeen walked off the stage for the exit with two Guards around her. Then the wall of grass started to swivel and bend, stealing attention again. The grass shot out of the ground like needles. When they were all out of sight the ponies fawned at the structures the Queen created with simple movements in less than an hour.

It was a land of small homes, but big enough to serve all of them. There was going to be some bunking up, but that would be no problem. They were literally houses with tables and other things inside. Numbered via signs outside of their doors. They were a dark brown with pretty solid grass roofing and looked like an average house from Ponyville.

Satisfied, Arcadia flew back down into view on her cloud and jumped onto the stage. "I'll leave Psera Skies Extra to the Military. We have much bigger things to worry about right now." She looked around and locked eyes on Madun in the crowd. Anxiously trying to escape... Oh Narmeelah. Pretty much every mare was staring at him.

Arcadia used her magic to teleport him back to her side. Then focused once more on the rulers. "Your decision?"

Princess Luna nodded her way and answered, "We'll take the castle your highness."

Madun stated, "Your friends are also wanting in on the castle."

Arcadia and Madun walked off the stage when she answered, "Very well. Let's go, everyone. The Guards will do the rest."

"Hey, Twilight!" Rainbow Dash landed next to the Queen scanning everything and asked, "Where's the squirt?"

Twilight smiled and answered, "She's with Gardeen by the pods. She'll want to hear all about your adventures later so—"

"And that's why I'm here!" Rainbow proudly trotted ahead of her for the sleek golden pod Fresh Dawn was strapped inside of.

The second Fresh Dawn saw that mane and tail, she looked over the doors and yelled, "RAINBOW DASH!!"

"Hey, Princess Squirt!" She walked up to Gardeen standing by the door for a hug. Then rubbed Dawn's head of red hair. "How are you?"

"I'm turning five!" She answered.

"Aww, man! You're growing up so fast! Last I saw you, you were so small!! Hey, let me introduce you to my sister! Big squirt!!"

Scootaloo casually trotted out from behind the wall of grass with the rest of the ponies at Rainbow Dash's beck and call. Then gawked and slowed her speed at the golden pod Rainbow Dash was standing next to. "Holy buck!" She yelled. Scootaloo trotted up to Rainbow Dash with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, impressed eyes on it and asked, "Are we—"

"Nope. This is for the Royal Family. Big Squirt, say hi to Princess Squirt."

Scootaloo locked eyes on Princess Fresh Dawn. Mainly because she was excitedly waving like a mad mare from inside this nice chariot. "Hi!! I'm Fresh Dawn!" She greeted. "I'm a Princess!"

Apple Bloom waved back and replied, "Hello, Princess Fresh Dawn. I'm Apple Bloom, that's Scootaloo, and this here's Sweetie Belle."

She waved to them then pointed to Gardeen. "This is my sister, Gardeen! Hi, mommy! I'm the boss now!"

Queen Arcadia walked up to the Pod on her side while the door automatically lifted. She giggled and greeted, "I see that, sweetheart. Hey, girls. Getting acquainted with my daughter?"

Rainbow Dash stepped back so Arcadia could get herself and those long wings in. Then answered, "Yeah. Princess Squirt has to meet the Big Squirt."

Fresh Dawn looked over the door when it shut and decreed, "I'm not a Squirt! I'm, I'm, I'm a filly!"

"I know, kiddo!"

Arcadia just shared a look with Madun and shook her head. She had a feeling those two would get along well in a strange sort of way. If not her, then Scootaloo.
> Chapter 21 - Welcome To Cop
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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."
> Chapter 22 - Virtue Singe
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luna could sense it, Chancellor could sense it. Cadance could definitely sense it. The unease of the castle. While Celestia was off searching for the entrance, the others decided to take their own little tour of the castle of the Gods. Noon was drawing near, meaning the castle was going to be busy for lunch. Now was not a good time to be out in the halls. It was fascinating how they could fly through these halls like this. Impressive.

Novo was especially impressed among all of the glamour. The clean spaces, the rooms, the positioning. Everything was just perfect. Except directions. Since the castle was Pseratopian, the signs on the walls were in Psera's language. They couldn't read that and there was no guide.

The sounds of their moving hooves bounced off the decorated walls that soared high up to the multicolored stone ceiling. A group of ten just looking at everything and passing the less than helpful Guards standing around.

Dragon Lord Ember glanced around from in between them, hummed then commented, "I should've asked Spike if he could've helped us out. He comes here often, right?"

With her eyes on the distance, Cadance shook her head and answered, "Actually, I'm not too sure. Ever since Psera established trading with Equestria, Spike has remained on Equestria."

That was a topic Novo really wanted to bring up. When they ventured off of this main hallway onto the velvet carpeted hall holding a glass wall for the outside world, she stopped in front of them and turned to face the two Princesses of Equestria. "Speaking of, how exactly did you establish trade relations with this nation? It must not have been one easy task."

Cadance sighed and answered, "Queen Twilight and their Government made an agreement on common ground to never trade weaponry or complex technology that could be altered. Then an amendment to an old constitution created by Princess Saemool."

Luna turned her body towards the windows and admitted, "We don't know all of the specifics, but we are sure it was hectic on the Fire Family's part."

"Do you think that—"

"No." Luna turned to Novo and firmly stated, "I'm sure it hurt Twilight's credit when she and Madun gave the idea for Psera to open their borders for trade with Equestria. Psera has a century-long reputation of isolation, so for her to open the borders, even temporarily, makes her suspicious among Psera's eyes. Even more will be dreadful for her and the King. Maybe someday they will open, but definitely not anytime soon."

Cadance agreed with a nod and said, "She's right. Psera isn't that open-minded. The ponies here are more conservative than anything else."

Novo hasn't been here very long, but she could tell that they were definitely not wanted here. The stares were really intense at the least. She swore she heard a few growls. Novo nodded and decided to leave Psera be. "Very well. Where is the Queen anyway? I wish to speak with her."

Cadance glanced up to the ceiling and answered, "Either in the Royal Throne Room, the Grand Library, her office, in her home, or playing with her family."

"Or in the Gardens poking at flowers," Luna added.

Consort Snow looked her way and stated in his Prance tongue, "That is quite specific."

"She's right there." They followed Luna's eyes through the glass down towards the space in between this Castle's two parts. A Garden down below with a park and streaming water was flourishing with flowers. And Queen Twilight was walking through them with her muzzle deep inside. Wearing her hoofshoes, chest plate, and glistening crown. The left side of her body was facing them. Showing half of the pleasant smile on her face under a high sun. A goddess walking through the flowers.

Cadance and the others decided to watch. It was a strange but pleasant sight. Even Ember couldn't deny that.

Cadance's ear flickered when someone whispered into it, "A picture lasts longer."

She yelped and turned to the right. Into the face of King Madun. He was smirking at them, either because of how he caught them or how he made Cadance freak for a second.

She held a hoof over her chest and returned the smile with a greeting. "Hello, Madun. Where have you been?"

Madun walked towards the glass and answered, "Rayray, I had a brunch meeting with our Secretary of Treasury then a briefing with our House of Affairs. Why are you watching my wife?"

Luna answered, "We were going to go speak to her but...she seems busy."

Madun squinted his eyes at her with a look of suspicion before he whispered, "She's close."

"...huh?"

Madun just continued watching Twilight. Especially when she stopped and started digging in the soil. "Awww mahnurka, she found it."

A purple haze on his right caught his sight. Especially when it held the voice of Twilight.

"Yeah, I did!" She cheered. The copy of Arcadia here playfully nuzzled up to Madun and added, "You're so sneaky. That was a good one, but~!" She pointed through the windows to herself holding up the packaged buried treasure. Then she leaned into Madun's ear and whispered, "I found it."

Madun just smiled and sighed out, "You sure like to rub it in."

"We rarely get the chance to. I'm going to take this and milk it. Thanks, sweetheart." She leaned in to kiss his cheek and nuzzle the spot.

"You're welcome, baby," he replied. Then nuzzled her back and asked, "Happy late anniversary. Are you going to open it now?"

"Tonight. You still have to find yours." She added that with a weird wink Madun was a little careful of.

He growled and said, "I'll find it, don't you worry. I'll look everywhere."

"Oh, I know. Hint hint: It's closer than you think." After one more wink, this Twilight shimmered into falling twinkling stars. Leaving only the original one on the ground below.

With his eyes on Arcadia, he leaned over into Cadance's ear and whispered, "I'm getting all up in that later." If Cadance was drinking something, she seriously would've started choking. She chose to just cover her mouth and blush incredulously.

"Ugh! Madun!" She teased. She knew he was playing. Right?

In the flash of an eye, Madun turned back to normal. "I was informed as of a while ago that our guests are settling in quite nicely. Which means by either tomorrow or the day after, we can discuss on the threat overseas."

"Yes," Novo agreed. "I believe it's time we got a good reading in on the situation."

"Agreed," Madam Singe added. Luna noticed she's been silent most of this time. Choosing to stand by and observe rather than speak. This was a lot to take in at once. Then again, it wasn't like Singe to take in anything at all.

Madun nodded and stated, "Stay in Cop for the time being and remember..." He turned his body and started walking away. "We need to work together to live in a better world. We're working hard for our citizens." He stopped and looked down through the windows again. "And...for our own families."

Luna followed his stare back through the glass down to Arcadia. Sometime during this moment, Fresh Dawn and her friends managed to find her and were now playing around with her wings. She was laughing at their antics and nuzzling her daughter on the top of her head. Then actually ended up sweeping her and her friends into her wings and giving them a huge hug. It was one of those beautiful moments that happens sometimes in Equestria. But the princesses there rarely had interaction with the foals. Most of the time it's with the nobles. But rarely with the civilians.

Luna sighed and focused back on Madun. He was making his way back down the hall from where he more than likely came from. The soldiers stationed at the end saluted when he walked past, turned, and left their sight. Then continued with what they were doing before.

Queen Novo hummed and stated, "He's that one great stallion." The other mares except Cadance all made their sounds of a definite yes. "My stars, what a stallion."

Cadance cleared her throat loudly and whipped around to glare at them. "Uhh, he is a married pony, ladies. Reign yourselves in."

Novo immediately backpedaled, "O-Of course, of course. We-we just wanted to... You know, just let that be known."

"Uh huh."

Novo quickly walked past her and asked, "Hey, how about we try finding that exit, huh? Speaking of which we should've asked him where it was. I'm sure he knows this place like the back of his hoof."

Well Cadance couldn't deny her about that. While the others moved after Queen Novo, Cadance and Luna shared a look then followed shortly after. They really had to watch her and the others. Yes, Madun was really cute and handsome, but... Queen Arcadia was really territorial about her family, and if she finds out about this, then... There is definitely going to be some magical fire flying all over the castle. Never mess with the all-powerful Alicorn-Pseratep and her family. Did she not see everything that happened when they were at sea?



The rooms in the castle were surprisingly cozy. Not too small and not too big. A good bathroom in the corner with a shower and tub, warm running water, a light above that made Madam Singe raise a hoof over her eye each time she flicked it on, a desk next to her Queen-Sized bed in Neighton standards, and a great window view of Cop. She couldn't see the Obelisk but she heard that she could see that and everything else at night. It was only a little past noon right now. She'd see it soon.

After finding their rooms once more, and after finally unpacking her bags, she dropped into the chair belonging to the desk and just stared out the window. The others have gone off somewhere, but she decided to stay back and think. A majority of her ponies were among the Infected now, leaving only around two hundred on Psera. Including their soldiers.

Madam Singe stared at her reflection in the window and observed herself. A coat the same color as Celestia's with a straight white mane and tail. Bright yellow eyes and a curved horn. She was around the same size as Princess Celestia. But they were nowhere near alike. As a matter of fact, she was very much aware that the Princesses of Equestria were very much better than her in almost every way. Better in magic, better in skill, better in managing a nation, and have been doing it for thousands of years. With the addition of two Princesses belonging to the legendary Crystal Empire.

Many of the rulers had their own niche of greatness. Equestria's was magic, Prance was great food, Mount Aris was stone and rock. Everyone had their own thing that made them special among IHT. But South Neighton? Her country? Not much. She usually came to the gatherings every six years to trade whatever her ponies could find among them that were valuable. But to assist in a possible alliance? Her deceased father told her that working together was for the weak. Not for the strong. But what Madun said in that hall earlier that day made her realize something.

That that was the most stupidest thing ever. Pushing everypony away would certainly mean death in this time and hour. Queen Arcadia Nova came through for them and risked putting her credit as Queen at risk. As well as her own life with her family. Why couldn't she do the same?

Madam Singe sighed and glanced over her shoulder to her room's bedroom door. And the dresser near it. She had put up a few photos she managed to grab before everything hit the fan. Of herself when she was a filly with her then-living family. Her little sister, her mother, her father. All of them. Gone. Deceased. She was the only one left in this family line. And she was making a mockery of it.

Madam Singe promptly made a decision. She was going to be a much better leader. She wasn't going to allow her family's legacy to end as a pointless monarchy. But how? How could she master that?

Singe made her way across the wooden floor for the door. She encased her jacket from the closet in a white magical aura and donned it on her body before opening the door and stepping out into the hall. Her room compared to out here was dark. Everything was bright, but still silent. The second floor must not get that much attention.

Now how does one find anypony in a castle this large? Singe hummed and took her leave by turning a random left and taking a chance. This area was just full of rooms. This castle held so many that they needed a thoroughly detailed map. It was useless to her. There were around one-fifty on each floor except the very top labeled in strong bold letters she couldn't read.

Madam Singe didn't have to decipher it though to understand that the top floor was definitely a no-go zone. So she just moved on and left the residency hall through a pair of steel doors and into what really made up the castle.

The marble floors under her hooves led into different spaces. Ranging from basic closets and storage areas to really big offices for the leaders of Cabinets, Directors of Security, Pseratep Family Resources, Section One, Travel Documentation Organization and more she didn't truly understand. But she did know who probably did.

Eventually, after many twists and turns, Singe made it to the front of the castle. Mainly the main walkway and stairs that led down to this huge empty foyer. But where exactly can she find the Queen in this ancient maze without getting lost?

Madam singe looked over the safety railing down to the marble floors below. There weren't that many ponies to ask directions, and a majority of them spoke a language she couldn't understand, and she wasn't too keen on talking to the Guards standing still all over the place either. Where did the Queen spend most of her time?

"Are you alright, Madam Singe?" Madam Singe looked to the right of her into the face of the very pony she was looking for. How convenient. Queen Twilight Sparkle standing next to her with Fresh Dawn on her back, and two other Pserateps, more than likely of the military variety since their uniforms bared a plethora of badges. One of them was a neon blue mare giving off the aura of authority. She had a white mane and tail and deep green eyes. Her coat held badges of honors and achievements on the right chest, and underneath that was a white shirt with a golden tie.

The stallion next to her was a big guy. Not as big as King Madun but still big enough. Just like the mare next to him, he had on a coat except green with medals on the right chest, a white shirt underneath, and a golden tie. He was a dark green coated stallion with a green and white mane, and long wings. Maybe eight feet.

But her attention was mainly on the small mare in comparison between them. Madam Singe cleared her throat and greeted, "Hello, Queen Arcadia. I was actually looking for you."

Arcadia measured her up and down with her eyes. Reading her body language. Maybe even her mind. Then smirked and turned her head slightly to the left. But kept her eyes on the pony in front of her.

"Just be ready for tomorrow," she told the Generals. "I'll be on the throne unless something changes, so Madun will be in the room with you. I'll bring up the basics with him tonight and you can deliver the specifics tomorrow. Dismissed." The two Pserateps around her saluted first, then pranced off, leaving Madam Singe with Queen Arcadia.

Once they were out of sight behind her, Queen Arcadia focused back on Madam Singe and asked, "How can I help you?"

Madam Singe walked forward closer and said, "I just need to... I need to talk to somepony about a few things that have been on my mind as of late."

Not the first time somepony wanted just to speak. Even as Queen, she always made time to see what was heavy on her friends or acquaintances' minds. Arcadia nodded then gestured with her head to follow her back the way she came. Singe immediately accepted the kind invitation. Maybe she could show her around this place.

While they moved and turned onto another hallway, Queen Arcadia teased, "How many times did you get lost in here so far?"

Madam Singe chuckled and answered, "Ohhhh, too many times already. How was it for you when you first stepped in here?"

"Not really the same. When I moved into this castle over five years ago, King Madun assigned me Guards. He said they were just to assist me in case I needed help, but I'm absolutely positive it's because not everyone trusted me yet. It worked in everyone's favors. They ended up trusting and helping me, and I ended up making new friends. They escorted me through the castle and showed me around. During that time, King Madun was teaching me how to speak Old Pseratopian and I ended up reading it so well it became my second language. So I had help. I only ever got lost once. Fresh Dawn here—according to herself—has never gotten lost."

Fresh Dawn climbed onto her mother's head and announced, "Never!"

Madam Singe smiled to "Little Twilight" and said, "She's adorable. How old is she again?"

"Four, but she's about to turn five in two days. Mommy's little angel." Using her magic, Arcadia plucked Dawn off her head and into one of her hooves. "Who's mommy's little angel, huh?"

When Arcadia started nuzzling, Dawn attempted to push her muzzle away. "Mommm!" She whined.

"Oh, alright." Arcadia levitated Fresh Dawn again onto her back and turned a sudden left up a pair of velvet carpeted staircases. Her eyes glanced over to Singe with a knowing look accompanied with her next words. "I can see something important is on your mind, Singe. And it's troubling you to the point of pain."

Madam Singe sighed and muttered down to the steps they were climbing, "Is it that obvious?"

"Maybe not to other ponies. But as a mother, a wife, a Queen, and a former representative of pony relations, I've learned in time to read body language. In a military nation, it's important." When they reached the top of this Staircase, Queen Arcadia turned a right down this massive hallway. Unlike the floors down below, this one was more bare and fancy. The walls were crafted out of an ornate redwood and decorated with photos, lamps, and other artifacts. The ceiling high above their heads held twinkling chandeliers lighting their passage instead of small lights. Singe assumed this to be an important section of the castle.

The walls held large photographs of past rulers and the ceiling was painted over with a mishmash of notable events in the timeline. Madam Singe attempted to tilt her head back to get a better view of everything up there. But quickly found it futile.

"Where are we?" She asked.

Arcadia closed her eyes and smiled gracefully. "We're on the Executive Hallway. Throne room, Ballroom, Madun and my offices. Where Madun and I rule from. This is just like the courthouses in Equestria. But instead of talking to the judge, you're speaking with the King and Queen of Psera on the throne. Cashiers, meeting rooms of course, dressing rooms, kitchens, cafeteria, and ball room are up here. Only executives or their Representatives are allowed to speak with royalty. Anyone else has to take it up with their local law and they'll talk to their Senate Board Rep, who will then bring it up with our own representatives."

"You have a really, really fancy Castle, Queen Arcadia. I'm sure none of the other rulers have this."

Before Arcadia could respond, Fresh Dawn jumped off her back onto the carpet. "This is... This is going to be mine one day. Right, mommy?" She asked. "That's what you said, right?"

Arcadia leaned down and kissed her cheek. "That's right sweetheart. But remember what I told you before?"

Fresh Dawn raised a hoof up to her chin and thought, "Ummm...Only if I choose to?"

"Right. It's entirely your choice. In the end, it's your happiness that matters. You can't please the country if you can't please yourself. Okay?"

You can't please the country if you can't please yourself. Madam Singe let that ring around in her head for awhile. It spoke of her life. Her entire life in just a few words coming from the mouth of a pony half her age.

Fresh Dawn nodded and replied, "Okay."

Madam Singe smiled and looked over to Fresh Dawn. "Child?" Dawn's violet lively eyes looked over and trained on Singe's yellow ones. She motioned down to Arcadia with a tilt of her head and said, "You have a very wise pony for a mother. Hold on to her."

Dawn laughed and weaved in an' out between her mother's legs. "She's not going anywhere," she replied.

Arcadia shook her head and said, "She's turning into her father. Possessive of her things." Arcadia looked back up and motioned towards the Guarded violet doors at the end they were coming up on. "Here we are. This is my office space."

"Should I be expecting nice fancy things?"

"More like natural things. I try to keep my spaces as humble as I possibly can."

When they were near, the guards grabbed the doors and pulled them open. Then stepped to the side and saluted to the passing Queen. The space beyond was a giant fancy block. Marble floors and a small Garden up ahead in front of two tall violet colored doors that Dawn jetted past into. Arcadia walked ahead while Madam Singe slowed to look around. The area was nice. But she quickened her pace when the Queen walked into her office. Into paradise.

Singe gasped once over the threshold of cold hard stone onto warm soft grass. Into a room filled with the beauty of nature. If she wasn't sure, she was certain they were inside a garden. Trees, bushes, flowers, a small pond Dawn chose to rest next to. Large towering bookshelves encased in vines. Small trees on the side. Giant mushrooms for chairs ahead in front of that large wooden desk. And the large rotating sun above. Nowhere near as bright. More like a slowly spinning ball of harmless fire.

The Guards outside the doors closed them back, finally giving them some privacy. Madam Singe cautiously stepped over a small stream and whispered, "This is beautiful, Queen Arcadia."

Twilight adjusted the sword in the protective glass casing behind her desk for a moment. Then sat down in her chair and swiveled around to face Singe with a kind smile. "Yes, the spells for this were precise. This is what brings me peace whenever I'm working. Then Dawn gets added to the mix."

Singe followed her sights over to the filly near the front of the room playing with a violet butterfly. "But sometimes it rains," Arcadia added.

Madam Singe sat down on one of the mushrooms and asked, "It does?"

"Well I make it to add color. But it still does. I can make it rain right now if you'd like to match this depressing mood you're in, Singe. You have a good poker face, but it would have to be stone to get past me. What is troubling you?"

"Well..." Singe remorsefully looked over to the magically windows to reality behind the desk. "I'm...ashamed. You know, when the conference started I get to see all of what the others are able to bring to the table as rulers and representatives. But all that my nation brought were scraps. It's clear we all have our differences but even they get along better than I with anypony else.

"And then when I was sitting in my room a few minutes ago, I realized... My decisions, my actions... They were clear examples of my leadership. Of my father's leadership. I wanted to apologize to you about how I talked to you at the Conference. That was out of line for me and you clearly didn't deserve that tone. You may be twenty-six but even I can see you have more experience than myself in many fields. And that made me wonder... Why don't I?"

Arcadia understood. There were many reasons why she acted the way she did. "Well if I could hazard a guess, it's because you seem to push everyone away," Arcadia assumed.

Singe slowly shook her head with sad eyes to the floor and repeated, "Push everyone away. The story of my life. When I was growing up, my father told my sister and I that alliances were for the weak."

Well that's foalish, Arcadia thought to herself.

"So, to appease him, I try to distance myself from everything involving other nations."

"And... IHT?"

"I... Honestly don't know. I joined primarily for trading at first."

Well at least that worked out. Arcadia leaned in and asked, "And... Now?"

"Now?... I guess I actually wanted my country to be a part of something. Earlier in the hall when you said, 'you can't please the country if you can't please yourself,' I realized that... That was my entire life in just one sentence. That I can't exactly please my country if I'm always grumpy like my father."

Arcadia sat back and asked another question. "You speak of your father a lot. What was he like in your life?"

"Nothing really. Always absent and alone. My mother was the only one really taking care of us. Dad was always on the throne. Then he'd come back home and talk about the grueling ponies he'd have to please. It was like he didn't want to be on that throne ruling Neighton. Mom would take care of both my sister and I, and I'd end up looking after my sister whenever she wasn't around. Dad would always tell us that Neighton was always stronger alone than they were together. I think... I think he and mom were having relationship issues and he'd put them on the throne whenever he sat on it."

"And apparently he imprinted those same issues onto you," Arcadia assumed. She could see all of that happening really. Her father was a king with no real goals because there were no real goals in his own life outside of that room. "Did your father ever... Look down on you whenever you made friends?"

The question was barely finished before Madam Singe immediately answered, "Yes. He was always like, 'You don't need friends to be great.' I can see now that it was just a lie. His belief. Especially when I look around here and see how amazing Psera is. All of the grandeur and achievements of you. All of this you could not have done alone."

"That's true. I mean, I stuck out among the Pserateps when I first did magic on this land by 'Dragging my face through the dirt,' as they say." The two shared a good laugh before it became serious once more. "But in the end, I made great friends here in Psera and they helped me achieve restoring this land. And from our same vision we grew as friends and more. This floor didn't use to be like this actually. Because of the disaster, the citizens of Cop needed blankets. So they used the old rug out in the hall to create them and left this floor concrete. When it was finally proper, they put in a new carpet. Everything got a new start, and we prospered before everything started... Drama happened. Let's just leave it at that."

Arcadia may have accidentally hit a sore spot. So Singe decided to make it better. She placed a hoof on her chest and smiled to the Queen. "Well I'd like to at least start a new path. A much better path with much better choices and I believe it starts with this war. I don't know what I can do to help, but I know I can do something. Just ask and I'll try my best to get it done, your highness."

Arcadia's smile could have made the day outside of these castle walls even brighter if it were possible. Madam Singe was open to anything now. She nodded with pleasure and replied, "Thank you, Madam Singe."

Madam Singe stood up from her mushroom and replied, "Please, call me Virtue. That is my real name."

"Virtue Singe?" Well that's interesting. "Alright. Well, Virtue, thank you for opening up."

"Thank you for allowing me, Queen Arcadia." She turned around and was about to make her way to the door. Then stopped and looked over her shoulder. "So uhhh..."

Ah, it took some getting used to. Arcadia smirked and answered, "Go out these two doors, go out the next two doors, continue all the way down, turn left into the stairwell, hit the bottom floor and turn right, then continue straight. It'll take you back to where you started. Your rooms are on the hallway labeled with a green flower tapered to a bronze plaque."

"Okay, thank you." Arcadia watched her walk out the doors before they were closed once more. Leaving only her and her sleeping daughter. She was lying by the pond on her back with that butterfly relaxing on her muzzle. If she wasn't careful, that butterfly could drop straight into her mouth.

Arcadia sighed and casually pulled out a drawer on her desk. It held a value that could never be measured. The treasure inside would remain a backup method in case no other attack worked. A small treasure chest she pulled out with her magic and placed on her desk in front of her. It looked exactly like a pirate's treasure chest. Just much smaller and fitted with her magical signature. Dawn's magical signature.

She placed her hoof on the right side of the chest and popped it open. The treasure inside painted her face in a rainbow glow. But her expression of steel did not change. Inside were a dozen of large glowing pearls made of different colors. Red, Blue, Green, White, Gold, Purple, Yellow, Orange, Silver, Gray, Pink, and Black. Black was a last choice. There were no other colors to choose from. And her reason for choosing these required her not to be picky.

She lifted the treasure chest and poured them out onto her desk. The clammer of beads froze her advances and pulled attention to her daughter. Just an ear flick, nothing more. Arcadia placed the chest softly back on her desk.

Lying at the very bottom were a list of names and instructions. Red was Queen Novo, Blue was Madam Virtue Singe, Green was King Chancellor, Purple and Red was Princess Fresh Dawn, White was Princess Celestia, Purple was Queen Amira, Pink was Queen Farue, and Yellow was Consort Snow. Hopefully, they would never have to use these for their true purpose. But the future was unpredictable.

On the paper stuffed inside was the depiction of a large ring with a layer of circuitry connecting twelve holes near the outer edge. The holes were labeled with those same names. And at the very bottom was a number. A number only she knew. But another would eventually figure out.

Arcadia's eyes glanced once more to Fresh Dawn. She had rolled over in her sleep and shook off the butterfly, curled up in a cute little ball. Her mother smiled before moving on to the next most important thing in the room. To her bookshelf. Through a specific book was the biggest secret she's ever held. A secret that shall remain as such unless the plan did not work. Based off her studies so far of Maheera. She was impervious to magic. Any kind at a specific key point on her body. If the energy the Blue Gold put off didn't affect her, then this spell definitely would.

Arcadia used her magic to gather the pearls back into the chest on top of the clued note. Then shut and locked it back. She was taking it with her back to the room because she needed to add a few more things to it. Then she could pass them out tomorrow.

But until then, Fresh Dawn needed her lunch. Levitating in her magic, the chest followed behind Arcadia over to Fresh Dawn so she could carefully and peacefully pick her up, and hold her to her chest. Dawn instinctively wrapped her hooves around her neck and mewed. Then they proceeded towards the door.


~✶~


The night in Psera was once again beautiful. The hours moved fast and the light of the sun eventually made room for the dark of the night. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna conducting their nightly duties of lowering the sun and raising the moon. Then both went to sleep. One for comfort, and one for the sure duty of keeping the many nightmares away. One by one or many by many, the Ponies of Psera slept. The only ones up were the Guards of Psera, the police of her cities, and many other ponies who decided to stay awake for some reason.

At least a mile away from the COTG, Gardeen was cradling her girlfriend of five years, Light Pink. When Gardeen saw Fluttershy earlier that same day, she saw this same mare peacefully snoring in her hooves with her muzzle buried in her neck. They had the same attitude and possibly the same look. The Element Bearers were in their own rooms on the second floor of leaders, snoring away. Applejack was holding her little sister close while Rarity held Sweetie Belle in the next room over. Spike chose to sleep in a much larger basket on the floor of their room. He didn't want to leave Sweetie Belle alone. Thus the origin of that kiss mark was still on his cheek even at this hour.

Scootaloo was sleeping with Rainbow Dash in the most awesome way possible. Together. The rulers of the kingdoms were in their own beds save for Amira and Haakim, and Queen Novo and her daughter. These rooms were made for one pony each, but none wanted to be alone. Not at this time.

The Royal Suite was silent in the middle of them all. The living room was tidy and clean, and the lights were off. The only sources of light were the magical windows Queen Arcadia placed on the home's walls to bring in light on sunny days. Living in a house with no windows was a little jarring to her and Madun both. Let alone their filly. In the master bedroom, Arcadia was snuggled up in King Madun's hooves with her head tucked under his. Silently sleeping. The king was as well.

But in the room much closer to the front, littered with stuffed dolls, Fresh Dawn was having trouble. Her eyes were shut, her heart slowly beating before it would speed up and she'd toss and turn. The covers were a mess of disorganization. All twisted and wrapped. Just like her dreams.

She was in Psera among the night sky. She knew she was home. But then again she wasn't. The stars shining above held her form high above Cop, hovering like a dainty bird above the castle. Dawn looked to her hooves. They illuminated a bright ghostly purple accompanied by wisps of purple mist or smoke. Great. Once again, another dream in the real world. Then she looked towards the east behind the castle. Towards the mountain range shielding Merōl from sight.

Suddenly she was grabbed so fast it elicited a yelp out of her. She was pulled through the sky and swiftly over Merōl out into the ocean. Eventually soaring past the famed Obelisk line glowing bright. The wind blew her mane to and fro, shielding her sight while she squirmed from its grasp in both the dream world and in her bed. She tossed and turned whimpering to free herself from this force.

More distance over the waves of Psera's seas she flew before slowly to a stop in the middle of nowhere. The only sound was her rapid breathing and the splashing of the waves beneath her hooves. But where was she? Why was she pulled out here?

Dawn slowed her rapid breathing and assessed her situation. There was nothing but the sounds of water splashing. Stars in the sky and the moon shining onto her ghostly form. Her mind was confused. Why would her dreams bring her out here? She looked around and assessed everything. The water was splashing, the sky was full of stars, the... Water.

She took a closer look towards the waves below. It was... They were black. Dawn gasped and descended closer down to the surface for a closer look. It didn't even smell like water. She dipped her hoof into it. Thick and warm. Strange. What was this? Did mom and dad know? She followed the way the waves were moving. No. They weren't moving. They were speeding. Flying past. The waves grew worse and a high wind reached her mane, blowing it out of place in the direction of Psera.

For Psera. What was this? What was going on?! Dawn gasped and flew back the way she came. Something was wrong. Mom had to know. She must reach her body, as mom would say, at once! But the water came alive. A giant splash from below made her shout and duck when an infected Sea pony jumped out to soar directly over her. Her real body tousled among the covers when they almost caught her head before even more started flying out trying to grab her.

"Keep flying, keep flying!" She screamed in her head. There was no way she was going down like this. How far was she from the tall crystal things she passed? She flew as fast as she could in their direction, she could see their shining beacons in the distance, tiny stars miles away as bright as a flashlight. But her fears that there were scores of these creatures miles ahead of her were confirmed when a giant dragon exploded out from the waves with its mouth wide open. She quickly zoomed straight through those teeth and out the other side into safety.

Eventually something small grabbed her right rear hoof. Still flying, she flipped over and looked at the small unicorn foal trying to bite and take a huge chunk out of her. She screamed and smacked it off. Then flipped over to continue flying. And would have if she didn't fly straight into darkness. She was grabbed by a huge claw and lifted up into the face of the biggest dragon she's ever seen. They were nothing like Spike. The mouth was wide open in an evil grin. Deep red eyes pierced through her innocence. The darkness behind her easily swam past, heading closer and closer to Psera's shores. She was overrun. They were going to attack her home!

This horned dragon slowly opened their big chompers and exposed all the pink wet insides. Teeth dripping with saliva, breath the worst thing Fresh Dawn has ever smelled. Then she was pulled forward. Deeper and deeper into this face. Dawn couldn't tell if this was real or not. But in a situation such as this, she did the one thing that anyone would do.

She screamed.
> Chapter 23 - Railer One
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

All was quiet. All was silent. The darkened halls of the Castle of the Gods were empty. The only ones occupying its floors were the many Elite Guards silently doing rounds. Shining flashlights along its walls and keeping an eye out for anything out of place. The lights danced on the third floor, the second, the first, the stairwells, Molten's floor, all over the place.

But the castle's peaceful occupants paid them no mind. Ponies like Princess Cadance just rolled over with Flurry trapped in her hooves and continued on with the dreams Princess Luna provided for them. Snoring with the wind and the darkness.

Until a blood curdling scream reached her ears and echoed through the castle's halls. Her eyes slowly opened before they shot wide the rest of the way. Then she bolted up in her bed and listened to the reverberation slowly die away.

"What was that?" She looked down to Flurry glancing nervously in her hooves. She heard it too. Cadance didn't imagine that. That was real. That was extremely real. The bed creaked when Shining rose up from behind them and marched across wooden floor towards the door. He softly pulled the handle down and opened it at the same time Luna did directly across.

She looked around and asked Shining, "Did you hear something?"

He looked both ways down the empty halls and answered, "It was a scream. Somepony around here screamed." But who?


~✶~


When Fresh Dawn screamed, Arcadia and Madun's eyes snapped open. Then they were up and out of bed so fast one could have sworn they teleported. When they went into the hallway, the front door burst open and the ponies in black swarmed in with dancing flashlights. "Living room clear!"

"Kitchen clear! What happened?!"

Arcadia rushed into Dawn's bedroom and flicked on the light for the heartbreaking sight. Dawn was curled up in her book bed in the most tightest ball her pajamas would allow holding Sky Blue tightly to her chest. Crying her eyes out.

Arcadia rushed over and asked hectically, "Dawn! Dawn baby, what's wrong?!"

Fresh Dawn let Blue Sky go and untangled herself from that ball. Then allowed herself to be picked up by her mother so she could cry in her shoulder. Madun and Arcadia shared a look. Then Madun turned to the Guards in the doorway awaiting instructions with his hoof up to hold.

Arcadia asked, "Was it a bad dream, sweetie?"

Dawn sniffled her tears away and answered, "I-I-I w-was flying over the ocean, and Merōl, and the sea was black. And it was rushing towards Merōl. Then these very ugly and nasty ponies with black and r-red eyes were jumping out of the black water grabbing my leg, and this big dragon thing with sharp teeth tried to eat me!"

Arcadia held her tighter and looked over her shoulder to Madun. He was already moving. All foals have nightmares. But because of Fresh Dawn's possible special talent that allows her to interact with dreams, hers were way more vivid, scary, and real. Sometimes, they even get physical. But this one was different. This was a nightmare about Maheera Dark on her way to Psera.

Sometimes Dawn's dreams were actually in real time too instead of the future. A good example would be a dream where Dawn had somehow gotten into the kitchen and was eating food late at night. Then woke up the next morning with an ice cream cone over her horn. Arcadia knew her special talent went beyond dreams at this point, but she had no explanation since most of them happened at night. She was sleeping when they usually occurred.

Madun walked behind Fresh Dawn and asked, "Where did the big scary dragon hurt you, sweetie?"

Fresh Dawn raised her wings and said, "Un-un-underneath my wings!"

"Okay, hold still." Madun lifted up her shirt and looked under her wings out of Arcadia's sight. Then looked back up at the guards and ordered, "Tell the Captain to raise the PDSSC to a code yellow. She has a mark." Whenever a mark appeared on Fresh Dawn's coat, it was considered a harmless bruise.

In the dream world, she was attacked and it would hurt there. But when she woke up, she wouldn't feel it. They would know she was attacked by something out there if a mark was present, but as long as they didn't hurt her here in the waking world it was okay. They were usually harmless.

But in this case, Maheera had scared and laid a claw on their daughter, and was more than likely out there in the ocean headed their way. It was just a possibility. But Madun wasn't taking any chances.

While the guards rushed out of the home, he rose back up and nuzzled Fresh Dawn's cheek. "Don't worry, sweetie. Mommy and Daddy are going to take care of the big monster, okay?" Dawn just went back to snoring in her mother's hooves. She didn't hear anything.

Sighing, Queen Arcadia and Madun quickly filed out of the room in front of the guards. They knew the drill during a code yellow, the safest location was not in this suite. It was in the Code Base. They would plan in there.

Back downstairs one level, the atmosphere was slightly disturbed. But not by much. The scream was so out of place that it made even Rainbow Dash wake up, which in turn woke up Scootaloo. Rarity's bedroom door opened next and she poked her head out with a face full of that green stuff and cucumbers over her eyes. She looked around and asked, "My goodness, what in Psera was that?"

Celestia answered, "I have no clue. But it certainly woke me up. And...where in this castle did you get facial cream?"

Pinkie popped out over Rarity's head with a grin and answered for her. "I gave it to her! In case of 'Rarity needs facial cream' emergencies."

Luna stepped out yawning. "Of course you did. Let's go back to sleep. I have a full round of nightmares to—" A piercing sound hit their ears for a second that ceased that conversation, and woke up the rest of the inhabitants.

Madam Singe cracked her eyes open and focused on the open window before it went off again for a second. "PDSSC...Code Yellow," a female voice repeated. The ringing happened again three more times before that same voice.

Amira and Haakim opened their doors before the others and noticed the group already out here. Even Rarity took her cucumbers off. The beeping was loud. And based off the lighting outside, the Central Obelisk was flashing. Rainbow Dash took this time to ask the question on everyone's minds. "So any idea on what's happening?"

"PDSSC Code Yellow," the alarm went. "Stay inside and close your doors. PDSSC Code Yellow."

"Everyone stay in your rooms!!" Celestia jumped and looked down the hall where a few guards were coming from. They approached with their flashlights blasting the foreigners in their faces. "Let's go, stay inside! This is not a drill! Stay in your rooms!"

All over the country, the Obelisks were blaring loud and proud, warning of a possible imminent threat believed to be either on Psera or coming to Psera. Just as ordered, all windows were shut, lights were cut off, and the Pserateps were letting the Guard handle it.

King Madun, Queen Arcadia, and Princess Fresh Dawn were the first ones to arrive in the brightly lit Code Base. The deep underground bunker that provided security to the Royal Family. Already, the room was secured with their security detail. Unlike last time, the bunker was fitted with a new room this time. The Command room overlooking the first floor on the bottom where the King and or Queen could assess the situation from safely within without being caught in the crossfire. That was the first place Madun went to when they arrived. Leaving Arcadia to look after and stroke Fresh Dawn's mane on the bottom floor. There was no telling when she was going to have another nightmare.

He walked towards the staircase and ordered, "Give me a status!"

At the very top of the bunker was the command room. Currently occupied with a few lieutenants and soldiers managing controls in front of darkened LiVAMs. One of them in the middle of the room was looking at the screen when he stepped onto the floor and saluted.

"The PDS Obelisks aren't picking anything up yet," they reported. "But the fleet off the east coast of Merōl were already prepared. They're on the move for the Obelisk defense line."

"Good. Keep an eye out on those waves. I want the Aerial Guard on the move now with a good visual. Where are the others?"

"They're on their way, Your Highness."

"Keep me informed of any changes."

"Yes, Your Highness."

At that, Madun made his way back down the stairs at the same time a cranky Merry walked in with her two snoring fillies on her and Blazing's backs.

"Okay, someone wanna tell me why I was just rudely awoken with a Code Yellow blaring in my ears?!" She yelled. It seems those fillies inherited her mother's sleeping ability. They could sleep through anything.

From a couch nearby, Arcadia looked up to Merry with her filly balled up in her hooves and whispered, "Shush, Merry. Dawn had a Dream Attack. By Maheera."

That Made Merry stop and route to Arcadia. Sure enough, Dawn was shivering in her sleep. Arcadia was doing what she could by humming a song, but it would only pass in time. That must've been a very bad dream. She's seen Dawn in her nightmares before. But it was never this bad. Arcadia lifted Dawn's shirt and motioned to the dark mark under her wing. "She was attacked by Maheera and said she was moving towards Psera. So we raised a Code Yellow."

Merry gently sat down next to her and lifted the shirt a bit more. It was big enough to go from right at her wing joint to the other side of her body. "It looks like a ring," she assumed. "A claw."

"It was. She was grabbed. What's the update, sweetie?"

Madun sat down next to her and answered, "Nothing on the Radars yet, but the fleet at sea are already on the move for the Obelisk line. As well as a brigade of Aerial Guard."

A guard from the top level announced, "Sir! We got a feed from one of the Aerial Guards!"

"Put it on the LiVAMs!" He, Arcadia, Merry and Blazing all focused their sights on the giant LiVAM hanging low over them, currently displaying the crest of the Fire Family. Shortly a live feed of the Aerial Guard reaching the water replaced it. Using her magic, Arcadia dimmed the lights on the side so they could see better. That was also the same time Molten Ice was brought in.

She eagerly abandoned her escort team so they could close the doors and follow her family's eyes.

From a Guard's helmet was a good visual of the Obelisk line. Already fortified with Aquata after Aquata, armed to the teeth with weaponry trained on the ocean currently being scanned by their lights. The Guard with the camera feed landed on the first ship front and center and ran to the helm so the Royals could see better. Nothing at the moment.

"We got movement on the radar!" Someone on the other side of the camera announced. "Closing fast!"

"Weapons up!!"

Madun yelled to the command floor, "What's on their radars?"

A guard up top replied, "A giant bogey, sir, still waiting for clarification."

Arcadia and Madun shared a look down to Fresh Dawn then back up to the LiVAM. Then gasped at their find. The sea was turning black. Around their ships behind the Obelisk Line. Arcadia shook her head and whispered, "No, no, no, they're not supposed to get past the Obelisk Line. Where are the Generals?"

"They're up in Lavender, ma'am."

"Tell them to open fire on the waves. There's about to be an army closing in. Change Code Yellow to a Code Red."

"Yes, ma'am."

When the darkness started to crawl over their ships, they didn't need to be told twice. Magic after magic was fired from the deck and cannons into the black of the infected ponies somehow swimming with the waves and eventually onto the decks. Below the Deck of a few of the ships, the commanders were watching the chaos above and laying tartarus onto the infected attempting to get past. A giant explosion rocked the camera, fuzzing out the feed before it was directed towards the sound. Then two more.

One of the Aquatas just blew. Spewing flames and more into the sky when their bogey finally made itself known. A Giant Dragon attacked. Ember's father, Torch. He just swiped a claw straight through that ship.

"Buck," Arcadia mumbled. She sighed and looked down to her daughter. There was only one thing to do to a dragon that size that just took out that many soldiers. "Switch to Code Black. Send the command to ready Railer One but await authorization. That is one big dragon, it's not going down with a simple shot."

"Yes, ma'am."


~✶~


When Secretary Manny was awoken from her sleep with the news that they were being attacked at the Obelisk line, she flew through the eleven PM darkness in a snap to get to the Office of Defense building in Lavender. Sure enough, activity was happening everywhere. She dropped down onto the concrete outside of the doors and ran inside.

Ignoring the saluting, she yelled, "What's going on?! Someone better talk to me!!"

General Bold Shoulder and a few more were at her side with an explanation ready while they moved through the busy halls. Bold Shoulder answered, "The PDS Obelisk Line is currently being crossed by multiple bogies from the East. We just lost Aquata Forty-Eight and many more are currently taking damage by what is believed to be a huge Dragon. We've been given a go to prepare Railer One."

An attack this late at night? Manny growled, "I was going to use it anyway."

They turned a right into a darkened room littered with desks, LiVAMs, feeds, and Pserateps all talking at once into their Communication units. At the very end were three LiVAMs on the walls big enough for everyone to see with live Radar feeds, action feeds, and still photographs.

The Generals and commanders followed Secretary Manny up to the top of the room via a steel staircase. With her eyes on the still image of the blown Aquata, she ordered, "Get me in contact with the Code Base now! Status on Railer One!" Buck, that dragon is attacking another Aquata while the other was sinking into the water below. They had to act fast.

One of the many ponies down there looked over their shoulder and answered, "Ready to go, ma'am! On the Queen's command!"

Back at the Code Base, Arcadia was watching the event happen live on the LiVAMs with the rest. Holding Fresh Dawn protectively in her arms, a small tear escaped her eye. She ordered to the Guards upstairs, "Get those Aquatas backed up three thousand."

"All Aquatas, back up! Ready shot one!" A mare yelled. All at once, the Aquata's rotated their engines and began backing up. But the infected were still coming, and they were still firing. Getting past the Obelisk line. After a few minutes of pain and suffering at sea, Arcadia heard the go ahead from the command center. "Ready when you are, ma'am."

The rulers of Psera all shifted their eyes down to Queen Arcadia. This was one of the many tests of her willingness to sacrifice for Psera. One of many more to come. She gently closed her eyes with her baby in her hooves and ordered, "Fire away."


~✶~


The Dock in Lavender was busy at one moment. The many flood lights shining on the ships were trained on the soldiers running around one large space with a few entrances leading underground into one of the many large spaces hiding with the gold under their hooves. The entire space was littered with steel walkways, busy with military personnel.

But in the center of it all was one small golden torpedo sitting on a railing angled upwards. Painted purple and decorated with Queen Arcadia's cutie mark, the many flood lights shined upon it's hull, the spinning rudders behind it, and the ponies quickly leaving.

The signal was the sound of the loud alarm ringing through the facility. Far behind the torpedo was a small glass window holding authorized commanders and military personnel. One of them was the same blue coated mare Queen Arcadia was speaking to earlier that day.

All eyes were on her and the console they were standing in front of. When her Comm Block went off, she raised it up to her mouth but didn't let her eyes leave the torpedo. "General Neon Lightning," she first said.

"Fire away, General."

"Ten-four." She lowered her hoof down to the keypad on the black but colorful console and pressed in four numbers. Then the giant red button at the very top lit up. She eyed it for a moment with the thought of what would happen next. This has only been tested once and the technology was just enrolled into combat this year. Too bad.

She jammed it down. "Five..."

Queen Arcadia watched as the numbers on the screen in the bottom corner counted down. "Four..." Princess Celestia and the rest of the rulers were staring outside of their windows, watching the sky brighten and flash repeatedly with the Code Black alarm. It was beginning to become a little annoying.

That would be the least of their problems.

"Three...Two...One...and she's off."

Rarity was the first to witness a bright star brighten her window as if it were the sun quickly rising into the sky. That was no sun. Railer One rose out of the waters and flew up into the air, roaring away with a trail of smoke behind it, showing its origin.

Princess Cadance whispered from her own window, "Lavender." Shining Armor could only nod and watch as it soared higher and higher. Then suddenly explode into twenty more of those colored purple and circle each other. Angling away from lavender and out past Merōl into the night sky, soon leaving sight.

"Attention, please." A deep voice in the air tore their sights away from the smoke trail and into the air. "Firstly, the Department of Defense want to thank all inhabitants for following all instructions and listening to the Guard. As of this moment, The Department of Defense has just launched Railer One. We need all inhabitants to close all windows and cover eyes, as the night turns to day."

Rainbow threw out her hooves and replied, "I just want to know what the buck is going on!" But when the air around them suddenly pulsed and knocked out her hearing and room power for a second, she relented and quickly corrected, "Scootaloo, under the covers, let's go."

Fluttershy didn't need to be told twice. When the first alarm rang out, she had grabbed Angel bunny and pulled him under with her. She hadn't moved ever since. The Princesses, rulers of Foreign lands, and citizens of Psera except their King and Queen all followed along in fear shortly after. The Foreigners had no idea what a Railer One was, but it didn't sound good.

The last pony under was Celestia before her vision gradually turned from black to orange to white. Then the wind picked up knocking things over. Celestia heard Flurry whisper next door, "I'm scared, mom."

"Shhh, shhh, everything's okay."

"Eyes closed, keep your eyes closed!!" A guard in the halls yelled.

Arcadia could only imagine what was happening out there in that ocean. Railer One wasn't a bomb. But it used light particles and heat waves to burn past molecules without fire within a five mile radius and make everything... Disappear. Arcadia could only watch as the LiVAM feed turned white for a full two seconds. Then "Connection Lost."

All eyes in the Bunker, the Office of Defense, and the ponies outside could only watch the screen and listen to the wind howl in silence. They knew what had happened. There were probably thousands of infected ponies swimming towards the coast of Psera and had managed to take down one of their ships. Somehow. Including Ember's father. They would never be rescued. They were no more.

Psera's Aquatas were already far enough away when they fired Railer One. They and their soldiers were okay, except the Aquata that went down. All of those lives were lost with the sole exception of any survivor.

Arcadia sighed and closed her eyes. That was the first time she had to make a move that big. She lit her horn and turned off the LiVAM. They saw what they needed to see.


~✶~


When the light and wind finally died down, the ponies all over the nation lowered their hooves from their eyes and looked around. The alarm was no longer blaring, the sky was once again dark. But the path of Railer One still stuck out like a sore hoof. Celestia and the rest of the rulers could only stare at the sky in silence.

After a few minutes, Luna sighed and whispered, "We should probably be going to bed now. Whatever that was...It looks like it's over."

"We were attacked." They looked over their shoulder at Odega. They hadn't seen her all day. But instead of her orange mane and tail, with red eyes. Her body was an entirely cooled blue. She trotted towards the window and stared at the sky. The trail of Railer One. "Maheera Dark made a surprise move and somehow managed to get around the Obelisk Line. Fresh Dawn saw it first. Then she screamed, told her parents, and they raised Code Yellow, which was then raised to a code Red when around a thousand of Maheera's infected ponies started attacking the Aquatas out there. Queen Arcadia made a bold move just now. She gave the authorization to launch Railer One."

Luna asked the main question, "What is Railer One? An explosive?"

"No." Luna and Celestia sighed in relief. "It's a disintegrator." Their hearts immediately stopped. Then they slowly looked back up and eyed the sky. "As much as it pained her, she had to make the sacrifice. Thousands of those ponies... Are no more. One of them was a giant dragon. Have a good night." And just like that, Odega whisked away like someone blew out a candle.
> Chapter 24 - Situation Assessment
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The rest of the night was a tough one. Cadance nor Shining Armor could sleep when they heard what Odega said. The Crown disintegrated—erased—hundred of creatures out there. They could only stare out the window as the sky changed from black to blue. Then slowly raised the sky to light blue with clouds and more.

At sea, at least a hundred Aquatas were mobilized and sitting on the waves ready for action. Keeping an eye out on everything while they conducted cleanup on the mess. Unlike yesterday, the castle was noisy and full of clopping hooves. A briefing was in store following last night's events. The Secretary of Defense was already there waiting for the King and Queen in the busy press room with the generals from last night in front of press. The ponies of Psera and their visitors really wanted to know what had caused the sudden battle last night.

The Royal Suite in the castle was busy too. Fresh Dawn was getting a crown put on her head by her mother, but she wouldn't be seen by the populace. She would be staying with Twilight's parents while they conducted damage control. It was going to be a busy day.

Once Fresh Dawn had her crown on, Arcadia straightened up and looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing her crown and had on her chained horn rings. Her sparkling purple dress, and her steeled expression. Her chest plate glistened just like her shoes.

Madun walked in through the doorway behind them from the hallway and stated, "You don't have to look like that."

Arcadia brushed her flowing mane with a floating brush while smoothening Dawn's and replied, "Look like what?"

He trotted over behind her with his eyes on hers through the mirror and placed his hooves on her hips. "Like you just committed the worst crime imaginable."

She softly shut her eyes and whispered in shame, "Didn't I?"

"No." He lightly turned his wife around and leaned down to place a soft loving kiss under her horn. Then whispered, "You made the right move. Yes, all of those innocent infected can't be reborn, nor can they come back. But you stopped a much worse thing from happening: The creation of more and the deaths of our own. It's like a colony of ants rushing into your home when the door won't close. You do the next thing. You take the sprayer, and you spray them all down.

"Stunning them won't work, they'll just get back up. We lost over two hundred lives last night. You and the rest of the military saved the lives of millions. Smile because it didn't get worse. Some sacrifices have to be made in order to create a better future."

Arcadia took a deep calming breath and closed her eyes. Madun was right. Yes, many ponies died last night. But it wasn't worse than that thankfully. She may have knew some of those ponies. One of them may have been her best friend. Or somepony else's best friend. But she had to make the sacrifice.

"You're right," she whispered after a while. "It had to be done. Let's do this. Come, Dawn." Dawn rushed under her mother and followed her hooves as they walked into the living room. Then stopped at the front door. Using her magic, she pulled it open and stepped into the squad of Security already waiting for them.

They saluted in routine and honor before Madun ordered, "At ease. Let's move for the press room."

When they started the move, Gardeen quickly joined Queen Arcadia and asked, "Dawn?"

"She's going to my parents," Arcadia answered. Then looked to her right into Gardeen's expression. "Note down that I need to get to Serl sometime today. Madun, could—"

"I'll handle the meeting with the rest of our alliance," he answered.

"Good. War Room."

"Nowhere else."

Arcadia looked back to Gardeen writing notes and ordered, "Have a copy of the feed from last night placed on my desk as well. I need to review it and find a pattern. Maheera found a way past my wall."

Gardeen didn't need to guess at this. She stated, "That's because she wasn't there. She used other ponies to do her dirty work last night. She probably supplied a bit of magic, but it was all of her soldiers doing the damages for her."

"...of course. I need to clarify that in the future. Thank you, Gardeen."

"You're welcome, your highness. Let's go, sis!" Gardeen bent low and playfully scooped Fresh Dawn onto her back. Then she and a few more Guards branched off for another hallway with their daughter watching. She didn't know what happened, but she had a feeling it was bad.

Once her parents were out of sight, she looked down to Gardeen and asked, "Are mommy and daddy going to be okay?"

Gardeen looked up and answered, "Yes, sweetie. They're just going to tell your friends out there about what happened last night. They'll be fine."

"Oh... Okay."



Applejack was the first to yell out, "WHAT?!" The next morning. Celestia and Luna just told the others what Odega told them last night in the main busy foyer of the COTG. That Railer One was a weapon Psera used to destroy all of those ponies last night that were attacking. And those ponies were the same infected ones from Equestria, Hoof Yun, mostly Seaquestria, Mount Aris, and the other nations. Somehow they managed to get across seas and attack Psera. And managed to get past their defensive line of PDS Obelisks.

But apparently the real problem was... "She killed those ponies?" Madam Singe whispered.

Celestia sighed and answered, "Well... Yes."

Cadance quickly added, "But I'm sure we'll get a good reason this morning. We were attacked last night after all and this is a war, so the only logical explanation was to fight back, right?"

Rarity shook her head and replied, "Well, umm... Yes, of course in self defense. But unless the situation calls for it, I believe we should have at least found another way."

"Good morning, citizens of Psera, and good morning citizens of Foreign Regions." All eyes switched to the main LiVAMs above the Castle's entrance. King Madun and Queen Arcadia were at two different podiums inside the Press Room somewhere in this large castle. They both looked tired in a way, but still managed to pull their styles off to represent their country. King Madun was the one speaking with a face of steel. Behind them was the flag of Psera with the Fire Family's crest on the right where Twilight stood.

He shifted a few papers around on his podium but continued speaking. "Please, hold all questions until we have said what needs to be said. At around eleven last night, with an approximate time of eleven twenty-six, our daughter Princess Fresh Dawn screamed." Wait, that was Fresh Dawn that screamed like that?! "As many on our continent know, Princess Fresh Dawn has gained many traits from her mother, including magical abilities she has not yet fully unlocked but we have an understanding of. Her suspected talent is to walk the land of dreams in a more interactive form that we refer to as Dream Walking. She is able to interact with many of the characters she sees in her dreams.

"But during her life, has gained another magical skill that we believe involves leaving her body and interacting with things in the real world as a single soul. Last night, she managed to fly all the way out past the Obelisk Line of Psera by what is estimated by our team to be around fifty miles. A total of one hundred. She was attacked by a large dragon who we thought was Maheera. Earlier this morning, it was clarified that it was not Maheera Dark, but a dragon taken over by her dark magic."

Queen Arcadia took over with, "She informed us that they were heading for Psera's Obelisk line in a sea of black with a massive army of what was believed to be over two thousand infected creatures. At that news, Code Yellow was raised and all ponies still out during this time were ordered to go inside while the Aqua Guard was scrambled.

"After a few minutes of waiting, our military was attacked by the dragon and many were infected. One Aquata, Aquata Forty-Eight perished in the attack. There were one hundred twenty-eight soldiers lost. And they were going to take down another.

"With that in mind, I sent out the authorization to use deadly force with our one time use weapon, Railer One. I am sure all of you listening know very well what Railer One does and were informed of this many years ago when it was introduced after I first took office, then commissioned into service earlier this year. As a result, we have let Maheera know that we—Psera—are willing to go the extra mile to regain back what was, and still is, ours by any means necessary. That does not mean that we are willing to sacrifice the lives of our soldiers in vain. But are willing to sacrifice the lives of many of Maheera's infected to reclaim our freedom."

Madun took over once more with, "As of this moment, Defense Secretary Manny is preparing our military to travel the Eastern Seas back to Equestria to gain a visual of Maheera's damage there, which will allow us to make our own offensive move in the very near future. No solid plan will be prepared yet until we get that data. We are enlisting the help of the inhabitants of our Foreign Regions in this matter and will come up with a game plan once we get this information. Until then we urge that all citizens remain calm. You are safe here on Psera. As King and Queen, we are willing to go the extra mile to keep you safe with our very lives."

Arcadia wrapped up their status update with, "We will treat every attack of Maheera Dark's with a double military movement. If Maheera brings ten thousand, we will bring twenty thousand. If she brings a million, we will bring two million with advanced weaponry of my own design. We will restore peace to Narmeelah's world, to Narmeelah's home. To our home. By any means necessary. We'll now take questions."

The first question was from a mare in the very front row of the press room. For Madun. She raised her hoof and Madun called her out with, "Yes, ma'am?"

"I am sure many ponies are going to ask this question, so I'll just go ahead and get it out of the way. Is there any clue on what Maheera is searching for?"

"Based off of what happened last night, we believe that Maheera wants Psera personally. What for, we have no answer yet. So far it is believed the Foreign Regions were attacked and taken over to create an army that would storm Psera."

Another hoof from the back sprung up that Madun pointed out. The stallion it belonged to asked, "This is for Queen Arcadia, will the Railer One be used again?"

Now that was a question all the foreigners wanted answered. Including those at the camps. She sighed and answered, "At this rate and the multiple frontal attacks Maheera has delivered, I estimate our Railer One Weaponry Class to be armed multiple times. But since this was the first offensive attack on Psera, there is no concrete answer. Be prepared though that if Maheera gets desperate enough, we will too. Railer One will be used repeatedly against our enemy."

Luna couldn't watch anymore. She turned and walked past the other ponies to eventually walking out the doors of the castle. Celestia just sighed and watched her go. She couldn't stop her. It was best just to let her steam it off. She would definitely be seeing the Queen later.



After the news conference, Arcadia and Madun walked the halls of the COTG with a problem on their minds. How exactly are they going to get to Maheera without being spotted. After moments of peace and quiet, Arcadia stopped in front of a glass wall overlooking Cop.

She sighed and suggested, "We could always use a high altitude spy."

Madun replied, "Maybe. But I have a better idea." He stopped on his hooves and swiveled around to face her. "Maheera is living on a land we barely know. We need to assemble the other rulers and learn about their worlds like we said. We already know about Maheera and what she likes. If we can find those spots overseas, then we'll be golden."

Twilight nodded and began to walk past before Madun's wing shot out in her path. "Hey," he said. Then sat down so he was muzzle to muzzle with her. "What's wrong? Are you afraid to face them?"

"Yes," she admitted. "We killed a possible fifth to a half of their populations. Wouldn't you be were you in my shoes?"

"No. Because I keep one thing on my mind: The enemy. How can I defeat them? They're big and strong. But I'm willing to do what it takes to get it done. No matter what. Just remember those two words. No matter what."

"That's three, sweetheart."

"Sue me."

Twilight chuckled and leaned in to kiss him lovingly. He always knew what to say. Always. She parted, but not too far. Being close to him was what she needed.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Of course, my love. I'll gather them and explain in a much bigger depth." He stood up and was about to leave before she stopped him by biting onto his wing.

"Before you gather them, at the Suite in the special drawer is a bag of pearls I wanted to give them this morning in a meeting. There's a note next to the bag with assigned names. It's a...symbolic gesture of alliance."

He nodded her way and promised, "I'll deliver them."

"Thanks, sweetheart." Then Twilight turned and walked back through the halls. She was sure Twilight Velvet and Night Light wouldn't mind that she left Fresh Dawn with them for over the requested hour. Mom would probably spoil her.

While she moved with confidence, Twilight's mind switched from that of her family to that of the war. Maheera wanted a war? She'll give her a war she wished she never asked for.

Twilight lowered the veil back down over her face when she was joined by three guards. Three friends.

"Good morning, Dark," she greeted. "Worn. Shining. You're escorting me today?"

Worn Weather's attitude got cocky and he answered, "With honor! We're ready to take this big dragon down! Tell me where to go and I'll go."

Shining Sword used a hoof to hit him on the back of his Elite Guard helmet. "Don't get too cocky, we have no idea what we're up against."

Arcadia nodded and briskly walked out into the foyer. There were a lot of Pserateps today that froze and bowed when she stepped into sight. She spotted her friends and family in the crowd talking nearby among the rest.

"He's right," she replied. "Let's get a reading first before we go speeding into a fight with no knowledge of who we're really fighting. I could take down Maheera within a few hours. But based off of intel I got at sea on my way here two days ago? She's stronger than she looks. She can fight for days. Go down, then get right back up. Princess Celestia?"

Princess Celestia looked behind her from the others. Then turned her body and eagerly walked over. "Yes, Queen Arcadia?"

"Madun will be speaking with IHT and their top military personnel in the War Room at eleven. Tell the others not to be late."

"Of course." Celestia raised her hoof before she could leave and requested, "I'd like to speak with you later on if it is at all possible."

Arcadia pointed a hoof at her and firmly stated, "Four PM, my office. Thank you." Then walked around Celestia for the front entrance. There would be no court today.



Lavender was tense. All the soldiers of the nation were. But with stoned faces continued their motions across Psera getting ready for the war definitely on the way. The sun glistened off of weaponry currently being gathered and oiled from different bases. One of them were in Cop.

Private Smalls was tasked with securing half of a weapons stash from an armory in one of the two downtown precincts. Lavender was seriously lacking in much smaller weaponry. Ever since Queen Arcadia took the throne, most of the much harmful weaponry was replaced with magic. Darts were replaced with magic shells. When they hit the ground, they would combust with a stunning effect. Not enough to kill, but enough to disable. Allowing for much easier arrest.

But a whole ship was taken down last night by a full blown dragon. The gloves were off. And the Queen knew that. So she took the gloves off the second it happened too. Private Smalls may only be a Private in the Elite Royal Guard. But she's seen enough fights to know that when the other side gets dirty, you get dirtier.

And apparently the Princess walking by didn't understand that. When Private Smalls stepped out of their stone precinct balancing a box full of ammunition on her back, her red eyes  trained on that dark blue mysterious Alicorn walking past sulking. Jeez, what's her issue? Private Smalls could take an educated lucky guess.

She walked up to a black Radwood Pod pulled over to the side of the road and allowed the stallion in the back to grab the box off her back. Then called, "Princess Luna!"

Princess Luna stopped walking past and turned her way. The scary completely black mare. "Yes, can I help you?" She replied.

Private Smalls quickly walked over and asked, "Why are you upset?"

"...excuse me?"

Smalls smirked and poked a hoof into her chest. "You're upset about last night. Tell me why."

Luna looked back to the looming castle for a moment. Then back to Private Smalls. "I just lost a small amount of innocent ponies to your Queen's choice," she honestly answered. "Why should I be happy?"

Smalls sighed and looked over her shoulder back at the precinct. They were all taking a break at the moment on the stairs so this was fine. They were up since last night moving and they needed the rest. She turned back to Princess Luna and spat out, "Because you and those not fighting are still alive."

"But my ponies are dead. Should I not be sad?" Luna deadpanned.

"Of course you should be sad. But I also see resentment towards the Queen. Like she could've made a better choice. The problem in your logic is that there is no other choice. Not in a war."

"There is always a choice."

"Maybe in Equestria. Maybe in their fights. Maybe the enemies of your past were sloppy. Equestria is a young nation compared to Psera with very dumb enemies. What wars have you seen in your lifetime?"

Luna stood up tall and answered, "I have witnessed the fight of King Sombra and his army. The fight against the monster Tirek, the battle against the God of Chaos Discord. And many more."

"A lot of Equestrian fights I guess. Well guess what Princess." She leaned in and slowly shook her head stating, "You're not in Equestria anymore. As of last night, you've officially become a Pseratopian."

A passing Force Guard stallion behind her with a box of "Fire Darts" on his back yelled, "Awww yeah! You get to see what we see, pony."

Private Smalls motioned with her wing to the stallion. "He's right. You fought Equestrian enemies. You fought with the foals. Now? You're fighting with the big girls. Narmeelah fought Maheera for a week straight to get you where you are. Do you really think no one died in that time? Hundreds of thousands of lives were lost. Us compared to Maheera are like ants under our own hooves. But you best believe while she's stomping around on maybe a hundred ants in front of her, there's going to be twenty hives of bees and eight Woodpeckers coming for her back. Including momma Eagle, ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!"

The soldiers resting in the back raised their own hooves and shouted, "ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!"

Private Smalls chuckled and turned back to smile up to Princess Luna. "Remember this, Princess." She poked a hoof into her chest plate once more and said, "We don't fight to only honor the dead. But we fight to save the living. As hard as it may be to hear this... You can't save a dead mother. But you can save the living foal. Remember that and you will find the strength to continue the good fight. We can mourn the dead once the battle is won. That is what the King and Queen see, and that is what we see."



Serl. Solid Energy Revolution Labs. A top secret city made entirely out of laboratories located two hundred miles northeast of Cop. The only ones who know the existence of it were the Pserateps who always keep it hush hush. Equestria may have a good idea of its existence, but Twilight knew that if they wanted to keep their memories they would stay quiet about it. Because if Psera found out they knew, she would not hesitate to erase every possible trace of SERL. When she wasn't Queen, then they could be friends. Behind closed doors, they could be friends.

But when she swore upon Narmeelah's Law that she would do all in the name of Psera for Psera, then she would. The toughest decisions came with the job.

Arcadia's mind slipped back into reality when they landed at the checkpoint; the random house on the sand occupied by Force Guards. The hot desert sun beat down on Queen Arcadia's back when she spread her wings and hooves. The ponies checked her thoroughly. They ruffled through her feathers and everywhere else before they were on the move once more.

Not too long, they arrived in science paradise. Serl was near the edge of the continent. Near a second branch of the facility known as Serl Production Labs just twenty miles away. To get there you had to get through Serl; and to get through Serl, you had to wait for the gates to open. When Queen Arcadia walked in she was bowed to by those inside. All the scientists wearing badges, lab coats, dress suits and the one pony she needed to see the most. Bright Gold.

Second in Command here behind herself. She was snow white with bright yellow eyes and ten foot long wings. Much like Arcadia, she was about family, loyalty, and knowledge.

Arcadia stopped in front of Bright Gold and ordered, "Please rise. How are you, Bright Gold?"

Rising, Bright sighed and answered, "Ready to get these ponies home." She and Queen Arcadia made moves towards the one long black Pod on the side with a door open for them. Queen Arcadia got inside first before Bright followed shortly. She sat on the side facing her behind the wall keeping them out of view of the drivers. Then the door was shut and they began the movement through the city.

The engine barely reached their ears thanks to Gold's paper shuffling and the Pod's insulation. The dim lights above shined on their coats, the polished wood, the black walls, and the velvet carpeting.

With a glass of water in hoof, Queen Arcadia asked the mare across, "What do you have for me?"

Bright Gold answered, "Concerning the Blue Gold, they have the expected reaction to the Dragon Scale you gave us. A burn-through. Within a few hours the scale was nothing but a wrinkled mess of matter. Only problem is, the Blue Gold doesn't stay as Blue Gold for that long. We're working on an addition to maintain the longevity, but it is taking longer than we had hoped."

Arcadia took the offered reports in her magic so she could get a good reading on the science behind the Blue Gold. "And what about our subjects?"

Bright Gold answered with a disappointing sigh. "Cooperative with our team. The ponies underneath those bodies of mangled madness are still alive under there. We theorize that the further away from Maheera's magic they are, the more stable."

Arcadia sighed through her nose before Bright Gold whispered, "You had to do what you swore to do, your highness."

Arcadia sat the papers down on the empty seat beside her and said, "I know. But that doesn't mean I still have to like it. The sooner this war is over the more we can save and salvage. And get rid of this growing rebellion."

Bright Gold wasn't sure if her ears were deceiving so she repeated, "Rebellion?"

"I was informed by the Secretary of Homeland Security that some ponies are not too fond of our visitors here on Psera."

Bright Gold muttered, "I honestly can't say that I'm bouncing off the walls about it either."

"Of course all ponies have their own opinions on the matter. But it would do them well to not react with violence. I am entrusting the local police to deal with these situations as trained. But even I know they can only do so much. Based off of past history, Pserateps grow into extremists. Using many forms of violent protest. And considering how big this situation is, I fear for the safety of those ponies seeking refuge. Especially the Changedlings."

"Yes, the colorful flying ponies. Interesting mix if I do say so." She flipped the paper over that she was holding and offered it to her. "The faster they're gone, the quicker we can move on. I think you should look at this."

Arcadia took the document and observed the photo. It was of one of the infected ponies with her regular face. A pale yellow Unicorn from the Crystal Empire. While her head was normal, everything below the neck was still infected.

Arcadia glanced up to Bright Gold with raised eyebrows for an explanation. "We call her Subject Zero. She's the base of our investigation and one of the fifteen infected ponies. But unlike them, the dark magic never reached her mind. We've tested the blue gold out on her skin and actually managed to restore it back in a patch."

"We don't want patches, Bright."

"I know. But if we can make a patch, then we can restore it all."

Arcadia nodded and hoofed the document back over. "Great. Keep up the amazing work. Psera is counting on you."

"No doubt, ma'am. Long live Narmeelah."

"Long live Narmeelah."



Just as expected, IHTs members and close personnel arrived in War Room as expected. It was very similar to the Situation Room on Aquata Zero. A plethora of lights, LiVAMs, and those pads in front of seats angled towards their heads. A few of Psera's commanding officers were already in their seats, conversing while they took their own.

There were no windows. This was the center of the third floor. On the way to the Royal Suite and near the library in the offices. Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadance took the seats directly across from the King and Queens.

When the last pony took their seat, one out of the five military ponies greeted, "Good morning, ponies. Glad you could make it."

While her sister nodded, Luna replied, "Let's save these ponies." Well that was surprising. Cadance and Shining glanced her way then over to Celestia. She was just as confused based off that shrug.

General Bold Shoulder nodded and greeted, "Alright then. I'm General Bold Shoulder of the Pseratopian Force Guard, this is General Mack Land of the Pseratopian Aerial Guard..." He pointed to the white coat-wearing Pseratep from yesterday Madam Singe saw speaking to Queen Arcadia. Then to the blue Pseratep mare as well. "This is General Neon Lightning of the Pseratopian Aqua Guard and Authorization Leader of the Railer Program."

Shining repeated, "Authorization leader?"

"She's the one who pushes the button. You already know Admiral Shooting Star here and Secretary Manny. The king will be in here shortly. Queen Arcadia will not be making this one, she has another matter to deal with. His highness has given us authorization to show what happened last night off the coast."

Secretary Manny reached over to the King's pad and started playing with it. The lights dimmed and a visual appeared on all theirs of the event from last night. The same footage the King and Queen saw. Aquatas at the obelisk line further than what the eye could see. The pony with the camera dropped down on the helm of one Aquata and ran to the front. Then the camera panned to both sides to show the fleet waiting.

All was quiet. All was calm. The Aqua Guard had their weapons out and were watching the waves splash below. The air that tickled their fur. The humming of the engines. The roaring of Aerial Guard that flew over. Celestia's eye was on the Guard looking over the edge of the ship. He had his wings spread and were watching the waves.

"BLACK WATER!" He suddenly announced. "Open fire, open-GAHH!" Something literally jumped up over the railing of the ship grabbed him by the neck, then pulled him over the ledge. Cadance gasped before the darkness flooded their ship. Then all of tartarus reached their eardrums.

Purple after purple lit up the air. Bang after bang as many of the Infected flew, jumped, or teleported onto the decks before flying right back off. One of them was a horrifying looking Alicorn that was immediately assaulted with a slice of the wings.

Something grabbed this guard holding the camera before they were shaken off and thrown to the right. Revealing the front line. It was as if the world were ending.

Just a field of magic firing into the huge black field of creatures. A huge weapon on one of the Aquatas fired a massive bolt of magic that wiped out a huge section directly in front of them. There was a lot of these ponies. They were beginning to get past, but the Guard were doing a great job of keeping them at bay.

Until the Aquata that fired that bolt suddenly lurched and exploded into purple and orange. The sky turned to fire. "Forty-Eight down, Forty-Eight down! That's a bucking dragon! We need Railer One, where's the Queen?!"

A web of Green goo grabbed a soldier from off that deck from above and zipped him into the sky. Changelings. Thorax could only close his eyes when more were taken before their focus shifted there. "Changelings, blow 'em up!"

"All Aquatas, back up three thousand! The Queen gave us the go ahead!"

The Aquata they were on lurched suddenly and started backing up while the fight continued. The creatures managed to get past further than they could see. They were going straight for Psera. But the Aerial and Aqua Guard were having none of that.

After a few more minutes of fighting, the night turned bright from behind this Guard. He looked up behind him at the twirling lights they all saw last night. "Railer One, incoming! All below deck!" They turned around and rushed to the entrance of the ship when the weapon soared past with a roar. So close to their ship it shook the lights.

This Guard looked behind him one last time when the weapon detonated. All of those lights were suddenly tied together by lines of purple that connected them all. It stopped in the center of the black and started spinning rapidly. Then it grew bigger and bigger, blinding their vision. Hopefully that Guard made it in.

He did. After a few minutes, the feed returned to him below deck. It was once more all silent. "Assessment!" Someone ordered. He stood up and opened the bolted door to the inside. All the ships were watching the empty abandoned waves in front of them. It was like the fight never happened. The obelisks were running fine. And nothing else was in sight save for the single sinking Aquata. "Battle won!"

The playback was paused on the calm seas once more and all eyes looked back up. Sometime in between the footage and now Madun had finally arrived and taken a seat. They were so focused on the action they hadn't even heard the door open.

Once it was done Madun tapped on the pad and said, "Now that you see what we're fighting against, I can only hope that you realize what's at stake here. Psera is at war with one of our oldest Legendary enemies that even we had no clue existed. You are all victims. But as victims, you have seen her and witnessed her actions. You can help figure out her strategies."

Luna was the only one who talked. "She's strategic. She chose to attack at night this round. But before that had manipulated all of us. Possibly including Arcadia."

Madun raised an eyebrow at this and asked, "How?"

"Arcadia cleared the defenders—the Legends of Psera for her. If Odega was still at sea she could have wiped them out with a wave of her wing."

A burst of flames in one of the empty chairs and Odega was in the meeting uninvited. Positioned leaning on the table with one hoof under her chin and the other pointing at Luna facing Madun. "She's right. Arcadia probably didn't realize it. Maheera's smart enough to pull off something like that."

Confused, Cadance pointed at Odega from afar and asked, "Is she authorized to be here?"

Madun smirked at Odega's deadpanned expression and answered, "Odega's been around millions of years before my mother was even born, and has sat in this same room in that exact same chair. She's more than authorized. Now what do you know about Maheera? You've fought her before any of us."

Odega sighed and sat back. "Well Maheera is to manipulation like Arcadia is to magic. She knows it like the back of one of those ugly claws. She can make you do something for her with one basic move and you wouldn't even notice. She's fast. She's big too, but still fast. And she's a mage, she knows a lot of violent spells."

Madam Singe asked, "She can summon spells? She has no horn."

"Neither did Narmeelah but she still did. As for her tactics, she has none. At least when we fought her. But then again these were God fights. Like it was me, Narmeelah, Mahloo and Marloo, and Neemorah. Against a horde of her creatures that we just flung to the side with a wave of a hoof. Then we'd all rush up to this dragon and let fire, magic, wings, and hooves fly, rolling all over the place. There's no actual tactic, but that's probably because we were just really strong, and nothing was better than just flying over, beating her face in, and turning her to stone."

The ponies in the room looked at each other before Odega added, "But I do have a recommendation. Since her highness is the only pony strong enough to fight her and clearly 'The Chosen One', then get her in there. Secure her and get her in. She's not as strong as Narmeelah, not nearly. She can't fling three thousand ponies into water with a wave of a hoof. But she can definitely beat a massive dragon."

Queen Novo queried, "Are you suggesting Queen Arcadia personally takes part in the fight? I haven't known of Psera for nearly as long as Equestria has, and I've only seen Queen Arcadia in action on the Aquatas on the way here, but I'm not entirely sure she can take on a full continent of aggressive unknown enemies all at one time alone."

"Who said she was fighting alone? Do you think that when we fought Maheera in the past we weren't at least strategic? When one had a plan, we covered them. When all of those ponies were flung out of the way, they came back. Neemorah would distract them while we brought the coffin to Maheera personally. Then join us when they were out of the way again."

The Aqua Guard General asked, "But how can we take her down? As in permanently? All of the fighting will be in vein if we can't take her out of here."

Odega shook her head and answered, "As long as chaos, pain, or even a fight occurs, Maheera lives. You can't take her out, but you can subdue her for many, many, many peaceful years. I told that to Arcadia on Aquata Zero and she got mad at me. But she did say she was reviewing more permanent options with...other parties."

Madun nodded to Odega and replied, "Great. Now as for the battleground. There will be no fighting infected ponies on Psera. So we're going to her. But we need to learn the terrain. When you fought her Odega, did you notice any pattern?"

Odega shrugged and relaxed back into her seat. "Just like any dragon, the higher the region, the better she can witness her reign and spot anything."

"So high places," Bold Shoulder assumed. He turned to the foreign rulers and asked, "Do you know the highest spot in elevation by heart?"

"Mount Aris," Queen Novo answered. "It's behind Equestria's Manehattan which seems to be similar to Cop."

Celestia shook her head and corrected, "Manehattan is similar to a single section inside Events at Eventa. Tall skyscrapers, long roads, centers, hotels, the whole deal. Very similar to Eventa, just without your fortress."

Madun turned to his generals and stated, "Then we need to get a visual on Manehattan. Tall skyscrapers means shadows. A pit for the infected. Are there any ports near there?"

Celestia answered proudly, "Yes."

"Then our soldiers may have to dock in Las Pegasus and walk through there, the woods, Ponyville, Canterlot, then Manehattan. Flying is way too risky. Once we get a visual of Equestria, we'll be speaking with your commanders for a combat team aligned with Psera's finest. Now before we go any further, Queen Arcadia wanted me to give all of you something special."

King Madun grabbed that small mysterious black bag sitting on the table and opened it. First he pulled out a small sticky note and placed it on the table. Then said, "As a symbolic gesture that Psera is aligned with you at this time, Queen Arcadia has graced you with twelve gems for twelve countries." He flipped the bag over and poured out twelve glowing rocks dangling on Golden chains.

Celestia widened her eyes at their luster, shimmering and shifting inside with fluid magic. Madun gave the red one to a Guard and read off the sticky note, "To Queen Novo."

The Guard walked over and held it out to her in the middle of his hoof. She carefully plucked it out and brought it up to stare with a smile. These were really pretty and beautiful. The light seemed to reflect off the surface like a mirror. But the necklace was small. Madun quickly assured, "The cord stretches. So it should fit perfectly."

Taking a chance, Novo pulled the band with her claws. Sure enough, the necklace was split into many gold pieces on a band unseen. She slipped it over her head and beak to allow it to sit comfortably on the top of her chest. The red was a big difference to her alabaster coat. Glowing with the promise of her allegiance with Psera.

Madun looked to the sticky note and read next, "Madam Virtue Singe." He passed the Blue one to the Guard once more. Cadance was the most surprised out of all of them. After how Twilight's been treated by this same pony, giving her a symbol of allegiance was the same as saying I stand by you.

Madam Singe used her magic and slipped the Pearl over her head around her neck. Just like Novo, it was a huge color difference. A glowing blue mixed with an off-white Unicorn. She lifted the pearl up to her face and eyed the swirling shapes inside with a smile.

"I'll have to thank her," she whispered. "For allowing me to vent last night."

Madun called next, "King...Chancellor. I heard about your attempts to court my wife at the conference by the way. We're watching you. Very closely." He passed the Pearl to the Guard but kept his unreadable glare on Chancellor.

Cadance had to suck her lips in like Celestia and the other mares while Chancellor gracefully took the Green pearl. "Er... Y-Yes, your highness. I will be sure to thank Queen Arcadia for her kindness when I see her later."

"Be sure that you do. Princess Celestia for Equestria." Unlike the other contrasting ones, this one was white. Celestia wiped that smirk off her face as the guard approached with the Pearl. She gripped it in her magic when he was close enough and pulled it over to her face with Luna and Cadance. It was a beautiful pendant. It glowed brighter than her mane. It made her wonder how it did at night. Would it shine like a beacon of promise?

She expressed her gratitude with, "Thank you, King Madun. You will always have Equestria's allegiance."

"Thank you, Princess Celestia. Uhm... Queen Amira." The Guard walked over to King Haakim and Queen Amira of Saddle Arabia with a purple Pearl. Much like Amira's coat and Eastern wear.

"Queen Farue." The young Breighton unicorn mare about as big as Queen Arcadia was given the original Pink gem. It was a step up from her standard gray coat. Princess Celestia actually just now noticed that she doesn't really talk. The only time she really spoke was at the conference. And even that was below minimum.

"Consort Snow." The ruler of Prance was given a Yellow one. Even though Consort Snow was already pretty fancy, one more jewel wouldn't hurt.

Madun picked up the very last Pearl and stared at it oddly. This one was very different. Unlike the others with solid colors, this Pearl was a swirling mix of Purple and Red. He hummed and picked up the notepad. "And... Oh, that explains a lot. Nevermind, this is going to be a present." He stuffed it and the note back in the bag. Then focused on the rulers once again. "So the proposed plan is this: First, get a visual of Equestria and Mount Aris. Second, get the Legends together and assemble a team. Third, get Queen Arcadia over there to take down Maheera Dark. Sound good?"

The ponies around the table read each other's expressions for any disagreement. When none were said they nodded. "Good. You're dismissed. I'll let the Queen know and see if she approves. If not, we'll meet again for another one. If we do, we'll go before The Senate Board and propose the plan for their approval."
> Chapter 25 - Arcadian Reason
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Arcadia landed back in Cop during lunch, it was on the flat roof of her castle directly above where the library would be. She turned her back to it and watched the city of Cop bustle down below. At the tall buildings, the Pserateps, the foals playing. The sun casted all of it in a high glow.

During her rule, she's learned that it's always best to do things one at a time. When she's reading, she focuses on the book. When it's work time, she focuses on her work. When it's court time, she focuses on her subjects. When it's Dawn time, she focuses entirely on her baby. When it's Serl time, you know. Etcetera, etcetera.

But at this moment, walking past her saluting Guards her mind was on none of those.

She treaded down the stairwell, opened the fire escape door for the third floor and stepped out onto the hallway in the middle of their lively castle. Her eyes were trained forward, but her great mind was on a progressive spiral. She didn't even see Applejack waving and calling after her. She had a plan. She had to complete it. Her method was almost there, just a few more tests and—

"Hey, Queen Twilight!"

"Gah!" Twilight jumped out of her thoughts when Rainbow Dash zipped out in front of her with her hooves on her hips. It surprised her so much, she nearly zapped her. Instead she scolded with a stomp of a hoof, "Rainbow Dash!"

"We've been calling your name for almost thirty seconds!" We? Twilight looked behind her at all her friends trying to catch up. Including Spike.

Rarity was the first of their group to reach them. Her perfect mane seemed to be out of place. "Phew! Darling, you seriously have a pep in your step. Where's the fire?"

Applejack was the next one up who asked, "Yeah. You pretty much ran out the stairwell with papers in your wings here. Guess you're stressed out again."

Twilight shook her head and quickly stuffed the SERL documents out of sight deeper in her wings. "I'm not stressed out," she replied. "I'm handling business. What do you girls need, I'm really busy and getting under my schedule."

Rainbow Dash answered, "We were going to ask if you wanted to go out for some Ice Cream, but since you're busy..."

Seriously? They wanted ice cream at a time like this? Arcadia felt a small headache coming on. She reached up to rub her forehead and stated, "I need you girls to understand something. As the Queen to the Nation leading the international war against a homicidal Draconequus who is not afraid to kill, Ice Cream is nowhere near my mind. Unless it's with my daughter."

Pinkie Pie bounced up to her and decreed, "Yeah, but there's no fighting right now! And if there's no fighting right now, then you're not busy!"

Twilight just stared at her with crickets chirping around her skull. Pinkie being Pinkie. Deciding not to respond to that nonsense, she just calmly pushed Pinkie's grinning face and body back from her proximity. "The answer is no. There's a parlor downtown near the library Now please, leave me at peace so I can work. We just lost a few hundred lives last night and I need to do damage control."

"Speaking of..." Applejack walked around Pinkie and asked, "Twilight? Do you think it was the right choice to make last night's decision? I mean, a lot of ponies lost a lot of family last night and it may have been a tad bit excessive to...burn everypony."

Where is a Guard when you actually need them? Twilight thought. This entire hallway was clear of them. She sighed and answered, "I mean what I told the press, Applejack. If I had to make the choice again, I definitely would. Now if you'll excuse me..."

Twilight tried to walk around Applejack, but she just mirrored her movements to block her escape. "Applejack, I am asking really nicely right now. I am ordering you to step aside."

Applejack shook her head and replied, "I know and I'm sorry, Queen Arcadia but we really need to talk about this."

She could seriously have her arrested. At the press of a button, she would be dragged to the detention center in the basement. But Arcadia rolled her eyes and stated, "Applejack, I am only going to say this once. This isn't Equestria. There is no other way, no other choice. We were under attack by deadly ponies who were either going to come here now or later. And if they landed on Psera, my civilians would have gotten hurt. My daughter would have gotten hurt. And I'm not taking that risk. So either my ponies go, or they go. I made the right choice and I'm sticking with it."

"But—"

Arcadia loudly stomped her golden shoe with a resonating clang and ordered assertively, "End of discussion, Applejack! Unless you've been in my hooves and my position you cannot tell me how to run my country, am I clear? I am only going to tell you once."

Applejack sighed and coalesced with, "Yeah, Twilight."

"'Yes, Queen Arcadia Nova,'" she corrected.

"Yes, Queen Arcadia Nova."

"Thank you. Please step aside. I'm already behind schedule because of this discussion." Applejack begrudgingly stepped away and allowed Queen Arcadia to step past. Then watched her as she walked away.

"It's just... My family could have been in there," Applejack whispered.

Of course. Of course they would have been. Twilight stopped and looked over her shoulder. "I know," she whispered. "But if your family reached my land, many of my innocent families would have died with them. So it's either them, or you Applejack. Remember. This is a war. Not a play fight. When we hit you, we aim to take you down. This isn't like King Sombra or Discord. If they bite you, you may in fact die and never wake. So in this fight, it's kill or be killed. I'm sorry you all have to experience it like this, but it's just the way things are here. So you can either deal with it... Or you can leave and fight your own battles." And with that, the Queen of the mighty nation of Psera continued moving for her office.

She hated to tell it to her friends like that. She hated to see their faces fall. But Arcadia had to have a strong backbone. She would do anything to save her own country, let alone her family. She wasn't a simple mage anymore. She made thousands upon thousands of premade spells. And they were keeping her from finishing a very important one.

Her eyes on Twilight, Rarity slowly stepped up to Applejack and wrapped a hoof around her shoulders. "I'm sorry Applejack," she whispered. "But Twilight has a valid point. She has to do what she has to do. She has millions of ponies to look out for here."

Instead of replying, Applejack shrugged off Rarity's hoof, turned around and walked away with her head held low. They just watched her slink down the hallway moping. There was clearly an unsatisfied answer Applejack wanted. And Twilight's was not it.

Rainbow growled and turned to face Rarity with a scowl. "What was that about? She didn't have to talk to Applejack like that!"

"Actually, she can." They looked down the hall where Twilight went and where Sunset Shimmer was coming from. "Even more, she could have had her put in jail because she was disturbing her even when she told her to stop. Contempt of Royalty they call it. Psera is very different from Equestria." She stopped in front of them and explained, "Twilight told me what happened since I could hear her yelling all the way in Gardeen's office. She heard it too. So I came over to investigate and I caught her on the way back. I know you girls haven't been here for awhile, so I'll just get straight to the point with the most basic way I can say it."

Sunset took a deep breath and said, "Twilight is not a librarian or Princess anymore. She's a full fledged Queen with massive amounts of power and the power of a country stronger than any other under those massive wings. As well as a mother and wife.

"All of that rolled up into one equals super assertive protector. And it seems like Applejack just thought that Queen Arcadia's decision was a paranoid one that made Applejack possibly lose family in that attack. But Arcadia's right and she needs to see that. If she didn't send that command out, then it would have been way worse."



When Arcadia made it back to her office space after a bit of a walk, she ordered the four Elite Royal Guards standing outside her door, "Make sure I'm not disturbed until four please."

The one in control saluted and replied, "Yes, ma'am."

Assured, Arcadia used her magic to push her office doors open and walked inside one of her many safe havens on Psera. Then the doors were shut and locked.

Her hooves were light with weightlessness across sun-heated grass and soil on the way to her desk. Her wings softly dragged the grass behind her like a long cape. Disturbing dandelions and pushing aside the butterflies. Along the way, she leaned down and plucked a fresh one down from the ground with her teeth to munch on. She hasn't had any lunch today.

When she reached her desk, Arcadia lifted her large right wing and grabbed the documents from Serl to look at one more time. She really hoped they manage to get the cure in. Because if they didn't... Then there was no telling. Maybe when Maheera was taken out, the infected would become regular ponies again. But if they didn't, they'd at least have a cure to get them back.

She sighed and placed the documents on her desk. Then turned and walked over to the bookshelf. She knew what had to be done in case it didn't work. She wasn't looking forward to it, nor would the rest of Psera. But neither would Maheera if it came to this. And that was the mission. To get rid of Maheera. Forever. No matter what.

She pressed her right hoof against one of the many books on the right. A specific one written in Old Pseratopian labeled "The Sanctuary". She held it there momentarily before the entire bookshelf shifted. A crack was pulled open to further its motion, revealing the device on the other side. Just a regular gray steel box that she walked into with a single white light at the top. It was big enough to hold her wings and herself. And at least two others.

Once she was inside, she turned around and used her magic to shut the door-case back. Then the elevator dropped quickly. Like someone just let a cube of steel fall freely from the sky.

During the ride down many levels underground, Arcadia closed her eyes and tilted her head back. Breath in, breath out. Breath in, breath out. Applejack upset her state of zen. But it wasn't nothing she couldn't get over quickly. She was actually expecting the same conversation later with Celestia.

Arcadia opened her eyes when the rumbling stopped and the elevator slowed. Then lowered her head back down and focused on the golden bright hallway in front of her. It was just bare. Nothing else but a tunnel made of gold with magical diodes at the top providing light all the way up to two golden doors at the very end.

She stepped out of the elevator and calmly walked across the ragged golden tunnel, deep below the castle. Exceptionally far down inside of Psera's most top-secret secret. But she didn't care at this moment. Those above were safe and sound. They didn't need her, not until her Comm Block sounded off for an emergency. Until then, she was offline. Entirely offline.

She stopped at the doors and pulled open one of them. Thanks to her magical signature, it allowed her into the giant, long dark space inside. So big, it could hold three Aquatas. Lit up only by the bright blue lights shining from the rock above down onto the glossy floor below at the very bottom. And onto the many high and low steel walkways that allowed Arcadia to navigate through what were on those walls.

Books. Thousands upon thousands of texts. One would assume they found Twilight's insane library. Oh they found a library. They found the Queen's spell library. From intermediate teleportation spells to extremely advanced transfiguration spells. Life magic, light magic, dark magic, chaos magic, chained magic. The magic that when this happened, that would happen afterwards. There were thousands of binders crowding this tunnel with all the spells she's ever learned and the ones she herself created. That was half of them.

When Arcadia found this large space, she assumed Psera used it in the past for some reason because their crest was above the entry doors. The one with Narmeelah as the central image. She checked the records, the archives, the history books for a single clue about this place's origin. But she found nothing. So it now served as her magical testing and development center, and retired it from whatever original purpose it may have held.

Directly in front of her down below was her latest and most important creation still in its testing phase. A huge thick vertical disc. A disc carved out of gold—because this whole floor was made out of it—with twelve small circular cut outs near the edges facing her all connected with strange circuitry running throughout the face.

Queen Arcadia jumped over the safety rail of this never-ending maze and glided over to the giant disc. On the floor in front of it was her laboratory. Beakers, chemical compounds, LiVAMs, recording devices, cameras, all the goods. In front of the disc though was a long slightly tilted control panel. Knobs, sliders, buttons, and switches. On the floor leading away were giant cables connected to containers at the bottom left and right corners of the disc. And way more traveling to a darkened area behind her. Shrouded out of view by a shadow.

On her right after she landed was another table with a few LiVAMs stationed in front of a large control panel. It held a multiple number of knobs. What for, only she knew. But they held no service to the control of the large Disc.

Arcadia sighed and sat down in a cushioned seat at the control desk. Then she reached a hoof out and pressed a single button labeled "Simulation". Next on her schedule was to review what she already had prepared for defense.

The lights above switched on and a loud alarm blared right before the disc started rotating counterclockwise. Slowly at first then began picking up speed.

While it went faster and faster, Arcadia flipped a few more switches. And grabbed a notepad sitting nearby. White routing lines that came from the dig outs appeared on the disc as it moved. Then it flashed and turned into a white ball of light. Shining off the gold.

It made the Queen smile. Test complete. Status? Successful. She reached up to the top of the board and flipped down a single switch labeled "Master" to shut down all events. The whirring motors immediately started their descent into a slower speed while she took a few notes. Everything was ready now. There was no need to come back down here until this was needed.

Arcadia shut the notebook and stood back up with her eyes trained on the slowing disc coming to a stop. Eyeing her thousands of informative tomes that traveled further than the eye could see. Speaking of which, she needed to put the spell for this back in its place. Hopefully she wouldn't forget.



Approximately at four, Celestia eagerly walked the red velvet hallway of Psera's Royal Throne Room from her own. It was eerily silent up here. There wasn't any form of noise. She could honestly sleep up here if she had that option.

Celestia shook her head and made her way to the four Guards protecting the violet doors at the end. The ones in the middle had their bladed wings blocking the doors with eyes on her. Celestia stopped in front of them and said, "I have a meeting with Queen Arcadia at four."

Before they could respond, the doors to the office opened inwards on their own along with the second pair behind them.

"Let her in, please," Arcadia ordered. They lowered their wings and allowed Celestia to step into their Queen's sacred space. Then the doors slowly shut back into place with a soft click.

The Queen was sitting behind her desk outlined by the magical windows with her face hidden behind a single document. She pointed a hoof to one of the two mushrooms. "Have a seat Celestia. How are you today?"

Celestia gracefully sat down on one and answered, "Well, I would be much better if things weren't at this tense stalemate. Thank you so much for the symbolic gestures; IHT is very grateful." While Twilight sighed and replied, Celestia's roaming eyes scanned the documents on Queen Arcadia's desk. A bunch of symbols, words, and... SERL.

"We are reaching the point where my soldiers will be sent out to at least do recon—Did they seriously request this?" Arcadia grabbed a pen in her magic while Princess Celestia eyed the document. There was a boxed-in label at the top with a single term that made Celestia's blood run cold for a second:

Classified. There was an image of an infected mare being poked and prodded by a few ponies in white. But she looked normal from the neck line up.

Celestia ripped her eyes away at the same time Queen Arcadia lowered her documents. She placed the one planted with a big red "Denied" on top of the classified document. Then leaned forward on her desk. "I take it you are one of the many ponies going to ask me about my sudden decision to launch Railer One last night."

"Well... Yes, but—"

Queen Arcadia held up her hoof and replied, "Applejack had the same intention earlier that involved her denying me access to my destination. I could have had her arrested and thrown into detention for a week, but she was obviously just worried her family may have been affected. And honestly, based off that huge tree of hers, I wouldn't be surprised if at least four were. I told her that unless she's been in my shoes and have a country to look out for, she can't tell me how to run mine.

"Now as for your concerns. I greatly appreciate them, but I am fine and I know what I did. And yes, it was the right choice to make."

Despite her claim, Celestia was still worried. "Of course, I understand. But... Don't you believe that the others should be involved in decisions like this?"

"At twelve o'clock at night? Oh Celestia..." She leaned back and sighed with her eyes to the ceiling, and a thoughtful expression on her face. How does she put this tactfully? "As a reader of Equestrian history I must say this, and I do apologize beforehoof." She tapped her hooves together in front of her with slightly narrowed eyes trained on Celestia and stated boldly, "None of you could handle this."

Surprised, Celestia leaned back and replied, "Excuse me?"

"When I lived in Equestria, I read about the many battles and fights. There were many big ones that involved destruction and pain. But... There were no deaths. Not even when the Wendigos brought an eternal winter for a time. Winter. As in freezing cold air and snow. Ice. Possible starvation. Scientifically, ponies should have frozen to death by the scores. Or at least starved. But no. Zero, none, nothing.

"When the Storm King invaded, Queen Novo moved all her Ponies down underwater, and ponies in Equestria were just put in chains. When King Sombra took over the Crystal Empire, it was spelled with black magic and all those ponies disappeared. But they didn't die. As a matter of fact, when it was restored, they were still there. Like time never passed.

"When Discord invaded, everyone hid, your soldiers had chocolate rained down on their heads, and the grass came to life to hold them up in the air like poles. Then you came in and turned Discord to stone. But he broke free and continued his humorous chaos. He was still alive. Everyone was.

"Even King Sombra survived his own destructive spell. Tirek was the most strongest creature ever. He honestly would have wiped me and my friends out. He and Discord, the God of Chaos teamed up. How does that not spell death? Well it didn't. The closest we've ever gotten to death was when the Storm King invaded. That was close. But it still didn't happen."

Twilight sighed and stood up to slowly walk around the left side of her desk. Celestia turned her body to face her when her body was in sight. "Let me ask you a really big question, Princess. If Psera and Equestria did in fact go to war..." She stopped in front of Celestia and sat down to stare directly into her eyes. "Would you kill me?"

Celestia just stared deep into Twilight's kind violet eyes. There was an unreadable emotion in them. "I... Don't know," she whispered. She couldn't. This was her student. She watched her grow up into the strong mare she was today ever since she was a filly. Her surrogate daughter. She taught her the basic things in life when books and scrolls weren't options. That question shouldn't even have left anypony's mouth.

Twilight sighed and replied, "Then you lose the war. Psera has a massive army, and they aren't afraid to slaughter. Hopefully, you'll never have to experience that. But if you ever did..."

The sword of Arcadia was suddenly teleported out of its glass casing on the wall into her hooves. She whirled around and sliced it effortlessly through the air. Then brought the blade right at the nape of Celestia's neck and froze. Celestia barely had time to get up. "You have to learn that major sacrifices must be made... In order to keep your own safe. No matter how big. Because last night, I only had a few seconds to make that decision. Before that point there was no third layer of defense. The second they got through that fleet would be the same second they got into my nation. And I seriously doubt you or any of the others could have made the decision to kill within a matter of five to ten seconds. Because you've never had to in all of your years."

Celestia relaxed when the sword was teleported back in its casing and Arcadia walked back around her desk to continue her explanation. "I understand how you feel though. It hurt me too when I launched Railer One. Old friends of mine could have been victims too. All of you seem to forget I used to live in Equestria. I lived there longer than I lived in Psera. My birth family and extended family are there. My friends live there. My old ones, my current ones. I went to school there. But if you were infected Celestia, and you were going after one of my own... Then I would unfortunately have to hurt you."

Arcadia sat down in her chair and added, "And I would not enjoy it. I shed tears last night when I launched that weapon. But it's my duty. As Queen of Psera I have to protect my citizens by any means necessary. If Equestria went to war and I had to fight you, Cadance, Luna, and even my own brother Shining, then... I would follow right after you when I did the deed. I want you to come to court with me tomorrow."

Celestia asked, "Your weekly court? Why?"

"I want to show you, Luna, and Princess Cadance how different Psera is from the rest of the world. So different in fact, even the Nobles are more loud."

Of course they were. Celestia nodded and stood up. "I'll let them know. Thank you, Twilight."

"You're welcome, Celestia. Dawn's birthday is after tomorrow, I'm sure she'd like to see you there."

"Of course I'll be there. 'Til tomorrow." Twilight watched Princess Celestia canter towards the doors and even opened one for her. Once she was out, she closed it back and closed her eyes. Nothing else happened after that. But a small tear did roll down Queen Arcadia's right cheek.

A voice from her left grumbled, "Jeez, that was cold."

Arcadia sighed and said, "It has to be said by someone who actually knows." She moved her gaze from the doors over to the left and eyed Odega checking out the small stream. "What was the decision?"

Odega poked her hoof into the water. It turned into a fiery blue before she pulled it back out. "They want you to partake in the final fight," she answered. Then straightened up and trained her blue eyes on Queen Arcadia. "You still haven't told me about this great plan of yours."

Arcadia shook her head and said, "The great plan may not even occur if Serl's plan works. If it doesn't... Then I will use the first part of my great plan."

Odega jumped over onto one of the mushrooms in front of her desk and answered, "So can I know or..."

"Sorry, no. But I can tell you this. It's an extreme last resort."
> Chapter 26 - Tense Nobility
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pinkie was sad. And there was only one reason for that: No one was happy. Applejack and Twilight had an argument... Sort of. The Princesses were on tense hooves with the country. A town of innocent ponies were killed last night...

She walked the rest of the way back to the Castle's entrance slowly in sadness with her mane down and eyes to the bright floors. "Everybody's angry," she whispered. "Scared, unhappy. Why can't everypony just be happy?"

"Pinkie." She stopped at the Golden Hoofshoes and straightened up to face Queen Arcadia... With a smile? Pinkie still held that frown, added to with a confused expression. "I am in need of your services."

Pinkie sighed and deadpanned, "What services?"

Arcadia looked past Pinkie Pie then behind her. All clear, she leaned in and whispered, "...party services."

Pinkie's mane immediately shot back up with that smile. "Party?" She repeated. "A party? What type of party?"

"Birthday. Location? Here in the Castle's Green Ballroom on the third floor. Pony?... Fresh Dawn. She's turning five on Thursday."

Pinkie reached out of Twilight's vision and grabbed a black top hat from somewhere unseen. Then whispered, "So... What does Fresh Dawn like? Music, magic, mini ponies? Balloons? Arts and Crafts? What type of Cake?"

Arcadia sat down in front of Pinkie and answered in one go, "Fresh Dawn likes action movies, magic, balloons, games, staying active, Dark Dusk her best friend, her other friends at School, and Aunt Merry."

Tense serious eyes were on Twilight when Pinkie reached up into her mane and pulled out a notepad. Then a pen popped out from between her lips and she wrote all of it down. She had no idea what a movie was though. Twilight stopped trying to figure Pinkie out a long time ago. After her note taking was done, Pinkie sucked the pen back in and whispered, "Now... It's time to get to business." Then zipped out of sight before she came back and said, "Oh and you might want to apologize to Applejack. I haven't seen her, but my Pinkie Sense is telling me she's in the cafeteria downstairs moping." Then was once again gone.

Arcadia's smile dropped at that. Then she dropped her head and sighed behind her veil of violet mane. Of course Applejack was taking this hard. Anypony would after what she learned. Where was she again? If Arcadia didn't want any bad blood between them she had to go speak to her. Cafeteria.

Arcadia lit her horn and teleported to the entrance of that exact area. It was a little busy at this hour with Pserateps congregating and more over food.

She walked in and looked around a bit before the standing and bowing. "As you were," she ordered. Then continued to look around. There she was. Applejack was sitting in a red cushioned booth in the far corner all alone. Watching the events around her unfold with careful eyes. Avoiding eye contact with her. Better change that.

Arcadia sucked her lips in and passed other Pserateps conversing to walk over to Applejack, still avoiding eye-contact. Close enough, Arcadia slid into the seat across and pulled in her wings underneath. That was always a struggle but a welcomed one. Once she was comfortable, she whispered, "Applejack."

Applejack turned her head to face her and Twilight could tell that she was struggling. She was still avoiding eye contact and there was that quiver in her eyes. Twilight sighed and whispered, "Pinkie said you weren't taking this too well. So we're going to talk about it."

Applejack shook her head and replied, "Well I don't wanna talk about it, you already said what you had to say."

Twilight rolled her eyes and teleported them out of the cafeteria back into her office. She had Applejack sitting on a mushroom and her behind her desk. But the ride as usual gets a pony's mind jumbled. Applejack shook her head and stated, "You know I don't like that."

"I know, but we need privacy. I just spoke to Celestia about the same thing you're obviously upset with me about. The deaths of ponies."

"Twilight, I really—"

"We're talking about this Applejack. And you're not leaving until you do. What about this bothers you so much?"

Applejack shook her head and honestly answered, "Because those were innocent ponies, Twilight."

"Underneath, yes. But as long as Maheera spreads her magic they're evil ponies who tried to take Psera at night. They're the enemy and we are defending our home."

"But they'll never be able to go home once this is all over," Applejack countered.

"I know, and I'm sorry. But the fact of the matter is this: My country was attacked and we responded to their lethal offense with our lethal defense. End of story."

Applejack shook her head and crossed her hooves. "I still don't think it's right, Twilight."

Arcadia rolled her eyes and sat back in her seat with that same bland expression. She had to be tough. She had to be daunting. She had to be forward and bold. "What do you want me to do?"

Applejack glanced up at her with confusion in her eyes. "I want you to find more peaceful options. Nopony wants you causing deaths."

"Well tough luck, Applejack. Because the whole world is losing ponies. Including those on your safe haven. My kingdom. My home. My husband's home. My daughter's home. I made that decision to protect my family, my citizens, and my country. And your life. The least you could do is be grateful that the real enemy did not make it to land to possibly kill you and the family you have."

Applejack sighed and looked back down to the floor. It didn't take a genius to learn you've made the Queen angry. She looked back up and said, "I know, I'm really sorry Twi. I get it, I do, I'm just... Moving to here, leaving everything behind, the three day journey, it's a little much and I can't deal with it."

Twilight sighed with pity. She remembered when she was in that stage when she first started out as Queen. "I'm very sorry you have to experience things like this, Applejack," she apologized. "I really am. Psera is... Really really different from other nations. Scary actually. Psera has never attracted trouble for centuries, but they have before like Equestria. Just more dangerous. A lot of Pserateps suffered. And our mission as the Government of Psera is to make sure that peace is maintained. No matter the costs. But I promise Applejack, it will get better."

Applejack sighed and nodded her head rapidly. So overwhelmed she was on the verge of tears. "Yeah... Thanks, Queen Twilight."

"Anytime, Applejack. I know what can make you feel better though." Applejack watched Twilight's smile grow bigger into a full grin. "My daughter's fifth birthday is after tomorrow."

Applejack's frown turned upside down. She waved a hoof her way and said, "Aw shucks, Twi. You know you ain't gotta ask. Of course I'll be there."

"Oh I know. But here's the thing." Arcadia leaned in and excitedly whispered, "Dawn. Really. Loves. Apples!"

Applejack's posture shot up straight at that. "Whoa, nelly! You pullin' my tail, Twi?"

Twilight shook her head and went rummaging around in her desk. "Nope. She loves all kinds of apples and the creations made with them. And since your Apple products are top of the line all over Equestria, I was hoping..."

Applejack stood up and assumed, "You want me to bake your filly some Apple Treats? Of course I will Twilight. Only problem is uhh..." Applejack looked around and said, "I... Need a stove."



Dawn was already in her bed while her parents talked in the Royal Suite's living room. The windows showed the darkness of Cop and the ponies still out looking around. The single light above shined down on Twilight cuddled up under Madun's chin. She was leaning into his right wing, telling him about the day. Serl, the Applejack incident, the Celestial explanation, the Applejack incident volume two, and preparations for Dawn's party.

Madun listened when his wife said, "I have court tomorrow. And I'm bringing the rulers of Equestria with me."

He hummed and playfully nuzzled her glowing mane. "Mmm, where will they be sitting?"

"There will be a booth on the side of my own creation. I'm expecting a lot of grime and gripe tomorrow concerning our refugees."

Madun sighed and rolled his eyes. Of course when he wasn't there Pserateps get testy. And they both knew many ponies in Psera weren't too happy about the choice to keep them here for the time being. He replied, "Everyone is. I'm taking Dawn to school tomorrow." Madun wrapped Twilight in his hooves and leaned back on the couch so she was on top of him looking deep into her eyes. "But I'm not worried about those innocent nobles."

"I'm sure you meant ignorant."

"Yeah. The House of Merna especially. Make sure you try to appease them and not tempt them to tempt you, okay?"

Arcadia nuzzled under his chin and whispered, "I never do. I have control of my emotions, dear."

"Still..." He moved Twilight's chin so she was facing his smile. "It's still best to remember we're setting an example. Okay?"

Twilight's nod was the response he needed before he and she shared a romantic moment between husband and wife. Then she pulled back and whispered, "Okay. I'll remember it. Now we need to get some sleep, we both have another busy day tomorrow."

Twilight moved off of the couch and watched Madun as he copied her movements. Then they started the move for the master bedroom in the back next to Madun's office. Along the way, Twilight peeked in Fresh Dawn's bedroom and giggled at the state she was in. Whatever game she was playing, it had her in a position that involved her with Sky Blue on her face, and every last single toy all over the place. Whatever happened in here had her snoring.

Madun peeked in over Twilight and whispered, "She was doing a lot of throwing in here with her toys, so... I'll clean it up in the morning."

"That's so cute." Arcadia stalked in towards the side of Fresh Dawn's bed. Watching her snore and mumble incoherent things. She leaned down and softly pecked her forehead under her horn.

"I love you, sweetie," she whispered. Dawn reached up and absentmindedly stroked her mother's cheek.

Arcadia slowly backed towards the door with her eyes on Dawn. Then walked with Madun towards the bedroom. They needed sleep themselves. If only they could sleep like a foal again.


~✶~


The coast of Psera held millions of gallons of water. Fish, sea creatures, all types of creatures. Beyond it was the PDS Obelisk Line. Glowing bright through the night. Completely undisturbed from the events the night before. The defensive line of Aquatas on the sea in the same vertical line as them.

Beyond it were dark waters. Further than the eye could see. The skies were filled with Luna's stars and moon. Bright and pretty. Until they were blocked by the ever growing haze of dust, dirt and smoke. Las Pegasus shores' were annihilated save for the giant steel block delivered by Psera. It held giant scratches on it thanks to Maheera Dark attempting to take it down. All she managed to do was snap off a claw and irk herself. Her magic didn't work on it, leaving it to rust with the rest of the homes.

Equestria was once again a wasteland. The howling wind was the only sound save for the hackling and cackling of conscious plant life. Every now and then through the smog a single infected creature would fly, slink, slide, or zip out of sight. The mountain of Canterlot was lost. A huge section of the castle itself had bee shaved off on the side, leaving one half intact and the other desolate. Underneath the city lava flowed out of cracks and breaks in the streets. The tracks for the Friendship express to Ponyville and beyond were broken.

The infected stood around stoic; Royal Guards of Equestria and her citizens, Hippogriffs, Neighton, Alicorns, millions occupy Equestria. And beyond the city of Canterlot and past Manehattan sat Mount Aris followed by the surrounding countries

But Maheera wasn't worried about the other lands. What used to be Queen Novo's magnificent and beautiful throne room now served as Maheera's. All would remain the same and no redecorating would occur. The need to ruin a perfect throne room was nonexistent. Although she preferred Psera's way more. Who wouldn't? Gold on one's cotton, homes the size of mansions for only one pony, more land than they knew what to do with. Instead they called it sacred land. Selfish. Just like Narmeelah.

From the high sitting throne, Maheera as a Unicorn eyed the doors across with distaste and disgust. Her hooves were pushed together in front of her mouth., her eyes narrowed with focus. After the attempted storm to Psera failed, she focused her sights entirely on the pony who more than likely defended it. That purple Pseratep with a horn. Her opposite was busy. She could smell the blood of Narmeelah in her veins. The magic Narmeelah once held before her demise.

She was the blockade for Psera. The strongest and the only one able to get a hit in on her. Without her, the world was hers for the taking. But it's a definite struggle. She was not one to take as a joke. The first attempt literally meant the disappearance of all her pawns. Maheera underestimated her power. As a pony, she was expecting her to try and save them. But no. She got rid of them. Maheera had to give it to this Pseratep. She was smart. Very smart. But Maheera was smarter.

Maheera hummed and held out her hoof. Offering a massive current of sand poured and gathered on the floor. A pond of tan before her black magic surrounded it. The sand split off into small equal-sized circles on the floor. They grew vertically into the shape of boulders and molded together. Maheera joined her hooves together once more while a smirked plastered on her face. Watching her creations take form. Around Eighty black Sea Ponies were created. Mangled with the wings of small dragons and teeth sharper than any razor. Eyes red as the blood of their enemy and coats as black as shadows in the night. Growling and dripping with drool, eager for a taste of flesh.

Maheera stood and slowly walked down the steps of the throne. Red eyes followed and ears swiveled as each step mirrored the dropping of stones and rocks.

She pointed to the East and commanded, "Head to Psera and invade their land quietly. Do not hurt any creature, only listen. Go."

The one directly in the front leaned its head back and yelled. Cheered. Actually, scream was a better term for it. Like a mare screaming when Maheera first attacked, it was music to her ears. The disfigured creatures all ran for the glass windows and sailed right through them to take to the open air. Maheera only took a deep breath and sighed. Those were really nice windows.

The creatures soared through the night air over Manehattan quickly. Then Canterlot, Ponyville, and finally Las Pegasus before they pulled in their wings and angled down into the black waves. Blacker than oil. Once all eighty were in, The hidden gills on their necks showed themselves and began the process of providing oxygen. Then they were off, zipping towards the coast of Psera at a near-Pseratep speed and screaming through the waves with glowing red eyes trained on the horizon. Danger is approaching.



Celestia wasn't sure if there was a certain attire required to attend Psera's court. Was it formal or just come as you are? With this country it could be anything! And she certainly didn't want to risk making a mockery of their customs. She couldn't ask a guard as of yet, so she decided to go as is, albeit clean and groomed topped off with her regalia. A little bit of both. Although they were refugees with barely anything in their name, a brush was one of the things needed to look pretty and presentable. At least to a mare, let alone a Princess.

The bed behind Celestia's form had been made before the sun was even scheduled to rise. Leaving her plenty of time to clean up, groom and gander from her window over the home of her student. Then to raise the sun. Poor Psera would blow their perfect heads if it didn't rise. Their military definitely. Equestria alone was worried sick and stayed indoors that time.

At the same time the moon began to lower for a nap, Celestia began the raising of the sun. The orange glow soon bathed the town of Cop in a warm heat, a welcomed one that many awaited for the perfect time to untangle their feathers. Would it rain today? The elements ran by nature here, no Pegasi scheduling rains or storms. Or even snow that they knew of. She'll have to ask Twilight when they see her this morning. Or any other Pseratep for that matter.

Once the sun was perfectly raised and positioned, Celestia made her way to her room's entrance to face the day head-on. Based off of past conversations with the Royalty of Psera, as well as Federal Offices, court always started at nine on the dot. That was when the throne room doors opened to let in the first pony. And based off of past events, Twilight has a busy week. Hopefully not too busy to miss her daughter's fifth birthday party. Before the double digits start coming in, there was always the big five. It's the foal version of when a pony first turns thirteen.

Celestia couldn't remember when she turned thirteen. She was almost two thousand years old now, thirteen was so long ago. She sighed and used her magic to open the door to her room. Sure enough when she walked out, she knew today was going to be busy.

Pserateps wearing Queen Arcadia's crest, or rather her cutie mark on their suits and ties walked past with clipboards, notebooks, and paper documents heading for the throne room. She's never actually witnessed Court before here. How did it work? It couldn't be the same as it were with Equestria. Everything here was different than everywhere else. It can't possibly work the same way.

"Busy enough for you, sister?" Celestia eyed Luna walking her way with two Terquimas in her magic, chewing with satisfaction. What was she doing up? After she lowers the moon, Luna would typically go to sleep after a busy night. Instead she was wearing her crown, her coat was groomed, and her eyes twinkled with life.

When offered the second, Celestia took a bite while Luna explained. "Our dreams are pleasant and peaceful. There was no need for too much interference. Only a few and we were having pleasant dreams ourselves. I went down to the kitchen and grabbed a bite to eat. Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle has a very busy day ahead of her, for there is a line traveling from the foyer, up the main stairs, down the third floor hall, then up the velvet stairs to the throne room."

Celestia couldn't imagine the kind of energy Twilight could have dealing with ponies of that magnitude. She took a bite of the Terquima and grimaced from the spinach inside. She was more of a cake-early-in-the-morning pony. Of course, she'd never admit to that out loud.

Swallowing her food, Celestia asked, "Is Cadance awake yet?"

The door on the left side of the room opened and the mare forementioned poked her head out. "I am," Cadance answered. "I was just getting Flurry ready. Shining's up too. What time are we supposed to be in the room?"

Celestia didn't know, but Luna did. She answered, "Nine thirty. They shifted the time thirty minutes later."

The door for Madam Singe opened up next and she walked out with her mane and tail done, and her visitor's pass on. As well as the Queen's symbolic gesture of unity. Something they all nearly forgot. Not to mention that presentable smile. While they used their magic to grab the forgotten items, she walked over and asked, "Are you all attending Queen Arcadia's court this morning as well?"

As well? Cadance tilted her head to the side and asked, "You're going to attend too?"

"Yes. Before we were given these gifts, I told Queen Arcadia how I wanted to be a better leader. She said the first step to knowing what to do always lied in the throne room. At least here."

She wasn't wrong. You learn from experience, or the experienced. Twilight's judgement has a mostly solid record with a few boo boos here and there. But overall, above average. As was her life's accomplishment. If anyone could teach Madam Singe about being a good leader, it was her.

Celestia nodded and replied, "She is correct. If everyone is ready, we'll move to the throne room."

After their doors were shut, Luna and Celestia led the other two down the hall before Cadance asked, "So... If I know Twilight, then she probably already has something setup for us somehow."

"That she does." Gardeen stepped out of a nearby locked stairwell and gestured with her head for them to enter. She was wearing her badge and had on a basic white and purple suit and tie. Once they were inside, she closed it back and started the trek up one of the most isolated parts of this huge castle. A pair of steel stairs in this place was quite normal compared to what they've seen so far.

While they ascended to floor three Gardeen explained, "You'll be taking the back entrance away from prying eyes. The Queen told me about everything going on right now between your opinions on the Railer One issue. She wants to show you the difference between Psera's civilians and Equestria's civilians personally."

Gardeen stopped in front of a steel door and pulled it open. They stepped out onto the red velvet carpet and turned right for Queen Arcadia's office space. Madun's office space was actually on the other side of the Castle whilst hers was right next to the throne room. Very convenient to her considering those large wings. Those things must not be easy to drag around.

Before they reached her room doors, Gardeen took a sudden left and ventured down a hallway none of them had ever seen before. It was dark and bare, accentuated only by neon green overhead lights. Then they turned a sudden left and continued onto a much more narrow hallway into a wide space.

Still red floors, there was a large table in between two bathrooms with a large sixteen by nine picture of the Royal family. All of them. A little ways away was a resting area. Snacks, water bottles, a table with a few LiVAMs on the side. All on a marble floor.

Earlier than usual, Queen Arcadia was waiting for them with a horde of assistants and all around her and her daughter. In the back were two Elite Royal Guards standing by, with one of them having a seat on her back.

Fresh Dawn was looking up to her mother with cute little saddlebags and eyes as wide as plate saucers, twinkling with hope and dreams. One of them had a stuffed bear poking out. If Dawn got any cuter they'd melt.

Twilight pulled Dawn close and said, "Thanks for escorting me to work, sweetie. I feel safer already."

"You're welcome, mommy." Dawn levitated out the stuffed teddy bear and set it down in between her and her mom. "Mr. Hugs thought it was a great idea to show how much of a big filly I am. Isn't that right, Mr. Hugs?" Mr. Hugs must've said a very bad word because Dawn gasped and whispered, "Mr. Hugs, you can't say that about our friends. Daddy said that's a curse word—"

"And on that note, it's time for school." Arcadia lifted Dawn and Mr. Hugs in her magic and slapped her down on the Guard behind her. Mr. Hugs in hoof, she strapped Dawn in and kissed her cheeks. "Have a good day at school. Mommy has to work."

Dawn waved to the ponies in the room. "Teqormo, Fiet!" She said. "Teqormo, teqormo!"

The Guards made their way through the waving ponies replying teqormo. When they passed her extended family, Dawn waved and said, "Teqormo! Teqormo!"

Celestia waved but didn't say anything else. She knew absolutely no Old Pseratopian. It didn't take a genius to know Dawn said goodbye but she knew it wouldn't sound right coming out of her mouth. Better to keep it closed.

Cadance abandoned the door and skipped up to Queen Arcadia. "Ohhh, Dawn is just the cutest!"

Arcadia floated a document to look at from an assistant and replied, "Dawn wants to protect mommy from the monsters of her dreams and nightmares. I feel so much safer."

"I'm pretty sure she knows mommy can protect herself."

Arcadia laughed and sadly shook her head. "Well, Mr. Hugs thinks otherwise. She listens to him a lot more than she listens to me. Thank you all for being prompt. We don't really appreciate tardiness around here."

Celestia didn't realize Arcadia needed this many assistants. And in reality she didn't, according to conversations from the past. But these ponies actually came in handy at times. Celestia didn't know what it was like for an immense amount of ponies to reach her ears complaining. But Twilight had five years of experience.

Queen Arcadia was currently dressed in a light pink dress that allowed her wings to flow out the sides and onto the floor behind her. She had her horn decorated with those rings and chains. Underneath it was a bright reflective silver gem in between the top of her eyelashes. And around her eyes were smaller versions completely symmetrical to each other to accentuate her purple. Then there was her crown, shiny and polished. Topped off with light mascara and eye shadow.

Her eyes were scanning a long document at the moment with focus. With a stallion standing nearby speaking with her. So the Princesses stood back and allowed her to do her thing. After a few seconds she nodded and said, "Make sure that they sign the other half too just in case. Different departments require the same signature in both parts sometimes. Just a precaution." She gave the document back to the stallion who bowed and shuffled off. Leaving Queen Arcadia to the Princesses. She smiled at them and greeted, "Good morning. I'm surprised to see Cadance up this early."

Cadance pretended mock offense by shooting her head to the side and the ceiling. "Well I never!"

Twilight giggled and motioned towards the golden doors in front of her. "Based off of my front staff, we have a full house today of around five hundred..."

Celestia craned her neck and replied, "That's a full house?"

"You didn't let me finish. We have a full house of around five hundred nobility, and about six hundred citizens. A single pony in one noble house takes around fifty minutes to appease roughly. So this morning, I will have to be a little more assertive to get everyone in. There's a bench on the side I setup personally for you."

Celestia and the others nodded while Twilight shifted her attention up to the clock. Nine twenty-three. "Okay, let's move everyone."

The Pserateps around stopped talking and jogged ahead of the queen as she moved for the door. Celestia and the others were the very last behind them for the clear respectful reason. Gardeen was by her side reading a document while two Guards at the end grabbed the handles of the golden plated doors and pulled them open. Exposing the back of the throne.

It was always a truly magnificent sight to see Psera's royal throne room. Full of color, life, and attention. The ceiling was still the prettiest picture while the decorative and supportive columns reflected the sun coming from the windows.

Madam Singe just looked around in silence. Her mind was already blown away by the outside magnificence. Now her mind was just gone.

Up ahead were the four thrones. But only one would be occupied today. While her staff moved forward, Queen Arcadia took her time. She turned to Gardeen and said, "Odega still has yet to point me towards this Neemorah. I need to speak with her soon."

Gardeen replied, "We'll talk to her during the lunch. If we have one, that is." Twilight smirked when Gardeen raised her eyes knowingly. "Arcadia, you're taking a lunch today."

Twilight sighed and gave in. There was no moving on her surrogate daughter when she had her mind set. "Ohhh alright. But only because I'm definitely going to be under the weather after today."

They walked around the thrones before Arcadia lifted her large right wing towards an area on the right facing the red carpet. There was a region on the side that held four large red cushions behind a small red wooden divider.

"You four are over there," Arcadia instructed. Then turned a left to begin the short walk up the stairs to her throne.

While they moved, Madam Singe whispered, "This room is really pretty."

Celestia skipped over Dawn's throne and took a comfortable seat at her own. "Yes," she replied. "When we first saw it we were just like you. A bit more speechless than scared." Celestia scanned the rest of the room and eyed the different tables set up around them.

So this was Queen Arcadia and King Madun's court. There were three tables on each side that held different labels. Royal Cashier, Appointment, Local Resources, Homeland Security, Pseratep Executive Resources, and Local Resources. A few of them had one or two of Queen Arcadia's assistants behind them. Their tables were flanked by two guards each.

Their eyes shifted up to Queen Arcadia herself. She was making herself comfortable on the throne by spreading out her large wings among the rest of them and sitting straight up with a smile on her face.

"Time?" She asked.

Gardeen was seated in a swiveling chair next to the throne behind a much larger desk with a single notebook and clock on the top left corner. She looked to it and answered, "Nine twenty-nine, your highness."

Arcadia nodded then turned to the guests. "Remember to keep your comments to yourself. For some reason even I don't understand, some ponies are actually allowed to comment on the King and Queen's ability to rule. I'm not sure why, but it's allowed." She turned back to the front of the room and stomped her hoof once. The sound reverberated loudly around the room before she yelled, "ENTER!"

The Guards at the entrance grabbed the handles to the door and pulled them open the second the clock hit nine-thirty, letting in a young couple definitely coming from nobility. A fancy blue mare with a strange hairstyle and a stallion with a short one in a really fancy coat. Unlike most of the Pserateps Luna saw out there, these two were a lot more extra, and had a stuck up look on their faces. They didn't even seem to notice the Guests on the side.

When they reached Queen Arcadia's throne, they bowed and greeted at the same time, "Good morning, Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle."

Arcadia replied, "How may I serve you?"

"We've come to file an executive complaint with RayRay's Section Nine."

"What is the basis for this complaint?"

The mare stepped forward and answered, "We feel our house of Nobility, House Merritahn, was disrespected by their Senior Director of Operations."

Queen Arcadia nodded and motioned towards the table reading Pseratep Resources on the right. "Please consult with the Representative from Highside Resources, he will supply you with what you need to do to get your complaint properly filed by me."

They bowed once more and replied, "Thank you, your highness." Then shuffled off for the mentioned table.

Once they were over there, Queen Arcadia stomped her hoof loud once more and ordered, "ENTER!"



Once the sun rose out from the horizon, it was time for the night crew of Psera's defensive line of Aquata's to switch out. The Aqua Guard were trained to stand Guard and observe all night. But the keyword was just that. All night. Now it was time for the day guard to take over and allow them to sleep.

The bell on all of the Aquatas rang out before the move started. A few of the mares at the helm of one of the many Aquatas groaned and immediately shuffled back.

"Finally," she muttered. "Eleven hours and not a thing. Don't be too tense honey, that water is about as still as ice."

The stallion she called honey just walked past shaking his head for her place. Then stood still and watched the waves for movement. But it weren't with the waves. They were under.

Underneath the steel-grey of the ships, under the splashing waves of ocean were a swarm of swimming Infected Sea Ponies. It took them all night, but they made it. To Psera. The Paradise of the world. They flew past the PDS Obelisk Line triggering an alert back on land that looked like a small fish.

A single Sea Pony flew forward ahead of the pack and screamed in the water, creating bubbles and such that popped to the surface. Sending out a command signal. Once they were out of any possible sight, forty slowly rose to the surface. The fins on their backs rose out of the blue waves first before their black and bright red eyes. Then they shot out and flew into the airspace of Psera.

The ones in the ocean swam deeper until their bodies were skimming over the mud. Then sunk down and started digging tunnels into Psera. Forty on land, forty underneath.



While Queen Arcadia was on the throne in Cop, Madun was dealing with family and the war. First, Fresh Dawn had to be dropped off at school. Before her mother left she was bouncing off the walls yelling, "Tomorrow's my birthday, tomorrow's my birthday! Remember mommy, remember daddy?! Tomorrow's my birthday!"

Next, she's all, "School is boring!" Oh the mind of a foal was quite interesting. An interesting thought humoring her father during his escort through The Office of Defense to its situation room. They finally had a plan to get the spy in. As well as the pony for the job. Now they could start planning offensive steps and take back what was once theirs.

It were a mere minutes before he stepped into the same dark room as Secretary Manny, General Bold Shoulder, General Neon Lightning, General Mack Land, and Admiral Shooting Star. All standing around a glowing glass table embedded with a display facing the dim ceiling. Despite all the thirty-something seats in here, these six were the only ones inside.

Madun walked in and raised a hoof when they stood at attention. "At ease," he ordered. "What do you have?"

Secretary Manny approached the table and commanded the controls to pull visuals on the far wall of the room. One was of a very familiar Elite Guard with an impressive score. Another, a map edited with route paths surging over Equestria.

Manny introduced, "Meet Private Smalls. Trained in the Elite Guard and part of the team that rescued the foreigners. During her training, she impressed even me with a score of ninety-seven in both the evasive flying portion, and visual portion."

Madun sat down with the rest of the executives and assumed, "Quick spying."

"From fifty-thousand feet."

"Holy buck, what type of glasses does she have, and where can I get a pair?"

General Bold shoulder laughed deeply and answered, "Her mother gave her those eyes. She was in the Elite Guard many years ago and served in the Gold Wars. She was our top aerial Command Colonel. Could spot an enemy from miles up. Her daughter is just as good. We've selected her to go deep over enemy territory and get a good reading."

Aqua General Neon Lightning said, "Based off of air analysis from Queen Arcadia's Obelisk Line, miles before hitting Equestria will in fact be dusty. Everything after that will be the same. She's flown through fire, she can handle dust."

King Madun did not doubt that. Based off her score, she could fly in and out of a national emergency Hurricane. He hummed and asked, "How will we be getting the data?"

"We're placing a high speed shutter camera on her to take a series of pics until the mission is complete. We're expecting it to take two to three hours. Now, because everything is destroyed, we'll have representatives of both Equestria's and Mount Aris' main cities in the command center to help as the mission progresses."

"Excellent. Now what about her safety?"

"We'll be providing a radar on her back as she flies. We'll be warning her of anything that pops up. For the mission we'll also be supplying sonar to help us get a read on how densely populated regions are with Infected. She's going to be a little packed."

"Perfect. And if she's spotted by Maheera Dark?"

"Then it's literally going to be like a cat chasing a bee. We'll be watching her."

"Great. Where do I sign?"

While Madun and the Generals were discussing plans, they all failed to notice the eyes in Smalls' photograph glowing an abnormal bright neon red. Then they narrowed and disappeared back to her normal red.

On the gravel roof of that same building Maheera's Infected sea pony reopened its eyes from the ledge and flapped its wings to zip back into the blue sky. It shrieked to the air, ringing the ears of whomever heard it.

Back on Mount Aris, Maheera grinned her own sharp teeth and opened her evil yellow reptilian eyes to train on the carpet.

"A spy, huh?" She muttered. "Good. come to me, Narmeelah's descendant."



Two hundred so far. But the foreign rulers were used to that and passed the time by taking gulps of the drinks supplied to them in wine glasses from an assistant. Pseratep after Pseratep walked through those same doors onto this magnificent floor, bowed, stated their problems, the Queen would direct them to one of the tables in the room to fill out a form, then that form was passed over to Gardeen who would pass over specific ones to Queen Arcadia later. It's happened over two hundred times. Luckily, there were no bad-mouthing ponies.

Until now. Celestia's eyes were beginning to droop slightly when Arcadia woke her up with another single hoof stomp. "Enter!"

Then the doors pushed open and Cadance whispered in Celestia's ear, "Uh oh."

Celestia looked up and was about to say the same thing. Three nobles walked in. But unlike the others, these were definitely trouble. All three had narrowed eyes trained on Queen Arcadia, showing off their riches.

One of them was a mare with a seafoam blue coat with a white and dark blue mane and tail setup in a fancy hairstyle. She had nine foot wings and dark yellow eyes that were nowhere near innocent. Gold and diamonds littered her attire in an ever glowing show of wealth.

Another, a stallion with an off-white coat and a gray mane and tail with a single red streak. He had nine foot wings and dark blue eyes with a white stubble beard. He wore a white dress suit like many others. A suspected Psera trend. How did they slip into those?

And the final pony to walk in came as she was. With a dark red coat that reminded Madam Singe of punch, eight foot wings, a straight "wet styled" mane and tail, and ruby red eyes. None of them looked happy.

When they reached the throne, they bowed and the Seafoam blue mare greeted, "Queen Arcadia."

Arcadia lowered her document and ordered, "Good morning. How may I serve you?"

They rose back up and replied, "We'd like to file a complaint concerning recent decisions the Government has made involving you directly."

The rulers on the side could feel something interesting was about to happen. Even a few of the assistants and officials glanced up from their works to witness this exchange.

Oh boy, here we go again. With a sigh, Arcadia nodded and gestured with her hoof. May as well get this over with. "Proceed."

"We find that the decision to allow foreign ponies on our land despicable, and your ruling as Queen unconstitutional, unlawful and awful."

It was like a pony dropped a bomb in the room. All eyes shifted straight to them and conversations ended. The blue mare pointed at herself and said, "I, Pudge Mount, Head of House Lightgold has seen many things that Narmeelah would not allow in your rule, and actually careless. She would not have allowed magic on her land. And it is written in the laws of Narmeelah that when the king marries a blooded Pseratep they will be given the choice to rule. But you are thankfully not a blooded Pseratep."

At that Arcadia had to bite her lip. Apparently they don't pay attention to their news network. The mare on the left with the juice coat added, "Furthermore, the mobilization of the Psera military should belong to the king solely, not to the Queen who has absolutely no experience in any type of battle. Or violence of any kind."

"Oh no she didn't," Cadance whispered.

The stallion on the right of the middle mare went next. "Based off of recent events, we are suggesting you return to being a shotty Staff of Royal House rather than Royal Control to direct the future of Psera's legacy that for some reason involves the authorization of foreigners onto our sacred land."

Juice mare added, "They should be fighting, not resting. We feel that your ruling of Psera has been absolutely terrible, horrid, and disgusting."

The room didn't even have crickets chirping around. Their reverberating voices died around the room before observing eyes shifted from them to Queen Arcadia. She was just sitting there shooting them with an unsettling unamused expression. Violet glowing purple mane flowing with the wind.

Then, Celestia's cup shattered.
> Chapter 27 - Maheera's Move
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

All eyes except Twilight's moved down to the shattered wine glass on the floor that exploded out of nowhere and drenched Celestia's coat. She just pulled her lips in and used magic to clean up the mess. But also moved her eyes back to Twilight. She was angry. Was degrading the Queen based on unjustified rumors even legal? Sure didn't sound like it.

Twilight slowly raised her hoof to the mare in the middle and ordered deeply, "Your name."

She raised her head up high and replied, "Pudge Mount."

Arcadia moved her hoof over to the red mare next. "Hard Love." Then to the stallion. "Hard Seas."

She asked, "Are you all under the same house and hold the same views as Pudge Mount?" The two of them nodded. "Then I, Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle condemn and restrict you from ever entering my Court."

Pudge Mount stomped her right hoof and replied, "I suggest you check your laws, Queen Arcadia. You are not allowed to restrict a pony from entering this court for expressing their views."

Queen Arcadia sighed and slowly stood from her throne. She may be small but she was very intimidating. In Equestria, she wasn't. But here in Psera, an assertive nature was needed. That horn alone was way sharper than before.

Twilight countered, "I suggest you visit the library in Downtown Cop, Madam Mount, and do a little research yourself. You are right that it states in Article sixty-two paragraph three that you are allowed to state your views. But it also states in Article sixty-two paragraph four that you are not allowed to belittle the King or Queen in the process of stating said views. Now, leave my throne room and never return as long as I rule or equal party reinstates."

Pudge Mount growled but slowly did as ordered. Backing away with the others. But not without leaving some words behind. "You will regret this Queen Arcadia! We will prove to Narmeelah that you have spat on her land and disgraced it with your magic, and have illegally conquered it as the true evil you are! You may have deceived the rest of Psera but you have not deceived us! We will rid Psera of your disgraceful ways and prove to her inhabitants that you are no Queen, but a tyrant through any means necessary! No matter the cost!"

Arcadia waved a hoof to a Guard on the side, triggering a more tactical response. Six moved from their positions and started the process of forceful removal. They grabbed their hooves and literally started dragging them for the doors in a calm orderly fashion. "Your spawn will not inherit the throne with your evil in her blood! She will bring danger to our shores—"

That did it. Arcadia jumped to her hooves and snapped her wings outwards. Static of magic crawled over the costs of anyone present. She narrowed her eyes and bellowed, "Someone get these three out of my castle, or so help me I will do it myself!! And it will not be pretty!!"

They dragged them out into the hall, but their rebukes could still be heard. "You are not a true ruler! You cannot protect Psera's citizens from the death you have brought here!"

Once they were out of earshot and the door was shut, Arcadia stomped her hoof and said, "Ten minute recess. I want a report on my daughter please. And get a background check done on those ponies, I don't like what they said." And after that, Queen Arcadia traveled down the stairs and made way for the back with Gardeen and the Princesses hot on her wings.

Above them on the decorated ceiling, in the darkest corner of the room above the rear entrance held a shadow with a single red eye trained on the Court. Maheera had seen all of that from the peace in her destruction of Mount Aris. And it greatly pleased her.

"So... Trouble in paradise," she whispered. She could use this to her advantage. These three ponies want this "Queen Arcadia" out as much as she does.

She would help them.

To the shadow ponies on land, Maheera ordered, "Silent infection. Keep it quiet."


~✶~


After the Queen's party reached the safety of the back lobby of the throne room, Gardeen immediately queried, "Are you okay, Twilight?"

Twilight took a deep breath and walked into her relaxation area, a kitchen. Honestly, she wasn't. That was the first time anyone had ever said that to her here on Psera and it troubled her. But she didn't let it show how much it truly affected her.

Making a note to speak to Molten later, she answered, "They should be arrested for disrespecting the Queen and even worse an innocent four year old filly. Those were crazy ponies that walked into my court this morning. Absolutely crazy!"

She took a seat at the table already prepped with three water bottles. She grabbed one in her magic, ripped off the top, and drowned herself in relief. But her anger refused to ebb.

Gardeen decided to get her mind off of it for the time being with, "So the birthday tomorrow?"

The birthday! Twilight set the bottle back down on the table and answered happily, "My baby's turning five! Five years old tomorrow! She's going to be so happy! And a little bossy. When the day is all about her, she turns into Secretary Manny."

Gardeen glanced away and muttered, "How delightful. Two of them in one setting. Is she coming tomorrow?"

Arcadia answered, "Not sure, but she is invited. Believe it or not, she has a soft side for foals. Seriously, you should see her office and all the pictures. I enrolled Applejack's help in creating a few of Dawn's Apple favorites, and Pinkie Pie's for the party. She's going to be so excited!"

She was already pretty excited. A few miles away from the castle was the Preschool Princess Fresh Dawn, Dark Dust, and Merry's daughters or Dawn's cousins attended. It was a single-floor building with a over 100 classrooms, students, and adult Pserateps. It was just like any preschool. Bright, colorful, and happy.

The room Fresh Dawn occupied was joined by her cousins and best friend Dark Dust. The floor was bright green with small round white tables for four Pserateps each. There were cubed cubbies on the side decorated with funny faces of animals where they stored their books and belongings. Up front of course was the board and teacher's desk. Beautiful photos lined the walls and small stickers lined the windows overlooking the city of Cop. A portrait Dawn would start out of when she was bored.

But the class of thirty foals were too busy drawing, coloring, and talking to care about appearance. Fresh Dawn's table held her family and friends, all trying to create an image of their loved ones like they were assigned. Dark Dust was drawing her mother and the twins were drawing each other. Well trying to.

Fresh Dawn was drawing her mommy too. Daddy was on another project tapered to the wall. After a while of purple Crayon in her mouth, she spat it out, looked to Dark Dust and said, "My birthday's tomorrow, Dusty."

Dark Dust looked up from his drawing and cheered quietly, "Yay. How old are you turning?"

Dawn pointed a hoof at him and announced, "Five!"

"Yay. I'm four. How about you two?"

The twins looked up from their terrible drawings of each other to him and asked at the same time, "What you say?"

"How old are you?" He asked.

"We're four!"

He looked back to Dawn and repeated, "We're four."

Dawn threw her hooves up and announced, "I'm the oldest!"

"Yay." Dark Dust was a much more quiet colt. He didn't like talking too much and was mostly scared of crowded gatherings unless he was joined by someone else with him. He didn't have a lot of friends except Dawn and her cousins. Who wouldn't want to be friends with the princess?

Well the filly who just threw a yellow pastel at her head for one. Dawn yelped and looked at it on the floor next to her hooves. Then glared her eyes to the only filly who would ever do that. The evil white coated Pseratep directly across with a white mane and tail staring back at her with yellow eyes laughing. She threw it.

Dawn ordered, "Hey! No throwing!"

The filly just blew a raspberry then threw another that Dawn ducked. She scoffed in disbelief at her. Then pointed and yelled, "Kia's being meeeaaan! You're not invited to my party!"

Kia craned her neck and retorted, "I don't want to go to your dumb party anyway!" Then blew one more Raspberry.

Dawn was about to reply but the sound of growling in her ears stopped her. That sounded a lot more important. She shut her mouth and her ears flickered all around, picking up the sound, tracking the source. Something was growling... Outside the window.

Dawn whipped her attention through the rest of the foals over to them, but there was nothing there. Nothing but a sticker of a puppy with a dopey face and the city she lived in behind it.

What did mommy and daddy tell her when something strange started happening and she couldn't really explain it? Dawn raised her hoof and yelled, "I hear growling noises!!"

The teacher at the front of the room, a mare around the Queen's size and age abandoned her writing and walked over immediately. She queried, "What was that, Dawn?"

She looked up to her teacher and repeated, "I hear something growling." Her ears flickered left and right. Up and down. Then she pointed towards the window. Specifically a red dot. "Right there."

The teacher followed her hoof and caught sight of the red right before the black shadow zipped out of view. It covered the entire wall before. How did she not notice that?! The wall isn't black, it's pink and blue! "Oh my stars, children get away from the wall! Guards! Guards!!"

The door opened and two Pserateps from Dawn's escort team walked in looking around. The first one, a mare with a medical kit on her back walked in and asked urgently, "What is it, is everyone alright?"

The teacher pointed a shaking hoof to the wall and said, "Dawn saw and heard a growling, red eyed shadow moving over there on that wall. I don't know what it was, but I had the children move just in case. It zipped out before I got a good look."

Dawn tugged on the Medic's wing to get her attention. "Ms. Tall Pony?" She looked down to Dawn who pointed to the window. "It's running away."

The other pony walked over to the window and looked out of it just in time to see whatever that was that spooked them take to the air. He nodded and reported, "Something just took to the sky. Send in the report and look over the rest of the school."


~✶~


Maheera silently cursed that child. Whoever they were was able to spot and hear her silent spies. They had Guards. And a horn. No other Pseratep had a horn except...

"Queen Arcadia's foal," she whispered. Now things were getting interesting. A magically-infused Alicorn-Pseratep. A hybrid. But something was rather off about her. Unlike most foals of Alicorn descent, her magic seemed ... Dark. Unnatural. Something was really off within that filly. It was like she was made of something else that she shouldn't be made of. She could possibly use this information in the future. Maybe. But first...

Her mind moved to the Shadow Spawn following those three ponies flying back for Rayray. They were her main goal. With them, she could be on Psera and do what she wants. While innocently relaxing here on Mount Aris. Perfect.



Rayray was the most luxurious side of Psera. Of course it would be, this was the city where real dreams came true. Where the nameless become the known. Roads practically made out of golden Ponies heading towards their high ended fun jobs while others had to move for different cities to start their lives.

But Pudge Mount was born into money. Head of House Lightgold, just one of the many Houses of Psera Nobility, she was truly devoted to keeping Psera for the Pserateps. When Queen Arcadia first landed on Psera, she as well as many more Houses were watching her with a few inside ponies. She turned out to be trustworthy. Until foreigners landed on Psera and almost caused a war.

At that time, Lady Arcadia Nova brought trouble. She was a really desirable pony. So desirable that one pony tried to kill her to keep anyone else from having her. Apart from her own tale to many sources, not much was known about her. She was born in Equestria and was taught by a Princess on how to control her magic in a school created by them. Next, she was given the title as an Element Bearer when she and five others were given Elements of Harmony. Weaponry.

They rode into danger, fighting evil. She grew in magic and skill after that. Then ascended to becoming an Honorary Princess. Not Royalty as they led her to believe, but honorary. She was respected.

But not enough to be told the truth. After all the drama, she arrived on Psera and the rest was seen. But the fact of the matter was still the same:

Pudge Mount landed on the rich green lawn of her home and growled, "She will bring death to Psera."

Hard Love landed on her right and asked, "What exactly can we do about it? She has the whole nation at her command. She has risen through the ranks within a year because of her kindness, skill, and knowledge."

Hard Seas landed next to her while Pudge Mount started the walk up to her home. The property was protected by an iron fence. The grass perfectly cut and green with life. The front of the house held white columns to support the roof dangling over the porch and double wooden doors. When she opened them, she stepped onto a lovely blue carpet in the living room. On the left were the couches, tables, and pictures of family and her fellow Noble House ponies.

Once Hard Seas and Hard Love were inside, she began to shut the door. But didn't notice the three shadows slipping in through the crack along the wall beside it. Once they were in supposed privacy, Pudge Mount softly clicked the door shut and sighed into it with stress.

"I don't know," she replied. Then turned around and faced the two staring at her with serious expressions. "You're right, Hard Love. She is a very powerful pony in Psera. The nation looks to her for guidance in this war against Narmeelah's enemy."

Hard Love stomped her hoof and decreed, "I cannot stand here and watch as she changes Psera into her own image! This is Narmeelah's image, not hers!"

"I know!" Pudge interrupted. She calmed down for a moment and whispered, "I know. But what exactly can we do? Do any of you have any recommendations?"

They didn't. Queen Arcadia had a huge influence on Psera. Going up against her would be impossible. But the shadows silently moving up their hooves to their heads may have had ideas.

Once they reached their target, they slipped into and down their ears. Wiggling into their brains. Taking over. Slowly but surely, all three of their eyes gradually changed from their original colors to a deep blood red.

Their breathing slowed first. Then they all looked up to each other at the same time, grinning. Hard Love raised a hoof and suggested, "I have an idea. The honor of Narmeelah comes before anyone. So... Why not just make that known... By attacking Cop?" Hard Seas and Pudge Mount looked at each other then back to Hard Love. "It shows that Narmeelah is first and foremost. Anyone that follows the Fire Family ... Shall be put to death."

Pudge countered, "But everyone follows the Fire Family."

"Exactly."

Pudge Mount blinked at her a few times. Then nodded and replied. "You ... Are a genius. And I know just where to do it."

Perfect. Maheera leaned back on her throne with hooves behind her head. It was truly beautiful when a plan like this comes together so naturally.



Rarity couldn't take it anymore. She had to get out of this castle. Yes it was truly beautiful and the glamour was amazing, but there was nothing but that. Besides, she's never seen Cop up close and personal.

The halls were a treacherous journey. With Sweetie Belle on her hooves, she traveled them and eventually found her way to the foyer. Of course getting to the floor was hard. It was so far down. And stairs weren't Rarity's cup of tea.

During the descent, Rarity huffed and puffed. "Phew!" She exhausted. "These are a mighty flight of stairs, right Sweetie Belle? ... Sweetie Belle?"

"Hey, Rarity!" Rarity gasped and ran over to the protective railing keeping ponies from falling. She peered all the way down to the pony waving up to her from above. Sweetie was already on the bottom floor with Spike by her side. How'd she get down there so fast?!

"Sw-Sweetie Belle?!" She quickly picked up the pace and eventually made it to the bottom floor restless. She was beginning to get too old to be doing this. Running around chasing ponies. Pserateps have wings and could live for thousands of years. Rarity has magic she has never used for more than picking up and moving fabrics, diamonds, and her friends. She would sure croak if she went up those stairs one more time.

She walked over to Sweetie Belle and Spike with a slow pep in her step and asked, "How... How did you get down here so fast?"

Spike pointed to Sweetie and answered, "I flew her down. I couldn't bear to see my pretty diamond walking down a bunch of steps when she has a dragon to carry her."

Rarity was about to respond before she stopped and replayed what Spike said in her head. My pretty diamond. Rarity pointed between them and stammered, "Wait... Are you two... Dating? Spike, is this the mare you said you had a crush on?"

"Er...." He and Sweetie glanced at each other then back to Rarity's unreadable face.

"So you moved on from me ... To my sister."

"Uhhh..."

"DRAGO!!"

Saved by the light of Dawn! Spike whipped around and eyed the purple princess rushing through the door with one of Arcadia's many Elite Guards behind her. "Drago" walked over and replied, "Hey, Fresh Dawn!"

Fresh Dawn slowed to a trot and held up a hoof for him to shake. She stammered loudly, "I'm! I'm! I'm turning five tomorrow!"

Spike softly shook her hoof and replied, "That's great! What's the first thing you're going to do?"

"I'm going to have Daddy bake me a cake!" She flapped her wings to hover up to Spike's face. Then booped him on the snout. "You're invited to my party!"

"Awesome! Thanks, Fresh Dawn! Can my girlfriend come with me?"

Rarity gasped from behind and yelled, "GIRLFRIEND?! Since when did you and my sister become an official thing?!!" Spike gulped and looked down to Sweetie Belle. Who in turn looked up to him. The Guards in front of Spike were either sucking in their lips to hold in their laughter. Or giving him a knowing wink. Great work, Spike.

Spike seethed and immediately scooped Sweetie Belle up. Then booked it for the doors. "Oh no you don't, you have a lot to explain, Drago!!" Rarity sped right past the Princess and followed them out the door. She seemed to have found her strength at Spike's little slip up.

Fresh Dawn watched them from afar before the doors shut. Then yelled after them, "Yeah, she's invited!!!" She didn't know who that mare was, but she seemed nice enough. So with that in mind, Fresh Dawn followed her Guard escort back to her mother. Daddy was doing something else today. That left only mommy! They were going to have loads of fun!

Dawn looked up to one of the Guards escorting her and asked, "Where's mommy?"

She looked down to the Princess and smiled. There was no way in the Underground that a sweet filly like this could cause any trouble. Her father says otherwise.

"Mommy's busy managing the country," she answered.

"Oh I know that. Where is she doing it from? I wanna go talk to her and tell her all about my day!"

"Okay, okay. Let's get you to mommy or whoever is watching you right now." Fresh Dawn quickly traveled behind her escort leader over to the elevator a few ways away. If mom wasn't on the bottom floor waiting for her then she might be busy. Or sad. Or mad!

The Guard pressed the button to summon the elevator doors to open. Then followed after Fresh Dawn after she rushed in first and pressed the button for the third floor. Finally the doors shut and they were on their way.

The ride up was silent. No elevator music or anything. Dawn's sudden sneeze made her escort team jump. She wiped her nose and whispered, "Excuse me."

The biggest Stallion in the back replied, "Bless you, Princess."

"Thank you!... Was that right?"

"Yes it was."

"Yay!" The elevator's doors slid open for the red carpet of the King and Queen's home. The third floor. The throne room, dining hall, Psera offices, everything King and Queen were up here.

Mom must've still been at work because there was a line up here of ponies that looked down to her when the elevator dinged open. Dawn smiled and waved with a greeting of  "Hi! Hello!"

"Good afternoon, Princess!"

"How are you, filly?"

"Meecha Kee!" They parted to allow Princess Dawn and her escort team through for the hallway adjacent to the large throne room leading to the back. Her mother's office. Her mother was definitely there. They turned the left into the hall and into the back hall she's taken so many times. There she was. Mom was talking to Grandma Celestia, Aunt Luna, Aunt Caddy, and whoever that white pony with a curved horn was.

She rushed past her guards and cheered, "Mommy!!!"

Twilight looked down when Fresh Dawn pushed her way into her wings. There was the light of her life. Dawn's presence slapped a smile on her face and a quiver in her wings.

"Hey, sweetie! How was your day?" She used her magic to pull Fresh Dawn up to her face to plant a kiss on her horn. "Tell me everything!"

Dawn wiggled in her mother's hold and blew her red mane out from in front of her face. "I saw a moving shadow monster today!"

"...what?!" She looked over alarmed to one of the guards for an explanation. "What is she talking about?"

The medic mare that was there saluted and reported, "Princess Fresh Dawn and her teacher recalled a moving shadow in the classroom that we believe was a pony possibly looking in. Whatever it was, we're already conducting an investigation per procedure."

"Good. Let Lavender know that when something strange is spotted, check all visuals and obelisk readings just in case. Starting with this event. We never know when Maheera could make another move.

"Yes, ma'am."

Arcadia set Dawn on the floor and said, "Mommy is still working so you're going to have to stay with me in the throne room. Do you have any homework?"

Dawn closed her eyes and shook her head of hair. "I did it at school already," she replied.

"Okay. Come along."

Before Twilight and Dawn started walking, Celestia raised a hoof and volunteered, "I'd be happy to watch Dawn for you while you're finishing up."

Arcadia looked down to her daughter for a second. She was trustworthy. Not to mention sitting on the throne would bore Dawn immensely. She didn't like being bored and wouldn't be able to sit still.

"Are you sure, Celestia?" Arcadia asked. Then looked back up and added, "Dawn can be a wild little filly."

"Absolutely." Celestia walked over to Dawn and kneeled down to her level to smile into her eyes. "She doesn't need to be on the throne at this age. She wants to go and play. I'm sure Flurry is bored out of her mind and would enjoy a playmate."

Cadance actually couldn't deny that. Ever since they've arrived at the castle Flurry's just stayed in the room reading or something else. Cadance nor her father questioned it. She was her own pony after all.

Arcadia hummed down to Fresh Dawn then up to Celestia. Fresh Dawn again. Celestia once more.

"Well..." She stammered. Then sighed and decided, "Alright. I'll let you watch her until either Madun or myself come get her."

Dawn jumped up and cheered, "Yayyy! No boring chair!"

Arcadia leaned down and asked, "What do we say?"

"Thanks, Granny Celestia!"

Arcadia leaned down and kissed her cheek. Then gave her a gentle nudge on her butt towards Celestia. "Have fun, sweetheart."

Dawn rushed over to Celestia and hopped onto her back. Then with a nod to the Queen, Celestia, Luna and Cadance decided to leave her be. But Madam Singe stayed and just watched them go with a blank stare.

Arcadia glanced to her and queried, "Aren't you going to follow them?"

"Nope." She looked back down to Arcadia and added, "I have absolutely nothing to do today, so..."

"Actually..." Arcadia placed her hoof up to her chin and said, "You can help me with something. Dawn's birthday is tomorrow and we need supplies. Pinkie needs supplies. This is a big one. Do you have strong magic?"

Madam Singe nodded and swiveled her body to face her. She was asking her to do a big thing. "My magic is not as strong as your own, but I can still do basic skills," she answered.

"Her Majesty Molten Ice is helping out with the party for tomorrow, but she is having trouble getting a few supplies down from her floor. She wants to use the same supplies she used for Merry and Madun when they were Dawn's age. But she can't seem to get to them. I need you to go up to that floor and help her out."

"Alright. What floor is that?"

"The very top. Here." Arcadia walked over to a nearby assistant and asked them something. He nodded and reached into one of the bags on his back. He dug around and pulled out a single slip of paper that she took and walked back over with. Using her magic, a pen appeared in front of it so she could sign her name on a line. Then held it out for Madam Singe to take in her own magic. "This is a record giving you my permission to head up to her floor. It's the very top. She should still be in her room at this hour. If a guard stops you, just show them this document. They will let you pass."

Madam Singe nodded and replied, "Alright. Does she know the way to the... Oh who am I kidding, I really shouldn't be asking that question. How do I get to her floor?"

"The elevator, the very top floor. The elevator directly on the same hall as my office. Right there." Madam Singe nodded and started the trek before Arcadia called, "And Singe?"

Singe looked behind her and eyed Queen Arcadia's smile. "Relax. I notice you're really tense. You're safe here." Then she walked back through the doors with her assistants.

Madam Singe sighed and did just that. Although, she wasn't sure about that last bit. Psera was really strong. But that didn't mean everypony was really safe.
> Chapter 28 - The Birthday Tragedy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Even though the sky was black with Luna's stars and the moon was the only source of natural light  reflecting off the light rain wetting the streets, ponies and Pserateps still traveled them walking or flying. Either returning from a late night work session, hanging out with friends, or relaxing with other Pserateps who live the night. The streets of Merōl, Fenix, Lavender, Capita, Eventa, Rayray, Snow, Cop, Psera Skies, and even Serl were less than abundant with conscious ponies at eleven o'clock at night.

But there were Pserateps out and about walking. Such as three specific ponies standing on the wet road in front of the giant colorful building less than a mile away from the Castle of the Gods. Usually seen displaying moving images, the tower only portrayed smoothly transitioning colors at night in the darker spectrum range. Such as purple, green, dark blue, brown, and gray.

This was Psera's Central Press Center. All news, rumors, everything secret, juicy or even silly was freely processed and or investigated through here before they were televised. Many news outlets and sources had ponies come straight here when they heard something to tell and get it out into the world that was Psera. Of course after an investigation it would be pushed under Narmeelah's Law. As long as it were beneficial to other Pserateps and had no harmful factors.

But it also served as a relaxation spot. Much like Northern Heights—a mall on Psera Skies North—there were restaurants, a few stores, and a small indoor park on the bottom levels while the upper floors made up business. But just like Psera, it was fancy.

The shiny atrium floor was usually packed with ponies eating, talking and laughing underneath the slim lights ringing the many different levels above them. The news desk for Psera's Central News channel had a background of a glass wall showing the motion in the building's atrium. Many other stations occupied this same building.

But none were occupying it this night except a few security Guards keeping watch inside and out.

The three ponies standing on these clean marble steps leading up to the entrance paid them no mind. There was a wooden desk directly behind them hosting two Security Guards wearing yellow and black outfits. Instead of watching the doors, they had their eyes on the small LiVAM for one, and a book for another with their hooves kicked up. Relaxing. Ready to go home.

Not paying attention. Pudge Mount, Hard Seas, and Hard Love stared with empty expressions. Their red eyes glowed in the dark. Their breathing as still as the dead. Before they broke down into black smoke and disappeared.

The stallion Guard reading a book lowered it and peeked past his kicked up hooves to the doors. Nothing there but a small wind kicking up outside. Huh. He could've sworn that... Oh well. He raised his book and continued reading. Nonchalant to the cold draft that flew over his head.

The shadows on the walls quietly moved past. Then slid under a steel access gate leading into the center's Atrium. When the center's closed, they pulled down the gate to lock out and block off anyone else. But they can't stop a shadow.

When they reformed on the other side, they were greeted with the sounds of a running waterfall from their left. The scent of nature assaulted their senses. They planted palm trees, grass, soil, and small streams to give the building color and a personality of serenity, despite all the gossiping inside. The ceiling was way up there. Far across them past the benches, stores, playgrounds and more were stairs leading up to the second floor.

All was silent. No security guards were present. Pudge Mount looked to Hard Love who in turn looked back. Then in a flash, all three transformed into Infected. Mangled bodies with different areas of flesh. Razor sharp teeth with small dragon wings, and mangled horns similar to a Changeling's. They growled at each other first before they split up and ran around the Atrium.

Hard Love zipped over to the playground holding swings, a jungle gym, and slides. She lit that disgusting horn, then dragged her hoof across the surface of all of it. Planting the same unreadable invisible rune over and over again.

While Hard Love was playing around with the equipment, Hard Seas was running along the walls with the same intention. Planting runes. One hoof was on the surface as he moved and growled, dripping saliva onto the immaculate floor.

Then finally, Pudge Mount. Soaring up through the air and applying those same runes to every level. This would certainly get their attention. Her Highness Queen Twilight "Arcadia Nova" Sparkle brings death to Psera. And they will prove it.



Way before the sun rose, way before the sky above the COTG began the gradual change from black to blue, the flags were flapping in the wind. The flag bearing Queen Arcadia's cutie mark on a red background. A combination of the two. Flags flapping all over the city. It was a windy day and the war was still on. But that didn't stop the festivities.

Queen Arcadia has been up since four for not only her daughter's birthday preparations, but for even more last minute tasks. She quietly moved out of bed, donned on a violet dress, playfully stuck a note literally on Madun's mouth and quietly left the suite. He'd know it was her.

Now her hooves were anxiously traveling the quiet halls. The doors for the Royal Offices pushed open and allowed her access into one of the residential regions of the castle. Past the same room she herself used to stay in when she first arrived on Psera. It only seemed like yesterday Psera was a wasteland. Maybe she'll take a moment to go back in time. Back to "Lady Arcadia Nova." But not now. She had a plan to enact.

Before she knew it, Queen Twilight was pushing open her office doors. The smell of nature and the chirping crickets let her know the darkness was still reigning supreme outside.

After the doors were shut, she stopped and sat down underneath the artificial moon. Letting the sound of nature, the breeze of spring, the emotions of the past wash over her. She tilted her head back and breathed in. Then out. Over and over. Today was one of those days again.

Twilight cracked her eyes open again to train on the beautiful surface of her moon. Then lowered her head for her desk. Using her magic, she pulled out a large drawer on the bottom and retrieved a scroll rolled up. She almost forgot this two days ago. This belongs in the lower levels. With the rest of the spells.

Twilight lifted her right wing and slowly slid the scroll out of sight. Then she started to make her way towards the hidden elevator. If Maheera wasn't such a jealous Draconequus, she wouldn't have to worry about this. Sadly, that wasn't the case. Maheera was clearly jealous. And jealousy ignites retaliation.

Twilight pressed her hoof against "The Sanctuary" and held it before the case pushed out like a door. Her hooves anxiously led her into the elevator. Then she adjusted her body and the case started closing. Leaving everything the way it was before as if she never arrived there.



When Madun first cracked his eyes open to gaze at the brightness of the room, the first thing he noticed was the yellow note on his mouth. Jeez, Twilight, the mirror wasn't working? He reached up and plucked it off his face to read. It must've been important.

He hummed and read it quietly, "'Good morning, sweetie. Dawn must follow the dandelions.' Alright." He dropped the note and started the shuffle out of these interlocking of sheets. Each morning was the same. Wake up, get Dawn ready if it were a school day while Twilight did the same, then he himself got ready before all three ventured out the door in pursuit of whatever was going on.

Well him and Twilight. Dawn had to learn numbers. But there wasn't any school today though. And not because it was a certain Filly's birthday. Speaking of...

Madun finally untangled himself from the sheets of comfort and stood up to stretch. His bones and wings cracked with age. He proceeded to make his way across the cool floors for the door. Dawn was possibly still sleeping in.

On the way to the kitchen, he stopped at the edge of Dawn's room and peeked in. Yep, there she was still sleeping with all those toys everywhere. Sky Blue had shifted from her face to in her hooves sometime during the night. Snuggling in her sleep.

Her father gained a peaceful look on his face before he walked into the room striding for Dawn's left. He would hate to disturb this beautiful scene but someone had to wake her up for her birthday. He sat down, leaned in nuzzled her mane. "Wake up, Sugar Plum. Wakey, wakey~."

Dawn hummed and cracked her eyes open to train directly on her father's. Any normal pony would have immediately screamed or something. But Dawn knew her father's voice. Her eyes cracked wider and she was up in the air in a second.

"DADDY!" She cheered. Then zipped straight onto his muzzle. Madun only sighed as a response. Today was her happy day. Well one of many. "It's my birthday, it's my birthday! Did you know that?! Huh?! It's my birthday!"

Madun stood up and casually walked out of the room with a filly plastered on his face. "Well, I was there when you were born so... Yes, I did," he replied. He moved into the bathroom and stated, "Now all birthday ponies must have a good bath, no matter the age, sweetie."

"Aww, come on daddy! No bath." Madun closed the bathroom door. "Awww, dad I can clean myself!"

"Uh uh uh. You need to be thoroughly clean. Now hold still." After water was heard splashing and Dawn crying out from soap in the face, the door opened back up.

Dawn zipped through to avoid that hole of both terror and relief.

Madun poked his head out next and ordered, "Slow steps, slow steps! Aww jeez."

Despite all of that, he followed his daughter into the kitchen with a smile on his face. She was eagerly trying to climb into her high chair, and despite all the grunts and pushing of her rear hooves, just couldn't seem to get it. Her height was always a subject her mother and father spoke about. She'll grow one day, but it was very slowly so far.

Madun walked up behind her and used his muzzle to gently lift her up into the seat from below. She eeped and immediately settled down in her seat with flailing ears. Daddy did that?

She looked around and queried, "Where's mommy? It's my birthday, she's supposed to be here, not at work!"

Madun opened the fridge and pulled out a few ingredients. "She's preparing your party, you'll see her soon sugar plum. How about Madarinas this morning?"



Queen Arcadia's hoofsteps across the third floor could be heard meters away. Her trotting was quick, urgent. Fast, important. Leaving Gardeen and her team in the dust. Panting from the weight of the situation, heart pumping pure anxiety through her veins. She ignored the Guards saluting to her and used her magic to open the Castle's ballroom doors on the same hallway as the throne room. Revealing the sight.

The ballroom was conveniently located on the other side of the Castle's Royal Throne Room. Extensively, on the other side of the building on that same floor. To Princess Celestia, it looked exactly like the ballroom at Events at Eventa. Gold support columns, flawless dance floor, nice tables, and a sky roof to let in the sun. Whoever was taking care of this place was doing an amazing job.

Everyone helping out with the celebration were there. The vast majority of the castle staff already present setting up and anyone else Twilight wanted. Just as promised all of Queen Arcadia's Psera friends were there. Including the Fire Family and the mother of Dark Dust. It may be only nine in the morning, but Dawn was a really early pony. And her cousins were too.

While the adults were setting up, Lightning and Daisy were already flying all over the place with Merry having to constantly grab them and sit them down somewhere. Until they would get back up and continue flying around.

All of Merry's friends were present to wish Dawn a happy fifth. But while they waited, they busied themselves trying to understand the countries that all of these foreigners represented. Light Pink was really interested in Saddle Arabia mainly because of the clothing Amira was wearing. It was a wonderful mix of different hues of purple with a small amount but still noticeable designs. She's asked about their homeland so many times that at this point her friend Dark Shadow was absolutely sure Amira was annoyed.

Light Pink was like a cute little thing listening to everything Amira was saying while Haakim was busy decorating the tables with the Princesses. She pointed at herself and explained, "All of our art has a sort of symbol for past greatness. Then again, most ponies have that in mind when they are making their art."

Light Pink fawned and commented, "It must be such a beautiful place."

"Yes. It's quite hot, but... We wouldn't trade it for anything." She and Light Pink suddenly jumped when the doors slammed open. Then Queen Arcadia rushed into the room with three assistants and Gardeen.

She trotted in and immediately started shooting questions. "Is the cake ready? Where's the music, where's the play table, where's the sand play table?! I smell apples, good! Oh no!!!" Twilight slid to a stop and gasped in a terrified manner with her hooves on her cheeks. And eyes on the birthday banner. It was centered at the top where Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were. Watching Queen Arcadia. The banner had a gold background with, "Happy Birthday, Fresh Veola Dawn!" in bold red and purple. Red and purple balloons were everywhere and Dawn would definitely be knocking them around.

But... "THAT BANNER'S WRONNNG!" Twilight cried.

Rainbow Dash looked around and eyed everything else awkwardly. "Er uhh... What? I think it's great, right girls?"

Twilight Velvet was about to reply, but Twilight beat her to it. "Oh no no nooo!" She ran over then took to the sky. Rainbow Dash had to zip out of the way so Twilight could grip the banner in her magic. Then fly back down to the floor with it. She landed and slowly backed up towards the door with all eyes on her. Then stop maybe a few feet away from the door itself. She pointed to two assistants and ordered, "Hold it here!"

While they gripped the edges of the banner, she teleported over to Pinkie Pie, grabbed her cheeks and pulled her muzzle to muzzle. Her eyes were intense and quivering. Desperate for perfection. "Pinkie?" She whispered.

Pinkie whispered just as silent, "Yeah, Twilight?"

"Do you have the sticky goo? Little Dawn's never had sticky goo."

With her eyes on Twilight, she reached up into her mane and slowly pulled out a green steel can with the phrase "Stick To It!" on the front. "Is this it?"

Twilight let Pinkie's face go to grab it and look at it closer. After a few seconds, she nodded with approval. "Excellent! Great work, Pinkie Pie! APPLEJACK!!" Applejack jumped at her yell before Twilight was now in her face. Then grabbed and yanked in closer to Twilight's eyes. "What are the deserts?"

Now that was something she could talk about. "Everything apple, Twilight!" She answered proudly. "All except cider of course." She pointed to the nearby dessert table where there were a range of Apple Products. Apple Pie, Apple Bumpkin, Cinnamon Apples, a lot of apple sweets. And of course regular food.

"Great work! GARDEEN!"

Without looking up from her clipboard, she answered by the door, "ETA six minutes. I just got word short stuff is actively running around the halls following the dandelions."

"Great!" Twilight looked around one last time then eyed the gift table where Dark Dust was standing with another mare and Dawn's cousins were playing. She zipped right over while Elegant Shadow just stared with nervous eyes. Oh my stars, she's looking at the queen. In person. She's never seen her this close before. Or talk to her! She's right there! Twilight jetted right over to Lightning and Daisy. Then teleported all of them to stand in the middle of the room, at least six feet behind the banner.

She ordered, "Stay right here, don't run off!"

While she was having a fantastic time setting up, Celestia walked over to Gardeen and whispered, "Is this normal for every birthday party?"

Without moving her eyes from the anxious Queen, Gardeen nodded and replied, "Wait until her tenth birthday party. She already has a plan archived that I helped put together. Four minutes, your highness!"

Twilight teleported to the middle of all of it then slowly rotated around to assess everything. The gift table was set up, the  food table was packed, the sand pit and the sand table were perfect, and... Everyone was out of place! Oh no!!

Twilight gasped and used her magic to start putting everyone where they were supposed to be. Including Elegant Shadow who yelped before she was dropped right next to Rainbow Dash. In front of Queen Arcadia. She clapped her hooves together and said, "Great, everything is... Wait, who are you?"

She got into Elegant Shadow's face. "Name, occupation?"

Elegant Shadow gulped and answered, "I'm Elegant Shadow, your highness. I'm D-Dark Dust's mother."

"Oh... OHHHH! I've been meaning to meet with you for quite some time, give me a few minutes to prepare everything then we can chat. Dawn should be here really soon—oh no!" She zipped over to Spike and teleported him directly in front of Princess Celestia. "Annnnd... Perfect! Nobody move until I say so! Smiles, ponies! Smiles!" Arcadia darted forward and positioned herself directly in the middle, a few inches behind the twins and directly in the middle. As her mother, she should be the first Pony Fresh Dawn sees.

All was silent for a few seconds. It wasn't as tense before, but Queen Arcadia somehow turns the atmosphere into a tense reality each year. So here they were again. Celestia and Luna glanced at each other before the first sound reached their ears. A scamper of quickly approaching hooves.

"Sugar Plum, slow down!"

The doors suddenly burst open. Then a tiny gasp. "Sheer I rum, Sheer I rum!!" Dawn cheered in her native tongue. Then soared straight through the banner to slide across these glossy floors to a stop in front of her cousins in a surprise. And her mom. And ponies from Equestria and beyond. And all the food and fun—"EEEE!" Dawn squealed.

"Happy birthday!!" The room cheered.

Queen Arcadia trotted over to Dawn and pulled her into a big giant hug right into her neck. Brushing her face with glowing mane. "Ooooohhhh, my little angel, my precious little foal's growing up! Ooh, look at you!" She lied Dawn on the floor and nuzzled her body into a tickling fit. "Who's my little angel? Who is it?"

Dawn wiggled in her hooves and ordered, "Awww mom, not in front of my friends!"

"Aw, okay. Don't have too much sugar. And be careful!" Twilight stepped back so Fresh Dawn could tackle Daisy and Lightning in a wide hug. Then cute little Dark Dust trotted over and dropped on top of them.

Finally, King Madun rushed in and ordered, "Emergencies only, Guard!" The Guards at the door bowed. Then grabbed the handles and closed them back. Letting the party begin.

The first twenty minutes of Dawn's birthday party was added to by even more ponies. A few fillies and colts from school, well wishers, things of that nature. Some lovely music and a lot of Sticky Goo. The rulers were speaking with one another and talking to other ponies that showed up. Queen Arcadia was speaking to a few parents while keeping an eye on Fresh Dawn running around in the sand pit. She loves the sand pit. Actually, she loves anything she could throw her body inside of and flow around in.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she spotted Elegant Shadow on the other side of the room, nervously shuffling her hoof with eyes on the ground. Aww, poor mare. Completely nervous. Twilight pasted her signature smile on her face and teleported directly to her side. She didn't even notice she had moved. Until the Queen poked her. When she looked her way, Queen Arcadia greeted, "Hello."

"EEP!" Elegant Shadow immediately bowed her way and hit her face to the floor. "Your majesty, I—"

"Buh buh buh!" Twilight waved her hoof and quickly shushed her. "We're among friends today, no bowing. Especially if I'm not doing business and taking it off. So relax, it's just us." Elegant Shadow immediately nodded and did what was expected of her. Relaxation. Calm, serene. Standing up like a regular pony. Twilight offered her hoof and greeted, "I'm Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, I'm Fresh Dawn's mother. Although, I'm sure you know that by this point."

Elegant Shadow nervously chuckled and quickly accepted her hoof with her own. Although she seemed calm, her quick shaking of it told otherwise. "I-I'm Elegant Shadow!" She enthusiastically replied. Twilight bounced with the shaking before her poor hoof was released. "I'm Dark Dust's mother."

"I've been meaning to speak with you for quite some time, but so much has been happening all at once that I can't seem to get even a simple moment alone with my family without someone telling me about a new issue." Twilight sighed and added under her breath, "Just the many joys of administering over the country. Meeting here, meeting there, new bill here, house issue there. So much."

Elegant Shadow chuckled and watched the foals play with the Queen for a moment. Letting everything sink in. "You know... I've actually been meaning to meet with you—actually, to see you for the longest. When you first arrived on Psera, honestly I was all... 'We can't trust her.'"

Twilight laughed so silently that Elegant Shadow was absolutely positive it was practiced through the years. It was so simple, so perfect. So... Not her. Twilight took a deep breath and responded, "You're not the first one. I'm pretty sure Madun was thinking the same thing when I arrived on Merōl. Then I guess he saw the grass and just went, 'Aw yeah, she's great. Let's keep her and see what happens next.'"

"Ah, I see you've finally met her!" Twilight and Elegant Shadow eyed King Madun as he casually walked over bearing a grin with Dark Dust on his back. Batting at his ears. He had green goo all in his mane that either the foals threw at him, or a result for being caught in the crossfire.

Twilight looked to Elegant Shadow then back to Madun. "Wait, who are we talking about?"

"Both of you." He stopped in front of the two of them and bent low to allow Dark Dust to scamper off. Then straightened up to point one hoof at Elegant Shadow. "She's been meaning to meet you for the longest. And you've been talking about meeting her for a while before flying off into the ocean."

"Yeah, well in my defense we're both busy. And as the only adult Alicorn-Pseratep on the land with the biggest magical body in the world—not to mention the only pony who can effectively fight Maheera—I feel I get to use that excuse."

"Uh huh."

"Oh stop, Firehead." Twilight giggled and nuzzled under his chin. That one spot he closes his eyes at. Elegant Shadow was feeling a little uncomfortable with that. Which she made known by scuffing her hoof against the ground. While he was enjoying her massaging of his chin, Twilight gandered to Fresh Dawn. She wouldn't say it out loud, but she was a little worried about her health. Well her growth to be precise. Even though she was five, she was a lot smaller than most foals in her class and around Psera. Still going strong underneath Twilight's hooves while ponies like Daisy, Lightning, and Dark were at their parent's rib cages. She was older but... Twilight made a note to speak with Triage about it. But swore in her mind not to mention her... Uniqueness.

Madun cleared his throat to disperse of the awkwardness and looked to Elegant Shadow. "I noticed your uhh... Husband isn't around anywhere."

Elegant Shadow sighed and replied, "He died during the Changeling Disaster. So it's just been me and Dark here."

Twilight sighed and turned her whole body to face her. "I am really sorry to hear that, Elegant."

She regained that sad smile and replied, "It's okay, he passed away maybe two weeks before you arrived. I just got pregnant at the time. I named his son after him and... That's about as much as I got. And years before that, I was actually dating your husband."

Whoa. A record scratch played in Twilight's head before she stammered, "Uhh, I-I'm sorry, did you say you were dating my husband?"

Madun immediately added, "In high school, we were dating. Elegant here was the expensive preppy mare and I was the Royal son of Her Majesty Molten Ice... And a geek."

Elegant laughed and stated, "He did not used to look like this before. Actually, Shimmering was... Smaller. And definitely not as bulky."

"I was a stick."

"He was a stick, I can guarantee you." Twilight grinned and glanced over to Madun's blushing face. So Madun wasn't always this handsome. Elegant added with a wink, "He was still adorable, but he didn't grab magazines as being the most handsomely prince in Psera history."

"No I did not." Madun wrapped a wing around Arcadia and whispered, "And from what I hear, Twilight wasn't either."

Twilight blushed and rolled her eyes. But did nod and admit, "When I lived in Equestria, I wasn't as... What the Pserateps call Engardem. I was more of the wallflower. I stuck to myself and focused more on my studies than anything else before I moved to Ponyville. Ever since then, I was a uhh... Scholar."

"A superhero scholar," Madun teased.

"Yes, a superhero. Nothing like magic that can grab a huge Ursa Minor and carry them all the way back to the cave with their mother." She leaned in and whispered, "It's a lot harder than you think."

Elegant Shadow silently laughed and grabbed one of the cups of juice offered by one of the many help ponies walking around. She stirred and watched the juice bounce around in the glass. "Do not mind me, but I feel like Magic is one of the more easier things in Equestrian society."

Twilight snorted and replied, "Oh ho ho, not even. Actually, magic is a lot harder and more complicated than I make it seem. There's more to it than lighting a horn and whoosh, you just traveled upstairs without even moving a hoof. It's way more complex. The teleportation spell you see me use way more than anything else requires intense focus, let alone an Advanced Transfiguration Spell to create matter from the base of nothing. Teleporting yourself requires you to keep the image of where you want to be in your mind on one half of your brain while using the other half to gather your magic, place it in your stabilizer, and... Let it out. Although according to record, Narmeelah herself used her wings. I don't understand how, but I theorize that all ponies in Equestria had a different way of performing magic."

She motioned to Rarity who was enjoying a conversation with a few model ponies and stated, "Unicorns such as Rarity use magic on their horns, but I have always theorized that just like evolution, horns were not always there. And that way before the horns... They could not harness magic. They were all merely Earth Ponies who... Who harnessed the ground. But eventually, they did end up harnessing and manipulating magic. So the body had to adapt. And that adaptation was the horn. The same went for Earth Ponies and Pegasi.

"Earth Ponies such as Applejack were not as truly strong until the need was required. And before the roots of the ponies of Equestria had to travel away from their homeland, I'm absolutely positive Pegasi... Wouldn't really have wings. It's like... You do not gain muscle unless you exercise. It's just the body's natural response. Adaptation."

Elegant Shadow blinked at the Queen. Then followed her sights towards all of the ponies in the room. All of the different species of pony casually standing around and talking with each other. Including the ponies casting unsure glances towards ponies such as Novo and her daughter. No matter how beautiful they seem now... "They all didn't used to be like this."

Queen Arcadia sighed and took a sip of the juice she was stirring during her entire speech. "Well except Pserateps. As the first race to ever set hoof on Equus, I'm absolutely positive you all have had magic and wings from the beginning. When Psera was first being founded. Or... You could have all just started out at the same time."

Whoa, what? Madun turned his head to face her and stated, "But I thought Pserateps were the first kind millions of years before any other." Elegant Shadow was thinking the same thing.

Twilight allowed her magic to hold her cup for a moment then cast a double spell. A live thought of her theory. A visual of the planet Equus in her vision. Blue with water, white with clouds, and green clear land. A red circle encased the biggest land on the right.

"And I believe that," she appeased them. "I honestly do. But I also have a theory that I keep to myself most of the time. No one even at the 'Labs' know of this. But when Narmeelah started to create life... She may have actually did it all at the same time." A moving image of Narmeelah was plastered in front of them. Green coated with a light orange-red mane and the most iciest blue eyes Twilight had ever seen. Even in her own mind. Then an image of herself. Both of them were using their magic on the ground, creating life.

Arcadia pointed to Narmeelah and stated, "At the description of Narmeelah, she would have actually managed to create life all at the same time. And based off of Odega's description, it was much sooner. All lands could have possibly had life at the same time. But... Then came Maheera."

The next image to show up was of the ocean in between Psera and Equestria. Two parts of both countries were separated with both having green grass and nature. Abundant with ponies. Arcadia raised a hoof and stated, "Way before the Windigos, before any story or legend, and of course before Discord, Maheera was there." An image of the big Draconequus they all recognized was plastered onto the shores of Equestria. Well, those who have seen her. "I theorized that Narmeelah and Maheera used to be partners or... Or something else other than enemies. And one of them possibly offended the other.

"So in revolt, Maheera wiped out Narmeelah's creations. It would be so easy, just to wave a claw and everything was undone. Then Narmeelah fights her and puts her to sleep for a million years before she creates Odega, the Sea Creature, Mahloo and Marloo, and Neemorah. I've never seen her yet, so I have no clue. But Maheera's actions restarted everything. Therefore making Psera the oldest by thousands upon thousands of years—millions upon millions of years.

"All of that would explain why Psera is more modern than any other country while other countries are not even close. Even though Narmeelah is strong, even she can't start things at exactly how they once were. She can't restore the knowledge of others. She can only restore the basics. Thus putting everything back to where they were before. Directly at the start. Leaving Psera as the more knowledgeable country."

Madun hummed and looked back to the crowd of party goers with an empty expression. It made sense and could possibly be valid. But then again, Psera has lived on the thought that they were the first beings ever created. It was a good thing Twilight kept that to herself.

His eyes shifted down to Fresh Dawn walking over to them with dizzy eyes and a mouth practically covered in apples. Her little tiara was aloof on her head while her body danced a weird tango. Twilight grinned when she fell into her hooves and asked, "When is lunch?"

Arcadia looked around and raised her hoof for a servant. One, a stallion in a black and white tuxedo raced over and asked, "Yes, your highness?"

"What is the time?"

"Eleven forty-one, ma'am."

"Thank you." She looked back down to Dawn and answered, "Well lunch is about to start. And that means..." Arcadia cheered, "Time to see your cake!!"

The rest of the hall stopped their chatter and immediately began stomping their hooves and cheering. A large cake was immediately brought out from the back into view via a table with Dawn's favorite flavor. Vanilla Strawberry. She loved Vanilla Strawberry next to Apples.

Dawn gasped and stood up on her rear hooves while her main hooves were covering her mouth. Just in time for it to be stopped in the middle of the floor.

Twilight leaned down and scooped Dawn up with her head onto her back. Then trotted towards the one seat set directly in front of it. It was completely unnecessary considering that even with the chair, Dawn's height could only get her so high. She couldn't even reach the five candles at the top. And Dawn knew this, that's why she climbed up onto her mother's head so she could reach it just right. Five candles. Five years old.

Madun raised his hoof to cease the clapping and stomping. Then said, "Me calla olay toh sharee! Eh, mahtoo..." Then all the Pserateps started singing a song that more than likely was a birthday song in their language. The foreigners and their counterparts sort of just stood to the side and let them bob around with that song in their ears. Dawn wasn't even paying attention to it.

Her eyes were on that cake. That wavy icing that reminded her of the waters of Merōl. Apart from Apples, she loved Vanilla. Absolutely devours it. But she knew she couldn't eat it until these candles were blown out. And—just like any filly—didn't feel like sharing. After the song was finished, Arcadia announced, "Happy birthday, sweetie! Blow out your candles and make a wish!"



Psera's Central Press Center. Unlike during the night, today—just like any day—it was packed. A lot of multiple colored ponies running around talking, delivering information that was being sent live. Right one time, the same second. The floor in the atrium was busy. With foals running around playing, the casual business pony seated at the waterfall, a mare out of the many at a restaurant dating. Some were working, some were at lunch.

The levels above the atrium were a busy mess of Pserateps flying from one area to another. One side to the next. One would mistake them for crows if they had managed to get inside. The playground was busy with foals. Laughing, playing, running. A lot of activity.

On the fourth floor, a Pseratep stallion with a dark brown coat and large goatee wearing a yellow onesie was walking around pushing a trash can with a broom and dustpan. He had on a utility belt for all of the supplies he needed. Silently cursing his job here. The janitor. Or Sanitation Engineer.

Instead of being a camera pony he was the one pony they didn't really need. If you make a mess, clean it up yourself. But the job was good pay. Above average. It wasn't like the Cleaners of the castle floors, no. That was for a stallion much younger than he. At the age of four hundred, here he was. To work at the castle, you needed some of the young to get in places he unfortunately couldn't.

He stepped to the side away from the railing to watch the moves of the visiting and working Pserateps. Many of these ponies knew they had places to be. He knew it too. But he just sighed and unnoticeably shook his head.

When he did, his eye caught something red on the wall right at his knees. What was that? Did some foal draw on the wall again with Pastel, those things were hard to get off!

He groaned and immediately grabbed his favorite spray from off his utility belt. Then turned and bent low to check it out. This was one strange drawing. He raised an eyebrow and leaned in a little closer. The drawing was... Glowing? It looked like two squiggly lines with a straight one spearing through their middles. Creating a weird red "H".

"Hmm," he hummed. Then took a chance and sprayed it. If this was a regular drawing, then it would have immediately started melting off the wall. Instead, it began to pulse. Along with even more. Two more appeared on its left and right. Then more. Until he slowly straightened up and eyed all around him. As far as he could see, hundreds of these red things were ringing the floors. In front of rooms, stores, on the playsets, in the waterfall, the entrance way, inside of restaurants. Going down halls. On the floors all around him.

A few others were beginning to notice too. Pointing and admiring these... These things. But the janitor had a really bad feeling about them.

He reached down to his utility belt and pulled up a comm block. Just because the Defense uses them all the time doesn't mean any other company or institution can't. In a gruff voice, he relayed, "Verhemian to base. There are a lot of... St-Strange symbols appearing on the walls. I've never seen these before, I have a bad feeling about this."

"Verhemian, let the people enjoy the pretty red light show."

Verhemian got back down onto his knees and studied the symbols more. These things were bad news. Really bad news. And it was about to get worse. The symbols on this floor were beginning to pulse, and even more possibly were too. But he was so busy watching this one blink faster and faster he couldn't tear his eyes away.

He lifted the Comm Block back up and retorted, "I'm telling you base, we need to get these people out of here. I ain't likin' this at all." The red was blinking so fast now that it was blinding him and anyone else staring at them. Then they stopped at a constant white before all he saw was a flash. Then darkness.



Slow motion. All eyes on the birthday filly. All eyes on the pony who was taking in a deep breath to blow out her candles. The fifth birthday was one of the most important part of a young foal's life before ten. Then sixteen, then eighteen, and finally twenty-one. Grinning eyes trained on the candles before Dawn leaned in and let out her breath. Getting all the candles out in one go.

Everyone tapped and stomped their hooves while Dawn cheered with her parents. Twilight used her magic to pull Fresh Dawn down from her back and placed her at the front of the cake. "Now we can have some cake! Dawn are you ready to—"

Her sentence was cut when the room shook with a vibration. Twilight wrapped her hooves around Dawn protectively and glanced around while the vibration continued. The chandeliers in the ceiling jostled and shook and the lights briefly flickered.

Applejack leaned over into Rarity's space and asked, "Earthquake?" She only shrugged before the room stopped shaking.

Before Queen Arcadia could even ask, Gardeen was on it. From her side, she lifted her Comm Block and relayed, "Ballroom to Captain, I'm sure I don't have to ask. So tell me."

"We're looking into it right now," Captain Dark Silver replied. "But we're already receiving reports of smoke in the distance. Standby."

"Ten-four." Gardeen looked to Queen Arcadia and replied, "Nothing at the moment but smoke. Possibly an Earthquake."

Arcadia looked up to the ceiling and muttered, "Cop isn't by any fault lines. Hold still, sweetie." Celestia and Luna glanced at their own friends before Captain Dark returned.

"It's been confirmed that there is smoke in fact coming from downtown. We're waiting for—" Another vibration much stronger than the last one nearly knocked the Queen off her hooves before she flared her wings out to balance herself. "Oh no... All units, get to the Central Press Center now!!!"

Gardeen wouldn't say it, but Arcadia knew she was scared. Especially when another explosion rocked the castle. Queen Arcadia teleported the Comm Block from Gardeen and asked, "Dark, what's happening?"

"The Central Press Center is exploding, floor by floor!"

Arcadia gasped and yelled, "WHAT?!!" Then held onto Dawn before another explosion rocked the building. They seem to be going off every ten seconds. "HOW?!! There are no flammable gasses on the floors... Explosives. Oh my stars, let's move. Dawn, sweetie stay here!" At that Queen Arcadia bolted for the door.

"Mommy!" Dawn yelled. Madun immediately wrapped Dawn up in his hooves before another explosion rocked the building.

Then the guards started shouting. "All ponies, take shelter, let's move let's move!"



Someone was attacking the Press Center. Oh my Psera, no. Arcadia was immediately flanked by captains and ponies alike, all asking questions. All she could say was, "Declare a national emergency and create a mile long evacuation from the area. Issue a Code Black, and someone get the Department of Energy on the move!! Have any ambulances move to the scene now!!" She was actually surprised when Celestia, Luna, and Cadance were three of them following her.

She glanced to Celestia in the corner of her eye and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"We're not leaving you to face... Whatever is happening!" She scolded. "You may be a queen, but we're still going to help. Whether you like it or not."

Arcadia sighed and nodded before she flanked off to her left at a door blending in well with the wall. She couldn't tell them no. Using her magic, she pulled it open for the staircase, leading up to the roof. But Arcadia didn't need a staircase. She jumped over the railing and flew up the floors with the princesses right behind her. Another explosion rattled the air before Twilight landed on the very last step and pushed open the steel door. On the edges of the roof, the Guards stationed here had their eyes trained on the cloud of smoke reaching into the sky. A siren rang through the air and pierced their hearing.

A mighty plume of liquid black smoke plagued their overcast skies. All on the ground, Pods were speeding towards the location with yellow lights flashing.

One of the Guards spotted the Queen approaching over his shoulder and pushed a few more aside while she took her own place. A second or two after a flash and explosion happened from the distance, the castle shook once again. Queen Arcadia slowly shook her head with her eyes wide open. She knew what was happening. Everyone knew what was happening. That is the second tallest building in Cop. And the second most occupied. And it was lunch time. A lot of ponies were in there.

Luna stated, "The building's going to collapse."

That snapped Queen Arcadia back into action and out of shock. Based off the explosions, that building wouldn't need anymore bombs or whatever was happening. Queen Arcadia nodded and tilted her head back with her eyes closed to use her magic. Her horn lit up before her eyes opened again. But instead of their natural violet, they were glowing a constant bright neon purple. Just color, no eyes.

In the distance among the chaos, the Press Center was enveloped in a purple glow. The soldiers knew that glow. Captain Dark Silver was already on the scene with his men. Masks on and braving the dust blowing in. He looked behind him and yelled, "The queen is holding the building afloat, let's move in!" Then they all rushed into the entrances to get ponies out. Plenty were already soaring out screaming and covered in unmentionables.

Back at the castle Twilight still had her head tilted back, focusing on and controlling the tower's body. But that didn't stop the explosions. Five floors went out at the same time, blowing dust and debris down onto the ground below. "Buck! Open channel, we need help in here, casualties by the thousands!!"

"Lavender's been deployed, help is incoming! What is going on?!"

"The CPC is being attacked, bombs are just going off, no identified origins!"

"Just get the ponies out of there, don't worry about the origin just yet, just get them out!!"

Then their worst fears all came true. All at once, the tower that usually glows at night blew. All the floors went out one after the others. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom... Celestia couldn't watch anymore. How did a day like today, the birthday of Twilight's first born daughter, turn into a tragedy? There was no telling just how many ponies were in that building. No telling how many lost theirs lives to those blasts.

Celestia lowered her head and covered her eyes before more commands started barking through. "We just lost all floors, the building is done!"

"Stand by for any more blasts! All soldiers vacate the premises and get everyone left within half a mile inside!"

While the tragedy below was going down, Cadance couldn't help but notice the tears coming down from Twilight's eyes. She may be focused on her magic, but even the busiest of ponies could still make out conversations. Ponies were dying right now. All she could do was hold the building and help get the military in. But even they couldn't do anything. So all she could do... Was cry and hope for the best.

"All units are backed and ponies are inside." Queen Arcadia sighed wobbly before she dispersed her horn and closed her eyes. Then the low rumble of the building collapsing. All eyes were watching. Even Madun. He had Fresh Dawn buried in his chest, but was watching with his mother and Merry from inside of her personal observatory flourishing with flowers. But flowers would not soothe the horrible feeling they were all experiencing in their guts right now.

When that skyscraper collapsed, Madun just shut his eyes and listened. Felt it. It all happened so fast. It was swift, quick. It... Had to be setup. Dust flooded the streets and the sky above the buildings nearby turned dark. Screams echoed through the air and reached their ears.

Madun hummed and stated, "This wasn't random. This was..."

"Planned beforehoof, I can see," Molten replied. Her eyes were just like the Queen's. Full of tears. And fury.



When Private Smalls arrived with her own team in Downtown Cop, she was devastated. They setup in a random store to host while the dust and destruction cleared as much as possible to reveal the horrors inside.

The store they were waiting in had LiVAMs on. But they all read one thing: Blue screen with "No Connection." The CPC hosted all of that stuff. The only one who didn't was the one in the castle. All connections except an emergency return were down.

No word from the King or Queen yet, but Smalls didn't have to look out into all that dust to know they saw it. That building was being held by the Queen's magic. She saw it. She saw everything. Oh Narmeelah, it was the Princess' birthday today.

Smalls dropped down into a seat to cover her eyes with a free hoof. Oh no. Twilight was feeling the exact same way.

On the edge of the Castle's roof, tears streamed down the Queen's face. Wetting Cadance's coat while she held her. She too was crying. And would be utterly devastated if she had witnessed the deaths of a bit of her populace. But she didn't, and more than likely never would. This type of thing only happened in Psera.

Twilight wasn't crying as much now, her whines seemed to be pushed to the side. But her grip on Cadance was still strong. Until she let go.

Twilight kept her sight to the roof's gravel while she turned around and slowly stepped up to the edge. Eyes on the smoke in the sky and covering the streets downtown. She was sad—no. The Queen was mad. Angry. Livid. Her shaking with emotion made that very clear.

Celestia sighed and took a few timid steps forward. "Twilight, I—" Twilight shot her hoof up beside her head to stop whatever it was Celestia was going to say. She had a feeling it was an apology. She didn't need apologies.

She needed answers. Through gritted teeth, she growled, "Find. These. Ponies." She slowly turned her head to look over her left shoulder. Her face was the definition of angry. Frustrated. Devastated. "And BRING THEM TO ME!!" Then she lifted her right hoof and stomped it. Twice.
> Chapter 29 - Arcadia's Accident
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After she stomped her hoof on the Castle roof, Twilight whipped around and furiously raced past the Princesses for the entrance to the castle. "Someone summon the Senate Board at once! I want useful information by tonight! Not tomorrow, tonight!"

The Captain here saluted. "Yes, ma'am."

"Start gathering ponies in the Press Room immediately! We'll have a statement ready in a matter of hours!"

Cadance, Luna, and Celestia all followed after her while the guards prepared. But Cadance didn't leave until she cast that last glance to Psera's news central. There was nothing but dust and smoke where that beautiful tower once stood. And bodies.

Cadance sighed and continued following the Queen while trying to bury tears of her own. It all happened so fast.


~✶~


When the elevator doors from Molten's floor parted, Madun walked out with Fresh Dawn in his hooves straight into chaos. Pserateps from all departments and representatives from the land's City-States were nervous. Dawn would've had a panic attack if the Guards didn't do their jobs.

A multitude of flashing cameras accompanied by questions flying with the light. But Madun continued moving. Even when Gardeen flanked him. She had a feeling she was going to be really busy for the next few hours. She quickly announced, "Her highness has ordered an emergency meeting with the Council in two hours. Do you approve?"

"I do."

"She's also initiated Narmeelah's two stomp."

The two stomp? Oh boy, she's angry enough to legally... Madun sighed and replied, "I will speak to her as soon as I see her. I think it's safe to say..." He glanced down to the filly he was carrying in a free hoof. "That this birthday is one we will never forget."

Dawn had no idea what was going on. Nor did she like it. All she knew was that a lot of somethings shook the ground. And her cake was still whole. "D-Daddy?" She asked. "What's going on? Where's mommy?"

"Mommy's coming in a few minutes," he replied. His steps picked up on his way to the throne room. He ignored all the ponies asking questions before he and Gardeen got past their line of defense. And instead focused on the double doors in front of him.

The Guards stationed saluted and started the process of opening them. Thus letting out the sound of the Queen's tirade. There she was. Pacing angrily in front of her throne and the foreign rulers she more than likely summoned. The Arcadian Guard had been put into action and lined the red carpet leading up to it.

Arcadia stopped in front of her throne once again. Eyes narrowed, practically growling by this point in time. "That was the second most occupied building in Cop, at lunch it's a beehive of Pserateps, of my ponies! I want to know why this happened, I want to know who did this, and if it were any of your ponies, then I promise YOU AND THEM ARE OFF OF PSERA AS FAST AS—"

"Shhhh," Madun loudly sushes. He calmly trotted past the line of ponies and up to his wife. She was furious. Her eyes were starting to glow and his coat was getting all... Static-y. "It's okay," he cooed.

Arcadia turned to him next. Her glowing eyes nearly caused Dawn to fly off. But Madun set her down and nudged her down the stairs towards the Princesses. She didn't need to be near. Once she was safely under Celestia, he looked back to Twilight. Eyes glowing, mane flowing, and magic sparking from her horn. He took careful steps up to her. "Shhh."

"How can you be calm at a time like this?!!" She bellowed.

Madun walked up to Twilight and whispered, "It's okay. Everything's going to be fine—"

"No it is NOT going to be fine, a tower just collapsed to the ground with thousands of lives!!"

"Shhhh..." Madun stopped directly in front of Twilight and calmly pulled her in. "Shhh, calm down. Calm... Calm. Deep breaths, shhh, let it out."

Arcadia did as instructed with Madun's hooves around her. She breathed in his scent and allowed her heart rate to slow. Her eyes went back to normal and the room's temperature cooled. Then everything came crashing right back down.

The tower exploded. Floor by floor. Ponies could have made it out, but they didn't know what was happening. Just... Boom and gone. At that moment, lives were lost.

Queen Arcadia buried her face in Madun's coat. And cried. She cried for the ponies who had no idea what happened in there. She cried for all of them. There wasn't a number yet, but there was definitely over a thousand. A thousand innocent lives. She cried for all of them. She cried loud and tightened her hooves around her rock that was Madun.

Dawn didn't want that. She trotted out from underneath Princess Celestia shaking her head. "Nuh uh!" She ordered. Twilight opened one of her teary eyes and observed this tough little filly climbing the stairs to them. "You're not crying today!" Dawn ordered.

Twilight sniffed her tears away and adjusted her body so she was facing her daughter. Once Little Dawn got her hooves on a stable surface, she pulled herself up and started to walk to her mother with her chest puffed out proudly. With puffed up cheeks, Dawn ordered, "No crying on my birthday! Because I said so!"

Of course. She's so bossy. Arcadia sighed and closed her eyes. Dawn was just hungry. She's all grouchy pants without any food. But she just ate, right? Arcadia let Madun go and walked towards her daughter. Then settled down in front of her with a wet smile and asked, "Are you hungry, sweetheart?"

Dawn shook her head and trotted over to nuzzle her mother's face. "You were crying! So I did what you do best!"

"And what's that?"

"Tell you to stop and listen!"

Arcadia just closed her eyes and tried not to laugh. It was really hard not to and she did let a bit flow out since Madun was just letting his go. Cadance too. Arcadia sighed and then opened her eyes to stare at Dawn's innocent smile. She had no idea...

"Your mother..." Madun dropped down in her peripheral vision with a calm smile and kind eyes on their daughter. "Wanted to give you a gift before your birthday. But I was all... No. Birthday." He reached into his outfit with a free hoof and dug around for a dark brown wooden box bearing a red bow on top. It was opened with a hinge. Perfect presentation.

Arcadia wasn't mad he kept that. It was actually really good foresight in his eyes. She hadn't thought of it when she was making them. Madun placed it in front of Dawn and said, "Happy fifth birthday, sweetheart. From the both of us."

Both of us? Arcadia was about to correct him but decided to just close her mouth and let him admit he couldn't find a gift later. Dawn used her magic to undo the bow and place it on the carpet. She clicked the latch open to flip the lid. Next, gasped loudly at the gift.

The glowing pearl pendant swirling with a mix of red and purple magic. Dawn squealed and ran around the box. "Ooohhh, it's so pretty! I love it, I love it, I love it!"

Arcadia grinned and reached out with her mouth to knick Madun's cheek. "Really? You couldn't find anything?"

He shrugged and admitted, "Dawn's really materialistic. And she has almost everything already." Eh, that was mostly true. He looked back to Fresh Dawn still running around her present and eyed her figure curiously. Long wings, purple coat, a lot of red hair. But... "...she hasn't grown."

"So since you noticed too, I'm definitely not seeing things. I'll get Triage as soon as I possibly can. Aren't you going to put it on sweetheart?"

Dawn stopped running and eyed the present with uncertainty. "Ummm... I'm afraid I might break it," she admitted.

Of course. She wasn't really in tune with her magic yet and could barely control it honestly. And if Twilight's theory was correct, she probably wouldn't be able to in a few years. So for her to think like that was a very great step in learning her magic. Know your limits, lest you hurt yourself.

Arcadia used her own magic to gently lift the necklace. Then slid it past Dawn's horn and mane, and settled it around her neck. It was just the right size and everything. Perfect shape and form to fit. Fresh Dawn used a hoof to lift it up so she could eye the colors even closer. They were like bubbles made of purple and red, illuminating brighter than the day.

Arcadia shifted closer and explained, "Whenever mommy, daddy, or even both of us are away, this..." She softly placed her hoof on top of her daughter's, feeling the pendant. "Will remind you that you are an important piece in our lives. And that we will not be gone for long. Okay?"

Dawn nodded before Queen Arcadia pulled Dawn into a big hug. "Happy birthday, my little angel," she whispered. "My little Veola."

"Thank you, mommy. C-Can... Can I have some cake now?"

Oh yeah, she hasn't eaten the cake. "Of course you can, I'm sure it's in the Castle kitchen that you like to run in whenever you think I'm not watching."

Arcadia winked and Dawn's eyes grew wide. She knew?! Dawn turned around and immediately jetted out of her mother's hooves. Past the rulers still standing there and watching with smirks for the doors. Even the Guards behind their masks were smiling. The ones at the doors pulled them open and allowed her to run out right before they were closed back.

Now that the air was tense once again, Arcadia lost her smile and glanced back down to the Rulers of the nations. "I meant what I said earlier," she stated. Then started the walk back down to them. "If any of your ponies are responsible for the death of a number that is to be determined, they will be silenced and all of your ponies will be expatriated from your places of residence, and placed behind the Obelisk Line."

Queen Novo shook her head and replied, "I agree, although I highly doubt that is the case, Queen Arcadia."

She nodded and moved for Novo. "I as well, but it still must be said. Especially at a time like this. We're in war with a creature that has taken command over all of your countries and are all aligned with each other... I hope." That look Queen Arcadia was delivering was letting them know she was expecting a response.

So Cadance from the far left took the wheel and replied, "Of course we are, it'd be utterly ridiculous if we weren't by this point."

Queen Arcadia nodded and coalesced. She turned around and started the move back up to her throne next to Madun. "Excellent. Now..." She sat down and took a deep breath. "I think it's time we came clean about this war effort and why we have not staged any sort of offense as of yet. I figured later on when Dawn had finally ran herself to sleep I would drag you all into my office and tell you there, but... Somepony just wouldn't let that happen. So while Madun and I wait for an update, I'll tell you now."

Well this just got interesting. Madam Singe shared a look with King Haakim and Amira who both have been mysteriously quiet this time. More so than King Chancellor and the rest of the ponies in this line of nearly twenty. Queen Arcadia sighed and admitted, "During the storm on Equestria, a specific ship of soldiers out of sight managed to stun fifteen Infected ponies and get them onto one of our ships. They... Were our second priority. We brought them to Psera and—"

Luna immediately asked, "Has one of them escaped?!"

King Madun raised his hoof and sternly ordered, "Calm yourself, Princess Luna. None have escaped. And even if they did... They would be captured once more."

Queen Arcadia nodded and continued. "These infected have been part of an experiment to get any other Infected back to normal quickly. However, success has been..." She and Madun shared a look before returning their sights back to the line. "Slow, but gradually climbing. I know it's been a little over a week since your arrival, but ever since you have arrived, Psera has indeed been attacked. And things are getting worse. Today's attack may have been from Maheera, ponies from either of your countries, or even my own."

Celestia squinted her eyes and queried, "What exactly are you saying?"

"I'm saying... That if the cure is not done in time, Madun and I may indeed have to force our hoof and go with the more permanent backup plan."

"And what exactly was that?"

Madun stammered, "Uhhh..." He and Twilight quickly looked at each other nervously again then back down to the line. "Well... This idea was actually slid across the table in secret by Secretary Manny, Generals Bold Shoulder, Admiral Silver, and other high ranking military officers. All of this information is classified."  That would explain the Arcadian Guard in here, Luna thought. She could feel them watching her back.

Madun disclosed, "During Arcadia's first year in office, she paid way more than enough attention to our defense department with the idea that even though Psera was well-defended, there were a lot of enemies and allies in our past that... Disappeared without a trace and nothing further. She doesn't think they're deceased like we believe."

Arcadia took over with, "So in foresight, I began work on a project with a Lab concerning weaponry mixed with magic. It was at around the same time we created magical projectiles that stun and immobilize rather than impale an assailant. We wanted to create a weapon that works similar just like that. But only one shot can immobilize a large array of assailants.

"We had the magic and spell ready. Then proceeded with the test, but..." Arcadia and Madun shared a look of trepidation and fear. "The results were, disastrous, to say the least."

Madun raised a hoof and summarized, "A large array of land—seventy miles—across from the shot was completely totaled, magical feedback electrocuted and nearly burned all in the area, and some are... Deaf from the blast. Thankfully, no one was in that weapon's path. There wouldn't even be a body to bury. After that weapon was released, Queen Arcadia immediately wanted to scrap the idea." Celestia nodded with the expectation that that is exactly what Twilight would do. That sounds extremely strong and very dangerous. "But a few officials and directors stated that even though this spell and weapon were an accident, it could potentially be useful in the future."

"So we archived the formula in the event of a national emergency." Arcadia took in a deep breath and released her next statement with a sigh. "So... If things get desperate, and defeating Maheera does not change the Infected back, we will indeed launch this weapon on whatever land Maheera and her ponies are waiting on. And take them all out in one go. We will have to possibly break your land apart to free it."

Before they could gasp a masculine voice behind the throne added, "Do not be alarmed, it is only magic. And from what I hear, you are all very well experienced." Queen Arcadia turned her head and watched Captain Dark Silver with other captains trot out from the corner of Fresh Dawn's throne with a black folder in hoof. He pointed it to Celestia and added, "If the egg heads who knew dirt about it can figure it out just enough about magic, I'm absolutely positive you can."

Arcadia sighed deeply but did make a motion of admittance by tilting her head to the side a bit, then back in place. "Although his entrance was dramatic, Captain Dark has a fair point. I'm sure you could figure something out."

The unicorn mare with a gray coat, a pink flowing mane and tail with light blue eyes shared a look with Queen Novo. Queen Farue was sharp. She picked up on things that weren't said that are usually assumed. So she used that gift. "You're not helping rebuild... Are you?"

Queen Arcadia sighed and leaned forward. Madun was busy speaking to Captain Dark. She had to deal with this on her own. She crossed her front hooves and shifted her wings into a more comfortable position. "It was one of the limitations I told the Princesses back in Equestria. After we help get rid of Maheera and restore your ponies Psera will effectively cut off any other technical ties with foreign communication."

Shining raised a hoof and assumed, "So once the war is over, you're... Going dark again."

"The details are still going under intense clarifications, so to speak. It's been made clear that Psera doesn't want to cut all ties. There's still a lot to go over, and we haven't had time. Trade with Equestria did wonders for economic growth and Psera was discussing even more partnerships. And now, because of this attack, talks are being pushed back further. Trade is still open. But military assistance is still in question."

Arcadia glanced her eyes to Madun. Something was wrong, he wasn't talking. He was holding the folder in his lap, eyes closed, and had one of those same eyes covered with a hoof. It made her worried. All eyes were on him now. Queen Arcadia reached over and placed a soft caring hoof on his bigger one. "What is it?" She whispered.

Madun slowly lowered his hoof and grabbed the folder with small but noticeable tears in his eyes. "This... Is from the first hour. Not even the surface."

Queen Arcadia nervously took the folder and held it down in front of her. On top of her purple dress in her lap. She swallowed  hard with the reality. The numbers. So far. It was her duty as queen to see this. Queen Arcadia gripped the edge of the folder and flipped it open. "Terrorist Attack Number... Four... Oh Narmeelah."

Two thousand three hundred sixty-eight. So far. First hour report. Queen Arcadia took a deep breath to swallow her tears and flipped it to the side to reveal the gruesome images. Very disgusting images. She should honestly be puking by now. But she... She trained for this. In the event something like this happened, she was ready. She just never expected it'd be on her daughter's fifth birthday. Body parts. Pony parts. It was a good thing the populace was inside, a... Free falling head landed three blocks away from the location. Holy Narmeelah, a foal—

Queen Arcadia snapped the folder closed. "...okay," she whispered. "An awful, terrifying, absolutely brutal first hour. Are there any clues?"

One of the captains passed another black folder tagged "Images" to Dark. Then he walked up to the throne and answered, "Thousands of suspected clues, actually. We're looking at strange characters we've never seen before. Perhaps you could give a little insight, your highness."

Madun wiped his eyes and eyed the folder Arcadia took in her hooves. She carefully flipped it open. Photographs. Of the wreckage. One of the captains below stated, "They're not Old-Pseratopian, that much we can figure out. But they're also not normal either."

They may have not been Old-Pseratopian. They may have not been new Pseratopian. And they may definitely not be Ponish. But Queen Arcadia knew these symbols. She's seen them thousands of times living in Equestria to both thwart abd cast magical spells.

She narrowed her eyes at the multiple images of destruction and started, "You're right. It's not a language per se. But they are still for communication..." She glanced straight up into Luna's eyes. "For magic."

Whoa, what, magic?! Queen Arcadia stood up and slammed the folder to the ground. "These are runes! Physical spells!"

Madun gasped and growled at the ponies clearly alarmed. They stood up, gasped, and looked around. The Guards were clearly angry, Arcadia's eyes were glowing purple and her large wings were spread out blocking Madun's war path.

Celestia held up her hooves before the Arcadian Guard grabbed them. "Wait, wait, Twilight, I'm sure there's a much clearer explanation!"

Twilight started slowly walking down the steps. "There is literally no other pony here except Unicorns and Alicorns who can perform spells! Let alone draw runes! Maheera Dark cannot reach land and there have been no signs of Infected anywhere! Who else could have possibly done this spell at this magnitude?!!"

Arcadia summoned her own spell. A spell they have never seen before. None of them. A light blue glowing ring cut through the floor around them. Then runes and patterns were drawn under their hooves before magical chains shot up out of specific ones, wrapped around them, and tugged all to the ground. Restraints against their wills.

Queen Arcadia was powerful. She was strong. She was brilliant. She had influence. She was the bucking Queen. Cadance could possibly teleport out of these runes. Maybe. But she'd only get so far away from the fastest ponies on the planet surrounding her in a maze that seemed similar to Tartarus right now with their all powerful Queen who apparently knows spells she wished she knew, with a husband who had the biggest Physique she's ever seen look good on a stallion.

Bulk Biceps is not an exception.

So the Princesses could do the only thing reasonable at this time and hour: Bargain and come to a compromise.

Cadance gulped and focused back on the ponies angrily approaching. She hastily yelled, "Wait, wait, Queen Arcadia! Please, please listen! Look, I know this looks really really bad, but I can assure you that IHT has absolutely no part this attack! You of all ponies should know that neither I, Celestia, Luna or your brother are capable of this! We would never participate in a mass genocide! And our subjects definitely would not!"

Arcadia stopped in front of them and leaned down to stare really close into Cadance's eyes. She knew she was scaring them. But this wasn't about their comfort. This was about her country. "Maybe. Maybe Equestria doesn't. But North Neighton? South Neighton?!"

It was Captain Dark Silver who saved their lives. He stepped forward and bowed next to Madun. "Your majesties—" Both Madun and Arcadia looked to him. "With all fairness and respect, I believe what Princess Mi Amore Cadenza speaks is true. It is very unlike Equestria, or any of these ponies to actually create a chained bomb. And honestly, I would expect this skill of magic from you, Queen Arcadia. Not them." Arcadia was about to send something flying his way before he added, "Princess Celestia, according to their records, doesn't even seem to be nearly on your level of spelling, let alone the rest of these ponies. And she's the second most-powerful in Equestria. I highly doubt they could have pulled something this big off without being reported by even a foal since a half of Psera is clearly wary of them. With Cop being the number one in right wing views."

Arcadia hummed and looked back down to them with Madun. He was actually correct. Besides, it really wasn't like her to just jump to conclusions like this. It was... It wasn't normal.

"Let them go." She looked up to Madun's stern eyes glaring down at their suspects. "Now, Twilight."

Cadance blinked up to Madun then glanced over to Twilight. Her eyes ceased their glowing and the chains of magic withdrew back into the ground. The circle and symbols disappeared and all was once again calm. The Arcadian Elite Royal Guard let them go and backed up to allow them room to scramble onto their hooves. Shining had a large ache in his back now. Madun turned around and walked back up the red steps to the throne while Twilight stayed. And closed her eyes.

He flopped down onto his throne and stated, "Captain Dark is right. I feel these ponies are out of this stunning equation that is mass murder on my daughter's birthday. We must initiate a more thorough investigation.

Celestia silently praised Cadance for her quick thinking. If she didn't Dark Silver would not have supported them, and Twilight would have... Twilight...

Celestia focused back on the present and stared down to the Queen. Her eyes were still zeroing in on her past location. They were empty. Lacking of any emotion. Celestia was about to speak before she whispered, "Excuse me." And teleported away. Then the room became silent.

Madun ordered, "You are all dismissed. Captains, continue the great work."

All bowed in respect. Then rose and took their exits. Except Celestia. Still bowed, she requested, "May I see these runes, King Madun? Perhaps if we recognize the peak year of usage we can find something."

Madun hummed and eyed Princess Celestia closely. She knew her stuff. He nodded and peacefully grabbed the folder containing the images. Celestia watched him approach and hold out the folder in an inviting gesture. So she took the invitation literally and opened it. The unicorns gathered around and eyed the images. The runes were on bloody bits of steel and walls, all in a straight horizontal line. But the blood and death was ignored for the cause behind them.

From above Luna, Singe shook her head and quietly stated, "I have never seen these before."

"Neither have I," Cadance admitted.

"I have." All eyes shifted to Luna. She lightly traced one and whispered, "These runes are old. Ancient. So ancient I'm not surprised Celestia doesn't recognize these. They were used a lot in the past for miners. Instead of creating and wasting our material to mine for jewels, this rune was created. It gathers the magical energy in the air and compresses it together. And when it overloads, it explodes.

"This rune is so old that... They're not even held in the archives anymore. Let alone the blueprints back home. These runes were before our time, when ponies were still living in huts instead of houses. Centuries before my sister and I were born. They were dangerous and sometimes created more work for the miners. So many stopped using them and instead resorted to much safer and longer spells."

Madun hummed and asked, "Do you know any possible character that may have use for these?"

"On Psera? No. On Equestria? King Sombra. But he is deceased."

"So still no idea. It's alright, we will find them." King Madun took the folder back and started the trek to the back of the room. "You're dismissed. Stay in the castle to avoid suspicion."



Scootaloo was all for exercise but Rainbow Dash's pacing was killing her. Scootaloo decided to stay on their shared bed and read while watching. After ten minutes, she sighed and dropped the book down. "Rainbow Dash, what is bothering you?"

Rainbow Dash stopped pacing in front of the window and answered, "Something happened earlier and I still don't know what. I haven't seen Twilight but she definitely knows."

Twilight was actually on her way to the press room's rear entrance with Gardeen on her tail. She was worried about her. Twilight was clearly shaken. But it wasn't easy to figure out the what.

The press room wasn't nearly as packed as they should be. But it didn't take a genius to know where they were. She ignored the camera flashes and walked up to her podium. "Hello, everyone," she first said. "I wish I could say good afternoon, but... It isn't. As of eleven forty-three today, the Central Press Center in downtown Cop... Was attacked and demolished by an unknown assailant or assailants. The Department of Defense, Homeland Security, The Elite Royal Guard and Police are actively looking into this.

"The results... Are staggering. We lost..." Twilight had to close her eyes to keep the tears back for a few seconds. Then opened them back up and admitted, "Two thousand three hundred sixty-eight in the first hour. If you live near the destruction, please follow all orders and stay away from the scene. We will have more updates for you by tomorrow morning. If anyone has seen or heard anything, The Government is asking you to step forward and help us assure that the deaths of these innocent ponies were not in vain. Thank you. No questions at this hour."

Even though she was being called upon, Queen Arcadia stepped away from the podium and proceeded to make her way back from whence she came. The hallway packed with officials and investigators. Gardeen was the first pony she met up with offering a cup of coffee. Decaf, iced. Twilight thanked her and took it in her hooves while many other ponies walked out there with their own news. And Twilight signed a few forms she needed to using her magic.

Gardeen knew something was wrong with the Queen. She didn't look as determined as she usually did. Yes, the accusation in the throne room was big but... Did it hurt her? She sighed and whispered, "You're not alone in this, your highness."

Leave it to Gardeen to notice something off. "It's not that," Arcadia replied. She handed back the documents to their handlers and took a deep calming breath. It wasn't working like it usually did. "But I feel I need to be alone for awhile. Redirect any summons."

She turned around and started the walk back down the hall. Gardeen had no idea where she was going. But being alone was what she needed right now. That and some rest.



After everything that happened in that throne room, it would be absolutely foalish to not think about this. While the others went back to their rooms, the three Princesses and Shining Armor were reminiscing in the cafeteria-lounge on the first floor. The doors were wide open, an inviting gesture. But the entire space was empty, and a little dark and cozy like a cafe. Just like they needed. Psera had everything.

So they took a much larger booth in the corner and held their conversation. Although, there wasn't really much to say. After eleven minutes of silence, and an intense staring contest with the most glossiest table they've ever seen, Shining Armor whispered, "This... Is bad."

Cadance glanced over from his right and asked, "Twilight, or the attack?"

"Both."

Luna hummed and looked over to the entrance. "I've never seen a spell like that before. It was... Really, really advanced."

Celestia shook her head and countered, "That is besides the point, and the obvious fact that something is wrong with Twilight. Her husband and family here may say that she's the same, but I know Twilight. I raised her alongside her own parents, and it's very unlike her to jump to conclusions without the proper data or evidence to do so."

Shining nodded and added to that with, "It was very... Odd, to say the least."

Celestia knew it was. From where she was sitting, Psera was a really tough nation. They may not seem like it on the surface, but these ponies were something that Twilight honestly shouldn't be a part of. But it's too late to change that.

Celestia huffed and suggested, "We need to speak with her. As soon as we possibly can. At least just to get an understanding of her recent actions. She's more stern and... I do not like that Twilight."

Luna nodded and trained her eyes on the door when a figure trotted in. A figure that put a smile on her face. "We should take a page out of Fresh Dawn's book." She pointed and said, "Become cute, take it easy and smile."

They followed her hoof over to the Princess of Psera running in on tiny hooves over to the drink bar. She was so innocent it was painful. Unaware of the terrifying reality she was living in. Instead, she chose to grin and play with a lopsided tiara on her head. Destination for the beverages.

Shining exchanged an amused glance with Cadance. That drink table was pretty high up, how was she going to get whatever she was after? Instead of stopping at the table, Dawn slowed to a walk underneath it out of sight. She knocked or hit against something that may have been the source of that large cloud of steam shooting out from under there.

A big white cloud that Dawn jumped back out on and beat up to make create a floating platform. She elevated it and floated over the table to grab a few snacks. Then she turned around and started to float back out of the room. Flapping her wings with a pleased grin on her face. Mission accomplished.

"Ooohhh, Daaawwwn~!" Who called her? Dawn lost her grin and looked around before her form of transportation bumped into something. Princess Cadance closed her eyes when she collided with her. But it was the equivalent of getting hit with a small cold pillow.

Dawn quickly looked around from the top of her cloud. Coast seemed clear and the cafeteria was nearly abandoned save for her family. She leaned in and whispered, "You didn't see anything, Aunt Caddy."

Cadance covered her mouth and giggled at her response. So she wasn't supposed to be raiding the cafeteria kitchen? Who would have known? She took a breath and replied, "Your secret's safe with me. Where is your mother? Is she around?"

Dawn reached under her wing and pulled out a tiny piece of muffin to munch on. With a mouth full, she answered, "I dunno. But mommy's upset. I can feel her emotions. When you find her, tell her she's not supposed to be crying on my birthday."

"Will do, Princess. We'll—" Her sentence was suddenly cut when she, Celestia, Luna, and Shining suddenly teleported out of sight with a purple flash. All at the same time. Fresh Dawn jumped in surprise and looked around hectically. Alone once again. Fresh Dawn shrugged and continued soaring out of the cafeteria with her load of goodies. The less she had to say the better.

"—we'll just... Uhh..." Cadance glanced around and immediately asked, "What... Just happened?"

All around them were... Moving lights. A nebula of moving stars in a land of darkness. Underneath, above, left, right, endless. They were bright but not blinding.

"Wow," Luna whispered in awe. She allowed one of these stars to glide into her hooves and brought it up to her face. They looked like glass balls with a glowing center. Celestia looked around the space for an exit. Good news, the exit was a few steps away. Bad news, she recognized them. Two violet colored doors.

"Welcome to my safe space." Celestia whipped back around to face the voice. Twilight was lying down on a cloud in a Rainbow Dash fashion. Her face was graced with a pleasant smile and eyes closed. "This is the reality I hide in to suspend myself away from my problems."

She was having a rough time, Cadance could tell. That smile was overly forced. She sighed and walked over to provide even minimal comfort. Twilight deserved that bit. "What's wrong, Twily?"

Twilight inhaled deeply and dropped that smile. She answered, "I'm ashamed, I'm scared, and I think Madun's mad at me."

Luna sat down in front of Twilight and repeated, "Mad? At you? For whatever reason?"

"The same reason I'm mad at myself. I jumped to conclusions. I allowed my anger to lead my actions. As a ruling Queen of Psera, my actions are determined by evidence. Runes alone are not solid evidence, no matter how obvious they are."

"It is okay," Celestia appeased. She took a seat next to Luna and added with a raised hoof, "You are clearly stressed, that is all."

"Celestia, at the stomp of a hoof, I could have had you executed without a fair trial. You would be dead, and the real culprit would still be out there. I allowed my emotions to take control of me without thinking about the implications. I would have made extremely poor judgement with equally as extreme consequences. I, the Queen and Savior of Psera would have shamed my country by sentencing the wrong ponies to an execution. Innocent ponies, let alone my friends and family. My baby's family. It would have made the entire crown look terrible.

"All because I allowed my emotions to get the best parts about me: My judgement, and my mind. Now Madun's upset with me because I almost made us commit to a grave mistake we would regret later, my baby's fifth birthday is ruined after everyone's hard work, and we were attacked by ponies with no name. This is a terrible day."

Twilight leaned her head back and groaned loud. Then dropped it back down onto the cloud bearing the mistake at the tip of her mind. "I messed up," she grumbled.

Shining Armor stopped next to her cloud and sighed. He used a free hoof to free her mane of its tangles. Cadance would get worked up over things like this all the time and this is what he'd do to calm her down. "There, there, Twily. Yes, you messed up. Yes, it could've ended very badly. But it didn't. Luckily, Bold Shoulder saved our lives today. You don't have to worry about that. We learn from our mistakes. This was just a learning experience. And what exactly are you scared of?"

Twilight sat up and shook her head. "I'm not scared of anything right now. But I am scared for all on Psera. Not just my citizens. The only one who can fight Maheera and take her down is me. The lives and wellbeing of everyone else lies solely on my wings and horn. And if I fail, then everyone on this continent, this massive land of love and peace will face the unknown future of imminent death and darkness.

"Yes, Psera's military is strong and they have weapons of destruction thanks to my magic. But if I lose to her, and Maheera does in fact come here, then everyone will be victims of Maheera's jealousy. They don't see what could go wrong. They're not scared of Maheera. Because they don't have to face her. But they should be. Because if I lose the fight against her—"

"Whoa, whoa!" Luna interrupted. She waved her hooves around and smiled at Twilight. "There is no I in We. You're not going back there alone. You're going to have a massive army with you. Plus, do you honestly think we're going to let you take on all of this alone? Not happening."

Celestia proudly nodded with Shining Armor and Cadance. Twilight had a feeling they were going to volunteer themselves. It wouldn't be like them if they didn't. It wouldn't be Equestria.

Celestia stated, "We may not be as strong as you, or as smart. But we can definitely contribute."

Twilight smirked and blushed. Of course they'd make her feel better while saying it. "Thanks, Princess."

Celestia pulled Twilight into the hug she was preparing for. She was pulled in tight and close, receiving love and affection from one of the many ponies that has inspired her and pushed her through life. "You're welcome, Queen Twilight." After they separated, Celestia looked around and asked, "Your spells are becoming extremely complex by the way. I am beyond impressed."

Feeling much better, Twilight stepped off her cloud and said, "This is one of my important spells. It uses illusionary magic, but on a much stronger and grander scale. Anyone who steps hoof past the entrance of this room will in fact see all of this. I have thousands upon thousands upon thousands of custom made spells. But it has to go now." Twilight lit her horn and began the process of diminishing the area. Everything slowly faded away and were replaced with Queen Arcadia's Natural Office with the twirling sun.

Shining had never been in here. The crisis had allowed him the first time to ever step hoof onto Psera. And it was pretty nice, right up before an entire building exploded. So he gandered Twilight's office and queried, "Did you use another spell?"

Twilight giggled and walked around her desk so she could finally plop into her chair with confidence. As the Queen of Psera everyone knew. She answered, "Well yes, but it was performed years ago. Everything in here was created when I first took office and Dawn was learning how to walk, jump, and fly. Ohhh, it was so cute. I'll show you pictures sometime."

A ringing underneath Queen Arcadia's desk caught her ears and the attention of her visitors. Business time. She lost her smile, held up a hoof and reached down out of sight to open a specific drawer. A drawer containing around twenty Comm Blocks all labeled for different departments. She could get in contact with those department heads at the press of a button, and vice versa. And the one that was ringing was for...

Serl. Twilight glanced up at her family for a moment then back down to the Comm Block. Hopefully everything was alright.

"Excuse me." She picked up the Comm Block and diddled with it for a few seconds. And grabbed another wayyy smaller device in her magic and placed it in her ear. Then pressed the switch. "Yes, Bright Gold?"

"We did it, your highness. As of five fourteen this morning we ran the test and managed to restore entire bodies on all of our subjects."

Arcadia smiled at the announcement in her ear and locked eyes with Celestia. "Are there any... Unwanted changes? I'm sure the Princesses would like all of their citizens back to normal and not a third." Twilight nodded to Celestia and winked at her before Bright Gold replied.

"None. Everything is perfect. We're doing a replay on the chemical to get a good run in. The Blue Gold seems to restore all previous aspects of the subjects. Not partial aspects. We believe the Obelisks may have had a play with the reach of Maheera's magic to the mind."

"Excellent. Great work... Wait..." Queen Arcadia thought for a moment. And thought hard. Those runes she saw on those reports popped up into her head all of a sudden. They seemed... Dark now that she actually took the time out to think about them. Among other things that popped into her head that made her blood run even colder. She should look at the report again, but Madun has it right now.

Urgently, Queen Arcadia requested, "Bright Gold, could you send me a sample please? I just thought of something I need to check out."

"Yes ma'am. Is there anything else you need?"

"Yes..." Queen Arcadia slowly stood up. "But you don't have it at the facility. It's in Cop. Thank you, Bright. I'll be in contact with you for any meeting details."

"Yes, ma'am." After they ended the conversation, Arcadia urgently stuffed all of the materials she took out back into their respective places. She just had a troubling thought. And it may have cost her.

Queen Arcadia Nova urgently walked out from behind the desk and started on the movement for the doors. Fresh Dawn remembered seeing monsters in the windows. There was an attack on Psera that involved magical runes she didn't recognize, but certainly looked odd...

She walked past Cadance and stated, "I fear we've been invaded. I need you all to come with me. Now."
> Chapter 30 - Twilight's Confession
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

One second Pudge Mount was standing in her living room speaking with Hard Love and Hard Seas. The next she was seeing black. No feeling in her body. No brain activity. Nothing. It was cold. It was scary. She didn't know how long she was out. She didn't know how she was knocked out in the first place. But Maheera did.

She sat upon Queen Novo's throne observing current events through the eyes of Hard Seas, Hard Love, and Pudge Mount together. The perfect candidates for a strategic attack. And it went great. Thousands of Narmeelah's disgusting creations were wiped out. And they had no clue. She didn't know anything about Psera. At all. But thanks to the memories of these ponies her Shadows were infecting, she got a little insight. They were advanced. That much was clear.

At first, she was going to go after that castle. It would've been an excellent target. However, based on magical experience, the Queen would've recognized the runes within an hour. That and her hosts would be looked down upon once they took a step inside. Maheera would've gotten nothing out of that. And since there wasn't that much magic flying around, it took way longer to explode than anticipated this round.

But it was a good error. She got way more of those disgusting Pserateps out of the way than expected. Now time for phase two. Maheera grinned on her throne with the image of the future on her mind. Those ponies would rush into this very house, grab them, they'd be punished, and according to "Narmeelah's Law," they'd speak their last words to the King and Queen before they were shipped off.

She would speak their last words; Maheera would send her own message. Not that her hosts had any idea. When Pudge Mount awoke, she rose from the carpet right behind the front door. Her hooves were splayed out in all directions. Muzzle facing the fancy expensive kitchen directly across.

"Ugggh," she groaned. Then cracked her eyes open and trained them on the ceiling. Everything screamed in pain and aches. Her back, her hooves, her eyes, her mouth especially. Oh jeez, what was going on?

She shifted her body into a sitting position and looked around. Everything seemed normal. Except Hard Seas and Hard Love. Both of them had something going on.

Hard Seas was dropped onto the back of the couch, so now he was leaning over it. Whoo, that was going to hurt when he woke up. Hard Love had her own issues with the glass table she was sleeping on face first.

"Ugghh! Wake up!" Pudge ordered. Then stood up and shook off her burdens.

Hard Love groaned into glass and tilted her head back. Drool leaks out of her mouth and her eyes strained to focus. And a headache beat at the front of her mind.

She asked, "Whoooa, ouch... What happened?" Her tangled mane draped over her face and blocked the room from view for a second before she pushed it to the side with a hoof. Her eyes were lidded, clear with fatigue and drowsiness. She groaned and stood up to stretch her bones and wings. Then walked over to Hard Seas and nudged him by lifting his chin a bit to look into his eyes. "Hey, wakey wakey. What happened to us?"

He cracked his eyes open and trained them on her ruby red eyes. "...what?" He whispered. Then looked around at his predicament. "Hey... Why am I in this extremely uncomfortable position? What did we get into? I hope nothing weird."

Pudge Mount made a beeline for the LiVAM and answered, "I don't know. But I'm not worried about it. Now what were we talking about before we... Did whatever Narmeelah knows we did?" She pressed a button on the side of the LiVAM and made her way back to the couch to flop down on it. Oh, everything hurt. It was like she ran for an entire day.

Hard Love helped get Hard Seas down by shoving him off and sat down in the spot in front of him. "We were talking about how to get the Queen's attention, I believe," she reckoned.

"Oh yeah. She's ruining the nation and our traditions, right. Now how exactly will we—what is wrong with the LiVAM?"

The other two followed her eyes and focused their sights on the blue screen displaying a prompt. "No Connection?" Hard Love relayed. "Since when was that a thing?"

"It's not." Pudge Mount hastily made her way over to the LiVAM. What's wrong with this stupid thing? She tapped it with her hoof and even turned the channels. But there remained no signal. "Yeah, this has never happened before."

Hard Seas sighed and suggested, "Have you tried banging on it?" A stoic look of annoyance was his answer. "Ladies look, I just woke up with a crick in my back because I was sleeping over the edge of the couch with no idea how I got there, cut me some slack here."

Well he had a point. But Pudge Mount wasn't going to let him know that. She sighed and said, "Well either way, this thing's busted right now. Let's discuss getting the Queen's attention over—Hey, it was morning when we left, why is it the afternoon?"



The doors for the Queen's office burst open, allowing her and the rulers of Equestria out onto the red carpet of the Royal Hall. The Guards saluted when they passed, then shut the doors once they did.

Luna quickly caught up to Arcadia and repeated, "Invaded?"

"Yes," she confirmed. Then turned a left to walk for the front of the castle's third floor. "They slipped under the Obelisks. It's Maheera. Guard, summon all executive personnel to the Castle War Room." The pony she was speaking to saluted and opened the doors for her and the Princesses with one stallion. Letting them out onto the walkway leading to the Castle's massive foyer.

Arcadia paid no one any mind. Instead, she pursued her goal: Meeting at the War Room. Gardeen met up with them by the time she reached Arcadia's first apartment here. She smiled to her and said, "You seem better, your highness."

Arcadia looked to her with a deadpan expression and queried, "Really? I just called an emergency meeting."

"Exactly. I would be more relieved if you were walking with your face in a book."

Twilight glanced upwards for a second. Then smirked with a lighting of her horn. A specific book was teleported in front of her face. "You mean like this."

Gardeen pointed a hoof at her and grinned. "Yep! That's it! I feel much better now about your emotions. But why that book, Queen Arcadia?"

Twilight lowered the Information Manual for the PDS Obelisks and graced Gardeen with her "serious mommy" look. "Follow me to the War Room. I think Psera has a major security breach."

Security Breach? Security Breach?! "How could Psera get a security breach without us knowing?"

"That is what I am going to explain." Twilight turned a right into the Situation Room with the Princesses and Gardeen. But she didn't want to. The table was glass, the walls held LiVAMs displaying nothing but the Crest of Psera. Along with the many pads at the seats. No one else was in yet until Madun arrived at the same moment they sat down.

Twilight immediately started her blubberfest. "M-M-Madun, look, listen. I am sorry about what happened in the throne room. You have every right to be upset and..."

Madun plopped down into the seat next to her and rolled his eyes. Much to the amusement of Equestria. Then leaned into Twilight's neck and rubbed his Muzzle against it. Twilight ceased her blubbering and responded to that by slowly tilting her head to the side. Giving Madun much more access. Luna, Cadance and Shining Armor awkwardly shuffled around while Celestia was actually fairly interested in what this is.

After a few seconds Madun pulled away with a smile and whispered, "Stop it."

Every time. Every freaking time. Twilight straightened up and sighed with closed eyes. "How do you do that?" She grumbled.

"You're practically made of buttons. You have the tickle button." He stuck his head in her wings and blew on something that pushed Twilight into a laughing fit. Then pulled out and added, "The angry button." He reached up to her left ear and bit down on it.

Twilight yelped and playfully hit his chest. "No biting there, I'm warning you."

"You have the reset button." He lifted his left hoof and bopped her head.

"Ugh, ma.. mama, ugh... I can't... Madun!" Gardeen had to cover her mouth to keep from from laughing at the Queen's face. Whatever that did had scrambled her brain for a second.

"My cute scrambled egghead. And finally, the relaxation button. You were about to start rambling an apology. Don't, it's okay. I understand, you were worried and hasty."

Twilight sighed and nodded. Holy Narmeelah, she couldn't ask for a better husband. She smirked at him while the military leaders poured in. "You know me well."

"I live with you, sweetie. I know you more than 'well'." He pecked Twilight's cheek and made a motion for the door to be closed. "Now... I assume you have something?"

Right. Twilight nodded and stood up to start the meeting, the zenith of her fears. "Thank you everyone for answering this emergency meeting. As I'm sure you all know, the land of Psera has been attacked by an unknown subject. At this hour, I'm speculating it to be Maheera but it has yet to be confirmed. Are there any updates? Yes, Captain?"

Captain Dark Silver's black coat of fur seemed to absorb the minimum of light in here. He saluted and reported, "A few of my soldiers have retrieved a few feeds from neighboring buildings. Since no one seems to have seen anything, we went back in time and looked around. We didn't need to go back too far." He tapped on the pad at his seat and put up a feed from cameras on the walls.

It was for the front of a nearby building across from the CPC. Probably a restaurant. Three ponies walked out from an alley between it and another. Three ponies the Princesses and Queen recognized.

Celestia raised her hoof and looked to Madun and Twilight. "Are those not those same ponies who—"

"Disrespected me in my Court?" Twilight interrupted. "Yes, they are. Why are they out so late at night?"

Dark shook his head and answered, "No clue, ma'am. But more footage suggests they were headed to the tower, which is closed at this hour."

Of course it is. The maximum last hour that businesses are open is nine here in Cop. It was almost twelve in these images. Twilight sat down and Madun asked, "So what are we doing about it?"

"A raid is scheduled on their places of residence by police. They are the only leads we have but we're not taking any chances."

Twilight nodded and gave her own order. "Bring them to the detention center here in Cop for holding. Now for the reason I called this meeting. I... Have a confession to make." A confession? The Princesses and Shining Armor shared a worried glance. "Bring up the Obelisk Line Feed from the last sixty hours on the East Coast please." While they were making their moves she queried, "What is the news on our offense on Maheera?"

Secretary Manny saluted and answered, "We have a spy currently being given her debriefing package. Our goal is to have Private Smalls of the Elite Guard's Fourth Aerial Precinct to complete a quick aerial scan of Equestria's coast so Lavender can do an assessment and plan a strategy. Then it was recommended earlier in time that you are enlisted."

Twilight nodded and focused on the pad in front of her. Of the scans of the Obelisk Line. "Yes, I heard about this. Pause it." The rewind ceased with a clock in the bottom right corner showing 01:00AM. "Move it forward regular speed." The layout of the Obelisk Line's feed looked similar to a ball field. A big white outline of a circle with a mass of red in the middle. The distance between the two was divided into thirds. It worked just like the Depth Scans. Just always constant.

It worked through heat. By scanning for heat signatures, Psera's able to detect how far, deep, and fast the object is moving. It's impenetrable and flawless. Or so ponies thought. Queen Arcadia knew everything had a weakness, and the Obelisk Line was no exception. If an object reported relatively low heat and was small enough, it could get past by flying like a Pseratep. A serious flaw she herself only believed was not too important and needed not be addressed.

Until now. She raised her hoof and took over the scan by slowing it fifty times. The rotating timer on the bottom left corner that looked like a clock with a single hand slowed drastically. She was close... She could feel it. It was... There.

Queen Arcadia tapped pause and hummed. Within a centimeter of the property line splitting Psera from free seas were dots. Yellow dots with numbers next to them showing depth. And a lot of them, almost a hundred. Oh, this was not good. Not at all.

Secretary Manny asked, "What is that?"

Queen Arcadia didn't answer. Not yet. Ever so slowly she nudged the time up. The dots moved past the line and disappeared in the same second it was scanning. Then Arcadia sighed and closed her eyes. "I have bad news," she whispered. Her eyes opened back up to train on the ponies watching her and she explained.

"The PDS Obelisk Line... Has a flaw. At the time of build it was pushed to the side because it was deemed unnecessary and extremely unlikely to ever happen."

Admiral Shooting Star crossed his silver hooves and asked, "What is this flaw?"

"I'm sure you all know that the Obelisks work by detecting temperature. Anything within a fifty mile radius off of our seas will be detected at a high of one hundred degrees ten miles out, with a low of five one mile and less coming in at seventy degrees. When I built them, it was with the mentality that even if anything comes towards Psera below sixty that they will not survive the trek here across the seas alive at that temperature, considering it is flu temperature and they have far less than twenty-four hours to live. They wouldn't even make it fifty miles in, let alone one hundred from the Line. It would be a waste of my time and magic to set it even lower.

"However, one of our... 'Labs' reported that the temperature of the infected dropped to thirty degrees. I paid it no mind and told them to continue their research. But today while I was in contact with Bright Gold I realized... That these ponies were surviving those temperatures. Below death temperatures. Much longer than I thought they would. And among those ponies were creatures who can swim.

"The PDS is great, but it isn't perfect. At thirty degrees, the subject would have to be within a fourth of a mile of one obelisk to be detected. Once again, paid it no mind. Maheera is not that foolish.

"I was wrong. Two days ago, my daughter believed she heard growling and saw red eyes in a shadow at school. Spying on her class. That was confirmed by the Guards there that even the teacher saw it. A few reports around the Country have slipped across my desk about these noises as well. The Crown sent out an order commanding Psera's Animal Control to look into these. Still no mind to the Obelisk. Until today.

"It was a crazy thought, but even I knew that it was worth it in this time. I looked into the Obelisk and slowed down the recent scans twenty four hours before I was told of Fresh Dawn possibly being watched." Arcadia pointed to the feed on the wall currently empty. "Then I pushed forward slow." The clock in the bottom left slowly moved forward before a mass of yellow dots slowly appeared on the screen once more. Then disappeared once more at the same pace. "And saw that."

Secretary Manny repeated, "What is that?" She was genuinely afraid of the answer.

"Those..." Twilight swallowed hard. "Are Maheera's infected ponies. A small storm, possibly a recon squadron. They got past our early detection by using temperature against us. I theorize that when they were deployed, their temperature was that of a regular pony. But swimming through the sea lowered it greatly. So low in fact that they became invisible to The Obelisk Line until they were directly skimming it. And still invisible then at regular speed."

Arcadia rewound it once again and played the detection normally. The only proof something got there was a small tiny yellow flash that could have been mistaken for a daring fish. It lasted less than a hundredth of a second. "They got past our Obelisk Line, onto our land as 'growling animals', and I believe are responsible for the destruction of our tower. And the thousands of lives lost in it."



Holy buck. Pudge Mount was just staring in horror with Hard Seas and Hard Love over her shoulder. The newspaper. The images surfacing of the collapsed tower in Cop. Holy... Pudge Mount just shook her head and let the paper slip out of her hooves to the floor below. The death toll was at over three thousand now. One third were children.

Hard Love had tears streaking down her face. "How..." She whispered. She shook her head and whimpered, "How could anyone do this?! It's a monstrosity!"

Pudge Mount stood up and sighed. Just to think about all of those lives lost out there. Innocent lives that had no care in the world. It made her want to wrap herself in these wings and just... She faced Hard Love and Seas with a face of steel. "I don't know how or when this happened. Seriously, I don't recall any of this. But—"

The front door suddenly being kicked in spooked and interrupted Pudge Mount's thoughts. "POLICE! ON THE GROUND, ON THE GROUND!!"

Police?! Hard Love did as instructed when the ponies burst into the kitchen and started apprehension. The pushed them over and stepped on their spines to keep them pinned to the ground.

Hard Love screeched and yelled, "Wait what's going on?! Why are we being arrested?!!" Her hooves were forcefully spread out and they started ruffling through her wings.

"Quiet! By order of The Crown, you are under arrest for Suspicion of Genocide!" They pulled them up into a sitting position and placed steel rings around their torso to keep their wings in place. Then did something in the back out of sight that tightened them in place.

"WE WOULD DO NO SUCH THING!!" Pudge Mount argued. She couldn't run away. Her hooves were bound together by chains and connected to each other. Even if she did try to get away, it would be as if she were a foal running. They would be on her quick and fast. Hard and down.

Hard Love looked to the police and bargained, "You have to believe us, we would never do something like that!"

The officer she was looking up to placed a wing on her back and started leading them into the living room. The police in here were looking around and at them as they were ushered out. On the road outside was a large steel chariot with a steel box on the back. A door was open in the back by other police officers standing there with weapons out. Why did they have those, they weren't armed! And they definitely weren't going anywhere!

They ignored the looks from the rest of the neighborhood and allowed themselves to be ushered to the insides of the block of steel with narowed windows letting in air and a view they didn't need. Then the door was sealed and they were locked inside with horror on their minds.
> Chapter 31 - Aftermath
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight was ashamed. Princess Celestia could tell just by looking at her. After she confessed and dropped into her seat, the room erupted. Secretary Manny—of course—was the first to express her opinion.

She stood up and asked, "So let me get this straight. Because of your creation, over three thousand ponies may have lost their lives."

Despite her own shock, Secretary Gardeen stood up and came to Twilight's defense. "In all fairness, her highness admitted that she did not take into account that a pony able to bring chaos to the minds of real living ponies, let alone Narmeelah's enemy would actually attack. We barely knew she existed and if Maheera hadn't, this would not have occurred."

General Bold Shoulder interrupted, "Despite that, I believe we should have still been informed of this flaw. No matter how unlikely it were to happen and how low risk it was, it is still an issue I feel the Government should have been informed of."

Admiral Shooting Star next to Manny nodded and agreed, "It would have made our patrols all the more important during this time. We could have used the UAs and been able to combat this when they arrived."

Twilight sighed and raised a hoof to her head to try and rub out that impending feeling of dread approaching. And not from Maheera this time. Everything she's worked hard for was about to come tumbling down around her. The future she was seeing was about to make her cry.

Well that wouldn't do. Madun jolted from his seat and knocked his chair over with hooves on the table. It was an accident but the clamor successfully ceased all voices. "Enough," he sternly stated. "It was an overlook. They weren't detected and got underneath our scans. Let's focus on getting them out first." He looked down to Twilight and asked, "Twilight, is there anyway to get them out in a quick manner?"

Twilight nodded and answered, "Just like the rest of my innovations and creations, the Obelisks hold an emergency release of any corrupted magic that can be released all at once. When the switch is activated it can knock them out into sight, no matter where they are in the country. And since it's my magic, it will stun them for possibly over five hours. Once it's fired, you will have a minimum of five hours to find and retrieve them all over the country."

"Will it hurt any innocent ponies?"

"Fifty-fifty. It's best to stay indoors in safe and stable areas for precautions."

"Then let's do it. Right now. To prevent anymore possible deaths."

Yes. Get rid of the infected. That's more important right now. More important than Maheera. Focus on that, not her own deadly mistake. Twilight stood with Madun, General Bold Shoulder, Admiral Shooting Star, and Gardeen to make their way to the doors.

After everything that just happened Celestia could only sigh and rub her temple. After the infected were apprehended, then all attention would be directed to Queen Twilight "Arcadia Nova" Sparkle, Savior of Psera. There was no telling what was going through her mind right now. But it went without saying that she would be facing severe backlash because of this.



During the trek into the halls, Twilight could only think of her mistake. The guilt ate away at her mind. The pain, the suffering of all of those ponies... Their blood were on her hooves. Along with hundreds more. Her project of three hundred Obelisks failed to detect the enemy storming her land. Endangering everyone. None were safe here.

Because of her.

She looked to a flanking Dark Silver and ordered, "Have the suspects from the attack taken to the throne room after the pulse wave. After we get this done, I need to do a thorough examination of them for anything."

"Yes, ma'am," he conceded.

They turned and made their way to the broadcasting room of the castle. Where all national announcements were made. And where Twilight knew the backlash would originate from. The trek was quick, cutting her apology-storming short. The room was dark mostly with the only lights on at the moment being dim ones on the ceiling, lights behind the cameras trained on a bright green couch that was the center of attention, and multiple tools they would be using for the time being. Including a single LiVAM that they could look at themselves to see how they were looking on the actual screens.

The King and Queen made moves for the couch while everyone else stayed behind the cameras. They still had to wait for the authorized crews at the moment. That gave Twilight time to talk to Madun about this. She sighed and looked to Madun with a few words on the tip of her tongue. But he shot them all down by turning to her and whispering, "Now I am upset. Twilight, you're supposed to inform us about this. No excuses."

Twilight closed her mouth and took a deep breath. "Look," she whispered. "I know you're mad—"

"Twilight, I am furious. Because of this, thousands of ponies lost their lives and it could have been prevented. As the Queen of Psera and engineer of an enormous amount of our tools and safety equipment, it's best that everyone knows every single detail about this in case something is wrong. I'm sure at the time your Obelisks were created, it was not that big a deal. Like you said, a pony crossing five hundred miles across sea with a temperature under sixty degrees is highly unlikely. But... This was a secret that we needed to know. And because we didn't know... Over three thousand ponies lost their lives."

"Camera up!"

During their conversation, the professionals over the equipment had stepped into the room and taken over. Everything was ready to go. The alarm was blaring and they had a few seconds to prepare themselves before the feed switched to them and the brightly lit background behind the couch. Twilight took a deep breath while Madun nodded to the crew. But her face didn't portray her signature smile she was so famous for.

The feed switched to her and Madun. Then she began the admittance.

When the feed came through, the element Bearers, Spike, Sunset and Starlight were all taking a much needed together moment in the cafeteria. Then Twilight and Madun popped up on the screen. "Good afternoon, all," Twilight first greeted. "As I'm sure you all know, all networks save for the Castle emergency feed are down due to the attack of our CPC. More details are being worked out, but at this moment, I, Queen Arcadia Nova, have something to say and admit."

Uh oh. Sunset shared a look with Starlight holding a can of fizzy beverage to her lips similar to the soda back at Canterlot High. "Due to a small and extremely irrelevant flaw in the Psera Detection System... Psera has possibly been invaded by a small front of Infected from overseas, who may have had a hoof in the destruction of our tower."

Sunset spit all over the table at the same time Rainbow jumped up and yelled, "WHAT?!!!"

"We've been invaded?!!"

"Oh my Celestia, what are we going to do?!!"

Starlight stood up and ordered, "Guys shut up, shut up!!" Then looked back to the LiVAM for more information.

Twilight clarified, "They managed to use the PDS's flaw to their advantage and have set hoof on our land without any clue. We are issuing a Code Black and releasing a Priority One PDS Release to push them out of hiding where they will be apprehended and detained. All creatures currently on Psera Soil are ordered to stay indoors. If you are not indoors, you have three minutes to get into a building before we release the Pulse. Starting... Now." The screen was replaced with a countdown timer. 02:59... 02:58... Ah buck.

While the timer was counting down, Twilight lit her horn and teleported Fresh Dawn into her hooves from the playground out back. Whatever she was doing, it involved getting sand into her wings. When everything became dark, she stopped wiggling around and looked around her environment. "Uhhh..." She tried to wiggle out of the hold of the pony holding her until Madun looked down into her face.

"Hey, Sugar Plum," he greeted. Then booped her right on the muzzle. "Sorry for interrupting your play time."

"Hey, daddy!" She cheered. Then looked up into her mother's face for that smile. But she wasn't smiling. At least not right now. Using her magic, Twilight was operating a control in her office locked away from sight and out of mind in her desk. Her eyes were on the timer, but focused on this button. The Magical release button. Dawn looked back to her father and asked, "What's wrong with mommy? Is she sick?"

Madun chuckled and pulled Fresh Dawn out of Twilight's hold. "No, sweetheart, she's just really focused. How is your birthday?"



Thanks to the speed of the Pserateps, the streets of Cop were abandoned and everything was silent. The only sound out there was the wind blowing through the sunny deserted streets. The shadows crawling over the walls and roads here were about as confused as a fish out of water. Minds were trained on listening and spying. But they could tell something was amiss. Especially when those large crystal devices yards away from the castle and located in every city was shifting colors faster and faster. So fast that they were blinding until they pulsed, sending out a large wave of purple that hit everything.

The castle shook and something fell out in the hall. Fresh Dawn instinctively hid under her father and peeked out in apprehension. Something was happening to her castle! "Daddy—"

"Shhh," he shushed her. The rumbling slowed to a pause. Then all was calm. The lights above stopped shaking and all eyes trained back on the Queen. She opened her eyes and trained them on all the faces watching her. They who look up to her. The ones she failed.

Twilight nodded to General Bold Shoulder and ordered, "Have all of your soldiers scan each and every last city. Every. Last. One. Leave nothing unturned. Check homes too if you have to. You're dismissed."

Bold Shoulder saluted and vacated the room with the rest of the military leaders and technicians. Leaving Twilight with Madun, Fresh Dawn and Gardeen. The room was silent. Save for the shouting down the hall of one of those creatures being found in the castle. Near Twilight's office.

Twilight sighed and closed her eyes. She had to deal with the suspects next. Which meant walking out there into faces. And eyes. Oh Twilight was already dreading this. She stood up from her seat and took careful steps over to Madun and Dawn. He held up a hoof to stop her approach and was already telling her what to do.

"You need to fix this," he said. "The damage has already been done. Don't give Psera apologies, give them solutions."

Of course. That would be the smart thing to do. But it still hurt to hear that. Twilight nodded and whispered, "Of course." Then leaned down and kissed Dawn before she turned away and left the room. This time Madun didn't let her know that everything was going to be okay. Because now even he wasn't sure.


~✶~


Another underestimation, another failure. Maheera had to step up her game to get this mare's attention. She found out about her plan. How? Didn't matter. What did matter was the fact that getting her attention was going to be much harder now. Or... Maybe not.

Maheera hummed from her throne with her eyes on the carpeted floor. Then slowly slinked off the throne and made her way to the doors. She didn't know much about this Queen Twilight "Arcadia Nova" Sparkle, but it was clear to her that she was the pony they all looked up to. The one pony that could make things happen despite them being entirely impossible. And if she messed up like this like she admitted to, then she would have betrayed everyone's trust and...

Maheera stopped and grinned with a clear evil in her yellow slitted eyes. All of those ponies were going to chew out Narmeelah's poor descendant. Oh this was going to be good.



The second Twilight stepped out into the hall, boom. Reporters and cameras flashing. Who let them in here?! A massive amount of bright colored Pserateps flashing cameras and asking questions. At this time, she was really happy the Elite Guard was stationed all over the castle. Having little fillies running around made the presence double in the castle.

So they formed a large circle around her and allowed her to walk through. They would get all the feeds for the LiVAMs back up and running in a few hours thanks to another station based in Rayray. And her face would more than likely be plastered all over it.

She ignored the questions and ordered, "I'm heading to the throne room." She honestly could've just teleported her way to the throne room. But she rarely teleports around the castle unless it was a full blown emergency. This didn't qualify for her definition of an emergency. At least yet. The worst part hadn't even started and she already didn't want to be here.

"Queen Arcadia, what are the details in the PDS Flaw?!"

"Is there a plan already prepared for any repairs?"

"What will the future hold for the PDS and how will it affect the war and Psera's Defensive System?"

She didn't answer any of these questions with an answer they needed. "No comment," was all she said. Then allowed herself to be ushered into the throne room. Once she took a step in the doors were closed to seal her with the ponies she really needed to see. Plus one more unexpected visit.

Her Majesty Molten Ice. She was standing to the side and had her eyes on the three ponies sitting in front of the throne in chains and wing rings. The police and Elite Guard were surrounding them asking questions before the Queen stepped in. Then all eyes moved to her and bowed.

"Please rise," she ordered. Then walked over to Molten Ice to see what she needed. That was the only reason she was in the room. Other than that, she was one to keep to herself.

Molten Ice met her halfway and gestured to the three ponies sitting before the thrones. "Why are they being tried in the throne room?" She asked sternly.

As much as her stern tone was a red flag for future reasons, Twilight shook her head and answered, "They're not being tried. Just watch and prepare yourself." At least she didn't ask about the Flaw. She slowly walked around Molten Ice and over to the thrones with that look in her eyes. That look of steel and serious nature. She was tense.

Pudge Mount saw the purple in the right corner of her eyes and she followed it up to the same pony she yelled at... Yesterday? What day was it? Who cares, this was a really serious crime they were being accused of. She immediately started blubbering, "Y-Your highness, you have to believe us!! We would never do—"

Twilight swiftly raised her hoof and calmed them down with a quiet, "Shhhh... I know you didn't mean to do it. As a matter of fact... It was completely out of your control. I need you to do exactly as I say, alright? All three of you." They nodded and eyed Twilight teleport her sword into her hoof. Before they could freak out, she raised it and said, "Calm down, I'm not going to hurt you."

It sure looked like it. Even Molten Ice was a little skeptical at this point. Twilight looked up to everyone in the room and ordered, "None of this leaves this room. Understood?"

Those inside shared unsure glances. Whatever this was involved secrecy. For some odd reason. Molten Ice was hesitant. But she went ahead and nodded. Then everyone else followed along.

Twilight nodded once to them then put her eyes back on Pudge Mount. "Keep your eyes on me okay?" She whispered. Then looked deep into Pudge's eyes. The air became deathly silent with a tense feeling of dread. "Maheera?... I know you're watching, and I know you're listening."

And she was. Maheera stopped walking through the castle on Mount Aris and her slitted eyes widened. The halls in around her were clear. The windows on the side let a reddish glow paint the brick walls. Besides that, the paintings, the flags and herself Maheera was all alone. Her army was out there doing whatever for an attack or sign of one.

But right now, an attack wasn't even the least of her worries. Her eyes dilated and turned a deep red. Just like all three of the ponies in front of the Queen. Arcadia knew it. They were taken over without even noticing.

The three stood up so fast their chains zipped into the air then back onto the carpet. The Guards were about to stride forward, but Twilight's hoof stopped them. Their despondent faces now turned upside down into sadistic grins. Then they sat down on their haunches, raised their hooves and slowly clapped them together. At exactly the same time.

Their voices reached ears with a threatening evil painting over every syllable. "Great job, Queen Arcadia. A little too late, don't you think?"

Queen Arcadia held her sword in her magic and answered, "It is never too late to take you out."

"Oh for those in Psera's beloved tower..."

"Hush your forsaken mouth!!" Twilight bellowed. Molten's fur seemed to vibrate when she yelled. "Free your spawn from these ponies, they are innocent! This is between you and I!"

The infected ponies tilted their heads to the side and asked, "Oh whatever do you mean, Queen Arcadia? I'm pretty sure the fact of the matter is this: Wherever you go, death will follow."

Twilight took a step forward and corrected, "You speak of yourself, Maheera."

"Do I? Or do I speak of us?"

Twilight's hesitation let Molten know that hit home. They needed to have a talk later. Twilight stomped her hoof and yelled, "Enough! Leave Psera out of this feud between you and Narmeelah. Take this matter up with me if you truly believe this world is yours."

Whoa, wait! Molten was about to stride forward but Twilight used her magic to conjure a large transparent wall of magic guarding everyone away from those thrones. Keeping out every sound. Maheera silently chuckled on the other side and said through her captives, "Do you honestly think you can defeat me? What makes you believe that if even Narmeelah and her team of misfits couldn't, you could?"

"Because I'm not Narmeelah. I'm Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, Saviour of Psera. But before that I was the top mage in the known world. If anyone knows how to combat dark magic that has evolved beyond your time, then it's me." While she spoke, Maheera's smug smile slowly disappeared from her face. "All of your spells, I know how to combat them. Psera has managed to get past your infections just by reading the books I supplied them with. I pushed you to the side and I can do it again."

The ponies roared in anger and broke out of their chains with a mere spread of their wings. They walked around Queen Arcadia to form a circle and yelled, "You honestly believe I will fall for that again?! Oh you foolish pony! I am atune to your tricks, there is nothing you can—"

Queen Arcadia suddenly lifted her right hoof and stomped it back on the ground. Ice shot up from underneath Hard Love and entrapped her, as well as the Shadow Spell inside her. The gloves were off.

Hard Seas and Pudge Mount shot to her from either side. But Arcadia grabbed Pudge Mount in her magic and threw her across straight into Hard Seas.

They went flying, but the shadows inside soared out of their body's orifices and reformed back into the same spellbound abominations Maheera created by the time they landed. 

Those were not regular Infected ponies. Claws, rows of scythe-sharp teeth, and gills. Black as night that absorbed the light. Molten gasped and the soldiers started firing, but they got caught in Arcadia's shield spell. She didn't need interruptions.

Ducking a near swipe from a razor sharp wing, Twilight slipped up and brought her right forehoof forward to send one flying backwards. Then dropped it back down and brought her rear hooves up to buck the other away in the muzzle. It gave her plenty of time to ready herself.

Maheera's spawns recovered quickly. They were on their hooves once more. Ready to go. They raced and bounded for Twilight. She knew Maheera would try again. Had to learn the hard way. She swung one sword behind her and charged forward with her horn pointed. Using her large wings, she swept it under the hooves of the abomination charging back towards her face to trip them. Then jumped on top, pulled back, jabbed forward, and froze that sharp horn less than a millimeter from this thing's forehead.

Her sword had frozen the pony charging from behind after she swiped for the neck and held there. Then it was a standoff with Twilight on top. Glaring down into Maheera's shaken eyes. She could honestly say she didn't see that one coming. Twilight slowly slid her sword across the neck of the pony behind her and whispered, "Anytime, Maheera. You leave my country out of this. Just you and me."

Maheera growled from her castle and whispered through her spawn unheard. "You have seventy-two hours. Before I reign eternal pain and suffering upon Psera." Then just like that, they broke down into matter at her hooves.

Twilight slowly sheathed her sword and sighed down into the puddles of sand and dirt. The remains of the lands beyond the Obelisks. There was no telling what she would find there, but there was no denying that she was soon to find out.

The ice trapping Hard Love quickly melted, letting her out coughing onto the floor. Twilight lowered her shield and ordered, "See to their health, please." Urging the Police and Guards to rush towards Pudge Mount and her associates.

She watched them work for a moment with other thoughts on her mind. Combating against Maheera. Alone. None of the ponies in this room heard their conversation at the end. She agreed to fight Maheera within seventy-two hours. Within three days.

Queen Arcadia was going to make it shorter. She turned and walked around her throne for the room's rear entrance. She didn't need the press in her face. "See to it that I am not disturbed, Molten!" She ordered.

Molten Ice just watched Twilight walk away with worry. Her walk was more urgent. Much more violent and angry. Anger makes ponies do stupid things. A wise pony would turn into a fool before their very eyes while they wrestled with their livid emotions. She could do nothing but watch.

But she knew someone who could do something about it later. Molten whipped around and followed after the Suspects being carried out. The only one who could actually walk was Hard Love. But she was frozen in ice and shivering. So they all needed a trip to the medical wing. Hopefully Twilight would be alright by then.



Twilight was not alright. Celestia could tell when she walked right past her without so much as a glance. She's been looking for her ever since they lifted the temporary Code Black. But the Guard said she was in the throne room with other ponies and couldn't be disturbed. So she waited and killed time by looking at all the decorations on that floor outside Twilight's office doors.

Then she came storming out the other end and almost ran her over. Celestia jumped out of her way and walked back while she opened them. Her face was contorted in a light phase of aggression. Something she's never seen before.

The Arcadian Guards stood stoic while their queen opened the doors. "Twilight?" Celestia whispered. She walked closer and laid a wing on her back. Full of love and care. "Is everything alright?"

Twilight took a deep breath and stood strong with closed eyes. "No," she replied. Then opened her eyes with that thick as steel stare she needed to boost her own morale. "But it will be. I am not to be disturbed by anyone for the rest of the afternoon. None, whatsoever."

She moved past the Arcadian Elite Royal Guards stationed at her door. Before Celestia could follow, they flared their wings open to block her path. Then the doors were shut. Celestia didn't know what would happen in that room. But she didn't like what she saw. Not at all.

Behind those doors, Twilight took eager steps across the grass to the box sitting on her desk. A large steel container with a dial facing her. The blue gold still in its blue phase. Contained in heavy material. Right on time. Using her magic she grabbed it and her sword once again. Then carried them both with her across the land of grass under her hooves to the bookshelf hiding her elevator. If Maheera wanted a fight, she would get a fight.

In a few seconds she was dropping deep into her underground lab. Under all the soil and deep into the gold that made up Psera. Her number one hidden secret. Deeper than anything she's ever hid. Her spell sanctuary. The laboratory where she conducted spell experiments and where all of her spells were held. Every. Last. Single. One. The thousands upon thousands that she's created in a lifetime lined the shelves casting shadows onto all of her equipment.

But none of these tomes lining the walls mattered. No, what mattered was creating this weapon. She jumped off of her walkway and soared through the lights down to the panels below. To her laboratory.

A table was cleared with a sweep of a hoof followed by the shattering of glass. Flood lights were turned on and trained on the sword and box placed under their beams. This would fix everything. The CPC Disaster, the Obelisk Flaw, the trust she's lost from her citizens.

Twilight fully concealed herself in a PPE supplied exclusively from SERL. Her muzzle covered by a mask, focused eyes protected by a pair of airtight goggles, and mane curled into a bun hidden underneath a bag. All with the label of Solid Energy Revolution Labs.

Once certain and prepared, she reached out and went to work unsealing the box by turning a knob on the box's side. After a few turns, the sealed edge popped open and the lid was free to pull off. Twilight did just that with careful hooves.

Inside lied a large blue rock. It looked exactly like Gold would. Just blue, harder and definitely had relatively strong bonds. It even held the luster. But it held little to no value as it was highly dangerous. Good. Dangerous was what she needed.

Twilight used her protected hooves to lift it up and set it on the table next to her sword. What she needed was a torch, her magic and a large chemical clean up kit for everything after that.

Once it were all within hoof's reach, she lifted the blowtorch and went to work taking the box apart. Sparks flew through the air and landed at her hooves. But she paid it no mind. She had a weapon to create and a war to win.
> Chapter 32 - Ready For War
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It didn't take long for everything to be back up. The LiVAM signals were rerouted to a secondary station in Rayray. And all news and conversations were centered around the CPC ruins, the "PDS Flaw", and Queen Arcadia Nova. Her face was plastered over any electronic device out there, as she feared. Every single channel had her face alongside an image of injured ponies. Which was around five hundred. And all hooves were pointing to the Queen. Making her out to be the bad pony.

Once everything was lifted, Celestia called an emergency meeting that afternoon with the other members of IHT into the cafeteria. Their base of operations. They all knew what it was for.

Their table was centered in the middle of the room surrounded by the Princesses of Equestria, Madam Singe, Queen Novo, and the others. Their eyes were focused on the LiVAM above their table high on the wall. On Queen Arcadia's face. And listening to the audio from a mare.

"For those just tuning in, Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle has admitted that the Psera Detection System was built with a flaw. A flaw that many believe had an outcome for the thousands of deaths from the blasts that created the devastation of the CPC in downtown Cop. No word yet from the Congress about the restitutions for this flaw, nor any word from King Shimmering Madun, Her Majesty Molten Ice, or the Queen herself."

Celestia sighed and looked forward to Queen Novo. But her words were for everyone. "From what I was told, she has locked herself in her office," she informed them. "No one is allowed to disturb her."

Cadance leaned on her left hoof and grumbled, "Out of the mistakes Twilight has made, this is... The biggest."

Celestia shook her head and lowered it onto the table. "How will this affect the war?" She grumbles.

"May I deliver my input?" Celestia's head shot up and looked towards the right end of the table. Her Majesty Molten Ice was approaching from the entrance with a smile on her face. Despite everything she still manages a smile. Celestia could only wish she had that mentality.

Luna perked up and answered, "Of course you may, your majesty."

"Luna, you of all ponies should know I prefer Molten away from the eyes of Psera's diplomats." Molten sat down next to and towered over Madam Singe. Her eyes trained on all the ponies at the table. "I am sure it will not cause any delay in our plans for the war. According to everything that enters through my door, we are still going to send a spy out early tomorrow morning. To cover and scan Equestria so we can finally make an offensive strike. We will not have to worry about the PDS's Flaw. If Queen Arcadia was not worried about it since the date of creation, then I guarantee we do not have to worry about it after. From what I understand, the flaw was so small that only fish could get past it. Or a dead body."

Just thinking about all of this... This death was making Cadance squirm uncomfortably where she stood. Her husband was used to it as a soldier. But not her. Luna asked, "Do you know of any repercussions?"

"From the government, no. All she did was not inform us of a small hole that the enemy took advantage of. It could have happened to any of us. Just like she said, it was not thought of as relevant. But the enemy took advantage of it. The worst she would get is a chewing out from The Senate Board privately. She just didn't inform us of it. That's it. The citizens may not be so forgiving. So she may be in danger because 'she allowed monsters to get past our defense.'

"You know how it goes, they look for the root of the issue and blame it. And Twilight is the root. A lot of lives were lost in that building, as I'm sure you know. It's the eighth largest building in Area measurement behind the castle of course. So my suggestion to you is, just get ready for tomorrow. We're starting the real war."



Twilight was preparing for her own battle. It took a few hours. Well past the time for Fresh Dawn to go to bed. And she was still in front of the brightened table underground doing what needed to be done. Getting the sword that Madun made her to be way more effective than any other weapon here on Psera. And so far... It was turning out great.

Using the Blue Gold, she forged it down into scalding hot gold and applied a thick layer of it to the blade. While the blade cooled she began adding more functions to it; a spring loaded injection within the pommel. Maheera would never see this coming. She melted more of the substance down and inserted it into a small canister hidden within the pommel carved over with protection and activation runes. Then a small tube was drilled into the blade itself. After that, her weapon was complete.

She lifted it up with her magic and admired its surface with narrowed eyes. The light danced off the luster of the blade and exposed her face of anger through the darkness of the lab. An expression she never thought she would have.

Arcadia lowered the sword into the case and closed the lid. Then used the dial on the front to seal it tight. Everything was ready. Almost. Her eyes shifted up to the large golden wheel. The elephant in the room with twelve places on the edges. The circuitry running through it. There was no telling what was on the other side. But she knew one thing:

Going through it to protect the ones she loved was worth the journey. She didn't account for the flaw of the PDS to be discovered this quickly. But it did. And now here she was making an early morning departure, going on a trip with destiny.

Twilight set the crate down holding her sword and walked around the table for all of the controls for this device. Her greatest device yet. A device any creature really shouldn't have. But she did. That was all that mattered.

She stopped behind the main console that spanned the entire wheel and stared at all the grayed-out buttons. When this was turned on, all of these buttons and levers would as well. Bringing more light to everything here.

Everything was cleaned of all the harmful energy, right? Then the PPE was no longer needed. Twilight pulled the zipper down and shuffled it to the floor. Followed by her hoof covers, mane cover and airtight goggles. The bag on her tail was removed too. Then it was all stashed away behind her in a wardrobe. Now everything was ready.

Queen Arcadia grabbed her box holding her sword and proceeded to make her way upstairs. But not before turning one last look to the lab behind her. To all the texts and spells she's amassed over the years. There was no telling when she would see all of it again. If she ever would.

With one last sigh, Queen Arcadia tapped her two hooves together loudly. One by one, the massive lights above shut down until the only source of light was her glowing aura surrounding her package. The weapon she was going to use to end this war.

Arcadia expanded her magic and slowly closed the doors until they locked into place. Locking down her laboratory. Then finally made her way to the elevator. Her hooves trotted with determination across golden floors. Then trotted onto the steel of the elevator.

As she ascended, Twilight's mind went back to the very first time she and Madun ever sparred. And the moments after it.


A Year Ago


Birds tweeted overhead, the air smelled of flowers. The sounds of metal clashing and shots firing rang out through the air. In the back of the famed Castle of the Gods in Psera was the one area where citizens were restricted until the afternoon. The training region. An outside field similar to the one the Crystal Empire held that allowed the Guards and soldiers to train.

There were sandbag dummies, plenty of bullseyes, and a pit that allowed hoof to hoof combat. Including resting benches. Two members of the Arcadian Elite Royal Guard stood to the entrance of this pit and just watched purple wings dance through the air along with a swinging staff.

Twilight ducked, lowered, and teleported behind Madun when he tried to brush his wings at her neck. Then lifted her rear hooves and knocked him to the ground muzzle-first. The Guard on the left sighed behind his mask and dropped a single silver shim into the outstretched hoof of his partner.

Madun spat a few grains of sand out of his mouth and rose back to his hooves in a battle stance. "That was good, sweetheart," he admitted. She was standing to the side with three of her hooves on the ground and the other holding her weapon of choice, wearing a purple protective suit of armor. Complete with a training helmet. Madun had on something similar, except red in hue.

Twilight grinned and countered, "As much as I adore your flattery every day sweetie, now is not the time for you to be giving me compliments." She twirled her staff and got back in position. "Since you're back up, I assume you want more."

"Apparently." Madun readied his own weapon of wings with wooden blades in them. Then charged for Arcadia. She just watched him run and glanced up to the sun. It was a beautiful day, but that's not why she noted its position.

When he was right where she wanted him she tilted her head so the sun's rays bounced off her helmet at a certain angle and flashed into his eyes.

She knew she got him when he flinched. So Twilight used her staff to swipe his legs out underneath him. Another point. Another shim into that Guard's hoof. The one giving it away grumbled deeply under his helmet, "Okay, this is not fair. She has more experience."

The one taking the money grinned out of sight and replied, "Yeah, well you should've thought of that before placing the bet."

Twilight used her magic to place Madun back on his hooves to face her. His fur was matted due to sweat. And his body was getting dirty. Twilight on the other hoof was as shiny as a foal.

She whispered, "Have you had enough, King? Or do you wish for more?"

Madun grunted and dropped his staff. "You win." He leaned in and pecked Twilight on her forehead. "You've gotten really good, Twily."

Oh why'd he have to use that pet name? Twilight blushed and waved it off. "Oh, I've uhm... I could do better."

"Yes, but you've excelled greatly so far." He leaned in and pulled Twilight into a kiss. Then pulled back slightly and said, "I want you to promise me something."

Twilight looked into his eyes and whispered, "Of course. What is it."

"If we ever, and I mean ever, have to go to war... Think before you do anything. Okay? You're strong, but your brain is stronger. Never fight on emotions. They will pull foolish decisions."

This wasn't the first time King Madun talked to her about war. Psera was a hotspot for riches. But had a mass of tech and weapons that no one knew about. They could honestly be stormed at anytime because no one knew this land existed, let alone inhabited. And Psera would respond aggressively. But just how aggressive was the question.

Twilight nodded and answered, "I promise." Then sealed it with a small kiss. A kiss that Twilight could still feel to this day.


[size1.5em]Current Time(Almost Ten)


Twilight will never forget that moment. Ever. Never fight on emotion. Unfortunately, that was why she couldn't say goodbye to her family. It would make doing this much harder. She would see her filly resting her birthday away with no worries protected by her abundance of toys. Then, she'd see her husband holding her in a protective embrace. She would abandon her thoughts and succumb to the pressure to wrap them both in her wings. But nay, not this day. She couldn't. She wouldn't.

Her eyes parted open as the elevator slowed, and the back of the bookcase came into view. Littered with runes. As long as she was behind this wall, she was hidden from even the most experienced of mages. But when it opened as it just did, she was eye candy.

Twilight quickly trotted out from behind the bookcase with her sword and closed it back. Then made steps to her desk. But not before a certain voice reached her ears. And a pair of fiery blue eyes popped into her vision.

Odega asked, "What is that? Where have you been, everyone's been looking for you! Don't go pulling Narmeelahs now!"

Of course she'd find her the second she was past the runes. She sees everything. Twilight walked around Odega for her desk and answered, "I've been busy. What are you doing here?"

Odega followed behind Arcadia and answered, "I've been flying everywhere searching for you. I heard about everything. How are you doing, girl?"

Twilight glanced with a smile up to Odega and answered, "It's sweet you care. I'll feel much better once Maheera's gone." She dropped the case on top of her desk and placed her hoof on top of it. "And this is going to help me."

Odega eyed this thick Ivory-white case and asked, "What is that?"

"It's my sword, engineered to take down Maheera. The big guys at Serl theorized that Maheera doesn't come here because of the harmful Blue Gold underground that I'm sure you know about."

Odega shrugged and jumped on top of a mushroom. These things were really bouncy. No wonder Twilight the Second liked jumping on these. She answered, "I know the Blue Gold is dangerous. I don't know how."

"It burns through matter. Even dragon scales. It can kill you, or can hurt you permanently if it doesn't. Maheera doesn't come here because it grows by itself and turns into standard karat gold in a week. It would damage her scales. So since she won't come here, I've decided to weaponize the gold and bring it to her."

Arcadia created a portal that she walked through and came out the other side wearing her suit of armor. Ready for war. Which meant...

"Whoooa, okay Queen Arcadia, hold on!" Odega trotted over in front of her and held up a hoof with a look of alarm. "You're not going now are you? It's ten o'clock at night, it's too dark! Besides you can't just go out there alone, Psera won't let you. Madun won't let you."

Queen Arcadia shook her head and answered, "I know you know I made a promise to Maheera since you know everything. And I'm not letting anyone else go out there onto that battlefield. I can easily get in. Maheera wants to face me alone. She might even clear a war path for me just so she can have me to herself."

Well, she wasn't wrong. It's just one pony, and the infected stand no chance against her. Of course Maheera would want a round. But Odega stammered, "I-I mean... W-Well yeah, but you have a family, Arcadia! If you lose, you'll be leaving everything behind! You'll be leaving them behind! I know you don't want to leave Fresh Dawn like that."

"Of course I don't. But they will be safe. I know they will because you'll watch over them. Promise me you'll watch over my baby for me until I return."

Odega sighed and looked away for a moment. "Twilight—"

Twilight stomped her armored hoof. "Promise me, Odega. Promise me that you'll watch over my filly until I return."

Odega sighed and answered, "I promise, Twilight. But only if you promise me you'll come back."

She and Queen Arcadia shared a firm hug. It was surprisingly warm considering Odega was a living inferno. Odega said when they separated, "But I can't just not tell anyone that you're... You're going rogue; Off the grid to try and defeat a giant Draconequus with no help."

"I have my sword, my armor, my skills, and my brain." Twilight turned around and twisted the dial until the lid popped open. Then slid it off and used her magic to pull out the blue-bladed sword covered in runes and a glowing pommel. She eyed it with longing and whispered, "That's all I need. The battle will be won, Odega. Tell if you must, but I'm not bringing anymore innocent lives with me to be lost in this fight I promised to be in."

Odega walked over to the desk and tried to bargain with her. "Twilight, they're soldiers. That's what they're supposed to do. Fight for you."

"They'll be in a fight they can't win." Twilight turned to Odega and said, "None of them faced Maheera but me. No one has faced that big Draconequus but me. My magic is strong, but even I know that it only does minimal damage with small streams. And they all have my magic in small streams. We need stronger, something more permanent. And we're running out of time. We don't have nearly enough for tests and spying. I have developed the weapons that only I can use. And if they get in the way, they will all be slaughtered by both of us on that battleground. And I'm not risking that. So I'm going, Odega. Watch my family for me."

Twilight sheathed the sword in a lead-infused scabbard on the wall, then strapped it to her waist. She walked around Odega and jumped through the portal she was building this whole time behind her back.

Odega gasped and whipped around. "Oh no you don't!!" She yelled. Then charged forward and jumped before it disappeared. She squealed and dived into the grassy ground under her hooves muzzle first. "Ahhh... Buck."



This was it. The final battle that would determine the sanity of Equus. When Twilight landed on the ground, she landed in darkness, just as Odega said. She had no idea where she was. It smelled of smoke and dust, a howling wind whistles against the back of her neck. But she knew she was in Equestria. For one, that's where the portal was made to take her. But where exactly was she?

Twilight lifted a hoof and placed it on her head. Crown still there. Great. Scabbard? Check. Twilight flicked her ears and listened closely. The wind hitting her neck originated from... Above her. She was trapped somewhere underground. Under the level she needed to be.

She teleported one more time up ten feet in a bright flash and appeared meters above the surface. There we go. The glow of the moon broke through the thick layer of red dust and shined down on the desolate remains of Los Pegasus.

To confirm this, she looked further down and saw the tall beacons that lined the ocean for the Psera to Equestria port, and vice versa. As well as the large block of steel they gave to them.

The beach was littered with sleeping Infected ponies. Guards, dragons, civilians. She was now in enemy territory. Twilight slowly moved forward up the beach but kept her eyes on those creatures. There was no telling when they would wake up.

She passed what used to make sense, but were now similar to this slithering sandwich crossing her path. Eww, that was just... Yeah, that was wrong. That was something Discord would do. Arcadia grimaced in disgust before getting back to her mission: Finding Maheera.

"Do you like it?" There she was.

Twilight stopped moving and glared ahead. Reclining in a chair made of sand with her head leaning on a hoof. More like a throne. Smirking at her with those evil yellow eyes. She's never seen Maheera in her pony form, but has indeed read about it. She looked like a regular black-coated unicorn that blended in with the destruction of this wondrous city. But if there was anything behind those glowing yellow eyes, she had way more magic in her than an average unicorn. She and Twilight would have a fair fight.

She pointed to the passing Sandwich and said, "I call him Dust the—DOOOF!!"

Maheera speared through her chair made of sand along with purple magical energy. Twilight's horn was smoking as a result of her blast. Her eyes were narrowed, glowing with anger.

Twilight unsheathed her sword and spun it into a stance. "I'm not here to talk."

Maheera bounced up on her hooves and snarled large sharp fangs at her with red eyes. "Neither am I!!" She yelled. Then darted straight for Twilight. She responded in kind. Both of their bodies glowed different shades of their colors. Maheera's a bright Red, Twilight's a blinding purple. Then they clashed, creating the shockwave that started the real battle. The real war.
> Chapter 33 - Maheera VS. The World Pt. 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The lights were out. Fresh Dawn was snoring peacefully, protected by her toys. The Guards were patrolling, protection were their weapons. Way more than usual now thanks to the attack that day. Early that day at lunch. The castle was silent. The rooms were silent. All was calm.

Then a vibration shook the entire Eastern edge of Cop. Fresh Dawn's eyes popped open and she glanced around as the world around her shuddered. The light in her father's room turned on. Then he trotted into her doorway and whispered, "Sweetie—"

Fresh Dawn zipped out from underneath her castle of toys and onto her father's muzzle. Squeezing for dear life. At least she was up. Oh being a dad was hard at times. But it was also rewarding.

He sat down and used his hooves to pluck Dawn off. Then tossed her onto his back. The castle had stopped shaking by this time. But the question was still there: "What was that?" He whispered. "Another bomb?"

He walked deeper into Fresh Dawn's room and grabbed Sky Blue for her to hold. Then walked back out and into the living room for the door. He heard voices before he pulled it open and stepped out with a yawn. It was too late for another Psera emergency. He smacked his lips and queried, "Details?"

A pony on the side saluted and answered, "None, your highness. No reports of explosions, altercations, or even noise in Cop. We're waiting for info from the other cities as to what could possibly be making Cop shake—" The power in the building suddenly switched off, leaving the moonlight from the skylight shining on Dawn's Garden the only source of light. "And cut the power. Lights up!"

The Elite Guard switched on the flashlights their hooves bared and made them dance on the wall. The Captain Madun was speaking with raised his hoof and relayed, "Royal Suite to Castle, where's the power?"

"Energy's been wiped out across the city, and the backup generator's down. No source for cause yet. Are all accounted for?"

The Captain looked to the doorway. King Madun? Check. Princess Fresh Veola Dawn? Check. Queen Arcadia Nova... "Where's the Queen?" He asked.

King Madun looked around and actually gasped. After all this time, he hadn't realized Twilight wasn't around! If something like a tremor happened, she would be the first to go and check on Fresh Dawn. But now...

He walked back into the suite and called, "Twilight?" No answer.  He looked over his shoulder and ordered, "Check her lab." Then strode further in with Dawn on his back and two more Guards.

The Captain he was speaking to raised his hoof and ordered, "Stand by for Queen Arcadia, King Madun and Princess Fresh Dawn are all accounted for."

"Standing by for the Queen. All others are accounted for." The captain walked over to the stairwell leading up to Queen Arcadia's personal laboratory. Then opened the doors and strode in with flashlights dancing. Everything was here. Tables, seats, voice recorder, the Queen's lab coat hung on a coat rack, blackboard with extremely complex equations.

But no Queen. He turned around and relayed, "The lab is Queen-less. I need eyes in her—" Another vibration shook the castle once more. This one actually made them fall and trip down the staircase. But they were back on their hooves again. "Check out her office! Where's the Queen?!"

Hooves scrambled left and right with flashlights dancing while vibrations shook the cities and her citizens awake. Rainbow was already up and peeking out of her shared room with Scootaloo. "Ugh... What now? I thought Twilight said this place was safe."

"Check all rooms!" A guard down the hall yelled. A Guard from behind brushed his way past into their room and looked around while others went into her friends.

"Ugh! Well I'll be!"

"What in tarnation?!"

The Guard in Rainbow Dash's room walked out and announced, "Queen-less!"

"Queen-less!"

"Celestia Queen-less!"

"Luna, Queen-Less!"

Rarity stuck her head out and yelled, "What is going on out here?!!"

Down the hall, a giant ball of fire ran past yelling, "Buck, already?!! Jeez, Twilight!" She flew up the staircase and zipped right up to Madun. "She's... Twilight's—"

Madun laid a hoof on Odega's shoulder and asked, "Where is Twilight? Where is my wife?"

Ah buck, he just had to make her feel guilty didn't she? "She's... On Equestria. Fighting Maheera."


~✶~


Maheera was strong. Twilight could tell the second she was snatched out of the air, pulled back, and thrown straight for the surprisingly still standing Castle in Canterlot. It almost collapsed when she collided straight into it under her shield. Not the first time she's gotten hit with something that strong.

And she was pretty sure Maheera wasn't any better after Twilight sent a purple beam straight for her face that sent her flying to the ground off the mountainside she was climbing. All around them was a canvas painted with destruction. Holes in the ground ablaze with fire from their combined magic. Remains of desolated buildings floating around thanks to Maheera's chaotic magic.

Twilight dropped down to the streets of Canterlot and swept her horn to the side, sending a wave of magic into the faces of approaching Infected. They blew back out of her radius before she took back off for the place where Maheera was at before. Now vacant.

Arcadia hummed and hovered in the air all the destruction. She scanned her environment made of high winds blowing around smoke and dust. Even though the helmet held protection, it only held so much. Queen Arcadia's ears were ringing, her head was hurting, and a bit of her horn was chipped. And that hurt a lot.

But her sword was doing just fine. As long as she had that... Right side. Twilight teleported just in time for Maheera to come flying past on the back of an Infected Hippogriff. Then soared after shortly on her tail through all the smoke and flames.

Maheera growled and silently cursed herself for thinking that would get her. What a foolish assumption. She focused back and eyed Canterlot ahead. The smoke spreading apart revealing the night sky. And Twilight raining purple on her from behind.

Maheera yelped and forced the Hippogriff to do maneuvers and evade that mystical magic. She barrel-rolled to the left and zipped to the right through a skyscraper in Manehattan. Their speed shattered windows and rained glass while another skyscraper collapsed from Twilight's magic. Maheera zipped back down to the ground and skimmed the dirt. The magic following her blew past with the wind and hit the ground, resulting in explosions that tore it apart up ahead. She leveled out and skimmed over water back for Canterlot while the crazy Queen followed after her.

"Give it up, Maheera!!" She shouted. Edging closer, she brought her sword forward and swiped Maheera in her shoulder.

She hissed and zipped up with the Hippogriff and Twilight still following on their tails. They sped into Cloudsdale and continued fighting. Only one would come out alive. Or neither would come out at all.


~✶~


Madun was running through the third floor halls repeating, "Twilight's on Equestria?!! Equestria?! What is she doing there alone?!"

Odega and the Guards followed closely behind him awaiting orders. She answered, "Queen Arcadia wanted to end this. So she created a weapon using her sword that she thinks will kill Maheera."

Of course she did. Aw come on, Twilight! He grunted with Fresh Dawn on his back and ordered, "Someone get the Princesses of Equestria up now, and have them meet me at once in the Foyer! I need a national emergency going now in Lavender! Let's move!" He jumped over the railing for the foyer below and glided down. A flash above let him know the Princesses were ready.

He landed and marched up to them. Clearly sleepy eyed and not ready for a war in the middle of the night. "Twilight's in Equestria right now fighting Maheera!" He announced. The building shook again and caused a few of the stuff in the front to fall to the floor. Thankfully without shattering.

Celestia repeated, "Twilight's in Equestria?!" She shared a quick look with her family and then focused back on the king with an unwavering steel in her eyes. "What do you need from us?"

He ran around them for the doors and ordered, "Come with me to Lavender!" They followed him out the doors and immediately zipped into the air with the... Holy buck. All the Guards were up and running. They didn't even notice the commotion going on out here. Flood lights connected to the castle were blasting down onto all the soldiers preparing military materials outside in the darkness. The only sources of light were them and the Obelisk.

And they weren't the only ponies up. Pretty much all Pserateps were standing outside their doors watching and listening to the shouts of "The Queen is Missing!" How they found out was a mystery. Madun ignored all of it and took off into the cool air with the Princesses. They zoomed over the range and out into the rest of Psera with the wind blasting in their ears and blowing back their manes.

While they soared over black grassy plains, Celestia could finally see what was causing all the shaking. Large purple explosions were streaming in from the sea and hitting the coast of Merōl. Magic from Equestria reaching Psera. Hopefully no Aquatas were hit by Twilight's spells. Those things were seriously dangerous.

The facility she built was active too. But that might be because of the alarm blaring from Lavender right next door. The lights were on and Soldiers were up and getting ready for a fight. Rushing through brightened concrete roads in Pods, and putting on their suits and armor already drenched in weaponry.

Madun and the Guards flew over that and moved for the large three level five sided building with a larger version of the Crest of Psera above the doors. The flags blew when they landed and rushed inside with the biggest sense of urgency they've ever felt in their lives. Fresh Dawn was too busy looking around for mommy to feel that though.

The second Madun was in, he yelled, "Where is Manny?!"

A Force Guard soldier they walked past saluted and answered, "She's in the command room! Sir!"

Of course she is, she rarely sleeps! That's why she was always so angry! Madun and the rest of the team from the Castle booked it for the second floor. Then rushed through those halls past soldiers and personnel, and burst through a pair of steel doors into a darkened room accompanied with LiVAMs and voices. The three big ones on the screens were of Lavender. The camera feeds were showing three soldiers lining up with more soldiers at the ports. Awaiting the go ahead.

But Madun didn't care about that. Not entirely. A majority of his brain was focused on Twilight and what the buck she was doing overseas fighting a Draconequus alone! Out of the blue! There was no warning, she just...

Madun swept that to the side and focused on getting her out. He approached the Generals and Secretary converging at the railing. "What are we doing?" He queried.

Secretary Manny faced him and saluted. But kept stern eyes on the Equestrians. "We're waiting for the Go Ahead, sir."

Madun faced the screens with the Princesses and Fresh Dawn. Now snoring away. How she could amused Cadance. She was so much like Flurry Heart. Maybe all foals could just sleep anywhere. 

Madun nodded to the screens and ordered, "Send them out. Head for Equestria, five hundred miles, full speed." He looked to Celestia while the order was delivered. "Did Twilight tell you anything about a new weapon? Anything involving her sword?"

They shook their heads with honesty. They never heard of any weapons Twilight created. Celestia answered, "The only weapons she's had in her life were the Element of Magic, and The Sword of Arcadia."

Madun faced back to the screens and eyed the sea of soldiers speeding off the coast for Equestria's shores. "How long?"

General Bold Shoulder answered, "Under thirty minutes at their current speed. There's no telling what they'll find when they get there."

Madun knew exactly what they'd find. "They'll find a full out war. That's the only reason the ground is shaking. Because Twilight's angry."


~✶~


Even though they were miles out, Private Smalls could hear it. The fighting. The war going on miles away. They were speeding for Equestria's coast. Nonchalant of the sound barriers snapping apart every few seconds by at least one out of the hundreds of soldiers behind her.

She looked to her right to Captain Gliding Sword, and Captain Dark Silver beyond her in the night sky. They looked back to her and shared a nod. Then focused on the darkness beyond them. There was no telling what they were soaring into. But if the flashes of lights up ahead and explosions approaching their ears were a clue, it was a full-out battle. Not to mention the entire coast looked like a wall to a tornado. Red, dirty, and incredibly deadly.

Captain Gliding Sword gulped and spoke into her Comm Block piece in her helmet. "Equestria's shores in sight."

Secretary Manny ordered from the bridge back in Psera, "Put it on the screen!" A feed popped up at her command of Equestria's shores from their cameras. Then the door burst open.

Queen Novo strode in with the rest of IHT and a few of their own military personnel. Eyes awake and manes windswept.

Madam Singe breathlessly asked, "We just heard, what's happening?"

Celestia directed their sights to the approaching coast of Equestria. "Around seven hundred troops are going for Equestria. And it does not look good."


~✶~


Private Smalls was scared now. They successfully crossed over the coast through that wall into... What did those ponies call it? Tartarus? All aspects of life were chaotic. Everything that belonged on the ground that wasn't tied down were floating up into the air with even much smaller debris, making it harder to navigate through the air. Magic was shooting up to them from the ground with flying infected creatures clashing with them. Not to mention the fires.

But... "No sign of the Queen!" Smalls reported. Then tilted with her team to the left and fired away at the approaching cloud of infected ponies.

Back in the strategy room on Psera Celestia gulped and asked, "Any sign of Maheera?"

King Madun shook his head and held Fresh Dawn close in his hooves while she slept. "Nothing yet. But she's out there somewhere. Where is Odega and the Legends she picked up?"

"I'm... Not sure." That was a question she honestly wanted answered too. Were they helping in this fight or not?

"Queen spotted!" She directed her sights back and slowly let her jaw drop. They just landed a few yards away. Well crashed was more like it. Shooting mountains of dirt into the air. Then a large purple beam shot out and rotated around to them.

The camera pony jumped to the ground and ducked from the beam that definitely would have hurt if they didn't.

After the blast cut, and they were left with the debris of the crash, Maheera suddenly went flying out and slid into the dirt face first. Then twilight angrily trotted into sight with her modified sword. Her teeth was bared, her eyes were glowing, her mane was wild and sparking with emergy. She was furious. Ripping off her armor and randomly tossing it to areas. One even found home on the top of Maheera's head.

Twilight was worked up. And she was ready to fight. She stopped at Maheera's form and flipped her over. They glared into each other's face. Teeth barred. "You should've stayed where Narmeelah put you," Twilight growled. Then sent one hoof sailing into Maheera's left cheek. It sent her head flying to the side. "You should've left my ponies alone." Another cheek slammed to the side.

She lifted her sword and ignored the blasts and signs of fighting around her. "You should've stayed in your hole. Then none of this would have ever happened." Her sword pulled back above her head with a target on Maheera's chest. "And you'd at least still have your soul."

Maheera growled up to her and snarled, "I'll always have a soul."

As much as that should've made Twilight think twice about what she was doing, she instead sheathed in Maheera's chest anyway. Maheera yelled in pain before the deed was done. Twilight used her magic to activate the runes inside of the sword, and push out the blue gold. She saw it stream out through the tube, out the end, and... No... It pooled under Maheera. But that made no sense! Unless she wasn't here, this should have...

Twilight pulled her hoof back yelling and sent it sailing into "Maheera's" face. Which blew into grains of sand when she did. It was a fake. And she just wasted her secret weapon.

"NOOO!!!" She screamed. Then whipped around and magically threw an infected pony approaching out of her line of sight. Where was she?!

"Looking for me?" The ground lifted and Twilight shot up into the air with Maheera after she grabbed her in a claw. The real one as a Draconequus blew up out of the sand and flew up into the air with Arcadia in her grip. Her treasured prize. Twilight struggled and fired a spell at Maheera that knocked a scale off. Thinking quickly, Twilight grabbed it and hid it out of sight.

"Did you seriously think I would just let you do that without a backup plan?" Maheera laughed and shook her head. "Foolish Queen." She stopped flying up and hovered above Equestria. Then pulled Twilight up so she could watch the action below. At all the Pserateps clashing with the Infected. "They fight for you in vain. Because I always win. Narmeelah died at my hooves and you will follow along shortly. Along with your favored Pserateps."

Twilight grunted and glared over her shoulder into the window if Maheera's dark heart. "And did you think I wouldn't have a backup plan?" She shot the hidden scale back into Maheera's eye with the desired result.

She screamed and let Twilight go to fall to the ground below. That was a close one. A really close one. But there was still a problem. She lost the weapon she was going to use to knock Maheera down. Which meant Twilight had to use the one she didn't want to use. The Mecrah Portal. But first she had to land.

Twilight crashed straight through the roof of the Canterlot Castle's throne room and landed with a thud on the carpeted floor before the two thrones for Celestia and Luna. She cared none for the debris raining around her. Her entire body was in pain. She was sure something inside was broken, her right wing felt crushed, and her mouth alone were needles of agony.

She was weak. She was down for the count. But everyone—every creature... They were counting on her. They would never be able to get home if everything was controlled by Maheera. And everything was currently controlled by Maheera. It was a wonder this castle didn't come alive by this point.

Enough thinking. Twilight grunted to stand and shook dust and dirt off her body. Hot flames licked all around her. The throne room was on fire. Possibly due to rogue magic. With a swipe of her left wing, she extinguished it. Then started the painful trek back out on hoof. Her wing was hurting too much for flying.



Madun couldn't believe what he was seeing. Nearly twelve o'clock at night the land of Equestria's sky was on fire. Flames were reaching for the sky, things were just floating, and the Aerial Guard were doing their runs. Dropping explosives down onto the remains of Las Pegasus while more moved through what remained of Ponyville. Heading for Canterlot where Twilight was taken and where Maheera was slithering around.

But Maheera was smart. She was slamming them with every last infected pony she had. And they already lost a might hoof of soldiers to the infected.

So everyone conversed. Sending commands left and right. But no one was going anywhere.

Luna wiped her forehead and silently admitted that doing command was a lot harder here than it was in Equestria. Especially at what was the final battle.

Madun grunted and asked with his eyes on the action, "Are there any reinforcements on the way?"

General Bold Shoulder shook his head and answered, "No sir, but—" An arrow suddenly whizzed past the camera and into an infected pony. Followed by many more and a long and loud screech. Right before a horde of Hippogriffs suddenly stormed out from behind the camera. Holding bows and arrows, sticks, and a bunch more items that were surprisingly taking down the infected ponies.

One of them landed and sliced one away. Then held up his bow and shouted, "For the Queen!!!" Followed shortly by a rain of arrows flying straight into the horde. And it allowed them to move forward.

Queen Novo pointed and yelled, "How did they get all the way to Equestria?!!!"

None had an answer. But the giant and sun-bright Phoenix soaring for Canterlot high above may have one.



The castle was eerily quiet now that it was entirely abandoned. Twilight limped with paranoia through those lonely halls. Yeah, her hoof was sprained. Burning with discomfort and pain.

She stopped for a moment and leaned against a wall so she could assess her injuries. Sprained hoof, possibly broken wing, a lot of bruising, broken rib, and a swollen eye. She had to keep it closed. And she had to stay out of Maheera's sight so she could activate this spell. She couldn't afford another brawl.

A giant shadow swept over the roofless hall she was resting in. Followed by an explosion that shook these walls. A picture frame fell off one side and landed in front of her at her hooves. Of Celestia and Luna. Smiling. Smiling at her. She got this. This was all her. She could press on.

Twilight grunted and pushed herself off the wall over the frame to continue moving through the halls. She needed a plan. She already had the spell ready. She's ran simulations in plenty of different environments. The first thing she needed was a flat clear surface. Well that wasn't too hard to find here in this desolated Equestria.

Twilight stopped and peeked out of a shattered stained glass window to observe. So far, Canterlot was left untouched except by her and Maheera, the giant lizard slithering directly below.

"Ohhh, Arcadia~!", She sang. A claw rendered a structure to dust in search of the Queen. "Come out and play with me!"

As if. Twilight looked past her and watched the towns afar go up in flames and ashes. A few Aerial Guard soared overhead. But none stopped here in Canterlot. Between here and there should be enough flat land for the spell. As well as on the opposite side of the castle on the way to Manehattan. That last one seemed like her best bet. Time to leave Maheera and go in the opposite direction. For a trap she'll never see coming.
> Chapter 34 - Maheera VS. The World Pt. 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Private Smalls was having a bad night. But it wasn't too bad either. Bad news first. While doing a scan patrol of Equestria's war ridden ground from above with the Aerial Guard, some disgusting thing from the ground shot a web of green goo up into the air and caught her wing. So down she went. Straight into a donut baking shop.

Good news, she crashed in Canterlot. The Queen was somewhere in here. But bad news is this: Maheera was too. Literally right around the corner.

After the unpleasant landing, Private Smalls crawled into a closet in the back with bags of flour, sugar, and other goods. Then listened to the growling pass by. Resonating through the air and vibrating every part of her very being. She stayed silent. Still. She slowed her heavy breathing in an attempt to stop her heart from beating so fast.

"Ohhh, Queen Arcadia," Maheera taunted. She clicked her tongue. "As fun as it is to play hide and seek, I doubt you can hide from the world. So come out and face it."

Private Smalls slowly peeked out of her hiding place and eyed the multicolored scales slowly shifting past the shaved off front half of the shop in the street. The entire area was broken apart. Her rear hooves stomped by with heavy vibrations followed by her feathered tail. Then she was out of sight. And out of earshot.

Smalls let that breath she was holding go. The Queen was truly brave to face that behemoth. Private Smalls lifted her Comm Block and whispered, "Private Smalls to command... I'm in Canterlot, repeat... I'm in Canterlot. This place is Ground Zero." Then slowly pushed the door open and stalked out while keeping her ear alive.

Back in Psera the pony listening to her feed took off her headphones and reported, "Secretary! Private Smalls is in Canterlot!"

Secretary Manny gasped and ordered with a pointed hoof, "Put her on the screen!"

Headphones were thrown back on a head and buttons were pressed. The aerial feed in the middle of the three bigger LiVAMs switched to Private Smalls' action camera. She was peeking out of Donut Joe's at the brown and dusty destroyed streets of Canterlot. Everything was quiet. A sign on a shop across fell down randomly. Nothing was happening except for the booms in the distance and the soaring of the Aerial Guard above applying fire to the ground below.

Celestia nodded and confirmed, "Yeah, she's in Canterlot. Twilight is somewhere in there."

Madun looked down to the soldiers manning the stations and asked, "Where was the Queen's last confirmed position?"

One saluted and answered, "She was confirmed crashing into the Castle, sir!"

The pony manning Smalls' communications knew what they wanted. She turned back to her station and quickly relayed, "Smalls, can you get to the castle?"

Smalls darted out of her hiding spot and over to the building across. She herself had crashed in the area behind the castle. So when she turned around, there it was. The castle a few blocks away. Smoke was billowing out the windows, but it was still standing. She nodded and whispered, "Yeah. Yeah, I'm on it."

She took a quick glance of her surroundings to find it clear. Save for the dust in the air and the fighting. She ran out of her hiding space and made a dash for the castle currently in flames. Her hooves trotted loudly against cobblestone, but her main concern was getting to the Queen.

She slowed down during the trek and listened around for any movement. Apart from Maheera singing the most creepiest tune she's ever heard in her life, nothing else. All was silent.

Smalls took a moment to rest and reported, "I'm a few hooves away from the castle. Nothing yet. Advancing now." She took a few seconds for preparation and then rose up to dart across the street to the gates. Hopefully they weren't alive. She couldn't fly over it because her wing was trapped in this green goo. Ugh, it's always something.

Haphazardly, she walked past the steel gates and continued through for the doors. The lawn here was not a good place to stop and rest. Inside? Maybe. Out here? You're crazy. She raced to the doors and flattened herself against the walls next to them to not only check her back. But to listen better. Looks like someone thought a shut door would keep out a big dragon.

"I'm at the castle," she reported. Her hoof trailed down to a gas mask connected to her black ELITE vest and brought it up to her face. Once it was attached, she whispered, "I'm moving in."

Her hoof reached out and grabbed the handle to the castle. It slowly twisted. Then she rushed inside with a flashlight dancing. No one brought any night vision in fair of gas masks so they could breath through this dust and air. Her breathing was loud. Blocking out a majority of the noises reaching her ears. The snapping and cracking of fire concerned her. "Oh yeah, she's in here. I don't know anyone else that can make purple fire."

The walls on the bottom floor were consumed with violet flames reaching and licking towards the ceiling. Everything was burning, but not making heat.

Private Smalls huffed and puffed through the halls, but kept her eyes and ears out for anything other than crackling flames. Her flashlight danced while she moved further in. She opened doors and peeked into rooms. But she didn't dare call out in case something other than the Queen was in here.

"Private Smalls, Air Team just confirmed something shattered a window on the third floor of the castle."

Finally, some help. Private Smalls replied, "Ten-four. Moving now." Then she made a mad dash for the staircase. The fire seemed to be only fairly dangerous on the first floor. While the floors above were harmless, the first was making her sweat even more. Little candle burns here above while the bottom held death. The walls were black with scorch marks and some even had holes in them. Glass and pictures littered the floor. A random dresser, and... A purple feather.

Celestia stated first, "She's there. Check everywhere."

Private Smalls didn't need to be told twice. She started pushing open doors and checking everything out on this floor. The sky's red hue streamed in through holes all over the halls. The dark atmosphere was something outside of a horror movie. The air was silent save for all the explosions and fighting raging miles away . The ceiling above was partly shattered and Aerial Guard seemed to be throwing fire to Maheera. Private Smalls focused back on the task at hoof. Getting the queen out of—

Something silver suddenly swiped out of the room on her right and stopped at her neck. Private Smalls stepped back in surprise before Twilight zipped out, grabbed her hoof, and pulled her inside.

Twilight yanked her down to the foot of a wall and held a hoof up to her mouth to shush her. Then whispered, "The birds."

Apart from how crazy that sounded, Twilight looked worse for wear. Armor discarded, every bit of her was either dirty, bloody, or bruised. Her right eye was squeezed shut. And her horn was chipped.

"Holy Celestia," Novo whispered.

A bird suddenly landed on the window sill and started to open its mouth before Twilight hit it with a small spark of magic. She looked to Smalls and greeted, "Hello, Private Smalls. I take it Odega said a few words?"

Private Smalls saluted and replied, "I'm just following orders and crashed in Canterlot. Are you pinned down? You need medical assistance."

Twilight pointed to the window and answered, "No point. There's a nest of Infected birds beyond that window. We'll be able to get out of here, but thanks to these holes they'll be on us in less than a second. Birds don't do well in smoke and I don't have any smoke bombs or know any smoke spells."

Private Smalls took off her gas mask and placed it over Queen Arcadia's muzzle. The air was so dusty, she was about to pass out already. "Private Smalls to Command, I got her. We're pinned down at the Castle, requesting immediate assistance."

Arcadia's eyes darted down to the Comm Block and she asked, "Who's on the other side?"

"Lavender ma'am."

She nodded and stated, "Plan A didn't work. I'm resorting to Plan B. There's a field North of Canterlot leading to Manehattan. I need to get to that field so I can set up the spell."

Celestia shook her head back in Psera and said, "No. No, she needs immediate medical attention. She doesn't need to be fighting."

Madun shook his head and replied, "I agree but she won't listen. What spell is it?"

Private Smalls focused back on the Queen and whispered, "What's the spell?"

Twilight grabbed her sword and slashed at a few birds attempting to squeeze in through a crack. "It's a portal spell of my own design. It's extremely complex and can get rid of her once and for all until it's reactivated. I just need to build the foundation and get it connected. There's a great place to setup between here and Manehattan. I just need to get there."

Private Smalls nodded and relayed, "What do you think, Command?"

Before they could respond, Odega casually trotted in from that same doorway and blew flames from her mouth to the birds attempting to get through. Their ashes dropped to the motionless ground way below. Then she turned her sight to Twilight and her current physical state.

Before she could say anything smart, Twilight raised a firm hoof and ordered, "Save it. I need to get to the Northern Field. And I need Maheera distracted."

Oh please. Odega gestured her head out the crack and said, "Leave that to the Twins. Maheera's pinned down with those things which will give us a large window. How are you doing?"

She used a wing to help scoop Queen Arcadia up to her hooves. Then helped her walk back out into the hall. She answered behind her mask, "Plan A didn't work. So I'm doing terrible."

Odega silently cursed and asked, "How? Even I was sure it would work."

"She set me up with a clone last minute. And I wasted the Blue Gold on her instead. All I have is this spell. I think one of my wings is broken, I have a cracked rib and a sprained hoof. And my right eye is swollen."

They started descending the stairs before an explosion rattled the structure. Arcadia huffed and puffed out her words. "You... You ladies sure are... Doing a number out there."

Private Smalls stepped off the last stairwell first and helped Arcadia down with Odega. "Yeah, well..." She sighed. "When the first vibration shook the entire continent, we knew something was up. Let's get out of here." She had Twilight put a hoof around her neck with Odega, then dragged her through the purple flames eating up the bottom floor. It was a wonder how this Castle was still standing.

When they stepped out, they were surprisingly joined by... RAINBOW DASH?!! She landed in her wonderbolt getup uniform and ready to fly. Twilight gasped and grunted out, "How did you get here?!"

Rainbow Dash glanced around and answered awkwardly, "I flew? Come on, the Pserateps may be the fastest, but I'm no slouch either."

Twilight couldn't deny that. She groaned and said, "Where are the rest of the soldiers?"

Rainbow Dash pointed south of the castle. "They're fighting down there. A few Hippogriffs and Pegasi from Psera are here too. It's just an even fight. And Maheera's taking heavy hits. But... Everything is sort of at a standstill. No one is moving."

They knew what that meant. They didn't have a lot of time. Twilight nodded and answered, "I can fix that. Get me to the Northern Fields so I can set up. My wing is broken."

"Alright, Egghead!" She zipped around Twilight amongst another explosion and helped her get on Odega's back in Phoenix form with Smalls. Then they took off into the air and tilted for the North.

While they flew through the plumes of smoke and ash, Twilight focused her mind on everything. The fighting, the risks everyone was taking to get to this very moment. Despite it all, nothing was progressing. This spell was the goal of it all. And it decided whether they win or lose.

Before Twilight knew it, they were zooming down onto the dead flat plain of the Northern Cities. Between Canterlot and Manehattan used to be a grassy field. But thanks to Maheera's Dark Magic, it was now just a dirt-ridden landscape.

Odega flapped her wings and slowed down to a gentle landing on the ground. It was peaceful here, unlike the West of Equestria.

Private Smalls relayed back to Command, "We're at the Northern Plains. Awaiting command orders..."

Madun wasn't too sure about this. Twilight was deeply injured and could go down if Maheera managed to show up randomly. Secretary Manny on his right replied, "Have her set it up, but then she needs medical aid immediately afterwards. Get her somewhere safe, we're sending you some reinforcements."

Private Smalls carried Queen Arcadia's surprisingly light body down to the ground. Then softly set her hooves on the dirty ground. "Okay. What do we do?"

Queen Arcadia trudged forward through the dirt and lowered her horn with a small star of magic at the tip. "Watch my back while I do my magic." Then she started drawing with her face in the dirt.

Private Smalls kept an eye out while Twilight did whatever she did. Hopefully this would work. As sudden as it was to have her out here in this desolated wasteland in the middle of the night—which it didn't look like at all—it was great to finally get this over with.

Madun dropped down on his flanks back at the Command Center and let everyone else handle it for now. Fresh Dawn was squirming in his hooves for some reason. Her ears were flicking left and right. It wasn't a secret that she held a special bond with her mother. A mother-daughter bond of a different kind. An empathic connection. So it may be that. Or a bit of the noise reaching her.

Madun leaned down and nuzzled her head so she could sleep better. Then focused back on the screen. Whatever Twilight was drawing was nearly complete. It was just a glowing outline of a circle with mixed paths leading from twelve different points on the edges.

Drawing complete, Twilight limped to the outside of the glowing outline and turned around to face it. Then lowered her horn and started the process of transfiguration. The ground started turning into steel from her horn and into the circle. The lines continued glowing though. Until the device was complete. The input end of the Portal. A shiny sparkling dot in the middle of this desolate wasteland. The glowing lines dimmed and turned into black grooves. It was finally complete.

The steel was cool under Twilight's hooves when she took the first few steps onto it. She sighed and said, "Alright. It's complete."

Odega turned around and looked at the device. Then walked over to it and tapped the edge with a hoof. Real steel. In the ground. "How does it work?" She asked.

"I'll show you." Twilight used her magic to create a whip with her horn. Then lashed it straight for Rainbow Dash.

Once wrapped around her middle, she lassoed her in under a firm hoof. Rainbow yelped and asked, "Hey! What are you doing?!"

Celestia gasped and stood back up before Twilight stomped her good hoof down onto Rainbow's chest. Pinning her down. Then yelled, "MECRAH!!" The outer edges of the steel slab suddenly lit up and a transparent purple wall of magic shot into the sky, keeping Twilight and Rainbow Dash inside and everyone else out

Luna shot up and bellowed, "What is she doing?!" Waking Fresh Dawn up.

She wiggled in her father's hold and straightened up with her ears moving around. "Huh?! Wh-What's going on?"

Madun looked down in his hooves and kissed her head, "Nothing, Sugar Plum. Go back to sleep, okay?" But honestly, this wasn't nothing. This was scary. Twilight was dying over there. And he was five hundred miles away watching their daughter.

Rainbow Dash struggled in her binds and asked, "Twilight what do you—"

"Do you seriously think I'm that naive?" Twilight interrupted. Her purple eyes glared down to the pony trapped underneath her hooves. Her mouth turned into a growl. "The Rainbow Dash I know would have started boasting by now. That and your Wonderbolt costume is a little off. I haven't been that involved in Equestria for years, but even I know that their hooves are covered. Not to mention you said 'no one' earlier. The Rainbow Dash I know always says 'nopony.'"

Rainbow stopped squirming and looked down at her outfit. Curse these stupid ponies and their fragile bodies. Did they need every last bit of them protected? Either way, "Rainbow Dash" blinked her eyes and they turned from their gray-ish purple to a slitted yellow. Her grin turned sadistic, her teeth into fangs. "You're good, Queen Arcadia."

Queen Arcadia shook her head and reached up to grab her crown. Then she shocked everyone by throwing it out of the shield and to Private Smalls. She squealed and caught it in her hooves. Then focused back on the gas mask and sword she threw to her too.

Queen Arcadia looked back down to Maheera in disguise and corrected, "I'm not good, Maheera." Then leaned in. "I'm highly experienced. That's better than the best. MECRAH!!!"

The portal suddenly flashed and a great blast pushed Odega and Private Smalls with high winds. The shield keeping anyone from getting in glowed even brighter, turning the red sky into full day. The dust covering the continent spread outwards and cleared the air, revealing clouds, the moon, and the stars. The fighting beyond Canterlot ceased and all eyes trained directly on the glowing stick in the distance. Like a large purple neon beacon in the sky. Which was exactly what it seemed to be.

The Infected ponies screeched and left those they were fighting to get an even closer look at the command of Maheera. Followed by the soldiers of Psera.

Captain Dark pointed a hoof to the beam and looked over his shoulder. "Get to that beacon!" Then took off into the air, speeding over Canterlot.

Whatever this thing was, it was powerful. And it was strong enough to push Odega back. She looked up from the ground and stood on shaking hooves to watch the light show. Fresh Dawn was wide awake by this point. She couldn't sleep with all of this racket.

Celestia looked to Luna and asked, "What is that?"

"I-I don't know," she blubbered. "But I'm not getting a good vibe from it."

Twilight was standing above Maheera, trapped under her hooves. Her eyes held authority. "There is no escape, Maheera!!!" She yelled. Maheera was actually scared now. Whatever this was, it was seriously capable of overpowering her magic. "You lose!!! Even if you manage to get out from under me, the wormhole will have you trapped, and these shields will keep you inside!! You lose!!"

WHAT?!! Maheera struggled under Queen Arcadia's hoof and actually managed to slip out. Then made a zip for the outside. But just like Twilight said, she ran smack into it and bounced onto her back. The little stumps on the edges of the Portal flashed and shot out bright lights in the form of elastic cords that latched onto whatever part of Maheera they could grab. Mainly her hooves.

She whimpered in fear. Desperate to get these things off. But they pulled her down and dragged her across the metal screaming to the center of the portal. She was flipped over to face the sky and stretched with her hooves spread out from her body. Defenseless.

Twilight placed a hoof back on her and yelled, "Every existence of you ever since you arrived will disappear too! All of your destruction, all of your magic, all of it!! IT! IS! OVER!!!"

The approaching Infected ponies all of a sudden fell. Either from the sky or to their hooves. Like a rain of black, just falling to the ground. Then the magic embedded inside slipped out of them, leaving behind the ponies they infected and zipped for the portal like a black sea.

The steel slab suddenly flashed. Then gradually turned to darkness to create a giant hole directly underneath her that Maheera's infection flew into. The only thing keeping Maheera from falling in were the ropes holding her. But the pony standing on her chest glaring down could let those go at any moment.

Maheera growled and yelled, "You silly filly! Do you honestly think I'm this easy to keep away?! I'll find a way to break out, this can only hold me for so long!"

Twilight's smile let her know she had already planned that. "THAT'S WHY I'M GOING WITH YOU!! TO ENSURE YOU DON'T!!"

Madun's heart froze when he heard her shout that. He placed Fresh Dawn down and ordered, "Fire away at that spell!! Don't let her go!! There must be another way!!"

The Generals had already sent the command. And Private Smalls was doing what she could with her wing cannons. Purple magic rained down on the tube of magic. But it wasn't breaking. It wasn't even shifting. So Madun turned to the next best thing.

He grabbed Celestia around the neck and brought her closer. "What spell is this?! Do you know?!"

Unfortunately, she shook her head and answered quickly, "We've never seen this before! We have no idea what spell this is!!"

"Well it needs to be stopped!"

"Using her magic on it will only make it stronger!" Luna explained. "And interrupting it could wield fatal results! It must run its course!"

Madun growled and let Celestia go to hold Fresh Dawn to his chest. To keep her from watching whatever was happening. She didn't need to see or even hear really what was happening.

Out of Command's sight, Maheera struggled in her binds and snarled, "You're an insane pony, Arcadia." One bind snapped followed by three more that left one half of her flipped down and dangling in the cold darkness below her. "Whoa!! Okay, okay, you're not insane, you're not insane, I take it back!!"

Arcadia jumped off and used one hoof to grab hold of the last few dangles binding her. Now she was dangling too. One eye on Maheera's. She smiled peacefully and said, "Maheera... None of this would have happened if you let whatever feud it was between you and Narmeelah go. Now... I'm dropping both of us into a prison of darkness. And I shall be your warden."

Maheera waved her hooves around and tried to bargain with her. "Whoa! Whoa! Okay, look! Queen Arcadia, look! I know I've been a bit of a stick in the mud but—"

"No, Maheera." One more bind snapped and their weight carried them deeper out of sight.  "It's too late for apologies. Equestria is destroyed now because of you. Along with every known land. So you're going to prison now."

Twilight glanced up and sighed. The Guard and a few Hippogriffs managed to soar up many miles to the very top of the beam to get inside somehow and were now speeding down to the portal. Captain Dark Silver. She could make him out leading a team of others.

All of Maheera's dark magic had long been sucked inside. There was no telling what would happen in here, or any need to continue holding on. But she knew one thing: Everyone would be safe.

So Queen Arcadia ended the war. She let all the binds snap and allowed herself and Maheera screaming to fall deeper. She glanced up at the scared eyes of the approaching guards. Then with her last signature smile they'd ever see on screen, she used her last spell and forced the portal closed.

The air around them suddenly brightened even more until no one could see anything but white. All audio was cut and eyes were closed. The ponies in command stopped talking and held a hoof up to keep from any permanent damage the light from the camera feeds were giving them. It gradually lowered and all voices stopped. No one spoke, no one talked.

Until all was dark again. Madun swiftly lowered his hoof and eyed the feed with a quivering lip and tearful eyes. The only thing that remained was the steel slab in the dirt. The only sign that Queen Arcadia was there. And the pain she left behind.
> Chapter 35 - Search And Rescue; Maheera's POV
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The starry night sky of Equestria was back to normal, the high winds slowed their speeds. The air was warm thanks to the fires on Equestria's soil. The whispering woods was no longer—all of the cities were no longer. But beyond Canterlot was where all the pain really resided. At the large silver disk stuck in the ground.

Private Smalls was the first to do something. The flash and blast sent everyone flying off their hooves into the dirt around them. So once she was back on her hooves, she slowly walked forward from her position to where all the guards were getting their heads together after clashing into the steel and whispered, "What... What just happened?" She was confused. What happened to the Queen?

Odega burst into flames next to her and urgently requested, "Ask if the Princesses know what this is! Maybe we can reopen it! I've never seen this before in the Centuries I've been alive!"

"They don't know, I heard them say it. Whatever it is, the Queen is trapped in there with that monster."

Odega stomped on it and blew fire in a desperate attempt by the time more personnel landed. Including the twins. They bumped their way up to Odega and asked, "What happened? What was that?"

Odega faced them and answered, "It was some type of spell. Something called a Mecrah Portal. Does that ring any bells?"

They shook their heads and Marloo answered, "I've never heard of that. Narmeelah would be the only one who knows. Any word from Psera yet?"

Odega sighed and shook her head. Then looked at the steel slab she was standing on top of. Based off the lines and runes, they were connected to each other. Possibly in the form of a puzzle. But even she knew don't mess with magic if you don't know what you're doing. And she didn't.



"Madun?... Madun... Your highness, can you hear us?" Celestia waved a hoof in front of Madun's face before his eyes blinked back open. Then focused on everything around him. Everyone in the room was staring at him. Awaiting for orders. As much as the generals needed to do that, this was his wife and the battle seemed to be over. The Queen was missing. Fresh Dawn had fallen back to sleep in his hooves. And her mother was missing.

Madun swallowed down his fear and stood back up to think. The only clue they really have over there in Equestria was of that steel slab. And they couldn't just go to a library and look that place up. That was the only clue they had over there overseas. But they had more than enough over here. Twilight creates all of her spells here.

Madun ordered, "I want a full investigation into that portal. I want an image of all of that printed off and delivered to the staff. I want Secretary Gardeen involved in this. She's with the Queen daily so I want her questioned. I want all of Queen Arcadia's books searched, I want all records of her visits to the library. I want her office searched, I want her laboratory searched, I want her Lavender Office searched. I want all of the Crystal Obelisks searched from top to bottom. If there's a lock, break it and search it. I want her office on Aquata Zero searched. I want the Code Base searched. Princesses, I want the best mages you know reading those books front to back. And finally... I want someone to explain to me... How I'm going to tell our daughter."

All eyes that could see moved down to the little filly sleeping away in his hooves holding a doll to her chest. So peaceful and innocent with no care in the world. With a mind to play and be happy.

Her mother may be dead right now.



A helmet was thrown down in anger onto the dusty ground at Private Smalls' hooves. Then she herself dropped down into it. The battle was won. The war was won. The previously infected ponies that Maheera had gotten her hooves on were now walking around normal, confused and devastated that all they ever knew was destroyed. But they were saved. Arcadia saved the, and sacrificed herself in the process.

Someone shuffled over and sat down next to her. Captain Gliding Sword. Her Captain. She sighed and said timidly, "Materials are being brought over from Psera by air, and Aquatas are on their way with more. We need to search and look out for anymore anomalies while an investigative team comes over to look at the portal more in depth."

Without looking up from the dark ground, Smalls assumed, "The Princesses?"

"Princess Cadance. She claims to know a few spells similar to the Queen's. I highly doubt she'll figure this one out." Captain Gliding took her own helmet off and wiped her forehead. Then looked around at the desolate landscape swarming with teams. At the dust and dirt. It reminded her of when the Queen first arrived on Psera. The Hippogriffs and a few freed Pegasi were doing what they could to help with first aid while other ponies were looking over the large steel circle.

She focused again on the Private next to her. Private Smalls was really young. Early twenties. All of this was new to her, but she was doing good so far.

Gliding wrapped her in a hug with her wing and pulled her in as close as she could. "You did great, rookie. Really great. You went deep into enemy territory, grabbed the Queen and helped get her here. Now... The war is won. All that's left now I'm sure is to rebuild."

"Then... Why do I feel like I failed the Queen?" Smalls whispered despondently.

Gliding reached out and raised her chin up to face her. "You didn't, kid. This was her decision. This was her Plan B. Her sacrifice was the Plan B. If there was another way that she could think of, I'm sure she would have. This was her choice." Gliding pulled Private Smalls into a deep hug and held her tight. She really needed one of these. "You fulfilled your duty, filly; and she hers."

The Queen did her job. Protecting her home. Protecting their home. Private Smalls took a deep breath and nodded her head into Gliding's vest. "Thanks, Captain."

"No problem." She let her go and tapped a hoof on Smalls' chest. "I'm motioning that a big fat pretty medal gets put right here for Bravery. There's no way anyone would have just walked through those streets up there to that castle alone. They're going to give you a medal. And I'm absolutely positive your mother would be proud of you." Captain Gliding threw her helmet back on her head and strapped it in place. Then picked up Smalls' and held it out to her. "Let's get these ponies home, kid."



The home of the King and Queen seemed empty now when Madun stepped inside. There was no sound. Twilight's library was empty. The kitchen was empty. The atmosphere seemed cold. He walked on silent and slow hooves to carry Fresh Dawn into her room. Once they were in, he leaned down and tucked her into her book bed. He really hoped they found some type of clue. Something that would help locate her. He doubted the Princesses would be getting any sleep right now.

Madun looked around at the magical walls displaying current activity outside. The Crystal Obelisk was glowing a bright purple and the city below it was calm and quiet. No more attacks. After a soft kiss to Dawn's horn he walked out of the room so he could get some sleep. But one side of the bed would remain cold tonight.



"Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle Missing In Action." The first thing on every single station in Psera the next morning. Images of the battle last night surfaced with horror as the response.

Rainbow Dash was the first pony to react out of Twilight's friends by literally throwing a random book at the wall, and storming out of her bedroom with Scootaloo and Applejack the next morning at six. Destination for the next floor up.

"Come on!" She yelled. "We're helping find Twilight!"

Applejack sighed and replied, "Yeah, but how? I don't know anything about magic and I doubt anyone else in here does either!"

Rainbow Dash climbed the staircase leading up to the third floor where all the action was taking place and replied, "I don't know, but we have to do something. Read all of her books, journals, anything." She brushed her way past the guards running back and forth through the halls and accidentally ran into Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer exiting a room on the left. Secretary of Royalty. Gardeen.

She was hunched down in there going over everything she could find on Twilight with Light Pink by her side. The LiVAM in front of her desk showed a report of the overnight action and zero progress on news.

These were just the ponies they needed to see. Rainbow quickly asked Sunset with a spirit of determination, "What can we do?"

Sunset had an idea. She waved a hoof and quickly walked further down the hall with them on her tail.

"Twilight's office is a little hard to navigate," she elucidated. "But we managed to find all of her books. We think. Secretary Gardeen has informed me that her office doesn't hold nearly all of her books on magic, and that she has wayyy more somewhere in Psera. She doesn't know where, but she does know it's around. If we can find that stash, we can possibly find that spell. But we don't know where to look, so we're searching her office for clues. Princess Celestia and Luna have been up all night. They haven't found much, but they did find something in her drawer."

Sunset Shimmer led them for the Throne Room and turned a right onto the red floors down into the Queen's hall. Guards were walking in and out balancing boxes of her books on their backs, then setting them down outside the door. Rainbow Dash glanced inside of them and assumed just more books. She's never been inside of Twilight's offices before. But Applejack has. And this room was a lot more empty than it was before.

All of her books had been taken down from their shelves and now sat in tall stacks on the green ground under their hooves. She recognized Starswirl the Bearded and a few others on the covers. Including some in Old Pseratopian that the Princesses were sitting around reading.

Celestia and Luna were using their magic like how Twilight would do to scan their pages rapidly before they were placed inside of new boxes. It was much faster and sped up the process. If they were doing this all night, then they were reaching maybe five hundred now.

Sunset walked around them and grabbed a small note from the top of Twilight's desk. Then teleported back over to Rainbow, "amazed" Scootaloo, and Applejack. "This was found in her desk in one of the lower bottom drawers."

Rainbow grabbed the sheet with her wing and looked it over. It was clearly balled up and discarded recently. Totally unlike Twilight. Being a Queen must've really gotten to her. But aside from that, this was a big clue. It was a perfectly drawn image of the "Mecrah Portal", as it's being called. Just on a sheet of paper. And above the drawing was a single number:

"Five nine one three eight?" Applejack read aloud.

Sunset nodded and explained, "Mages, such as myself, Celestia, and Luna use these as references to find certain spells in our libraries. It's a sort of ID in our Catalogues. If we can find this number somewhere, we'll be able to find the spell used, which will more than likely be an instruction manual in Twilight's case. Then we'll be able to figure out what exactly that is and how to get her out."

Rainbow passed the note back to her and assumed, "So Twilight's trapped in there."

"Yeah. And we need to get her out."

"Ugh!" They looked over to the Princesses and the familiar groan of frustration. To Luna who snapped another book shut which looked to be the last on her side. She set it down on the grassy ground and declared, "Nothing in any of these books hold a spell of any kind. Things that would help build a spell, yes. An actual spell, no. Not even a reference number."

Celestia closed her own book and sighed in frustration. "She is correct," she confirmed. "Not a single book in here holds a spell." She set the book she was holding titled "The Sanctuary" on top of her own stack and allowed the Guards to start taking them out. Leaving the room bare of any other readings that they could see.

Sunset Shimmer shut her eyes and stroked her face in confusion. "There must be a much bigger place in this castle," she groaned. Her hooves dropped back to the floor and she asked, "Did you check the library?"

Celestia rose to her hooves and answered, "Starswirl the Bearded is currently checking that area with Shining Armor. And a few other notable ponies in Equestria society is helping out all around us. Cadance is on Equestria looking things over from there. Hopefully, she is having more luck than we are here."



When Cadance landed back on Equestria, she was sure she would want to collapse and take a nap. But since the sky was clear and the sun was now shining, she got a good visual of all the destruction Maheera did to Equestria. The land was ruined. Entirely ruined. Just dirt and dust, all buildings were decimated and destroyed, and military were walking the scene looking over the creatures that were rescued. A few of them were covered in white blankets, which meant something else. But a majority were free and digging through debris and destruction. But the ponies under the blankets never left their minds. Out of all the creatures, around forty white blankets patched the shores to the ocean.

So no, she couldn't land on the coast of Las Pegasus and sleep. She swallowed her fear and continued forward through the barrier of destruction past Canterlot towards Ground Zero. Where the Mecrah Portal sat. Like a huge silver eyesore in the middle of a desert.

Psera's military, Hippogriffs from Mount Aris, and random ponies who were previously infected were on the scene. But Cadance ignored all of them so she could stride through to the place where Twilight was last seen.

The Mecrah Portal. She stopped at the edge of it and took a careful step on it to get a good feel. Steel. It sounded like it, and definitely felt like it. She made steel out of the dirt. Inly a true mage could pull off a spell like that. Twilight's magic was never to be tested.

Cadance diverted her eyes to Odega approaching in a hot blue coat of fur. Upon arrival she asked, "What are you doing?"

Without looking up, Cadance answered, "I'm getting a sense for how advanced this spell is so I can get an understanding of what I'm looking for. Twilight said it was a portal, but what kind of portal? It led somewhere but Twilight said to a prison. What kind are we talking about? Like Tartarus? To a cell of her own design? Or something even deeper in another dimension? Did anyone here get a good look at the portal when it first opened?"

"I did." Captain Dark Silver walked forward and stood on Cadance's left side. "It was black. Dark as the night sky without any stars. Dark as Private Smalls' coat. And they fell into it."

Cadance nodded and concluded, "So it was absorbing light. Whatever spell this was, Twilight poured hours upon hours of research into it to guarantee no escape of any kind. Not even light can escape."

Odega followed her sights to the slab and pointed to the lines and runes covering it. "I assumed this is a puzzle?"

Cadance shook her head and answered, "I'm not sure what these are. But they are connected to each other. See?" She pointed to the lumps sticking up like large rocks on the edges and dragged her hoof on the line until it hit intersections. The surface of the Mecrah Portal held indecipherable runes. But she could easily tell that whatever these stumps were, they were running a connection. But what could they... Why did this look familiar?

Suddenly it came to her. Cadance suddenly gasped and yelled, "Ahhh, okay!! I see what this is! Do any of you have those communication tool things that you—" Dark presented a Comm Block in front of her. "Why thank you very much. Where is this connected to?"

"It's connected to the Castle Staff, ma'am."

"Alright. How do you ummm..." Dark reached in and flicked a switch on the side of it. Whoo, Twilight has all the good toys. "Okay, uhh... Celestia, can you hear me?"


~✶~


When Cadance's voice swept through the Comm Block, Celestia beat Luna to it on Twilight's desk and held it up to her mouth. "Yes? Cadance? What did you find?" As serious as this was, she couldn't help but stick her tongue out at Luna's defeated face.

"So I have good news, bad news, and the worst news."

Sunset Shimmer strode in with other ponies and ordered, "Good news first. We all need good news right now."

"Alright, good news? I recognize the description of this. It's a prison portal that took years in the making. When Twilight would come visit me after Fresh Dawn was born for playdates, she'd tell me all about her plans of new spells. This Prison Portal that you all call 'Mecrah' is more than likely that portal she was telling me about as her super secret project. At first I thought it was all fun and games until she started to bring it up over and over. In which case I'd ask for more details and such. Bad news is, she never gave me too many details about it. Such as let me view it, what spell accompanied the tool, and how exactly it worked. But she did tell me a few things."

Celestia didn't realize this room crowded so fast. Even Madun showed up at some point with Her Majesty Molten Ice and Merry Fire standing next to her. And Queen Novo was coming to a stand beside Celestia. "What did she tell you, Cadance?" Madun inquired.

"She said that just like any portal spell and any type of prison, there was a way in, and there was a way out. Right now, based off of these runes I can make out, this is the 'IN' port. Which means..."

Celestia glanced up to Madun and answered, "There's an 'OUT' port."

"Correct. I don't know where it is because she never told me where she kept any of her spells' blueprints or anything else about her magical tools. But it's out there somewhere. Now..." Cadance sighed and said in a bland voice, "Time for the worst news."

"Lay it on us."

"You only have twenty-four hours to find it once the spell is cast. As a precaution, Twilight told me that she made the spell in the event it has been incorrectly cast, somepony could easily pull her back out by simply opening a regular portal on the 'out' port. She'd be able to cross through at the stomp of a hoof. But once the twenty-four hours are up, just like a regular cell, it's locked and sealed. And you will have to find the key to get her out. Have any of you found anything?"

Celestia looked around at all the empty shelves and answered, "The only thing we found was a small note with a rendition of the Mecrah Portal and a reference number. Five nine one three eight."

"Did you locate it?"

Celestia sighed and stroked her muzzle. "It's nowhere in her office, and since Starswirl is in here too..." Celestia referenced to Starswirl for a sign of hope. But he closed his eyes and solemnly shook his head from the side. "It's not in the library either. King Madun is here as well, so, it's not in her home library. Stars above."

"Yeah, you and I both know it will have to fall from the sky in order to locate that spell's blueprint. It's highly unlikely we'll locate it in a month, let alone twenty-four hours." Before Madun could rebuke her, she said, "Now before anyone blows up at me, I know Twilight. Celestia knows Twilight. Luna knows Twilight, and her best friends certainly know Twilight. And we all know this: If you cannot find a reference number in her library, then she... Hid it. No matter how smart Twilight is, she is a simple-minded pony. She doesn't make things too complex unless they must be. Especially for herself.

"If she wanted to locate a spell, she'd have it really close by within hoof's reach at her most visited locations with other spells possibly copied in different area; and if that room contains no spells, then I doubt you'd find it in there anyway. Not to mention the reference number is Five nine one three eight. Which means that spell would be hidden in a room big enough to hold over fifty-nine thousand one hundred thirty eight spells. It would take you all day and then some to find that number. Twilight took all of her spells from Equestria and hid them with those too. That would add hours of searching in one region."

Madun sighed and thought deep. That made sense. He remembered in the past when she just gave birth to Fresh Dawn, Madun asked what did Twilight do on her off time, she would answer coming up with spells and new skills. He asked where could he find these spells. Her answer rang like a fresh new bell in his mind.

"Oh sweetie... You'd have to look really really far and really really wide to find them." He knew then he might as well give up looking for all of these spells.

But he wasn't going to give up now. He nodded and said, "We'll continue looking. Thank you, Princess Cadance."

"You're welcome, King Madun. If you don't mind me asking... How is Fresh Dawn doing?"

He sighed and replied, "She... Doesn't know yet. I'm hoping to find her mother and bring her back, but... Looks like I'll have to tell her the news sometime tomorrow morning if nothing works out."

"I'm sure you'll find something. I'll stay here and help with the clean up. They uhhh... They have her crown and sword already packed up and ready to depart, I'm just waiting."

"Okay. Thank you again for your help."

"You're welcome."

Madun sighed through his nose and looked around at all the faces. They knew the situation was dire as much as it sounded: find the other portal within eighteen hours... Or Twilight is lost to them forever.

"Start looking," he ordered. "Send a message out over the networks that if anyone has seen anything, anything at all that may help, alert a guard at once. Or... We'll never see Queen Arcadia again. Set a National Alarm for twelve AM midnight. If it rings... She's gone."



Darkness. A chilling darkness. That was what was beyond the portal at first. Twilight could breath. She could see her body as light as day when she raised her hoof up to her eyes. But Maheera? Nowhere. She could be anywhere. Her coat matched everything in here. Black. Just... Just black. The worst Dark Magic wasn't Black Magic. And Twilight created Black Magic. The art of forging physical materials to bond with magical materials to create a magic so humongous, Narmeelah would have trouble staying in her seat just watching it all play out. A magic on the other side of Dark Magic.

The worst kind of Magic Twilight accidentally created. And was now hidden away. Never to be used. But just this once... "You fought my magic with your own version of it."

Twilight swiveled around and faced the evil red eyes of Maheera. Bound in endless chains, her hooves were spread out and a horn inhibitor was placed on her head. She had two forms: The Draconequus, and the Unicorn. But without the Unicorn horn, she couldn't change into a Draconequus. So here she was.

Stuck in chains in her hidden prison that Twilight doesn't even know all the details about. Was she scared? Absolutely. Was Maheera scared? Well she was chained up. If a snake decided to crawl out of nowhere, she was entirely defenseless.

Twilight sighed and admitted, "Yes I did. I didn't like it... At all. But it had to be done to keep you away from these innocent ponies."

Maheera let her head drop and admitted, "Then you and I? We both lose. Wanna know why? You're a novice at Dark Magic. It's uncontrollable, and entirely an accident. When Narmeelah created me, it was when she discarded all of her magical feedback to the side and accidentally created a chaotic version of herself. That chaotic version... It was me. It was dark magic. Everything I do it's thanks to the magic she created me with. In reality, if I wasn't created by Dark Magic, I'd be a Pseratep like everyone else in the very beginning."

Twilight could feel a story coming on. "When I was created, I looked around me and wondered why did all of these ponies get Narmeelah's pretty side. Why did she leave me behind? Leave the rest of her creations behind? I was her creation too, was I not? I was part of them! Why would she leave me behind?!"

Maheera took a deep breath and closed her eyes, shaking her head. "I learned the hard way that... Narmeelah favored Pserateps."

Favored. Twilight swam forward through this dark void to get closer to Maheera and repeated, "Favored? As in..."

"No," Maheera shot down. "No, not like that, but no one were as special as her personal creations, the Pserateps. They would never be. She spoiled those ponies. Giving them the biggest land any creature could ever want made of gold, the fastest of all fliers, minds smarter than anyone... Perfect in every single way. She loved the Pserateps and referred to them as her 'Chosen'. The race she loved the most. She could never say no to them." Twilight's mouth parted open slightly per word. "To reinforce this fact, she made sure to have everything 'Pseratep Only' by... Keeping other ponies away. Psera literally has the largest distance from any known country in the entire world. Five hundred miles is the closest. After that, six hundred. Three days per boat ride south of Psera for the Forgotten... Eh, it doesn't matter to you.

"But I didn't like that. So, to protest this, I created my own ponies out of her own and told Narmeelah that what she was doing was wrong. That all of her creations were perfect and they deserved to intermingle and not be neglected. Narmeelah swore that would never happen. So since she wasn't going to listen... I attacked her creations of Equestria and turned them into what you ponies call 'Infected.' My goal was to show her that no matter what they looked like, that they were all the same. Innocent lives. But, to prevent my tasks, she wiped them and the rest off the face of Equus and started the race over. Leaving Psera as the oldest race.

"I didn't really appreciate that either. I did it again once they were reborn and tried to attack Psera. I almost succeeded. But she was ready for me. She created the Legends of Psera to stop my movements and prevented me from moving forward towards my goal. Then they all fought and sealed me away.

"It happened again once I awoke and I lost, along with another time. But the last time before this, Narmeelah thought she could seal me away and destroy me by sealing herself away with me. When I broke out, she never did. Her wall remains. Is she dead? I don't know, nor do I care. She was nice to her ponies, but not so much to her other creations. Now you Pserateps know. But hey. We all smile to our subjects in public, but hide the darkest of all secrets from our real friends and family. Am I right?"

Twilight swallowed down her fear and whispered, "Is all of that true, Maheera Dark?"

"Every last of it, Queen Arcadia. What do I have to gain lying to you now? You put me in chains in the thickest of all darkness and disabled my magic. I'm not getting out of here and neither are you. " Maheera glanced up behind Twilight and whispered, "Especially now. Your prison's turning to gel."

What? Twilight looked over her shoulder and gasped at the find. All the way down there but can be clearly made out was a mass of purple goo. Spreading. Moving. Alive. And crawling right for them. What looked like bubbles were moving deep inside. The air was turning purple. Her creation. She forgot she put that in here.

She faced Maheera again and allowed that purple stuff to grip her wing and spread up her fur. "I appreciate you telling me the truth Maheera. But you're both wrong for what you've done."

Maheera nodded when a bit of that stuff gripped her cheek and crawled over Queen Arcadia's back. She whispered, "I know, Queen Arcadia. But... Which one of us is really the enemy?"

Twilight couldn't answer. Literally. Her smile was the last movement she felt before the gel crawled over her entire front and started to turn to a hard rock. The same with Maheera. Then she saw the darkness. With the truth at the top of her mind.
> Chapter 36 - Goodbye, Queen Twilight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Even though many ponies started the desperate search for the day, Madun stayed behind and looked around Twilight's Sunshine office. The grass, the mushrooms, the flowing river that seemed to have stopped. The artificial Sun floating high above that was making the room cooler suddenly.  It all looked so... So wrong without Twilight in it. All of her books were being placed back on their shelves by the unicorns in the room and Rainbow Dash following an order Celestia knew.

Luna could tell Madun was having a tough time. For one he wasn't going anywhere. Standing by the Comm Block on one of Twilight's mushrooms waiting for good news. She knew how that felt. When Starswirl the Bearded disappeared, Luna and Celestia felt like their worlds shattered. He just... Vanished. Without a word. Searching day and night did nothing. At least Twilight and her friends brought him back. But now she was missing.

Luna gave her set of books over to Celestia. Then marched over to Madun eyeing Twilight's desk with his family rubbing his back. "Madun... I know you're worried about Twilight," she whispered. "But everything will get better."

He sighed and faced her with sad eyes to whisper, "I know that, but... I'm worried about Dawn. She has absolutely no idea mommy's missing. And... I don't know how to break it to her. She really looks up to her and... It's going to crush her."

Ahh, foal issues. Luna sighed and sat down in front of him. Then calmly grabbed that big hoof of his to rub and said, "I know how that feels. Through my lifetime, I've had to deliver messages such as this personally to members of Nobility and military. It's not easy, I assure you. For both you and them. But it's always better to just come out and say it."

"Say it?"

"Yeah, like... 'Sweetie... I'm afraid mommy isn't going to be joining us in the future.'"

"What?" All hearts froze and heads slowly swiveled to the doorway. To the little purple filly with confused purple eyes. Fresh Dawn slowly trotted in with a gaze on everything. "Wh... What's going on? Where's mommy? And why are you messing with mommy's books?"

Madam Singe shared a look with President Manamar. Then Fresh Dawn suddenly charged over to them with her long wings dragging the ground, and jabbed her horn straight into Singe's hind leg. Which surprisingly hurt. A lot.

Singe jumped and dropped her books in an attempt to get away from the foal. "Oww! Goodness, child!"

Dawn charged again and went for Manamar this time. Followed by Celestia and any other pony in the room including Sunset and Starlight. "Jeez, kid!"

"Get away from mommy's books!!!" She screamed. "She's going to be really upset she finds!... When she finds out you're messing with her books!"

"Dawn!" Madun ran after Dawn and scooped her up. Then turned her around and scolded, "Stop hurting these ponies or you're going to your room!"

"But dad~!" She pointed an accusing hoof straight at Celestia's face. Actually straight into her muzzle. "They're messing up mommy's books! She's going to be mad when she gets back!"

"You didn't have to stab us about it though, Darling," Rarity corrected. Dawn whipped to her and blew a raspberry childishly. "Ugh! Well I'll be!"

Madun turned her around and growled, "Stop it."

Dawn whimpered, "Daddy... What happened to mommy, why isn't she here protecting her books? Is she in another meeting?"

Madun sighed and set Fresh Dawn back on her hooves. Then lied down so he could tell her face to face. As much as it was going to shatter his heart and hers, she had to know. "Sugar Plum... A lot of ponies will be with us for a very long time. Like Grandma Ice, Aunt Merry, Cousins Lightning and Daisy... Uncle Armor too. Even Drago!"

Dawn giggled and declared with a flap of her wings, "I want Drago to stay! He's really funny!" Spike smiled in the background with watery eyes and a claw stroking Sweetie's back. He felt honored Twilight's daughter liked him too.

Madun laughed with sad humor and slowly died it down. "Yeah... Yeah, but sometimes some ponies have to unexpectedly say goodbye. And we never see them again. They can get really sick and their eyes never open again. They go to sleep and never wake up. Or sometimes they go out and fight for us. To protect us; and they never return."

Fresh Dawn walked closer before Madun said it. "Sugar Plum... I'm afraid mommy may have said her last goodbye to us on your birthday. And with the way things are looking, well... She won't be with us anymore."

It was truly a heart breaking sight when Dawn jumped back and shook her head. "No... No, mommy promised she'd come back. That she'd always be there for me." Dawn held up the necklace around her neck. "She promised she would be back."

"I know sweetie, but sometimes we have to leave to protect the ones we love."

"No... No, mommy's coming back!!" Dawn yelled. She jumped up and stomped all four hooves on the ground with tears bursting down her face, dancing with sadness. "She'd never leave me like this!! She made a promise!!"

"Dawn—"

"NOOOO!!!" She screamed. Then ran out of the room with liquid pain trailing down her cheeks. Her cries tore their hearts and souls to pieces then threw them to the wind. Madun could only sigh and rise back to his hooves.

"Excuse me," he whispered. Then solemnly walked out the door after his distraught daughter. At least the first half of the hard part was over.



Dawn's cries rang loud through the halls as she rushed through the third floor. Head down and eyes closed, she bawled loud with tears racing down her cheeks and off her chin to the red carpet below. Running as fast as her little hooves can carry her. Running away from the truth. Running away from the pain.

Running into someone. She bounced back on her flanks still crying with her hooves out. Flurry Heart gasped and picked her up to hold just like how Twilight taught her long ago. Fresh Dawn instinctively wrapped her hooves around her neck and cried into it. Letting her tears soak Flurry's fur.

"Hey... Hey, what's wrong?" She asked.

Fresh Dawn hiccupped and stammered through her emotions. "D-D-Daddy said that mommy is, that mommy's not coming back!!"

Looks like she just heard. Flurry had a similar reaction and was still trying to hold back her own tears. But she held her little cousin close and allowed her to cry into her coat. She sighed and whispered, "I'm really sorry, Dawn. It'll be better."

Dawn shook her head and tore herself out of Flurry's hooves. Then continued running down the velvet hallway crying. This was a really big change. Flurry herself never had to go through this. But she really really liked Aunt Twilight. Loved Aunt Twilight. Everyone all over the place were doing what they could to find her.

But Fresh Dawn continued running. Running past all the saddened faces plaguing her with reality. Past Gardeen being consoled by Light Pink. Past the soldiers spreading the word that they only had until twelve tomorrow to find the Queen. Or she was really gone.

Fresh Dawn ran past all of them crying. And made a turn for the throne room. She burst through the doors and scared the two soldiers standing guard. Her hooves pounded up the velvet path and pulled her small body up the stairs so she could climb onto her mother's throne.

"I'm going to stay right here!!!" She yelled. "Until she comes back!!!"

The two guards standing at the foot of them glanced at each other. Then back to the doors when Madun calmly strode in and stopped in the doorway. He eyed Fresh Dawn sitting there with her head held high. She wasn't going to get down. So he took a few seconds calmly walking up to the thrones and sat down on his own flanking Twilight's.

"Dawn... I know it's hard—"

Dawn stomped her hoof and interrupted, "Mommy isn't gone! And I'm not going anywhere until she gets back!"

"I know it's hard to accept this. Trust me, I'm keeping back my own sorrow. But... If we don't find your mother's spell library before midnight, then she's gone. And there's a big guarantee she won't be coming back."

Dawn closed her eyes but kept her posture strong. Staying diligent and unmoving. Madun huffed and climbed off his throne with practiced ease so he could make his way over to Twilight's.

"Let's keep her seat warm together, okay?" He reached under her hooves and picked Fresh Dawn up. Then climbed into Arcadia's throne and set Dawn down on his lap. "We're not leaving until she gets back. Okay?"

Dawn crossed her hooves and harrumphed unmoving. Then... They waited. Letting the silence over take them.



Aquata Zero. Docked in Lavender, but silent. In the morning light, her bay doors were open. The flags were flapping and snapping in the wind. The bridge on the rear helm was going through a deep thorough search. The situation room where many discovered the Queen enjoyed Hoofball was being searched in a more lighter manner than her actual office space, which had the carpet ripped up and floors searched. Her drawers were cleared and LiVAMs desperately taken apart. Flashlights danced everywhere in darkened areas. Nothing at all about a spell Reference Number. They checked once, twice, then once more.

Her office in Serl was scanned by the geniuses themselves while the Military Police did the physical work. With zero uplifting results that Madun received.

Celestia and everyone else flew as fast as they could to the Embassy in Cop's Downtown to search there while Sunset and her friends took the harder mission of searching the Downtown library in Cop. They weren't the only ponies volunteering their time. The place was packed with ponies ripping off shelves upon shelves of books and going through them in an hour before moving onto more.

Once again not a single spell. The Lavender office too was as blank as it was busy with personnel. All PDS Obelisks free.

Two PM, no results. Then, they arrived with everything that made the reality even more real. Princess Cadance with a team of Guards arrived back in Cop carrying a specially made glass box they retrieved from the Psera-Equestria Embassy holding Queen Arcadia's crown. And a very thick towel carrying her sword.

They solemnly walked into the castle and made their strides for what they called "holding" in the back of the throne room. A closet with carpeted floors and a single table they placed the box on. Then walked back out and locked the door so they could continue the search.

Rarity couldn't believe when she saw it. None of them could believe it when they saw it. But there it was. The crown of Queen Arcadia Nova. Twilight Sparkle's crown. Nothing was ever found, and Dawn's reserve began to waver. But she sat there on that same spot. Refusing food and anything else until Madun had to force his hoof to take her back to the suite by the afternoon. She needed some food in her, whether she liked it or not.

Now? Now his eyes were trained on the clock in their bedroom sitting on the bedside dresser. Eleven fifty-eight. The small sniffles under him let him know Dawn was still holding onto hope. No matter how out of their grasp the hope was now. She barely wanted to eat and couldn't sleep. The signs of stress for Madun's future.

All eyes were trained on their clocks. Rarity had hers sitting by her window with Sweetie Belle by her side. Eyes on as much of the world of Psera as she could see. And Spike crying silently behind them. Twilight's parents stood with Molten Ice in her well-kept flower garden. Eyes on the PDS Obelisk and all buildings in Cop. Rainbow Dash sitting upon the railing of the Castle's roof with her hooves in her lap. Applejack ataring out her room's window with Applebloom hugging her around the barrel.

Odega and the troops across seas had their eyes trained on the steel slab Queen Arcadia let herself drop into. To save them all.

Then the sound of the eerie bell rang through the air. One... Two... Three...

Celestia slowly squeezed her eyes shut and allowed the tears and sobs to run free. Twilight Velvet buried her face in Night Light's coat and cried with him. Holding each other as hard as they could. Rarity let her face drop down on the window sill and her emotions ruin her makeup. Sweetie turned to Spike and wrapped her hooves around his body, while he pulled her close and kissed the spot under her horn sobbing in terrifying sadness himself.

Odega rotated her colors blue while the soldiers in Equestria took off their helmets in respect. Then the lines on the Mecrah Portal glowed a bright white.

They slowly burned down from the edges towards the center of the Portal where they all made up weird shapes. Triangles, squares, circles. The runes highlighted and slowly disappeared. Followed by the slowly fading lines until the last one reached the middle, and sparkled into a small violet star that finally burned out. Leaving the IN-Port a large slab of unmoving steel in the ground.

It was a hassle getting Fresh Dawn to stop crying. To keep her cries from reaching the castle's inhabitants. But it worked out when she cried herself to sleep in her mountain of toys. Now, Madun could finally shed his own tears in the living room couch holding the family photos of him and Twilight when they were married. Parties, dancing, dates, silly photos. All of them from a photo album she took hours to make.

He couldn't be any happier she made this for them. Of moments he'll never forget.



"Today is a sad day in all of Psera's history. Higher authority has requested all flags to be at half mast for two weeks in honor of the late passing of Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, Saviour of Psera."

A week ago, she had left their lives. A week ago, she had sacrificed herself. The world had stopped turning except for the flags at the very top of Psera's castle snapping in the wind, the crest of Psera lower than it should have been. The silence in her cities were much more quiet than it was used to, especially at this hour. The streets were as abandoned as the sea's surface. The sun provided no warm feeling to the ponies braving the day. But none wanted to face the hours. Some had no choice.

As the King, Madun had to get himself ready and accept it with a tough face. That didn't keep him from placing a small box of tissues in his pocket. The home of Psera's Royalty was the quietest of all inhabitable spaces in the castle. The lights were shut off, but the windows the late Queen provided casted a warm morning glow into the suite's living room and kitchen.

Dawn refused to leave from under her father during these last few days. She stayed with him and he with her. Even when Aunty Merry gave her a hug she darted back under her father, and despite being awake, Fresh Dawn refused to move from her position on her father's bed. Her eyes red and wet, she was curled in a small ball on her parents' comforter wearing the clothes she needed to wear today. Staring at the sheets. Facing away from her father. Facing away from the truth.

He stared at her still form in the mirror. Sighing with chopped breaths. There was no telling what she was thinking. She had become a victim through all of this. He wiped his eyes and stroked his hair back. Then turned his body to the door but kept his eyes on Dawn.

"Come on, Sugar Plum," he whispered. "We'll face this together."

Fresh Dawn huffed and really wanted to say no. To continue waiting. But knew that wasn't an option. Do it for mom.

Fresh Dawn stood up and jumped off the bed out of sight on her father's side. Then trotted into view wearing her tiara correctly and clothed in a black dress with small silver hoofshoes.

Madun lowered himself and allowed her to climb on his back. Then he stood up, cut off the lights, and walked out of their bedroom.

"While we mourn the lives lost in this war, we will never forget the sacrifices made to get us to peace."

The sun high in the sky, Celestia turned from her room's window and faced the one thing she didn't want to face. The entrance to the real world. The door to her room. The weight of Celestia's hooves were as real as the situation beyond it. The disbelieving reality no one on this continent wanted to believe. The foreigners, her friends and family, and the Pserateps.

Twilight's memorial service. According to Madun, every passing of Royalty is already prepared with a memorial service of their crown, the body, and an optional statue.

Queen Arcadia already had a statue in almost all of these cities shortly after they were rebuilt. None of her Equestrian family had ever seen them. But Gardeen said after she was crowned Queen, a statue of "The Saviour of Psera" was carved from marble in the form of some kind of park in Rayray. It didn't take long, about two months. But they were there.

Since there was no body, there was going to be a memorial service and an honoring.

Time to face the music, Celestia thought. Her eyes were glued to the wooden door. Dreading everything beyond it. But she had to do it. She sighed and used her magic to grip the handle. Then pulled the door in with a twist.

The halls were dead silent. More quiet than usual. Not a single voice could be heard. It allowed Celestia to wonder why they were having a memorial service now. It was too early. Did everyone just give up all hope? But she remembered the conversation held with Molten Ice. Twilight was trapped underground inside a black chasm, and sealed inside at twelve midnight. This was a magic thing. Since what Cadance said came true, and that the Mecrah Portal was sealed with absolutely no knowledge or hoofprint of an OUT Port, all Pserateps were fearing the worse. Add that the mages of magic knew nothing about a Mecrah Portal or the spell used to create it...

They all knew the Queen was gone. There was no use trying to fight it. She meant to do this. To seal herself away with Maheera. If she didn't, she would in fact be back by now. This was her plan all along to protect all of them. By sacrificing herself in the process.

Celestia took her steps out into the hall and softly shut the door behind her. Then looked around and whispered, "Will anypony else join me?"

Luna and Cadance's room opened to let them out. Followed by The Element Bearers and their families. Then Novo and her daughter, Virtue Singe, King Chancellor, Consort Snow, President Manamar, Jim Sun, King Haakim and Queen Amira crying into his coat, Queen Farue, and Dragon Lord Ember.

They all stood tall and presentable as could be. But sadness and reluctance quivered behind their eyes of strength. Luna took a deep breath and whispered, "Let's honor her legacy."

The trip down was one they didn't want to take. They knew what they were going to see. And they were all going to be there to see it. They walked past the velvet stairs leading up to the third floor and finally reached the walkway of the foyer, and the mass of ponies below it.

The entire foyer except a path made by the Elite Guard in special celebratory armor were covered by Pserateps. They didn't know how they were going to get in there. Sharing unsure glances and searching for spaces. Until someone tapped Celestia's hoof.

She looked down into the saddened light green eyes of Gardeen Daisy wet with emotion. Light Pink was there beside her with a wing on her back. Providing as much emotional support as possible. "You're her family," she stated. "So you'll be on the front lines by the door. Follow me."

Gardeen turned and led them down the stairwell to the crowded and silent floor below. Without a word, the Pserateps parted and allowed them to walk through the first line right behind the Guards all the way to the doors leading out into the world beyond.

They sat down and observed their surroundings. A majority of these ponies were wearing staff badges. They saw the ponies in lab coats behind Bright Gold near the entrance. All of these ponies were castle employees. Now what were behind those doors into the world beyond?

Rarity sighed and nuzzled into Applejack's coat, grabbing her attention. "You alright, Sugarcube?" She whispered. Rarity shook her head no. So Applejack did what anypony would do. Wrap a hoof around her shoulders and pull her in. And Rarity reciprocated in kind by wrapping her own around Applejack's middle and holding her close.

Celestia looked to them setting an example. Then wrapped a wing around Luna and involuntarily yanked her in too. All of them could use a hoof to hold for what they were about to see.

"SALUTE!!" The yell scared them so bad Novo nearly flared her wings open and hit Celestia in the forehead. But she managed to calm her nerves.

The Guards lining the passageway that would lead to the world outside saluted with one hoof, and hel
d up flags bearing Twilight's Cutie Mark with the other. The path started from the first floor doors leading down to the relaxation areas. They were closed before. But were now slowly being pulled open.

A procession was hidden in that hall. It was definitely going to be a big one.

"FORWARD!!" The soldiers at the very front of the procession carrying more Twilight flags in Violet colored armor stomped their hooves and marched out of the hallway in perfect synchronization. The one doing all the shouting was General Bold Shoulder on the side. Standing tall.

Twelve troops in total carrying flags. Followed by... A rolling ivory casket with purple lining connected to the last two. A glass top allowed those to see the inside. Sunset curled her lips in and focused on the ceiling. She had to stay strong. No matter how many tears shed down her face, she had to stay strong. But she was failing miserably like a majority of the ponies out here. The soldiers soon marched past with the casket rolling soundlessly by.

Inside was the Queen's sword. Clean and shining. And on the very top settled above the pommel was her crown. Celestia witnessed it be put on Twilight's head. The exact same crown from nearly five years ago. Given life by the pony it sat upon. Now taking its last ride to the doors past Celestia. Fluttershy was bawling into Rainbow Dash's coat while the latter tried her hardest to stay strong for all of them.

The King held a hoof up to his mouth while he walked with Fresh Dawn on his back, crying into his mane and letting it all out. Along with Merry Fire, Blazing Fire and their Twins under Molten Ice. Twilight Velvet was hectically crying into her husband's coat before the last of the soldiers passed by. Then Gardeen used her wing to guide them out of the line to follow behind the procession.

The doors opened and the soldiers marched out with "Twilight" in full view for all to see and honor. Many more soldiers lined the stairs leading up to the entrance saluted.

The sun's rays bounced off of the Casket, the wagon pulling it along, the sword and crown inside and the many flags of her cutie mark lining the streets. Bathing the entire City-State of Cop in a sea of purple among the colors of hundreds of Pserateps watching. Some from the overlapping bridges, others from the streets, the rest from the rooftops and airspace.

The wagon rolled to the side parallel to the castle's entrances and stopped. Then Elite Guards wearing purple sashes standing next to the door approached the sides of it to stare at each other intensely across.

"Quaaa TOO!" The sides of the wagon fell down to the ground revealing handles on the casket. Then they grabbed them and lifted "Twilight" up so everyone could see. It was a truly heartbreaking sight to see the Queen, let alone a friend of unimaginable magnitudes being carried down the steps of the castle to one out of the ten Pods on the street in front of the Castle. Her body was absent. But the symbolic nature made it just as real.

Made entirely different than the rest of them, the Pod they were walking towards had an attached trailer longer than the rest of their fleet. It was still law enforcement since there were yellow flashing lights attached to the top of the cabin, the front, and the undercarriage. There were military pods all around bearing much larger flags of Queen Arcadia. But Twilight would be slid into the back where a door was currently opened. Out of sight. No longer smiling and waving.

The mass of Pserateps outside were much more prominent than the ones inside of the Castle. Ponies on rooftops, hovering in the air and looking through windows. And of course those forsaken cameras behind the security line. They really shouldn't be on during this time, but Psera needed to know everything about what was happening. Twilight wasn't the only pony whose life was lost in this war. And she would deny being the greatest.

The ponies carrying Twilight stopped at the doors and swiveled her around so they could lift her. Then calmly slid her into the cool darkness from this heat while everyone else dispersed for their own sources of transportation. The visiting rulers had to be split up so they could ride in three other open hood pods. Presenting flags to the Pseratep-drenched sky. Once they were comfortable, Twilight Velvet took a deep shaky breath to let it out. All of that... Her daughter wasn't in the casket. She was lost in the darkness.

"Annnnnd ONWARD!!" General Bold Shoulder shouted. The soldiers lining the path of the castle saluted. Then the first Pod let off a small brief siren before they were on the move. The Pod holding Twilight's casket soon started drifting away, followed by her family she left behind, the extended family including Gardeen, then her Equestrian family with all of her friends. They moved past the bowed heads of the Pserateps and ended up having to make a wide turn onto the highway.

All around were flags blowing in the wind bearing Queen Arcadia Nova's cutie mark. Past the wreckage of the CPC. Littered with flowers, signs, candles and many more. They rode through the mountain range and out into the field beyond. Heading for Lavender.

The blowing wind did nothing to soothe their feelings of pain. Of loss, of longing. None of this seemed real, but... The reality was right there. Finally cruising past and under the creation of the late Queen. The ponies were not slow in finding out about what happened.

Standing at the fence of the camp watching with remorse as the Pods passed by. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Then the long one. Next they entered Lavender and slowed their speed to make turns.

As a military city, the soldiers and personnel were outside saluting to the Pods the entire way. In the Southern region of this city near the ports up ahead Celestia assumed must've been her resting place. Where she was supposed to be held. Her Monument.

Outside of the city and past the signs of life was a large patch of land with only one structure, directly in the middle. A large statue of Queen Arcadia stood in the middle of what must've been Psera. All carved out of a big slab of marble. She was bigger than all of them. Standing tall with her horn sticking up and wings raised. Higher than the stone version of Psera Skies. Than the Crystal Obelisks. And in front of this big slab was the actual resting place. Or places.

Directly in the center at the foot of the monument were private mausoleums all next to each other with a label at the top titled "The Fire Family". Made of stone with golden doors. Like small homes all next to each other complete with their names.

They all had their own graves ready for when they do leave this world. Shimmering Madun's was right next to Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle on his left. All within a giant flat marble ground with a spewing waterfall in the middle. Decorative Columns holding a stone ring above their heads created the edge of the property.

The pods broke off into the grass while citizens coming from far and wide landed and took their spaces in random areas. All would be able to see thanks to the giant screens flanking the tombs. Which means this was set up possibly when the gong struck. Signalling the futility of saving their Queen.

A stage was built on the left side of the entrance to the resting points. With a glass podium bearing the crest of Psera on the front. And flags of course for Queen Arcadia, the Fire Family's crest, and the Crest of Psera. Then at the very front of it under the podium was a table of some sort made of thick steel. Of course.

Celestia and the visitors let themselves out of their pods and started the walk over to the private vehicle holding the late Queen. The soldiers moved to the back and opened it with a pull of their hooves. There it was again. An eyesore none of them needed to see. They reached in to pull her out slowly and gently. Then carried her with one hoof on each side over to the table while Celestia took a seat in front of the Podium with everyone else.

The Fire Family, as well as Psera's Notable Government watched the casket be raised and placed down on the table from the stage. Then the Guards who carried her sat down on opposite ends. All was quiet. And calm. Serene. Peaceful.

Molten's face was plastered on the viewing screens approaching the podium from her seat. Her strides were slow, her eyes downcast as much as they could see. Wearing all black with a veil and her crown. She stood up to the mic and sighed with remorse. Then spoke in a solemn tone. "When I first met Twilight... It was when she finished rebuilding Psera and the PDS Obelisk had passed its first real life test. I brought her to my home and spoke with her. We talked and had a wonderful conversation. All of her words were genuine and full of care. She was what I wanted to see in a pony.

"When she showed her skills in magic, I was beyond impressed. Her skills topped I'm sure every single mage in Equestria." Celestia nodded to her and confirmed that. "She was strong, but her heart and mind were stronger. Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle was a pony who loved her family, who loved her friends, and who loved her citizens. I fear that the 12th of July was the last day we saw the great Queen Arcadia, and that there will never be a Queen as loyal as her. But I am content knowing that she left behind a legacy that Psera grew. For without her, there would be no Psera. There would be no Equus. Long Live Queen Arcadia Nova."

The crowd repeated, "Long Live Queen Arcadia Nova."

Up next was Merry Fire. She strode up to the mic past her departing mother and immediately started speaking. "Twilight was not only my friend. She was my sister. Through the years, Twilight always made time for you. It might not be today. It might not be tomorrow. But she will definitely push aside her own worries to be there for you. And as a ruler of an entire country that is no easy feat."

IHT could definitely agree with that. Meetings all the time, places to go, areas to be. Situations to make a solution for. Merry huffed and added, "She's always there. For everyone. Whenever you needed a helping hoof, she was there. Whenever you needed a shoulder to lean on, she was there. And, if you had daisy sandwiches, she was definitely there in a few seconds." The stage and crowd laughed half-heartedly at the playful jab. "She was there for Psera. Because she loved Psera. As Queen Arcadia would say, 'Home is where the heart is. And my heart is with Psera.' Psera loves you too, Queen Arcadia. And if you are still out there, still alive, we'll keep your throne warm for you."

King Madun stood up next and shared a loving hug with his sister. Then proceeded moving to the podium. He stopped at it and smiled to the sea of Pserateps around. "I'm sure all of Psera knows Secretary Arcadia Nova. Lady-in-Waiting Arcadia Nova. And finally Queen Arcadia Nova. But I'm absolutely positive none of you knew 'Mommy Twilight,' as she called it. She absolutely loved being a mother."

Well this was interesting. Luna shared an amused glance with Celestia and Cadance then directed back up to Madun. "Twilight was very thorough with her plans. She had a checklist for everything and hated being behind her schedule to accomplish her daily tasks. As a mother, this trait intensified. When Dawn was born, Twilight was double checking everything. Whatever you can think of, she had a checklist for it.

"Checklists for lunch, checklists for what goes on the lunch, checklists for Dawn's play time, nap time, read-a-loud time, all of it. Checklists for outdoor play time. Checklists for more checklists—she was very thorough. I'm sure all parents were like that at one point or another.

"Then Dawn started walking. When that happened, she was over the moon. Constantly moving around the castle working while also teaching our filly how to move. She was a quick learner. With Dawn following after mommy, to mommy trying to keep up." Another round of laughter. With eyes towards the response-less filly sitting with her cousins with narrowed eyes to the ground. Celestia could just feel all of the emotions pouring off of her.

Madun wrapped up with, "But at the end of the day, mommy was there on the right side and daddy on the left side. She was a pony who loved her family. And..." Madun had to squeeze his eyes shut for a moment and bite his lip to keep back tears. "And her family loved her. We're going to miss you, sweetheart. No matter where you are, alive or not, you'll always be Psera's adoptive mother, my wife, and my Queen."

Now that was true. Celestia sniffed her tears away and patted the back of her sister blowing into a tissue.

Madun walked over to Dawn and asked, "Would you like to say anything about mommy?" He held the mic out to her and Dawn's purple eyes darted to it. But she lifted her own hoof and calmly pushed it away.

Clearly she didn't want to say anything. So Madun slipped the mic back into the podium and nodded to Celestia. "Would any of you like to say anything?"

Celestia nodded and took her wing back from around her sister. Then took steps up to the podium and looked down to the casket holding Twilight's crown and sword comfortably. Tears streamed down her face almost immediately. It wasn't supposed to be this way.

She wiped them away and said, "It's hard to witness things sometimes. I witnessed Twilight grow. From the little filly raising a baby dragon, to a full grown mare raising a filly. I was Queen Arcadia's second real friend when I met her. In her entire life. In a way, I was her surrogate mother. I taught her how to utilize her skills in magic and introduced her to her idols. I read her to sleep when she stayed at the castle. Whenever she needed to talk to an adult, I was there. And when it was finally time for her to move on from under her mother's wing, I was there.

"Whenever I wasn't teaching her the basics of magic, she was following me through the castle halls talking magic. Clover the Clever this, Starswirl the Bearded that. Just two out of Queen Arcadia's favorite mages in Equestria. I always knew she'd have a gift in magic. But never in all my years living would I have guessed she'd use that magic to rebuild, defend, and revolutionize an entire nation from the ground up. I couldn't be any prouder. We're all going to miss you, Twilight. Forever and always."

Next up... Ambassador Shimmer. She took to the stand and breathed in the reality below her. No body. She was lost. She was gone. Sunset started off with, "I used to be the bad guy. Secretary Starlight and I, we weren't the best of ponies. We're both guilty of forceful manipulation. Making ponies and people do things for us against their will. And if Twilight never showed up and started talking, we'd both be in very bad places. There's just something about her voice when she talks that makes you feel really really really guilty about things sometimes."

Madun could back that up with plenty of experiences where Twilight won arguments by asking really simple questions like, "What about this felt right to you?" And, "Now see what you did? Was it really a good idea? Because you get to watch me clean up your mess."

Sunset stroked her face and admitted, "But if she never talked, we wouldn't be here right now. We'd probably be in Tartarus plotting revenge or something else silly. I'm glad Twilight came through that mirror and beat me to a literal crisp. Because she became one of my best friends afterwards."

Dawn listened to all of these testimonies of her mother closely. From Mean Manny, to Aunt Caddy. How nice mom was, how smart mom was, how amazing in magic she was. Dawn didn't know any magic. Mommy had books about it somewhere. But no one could find them. But that wouldn't stop her.

"Daddy?" Madun looked down to his daughter pointing to the microphone. "I... Want to."

Madun motioned to Rarity at the podium before she could leave and then to the mic. She levitated it over to his outstretched hoof, and he held it in front of Dawn. "Okay," he whispered. "Go ahead."

Dawn cleared her throat and looked into the sea of faces staring at her on the screen, and through the tense air. She leaned in and said, "Mommy told me that... That being Queen was my choice. That it was my decision. And that if I wasn't happy with being a Queen, I didn't have to be one. And that it was all on me."

Dawn grabbed the big mic from Madun's hoof and held it to herself. "Well I'm going to work hard, and study, and be Queen. Because I want to be like mommy. I want to know magic, and be smart, and be a ra... Ra..." Madun leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Role model! I'm going to be a role model! And everyone's going to look up to me too! I'm going to miss mommy a lot. But I know that... That a little piece of her will always be with me."

Dawn hoofed the mic back to her father. Then reached down and touched the pendant her parents gave her on her birthday. The same day all those ponies died in an explosion.

Madun leaned in and kissed her cheek. Then stood up with the rest of Psera. They knew what time it was. Madun used his wing to keep Fresh Dawn close while they walked off the stage onto the heated stone ground under their hooves. The soldiers at Twilight's honorary casket stood once more and grabbed the handles to heft it up. Then marched with her into the memorial park.

"May the Queen forever watch over us," a voice resonated. "May she smile down upon the world with the power of the sun. May her knowledge and teachings be passed down for generations to come. And may she and Narmeelah dance together in the Everlasting Sky."

The procession stopped in front of the entrance to the Mausoleum for Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle and waited for a second. Then two of Arcadia's first friends Worn Weather and Shining Sword grabbed the handles and pulled them open revealing the space inside. A regular stone tomb with purple colored torches on the walls inside. The space was tight. With just enough walking area around the block in the middle to allow one Pseratep to move through.

The soldiers carrying Queen Arcadia moved inside the cool environment. With a silence that made tears rush out once again. They set her on the stone and slid her on straight so she fit perfectly. Job complete, they walked back out. Now came the hard part. Closing the doors. That fell on the hooves of her husband.

The King of Psera stepped forward with his head bowed and body wracking with sobs. Using both of his hooves, he gripped both of the golden doors and slowly pushed them together. The inside of the Mausoleum gradually grew darker. Shadows took over everything until they clicked together. Then the sound of an inside locking mechanism falling into place reached their ears.

Madun couldn't keep it in. He let his tears flow and hit the stone below. Hooves still on the handles. His wife was gone. And he just sealed the deal. Molten walked over and pulled him into her chest. Letting him cry there while many others followed shortly in their expressions.

Twilight Velvet just couldn't stop thinking that her filly was gone. Leaving behind a filly of her own. Her teary eyes cracked open and trained on Fresh Dawn standing in front of those doors with her head bowed. Multiple flowers that created a largely stacked mountain of the entrance were tossed harmlessly at them before the crowd slowly began to depart. The memorial service may be over, but they knew for a fact that all of this was far from done. There were still damages, pain, and a mystery to solve.



After a while of just sitting at the doors, a screech from above made Madun's ear flick. He along with other ponies looked to the sky at the large Phoenix swooping in. It shrunk into a small ball and expanded back into Odega by the time it landed. Mane flowing in the wind, she eyed the Mausoleum and the filly in front of it. They just shut her in, didn't they? She should've been here. There was never a better time to fulfill that promise.

Odega sighed and walked over to Madun and Merry to deliver a much needed hug. Then slowly walked over to Fresh Dawn. Sitting there alone with her head bowed at the doors.

Small drops of moisture hit the ground in front of her every second. Like a badly dripping faucet. Odega sighed and lied down so she was at eye level with her, but still out of her sight.

"I promised your mother I'd watch over you in her absence," she whispered in her ear. "Remember that you're never alone in this world. Whenever you need me, all you have to do is call."

Fresh Dawn nodded but didn't respond. At least too much. "Yeah... Thanks, Aunt Odega."

Aunt Odega. That's a new one. Odega leaned in and softly kissed the top of her head. Then left her to go see the Princesses and tell them the news.

She approached their large group of colors and whispered, "The IN-Port is sealed. No more runes, no more weird lines. Just a slab of metal stuck in the ground that no one can get up. You Equestrians are stuck with that."

So they were stuck with a reminder that Twilight sacrificed her life so they could all go home? Celestia nodded once and replied, "I'd prefer it be there." She peeked passed her to Fresh Dawn still sitting there. "How's she doing?"

Odega followed her line of sight and then back again. "Don't know. I guess it's all sinking in right now. I don't know what the future holds for her."

Rainbow Dash zipped over to her and accused, "Couldn't you have found her Spell Sanctuary since you 'see everything'?"

"I could have, yes. But I did not see it. And I still can't. Wherever it is, it's hidden so well that even I can't find it. Although... There is a clue."

"A clue?!" Madun was at her side in a nanosecond dabbing at his eyes with a tissue. "Wh-What's the clue?"

"Before Twilight left with her chemically dangerous sword, I couldn't find her anywhere. All over Psera, she was missing. No trace, nothing. Then at approximately eleven o'two, she... Randomly appears in her office."

Sunset asked, "A teleportation spell?"

"No. I'd be able to detect her if it was a teleportation spell from point A to point B. But I didn't detect her between the hours of nine and eleven. She had gone completely off the grid. Wherever her spell room is, she has it hidden so well, so deep, that even I can't find it."

Magic. The spell sanctuary was hidden with magic. Celestia hummed and asked her own question. "What exactly can keep you from seeing things?"

Odega shrugged and answered, "Spelled walls, Narmeelah yelling at me not to spy on her, uhh... The Twins. When I'm too far away. I can see half of the world instead when that happens."

Celestia hummed and looked up to the sight of Fresh Dawn crying her tears with her face to the ground and hooves over her head. She meant to look up to Twilight's Mausoleum. But saw that instead.

"Oh Madun," she called. Then motioned to Fresh Dawn.

Before he could act, Dark Dust was already on the move. He walked in from out of nowhere between Madun's legs—literally giving him a jump after his wings hit his stomach—then jogged over to Fresh Dawn. Fresh Dawn was bawling her eyes out at the hooves of her mother's tomb. Sealed away for what seemed like forever. Then someone reached under her ribs to get her to stand up, and wrapped her in a hug.

Fresh Dawn stopped crying and eyed the dark brown coat in her eyes. And the familiar scent of her best friend. "Dusty?" She whimpered.

He pulled away and met her sad purple eyes with his deep consoling brown eyes. He was sad too. Although he wouldn't say it. He knew how life worked. That everyone would eventually meet their unfortunate end. He knew that it would happen to him. And he was okay with that.

He used a hoof to wipe her tears away and said, "Don't cry. I don't like it when you're sad."

Fresh Dawn wiped her tears away and looked back to the Mausoleum. But Dark Dust turned her back and shook his head. "Don't look back," he ordered. "Mom is gone, but you still have family here in Psera. Like me! Your best friend, Dusty!"

Despite her sadness, Fresh Dawn sniffed her tears away and rolled her eyes. "Yeah..." She drawled.

"Awww come on!" Dark Dust booped her muzzle and said, "You can do better than that!"

"Not today I can't." Dark Dust booped her muzzle again. "Stop that!" He did it one more time and darted back before Dawn's hoof could get him. Oh no he doesn't!

Dawn scuffed her silver hoof against the ground and took chase after him out of sight. Well at least she was distracted. It would make things much more easier in the future. Madun looked over to a Guard on his right and nodded his head once. Five Elite Guards from that unit jogged after them, but kept a good private distance so they could have their space.

Twilight Velvet looked up to Madun in worry and asked, "How will she handle all of this?"

Madun sighed and watched the foals run around joined by Merry's twins who couldn't sit still if the world depended on them. Probably just run around because it did.

He answered, "She's a strong filly. She finds different ways to distract herself. Now onto the future..." He turned back to the Princesses and said, "Now that the war is over, we must discuss the unprecedented. But based off of how traumatic this is... Psera will more than likely go back into the shadows. Completely."
> Chapter 37 - The Mark
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Madun dropped that bomb, they took this conversation to the right side away from Twilight's resting place. Leaving Fresh Dawn to be distracted with Dark Dust and her cousins.

Once they were all in a private circle away from listening ears, Molten Ice explained in much deeper detail from next to Secretary Gardeen dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. "In light of recent events, Psera's Government has decided that Psera is once again cutting all communications with outside lands after we transport you back home. This was planned from the beginning. That if something were to get past the Queen's barriers onto our land, we would cut all ties with any outside forces and reinforce the law from the very beginning. The day the CPC fell, a meeting was called in Congress and we decided that after the war was finished, we would drop you off back on Equestria and supply you with the device using the late Queen's very first spell on this soil. After that... You will hear from us no more, unless we find something."

Luna shared a look with her sister and niece. Then back to Madun to clarify, "So we're being cut off from everything."

He nodded and answered, "Unfortunately. If something else ever happens across seas, we want nothing to do with it. Trade is over, communications are over, talks are over. Whatever we gave you, you can keep. But you will not hear from us anymore after you're dropped off. All of you."

Well there goes the trade dreams, Novo thought. Celestia sighed and nodded in understanding in a close knit next to her. To keep anymore attacks from this peaceful land that has the biggest military she's ever seen with the largest of all structures, it only made sense to make this place Pseratep only. Leaving them all to each other. Psera just doesn't want any more of their citizens getting hurt.

She replied, "I understand. We'll inform our citizens at once. When will we depart?"

He stroked that perfect goatee that made him even the more handsome and answered, "The sooner the better. Now that the war's over, there is no need for you to stay much longer. The Queen's dream came true. To unite us all together to save each other and avoid a desolate world. And now that it's achieved, we must leave you again. We cannot risk anymore of our lives."

"Of course, I understand. I will let them know. Will now be the last time we see you or Fresh Dawn?"

He blinked and answered honestly, "I highly doubt it. But you won't see us for many years."

"Very well."

Madun nodded to them and looked around. Most of the Pserateps had either left the Mausoleum or were doing something here in Lavender. The news crews and such were packing up and leaving in silence. He sighed and said, "Now... We must move forward for a brighter future. The remains of the CPC site is still being cleaned. And I have to get ready for tomorrow. Someone grab Dawn. It's time to leave mommy to rest."



Waves splashed on the edge of the world. On the edge of Psera. They splashed against the rocks below Dawn and Dust's rear hooves. The edge of Lavender at the docks. Spanning out in front of them were blue seas while behind them were green blades of grass.

While Fresh Dawn and Dark Dust were kicking their hooves back and forth on the ledge of rocks, Lightning and Daisy Fire were running around behind them playing some type of game.

Dark looked to his left at Fresh Dawn and asked, "Do you think there's anything out there? In this way?" He pointed a hoof out to the right of them. To the blue seas and a patrolling Aquata.

Fresh Dawn smiled and playfully corrected, "In this direction." All she got was a tongue poking out at her. "And I don't know. I don't think grandma and grandpa live out there. I think they live over there." She pointed her hoof to the left. "In the... East, I think."

"Oh." Dark Dust kicked a rock loose and watched it fall to the waves below. "Hey... I'm really sorry about your mom. Not a lot of ponies know magic here."

"No one knows magic here. The only one that knew it was mom and Grandma Celestia, Grandma Luna, and Aunt Caddy. And they're all going back to Equestria now. Mah super Equestria taw mool."

They're all staying in Equestria. Which meant Dawn would have to learn solo. Dark smiled and said, "Well, I bet you can figure it out on your own. Your mom always levitated things. That looks easy. Maybe you can do it too!"

Dawn shrugged like it were no big deal. "I can already do that. See?" Dawn's horn turned red and she levitated a rock up from the ocean below into her hoof. "I just can't do big things. Because they're too heavy and it's stressful."

Daisy and Lightning immediately zipped over into her face and eyed the rock like it was an abomination. Daisy's red and orange mane slapped Dawn in the face when she flipped her hair and asked in bewilderment, "How did you do that? I wanna do that! Wait... Can we do that?!"

Lightning jumped on top of Daisy's head and pushed her face into the ground. "Nuh uh!" She answered. "We can't do that!" Then looked up to Fresh Dawn and whispered, "Can we do that?" Daisy popped back up and flung her sister onto her back in the grass. These two were always so hyper. It amused Dawn, but also made her a tad freaked out.

Fresh Dawn shook her head and answered, "No, you have to have a horn. Like this!" She pointed her hoof up to the prominent purple horn on her head.

"Ohhh, can you make me one?! I want one! I want—"

Lightning pushed her sister's face to the side and cut in with, "Don't give her one, she already has everything in the world! Give me one!"

Daisy bopped Lightning on the head and corrected, "We both have the same things, Lightning!"

"Nuh uh, Daisy!"

"Yeah huh!"

"Nuh uh!"

"Yeah huh!"

"Nuh uh!"

Fresh Dawn and Dark Dust followed them with their eyes rolling around in the grass wrestling. Nonchalant were their attitudes while Daisy's and Lightning's were either upset with each other, or playing with each other. You could never tell with those two.

High winds blew Dawn's red mane around past her neckline and into Dust's face. More specifically his mouth. "Ew, ugh, gross! Filly hair!!"

He spat it out and wiped his tongue off while Dawn just laughed at him. Then something hit her in the back of the head. "OW!! WHAT WAS THAT?!" She yelled.

A guard was over by her side looking to the grass the second she yelled in pain. He picked up what looked like... A bird? Dawn gasped and pulled the flaring bird out of his hooves with a sadness in her eyes.

"Oh no, he's hurt!" She cried. "Something's wrong with his wing!"

The bird, a red and blue feather kind with a yellow beak was tweeting desperately and flapping it's left wing while the right one was twisted in a different angle. The top half of it was snapped in half. Ooohhh, that had to be painful.

Daisy and Lightning zipped over and took a gander with Dark. Dawn looked up to the Guard and said, "He looks so desperate! He needs help!"

Dark poked her and suggested, "Why don't you use your magic to fix his wing? I know you can do it!!"

"Yeah!" Daisy and Lightning agreed.

But Dawn wasn't so sure. She shook her head and answered, "I-I don't know. I've never done that before and I doubt mom ever did too."

The Guard softly pulled the bird out of her hooves much to her shock. "I do not believe your father would appreciate you holding an unchecked animal, Princess."

"No, no!" Dawn jumped up to take the bird back. Then walked away saying, "I can fix him, I can fix him! Mom would want me to fix him, I can do it!" Dawn softly set the bird down in the grass and glared down at him with a glowing horn. The bird was wrapped in a red glow that gradually turned a terrifying black. That has never happened before.

The bird stopped flapping and tweeting to allow Dawn to do whatever she was doing. The right wing shifted while her thoughts raced. Making weird unnatural sounds. Her mother's voice rang through her head. A very important trick from one of their lessons. "Feel the magic deep inside you. Then let it out with the goal you want to achieve."

Dawn did. She reached deep down and grabbed her magic. Then focused it on the bird. The broken wing suddenly twitched then slowly merged back together before their eyes. The bird jumped up on its talons and faced Dawn flapping both of its wings successfully.

Dawn squealed and jumped up and down excitedly with the fledgling. "I did it, I DID IT!!! I FIXED THE WING!" Her witnesses only stared at the bird walking around and flapping. That wing was completely out. As in never coming back. Then the bones just...

Daisy shouted, "That was so gross!! The wing just... Ugghhh, it was so nasty!" She slapped her hooves over her eyes with her sister. Dusk fell over on his side with a terrified expression and the guard had thoughts running through his mind about being reprimanded and losing his job.

Then the space that held Dawn flashed like the sun, turning their environment so bright they had to cover their eyes. Dusk shook his head behind his hooves and muttered, "Please, no more magic. Please no more." But magic was happening, and it was happening now.

After a little while, the glowing behind his hooves dimmed and was replaced by the natural light of the sun above. They removed their hooves and eyed Fresh Dawn, confusedly looking around.

Apart from her dress slightly ruffled, she looked... Fine. But with everything that's been happening recently the Guard wasted no time in grabbing her hoof and relaying into his Comm Block, "Code Blue! Code Blue! We're going to the King!"

A few more landed quickly and grabbed Daisy, Lightning, and Dark. Then took back off into the air for the Mausoleum.



Before anyone could start heading back, Madun laughed and said in the circle, "I'm sure you haven't seen Fresh Dawn's first steps."

Cadance shook her head with a smile from next to him and stated, "Twilight told us that she was going to show us some time. On Dawn's birthday. But we never got around—"

"My King!" Madun turned around to face the interruption. The Guards watching over Fresh Dawn and her friends landed with them in their hooves away from the Mausoleum where their pods sat. "Code Blue!"

Code Blue?! Madun sprung into action. He jumped off the stage and ran straight for them with a few more ponies. "What happened?!" He ordered. He slid to a stop in front of Fresh Dawn and started looking her over.

The Guard that witnessed the whole thing answered, "A bird flew into her head with a broken wing, she experimented with using her magic and actually managed to fully heal it..." The bird he spoke of tweeted and landed on the top of Dawn's head, much to her obvious delight since she grabbed and hugged it. "Then she glowed like the sun, blinding us with her light. Something may have happened. We're not sure what."

Madun looked Dawn over and checked under her wings, her hooves, her mane. "I don't see anything wrong," he admitted. His hoof rose to his chin and added, "But this sounds like a magical issue. Uhhh... Equestria!" The ponies from Equestria watching from afar trotted over and nodded with a face of focus.

He pointed a hoof at his daughter and explained very briefly, "Dawn plays, bird crashes into her head with a broken wing, she uses magic and heals the bird's broken wing, she glows, no clue why. Is there something wrong?"

Celestia hummed and conducted the same routine Madun did. Even looked into her violet eyes. Cadance walked around to her tail and checked there while Luna lifted up her dress. There it is.

She gasped and yelled, "Oooh, she got her cutie mark!!"

"She has a what?!" Madun walked around to where Luna was pointing and eyed the shapes on her flank. There was an exact but smaller copy of Twilight's own Cutie Mark centered directly below a large silver crown with diamonds that took up a large majority of her flanks. The crown held diamonds on four points. Two purple and two red.

"Oh so she does get one," Madun whispered. He looked up to Celestia and asked, "Is it normal to get this at five?"

She nodded and admitted surprisedly, "She's actually early. Most foals get them at the age of seven. She got hers two years ahead." She smiled down to Dawn and grinned in clear excitement. "You got your cutie mark! Isn't that exciting?!"

Dawn stared at her with a blank face and a mouth partly open. Then took a quick breath in and screamed. Celestia jumped back so Dawn could rush past screaming, "Get it off, get it off, get it off!! I don't wanna be teased, I don't want this!!"

"Whoa, hold on!" Applejack snatched her up before she could rush past and carefully settled her down in front of her. "Having a cutie mark isn't a bad thing. It shows you accomplished somethin' that ponies need in their lives. And it shows a direct statement into what your future holds. Your Cutie Mark says... Uhhh..." She leaned in closer to Dawn's flank and scuffed her chin. "Hmm... Huh. Well I don't rightly know what this actually says."

Rainbow Dash swooped in and took a look herself. She pointed to the sparkle and stated, "Well this is Twilight's cutie mark right here, so... Uhh... Yeah, this is a Cutie Mark problem with Twilight's magic."

"Cutie Mark Crusaders, comin' through!" Sweetie Belle burst her way through the two of them and slid to a stop in front of Fresh Dawn. Followed shortly by Scootaloo and Applebloom. "We heard a Cutie Mark problem, where is it?"

Rainbow glanced to Applejack and whispered, "I didn't even know they were here."

Madun pointed to Applebloom but glanced to Luna. "And who are they?" He slowly inquired. He slowly raised his right hoof and gestured forward so the Guards could approach them.

Luna quickly placed a tender hoof on Sweetie's back and explained, "Hold on, this is Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo. They're experts in helping foals get Cutie Marks. If anyone can figure this out, they can." Madun held up his hoof and gave a curt nod to the Guards. Stay close and tense.

Scootaloo whipped out a clipboard from somewhere along with a pen that even made Pinkie Pie go poofy-mane again. She wrote a note down titled, "Foal #104." Then started taking notes down at the start. Name? Princess Fresh Dawn. Occupation? Princess of Psera. Daughter of Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle. Age... She glanced up and asked, "Age?"

Fresh Dawn answered, "I'm five. Can you get rid of it?"

"Er... Uhhh..." The crusaders looked at each other then back down to Fresh Dawn. "It's impossible to get rid of a Cutie Mark, Princess. Okay, parent? Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle and King Shimmering Madun. Sometimes foals get the same skills as their parents. And since we can cross off that King Madun passed off any magical traits of any kind that differ from Twilight's... We can only assume the basic fact that Fresh Dawn possibly gained a trait from her mother and either built upon it, or copied it. It happens a lot with our clients."

Applebloom asked Dawn kindly, "Can you tell us what you were doing before you got your cutie mark?"

Dawn wiped her eyes and flipped her flowing red mane to the side. She answered quickly, "We were playing, and I levitated a rock into my hoof, then a bird with a broken wing flew into my head. So I used my magic to heal the bird and now his wing is fixed. See?"

Dawn lifted the bird she was hiding under her dress into view and pointed to the wing that had been broken. But Celestia waved her hooves in front of her face and slowed it down. "Whoa, wait, hold on!" She ordered. "You 'healed' the bird? As in fixed its wing?"

"Yeah, see?" Fresh Dawn held the bird up so it could tweet and flap its wings. "He's all better now!"

Molten Ice chuckled a rather cold laugh and corrected, "That's a she, sweetheart."

"Oh. She's all better now!"

Celestia couldn't wrap her poor fragile mind around it. "So... Like the bone was broken?"

The Guard that was there explained it even more clear. "The bone was snapped, the wing was out of place. It was useless. And she used her magic to heal it. Like it glowed and shifted back into place."

Daisy Fire from the back said, "It was really, really gross! It popped and moved, it... Ugggh!" Daisy shivered with her other friends just from replaying it in her mind.

The Princesses looked down from them to Fresh Dawn. Innocently playing with the bird flying around her head. Apparently something was up.

"What is it?" Madun asked.

Luna rubbed the back of her neck nervously as if her explanation caused a crick and answered, "Well there has never been in any history where magic could heal physical ailments. It has been sought after but never achieved since the very beginning. Such as sicknesses, wounds, lacerations, none of it. It usually resulted in very messy and unforeseen consequences. So, unless this is a trick or lie, then that would mean Fresh Dawn is the first pony ever to... Heal with magic."

Scootaloo rushed forward and asked, "Has Fresh Dawn ever gotten sick before?"

Madun thought back through the years. There were plenty of vaccinations, but there was more physical contact than anything else. Was she ever sick?

Madun's eyes widened and he slowly shook his head. "No. Dawn has never been sick now that I think about it. Ever since she was born. She's been to more than enough checkups, but she's always a been a healthy filly."

Scootaloo casually wrote that down while the adults tried to process that. The twins had been sick plenty of times already from playing too much, and Dark Dust had his share of colds and fevers. But Dawn? Never? Scootaloo looked to her partners and wrapped her wings around them in a huddle. Loudly whispering incoherent sayings.

Sweetie looked up at the Mausoleum then back down whispering, "Well we can't ask her, let's ask somepony else."

Sweetie walked away from it and asked, "I recall Rarity telling me Twilight was able to restore life to your land. As in grass, trees, overall nature. Is this true?"

Madun nodded and pointed his hoof to the Mountain Range where Cop was hiding behind. "Myself and many others witnessed her process from the very top of this mountain range. From there we would be able to see all of the city-states of Psera. She would first send out a magical beam from her horn that would travel over the dirt to tell the distance. Then she would 'get the data', and use it to optimize her spell in the form of a purple wave. In less than a minute, the plains of grass were made. Lakes, ponds, forests, it was as if she painted a picture of a home for the animals."

Sweetie nodded and ducked back in to converse with her fellow crusaders. But Fresh Dawn was interested. Interested in that story.

She swiveled her body around and looked up to face her father. "Daddy? Is all of that true? About Mommy?"

Madun used his hoof to scoop Dawn up from the ground to his chest and answered proudly, "Every last bit of it, Sugar Plum. Your mommy was a really powerful pony. The first Alicorn-Pseratep known to pony-kind. You are actually two thirds Pseratep, and one third Alicorn. Which means you don't have as much magic as your mother did."

Dawn gasped and denied, "I do too! And I'm going to be as powerful as mommy!" While they played around, Scootaloo held their findings up to Rainbow Dash and the rest of Equestria to look at. But they gawked and made a face of extreme bewilderment. Next, looked to them for an explanation. Scootaloo, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle went deep into it that and had the Princesses nodding along to every word.

Back to the King and Princess' conversation, Madun smirked and teased, "Oh I don't know... Will you practice?"

"I will! Watch!" Dawn closed her eyes and focused on her magic. Then threw her head back and shot it forward. A huge purple beam shot right out and into the sky that made them all jump. Dawn's eyes were glowing purple just like the blast that lasted a total of five seconds. The sky grew nearly dark She sizzled out her magic as quick as it began. Then dropped into her father's hooves and started snoring.

Crickets started chirping through their minds while they tried to process that. To figure out what just happened. Merry took a deep breath in and whispered, "And that's our cue to leave."

Buck yeah it was. But Madun had one last thing to do. He nodded to them and shifted Fresh Dawn so she was sleeping over his neck. Then whispered, "I'll catch up to you. "

While they moved for the last available Pods, Madun made his way back across stone over to the Mausoleum. To Twilight's new home with only Dawn in his hooves. He needed privacy with his wife. With his family.

His softly moving hooves stopped a few feet from the Queen's tomb with a head held low. "I never thought you would be here so young," he said. "Only twenty-six. You were one of the best things to ever happen in my life. Your gift of Dawn to me was just the same."

He laughed and looked up past the doors to Twilight's statue. "And guess what? Our baby actually got her cutie mark! Early! I don't know much about it, but it must be a pretty big deal over in Equestria if your teacher can actually prance in place because of it. If only you were here to see it. It has your own mark in it." Madun flipped up Dawn's dress and eyed the mark while he spoke. "She doesn't want it, but something is telling me she'll grow to love it."

He let the dress go and focused again on the doors with love and care. "We love you sweetheart. I promise we'll visit every birthday, okay? We're... We're going to miss you. And things will never be the same without you... Goodbye, Twilight." Once he was finished, he finally turned around and made his way back to the Pods. He had a filly to put to bed.
> Chapter 38 - Moving On Home
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After the memorial service, the three Princesses of Equestria were invited back to the suite for tea and to reminisce after the honoring of the late Queen. They quickly accepted the invitation. They've only been in Twilight's home twice. Before the Trial of Blueblood, and after the Trial of Blueblood. Speaking of which...

After the trek through the quiet castle and Dawn was put to bed, and the Princesses were all holding tea cups sitting at their glass kitchen table, Madun sat down in his seat in between them and the kitchen with a glowing gem and a photo album. The atmosphere was calm. The spells Queen Arcadia put on the walls allowed them to see the outside world. Lunchtime, around one o'clock.

Madun sighed and relaxed his body for a second. "Blueballs is going back with you as well," he stated.

Okay, Luna had to ask. She placed her hoof on the table to lean on and smirked at Madun. "Is it an accident when you replace our nephew's name with that term?"

Accident? Puh. Madun shook his red mane and answered, "Nope, I do it because each time I looked at that scar on my wife's chest, and that hole in my daughter's ear, I just want to go down to Lavender Hall and kill that pony. But it's not in my powers to do so. Which means name calling is my next best thing. He's lucky he's getting just that shooting at his back and not a bullet. Here." He placed the glowing gem in the middle of the table and held on it for a second. Then moved back when a violet mist poured out and made shapes all around them. Changing their environment to Dawn's playroom.

Colorful toys littered the floor complete with her play mat. A small changing bed on the right side of the room next to a wooden play bin stuffed with more toys. The ceiling was bright as the sun, the air as warm as a rising spring. The walls had been painted with cute images of animals and other elements. With Twilight rocking in a chair in a corner holding Dawn in her hooves while she drank from a small bottle. Dawn was much younger at this time. She was so small, it was concerning.

It was all a spell. A contained memory. Leave it to Queen Arcadia to make the best ones.

Cadance calmly stood up from her seat and walked over to get a closer look. Twilight was singing a small tune in Old Pseratopian down to Dawn with the brightest smile on her face. "Mala chee chora too, rafaree masa dee..."

Cadance looked up to Madun with a pleasant smile and whispered, "I never understood Old Pseratopian. It's amazing how Twilight was able to pick it up so fast. Then again I'm not really surprised by anything she would do anymore that was more than amazing."

He smiled and walked from the table over to them with a smile on his face and tears in his suddenly lively eyes. Each time he saw her, Madun's heart would pulse. A feeling he wouldn't trade for the world.

Dawn popped the bottle out of her mouth and threw it to the side to squeal and flail her hooves around. Twilight caught it effortlessly in her magic before it could spill out on the mat and set it down properly. Then securely held Dawn up with both of her hooves.

She blew a Raspberry into her stomach and asked, "Who's my Veola? Huh? Is it you?" Dawn squealed and received another Raspberry in delight. "That's right, you are!" She held Dawn up to her front and allowed her to wrap her hooves around her neck. Then started the burping process.

Celestia sighed and whispered with tears in her eyes, "She was such a great mother." She wiped away those things and sniffled through anything else threatening to spill out.

Dawn burped and made a tired mew that immediately flipped into flapping wings hitting Twilight in the muzzle. She sighed and spat out a feather. Then set Dawn down to ask, "Wanna play? Or do you wanna mess with Daddy?"

Luna glanced across to Madun and queried an unspoken question with her blue eyes. He sighed and answered, "Twilight and Fresh Dawn were a duo of trouble whenever I came home in the afternoon. They would play a harmless prank from time to time. Dawn's idea. One time I walked through the door at nearly five in the afternoon and a toy hit me in my face just like that. I never had the chance to actually close the door. Twilight said she was 'waiting for me.' I absolutely believe that."

"That is so adorable," Celestia whispered. Then redirected her attention to the special moment.

Dawn pointed to the door and made a shout in the form of her answer. Twilight nodded and answered, "Okay, well come on." Twilight was about to pick Dawn back up. But she started rising on her own hooves.

Twilight gasped and stepped closer to lean down into her daughter's face. Adorned with a toothless grin that could make the sun look like it was black and white. "Dawn, you're standing!" Dawn eventually made it to shaking hooves and slowly took one step to Twilight. "Ohhh, now you're walking!! Holy stars, oh you're growing up! Come here, Dawn! Come to mommy!"

Dawn took her very first steps and successfully walked into Twilight's hooves. She reared up and flapped her large wings with her foal. "Oh my baby took her first steps!!!" She yelled. Celestia was sure the whole castle heard her.

Twilight shifted mewing Dawn up with one hoof and walked out of the room with the biggest grin she could muster. "We're showing your father right now! He needs to see his filly's first steps!"

"Bwah!"

"Oh right, your toy." Sky Blue was levitated out of the toy bin and out the door behind them before the scene changed like flowing sand to the hallway outside of the throne room. Full of the statued versions of the past rulers of Psera and guards.

Madun explained, "I was actually on my way to my second meeting that day with a few ponies in Rayray."

The throne doors opened and a beardless Madun walked out with his advisors and assistants. Speaking of something involving energies when Twilight quickly trotted into view from a distant hallway ahead of him with Fresh Dawn to her chest.

"Madun, wait! Sweetie!" Madun stopped walking and talking when Twilight stopped in front of him holding that grin. He knew immediately something spectacular had happened. Otherwise, she would save it for the afternoon when he came back home and received a stuffed toy to the face.

His advisors bowed when Twilight stopped. "Yes, what is it?" Madun greeted.

"Watch this." Twilight looked down to Fresh Dawn in her hoof and asked, "Are you ready to show Daddy?" Dawn locked eyes with her father and raised her hooves out to him screaming in a toothless glee. "Yeah, you are! I'll be right behind you." Twilight softly set Dawn on the floor and stepped closer so she could have some "security". Then Dawn stood up on her hooves and slowly walked to her father with Twilight above her.

Madun gasped and got down on his hooves to spread his hooves out in an inviting gesture. "My filly's walking, oh look at you go!" Dawn walked into her father's face and wrapped her hooves around his neck squealing before the image fizzled out and replaced once more with the King's quiet living room.

Madun sighed and said, "Dawn wouldn't stop walking since then. Then she started talking. Her first word after Mama was 'Tarda'. Ball. She wanted to play ball. So we gave her a ball to play with and then after a few days she said 'Daddy.'"

Madun dropped back down into his seat like the Princesses and took a sip of his tea. The smell was satisfactory to his nerves, let alone the taste. He exhaled a relieving sigh and stated, "We will not stop looking for that room," he said. "If we can find that room, we can find everything."

Celestia inquired, "Any estimated timeframe?"

"None. And knowing Twilight, she didn't make it easy for us. I'd be surprised if she did. Those spellbooks would be worth a fortune if someone found them. It would be cruel to sell them, but that's just the world we live in now."

He looked behind him towards the hallway for the rooms after scuffling reached their ears. Fresh Dawn walked out with her eyes to the floor and head held low. Destination for the front door. She was wearing a gray hoodie with some bottoms. Free of her hoofshoes, but maintaining her crown. She opened the door swiftly and walked out. She could take care of herself. And if she couldn't the Guards would. Everyone in the castle was a huge family.

Madun took a sip of his tea again and said, "She won't be the same after this. I fear she's lost her playful personality. Whenever Dawn was sad, mommy was always there. I was there too, all the time. But... She always looked up to mommy."

Celestia reached over and tapped his hoof lovingly with a warming gaze piercing into his. "I know it doesn't seem like it now," she whispered. "But she will smile again. I guarantee it. Maybe this will cheer you up."

Luna reached into her wing and pulled out a folded up sheet of paper she passed to Celestia. She swiftly unfolded it in front of her face, but kept a calm eye on Madun. "These are the results from the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Now before you say anything, let me make it clear. These mares are professionals, and have been helping fillies and colts find their cutie marks and their meanings when they themselves were fillies many many years ago. The chances of them getting a prediction wrong are one out of a hundred."

Madun had a feeling he wasn't going to like this. Or if it was even going to cheer him up. Maybe distract him. He eyed the sheet in suspicion before Celestia cleared her throat and read it out to him. "'The results for the Cutie Mark of Princess Fresh Veola Dawn are as such...'"



When her mother was alive, the Garden was always the place Fresh Dawn and she would snuggle up together and sunbathe under the sky when she had free time. Enjoying the nature her father's garden brought them. The butterflies that would land on her muzzle, the birds that would tweet and land on her mother's head. The closeness they felt next to each other.

Now, sitting in front of the stream in the flower patch alone in this heat made Dawn feel... Cold. The flowing pond did little to soothe her tears. The endless rivers of pain that flowed from her eyes. She felt alone now. With mom there, Dawn felt like she could conquer the world. The only Alicorn-Pserateps in existence.

Now? She was completely alone. Dawn wiped her eyes and took a deep calming breath.

"Hey." Dawn's folded down ears shot up and she turned her head to face the speaker. A foal obviously based on the pitch. The foal whom's name though was unwanted. Kia. The filly from her class that's always mean. She has a completely white coat with a white mane and tail, and bright yellow eyes. Those evil bright yellow eyes. At least she wasn't grinning today. Last Dawn checked, that was a terrible omen.

The Guards were out here this time. Dawn could easily shoo her away. But something in her mind was telling her not to. She just turned back to the water and greeted, "Hello, Kia. What are you doing here?"

Kia walked next to her and sat down to follow Dawn's gaze into the clear water. Silently rushing by without so much as a disturbance. "I wanted to come say I'm sorry about your mom. I know we're not the best of friends... But I don't hate you. I can't hate you."

Dawn took a page out of her mother's book and pushed, "Get to the point, Kia. Or I'll have you thrown out."

Kia gestured between Fresh Dawn and herself with a hoof. "You and I? We're the same ponies living in different worlds. I... Lost both of my parents." Fresh Dawn's ears slowly rose back up. Then she slowly turned to give Kia a look of sadness. "I'm at an institution a mile or something from school now. My parents... They were in the tower."

"Oh Kia," Dawn whispered. She honestly felt sorry for her. At least she had her dad. Kia had no one. She shook her head and whispered, "I'm so sorry."

"Yeah, well... I'm going to miss them." She wiped her eyes and chortled sadly. "I feel like we should be shedding more tears right now... Right?"

"Yeah... Maybe."

They focused their eyes on the water flowing beneath their hooves for a little while. Letting the silence pass over them. Kia looked back up to Dawn shortly after and said, "Well look, Princess. I know we're not the best of friends..."

"For some unknown reason," Dawn muttered under her breath.

"But how about this... We'll be frenemies."

"Frenemies?" Dawn repeated. She cocked her head in clear confusion and asked, "What are frenemies?"

"Friendly enemies."

"...so rivals?"

"What are rivals?"

"Ponies who compete all the time."

"So like who can run the fastest?"

"Yeah, like—" A wave of water suddenly splashed Dawn in the face from below. "Ack! Kia!"

Kia laughed loud and proud. She fell on her back and pointed a hoof at Fresh Dawn's disbelieving soaked face. "Holy Narmeelah!" She cackled. "You look ridiculous! Like—ack, puh, ugggh!" Dawn returned the favor in kind. But instead of using her hooves, she decided to scoop the water up with a wing and dump it on her. Then did it again. And again. Until Kia was running back to the castle soaking.

Dawn was already enjoying this rivalry. She darted after her and yelled, "Get back here, Kia! This isn't over!"



The entire castle was silent. Coworkers, friends, and family silently mourning. Twilight Velvet was a lot more open with her tears. The cafeteria seemed to be the only place in this Castle that held privacy. The throne room was off-limits and "going through renovations", the halls were decorated with flags bearing Twilight's cutie mark. The entire building was silent. Except here in the lounge.

Anyone mourning could not top Twilight Velvet. Her eyes were bloodshot, face wet with her own tears like the clothed table below she was crying over. It was making the rest of Twilight's friends and family feel even worse.

With a wing placed around her from Fluttershy, Twilight Velvet blubbered up to Night Light, "Sh-She was so happy when she told us... She told us she was pregnant! Remember, Nighty? H-how happy she was?"

He kissed the top of her head and whispered, "Yes I do, sweetheart."

Applejack shook her own head solemnly between Rainbow Dash and Rarity. She dabbed at her eyes, trained on the table and whispered, "I can't believe she's really gone."

"I sort of don't," Rainbow admitted. She looked to the rest of her friends and stated, "It's unlike Twilight to not have a backup plan or even plan ahead. She can't be that easily taken out."

Rarity sighed and replied, "I know, Rainbow Dash. But what other explanation is there?"

Rainbow crossed her hooves and deadpanned, "Anything but being trapped in a magical tube with no exit. That's not like her, guys. I think the Pserateps gave up too easy."

Fluttershy glanced up to them from the side and whispered, "Rainbow Dash has a point. I think Twilight is still alive somewhere out there. Maybe lost even."

Sunset shook her head and said, "I doubt she'd be lost, and I see where you guys are getting at. But we can't do anything without that spell library. The very big important question here is... Why would she hide all of her spells? I think we're missing something. Something big. But what?"

None of them had an honest answer. Or even a serious answer. It was the puzzling mystery that ate away at their minds and fed their thoughts with something to think about.

Something slapping onto the floor spooked the table out of the quiet atmosphere and interrupted those thoughts rather rudely. They directed their eyes to the source at the single white ceiling panel on the right in the middle of this marble floor next to their table.

Rainbow Dash and Sunset glanced at each other from across then slowly tilted their heads back to look to the ceiling. There was a visible hole that a single rope rolled down from. Dancing from weight and impact.

And that Fresh Dawn slid down in her sweatshirt. Hidden by a hood. She held a hoof over her eyes and smoldered at her surroundings in the middle of it. Then jumped down and pushed her hood back to show her red mane. Yep, definitely Fresh Dawn. She ignored the ponies in the room and grabbed the rope that she pulled down and out. Then levitated the tiny slab back up into the ceiling.

Target? Kia. Location? Anywhere. But she knew she was coming this way. Dawn wrapped her rope up and ran for a table that held a cover over it next to the empty buffet line. Unknowingly with eyes following her. She slid underneath it and kept herself hidden, and silent. As if she never arrived.

Twilight Velvet sniffled and turned back to the table sniffling. "She's just playing," she whispered.

Shining Armor said, "You know she got her cutie mark."

Cutie Mark?! Only a few of them knew about this. Fluttershy, Sunset, and Starlight gasped with Twilight Velvet and Night Light. Then yelled at the same time, "What?! When?!" Rainbow seething through her teeth with Applejack and Rarity attracted their attention. "You knew about this?!"

Rarity quickly apologized, "It completely slipped our minds, darlings. But yes, she got her cutie mark today. It's a beautiful rendition of Twilight's own with an added crown."

Applejack quietly explained, "She got it today after she fixed a bird's broken wing with magic somehow. The Princesses said that shouldn't even be possible. But that it happened. I have no idea what it means, but the Crusaders do."

They were once more interrupted when Celestia and the rest of the rulers from overseas trotted urgently into the cafeteria with anxious eyes on them. "We're leaving," she announced.

The entire table stood up and repeated, "Leaving?!"

Applejack clarified, "As in leavin' Psera? Back to Equestria?"

Celestia stopped with Luna and Cadance on one end of the table with sad eyes looking into all of theirs. She confirmed their fears with a nod. "Yes. We're heading out to inform the camps to begin packing. We leave tomorrow morning by Aquata for another three day trip."

Rainbow Dash zipped into the air and hovered above. Her eyes displayed her emotions of disbelief. "But what about... Everything there?!" She exclaimed. "There's nothing to live in!"

Luna answered her with, "King Madun has assured us they will give us tents and living areas to rest in. And have also agreed in helping us restore land by using a device invented by Twilight herself hosting the very first spell she's used on this land. Along with other tools all hosted on Aquata Eighty-Seven. The Pserateps call it a Natural Rejuvenation Spell. Novo and the rest of IHT have agreed to offer as much space as they can since we all decided Equestria is the worst out of all of them. The Pserateps will help us get settled in for a few hours from the port in Las Pegasus. Then..."

Cadance said it for her. The news she was sure none of them wanted to hear. "That will be the last time we ever see or hear from Psera. They've decided they're going back underground."

Twilight Velvet gasped and stuttered, "B-But wh-what about—"

"They'll be looking into Twilight's disappearance as much as they can with zero leads. And said they would let us know if they found something. Apart from that, Psera seas are cut off and all communications are ceased. This will be our goodbye to Psera for years to come."

Luna turned to the shocked rulers of the foreign lands and said, "We leave early tomorrow morning. So we must tell everypony to check their bags twice and be ready to depart. Because the Pserateps are going off the map once more."

Twilight Velvet couldn't believe this! "But... B-But what about Fresh Dawn?!" She pointed to the table Fresh Dawn hid under a few minutes ago. Completely frozen with no movement. Was she still under there? The conversation got so intense they sort of forgot about her.

The princesses stared at it for a few silent seconds. Then shared a worried glance with each other before focusing on Twilight Velvet. Cadance cleared her throat and gently asked, "How are you doing, Mrs. Velvet? Your loss must be burning in you." The pain over the loss of her daughter must be immense. They could practically feel her sadness all over the castle.

When another snow white filly walked into the room, Rainbow Dash had to wonder if they were loud. Because she stopped to look around briefly then left.

The cloth covering the table Dawn hid under shifted before she poked her head out and eyed her walk away. Then raised her hoof and rolled a bag of marbles her way. They rolled loudly across the floor in clear earnest for their target: Mean ol' Kia. They were almost there. Almost—

The marbles were suddenly enveloped in a blue glow and stopped. Then rose into the air and arched over to stop in front of Night Light's unamused face. He shook his head at her and said, "No throwing marbles at anypony, young lady."

Dawn rolled her eyes in annoyance. She was so close to watching Kia dance. "Awww, Grandpa~!" She whined. Then trotted out and dragged her long wings his way. "I was so close!"

"Sorry, kiddo!" Uncle Armor apologized. He reached down and scuffled Dawn's mane. She made a sound similar to a growling Toad and slapped his hoof away. "Oh! Tough little filly, huh?"

Fresh Dawn jumped and got into a playful stance. "I can take you down easy Uncle Armor!" She bragged.

Cadance rolled her eyes from the table and said, "Shining, stop teasing her before she really does hurt you."

Fresh Dawn ran underneath Shining's hooves and in between Thorax's. With a destination for—wait, whoaaa! Dawn skidded to a stop and looked back up to Thorax with a shocked face. He was watching her race by trying not to step on her because she was so small. It was much harder now because she was circling him. Admiring his coat, his tail-wing thing, and his gossamer wings.

"Whoooa!" She fawned. Then stopped in front of him and pointed up to his face. "What are you? You're really pretty and sparkling!"

Novo fawned and held a hoof over her warming heart at Dawn's innocent praise. Thorax grinned at her and stammered, "I-I-I'm King Thorax. Of the Changelings. It's nice to meet you, ummm... Princess."

Dawn grabbed his outstretched hoof and quickly shook it. "Hi! I'm Fresh Dawn! Can you read to me? I want you to read to me because you're pretty!" She pulled Thorax over to a wall that she scuffed at with a hoof. A specific area of it magically slid to the side revealing its internals. Or the small library of books behind it. Along with candy and toys. Someone's been setting up stashes.

Dawn reached in and grabbed a specific book with her mouth. It had a smiling ladybug on the cover under a blazing sun with a Rainbow text reading, "The Shining of Nature."

She turned to Thorax and placed the book on the shiny floor to look up to him with cute purple eyes.

"Gardeen made this book for me. It's my favorite, but I'm not good at reading umm... Ponish yet," she said. She set her hoof on the book and asked, "Can you read this to me? Please?

"Of course I can," Thorax eagerly replied. He trotted around Fresh Dawn and sat down next to her. He picked the book up and opened it to the first page. A title page with the little ladybug on the front.

Before he could start, Kia popped out of nowhere and jumped on Dawn's back. "Ha! Gotcha!"

"Ow! Kia! It's break time! The Change-a-ming is going to read to us!"

Reading? Kia liked reading! She adjusted herself on Dawn's back and faced the book Thorax was holding in front of them. It looked like they were ready so he went ahead and started reading.

Twilight Velvet directed her eyes back up to Princess Celestia and pleaded, "But what about Fresh Dawn? She won't be able to learn any magic without at least another unicorn here!"

Celestia could easily tell Velvet didn't want to leave Fresh Dawn here alone. At all. She didn't want to leave any part of her daughter behind. Celestia didn't want to either, but it wasn't their call.

She shook her head in sadness and answered, "I'm sorry, Velvet. But we all have to leave. Fresh Dawn has to stay here with her father and home country. She is a Pseratep after all. She won't really connect with other ponies in Equestria anyway if she's not good at reading Ponish. So it is better she stay here. And... I'm sure her mother would want her to as well."

Twilight Velvet lowered her head under Celestia's wing. "I know losing your daughter is hard. But it will get better over time. Come on, let's get packed."

She started to leave with Twilight Velvet whimpering under her wing and the rest of the ponies behind them. Destination for the door. Novo looked behind her at Thorax and instructed, "Be ready by this evening, Thorax!"

He looked up from his reading and waved to Novo happily. "Alright! Now where were we?"



Not many brought suitcases. But King Madun was really kind enough to gift Cadance one of theirs. Shining was out doing something for food, leaving Cadance and Flurry Heart to pack. With the bag opened on their bed, all of their belongings were tossed inside and zipped up. Hopefully they could get the Crystal Heart back in place.

Flurry's expression next to the suitcase was solemn. Her eyes burned holes into the fabric until she shifted them up to her mother's face. "I miss Aunt Twilight," she whispered.

Cadance stopped packing and sighed the reality out of her own mind. "I do too," she replied sadly. "I never thought she would go so early." She reached in and grabbed one of the many photos she brought. Her treasured memories of when she herself was a filly foalsitting Twilight and their family.

They included her into it, way before Shining and she were married. When Twilight herself was just a regular unicorn that loved books more than pictures, magic, and little baby Spike sucking on his tail. Nothing could have prepared them for this.

The door handle jiggling pulled them out of their shared funk. Then it twisted and slowly creaked open. Fresh Dawn was hanging onto the handle the entire time until it lightly bumped into the wall.

Cadance directed her eyes to her Cutie Mark. The one with Twilight's and her silver crown. A beautiful rendition she didn't want but didn't seem to be complaining about either. Maybe she was used to it now.

Fresh Dawn dropped down onto the floor and ran over to the bed. She jumped up and grabbed the edges, then pulled herself onto the comforter. It was always a challenge just to reach a much higher elevation. But she always managed to get through.

Once she was good and comfortable with Flurry, she eyed the stuff inside of Aunt Caddy's suitcase. "Whoa, you have a lot of stuff!!" She exclaimed.

Cadance laughed and said, "Well we couldn't just leave all of our things to burn. Most if this stuff means a lot to me and my family. So we grabbed as much of it as we could." She levitated the picture in front of her and pointed out Twilight when she was a filly. "This is your mother."

Dawn pushed her face into the image and gasped. Then looked up to Cadance and asked, "Wait, where's her wings?! Mommy has wings!"

Cadance giggled and shook her head with a smile. "Not back then she didn't," she quickly clarified. "Your mother gained those wings because of her knowledge and ability to finish a spell. Your mother has always been a mage in magic even when she was your age. She was doing all sorts of elementary spells. Much more harder to do for foals. Yet she managed to do them."

Dawn's eyes were sparkling in admiration before they dropped into sadness. Her mom could've taught her some of these spells. But now... She never will. Cadance seemed to know what she was thinking.

She swept her up in her hooves and said, "I'm sure you'll have great magical skills like your mother someday. Don't be sad, I know you'll figure it out. We all believe in you. Can you read Ponish?"

Dawn shook her head and said in her little filly voice, "I can... I can talk in it, but I can't read it."

"Hopefully your father can change that. We all love you, Dawn. Remember that." Cadance leaned down and kissed Dawn on the forehead. Then pulled her into a deep hug. There wasn't another aunt like Aunt Cadance. That was the reason she kissed her back and hugged her hard.

"I'm..." Dawn mumbled into her chest. "I'm going to miss you a lot."

"We're going to miss you too." It was unfair that Twilight's country was sectioning off every country in the world because of this tragedy. It was keeping her own daughter from learning what she needed to get a base for being her successor like she wanted. But they sadly couldn't do anything about it. It was Madun's daughter. And their country.

The last time they would see each other would be in a few hours the next morning.

This morning. The crickets were still chirping. The air was cool and humid. The sun had barely risen. But Lavender was busy.

The trail of Ponies, Dragons, Hippogriffs, Changedlings and Changelings—who mysteriously have no memory of all that has happened—started from the refugee camps Queen Arcadia made for them. Trailing through the cool atmosphere. Psera Skies Extra was in the process of being moved from the orange sky back to wherever it came from, glowing from the rising sun in the distance.

The engine of the Aquatas were off, but the stairwell up to the familiar hangars were open. And they were filling up fast for the three day trip back. This time, there would be no queen escorting them.

Celestia would be looking out for her own ponies from one of these Aquatas. Literally looking down on them from the walkways hosting controls above. Along with the other four currently being loaded. She paid no mind to the soldiers passing her. No mind to the rising volume of her tired ponies below the steel walkway in the dark cool atmosphere. No mind to anything. They were three days away from worrying. Worst case two.

But right now it was time to face the future. A nudge on her right pulled her attention from directly below to her right into the face of King Madun. Fresh Dawn was asleep on his back holding Sky Blue to her chest. Her favorite toy. He was following her line of sight to the ponies below him.

"I'm going to miss you all," he said. "But this is for the good of my country. Like I promised, if we ever find something—and I'm really hoping we do sometime soon—you will be the first few to know. Her mother especially."

Celestia didn't have to look at him to tell that all of this was tearing him up inside. But that he was keeping it contained for Dawn's sake. She sighed and said, "You don't have to keep it all in Madun."

"When Dawn goes to sleep is when I let it out, Princess. Other than that, I keep the face of the king Psera needs. Blueballs is being pushed into this Aquata as we speak, and the Front Lawn is approaching. I'll let the Guard handle it from here."

Celestia nodded and placed her wing over both him and Fresh Dawn in an embrace they both seeked. "If there is anything you need," she whispered. "We are all available."

"Thank you, Celestia."

Celestia leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Dawn's horn. The only reaction she got was a small ear flick. "She looks so much like her mother."

Madun laughed silently and commented, "She looks entirely like her mother."

"Ehhh, Twilight doesn't have any sort of red on her. I should know, I have watched her grow. Take care of yourself too, Madun. You can't raise a child sick. Just because Dawn doesn't seem to get sick doesn't mean you can't."

"I will. Have a safe trip, Celestia." Madun quickly turned around and made his way back into the Aquatas innards to get off safely with Fresh Dawn on his back. He looked so wrong alone without Twilight hanging onto his every word. His every step. His hoofsteps were so... Off beat. They were normal when Twilight was still around.

But either way, they weren't going to see each other anymore. The ship rumbling and blaring the alarm let Celestia know they were preparing to depart. Then something purple slammed into her face.

She yelped and stepped back. But whatever it was... It was hugging her muzzle? Soft, fuzzy... "Bye, Grandma Celestia."

Fresh Dawn. There was literally no other pony or creature who called her Grandma. And honestly, she was honored Fresh Dawn looked to her as her mother's mother. Celestia sat down and gave Fresh Dawn the warmest hug she could. The smell of her grandmother's weird colorful mane warmed Dawn. But saddened her that this would be the last time she got to smell it. "So long, Fresh Dawn," she replied. "This will not be the last time we see each other, I guarantee you."

"What does guarantee mean?"

"It's a promise."

"Then I guarantee to know Magic when I do see you." Dawn dropped from Celestia's face onto the steel below and waved up to her in such a cute manner. "Bye, Grandma! Bye!" Then she jumped up on the rail behind her and waved down to the creatures below. "GOODBYE, EVERYONE!!! BYE, BYE!!!"

They waved and said their own returns while one of them was jumping up and down waving their hooves. The one pony who didn't want to go. "Fresh Dawn!!! Come here, sweetie, come here!!!" Dawn swooped from the railing into her real Grandmother's hooves down below to receive a packed on hug from the rest of her family.

Twilight Velvet held her so tight it was making Dawn hot. "Ooohhhh, I'm going to miss you, baby!" She planted so many loving kisses on her it was beginning to make Dawn squirm.

"Grandma~, stop," she whined. Then squeezed her way free onto the floor between them.

Shining Armor patted Fresh Dawn's head and said, "Don't grow up too fast, squirt."

"Watch how you go, Darling!"

"Be safe!"

"Follow the example of your mother!"

Fresh Dawn waved up to them one last time. Then lifted her large wings and zoomed out through the hangar doors down to the port where her father and other notable figures stood to watch.

The Aquata shifted when all four ships were pushed out to port by the same machines that brought them into it. They moved over the waters off of Psera's land. Then deposited inside of it. Less than ten seconds later they were on the move. Leaving the port of Lavender and zooming for the path that would see them home.

Dawn's eyes never left those Aquatas. Those big ships that were holding all she'd ever know of Equestria. Her mother's homeland. The land of all of her mother's relatives and magic. If there was any chance of her knowing magic, it was there with them. But with her own home being "sectioned off"—as her father called it—from the rest of the world, it was next to impossible.

She didn't want to be sectioned off from the rest of the world. She wanted to go out and see it. With eyes on the departing Aquatas, she said, "Daddy?"

"...yeah, Sugar Plum?"

"We... We need to find mommy's spells."

"I think you meant, 'I need sleep.' You're going back to bed when we get home, okay? Mommy's spells can wait until you wake up after your nap."

Fresh Dawn couldn't argue with that. She was tired. Very tired. A good nap was needed right about now. She jumped onto her father's hard but warm back and settled down for a good rest while she was safely strapped in. Daddy's flying was nothing like mommy's. Maybe when she woke up, mommy's spells would be there.

Maybe. Dawn gently closed her deep violet eyes and allowed her world to turn dark. It was time for a nap.
> Chapter 39 - Dawn's Beginning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


ACT II


Purple eyes were narrowed. Trained on their highly desired target. The competition was fierce today. The air was thick, the numbers were large. This was the test. The biggest test to make herself even more desirable. Even more smart, even more brilliant. The other ponies didn't stand a chance. Not in this environment.

The walls in this large room were bland and full of historical figures, lacking in any distractions worth staring at. The desks were packed with students pouring through their textbooks as if they were an hour late for work. The carpeted floor was nowhere soundless with nervously tapping hooves. Buzzing wings. Anxious jitters. But the question was already answered.

Princess Fresh Dawn raised her hoof and got those dark and hard gray eyes of her history teacher. An older Pseratep mare by the name of Mrs. Manuar. She had an off-white coat with a curly gray mane and tail, and nine foot wings. She sighed from her desk in the corner by a closed window with an impending thought. "Yes, Dawn?"

Dawn scooped her book up with the pages opened to a specific one so the rest of these high schoolers could see and answered proudly, "Her Majesty Molten Ice. Year twelve fifty-six. She changed the currency from Decimetals to Shims."

"Correct."

The entire class groaned and shot their glares to fifteen year old Princess Dawn sitting in the middle of the room. Smack dab in the middle of all of them. Even though she was small, her mind was sharp. She was the smallest in the class, but the smartest in the school. A smart Alec that uses her royal status to her advantage. Hey if you have it, you may as well use it, right? But no one could help but love her. Thus the reason her wings were average length for a Pseratep. Nine feet.

Dawn grinned and relished in her glory by kicking hoofshoes up on the desk, leaning her head back and sighing in happiness. Another assignment conquered. What does that make, twelve today?

"Hey Princess!" Dawn tilted her head to the side and eyed the only pony in this room that could actually manage to irk her in a friendly way. Kia. Kia Torue. She found out her last name when they were in Grade School together and had been using it to her advantage to have the upper hand ever since. And as the only pony in the country with "a tattoo on her butt," Kia has been using that in return.

"Let some of us get our grades up okay?" Kia ordered.

Dawn stifled a snicker and looked back to the ceiling while the teacher cut the lights for some reason. "It's not my fault you're failing," she replied

"You're asking for it, tattoo butt."

Mrs. Manuar shot her infamous glare to Kia while she pushed a LiVAM sitting on top of a cart to the front of the room. "Watch it, Kia. Okay, class." She stopped her procession in front of the room and turned on the LiVAM with a smile. That smile. The smile that made all the ponies in the room groan. There was something she was going to enjoy teaching, which would mean the next few minutes would be nothing but more learning.

"Oh stop, you'll enjoy this," Mrs. Manuar promised.

The dark brown standard-sized stallion on the far left calmly said, "You said that about Psera's military last week." He looked behind him and locked eyes with Fresh Dawn who giggled at his response. Leave it to Dark Dust to make something slightly more interesting.

Then Kia poked her head into their line of sight with yellow eyes gazing into Dark's. "Hey," she growled. Then pointed to the screen and said, "Eyes up there, not back here." And leave it to Kia to ruin it. Dawn wouldn't trade her two best friends for anything.

"Kia!" Mrs. Manuar scolded. Then switched back to her happy personality and tapped on the LiVAM's side while she spoke. Apart from the screen, the only light seeping into the room was from the little window in the entry door letting in the light from the hallway. Basking her in a warm glow. "Today we are going to learn about the greatest ruler Psera has ever had sit on the throne."

Oh boy, here we go. Again. Dawn sighed and leaned on her hoof with an unamused expression. "We get it," she deadpanned. "Mom was awesome, can we learn about something else?"

"No, and you definitely have to listen, Princess. Because there are a few things even you don't know about your mother that are just now being released to the public."

Well this just got really interesting. Dawn shared a glance with Kia and Dusty while the teacher set everything up and explained further. "Many years ago, Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle did an interview when she was first Crowned behind closed doors. No one in the public knew about it, because the interview was never released. She said a few things on that Camera that actually had Psera a little scared when it was first released. You'll see why."

The white screen turned black for a second. Then a timer counted down from three to one. And finally Queen Arcadia was plastered on the screen. Looking at something that wasn't the camera. But her eyes were still visible and lively. The background was completely black and lights were shining down on her from above and behind the scenes.

Mrs. Manuar flopped down into her seat and said, "This was when she first became Queen. In the first year."

The video played and the camera cut to a mare in a yellow coat sitting behind the main camera. "Good afternoon, everyone," she greeted. Although it wasn't in Ponish, it sounded exactly like it to Fresh Dawn. "The time is now two twenty-six, date o'two one nine one nine. This video will be produced for archived purposes. Joining us today is Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, Saviour of Psera. Thank you for allowing us to sit down with you, your highness. I'm certain you have such a busy schedule at the moment." Dawn always wondered why they put mom on such a high pedestal like they did. And why she never told them to calm it down. It would've driven her mad by this point.

Queen Arcadia grinned proudly and waved her hoof. "No problem," she replied. "I'm always happy to indulge knowledge. I was always rendered as a sort of teacher back in Equestria so this gives me time to go back to those days."

"This interview is to allow the courts of Psera to know what they don't already know about you. You signed a confidential release to keep this away from the public unless in the event you are presumed deceased after a minimum of ten years. Do you agree to these terms?"

Dawn swallowed hard to push down those old feelings of pain and loss. She doesn't remember much of mom since it her disappearance so long ago, but she did remember it hurt. A lot. She'd do anything to get her mother back, despite knowing next to nothing about her.

Queen Arcadia nodded and answered, "I do."

"Then let's get started. First question. Psera knows you can do magic. And the ponies from overseas know that as well. As a matter of fact, they refer to you as the number one top mage in all of Equestria, and possibly beyond. Your magic is believed to be pure, but the Government knows for a fact that nothing is pure. Is this true?"

"That some magic is unpure? Yes. Is my magic unpure? Depends on what kind of magic we're talking about. In order to create a perfect spell, you have to make mistakes. It's inevitable. You will always mess up on the first try with unwanted consequences. And messing up with magic causes the opposite of what you want to happen. Levitation you can never go wrong with. But simple things such as teleporting can be messy if not casted correctly If I were to miss my target, I'd probably teleport inside of a wall. Then no more Twilight."

Fresh Dawn winced then turned to Kia when she poked her. "Can you teleport?" She whispered.

Dawn shook her head and focused once more on the screen. She only knew how to hold things in her magic, and she was seriously weak in that aspect. Nothing else. They never found Mom's spellbooks. And dad wouldn't let her step a hoof into mom's office. No one has. It's been abandoned for years. There was no telling what lied beyond those violet doors.

The host nodded to Twilight's answer and assumed, "So you know different kinds of magic."

Twilight answered, "Well... Yes. There's the peaceful kind, and there's the destructive kind you accidentally create."

"What is this destructive kind called? Does it have a term?"

"Dark Magic. It's commonly used in attempts to perform necromancy—" Necromancy?! As in bringing the dead back to life?! Dawn gasped unheard. "To take over the living soul, to... to hurt and cause degradation. Basically to create unnatural occurences. The only pony I know who has ever been able to get a hoof in to learn and successfully use it would be King Sombra from Equestrian history, and my magic seems to be much more than above him. The tyrant ruled over the Crystal Empire thousands of years prior my existence.

"He used Dark Magic to enslave all of his citizens against their will and used them to try and take over Equestria. A big battle broke out between him and the Princesses, as well as their soldiers. Sombra lost, but he didn't go down without a final shot. He cursed The Crystal Empire to an eternal winter of snow, wind, and ice. Now the only way to keep the land alive and not under ice is to use the Crystal Heart. Forever."

Whoa. Now that was something Dawn did not need to hear. Her eyes were glossed over on the interview and mouth slightly agape in disbelief. "Magic has a dark side?" She whispered. Mostly to herself, but Kia picked it up.

The interviewer nodded as if it were the most normal thing in the world. No matter how out of the world it sounded to a Pseratep's ears. She took a breath in and asked, "Now do you know any Dark Magic, your highness?"

"Yes I do. When you make a mistake in magic that does the opposite of your goal, that is Dark Magic. Unlike most ponies at the age of when I started doing magic, twelve..." Dawn bit her lips and shut her eyes when everyone else's turned to her. Jeez, she wasn't her mother! "I messed up a lot. I made a lot of mistakes. So I would write down what I did wrong to study how I could improve. I noted down the cause. And the effect. And I still have those notes today, although hidden."

"That's good to hear. Next question, and this may or may not be a little personal. But what were you doing before all of this? Before the fighting, defending, and being summoned to defend with other ponies?"

Twilight grinned happily and sighed. Her intelligent mind delved back into her memories. "I was a librarian. A simple librarian. A bookworm, a 'nerd', I was always into books and knowledge. I loved my job there and I miss it sometimes if I were to be honest. But my skills were needed elsewhere."

"Your homework..." The teacher's voice broke them away from their interview and over to her. "Is to find out as many facts about Queen Arcadia as you possibly can for tomorrow. Class dismissed." The bell rang at exactly the same time the video ended with a government issued number.

But Dawn stayed in her seat. With her eyes glued to the LiVAM. How did she not know about any of this? That magic held a dark side? She knew so little about her roots and the power they held.

A nudge to her head broke her out of her trance. Kia was staring down to her unamused with her bags hanging from her wing. "C'mon, your royal shortness," she teased. "Let's get out of here."



A flight back home was what was needed to clear the mind. The heat of Psera beat against Dawn's coat as well as her friends'. The guards were used to them. The blue skies of Cop were aflutter with the wings of Pserateps. The overlapping bridges busy with Pods, and the buildings occupied by the thousands of Pserateps inhabiting the massive city-state.

They flew over the CPC memorial where thousands of names were engraved on a massive marble waterfall. In honor of the building itself, the water would change colors during the night in a spectrum of beauty. A little under a mile away sat the Castle of the Gods. The home of Princesses Fresh Dawn, Lightning Fire, and Daisy Fire. The latter two could never get along with her sister. As a matter of fact one could hear them running after each other through the halls.

The Castle of the Gods' main doors burst open and Princess Dawn rushed inside from the blazing heat with Dark Dust, Kia, and Lightning and Daisy Fire. The glossy floors of the castle were busy once more with ponies doing their thing. Whether it was carrying items from one area to another, sending documents to a pony in charge, or going to the court King Madun held with the nation, it was always active.

Lightning and Daisy were once again at war to decide who was right about something that the other three didn't care about. And out of all of them, Dawn was the smallest. Whereas the others were reaching the height of their parents, Dawn was at half the height of Princess Merry. Deemed the smallest pony in the castle now, although the second oldest out of all of them behind Kia.

Dawn led her friends across the large foyer for an elevator nearby and pressed the only button next to it. Then turned to Dusty and asked amongst the noise, "So how are we going to get this assignment done?"

Before he could give a suggestion, Kia wrapped a hoof around his neck and shot her cockiest smile down to her. "Easy. We'll just raid your room. I'm sure there are all kinds of creepy momma dolls in there or... Or some other weird mom things."

Dawn rolled her eyes and faced the elevator doors again when they slid open. "What is it with you and my room?" She grumbled. Then trotted in first followed by her friends. Daisy and Lightning were still going strong about... Whatever.

"I wanna go in it at least," Kia pleaded. "C'mon, Dawny, we've been friends forever, let me in your room!" She gave Dawn the best puppy dog look she could manage. Wide yellow eyes, big ol' pouting lip. That'll surely get her.

Dawn pressed the button for the third floor and deadpanned, "No, Kia. My room's off limits, you know this." The elevator quickly ascended with a hum while the twins continued arguing. It seemed to be winding down since they were hugging it out now. Whatever it was couldn't have been worse than yesterday. They argue at least once each day. At least.

There was a line on this red carpet leading to the left up to the throne room when the doors slid open. Ponies waiting with their complaints and demands. Dawn stepped out first and waved a hoof to all the ponies she passed.

"Dad's busy today," she muttered.

Dusty nodded and said in his average stallion voice, "Well he's the king, I should hope he was busy. How about asking him about... You know... The room?"

The room? Dawn glanced up to him and clarified, "Mom's office? He'll say no."

"Ahh, but this time it is for education," Dusty reasoned. "We need that material. I'm plenty sure there's a bunch of stuff your mom has in there that no one else can see but you."

Dawn turned a left down the narrow hallway leading to the back of the throne room and sighed while thinking. That possibly may get them in. Dad was always on her case about getting educational material done. And this was for a grade. "Well... I can try, but I can't guarantee anything," she reasoned. "So don't get your hopes up."

The rest of the trip was spent in silence. The guards standing at the rear entrance to the throne room pulled the doors open for her and only her. Her friends and cousins weren't allowed unless their parents were with them or they had business. Other than that, the gold plated doors were closed behind Dawn and Dawn only.

She always enjoyed staring up at the ceiling. The paintings above were mesmerizing. They always made live images play in her mind. The action of the soldiers that Dusty wanted to be. The Queens that Dawn wanted to be with. The change she wanted to bring.

Then she bumped into the table holding Secretary Gardeen that knocked her back into reality. She was always distracted looking up to the ceiling daydreaming. And Gardeen was prepared by supplying the edge of her table with a cushioning so her papers wouldn't fall.

Gardeen's eyes trained down to look into Fresh Dawn's eyes. Her marriage necklace shimmered from the lights with light blue eyes full of happiness that made Dawn smile too. "Good afternoon, Princess," she greeted.

Dawn rolled her eyes and warned, "Gardeen..." She didn't like being called Princess by the ponies she considered family. It was just... Wrong. Gardeen was her sister, for her to call her anything but her name was just... Strange.

And Gardeen knew that. She chortled and affirmed, "You know I'm playing with you. Hey, your father's exhausted, why not go cheer him up."

Dawn looked past Gardeen towards King Madun on one of the four thrones up there. He hadn't changed much over these past years. He had gotten rid of that Goatee and decided to stick to being bear-faced. He maintain his garden like he maintained his figure. No one was messing with his little girl.

Dawn smiled and skipped up the stairs to her own throne. She had to make this quick before another pony walked in. That was a long line out there. She poked her father's right hoof and greeted, "Hey, daddy!"

He looked over and delivered his own small smile. She continued to grow like her mother. No matter how small and premature she was. He leaned in and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Hey, Sugar Plum! How was school?"

She groaned like it was no big deal, "Ugggh, I stole more points."

"That's my girl. You can't be Queen with bad grades."

"And the teacher wants us to research Queen Arcadia."

"Well that may be a slight challenge." He hummed and observed the paper he was looking at. This issue needed a solution as soon as possible.

Dawn's hoof pointed to one area about sales and said, "Raise this." Then to the interest below it. "Lower that. It will increase demand by a small but noticeable percentage and the current economy won't even fluctuate."

Smart like her mother. He smiled and silently chuckled. "Leave it to you to figure this out before your old man does. Alright, what do you want?" Before Dawn could deny her wanting anything, Madun raised his hoof and said, "Dawn, I know my daughter. The only reason you come in here in the afternoon is if you want something. Other than that, you're at home eating all the junk food you can find before I can get to it. What is it?"

Dawn rolled her eyes and decided to throw caution to the wind. "We really need mom's office for this assignment, dad," she quickly answered. "There has to be something in there we can use. Anything."

Madun sighed and looked back to the doors of the throne room. Then at the throne Dawn was sitting on. It was Twilight's but she likes to sit on it from time to time. He bit his lip then acquiesced. "Fine."

"...really?" Dawn flicked her ears just to make sure she wasn't hearing things. "We can go in? Just like that?"

"Put everything back where you found it. Your mother has a very specific order. She goes nuts about it if they're missorted." Dawn darted forward and wrapped her hooves around her father's neck in a hug that he returned. They hugged everyday, but this was one of those times when it meant way more than love. It meant trust too.

"Thanks, daddy!" She let him go and darted off the throne, then soared around out of sight.

The rear entrance doors burst open and she said, "Let's go!"

Kia jumped out of the chair she was lounging in onto her hooves and repeated, "It's a go? For the room?"

"Yeah, come on!" Dawn started the walk ahead of her friends back the way they came while they tried to keep up. She may be small, but she was certainly fast. The walk to Queen Arcadia Nova's room wasn't too far. As a matter of fact, it was literally right around the corner. On their left into this peaceful hall that led them towards the back of the Throne Room.

The red floors under their hooves muffled Dawn's anxious hoofsteps. The hoofsteps of her friends catching up to her. The halls over were clear. Completely clear of any form of conscious life. There was nothing but decorations and pictures. It was entirely abandoned deeper in by the time they reached those looming purple doors that have piqued Dawn's curiosity for some time. For years. What lied beyond them?

Dust stopped beside her and stared  with the rest of his friends. "What do you think we'll find?" He whispered.

She didn't have an answer. Why guess when the facts were beyond these doors? Dawn lifted a hoof and gripped the handle on the right one. She pulled it open to reveal the wonders inside.

The doors emitted a deep groan of age that echoed around this hall and whatever lied beyond it. A garden. Dawn took a step into what would be an excellent rendition of her own home in the castle if there were two floors. But there was only one here. And just the two doors up ahead accentuated in purple surrounded by brown bland walls.

A random source of light above lit up their environment from the darkness. A faint glow of life in this space of utter peace. Talking loud seemed to be a taboo in this space.

"A chandelier," Daisy squeaked. She focused on the source of splashing water. A tiny park lied, big enough to house a single Pseratep. But it obviously wasn't for an adult. There was a swing set, a wooden bench, a small stream of water flowing in and out of a source she couldn't see. And a single wooden sign painted in purple reading in Old Pseratopian "Dawn's Playground."

Kia gasped and trotted right over fawning in glee. "Aww, you had a little playground in here? That is so cute~!" She gave the swing set a little nudge. The seat squeaked back and forth with age, painting stars in Kia's eyes.

She was so easily distracted. Dawn wrapped Kia in a wing and guided her over to the doors at the end Dusty and the Twins were waiting at. The office of her mother. The one place she was always seen at. If you couldn't find her anywhere else, you could find her here. At least when she was around.

Dawn wasted no time. She grabbed the handles of the doors and yanked them open. A bright light forced her to squint and cover them briefly. She was all for learning new things, but being blind shouldn't be involved. They walked onto a surface much softer than what was in the entire castle. She couldn't tell what, but this room was a lot more inviting. As if she were outside. Was she? It sure felt like it. She had to know and there was only one way to find out. So she lowered her hoof, opened her eyes, and gasped in wonder.

A forest. Well more like an elegant clearing. The "floor" was soft grass. It was bright, green, and full of life. The warmth was a floating and rotating sun above them providing the heat they felt on their coats. There was another stream coming from underneath the many bookshelves covered in decorative vines in the room. Towering over them up to the ceiling blocked from sight. On both sides of the bookcase behind Twilight's desk were windows made of magic. Dawn couldn't remember a time she's seen magic like that.

The desk Twilight sat behind still had the pictures and a notebook set directly in the middle. In front of the desk were two mushrooms. Very big mushrooms that Daisy and Lightning ran to and jumped on. Up, down, up, down. Daisy grinned at Fresh Dawn's nonchalant face before she was grabbed in magic, and lowered back to the grass. Same for her twin. 

Dawn walked forward for the edge of her mother's desk and said, "Try not to break anything, you two. This is all mom's stuff."

While they investigated the room, Dusty stood still with an open jaw to the sun twirling above. It was moving. On its own!

"How did she do that?!" He exclaimed. Dusty looked to Dawn and jabbed his hoof to it. "How is that even possible?!"

In the chair behind the desk, Dawn kept her eyes on a picture and shrugged. "I dunno, magic?" She guessed. That was the most obvious choice. She tenderly picked up the picture. The only picture up here of their family. It was of her, daddy, and her mother. Twilight Sparkle. She knew enough about her mother to know that she was a foreigner. A foreigner that gave birth to her. According to her father, she really loved Dawn.

She wished she knew how much.

Dawn set the picture frame back down and started searching just like the rest of her friends. This library wasn't going to search itself. "Dusty, pick your jaw up off the floor! Let's do this!"


Two Hours Later


Dawn placed the final book she could find on history to the right corner of her mother's desk. Was this what being a Queen was like? She was already exhausted, there was no way she could do this! Dawn dropped her face down on the hard wood and groaned, "I'm doomed."

Dusty's laughter pushed her head back up to look to the right side of the room. He as well as the others were scanning the shelves there since the left side was completely done for.

He smiled at her and brushed his head of brown hair back from in front of his face. "Aw, come on Dawn. You just did one side, let's do this one now." He placed his hoof on a book, but kept his eyes on Dawn. "Just a few more then—ow!!" He jumped back after an electrical spark snapped at his hoof that they all witnessed. "Jeez, all this dust."

Kia walked over to him and deadpanned, "Surprisingly, there is no dust in here, idiot. You probably touched a live wire or something. Let me see your hoof, dummy."

While she investigated Dark's hoof, Fresh Dawn rose up out her seat and walked over to where he was with the twins to check it out. It didn't look too bad, like a small first degree burn. Like he dragged his hoof against rubber. But it was still... Strange. That was a mighty strong electrical discharge for a room like this.

She looked up from his hoof to his eyes and asked, "What book did you touch?"

He pointed to the one ominously titled "The Sanctuary" in Old Pseratopian on the spine. It was a light brown one that had definitely seen better days. But didn't look too bad for its actual age. Dawn approached it and laid her hoof on it herself. Based off of what she saw, that was some magical security thing Queen Arcadia innovated. That's what it looked like to her anyway. She had a feeling it was for something else. Something no one had ever seen.

Kia grumbled, "Now if this idiot got burned because he touched it, why would you do it too?"

Dawn didn't answer. At least not yet. Not until the book glowed with magic. Then the whole bookcase shimmered with a low hum.

They jumped back out of surprise before the bookcase slowly swiveled outwards like a door, creaking with weight. Once it was at a full ninety degree angle, the case stopped moving and revealed something else. Behind this bookcase was a steel room. Gray, silent, and empty.

Dawn and her friends decided to stay out and stare. Stare at the hidden room behind the bookshelf. After a butterfly landed on Dawn's head, Kia whispered, "Dude... What the buck did you just do?"

She shook her head and stammered, "I-I don't know, I just touched it! And it... What is this, some kind of closet?" Dawn was about to walk in, but Kia grabbed her tail and pulled her back.

"Whoa there, Princess Deodorant!" She let her go and ignored that growl Dawn was shooting her with. "Didn't Daddy ever tell you not to go walking into strange rooms? I'll go first." She didn't wait for a retort. Just walked around Dawn and straight into the room boldly with that head of silver mane held high. Besides steel and a small light above, nothing else was here.

A deep sound below her ceased anymore movement. What was that? She lifted her right hoof and banged it twice. The sound resonated for a few seconds. That wasn't normal. Not in this space. Kia shook her head and turned around to face them.

"This isn't a closet," she informed them. "I don't know what it is, but it's not a closet."

Dawn walked in with her and jumped up. Her hoof shoes clanged on the metal. She heard it too, a resonance below them. A deep one. "There's an empty space underneath." She looked up to Kia and asked, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"I'm thinking there's something under here."

"Ohhh, let me try!"

"Me too!"

Daisy and Lightning zipped inside and started bouncing around like a bunch of hyperactive foals. Ignorant of Dawn's rising temper. She loved her cousins, she really did. But at times like this the question of whether they were really related popped into her mind.

Dusty walked in next and grabbed Lightning to get her to stop acting out followed by her sister. He sat them down side by side to face him like he was their father and scolded, "You two need to take this seriously. We just found a secret room in Queen Arcadia's office—" The bookcase closing in place from behind cut him off. Leaving them in a small steel box without sunlight. Alone. "That closes on its own."

Runes suddenly glowed on the back of the  bookcase they opened. Violet ones that illuminated their bodies in a violet glow before the box dropped weightlessly.

They all screamed and held on to each other. "Help!!!" Dawn yelled. "Help, somebody!!! Kahlee, kahlee!! Aunt Odega!!" Despite her shouting, she didn't hear anyone but their own screams. Why didn't Odega show up, she claims to see everything!!

Kia grabbed Dawn and placed a wing over her to provide protection as much as she could while using her hooves to keep herself stable. Is this what her parents felt? Before they perished in that collapsing building? Falling to their deaths?!

Dawn gripped the necklace her mother gave her glowing at the base of her neck. Red and purple. She was not going to lose this when they crashed because, let's face it, they were!!

Then the box slowed. They all felt it. The moving wall in front of them changed from stone to gold. They knew that color anywhere. It was on the new CPC in downtown Cop. On a few pairs of Dawn's clothes. The color of her school jersey that had been too big for her to wear and had to be resewn by her aunt. 

The box slowed more before it came to a complete stop in front of an open hallway lined with gold. Then it was all silent. They didn't move, they barely breathed. They chose only to stare down the hall to the double doors at the end.

"...you wanna get out first?" Kia whispered.

"Nope," Dawn answered. She glanced to the twins huddled behind Dark. "How about you girls?"

"No way," Lightning and Daisy answered at the same time.

That left only one pony. With wide eyes, Dark glanced from them to the hall with wide eyes. Back and forth, back and forth. "Fine," Dark acquiesced. "But only because no one else would do it."

Dark Dust stepped out first and gazed at his surroundings. Just a small hallway made of gold with doors at the end. No big. Everything underground was gold. Which meant only one thing.

"We're underground," Dark whispered. "Underneath the castle. Was your mom some kind of superhero?"

Since it seemed safe, Dawn walked out and timidly answered, "No. My mother was the Queen of Psera." Then looked down the hall past Dust and whispered, "Who has a secret room underneath the castle."

They followed her eyes down the hallway to the looming and mysterious doors at the very end. The golden ones with the worn out crest of Psera at the very top. They could tell just by looking at it that it's been around for centuries. The entire hall was silent. Really, really silent. There was no open space, no wind or air shifting around. Which meant the atmosphere was about as soundless as the rest of them. Almost. Their hectic breathing was accounting for the difference.

Dawn gulped and asked, "Does anyone want to check that out?"

Dark boldly stepped forward and placed a hoof to his chest. Muzzle to the ceiling, his spirit strong, he volunteered himself once more. "I'll do it! I'll open the doors!" Then trotted forward bravely.

Kia shook her head and grumbled, "He's going to get himself killed doing all of that."

"Be nice, Kia."

Dark stopped at the doors and slapped his hooves on the handles firmly. Then pulled. But they didn't budge. He did it again. The same result. He blinked at the handles once. Then two more times before he turned and reported, "Yeah, the doors are locked."

Seriously? All of that for no reason? Dawn didn't believe it. She walked past Kia's suddenly defensive attitude and past Dark for the doors. Then grabbed the handles and pulled the doors wide open. Wait...

All eyes looked to Dark who merely shrugged and said, "Hey, it didn't work for me."

Dawn only smiled and patted his chest in a response. Then while she was walking into that atmosphere, Kia shook her head at him and followed after with the twins.

When Dawn stepped hoof first into the space beyond the doors, she was greeted with a cold darkness. A really cold darkness. She shivered and looked around her for a light switch. "What are we—"

"Gah!" Dawn jumped and looked up to Kia staring at her in surprise. Which slowly changed into humor.

"Did you just jump, short stuff?"

"No, you scared me. We're in a dark room and you're really loud. Where are we?" She stomped her hoof to check the acoustics of the space. The sound spread out really wide. Even beneath them. This wasn't a room. "Good news, we're in someplace huge. Really huge. Bad news, we're in someplace with no lights."

The second that sentence was complete, large lights above flashed on the far right. Directly on something Dawn gasped at. One of her favorite things in the world.

"Books!" She yelled. She ran across the walkway and observed the bookcase they lied upon during her trek. The vast amount was enough to make her slide to a stop and stare. There had to be over two hundred books in this area alone. And there were more. The ground underneath them was tiled and the books traveled all the way down there. These were huge bookshelves.

More overhead lights cast upon bigger bookcases of books which Dawn later verified weren't books at all. But color coordinated binders. Red ones, blue ones, green ones, white ones, yellow ones, shiny gold ones, reflective silver ones, reflective colored ones all around. Dawn slowly landed when the middle row in front of them turned on too. Highlighting things on the bottom level.

Stainless steel tables. Lamps, notebooks... Dawn jumped over the railing of the walkway and swooped down with her friends. She landed at a running start and slowed to a trot so she could take it all in. Tools, materials, notepads, beakers, refrigerators...

"This is a lab," Dawn silently reported. She wiped dust off a binder that was left out. "'BG Test Twenty One.' This place used to be operational."

The overhead lights continued switching on like large beacons. Everything was covered with dust as far as they could see. But it was easily fixed with a swipe of a wing. Then the lights flashed on the biggest device they had ever seen. It towered over their gaping mouths. The lights reflected off its golden surface and the long machine attached beneath.

"Holy Psera," Kia whispered. She walked closer and asked, "Is that what I think it is?"

Dawn couldn't take her eyes off of it. It was just too big, you couldn't miss it. She gulped and whispered, "If you're thinking my mother's Mecrah Portal... Then yeah, I... I Think it is. Guys? We just found the OUT-Port to the Mecrah Portal. On accident."
> Chapter 40 - Mecrah Portal OUT
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dawn's hooves were anxiously going through anything she could get. Twilight's lab was a literal gold mine. The Mecrah Portal OUT Port was directly in front of her. In front of her friends. They stumbled upon it on accident. Deep underground in the second biggest space they had seen. The huge golden slab of metal was hidden underneath the castle that her mother was trapped in. It was shiny, covered in symbols and circuitry of Arcadia's own design and reflecting light onto the ponies below it.

The first thing Dawn grabbed was a single violet binder sitting on top of this large black board covered in switches, buttons and knobs. She flipped it open with her friends over her shoulder and read it aloud. "It's in Old Pseratopian, I can read this. 'Mecrah Portal Out. Project Five nine one three eight,' this is it guys!! We just found my mom's hidden project!!" She and her friends celebrated by slapping each other on the back, hugging and cheering.

But Kia grabbed Fresh Dawn once it was all over and swiveled her around to face her worried expression. "Now what?! I'm all for getting your mommy back, twinkles. But what now?"

Dawn held the binder up to Kia with a smile and said, "Now we take this to dad. He'll know what to do. Come on!!" Then took off into the air before they could even comprehend what she just said.



Madun's patience was waning. This stallion at the hooves of his throne had been going on about how the new CPS downtown was making his business look "shotty" for maybe five minutes now. The limit was two, yet he would not stop. Wearing a suit and tie like his ice cream shop was based in Rayray. What did "shotty" even mean anyway? Ugh, if this guy doesn't shut up soon—

"DADDY!!!" Madun jumped at the loud yelling of his name and looked around. Like usual, Fresh Dawn slid in and rammed into Gardeen's table. Then ran up to him and started blubbering away. Tiredly, she yelled, "Mom's office, hidden bookcase, elevator, golden hallway, spellbooks, Mecrahhhhh!!!!"

Madun just blinked at her with his hair blown back. Thanks to her high pitched voice, everything was sort of... Loud. Once his mane was fixed, he sighed and said, "Dawn? Slow. Make sense."

Dawn slapped the binder on his lap titled "Project #59138" and said, "We found it!! We found everything!! We found all of mom's spell books and the actual Mecrah Portal, dad!!"

Gardeen stood from her chair and repeated, "The Mecrah Portal? As in the—"

"The one mom fell into? Yeah, it's underground!! Under the castle! We found it!!"

Madun shot up so fast, Dawn zipped into the air in surprise. He shooed the pony complaining in the room away with a hoof and told Dawn, "This better not be a joke."

"It's not, sir." Kia trotted out from behind the throne and fell on her face next to the steps with the others behind her. She took a moment to find her heart and catch her breath. Then bowed to Madun and said, "We went into the Queen's office and started searching books. Dawn touched one of them that we all touched before and it opened like a door, sir. There was an elevator inside that we took down and saw everything. The Mecrah Portal's underneath the castle, sir. The thing is huge."

Madun wasted no more time, he jumped off the throne and ordered, "Get me a full team of Elite from The Hive to meet me at Arcadia's Office! Standby for contact with Serl! Once again Dawn, this better not be a joke."

Dawn grabbed her father's hoof and dragged him along while his orders were carried out by Gardeen running behind them. All while trying to figure what all this meant. What finding the Mecrah Portal OUT meant. Would Mom be able to come back home? Or was it too late?

Before Dawn knew it, she dragged her father into Arcadia's office with her friends and Gardeen. Everything in here was back to normal. But it always is if you want to hide something.

Madun looked around the room and sighed in nostalgia while Dawn did whatever she was doing. It was always hard for him to see this place bare. Twilight-less. In the past when he stepped inside, Twilight would be sitting right there in that chair holding Dawn in her lap. Then she'd glance up and smile with a pen in her mouth.

That image seemed to fade away from sight now. Madun shook those thoughts to the side when the Elite Guard ran in looking around. Lieutenant Dark Silver saluted and asked, "You queried, sir?"

Madun simply pointed to Dawn and called, "Where is it, Dawn?"

The Sanctuary. She smiled right at the spine of the book. "Right here," she answered. Then slapped her hoof against it like a button. The silence was deafening while the tension grew. Then it happened. The bookcase flashed blue for half a second. Then slowly pushed open out towards them.

Madun gasped and slowly walked around with the others whispering so he could peek inside. It was nothing but a steel box. Nothing else in it. "What is this?" He asked.

Dawn grabbed him and two of the Guards. Then eagerly pushed them all inside. "It's an elevator," she quickly answered. "It goes down really really fast."

Lieutenant Dark Silver and Gardeen hopped in with them right before the bookcase shut them inside. Once it was fully closed, the familiar funny symbols glowed and the elevator dropped. Fast. Madun had to grip the steel harder while it appeared Dawn had it on her second try. She looked over her shoulder to them and said, "I think this big box just... Like, falls to the ground. Then at a certain level it slows."

The familiar gold of the underground level of Psera slipped into view while the elevator did just like Dawn said. Then the familiar hall of Gold arrived into view. Madun hopped out before it landed and ran across it with his Guards towards the two golden doors at the end. Fresh Dawn was going to enjoy this. They grabbed the handles and pulled. But it didn't open. They tried again even harder but still nothing.

Fresh Dawn decided to enjoy this by standing in the back and silently laughing. After a few seconds of this, her father turned to her and asked, "How do you open it?"

"I think it only opens when I touch it." She walked past under them and grabbed the handle. Then pulled one door open, revealing everything. It was all warmed up now. The walls of gold, the books, the lab, the infinite tunnel beyond that changed into a blue mist behind the portal itself, all of it was out there.

Madun slowly walked inside and eyed the massive slab of technology Twilight called Mecrah. And all of the spell books lining the walls. There were so many it was as if the walls of gold and stone were painted over. Going further than the eye could see. The steel walkways covering the laboratory below overlapped each other like a maze. Lights attached to them highlighted everything and brightened their paths.

But Madun's eyes were trained on the huge round slab directly in his sights. The giant golden one taking up everything with strange writing all over it. As well as the lines grooved in all over the front. He stepped towards the edge and muttered, "The Mecrah Portal."

Fresh Dawn placed her hooves on the railing and whispered, "How did she make that?"

Madun and Gardeen flanked both of her sides but didn't answer. This was magic business. This was Equestria business. Madun got his thoughts back on track and ordered, "Lieutenant?" Lieutenant Silver saluted, but kept his eyes on the portal. "I want the Press Room ready, I want The Congress summoned, and I want you to grab Odega and my family."

Dawn was swept up from behind into a sudden hug Gardeen initiated. Pulling Fresh Dawn into her chest so tight she was sure she was going to pass out in a few seconds. "Thank you, Dawn," Gardeen whispered. "Thank you."

All Dawn could do was pat her hoof. Then yank herself free so she could get some air that didn't come from Gardeen's coat. It was a disaster of too much perfume! Then she was swept into a hug from behind by her father. "Who's my Sugar Plum?" He asked.

Oh no, here we go. Dawn rolled her eyes and grumbled to Gardeen across, "Dad, I'm fifteen."

"Oh c'mon, say it. Just this once."

Dawn rolled her eyes and muttered, "I'm your Sugar Plum."

"That's right. I couldn't be any prouder than I am right now sweetheart. We found the OUT-Portal. Now?" He let Dawn go and looked down to the laboratory. "We need the key. Did you find anything else?"

Dawn hoofed him the binder and stated, "I guess this is the instruction manual or something. It has a lot of information in it."

He took it out of her hooves and started flipping through it. There were diagrams and other materials inside too. But the most noticeable was the full blown map that folded out of the binder in an entire rolling fold. The length hit the floor and gathered the three's attention.

The map was all written in Old Pseratopian, their native language. Blueprints of the Mecrah Portal and all of its parts. The magic that runs through it, and the spells used. As well as the Keys, plural. Gardeen jabbed her hoof to it and yelled, "There! A note of the keys!"

The keys were pearls or something that were supposed to be placed on the round holes near the edge of the portal. Dawn looked up and tried to find the points, but... The portal was just so big and way too complex. It was giving her a headache.

Madun hoofed the binder to Gardeen and ordered, "Get a good understanding of this as much as you can while I make preparations for Equestria."

But Dawn grabbed his right rear hoof with her hooves before he could trot away. "Wait, wait, daddy! I want to go to Equestria!"

Madun looked down at his daughter gripping his hoof to try and stop him. "Dawn," he groaned. His heart was already beating faster than ever before, he didn't want it going any faster.

She let him go and straightened up so she could walk around with a face of unmoving steel. She stomped her hoof and said, "I'm ready to take on my first Royal Duty as Princess of Psera!" Dawn continued on before he could stop her. "Didn't you start ruling Psera at fifteen?"

"I started my training at fifteen."

"See? So why can't I? You know I can do it! All I'll be doing is telling them we found something about mom, right? And that we need their help? It's not like I'm signing bills."

Madun sighed and looked back from her to the large Mecrah Portal. Then to Gardeen for her input. She was a pretty wise pony and knew when to say yes or no. Gardeen nodded a yes. She was ready.

Madun sighed and looked down to Fresh Dawn to give her a stern answer. "I promise to bring it up. I too believe you are ready and able to protect yourself. But it is still up to Congress to approve of international contact. So come on."

Dawn turned around and made her way to the elevator with the others on her tail. The Guards, Gardeen and her father. They just found her mother's portal entry. And she may in fact be going to Equestria to deliver a message.

She's never been to Equestria before. Or if she has, she doesn't remember it. That was all her mind could think about. Going to Equestria, leaving Psera. During the journey back up in the elevator, during the questioning from the mass of ponies that had gathered outside of Queen Arcadia's door that Madun had to order to stay away from that entire hallway while authorized personnel did their thing. Then during the entire wait inside the garden that Madun has kept alive for years.

She couldn't stop pacing. The Guards assigned to this region for years were mentally comparing her to her mother. Whenever she was stressed, she'd come out here and do the same thing. Pace with the world on her shoulders.

Dawn groaned loudly and dropped her whole body down into a bed of daisies next to the roses. Her own favorite flower. Everything was happening so quickly. Was this normal? Was this what her mother had to deal with? What her father has to deal with?! The nagging anxiety of a future that may never be? Stuck in a limbo of constantly shifting realities?!

A burst of flames and Odega was sitting next to her. Still Sun-White with a mane made of flowing fire flickering towards the cloudy blue skies. Eyes glowing with a small lick in the both of them smiling down to Dawn with sympathy. "Too fast, huh?"

How was it that she managed to know exactly what she was thinking? All the time? Except back there when she needed them? Dawn sighed but nodded towards the stream reflecting her face below. She reached up and fixed her tiara from its lopsided position. Why hadn't anyone told her it looked bad? "Is it always like this?"

"Always?" Odega repeated. She laughed and shook her head. "No. But you must be prepared for when it does. Your father wasn't as good with it as your mother. Between you and me, your mother made much smarter choices than your father. That's why many ponies looked to her for guidance."

Dawn smiled slightly, but that didn't stop the impending worry. What if she did mess up on this mission? What if she failed somehow? What if—

"You're not going to fail, kid." Dawn looked back to Odega rising to her hooves to stretch. Her burning wings flared out and snapped at the air. "The worse that would happen is if you trip on your own wings. Other than that, prepare for a lot of hugging. If daddy lets you go."

Dawn stood up too and faced Odega entirely with a slightly worried expression. "Is Equestria n-nice?" She stammered.

"Nice? Pffffttt, so nice it's contagious and annoying. Everyone's always smiling there, the grass is always green, and each morning there's going to be that one pony yelling, 'Good day, good morning, how are you?'"

"Is it true the sun is raised by a pony? And the moon too?"

"Tell you what..." She placed a hoof on Dawn's side and slowly pushed her small form to the door with a yelp. "Let's go find out for ourselves. Come on." She used her head to scoop Fresh Dawn up and slide her onto her back. She wasn't foal size anymore, but she also wasn't high school size either. Odega quickly trotted towards the door and walked back into the Castle halls.

"Wait, wait, where are we going?"

"To see your father, duh." They disappeared in a burst of flames then reappeared directly in front of Madun. In front of the Congressional Hall in between his table and the Judge panel.

Dawn covered her face in sheer embarrassment and silently cursed. "Here we are, Princess Butt! Up you go!" Odega jumped and deposited Fresh Dawn into a chair next to her embarrassed father. "Have fun now!" Then she was gone once again.

King Madun merely sighed with his face in his hooves like his daughter beside him. "May Narmeelah help that pony of flames," he muttered.

The judges weren't so easily deterred from their talks. Amongst all of this sudden great news there was still a small issue. Judges Berry, Light, Mahtoo and Sunlight all looked amongst each other from in front of the pedestal where the King stood. Looming down upon him and the Princess.

Berry directed his navy blue eyes to her specifically and said, "You have made great progress, Princess Fresh Dawn. Were it not for you and your friends, that portal would still be lost. As well as all of these spell books. We'll be reviewing those in the near future.

"But right now, your father is saying the only way to understand most of this material is by communicating with Equestria once more. We agree, although we're not entirely convinced it should be represented by you as ambassador."

Dawn gasped and raised a hoof. "Ummm... With all due respect, I've been studying how to handle international affairs ever since I started Middle School. I've been studying for three years, but I'll never learn to my full capacity unless I'm in the field."

Madun came to her support and placed a wing on her back. "My daughter is more than capable of handling these types of affairs. Her vocabulary exceeds beyond expectations along with problem solving, and her leadership skills are top notch."

"Mmmm, you have taught her well," Sunlight commented. Dawn had to bite back a joke and wipe that smile off her face when they all locked back on her. "If we allow you access outside of Psera to approach Equestria, will you swear to listen to your auxiliary, and answer to all check-ins when prompted?"

Dawn's eager nod answered their question. "I will."

"Will you listen to your Guard who will assure you safe passage with their lives?"

She didn't like that "lives" bit but she answered, "I will."

"That's all we need. We'll allow you to get a taste of Diplomacy under the assistance of your auxiliary Gardeen Daisy. Your goal? To have the ponies of Equestria help figure out what exactly the keys are. They have more magical skill than we do here. Take pictures with you and anything else you believe may prove useful as proof. Debrief them, and... Bring them back."

Dawn was over the moon. She was going to Equestria. She was actually going!! Stay pro, Dawn, she mentally chided. Now was not the time for celebratory balloons and confetti. "Thank you, Judges," she cooly replied. "When do I depart?"

Berry looked to Madun and answered, "Early tomorrow morning. Pack up, you're going on a trip."



After the meeting with "The Four Wise Judges," Dawn went back to mom's now roped-off office to retrieve and give Gardeen everything to hold for her. The binder, pictures already taken, a small report, everything her father told her she needed. Unfortunately, she was the only pony who had access to the Queen's underground laboratory. Which meant all the action would have to wait until she returns.

But someone didn't want her to go. The second Dawn walked out of Gardeen's office, Kia was in her face with wide scared eyes.

"You're going to Equestria?!" She yelled.

Dawn jumped back and took slow breaths to calm her beating heart. Just her paranoid frenemy. She sighed and opened her eyes to look up to Kia.

"Yeah, I'm doing my training," she calmly answered.

"So soon? ...oh..." Out of all their years being frenemies, Dawn never actually understood Kia. One second, she didn't care, the next she was all over her back and scaring off the really mean ponies. It made no sense to her. It was... Strange.

Dawn walked around her and explained, "Yeah, I'm leaving out early tomorrow morning. I'm just grabbing everything I need right now until it's time for me to go."

Kia shyly rubbed her forehoof against the other and glanced to the side. "Ah, okay. Cool, cool."

"Is everything okay, Kia? You're... Acting weird." The second she didn't tease her about not bringing a therapeutic doll she knew something was up. She always teased her about Sky Blue.

Kia shook her head and quickly answered, "Nothing, nothing, just... Wanted to wish you luck on your trip." Kia tried to back it up with a small grin. But whatever was bugging her was evident since she didn't even know Dawn was going anywhere until just now when she told her.

So Dawn decided to let it go for now, but definitely bring it back up later when they were alone. With a nod, she pulled Kia into a hug around the neck. Then let her go and walked past her down the hall as fast as her small stature could carry her.

And Kia could only watch her leave. Once she was out of sight and out of earshot, she stomped her forehooves into the floor. "Buck," she silently cursed. Then walked the same way she did, albeit with more of a temper than curiosity. She was right there, so close.
> Chapter 41 - Port In Equestria
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The wind was calm and cool. The sun was out and brought forms of life from their holes. The scent of nature blew over a large hill looking over the new lovely town of Ponyville. Where a a pony could travel freely in the most humblest of homes. Wood, pollen, a sneezing pony at the bottom of the hill followed by a brief "bless you" and "Thank you".

Multiple Pegasi with different shades of coats soared over this hill everyday and down into the simple town of Ponyville, bustling with plenty of activity. Made up of small town ponies like Pinkie Pie, and housing the businesses and quiet lives of Fluttershy and Rarity, this town served as the hub of all entertainment. Whether magical, or humorous.

But these ponies weren't laughing today. Well not mostly. So much to do, so little time to get it done. There were only twenty-four hours in a day, and they slept through eleven of them.

Similar to the last setup of the town, the Victorian fashion embraced little change. Wooden buildings that were small, a strangely creepy woods on the outskirts of town near a farm overflowing with Apple Trees. A small quaint cottage built for the most shy pony anypony had ever seen.

Hooves moved anxiously along the cobblestone of the town's square. Pony chatter flew through the air. Vinyl Scratch was still walking around with her headphones on bobbing her head and Pinkie Pie was still throwing parties.

Stetson on her head, she raised an apple in the air behind her Apple cart and yelled out to the loud crowd, "Get your apples, Fresh Granny Smith apples, right here!"

"Goodness, Darling—"

"Whoa!" Applejack nearly flipped over into the Apple cart after Rarity made herself known behind her. Along with Fluttershy hosting an always angry Angel Bunny on her back. That didn't stop her from snickering though. "You seem to have more apples than usual today." And she was right.

Rather than the standard one cart, Applejack had three lined up next to each other with her standing behind the one in the middle trying to sell them. All tilted outwards towards the crowd walking over buying other products from other sellers in the square.

Applejack patted the one in front of her proudly and explained, "Well the cellar where we keep them cool at is beginning to dry up. It took us ten years to finally grow this bunch, and it's going to be even longer until we get even halfway to what we had before. That dang Maheera really messed us up."

All of those apple trees were wiped out. Her friends witnessed Applejack burst into tears with the rest of her family. They remembered all of that. The Apple Family had to start over from scratch. Fluttershy walked closer to Applejack and patted her back solemnly. She knew how she felt. "I'm sorry you lost all of your apple trees, Applejack. I lost the Animal Sanctuary and a few of the animals in it."

That's right, Fluttershy's Animal Sanctuary was entirely trashed. Nothing was left standing and all of the good stuff that did survive was ruined. Discord managed to help rebuild surprisingly, but it still wasn't the same as before, they all agreed on that.

All of Rarity's shops were totaled except the one in the Crystal Empire. The one in Canterlot especially. An entire block had been wiped off after—according to the Princesses—Twilight and Maheera had it out. That must've been a really intense battle. And all of it happened overnight. They never got to witness it. Although, they did hear the shouting and felt the world shaking. They thought it was just something happening in Psera. It seemed normal.

It was Twilight's magic when she missed Maheera. It would fly all the way across the ocean and hit the coastline of Psera. Most of the damage here in Equestria was thanks to missed fire. Some friendly, some not so much. But either way, their friend and protector was no longer with them.

After they were dropped off by the Pserateps, they cried. All creatures cried for days, for weeks while rebuilding. Two years and everything was nearly complete. Four years and they were adding extras. The same went for all of the other Countries of the world. And while they rebuilt, many ponies camped out in the only remaining structures and on other nations. The remains of the Castle in Canterlot, the Psera-Equestrian Embassy, the plains of Aris, and other smaller areas. Food was provided, but it was definitely hard to manage and keep up with in an environment without refrigeration in the summer months.

But eventually, they settled once more thanks to whatever device they were using to give them their land back. They used technology to manipulate the spell. Then shot the spell from the Front Lawn still at sea to the land, creating grass and whatever else upon impact. It was truly amazing.

The spell was used across the other nations, and the Front Lawn didn't return back to Psera until two weeks later. The Crystal Heart was deposited from high above back into the Crystal Empire where it was before. Thawing their homes and whatever else from the snow and ice. Then the Front Lawn passed Equestria once again with a horn blaring before it left their sights for Psera. And that was the last time they saw them.

But they'll never forget. A monument had been placed directly behind the Mecrah Portal located in the Northern Plains. Now a tourist attraction or something, Applejack couldn't remember.

Rarity disturbed her thoughts with, "Where is Sunset Shimmer? I thought she'd stick around for a while."

Applejack shook her head and answered, "She and Starlight are up in The Crystal Empire helpin' the Princesses. IHT again, remember?"

Rarity nodded and grabbed an apple. "Ah, yes they're still going on with that. They changed the years to every two years to see if anypony needed support, I suppose?"

Applejack faced the crowd again with hopeful emotion. Someone was approaching the apple stand. Cheerilee it looked like. "Yeah, they're all in the Crystal Empire today. Day Zero, I reckon."



Day Zero. The beginning of the start. The Crystal Empire per usual had flags and such setup on light poles ringing the city. There were no need for guards this time, all creatures were on friendly terms. There were no altercations, no tense reality of one attempting to take advantage of the other. Along with buildings and economies, trust was rebuilt. Although, there was still a line in front of the castle made up of Guards from the Crystal Empire to ensure there was no interruption.

Celestia watched them from her balcony in the castle after she raised the sun. At all the ponies beginning to dance around below and start their day. She had to start it the other way.

"Stop it." Celestia blinked and looked over to her right. Sunlit violet coat, glowing violet mane, long wings trailing the floor back into the castle behind them. Twilight had her hooves crossed on top of the railing, but her eyes were staring back into Celestia's. Full of life as if she never left. Her signature smile still painted on her face as if she never lives in pain and sorrow.

"Stop crying, Celestia," Twilight whispered. "Let's move on together." Then disappeared from her sights the second Celestia blinked.

This has been happening ever since Twilight disappeared. Celestia feared she had gone insane. Had become a lunatic for the well wishes of her surrogate daughter's return. She feared that would never be a reality.

Celestia put her head back on her shoulders and focused on the task. Greeting the ponies arriving today. The only ones not here yet were the Zebras, Saddle Arabia, and Queen Novo who was scheduled to arrive in an hour or two. That last one made her smile.

This year, Equestria was administering and hosting. The year before was Saddle Arabia. Cadance had gotten her hooves on pamphlets and were passing them out to the attendees with Flurry Heart, who was undergoing training and had to be here with them as an official Princess of Equestria. That was going to be a tense day.

Celestia decided she's been staring at the sun enough by this point. She turned around and took calm steps back into her room. Her magic grabbed a white and pink dress from her bed to slip on her body with less than required ease. Then opened the door and stepped out into an abandoned hallway where Luna was waiting for her.

She was stroking her chin and staring at the contents of the pamphlet in a focus that could melt steel were she to stare at that instead. "Hmm," she hummed. Her blue hoof touched a certain line she seemed to be having trouble with. "Day Three seems to be about Max Effort. Who is Max Effort? From the Zebras."

Celestia closed her door and walked closer so she could see what she was reading. "Max Effort is not a pony but a code name for some type of thing going on in Zebrica they wanted to talk to us about. The Zebras never actually made it to Psera during the war and were left behind to the Infected. Max Effort is what they call the program in Ponish, but it goes by another name I can't recall."

"Well either way..." Luna folded up the pamphlet and tucked it away. "This is going to be a strange atmosphere this time around. This is the fifth meeting, I honestly thought everypony would have moved on by this point."

She and Celestia traveled the quiet hallways of the castle for the staircase leading down to the first floor. Listening to the chatter bouncing off the walls and entering their brains through their ears.

Luna smirked and broke their silence, "I hear Flurry's up already."

"Put the doughnuts with the coffee!" Flurry shouted. "Nopony eats doughnuts without coffee, Dad! Ugggh, must I do everything?"

Celestia stopped at the door before she could slip around into sight of the ponies in that kitchen and grumbled, "This is going to be a terrifying morning—Good morning, everypony!"



The Lavender port was busy. Just like usual. But this time when Dawn landed, she realized it was all because of her. The chariot she, Gardeen, and her father were riding in landed softly on the road leading up to the Aquatas outside of this busy naval station. Soldiers casually passing by saluted to the chariot as they sped past. Destination? For the fencing up ahead keeping the rest of the city away from the large spacious docks to the ocean.

Their chariot held suitcases in the back from very popular designers, showing off their luxury. As much as her family tried to stay humble to their beginnings, Fresh Dawn's beginnings were shims. Millions upon millions of shims thanks to her mother. A lot of growth all because of her that she's allowed to dip her hooves in. And was now relishing in her wealth by riding inside of a golden chariot up to Aquata Zero.

The outside of it was military. It wouldn't hurt to relish in it.  But Dawn was absolutely sure the inside would have some very fancy place where she can set her purse down, kick her hooves up, and relax until she gets to Equestria.

The landing bridge leading up to the ship's entrance was already lowered with a path flanked with soldiers and a single mare that Fresh Dawn recognized immediately.

She reached a hoof up and yelled, "Hey, Captain Smalls!"

Captain Small's dark coat absorbed the bright sun rising over the horizon. A scary sight for all who haven't seen her. But her red eyes portrayed kindness and a hard exterior. She smiled and approached with a reply on the tip of her tongue.

"Hello, Princess. Greetings, your highness." She bowed when Madun stepped out of the chariot with the rest of the soldiers. Then saluted while they approached. "I've been assigned to be your Security Captain during this trip, Princess."

Fresh Dawn nodded and stopped in front of her to shoot up a smile. "Excellent," she replied. "When are we leaving dock?"

"At o'seven hundred, so in a few minutes. The trip to Equestria takes three days time. But we'll speed it up on the second day. I'll explain further on the Aquata."

Madun nodded and looked down to his daughter when she turned back to him. She was nervous. He knew his little filly. He placed a hoof on her head and ruffled her well groomed mane.

"You're going to do great, Dawn," he assured her. "You have nothing to worry about except tripping over your own wings. Literally."

Fresh Dawn mewed and pushed her father's hoof away before he asked the most embarrassing question. "Did you bring your doll with you? The one that makes you feel safe?"

"Dad!!! Let's go, guys." She wasn't doing this. She swiveled around on her hooves and quickly trotted up the steps leading to the Aquata's entrance.

Madun laughed and yelled, "Sweetheart, just check your bags—"

"La la la, I'm not listening, la la la la la..." Her voice faded away when she entered inside and waited for Gardeen to come behind her. Ugh, why did dad have to bring up Sky Blue? But... She did pack her though. She wouldn't go anywhere far away like this without her favorite doll that Kia calls therapeutic. She wasn't therapeutic, she was... Something else, but not therapeutic. Right?

After a few minutes of waiting, Gardeen finally trotted into the Aquata while Dawn was in the middle of mentally scolding her father and towards the stairs at the end with Dawn's small cases as well as her own things on her back.

She looked behind her and gestured with her head towards the stairs up ahead. "Follow me," she instructed. "I'll show you to your room. Along the way, I'll tell you how things work."

The top of the stairs held much bigger hallways and many lights. The steel floor under their hooves was like a gate that had holes bolted in, allowing them to see events occurring beneath their floor.

"The trip to Equestria," Garden said. "...will be rather long and maybe boring. But hey, at least you'll get to see your mother's side of the family again."

Dawn caught up to Gardeen and fixed her lopsided crown again. "I don't remember what any of them look like," she stated.

Gardeen chortled and slowed their speed. "It's been a decade, I'd be impressed if you did. I have no doubt they'll know you when they see you. The Guards will escort you the rest of the way once at the half-point by flying. So, nearly two hundred fifty miles."

Dawn shrugged it off. That wasn't bad. She's flown over five hundred at top speed before behind Merry Fire. Two hundred fifty was a piece of cake. Ignoring a saluting Guard and the horn of the Aquata, she looked up to Gardeen and asked, "How much security will I have and is it really necessary?"

Gardeen turned a right and led her up another flight of stairs towards what was definitely the residential floor. "How much security? I don't know, that decision is up to your captain. Is it necessary? I highly doubt it since this is Equestria. But you're the daughter of King Madun and the legendary Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, and heir to the throne of Psera. So if there's a lot of ponies with you, those are the reasons. Here we are, sister!"

In front of them were two steel doors with the Royal Crest of Psera centered directly in the middle of both of them. Gardeen pressed down on one of the two steel handles and pulled the door open. Behind it was a large bed with redwood floors and purple covers. The bed looked new. There was a LiVAM directly at the foot of the bed, a few dressers with mirrors, a clothes basket, a dining table on the far left made of wood, and pictures of the current Royal Family. Her mother, Father, and herself when she was a foal in Arcadia's hooves.

Gardeen walked in first so she could set the bags down while Dawn took her time to truly admire everything. The bed had a sheer veil over it to provide a privacy curtain. Dawn's hoof felt over the fabric and thickness of the comforter. Then she took her body and threw herself right into it.

"Ooooh, this is so soft," she moaned. Her body entangled itself underneath the sheets and got deeper. "I officially love this bed."

Gardeen placed the bags on the floor next to the glass dining table and recommended, "You may want to unpack. We're already on the move."

Wait... Dawn dug herself out from the mess of comforters and clarified quickly, "We're moving? Already?"

"Dawn, we've been moving for ten minutes now."

Dawn crawled out of bed and ran for the small round window on the side to peek out of. Yep, they were surrounded by nothing but blue waves. She tilted her head to the side and asked another question. "Is Psera still nearby?"

"No, they're way behind us." Gardeen kneeled down and slid Dawn's fancy bags off her back to the floor. "The ship has a much smoother sail on this level than any other for some odd reason. We could have been moving for an hour and no one would have noticed. Now here, check this out."

She dropped the binder Dawn gave to her father yesterday afternoon in the middle of the wooden dining table while Dawn herself marched her way over. "Try to get an understanding of this before we get to port. I already understand most of it and put it here in this notebook for you." She dropped another binder on top of that one reading "Project #59138 Clarification".

Dawn flipped it open and read the first paragraph to herself. Since it was all in Old Pseratopian she could. But if it were in Ponish, she wouldn't be able to read it at all. Speaking of which... Dawn sat down at the table and asked, "Are there any readings in Old Pseratopian over there?"

Gardeen pursed her lips and unfortunately shook her head as her answer. "Psera is literally the only country that speaks two native languages. Ponish and Old Pseratopian. We can speak Ponish, but you have to be taught how to read it. And you've never been taught. So I'll be—"

Dawn interrupted, "Wait, can't you teach me?" It had to be simple, right?

Gardeen once again shook her head. "I don't know how it works exactly, but it involves a huge book and hours upon hours of definitions. Like a college-level course. Not many Pserateps can read Ponish anyway. Your mother was born into it, so she had it down way before she arrived on Psera."

Gardeen turned around for the doors and made her exit. "I'll leave you to your studying and reading. Because I know you want to." She winked at Dawn and that scowl she was shooting her way. Then walked out leaving the door open. There was another pair at the end of the hall she had to walk through now. Guarded of course. Now Dawn was silently alone.

Dawn directed her eyes back to the books in front of her. They held all the information she needed and that Equestria needed clarified. Even though she could really go for some rest right now in this luxurious room with the world's most softest bed, more important matters required her attention. She sighed and muttered, "Well... Let's get mom."



Studying was hard. Studying something you barely have any kind of knowledge of was even harder. But Dawn had learned ever since starting school that she didn't have to study it like how everyone else does. She could do it her own way.

She had a large collection of notes sitting next to her mother's notes downstairs in her room while she took her daily break upstairs on the bridge. It was now Day Two of the journey and she could honestly say... She has never been this bored in her entire life. Even school wasn't this boring. There was nothing to really do on a Royal Aquata except work. And she's been working her whole life!! Doesn't she get a break? Even while working?! But she digressed and pushed on. This was for mom.

Dressed in a light red robe hiding her violet coat and "cutie mark", as her father called it, she gazed out the bridge to the deck of the ship and the waters they were cruising along. Since this was a mediocre journey, she was alone. Even the Captain of the ship wasn't in here. It was just her.

Her father called her twice through the Comm Block connection they had setup so far. Once last night, and another early this morning to get an update on their position. The thick slab of purple crystal on her right wrist looked rather bulky, but she decided that it made her look even more official. That and she needed to keep it on, she was required to in training.

Dawn sighed through her nose and watched the Elite Guards prepare a large chariot on the sunny deck. It was the fancy golden one her father bought years ago housed below deck exclusively for the Fire Family. Gardeen told her late yesterday that they were going to fly the rest of the way to Equestria and keep the boat out here in case. She didn't say in case of what exactly, but she had an idea it was to keep the whole country from gathering around her. You can't miss a giant boat like this literally docking. No one could. Or the horn currently blaring. It seems they've reached their point of takeoff.

"Smalls to Dawn? We're ready for you." Her Comm Block relayed.

Dawn raised her hoof and replied to the distance, "Are my notes onboard?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Alright, I'm on my way down. Give me a few minutes." Oh how she hated being referred to as ma'am. It made her sound older than she truly was.

Fresh Dawn lowered her hoof and observed her reflection in the glass. She braided her mane this morning and put it to the side so she could get a more regal look and less teenage one. She wasn't at home this time. Now she was on a different country representing Psera. The fanciest, most advanced, and largest country in the world. It was a tradition to have a mane in a braid when you represented Psera on a diplomatic journey.

Dawn took a deep breath. Then turned around and walked around all the empty reflective communication desks. Past the wheel for the Aquata, and back out into the halls. She needed to slip on her dress and comb her mane.

When she walked out onto the deck, she was wearing a light violet dress with a small trail and a lot of sparkle to them. Not to mention her tiara shimmering with diamonds, and just to top it all off a pair of shades. It was hot out here.

The chariot looked a lot bigger up close than it did above of course. There were more mechanisms and textures inside when a Guard opened the door for her, and placed steps at the foot so she could climb in. An airborne pod with a foldable roof.

Dawn hummed and smiled on the seat next to Gardeen. Then slowly turned to face her and nodded her head in approval. "This is nice," she whispered. "I approve."

Gardeen took a deep breath and sighed out, "Your father spoils you."

"No he doesn't, he just gives me things sometimes." The soldiers strapped to the front of the chariot got off to a strong running start that forced Dawn back into her seat. Then jumped off the front of Aquata Zero and took off to angle higher into the sky.

Dawn looked over her shoulder and watched Aquata Zero shrink from view while they sped up. It was going to be a time before they saw it again.

She faced the front and crossed her rear hooves so she could relax with the breeze blowing her braid around. The smell of the sea water below her, the sounds of her fellow Pserateps cracking past the sound barrier so fast, the only way she knew it happened were from the small pops. The actual boom never reached their ears.

"We should be reaching Equestria in five minutes!!" Gardeen yelled to her.

Dawn nodded and replied with her eyes closed, "Excellent! Now who am I looking for?!!"

"The Princesses of Equestria!! We'll gather them up, debrief them, then take them back to Aquata Zero!!"

"How many are there?!"

"Last I checked, three! But it may be four now! The Aquata has enough room to supply them with a stay the rest of the way back!!"

That was the end of that conversation and they relaxed in the warm blowing wind before they slowed their speed to something more calm and casual.

Captain Smalls looked down to the Princess from above and announced, "Equestria in sight!"

Dawn opened her eyes and eyed the horizon of a land in front of her. It was dark, thanks to the sun casting a silhouette, but Fresh Dawn was sure when they'd get closer, she'd make out what was supposedly the Land of Magic.

Since she's never been to Equestria as long as she could remember, Dawn kept her eyes on it until she finally managed to make out the large steel block from past international affairs Psera had with these guys. Including the really tall beacons outlining the path an Aquata would take. They stopped trading with them, but Equestria surely still held property that cost thousands upon thousands of shims over here.

Their chariot zipped over a sandy beach where Dawn and Gardeen saw a lot of ponies and homes on the ground. A few skyscrapers and even an amusement park. How fun.

Gardeen figured a quick tour was in order here. She pointed and yelled, "Las Pegasus! The extraction location where your mother led the remaining creatures from all over to the Aquatas so they could stay on Psera!"

Las Pegasus was nice. Dawn would want to check it out a little closer whenever they could. They slowed down even more over the woods, still growing from past altercations. A few animals looked up at the large chariot and thirty Elite Soldiers following. Then went right back to whatever they were doing in the forestry.

Gardeen said next, "Now we're about to pass over Ponyville, your mother's hometown. And the location of the Equestrian-Psera Embassy."

Dawn trained her eyes back up to the front and eyed the small town coming into shape. When dad said mom was a pony who treasured simple things, she didn't think she would go as far as the town she lived in too. It was so small and casual. Nothing like Cop or even Merōl.

Applejack and Applebloom's selling of apple products was interrupted when something roared loud from up ahead. Their passing vibrated the ground and caused a few apples to hit the dirt. The ponies on the ground looked up and eyed the black dots zip straight over Ponyville followed by the biggest and shiniest chariot they've ever seen. A golden one. Then followed by even more of those ponies zooming for Canterlot.

Almost immediately, Rainbow Dash landed next to Applejack with her eyes on the fading chariot. "Did you see that?!" She yelled.

Applebloom deadpanned in a thick mess of sarcasm, "No, we missed all the roaring and the gigantic golden brick fly through the sky. Care to enlighten us?"

"Uhhh... I think it might be Psera." The world stopped moving for a second. Literally, all the ponies nearby stopped and stared at her. Even saying the name seemed to be about as bad as a pony yelling ponyfeathers.

Applejack nudged her and warned under her breath, "Watch it, Rainbow."

"But I'm serious. Come on, let's go check it out." Before Applejack could resign from even formally taking up that position, Rainbow Dash swooped her up and flew at an angle behind the chariot towards Canterlot.

Applebloom looked at both Rarity and Fluttershy watching them soar off with Applejack screaming in Dash's hold. Then grabbed one of her own apples and took a bite. This was bound to be interesting.



It wasn't a Cop at all, but it was close to Rayray. The buildings were more modern than what Smalls ran through so many years ago. A majority had been upgraded. Like that doughnut shop she hid in. Doughnut Joes, was it?

But all of this was new to Fresh Dawn. While they traveled the streets, she stood upon the edge of the chariot with an expression of wonder-filled awe. This was so much different than back home. The buildings seemed to be made out of the same material. The currency, standard regular coins.

But there was one silver lining: The ponies had tattoos on their flanks, just like her! Oh wow, this was really amazing! At least ponies here had what she had and weren't singled out. This was a much more welcoming change of pace. Slow, but welcome.

Dawn fawned and eyed the largest street she could see leading to a roundabout that had a fountain in the middle of it and continuing on behind it.

"Canterlot," she whispered.

"Escort Team's now approaching the castle," Captain Smalls reported.

Dawn swiveled her head and eyed the relatively small home of the two pony sisters. The castle wasn't torn down, but you could tell it had gone through a lot of repairs in the past.

"You know..." Dawn turned her head to look up into the face of her auxiliary-slash-sister. Gardeen was placing a red tie around her neck she got from somewhere along with an earpiece in her ear. "I've never actually been in this castle, it'd be a great chance to see how these Princesses live. Your mother—"

"Grew up here?" Dawn guessed.

Gardeen nodded and clarified, "She said she grew up in its library. The second tallest spire of this castle. I'll never forget these conversations."

Dawn looked up to the top of this castle and eyed the grand spires of this place. They were bronze and reflected off most of the light from the hot sun. But she couldn't exactly make out the "tallest" spire since they all seemed to have the same height. Those repairs must have affected it.

She sighed and sat back down when the Chariot slowed to a stop in front of the gates. Time for Gardeen to make her move. Dawn wondered what she was going to do. Would she perform an epic entrance?

One of the Elite Guards of twenty following landed in front of Gardeen's side and opened the door for her in front of one of the many Royal Guards positioned at the gates. Watching and waiting. Dawn made sure her sunglasses were properly adjusted before they looked up at her then down to Gardeen.

"State your business," one ordered. A squad of Unicorns and Pegasi.

Gardeen removed her shades and swished her silver mane around that made Dawn question everything she knew about Gardeen. Then smirked and said, "We represent the great land of Psera." At the mention of the name their eyes shot wide like slowly popping balloons. "I'm Secretary of Royalty Gardeen Daisy, the Auxiliary to Princess Fresh Veola Dawn, heir to the throne. We must speak to the Princesses of Equestria at once."

The Captain of the Guard in Canterlot shot his gaze to his soldiers who in turn stared back. Then turned back to Gardeen and shook his head. "The Princesses aren't in Canterlot at this moment. They're having their biennial IHT Meeting in the Crystal Empire."

Gardeen hummed and locked eyes with Princess Dawn behind her shades. The Guard quickly added, "B-But I can send a quick note and have them notified at once. In the meantime, I'll allow you all in to get out of this heat. Open the gates!"

The Guards quickly went to work unlatching while Gardeen jumped back in the chariot. Once the door was shut Dawn whispered, "And what was that?"

"The Princesses aren't in—"

"No, no, no. I'm talking about the mane flip thing, what was that?"

"Oh..." Gardeen chuckled and whispered as they passed through, "It makes all the stallions turn to molten lava. All hot and willing to do anything. That and I'm pretty."

"Oh stop. Light Pink would not like that."

"Light Pink has her own version. You should visit more often, she misses talking you."

Their chariot followed the pointing of their own Guards to around the right side of the castle. The grounds behind the fence was just a sea of grass along with another concrete roundabout centered by a fountain leading up to a pair of doors at the very entrance. A hot day for anyone to be outside though.

Their chariot stopped at the entrance and the Guards went to work letting them both out. Gardeen could easily jump out and she did. Dawn could too, but she didn't want to mess up her diamond covered hoof shoes.

So she waited for the steps to be placed down and she could elegantly take one step at a time down to the concrete. The trail of her light violet dress fell out and scrubbed the concrete ground. But she walked around the chariot and out into view.

The Guards for Canterlot looked down to her with an unsure nature in her eyes. This filly was really small. Dawn nodded to them and greeted behind her pair of golden sunglasses, "Greetings. I am Princess Fresh Veola Dawn of Psera. Daughter of King Shimmering Madun and Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, Saviour of Psera. We need to speak to the Princesses as soon as possible. It's..." She reached up and lowered her shades so she could smirk a look into their eyes with her intense purple ones. "Extremely urgent."
> Chapter 42 - You Grew Up?!!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Crystal Empire's Trade Room featuring a shiny wooden Hexadecagon table was once again packed with ponies, dragons, and Zebra. Queen Novo was sitting directly across from Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance, and Princess Flurry Heart who decided to put her mane in curls that dangled around her head. Her gray silver Hoofshoes reflected off the small lights above while her ice blue eyes full of boredom trained on the rest of the room. Cadance decided she should be here if she was going to be performing any duties of any kind in the future. This is just one of them:

Talking and speaking with other rulers of different countries which apparently happens a lot more than she thought. Well at least she was out of class.

The pony currently talking was Madam Singe. Leaning into her microphone with a light shining up to her face and the reports below it. She read aloud, "South Neighton has experienced a large fluctuation of positive energy from its citizens, businesses, and flow of currency. Everything seems to be stable for the most part for our economy and well-being for our citizens. We're okay, finally."

Princess Celestia ignored Flurry's muttering of "finally" and nodded her happiness to Madam Singe. "Great, we are proud to hear that. Are there any new rules and regulations being set in place?"

"Not at the moment. But—"

The doors leading inside squeaked open to allow Sunset Shimmer entry. Wearing a simple bowtie with a black neckline, she apologized, "Sorry for the disturbance. Princesses, an urgent letter came in from Canterlot through Dragon Fire."

Sunset walked around the Hexadecagon with a red scroll held aloft in her magic. Past Queen Farue, President Manamar, King Chancellor, Queen Novo, and eventually over to the Princesses. Celestia took the scroll floating behind her and unrolled the band so she could read it with Luna.

After a few moments of reading their breathing slowed to a stop. Their lips gradually parted wide. Then Luna ordered, "Let's take a ten minute recess. Now."

Celestia followed that with, "I second that, all in favor?!"

Queen Novo sighed and raised her hoof. Without someone arguing this meeting was eating away at her nerves. The others thought the same since all their hooves and claws flew up. "Recess!" Celestia quickly banged her gavel. Then ordered to Sunset, "Have them send me a description of the coat, hair, and cutie mark if she has one. As well as if her entourage has one."

Sunset nodded and moved along with no idea what or who they were talking about. Only that it had Celestia extremely excited. So excited it was actually funny. The way she banged that gavel...

Celestia slid the letter over to Cadance and allowed her to read it with Flurry Heart. Then she stood up and asked, "What?! How?! When?!.... Wh-Why?!"

Celestia crossed her hooves and shook her head. "I'm not sure," she slowly admitted. "But they may have found something."

Flurry waved her hoof to slow them down and said, "I'm sorry, but... Who's Fresh Veola Dawn?"

Cadance smiled and placed a wing on her back to rub it soothingly. No one has really talked about Fresh Dawn, Psera, or the events that transpired there since they started to rebuild. She had no idea and more than likely forgot. "Princess Fresh Veola Dawn is your cousin on your father's side of the family. She's not from around here. She's the daughter of Aunt Twilight. Remember her?"

Of course Flurry remembered Aunt Twilight. She had disappeared and left a family behind after fighting Maheera in Psera. But other than that, there was little to nothing known about them. Dawn had turned five on a tragic day of Psera life: The day where over three thousand ponies lost their lives. And on that very night a few hours later, she lost her mother.

Flurry nodded and asked, "So... Why is she here?"

Sunset placed a scroll in front of Celestia that she grabbed and swiftly unrolled. "'She has a dark violet coat, light red hair with a cutie mark of a silver crown and a twinkling violet star. She has an Auxiliary with her named Gardeen Daisy and a lot of ponies wearing black military uniforms.' That's our pony. Attention, every creature!"

The ponies standing around talking stopped their conversations and focused their sights on the Princesses. Celestia stood up and said, "I'm afraid this meeting is going to have to be cut a little short or taken on the road. A very important pony has arrived at the castle and is waiting there for us."

The muttering and confused glances started first before Novo queried, "And who is this VIP?"

Celestia glanced up to Novo. Then the rest of their expectant faces. "It's Princess Fresh Dawn of Psera. Arcadia's daughter."

Sunset gasped with Starlight when she zipped in during the commotion. Which greatly increased at the announcement. But Celestia just grabbed her things and started packing up. They had a train to catch. She nudged Cadance with her wing and said, "Cadance, grab Shining. I want you all to come with me."

Novo shook her head and stated, "I am always right behind you."

Celestia smirked and walked around to lightly brush a wing against her face. A move that didn't go unnoticed by her sister. She would talk about it with her later. But right now, something way more important was waiting for her in Canterlot.



Dawn always enjoyed flowers. Flowers were her life. And the castle in Canterlot had a sunny bed of them around back she was sniffing through. Gardeen stood to the side by the doors back into the castle hidden by the shade with everyone else and let their tiny royal guest do her thing. The Royal Guard here informed them earlier that it would be a little over an hour before they returned, but that IHT were in fact on their way.

Dawn decided that it would be a good time to tour the castle's halls. Apart from the shiny floors and older decor, Canterlot seemed to be a more condensed version of Cop, and the castle a younger version of her home. Then they stopped here at the rear gardens, Dawn got sucked in, and they've been here just watching her run around for five more minutes. Gardeen assumed that now would be a good time to move this along.

She raised a hoof to stick out from the crowd and asked, "Would you like to see more of the castle, your highness?"

That seemed to break her out of her trance. She straightened up and looked over her left back at the door. "Right! Yes, of course!" She quickly answered. She always forgets how she gets lost and distracted in flowers. This wasn't Dad's Garden.

She zipped back over with great haste out from under the sun to the Unicorn named Raven. She was a light gray mare with brown eyes behind a pair of black rimmed glasses, and a brown mane and tail both bun'd up. She was apparently Princess Celestia's assistant.

When Dawn asked if there were anymore, Raven answered "no." She was the only assistant! There was only one assistant here! Their lives were so simple! Dad had either five or six, and these ponies have one. There was no telling how many mom had!

Once Dawn's dress was smoothened and free of any wear, they continued the tour with the next stop being the Throne Room.

They turned a right and headed for a pair of doors at the end made of wood and slightly decorative flanked by two members of the Royal Guard. But while Raven droned on about something, the stained glass windows on the left were what caught Dawn's attention. She slowed her speed to a stop and eyed the image of what was definitely her mother.

Smalls held up a hoof and ordered, "Hold."

Raven stopped talking and turned around with a small tinge of annoyance on her mind. She's barely gotten through half of the tour yet and they stopped so many times. But this seemed a lot more sentimental than most and it calmed her down entirely. Dawn seemed to have lost all her energy. And was now just staring at the window with sadness tinging her purple eyes burning into it.

Gardeen walked in and whispered something. Then at Dawn's quick nod, turned to Raven and said, "That's all the touring we'll be doing for now. Can you lead us back to the waiting room?"

"Yes, yes, of course!" Raven eagerly trotted past on the red carpeted floors and led them back the way they came.

Dawn's depression would kick in from seeing things in detail like that. She's never known her mother, but there was always something there. A connection they had before she disappeared. She knew she was alive. And whatever she was feeling Dawn was feeling it too. Sadness, loneliness. A dark shadow overtaking her soul that made Dawn shiver before it ducked back down. One of her own greatest secrets.

While they walked, Gardeen leaned down to her and queried, "Did you bring Sky Blue?"

Yeah... Yeah, Sky Blue would help out a lot. Dawn replied, "Yes, in the red bag."

Gardeen reached up to her earpiece and relayed, "Chariot, please grab the red bag from the Princess' bags and bring it to Escort. They should be here in a few minutes, your highness."

Dawn's only reply was a nod and query, "Is there a status on the Princesses?"

Raven shook her head and answered, "I'll check that for you. Although, they should have gotten on the train by this point and at least be two thirds back by now."

Dawn nodded and walked back into the waiting room at the same time the Guards stationed outside brought her red bag in. Gardeen took it and followed Fresh Dawn with only two of her Guards. The rest stayed outside per the orders of the captain. Then the door was shut to allow them privacy.

The waiting room in here was very similar to the one in her castle. As a matter of fact, Dawn was sure they got the idea of one couch on each of these four walls, a picture on each with a table in the corners holding lamps and a glass table in the middle all from Psera.

Either way Dawn dropped down on one and took a deep calming breath. She really hated these... These fallbacks she'd have just from seeing images of her mother that would push her back down into the darkness. They usually just happened randomly out of nowhere. She never talked about it until recently. It was embarrassing, but they now knew the cause of her "Emo Phase."

Dawn grabbed the red purse Garden presented and zipped it open with her magic. Then reached in with a hoof and pulled out Sky Blue. The stuffed doll of a Morion she grew up with. It had a white body with green spots all over it and a long yellow beak. Soft to the touch, it wasn't too big. But that wasn't the reason Dawn brought it with her.

She didn't know she could do this until a few weeks after she got her tattoo on her butt. Or... Cutie Mark. That sounded strange in her mind. But so did Butt Tattoo. Dawn shook those to the side and lit her horn to surround Sky Blue in a red glow that changed to black. Then after a few seconds cut the magic. As expected, Sky Blue's wings twitched. Then she bounced up as if she smelled food and jumped around Fresh Dawn's lap to look up at her.

Dawn giggled and greeted, "Good morning, Sky." Sky Blue screeched and honked at her a few times in happiness. Well, Dawn assumed it was happiness. Especially since she flapped her stuffed wings at her. Then jumped around on her lap hidden by her purple dress. Dawn wondered if anyone else could do this. Bring inanimate objects to life.

Ehh, who cares? Dawn brought Sky Blue up to her chest when someone knocked casually on the door. A Guard stationed inside opened it and asked Raven standing behind it, "Yes?"

"The Princesses just arrived back in Canterlot and decided to relocate their meeting here. There may be more ponies on the way with them."

He nodded and replied, "I'll inform the Princess. Wait here." Then closed the door and looked to Dawn. "The Princesses are in Canterlot and brought their meeting with them."

Gardeen queried, "And what is this meeting?"

The Guard opened the door and referred to Raven, "What is the meeting?"

Raven pulled out her clipboard, adjusted her glasses and answered, "The International House of Trade. A week long International Conference. Shortened to IHT."

Well that sounded familiar. The Guard looked back in and relayed, "IHT."

IHT?! They arrived during that? How Ironic. Gardeen sighed and turned to face Dawn's confused expression. "The International House of Trade is a group of countries who help each other. Like a big family. They all knew Twilight as a Princess of Equestria, as well as the Creator of the whole thing. She created IHT. So, of course they'd come. More than likely to see you."

Gardeen sure knows her history, Dawn thought. Then nodded in an unspoken agreement and grabbed the binders sitting on the table of Queen Arcadia's Mecrah Portal to setup. She didn't settle placement yet. Figuring that it would take them a little while to get back.

Gardeen told the Guard, "It's fine. But keep a close eye on them. A very close one." He nodded to Gardeen then relayed the order to the rest of the Guards.

While they were preparing, Dawn smiled down to Sky Blue who just honked in return. She was nearly anxious to get home. But at least Sky Blue's here, nuzzling her cheek.



Anxious hooves clopped away from the Canterlot train station along concrete and busy sidewalks. Moving through the ponies who stopped to happily say hello, wave, and other greetings. Silent muttering of what the Princess of Psera was doing here flew around IHT's area away from civilian ears.

For the hundredth time so far, Shining loudly asked, "Are you absolutely sure it's her?"

Luna grunted and answered, "Based off the letter. Unless somepony's seeing things, then yes again."

Their hooves increased to a much faster speed. Rushing past the newly built library, past Restaurant Row, past the Opera Hall, an Ice Skating Rink and finally to the front of the Castle.

The Guards stationed quickly pushed the gates open and allowed the Princesses with the rest of them onto the grassy landscape in front of the castle. Straight off the record, the first thing they saw was the large Golden Chariot much bigger and taller than theirs. It couldn't even be defined as a chariot. More like a boxed sled. With the Crest of Psera on the sides and Elite Guards watching them.

Princess Celestia burst through the doors with a bang and marched inside with her entourage. "Where is she?" She ordered.

Raven zipped out from the side unseen and gestured with a hoof to follow her. "She's in your waiting room," she answered. "With her auxiliary. They've been in here for maybe an hour or two now. Whatever it is, they need to see you urgently."

Raven slowed down at a door flanked on both sides with Elite Guard. One of them knocked on the door and twisted the handle to poke his head in. "The Princesses have arrived," he announced.

Oh geez, here we go. This was the moment she's been studying and practicing for. Dawn held up her hoof to hold them so she could prepare with Gardeen. The binders were in place, covers face up. Oh! Dawn straightened her crown and flipped her braid around so it hung over her front. Then nodded to the guard. She was ready.

He pushed the door open wider and let in Princess Celestia. She was an Alabaster Alicorn! Just like her! Why didn't dad tell her?! Then walked in three more Alicorns!! Holy crap, more Alicorns!

Celestia couldn't believe her eyes when she saw her. Violet coat, purple eyes, a braided red mane and free flowing tail they could see through the dress... She waved a hoof to her face to stop the incoming tears and cried, "Oh my goodness, you grew up!"

Record scratch. This pony knew who she was?! Dawn pushed that to the side for a second and went with the formal greeting. Stay pro. She smiled and walked over to the four Princesses of Equestria and some old guy gawking at her in front of the door. "Hello, I'm Princess Fresh Veola Dawn of Psera, Daughter of King Shimmering Madun and Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, and heir to the Psera crown. It's an honor to meet you. You have a really lovely country. I am honored to be here."

Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Shining Armor were just staring at her for a few seconds. To see Fresh Dawn actually talk, let alone formally was something they seriously didn't need. Then Celestia shook her head and slowly pulled Fresh Dawn into a confusing hug. This wasn't in the book.

"It has been so long since we've seen you," she whispered. Afterwards looked up to Gardeen and added, "The same for you, Secretary. Welcome back to Equestria."

Gardeen walked over and pulled Luna into a brief hug. Then Shining and Cadance before she looked down to Flurry Heart still trying to wrap her mind over Dawn's height and wing length. "And look at you!" She looked to Gardeen and that smile. "All grown up. The last time I saw Flurry Heart was before you were all taken back here. I certainly hope the rebuilding process wasn't too grueling."

Celestia sighed and let Dawn go to admit, "It was a little hard, but all of us managed to pull through. You look exactly like your mother, Dawn. It brings back so many memories."

Dawn walked back to the binders on the table and asked, "You knew my mother?" She grabbed them and added, "And can we take this meeting to the hall?"

Celestia nodded and answered, "Absolutely. And I was your mother's teacher. She—"

Dawn zipped up to her with shimmering eyes and asked, "Wait you taught my mom magic?!"

Celestia laughed and backpedaled, "I only taught her the basic spells. The ones she's widely known for she learned or developed on her own more than likely on Psera. Come here, I want to introduce you to a few ponies." She brought Dawn over to face Flurry Heart while Gardeen grabbed her binders. "This is Flurry Heart, your cousin. This is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza or Cadance, your mother's sister-in-law, and this is your mother's brother and your uncle, Prince Consort Shining Armor and Captain of the Crystal Empire's Guard."

Oh so the old guy was her uncle. Shining Armor greeted, "Yikes, you grew up! Last we saw you, you were running around the Castle crawling into snack stashes you had setup in the walls."

Cadance pulled Fresh Dawn up into a small hug and whispered, "You are truly your mother's daughter. How is Madun?"

Dawn slipped out of her hold and fixed that blinding crown that made Flurry a little jealous. "Father is well," she answered. "But can we... Catch up after?"

Of course, Dawn was here for something. Flurry barely remembered this small filly. But she was trying hard to. Celestia quickly grew tense and answered, "Yes, of course. Right this way." She quickly led Dawn and her entourage out into the rest of the ponies in the hall and introduced them. "These are all the current leaders of the world's known nations. Your mother had yet to interact with Zebrica, so I'll introduce her. Queen Tarsafani."

Celestia pointed to a Zebra mare with a gray and white mane on her neck that grew off to the side and covered her right eye. Her coat held gray and white stripes instead of the usual black and white like a normal Zebra. And her eyes were a deep ice blue. They made Dawn shiver inside. She instead chose to smile and bow to her, who in turn bowed back. "It is an honor to meet you, Queen Tarsafani."

"The honor is mine, Daughter of the great Queen Arcadia." Her voice was deep but feminine. More shivers and negative vibes. They rose back up and faced each other. "I didn't know your mother, but I hear she is the same pony who gave it her all to save us. My entire country was infected by Maheera's drones. And if it weren't for her, we would be no more. I wish I could say that to her myself."

Dawn smiled and hummed in appreciation. "You may get that chance. Walk with me."

Celestia gestured with a hoof to follow her down the hall along with the Guards. After a quiet two minutes and reaching the flower doors, Dawn finally briefed them. "As of two days ago, my friends and I were given a school assignment revolving around my mother. Queen Arcadia. Before that, an underground interview was released to the public that held a few things no one knew about her. Things even you do not know."

Oh? Luna glanced down to Dawn and asked, "What don't we know about your mother? I'm pretty sure we know a lot about your mother."

"She knows dark magic."

Celestia stopped walking with the rest of the group and repeated, "Dark magic?"

Dawn looked behind her and repeated, "Yes, my mother knows Dark Magic."

"As in King Sombra..."

"She mentioned she was at a greater level than that pony, whoever that is. Now back to the story." They continued walking and moving along with that thought in their minds with Dawn. "I asked my father if we could use Mother's office for research since there were bound to be some stuff in there. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything on those shelves... But we found something behind them."

Flurry assumed, "So you tore it apart?"

"No." Dawn stopped again and faced them with a smile. "I laid my hoof on a book titled 'The Sanctuary' and triggered some kind of magical mechanism that had the shelf open like a door. Behind it lied an elevator my friends and I took out of curiosity all the way down underneath the castle into a laboratory. And... A stash." Dawn used her magic to grab the binder Gardeen was carrying around for her. She pulled out a few images and slowly held them in front of the rulers.

The image was a perfect centered image of The Mecrah Portal OUT. Bigger than the other and shimmering from the overhead lights. The tiny steel walkways made the pictures look even more realistic. The walls of the space were thick with colors that Dawn said, "Those walls and their colors? That's all of mom's spells. All of her spell books."

Celestia gasped and announced, "So you found her stash!! Excellent, Dawn! What is happening in Psera now, and do you need our help?"

Dawn nodded and answered, "Since this is a magical issue, we need you to help us find the keys. There's not one, there are twelve, according to her blueprints. She calls the process 'Chained Magic'. If this, then that. The keys are placed in twelve different areas in a specific pattern."

Dawn levitated the binder titled "Spell #59138" into Cadance's hooves. Then flipped it open so the blueprints flipped out.

Flurry lifted them up to her eyes and immediately made a face at all of the symbols and Old Pseratopian. She had no idea what it read. Cadance leaned over and said, "That's... Strange. She wrote it in Old Pseratopian. If this was only for her, then why would she write it in a language she had to teach herself?"

Dawn answered, "Not sure. But I know that those keys are instrumental." Dawn placed her hoof on a specific line and read it in her native tongue. "'Ha keema el tarue kaceem el shemare too.' That means the keys are used to manipulate matter and provide more energy."

Celestia looked up to Dawn and said, "So they're used to supply power then. Like a battery or engine."

"Yeah. And there's twelve of them. We get the keys, we can activate the Mecrah Portal and get my mother out of there."

Oh boy. Twilight, you've done it again, Celestia thought. "Alright. Is there any indication on what the keys may be?"

"That's the problem. And why Dad wants you coming back to Psera for a little while." Dawn pointed to the four Alicorns and stated factually, "You four are the only ponies who possibly have an idea. I don't know anything."

"Ah, yes." Now she remembered. Luna nodded and commented, "There are no other unicorns or mages on Psera. That leaves only you. And without anyone to teach you... I'm surprised you know how to levitate. Then again, you were able to do it at a very young age. Three or two if I recall the conversation with your parents."

Flurry Heart smirked at her and hummed, "Hmmm, impressive. I learned how to do that at five."

Dawn smiled and said, "Well I'm sure you know more spells than I do. The only one I know is this. Come out, Sky. Come on."

Dawn's dress ruffled around in the front before a long yellow beak poked out followed by black eyes on a white head. Sewn on black eyes staring at Flurry's. Sewn on everything. Sky crawled out of Dawn's dress, up her neck and onto her head to squawk at the ponies.

Celestia blinked at it once. Then two more times before she glanced down to Dawn confused. "Are you animating the uhh... Doll?"

"Nope."

Luna stepped closer to it and asked, "Are you constantly feeding a stream of magic into it?"

"No. I used a spell... I think." Sky Blue jumped down from her head and onto the ground with a resounding squeak. Then flapped its wings and hopped over to Celestia to honk up at her. "Hey, she likes you. I think it's your colors."

Celestia calmly reached out and softly patted Sky Blue's head. Then whispered in awe, "That's... Do you do this often?"

When Sky Blue hopped onto Flurry's hoof and brought it up to her face for everyone to see, Dawn answered, "Only when I get bored. I'm the Princess, I don't have that many friends. So... I just... Zap things and get them to keep me company. But back on topic. Congress needs you to come back to Psera with me so we can figure this out. You're the only mages who can truly explain this. I have absolutely no idea."

Dawn whistled a quick tune and caught the ears of her toy. Sky Blue flew back and landed at her hooves before Dawn said, "Okay, time to sleep now." Then lit her horn and wrapped Sky Blue in a red aura that turned black. And just like that she was out, lying on her side inanimate. Her wings stopped flaring around, her beak sealed back shut, and she was a simple toy yet again.

Dawn picked her up with her magic and quickly stuffed her in her bag. She didn't like other ponies touching Sky Blue. That and that Zebra was giving her a look she found extremely suspicious. Instead of a regular wide-eyed look, she decided to add a weird small smirk to it. Predatory almost.

Celestia decided to talk to Fresh Dawn later about that spell. Whatever she was doing to make inanimate things come to life was... Amazing. Impossible. She's never seen magic like that before in all her years. But they had to focus on getting her mother back first. "Okay... Where do we start?"
> Chapter 43 - Life Giving Filly
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Where do we start? Where to start the process of finding twelve keys with no name, description, color... This was already terrifying. Dawn was becoming stressed out and it hasn't even begun!

She raised a hoof to her head and rubbed her temple to ease the definite incoming pain of knowledge that her brain stores daily to figure things out with. Kia would probably say something smart right about now.

Gardeen poked her right shoulder and got her attention. "Why don't we start with the size?" She quickly recommended. "The ponies back in Psera are already theorizing that the keys are round. Like marbles or Western Pearls."

Hmmm, that made sense. Round artifacts, strange magic. The freaking Zebra was still creeping Dawn out, but she ignored her and got back to the task at hoof.

"So marbles..." Dawn reached down to the glowing necklace her parents gave to her on her fifth birthday and looked around. All of them had on a necklace similar to her own. Just different colors. And all sized like Western Pearls.

She motioned to the one around Chancellor's neck and asked, "Where did you get those?"

He followed her eyes to the green pearl around his neck and answered, "Your mother actually... Are you thinking these might be the keys?"

Dawn immediately nodded. "I believe so. All of this is really ironic."

"Like I said, this is too strange," Cadance stated. She scoffed and jabbed a firm hoof to the floor. "First a book written in Old Pseratopian instead of an easier language for Twilight to read. Then the stones she gave us as a symbol of unity may be the keys to free her from a prison. What's next?"

Dawn ignored her and looked up to Gardeen all business. "I need to get in contact with Father and Congress."

She smiled at Dawn's eager enthusiasm. Just like Twilight. "You can contact Congress through Aquata Zero, but you have to setup a meeting time because they're always busy. I'll do it for you. In the meantime we should discuss residential stay. If we're taking these ponies to Psera, we'll need authorization. And Congress takes at least a day to reply. We'll be here for a minimum of twenty-four hours."

Before any of them could make a recommendation, Dawn locked eyes on Queen Tarsafani and stated, "Queen Tarsafani cannot come."

Can't come? Taken back she lost that smirk and asked, "What? Why not? I would love to visit your land and meet the ruler."

"Right, yeah, but since you knew nothing of Psera to begin with, we're not going to add on to that. Psera has a strict nondisclosure policy in which the event that a pony sees Psera or approaches our seas without our consent would be imprisoned in our cells, then memory erased and taken back to where they came from. But that was when my mother was in office. So since she's not, we go with the other option." Dawn raised her hoof to her neck and slid it across slowly making a cutting sound. "You see what I'm saying? Not to mention ... Psera doesn't have a good history with Zebras."

Flurry couldn't help but feel like Dawn was a troublemaker. But it seemed the message got across when Tarsafani immediately nodded. Dawn reverted back to a smile and said, "Great! So we have a base theory. We'll get in contact with father and move on from there. Gardeen, would you mind?"

Gardeen shook her head and replied, "Not at all. I'll be back in a little while. Stay with the Guard and follow those rules, you're doing good." Gardeen playfully flicked her mane. Then walked around the Princesses they were standing in front of with a wink to Celestia.

They watched her depart in quick haste with two more Elite Guards. Her hoofsteps soon left their sights and ears. Then Cadance turned back to Dawn for an explanation they clearly needed.

"I'm a 'Princess in training'," Dawn explained. "I'm learning how to do things on my own as a Royal of Psera so I can take up the throne whenever father decides to pass it over. Or... Mom, if she's alive in there."

Shining walked over and patted Dawn's back with a free hoof. "Your mother is alive, Dawn. And when she gets out, she's going to be so proud of her filly that grew up ... Somewhat."

Dawn knew what he was getting at. She sighed and said, "Yeah, dad said that I was born prematurely. He never said why or why I have this hole in my ear." She pointed to and wiggled her right ear around. The piercing that took up half its mass was still there after all these years. "You guys knew my mom, did she ever say anything about this?"

The Equestrian side of IHT seethed and made different sounds after the question was delivered. Queen Novo and the rest of them had no idea. But they did. And she had the right to know. Cadance timidly asked, "Dawn... What do you know about your parents before they were married?"

Dawn planted her face with a smile and answered happily, "Mom landed on shore, Dad fell in love, mom fixed everything, mom got pregnant, then mom and dad got married and had me shortly after."

Well at least she had the basics down. "What do you know about their wedding?"

"Mom and dad had a private wedding in the castle throne room. There's a large picture of it in my living room."

"Is that all? Nothing before that?" When Dawn shook her head the three princesses slowly shared a look of knowing. So she didn't know about it. How? Madun never told her?

Dawn hummed and glanced between the ponies who clearly knew. Who definitely knew. She asked, "Am I missing something?"

Celestia didn't answer her. She looked to Captain Smalls literally in between them on the side and asked, "How does she not know about this?"

Smalls answered, "Probably Cop's School System. They decide on what to tell their students and their grading school. At home though, I am not sure. I do not live in Cop or hear rumors."

Well Dawn deserved to know the truth either way. Since Madun wouldn't tell her, Cadance would. She sat down and whispered, "Dawn... That was their second wedding. They had two because their first one was ruined in front of all of Psera."

Ruined? As in trashed? Dawn crept closer as if the floor was fragile. She whispered, "What? What are you talking about? How could someone ruin the royal wedding of the century?"

"Dawn... Your mother is a beautiful pony. And anypony would do anything just to be with her. A pony from Equestria was infatuated with Twilight, and they didn't want her getting married. I'm not sure why, but on their first wedding at Events at Eventa... He shot Twilight with a crossbow. On stage." Dawn gasped in horror. She couldn't believe her ears. The others couldn't believe their ears. "They flew her from Events at Eventa all the way to Capita. She lost a lot of blood and almost died. We all witnessed it.

"At the time, she was pregnant with you. To keep herself and you alive, she was using her magic as blood to circulate through her body. And once blood got into her system, she went into a coma for... I think two months, if my memory serves me correctly. The arrow that was shot actually hit you."

Cadance reached forward and nudged Dawn's ear. "Right here," she said. "I take it they never told you that."

Dawn slowly shook her head. Her hoof calmly reached up and felt the purple fur on her ear. Then her eyes narrowed slightly and she whispered, "Dad lied to me."

Cadance immediately backpedaled. "No, no, I'm pretty sure your father didn't bring it up because of everything that happened now. I'm sure he would tell you when you were older and Twilight was still around. However when she disappeared, he decided to keep those wounds and scars buried for both your sakes. Losing your mother to the Mecrah Portal was hard on Madun."

Luna had to give Cadance her props for how she came with this stuff on the spot. She never told them this. Yet, here she was with that on the tip of her tongue. That didn't mean Dawn was going to listen though.

She stomped her hoof in fury and yelled, "He still should've told me! I ask him about this all the time because when I look in the mirror, I just see how small and short I am with no idea why or how! How weak I am compared to my mom who was this all powerful goddess, and who everyone expects me to be just like! To follow in her hoofsteps, to be this mage of magic when I in fact don't know any, and won't learn any! And I couldn't even get an honest answer as to why I..."

Dawn sniffed away an escaping tear and wiped her face with her hoof. She was sad. She was furious. All at the same time. A thick pair of wings wrapped around her and pulled her into a hug. Celestia sighed and nuzzled Dawn's mane like how she would do with Twilight. "There there," she whispered. "I'm sure not all of them expect that from you."

"That's easy to say when you're not the only pony in your country with a horn." Dawn nudged her way past them with her head low and emotions flaring, and stopped behind IHT. "You don't have to be seen by ponies who look at you expecting you to at least make a flower grow. By ponies asking you to teleport and you can't. I don't know any magic. And I'll never know any because all of mom's spellbooks are in Ponish and I can't read Ponish! I can only read Old Pseratopian, not Ponish."

Dawn walked over to the stained glass and pointed up to the one of her mother as Princess of Equestria. "Then I see things like this. Pictures, photographs, required school lessons in history, artifacts, recounts all about my mom who everyone looks up to and expects me to be like! A constant reminder that I'll never be like her—to even coming close! As the only pony among the millions of Psera I'm the only one that can do magic, but can't because I don't even know the basic spells. Levitation? I can barely lift my bag of books, let alone anything else. So the least I can do is go to school, do all my work, and study what it takes to be Queen because that's all I can do. And the horn on my head?"

Dawn huffed and whispered, "I wish I didn't have it."

"Stop it, Dawn." Flurry used her hoof to raise Dawn's chin so she could look stare into her eyes. "What you have is a gift you don't know how to use yet. You just have to push yourself to learn"

Dawn wasn't entirely convinced. "But how?" She asked. "I can't read mom's spellbooks and Psera's Magical Labs know so little."

"We can start by getting Aunt Twilight back. She's the only one who can teach you on Psera. We get her back using these..." She raised the stone up around Dawn's neck. "And then we can worry about what's next. But there's nothing we can do until your Auxiliary comes back with the news."

Shining Armor marched over and suggested, "So until then, we're going to show you to your roots. To your mother's humble beginnings. We're taking you to see Ponyville."



In all her years of flying and traveling, Flurry had to say that Dawn's chariot was by far the best! Seats so soft she could fall asleep in them. There was enough space inside for six ponies. So the Princesses and Shining decided to occupy that space while the rest of IHT stayed at the castle. They weren't needed at this moment and decided to stay back. This was clearly family business now that no longer involved them.

Flurry felt her hoof along the gold inside and commented, "Wow, you must be luxurious over there, huh?"

Dawn nodded and tapped on the hoofrest in between her and Flurry to pop open a small tray filled with fruit. "Yeah, we have a lot of expensive things. A lot of my ponies believe that it comes with being Royalty, but it doesn't actually. Yeah, we are granted nice things, but that's because it comes with the job. This chariot..." Dawn felt the seats and design. "Is not provided by the government. This comes from my family's own income."

"You mean Madun bought this?!" Luna exclaimed. "So your family makes a lot of money. But your country seems to be rather abundant in Gold. So much it seems that its value would dwindle."

Dawn leaned her head back with her braid flapping in the wind. "You're right, it is. But it's still hard to get and takes a few months for a solid brick. It's really hard to plow. And shipping to Merōl for manufacturing without any degradation is a challenge too. So a solid brick of gold is around five hundred thousand shims, which in Equestrian currency would amount to seven hundred thousand... Bits I think?"

"Your family actually has that much money?" Cadance replied. She and Shining don't have nearly that much in stipends. Same for Celestia and Luna, no matter how old they were.

Dawn nodded and swished her braid to the side so she could look down to the small town they were approaching. "According to Dad, most of our income originates from sales and royalties of Mom's inventions and innovations. Comm Blocks, chemicals, magical things. Dad said she never wanted to sell it. But he convinced her that doing so would help her make a living in Psera before she was Queen and it would be good for the economy. She couldn't exactly make a good living in Cop if she didn't have some type of job. After she started selling, she was given the title Secretary of Royalty. This is a really cute town."

The sun shined bright on the busy town of Ponyville. On all the ponies they cruised past flying along. On the shiny things below that attracted Dawn's eyes. On their golden chariot that touched down on the dirt road to park outside of the town.

Dawn's remaining twenty guards touched down behind it and started the process of helping her down. Flurry could easily jump down. But Dawn needed steps. Once she took a step down and stepped a hoof onto the soft warm grass, they picked the steps back up to stash and followed her and the Princesses into town. The sound here was naturally quiet. Unlike Merōl where everything was loud. Ponyville and Merōl were similar, but unlike Merōl, everything here was—once again—much more simple.

Dawn fawned at all the buildings and trees she walked through. At all the ponies looking at her and waving kindly from the open doors of their hay-roofed cottages. From the edge of brick fountains spurting water out from the mouth of a statued mare. From high above in the clouds that Pegasi were pushing. At the foals running past into alleyways cheering some type of chant.

Flurry trotted up the grassy path next to her and slowed to a walk shooting her a grin. "Do you like it?" She asked.

Dawn dumbly nodded and stopped in front of Sugarcube Corner to whisper, "It's beautiful here. Everything in Psera is so modern. Except Fenix. And they have a city in the middle of everything. Even the parks have a city around them in some distance. But here, it's... Calm. Relaxed. Normal. Melurno."

"You should come here in the winter months."

Maybe one day." Dawn continued walking with Flurry. "I was never allowed to leave Psera due to some law. I practically had to beg Congress to give me this chance."

"Well once we get your mom out, I'm sure you can visit whenever you like."

Dawn shrugged and walked into the square. "Maybe. I guess we'll have to wait and see." Gosh it was so hot here. She stopped and raised a hoof for one of her guards.

An Elite shuffled over and saluted. "Yes, Princess?"

"Could you take my dress back to the chariot, please? It's getting a little warm."

"Yes, Princess." At a pull of a zipper, Dawn's dress split from her back and pulled around her hooves. She stepped out of it and stretched her wings in nothing but her coat, cutie mark, and hoof shoes and crown. "Oh that is sooo much better."

Flurry teased, "Too big for your liking?"

"No, that's actually one of my many favorite dresses. It just holds heat. I only wear it in the winter but I decided to show it off."

"Well slap me on the head and call me an apple!!" Dawn faced the source of that oh-so colorful shout and eyed an orange mare with a light brown—and worn out—stetson approach with more ponies. An alabaster one with the cleanest coat she's ever seen with a purple mane and tail, a cerulean Pegasus with Spectrum colors carrying another pegasus who seemed really shy. Her mane was covering the right side of her face.

Then a Pink one with a crazy bouncy mane that reminded Dawn of Caltras back home. A candy made into a web on a stick.

The Orange one slowed in front of her guard line first and asked, "Is that Fresh Dawn?! Twilight's daughter?! I recognize that mane and color anywhere!"

Celestia giggled and quickly nodded. "Yes, it is. They found something on Psera and need us there. But we're waiting for a meeting tomorrow to come through for Dawn to set things up."

Rainbow Dash bumped Applejack to the side and shot Dawn a grin she didn't like. "Hey, squirt! It's been too long!" She reached out to scruff her mane as a pleasantry but it was slapped to the side by one of the guards glaring at her. The message was clear: No touching the Princess.

While she rubbed her hoof, Rarity scoffed and eyed her with a scowl while she walked passed. "Darling that is in no way to treat a Princess. Let alone any creature. Hello, darling. I am Rarity. It's a pleasure to meet you. We were all friends of your mother when she first moved here and have been her friends far after."

Fresh Dawn's hoof shook Rarity's with an eager greeting of, "Greetings, Rarity. I'm Princess Fresh Veola Dawn of Psera, Daughter of King Shimmering Madun and Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, heir to the Psera crown. It's a pleasure to meet you. You knew my mother?"

"Oh yes, very much!" Rarity slowly circled Dawn with eyes on her body particularly her shoes, crown, and necklace. "She was very studious and had a love for knowledge and books. Like how I am certain you have a deep love for attire?"

Dawn blushed at the praise. "Yeah, I have many accessories back home. I'm just here to look around. Touring. This is my first time in another country and so I'm taking it all in. You have a beautiful town. I especially love the buildings. They're so simple. Everything back home on the other hoof is grandeur. I've been craving something simple, so this was a grand opportunity."

Flurry bumped into Dawn and said, "Wait until you're inside of one."

Fluttershy walked forward with Angel bunny and whispered, "You ummm... You look just like your mother you know?"

Dawn's smile turned into a saddened frown when she was once again compared. Her eyes turned from their lively violet to a lifeless purple. Her ears folded down to the side of her head. She whispered, "Yeah... Thanks."

Fluttershy hid deeper behind her mane with the thought she did something she wasn't supposed to. Said something she wasn't supposed to. Oh no, did she hurt her feelings?

Flurry Heart came to Dawn's rescue by grabbing her hoof and exuberantly yelled, "Come on, let's go visit Grandma!"

"Grandma?" Flurry pulling her along was the answer.

While they left, Luna looked back to the Element Bearers and explained quietly, "She doesn't like to be compared to her mother because a lot of ponies in Psera expect her to be just like her. And it upsets her since she can't do any magic like her, or be taught the basics because she's the only Alicorn-Pseratep there right now until we get Twilight back. So it puts her under a lot of pressure."

"Oh the poor dear..." Their sights followed the tracks Flurry and Dawn were making before Rarity commented, "She's quite the small filly though."



Flurry was taking Dawn and her security over to a cottage on the edge of town. Away from all the fanfare, sounds, and excitement and into the quiet and peace.

The home was humble,  two story cottage with a picket fence in the front yard, a few ornaments, green grass, and a mailbox reading...

"Velvet and Light," Dawn whispered to herself. Then focused on the door they were approaching. A standard door just like the rest of the houses. With a diagonal wooden board running across the front that may serve some kind of purpose Dawn couldn't see.

Flurry boldly walked up and banged her hoof on it. "Grandma, Grandpa!" She yelled. "It's Flurry! Come out!" She turned to Fresh Dawn and whispered excitedly, "They're fun, you'll like them."

If you say so, Dawn thought. She has never met this many ponies so fast in her life. Even in middle school, everyone was sort of reclusive and kept away. Either in fear of her father or in fear of her horn, it was unknown and unsaid. It was still a mystery even now in high school.

The rotary door handle jiggled briefly. Then was pulled open swiftly by a dark blue unicorn stallion with small bags under his eyes, and a cutie mark of a moon with something else. And a very smooth dark blue mane. It was rather impressive work for a stallion his age. Well kept and curled at the end.

He grinned at Flurry then locked eyes with Dawn and the guards in black. Wait... He knew these ponies!!! He reared up on two legs, and yelled, "Honey!!! You may want to get out here!! Oh my stars, is that you Fresh Dawn?!!"

"FRESH DAWN?!!" Night Light was unceremoniously pushed to the side out of view to allow room for the one mare on this land that has finally managed to scare Dawn way more than that Zebra.

Dawn guessed this was "Velvet". She had a striped purple and white mane that was curled in the back with a cutie mark of three purple stars, light blue eyes, and a gray coat. Oh and a mad look in her eyes. Something that made Dawn take a step back.

"Where is she, where is... Ooohhh!" Velvet locked eyes with the eyes of her own daughter. Same coat, red mane. Velvet's face scrunched up, then her lip wobbled. And finally, she burst out and started bawling in tears.

Flurry leaned over to Dawn and whispered, "Just... Just let her have this for a moment."

Fresh Dawn nodded and eyed the grinning stallion walking past his crying wife just fine. "Oooh, look at you. All grown up. Come here, give your grandfather a hug!—That's allowed?" He referred to the Guard.

Captain Smalls nodded and sternly answered, "No rough treatment, no sharp items, no sudden movements that seem offensive, and we're good."

"Great." He reached down and pulled Fresh Dawn into a tight hug while Velvet was distracted with tissues and Shining Armor patting her back. It looked like the Princesses caught up to her. And Gardeen has finally returned.

"You've grown up away from our eyes, Fresh Dawn. Ohhh wow, look at you. I'm your grandfather, Night Light." He let her go so he could get a good look, but she was pulled into another hug by Twilight Velvet. This one was much tighter and involved tears that were wetting her dress.

"I've missed you so much!!" She cried. Then blubbered, "I-I-I've always wanted to give you your presents, come inside!! Right now, missy!!" Velvet surprisingly picked Dawn up like a foal and carried her into the home with the rest of the family.

Their house looked small on the outside, but it was definitely bigger on the inside. It had none of the tech that most Psera homes had and everything was really old fashioned. Velvet carried Dawn into a big living room with two couches and a table in between them. The floors were a brown wood, and a red brick fireplace was sticking out of the wall with a steel gate in front of an ash-filled furnace. It smelled like quartas too. Sweet. Like any grandparents' house back in Psera.

On the walls were pictures of their family. Including what seemed to be her mother... As a Unicorn?! Velvet sat Dawn on the couch softly as if she were a small foal. This mare had some serious strength. She didn't even use magic and managed to pick her up with a single hoof.

Then Velvet stepped back and looked her up and down. "Oooh, you look... Very small, deary! Here, hold on! I'll make you some snacks, you want a snack?! I'll make you a snack!!" Then darted into the kitchen through the two Guards so fast she actually managed to knock Cadance to the side. "Sorry, dear!"

Cadance groaned from the floor and raised a hoof. "I'm okay," she assured.

Flurry sat down next to Dawn with a sigh and said, "I told you she'd be fun." Dawn wouldn't describe her as fun. Interesting was probably the correct term.

Night Light laughed from across and took a seat next to Shining while Cadance conversed with the Princesses.

"I'll say!" He commented. "Nothing's more hyper than a grandmother who finally sees her granddaughter after ten years! I mean look at you, you look great! You grew up! I remember when you were a little foal running around with your crown all lopsided and carrying Sky Blue everywhere! Talking to it like it was your best friend! Your mother had a doll named Smarty Pants that she—"

"Uhhh, dad?" Shining interrupted. "She doesn't like to be compared to her mom."

Night Light blinked once at Shining Armor. "Oh! Well I certainly know absolutely nothing about your father. He's a big ol' stallion, I tell you what. He makes me look like a rabbit compared to him. Whoo! Hey, I know Grandma is supposed to ask this but I'm going to do it instead. Have any colts ever tried to take you on a date yet? Anyone we should background check first?"

Flurry gasped and scolded, "Grandpa!"

"What? It's a valid question!" A newspaper flew out of the kitchen and booped Night Light on the muzzle. "Ow! Hey!"

Velvet walked out behind it with her head held high levitating a batch of those Quartas Dawn smelled earlier. "Stop it, Nighty," she warned. Then smiled at Dawn and held the tray of chocolate in front of her. "Have you ever had these before on Psera?"

Dawn slipped her front forehooves out of her fancy hoofshoes that made Celestia's look funny, and grabbed one. She yelped and dropped it back on the pan in embarrassment. "Meekah!" She squealed.

"Oh? What does that mean, dear?"

"Hot."

"Oh! Sorry, sweetie. These just came fresh out of the oven. Do you have these on Psera?"

Dawn used her magic to pick one up and answered, "Yes. They're called Quartas."

"Quarters?"

"Quartas. Like Coolahs. Quartahs."

Velvet grabbed a few napkins and placed them in front of Dawn. "So you know two languages? Ohhh, my baby is so fancy. And your accent is really deep, dearie."

Dawn shrugged and meekly answered, "Uhhh... Sort of. I can't read Ponish but I can speak it." She couldn't deny that she and the rest of her team spoke much differently from the rest of the ponies here. They were so out of place.

Velvet dropped next to her husband and took a breath of fresh air. "Well this is amazing," she said. "So why are you here? I'm absolutely positive your father would not have sent you so many miles from home if you didn't have a good reason."

Dawn wiped her mouth and levitated the binder Gardeen held out to her on the table in front of her for all to see. Then flipped it open and gave the photographs to Twilight Velvet and Night Light. "I found this with my friends."

"Ooohh! That's nice!.... What is it?" Night Light dumbly asked.

Shining stifled his laughs and said, "That's Twilight's Mecrah Portal. The other one is on Psera underneath their castle. They just found it a few days ago. And Dawn's doing diplomacy to get us to help them open it. There's twelve keys that the Pserateps believe are the gems Twilight passed out to the rulers of each country in a symbol of unity during the war against Maheera. Now we're going to try and get back there to see if we can set Twilight free from whatever's in there."

Set Twilight free?!  Twilight Velvet stood up and bellowed, "So my filly could still be alive?!"

Gardeen cleared her throat and answered, "There's no concrete way to tell, but our brightest minds are predicting that Queen Arcadia has set this up so she could be freed. I told Congress about the Pearls, and they told a few Science and Magic labs. They all agree that if she willingly gave out the keys that she wanted to be taken out of there. And that she knew it would be a futile effort to get her out if she wasn't alive. So the only logical reason to actually distribute the keys were to unlock the Portal and set her free. So she's more than likely alive in there."

"WE HAVE TO GET HER OUT OF THERE!" Velvet yelled. Then ran to the door, pulled it open and started to rush out before she looked at everyone else casually watching her. "What are you waiting for?!"

"We have to wait for approval from Congress," Gardeen deadpanned. "And that doesn't happen until tomorrow morning."

"Oh... Well you have all made me look silly." She used her magic to shut the door back. Then switched back to "happy grandmother."

"I'm getting your gifts!" She announced. Her hooves trotted past everypony to make a dash up the stairs.

Shining smirked and looked to Fresh Dawn. "So you know about us," he said. "But we don't know much about you. How's life in Psera as Princess? Is it difficult to make friends?" It was hard to see Dawn's nod, but she did. "Don't take it too hard. A lot of foals just aren't too comfortable making friends with the foal of a higher power. Flurry Heart had trouble making friends too because... Well..."

Cadance placed a wing on Shining's back and completed his sentence. "Her father is one of the most feared ponies in existence."

"No I'm not."

Dawn lowered the second cookie she was about to bite into and replied, "Well I have two friends outside of the Castle. One is named Dark Dust, he's not much of a talker. And a little clumsy in a cute way. Then there's Kia. She's a frenemy."

"...I'm sorry, a what?" Flurry queried around her own cookie. "Frenemy? What's that?"

Dawn quickly answered, "A friendly enemy. Kia and I were enemies in Elementary school. She was always being mean to me. But we confided in each other after the CPC Disaster, which I'm sure you are all familiar with. Both of Kia's parents were in there. And I lost mom that night."

Cadance shared a sorrowful glance with the rest of the ponies in the room. They all knew about that day all of those lives were lost. Less than five seconds after Dawn blew out her candles, the first explosion took the lives of over a hundred. Then the CPC fell and took the lives of thousands. Because of Maheera.

Cadance whispered, "Oh... I am so sorry to hear that."

Gardeen shook her head sadly. "She's a common face around the castle," she whispered. "But I never knew her background."

Dawn sighed and stuffed her hooves back in her shoes. Then lifted them back onto the couch to sparkle. "Yeah. She's been acting strange lately though. Like usually she's calling me by pseudonyms she created for me and making fun. But now she's all protective, strong, and wants to talk like a normal pony around me. It's strange."

Their conversation was disturbed from a thump in the stairwell followed by another. Then another. Then another. Velvet yelled down through whatever was in her mouth, "Oh she's just in love, dear! Here's your present!"

The love thing to the side, Velvet backed out of the stairwell with a red ribbon in her teeth belonging to a huge gift box that was doubled her size. Once it was in sight and out of the stairwell, she grinned at Dawn's disbelieving face and stated, "You're going to love everything in here. After we were forced back to Equestria and all communications with Psera were cut, I thought, 'Since we're not using the Embassy anymore, I might as well grab Twily's things.'"

Night Light gasped and clarified loudly, "Did you raid the castle without any of us knowing?!"

Twilight Velvet scoffed and answered, "Of course, I wasn't just going to let my Filly's property go up in dust. I would never let that happen! Come here, Dawn! Check out some of mommy's old things. Her old room was still intact years before all of this."

Dawn stood up and slowly progressed around the table with an unsure look in her eyes on Velvet. "Are you sure? Wouldn't mom want this stuff back?"

Velvet laughed like it was the funniest question ever asked and answered, "I'd be surprised if she did. Open it!" She grabbed the free strand from a bow and held it out to her. This was her mother's things. Not hers.

Well maybe mom would want her to grab some of this stuff to bring back home. So Dawn grabbed the strand with her teeth, then jumped back and yanked her head to the side to pull the bow off.

The sides that made up the box fell away to reveal a mountain of colorful toys, books, clothes, and other things Dawn couldn't understand. Equestria wore some weird stuff. Where was all the Gold? Where was the flash, the symbolism of pride? Everything here was so...droll.

The mountain was so big, some belongings even slid down to her hooves. She lifted up a notebook that was never used and glanced up to Twilight Velvet with that same look.

She really didn't get any of this stuff obviously. So Velvet dug around inside and pulled out a few things. "Books, toys, a few clothes, science things even I don't get..."

A stuffed doll rolled down the small hill at Dawn's hooves. A doll that made her gasp and cheer, "A puppy!" She used her magic to grab and bring it up to her face.

Twilight Velvet directed her attention to Dawn hugging the doll to her chest and said, "Ohhh, that was one of your mother's dolls when she was two. I can't believe that was in here." With the thought that Dawn was a little old for that, Velvet reached down to take it. But Dawn jerked it back.

"No, no, it's fine. I always wanted a puppy." Dawn set the doll back on the floor and used her magic to capture it in a field of black. Then it sparked to life just like the bird back at the castle.

It popped up on its "paws" and opened its sealed mouth to reveal fake teeth, a tongue, and a happily wagging tail. It barked up to Dawn and hopped on her hooves in an attempt to climb on her.

"Hey! Hi!" Dawn greeted. She rubbed a hoof through her fur and nuzzled it. The dog licked her cheek with it's fluffy tongue. Then jumped back off and ran over to Gardeen to yip and bark up to her.

She just patted the top of her head before Flurry scooped her up in glee and happiness. "Ooohhh, you're so cute! I wish I knew that spell you do, Dawn. It's awesome!"

Dawn started looking at a few clothes she'd actually wear and stated, "I have absolutely no idea how I do it. Once we get mom out, I'll ask her about it and see if she knows anything."

Cadance smiled at their interaction. But couldn't help but feel a bad omen at Dawn's gift. Whatever she was doing with her magic that was giving inanimate objects life... She felt she shouldn't be doing it. But here she was.

And it was giving her a bad feeling.



While the adults conversed, Dawn was allowed to tour the house. Everything was so simple it blew her mind away. This place was practically a museum!

When she stepped into the kitchen, she gasped and pointed to what she deduced as their "washing machine." It was nothing like that. It was a container filled with soap and dirty clothes.

She walked over with Flurry and Gardeen and asked, "So...does this move on its own through magic?"

"Uhhh...no," Flurry answered.

"Is it some sort of rechnology to clean clothes faster?" Gardeen inquired.

"I'm not sure what we're comparing to."

Dawn smiled and proudly said, "Back on Psera we have what is called a washer and dryer, two separate machines that wash your clothes. You put your clothes inside, you thrown in some chemicals, set a timer and cycle, and boom. The clothes are being washed! It works for anything with fabric!"

"Whoa." Flurry looked back to the dirty clothes soaking. "So... I guess we're pretty ancient, huh?"

"No, not ancient, just really simple. I can't see mom doing things like this. I thought Equestria traded with Psera."

"It didn't get as deep as you're thinking." Cadance made her appearance into the kitchen for the refrigerator. She grabbed two fizzy beverages, one for her and the other for Dawn. "Here, give this a taste."

Dawn took it in her magic, but investigated the can. "Uhhh... How do you open it?"

Flurry took the can from Dawn and demonstrated popping the cap. "Ohhhh, that's so cool. See, we have like buttons and stuff back home."

Flurry recommended, "Maybe you can introduce me to some of that stuff when we get there."

Dawn had a feeling this was the beginning of her first friendship with Equestria. The first out of many.
> Chapter 44 - Aquata To Psera
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was decided the Princess would spend the night with the others in Canterlot, despite the resistance Twilight Velvet gave. Captain Smalls decided the best place to watch out for her was in the one location that was much more secure than her grandparents' house. Her job was to make sure the Princess was safe. And since Equestria was still pledged to Psera, their Guards would be helping during the night. And they couldn't do that here.

But even thoroughly protected under the night sky, Fresh Dawn couldn't sleep. Not with the world on her mind. So, she stayed in bed under the covers, her hooves on her chest and eyes trained on the silent ceiling.

The room she occupied lied on the same floor as the Princesses. Small and cozy, it only held a six-drawer dresser with a mirror, a full sized bathroom, and a Queen sized bed with a comforter similar to the one she had on Aquata Zero. Dawn quickly jumped into it when Flurry showed her to the room.

The ceiling held vents for air, and the left side of the bed bared a window so she could see all of Canterlot.

But not right now. Right now, she was thinking. If her mother was still alive, what was she going to say? How would she say it if she actually had something to say? What was her mother going to be like? What did she sound like? Was she going to be this huge genius everyone makes her out to be? Was she going to talk in a language Dawn couldn't understand?

Dawn couldn't sleep with these types of Questions on her mind. She rolled over and sat on the side of the bed, facing the window covered by a sheer curtain. Possibly chosen by Celestia herself. That yellow looked like the type of color she would use.

Dawn used her magic to pull the curtains to the side and exposed the outside world. Layered with stars, clouds, and darkness. She rose up and placed her hooves on the plastic tiling that made up the floor under her. Then slowly treaded her way across for the window she wished to look out of.

The stuffed dog she named Juniper whimpered at her hooves after leaving her spot from the foot of her bed. When Dawn started moving, her ears were perked up. She stopped at her hooves to sniff at. Then pawed at her with a small whimper. Knocking into Dawn's anxiety.

Dawn moved her gaze down to Juniper and petted her head in a loving and reassuring gesture of affection. "I'm okay," she whispered. "Don't worry, I'm okay."

Juniper placed both paws on Dawn's front hooves with a pleading expression trained on her face. This may have been creepy to other ponies, but this was normal for Dawn. She sighed and used her magic to pick up Juniper in her hooves. Then continued staring out the window to the city of Canterlot. It was painted with colorful Pegasi flying around, and walking the bright streets of Equestria. The sky was a pretty sight to witness, adorned with twinkling stars and bright clouds.

But their brightness shined zero light onto her daunting thoughts. She turned her sad gaze down to the puppy in her hold licking her hoof. She smiled and whispered, "You don't want me thinking about it, huh?"

At the quiet woof, Dawn set her back down and walked back to her bed to get some sleep. She had a meeting in the morning at seven. Which meant she had to be up at five. And then they could continue getting her mother back. This just wasn't about Psera. This was also a personal issue.



The halls of Canterlot's castle the next morning were less than busy. A royal guard here and there trotting past their bedrooms, but other than that they were clear. Until one of the doors on the second floor—for the Guests—opened and out stepped Fresh Dawn without her dress, and Gardeen onto the cool and quiet reflective flooring. Juniper and Sky Blue lied upon their backs, embracing their granted laziness.

Dawn stopped in the entrance to let out a quiet simple yawn. Then smacked her lips and eyed the empty halls. There were two Elite Guards stationed further away to allow her privacy, but still nearby in case they needed to get to her.

The sun had barely breached the horizon, and Fresh Dawn was already awake. Even though her reason was to get to Aquata Zero for the meeting, this was actually her normal schedule. They were two hours ahead in Psera than here in Equestria. That meant the meeting was actually at nine o'clock there, and eleven here. Maybe they could talk to her now.

After verifying her Comm Block was working, Dawn started the move for the Guards watching and relaying their position. Then looked up to Gardeen when she arrived and asked, "So what should I do about the others?"

Gardeen repeated, "The others?"

"The other ponies that hold the rest of the keys. Like the big bird pony that Celestia fancies."

Wait, what? Gardeen was always up for some good gossip. She stopped Fresh Dawn and asked, "Celestia what?"

Dawn held a hoof up to her mouth and giggled quietly to herself. "You mean you haven't noticed? The way she was looking at her yesterday?"

"Celestia or Novo?"

"Both. They like each other. I know the looks of affection, because I'm in High school. A few subtle winks here, a touch of the wing there. They like each other. I never would have guessed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes. Right, Sky?"

Sky Blue flapped her wings at her name and screeched loud, ringing her ears. Dawn sighed and warned, "Volume, Sky. We're in someone else's—" The area in front of them cracked in a teleportation spell and Celestia was smiling down at her.

"Hahshee Clanah!!" Dawn yelled. She took a deep breath to calm her heart. "You scared me, Celestia."

Celestia grinned and replied, "I'm sorry, Fresh Dawn. I thought you would be up. Would you like to see me raise the sun?"

Oh yeah!! One of them controls the sun, and the other controls the moon! Dawn always wanted to witness that for herself! She was about to comply a big fat "Yes!" But she had a meeting to get to, so...

Dawn shook her head and replied, "As much as I would love to, I'll have to respectfully decline this time around. I have a meeting to attend."

"Right, right, of course. Hopefully along the way to Psera I can show you."

Dawn nodded in an unspoken agreement then walked around Princess Celestia to the Guards with Gardeen. When she passed, she glanced up to Celestia and lightly giggled with a knowing wink. What did that mean?

Celestia paid it no mind and teleported up to the balcony to begin her process. Even though that wink was going to be a gnat in the back of her mind buzzing around.

The sun was shining, the sky was turning purple. Turning Twilight. Here we go again. Celestia feared she was turning into Psera herself. Everything reminded her of Twilight and Psera. The sky, the birds, the buildings. She wondered how things were now since they've left.

Celestia breathed it all out through her nose. Her animated prismatic mane covered her grayish-purple right eye and a bit of her shimmering brass crown. The same one she's had for centuries. Her long horn lit and she began the process of raising the sun at the same time Dawn's chariot soared towards Las Pegasus, and the moon began to lower. She could make her out, the only golden dot out here at this time of day.

Once the sun was up, Celestia smiled and ceased anymore magic. Her eyes closed to gratify in the warmth it provided. In the love and care.

"Relishing again, sister?" Celestia glanced over to her right into Luna's eyes. Leaning over the balcony and watching Fresh Dawn soar away with a bland face. "She's more mature than most teens her age," she said.

Celestia sat down and reasoned, "She grew up around government ponies no doubt. There is still the childish side in her that wants to be free if the pets are anything to go by."

The pets. The living stuffed animals. Luna whispered, "She brought life to inanimate objects, Celestia." She directed her eyes to her and stated, "That is Dark Magic. How did she get a hoof in Dark Magic?"

Celestia sighed and shook her head. "I'm not sure," she admitted. "But if I had to guess..." There was only one explanation. Only one name among all of them.

"Twilight," they both said.

Luna asked, "Do you think Twilight knows?"

"I do not know, but it would be the only explanation. According to her daughter, Queen Twilight knew Dark Magic. And based off that photo, there are many other secrets she has not spilled. She is still young in ruling, but I am extremely surprised about the Dark Magic bit of this. Maybe her daughter was infected."

"But how can we be so sure?"

"The only way we can be sure is if we ask her ourselves. So, let's focus on setting her free before we do anything else." Celestia turned around and started to make her way back inside. "But I am sure that Twilight was infected and her offspring caught it."

Luna wasn't sure how Celestia came to that conclusion, but it sounded pretty solid. The only other creatures who were able to bring anything to life were the Gods of Chaos Discord and Maheera Dark, the former's predecessor; and they used Dark Magic as a way of life.

Luna replied, "And if Dawn is in fact infected with Dark Magic... Then what do we do?"

Celestia stopped in front of the doors to sigh into the morning air. "I don't know. We can't rid of Dark Magic once it's in the body. We can only hope she is not infected. Now let's get breakfast. You need your rest. You've been up all night."

Luna quickly caught up to her left and walked with her back inside this small guest room. "I actually wanted to talk to you about something else."

"And what would that be?"

Luna stopped Celestia from advancing with a simple raise of her wing. Then turned to face her with a teasing smirk and asked rather bluntly, "Do you fancy Queen Novo?"

Fancy Queen Novo?! Celestia was about to drop a big fat "NO", but ended up nervously stammering, "N... Uhhh, what? L-Luna—"

"So, you do."

Celestia walked around Luna and excused herself. "Do you always ask random questions this early?" Then used her magic to open the door, and came face to face with—"Oh! Good morning, Queen Novo!"

Queen Novo had a golden claw raised so she could knock. But was quite surprised when Celestia grinned at her like the sun. Novo's tail of feathers seemed to be unkempt and she wasn't wearing her crown. Her coat was a little dirty and chest plate had disappeared. She was just a normal Hippogriff.

That didn't stop her from smiling back and greeting, "Good morning, Celestia. How was your guest?"

Luna just stood to the side with a weird smirk trained on her. Since when does she not call her by her title?

Celestia smiled and walked past shockingly swishing her tail. She hasn't done that in years! She laughed and answered, "Surprisingly quiet. She hasn't spoken much. I think she's still adapting to our ways."

Novo quickly caught up to Celestia and that tantalizing swishing tail of hers so they could have a normal conversation. "So the life-giving filly... Do you know what type of magic that is classified as? I believe Queen Tarsafani has taken an interest in whatever it is."

Celestia raised a hoof to stop her and look around for any listeners. It was as if only they were up.

She looked back to Novo and answered quietly, "Dark Magic." Before Novo could reply, Celestia raised a hoof and clarified, "That is what we believe. She is able to give life. So it's either Dark Magic or Magic we don't know about."

Novo was stumped. She didn't know much about magic, but she knew Dark Magic was an extremely taboo subject through all cultures. "Yes, but... How?"

"Luna and I suspect Twilight. Like you heard yesterday, Twilight knows Dark Magic. So she may have been infected and it was passed on to her offspring. Or... Dawn came into contact with it. But we believe Twilight may have done something that may have affected her foal in the distant past."

Celestia, Luna and Novo walked urgently down the hall while they spoke. Novo inquired, "So is her having Dark Magic a bad thing?"

"I'm... Not actually sure. She doesn't even seem to be affected by it negatively. Only able to give life like her cutie mark suggests."

"Okay... Well what about the opposite?"

"What do you mean 'the opposite?'" Celestia stopped at the top of a pair of stairs and turned back to Novo.

"You said her Cutie Mark is to give life. It also seems to me that she is able to take it. Remember yesterday with that stuffed bird? It was surrounded by her magic, then it was out."

Oh my Faust... Celestia and Luna slowly turned to each other with realization. They remembered when she gave life. But they failed to realize she was able to take it back too!

Celestia looked back to Novo and admitted, "We never considered that. But I am sure Fresh Dawn is responsible enough to know not to do that."

"She'll never know for sure if no one tells her. I'm sure no one on Psera knows about her exceptional skill. If she can do that to inanimate objects, what makes you think she can't do that to living creatures? I am certain no creature has told her about this on Psera. That means the responsibility falls on your shoulders as her family."

Celestia sighed and rubbed under her horn. That migraine was approaching. She mumbled, "How could I have possibly forgotten that?"

Novo chuckled and used her beak to lift Celestia's chin up. "You'd forget your horn were it not attached to your head. But do not worry, I will stand by you. You know I will not leave you."

The sun grinned into Novo's eyes. A brightness she didn't mind staring into. Celestia leaned in and nuzzled her cheek. "Thank you, Novo," she whispered.

"You are very welcome, Celestia."

Luna scoffed and moved past for the staircase with a few choice words. "Will you two not kiss and admit your feelings by now? We are tired of thine 'discreet' romance."

Celestia and Luna quickly separated and watched Luna dance down the stairs in shock. "Luna!" Celestia scolded. "We do not—"

"Save it, kiss her, and show you care by now!" She interrupted. Then left their sights. Leaving them alone.

Celestia sighed and turned to apologize to Novo's clearly embarrassed personality. "I am very sorry about her. She's always been impatient."

Novo smiled and replied, "Well I've never had a sister before. Let alone any type of companion in my whole life who managed to stay around. But I do know what it's like for ponies to be impatient. Ruling two lands does that." The two of them shared a hearty laugh and treaded the stairs in silence for a moment. "But... If it's not too much trouble..."

Novo and Celestia ceased their movements once again at the foot of the stairs and faced each other in interest. "If you'd like to get something to eat or whatever you want to do..."

Celestia raised a hoof to silence her. Smiling in knowing. Then whispered kindly, "I would love to, Novo."


~✶~


Nothing could keep a mother away from their filly. But a Grandmother was even more challenging. Before the other rulers managed to get inside of the Canterlot Castle for their meeting, Twilight Velvet bumped right past them and ran inside with a paper bag leveled on her back.

"Hey!"

"My goodness!"

She ignored them and continued her quest for Dawn, with a destination for the Castle's kitchen. She's been here so many times when Twilight was enrolled as a student at Celestia's School of Magic that she knew the place like the back of her hoof.

Nighty was somewhere behind her, but she wasn't worried about him. She burst into the dining area where the Princesses with Sunset and Starlight were setting up and announced, "Grandma's here! And I brought breakfast for you, Dawn!"

Fresh Dawn looked up from her puppy by Celestia's seat and into the eyes of Velvet when she ran over and slid the bag down into her face. Adding to the breakfast of pancakes she already had in front of her. Well she was hungry. But maybe not that hungry.

"Thanks, uhh... Grandma," she coalesced. This much food was unnecessary. But she couldn't possibly say no to her grandmother that came all the way over from Ponyville up to Canterlot just to deliver breakfast, could she?

After it was set in front of Dawn, Velvet sat down next to her and looked down at Dawn's Cutie Mark. "Oooh, I remember when you first got that! Well I don't exactly know how, but I remember seeing it when you were a filly."

Dawn sighed and sarcastically said, "Yep, I'm the only Pseratep who has a butt tattoo." Then took a bite out of the pancakes. Who cooks here anyway?

Sunset gasped and repeated, "Butt Tattoo?! That's a new one. Your cutie mark is your symbol of meaning. It's your pass to the world!"

"It lets everyone know that my Father is the King of Psera, and my Mother the Queen of Psera, the Saviour of Psera, an inventor, innovator, a scientist, a historian of sorts, and the strongest mage in the world. Now everyone's expecting me to do great things too just like the both of them. You should see the way the teachers look at me at school. I can't even go outside anymore without someone asking me to do something." Starlight and Sunset shared a glance before she added, "But we're not here to talk about me. We're here to talk about the meeting. Where are the other Princesses—rulers? Where are the other rulers, excuse me."

Celestia shuffled around comfortably in her seat and answered, "They should be here soon." The doors leading into the hall pushed in allowing in the rest of IHT. The same ponies that Twilight Velvet nearly ran over in the hall and held no shame for.

Celestia smirked over to Queen Novo who reciprocated kindly with a wink. Then focused back on the leaders taking their seats on both Dawn's side and the opposite. Including that Zebra who nodded happily to Dawn directly across. She wasn't comfortable with her, but Dawn did in fact nod in respect and mannerisms.

Once they were all settled, Luna started it off. "Thank you for coming every creature. Today is supposed to be IHT Day Two, but as I'm sure you all know a rather much more important situation has arisen overseas."

She gestured to Dawn and explained, "After a decade, Psera has sent their Princess as an ambassador to deliver us with great news: They have found Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle's stash of spell books, as well as her Mecrah Portal OUT. For those who may not remember, Queen Arcadia sacrificed her existence by throwing Maheera Dark, The Great God of Chaos and herself into a physical portal here on Equestrian soil that was sealed after twenty-four hours. Trapping her inside a realm of darkness that needs a key to unlock. We searched but found nothing but a reference number for a spell book. The number implied Queen Arcadia had thousands of Spell books located somewhere. And after ten years, the collection was found.

"It is believed that with this information we will be able to unlock the portal and get her out. It is also believed that we already have the keys that she herself gave us as a symbol of unity. We are now awaiting information from Psera, which Princess Fresh Dawn would like to relay to us now. Princess?"

Jula kay, Dawn thought in her native tongue. She was nervous, but she could do this. She wanted to do this. Dawn took a silent breath and raised the paper holding her notes. Her accent kicked in when she spoke. "The Congress of Psera has requested all parties from the past search or in alliance with IHT to provide magical insight into Queen Arcadia's spell library, and are authorizing safe travel to Psera via Aquata Zero. They wish for us to leave at our earliest convenience so we can retrieve the Great Queen of Psera. Multiple parties are awaiting our arrival so I can reopen the bookcase. Other ponies who try tend to... Be electrocuted."

Cadance assumed, "A protection rune. Classic."

"I unfortunately know nothing about magic but a few big wigs whom have worked with Queen Arcadia in Psera call it the Magical Signature. A form of security that can only be unlocked by a similar copy of the Magical Signature. So children of them, yes. Husband or wife? No. Perfect for safeguarding possessions.

"Now even though I said no and thought it was in Psera's best interests regarding our history, Grandma—Her Majesty Molten Ice... Has requested Queen Tarsafani's presence. Henceforth, I am formally inviting you to visit our great country." Dawn clearly didn't like it. And neither did the rest of the Pserateps glaring at Tarsafani.

Well that's new. According to their history, Zebras were not welcome on Psera soil. The Princesses shared an unsure look of contempt, then glanced over to Queen Tarsafani. The eager nodding of her head and the bouncing of her mane was added to with, "I accept your invitation to visit uhhh... Psera."

Dawn nodded in confirmation and glanced back to Celestia. "Alongside this news is information and that we need to address regarding..." Dawn smoldered and practically growled, "The location of the Mecrah Portal. Gardeen, if you please?"

Gardeen miraculously shot her wings out and slid fifteen sheets impressively across the table in front of all of them bearing the Crest of Psera, and a Classified badge that made Celestia gulp. Luna whistled and commented, "How advanced is Gardeen."

Gardeen blushed and replied, "Oh I do that all the time. It's really fun, I'll teach you someday."

Dawn cleared her throat and got back on task. "What has been placed in front of you is our authorization form, or contract, to witness the underground of Psera. As the ponies bearing the keys and know of magic, it's only logical you help us figure out how to work the portal. Unlike most portals, Psera assumes—based off the images—that the Mecrah Portal OUT runs solely on magic as energy and hardware. The magic is sent through a device that works as the controller to open it. All underground."

"Like the Prisons in Psera," Cadance assumed.

"Correct. But uhh... This is a little more complicated."

A colored photograph slid across the table to stop in front of Cadance and Shining Armor. She slowly raised it with her magic and calmly bit her lip at the image. "And... What in Taratarus is this?"

"The controller?"

"It looks like a keyboard with one hundred more keys and thirty typewriters on top of it put together."

Dawn smirked and replied, "Yes, the work of my mother. And we know we can't figure it out in a day. We need some mages and some knowledgeable ponies if we're going to get Queen Arcadia out of there. Psera has some smart heads, but we're murlahs when it comes to magic. Only my mother knows it inside and out."

Cadance gave the photo back to Dawn and began reading the form like the rest of them. Leaving Dawn to her devices. Mainly back down to the dog licking her ankle for attention. Puppies were so needy, but she was cute. So Dawn picked her up and cradled her in her hooves. Then glanced up and caught the slightest hint of Ice Blue from the Zebra sitting across from her before disappearing. Dawn couldn't help but feel there was an ulterior motive behind that pony. She didn't feel safe. Not at all.

But she stuffed those feelings down and remained diligent and professional. Amidst Gardeen trotting around the room collecting signatures, Tarsafani looked up to Dawn and said, "I couldn't help but notice two things, Princess. The first is this document seems to be about everything above ground, but nothing below it like you clarified."

Dawn nodded and replied, "Yes, Her Majesty doesn't want you going down to the lower levels. You'll learn of everything once we reach Psera. That is if you agree to the Terms and Conditions in pen and signature."

"Alright. Now the second is that your magic that allows you to... Pass on life. Is it a spell?"

Dawn actually had no clue what a spell was. All she knew was that a spell clearly meant anything done with a light of the horn. Levitation was the only spell she was ever taught. Then there was this life-giving she had picked up on. Dawn answered her with a shake of the head. "It sort of... Just happens. I guess I was born with it. I was able to do it on the same day of my mother's remembrance ceremony. And that was how I... Got my cutie mark."

Tarsafani slowly leaned back in her chair and with wide eyes replied astonished, "Wow. Never in my life have I seen a pony of any kind give life before.  You are a truly... Special filly."

Dawn smiled at her and replied, "Why thank you, Queen Tarsafani. I appreciate the compliment." Dawn had never been complimented on her magic before. Things like "Truly amazing" and "that's really cool" have crossed the table multiple times. But no one ever told her she was special because of it. Not even her father. So that truly hit deep. Dawn looked down to the puppy and said, "I can't really do much with the magic right now except give things life. But once we get mom out, I'm going to ask her about it. If she's okay."

"I'm sure she is, child. You needn't worry."



It took only another day for Aquata Zero to arrive on the shores of Las Pegasus. The shining sun glinted off the gray steel making up the slanting hull towering over the ponies gathering in front of it. Waving kindly to the Guards manning it.

The steps leading up to the doors held Dawn's form while she climbed it and entered first, followed by Gardeen and Elite Guards carrying her bags and pets. Sky Blue flew in and landed on Dawn's back from above. Then the other rulers walked in. As mages, Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer were allowed too. They weren't nearly on the same level as Twilight, but they had some tricks up their sleeves that couldn't be compared to others.

Once they were all in this large steel space with their belongings, Dawn turned around and raised a hoof to her fancy surroundings. "Welcome to Aquata Zero. My family's ship. Home to high ranking officials that traveled in the past. I can't offer you luxury space, but I can offer you bunks below deck. The Guards will show you to them. There's an eatery on this floor and other rooms that can keep you entertained during the voyage back to Psera."

It's been a long time since any of them had been on these Aquatas. Let alone this one at all. When they were here, they were never given an opportunity to stay in an actual room. But it made sense now considering that back then, they actually had ponies with them. But now there was just them. Sixteen ponies and the Pserateps.

After they nodded, Fresh Dawn walked away deeper into the ship while they were led towards a staircase on the side. And just on time, her Comm Block beeped three times. Dad was calling her.

She urgently moved faster and ducked into the Situation Room. Currently abandoned and lifeless. Everything was off. Then Dawn used her magic to flip a switch on the right.

Instantly, all equipment glowed to life. The screens, the small lights above, the lights inside of the glass table. While it all booted up, Dawn moved for the big purple chair. Her mother's chair. The one facing the giant screen on the wall. Once she was comfortable in the soothing fabric, she started tapping on the pad in front of her quickly. Connection Waiting... Approved.

Her father's face was plastered right on the screen sitting behind the desk in his own office with flags on each side. His mane was draping over his face, but she could still make out this big guy. He glanced up from his work and straightened his posture when he saw his daughter.

"Hey, Sugar Plum!" He greeted.

Ugh, that name. Dawn rolled her eyes and groaned, "Dad, I'm not a foal anymore."

"You'll always be my little filly. How're things over there? Alla mal heema?"

Dawn sighed and explained the whole situation in Old Pseratopian. A little loudly but still. "Alla mal heema teh secardo Arcadia. Thell secardo Arcadia me, deuce secardo Arcadia mell, ughh!" Dawn let her face drop into her hooves. Then peeked through them at her father. Her tone dropped into a more sorrowful on. She placed a hoof on her chest and stared at her father with sad eyes. "Mell kalla me, nell Arcadia. Me."

Madun sighed and reverted back to Ponish. "I get it sweetheart. You're your own pony."

"Then why does everyone like to compare me to mom?" She groaned with the weight of pressurized emotions and whispered, "I can't wait until we get her out of there. Then they can focus all on her and leave me alone."

Madun knew for a fact that it was going to be the opposite. That Twilight was going to focus every last single second she was absent in their lives on them both. But he just nodded in understanding and replied, "Maybe. Are you moving now?"

Right on cue, the Aquata's horn blared from the open door. Then Dawn felt the engines kick to life. "The engines just turned on. We're in route back to Psera. We'll be there in two days time."

"Good. I'll call you if we have any news. Until then, get to know your mother's side of the family. They may know magic a lot more than you, but I promise they won't rub it in your face. They're good ponies."

Dawn sighed and acquiesced, "Okay, dad. I'll talk to you later."

"See ya', Sugar Plum." And after a wink, he cut the line before she could get on him about using that name again. She just sighed at the glass and cut her end too. Then looked up from her screen at all of the empty seats and empty atmosphere. There was no one else on this ship but her, Gardeen, the Guards, and... IHT. Made up of pieces of her family. How far does the tree go?

Dawn may as well find out. It was going to be hard dodging all of these ponies on a ship at sea for two days. Aquata Zero was only so big.



The rooms were about the average size for a cruise ship. Enough walking space, a bathroom, and a dresser. Oh and of course a bed, you can't forget a bed. Celestia had her own room next to Luna's. All of them had their own rooms. But there was nothing really interesting down here. So she decided to venture.

After she dropped her things off, she opened the door and nearly bumped into Flurry Heart passing by.

"Oh!" Celestia yelped. Then laughed and apologized, "Excuse me, Flurry."

"It's okay," Flurry replied. Then continued walking past for the stairs they took to get down here. Flurry Heart herself had to get her hooves back. And being in the belly of this thing at sea was not helping. She bounded up the stairs then stopped to take a look around.

She was back at the siding of the ship near the windows overlooking the ocean around them. All noises had disappeared. The Guards from before were nowhere to be seen, but she could still make out voices bouncing around these steel walls hosting pipes, flashing lights, overhead lights, and steel wheels for some reason.

Flurry decided to take the same hall Dawn took and look around. She doesn't remember being on one of these before, but her mother said that she has. Twice. On the way to Psera, and on the way back to Equestria.

Eh, whatever. She was heading to Psera right now on a full blown cruise. Well... Relatively speaking.

Flurry pushed open two doors at the end of this hall and eyed the floor she stepped out on. Instead of the steel like she's seen so far, it was a brown wood with a shiny luster to it. The ceiling above her was flat, white, and decorated with small lights leading up to another pair of doors at the far end Guarded by two of those soldiers locking their eyes on her. The walls were wooden and held really nice ornate photographs of Psera. Princess Dawn must be in there. Maybe she could talk to her. But she obviously had to get through these guys first.

She cleared her throat and asked, "Is Princess Fresh Dawn in there?"

One of the Guards nodded and asked, "Do you need to speak to her?"

Why not? She has nothing better to do. Flurry shrugged and answered, "Well if she's not busy."

The guard nodded and knocked lightly on the door next to him. "You have a visitor, Princess."

The door was pulled open immediately and a tiny voice said, "Let her in."

Flurry Heart took the invitation with careful steps and walked into what was officially the best room in this whole ship. Unlike the dark colors out there, everything was bright in here. Pink, red, purple, glass. It was truly amazing. There were four screens above her head when she walked in that made her gawk. They had moving photos inside! What were those things?! Her eyes remained trained on them before she bumped into Dawn herself. Quite the wake up call. She almost knocked her down because she was just that small.

Dawn giggled at her face and asked, "Too much for you?"

Too much was an understatement. Flurry shook her head and continued observing. "So is this your room?" She inquired.

"This is my parents' room," Dawn answered. "I don't have my own on Aquata Zero."

Flurry's inquisitive mind carried her over to the glass table where all of Dawn's books were for this mission. There weren't that many, but the language certainly was something to read. "If I didn't see your coat, I wouldn't believe for a second that you were part of our family. Guess I was wrong. How do you read this?"

Dawn walked over to the table and looked at one of her favorite books Gardeen wrote exclusively for her in Old Pseratopian. It brought back fond memories. She sat down next to Flurry and picked it up with her hooves. "The Golden Flower," she translated. "Gardeen gave this book to me when I entered middle school. It's a romance novel."

Flurry smirked and teased, "Ooh~, romance, were we searching for something?"

Dawn blushed and bumped into Flurry. "Oh shut up, it's just a book."

She hoofed the book over to Flurry Heart and allowed her to look it over. Flipping the pages quickly, she stated, "This is so cool. Like, you speak a whole other language that no other nation can speak. And fluently I assume. And you live somewhere else, but are related to me. That's so cool."

Dawn felt over the text on the book's cover and explained, "My native tongue is Old Pseratopian. I speak it a lot more than Ponish, surprisingly. I don't speak Ponish too often other than when it's needed. If I get angry, you'll probably just hear me ranting in Old Pseratopian. You wouldn't understand anything."

She and Flurry shared a laugh before Flurry's mental record scratch played when she backtracked a few sentences. What did she say? She turned to Dawn and asked, "Wait a minute! Dawn, did you just say you can only speak Old Pseratopian?"

Dawn glanced her way while dragging her long wings towards her bedside. "Kee... Yes. Why?"

Flurry shifted her gaze to the doors to think for a moment. "Dawn... I think your mom wanted you to find her."

Dawn grabbed a bowl of cherries from inside her drawer in her magic and walked back to Flurry. "What are you talking about?"

"Think about it." Flurry slowly closed the book back and placed it on the table. But kept her gaze on Dawn and took a cherry when offered. "Thanks. But think about it. The bookcase opened when you touched it. The elevator shifted down when you stepped inside. The doors open when you touch it. The notes are in a language that you can read naturally. And I guarantee you will be the only one able to control the Mecrah Portal.

"I mean, I'm pretty sure it'd be a lot of work to have every single thing in there proofed just for your mother, right? It's already hidden underground, nopony knows it's there. It'd be pointless. Unless Aunt Twilight had a really good point. She wanted her daughter to find her."

Ehhh... That was fifty-fifty. Dawn popped another cherry in her mouth and asked, "Yeah, but what about the Magical Signature? Your key to almost everything your parents have?"

Flurry agreed she didn't think about that by nodding. But she couldn't help but feel her theory was more than possible. "Where's the original book you guys found in there?"

Dawn pointed to the one with the spell titled on it right next to her while indulging in more cherries. Flurry immediately grabbed it and started flipping through the language. She knew Aunt Twilight. Ever since moving to Psera she became ominous like that to not come entirely clean and leave clues with something as big as this. Why? There was no clue. But she would.

Wait, what's that? Flurry stopped flipping and eyed a text on the right side of this page. It was smaller than the rest of the text she could see in the book. She pointed it out and asked, "Dawn, what's this?"

Dawn walked over and peered at it with the cup of cherries in her hand. It fell to the floor shortly after, sending precious fruits rolling. She swallowed the one in her mouth before her face contorted into the look of somepony who saw the most interesting thing in the world. Like she just heard she has a twin she doesn't know about.

Flurry Heart waved a hoof in front of her face and asked, "Dawn, what does it say?"

Dawn gulped, took a deep breath, and whispered, "'I knew you'd find me, daughter.'"
> Chapter 45 - Unease Of Dawn
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It seemed like everyone wanted to get above deck or at least travel Aquata Zero's four floorz. IHT's rooms were located on the third one directly above the engine while the interesting stuff was above practically at the top. The King and Queen's suite—Dawn's room—was located on the second floor. Along with all other offices for officials of Psera.

Celestia decided a visit to the eatery was in store. Breakfast was good, but Psera food has officially become a craving. It wasn't easy traveling this place considering that every single word on this Aquata was in Old Pseratopian. Now she sees why Twilight picked it up so fast. If you didn't know any, then you will unfortunately end up like Princess Celestia, checking every single room on the second deck.

The hall she was on was just like the others. A little tight, made of steel, filled with pipes and terms in Old Pseratopian on these gray walls. Celestia was pretty much the only colorful pony on this hall. "Are you looking for the eatery?"

Celestia pulled out of what was clearly the latrines she found and looked to her right further down. Novo was poking her head out from a room waving a claw her way. Thankfully, she found the eatery. There was a slice of cake in her other claw. Lemon cake. Her lemon cake.

Celestia abandoned her latrine search and happily pranced over to Novo. She reached her and answered, "Yes I am. Is it in here?"

"Yes, it is." Celestia was about to move inside, but a raise of Novo's wings prevented her advance. "Buh buh buh. What's the magic word?"

Was she serious? That smirk was telling her Celestia she wasn't. Yet that wing did not lower. Celestia deadpanned a look to her and grumbled, "Really?"

Novo chuckled and repled, "What? We were children once. What's the magic word? I will give you a hint: It starts with a P, and has three words. Two are the same."

Celestia smiled and rolled her eyes at Novo's obvious attempts. "Is it please?" She asked.

Novo inched in and whispered, "Close."

Celestia leaned in too and whispered, "Pretty please?"

Novo lowered her voice and put her beak right near Celestia's ear to whisper, "Closer."

"Pretty pretty please?"

"There it is." Novo grabbed Celestia's right hoof and raised it to her beak. Their faces were flushed. Celestia herself was shivering in excitement.

But before Novo could place a kiss on it, Dawn's voice rang into their ears. "Marsha mahl kalumm?!!"

They quickly separated and looked down the halls where the voice came from. Already a few Guards were rushing towards its origin. It sounded like Fresh Dawn. Celestia sighed and said, "We should go and see what the issue is."

"Of course." She let Celestia's hoof go and started to walk down the hall. But Celestia stopped her before she could leave by placing a hoof on her chest. Then leaned in and placed a tender kiss on her left cheek.

"Thank you... For the cake." Then skipped down the hall with the plate of lemon cake in her magic that... Wait...

Novo gasped and followed after her. That sly pony! "Ugh! And I thought we had something, Celestia!"

Celestia stopped and allowed Novo to catch up with a worrying look in her eyes. "No, no, we do," she assured. "It now just involves cake." She leaned in and whispered into her ear. "We can still act like children again, right?"

Novo hummed and kissed her cheek. More like a lick. Hard to kiss with a beak. But the affection and meaning were still there. Celestia pulled away with a wink. Then she and Novo urgently moved down the hall.

The first ponies to get there were Captain Smalls with two more guards and Gardeen. The four rushed into the room and looked around. Everything seemed to still be in place. Flurry and Dawn were on the right sitting at the glass table with eyes on Queen Arcadia's spell book.

Gardeen asked, "What's wrong? Are you hurt? Hold anyone at the hall entrance!"

Dawn still had her eyes on the book until Smalls shouted, "Dawn!"

Dawn shook her head and held up the book to their faces with a hoof pointed at the entry for them to take a look. Their eyes quickly scanned the side of the page before Gardeen whispered, "Well... That blows everything out of the sea we're in right now." She looked back to the two Princesses and asked, "What do you think it means?"

Flurry popped another Cherry into her mouth from her seat and answered, "It means Aunt Twilight wanted Dawn to find her."

A hoof suddenly found its way into her mouth to silence her. Dawn backtracked and shook her head with, "No! No, that's not what that means. It just means that mom knew I would find her. She didn't want me to find her, but she knew I would. Yep! That's what that means! Mala chee el sada hoo, el Psera el shrada mah. That's all it means!"

Gardeen blinked at her then stated, "Dawn, it's really obvious that Queen Arcadia knew you'd find her. Maybe there's even more areas in this book we haven't seen yet that holds valuable information like this."

After she finally removed her hoof, Dawn sighed and asked, "I don't know, was mom a seer?"

"No."

"Then we continue with the original plan until something else pops up. All engines for Psera with these ponies, we dock on Psera, we go under the castle and we retrieve her from the Mecrah Portal. I want direct contact with Psera overnight. Now I have to speak to father about this."

Dawn walked for the door and out into the fancy hallway with her excitable puppy on her tail to get back to the meeting room in the not-so-fancy hallway. She passed the ponies that heard her outburst gathering in the doorway and ordered, "I am not to be disturbed. And Gardeen?"

Gardeen poked her head out of the room and responded, "Yes?"

"Carsee no calarmee."

Gardeen eagerly nodded and watched her walk away with the other ponies. Who then directed their sights to her. She dashed their worries with, "Everything's fine, you may go back to what you were doing."

Luna wasn't entirely moved. She inquired, "Are you sure?"

"Yep!" Gardeen turned around and rushed back over to Flurry Heart to whisper unheard, "Don't. Say. A word about this conversation. It will change everything and cause terrible future events."

Flurry nodded casually from her seat and whispered, "You guys were speaking in your language. I'm in the dark." Then stood up and pranced out of the room with three cherries floating in her magic.



The second Dawn's face popped up on screen and she started speaking Old Pseratopian in the fastest pace she could, Madun knew something happened. He held up a hoof to stop her and asked, "What... Happened?"

The door was locked and sealed, no sound would escape this briefing room. Dawn answered from her seat, "Mom knew I'd find her. Flurry found an entry in Old Pseratopian reading, 'I knew you'd find me, daughter.' What does this mean? Does this affect us, does this affect everything?"

Madun was about to reply, but Dawn slipped out of her seat and started pacing the clean steel floors. She was clearly upset, worried, and tempered. So he leaned on a hoof and let her have this one. "I mean like, wh-wh-what does this mean now? Mom knew I would find her! Which meant she knew we were coming to rescue her. But... Why?"

"All good questions which unfortunately can't be answered until you get back here," Madun replied. "Once we actually get her out alive. There's something else on your mind, isn't there?"

Dawn jumped back into her seat and answered rapidly, "Flurry thinks her lab is rigged. I'm the only one who's able to open the bookcase, get the elevator to move, and open the doors. There may in fact be more things in there that are rigged that only I can use."

Madun nodded casually and responded, "Possibly. But we won't know until you get back here. On a more solid note, a drill team is currently drilling under the castle to reach 'Arcadia's Lab.' That way ponies from Serl and others all over Psera can get in and do a full analysis on what she has down there. When you get here that morning, you're going straight there. Inform IHT and the Zebra."

Speaking of which... Dawn leaned on a hoof to face him with a deadpan glare. "Dad, why are you inviting this foreigner? You know we do not accept unknowing ponies, especially Zebras. They alone aren't even allowed to look in our direction. We prefer they remain ignorant to our existence."

Madun was prepared for her question. He sat back behind his large wooden desk and crossed his hooves. "The Zebra are the ponies we went to war with so long ago, and made extinct. Or so Granny Ice thought. Apparently, we were wrong. Just like your mother thought. Granny Ice wants to learn more about them now."

"So she invited a pony that knows nothing about Psera to Psera," Dawn deadpanned. "Eh. Her choice. But... The Zebra freaks me out. She keeps watching me."

Madun narrowed his eyes and repeated, "Keeps watching you?"

"Yeah, I brought Sky Blue to life in front of them and ever since then she seems to take an interest in me. It's creepy and weird. Almost as weird as Kia being genuinely nice."

"Well she is from another land of magic, I presume. I am sure she is just interested."

Dawn sighed and stated, "I'll ask Flurry about Zebra magic."



After Dawn grabbed and brought her onto the forward deck of the ship out into the ocean breeze, she popped the question at the safety railing and Flurry answered, "There is none."

Now Dawn was confused. She scratched her head and asked, "Zebra's don't have magic?"

"Well... Not in the way you're thinking. Zebras don't use horns or glow or... Whatever. Their magic relies on chants, potions, sometimes dancing, drawings, things of that nature. Sacrifices, forbidden items."

"Oh! So crafting!" Dawn yelled. That made a lot more sense. "You know Pserateps used to do crafting."

Flurry looked over the edge of the Aquata to the sea and asked, "They did?"

Dawn eagerly nodded. "Yes. When Narmeelah disappeared, they used to draw symbols in the dirt and dance. Sometimes offered sacrifices. They believed that when things happened on the land it was from Narmeelah giving them an order. This was when Psera was really young and honestly stupid.

"When it rained, it meant Narmeelah was lonely. So a pony would sacrifice themselves by volunteering to be tied down and burned alive inside an inferno while everyone else danced and chanted around them to go and be with Narmeelah to keep her company. Until they were just bones and ashes. When there was a hurricane, it meant Narmeelah was angry. So no one would eat for a week as punishment. Things like that."

Flurry's face couldn't have been more terrified. Her mouth was wide open and eyes big. Dawn was pretty sure she was broken right now. "You're joking... Right?" She whispered.

Dawn shook her head. "Nope. They even threw their foals into the fire sometimes, and it still happens today. Although very discreet and they're charged for murder. Now how about those Zebras?"

"Uhh..." Gruesome. Flurry cleared her throat and quickly answered, "Z-Zebras tend to make potions to help heal, teleport, communicate, and other things. Potion-crafting is the most important aspect of Zebra life. They use them for everything. Why do you want to know about Zebras so bad?"

Dawn looked out to the ocean and the endless horizon that they were alone on for a moment in silence. She answered, "Grandma said the Zebras are the same ponies we went to war with in the past. And that they look just like those ponies we made 'extinct.' Dad said that mom did say there still might be those ponies out there."

Flurry settled down on the deck and rolled over with her hooves to the sky on her back. "So what does your grandma want with Queen Tarsafani?" She danced to a tune with no care to the world around her.

"I don't know. But Grandma Ice has always been cryptic with her demands. Whatever she's doing, it involves strange things. I don't like Queen Tarsafani."

"Oh?" Flurry flipped back and looked to her in surprise. Dawn didn't seem to be the type of pony who would judge another based off looks. "Is it... Because of her stripes?"

Dawn gasped and immediately denied, "No! No, she's... She's too curious." Flurry waved a hoof for her to clarify further. Dawn glanced to the right towards the rest of the ship. Then whispered, "Do you ever get that feeling like... Like you're being watched?"

Flurry shook her head and whispered back, "No, but my friends back home say they do all the time by colts and stallions. Why?"

"I... Feel like she's watching me. Like I'm under a microscope dancing to her tune. And she's taking notes. Ever since she saw Sky Blue here." The dress Dawn was wearing scuffled and Sky Blue's cute little head popped out at her chest. Dawn petted her and whispered, "Since then it's like... Like she's interested in knowing more about my magic. Obsessed."

Whoa this was big. Flurry wasn't really comfortable with any of IHT's members except her family, Queen Novo and Madam Singe. She had yet to learn of Tarsafani, but already didn't trust her. "Are you sure?" She whispered.

"Yes. Yeah, like... I know I sound paranoid, but coming from a pony that is actually always watched by the entirety of her country, I know the feeling very well. I don't feel safe around her."


~✶~


While the rest of IHT decided to walk the long metal halls of the Aquata and get to know it better, one decided to camp it out inside her room. Not because she was fearful, not because she didn't want to interact. But because she had more pressing matters to tend to.

Queen Tarsafani's room was in between both Celestia and Luna's. But those old goats wouldn't be able to hear anything. The inside of the Queen's room was dark. The window was closed off with a black sheet she managed to tuck up there. The room was littered with small scentless candles. And in the middle of the floor was a large rune Tarsafani was currently drawing with wet red dust. The light from the flames made it glow deep in the same hue as blood.

Once the rune was finished Queen Tarsafani patted the dust on different areas of her face: Four around each eye. One on her forehead, one on each cheek, one on her chin. Then she set the container holding the dusty powder softly on the bed mattress and positioned herself in front of the door to the hall. This had to be done precisely right.

Tarsafani closed her eyes and placed her hooves together in a "praying" fashion with closed eyes. This was a strange spell, but it always managed to work. "Hasheema," she whispered through her breath. Then added other ancient terms. The air in the room picked up and started to blow. Blowing her mane to the side to reveal the burn of her blind right eye. The candles blew out and the dust on the floor swirled into a red circle facing her.

The center created blue portal made of fire. Then the red-hued faces of three other Zebras appeared. Two were mares and the other a stallion who spoke first in his deep voice. "Queen Tarsafani."

Tarsafani opened her eyes and smiled slightly to the faces. "Norwee Sercue," she greeted. "How are you?"

Norwee sighed and leaned on a hoof above the other two faces. "We would feel much better with some good news. Max Effort is looking forward to this information."

Tarsafani slowly nodded and answered, "The filly is the daughter to the Great Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle. The pony who saved our lives by throwing away her own. And heir to the Psera crown."

Norwee glowered and repeated, "Heir?"

"She is fifteen years old. We are currently en route to Psera. I'm not allowed to witness the Queen's return, but I—"

"What about the child?" One of the mares interrupted. She had orange stripes, light green eyes, and a dark orange mane and tail. And an obvious urgent attitude.

"Of course, Sermee. She is... Cautious. She doesn't trust us."

Sermee scoffed and replied, "That entire country doesn't trust anyone that isn't of Psera. Her comfort does not matter, we need that creature gone—"

"It is not that easy," Tarsafani interrupted. "She is the daughter of Queen Arcadia and from what we can tell everypony there looks to her for magical wisdom and knowledge. They trust her and her judgement. And if she is cautious of me..."

"Then everypony will be cautious of you, I see," Sermee replied. "Then you must get close to the child and earn her trust. Become her friend. Then at the right moment... Get rid of that magic. You already have the tools. Just grab her and attach them. We cannot let the text come to fruition."

Tarsafani nodded and replied, "Of course. I will update you on any further success." After they nodded, the swirling circle of fire shrunk down rapidly until it was no more. Then the room was again quiet. The candles were blown out and Tarsafani took the sheet down.

While the folding and packing up was underway, she began mentally planning. This filly was really looking forward to getting her mother back. But even Tarsafani could see the difference between her and their saviour. It's hard to call somepony your mother when you've been absent for over ten years. Dawn looks like the type of pony who would say that.

Tarsafani smiled and sighed in pleasure. This was going to be a really eventful trip.



Flurry decided to go inside hours ago. Leaving Dawn to herself on the bow of Aquata Zero. It's been awhile and Cadance became a little worried. So a decision was made to check on her. A kiss to Shining's cheek and she moved to Dawn's last reported position, the tip of the ship. She could see her from the bridge, standing at the rails. Watching the waves splash against their hull. Maybe she didn't want to be inside. Or... Maybe it was something else.

Dawn heard the hoofsteps trot closer across the wood behind her. The hoofsteps of a worried pony.

"Dawn?" Cadance, was it? She trotted to a stop next to her and asked, "Is everything alright?"

Dawn sighed and slowly shook her head to the ocean waves below. "...we're not going to get along."

"What do you mean?"

"Mom and I aren't going to get along."

Not get along? Cadance chortled lightly and assured, "Dawn, you and Twilight are going to get along just fine." Based off of Dawn's deadpan expression to the ocean, she didn't believe it. It made Cadance pick a second choice of words. "What makes you think you wouldn't?"

Dawn slowly shook her head and whispered over the crashing waves, "We're different. Really, really different. Mom dabbles in magic, science, and reading. I like action, sports, and doing my mane in different styles. Like a hairdresser. Does mom like sports? Or doing her mane?"

Twilight hated sports. She never understood them. But there was that one time... "Twilight was into Hoofball for a moment before she disappeared," Cadance admitted. Dawn's ears perked up and she glanced over at Cadance. And to blow a loose strand of her red hair out of the way. "It was during Maheera's reign over our lands. After she picked us up from Equestria, she called us into the Situation Room on this very Aquata. We were there earlier than she expected and we caught her watching hoofball. 'Into it' is a moot term to describe her fascination with the sport at the time. We never asked Madun about it that I can remember. But I understand your concerns. You are afraid you and your mother will not connect."

"Yeah, and we'll have to live together. I have nothing against mom, but... I just want to learn magic. I don't want to go out and go to the theater together, eat popcorn, go to Northern Heights and hit the mall. Dad and I already do that. It's going to be weird. Strange. There's a pony living with us who claims to be my mother and looks like me. But... I don't know her. You know?"

Cadance nodded and decided to take a seat for a deep talk. "I understand. Change is difficult for a lot of ponies. But I promise you will like her at the least. Love her at the most."

Cadance wrapped a wing around Dawn to pull her into a light hug. Then stood up and made her way back to inside of the Aquata. Hopefully what she said would at least stick with Dawn. But she could see where she was coming from. This was a big change, and she was fearful of what happens next.
> Chapter 46 - Path To Arcadia's Cell
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Getting to Psera was much faster than usual. Somehow they managed to reach the obelisk line during the night and no one knew about it until Celestia stalked out onto the deck to raise the sun, and she was met with the sight of another Aquata flanking their right heading in the same direction.

"Huh?" She murmured. Then turned to trot back into the ship until Dawn stopped her from above.

"They're escorting us to Lavender!" Celestia looked up to the rail where the bridge was and where Dawn was standing in front of the windows. Both Captain Smalls and Gardeen were by her side. Dawn was peering through a pair of binoculars trained to the blue ocean in front of them. Scanning the sea. Celestia wondered if the Pserateps were voyagers in the past. They had enough Aquatas to be.

Celestia looked around her and noticed there was not one but three on this side. There was probably more on the other. She hummed and teleported up to Dawn who jumped in surprise. Kia jumping out of nowhere was already enough. She didn't need a tall pony like Celestia doing it too.

Dawn sighed and glared at her despite that innocent grin Celestia was shooting her way. Then went right back to sea gazing. "They joined us overnight after we reached the Obelisk Line," she explained.

They already reached the Obelisks?! "Wait, how?!" Celestia asked. Then trained her eyes back on the horizon. "We're already near Psera? I thought it would take two more days."

Dawn nodded and answered, "Yeah, it does. But someone decided to give us a little unseen push—AUNT ODEGA!"

Odega burst into view atop Celestia's back with a calm expression trained on Dawn. She was lying down on her side grinning like an innocent foal. Dawn knew otherwise.

"What, you all were going too slow," she excused.

Dawn deadpanned, "You picked the Aquata up and placed us one hundred fifty miles forward near our mainland. Without letting anyone know. You try explaining that to Lavender."

"No I picked the Aquata up and brought you home. Now your little Guardians can relax. Pserateps are so tense when a King, Queen, or Princess leaves the nest." Dawn didn't change her deadpan. "Hey, be grateful squirt. I just saved you hours upon hours of just watching blue oceans. Now you're almost home. They finally managed to get a tunnel dug into where your mother's lab is. Phew, you're talking about a super library of spells. I honestly didn't think she had nearly that many. But whoa, that place was filled with all kinds of egghead stuff. No one thought that Queen Arcadia hid her spells underground. It's genius. Look, Daddy Madun is waiting for you on the shores with Granny Ice and Aunty Merry. You're a few miles in, see?"

She pointed a hoof over Celestia's head towards the thin outline of land they were approaching now. Even though Celestia couldn't agree with Odega's method of lifting them while they slept, she can't say she wasn't relieved they didn't have to look at blue seas for three days.

Celestia nodded and asked, "What are we to expect?"

"Everything is moving quickly. So fast paced action, a lot of dirt since you're going underground to get to the lab, and... Something you're not supposed to talk about."

Her eyes shifted to Dawn for an explanation. But she didn't even have to look to find out what she wanted. "Yeah, they signed the agreement. Gardeen has them."

"Good. Isn't Dawn so mature? It's so cute! This small little thing is actually allowed to give orders and go across seas on her own at fifteen!"

Dawn sighed and growled, "Odega? There is literally nothing stopping me from throwing you into the Aquata's furnace." She lowered the binoculars slightly and smoldered at Odega in the corner of her eye to show she was serious.

Odega acquiesced with a raise of her hooves. "Oh alright. By the way, your friends are there too. Including that mean ol' Kia. How can you be friends with a pony who mocks you?"

"We have a... Really complicated relationship." Since Psera was in full view by this point, Dawn let the binoculars go to dangle around her neck and asked, "The Zebra?"

"She's following behind Molten. She won't be coming with us. I'll see you on land." Then Odega burst out of sight from Celestia's back. For a pony made of fire she's certainly heavy.

Dawn sighed and turned around for the doors leading into the Aquata. "I need to pack," she said.

They watched her clink her way back to the door and open it with her hooves. Then trot in before it closed, shielding her from their sights and ears. Celestia looked to Gardeen and asked, "Is Dawn always..."

"Reclusive? Alone? Serious? Absolutely," Gardeen answered. She looked back to the approaching land of Psera and added, "Dawn doesn't even use her magic like all of you, let alone talk much around the castle. The most magic she actually does is grab things when she can't get them with her hooves, and to make Sky Blue come alive. Along with that puppy she has now."

"I heard she has friends, including a pony who mocks her?"

Gardeen confirmed this with a nod. "Yes, Kia Farue. She's interesting. And a pony Dawn grew up with named Dark Dust. He is a common kind face around the castle. And super friendly. Shy. Quiet. Now I have a question for you, Celestia." Celestia's ear twitch was her only response. "As the teacher of Queen Arcadia, couldn't you have taught Dawn at least a few things during this trip? I know you wanted to."

Celestia sighed deep through her nose to the coast of Fenix and her plains. "I've honestly been waiting for someone to ask this question," she whispered. "The answer?... My teachings would interfere with her mother's. Twilight's way of teaching will in fact be very different than my own. Way before Twilight set a hoof on your land, I've noted things down about her. When my ways didn't work in the classroom, she'd make her own ways outside of it with the same result. Twilight will be the only pony who can actually teach Dawn in the more easier ways. Not to mention..."

Celestia smoldered towards the ports of Lavender they were approaching decorated with a full crew of Pods and flashing lights. "Dawn's magic... Doesn't seem to be Equestrian. She seems to have inherited Dark magic, a more unstable form. Taming it would be difficult. A task more suited for the Alicorn who can raise a block of steel all by herself. Yes, I raise and set the sun. Luna the same for the moon. But the physics require little effort, and our magic is not suited for dealing with Dark Magic. We've spent most of our life combating against Dark Magic instead of teaching it. We will leave the teaching to Twilight since she apparently has more experience."



Madun was anxious. His hooves were jittery on Lavender's bay, his heart was pumping. His coat was heated thanks to the sun. Flanking him were the judges of Psera's Court, notable ponies from the classified facility of Serl, his family and Dawn's friends. Kia was weirdly dancing in place while her quivering wide yellow eyes were trained on the Aquata docking into place. Something was up with her. She's been acting very strange lately.

But those thoughts could wait. A deep hush reigned over the land. Aquata Zero just docked and the steps were being connected right now. Then the door opened and the first pony out was... A puppy?

A little brown spot took one step at a time down the stairs with little ears flopping that anyone around stared at. It took awhile, but it did eventually reach the bottom. Then walked over to the King and started sniffing his hooves. Thus triggering the terror twins.

Daisy and Lightning both descended and fawned, "Awww! Look at the cute little.... Puppy?" When those black buttons for eyes didn't blink, they jumped up and ran the other way. "It's alive, it's alive!!"

Looks like Dawn got another therapy doll. Madun sighed and sarcastically jabbed to Merry, "Ah yes, they're ready to rule the world. There's my sugar plum!!"

Dawn sighed and trotted up to him with Gardeen by her side. The rulers of the foreign countries were making their way down the steps with their small bags of necessities. Not much was needed for this trip since Psera always supplied everything.

Dawn scolded, "Dad, I'm not a filly anymore!" But that didn't stop her from sharing a hug and nuzzle with her father.

The Princesses of Equestria eagerly made their way for the King and the Royal Family of Psera. It's been so long since they've seen this place, but they could easily tell not much of it had changed. Same luxury chariots in the back, same technology, same pods, same military. And same long wings, if not longer.

Celestia slowed her speed to the King and greeted with a smile and bow, "Madun, it's been too long." His coat was still orange-red, his physique was still to die for. And he had managed to grow a goatee. Oh stars above.

Madun laughed and replied, "Yes it has, Princess!" The two shared a deep emotional hug before he moved on to Luna, Cadance, and... He pointed to Flurry and asked, "And who is this?"

Cadance wasn't surprised he didn't recognize her. She did look a lot different than from the last time they've seen her. She placed a wing on Flurry's back and answered, "This is our Daughter, Flurry Heart. Remember when Arcadia used to bring Fresh Dawn to Equestria?"

Oh! Now Madun remembered her! He grinned white teeth down to Flurry and greeted, "Why of course, Princess Flurry Heart! I haven't seen you in years. You've grown up beautifully."

Coming from this handsome stallion, Flurry blushed from his praise and stammered, "Th-Thank you, Madun—King Madun."

Luna gathered Madun's attention by poking his wing and stated, "Remember the others?" She raised a wing in the direction of the rulers awaiting recognition.

"Yes, uhh... Queen Novo and the rest of IHT, thank you for coming. We have a lot to work on."

They all shared a deep bow then straightened with smiles. Queen Novo stated urgently, "When Celestia told us that Princess Fresh Dawn was waiting for us in Canterlot, I feared something tragic had happened."

Another voice made its speaker known. Molten Ice silently laughed her way to attention with Merry and corrected, "Something has happened, but not tragic." She hasn't changed either. Blue and orange-red coat, tall figure, long wings and didn't seem to be getting any older. Her light blue eyes still sent a shiver down their spines and forced smiles on their faces.

Cadance cleared her throat and switched to her serious personality. "You've found Queen Arcadia's spell library."

Madun nodded and answered, "Yes, we have. Well, Dawn and her friends have. While we are concerned about there being an actual tunnel underneath the castle with no end in sight, we want to get Queen Arcadia out first. In the case of an emergency, drilling crews have created a large tunnel inside the mountains that lead to the library underground. But we need Dawn to lower the elevator inside the Castle so when we do get Arcadia out, we can take her up to Triage."

Luna clarified, "So you are certain she is alive."

"Absolutely." All eyes moved to the pony of silvery-white coat and mane, and yellow eyes, wearing a lab coat. The pony that helped Equestria in the past.

Celestia smiled and greeted, "Bright Gold."

Bright Gold's coat has never been whiter. A decade hasn't changed her. "Princess Celestia, thank you for coming. I have gathered a majority of my team to figure out the device being used to control the Mecrah Portal. It's big, it's complex, and it's our department. My crew is standing by now."

Madun turned around and ordered, "Then let's move. Dawn you're going to the castle to get the elevator down. Everyone else, we're going to the mountain range. And Queen Tarsafani? You're going with Her Majesty Molten Ice."

Tarsafani blinked at him then shifted her soft gaze to the tall Pseratep in front of her. Staring down at her with a smile. But that was no regular smile. It was more hard than before. Phew, this was going to be a conversation.



Just like the King said, Dawn was riding in her own Chariot with her friends, and Madun was riding in another with the Princesses of Equestria. They flew through the air over Lavender with more chariots pointing towards the same location: The large mountain range keeping Cop from view. Celestia's high sun bathed its green slopes in rays of light, and the many Pserateps flying in and out in its magnificence. Psera Skies has never been more fruitful. The time was a little over seven. Pserateps below them were just starting their moves of the day.

Luna noticed first that they were using the Refugee camp below them that Arcadia created so long ago for their own reasons. But before she could ask, Celestia brought up a question. "So... Dawn's Magic?"

Madun took a deep breath and sighed. "Well... Not much if any. Heavy things are hard for her to lift. She usually resorts to physical efforts and likes to work out like her old man."

Shining scoffed playfully and stated, "You, my friend, are far from old."

"Try telling that to a filly."

This was a great opportunity for Flurry Heart to look away when her father turned to her. And whistle a tune in her head. Madun smiled and watched the road they were coming up on sneak closer and closer to the bottom of their chariot. Then the wheels touched down with a slight jostle before they rolled into the cave carved into the mountains. The entrance was roped off before. Now it was open for them.

The sun's natural light cut and the air smelled of stone and rock when they entered. Lights lined the ceiling made of earth. Small ones that provided just enough to see where they rolled.

After riding deeper into the mountain, their chariots pulled off the road to the rocky side of the road where yellow cones sat amongst flashing law enforcement. Work ponies wearing safety vests were walking into a large hole in the wall, big enough to hold two chariots stacked on top of each other.

The rulers let themselves out and looked around the darkness that was this Mountain Tunnel.

Novo walked up to Celestia and commented, "Pretty quaint."

Celestia silently agreed. This was one of the many quiet spaces of Psera. A tunnel deep in their mountains. She resorted only to a single nod that she would have missed were her coat not so bright. Luna would practically be invisible were it not for the lights above shining down onto the road leading into Cop. Other than their dry hoofsteps, the tunnel was so quiet it seemed more respectful to whisper.

Madun grabbed a hard hat he was offered and dropped it on his head from the Guards passing them out. Safety first before you go marching into a tunnel. The rest were handed some as well to drop onto their heads. The Unicorns had more problems with their helmets for more obvious reasons. Once they were secure, Madun turned to their entourage of Merry Fire, Blazing Fire, scientists, a few ponies with cameras, and the rulers wearing their glowing necklaces.

"Alright. I assume you have all signed the agreement?" They nodded with their own terms of confirmations. "Then let's move."

Hooves bravely moved into the wall and followed the path outlined by lights. Which was added to when Odega burst into sight in front of them colored blue after three minutes of silent treading.

"I found something," she whispered.

Madun ordered, "Walk and talk."

Odega jumped up and turned into a phoenix that landed on Merry's helmet. She placed a wing on her chest and stated straight to the point, "That entire place is drenched in runes. I can't go in, at least too far since I am made of magic. It hurts. A lot."

Chancellor repeated, "Runes? What did they look like?"

"I can't describe them but I know what they're for. It prevents you from using magic that isn't the Queen's. I teleported past the doors and everything sort of lit up and... Zapped me. Like magic rain shot at me from all directions. I doubt anyone can use magic past the doors that isn't the Queen's. She really didn't want anyone else going in there."

Celestia and Luna shared a confused glance then back to everything around them. Cadance felt free to speak her mind. "What does that mean?"

"Well... Not sure honestly. But that backs up the theory that Squirt and Flurry came up with stating—"

Her mouth turned straight into a zipper per Flurry's request. "I will tell them," she said. She glanced to her surprised mother and said, "Dawn and I came up with this theory last night on the upper deck that Queen Arcadia planned every last bit of this in past years. Creating complex spells that all simultaneously work together to cause an unlimited chain of events in that room or chamber. She's had enough time to proof all her books, the equipment, everything to herself. As well as pack the room with defenses."

Madun looked down to her and clarified, "Like weaponry?"

"Of the Magic variety. We're not sure because we don't know much about it, but... We think somewhere in this Laboratory are her tomes of Dark Magic. Which would explain all the secrecy."

Cadance immediately asked, "You think Queen Arcadia did all this to hide Dark Magic tomes?"

"That makes sense," Odega answered. Now that her beak was free. She growled playfully at Flurry's proud expression and explained, "Dark Magic isn't the type of magic you tamper with. A simple incorrectly cast spell of one of those could cause utter disaster for miles around the affected range. Let alone to the pony casting the spell."

Madun added, "So, if she didn't have anything like that here, then there would be no reason to hide all her texts. But since a harmful type of magic is mixed in—"

"She took every last single measure imaginable to keep ponies away," Luna whispered. "Ponies? I have a troubling thought that could be added on."

Bright Gold trotted up to her and beckoned, "Such as?"

"...well first off, Celestia and I believe Fresh Dawn's magic is mixed with Dark Magic somehow. Her ability to give life to inanimate items and objects can only be done through Dark Magic. Which leads me to believe Queen Arcadia has experienced with Dark Magic for awhile."

Madun looked over his shoulder and queried, "Is that such a bad thing?"

"Coming from a pony who has caved in to her dark side? Absolutely. Dark Magic creates frustration, pain and anguish. And according to Fresh Dawn, there was a recent video released that admitted she knew it? How far back did she know Dark Magic?

"Another thought I had was what if the Mecrah Portal is Dark Magic? According to the sources and Cadance, it is a Prison. The Pillars of Equestria did something similar in the past to keep back the Pony of Shadows. However, Starswirl admitted he would rather they never do that spell again. Because it was Dark Magic."

Madun stepped over a loose rock and eyed the gold tunnel they were nearing. They were getting close. They were inside the Earth now. He looked over his shoulder and admitted, "Are you saying... Twilight may have been experimenting with Dark Magic literally and figuratively under our noses?"

Cadance shrugged and admitted, "Maybe, maybe not. She could have been experimenting with it in Equestria and brought her findings here. I say this with love Madun... But it may have even affected Princess Fresh Dawn. That would be the only reason I can come up with as to why she's able to perform necromancy on inanimate objects. I suggest we be careful once we enter this laboratory. There may in fact be hidden dangers."

Madun couldn't deny that. When they first saw it, they didn't venture too far in. They gathered the Princesses and waited for their arrival. Now he, the Rulers, even the only fearless Dragon Lord Ember and every other Pseratep were afraid of what may have lied in there. Traveling into the golden darkness towards the distant light up ahead. Novo and the ponies without horns were definitely fearful with barely any defense save for their hard hats, they knew better than to mess with the Great Queen's toys.

The temperature seemed to drop the deeper they went. Regardless of their close contact with each other and the machinery Bright Gold's team had traveling behind them, the cold became more prominent. Their thoughts raced, their hearts beat a mile a minute until, after twenty more minutes, they finally made it to their target location. The Golden Hallway. The hole drilled in next to the wall near the elevator.

Dawn was already in there playing a game with Dusty and Kia on a glass pad. She was holding it with both hooves and had her face contorted into focus while Kia egged her on with mounting support. Her red braid flipped back and forth each time she moved her head. She didn't even notice them arriving. Madun cleared his throat and broke that focus.

"It is time, daughter," he said. "Let's put the game away."

She begrudgingly passed the pad to Kia so she could level the playing field. She's been bugging her about it forever anyway. Dawn stood among the soldiers and medical staff she brought with her. He stopped and pointed towards the looming purple doors decorated with the worn out Crest of Psera above them.

"The lab is beyond those doors," he said.

Celestia and the Princesses looked around their hall of gold while a moment was taken to setup among the Pserateps. The medical staff unfolded the gurney they brought down with them, S3 or whatever set up their machines. And the Guards checked their things. Luna started her own process and started scanning the Gold on the walls with Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer. They were both surprisingly good at detecting this stuff.

Starlight trained her scanning on the wall near the door and announced, "I sense... Something. Not sure if it's Dark Magic though."

Sunset approached the actual doors with a small light on the tip of her horn. Then stopped and gasped.

"Oh, whoooa!" she exclaimed. "Oh yeah, Dawn and Flurry were onto something."

Dawn and Flurry? In the back, Fresh Dawn gasped, glanced to Flurry and asked, "You told them?"

She seethed and replied, "Yeah, the Pony on fire brought it up."

Despite being called that, Odega burst next to Sunset and stated, "Whatever is in there is about as dangerous as poison. So be careful. A lot of somethings shot me in there and I don't know what they were. So refrain from using any type of magic if you can help it. Have Fresh Dawn do it if you need something done. Word of caution?... It may be booby trapped."

Her next words addressed all of them. "So watch your actions. Don't touch things if they have runes on them, you'll know them if you see them. They're more than likely for scanning Magical Signatures. Wrong signature and everyone gets toasted.

"Consider all possibilities. If Fresh Dawn can perform Necromancy... I have no doubt Queen Arcadia may at least have a tiny hoof in it too. I may sound paranoid right now, but I was just lit up by things crawling in there. I have my reasons. So keep an ear open. Goes for you too, King Butt. You may be a big stallion, but compared to Queen Arcadia you're a teeny tiny ant. Good luck." Then Odega blew out of sight.

As embarrassing as that was, Madun took heed to her words: Be careful. He took a breath and ordered, "Let's do this. Dawn?"

Dawn slapped a helmet on her head and allowed her small body to be wrapped up in protective gear from the elite Guard. Comm Block on, helmet on, hoof covers in favor of her standard hoof shoes. Horn out with a protection cone. She nodded and made her way to the doors with Two guards on her tail.

"All units ready. Mask on," Captain Smalls ordered. Those without them grabbed a mask and plopped it on their muzzles.

Once her mask was on Sunset stepped to the side with Starlight and queried, "You ready?"

"That and scared," she admitted. She's dealt with Dark Magic before. But this was something else. What she scanned was ... Different. Something she couldn't explain.

Dawn took a deep breath and gripped the handles. Then whispered, "Alright... Let's do this." Then threw the doors wide open.
> Chapter 47 - Arcadia's Cell
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Fresh Dawn threw those doors open, they were met with a cold chilling silence and the creaking sound of the hinges. There was nothing but black before the Guards rushed in with flashlights dancing.

Celestia could make out a very high ceiling when she stepped inside thanks to the sound of their hooves trotting on metal. Her own heavy breathing overshadowed the thought that Twilight may have practiced Dark Magic. As concerning as that was, they still needed light. Luna's glowing mane was the only sign that she was there next to her. No magic was allowed and apparently only the Guards had flashlights.

Luna glanced around and started to ask, "So, how do you—"

Light suddenly exploded from the ceiling to their right, illuminating an entire section of the wall in an warming glow before the wall on the left did the same. Their location made them drop their jaws. The picture did it no justice. Color coordination of hundreds of texts on shelves carved from the gold-mixed-with-stone wall. From the high ceiling down to the low floors. Then the wall next to it did the same. They held their breaths while all the texts were lit up as far as the eye could see. Then the lights in the middle began to brighten, revealing parts of the Mecrah Portal.

Once all lights were lit they witnessed the paths leading them to all sections of this massive library. Steel walks that traveled above them, below them, across from them like a maze of wonder connected to all the shelves.

Shining whispered, "This is spectacular." He just couldn't look away. Especially from the Mecrah Portal. The big slab of gold that brought this entire library together.

Madun pointed to it and stated, "That is our goal: Get that opened somehow. Bright Gold, your group will go with Fresh Dawn down to the floor with a handful of men. Be wary of what you touch. Dawn, study that binder. Princesses, you start looking for any runes and see what you can find out of all of this. Remember, no magic. There's no telling what'll happen. Let's go."

The flood of ponies poured into Queen Arcadia's sanctum. Hooves clattered across steel. Some jumped over the ledge and soared for the smooth ground below them. Towards the laboratory. Others stayed at the door in case they were needed.

Bright Gold had never seen anything like this in all her years. This place was really old. Whatever this... This tunnel was. This was obviously here before Queen Arcadia was. But why?

The tunnel was longer than the eye could see. The Mecrah Portal was just hiding most of it from sight. Twilight's been using it to store all of her spells, which would be harmless were there no Dark Magic involved. But there was definitely some involved if the Unicorns and ponies from overseas could sense it.

Bright Gold softly landed on smoothly carved rock with Fresh Dawn and Gardeen, and looked at everything around her. But she was mostly focused on the dusty board that held the massive amount of controls in front of her. There had to be over a hundred buttons, let alone sliders. But what purpose did they serve?

The scientists and technicians she brought with her placed their things down on the ground and started their discussions involving plans of actions while setting up lights, tables, technology. They trained their lights on the board in front of them spanning...

"Thirty feet," a timid voice said on Bright Gold's right. Rising Flutter's pink mane fell into her face and her yellow coat seemed to be vibrating with fear. But she stayed strong behind that mask, staring at the board like it was a slab of gold. "This instrument is thirty feet long and may even be run by a single pony. How do we turn this on?"

Bright Gold shook her head at it and turned to Fresh Dawn reading through the binder. She hummed a single tone, the noise her mind makes while working out problems. "Uhh... There's supposed to be a button on it that reads, 'Power.'"

She set her binder down on the ground and hopped into the chair to get a look. This thing had a lot of controls. And everything seemed dead. A cloud of dust rose up, tempting her to sneeze.

Her eyes scanned the control board with the rest of the ponies that occupied her. Cameras recording every single thing they were doing. Everything was gray and lifeless with time. But they wouldn't give up. Dawn sighed and silently cursed nature. Then spotted... Something. Something pulsing in her eyesight. She glanced to it, but nothing was there but another gray button. But she knew what she saw.

Dawn looked away and saw it again. Something pulsing. But when she directed her eyes to it, it just looked like another gray lifeless button.

This was probably an illusion involving magic she bet. Dawn settled her eyes on the buttons and raised a hoof for attention. "I found something," she said.

Bright Gold walked over from Rising Flutter and followed Dawn's line hoof to the button. "This is pulsing." She raised her Comm Block and ordered, "Princess Dawn to channels, stand by."

The ponies on the levels stopped doing what they were doing and directed their sights down to the board. King Madun and ponies that knew magic were by her side in a few seconds. Staring at the board like she was. Huffing, Celestia asked, "What did you find?"

Dawn shook her head and answered, "I'm not sure. But this button..." She pointed to it. "It's blinking, pulsing with light or something when I'm not looking at it." Celestia tested that and glanced to the side. Indeed, something was. Something bright red. But when she glanced back, it was gone. Lifeless. Dead.

She nodded and answered, "I see it too."

"Then I'm definitely not crazy. I'm pressing it in three... Two... One..." She jabbed her hoof onto it and triggered a small chain of events.

First all the buttons on the console lit up different colors. Red, blue, green, yellow, all possible hues. They flashed in a strange sequence that definitely wasn't randomized. Next, something clicked and whirred inside of it that created a low-sounding hum. A bass that washed over their coats with a massaging vibration.

At the two corners of the Mecrah Portal in front of them were two tubs gradually glowing purple with magic. Then finally the Mecrah Portal started up. Lines of energy that ran through all the carvings raced around like neon fireflies of different colors. Flashing and appealing to the eyes.

Starlight could just stare at that forever. At the light show that danced on this huge slab of gold. But something else popped up that brought even greater attention.

An entire bright square suddenly appeared shrouding away the front of the portal with static as the main image. It painted everything below it in white and hurt their eyes. The lights above dimmed automatically save for the one directly over the portal itself. The tunnel was dark once more. But none complained. Although Luna did sigh. What was it with Psera and the flash?

Sounds of static reached their ears and made them look around for the source before the static switched out for somepony far better. Madun nudged his way to the front behind Princess Dawn to stare up at the recording of Queen Arcadia. Dressed in a lab coat with her mane tied up in a bun that reminded Sunset Shimmer of the Twilight from Canterlot High. She was smiling with such lively eyes and adjusting the camera for a straighter fit. It hit the edge of something and soon stabilized.

"I really should invest in a stand," she said. Her voice echoed around the whole lab. In the video and in real life. She backed up and placed herself in the center of the frame. From what they could tell right off the bat was that she was in the exact same seat as Fresh Dawn was right now. In front of this Control Panel with everything on. In the background was an earlier version of the Mecrah Portal, still in the stage of development.

"All of this stuff and I don't have a simple tripod I could even build myself. I need to make a note of that... Right now." Without looking a notepad in front of her face flew up with a pen that expertly wrote down her request. Then it lowered back out of view. Classic Twilight. "Date? January Fourteenth, twenty sixteen. Subject... Project Mecrah."

Luna mouthed those words to herself. Mecrah. What did that mean?

Twilight proudly stated, "Today's simulation was a success! Yesterday's issue? Red didn't do well with blue. It broke the pattern, which in turn broke the portal's seal. It would be a completely useless spell if the OUT end broke and allowed what I threw in there to come out inside Psera. Completely awful. But it's fixed now. Red and blue just cannot be routed together to risk a huge explosion. So, I routed it to green instead.

"On another note..." Twilight's smile dropped and her voice turned dark. "I have completed the symbiote." She raised a large glass bottle of purple liquid into view that they looked at. "This will be added into the Mecrah Portal as a sort of cuff to the Prisoner. As well as a sustenance of health and sleep aid. How do I apply it? Easy. I open the IN-Port, toss this in, then close it back. A living brain, with a strange desire to feed."

Arcadia stood up with the beaker and explained, "I'm going to test this tomorrow and see what I get. But right now, I need to start heading home. Dawn's about to wake from her nappy and always looks for mommy afterwards. This is Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle. Signing off." The screen switched straight to the static once more and urged a conversation.

Madun asked behind his mask, "What type of magic was that?"

"Science," Sunset answered. That was as close as she could get.

The screen switched to something else. But they could easily tell this was different. Much different. For one, this didn't seem to be a log, but rather a recording of something she was doing at the table. The camera was at the exact same location. But she wasn't. She was at the table directly behind them, with lights shining onto the back of Twilight's protective coat. She was wearing a PPE and handling machinery on the table.

"Log... Oh, who cares the date, I wish not to be reminded of it," Twilight said. It was clear in her tone that she was upset. Stressed. Angry.

She swiped a box of tools to the floor with no care or reaction to the clamour. "I fear this may be the last log I Record. I messed up. Over three thousand of my citizens made up of innocent wives, husbands, children... Are dead. Because I failed to acknowledge the PDS Flaw. I failed to acknowledge that my work can't stop every threat. And I failed to see or recognize the signs of imminent danger. I grew sloppy and I let my Guard down. Trouble finds me once again, and now I have to make it right."

She stepped to the side and revealed what she was working on. The Sword of Arcadia and Blue Gold...

"This was her last recording," Celestia whispered.

The last recording her mother ever made. Dawn stood in her seat and placed her hooves on the edge of the board to listen in. Arcadia lifted up the sword with her magic and stared at her reflection in the blue blade. Going back in time in her mind. It was as if they were truly there. Standing behind Twilight listening to her grieve.

"I remember when my husband gave this to me. On my crowning and inauguration. But I believe he, like the rest of Psera, is furious with my actions. I have let down my country and shamed my family. I have to make this right, he said. I need to find a solution." Twilight slowly rotated her body to face her audience, took a deep breath and admitted, "I have two solutions. One? The Blue Gold. Sending this into Maheera's heart will end her within a minute. I'm not fond of taking lives. But she took thousands of my own. It's time for my more violent side to come out."

Twilight set the sword back down on the table and used her magic to adjust the Camera to train on the Mecrah Portal. "And finally... The Mecrah Portal. I have used a concerning amount of magic to create this masterpiece. If they were to ask me... Yes. I am using Dark Magic to create this. You cannot combat Maheera using regular Magic, you will fail. Narmeelah made that mistake along with the Guardians of Psera. They used the same magic to fight her with no real permanent result. The energies involved in both Dark Magic and Light Magic cancel the other out when combined, creating a negative energy."

Twilight walked away from the camera for the long control board. "The Mecrah Portal is a contained time spell. A time spell with hidden dangers all inside of it that causes a pony to fight for their life. A curse, an abomination that I already regret creating... But had to. I do not want Maheera taking another step towards my ponies. Tonight, we end this. Hopefully, I won't have to use this device. But there is no telling. I'll be trapped inside my own creation, but I would do it to protect the ponies I love most of all."

She did something on the board involving a lot of button pressing. Then clopped her two hooves together with a spark of magic between them. Which didn't work out for them here in the real world.

Sunset heard it first. A scuffle. She whirled around in the back and watched her dark environment. Anxious eyes and hectic breathing as her expression. Since everyone here were silent, she heard it clearly. Something was in the shadows. Watching. Listening. Crawling.

"Uhhh... C-Cut the feed," she warned.

Celestia looked back and asked, "Sunset?"

Sunset stood up and listened closer. Then she heard it. Laughter. Creepy laughter. Uh uh, nope! Sunset rushed past them and jabbed her hoof on the button Dawn pressed earlier. Cutting the feed and shutting down the show. They complained and all looked to her with irate glares.

"Everyone shut up!" She scolded.

Madun gasped before she whispered, "Don't you hear that?" Then focused back around her. The light was slowly coming back and brightening up their atmosphere that shined on everything from above. But there were still dark corners and black areas. A lot of black areas. They followed her line of sight to the lab and listened closely. Nothing but tables, lights, dust, and cables on the floor that traveled all over the place.

Then Starlight heard it too. A cackling and small ruckus above. She grabbed hold of a Guard's flashlight and shined it to the ceiling. It hit something purple on the walkway directly above them before it ducked back out of sight.

"Up there!" She yelled.

The Guards on the floor all shone their flashlights to the walkways and watched everything. Those already up there started waving theirs around. They danced on the books, on the Mecrah Portal. On the ground. And definitely on wherever that sound is coming from. Like a squeaky rocking chair. And something brushing. Dawn kept herself behind her Guards but kept her heart beat racing. Her eyes peeled. Her hooves ready to run.

Something ran across their field of vision on the bottom floor. Something grayish-purple. "What was that?!" Luna yelled. She was really tempted to light it up. But there was no telling if there were more.

Captain Smalls poked a soldier on her right and directed him to go that way with two more. Then grabbed two of her own and went to the left. Their flashlights never left the device they were hiding around. Why did the Queen have to make such creepy things in here?

Captain Smalls' breathing paced with her own heart rate. Almost on the other side. Almost...

Something jumped out and onto the top of the device. Then started digging around by flinging things off. Smalls gasped and immediately fired with the rest of her soldiers towards whatever this was.

"Ow, ow, hey, what the buck!! Ow!!"

"Hold your fire, hold your fire!" Smalls ordered. Then stared closer at the thing... Pony they shot down from the top of this wooden device. "Who are you and... QUEEN ARCADIA?!!"

Well it was Queen Twilight... Then it wasn't. For one, Queen Arcadia's wings dragged the ground and were much bigger, she was taller that that, and her mane wasn't nearly this messy and unkempt. This looks like the Twilight from the past when she first arrived on Psera. Although with a more off-purple coat on her body. Not to mention what she was wearing. A black school filly outfit complete with ripped black jeans, a pretty diamond necklace, a black sweat jacket, and some hipster glasses.

She scoffed and spoke in a whiney teenage voice. "Oh. My. Narmeelah, like, can you not shine those on me? That is way too bright. Get those out of my face before I blast you."

"Start talking, what is your name!" Captain Smalls ordered. "And why are you down here?"

"Ugggh, I'm Sassy Twilight. I'm one of the protectors of this place. Now throw those things away before I do."

Captain Smalls referred to King Madun for an order. He kept his awe-stricken eyes on Queen Arcadia but slowly nodded his head. So they cut off their lights and allowed Sassy Twilight to jump down and complain some more. "Seriously, uggh! I mean really. I just can't find my hoof file anywhere. Have you seen a red hoof file in here? When I heard Arcadia clap her hooves, it scared me, and I dropped it. I have been LOOKING for it ever since. Oh my stars, it's been over six hundred seconds already, that's too lonnnnng-uh!"

Celestia slowly walked forward and asked, "You've been in here this entire time?"

Sassy Twilight waved a dismissing hoof at Celestia and answered, "Yes, yes, now where is my hoof file?" She walked into Celestia and burst into black smoke. Then reformed on the other side. They all saw it. No mistaking that.

Luna whispered, "Dark Magic."

Celestia whirled around and watched her run onto the Mecrah Portal's surface. Then jumped down behind it and started kicking things around. Celestia cleared her voice and asked, "Can you help us activate this port—"

"There you are!" A red hoof file was lifted in Sassy Twilight's magic. She's been searching high and low for this!! She grinned with no care in the world and walked back to where she came from.

"Twilight." Twilight stopped walking around and faced Celestia again. "We could really use your assistance here."

"Ugggh, with what? Everypony always wants me to help them. But nopony ever asks if I need help." She groaned with an eye roll.

"Can you help us power on this portal?"

Twilight tilted her head back and groaned louder than before. "Uggggh, I don't know how to work it, that's more for the other Twilights. Let me call one. HUMOR, GET UP!!" She yelled. "Get your lazy flank down here, we have to get Arcadia out!"

A pink version literally fell from the sky and slammed straight down into the steel table face first.

"Holy Faust!!" Starlight yelled. It was so sudden! What is with all of these surprises?! A pink version of Twilight with really long purple hair popped up from the wreckage hosting a big grin directed at Dawn.

"Ooooh, look at my baby!" She squealed. Her hooves ran over and pulled Dawn into a big hug she did not enjoy at all. For one it was way too tight and this pony smelled like bubblegum. Not to mention...

"Holy Narmeelah, you are freezing!!" She yelled.

Twilight let her go and said, "Hi, I'm Twilight! I think. Am I? I don't know, what do you think? Oh who cares?! Uh oh, there I go rambling again! Ha ha ha! Let's get this huge piece of whatever opened. Let's work together, okay? You stand there and watch what I do."

Sassy Twilight looked up to Celestia and whispered, "She's clearly not right. I recommended to Arcadia that she should've been put down, but she said all creatures deserve a chance. I begged her to make an exception."

Humor started jabbing on the control panel buttons with exaggerated sound effects she created with her mouth. "Beep boop boppity bop bing bang bow! Annd... Tappity tap tap tap tapping tap, tapping more buttons!" She jabbed a green button flashing in the far left corner.

The Portal came to life. The lines on the face of the machine constantly glowed different colors. Yellow, purple, red, white, green, blue, orange, and the rest of the colors belonging to the pearls they had around their necks.

Dawn jumped back into her chair and nodded to it. "Great, now... Where'd they go?"

They looked behind their backs to the place where the Twilights recently were. Now vacant.

Sunset yelled, "Sassy Twilight? Humor?" No response. It was like they never existed. "That's really weird. I don't like weird. Let's get Twilight out, then get the heck out of here."

They couldn't agree more. Madun said behind the mask, "I guess we're doing this ourselves now. Dawn? Do you know where the Keys go?"

"On the edges, but I'm not sure yet. I'll research some more." She yanked the binder up with her hooves, propped her hooves on the control panel and started reading. So while she did that, Celestia decided to look into that thing she saw before that video came up.

She nudged Luna then took off back into the air for the shelves with her on her tail. When she landed with Luna, she whispered, "So Twilight in fact used Dark Magic to fight Maheera." She walked along this shelf and eyed it closely.

Luna followed her gaze and steps to catch up. "Yes, she's... Rather experienced in it. Do you fear we are too late? To stop this?"

"It is never too late to stop Dark Magic. Look at this. This isn't really here, this shelf." She tapped a hoof against one of the binders and felt something move. But it wasn't the binder.

Luna nodded and said, "Then I'm not the only one. I noticed that earlier. There is a veil over this. But we cannot lift it because of Twilight's magical security in here."

Celestia sighed and looked back down to the action below. Twilight has so much to explain.



After a grueling but productive two hours, Dawn slammed the binder shut and stood in her chair.

"Alright! I'm ready!" She announced.

Everyone gathered around her and focused on her hoof pointing to the portal. "The keys create interloping energies that collide with each other at certain points to modulate magic when those points are triggered. This controller uses combinations for these buttons as the triggers."

She pointed to the very top and said, "The first one up is Purple. Me." She reached into her protective suit and pulled out the Purple and red glowing pearl she had around her neck. She placed it into the hooves of a Guard who quickly flew up into the air. His reflection bounced off the portal's face until he stopped at the top.

His eyes anxiously scanned the edge until he saw it. A tiny point on this huge gold face that could have been easily missed from a mere three feet away. Using both of his hooves, he slowly pushed the pearl in and triggered another harmless chain of events.

The portal glowed a brighter hue briefly then the purple lights across the front cleared and solidified into a solid line from the very Pearl through the center of a carved out circle all the way to the bottom where another Pearl was supposed to be placed. The only line on the disk. The machine in front of them beeped loudly for a solid two seconds. Then all the buttons colored purple switched on and off.

"Oh boy," Dawn whispered. This was all a little much for her. So much in fact she was getting dizzy and anxious just watching the lights dance. But she pressed on. "Okay, next is red."

Soon, Red was placed on a few inches away from the Purple-Red and overlapped over the energy lines with its own. Along with Blue, Green, White, Gold, Purple, Yellow, Orange, Silver, Gray, Pink, and Black. Now, the machine was up and running. All the keys were in place and their bodies glowed from the confusing paths of colored energy coursing over the gold and into the control panel.

King Madun walked up to fresh Dawn and asked, "Now what?"

"Uhhh, now we have to... Turn on the mechanics to get this thing turning. And that is..." Dawn flipped open the binder with her magic and rapidly turned to another page to read a bit more. She reached her hoof over the rest of the controls and touched a single fader at the very top. "Right here. Once we turn this on, we have to level everything out by pressing these colors in a specified sequence. Then the door will be opened."

Madun grabbed the binder to hold while Fresh Dawn did her thing. The fader was slowly pushed up. The slab of glowing gold creaked and groaned loudly with age. Then began to slowly rotate and pick up speed counter-clockwise. The lights began to dance through the air in a brilliance of colors, bathing their bodies in shifting neon hues among the darkness. The sound of an engine blasted their ears with its loud roar. Wind from an unknown origin blew manes askew.

Balance out the energy. Dawn followed the voice in her mind and started working on the pattern. She jabbed on the buttons in front of her in a single long sequence she managed to remember. And yelled, "Red, blue, purple, yellow, purple, silver, yellow, green, yellow, orange, white, black!"

The Portal immediately flashed brighter and forced them to cover their eyes. The face of the speeding gold wheel was a pure white and the wind was forcing their eyes to be covered entirely until it slowly began to die away. Allowing space for a deep dark hole to takeover.

The light had gone down and all had uncovered their eyes to see...

"TWILIGHT!!" Madun yelled.

There she was. Smiling with her eyes closed and long wings outstretched behind her out of view. Maheera was a few feet away from her, facing Twilight's horn a few centimeters from her face held in the air by her chains connected to something they couldn't see. They were possibly endless. But they were in something they couldn't understand.

So that's what she looked like in person. No doubt she was bigger than her, but despite that, the similarities were undeniable.

Instead of the darkness like they anticipated, she slept within the warm embrace of something purple. Something that had cracks and was definitely hard like glass. Twilight and Maheera both. Trapped.

Madun turned to Celestia and asked over the engine maintaining the spell, "How do we get her out?!"

"I don't know! We can try and combat the spell, but we don't want to risk hurting Twilight!"

"Well we need to—" The King was interrupted when the purple "glass" suddenly shifted and moved to attract attention. They suspected. They were wrong.

A single sharp thorn of that stuff suddenly shot out straight from the center for the control panel and impaled right into one of the controls in front of Psera's Princess. Dawn screamed and jumped out of her seat before more shot out into random areas that forced everyone to take cover. One shot straight into a camera sitting on a tripod. That was the end of that amount of evidence unless they could salvage the footage.

Sunset and Starlight ran for the machine that Sassy Twilight was on top of earlier and jumped over just in time for a huge one to come sailing straight into it.

Madun grabbed Dawn and ran for cover through the screaming ponies while the Symbiote crawled out of the portal. The control panel was completely taken over within seconds by this purple "goo-glass" while the Guards did what they could to maintain it. Which actually just meant shoot at and slice it. But regardless of what they did, they were forced back as it continued to heal.

Celestia recognized this from her position underneath another steel table across from Madun's. Twilight's living brain-stuff. The material she threw in there.

"Everyone fall back, fall back!!" Captain Smalls ordered. A single spike shot straight for her chest coming really close before Luna did the one thing that ended this entire project. She teleported in, grabbed Smalls and teleported out.

Immediately, the entire lab lit up with light blue runes. Everything was covered, the equipment, the tables, the lights, the machines, all of it.

Despite the crawling purple mass of death all over the place, all attention was now focused on the runes. All Pserateps, Equestrians, Hippogriffs, everyone just froze and eyed the runes. All Tartarus just broke loose.

Cadance shared a look with Luna and mouthed, "Oh no."

A single shot of Purple from the high ceiling soaring straight for Queen Novo pushed everyone to start running around and take cover. Flurry Heart screamed and slid under a table with her father before even more shots rang out all around her. The magic even hit the purple mass and actually caused a fire. The calm atmosphere now hosted a thunderstorm of magic.

Madun hid down behind his men and yelled, "We need to get out of here! Now!"

"What?!!" Celestia yelled from across. "What about Twilight?!"

"We'll return once everything is calm, but—" An explosion that rocked the lab urged everyone to duck before the chaos grew worse. The magic from the portal started to target the runes. A single spike shattered one to bits and pieces while the runes fought back. "We can't save her if we can't save ourselves first!! Now let's go!!"

With his daughter in his hooves, he ran out with his soldiers and took to the sky amidst all of the rain and terror. The rest of the Pserateps followed shortly after, leaving only the foreign ponies to make up their minds.

Sadly, Celestia casted one last glance to Twilight among all the fire and explosions. Sitting peacefully in her self-made prison. She sighed and whispered, "I'm sorry, Twilight. We'll come back, I promise." Then ran out and flew up with Sunset and Starlight in her hold followed by the rest of them.

If they would have stayed a little bit longer, they would have seen Twilight's eyes slowly crack open and train to her lab. At all the destruction. At all the screaming. At the rising sound of the portal growing out of control. Then with a subtle push, the aura around her horn glowed.

Halfway there, Luna looked to her right and gasped. One of those purple things were coming straight for her. Luna was about to teleport. So close. But the rain of fire hit her before the spikes could. She yelled out from the burning. The intensity of this magic. It felt like lava from the Dragon Lands. Her cry in agony was heard only by one ear.

Celestia slid into the safety of the Golden Hallway and turned around in terror. "Luna!!" She yelled. Then reared up and doubled back across the golden floor into the rain, despite the cries telling her to stop. She would not lose her sister to this. Not like this.

Despite getting hit multiple times, she flew low and back onto the ground. "Luna, where are you?!!" She yelled.

"Celestia!!" Celestia ran towards the pained voice where the table hiding her sister was and jumped behind it. Luna had a massive burn on her right wing seething in pain.

"Luna! Luna, I'm here, I'm here!" Celestia cried hectically. Oh Faust it was bad. She wouldn't be flying for awhile. Her fur here was burned off with a deep black mark.

An explosion behind them forced her to cover her sister's body with her own. Debris reigned down on top of her. Debris that was... Books? She grabbed one and looked at it. One of Twilight's spell books. This place was falling apart. Buck. Another explosion followed by another made her realize there was no other way to escape except to teleport up to the top. And she didn't nearly know the layout of this place.

She looked down to Luna and tried to create a shield with sadness in her eyes. Surviving this was next to impossible. Luna knew exactly what would happen. She nodded and said, "At least we found her."

"...yes, Luna."

Then everything stopped. All the noise, explosions, everything just stopped. Celestia widened her eyes and looked over the table protecting them. All the magic was frozen. As if the air stopped them and time itself. No movement, solid as ice.

"...Celestia..." A faint voice whispered. Celestia gasped and followed the source through the bookshelves, the tables, the mess made to the one pony this was centered around. To Queen Twilight. Lying on the ground in front of the Control Panel shooting them with a small smile covered in bruises, that purple membrane, and a shut eye. "...you have ten seconds to evacuate."
> Chapter 48 - Dawn's Unsure Nature
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Novo wasn't leaving. Not without Celestia and Luna. After everything they've been through she wasn't going to leave them here.

They took the emergency tunnel built just in case an event like this happened. But she stopped after a few hooves in and said, "We are not leaving them behind. We did not come five hundred miles across the sea to leave one another to death!"

The tunnel shook when the explosions and destruction started again. It was quiet for a few seconds from reasons unknown. But they were back up full blast again. Madun sighed and admitted, "I don't want to leave them either. But if we don't start moving we'll be—"

"We got her!!" A voice yelled. All attention jolted back to the front of the tunnel towards the voices of Celestia and Luna. Another vibration shook the earth around them and caused dirt to fall on top of their heads. Fear was incredibly real right now. Dark magic and light magic were colliding to create a difficult maze leading to only one exit. An underworld above ground.

But they didn't move. Celestia carefully walked in with Luna trailing behind her. And on her back positioned with her head relaxing on her neck was Twilight. Luna was holding her wings, keeping them from touching the ground.

Dawn gasped and yelled, "Mom!!"

"No time to stop, let's keep going!" Celestia ordered. She moved past them and led the team further away from the chaos happening inside of Queen Arcadia's spell library and laboratory. Taking a last look back, Fresh Dawn sighed and continued her trek with the rest of the ponies on tiny hooves desperate to keep up. All of those spells were in there. Even though they were in Ponish, they were her only chance of learning magic. Now... They were more than likely going to the ashes. To the dirt with everything else in there.

While they moved, Madun cast glances to Twilight. He wasn't the only one. Well since he wasn't going to ask, someone else would.

Merry finally spoke after all this time and asked, "What happened? Tell us everything."

Celestia huffed and answered, "Luna was hit with the magic and fell to the ground. So I flew in to save her. But we both got pinned down by all of the chaos. Somehow, in someway that doesn't matter anymore, Twilight broke free and managed to stop the magic from hitting us for a full ten seconds. I grabbed her and Luna and made it back to the hallway before she passed out again."

Cadance gasped and yelled, "So, she was awake!"

"Yes, she's alive. She's been going in and out with mumbles and such."

"Mereena..." They directed their attention back up to Twilight and her breathless mumbling. "Mereena terkata... arlee hama... Seevet perkama gerskee mereen... Ferlorma... Eskaree"

Princess Dawn and the rest of the Pserateps shared looks of concern. Looks that made Celestia worried. Whatever was spoken was enough to put them on cold hooves. "What is it?" She asked. "What did she say?"

Dawn whispered, "'Our lives are manipulated by a greater being. They return. Very soon.'"

In other words, something was coming. Celestia and Luna shared a look. If Twilight was a seer, then they had to listen to what she said.

Soon they made it back to the tunnel leading to Cop. There was already a medical crew here and ready to take her in since Captain Smalls relayed a request hours ago about precious cargo in need of desperate medical assistance.

The medical pod here was a standard gray steel vehicle with an open top where the drivers sit. The back steps were really low and the doors were open with flashlights dancing over everything. The inside was entirely white with a massive amount of medical equipment on the walls. There were four medical ponies here at the ready next to a gurney in front of the tunnel that Celestia softly placed sleeping Arcadia on.

"Be careful," she told them.

Madun grabbed Fresh Dawn and said, "We'll follow behind, let's go." They all made their way for the Chariots nearby and hopped in before the Medical Pod pulled off with a loud siren bouncing through the tunnel. Speeding for Cop.

While they moved, Luna seethed through her teeth at the burn in her wing. Like fire rushing through her veins.

"We'll get that looked at," Celestia promised before their Pod rose out into the noon sun of Psera. Bathing everything in light. Elegant. Beautiful. Golden.

A new tower had been placed next to the area where the past tower was. But it was obvious they would never forget the damage caused there. Especially since there was a huge monument of the past tower in front of where it now stood. Celestia didn't know how Psera dealt with Twilight putting her life on the line for them. She herself couldn't fathom the feeling.

Celestia instead focused on their Pod's direction of movement. Towards one of these relatively small buildings with a symbol on that must've been the hospital. Hopefully she was okay. And not just physically. They were going to have a deep talk when she was stable.



Molten didn't mind that they were looking for Twilight without her. They already knew where she was and the castle was in an uproar over the location actually being underneath the castle. Even at this moment walking through the shiny foyer for the elevator, there was a status on the hanging LiVAMs attracting Queen Tarsafani's eyes.

Her mouth slightly broke apart beside Molten with eyes painting over everything with her visions. She whispered in her exotic tongue, "This is incredible."

Molten silently laughed and replied quietly, "Yes, we have come a long way. Queen Tarsafani. Tell me about Zebrica."

So Her Majesty wanted to learn about Zebrica. Queen Tarsafani stroked her long white and gray mane while they walked into the Foyer's elevator. She answered, "Zebrica is a low-class land that specializes in natural magicks. We use our senses and the land under our hooves to cast spells that are relatively different to what the rest of the world casts."

Molten kept her eyes on the steel doors during their ascension to the top floor and asked, "Does your country... Recall battles and wars? Or do they move on and leave the past in the past?"

"...you are recalling the Gold Wars," Tarsafani assumed. The elevator slowed and came to a stop on Molten's floor. Her Ice Blue eyes never left the steel during this conversation. Until they stepped out of the elevator and made for the large two doors at the end of the hall.

"Yes, I am," she confirmed. "The Zebra learned to—Hopefully—leave well enough alone. Although I am happy that Zebrica has managed to move on nonetheless."

"Yes, old hatches have long been swung," Tarsafani agreed. "It was centuries ago. Hopefully the ruler of Psera has seen the error of their ways?"

"I was the ruler," Molten told her. They stopped directly in between the doors to her home and Molten turned to gaze nonchalantly down upon this Zebra. "I was the pony who gave the order to launch our weapons upon Zebrica's impressive Army. It was a futile yet still impressive effort. Yes, I am happy that you are all well. But shall Zebrica manipulate Psera again..." Molten leaned down into Tarsafani's muzzle and growled, "I doubt even your DNA would remain."

She rose back up and said casually, "Especially now that there's a new Queen on the throne. Although Queen Arcadia has a kind and loving spirit, she has a fierce attitude that I am sure has tripled by this point in time. After being asleep for ten years, she's awake. And based on her own sacrifices of Equestria's ponies she will not hesitate to strike you down."

"Are you threatening my country?" Tarsafani asked. She was slightly offended that this Molten Ice would threaten her and her people! Outraged actually! But she concealed it well among this pony and the Guards on this level watching.

"No," Molten sternly assured. "But you cannot say I did not warn you. I have dealt with the Zebra for decades before you were even born. At slightly over five thousand years old, I have witnessed many things before I was even Queen. I have traveled to many places.

"I have seen things I wish I would have never seen. Ran where I never should have ran. Flown where I never should have flown. And I can honestly say the Zebra tend to take what they want when they want it. And if the answer is no, they do it with force. Until they dealt with Psera. I may have allowed you on this land Tarsafani, but Queen Arcadia may not. She may be a kind and gentle pony, but even she knows when it's time to set down the pillow... And pick up the sword."


~✶~


Cop's Main Hospital was a mess, according to Dawn. The second Queen Arcadia Nova was rolled in, all of the Underworld poured out and everyone was running around these white floors into different rooms screaming and barking orders. Princess Fresh Dawn and the rest of the ponies stayed outside of the chaos inside a neat waiting room that had a window facing the castle on the bottom floor. Listening to ponies barking, yipping around, and rolling in special equipment.

This hospital had a lot of floors in it. A total of twelve. Apart from them, the only ponies nearby were a few doctors and nurses behind a waiting desk a few feet away. And the only ones here from the event were Princesses Celestia, Cadance, Flurry Heart, and Fresh Dawn with her father.

When they first arrived, Luna had her wing tended to and wrapped up in gauze with some cream on the burn. It was a second degree, but it certainly felt like third. From across, Fresh Dawn looked up to Luna and whispered, "I could've healed you, you know."

Luna smiled softly at her and replied, "I appreciate your willingness, Princess Dawn. But I'd rather let nature run its course and decide."

Your choice, Dawn thought. Then glanced away with no emotion.

Celestia switched this to something more cheerful that put a smile on her face and asked, "Are you nervous?"

Dawn honestly didn't know. They literally almost died because of this pony. She glanced to Celestia and answered, "Let's uhh... Wait until later to answer that question."

Ah, now Cadance could see it. The difference between her and Twilight. There was a big one. Twilight wasn't as reserved about her feelings but Dawn was mostly stoic about them. There wasn't even a clue about her feelings on this. While Twilight would let ponies know about things, Dawn would keep everything bottled up. They literally just crawled out of Twilight's own version of Tartarus and Dawn only screamed once. After that, she was entirely silent. No sound whatsoever.

And Cadance may be jumping the barrel here just a little bit, but she could see Dawn being... Violent. An unstable child. Yes, she was smart, all things so far considered. But based off of what they heard in Equestria she's pressured a lot here in Psera. Maybe that pressure has risen to the surface by this point. While her cousin Flurry decided to curl up under Cadance's wing, Dawn decided to be away from her father and glare through the window all alone towards the world below. Waiting for the news.

The wait wasn't too long. The doctor treating Twilight walked in from the rooms down the hall, a stallion with a dark blue coat and not too long wings with jealous green eyes and silver hair. Holding a clipboard, he walked over with unreadable eyes and called, "My King."

"Yes! I'm up!" King Madun bounced awake onto his hooves thanks to the silence. He looked around hectically and locked eyes with the doctor. His face was unreadable. "What's the news?"

The doctor flipped a document on his clipboard and cleared his throat. "Alright, so I have great news. Queen Arcadia Nova only has minimal injuries that must be healed with relaxation. A cracked rib, a sprained hoof, and a shiner. Along with small bruises that will heal on their own with time and care. You just need to apply some ointment to those and ice to her eye. We wrapped her hoof up and covered her eye with an ice pack already, and as for her rib some pain medication. That needs to heal on its own."

Celestia let out a relieving sigh before Madun asked, "May we see her?"

He shook his head. "She's pretty zen as of this moment and probably won't recognize you until tomorrow. We should let her get her rest."

Madun agreed with a nod. "Alright. Let's go, Dawn. We'll be back tomorrow morning. Thank you, Doctor."

"You're welcome, my king."



The ride back home was much different than it usually is. Whereas Madun was shuffling papers with his assistants and advisors, he was now fiddling with a new reality: Twilight was alive. And she was home. What was going to happen now? A lot, of course. A list of issues were never solved before she left. The fixing of the PDS flaw, the talk with Congress, getting a new crown made. She'll more than likely keep her position now, Twilight was dedicated to her job. But the secret of having Dark Magic might affect her here. Not as much as Equestria though.

When they arrived back in the rear of the Castle where the rest of the rulers were patiently waiting, Dawn decided to branch off and do her own thing. Leaving the adults to discuss along the way all the way back into the Throne Room.

"Queen Arcadia seems to be doing well, considering everything that just transpired," Shining noted. "She'll be coming home soon."

Madun nodded and leaned forward on his throne. "And I am really anxious," he stated factually. He was already nervously sweating. Hopefully it wouldn't show. "I need to clean up the house, make her a breakfast, get a bouquet of flowers, ohhh what else? All while managing the country. I'm a little behind. I need to catch up."

Cadance smacked her lips and fawned, "Awww, you are too sweet. What about Dawn?"

Madun sat back and sighed in despair. "Dawn's ... Adjusting, I guess. I still don't know her opinion on this matter. She seemed excited before, but now ..."

"You know, on Aquata Zero, she told me that she and her mother would not get along."

Madun quickly admitted and nearly interrupted, "I've actually been afraid of that too. Dawn and her mother are... Intense opposites. Dawn loving sports isn't even scuffing the surface. As a matter of fact, she pretty much hates everything her mother enjoys, all except magic and reading."

Luna interrupted, "But I thought Queen Arcadia liked Hoofball."

"Yes, just Hoofball. She's not too fond of sports. While Dawn does like reading, she won't be able to actually form a conversation long around the topic of the book whereas Twilight could tell you the background of each main character without even opening the pages because she's read it so many times. While Twilight loves magic and uses it to its full extent, Dawn chooses to use her muscles for everything. She only uses magic if it's absolutely necessary and she can't find another way. But of course she knows next to nothing about Magic. Fresh Dawn also enjoys getting down and dirty. Whereas Twilight takes a bath as much as she can. So while Dawn is wild, Twilight's more civil and tame in a sense."

Starlight and Sunset shared an unsure hum and glance. Then Starlight focused her sad gaze on Madun and asked, "So... It's going to be a tense reality."

He sighed and leaned on his hoof. "Unfortunately," he groaned. "Dawn may seem like she wants to meet her mother, but ever since Twilight disappeared, everything turned into a strange timeline. At first she was more into herself and how she can follow in her hoofsteps. Studying, reading, writing, researching. But that image soon faded away when she was twelve, and was replaced by sports, games, getting into trouble and causing issues, entertainment, clothes, parties, what all teenagers like and do. Twilight was non-existent in her mind, and is probably still non-existent for the most part."

"But she seemed so upbeat when she came to Equestria," Luna argued.

Madun dismissed that with a hoof. "Oh, she's always upbeat when she takes on her role as an ambassador or representative to the Fire Family. But she hates it when ponies compare her to her mother."

Yes, they've all witnessed her views on that. How she acts, talks, and visible displays of emotion.

Flurry backed up from the line and volunteered, "Maybe I can talk to her. Dawn and I get along very well I think."

Well maybe having a family member her age would help. Madun sighed down to her and gestured to a Guard. "Where is Dawn?"

The Guard he was looking at saluted in his armor and answered in a deep voice, "She was last reported in the courts."

"Alright. Someone please escort Flurry Heart there. Maybe a little friendly face would do her some good. Meanwhile, I must return to my work. I have a meeting scheduled for this evening."



Ever since Fresh Dawn made that amazing shot years ago in middle school, her mind has always been on sports. Hoofball of course, Tennees, Slide Skating and many more. And the castle just couldn't handle a little filly running around with a ball being kicked and slapped around, a tiny pony riding a board and doing tricks, and at random times rush into rooms and blow whistles with her friends.

So, Madun bought her a court in the back with all of the stuff she needed to have fun. Mainly to get her name out of his mane and tail wanting to go downtown to the park and play. Travel expenses were expensive. The garden in front of the suite was a little too small for her now.

The Courtyard had enough space for a small Hoofball field, and ramps for her Slide Skating. As well as pipes, rails, and other things. Kia never understood why Dawn just kept all this stuff to herself. And Dark Dust just didn't question it. The twins were nonchalant about it and chose to ride casually around on their own Slide Boards. As if time were theirs to command.

The entire Park in the back of the Castle was gray while the Hooffield side was green with white lines. The steps leading away from the door down into the park held only Kia and Dark Dust leaning back with fizzy beverages in hoof. The sun was hot, but that would never stop them from having a good time. It was always hot in Psera.

Kia cheered and raised her cup when Dawn jumped off the ramp and twirled in the air before riding back down again. "Whooo, go short stuff!!"

"Shut up, flea brain!!"

Kia laughed and brushed her sweaty white mane to the side. She sighed in content and allowed the beverage she was drinking slide down her throat.

Quenched, she let out an exaggerated sigh and said, "Seriously, short stack. You have it lavish here. Your dad bought you a freaking sports park. Your family's loaded."

Dawn did one more trick off her ninety-degree ramp that involved some complex wing work. Then rolled over to the stairs where Dark and Kia were sitting with a smug grin.

She stepped off her board and took of her helmet with her magic to reply, "Yeah, isn't it great?"

Dark rolled his eyes and replied, "Yeah, maybe for you, shorty." He ducked a sudden toss from Dawn's helmet.

She rolled her eyes and trotted up the stairs to plop down in between them. Sweating up a fountain. She took a deep breath and huffed before Dark asked, "So?"

Dawn leaned back and replied, "'So' what?"

"So how was the Mecrah Portal thing you left Psera about? Did you get your mom back? Did it work? What was Equestria like?"

Dawn groaned loud and replied, "Yeah, we got her back."

Kia patted Dawn's exposed stomach above her gym shorts and exclaimed, "That's great!!!... Isn't it?"

Dawn sat up and replied, "I don't know. She's been gone for ten years, I'm fifteen now and she left when I was five. It's going to be weird."

"Is she going to be living with you?"

Dawn shrugged and answered, "Her stuff never left, yeah."

Dark whistled and lied down on the hot concrete with her. "It'll be fun to actually have another mare around," he said. "At least for you."

Dawn rolled her eyes and corrected, "Mom isn't cool, she's a nerd."

"She's actually both." Dawn looked over her shoulder towards the voice of Flurry Heart walking out the glass castle doors towards them smiling. She raised a hoof to keep the sun's rays from burning her fur. "It's really hot out here, how can you guys just lie on concrete like this?"

Dawn smiled and replied, "It's always hot in Psera. Kia? Dusty? This is my cousin Flurry Heart, The Princess of the Crystal Empire with Equestria. Flurry? Meet the only friends I have."

Before Flurry could greet them, two heads of trouble bounced into her personal space and pointed at her head. Daisy inhaled deeply with wide blue eyes and yelled, "Hey, you have a horn too! I'm Daisy, nice to meetcha!" She grabbed Flurry's hoof and shook it hard. So much to the point that she was floating off the ground.

"And I'm Lightning!" Lightning zipped in like a blue blur and literally bumped Daisy out of her hoof to replace it with her own. "Nice to meetcha!"

Fresh Dawn sighed and stood up to save her. Exposed to those two she could catch something.

"I see you've met the terror twins." She used her head to carefully push Lightning back into Daisy. Then grabbed Flurry's hoof and brought her over to the steps. "They're my cousins here on my father's side."

Dawn dropped back down and adjusted her gym shorts with a tug of the drawstring. Then leaned back to sunbathe while Kia got comfortable with Flurry.

She said, "So, you're short stack's cousin."

"Uhhh... Y-Yeah," Flurry stammered. Then looked down to Dawn for a reaction. She was still Sunbathing with her hooves behind her head as if Kia never said anything. "I live in Equestria. The Crystal Empire. It's a territory under Equestria's name."

Kia leaned back and popped on a pair of sunglasses. "Right, the land of Friendship. Sounds like fujitas if you ask me."

Oh, here she goes. Dawn ordered, "Be nice, Kia. Dusty, say hi."

Fresh Dawn looked up towards the stallion she unfortunately didn't see. But he definitely saw her. His eyes were bigger than the blazing sun on the sky and laser focused straight on her clear blue ice blue eyes. Frozen.

Kia laughed and fawned, "Awww, he's broken. Wake up, Dark!" A random can she threw found itself on his muzzle. He snapped out of his trance and blinked to Flurry Heart. Then looked down to Fresh Dawn grinning up at him with a wink he didn't like at all.

"Ohh uh... H-Hi, I'm Dark," he greeted. Then reached his shaking hoof out and shook hers gently. His voice was cracking but that could be easily overlooked.

Flurry's hum of approval allowed him to relax. "I'm Princess Flurry Heart. Is Dark a common name around here? I think I've heard it a few times."

"Actually yes, it symbolizes a bright future. In fact it is so commonplace that a secondary name is usually added to avoid confusion. I have a secondary name but everyone just calls me Dusty so we don't need to use it. It's short for my last name. Dawn's idea."

Dawn chuckled to the sky and corrected, "So you think. I actually call you Dusty because sometimes you'd randomly fall over and get your coat all... Dusty."

"...is that true?"

Dawn laughed and answered, "Of course not, I'm just ruffling your feathers in front of your—" Kia stuffed a hoof into Dawn's mouth and shook her head. Not this time. He was getting in the zone.

Flurry giggled sweetly and replied happily, "Well now I know a little bit of something about Psera."

Dawn spat out Kia's hoof and warned, "I will bite you next time. So, what are you doing here? Not that I'm opposed or anything."

Flurry watched a bird land on the hot railing of the Skate Park and answered, "I came to talk to you about your mother. I know it's going to be awkward, but Aunt Twilight is a great pony. She's going to be devastated when she realizes all time has passed, but then she'll want to make up for it by being there with her family. That's a great pony."

Dawn couldn't deny morals like that. "I mean yeah, but... Mom and I will not get along."

"Not unless you make an effort. Trust me, I know the feeling. I get along with my mom more than my dad because he's the Captain of the Royal Guard."

"Captain?" Dawn repeated. She knew next to nothing about Equestria, let alone their military. "What's your range in hierarchy?"

"Captain would be behind the top commander in field combat."

"Oh, so he's a Colonel. Cool."

"Yeah." Flurry leaned back next to Dawn and stated, "I see you relate more to the ponies who get down and dirty."

"Yep!" Fresh Dawn jumped up on two hooves and pretended to punch Kia in the face. She didn't jump or move at all. "A little jabbing never killed anyone. A little mud in the rain is good for the soul. And definitely for the wings. I'm in training every seventh day of the week to learn defense."

"I've never heard of any of that."

"You live in Equestria. In Psera, every foal takes up defensive classes in case we're needed in the military. We won't need to learn any training, we can just enlist in case a war breaks out."

Flurry teleported in a crack in front of Dawn and held up a hoof to get her attention. "Well despite that, Aunt Twilight may be a 'nerd.' But that nerd is going to be hanging around you a lot. Dawn, she loves you. The first pony she's going to want to see is you once she gains her sense of reality back. She's going to grab you, hold you tight—"

"I'm already sick."

"—and never let you go. And she's not going to let you leave her sight. And I promise you, you'll both find something you're actually passionate about. I promise. So you better freshen up for tomorrow. It's going to be crazy."

Flurry turned around and teleported back into the castle before she could reply. Disappearing as fast as she came.

Kia turned around towards the glass doors and said, "She's right though." Then looked back to Dawn and gestured to her with her cup. "You need to toughen up, your mother's coming back home and she hasn't been around for ten years. She needs her family, not an annoying pony who complains."

Dawn rolled her eyes but could see where they were coming from. What happened to being excited about her mother, the Greatest Queen Psera has ever had? Her Saviour? She just didn't know.



Dawn couldn't sleep. And not because her father was moving through the halls cleaning up at ten at night. But because her mind was awake. Her book bed was gone by this point and the skies of Psera on her walls were decorated by pictures of her heroes, role models, favorite things. Pictures of herself, her friends, her family. Pictures floating in the dark sky. There was a few of her and her mother when she was around and herself when she was a filly. But not much.

What happened to all of that? What happened to her inspiration? To her dreams of becoming a role model like her mother? Does she even have any career goals? What if her plans for being queen change?

Dawn sighed and turned over with her back to the door. She honestly had a lot to think about. None of that stuff really occurred to her until now. None of it came to mind. But here she was thinking of it hours before she would be seeing her mother. Was it too late?

Dawn closed her eyes and began snoring in less than a minute with her mind on that very thought. It was such a long day. The answers to her question could wait for tomorrow.


~✶~


Today was the day. Dawn was quite certain news of her mother's return had spread through Psera hours before she went to bed. They successfully retrieved her yesterday at around twelve. She's had to have recovered by this time at least a little, right? Gosh, Dawn didn't know.

After she took a shower and dealt with hygiene, Dawn put on a violet and red dress, pulled her long red mane back into its signature ponytail, then walked out her bedroom into her home's new reality. So much change, and it's only eight. Dad's been busy. The living room floor was so shiny it looked like it's been scrubbed with wax. The air smelled of lemons, the kitchen table hosted a vase of dandelions in the center instead of the usual purple and red roses. Strange. And not really wanted.

Dawn walked in with an uncertain ease and called, "Uhhh... Dad?"

"Morning, Sugar Plum!" He walked out from the kitchen wearing his full King outfit made up with his honorary medals, an orange-red suit Dawn has never seen before with a tie, and the happiest of grins on his faces that made this big stallion look silly. "How'd you sleep?"

Dawn moved past him for the fridge in the kitchen to soothe her gurgling stomach. On the counter next to it were a plate of sandwiches. Weird ones she's never seen before.

"I slept fine," she grumbled. "What's going on here?"

Madun walked back over to the counter and explained, "Your mother likes Daffodils, I'm preparing Dandelion Sandwiches if Merry didn't beat me to it yet, and then we're heading out to meet the nine o'clock. Guard!" The front door opened and a Guard stuck his head in. "Has IHT arisen?"

"They're waiting for you in the foyer, sir."

"Thank you." Once the Guard was out, Madun focused his sights back on Fresh Dawn. She was bugged. That smile was upside down. He sighed and said, "I understand this is a lot of change."

"Dad, it's happening too fast." She closed the refrigerator door and turned to face her father with an expression of clear caution. "It's just... A little much."

Madun walked closer and pulled Dawn into that much needed hug she was looking for. Burying his little filly in care and affection.

"I know, Sugar Plum," he whispered. "But I promise it'll be okay. She's a great pony and believe it or not, your mother. She's like you."

Dawn moved out of her father's grip and grumbled, "Yeah, I doubt that." She went back to getting her breakfast and buried that falsified information. There was no way they were relatable.

"Just give her a chance, you'll be surprised at what you find. Now, let's get going." Madun used his wing to swoop a bag of two freshly-made Daisy Sandwiches from the kitchen counter into his hold.

Dawn shook her head to the bag and asked, "Couldn't the hospital have made Daisy Sandwiches for her?"

Madun laughed and repeated, "The Hospital making Daisy Sandwiches. That's a good one, Dawn. They don't know how to make them like how I make them. She'll recognize my food the second she smells them whereas the hospital's would be bland and tasteless. You'll see the difference."



Dawn was right. But it wasn't overnight. It had to be the same hour they actually got her in the hospital. The news had swarmed the castle's halls and the LiVAMs displayed photos and occurrences of the action from yesterday when they managed to get her to the hospital.

But the attention needed to be avoided for now. So everyone was directed to the back where the Pods were. That included the Zebra that made Dawn super uncomfortable. The one whose eyes were definitely burning down on her when they finally arrived.

Flurry's sudden presence on her left seemed to save the day. She pointed to the bag Madun had under his wing and asked, "What's that?"

He smiled to her and answered, "This is the secret weapon. Twilight is going to be upset. Very upset. This is going to calm her down almost instantly. The greatest weapon known to Psera."

Gardeen buzzed her wing to get Dawn's attention from the other side and whispered, "Those are Daisy Sandwiches, aren't they?"

"Yeah. Do they really get her to calm down?"

"They get her to that peaceful level. Like if she's hyper, she'll cool down. And if she's sad she'll perk up. Are you nervous? I know I would be if I were in your shoes."

The Guards at the end of the hall saluted and pushed the doors open for the garage. This area always made Celestia pause and take a gander for maybe half a second before moving on. At all the pods sitting lined up. The shiny wheels with rubber. The smell of the engines. Was it strange to enjoy that? She continued moving for the Grey pods with her own group while the Royalty moved for the much fancier ones.

They were already revved up and ready to move. So the doors for the Fire Family were lifted, they slipped in, they were closed then they pulled off onto the road leading out to Cop and away from the massive castle that was a world in its own.

During the ride, Dawn decided to keep herself hidden from the rest of the world by sinking deep down into the luscious seats. If they saw her, she would be placed up there with her too. Thankfully, the ride onto the highway was uneventful with a full contingent of Elite Guards escorting them peacefully to the hospital. Dawn's expression stayed cold. Relentless to acknowledge the reality until they actually parked their pods in the rear of the hospital.

Then she took a deep breath and stepped out with her father. He placed a wing on her back and walked with her into the rear of the hospital first before everyone else.
> Chapter 49 - The Return of the Queen
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Darkness. The shifting of an endless purple hue. Everything around Twilight was thick. So thick, she could barely move. Only use her magic to shift the hard gel to allow her movement. It was all inside her mind, her heart, her chest, everything. It was scary.

It was terrifying. All Twilight wanted to do was scream. To let all the air out of her lungs and be free of this nightmare. She couldn't control anything. Until now.

The last thing she remembered were explosions, magic flying through the air, being thrown into the back of something bright in a dark cave, then blackout. She woke up a few times with faces all gazing down to her. Asking her questions, pressing on her wings. But all she could think was... "Is this death? Is this the underworld?"

Then she blacked out again. She refused to open her eyes. To acknowledge the bright lights shining on her. Instead she chose to place her hooves over her head, squeeze her eyes shut and ignore the voices. The strange sounds. The overwhelming fear. The world beyond the Portal.



Madun knew something was up when a nurse with a short brown mane and a yellow coat on the bottom floor bowed when they walked in, then urngetly gestured for them to follow her down the hall. The hospital was beautified with many pictures, paintings, and art lying around on surfaces providing color. The Princesses had actually never been in a majority of these buildings in Psera. The only one they've ever actually been in was the Castle of the Gods, their Defense building, the huge stadium, and the Embassy here. That was it. Maybe they could be given a real actual tour sometime.

But that could wait. They followed the nurse into a stairwell and clopped up a few stairs while she explained the situation. "Her highness is exhibiting strange behavior."

Madun followed that with, "What type of strange behavior?"

"Well she won't take her hooves off her head, open her eyes or move. But she is awake and conscious."

Celestia and Luna shared a look then back to the present when they finally arrived on the floor. Number three hidden behind a single steel door with the painting of a colorful butterfly on the bottom. She pulled it open with a hoof and walked into a large area which definitely served as the nurse's station. It was just a big white circle with a round desk occupied by four Pserateps wearing different colored scrubs monitoring different LiVAMs.

They glanced up from their activity and one pointed to the far right at an open door. The entrance to a room packed with many Nurses standing by either in the room itself or in the doorway. Including Triage, the doctor for Royalty. She had a clipboard in her hoof and was speaking with two other doctors. The one Madun met yesterday and another wearing casual office clothes with a hospital tag.

Madun slowed his speed and called, "Triage."

Triage and the rest of the group looked their way then bowed deeply. Her mane cascaded down her face and covered it when she greeted, "Your highness." Then rose back up and flipped it to the side to look into his purple eyes with focus. "We have a small issue believed to be either Psychological or Magical in nature."

"Explain further please," he urged.

"This morning at around six a nurse went into her room to do a vital check. But her highness was already awake with her hooves over her head, eyes squeezed tightly shut and frozen. She's been in that exact same position ever since. Any attempt to touch her results in a shock of magic and—"

"She's terrified." All eyes moved to Celestia after her quiet interruption. She had walked past their conversation and was eyeing Queen Twilight in her room through the crack in the door. Just like any room in here, there was a high tech bed with small lights on the side, wheels, and railings. Along with a steel sink and cabinets on the left side. On the right was a window currently closed and directly above the door was a LiVAM. The floor was tiled and colored white with a thirty feet by sixty feet perimeter.

Twilight was on top of the bed under the covers as the center of attention. Her wings were still long as ever, trailing over the edge and over the floor until they bumped into the other side and had to curl. Her Cutie Mark stuck out the most. The same sparkling star with smaller ones around it.

And at the top of the bed was Twilight with her hooves over her head facing the wall away from them. It was truly a sad sight to see.

Celestia sighed and recalled quietly, "When she was a filly under my tutelage, some things would freak Twilight so bad she would run into her room, shut the door, and hide somewhere with her hooves over her head just like this."

Cadance gasped and pointed to Celestia. "Oh yeah!" She fawned in a whisper. "When I was her foalsitter, a situation involving bees and her running around the garden ended with her hiding in her room in this exact same position."

Aww, thats cute. Also, That's good, they recognized this! Triage quickly asked, "So how do you get her out of it?"

Celestia and Cadance thought long and hard. It was such a long time ago it was difficult to remember. Twilight was in her thirties and that was when she was around five or seven. But Cadance did remember after a few minutes.

"Reading," she answered. "Twilight always had a favorite book. And reading it aloud to her for a few minutes always did the trick. It may work on her now."

So a favorite book. That did sound like something that would wake Twilight up. Madun nodded with Fresh Dawn under his wing and whispered, "Okay, so she has a lot of favorite books. Picking the right one would take all day. But... She does have a single favorite poem. Think that'll work?"

Shining nodded eagerly and answered, "Oh yes, absolutely. She should become responsive. Now where can we find this poem?"

Madun simply reached up to the top of his head and tapped his skull. Then whispered to the doctor, "I'm going to walk in to reassure her it's okay. Just to give it a go."

Triage nodded and waved a few of the nurses out while he did just that. His hooves treaded silently across smooth flooring over to the love of his life hiding from the world in fear. He sat down next to her head and looked down at her face. At the small tear trailing down her muzzle from her bruised eye. Still beautiful as ever. As if time never passed.

He leaned forward into Twilight's space and whispered sweetly, "Hey, Twilight. It's Shimmering Madun, your husband. Fresh Dawn's here too. Can you open your eyes?" Well that was a futile effort. There was absolutely no response. Her breathing was quiet too. They did say she was unresponsive and uncooperative. Well it was still worth a shot. Now time to try the main attempt.

"I brought your favorite poem with me," Madun whispered. "Ten Rays of Summer. Remember Ten Rays of Summer? It reminds you of our honeymoon and the funny things we did. Like... Like the pancake incident? You tried to make pancakes and your mood swings took over. The poor skillet went flying out the window from the very top of the suite. I... Still don't know where it landed."

Celestia giggled silently from the doorway then witnessed evidence of progression: Twilight's tail twitched. Then her wing buzzed. She gasped and whispered, "She twitched. Keep going."

Madun didn't want to stop. "I'm going to read your poem now, okay?" He cleared his throat and started relaying the poem in Old Pseratopian. Just like any poem, it seemed to have a rhythm that was heard by the nearly invisible pauses Madun would make in between lines.

Twilight was becoming more responsive. Her tail was twitching more and she even shuffled. Celestia wondered what was going on in her mind right now.



Who is that? ... He sounds familiar. Very familiar. Twilight's mind was clearing. The purple substance was deteriorating. It was breaking down in her mind like someone was dropping a curtain. Revealing a warm glow behind it.

"Morsheema ertah thou..." Madun. Her husband! Twilight knew that deep voice anywhere! And was he reading... He was! Ten Rays of Summer, oh how Twilight absolutely adored that poem. Wait... What was going on? Another hallucination?

Twilight slowly opened her eyes unnoticed and came muzzle-first to a snow white pillow. She was on something soft. A bed. She was on a bed, but not their bed. She spotted Madun's physique on her left sitting down next to her reading her favorite poem. It was strange that he was looking at the floor while reading to her, but that was just his way, Twilight guessed.

Madun was almost finished with the poem. The spectators were beyond impressed that he managed to remember a poem that lasted a little over five minutes to read, but here it was. Then Twilight shuffled. As in her whole body moved. All eyes looked to her when she lowered down her hooves and trained her curious open violet eyes up to Madun's smiling face. As if the bruises weren't even there.

"Hey, Good Morning, Twi. How are you feeling?" He greeted.

She looked him up and down for a second as if this was the first time she's ever seen him. Then ordered in a whispering voice, "Keep reading." She booped his muzzle and repeated, "K-Keep reading. If you're real, you'd keep reading."

He laughed gently and replied, "Okay, sweetheart. 'Mersheema haitu, kalla shemare yortee...'"

Triage started waving a few of the nurses out to leave only two or three in there with the Queen while Madun wrapped up the story. "Kayyyy... Kalamoo." He leaned in and gently nuzzled Queen Arcadia's cheek. "Finished."

She giggled sweetly and nuzzled back with love and care. Once they were done nuzzling, she slowly sat up, looked around the hospital room and trained her eyes on the ponies smiling at her in the doorway.

She whispered, "Oh, hello. I didn't see you all hiding over there." She yawned and covered her mouth with a free hoof. "Why are you in a corner watching?"

Triage walked in and greeted, "Good morning, Queen Arcadia. How are you feeling?"

Twilight tracked Triage's every step and answered, "Tired. The fight with Maheera wore me out. Everything sort of hurts. She packs quite a punch, I'll give her that much."

"Ah, yes indeed. You've been asleep for a very long time. You feeling stiff is a natural response."

Twilight nodded but then froze once more. Her eyes furrowed. "Wait, a very long time? How long?" Twilight looked around for a calendar. But this room only had a clock. It was nearing ten in the morning. But... "What day is it? Did we win the war? Is it over?"

Madun wasn't going to like this. "Uhhh yes, sweetheart," he stammered nervously.

"So what day is it?" Madun bit his lip and glanced over to Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadance and some small purple Alicorn in the doorway. Wait... Twilight pointed to Fresh Dawn and asked, "Madun ... Who—"

"Twilight..." He sighed and tenderly patted her raised hoof sadly. "I don't know how to tell you this gently. And I don't even think there's another way so I'm just going to come out and say it. Maheera VS. Psera... That ended ten years ago. It's twenty twenty-eight. You've been presumed dead for ten years."

All eyes shifted to Queen Arcadia. Her eyes were frozen on Madun's. But with every single word, things weren't working out. Her heart rate sped up, her mind was clearing, she was hearing a deafening white noise almost to the point where she couldn't make out Madun's repetition of her name. Her mind couldn't take the pressure.

He waved his hoof in front of her face before her eyes slowly rolled up into the back of her head. Madun quickly reached out and grabbed her around the back when she went limp. And before she could fall off the bed and hit the floor. Unconscious from the overwhelming shock of being too late.

The nurses strode forward and started running the procedure of gently placing Queen Arcadia back under the covers. Madun backed away and allowed them to do their jobs. But not once did his eyes leave his wife's peaceful face. Her dirty mane and overall physique showed fatigue. Exhaustion. She was set comfortably under the sheets for a much needed rest.

He sighed and said, "Maybe that was a little much."

Celestia walked into the room with Fresh Dawn and replied, "Not at all. I'd be surprised if she didn't blink out momentarily. This is rather big news. I too would've fallen out of shock were I in her place."

Fresh Dawn's hooves slowed down at her mother's side. She peeked over the edge and her eyes gazed down to her mother's mane. It was different shades of purple. Glowing neon and moving with an unknown breeze. Sparkling with magic. Nothing like her own. But her mane had a single knick at the front and bottom like hers. And their faces held a deep resemblance too. Unlike most ponies, she actually knew what she looked like. And Arcadia could be her twin if not her mother. Just with purple hair instead of a red like Dawn's.

Buck. No wonder everyone looked to Dawn so often. Madun looked down to her with Celestia and asked, "You wanna stay with her?"

"Uhhhh ... Y-Yeah," Dawn meekly answered. Her eyes locked in on her mother's closed ones. "Sure. I'll stay with her here."

And she wasn't going to be alone. Flurry Heart walked over to the other side with emotion streaming down her cheeks volunteering, "I'll stay too. I missed Aunt Twilight."

"Okay. Let us know if anything changes." Madun leaned down and pecked Fresh Dawn on the top of the head. Then did the same to her mother. He would always be there for his two girls.

When the door closed behind them and the room only occupied three now, Dawn glanced up and whispered, "Hey... Thanks. This is... All a little confusing for me too."

After wiping away her tears, Flurry sighed and replied in a timid tone, "But it's not just about you. It's about your mom too, you know."

"I know, I know. But I know you'll be here for me too. So ... Thank you."

Flurry couldn't deny that. She sighed and smiled softly to Fresh Dawn. "Of course," she scoffed playfully. "I'm not going to leave my only cousin hanging like this." She raised her hoof out over Twilight's sleeping body in hopes of a return. But Fresh Dawn just stared at it awkwardly. "You're uhh... You're supposed to like... Like slap it..."

Dawn reached out and did what she said. It wasn't the same. The feeling was gone. Well that was... Interesting. Dawn looked down to her hoof for a moment then glanced up to Flurry Heart across. "Is that like an Equestrian thing?"

"It's a friendship thing."

"It's weird."

"You'll get used to it." Flurry looked around the room and trained her sights on the closed window. "So uhh ... What's it like here in Psera? You said it's always hot or something yesterday?"

Fresh Dawn nodded and sat back to relax away from leaning over her mother's body. "Yeah, in the summer like this. In the winter it's really cold. What's the Crystal Empire like?"

"Cold."

"Cool."

"Uh huh." Flurry pointed to the LiVAM above the door and asked, "So how does that work? It looks really cool."

Fresh Dawn's face actually beamed with pride. "Well it used to use cords, but now it sends a signal through the air thanks to the magic flowing all over the planet to display different signals in the form of sounds and visuals, which can be manipulated in different points of view."

Flurry's frozen expression at her sudden interest broke when she blinked once, then two more times. "Oh, that's interesting. But... I recall Psera not knowing anything about Magic until Aunt Twilight arrived. How exactly did they—ah, okay."

Dawn's hoof pointing down to her mother delivered her answer. "You can watch some if you want," she offered. Then gestured with her head to her mother. "I have a feeling she won't be up anytime soon."

Flurry shook her head and answered, "No thank you. When she does wake, you'll be all up in her hooves getting wet with salty tears. And I want to see it."

Dawn smirked and rolled her eyes playfully. "Wow, I just can't wait."



Twilight's head was dizzy. Everything was a little too much for her mind. Ten years? TEN YEARS?!! Twilight cracked her dreary eyes open one more time and trained them on the sink across from her. There were other voices bouncing off the walls in the room. Past experiences told her they were teenagers. She knew them when she heard them. Anyone would.

Dawn's story of Kia acting weird was making Flurry Heart smile. "And then she's all nice again. What happened to our rivalry? Our friendship is based off of rivalry, I don't get it."

Flurry Heart giggled and clarified, "Oh, that's easy Dawn, she's just in love."

"Lo ... What? With who?"

Twilight ceased any response by moaning and slowly sitting into a straight position. She reached up to her head to rub her forehead and eyes. Her brain felt like sand. Bits and pieces of gravel. A world was in her mind she couldn't make out that was slowly piecing itself back together. Her eyes scanned the suddenly silent room. The pony on her bottom left sitting on her haunches was familiar. Pink with a gradient pink and blue mane of the Crystal Ponies, pinkish coat...

"Flurry Heart?" She breathlessly guessed.

Flurry waved before she was enveloped in a glow and pulled into Twilight's iron grip. Her energy returned in a flourish. "Holy Narmeelah, you've grown up!!" She cried. "And I missed all of it-t-t!!"

Despite her dreams, Flurry was the first to take a shower in Twilight's tears. Her ice cream mane was getting all wet with her emotions. Salty with shame.

With her back to Twilight's front, she sympathetically patted Twilight's hoof and replied, "Aww, it's okay. You were just locked away by your... You were just locked away for a few years." Better not make her pass out again.

Twilight's sniffling and lip wobbling made Dawn so happy she was not in her grip. But the inevitable was coming. Especially since Flurry pointed over and said, "Hey, check her out." Ugh, you traitor.

Twilight gasped and squeezed her eyes shut to block the tears rushing down her cheeks. Then Flurry was released, Dawn was wrapped up in a glow and pulled up into Twilight's chest for the biggest hug she's ever had in her life from her sobbing mother. Despite the surprise at how at ease Twilight managed to grab her without any kind of strain whatsoever despite her weight—and her hold after being asleep forever, Dawn's mind recognized this hug. She couldn't explain it. Couldn't make sense of it, couldn't even make heads or tails. But it was really familiar. As familiar as the room she lives in. It was soft, warm, and a little comfortable. No. Very comfortable. An embrace she didn't know she needed.

Fresh Dawn snuggled into her mother's hooves and closed her eyes. Relishing the softness of her fur. Twilight lovingly nuzzled her mane and whispered through her tears, "I'm so sorry, Veola. I'm so sorry I haven't been here for you, I'm so sorry."

Fresh Veola Dawn shuffled within her mother's fur to get to a comfortable position and did the one thing that would hush her crying. She pushed her face into her messy chest and nuzzled her with love and affection. Twilight clearly relaxed and pecked her daughter's head as much as was acceptable. Oh how she missed her, she missed her filly so much. And Dawn's small sniffles let her know she missed her too. No matter how far she was, Twilight would always be there for her. Her protective wings would always keep her in their safe cocoon.

Flurry got the feeling she should probably just leave and let them have this. Dawn was about to dose off. She slowly backed away from the bed towards the door whispering, "Yeah, so I'm uhh ... I'm just gonna go." Using her magic, she opened the door and slinked out into watching eyes. Then slowly and quietly closed it back.

"Hey." She jumped and whirled around to face Gardeen staring down at her with curious light green eyes. Were all Pserateps just naturally tall? She must've came down this hallway where at the end the rest of their group were sitting in a hidden waiting room and sipping out of tea cups. Gardeen glanced up to the door and asked, "Sooo what's going on?"

"She's up."

Gardeen sighed in relief and replied, "Good, good. I was coming this way to get an update. How's she doing?"

Flurry smiled and answered, "She's fine. She and Dawn are having a mother-daughter moment."

Gardeen sucked her teeth and fawned, "Aww, that's so sweet. Let's tell the others. Come on." She turned around and eagerly left Flurry in her dust in favor of the news she wants to deliver. The second she was in view she reported, "She's up."

They looked her way and stood up with their cups in hoof. Shining Armor and Madun both asked, "How's she doing?"

Flurry trotted into sight with a happy smile and repeated, "She and Dawn are having a Mother-Daughter moment. Probably still hugging."


~✶~


Even though Twilight was a small Pseratep compared to everyone else, she was still slightly taller than the filly in her hooves leaning into her chest with closed eyes. Dawn was nearly shrouded from view in Twilight's closed wings. While she had her eyes closed, Twilight had hers open and was staring into the bathroom directly across from the bed they were sharing.

Her mind was running with so many questions. What happened when she disappeared? How old was Dawn now? How is everything overseas? Where even was she? She was in the hospital, but which one? How were her parents, her friends, her family? The CPC? So many questions unanswered.

Twilight shook her head and focused on the filly leaning into her. It put a smile on her face. She may have missed her grow up, but she definitely wasn't missing anything else.

A knock on the door changed nothing. She closed her eyes and nuzzled Dawn behind her right ear. It flickered against her muzzle before the door opened and Madun eagerly strolled in.

The moment his eyes locked in on the family reunion, he smiled with the pride of a loving father. A joy wrapped over his heart he hadn't felt for years. Those violet eyes shifted up to his from the filly currently being smothered and beamed with brightness. He would be remiss to not go over and acknowledge that look.

Twilight lifted her head when he approached and met his lips with her own. Dawn wouldn't care. If anything she would envy them.

After they parted, Madun said, "That was a kiss I've been wanting to give you for ten years. Don't you dare go running off to anymore hidden laboratories you made. Do you have anymore of those?"

Twilight shook her head and pulled her sights back down to Dawn, sleeping in her hooves. "No. That is the only one on Psera."

"Are there any in other locations?" Twilight rolled her eyes. "I'd rather not have you swimming to the bottom of the ocean trying to find cures."

Twilight giggled and answered, "No. That is my only one, Madun. So ... since I'm here, I take it you found my spell library. It slipped my mind to mention it to you."

Cadance crept over to Twilight's left side and answered, "Yes, Dawn did. We have a lot to talk about when you get better. Specifically the type of magic that you said you would never use?"

Twilight blinked twice then asked casually, "You mean my usage of Dark Magic?"

"Yes, Twilight."

Before Twilight could respond, Dawn mumbled something and rose out of her mother's wings to face her directly. She rubbed her eyes and asked, "How long was I out?"

Twilight chortled and answered, "Not long enough. You used to always take nappies at random points when you were younger." Dawn blushed and shuffled off the bed embarrassed.  She doesn't take nappies, she goes to sleep like a grown mare.

When she sat next to Flurry by the door, she was assaulted with a teasing smile she could feel burning into her face. "Not a word."

"I wasn't going to say anything."

The air condensed once more when Triage strolled in with her lab coat and greeted, "Ah you're awake again, your highness. Now we can start doing our procedures. Tell me how you're feeling." After Twilight and Madun separated, Triage grabbed her stethoscope and placed it on her chest to listen in.

Twilight reported, "Just a little ... Stiff everywhere. Nothing a little exercise and stretching can't take care of. Maybe even a jog or a flight. My ribs hurt, it hurts to breath, and my eye is swollen, I can feel it. I also believe my wing is sprained."

Triage removed the stethoscope and wrote down a few notes on her clipboard. "Alright," she replied through her pen. "You did break your rib, sprain a hoof and overpower your wings. You won't be flying for awhile, okay? Let's take a look at your wings to see what exactly needs to be wrapped up. Actually, since they're extensive we need a bit more room, we'll do that last. Raise your right hoof for me."

Twilight did as ordered and let Triage feel for whatever she was looking for. The poking made her grunt every now and again but it wasn't too bad. "Alright. Stand up for me."

Triage backed away so Twilight could stride out of the bed and into the middle of the room. Triage pushed aside her long wings and started checking her rear hooves by bending them while her stethoscope was attached to the joints. Listening for certain measures. "Can you tell me what you experienced in the... Mecrah Portal?"

Twilight answered without missing a beat, "Darkness. Loneliness. A loud silence. Hallucinations. A lot of hallucinations, I'm sure. Because Cadance still has her horn, thank goodness."

Celestia glanced over to Cadance who slowly reached up and felt her horn with horrified eyes. Triage nodded with a stoic expression and replied, "Alright, so some trauma. Your legs sound fine. Any pain in your muscles back here?" Twilight shook her head. "Okay. So I'm going to leave the magical stuff to the more experienced ponies in the room."

Triage stepped to the side and referred to the Princesses approaching, "What scanning are you doing first?"

Celestia stopped in front of Twilight's stature and answered, "I'll be scanning her magic for any possible impurities," she answered. "Based off the spells she's used, she may have a few mana infections. Possibly." She lit her horn and enraptured Twilight into a light yellow glow. "While we're at it ... Luna could you scan Fresh Dawn too?"

Fresh Dawn widened her violet eyes and pointed at herself repeating, "Fresh Dawn?"

Luna approached her and answered, "Yes, as in yourself. Don't worry, it's just going to tickle under your fur." Fresh Dawn was encased in Luna's magic and scanned of any possible Dark Magic. She knew she'd find some in her.

But she didn't know it was going to be this much.

According to her sensing, Dawn's very existence seemed fabricated by Dark Magic. Everything in her was just... Magic. Her organs, bones, mind. All just magic. As if she was made out of Dark Magic! With Dark Magic!

It took Luna by so much surprise, she gasped and dropped the spell abruptly. "Oh my stars!" She yelled.

At the shout, Cadance urgently walked over and asked, "What's wrong? Is everything okay with Dawn?"

Dawn added her own input. "Yeah! Am I okay? What's wrong with Dawn? I mean me?"

Luna nervously chuckled down to Dawn's worried face and answered, "I'm ... Not sure. I'm gonna ask your mother a few questions." She whipped around and walked over to Queen Arcadia. Then whispered urgently, "I just scanned Fresh Dawn, and she's practically a vessel of Dark Magic. As in every last part of her is Dark Magic. She's long past infected."

Celestia finished scanning Twilight and replied, "Well Twilight is clean. Care to explain why Fresh Dawn seems to be a walking shadow?"

Twilight looked to Fresh Dawn for a second with no expression. Thinking. Recalling. Her mind came up with so many theories. But only one explanation jumped out at her.

She trained back to the Princesses and replied, "Later. I'm not really in the mood to talk magic at this time. I'd rather spend time with my family and learn all that I've missed these past few years."

Triage nodded and wrote down a few notes concerning Twilight's magic. Then stated behind the pen, "I'd recommend you stay in the room up to at least twelve for observation of the mental kind. Just to see how you would react. We'll be wrapping your wing and hoof up in a stint to allow healing to play its role."

"And during that time..." Madun walked back into the room carrying a small tub of water between his teeth with a destination for Twilight's bedside. they didn't even know he had left. He set the tub down softly and said, "I'm giving you a bath."

Twilight made a face of bewilderment—as well as embarrassment—and made known, "Sweetheart, I can wash myself." It wasn't uncommon for them to take baths together or wash one another. Madun particularly enjoyed it a lot.

Madun stubbornly shook his head and retorted. "Not today. Everyone out. Out, out, out."

Oh boy. Celestia smiled and replied, "Okay, okay, we're going. Come on, Fresh Dawn. Let's give your parents some privacy time... Fresh Dawn?" Celestia walked out into the hall after Fresh Dawn had jetted out with the rest of the ponies. She did not want to see her parents bathing together. It was good to have mom back and all, but she did not need to see that.

Once they were out, Madun closed the door and turned to face Twilight with a deadpan glare. "I have a bone to pick with you."

Of course. That made a lot more sense than giving her a bath in the hospital. Twilight sighed and started walking towards the bed. "Are you going to scold me about my decision?"

He walked over to the side in front of the sink and nuzzled the top of her head while she got comfortable on top of the comforter. "I was scared," he whispered. He pulled back and looked down into her eyes with wet ones. "The last time I saw you next to me was when I told you that you needed to fix the damage... I never knew that you were going to go to Equestria and fight Maheera. You disappeared. And when Odega said that you were in Equestria fighting her, the military was scrambled.

"I watched it all, Twilight. I held Fresh Dawn in my hooves and watched everything unfold. I saw you hurt in that castle, I saw you fighting that huge dragon. I saw you bruised, bloody, and in pain. Then I saw you disappear. I saw you die, Twilight. I witnessed the mother of our daughter die. I saw the love of my life die and I could do nothing about it."

Twilight wrapped a hoof around Madun's neck and pulled him into an emotional hug. She let her silent tears wet his fur, and his into hers. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I am, I'm sorry you had to go through that, Madun."

"I know." Madun slowly pulled away and bargained, "But from now on, from this point forward, let the Guard and myself do the fighting. You're stronger, but highly looked up to here in Psera. Not to mention, I love you. Your life is worth more than my own. So we're going to preserve it. Understood?"

Twilight sighed but agreed with a nod. She could deny being more important than anyone else all she wanted to, yet even she knew the Pserateps see the complete opposite; and their opinions mattered the most.

"I promise," she whispered.

"Good. I'm going to inform the Guard and everyone else about this decision. No fighting. Now, let's get you cleaned up. You're a mess. I don't know why the nurses haven't done it yet." He leaned down and picked up the cloth from the water with his teeth.

Twilight sat up while he prepared and answered, "I wasn't moving, sweetheart."

"Well you are now, so let's get you cleaned up." Twilight rolled her eyes but smiled. Not a lot of mares actually got their spouse to wash them unless something else was involved. Twilight and Madun would do this just to feel close. No sex at all.

She wouldn't trade him for anything.
> Chapter 50 - Recovery(Dawn's Magic)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Twilight's bath and application for healing was finished, she shined brighter than the sun. Her violet coat was immaculate, mane elegantly brushed and more manageable, and her hooves, manicured with the elegance of a rarity. Her right one was wrapped in a stint and her right wing sealed in gauze to prevent further pain. Now she looked exactly like how everyone remembered her with a few added temporary features.

She looked herself over in her room's bathroom mirror and turned her head from side to side. Her mane bounced in the bob and painted a smile on her face. She found the shiner to be the mark of a warrior. A pony who fought for not only herself. But for her whole country. It was the least she could manage.

Madun sat behind her with his hooves on her shoulders smiling into the mirror. Twilight sighed and said, "I look great, sweetheart. I didn't even know you could hair. Now. All we need is my crown."

Madun's smile slowly faded into a wide-eyed look of knowing and unfortunate. His mouth slowly formed into a silent "ohhh." They completely forgot about it. Twilight glanced up and asked, "Sweetie? What happened to my crown?"

"Well, everyone thought you were dead, so we held a memorial service and sealed your crown and sword in your Mausoleum."

"Oh..."

Madun quickly backtracked, "But I'm sure we could have another one made, sweetheart. It wouldn't be an issue."

Twilight nodded and replied, "I know, I know. But I liked that crown. It showed more than just being Queen. It represented everything that led up to that point and how I overcame it all. It was sentimental in a sense, so..."

Madun deflated and whispered, "Ohh... I'm sorry, Twilight. I didn't know it meant that much to you."

"It's okay, you didn't know. None of you did." She turned around and patted his chest. That big hard chest that... "Did you work out more?"

Madun glanced down at her hoof and answered, "Maybe."

"Oh! Speaking of which—"

"You can exercise as much as you need to."

"No, no, I know that." Oh, this was awkward. She seethed and glanced away. "I know I've been gone for many years, and ummm... If there's another pony you've—" Madun shushed her by leaning down and pecking her lips with as much love she needed.

"There is no other," he whispered. "You're the only pony for me. And the only one I'd rather be with."

Twilight couldn't say there was anyone more committed. She pressed her lips up to his and parted before he added, "Now that doesn't mean I haven't been frustrated. Dawn wouldn't want me to date."

Twilight laughed and nuzzled under his neck. "Well I'm here now, do what you want. And tell me about Dawn, I need to learn about my filly. What does she like, what is she like, does she like math, is she a scholar, how's school, does she have a boyfriend, does she have friends, is there—"

Madun placed a hoof over her mouth and led her back out into her sunny room from the bathroom. Everything was silent and the area was abandoned. It's been over an hour. A peaceful hour. Madun chuckled and replied, "Dawn is fine, she's doing her own thing, no boyfriends on my watch, she loves sports—"

"Sports?!" Twilight placed her front hooves on the bed and repeated, "Dawn likes sports?"

Madun slowly walked over to stand behind Twilight and answered, "Yes, Fresh Dawn likes sports. Is there a problem with that?"

"I mean... Has she ever been injured?" Great, here we go. Madun sighed and used his head to push her rear onto the bed. "I'd rather my little filly not get hurt playing physical games."

"Twilight, Dawn is fifteen years old." Twilight gasped in horror and overdramatically dropped her head into the clean white covers. "She's not a little filly anymore; she takes care of herself just fine. Of course she's been hurt, it's sports. She's not invincible, she barely knows any magic. This is her outlet."

Doesn't know any magic? None?! Twilight bounced back out of bed much to Madun's displeasure and started to rant. "No magic? How does she not know any magic?"

Madun walked in front of Twilight and began pushing her back to the bed again. "Oh, I don't know Twilight. Maybe because there is literally no other magic-wielding Alicorn-Pseratep on the continent except herself and her mother, who, might I add, disappeared ten years ago and left no trace of her magical textbook library that we just found."

Twilight hopped back into bed and took a deep breath. As harsh as the reality, she had to face the fact that Dawn doesn't know any magic because... There was no one around to teach her even if she wanted to learn it. And she was supposed to do it.

Twilight lowered her head and sighed down her guilt. "Alright, alright," she whispered. "I'll... Teach Dawn some of my magic. But first... I want to get to know her better. What else does she like?"

Madun bit his lip and answered, "I... Honestly don't know. Dawn is a mystery. Even to me. Maybe you should get to know her yourself."

Twilight nodded and jumped out the bed again. Madun sighed and gave up. There was just no keeping her in bed. "Yeah... Yeah, that's a much better idea. But first..." Using her magic she opened the door and carefully walked out into view of the hospital floor. Immediately, all chatter and motion stopped and turned her way. "I want to see the rest of Psera. I feel like everything just... Moved on without me knowing and I want to know as soon as possible. I hate being left behind and in the dark."

Madun walked out in front of her and said, "I'll ask the doctor about your needs here before you go anywhere, there's no way in the Underworld I'm letting you roam around injured after being asleep for ten years."

Twilight pouted but gave in while he walked away. Then looked around at all the bowing ponies. "Please rise," she smoothly ordered. It felt really good to do that once again. Of course she didn't like all the bowing, but it always happened. That and it had its perks. "Can someone please grab my daughter?" She asked.

At least ten hooves shot up before everyone started running around just looking for the Princess. Well her job here was done. So Twilight walked back into her room and turned on the LiVAM. She was already really behind on... Everything.



Twilight's room was directly around the corner. Down the hall and the fifth room on the right. And the rest of the rulers of Foreign Countries decided to place themselves in an office meeting room that distance to discuss a few things. Not only were they serious rulers, Kings, Queens, and Princesses. They were also friends. And Princesses Dawn and Flurry were included, no matter how young they were.

While the elders were having their conversations, they too were having their own. Sitting in a rotating chair next to Princess Luna, Dawn asked, "Road kick, half stand, three fourths. Can you do that?"

Next to her beside Novo, Flurry shook her head and answered, "I don't know what that is."

"It's a board trick, the Road Kick. Ahh, it's way before your time."

Flurry hit her playfully with a wing and stated, "I'm five years older than you."

Someone politely knocked on the door that ceased all conversations. All attention was on that now. A silence so thick it could have frozen time itself.

Shining used his magic to slowly squeak it open for a nurse standing there in light blue scrubs. She bowed and informed, "Her Highness seeks Princess Fresh Dawn."

Her mother the Queen has summoned her. The Legendary Queen has summoned her. Cold hooves just became a thing. Dawn bounced out of her seat and started making her way to the door with all eyes on her. Her mother wanted to see her.

Her hooves felt like lead when she treaded around the corner behind the nurse and into the unit holding her. Heavy with the weight of the situation. Their first interaction ever since she woke was tense and full of acid. She didn't see a mother, she saw a Queen caring for her citizens.

Now she was about to see her mother.

She stopped in front of her mother's door and raised a hoof to knock before it unexpectedly swung open. Twilight was sitting on her bed with her eyes on the LiVAM above before they shifted down to her daughter. Her face painted over with a grin and she said, "Dawn! Come in! Don't be scared, I'm not going to bite."

Dawn wasn't scared of her, per se. She was merely cautious. She slowly walked into the room before Twilight used her magic to shut the door. Her eyes were on everything as if she never stepped in here before. But her mother could understand that.

Twilight smoothly slid off the bed in front of Dawn and stated, "You've truly grown up beautifully away from my eyes, but now that I'm here I get to see it. No matter how late I am."

"...mom, I'm only fifteen," she grumbled. "And I doubt I'll be moving out of the castle."

"Oh I know." Dawn yelped when Twilight lifted her up in magic and placed her on the bed. "But I never got to see anything after your fifth birthday. Literally. I left Psera to fight Maheera at eleven on the night of your fifth birthday. Then I sealed us both away. I never got to see you grow up, I never got to see you... Play your sports." Twilight's huff let Dawn know she was less than amused at that trait.

Dawn shyly asked, "Princess Cadance said that you enjoyed Sports, right?"

"Every now and again. I'm not too big a fan. But if you want to play sports, then I will support you."

"Umm... Okay."

Twilight moved past the sports conversation with, "Is there anything you want to know about me?"

There was a lot she wanted to know. But Dawn honestly just wanted to learn one thing more than the rest. "How do you know so much magical stuff or... Skills?" She quickly queried.

Her baby was curious about magic.
Like mother like daughter they always say. Twilight moved on the bed next to Dawn and settled down next to her facing the LiVAM. Then answered, "Well... Years upon years upon years of experience. In-field testing, a lot of reading, I studied a lot. You just don't learn magic overnight."

"Oh." Dawn glanced to the side and tried to come up with another question.

"And yes, I will teach you magic." Dawn shot her head back up to look at Twilight's calm face in surprise. "Dawn, you have my face whenever I want to ask a question. Your father said you don't know magic and I'm pretty sure you would want to use this horn." She reached out and lightly tapped Dawn's horn.

"Well... Okay," Dawn said with a clear smile that brightened Twilight's day.

"Okay, so before we do anything I need to see what I'm working with. Come in the middle of the floor with me." Twilight teleported away in a snap and positioned herself in the middle of the room.

Dawn had to jump down off the bed and trot over quickly. Teleporting was so cool. Flurry could do it. So could the rest of the Alicorns. Not her though. Hopefully, that would change. Twilight pointed to the spot directly in front of her so she knew where to stand and said, "So I'm going to scan your magic and see what kind I'm working with."

"There are different types?" Dawn queried.

"There's plenty." Twilight lit her horn and surrounded Fresh Dawn in a warm violet glow. Her eyes illuminated a purple that would have scared Dawn if she wasn't curious. "Is there anything else you want to ask, sweetheart?"

She may be entirely focused, but Twilight was listening. Dawn scuffed her hoof against the floor and asked, "So uhh... What are you going to do now that you're back?"

"Well first I'm going to get to know my little filly better!" She squealed. Then proceeded with the spell for almost a minute while Dawn internally shivered. "Okay, so here's the deal with your magic." Twilight straightened up and canceled the spell. Her eyes returned to normal and her horn returned to a normal purple. "Your magic is... Special, in a sense. You see, you're what I would classify as a hybrid."

"A... Hybrid?" Dawn repeated.

"Yes, so most—actually all creatures—have a certain kind of magic in them that allows them to do certain things to a specific extent. So for Pegasi such as the Pserateps, that magic would allow them to fly faster than they usually would, occupy clouds, and to mobilize the atmosphere whereas unicorns can do all types of clean spells with no possible limit. Earth Ponies, the ponies with neither horn or wings are given magic that allow them to run fast and strength to grow and extend the land. There are more types of magic per race but that's a curriculum for later.

"Alicorn magic combines all three common races of magic. Unicorn, Earth Pony, and Pegasi. But your magic also has Dark Magic in there too. So your magic would be a lot more unstable to control and maybe even a little difficult to learn how to."

Dawn deflated when she heard that with lowered ears. Unstable? Difficult? Those were the words leading up to not possible.

Dawn asked, "Are you saying... I won't be able to learn magic?"

Twilight shook her head and clarified, "No, what that means sweetheart is that we'll be using more creative ways to utilize your magic. Unfortunately there is a dominating amount of Dark Magic in your body than there is regular magic of all races. Therefore, in order to make it easier for you..." Twilight sighed and said, "I'll have to teach you Dark Magic."

Dawn wasn't so sure about that. "Uhhh the Princesses from Equestria look at Dark Magic as a taboo. Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Oooohhh, you know big words now! Taboo! Oh I am so proud of you!" After a moment of silence, Twilight cleared her throat of any remaining embarrassment and walked over to the door when it opened for Madun to stride inside. "Everyone in Equestria looks at Dark Magic as a bad thing because they have experienced it at its worse. I am no exception. Many creatures have used Dark Magic for their own greed.

"But while it is true that Dark Magic is physically dangerous to anyone that uses it, that rule does not apply to a pony who has lived with dominating Dark Magic in their body their entire life. If a pony such as myself were to use it as if it were an everyday thing, then I would be infected and bad things would in fact happen to me.

"But for a pony such as yourself who was born with Dark Magic and is familiar with it, it wouldn't hurt you at all. Basically, Dark Magic to a pony who isn't used to it is terribly bad, but for a pony who was born with it, you would be about as used to it as a normal pony to magic. I'll show you."

Madun sat down on the side by the window and asked, "What's going on?"

"I'm teaching Dawn how to use her primary form of Magic." Twilight teleported a standard sheet of paper in front of her. "You are factually stronger than the Princesses, Fresh Dawn. Teleportation will come much easier to you. I want you to teleport this into your father's hooves. Sweetheart hold out your hooves." Twilight levitated the paper over to hover directly in front of Fresh Dawn. Oh jeez, they were really doing this. "How is it when you hold things, Dawn?"

Dawn gulped and answered, "Well I usually use my hooves, but holding a bottle of water is the equivalent of hefting saddlebags filled with rocks."

"Sounds like a Maud Pie joke." Dawn didn't know what that meant, but okay. Twilight theorized, "Your primal magic may be Dark Magic. Alright, so in order to teleport you have to focus on the location where you want the subject to go and the subject itself. The subject is the paper, and the location is your father's hooves. So think of them synchronously."

Dawn took a deep breath and did as ordered with her eyes squeezed shut. Painting an image of her father in her mind and the paper in front of her. "Okay," she said, "Okay, I got it."

Twilight sat down and folded her wings to splay out behind her. She wouldn't be using them for months. "Now reach deep down in your body, grab the cold magic inside you, and push it out."

Dawn did as instructed. Reaching down into that cold pool of energy shifting around inside her and pushed it out. Dawn disappeared in a small burst of negative energy instead of the paper, exceeding all of her mother's expectations in the form of smoke. But instead of appearing where her father was...

Madun lowered his hooves and stated, "She's gone. Twilight, where'd she go?"

Twilight sighed and used her magic to track a huge source of Dark Magic. "She's down the hall. I'll go get her." Then Twilight quickly teleported away after Dawn.



The last thing anyone expected to see was a black cloud blow up directly in the middle of the conference room. Yes, it was small and silent. But it still freaked them out. Celestia jumped up and stared at Fresh Dawn standing still with her eyes closed while Luna and Cadance slowly rose out of their seats. All with scared eyes on Dawn.

She cracked her own eyes open and looked around. "Uhhh... Did I just teleport?" She asked.

Celestia cleared her throat and asked her own question, "Dawn, did you just use Dark Magic?"

"I just teleported!" She cheered. She pranced off the table to the floor. She had to tell Dad!

The pony Celestia needed to see about this snapped into the room next to Dawn. Pulling a jump out of her. She looked way better than before. Much cleaner. But still. Luna asked, "Are you teaching Dawn Dark Magic, Queen Arcadia?!"

Twilight glanced her way with no change in pride then looked down to Fresh Dawn. "Great job, sweetheart!"

Cadance stride in and corrected, "No, no great job! Twilight how could you teach Fresh Dawn dark magic out of the many spells you know?"

Twilight sighed in annoyance and answered, "Dawn's primal magic is Dark Magic. It's harmless for her to wield and use than it is for you or I. I'll show you. Dawn? Try lifting this table." She pointed at the large and definitely heavy wooden table in the middle of the room. "Using Light Magic."

Light Magic?! Dawn stammered, "I-I can't really... It's hard for me to lift things with regular magic."

"Just give it a shot."

Dawn gulped and focused her standard magic on the table. Her magical aura surrounded it, but the table itself didn't move. It remained still and stationed. Dawn grunted and released her hold with a shake of her head. "I can't do it, it's just too heavy," she cried.

Twilight nodded and replied, "Okay, it's okay. Now try with your other magic."

Other magic?! Celestia asked, "She has two kinds?"

"Yes."

Dawn lit her horn again and reached down into the more cold side of her magic. The red glow of her horn gradually changed from red to a horrifying black along with the aura surrounding the table. Then it shot up into the air and almost hit the ceiling. And would have if Dawn didn't stop it in time.

Twilight smiled proudly and stated, "Dawn's primal magic is Dark Magic. It's much easier for her to use and actually much healthier for her." Twilight looked down to Dawn and said, "Since you use Dark Magic, we're going to be using my... Restricted Arts section. I always had a feeling I'd have to use it."

Celestia sighed and said, "Twilight... You have a lot to explain."

"I'll tell you later, but right now I'm with my daughter. Let's go, Dawn." Twilight teleported both herself and Dawn back into her room.

The snap scared Madun so much he threw his book up to the ceiling. Once it landed on his head, he sighed and grumbled, "Well... Better get used to that. Again." He had a feeling that since these two were together again, there would be a lot of snapping and magical items flying around. Great.
> Chapter 51 - Talk Of Dawn
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dawn may have been out of touch with her magic, but she was quickly picking up teleporting. Within twenty minutes, she was teleporting endlessly across the room in silent puffs. Her parents simply ignored it and indulged in the LiVAM from the comfort of Twilight's bed, set on the news. She's missed so much, everything seemed alien. Unreal. She had yet to be outside, but Madun said Triage recommended staying in bed until she was feeling "uppity" again.

So here she was. Leaning into Madun under his wing watching their daughter practice. This was everything she'd ever want. Sitting with her husband and watching their daughter have fun. Although with no Dark Magic, no hospital bed, and no time skip of ten years. It was one of those times where everything is peaceful.

But it wasn't supposed to be this way exactly.

One step at a time, Twilight thought. Dawn burst into a shadow in front of her wearing a big grin. "I got it! I got it down! What's next, I'm ready!"

Twilight laughed silently and slid out from under Madun's wing for the side of the bed. "Well the next step requires an outdoor atmosphere. Everything requires outdoors. So you're going to have to wait a bit more, okay?" 

Dawn was disappointed. But her mother was in the hospital, so she relented and sat down in front of the bed. "Uh uh, come up here." Twilight pulled Dawn up in a violet aura and set her down in front of her on the bed. Then used her horn to playfully poke Madun. "Move aside! Us fillies need our space."

"Ow! Jeez, okay, so pushy." Twilight and Dawn laughed while Madun slipped out of the bed to make room for his daughter, then nuzzled Twilight behind the ears. She happily nuzzled back with clear love and affection.

As comforting as it was to see her parents in love and together, the nuzzling directly over her head was making Dawn shuffle and glance around just to avoid it. Something her father took note of. "Uh ohhh, Dawn's uncomfortable, she's feeling left out."

Twilight shared a wink with her husband. "Well let's include her. We never leave our little princess out of family moments." Then they both leaned in and nuzzled Dawn's cheeks. Much to her horror.

She slowly shrunk into herself and formed a small quivering bubble while their muzzles attacked her fur. "Ew, ew, ew, ew, ewwww! Dad's already bad enough, mom!" Then jetted out from in between their assault. She threw the door open and ran into Gardeen's hooves. Well one of them. She was preparing to knock. But apparently was also about to interrupt something.

"Gardeen!" Gardeen was unceremoniously pulled into Queen Arcadia's hooves after she teleported over. Looks like Gardeen didn't have to contemplate on what to say. Which gave Dawn enough time to rush out. She had something important to handle anyway.

Gardeen hugged Queen Arcadia back just as hard and whispered, "Welcome home, Twilight."

"It feels good to be back, my second filly." Twilight leaned back from their embrace and measured her up and down. Then gasped in surprise and covered her mouth. She noticed it. The one piece on Gardeen Arcadia's never seen. She reached out to carefully lift up the marriage ring from around her neck. Gardeen was... She was...

Twilight looked back up to Gardeen and whispered, "When?"

She sighed and whispered, "The same month you disappeared. I realized that life was too short and... I was ready for the next step. Ten days after, I proposed to Pink and she said yes. Two months later, we had our wedding."

Twilight tried to keep her tears at bay, but... "I'm so proud of you," she whimpered. Then pulled her back into a hug. "I'm sorry I wasn't there."

"You risked your life so I could make that move. Don't apologize." They parted and smiled at each other once more. "We have a lot to catch up on, ma'am."

Twilight rolled her eyes and replied, "You know I do not like formalities with family. Does this hospital have a Garden?"

Gardeen eagerly nodded and answered, "I was there writing before I came up here. But it's on the first floor, which means..." She bit her lip and whispered, "Certain ponies will see you."

Twilight relentlessly shook her head of purple hair and replied, "I do not mind. I only ask they watch from afar and not interrupt our conversations. Sweetie?"

Madun shifted his eyes from the bed and ordered, "Don't wear yourself out, take it slow, and bring a nurse with you. I'll keep the bed warm."

Twilight turned around and walked out the door with Gardeen by her side who said, "I'll grab a nurse for you." Then waved a hoof to the nurse's desk for attention. "The Queen requires a nurse!"

Once Twilight had her nurse and a mobile heart monitor by her side, they were treading the halls. Each time they walked past a pony, they squeaked and bowed. It was always awkward. Up to the point where Gardeen broke the silence it trapped them in and said, "You've missed a lot, Twilight."

"I've been asleep for ... Ten years," Twilight whispered. She took a deep calming breath and let out her frustrations. "It's hard to believe my daughter grew up without me."

Twilight sighed in dismay and stopped in front of an empty waiting room. On the left of them were windows that Twilight peered out of. She was on one of the top floors. Probably the eighth. She was able to see all of Psera. The Castle still looked the same, the Central Obelisk too. The sky still held Psera Skies. And they managed to rebuild the CPC. Of course a monument was there too to replace its past space. Even after ten years, it all looked the same with just a few minor changes.

Gardeen stopped beside her and whispered, "She never gave up. She always knew you were alive. But when you left, Dawn changed. From the playful filly she once was to a more... Secluded antisocial state. She has friends, but you don't see her with them that much."

"So what does she do with her time?" Twilight was afraid of the answer.

"She studies and searches. Constantly finding out how to use magic and looking for you. Sometimes she'd ask for my assistance."

Twilight slowly shook her head and stated, "That's not good. If she doesn't go out and be a filly, she won't have any friends. She'll become isolated and alone, trapped by her studies. I'll change that. I need to start acting like a mother. Teaching my daughter, training her for the struggles ahead. I never got the chance. Now I do. But..." She turned her body to face Gardeen. "I have to face the consequences of my actions first."

Twilight turned around and began to walk back to the walkway with her nurse and Gardeen, whom of which repeated, "Consequences? Twilight, you saved Psera and all races because you sacrificed yourself."

"Gardeen, I used Dark Magic under the muzzles of my citizens, I had an unauthorized laboratory holding all of my spells along with illegal testing done, including practicing the Dark Arts. And... The Obelisk Line is still not corrected. The only pony who can do it is me. And it hasn't been corrected for ten years. So I have to get to work on that when I'm not spending time with my daughter."

Gardeen giggled and commented, "Dawn wouldn't want you mothering and smothering her. She likes to take care of herself."

"Well she's getting mothered and smothered because I haven't gotten that chance yet. Now... About her magic."

Yes, about that. Gardeen glanced to Twilight and said, "Rumors are circulating around that from IHT."

"Speaking of..." Twilight lit her horn and teleported a specific pony in front of her. A pony who she's known to be concerned about her life to the point where it's annoying. Princess Celestia.

She was snacking on a slice of cake she got from somewhere and froze a fork an inch from her mouth to glance around. Then focused on Twilight's smile and sighed. "You of all ponies should know it is more polite to ask than teleport somepony away from their meal," she lightly scolded.

"You may want to hear this," Twilight calmly argued. She walked past Celestia and whispered, "It's about Dawn."

Celestia immediately threw the fork into her mouth and ate the simple piece that was on it. Then followed after her, Gardeen and the nurse. Twilight had that look on her face. The one where she knew something they didn't. And nopony liked being left out of the loop from their family.

When she was close enough and a specific privacy spell was up around her, Gardeen, and Celestia, Twilight sighed and admitted, "Fresh Dawn is only alive because she is made of Dark Magic."

Well that's confusing. Twilight the Vague has returned. Celestia kindly asked, "Could you clarify that a little bit more?"

"When Blueblood shot me with that arrow, it pierced my daughter before she was even born. And as fragile as she was, she would have died..." Twilight stopped walking and looked up to Celestia. "The spells Dawn use to bring her toys to life—based off of what Madun tells me—is the same spell I used to keep her alive. But I never ceased the spell. So it took over her body... And changed her. She's not who she was supposed to be."

Oh no. Celestia whispered, "Are you telling me that technically Dawn is..."

"Dawn is a walking corpse. Her heart isn't pumping blood, it's pumping magic. The reason she doesn't get sick is because anything that gets into her body is immediately burned to ashes by the magic circulating through her veins. Powering her body, her organs, her eyes, her mind. All magic. She can't learn standard magic because she has no regular magic. Or at least not a lot compared to how much Dark Magic. If Dawn were to fall dead today, only I would be able to bring her back with Dark Magic. Nothing else in the world can because only she and I know the spell."

Gardeen sighed and asked, "So she's stuck with Dark Magic?"

As Dark Magic. Twilight began walking again and answered, "Yes. But it's not too much of a bad thing. She is the holder of Dark Magic. But it also makes her a target."

Celestia nodded and replied, "I was afraid of that. Dawn is the only pony in the entire world who is able to use magic to give life. But Novo also made something clear to me on the Aquata over here."

Twilight glanced up when they stopped at an elevator and asked, "And what was that?"

When the nurse pressed the button Celestia asked, "If Dawn can give life... Can't she take it too?"

Twilight was about to respond no. But... Then again... "Has she done it before?"

Gardeen nodded and replied, "All the time to Sky Blue. It serves as a sort of... Therapeutic Tool for when she's overwhelmed or lonely. She gives it life and plays with it for awhile. Then takes it back and stuffs it away when she's done."

Oh no. The same way worked with ponies around her. Twilight looked to her right and kindly waved to a few Pserateps watching. "Does she know she can do that to anyone?"

"Highly doubt it." The elevator door dinged open and Twilight strode in with Celestia, Gardeen, then the nurse. Once they were turned around, the doors slowly shut.

The nurse faced them and asked, "Where to?"

"The Garden," Gardeen answered. She turned to Twilight when the elevator began its descent and asked, "So what are you going to do about it? I highly doubt she knows she herself doesn't actually have blood in her body."

Or actual organic organs made of real flesh, Twilight thought. She sighed and answered, "I'm not sure. It's a hard truth. A really hard truth that even I'm not sure should be known."

Celestia groaned and scolded, "Twilight, you cannot keep this from your daughter of all ponies. Her birth may have been magically corrupted, but even I know she deserves to know about her true nature."

"I know, I know," Twilight interrupted. Then lowered her tone and stated, "But there's just too much going on right now. I just escaped from that endless nightmare, all eyes are on me now and... Wait..." She looked back to Celestia when the doors opened and asked, "Did Maheera fall out too?"

Celestia smiled and shook her head. "No, she was still in chains when—"

"We have to get her out of there." Celestia ceased her speaking and shared a look with Gardeen.

Gardeen repeated, "Get... Maheera Dark out of Prison? Why?"

"It's... A huge complicated issue. I know the root cause of the war between her and Narmeelah, but I need to get her out for a much better explanation between myself and the rest of... Where is Odega?"

"Well as I live and breath." Arcadia looked up to the ceiling of the elevator at the Bat made of fire hanging low. "If it isn't Queen Butt, back from the dead."

And Odega was still mocking her. She hasn't changed a bit. Well what could you expect from a pony as old as time itself? Twilight smiled and kindly greeted, "Hello, Odega."

Odega dropped down and landed on the top of Twilight's head. Then transformed into a long snake that elegantly wrapped around her neck like a burning scarf to stare into her eyes. Twilight's only reaction was to roll her eyes. "Give me a reason as to why I shouldn't choke you. Because letting Maheera out is suicide."

"Maheera is as Harmless as a bunny with sheep," Twilight explained. "Let her out and I'll show you."

"You didn't see the remains of Equestria after the final battle." Odega teleported into a spider and crawled in between Twilight's eyes. Her voice ascended in pitch when she descended in size. "Maheera is a liar."

"She certainly didn't seem like one when we had our discussion inside of that portal."

"...what discussion?" That question came from Celestia. All eyes were laser focused on her now. All except the nurse's.

Twilight answered, "I'll tell you in the Garden." Right before the elevator opened on the first. Where the top floor was partly busy, the bottom floor was really busy. Everyone was moving. A glance down told Twilight the emergency room down the hall was packed with a thick amount of ponies on this day. Was it Flu season?

Gardeen stayed behind Queen Arcadia and watched her wings when they walked out into view. Nurses and many other ponies bowed towards their progression and flared out theirs in honor and respect.

While they followed the nurse, Celestia leaned over and whispered, "Nostalgic?"

Twilight giggled and answered, "Just a little. I'm always reminded by how different Psera is from Equestria."

"Is it from the tall buildings, the massive technology influx or something else entirely?"

"It's everything. We have a similar democracy, but everything after that is different. The currency, our laws, our military of course, our science, our language. Everything is much different."

"Including your Gold Mines." Twilight stopped and glanced up to Celestia's humored face unamused. "Don't worry, we signed an agreement. Our mouths are sealed shut."

Twilight hummed and continued walking forward. "Let's keep it that way. They authorized you access?"

The Nurse led them out into an intersecting hallway holding glass windows and doors. Behind them was an exquisite garden with very high flowers, tall grass, small rivers, flowers, and insects that Twilight could see so far.

Celestia nodded and answered, "Yes, as the few ponies who know magic at least close to your level, we offered our assistance. And the only way to get to you was underground."

"I never would have doubted you."



When mom left, Dawn decided to leave for a bit too. She couldn't be around Dad all the time. She trotted through busy hospital halls that smelled of medical chemicals, cleaning supplies, and food, and ignored the greetings to her title.

"Hello, Princess."

"Good morning, Princess."

"Good Day, Princess!" How could mom do it?

Dawn shuffled out of the Hospital's doors into Psera's surprisingly windy atmosphere and was followed by two of the four Guards stationed there. Thanks to them, she didn't always have to tell her father where she was going. She could just go.

She jumped in the air and flew back to her house. The Castle in the sky. Maybe one day she could live off the ground. Live in Psera Skies. She always enjoyed flying. Wings spread and wind flying through her mane and tail. She closed her eyes and allowed the air to give her comfort.

When she visited Equestria she gazed at the city on the clouds in between Ponyville and Canterlot. She couldn't remember the name—doesn't remember hearing it really—but she knew she wanted to visit.

Dawn flapped her wings and slowed to a gentle landing at the steps to the castle. Once her hooves were down, she trotted up the stairs and through the doors. Her mind was only on one thing. Two things actually. Since there was no flying in the castle, Dawn quickly took the elevator up to the third floor and trotted with her Guards to her and her father's suite. The one her mother would be staying in with them. She wondered what it would be like. Maybe she should clean her room a bit.

Dawn stepped into that same room once she was safely back in her darkened home and sighed at all of the stuff strewn across the floors. A bunch of clothes mainly in the black variety. Black leather choker with a violet crown as the pendant with a golden buckle, a region full of mascara, a few rock band posters on the constantly shifting walls, the black bedsheets, everything just... Dark.

Using her newfound magic, Dawn levitated over the choker from in front of her body sized mirror. And slipped it over her head. She adjusted the tightness to where she couldn't feel it, but knew it was there. She grabbed her mascara and eyeshadow next. Her magic dabbed the brush into the palettes and applied them gently under and over her eyes. Next combed her fur into an almost smooth perfect surface with gentle caress. So gentle you would barely notice a change until it was there.

Once she was done, she grabbed the dress from the bed. A black one made of lace with white stripes that stopped in the middle of her rear hooves. There were no sleeves which allowed her smooth-as-glass hooves out to breath. In public, she'd have to dress like a Princess. Which meant bright colors, frills in the dress, her family's crest, crown on her head, Mane done up into something that attracts attention and triggers consent-less photography.

But here, behind these doors in her large room holding her crown, she could be herself. She could be the pony she feels she should be. She could dress up as dark as she wanted, as weird as she wanted... "What's wrong with me?" Dawn whispered.

She grabbed some black lipstick and spread it flawlessly on her lips. Then put it back, all without pulling her eyes away. She didn't know why she always does this. The urge was strong. Just to go out and show off. Everyone thinks she's just entirely happy because she's a Princess and the daughter of rich and powerful parents.

But her secret... She's evil. She could feel it. She could see it in the mirror. While her mother and father were the icons of beauty, love, and peace, she was the icon of death, pain, and destruction. The Alicorn-Pseratep in front of her was no longer purple and red. Her eyes were growing pools of black. Her coat turned into a pitch black state, reflecting light as a sheen. Her mind painted over with flashes of a terrifying future. Fire, death, screams, whispering that sounded like her.

"Let me out," it would say. "Let me out, let me out, LET ME OUT!!"

Dawn grimaced at the angry scream and whispered, "No. You're never coming out. Not as long as I can feel you."

"You can't keep me in forever. One day, I will break free from this blackened prison."

Dawn sighed and knew that she was right. That she would always be around. Hiding this... This monster from rearing its body of black ink and maw of sharp teeth from view would be about as possible as not being called Princess for a day. It was non existent. She may as well embrace her other side. The side no one sees or has seen. The one she pushes down as hard as she can with as much strength she could use, but knew that "going to the filly room" for thirty minutes could only last but so long.

Dawn lifted the back of her dress and eyed her new cutie mark. A deep red crown with obviously blood dripping off of it. The same star above. She didn't like it. Not one bit. This other side. But it was her. She's always had it in her. Dad didn't know, Gardeen didn't know, even her best friends didn't know. Didn't know that she could melt everything in her room like butter. Didn't know she could bring everything to life.

Dawn sighed and just let her sight turn red, let everything bathe in blood. Let her heart race to impossible speeds. Let... What just fell? 

Dawn moved her black eyes down to her hooves at the... Purple... Ear. Ear? Dawn used her magic to pick it up and locked the small white pinpricks in her eyes on them. It was dripping something black to the floor. A texture that reminded her of ink.

She glanced up to herself in the mirror and looked at the place where her ear was. Now vacant. She was too confused to even... Did her right ear just fall off? What was...

Dawn lifted her wet right hoof and flicked it to the mirror. A spray of inky liquid disgraced its surface. Dawn immediately stuffed her dark side down so hard she almost passed out and changed back to normal. Yep. Her ear just fell off. But something was wrong. Her blood wasn't red like she's seen from the movies, LiVAM, her teammates, or anyone. It was black. Black blood streaming over the right side of her face and onto her hooves.

Her ear just fell off, her blood was black... This wasn't a dream. This was real. Her ear just fell off! Dawn screamed.
> Chapter 52 - Decomposition
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Garden in the Hospital was abandoned for the most part. But just for maximum privacy, Arcadia asked if the nurse could give them some space for awhile.

Without delay she set Twilight up at the bench Gardeen was writing at and left them to their conversation. Then Twilight removed the spell she placed and told them everything Maheera told her as if it were yesterday.

The story of how Narmeelah neglected the rest of the races, erased them without a second thought, favored them over the rest of the world. And how Maheera tried to explain that all of the races were equal. And they should all be included. How Narmeelah didn't want to listen. And ever since then, they've been at war.

After her recollection was complete and all was silent, Twilight sighed and used her magic to pluck a random rose out from the bush in front of her to smell. Odega burst into a pony from the bird perched on Celestia's head. Then dropped back to the ground and shook her head with denial.

"No way, she lied to you Twilight," she said. "That doesn't sound like Narmeelah at all."

Twilight nodded and slipped the Rose into Celestia's mane. "That's what I said at first," she replied.

Odega gasped in disbelief. "At first? You believe her?!"

Twilight quickly argued sternly, "I can always tell when a pony is lying, Odega. A lie is quick and shows signs of stress. Tell tale signs. A simple nervous twitch of the tail, batting of the eyes. Even you do it sometimes. But not an entire story that actually adds up. Why would Narmeelah place us at the top of the world away from every creature, and execute those who came here? The Gold under our hooves grows, we have enough for every creature. Of course, we won't allow that to happen. But... Maheera wasn't lying. I could see it. She was genuine. She was serious. She was honest. It was the start of the war. Who decreed that the nations never interact?"

"Her Majesty Molten Ice—"

"Who based that ruling from Narmeelah's Law declaring any creature attempting a takeover be banished from Psera soil at whatever cost necessary, including Death. Narmeelah allowed ponies visitation of this land in offering of trade in the beginning, but even she was untrusting of them, remember? I've read Narmeelah's diary. As loving and caring as she was, even Narmeelah had a few demons she had to keep out of the eyes of Psera. Whatever it was she was planning, it has to do with that tunnel I made into my lab."

Gardeen raised a hoof and said, "I suggest it'd be wise to keep that to yourself, your highness."

Twilight smiled and replied, "Oh don't worry, I will. For the time being at least. It's just something that interests me. Now as for why I want to let her out. She may know where..."

Twilight blinked at Odega and stood up to look to the sky. Anxious eyes scanning the air filled with clouds and birds. What is that? A pulsing vibration.

Gardeen followed her sight and asked, "What is it? Did you hear something?"

Twilight slowly shook her head and whispered, "No, I... Feel something. Something's wrong." Twilight looked around her environment. She could feel something off. Something was amiss, but what was it? "I need to see Madun. Now." Twilight used her magic to grab her IV pole and anxiously made her way to the nurse sitting a few yards away. "I need to see Madun. Get close."

Before she could question that, Twilight teleported the group back up to her room and immediately shouted, "Something's wrong!"

Madun jumped up and actually fell out of the bed at her declaration. Gardeen grimaced at his grunt of pain and large impact to the floor. Like a boulder being dropped from eight feet up. Once he was on his hooves again, he faced Twilight and asked, "...what?"

She shook her head and quickly answered, "Something's wrong, something isn't right."

Uh oh! Madun jumped into protective father mode and ran over to start pushing her to the bed. "Are you hurting? Get in bed, I'll get the doctor—"

Twilight flicked her tail and corrected, "No, I'm fine, I'm... Where's Dawn?"

Gardeen stepped forward and reported, "She went back to the castle for something. She usually just randomly goes somewhere for like an hour or maybe longer."

Well that made no sense. Twilight narrowed her eyes and asked, "What's her reason?"

"I... Honestly have no idea. Forget a book, bathroom for thirty whole minutes. You know how teenagers are."

"She's lying. Madun, come on. Something's wrong with Dawn, I can feel it."

Madun sighed and shook his head. Then started pushing Twilight towards the bed. "No sweetheart, you need rest. You're acting delirious again."

Twilight whipped around and put him muzzle to muzzle with angry eyes. "Something. Is wrong. With my baby," she snarled.

Madun blinked into her eyes. Then two more times. She didn't at all. "Check on Dawn it is. Someone send a com—" Twilight teleported away with Madun, Celestia, Luna, and Cadance without them knowing and left the needle from her IV drop to the floor.

They reappeared in what was supposed to be their home. Cadance and Luna were talking with each other about something involving Laughter when they were whisked away. But instantly ceased and stood up from their positions when they didn't recognize their surroundings. Instead of arriving in Madun's humble home, they arrived in what looked like Discord's world, Kludgetown. Or maybe a new Tartarus. Just... More black and red.

Luna sighed and asked, "Now what does Discord want? He is so needy." She glanced up to Celestia and Twilight looking around. They didn't seem as amused. "What is it?"

Twilight slowly shook her head and timidly answered, "This isn't Discord's world." The environment around their clearing was a very dark and spooky forest. Going on for miles with weirdly shaped black clouds that resembled heads and scary depictions.

The sky was red and the trees were black. The ground under their hooves was soft and moist, but... Twilight lifted her hoof and sniffed it. Scentless. A crow cawed somewhere. But it definitely sounded strange. More like a choking sound. This was evil. Chaotic.

Celestia quickly asked, "Where are we, Twilight?"

She shook her head and answered, "I teleported to Dawn, and she was in the Suite somewhere. But... This isn't the Suite. Dawn?!!" She called.

Her voice echoed off the trees and bounced through the eerie silence. They scanned their sight through the environment and Madun called her name again.

Celestia listened close. Listening for any sign of movement. The wind was blowing, the smell of sulfur made her nose cringe. A leaf brushed past her face. Then she heard it. A whimper. On the far right. She whipped her head that way and started walking. "I hear something over here," she whispered. "Dawn? Is that you?"

A scamper of hooves let them know that something was in fact over there. It ran through the muck the Princesses were stepping in and hid behind a tree. But it was too dark to see it. "Don't come any closer!" Dawn cried.

Madun raised his wing and slowed everyone down at least three feet from the tree. "Hey, what's wrong, Sugar Plum? Everything okay?"

"No!" Dawn cried from behind her tree. "Nothing's alright, I don't know what's happening to me! I-I look like a monster!!"

"Shhh," Twilight cooed. "Everything's okay, I'm coming around, alright? I promise you have nothing I haven't seen before, you can trust me." Since she didn't respond, Twilight took that as her authorization. She slowly crept around and looked down to Dawn balled up behind the tree shivering. Or it might have been an imposter.

Instead of her purple and red maned filly, using her daughter's voice was a small, completely black Alicorn-Pseratep curled up in a really tight and small shivering ball. They were small like Dawn. Had the voice of Dawn. Must be Dawn right?

Twilight nudged her softly with her muzzle and whispered, "It's okay, mommy's here. What's going on, sweetheart?"

Dawn uncurled her head and showed her face up to her mother. Yeah, that was Dawn. She knew her Daughter's facial structure. But it was as if she was painted by ink. Everything about her was just... Black. Darker than Dark. She still had her crown on so that was one way of recognition. And her cutie mark had a familiar design of her daughter's. But the star wasn't violet, it was red. And the crown was dripping with that same color. But it was definitely her daughter.

"Heyyy," Twilight greeted. She leaned down and nuzzled Dawn in her cheek.

"What's wrong with me?" Dawn whispered. "What's happening to me?" Her teeth were really sharp. Better watch out for those. And her eyes were black marbles. Shooting Twilight with intense sadness.

Twilight looked her over and observed that she was missing her right ear. All of this was from her Dark Magic, that much she could tell. And it was obvious what was happening:

Dawn's Dark Magic was accelerating while she was decomposing into what she was supposed to be. And the event was clashing. It was becoming harder for her to control and literally tearing her apart. Harder for her to hide.

Twilight eagerly nodded and replied, "It's okay, sweetheart. We'll find a fix okay?"

Dawn shook her head and replied, "You can't fix this."

"Yes we can, come on. Get under my wing." Twilight swiftly lifted her large purple wing and motioned for Dawn to trudge through all of this black stuff under it. Then asked, "Do you know where we are?"

She felt Dawn shake her head and stutter, "I-I don't know. I had screamed when my ear fell off out of nowhere then the Guards rushed in and I exploded or something, and now I'm here. I don't know where I am."

"Okay, okay, we'll deal with it at the hospital. Walk with my steps okay." Twilight guided Dawn back out with the rest of their family and over to the Princesses. "Hold on, okay?" Once Dawn had a good grip on Twilight's hoof, she teleported them all out of that inky world of death and back into Twilight's hospital room.

Gardeen was surprisingly still in there but the Nurse had left. Waiting. Who cares right now?! Twilight quickly closed the door to the room and led Dawn over to the bed under her wing. Then finally lifted it and placed her on it.

Gardeen gasped and was about to scream until her mouth turned into a zipper like the rest of the ponies in the room. Twilight shushed them then focused back on Dawn's other side. The Dark scary version she's been suppressing all this time more than likely based on Gardeen's descriptions. She pulled Gardeen over and unzipped her mouth. "Keep this quiet, we don't need Psera in a panic at this time."

She nodded and coalesced, "I-I never saw a thing. I'll make sure you're not disturbed."

Twilight let her go for the door and focused back on Fresh Dawn. Her magic removed her tiara from her head to place nearby and started scanning her body. Once Twilight released their mouths, Celestia walked over and asked, "Were you doing anything before this happened?"

Dawn shook her head and opened her closed eyes to stare into Princess Celestia's. The darkness was chilling to her very soul. "What's happening to me? Am I okay? Am I sick, what's wrong with me?"

Queen Arcadia finished her scanning and quickly deterred her rambling. "Nothing is wrong with you sweetheart. You're just... More unique than other ponies. You have a range of—"

"That's just a load of mahnurka!" Dawn interrupted. More like hissed.

Madun gasped and yelled, "Dawn! Language, young lady!"

"Forget language, look at me!" Dawn pointed a black hoof at her face. "This isn't unique, this is scary!! I always have to go and hide to try and suppress this, it's not normal! No one likes a pony that can change into a monster at the stomp of a hoof! I'm an abomination, not unique—"

"Enough, Dawn!" Twilight shouted. The Queen's command made the room jump and focus on her. The last time they heard Twilight yell was when she threatened to kick the foreigners out of Psera forever.

Twilight took a deep breath and calmly said, "There is nothing wrong with you, sweetie. A wrong is if you were born different but gained something negative along the way of life. You were born with two sides. You were born with a hidden side that's growing and clashing with the side we all know. We just have to contain and or equalize it."

Dawn straightened back up to stand on the bed and continued her questioning. "But why? And why did my ear fall off?"

Twilight walked closer and decided to recall the tale. She deserved to know. It was about her, and it was time Twilight relayed her theory. She was already fifteen years too late. "When I was almost assassinated, the arrow pierced you. Right in that same ear. But it also caused severe bleeding. I was dying, but you were dying faster because you were much smaller and fragile. So in a desperate effort to save your life... I used a Dark Magic spell to give you life and keep it flowing while I was healing. But I never cut the spell until after you were born when I dropped into a coma."

Twilight inched closer and turned to face the rest of the group with Dawn. "That spell overtook your body and added what it was supposed to be with something else. It saved your life, but since the spell was still running it created a living second one made entirely of Dark Magic that merged with your own. So in reality, there are two of you in a single body. And one cannot live without the other. Your magic is a conscious living pony, and your consciousness is Dark Magic.

"Your blood is her blood, her mind is your mind. Your body is Dark Magic. It's really complicated, but... Long story short you have another Pony inside of you that you can't see until now, and she wants out."

Dawn shut her mouth and asked, "This is what she looks and acts like?"

Twilight sighed and answered, "Well, yes and no. Since you can't exactly 'tap' into your Dark Magic to its full capacity, she's never been able to fully emerge. When you use your magic to its full capacity, she will too. So you must be careful. You're sharing a body."

"But... will I ever be able to use magic?" She whimpered. Using magic like her mother is her goal, has always been her goal. Not to be her, but know what she knows.

Twilight leaned in and lovingly nuzzled her head. "Of course you will, we just have to be careful or we'll have an evil disastrous filly running around making ponies slip and fall on their backs." Dawn giggled and nuzzled back. A move her father never thought he'd see. "Now, let's get you back to normal. Where's you ear?"

"Ummm..." Dawn unfurled her right wing and let the ear fall to the bed. Cadance had to close her eyes and cover her mouth. Dawn's pierced ear was literally on the bed. Holy stars, a dislocated body part just lying on the bed. Dawn merely blinked at it and asked, "So... Why did my ear fall off in the first place?"

"A rush of magic. You see your magic is the only thing keeping your body together, keeping you alive, and keeping your heart pumping. Everything about you is magic. Your blood, your brain, your organs, bones, all magic. Even your skin isn't exactly skin or fur. I'll show you. If I were to burn off a bit of fur on Madun's body—don't worry, your father can't even feel this." Madun rolled his eyes and decided to lift his hoof in front of her face. She always enjoyed doing this for some reason.

Twilight lowered her horn to her husband's hoof and zapped it with a crack. There was a large burn mark there that he just wiped off on the floor, but there was also a small welt Twilight pointed too. "There would be evidence of attack. But if something were to happen to you in pain, in a few seconds there would be nothing there. It depends on the damage."

"So what, like, I'm invincible?"

"As long as Dark Magic runs through your veins, you will live. Now hold still, I have to attach your ear back. It's going to feel a little funny." Twilight held the ear up above Dawn's head and used her magic in the form of wisps to route the Dark Magic back up into Dawn's ear, then back into her body. Once it was in contact with her body, Twilight's words rang true. The ear molded or melted into Dawn's fur until it was once again attached. As if it was always there.

Dawn flicked it and tested the waters. She could hear again! She shook her head around and grinned up happily to her mother and the rest of her terrified family through her blood red haze. "I can hear!"

Twilight smiled and replied, "I told you. You just live through your magic. You're not like other ponies, so you have to be really careful, okay? When I get out of here, we're going to work on a compressor to keep it low when it reaches a certain level."

Dawn jumped up and spread her black wings to hover over the bed. "Awesome! Now umm... I sort of don't want to scare anyone."

"Hold still, sit down." Once Dawn was down and comfortable Twilight focused more of her magic on her body. This was the tricky part. Dawn had an extremely dangerous filly moving around through her veins. She had to keep her compressed for awhile. Which meant no more magic until they had a compressor here with them. To keep everyone safe.

Twilight's struggling lasted almost four minutes, but she did get Dawn back to normal. Back to being purple, red maned and... Wearing a goth outfit with an insanely smooth coat. Twilight leaned back and looked her up and down. "Uhhh... Dawn? What are you wearing?"

Dawn looked down and immediately shot her head back up with rose red cheeks. "It's my thing. Don't judge me."

Twilight chuckled and replied, "I won't, just... Here." She plopped the tiara back on her head. "Go with Gardeen and keep her company, okay? No magic until we get that compressor, and tell nopony about this."

Twilight leaned in and pressed a loving kiss on her horn. Then watched her scamper off for the door. The Princesses moved to the side to allow her an exit. Well Celestia had to open the door first before she could actually do so. Then shut it back and glared at Twilight.

She couldn't believe this. This was beyond upsetting. "Twilight, I see no good things from this," Celestia said.

Twilight used her magic to place a silencing spell on the room. Then turned her attention to Celestia and reasoned, "Well, what do you want me to do Celestia? We can't take her magic out, it would kill her. I'm not letting my filly die simply because her life runs off of dark magic and she can manipulate it. Because she's not like other ponies."

Madun rubbed his forehead and walked up to Twilight clearly upset. "Our daughter is literally a... Soul-less pony, Twilight. Is she even... Is she even real? Have we been living a lie all this time?"

Before Twilight could answer, Celestia answered, "Not to mention, Dawn is capable of controlling the lives of others. She can take lives, Twilight. If her magic goes out of control she might hurt somepony, or ponies."

Luna agreed and said, "If Dawn's magic suddenly spikes at the wrong place and time, it could become a really big problem that could have major consequences."

"I know, I know!" Twilight shouted. She stomped her hoof and asked, "But what can I do, she's my daughter! My only child that was nearly killed and that I haven't seen for ten years!"

Twilight turned around and walked to the window to look out at all the activity of Psera. At all the ponies gathering in front of the hospital to welcome her back home the Psera way. "And I'm going to do everything in my power to keep her safe. No matter the cost."

Celestia sighed and walked with her over to the window. "I understand, Twilight. I went through something similar, in case you forgot." Nightmare Moon. Of course. Celestia had to banish her sister. But it wasn't her own flesh and blood.

"I'm not banishing my daughter because of this," Twilight immediately shot down. "This is my fault. I shouldn't have used magic to keep her alive."

"You had good intentions, Twilight," Madun stated. He walked in on her left and said, "It just didn't work out how you wanted exactly. But it did work out. Our filly is alive, you're alive."

"...why are you so cheerful?" Twilight sadly asked. Her eyes didn't waver from the crowd. Their Pods were just now arriving.

"Because despite this, nothing has changed. Dawn is still hyper, happy, and our baby girl." Madun leaned over and nuzzled Twilight softly. "Nothing has changed. She just needs to be more careful."

Twilight knew he was right. That's why she nuzzled him back. "Thanks, sweetheart," she whispered.

"I'm so happy you're back. The world seriously gets boring without you. Not enough action for us." The two let out an equal lighthearted chuckle. As interesting as Psera was to anyone other than a Pseratep, they were all used to tall buildings, advanced technology, and amazing science. Time for a small change of pace.

Madun turned around and started walking back towards the bed. "Now we have to get you ready to go. Gardeen signed your discharge papers while we were doing Dawn Duty. Time to come home."



Gardeen was a little uncomfortable. And not because of Dawn's goth outfit. While Queen Arcadia was preparing for departure, Dawn was supposed to keep Gardeen company. More like Gardeen keeping her company. They lodged it out in the Hospital Cafeteria of course in a more private area away from all the eyes staring at them along with the windows. They occupied a black booth that Dawn blended in with perfectly and stared at each other across a wooden table.

Gardeen sighed and sadly broke the silence, "Why did you lie to me, Dawn?"

Dawn shut her eyes for a moment then opened them again. "What was I supposed to tell you?" She whispered. "That I... I turn into a monster for some unknown reason?"

Gardeen smiled and shook her head. "No. That you were silently suffering. That's the only reason you... You dress up like this. I take it the therapy wasn't really doing its job?"

Dawn denied that claim with a shake of her head and answered, "No, it worked... Sort of. It gave me better options than sulking in my room all day. But that doesn't make all of this go away. So long as I'm... You know." Dawn stared up at Gardeen and managed to change her eyes back to black. "This, then nothing will work. You don't think..." Dawn looked away for a moment in shame.

"Think what?"

"Think that this is able to be cured, do you?"

Gardeen took a deep breath through her nose and answered, "I'm not sure. This is a magical situation, not a disease. The only ponies who live here that know anything about magic are Queen Arcadia or Secretary Shimmer. But Secretary Shimmer hasn't been here ever since communications with Equestria were cut. Along with all other outside lands."

Dawn nodded then glanced to the right into the cafeteria space. A lot of ponies were sneaking glances her way. "Do you think they know about me?" She whispered.

"Highly doubt it," Gardeen appeased. She patted Dawn's hoof and whispered, "As long as you can control it, you're safe."

"But... What if I can't?"

Gardeen withdrew her hoof and answered, "Then I'm sure your mother would be ready. The Professional on all things magic is back. On a much more fun note, do you dress like this when you're alone?"

"Uhh... For the most part."

"For the boy of your dreams?" Gardeen  teased.

Dawn playfully slapped her hoof and said, "No, it's... Just my thing."

"Don't choke yourself... At least too hard, okay?"

"I'm not into that stuff... Mostly."

"Uh huh."

"How's Pink?" Dawn quickly asked. She changed her eyes back to normal by pushing down the magic surging through her veins. It was getting easier to control a bit once she knew the reason why.

"Pink's fine."

"How's the sex?"

"The sex is great—hey!" Dawn burst out laughing. She'd always be able to get Gardeen when she least expects it. Thanks to Dawn's more mature nature, Gardeen would forget she's talking to a freshman in High School. So Dawn would use that to her advantage just to embarrass her.

Gardeen leaned in once Dawn had her laughs and retorted, "How's Kia?"

Dawn ceased her laughter and switched to a serious face. "I don't like Kia."

"You two have a really weird relationship. Wait until your mother meets her." Gardeen winked at her then rose out of her seat. "Come on, let's get ready to get in the public eye."

Dawn rolled her eyes and rose up too. The time for relaxation was up. "Ugh, don't remind me."
> Chapter 53 - The Stripe
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight was ready to go. She's been ready to go. Based off of her prancing in place in the middle of the room. Madun decided to enjoy the anxious show with a cookie he had grabbed from her lunch. Huffing and puffing, Twilight started pacing before someone knocked politely on the door. Madun cleared his throat and ordered, "Enter!"

The door burst open and scared Arcadia's already frizzled nerves. She jumped in place and glared at the pony who is more than responsible. The only one who actually bursts through the door with the most excited eyes she's ever seen.

Merry Fire stood up on her hind hooves in the doorway with a huge grin and yelled, "There she is!!" Then rushed into the room and pulled Twilight into a menacing yet loving squeeze. "I knew you weren't dead, I knew it!!"

Twilight kindly patted her back and greeted through grunts. "Mmm, nice to see you too, Merry. Now... Let me breath so I don't die?"

Merry pulled back but glared at her through angry orange eyes. She grabbed Twilight's shoulders and yelled, "No more underground laboratories! There were so many creepy things in there! Why were there two of you?!"

"Ohh, you met my personalities?"

"Your what?"

Twilight pushed Merry's hooves off and walked around her to see the twins and Blazing. "I'll tell you later. Hello, Blazing."

Blazing Fire still looked the same. Sporting that red goatee, red coat, and red mane. He smiled and pulled Queen Arcadia into a hug.

"The Great Queen lives," he calmly cheered. He ended their embrace and asked, "How are you feeling? When the news spread about an underground laboratory, I honestly wasn't surprised. I've been expecting a film about 'Queen Arcadia's Lair' for a while now."

She scoffed and playfully hit his chest. "I'm a little stiff, but nothing an obstacle course can't fix. How's the senate feeling?"

"Not sure, but Molten was meeting with them earlier. She has more information."

"Great. And are these the twins? Lightning and Daisy?" Twilight trotted over to Lightning and Daisy peacefully waving in sync with plastered grins by the door.

Merry sighed and walked over with the smile of a partly proud mother. "Yep, these are my spawns."

"Ohh, they've gotten so big!" They were dwarfing over Dawn. These girls certainly have grown up. "Lightning looks like you Merry."

"She has no green on her."

"Daisy does too."

"They're twins."

"Exactly." Twilight giggled at Merry's annoyed expression and patted her face before looking to the twins. "Are you with Dawn at school?"

Lightning waved a hoof and answered, "Every now and then, whenever she's around."

"I'll have to visit her school sometime. Anyone else here?" Merry shook her head and hoofed her a folder she pulled from under her wing. "What's this?"

"These are your discharge papers. I just picked these up. They knew I was coming over here, so they asked me to give you these."

Twilight used her magic to place the folder under her good wing and smiled back up to them. "Where is Molten anyway?"

"She's handling business at the castle," Madun answered from behind. He walked into view and asked, "Are you ready to go? Where's Dawn?"

That was a good question. Twilight raised her head and used her magic to track a large source of Dark Magic around her. "She's with Gardeen around the corner... Now she's here." Twilight looked down and watched Dawn nudge her way through into the room.

"Okay, okay, I'm here," she greeted breathlessly. Then looked up at all the faces staring down at her with wide eyes. Specifically Aunt Merry's. "...what?"

"Wh-what are you wearing?"

"Who cares!" Dawn trotted behind her mother and started using her head to push her out the door. "Let's go home already!"

Twilight laughed and allowed herself to be moved. "Okay, okay, I'm going, I'm going."

Madun laughed and walked out behind his two girls. One was already anxious, and the other has been anxious for quite some time.

They met up with Gardeen and a few more ponies in the hall waiting for her. Including the Guard. The one at the front was the same pony who helped all of this happen.

Captain Smalls saluted and greeted, "Your highness. Welcome back among your living ponies."

"Private... Captain Smalls," she corrected. That prideful rank on her vest didn't lie. "You're my escort?"

Captain Smalls lowered her hoof and answered, "Yes, ma'am. I'm in charge of the escort team to the castle. Are you ready to move?"

"Yes, I am." Twilight, Madun and Dawn walked in between their group of four soldiers while the others trailed behind them.

While they moved, Madun looked down slightly to Twilight and spotted something twinkling on her chest. It was hidden deep underneath her fur. He reached over and lifted whatever it was into their view from her coat. Their wedding ring. He's never noticed it after all this time. "You never lost this," he whispered.

Twilight smiled and whispered, "Now why would I? It reminded me of what I was fighting for." He and Twilight shared a loving nuzzle. One Madun could swear made a tear leak from his eye. Then focused once again on their destination. The elevators.



When they arrived on the bottom floor, Twilight was rather surprised at the rest of the rulers waiting for her down there. Was the open border command still in play? She'd have to ask. The Princesses of Equestria of course, and other rulers she actually didn't see. Strange how much she missed them. Queen Novo, Madam Singe, Thorax of the Changelings, Ember of the Dragons and more Twilight couldn't remember.

There was a direct path to the front which would allow them access to their pods parked directly outside. She could see everything beyond the glass doors. The Press of course were ready and doing their thing. It was really strange how much she missed them too.

Twilight smiled and walked over to IHT in slow steps. Just so she didn't hurt anything. Her hoof was still sprained and her wing was still broken. The first pony she greeted... "Queen Novo."

"Your Majesty," Novo replied. They bowed to each other then rose and shared a hug. "It's been so long since we've seen you. Welcome home."

They pulled away and stared at each other. Twilight nodded and stated, "It feels like it was only yesterday that I was fighting Maheera... I'm sorry I left you all here without a notice, but I knew what I had to do."

"Don't apologize," Shining ordered. But did walk up and add, "But at least warn me next time, okay? Mom and Dad were devastated." He grabbed Twilight and pulled her into an emotional hug. "Just imagine their faces when you see them. And your friends definitely."

She could already see Pinkie Pie squeezing her life out in a deep hug. Let alone her own mother. Twilight smiled and kissed Shining's cheek. "I'm happy to be here." He patted her back and allowed her room to go to the last two faces she'd expect to see. "Sunset? Starlight?"

Sunset Shimmer pounced over the smooth hospital floors and pulled Twilight into a hug with Starlight. "Don't you ever do what you did again," she warned. "We lost you, Twilight. Not this time."

"Don't worry," Twilight replied. "It won't happen again."

Starlight yelled, "It better not!" Then grabbed Twilight's face and smooched her right on the cheek before burying her face in her neck to cry. It made Twilight realize how much she was missed all these years. Better get used to this.

After a few more greetings, Twilight used her wing to scoot Dawn closer to her side. And all eyes went straight to her outfit in a tense silence. She sighed and declared, "Okay, I get it! I didn't have enough time to change back, alright? Jeez, sue me, will ya? Marshapa cala miko ezra mara terkilo engardem elrah meekah..."

Twilight giggled sweetly while Dawn ranted in a language none of them could understand. She nudged her forward and proceeded to walk with her for the entrance. Twilight was tired of living in the hospital now. Yes, it's been one day but one day was enough.

Before they stepped out, Twilight looked Dawn over and transfigured a napkin to hover in front of Dawn's face. Then started wiping off her makeup. "Ack! M-Mom!" Dawn cried. When Twilight pulled away, Dawn was just wearing a black dress, a leather choker and huge surprised eyes.

Satisfied, Twilight tossed the napkin in a bin nearby and continued walking. "First lesson? Everyone will make assumptions of both you and I together if they saw your makeup."

Dawn scoffed and asked, "Are you saying I can't do makeup? I am a guru."

"And I am your mother. You can guru on your own time." The smiling Guards at the front pushed the doors open for them and allowed them out into the brisk welcoming air of Psera. A very welcoming line of all of Psera's military branches had made a path up to the Royal Pod for their family. Twilight wanted to wave first though.

She stopped at the front and waved elegantly to the cheering, clapping, and stomping crowd of ponies out front. And there were a lot of them. Twilight could wave all day. Well probably not, her hooves would get tired. Queen Arcadia smiled down to the ponies nearest to her and started moving with the rest of her group for the Pods. Waving and greeting all the while.

Dawn never understood how she could do it. Indulge in the attention. Her father could do it too. She however chose to stick to the side and just watch. She wasn't scared of them. Nope, not at all. They just made her uncomfortable.

Dawn didn't have much time to think about it when she was pulled up once again by her mother's magic to walk with her. Queen Arcadia leaned over and asked, "Isn't this exciting sweetie? You, me, and your father together again. Oh we're going to have so much fun together! And so much to catch up on!" Twilight reached out and let a pony strangely kiss her hoof while her father took over. He was less than enthusiastic in Dawn's mind.

He leaned down and whispered, "Just know she means well, okay? She hasn't seen you for ten years and seeing you all grown up has made her ehh... A little protective."

A little? Dawn thought. When they finally reached the Pod and their escort, Queen Arcadia lifted Dawn up and dropped her inside. Then quickly strapped in her seatbelt. "There we go!" She said. Dawn deadpanned her expression straight ahead while Arcadia stuffed her long wings in on the other side.

Once they were settled in, Dawn blew a strand of red mane out of her face and grumbled, "Great."

Twilight smoothed Dawn's mane back and immediately started making checklists. "Ohh, you need a haircut too! We both need haircuts, we can get Merry to book us an appointment. Then we need to get some new clothes immediately afterwards. Probably make that a nine-fifteen. Then we can..."

Dawn sighed and leaned back to enjoy the ride as much as she possibly could. Because it was going to be a long one.



The sun bathed Twilight in happiness. Drenching her body in loving warmth. It felt good to move limbs again. Their little parade was speeding towards the castle now. And Twilight didn't want to be surprised.

After she finished her mental checklist, the Pod finally descended into silence. Only the sound of Pods passing by on the other side of the highway that was one hundred feet above Psera's ground. EVeryone was getting where they needed to go around Cop. Pserateps could fly, but if everyone was flying at once, there would be some serious injuries. Pods in the sky were much better. Twilight could see the castle from here. Then again she could see it further back. Her castle. Her home.

Twilight looked over Dawn playing sleep and asked Madun, "So what changed?"

"Not much really," he answered. He smiled when they turned into the gates and added, "Your side of the room is very tidy, your office was only disturbed when Dawn was doing research—which reminds me. A theory is running around that you wanted Dawn to find you."

Dawn wanted to know that too. She popped her eyes open and trained them on Twilight's face, then asked, "Did you?"

"Well..." Twilight tried to think of a better way to explain it. But could she really? There were enough clues to push Dawn in the right direction. So in the end she sighed and admitted down to Dawn, "Yes."

"I knew it!" She turned to her father and jabbed his shoulder playfully with the biggest grin in the world. He was immune to things like that. "I told you! Aunt Caddy and I were right!"

Twilight rolled her eyes and admitted, "Okay, okay, I wanted Dawn to find me. But there is always a reason behind my complex decisions. It's a lot deeper and... I have to remember it." They deadpanned her a look. "Hey, I'm Twenty-Six with responsibilities."

"Thirty-six, baby," Madun reminded her.

"...right. I'm thirty-six now." Dawn sighed when her mother's ears flopped down and her excited expression flipped to a despondent one. She was clearly upset with her time skip. She's missed so much. Birthdays, parties, celebrations, events, school sports, Psera's growth, all types of things. It was surreal that she was here now.

Dawn patted her hoof and cheered her up. "Hey, it's okay," she cooed. Twilight looked and perked her ears up. "We'll just have to catch you up. I think sis has like a record of things in the past. Or you can go around and try a few things out."

"...yeah," Twilight whispered. Sis probably meant Gardeen. And she definitely held records. Twilight's smile beamed down to her daughter. "I'd like that. I'd like that very much."

The Pod pulled into the back of the castle and entered into the garage, just as Twilight remembered it. Full of fancy pods and military pods. Getaway pods for emergencies if they couldn't take the air. All backed up into a space and ready to move at the first sign of trouble.

Once parked, the drivers in front helped the Great Queen out of her seat to cease any possible stress to her body before it could begin. Dawn and Madun could easily get out on their own. Although Dawn needed steps to get down from the Pod to the concrete.

Arcadia had to get her wings out and the Guards assigned to assure her health helped her step out carefully. She shouldn't even be out of the hospital right now, but Triage assured them she'll be doing daily home visits.

Once they were moving, Celestia pranced over with Novo and sang, "You're home, Twilight! What are you going to do first?"

The Guards pushed the doors open and let them step their hooves onto the massive home of Royalty and the offices of executives. The halls were still glossy and flawless. A little dirty, but this single hall did lead to the Garage after all. Guarded as usual. Their hoofsteps bounced off the walls and reverberated down the hallway. The air smelled of cleaning products, which let them know the Housekeeping Staff has been busy. The Suite may not have any, but that's only because they preferred to do their own cleaning.

Queen Arcadia answered, "Well I would like to take a nap, but I also need to see Molten first. I need to talk to her for a moment."

Sunset strode forward laughing and corrected, "Oh, you just want a Maphito."

"Well... I would like one of those actually," Arcadia bashfully admitted. In truth she could go for a lot of sugar right now. She hasn't had any for ten years. And Maphitos were so customizable, they could go with anything.

It took them awhile, but they finally made it up the stairs to the third floor of the castle. Extravagant, beautiful, wonderful. Packed.

The second Queen Arcadia stepped out on the floor, the ponies under her staff in the past started clapping their hooves and bowing in respect. "Welcome home, your highness!"

"We missed you!"

"We love you, your highness."

Queen Arcadia waved their way and gave her own forms of greeting while they moved past. Talking, conversing, hugging. Dawn just had to ask. She pushed her way up to her mother and queried, "How can you enjoy all this attention? All the waving, hellos and annoying hoof smooches."

Queen Arcadia stopped her waving and looked down to Dawn to answer, "I don't enjoy all the attention, actually. Nor the waving. I'm enjoying the reason why."

Gardeen walked up next to Princess Dawn since she gained that common expression of confusion and commented, "And the Queen becomes vague once more. Whenever she does that, that means she wants you to figure it out."

"Gardeen!" Arcadia lightly scolded. "That's not what I meant!"

"Of course I'll grab your Maphito, your majesty." Gardeen playfully stuck her tongue out at Queen Arcadia, who returned it in kind and took a nearby stairwell back down. She knew her too well.

Arcadia sighed and looked back to Dawn's curious eyes. "You'll figure it out one day. I promise. It's better for you to experience first and grow into it than for someone to tell you. I want to show you something in my office later."

Dawn asked tiredly, "Is it your magical elevator that leads us down into your massive library, because I've already seen that. I can't read any of it."

Can't read? Dawn can't read?! Twilight immediately stopped their procession at the corner they were about to turn right in, the center of an intersecting hallway and faced Dawn with an look of concern. "Can't read it?" She repeated. "What do you mean?"

"I can't read Ponish."

"Can't read—" Twilight flipped her gaze up to Madun. "Why can't our baby read Ponish?"

Oh, Madun was not looking forward to this conversation. Nor the ponies behind them watching. Sunset and Starlight shared a look then directed it back to the two parents about to go at it. Same with Celestia and Luna.

Madun glanced around with unreadable purple eyes and answered, "Well she lives on a continent where the only texts printed in Ponish are directed to you, or written by you. That and the need to learn Ponish isn't even existent considering not many ponies write Ponish here in Psera."

"I still think she could benefit learning Ponish."

"I'm not sure if it would be a wise investment of time."

"It would be, considering one half of her family line only reads Ponish."

"Her Majesty lives!" The King and Queen turned their irked gazes to the front of their path. To the Supreme Court Judges walking over with a smile. "We simply must—"

Twilight raised her hoof and interrupted, "Hold that thought." Then turned back to Madun clearly irate. "As much as she lives in Psera, a small but equally as important branch of family is in Equestria. Knowing both languages would benefit her." The Five Supreme judges all slowly glanced to each other. Looks like they were interrupting something huge.

Madun deadpanned, "It would be a waste of time, Twilight. She's only been to Equestria once since you disappeared and that was this week. Reading Ponish would be a ridiculous skill that would take a lot of time and effort for null reasons." Madun walked over to Dawn in front of the Judges and placed a wing on her back. "She's already intelligent without her knowledge of Ponish. She doesn't need it, Twilight."

Dawn raised a hoof in the midst of their argument and asked quietly, "Don't I get a say in this?" They looked straight down into her eyes. "I wouldn't want to learn Ponish, it's too much anyway."

Arcadia gasped and exclaimed quietly, "Dawn! It's the language of your Equestrian family!"

"Yeah, but that's Equestria, not Psera. I don't go to Equestria." Twilight hummed sadly. She had a point. And she even had a Pseratopian tongue. When a few words would curve up an octave in response to Old Pseratopian speaking habits. And Vowels were slurred almost unnoticeably at times. If Dawn was around ponies where it wasn't needed then there wasn't any reason to learn it. "And I was kind of hoping you could just teach me some of this stuff. Together. You know, your spell books..."

A simple movement that could have been regarded for a Guard stepping over from behind them pulled Twilight's attention up for half a second! Molten! Good!

But the creature she had with her made Twilight's blood run cold and muscles stiffen. Golden bangles, a few markings on her body, one eye covered, black and white stripes... Twilight switched to protective mom mode.

She gasped and used a wing to slide Dawn back over and behind her. "Hey! Mom!"

Madun looked up to Twilight in shock. "Arcadia—"

"Why is there a STRIPE on Psera soil?!" Twilight bellowed.

All sounds ceased. The hall's noise dropped into an eery sound. Two guards taking post nearby glanced in their direction to the accusing shout's source.

All eyes followed her hoof behind Madun and the judges to Queen Tarsafani's frozen form in surprise. Sunset seethed through her teeth in the back and whispered over to Starlight, "Oooh, is Twilight... Racist?" The Princesses and her brother were just as surprised. Or rather shocked!

Molten nudged Tarsafani out of her surprise and bowed to Queen Arcadia. She quickly followed. This must be the Legendary Queen Arcadia. "It's good to see you alive, Queen Arcadia." Yep.

Twilight kept her glare on the "Stripe" and moved in with her protective nature as her weapon. "It's great to be back, Molten. But I want answers. Now. Why is there a Zebra on Psera? What does she know?"

So this is the Great Queen of Psera? Tarsafani thought. Once she was on her hooves, she measured Twilight up and down. She didn't seem rather strong. Respected, yes. Racist, definitely. Strong enough to take down a dragon, no.

Molten straightened up and answered, "I needed to speak with her regarding Zebrica's current stand. They know of Psera and our power, and I was making sure she knew the results of any other... Attempt, as it were."

Twilight nudged Dawn closer to her father and proceeded to walk forward. "Could we not have sent a letter? Diplomat? Liaison? Instead of inviting a Stripe to step hoof on our country? Who even is she? Do not speak, Zebra." Her eyes glowed a bright neon violet while she slowly circled Tarsafani and begun scanning her up and down with the glare of an angry mother. Even her glowing mane seemed to be terrifying. Fear coursed through Tarsafani's being.

Molten could do nothing about it. Just step to the side and allow her access. "She's Queen Tarsafani of Zebrica."

"A Queen of the Zebras on Psera soil is not a good sign." Twilight walked back in front of Queen Tarsafani and stared her down for a tense moment. Then shifted to Molten with normal eyes. "I sense nothing but distrust. You of all ponies should know that every single Zebra who meant 'no harm' had a darker agenda in service directly to their King and Queen during The Gold Wars. None could be trusted. She cannot be trusted."

Racist bigot, Tarsafani thought.

"I could have her executed for simply coming here."

Ahhh, but a strong bigot. Tarsafani bowed and requested, "Permission to speak, your highness?"

Twilight smoldered to her with distaste. But replied, "You may."

"My kind is not of dominating nature anymore. We have settled in away from Equestrian borders and further more from Psera. Attacking would be pointless and we would gain nothing. We mean nothing but peace."

"You will be gaining a deeper grave," Twilight growled. "Psera has a law for visitors. Zebras, on the other hoof, is shoot-on-sight. The Gold Wars never ended. We are very much in a century-old standstill."

"Queen Arcadia, she already knows the penalties," Molten quickly assured. "She will not test Psera. Do you not trust my judgement?"

Arcadia ceased the glowing of her eyes and horn, and answered, "Of course I trust your judgement, Your Majesty. But you of all ponies in the world should know that Zebras have unspoken agendas. They hold secrets." She glared once more to Tarsafani. "Deep secrets. What you see and hear may not be what you actually get."

"In all fairness, Queen Arcadia, you too held secrets that Psera held an account for. But we still trust you, even after the accident ten years later." Twilight's shameful eye twitch let Molten known she made a low but successful blow. A blow that they were going to speak on later.

"Yes," Twilight admitted. "But I made sure to make it right. In case you've forgotten I was just awoken from sentencing myself to years of immobilization, hallucinations, and psychological torture to ensure their deaths were not in vain. Waking up and drifting to sleep again, and again, and again trapped in my own creation with no source of light anywhere. To make sure my home, my family, and my citizens were safe above all from Maheera. And I succeeded. Those innocent lives can't be brought back like those families would want but I prevented any further victims by sacrificing my own existence. And I will do whatever it takes to assure it never happens again."

"Is she no different?" Molten kindly argued. "She was not born during the time of The Gold Wars and neither were you. She does not carry the burdening weight of her ancestors. You both seek peace between your countries, and it starts here."

"It starts with her leaving Psera and never returning," Twilight corrected. "Avoidance is the common factor of peace between all countries. The further apart they were before was the main cause of peace. To intermingle would cause distrust."

"You speak against your own teachings, Queen Arcadia," Molten told her. "Was it not you who spoke of friendship and acceptance during your rebuilding of Psera from the literal dirt?"

Twilight nodded and argued, "Of course. But Psera is already away from a majority of ponies with a great defense merging in their own form of friendship. We cut ourselves off to maintain our own peace. Intermingling with others created pain, greed, and suffering because of our assets. Fueled by jealousy. We were stabbed in the back. What happened when Equestria arrived on Psera soil in a search for me? I was almost executed by a pony who fell in love with me there and did not want me to marry the true love of my life. I was not scared of the country, but there are ponies you must watch out for."

Twilight walked past Molten and behind Tarsafani continuing her speech. "It made me realize that different cultures with different ponies have different beliefs. Different viewpoints on life that they believe should be forced upon. And if those cultures were to collide one would wipe the other out and... Take what they want..." Twilight stopped talking and stared ahead at the hallway leading to the throne room. Her eyes shifted up to the Crest of Psera above the doors.

To the face of Narmeelah in the middle of it. That's exactly what she would have said. A flashback of another discussion she and Maheera held pierced through her mind. During one of those hallucinations.


~✶~


Twilight was sure she's jumped off the deep end now. Because she... Was sitting in a bar. Oh no, not a bar. The lights were turned down, some loud music was playing from speakers held on wooden support columns, the actual bar itself was full of self-degrading and self-loathing ponies. And the dance floor... Full of drunken idiots. Highlighted by lasers and bright flashing lights. One of them just fell on the hardwood floors laughing for no reason.

Twilight sighed and rotated on her stool to face a white cup sitting in the middle of this wooden counter.

"Drink up, privileged." Twilight followed the black hoof presenting this cup up to the face of Maheera Dark. Grinning a mouth of sharp teeth her way and glowing yellow slitted eyes. "We're both dead, so let's get loose, alright?"

Twilight tightened her lips and was about to say no. But then again... None of this was real. She was sure of it. So, she grabbed the cup in her magic and drained it down. Screw it.

"Drink! Drink! Drink! Drink! Drink!" Maheera chanted.

After it was gone, Twilight slammed it on the surface and took deep breaths. It burns going down along with some light headed atmosphere. But overall... "That was fun," she whispered.

Maheera grabbed the cup and started the process of cleaning. She was the barkeep apparently. "Buck yeah it is," she agreed. "I never thought death would look like this."

Twilight looked around her and observed their surroundings. A wild party. Everyone was drinking, cheering and letting loose. "Clubbing it out" they would call it in Psera. She shook her head and answered, "I think we're either hallucinating or we're dead. I'm going with the first option... For now."

Maheera glanced up to Arcadia but didn't say anything. Instead chose to continue washing cups. There was no telling what she was thinking. Arcadia turned back to face Maheera and asked, "So what was the deal between you and Narmeelah? Didn't you two ever just talk out your problems?"

"Of course we did!" Maheera exclaimed. She tossed the cup she was drying into the air behind her to shatter into a sink. Well she was a relative to Discord. "We tried to come up with other solutions to soothe our issues with each other. But Narmeelah was against me always wanting to bond the races together. 'Psera doesn't interact with them.' I never understood it. Why would you create all these races with no intention of all interacting with each other but one?"

She slid another full cup in front of Twilight who asked, "Did she ever give a clue?" Then tilted her head back and took another swig.

Maheera laughed and answered, "Not a good one. She was afraid that everyone would start killing each other off. Distrust, disharmony. One wouldn't agree with the other and it would end in a bloodbath. All methods weren't the same, their skills weren't the same, their overall beliefs weren't the same. And if one tries to tell another Pony what's really right, then there will be problems, yada yada yada. I mean she was partly correct. Other countries have their own things and own beliefs.

"You know, Equestria has Faust and magic, Psera has Narmeelah and Advanced Science. They have different laws and expectations of the other that may cause a clash. If the events leading up to you being shot with an arrow were flipped with Equestria and you were born on Psera, Equestria would just throw the pony in prison. Because that's just how they are. However Psera was ready to blow up Equestria because of it. And Narmeelah didn't want that in her own favored Country of Psera. Any influence of that was arrested, thrown out, dead, things like that.

"Narmeelah was strict on the ponies who tried to enter or exit. There's a thin perimeter around Psera where you can go. You cross that Perimeter, you see Narmeelah's dark side."

How interesting. The scientist in Twilight wanted to take notes. But then again she was "dead." There was no point. Twilight took another sip and summarized, "So Narmeelah was afraid that everyone wouldn't agree with the other and kill one another off. And she figured the worlds beyond Psera were already lost—"

"Thanks to me."

"Right. Because you infected them. So she cut Psera off from everyone, which in turn actually influenced greed and jealousy, a major part in influencing the Gold Wars between the Stripes and the Pserateps."

Maheera jabbed a hoof and answered, "Correct. Wow, you're amazing. Bet you didn't even have to open a book." Twilight smiled and took another sip of her hallucinated beverage. "But promise me something, Queen Arcadia. If it turns out we're not dead and just sleeping or something else stupid, don't make the same mistake Narmeelah did. She's a smart pony just like you. But sometimes she thought too much. Came up with theories, assumptions, beliefs, fears. She never actually conducted a real experiment. Her decisions were based on her thoughts and beliefs. Don't make a decision based off what you think you know. Like from what you've read or what you've heard.

"Make a decision based off what you believe in and your own experiences. Psera wouldn't have put you in your position as Queen of the Greatest Country in the World if they didn't believe in your judgement. Keyword? Your judgement. Not the judgement from somepony you've read about and believe in. You're a smart pony. Use that big head of yours. It's always good to be careful and keep a watchful eye out but you also need to leave room to actually observe and learn before you make a default decision."

Wise words coming from a pony as old as time. Twilight smiled up to Maheera and commented, "You know what... You're not that bad for a pony made of Dark Magic."

Maheera winked and shook up another drink. "Dark Magic doesn't make a pony bad. As a matter of fact, Dark Magic is innocent. It's what you do with it that changes you. You used it to seal us both away. Does that make you a bad pony? No." Twilight hummed and looked around her before Maheera laughed again.

"Can you imagine if a pony, like a living, breathing, heart pumping and conscious pony ran solely on Dark Magic? Even I have to eat! Like they could survive like... Like how I infect ponies, but the subject would actually be a perfect pony? Like... L-Like if you were made from Dark Magic. You're real, but then again you're not at the same time. Like I'm staring at magic here, you know? A breathing, conscious form of Dark Magic that looks like real flesh and could actually be mistaken for flesh by anyone who sees them with a kind heart and the innocence of a newborn filly. Can you imagine that? Living, breathing, conscious magic!"

Twilight nervously laughed out loud and shook her head. "Nope! Nope, not at all! That's crazy."


~✶~


Twilight sighed unheard in shame. Away from the listening ears of the ponies behind her waiting for her next words. Was Twilight racist? Her family held no clues. Dawn too was suspicious of Tarsafani, but she didn't make it known by bluntly calling her a Stripe.

Molten cleared her throat and whispered, "Queen Arcadia?"

Right. They were waiting on her. She had a feeling she was going to regret this. Arcadia looked over her shoulder and made the decision that she knew was going to come back and bite her hard: "She can stay."
> Chapter 54 - Meet First Light
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Madun raised his eyes at his wife's sudden change in view. One second, she was ready to kick the Zebra out of this castle and possibly scold his own mother about letting her in. And now, she was staring at her with a neutral expression.

Madun shared a glance with Celestia before he stepped in. "Arcadia, are you feeling alright?" He raised a hoof up and felt her forehead for a fever. Maybe she's lost her mind.

Arcadia scoffed and pushed it away with a smile. "I'm fine, Madun," she answered. Then focused back on Tarsafani. "But I believe I may have overboarded on our guest." Tarsafani watched Twilight approach with a smile. With extreme trepidation. She better be careful around Queen Arcadia. "I want to apologize for my reaction to your presence, Queen Tarsafani. While I do not approve of your presence on our land, The Gold Wars was over a hundred years ago. You may have changed and you may not have. But..." Twilight stopped an inch away from Queen Tarsafani with a sharp horn sticking straight up to her face. "I'll never know if we do not experiment with this. If you have changed, that's great. But if you haven't, then... You get the idea. I'm sure Molten has explained by this point."

Queen Tarsafani slowly leaned back so she could actually nod without impaling herself on that sharp horn of hers. "Of course, Your Highness," she replied.

"And, as a goodwill gesture and small form of peace..." Twilight used her magic to grab the Maphito Gardeen had arrived with from behind and levitate it over across the velvet floors to hover in front of Tarsafani. "I offer you one of our greatest delicacies. A Maphito."

"Maphito?" Tarsafani reached up and plucked it out of the air. It was the size of a thick but small disc. She hummed and twirled it around. It looked like a really fancy version of cooked dough. A large cookie.

From beside her observing father and other princesses, Dawn glanced around at the rest of the tense ponies watching from her cowering state. Mom needed some solid backup. Dawn stood tall and answered, "Yeah, it's uhh... It's really good and tastes sweet. You can dip it in milk, circas, sprinkle it with other sweet ingredients, it's really cool. Give it a bite."

Tarsafani hummed and took a small bite out of the Maphito. Besides the fact that it was clearly overcooked, it actually made her hum in approval. "It is delicious," she declared. Her sights turned back to Queen Arcadia with a smile. "Thank you, your highness."

Twilight nodded and started walking back to her family. "Don't read too much into this, Queen Tarsafani. This is an experiment. You haven't earned my trust yet. But you will have your chances. I will allow you temporary residency on Psera. You will leave when IHT leaves."

Queen Tarsafani quickly asked before she could leave, "Out of curiosity, is Psera a member of IHT?"

Queen Arcadia stopped in front of Madun and turned her head to the side to think. "...no," she answered. Then faced them with a stone cold glare. "Psera will never be a part of IHT. We do not align ourselves with other nations. The reason will stay concealed."

Question answered, Queen Arcadia walked over to Gardeen and whispered into her ear, "Tell the Castle Security to double their rounds asap. She may smile, but I feel a manipulation."

Gardeen quickly nodded her reply, "Yes, ma'am." Then trotted away.

Twilight looked back over her shoulder to Tarsafani and asked,  "Would you like a tour of the castle? Come with us."



When Tarsafani joined their little group of reminiscing ponies, Dawn stuck really close to her father. She wasn't as strong as her mother or big like her father. She was just... Normal. A normal Alicorn-Pseratep. She didn't have a bright glowing mane that lit up the red wooden walls when she walked by. She didn't have a booming voice filled with determination when she spoke.

She was just a small little filly that ponies mistake for a twelve year old at times and the heir of the Psera Crown, with a very high GPA in school. Star-forward of her hoofball team with a game in two days, oh wow.

But now there was something that did make her special. When her sight turned red, she knew it was a bad sign. When the magic rushing through her veins surged and made her wobble she knew it was a terrible sign. She was special like her mother. But instead of the beautiful pony she is, she was a dark version.

Only a few ponies she could trust with her secret were here right now. Flurry wasn't one of them out of the ponies from Equestria. Nor Sunset or Starlight of Celestia's cabinet. Or the rest of IHT around her. Mom was walking and talking with the judges. So she was no option. Dad was too far away. Thank Narmeelah for her height, no one was really paying attention to her. So no one could see her eyes change to black. Only one pony was nearby that she could reach.

Dawn glanced around and inched closer up to Luna. The pony who could raise and lower the moon. She was the closest one near to her height. Dawn lightly bumped into her and whispered, "Luna." No response. Dawn tried again. "Princess."

When Dawn first bumped into Luna, she assumed it was a mistake. And when she said, "Sorry, Luna" confirmed it. So she continued walking and listening to Twilight speak. But when it happened a second time and she called her "Princess," something was up.

She looked down to Dawn traveling the Carpeted stairs next to her. She seemed fine. Maybe a little too close though. Then she looked up to her. Her eyes were black again with thin veins traveling through her purple fur underneath her red mane. Nopony else could see it if they weren't looking, but it would be seriously noticeable. She needed a defibrillator. It would hurt her since she herself was magic and a defibrillator was meant to push magic down. But if they don't use one, Dawn risked getting caught.

She was going with the best option. Luna sprung into action by using her magic to tug at Princess Celestia's wing. Just to get her to turn her head. "What is it, Luna?"

She pulled Celestia over and whispered, "Dawn needs a defibrillator. Now. Keep it quiet, she's losing control."

Celestia played it cool and laughed under her voice. "Ah, yes of course," she replied.

Thankfully Madun was directly in front of her. So Celestia moved up and poked her head into Madun's clear expression of boredom. Listening to the judges talking with Twilight weren't nearly as bad as desk work. But it ran a close second. He glanced her way and raised an eyebrow. She clearly wanted to say something. "Yes?" He pushed.

Celestia leaned in and whispered, "Dawn's losing control of her magic again." He was about to look back, but Celestia held his head in her magic. "Don't cause any worry. We need to freeze her magic. Are there any horn defibrillators nearby?"

"Security downstairs or any of Twilight's labs," he whispered. "Your best bet are the labs, she has boxes of them."

Madun next turned to Twilight and her conversation. "Dawn is changing, " he whispered. Twilight stopped speaking and listened closely. "We need a horn defibrillator."

A horn defibrillator would paralyze her, Twilight thought. They needed to hide her. And Twilight knew where. "Get her under my wing," she whispered.

When Madun whispered her orders, Luna calmly reached out and stealthily pulled Dawn over to Celestia, who then pushed her up to stand between her mother and Madun. Right off the bat Twilight could tell it was bad. Her teeth and head were changing. It was obvious Dawn was doing what she could since it was slow, but it was getting stronger.

Once Twilight had her under her wing hidden, she looked back to Judge Berry and queried. "Excuse me, Judges. But I have a matter to attend to that involves... The Bathroom." Then she teleported away. The oldest trick in the book. Even the most childish things provide security and privacy.

When she reappeared, it was in the one place she was glad to see again. Her office. The magnificent library made of nature. The grass under her hooves provided a clear path to her desk and the sun above provided warmth to Dawn's cooling body. It seemed only yesterday that this room was hers. It barely looked touched. She'd restore everything once the more pressing matter was out of the way.

"Mom," Dawn groaned.

"I'm doing what I can right now, Dawn," She responded. Dawn was desperately lifted and set her softly on her desk. Then placed a silencing spell on the room. Runes lined all nearby surfaces in neon glows. Once everything was set, Twilight looked down to Dawn's completely changed body, slowly fading from her calm and friendly state to something more sinister. "Our best bet right now is to put you to sleep and freeze your movements before I can make one."

Dawn's only response was a few wing twitches. She was losing her. Twilight ducked behind her desk and started digging through drawers. In all of her labs, she had a box of horn defibrillators in case of really sensitive projects. Papers flew out of the drawers until she grabbed the box and opened it. Lined up in two vertical rows inside were golden rings decorated with runes held firm by foam.

She quickly grabbed one and straightened up to look at the top of her desk. At the empty blank space where Dawn was before. Well that's just perfect.

Twilight sighed and leaned back when a book was thrown her way from her lower right. Dawn had been taken over. Completely black with sharp teeth and sharp wings.

She hissed loudly at Queen Arcadia and grabbed another book from the top of the stack she had made within this time frame. Then flung it straight for her.

Twilight dodged to the side and ordered, "Stop! No throwing, young lady!" An open book with flapping pages caught Twilight right in the face. And slid off to leave an unamused one behind it. Along with another. Followed by another. "Okay, you're asking for it."

Dawn hissed in glee before she was picked up in Twilight's magic and began flailing around. Then was pulled forward and had a ring slid onto her horn. If Twilight's theory was correct, this would freeze her entirely. Her fighting gradually slowed until Dawn went limp in Arcadia's magic. Breathing heavily in suspended animation. Just as she theorized.

Oh how could this have happened? There must be some way to fix this permanently. Dawn was too sweet to be forced to be something she didn't want to be. Arcadia peacefully placed Dawn down on top of her desk with love and care 

"Shhh," she cooed. Dawn's eyes slowly turned back purple. Flicking around in fear and confusion. "Everything will be alright."

Dawn wanted to tell her that nothing was alright. That it was terrible to endure this. It wasn't painful, but knowing that at any second you could become a violent pony was the issue. She couldn't control herself. All of her movements weren't her own. As if she were a puppet for this monster inside her.

"I..." She sputtered. "I'm sorry, mom..."

Twilight yanked open a drawer and pulled out a bright yellow blanket for when Dawn was a filly. Although a little small, it would help her daughter.

"Shhh, it's not your fault," she assured. She placed the blanket over Dawn's body but left her wings out. "You're not in control. We just need to find a way to make you comfortable again."

"...mom?"

Twilight smoothed out the blanket then focused on her daughter's solemn expression. "Yes, Dawn?"

"...am I normal?"

"That's a tough question. You're unique. You're not like other ponies—"

"I'm made from magic, mother," Dawn deadpanned. "My fur, my face... Is it all an illusion?"

"No, sweetie." Twilight leaned down and tenderly nuzzled her cheek. "You're real. You're as real as the love your father and I give you. I carried you for nine months and I protected you while I was half dead. You are a unique pony and my filly. You were real when I held you for the first time and you're real now.

"But your existence is also the essence of life. Something intangible until it takes over. You can give life, and—Narmeelah forbid—you can take it. You're much stronger than the average pony thanks to your other side. But we'll never truly understand that side unless we study it. We must figure out your complexity first so we'll know what to do in the event of an emergency."

"O-okay," Dawn stammered. She was scared. She couldn't move, could barely make out what was around her, and mom was making her fur tickle again with that scanning. She giggled and said, "Stop it, that tickles."

Twilight smiled down to Dawn while she persisted with her scanning. "Ohhh, you're still ticklish? I'll save that tidbit for later."

"Don't you dare."

Twilight laughed then went back to her task. At least they were bonding. "Once we have a compressor made, we'll be able to knock down this form of yours whenever it decides to spark."

About that. Dawn had her own theory. "Ummm crazy question, but..."

Twilight glanced over to Dawn's still face. "Yes?"

"What if... It wasn't meant to be knocked down?"

Wasn't meant to be knocked down? Twilight stopped her scanning and asked for clarification. "What do you mean?"

"What if like... Like I'm going through puberty? And I'm growing up, like a magical growth spurt. Like my magic, my other half was meant to show itself. Instead of knocking it down, we should let it out and see if I can control it instead—"

"No," Twilight interrupted. She went right back to scanning. "There's no way that's who you are. Yes, you are two ponies. But two cannot inhabit one body and be conscious at the same time."

"So I have a sister." Dawn blinked her eyes down to her mother. "And she wants to come out."

Twilight sighed and stepped over to Dawn's head. "...I guess so, Dawn," she whispered. "You have a... Twin Sister created from Dark Magic that inhabits your body and shares all of your functions. Thanks to me."

"Mother, stop blaming yourself," Dawn ordered. "You did what you could to save my life, I don't blame you for that." Twilight sighed and went back to work with her notes. "Take off the ring."

Take off... The tip of Twilight's pen snapped in surprise."WHAT?! No, Dawn!" Twilight refused.

"Take it off, mom," Dawn persisted. "I have an idea and I need you to trust me."

"Dawn... This is dangerous."

"Mom..." Twilight looked deep into Dawn's pleading eyes. Staring into her own face when she was younger. Into the eyes of herself. Begging for help.

Twilight sighed and decided that if they didn't do something, they would never figure this out. She tightened her lips and quickly nodded. "Okay... But what is your plan?" She asked.

"I'm going to let it all out. She's fighting for release and we keep pushing her back down. Let's see what happens if we let her out."

Twilight nodded and took a deep breath to mentally prepare herself. This were one of those moments she never dreamed of when she imagined her daughter reaching her teen years. At least not in a magical sense.

She used her magic to slowly slide the ring off of Dawn's horn. Not once did she blink through this process. Not once did she let her guard down. And not once did she focus on anything but her daughter.

Just as expected, Dawn slowly changed back into her other self. Her coat slowly lost its purple hue. "I'm just going to let her take over," she whispered. Then her eyes turned to black. Her cutie mark changed back into the bloody crown and her teeth once more the sharpest things on the planet.

"Dawn" calmly stood up and turned to face Twilight. Staring at her with black emotionless eyes. Twilight in turn shared her own look of trepidation until Dawn smiled calmly.

"Hello, mother," she greeted.

Well at least she didn't attack. And based off her still body, she wasn't preparing for one. Twilight calmly placed the ring she was holding down on the desk and approached her daughter with caution on quiet hooves. "...Dawn?" She greeted.

Dawn raised an ink-black hoof to look at. "I'm in her body," she answered. "So I guess you can call me Dawn." Twilight calmly reached out and poked "Dawn's" muzzle. But just like she assumed would happen, it broke down into a dark smoke. Dawn was real and not real. It made Twilight sad and happy at the same time.

Twilight pulled her hoof back and whispered, "I'm sorry that you're stuck like this."

"But this is how it was supposed to be," Dawn corrected. She took a few clearly difficult steps forward until she was on the edge of Twilight's desk and staring up into her curious eyes. It looked like was just learning how to do everything. Including walking on her own. Same mind, possibly different knowledge. Or maybe she was just getting used to using this body.

"I may be created from Dark Magic, but I'm not evil." Ah, she was created from Dark Magic. A Magic with a mind. She was used to being gassy and flowing. Not solid and strong.

Twilight shook her head and stated, "The rest of Psera may not believe that if they found out about you. If they saw you."

"Should I smile more when they do?" Dawn's smile expanded really wide up to her ears to show those really sharp teeth.

Twilight laughed but shook her head. "Ehh, that may make it worse. Looks like your sister was right. You were just fighting to get out. How are you feeling?" Twilight grabbed a few things to take notes with from her desk and asked, "Do you feel cramped inside of Dawn? Any discomfort?"

"I feel nothing inside of Dawn. It's like an endless bed of comfort. But it's always dark and I see through her eyes. At what I could be doing. Going to school, meeting friends, doing tricks on boards made of wood and metal. But I can't because Dawn always flees to her room when she feels my presence."

"You're just a frustrated foal trying to have fun I suppose," Twilight guessed.

Dawn burst into smoke and flew over to reform on Twilight's back in a relaxing form. "Is there any way for us to coexist as one?" She asked. "From what I have seen, you're a magical genius."

Twilight chortled with amusement behind a hoof and answered, "There may be some way. But the answer lies in my underground Lab. I would have to go there to find them. In the meantime, I must get the Princesses of Equestria in here." Dawn teleported in a burst of smoke back to Twilight's desk staring at her. "Stay here and don't answer the door if someone knocks okay? It's very important that no one sees you."

Dawn sat down and nodded her head. "I will not move a muscle." Reassured, Twilight teleported away and left Dawn to her own devices. Hopefully she can hold on to herself during this time.

But she's never been outside of Dawn's body before. She had to experience this to its full capacity. At least a little bit.

Dawn jumped off the desk and landed on the grassy ground to roll and flail around in. Nature, soil, everything was amazing. Once her black coat was dirty enough, she carefully wobbled over to the stream and stared into her own reflection.

She didn't look scary. Just really really dark. Until she opened her mouth of shiny sharp white teeth. This look would certainly scare Dawn's friend Erikia. Speaking of nicknames, she needed an identity. She and Dawn were two different ponies. Even mom would have trouble coming up with a name.

Fresh Dawn... First Light. Twins. "First Light," she whispered to herself. "I like that. What do you think, Dawn?"

One half of First Light's body changed into Fresh Dawn. As in one half was black and the other was purple and red. Along with her cutie mark. One side was a bloody crown, the other wasn't

"I like it," she answered. "Although, it could go against... Well... Everything." Her hoof waved to her coat. Then she ducked back down so First Light was in charge.

Despite that, First Light shrugged and replied, "It's fine. Hey... Thanks for letting me out. It gets really lonely inside when I'm not talking to you." First Light's ears flickered in time with the voice responding in her head. "I know, I'm sorry. it just gets really lonely sometimes... I know I sounded really scary. Still... Thank you. Hey, let's check out some of these books. Mother has way too many."



While the Royalty of Psera were traveling with Queen Arcadia on the third floor, Gardeen was tasked with showing the "Stripe" her room. She didn't like that one bit. Nope, not at all. And based on the ponies moving to the sides when they passed weren't too fond of it either. Gardeen was seriously questioning Queen Arcadia's motives on letting the Zebra stay here. She herself thought Queen Tarsafani was just going to meet with Molten Ice then be on her way. Not stay with IHT. The Queen could have easily thrown her back to Zebrica. Why let her stay? To get to know the Zebras better obviously. That didn't mean the citizens trusted her yet.

Not too long, Gardeen stopped Queen Tarsafani at her room. She faced a standard wooden door with the number 306 on it. "Here we are," she breathlessly stated on the verge of frustration. "Your room. Go ahead and check it out."

Queen Tarsafani stepped forward and pulled down the gold handle. Then pushed open the door. Standard. Brown wooden floors, a window directly across that allowed you to eyeball Psera's beauty. A Queen sized bed on the left, a desk and dresser on the right with a mirror. A bathroom and a closet on the left near the bed. Not too much, not too little...

"It's perfect," Queen Tarsafani whispered.

She strode in on tender hooves and allowed her saddlebags filled with her belongings to hit the floor. It was as if this were a small hotel. She turned around to face Gardeen. "Your Queen... Arcadia Nova, correct?"

Great. A conversation. Gardeen silently groaned and answered, "Yes."

"You all look up to her highly."

Gardeen tightened her lips and answered, "Because of her leadership, power, and dedication we're all able to see another day. She saved us once before, and risked her life this time. We're all lucky and grateful to have her here with us. Without her, we wouldn't be here." Gardeen looked Tarsafani up and down with distrust. "Don't upset Queen Arcadia. The whole country will gladly come after you."

The Great Country of Psera. The Legend of Legends. With ponies who will gladly rip you apart if you disrespect their leaders. Especially the Queen. Their big, strong, and admittedly sexy King would do it himself. He was an obstacle.

Tarsafani replied in a cold tone, "I will take your warning seriously." Gardeen nodded and walked away to get back to her own duties. Queen Arcadia had to be back by now. That was a really intense bathroom break.

When Gardeen left, Tarsafani shut the door and grumbled, "Racist Queen." Then turned around and started unpacking. So she's Dawn's mother. She didn't look strong, but she definitely had some heart and dedication to her country. Even she could see this. An admirable trait.

Focus, Tarsafani, she thought. Psera is the enemy, and Fresh Dawn is the target. Getting to her would be extremely difficult. Psera has a severely upgraded defense. And taking over would be next to impossible. But since she was the pony on the inside, it fell on her shoulders to make sure they did get in.

Once everything was unpacked, she set most of it to the side and prepared a scripted report to send back to her superiors. They would want to hear about all of this.



It's been over an hour now and First Light was getting a little antsy. She was bouncing on her mother's mushrooms and caring none about everything else. She's read one book out of the many in here, and was now just lying on her back on top of her mother's desk waiting for her return while trying not to fall asleep at the same time.

When Queen Arcadia did teleport back into the room, the snap was so sudden, First Light teleported into the air and hovered there. She brought the Princesses of Equestria with her. Not her cousin, but her Step-Aunt and uncle. Along with Luna and Celestia. And her own father The King.

Arcadia walked in and called, "Dawn? Are you here?" She walked over to her desk and began to panic when she didn't see her. "Oh no, please tell me she didn't leave, please tell me she didn't leave!"

While Queen Arcadia started going crazy and peeking under her desk, First Light slowly and silently dropped down behind the Princesses and asked quietly, "Is it normal for mother to freak out like this?"

They followed the voice to the doors where First Light was standing with a cute face of worry. Black as a shadow in the dark with black eyes. Well Twilight just had to teleport back over with a loud crack. "Sweetheart, where—"

First Light yelped and shadow teleported back out of sight for a few silent seconds. They looked this way and that. To the mushrooms, the chair behind the desk. But Dawn was nowhere to be seen.

"Please!! No more of the snapping appearances!!" They followed the shout up to Twilight's Sun, where First Light was gripping and slowly twirling with an obvious shiver.

Twilight used her magic to carefully pluck her off and bring her back down. "Awww, I'm sorry sweetie," she softly apologized. "I won't do it again, okay?"

She set her down on her desk and approached with the Princesses in happiness. Then her eyes spotted the book lying directly in the center. "What were you reading?"

First Light followed her gaze to the cover. Then carefully picked up the book and answered, "Uhh, I do not know, I was just skimming it really. But something about many rocks? And trees, and rivers, and stuff?"

Twilight lifted the book out of Dawn's hold and up to her own face to get a better understanding. A better memory of it. "Yes, it has a lot of good notes about Pseratopian Nature," she corrected. "You were probably skimming the section on Gravel."

"I believe so." She looked up to one of the Princesses staring really close. As in-her-face close What was her name? Dawn called her Aunt Caddy. Maybe her name was Caddy! "Aunt... Caddy?" She asked.

Cadance leaned back and answered, "Er... Y-Yes. I'm your Aunt Cadance." Then looked to Twilight for an explanation. She knows who she is, she's spoken to her plenty of times before. So what's going on now?

Taking that as her cue, Twilight placed a wing on Dawn's back and answered her unspoken question. "Dawn had a theory that her dark side wasn't bad, but that it was the pony—or her artificially created twin sister—coming out. She didn't always like being alone inside Dawn's body. So she was trying to escape. Dawn decided to let her take over and see what would happen with my supervision, and this is what we got."

The princesses nodded then shot their heads down to Dawn when she raised a black hoof. "Hey, big question?... Why are all of your manes moving on their own?"

Now that was a question that no one had ever asked before. Celestia opened her mouth to answer. But could she honestly answer it? She and Luna shared a look with that same question on their minds. Twilight even shrugged. Why do their manes move like they do?

Madun raised a hoof up to lightly bat at Twilight's mane. Like a spider's web blowing in the wind, glowing with magic and twinkling like renegade stars. When they first started dating it was never like that. It was different shades of violent with a knick in it. Actual hair. The same for her tail. Now everything were moving neon lights.

Since no one really had an answer, Cadance replied, "Oh it just happens with us more powerful Alicorns. Possibly all ponies. I wouldn't be surprised if Narmeelah's mane was like this."

"...oh..." Dawn carefully walked along the desk on brand new hooves to the edge where the Princesses were. But walking was still a bit of a challenge when it was entirely by herself. Even when her mother was outside grabbing the Princesses she was tripping over her own wings and the grass on the ground.

But Madun and Twilight were there when she literally fell off the desk this time. Twilight caught her with her magic and set her hooves on the grass softly. It seems that even though they share the same mind, they didn't exactly share the same knowledge. Or maybe they did. Madun's voice echoed around in Twilight's mind. "Dawn's a mystery."

Dawn slipped again and fell on her chest. Then she huffed and growled into the grass, "I really hate walking. Floating is better."

Shining Armor chuckled and used his own muzzle to help her back on her hooves. Unlike normal ponies, this version of Dawn was freezing cold. His muzzle could grow icicles right now. "Floating? Like a balloon?" He asked. That would be interesting to see.

"Kerma. Meeehhh.... Marshoola tell gerskee." Dawn pointed up to the ceiling and made little loops with her hoof. "Gerskee el kool."

Shining glanced up to Twilight for some help with that. "She said it's much easier and faster. As long as no one sees it it's fine."

Since she was given the green light, First Light jumped into the air and broke down into black smoke that soared up to the rotating sun. She quickly made an orbit then zipped down to the small stream.

While Dawn was doing her thing, Madun smiled back to his wife. "The Congress of Psera would like to see you whenever you're back on more stable hooves."

Of course they would. The heads of all cities would want her to know how her disappearance affected Psera, and what to do now that she was back. As well as decide her consequence.

Twilight turned and walked behind her desk with a smile. "I've been expecting that. Maybe next week for me to get back up to speed and reconnect with my ponies, my friends—" Dawn suddenly dropped down on top of Twilight's desk face first with a grunt. The normal Dawn. Purple coat of her mother, and red mane of her father. "And definitely my family. Are you okay, Dawn?"

Dawn sat back up and looked around. Then rubbed her head and stretched out her choker a bit. "Jeez, First Light. You just couldn't land first, huh?"

"Who are you talking to, sweetie?"

Dawn directed her sights to her mother and answered, "First Light." Twilight just blinked at her. Who... Was First Light? Dawn rolled her eyes and clarified, "My... Sister. She goes by First Light and I go by Fresh Dawn."

So her other side chose a name to be distinguished by. Interesting. It seems she was learning. Arcadia made a note to watch exactly what she learns. But for now she smiled and replied, "That's great sweetheart... That's great."
> Chapter 55 - Sort Of Close
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After Dawn had her little escapade with First Light inside of her mother's office, Queen Arcadia was directed back to the Royal Suite with her family. The Princesses respected her privacy and left her to her time. Her home. Her husband's home before it was hers, and Dawn's home after she was born. The best location in the castle, according to her.

She was proud to see that the garden out front was still fresh and blooming. It had obviously been trimmed recently. Twilight nuzzled Madun under his chin as they approached the Guarded door to their home. "I can't remember the last time I was here," she whispered.

Madun stopped at the door and let Dawn open it. He looked down to his wife with love in his eyes and replied, "The last time you were here was when... Eh, who cares? You're here now and this is where you're staying for the rest of the day. So go on, get in there." He playfully used his wing to nudge her in and got a stuck out tongue in return. Then strolled along behind her and shut the door.

Everything was the same as she remembered it. Nothing had ever changed. Well not too much. There was a large LiVAM now in the living room that Dawn was getting prepped in front of on Twilight's left along with...

Twilight gasped and teleported over to the bookcase now shelved with Dawn's sports trophies. She pointed to them with eyes on Madun. "What happened to my books?!" She shouted.

Of course that would be the first thing on her mind. "Two years after, Dawn started winning trophies and we needed room."

Twilight, Madun and Fresh Dawn ignored the LiVAM's current channel setting and eyed the many trophies around the room. The entire room. Most of them were gold, but some were silver and bronze.

"Oooh," Twilight fawned. Then smiled down to Dawn and asked, "And just what are you a professional at?"

Oh yeah! She gets to brag! Finally, dad never lets her. He's always, "Stay humble and be a good sport."

Dawn threw one hoof over the side of the couch and acted all cool. "Yeah, I'm a... I'm a professional at Hoofball, Tennees, and Slide Skating." She rubbed one hoof on her coat with a smirk on the LiVAM.

Big shot, huh? Twilight thought. She passed by in front of Dawn and slid her wings onto the couch. Then set herself down on it and trained sneaky eyes on Dawn. Who was staring at something else however. How exactly does she hide her wings? One second they were there dragging the floor, the next they were gone. Hiding or something behind or underneath the couch. Maybe.

Dawn shook that to the side and asked her, "Are you sure you don't like sports?"

Twilight sighed and turned to the LiVAM while she answered. "Well every now and then, sweetheart. As a Queen, I didn't have a lot of time to actually sit down and watch a game. There were always meetings, traveling, court, law and order, inventions, taxes, issues that needed to be solved—WHAT WAS THAT?!"

Dawn jumped from the sudden yell and followed her mother's hoof to the LiVAM. Someone had gotten tackled before they did a replay of that same stallion jumping into the air, then getting bunked back to the ground by someone who flew right on top of them. "How in Psera did he do that? Who is that, that was an amazing play, great work out there! Who is that?"

When Twilight started tapping her hooves together in applause with a huge grin, Madun had to bite his lip and shake his head. It was always like this back when Dawn was a little filly. Twilight would say she wasn't into sports. But if you were to sit her down in front of a LiVAM for ten minutes alone and come back, she would be wearing her favorite team's merchandise with face paint she got from somewhere cheering.

Dawn curled her lips in and stared her mom in the eyes once she calmed down. Well calm down was more like an accelerating rollercoaster of embarrassment. Twilight blushed and cleared her throat to continue what she was saying before. "As a Queen, I had to—"

Madun bumped his head in and clarified, "Your mother doesn't watch sports too often, but when she does she turns into Psera's favorite cheerleader." Twilight used her magic to zip Madun's big mouth shut. Now why did he have to go and say that to their daughter? Hopefully she can live it down.

Red with embarrassment is the only word that can describe Twilight's current face now. She stammered, "W-Well, I think I've had enough sports." Then stood up and made her way to the kitchen.

Oh so her wings were... Under the couch? Dawn gave up trying to figure it out. How could her wings fold like that? Magic maybe? Madun sighed and left Dawn to do her thing in exchange for following Twilight. If there was something she didn't recognize, then he would make it quick for her to understand.

He didn't have much to worry about since everything in here was the same though. The kitchen, the stove, the counters, the glass table with Twilight's favorite flower she buried her muzzle in, and a calendar. A large kitchen for a small family of three.

Madun placed a wing on her back as she slowly straightened up from the flowers. Then leaned her head up and shared a nuzzle with him. "I'm tired," she whispered.

Madun nodded once they separated and replied, "I'll take you to bed." Then began guiding her to their bedroom. Dawn just listened to the movements with her ears. But her mind was on school. So she finished the project, but got something even better than finding something not a lot of ponies knew about Queen Arcadia. She found the Queen's lost portal and managed to get the Queen out. Dawn found her mother after all these years. Yeah, she passed.



Just like Madun said, their bedroom was literally the same. Dawn's room had a door closed for some reason, and Twilight decided to respect her daughter's privacy. It wouldn't be right for her to go peeking in Dawn's room while she was watching her shows and had been absent for ten years of her life.

Twilight would get sad each time she saw a picture of Dawn with Madun. And there were enough of those around the house, let alone their bedroom. They made an entire path there through the hallway.

Twilight paid it no mind at the moment. Instead, she dropped down on the bed's red comforter, hogged it by spreading her wings and limbs then finally dozed right off to sleep. The bed was so soft. Oh Narmeelah it was so soft and dare she say so inviting. The last image Twilight had was of the photograph of herself, Madun and little filly Dawn on the dresser on what was supposed to be her side of the room before she the darkness of sleep embraced her.

Before her eyes opened again. A nightmare. It had to be a nightmare. She couldn't move. Everything was purple. She couldn't breath. She couldn't see anything but Maheera Dark with her eyes closed and body spread out in front of her. She started to panic. Deep breaths, Twilight. Deep breaths. It was all a dream. It had to be, right? None of this is real, none of that was... Now she was confused. Her heart rate was speeding up. Her magic was sparking. She had to get out of here. She had to get out of here now!

"Twilight..." Who was that? It sounded like Madun. But he wasn't here. Oh Narmeelah, more hallucinations. It was driving her insane! "Twilight... Twilight, wake up, you're having a nightmare... Twilight!"

"Mom, wake up!"



Twilight took a very loud deep breath and shot straight up in the bed. She was sweating with scared wide eyes trained on the open bedroom door. Madun was leaning over from her left side wearing a cute little red "Best Dad" beanie with a fire orange puff on the end.

Dawn was on the right side looking up at her from the edge. And all over the Suite, the lights were constantly flicking on and off. The room was trembling and a commotion could be heard going on outside the door.

Twilight gasped and immediately cut her magic to cease the flashing and trembling. It must've activated during her nightmare. A rare occurrence, but can happen.

Madun placed a wing on Twilight's back and rubbed it up and down with soothing energy. "You were having a nightmare," he whispered. Twilight took a deep breath and dropped her head in her hooves. "You were trembling with the castle."

Well at least this was real. Her being free from the portal and being alive, that is. She muttered into her hooves with a drowsy voice, "What time is it?"

"Nearly ten," Dawn answered. She crawled over the sheets and over to her mother before she was pulled into a hug they needed. Dawn's mane smelled of strawberries. A sweet that Twilight was strangely craving. Dawn was very much real. And no science could say that she wasn't.

After a few minutes of family intimacy, Twilight sighed and let Dawn go. "I'm going out for awhile," she whispered.

Madun reached out and placed a hoof on her shoulder before she could make any moves out of the bed. "Are you sure now is a good time?"

Twilight chuckled and kissed his cheek. "No better time like the present. Besides, I need to visit my lab before tomorrow. I'll be fine and I'll bring two Guards with me." Madun sighed with uncertainty, but did let her get out of bed and make way for the door. The Guards would assure her safety.

He and Dawn watched her disappear from sight through the bedroom door. Then glanced up and down to each other. She probably had some inner demons she had to take care of. Or something else. As long as she had her security.


~✶~


The door to the suite nudged open and out stepped Queen Arcadia with sluggish movements to her steps. The area outside of the door was dark. The light above the Garden-slash-playground casted down onto the grass and flowers.

The four Guards on their night shift turned their sights to the door when she stepped into view and took a mighty yawn. "Good evening," she whispered.

They bowed and replied in their own ways. Then rose back on their hooves with smiles on their faces. The Captain nodded to her and stated, "It's great to have you back, your highness."

"The feeling is mutual, my fellow Pseratep."

"Mom!" Twilight looked behind her at her approaching daughter in a pair of pajamas. A standard pink pair of bottoms with a shirt cut open in the sides to allow room for her long wings. She stopped beside Twilight and stated with a firm hoof, "I'm going with you."

Twilight swiftly raised her wing in front of Dawn like a giant curtain and denied her access. "No, Dawn. You need your sleep for school tomorrow."

"Mom, tomorrow is Saturday."

Twilight turned her mouth into a small "O" and stuck her tongue in her cheek to disguise her embarrassment. "Well... I-I just woke up, I have no idea what day it is."

Of course, Dawn knew that. And there was no way she was going to tease her about it. Not her own mother. Maybe her friends, but not her mother. Her extremely highly respected mother who is the equivalent of a revolutionary boss.

Dawn used a hoof to lower her mom's wing and retorted, "I'm still going with you."

"You need your sleep, Dawn."

"We do not need our sleep," she argued. Then raised her head high and walked around her mother's wing.

"Dawn!..." Twilight sighed and grumbled, "Fine. I need four guards to follow, we're heading to my lab. I have something she needs to see anyway."

The Sergeant nodded and sent out the orders while the Queen and her daughter made their way towards the offices. This were one of those times when the Castle was entirely quiet. When the halls only contained lingering staff and guards. With the only sound being their hooves on laminate flooring.

When they entered, Twilight used her magic to start scanning the surfaces contained in the castle. The dark halls held little light thanks to the small circular ceiling lights above. So her wide beam of magic from her horn looked like a bright laser show by the time their guards arrived.

Dawn slowed and watched her skills in action. The light danced on the walls, the ceiling, the paintings. The magical energy provided them with real lights.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

Twilight smirked to Dawn with a glance and answered, "I'm scanning for runes. There's no telling what... If there are any dangerous spells lying around."

She didn't have to say what she was fearful of, Dawn already knew. She sighed and deadpanned, "You're scared of Queen Tarsafani."

Continuing their journey, Twilight stopped her scanning and faced Dawn to clarify. "I'm not scared of Tarsafani. I'm fearful of her intentions. There's a fine line between the two." Twilight went back to scanning while they moved past the rooms holding the Royalty of the world. Twilight could hear the snores of Shining in there. She missed that.

Dawn decided to move past her mother being slightly on the offensive and changed the environment to something much better. She smiled and queried, "Hey, is it true that Princess Celestia can raise the sun?"

Twilight sighed when a memory crossed through her mind. A pleasant one she would never forget that painted her own smile on her face.

"...yes," she whispered. "When I was your age, I watched Celestia raise the sun from afar. At the top of the Castle in Canterlot inside my library, I would peer through a telescope and watch her each morning on each Summer Solstice I've seen. Until I actually got there. Then I watched it all up close. It was truly magical. She was graceful and full of peace. Then when Princess Luna returned as Nightmare Moon and we reformed her back to Princess Luna... Well that's a story for another day. Or perhaps she can tell you. She's watching over the dreams of the Ponies in Equestria right now on one of the balconies above."

Dawn gasped and whispered, "She can watch dreams?" Her eyes glanced around carefully with discomfort. She wasn't really comfortable with ponies poking into her nightmares, no matter how interesting it was.

They turned a right and started making their way for the Guarded throne room. Good thing to see the Elite Guard hasn't lost their touch. She couldn't wait to see Secretary Manny.

Twilight switched back to the conversation and reassured Dawn, "Don't worry, she doesn't invade the dreams of Psera, only Equestria. An impressive feat from hundreds of miles away from their coastline. Tell me about yourself, Dawn. What things do you like now?"

Twilight turned another right and led their group of six down the hall heading to her office. Dawn wondered if the rotating sun in there was still blasting with warmth and light. Or did it turn into a moon or something at night. She answered, "Well I like sports—like I told you, I like to talk and delegate, read, study, and magic. Well... Attempt at it anyway."

Their trip ended once they stopped at the quiet guarded doors to Twilight's Office. She faced Dawn with a smile and stated, "It's a good thing that you like to study. But remember not to study too hard or you may miss out on life. Just because I'm the strongest mage in the known world doesn't mean I read my way up this high." Twilight used her magic to open the doors to the office. Then stepped in first before they followed behind her.

Just like the hallways, this area was lit only by small translucent lights in the ceiling, the glowing paths on the ground leading to the garden, and the doors leading into Twilight's actual office. Other than that the area was serene and peaceful. Dawn was pretty sure she could just sleep in the garden here.

The six of them quietly walked up to her doors and used her magic to push them open. Just as Dawn suspected, the room changed. From a blinding sun to a beautiful blue star that sent a shiver down Dawn's back. The room was a lot cooler with it in the middle of it.

Crickets chirped and the grass waved to an invisible wind that they walked through. Dawn swore she saw fireflies too.

Twilight used her wing to nudge Dawn and ordered, "Hold on for a moment. I want to give you something." Then walked 
with haste towards her desk. "When you were born, I realized then and there that my citizens were going to expect great things from you. Just like how they expect great things from me. The Child's Burden, I call it." Twilight walked behind her desk and pulled open a drawer. Then used her magic to pull out a steel block with no opening on it. Just a regular ol' block of steel.

After she closed the drawer, she walked back to Dawn and held it out invitingly. But what was Dawn supposed to do? It was literally a huge brick! Twilight nodded her head to it and whispered, "Go ahead... Touch it."

Dawn eyed the block in trepidation, but did lift her hoof and pressed on the top. A single bright line ran across the sides for a moment that forced Dawn to cover her eyes. Then dimmed. It was a suitcase. A steel suitcase with gold latches that Twilight flipped with her magic to reveal a book. A thin book with a fancy design on it bearing a title: "Your Inspiration".

Twilight lifted the book out and clarified, "When I was your age, times were much harder for me than the average pony. Yes, I was in school, but I tackled things that were real challenges. Where I was supposed to fail but actually passed. And what gave me the knowledge and push were quotes from some of my favorite ponies. Authors, musicians, lyricists, scholars, inventors, you name it. I put all of their quotes in this book."

"Oh!... How nice." Dawn smiled and flipped through it for a moment. She already had enough books but this one was... Sort of special?

Twilight gently laughed. "I can see you don't need it now, but you will one day. I promise."

Dawn patted the book against one hoof with thoughtful eyes trained on the cover once more. This was a really sweet gift now that she thought about it. "Thanks, mom," she whispered.

"You're welcome. Now come on, let's get your learning supplies." Twilight walked past Dawn for her bookcase while the question built in Dawn's head.

"Learning Supplies?" She repeated. Dawn turned her body around and watched Twilight lay her hoof on "The Sanctuary." The same book Dawn touched to get the door open. Unlike when Dawn does it, it immediately shifted open. She'd have to wait a few seconds to get it to do that whereas her mother waited no time.

The door was opened to both her, her mother and their guards. A steel closet with nothing inside that they walked into. Then they were descending once again. While they moved, Twilight glanced down to Dawn for a moment. Then back to the falling walls in front of them. "So you found this on accident?" She asked.

Dawn nervously scuffed her hoof and answered, "Well... Yeah. My friends and I were searching through your books to find out information about you for a project and we found that book."

Twilight nodded then stepped out of the elevator into the chaos. When they rescued her from here, everything was exploding. They had activated her security runes. This was a location that no one was really allowed in but her. But here they were, now her daughter knew about it. Twilight wasn't prepared to see the damage done.

When she stepped out into it, she gasped and held a hoof up to her mouth. Every single thing was out of place! All of the binders holding her spells were littering the ground below, there were holes in her walkways, and the Mecrah Portal was generally a mess. Maheera was still inside of it, but the purple mass was pretty much done for. It was just a mess down there. Completely awful.

Dawn peeked through the rails and seethed through her teeth. That was going to be a disaster to clean up. "Well I had to reorganize anyway." Dawn shot her head back up to Twilight when she made that statement. "My lab was becoming a little unorganized. Follow me."

Twilight started moving towards the far left for one bookshelf holding all of her spells. While chaos reigned abundant all around them, this one barely looked damaged if at all. The texts were lightly burned, but not to the point where they had holes in them.

Dawn caught up to her mother and stared at how high it goes. At all of the colorful texts that Dawn had a suspicion weren't really... There, so to speak. And Twilight proved that when her magic surrounded the entire bookcase, and the colorful books were slowly replaced with black ones. All of them were black, looked brand new as if they were restored with words on the spine in Ponish.

Twilight grabbed a large number of them and started stacking them next to Dawn with a hoof to her chin. "Okay, you're going to need Teleportation, maybe some transfiguration if you progress well," she muttered. Moreso to herself than anyone else around her. "Maybe some—Oh! Yes, yes, you'll need this. An entire list of formulas."

Formulas? Dawn asked in a nervous fashion, "Mom, what do you mean... Formulas?"

Twilight placed the last binder on top of their stack of fifteen and answered, "Well magic is more than just concentrating, it requires different fusions of spells. A transfiguration spell is one of the many harder ones to try and requires you to know five spells that align with each other to change one subject to another."

"So magic is overly complicated then," Dawn deadpanned.

One more binder, and Twilight grinned and assured, "It may seem like it at first. But talking about something doesn't necessarily do it any real justice. For instance. To teleport with another pony and objects they require teleportation and transfiguration spells. Not to mention mental strength. And they both require true focus. But once you learn it..." Twilight teleported both her, Dawn, and the books back over to their guards patiently waiting away from sight. They never saw the Dark Magical tomes she had stashed away. "You'll be so comfortable with it, it'll be like second nature."

Dawn looked around her environment then flicked her ears up to her mother. "What..." Twilight giggled and started the trek back to the elevator with Dawn hot on her hooves. "How'd you do that?" She demanded. "Come on, tell me!"

"I'll teach you soon. But not tomorrow. I want to get to see how much Psera and my birthplace has grown."

"I'm showing you around."

Twilight slid to a stop and eyed Dawn trot around to face her. "You're giving me a tour? That's very sweet but I'm sure you have a whole day planned. Your father told me about your journey to Equestria, you know."

Dawn denied her claim with a shake of her head and reassured, "Trust me, we are not busy."

'We' must be for her and First Light, Twilight thought. It was strange, but then again so was the whole situation. At least she's alive and with me. "Well... Alright then. I suppose it could be really fun. Just be ready if we have to make a sudden stop. A lot of diplomats, lawmakers, scientists, educators, and military will want to say something. And I'm pretty sure I have health problems."

Fresh Dawn jumped up and down on Happy Hooves and cheered, "Yes! You're going to love it! We're going to have Ice Cream, we'll go to the mall, we'll go to the Arena..." Twilight smiled and walked past with the study material back to the Golden Hallway while Dawn drawled on. She could list all the things Dawn said while reading the newspaper. The master of multitasking.
> Chapter 56 - Stories
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Raising the Sun wasn't easy. From all her years of experience, Celestia can admit that she had been through a lot of weather patterns. Raising the sun in Blizzards, Hurricanes, a standard thunderstorm. The sun still had to rise and the moon had to set, despite any weather afflictions.

Psera seemed to have none of these issues. At least when they came over. This morning at six o' three, Celestia took to one of the many rooftops belonging to the Castle of the Gods one wouldn't be able to see from the front and eyed the sky.

It was clear and turning a brighter hue from the black of night. The air was brisk and mint. Twilight. Celestia lifted her horn and poured in her magic. The sky gradually turned from purple to dark blue thanks to that orb of orange rising. Now it was Luna's turn. Her job was done.

"This never ceases to amaze me." Celestia blinked to the lowering of the moon and wrapped up the process. Then turned her smiling gaze to face the voice of Twilight Sparkle. The real Twilight this time. She was staring up to the sky wearing what looked to be a kimono from either Neightons.

It was a reflective red with clouds in a sequenced pattern kept together by a sash tied in the middle. Her glowing violet mane flowed with the wind and her smile penetrated the sky. Her wing was wrapped up in new Gauze and there was definitely some ointment applied to that shiner. But she still looked beautiful as always.

Celestia walked over to share a gentle hug and nuzzle then greeted, "Good morning, Twilight. How did you sleep?"

Twilight separated and replied, "Good morning, Celestia, and not a wink. I had a nightmare at ten last night."

"Yes, we figured you would have an issue of some kind. You've been trapped inside something rather traumatizing, getting over it in one night would be impossible. Even for you."

"Regardless, I believe I have slept more than what is truly necessary in a lifetime anyway." She moved ahead towards the high edge that ascended in the form of brick steps. Then peeked and watched the motion of Psera come to life. At the Pserateps waiting to take to the sky while the rest actually did. "They stall until the sun is high before they start their day."

Celestia followed her sight to the movement in the sky and the ground. At the Pserateps taking flight, creating a beautiful spectrum of art. "It's truly beautiful," she whispered.

Twilight nodded and educated Celestia, "The cool morning air mixed with the heat of the sun provides a cooling sensation that many look forward to. It's elegant and smooth to fly in. Like skating on freshly set ice. Many ponies do it. Those who can anyway."

Celestia nodded and embraced the cool air with a deep inhale. The temperature tickled her lungs and urged her to let it back out. "Madun and I are going to do some basic exercising at two this afternoon."

"Speaking of, I heard you and Madun spar," Celestia recounted.

"Once a week," Twilight confirmed. She silently laughed and said, "They don't know I know, but the Guards tend to watch and place bets. I let them. We started Sparring shortly after I started defensive training, it's customary in Royalty for everyone to know self defense."

Everyone? "Has Dawn?" Celestia slowly asked.

"She's still in it. Her training is on Sundays." Twilight sighed and peacefully recalled, "When me and Madun started sparring, Psera was not prepared for my skill. It was humorous in a way."


Sixteen Years Ago


Twilight was nervous. Even though she was Queen, she wasn't on the throne on Sundays. And even though she was a mother, Molten offered to take care of her filly for the time being while she trained in the Castle's training grounds. The area was lightly full with Guards, a small medical team, and three instructors from the Castle Guard. One of them was Dark.

Upon arrival, Twilight took off her crown and gave it to a few ponies to take care of. Then waited for the second participant.

After a few minutes, her opponent showed up. Sweet and Sexy Madun. He was trotting down that slight decline into the soft sand pit Twilight was standing in wearing no protection whatsoever. Just his coat.

"Good morning," he greeted.

Twilight replied, "Good morning."

"So this is how this happens. You and I are going to Spar so your instructors can get a reading on what you need to work on."

Twilight sighed and levitated a helmet over to her head. A red plastic one that allowed no discomfort for her horn. "I can already combat very well, Madun."

Madun took a helmet from an instructor that offered it to him and plopped it on his head. "I have yet to see it. No magic."

"Of course." Madun and Twilight stood up to face each other. They smoldered into the other's eyes. A breeze whipped up small grains of sand into their stoic faces. Then Madun charged first. Now that was a scary sight. A big pony such as Madun rushing towards her. Well Twilight faced Tirek too when he was a Giant. So she waited patiently until he was close enough.

Once he was, Twilight slapped her wing into the sand they stood on and swung it straight up to his face. Then swiveled around and brought her right hind hoof under his hooves. Madun yelped and tripped face first into the sand. Then Twilight brought her hoof up and straight down into the back of his helmet.

"Twilight, One. Madun, Zero," an instructor announced. "Round Two!"

Twilight leaned down and playfully asked, "Are you ready to admit defeat?"



Celestia giggled behind a hoof after Twilight's recount of beating Madun's flank. Then stammered, "I-I'm sure he gets you down at times."

Yes, but not in combat, Twilight thought to herself. "Madun is a loving pony. I couldn't ask for a better husband. He's always calm and collected, but can definitely be rough and intimidating if you push him."

"I feel that is everypony, Twilight."

"...true." they watched the increased activity in the air briefly before Twilight whispered, "Congress may keep me off the throne for awhile."

"Why?"

"I still have consequences. But that is fine, it gives me time to catch up with my family and friends. How did Equestria turn out? Our fighting left it in pretty bad shape."

Celestia tittered at Twilight and said, "Nopony had anywhere to sleep, Twilight. Everything was destroyed."

Jeez, was it really that bad? "I am very sorry, Celestia."

"Do not worry. As long as you have a team with you in case something like that happens again. As for your friends and family, they turned out alright. Your mother was very depressed for quite some time. She lit up like a bulb when Dawn showed up."

"Gifts?" Twilight could only assume what happened. Her mother was eccentric when it came to family she hasn't seen in a while.

Celestia eyed a group of colts fly over the castle and answered, "All one hundred fifty wrapped up in a single box with a bow. She allegedly went into your Embassy and took a few things since it was shut down."

Twilight nodded and flicked her ear when she picked up a small sound from behind. It was small and timid. A sound of a pony who was sticking to the back to allow privacy. And since no one decided to make their presence known through a clearing of the throat...

"You can come out, Dawn," she called out. Then moved to turn her head before Dawn shadow-teleported to her side wearing her golden hoofshoes and crown. Dressed for the day. "You're getting good."

Dawn shrugged nonchalantly then froze when her mother nuzzled her cheek. It was... Strange since she never has another pony do that except her father. "Good morning, Veola." Twilight greeted.

"....m-morning, mom," Dawn timidly replied. "Is that what you used to call me?"

Twilight pulled back and moved her attention to the skies over Cop. The traffic was beginning to become a little hectic now. Her sight shifted down to the Pods pulling up to form a line in front of the Castle's closed gates. They would open in a few minutes for the politics to begin.

"Press," she groaned. Then answered, "Yes, Veola is your middle name. It's just what I would call you, like how your father called you Sugar Plum. How is school treating you?"

Dawn lied down in between Celestia and her mother, then answered, "It's... A little tough. Everyone looks to me for magical information and I don't know any. It's pressuring. And I don't understand why they need it if they themselves can't perform magic. It's really hard."

"Oh you're not even in the thick of it." Twilight quickly backpedaled when Dawn's eyes widened. "Wh-What I mean to say is Psera really looked to me to make new things happen. Make this and do that months before I was Queen and before I was Secretary. It troubles me each time I think that Psera may depend on me a little too much. The exact reason why I'm looking forward to the consequences of my actions. It allows me to enjoy life until my sentence is lifted. But I'll be forced to cease all legal actions as soon as I sign the papers.

"Psera I believe will depend heavily on you too. But like I told you years ago when you were just a filly... The choice to be Queen is your decision. In Psera's democracy, it is your birthright to be Queen unless you pass the title on to someone else, or you are impeached from the throne. But you don't have to worry until your father or myself pass you the Crown."

Dawn followed her mother's gaze down to the ground. Those were a lot of ponies down there setting up. Anyone not a lawmaker weren't allowed in the castle yet until nine and it was only seven right now.

Twilight sighed when a few camera flashes lit up from below. No doubt they saw something. "As much as I appreciate their eagerness, I have not slept and would like a little bit of peace for a day."

Celestia laughed and stated, "You and I both know that that is not possible here in Psera."

Twilight blushed and turned her head to the side. "I can dream."

"I know, Twilight." Celestia stood up and stretched her bones. She's been sitting for awhile and it's time to start a new day. IHT was still having their meetings and she couldn't shrug that to the side. "When Dawn arrived in Equestria we were in an IHT meeting in The Crystal Empire."

Twilight placed a wing over Dawn and turned her head to look up to Celestia with a bland expression. "How's that coming along? You do know I feel that is a failed experiment that we are now stuck in."

"On the contrary, your disappearance and sacrifice has brought us all closer together. All of the nations depend on each other. The Dragon Lands, The Forgotten Land, Zebrica—" Twilight's huff through her nose interrupted Celestia for a moment. Even the name Twilight didn't enjoy. And she definitely wasn't even around when Psera and Zebrica's rivalry emerged.

Before Celestia could get a word in, Twilight stood up suddenly and started her trek back to the doors. "I have to get ready for the day," was her excuse. But Celestia knew otherwise. Both she and Dawn watched her disappear on the other side behind them. Then looked to each other in the eyes. Zebras really irked her. A lot. But why?



Gardeen had such a hard time getting into the building this morning. So bad in fact a few of the guards providing a barrier to the entrance had to escort her up to the doors so she could get to work. Once she made it inside, she sat down in the foyer and took a deep breath and a quick break.

"Quite the wake up call, huh?"

Gardeen looked up into the smirking face of Starlight. She hasn't seen it in so long she actually missed it. Starlight reached out and smoothed Gardeen's silver mane back into place. Apart from that and the badge she was wearing next to the marriage ring, she looked fine. A little winded from running from the wild press, but still good.

Gardeen sighed and answered, "Yeah, well I'd better get used to it. Psera has a tendency to blow up about this type of stuff."

Starlight laughed and joked, "Which stuff? Royal business as a whole or a pony coming back from the dead?"

Gardeen smiled and led Starlight towards the stairs. "Let's go with both."

The two laughed before Gardeen opened her wings and soared straight up to the third floor.  She straightened her wings and flapped them to slow her speed which allowed her to have a graceful landing on the surface way above the ground. Only then did she realize what she forgot. Or rather who she forgot.

"Forget something?" Starlight walked past her into that oh so famous hallway of theirs. The one that had three pairs of Guards standing in front of. The one that held all the VIPs of Psera. But how did Starlight get up here? Unicorns had magic so she probably teleported. It made sense.

Gardeen shook her head and walked past the Guards into this walkway. Unlike usual, this area was quiet. Entirely silent. So silent it made Starlight shiver. She didn't realize it was this silent when she left last night. But now that she was coming back it was as if the silence had been boosted.

Gardeen eyed everything and whispered, "This reminds me of the memorial service."

"How did everything turn out when we left?" Starlight asked.

Gardeen grabbed the badge around her neck and pressed it against that black space for a few seconds. It turned from black to green and let off a second-long high pitched beep. That was the key?! She was always blown away by Psera's technology.

Gardeen sighed and turned around to answer. "Tough. Things didn't actually go back to normal until a month later. Government was shut down partly, parks were closed, Events at Eventa was closed, and plenty of flags are still flapping in the wind to this day." After Gardeen opened the door she strolled in and flipped an unseen switch that highlighted their environment.

Directly at their hooves in front of the door was an overall black carpet with the crest of Psera in the middle and a picture of Narmeelah. The walls were made of red wood with lamps routed into them. They were definitely turned on with a switch.

A single sphere in the ceiling was providing soft light. On the far left was a round glass table with four chairs surrounding it with enough space for a Pseratep's wings, and on the far right was Gardeen's large desk decorated with picture frames of her and Light Pink, friends and ... Family?

Starlight noticed there were no photos of Gardeen with parents or of her younger days like she's seen from so many other office ponies. Strange. There was one of her in between Queen Arcadia and King Madun. Maybe she looked to them as her parental figures. There was even one holding their daughter in her hooves.

On the walls were newspapers that were clearly in Old Pseratopian. Starlight couldn't read any of it. But a photo held half of Twilight, another Madun, and even a few of Gardeen by herself holding up a book with a shiny sticker on it.

Gardeen walked over to her desk and admitted, "I felt like I died the day Queen Arcadia disappeared. Everyone here did." She reached to her desk out of sight and opened up a drawer to pull out her Comm Block. It's been years since Starlight's seen those.

Once Gardeen had it strapped on, Starlight approached the desk and picked up Gardeen's wedding photo. "This is really beautiful," she whispered.

"The photo?" Gardeen chortled and stated, "The wedding itself was amazing. The Fire Family helped me get it setup. It was like they knew Twilight wanted me to be married to Pink. Everyone was there. And in Twilight's place we put a vase of genetically altered Dandelions colored purple in the front row."

Starlight set the photo down and said, "You value Queen Twilight a lot."

"Yeah... She's like a mother to me," Gardeen admitted. It confirmed Starlight's suspicions. "I grew up an orphan. Twice. First time my birth parents blew up in a factory accident. Second time my adopted mother threw her life away to save mine when the Changelings invaded. That was before Twilight showed up." Gardeen closed the drawer and grabbed a fresh clipboard from the top of her desk. Then began making her way to Starlight on the other side.

Starlight was genuinely curious. "How did you two meet? Was it by chance?" Then followed Gardeen to the door back out into the hall. There was a lot of stuff that needed to be done this morning it looked like.

"Her Majesty Molten Ice actually." After they stepped out, Gardeen checked to make sure she was wearing her badge. Then closed and locked the door back. She and Starlight started making their way further left into the offices and continued their conversation. "After Twilight helped rebuild a few of the cities, jobs were being created. Since I showed great skill in management, I applied to be in the castle of all places. It was getting really busy here and they needed ponies who were sharp, and could do well under pressure. I just happened to be placed with Her Majesty Molten Ice."

"So, you worked for her before you worked with Twilight," Starlight quickly assumed.

Gardeen nodded and saluted to two Guards passing by looking at the walls. She wondered what they were looking for. "Yes, I worked for Her Majesty before I worked for Twilight. She was the one who reassigned me. Molten really didn't have much going on. The way she works is she gives orders here and there since she and her son were pretty much in charge until everything was back to normal. And we quickly went back to normal.

"Afterwards, things began to dwindle and the need for assistants was growing thin. So I talked to her Majesty Molten Ice about it and she said that unless there was another pony in the castle that actually needed assistance, then she would help me get a job elsewhere.

"But then Madun walked down the stairs from her Majesty's flower garden and said he knew exactly what I needed. During that time, Madun was crushing hard."

Starlight tittered behind a hoof. But lowered her voice when they approached the guarded closed doors to the Royal Suite. "How bad?"

"He said, 'Twily needs some help getting organized.' That bad."

"Holy stars."

The two giggled before Gardeen continued her tale. "But anyway, next thing I know I'm shaking Twilight's hoof. I was really excited. Twilight was seriously all the rage during this time. Everyone on Psera had their eye on her because she's just so intelligent. Not to mention a foreigner.

"We immediately got off to a great friendship. I showed her what I can do, told her about what I like to do and she the same. I was with her everywhere she went when she left the castle. I was there when she introduced her innovations to Psera, I was there when we went shopping. I was there during planning sessions, and if Merry didn't beat me to it I was there when stallions were around talking and Twilight wanted to talk about how Madun was staring at her later."

Stallions? "But aren't you gay?"

Gardeen nodded and stopped their procession in front of the Guards. "Twilight didn't know at the time and she was so happy when we talked about Madun. Whenever she was having a bad day or she was stressed out, we would sit back and just talk about life. Then Madun literally pushed into the picture by interrupting our conversations."

The doors suddenly bursting open had scared them so much they jumped to the side. Twilight jogged out with her magic scanning the halls and a look of focus on her face. She stopped and scanned a random picture of Psera hanging on the wall one more. Then two more times.

Gardeen had her mouth open in a small "O" with slitted eyes trained on Twilight. What. Was. She. Doing?

Madun leaned over to her ear wearing a honorary red military suit and whispered, "She's still uncomfortable with Queen Tarsafani on Psera. Really uncomfortable. Twilight sweetie, the Zebra is innocent."

Twilight continued her scanning in a long violet dress wearing her signature hoof shoes, chestplate, and horn rings. She looked great, but Gardeen could clearly see that looks were definitely the last thing on her mind. Twilight ceased her scanning and ruled, "As long as she is here in my castle, I'm checking every nook and cranny for any dangerous runes that I did not plant."

Madun sighed before Fresh Dawn walked out and tried her part. She was wearing a cute red and purple dress with sparkling glitter on it. "Aww mom, come on. I doubt she did anything. And even if she did, I doubt she managed to get this close to the suite without being spotted. It would be stupid."

Madun rolled his eyes and finally left the suite's entrance with Gardeen and Starlight. It was going to be a mission to get her to relax around Tarsafani.
> Chapter 57 - Too Fast Too Soon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Was Dawn fashionable enough? Was her crown on correct this time? Probably not since her father moved it into place on the way to the foyer. Today, Dawn was going to show her mom around Psera. It was so exciting she was already making a list of attractions in her head while walking next to her reunited parents through the third floor office halls. Mom was clearly still paranoid of Tarsafani since she would quickly scan something when no one was looking. Under the picture frames, the columns, everywhere.

When a magical beam passed in front of his face, Madun sighed and nudged Twilight. "Sweetheart, there are no runes in the castle."

"Then I need to start laying some down," she bit back. Jeez, was she in the mood.

Dawn walked close and nuzzled her mother to get her attention, "Mom, you have got to give her a chance."

"I'm looking out for your safety, sweetheart," Twilight softly informed her. "None of you may believe me now, but I know what I'm feeling. I've been to Zebrica and yes, not all of them are bad. But just like a noble of Psera and Equestria, they want the big things. But unlike our lands, if they are denied that, they take it. I do not trust Tarsafani because she is from one of those lands and I feel a bad vibe. I'm giving her a chance, but I'm also watching her. Very closely. I feel a manipulation."

Dawn sighed and rolled her eyes. She would allow mom her extremely paranoid fun. Maybe she was still traumatized from being in a mess of Hallucinations for all those years. They would leave it be for now. Especially since they were nearing the exit of the third floor for the first floor.

A loud clamour could already be heard resounding off the halls below. Reaching Twilight's ears and leaving a feeling in her heart she didn't realize she needed. The sound of the castle. A busy castle. A castle of ponies that actually looked forward to her return. A sense of normality. The rush of home.

They had a destination for the chariots waiting outside in the front. Why in the front, Twilight honestly didn't care. She was just glad they actually missed her. And based off those ear ringing cheers when they walked out into first floor's view, she was far from wrong.

Twilight had to fold her ears down to lower the decibels ringing her own eardrums. But did smile that elegant smile and waved gently to all the different colored Pserateps cheering in the foyer towards her and her family. A lot of camera flashes and greetings from behind the security line.

But Dawn did not like this. There were just too many ponies. So she tried to avoid being spotted by turning around and walking to the back. Hopefully there would be no words on the networks about that.

Twilight had noticed that Dawn had disappeared, but paid it little to no attention. She more than likely couldn't handle crowds. It wasn't her thing, and that was okay.

King Madun leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Are you ready to go? We have a lot to show you."

Twilight quickly nodded and ceased her waving before the Guard started the move for the aisle the Elite Guards had successfully formed to keep back the citizens. They had to move fast just to keep up with their schedule, or else Twilight would have to keep shaking hooves and giving hugs. One of the many things that IHT could say about Twilight was that she cared for each and every last one of these ponies out there. And for the mass of Pserateps waiting beyond these doors that they just walked through cheering loud and proud.

Twilight slowed to wave and surprisingly blow kisses to the ponies bowing behind the lines to the Royal Family of Psera. To the colorful ponies overseas. Queen Tarsafani was nowhere to be seen and that put Twilight on edge. It wasn't that she didn't trust Tarsafani. But she was very cautious of her intentions. For a Queen to come to another country instead of representative, let alone a another associate, was odd. Even she visited Equestria with Gardeen and—bless her soul—Secretary Manny about Foreign Affairs when they were trading in the past.

A bit of red in the bottom right corner of her eye made Twilight glance down to her daughter waving. She was still shy, but was still saying hi. It made Twilight smile more. But she didn't make any sudden movements in her direction. Well... She probably had to. Where were they going first?

Twilight leaned down to her level and asked, "So where are we going first?"

Dawn stopped waving and faced her to answer, "Well I wanted to take you to the movies, but there's much more for you to see. So... I'll let someone else decide."

What? No way. Twilight shook her head and replied, "Think of where I'd want to go."

"The library in RayRay it is then."

A library in Rayray?! Rayray has no libraries! Twilight quickly followed her daughter to the chariots parked at the bottom of the stairs. Of course with a few much more subtle waves before she and the rest for their entourage were off into the air.

While the Fire Family were enjoying each other with Gardeen by their side, IHT seemed to be enjoying the ride. Novo chose to sit next to Celestia during the movement. Their chariots were a solid reflective steel. With enough room for six ponies each. She felt along the seats inside and whispered, "This is pretty amazing."

Celestia could empathize. Her eyes felt up the red velvet seats with envy. She hummed and stated, "Yes, Psera lives in luxury. Although I hear Rayray is home to the most luxurious of luxuries."

"You seem to know their cities," Novo commented. She stopped feeling the seats and focused a smile on Celestia. "How big does this country go?"

Cadance poked her head in from behind with Flurry Heart and Luna to answer, "Much bigger than Equestria. We haven't traveled the entire continent as of yet. From as far as I can remember, the most we've actually ever been to was Cop, Lavender and uhh... What was that city... The one they had their wedding?"

Luna answered, "Eventa."

"Yes, Eventa. I loved Eventa. It was really beautiful. They also have cities on clouds. As a matter of fact, we're coming up on one right now." Cadance pointed ahead into the sky above the green grass lands. At the giant cloud that would have been mistaken for a storm cloud if it were gray. But no, it was entirely white and spanned for miles ahead of them. On the top of the cloud were skyscrapers and more buildings they could barely see. But stuck out because of the colors.

IHT was entirely speechless. That was a huge cloud they were coming up on. So big it was like Mount Aris on its own. But held no escalation in height past the surface they were going to be flying under.

A growing roar on their right ripped their attention away from that to two Pserateps speeding past their chariot a few yards away towards that same destination. Soaring straight for that cloud. One of them made a snap sound that reached their ears. Soaring faster than the speed of sound. Twilight didn't know how much she missed that sound. She would always hear it whenever she was out and about. When she and Madun were taking Dawn out to the park when she was three or four, those snaps would always make her cry. After awhile she got used to them though.

When they flew under Psera Skies Northwest, Twilight looked down to Dawn's quiet form and asked, "So how is school?"

Dawn didn't like talking about school that much. It wasn't because she didn't like it. As a matter of fact, she looked forward to going because it was the only place where she could actually be around ponies who saw her as normal. Outside of it, everyone was all Princess this and Alicorn-Pseratep that. The reason why she didn't like talking about school was because she felt singled out. But she did answer, "It's okay, I guess."

"What school do you go to?"

Dawn sighed and answered less than enthusiastically, "A High School in Cop." Twilight's shifting let her know she was slightly suspicious at her tone. "I'm sorry, mom. I just don't like talking about school that much."

Ah, teenagers. Twilight switched it up and asked, "Well what about friends?"

That seemed to cheer her up. Dawn smiled and brushed her signature red braid out from in front of her lively violet eyes. "I only have two, but it's cool. Dark Dust and Kia."

"Oh, you grew up with Dark Dust!" Twilight squealed. She would've bounced up and down in her seat if she could. But decided to stuff down her pride and explain, "I remember when you two first met. You were at an amusement park in a bunch of plastic balls. And you two were playing, it was so cute. Now... Who is Kia?"

Their "Second Daughter" Gardeen poked in and commented, "Those two have a really complicated relationship."

Twilight smoldered her eyes a bit and focused on Dawn. "How complicated?"

Dawn rubbed the back of her neck and answered, "Our relationship is sort of... Aggressive?"

Twilight would have responded, but what could she honestly have said? She just slid it to the side until she saw it for herself with a nod of her head and answer of, "Okay." Then focused on the world around her.

They were still going strong under Psera Skies when she heard something. Or maybe she didn't. Or did. Hallucination maybe? Her environment turned dark while fire turned the sky red. High winds with the smell of flames reached her. Smoke, flames, a burning Equestria.

Twilight shook her head and closed her eyes to get rid of that ringing noise in her ears overshadowing the winds. The screams of all of the infected ponies listening to Maheera's commands shooting at her. The maneuvers she had to do to stay alive. At heights as high as this.

"Twilight. . . Twilight, are you okay?"

"Queen Arcadia?" Twilight opened her quivering eyes and trained them to the left on one of the two captains escorting their group soaring next to their chariot. Specifically on her side. He urgently asked with a comm block raised to his mouth, "Are you alright? Do we need to make an emergency landing?"

Twilight shook her head and answered tiredly, "No, no, I'll be fine. Just . . . Just a few flashbacks, I'll be okay."

The guard shared a look with King Madun. He only nodded for reassurance and told him to remain close. So they saluted and went back to where they were before. Once he was out of hearing range though, Madun leaned over Dawn from the back and asked, "Are you sure you're okay, Twilight?"

Twilight sighed and took a deep breath. Then shook her head. "No," she admitted. "Fighting Maheera was . . . Pretty traumatic. The fight left it's mental scars."

Madun shared a look with Gardeen for a quick second. Then turned back to Twilight, "I think you need more rest, Twilight. You don't need to be pushing yourself to see the world like this, you can do it from indoors."

Twilight was resilient. She shook her head and stated, "I can still go on, Madun. It's just a few flashbacks."

"And flashbacks have triggers. What if we break a sound barrier? It would sound like one of the many explosions on Equestria. I don't want you having a crisis in mid flight. And I'm absolutely sure no one else would want you to either."

Twilight couldn't argue with that. What sealed the deal was when another group of ponies roared past and she ended up yelping for maybe half a second at the suddenness. Madun shook his head and said, "Yeah, we're turning this thing around. Guard!" The captain from before floated back over to listen in. "We need to head back to the castle. Queen Arcadia is having mental trauma. Keep it slow, peaceful, and silent. Nothing too fast. And maybe get a medic to this chariot."

"Yes, sir." When he floated back to direct orders, Madun carefully pulled Twilight in and tucked her underneath his chin. He could feel her temperature rising. This was not just from flashbacks.

While that was happening up ahead, Luna was literally poking Celestia around from behind in a playful banter. Trying to get her to move in on Novo. Celestia was really trying to ignore it. But the constant poking from her horn was annoying. She sighed and said over her shoulder, "I will poke your burn, Luna." Luna pulled back and blew Celestia a raspberry. It was all in good fun.

Novo hummed ahead to the air and asked, "So where are we going again?"

Without turning around from her view of the Mountain Range, Cadance answered, "Rayray. North."

"Well we seem to be turning around to the West." They focused on their movement and noticed that Novo was right. They were slowly turning around at a very wide angle to the left. Soft and slow, and nearly unnoticeable.

Celestia hummed and tried to figure it out before a Guard popped over to them with a briefing. "Change of plans, we're heading back to the castle. The Queen seems to be suffering from rising stress levels so we have to cancel the day's activities."

They all moved their surprised sights up to the Golden chariot holding the Fire family. Madun had a wing wrapped around Twilight and was holding her head underneath his neck in a protective embrace. A guard hovering above holding a bunch of equipment had something coiled connected to her that they couldn't see.

Celestia immediately asked, "Is she okay? What's wrong?"

"I'm not at liberty to say, ma'am," he replied. Then lowered back into his position from before. Cadance kept her eyes on the family up ahead. They couldn't find out any information right now. But they definitely would when they landed.


~✶~


Twilight was sweating. Her heart rate was speeding. Everything was over. She was home, she was out of those hallucinations. Then why did it feel like she was still in it?

Madun had made Dawn float to the back with Gardeen so he could sit up in the front with her mother. She needed security and a supportive pony to lean on. Twilight looked up to Madun and quickly whispered, "Everything's on fire. We have to get out of the fire."

Possibly a panic attack, Madun thought. He pecked Twilight's sweaty forehead and whispered, "Everything's okay, Twilight. There's no fire." He focused on the water bottle pushed his way by the medic. He grabbed it and used his teeth to pluck off the top. It was offered to Twilight by rubbing it against her lips. Since her eyes were closed. "Here, drink," he whispered. She obeyed and nearly devoured the entire volume.

Her temperature was burning. Thankfully, they just flew over the mountain range and were lowering for the Castle at a gracious but rushed speed miles up ahead. "Is there a medical ready?" He asked.

Gardeen nodded from behind and answered, "A full team is on standby. They'll move in when we land."

The team of Chariots looped around the castle and began to lower like a slow roller coaster in Las Pegasus. Shining Armor didn't realize how big this castle was until they circled it. They saw its length, the wide width, and all of the fun stuff in the back that definitely belonged to Dawn. Then they circled back around to the front with a much lower elevation and landed softly inside the gate for the castle. There were already two white pods at the landing point with flashing yellow lights.

After the chariots rolled to a stop, four Pserateps wearing white suits rushed up from the pods to the Royal Chariot pushing a long stretcher to Madun. He kissed Twilight's cheek and whispered, "We're back home, Twily. We're going to get you settled in, okay?"

She didn't answer, but her breathing was heavy. Fresh Dawn opened the door on Twilight's side so the guards could go in and start pulling her out. She was heavy thanks to her wing length but they did manage to get her out and onto the stretcher.

Shining Armor and the rest of them jumped out onto the hot concrete after their doors were opened and rushed over to Madun while the medics gained control of Twilight's flaring temperatures. "What happened, what's going on?" He asked.

Without taking his eyes off Twilight, Madun answered, "She seems to be having mental fatigue, increased temperature at over one hundred degrees, and a rising pulse. She was also complaining about flashbacks. It was really sudden."

The medics at Twilight's side grabbed the stretcher she was still on and started carrying her urgently up the stairs. Albeit careful. No jostling. The rest of the party was quick behind her and by her side when they ran through the doors. "Step aside, let's move, let's move!!" The Guard shouted. They rushed her to the elevator and pressed the button with a tight and secure perimeter around Twilight.

Princess Celestia looked down at her with worry. She looked to be sleeping a fever. Her fur was matted down with sweat. But according to Madun, there was much more going on.

Madun turned to Fresh Dawn and ordered, "You go and find your friends. If I know Kia, she's lurking around this castle somewhere."

Dawn's face turned from worry to confusion. This was when mom needed them the most! And Dad didn't want her here?! "What?" She asked. "But what about mom?"

"She'll be fine, she has the best doctors around her right now. You just go and do your thing okay? Go." Dawn was reluctant. She didn't want to leave her mother alone during this point when she needed her family. But dad always had his reasons. So she did turn around and trot away towards wherever she wanted to go with reluctance. Dad was right that Kia was around here somewhere.

When she left and the elevator opened, Twilight was quickly rushed in with Shining Armor and Cadance. The others decided to stay back like usual and leave this to her blood family. Once the doors were shut, Madun explained, "Dawn doesn't need to see what I think is going on."

Well Madun was a pretty smart pony. Cadance looked up from Twilight to him and asked, "What do you think is going on?"

"Withdrawal. Twilight spent ten years inside of a mass of purple substance that kept her alive. She didn't have any air, she didn't have any movement. That stuff may have sustained her life, but her body grew used to it. Now that she's out, she's trying to adapt to the real world. But she rushed in too fast so now . . . "

Madun looked down to Twilight right when she cracked her eyes open, and the elevator doors parted. "Well hey there, sweetheart," he greeted. "How you feelin'?"

Twilight blinked up to him and groaned in a whisper, "I think I might be traumatized."

"I think so too, sweetie. But we'll fix this okay?"



Well there was definitely no tour today, unfortunately for Dawn. But that was okay, mom's health came first. So now here she was walking the halls with her pets. Sky Blue perched herself on Dawn's back while Juniper was running in and out between her legs. These two were definitely something else.

Since there was no tour and Dawn had no plans, may as well spend them on the park outside until mom was okay. The Guards stationed on the way there casted strange glances to the stuffed animals following along on her tail. But didn't pay them too much mind. Magic was rarely seen in action on Psera anymore ever since Queen Arcadia went MIA, but her daughter had her small fair of it every now and then.

Dawn pushed the doors open to her park and ordered to Sky Blue, "Don't fly off too far, okay?"

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Gah!" Dawn jumped at the weird voice in her ear and swiveled to the right to face... Kia.

Kia casted her yellow eyes down to the stuffed puppy pawing at her hooves and asked, "New Therapeutic pet?"

Dawn got her wits back and petted the top of Juniper's head. "No, and she's a friend. And since we're alone, you and I have to talk." Dawn walked away to the steps of her park and onto the Slide Skating grounds with Kia on her tail. Sky Blue took this moment to go for a flight with Juniper barking up to her. That left them with great privacy.

Dawn walked behind one of the large ramps and grabbed her board and helmet. A blue one reading "Fire" in Old Pseratopian custom made to protect not only her head but her horn as well.

Dawn plopped the helmet on her head and stated, "You've been acting really strange lately. I want to know what's bugging you."

Oh. They were about to have this conversation. That's just great. Kia wanted to leave that behind her. It was just a silly phase. Had to be. Kia nervously laughed and asked, "Bugging me? What are you talking about?"

Dawn clipped on the helmet and rolled past Kia towards the ramps with a roll of her eyes. "You're not good at lying, Kia," she stated. "As a matter of fact, you rarely lie because that's your thing. So what's bugging you?" Dawn turned around and flipped her braid out of her face. A move that captivated Kia. A lot.

She froze up and just stared at Dawn who in turn stared back. It was a strange contest with no apparent end. "Uhh . . . Kia? You okay?" Dawn waved a hoof in front of her face and successfully broke the trance.

She shook her head and answered, "Dawn, I . . ." She sighed and closed her eyes in shame. A move that alerted her listener.

She got off the board and walked closer with an expression of worry. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Dawn, I . . . Feel strange around you."

Dawn nodded and sat down. "What do you mean 'strange?'"

Kia sighed and answered quickly, "I know we've been friends for awhile . . ."

"More like frenemies," Dawn joked. She stood up and made her way back to her board a few feet away.

"And that's just it," Kia explained further. She followed Dawn and asked, "What if I didn't want to be frenemies? That was when we were in elementary school, we should have been moved on by this point in time now."

Dawn laughed and rolled around on her board in a wide circle. "We are, silly! Frenemies is just what I call us because that's how we started off, I know we're friends by this point."

Well that was a step in the right direction. Kia kept her eyes on Dawn while she rode circles around her. "Well that's good, but . . ." Kia took a deep breath and almost blurted it out. "Dawn, I lo—"

"There you are!" Kia and Dawn—still on her board—swiveled their sights towards the glass doors to the castle that Flurry Heart appeared from. She trotted eagerly down the stairs towards Dawn. "I've been looking for you."

Dawn and Kia looked at each other before she stopped in front of Dawn. The air seemed tense around them. Did she interrupt something? Kia smiled at Dawn and quickly came up with an excuse. She wasn't ready yet. "Go. See what's up with your mom."

Dawn looked between her and Flurry Heart. Whatever was bothering Kia was enough to allow her multiple escape excuses. She would get her to sit down and talk about it. But right now . . .

Dawn sighed and walked with Flurry Heart for the doors with Kia's eyes burning on her tail. She would tell her before it was too late. Like she could feel it would be.
> Chapter 58 - Something's Up
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Twilight came to her senses, she did not feel good. At all. Everything was tingling, her heart was beating so fast she was afraid she would die right here on whatever she was lying on. Her hearing was low thanks to the white noise ringing her eardrums. A noise she was not enjoying. Clarity of any sounds was impossible.

The eyes of Princess Celestia stared down into hers. Then she said something that Twilight couldn't make out before Triage and Madun poked in with her. Triage said something that was either, "Your highness" or her name. No response was given.

Triage shined a flashlight into her eyes. Then checked on her pulse. "Her heart is still off the charts, but has slowed. Her temperature . . ." Triage placed a thermometer in her mouth under her tongue with absolutely no resistance. Then waited a minute before taking it out. "One hundred degrees. Last time it was one o'two."

Cadance quickly asked, "That's good right? It's a good sign?"

Triage grabbed a towel from a pocket inside her coat and placed it on Twilight's forehead below her horn. She looked like she could use one herself. Her own violet fur had a sheen.

She sighed and quickly answered Cadance, "Well yes, of course. But that also let's me know Her Highness has gone through quite the experience inside of her spell. And just like His Highness said, she may be going through a form of withdrawal from being free of that magically infused substance."

Madun sat down and relaxed his mind. So Twilight was okay. But... "So what do we do?" He asked.

"Well when she comes to, I suggest her highness not leave the castle for a full week. Trust me, she will be entertained."

Madun smiled and looked back down into his wife's eyes. He placed a hoof on her head and stroked her mane."Oh definitely, she will not get bored."

Triage placed a hoof on Twilight's wings that flowed past her hooves. They shuddered on contact. "Her body is really sensitive at the moment now that the atmosphere of ten years has changed. It is as if she has the flu. It will take at least a week for it to fully adjust. The chemicals in her highness' body and brain will be in a constant state of adjustment during the process."

"And that means . . ."

"It means Queen Arcadia will experience flu-like symptoms, random stress levels, and maybe hallucinations. There's a low chance for that one, but still a chance. Temperature changes like we've seen so far, and changes in moods. Her body is balancing out the chemicals going through . . . Everything. So basically, keep her inside for at least nine days."

Keep Twilight home. Easy. Madun nodded and looked down when Twilight slowly raised her hooves up to stare at them. "What... The buck?" She muttered. Everything was weird. Her vision was swoony, she felt.... Like she could take on the world. She giggled and whispered, "This is so weird. Everything... Everything is weird."

Madun shared a look with Celestia then looked down to Twilight with only minor concern. "Twilight, how are you feeling?"

She looked up to King Madun and gasped deep and slow. "Whoa. You look like a fish, sweetheart!" She drawled. Twilight reached up and squished his cheeks together. "Like a cute pufferfish. A big ol' cute Pufferfish."

Madun sighed and politely removed her hooves. "We're going to keep you in the castle for a few days while your body adjusts to reality again, alright?"

"Yay, yeah, sure, isn't Madun so cute? Mmm, if only there were no ponies around."

"OOOOkay, sweetheart." Madun looked to Triage and that smirk she had on her face. "Is she safe to leave?"

She nodded and confirmed that she was. Then wrote a few things on a clipboard. "Make sure she gets plenty of rest, fluids, and exercise if you can. If I know the Queen, she'll definitely want some exercise when she's better, and will be utterly appalled if she learns she hasn't had any." She took the sheet off and passed it to Madun to fold up and hoof over to one of the Princesses. They wouldn't be able to read it.

Madun already had a small game plan in mind. So he nodded and focused back on Twilight with a smile. "Good news, baby, you can go home!"

Twilight made a face and asked, "Oh? Already? Okay." Then rolled over onto her front and jumped off the bed. Everything was still a little unstable, but a good walk back home should help her nerves.

Celestia placed a wing on her back and calmly led her towards the door while Madun handled the paperwork. He would join them shortly. Twilight looked around and asked, "Where's my baby? Can someone grab Dawn please?"

"No, no, I'll do it!" Flurry jumped out and jetted out the door to find Princess Dawn. her hooves clopped out then faded into the distance loudly among Guarded and marble castle floors. A good time away from all the weirdness will really help. That and she wanted to check out this humongous castle.

Queen Arcadia watched her jet away from the door before she herself could walk out. It's been years since she's seen Flurry this active. Her eyes darted up to Madun when he showed up with a nuzzle to her mane. A nuzzle she couldn't help but return. "Mmm what would I do without you?" She asked.

Madun had all the answers to that question prepared years before they were even asked. "Read yourself into a coma, run back and forth when you worry a lot, go through four booksortcations in a single week, come up with another spell, have a quarterly spending report ready before the Quarter was halfway done, hold court four times a week—"

"I get it." Madun laughed and kissed Twilight on the lips before they started to move after Flurry Heart. While they did, Twilight's mind began to wander. What was happening in Psera right now? How was the economy? How were jobs? 

Madun could see Twilight thinking. She always does that thing where she stares off into space while the weight of the world sits on her back. A weight she didn't need right now.

He was about to say something but a figure up ahead silence any impending retort. Something important just showed up sitting alone in the middle of this large hall. A large stallion with his shape and stature with a dark red coat, and a long feminine mane and tail. He was wearing a lab coat with a label on it they couldn't see from here, reading something inside a folder that hid his face. Directly in the middle of the hall. Whoever they were, they had clearance because the guards weren't doing anything.

Princess Celestia shared a concerned look with Princess Luna, Cadance, and Shining Armor before Madun raised his wing to stop their movement. He hummed and asked, "Well, well, well . . . The Bringer of bad news has arrived. His wife must've left him."

The stallion reading slapped the folder shut and stared across to King Madun with absolutely no emotion. His red eyes held a look that would make the world run cold. He sighed in a deep voice and took a few steps forward to meet Madun halfway.

"You've always been a show off, Madun," he groaned. "Even in High."

"That's King Madun to you, Director." The two stopped less than one foot from touching muzzles. He snarled in his face, "Do not make me reinstate your position on the spot."

"Puh, it is not your decision to make."

"But I can call a meeting to have a motion ruled in a week's time. How would you like that?"

Madun and this stallion growled in each other's faces. Their eyes bore into the others with such a ferocity that the Princesses were wondering if they would finally see Twilight's husband fight. Then Twilight scoffed from back, "Oh please, you two are terrible at acting."

Looks like their cover was blown. Madun smiled and backed away so the Director could bow and greet, "My King."

"Director Foresight," Madun greeted. He let out a huff of air and whispered, "You have not changed."

"Why should I?" Once Queen Arcadia was smiling by Madun's side, he bowed again. "Especially in the presence of a wonderful lady. My Great Queen. It is a miracle to have you among us again." He rose to his hooves and nodded to her. "Many believed you were deceased. I believed otherwise. However, it is customary for an honorary service. How are you feeling?"

Queen Arcadia nodded back and answered, "Well the sun is shining, the air is amazing, and I can't go out in it until a week's time. Now I just want to plant my flowers and watch my filly grow up with her friends. It's a good day. My friends, please." She made a sweeping motion with her wing to her family waiting patiently behind.

Once they were close enough, Twilight introduced the new face. "Everyone, Director Foresight. Director Foresight, these are Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadance, and my brother, Prince Consort Shining Armor of Equestria, Captain of the Guard."

Director Foresight bowed to them and greeted, "A pleasure, your majesties. Rumor has spread that a 'Celestia and Luna' helped Queen Arcadia escape an unstable difficulty in the Queen's labs while attempting rescue."

A rumor? About them? On Psera? Princess Luna laughed nervously and tried to avoid eye contact. "There are rumors about us on Psera?" He nodded slowly. "Well it is true, but it goes deeper than what you may have heard, I assure you."

"I bet it does." He turned his red eyes to Queen Arcadia. But they changed from playful to serious. A dead serious. "There is also a rumor of a Stripe in the castle."

Queen Arcadia dropped her smile and stepped closer to whisper, "I am just as uncomfortable as you are, Director. But Psera does not treat our past enemies as if we are still enemies unless we have good reason. A few hundred years of absolutely zero conflict let alone contact will be a great deterrent of any conflict when we meet again."

"Do you trust her?"

"Absolutely not, but I am giving her a chance. With... Special limitations." She stepped back and changed her frown back to a smile. "Now why are you here?"

Director Foresight dropped his serious gaze and replaced it with a much prouder one before they began walking away from the medical bay. "I have come to give you an update on your second project since taking office. Your return was right on time. I couldn't wait to have the honor of delivering it personally."

Queen Arcadia and Madun smiled to each other then focused back on Director Foresight's red eyes. "Ayshool Lamee?" Arcadia guessed in Old Pseratopian.

He nodded slowly and answered, "Yes, ma'am. A Welcome Home gift. Just the way you like it." He lifted his wing and grabbed the folder hiding underneath it. He raised it gently in front of Queen Arcadia so she could hold it in her magic. Then quickly slipped it under her own wing. Ponies who definitely didn't need to see this were nearby.

She nodded and answered, "Great. I will review it this afternoon. And for the future, I prefer all my more pleasant gifts be wrapped up and topped off with a bow. Understood?" She winked for another meaning and continued walking past with her group while he stood still for another hallway.

"Purple? Or Red?"

"Whichever you prefer. Either way, we will receive it."

He laughed and bowed their way. "I will be expecting a match, Madun."

"Be careful what you wish for, Foresight," he said. Then smirked over his shoulder. "You know I'm more than happy to oblige."

After Director Foresight left their ears, Queen Arcadia leaned over to Madun and asked, "He seems more firmer than usual. What's his deal?"

Madun sighed and said, "Oh yeah. He's like that. Maybe because his wife actually did almost leave him." Madun looked back at the ponies behind them and explained, "My friends he is in charge of another science branch here in Psera."

Celestia hummed and asked, "So are there many science branches?"

While Madun answered their questions, Queen Arcadia focused her sights on Gardeen approaching quickly down the hall. At the focused staring she had on her face. She knew what the Queen wanted. Queen Arcadia nodded to her as she passed then swiftly opened her wing for Gardeen to take the package unseen. She slipped it into her feathers and whispered, "Top Sharma."

Gardeen nodded and quickly hurried down the hall. Her order? Top Secret. Stash the folder in her office. Gardeen had to pull out the big cards for this one. She looked over her back just to check on any eyes. Luna. She was watching her walk away. It was like the little time she watched her move, she was able to decipher that something was up. A look that Gardeen had on her face? Or the seriousness of the situation?

After Gardeen turned back to her task, Princess Luna faced forward and met the eyes of Twilight watching her. Watching her with a smile as they continued walking. Then turned back around while Madun recalled different things that have been happening on Psera in her absence. She still has a lot to catch up on.

Now as much as Luna knew that this was her country, her land, and her rules, she couldn't help but feel that Psera was doing something that involved everyone. All nations and creatures everywhere. And not just their advanced weaponry. There was something Twilight had created herself. She was able to have a library full of spells down below under their hooves that they couldn't see and would not have seen if it wasn't for her daughter. What else does she have hiding from them, her family? Let alone her own ponies?

Madun disturbed her own thoughts by making known a new discovery. "We have made a new kind of material as well. A material that actually withstands magical assaults."

Twilight shot her head up to him and asked, "Is there a limit?"

"In one batch. The other, no. You'll like it, I have a sample of it at home. Magic rolls off of it like water to a gossamer wing."

Shining Armor walked up and teased, "I imagine Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle is going to be studying it all day and all night."

Twilight blushed and playfully nudged him with her wing. "Not this time. I need my rest. Unfortunately for a week."

"I am sure Dawn won't mind keeping you company."

Madun placed a warm wing over Twilight and added, "Or your mother, father, and friends. I know how much you miss them, sweetheart."

Oh yes, she missed them very much. Her heart grew warm with longing when she answered, "Yes, are they okay? How is mom and dad, are they still alive?"

Shining nodded and answered, "Yes, they're still alive. They're waiting for news."

Twilight never enjoyed asking questions like that, for she will always fear the answers. But in Psera, you never knew. She let out a sigh of relief and mumbled, "That's good."

Madun led Twilight to the left where Dawn and Flurry Heart were waiting. They were holding a conversation they couldn't hear from this distance. But Dawn did say something that gave a clue. Oh, teenagers. "Sometimes you just need to swish your tail around to get his or her attention. But it never happens to me, so I don't know. I just hear things. Hey Dad, Hey Mom. How are you feeling, are you okay, are you hurt?"

Twilight laughed and soothed her worries with a nuzzle to her cheek. "I'm fine, my Veola," she assured. Once her fur was softly nuzzled, Twilight pulled away and straightened out her daughter's red mane. "But the doctor wants me to stay inside the castle for a week taking it easy. No rising in stress levels."

"Oh." Dawn's ears flopped down. She knew what that meant. "So . . . "

"No in field testing. But there will be texts that must be read. And I promise we can do some more small things in the castle too."

Dawn's ears perked back up before they began the movement back to the Suite. "Great! I have so many questions revolving around transfiguration, teleportation, and how they coexist together in the same exact spell at the exact same time."

"Oh now that is a tough question to answer that involves a small demonstration that I will show you later." Madun nodded to the Guards saluting at their Suite's doors and stopped after it was opened. Dawn and Twilight rushed in before he did. But that's okay, he needed to speak with the Princesses first.

Once they were in, he slowly shut the door and turned to face them. "Thank you so much for your effort in helping get Twilight out of the portal. It was truly helpful."

Celestia nodded to Madun with a pleased smile and replied, "We are happy to help. But can we ask you a favor?"

"Of course, what do you need?"

Celestia, Luna, Flurry Heart, Shining and Cadance looked at each for almost a second before focusing back on King Madun. Hopefully this wasn't a a large request. Cadance answered, "We want to know more about The Gold Wars. Where can we find the information?"

Ah, Psera's greatest war so far. The Guards standing nearby glanced to each other before they focused on them again. Madun smiled and answered, "Well the library in the castle has some pretty good recollections." Celestia feared he was going to give an answer like that. Then Madun sighed and said, "But..."

"But?"

"The best answer comes from the only pony living that was actually there since the beginning." He raised a hoof and pointed it towards the ceiling. "My mother."

Luna had a feeling Molten Ice shared her part in the wars. She took a step towards Madun and asked, "Can we speak to her?"

"Sure. Hold on." He turned around and walked back into the suite to grab a note for them. The Guards up there wouldn't let them pass if they didn't have a note.

While he was gone, Celestia asked her family, "Are we sure we want to know about The Gold Wars? Zebras are definitely a subject the Pserateps find taboo to speak of."

Luna sighed and answered under her breath, "We'll never know unless we try."

Their conversation ended when Madun walked back into their sights with a folded up letter in his wing. He swiftly raised it out for Celestia to take in her magic and instructed, "Show this to the guards at the elevator in the foyer, then to the guards on the top level. They'll let you pass. And she will answer the door once you tell her why you're there. She never gives up an opportunity to teach."

Celestia knew the feeling very well. Many a pony has approached her to ask about this and that. Retelling of tales. Molten Ice knew more tales. Celestia nodded and bowed to King Madun who in turn bowed back. "Thank you, King Madun," she said. "We wish you and Twilight a great day."

He nodded and replied, "Thank you. If there's anything you wish to know, do not hesitate to ask."

"Of course." The Princesses and Consort turned around and started the trek back to the offices hall. Looks like they had to travel the world once again with no map. Hopefully they'd find their way back to some stairs.



Queen Tarsafani's room was ready. Dark. Quiet. Spooky. Riddled with invisible runes that would keep even the Zenith of all spells from finding any scrying evidence. Twelve candles outlined a single black circle in the middle of the hardwood floor. Inside the circle were runes of different varieties, carved into different colored rings. The one closest to the outside was red, the next yellow, the next blue, so on and so forth. And directly in the center of all twenty rings was a single piece of steel.

A small stone with no carving or anything. Just basic metal.

Queen Tarsafani stared in trepidation at the stone with her cold blue eye. A curse. A curse she would place upon a child. Not yet an adult to begin her life. A foal who only wishes to know happiness, freedom and magic.

A foal who will bring us all death upon her return. The voices of her superiors rang in her ears. When she returns, Princess Fresh Dawn will be proof of Equus' failure to appease. They had to rid of the foal before she did. Narmeelah. And Tarsafani was not going to die because an Alicorn and Pseratep decided to have a foal together.

Queen Tarsafani closed her eyes and raised her hooves as if she were surrendering. Then started her murmurs. No louder than a hushed whisper that faded as fast as they left her mouth. Intangible words that escapes a listener's ears were they close enough to pick them up.

The runes in the circle around the steel gradually glowed in the colors of the rainbow. A glow that brightened the room in shifting hues of red, orange, green and more. Queen Tarsafani's stripes were bathed in these colors while the process of advanced transfiguration continued. Turning the rock into her goal. It would take a few more seconds, but time was all she had here at the moment. This was a life or death mission.

If she let Princess Fresh Dawn live, she would die anyway. If she didn't, Tarsafani herself would have all the time to her before she returned. But it still didn't feel right to make a child pay for the sins of her predecessors. Thus the reason Queen Tarsafani altered the spell slightly.

The instrument below her switched colors slightly. The Orange ring changed to red and the floating ghostly runes shifted to different positions. This is much better than death. She hoped. At least for the foal.
> Chapter 59 - The Gold Wars
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

These halls were a tangled maze of madness. How was anyone able to travel around here? After the Princesses of Equestria left the Royal Suite to leave Queen Arcadia to rest, they all walked straight forward. Back through the offices then took a left. Unfortunately, that was definitely not the way they came. They ended up in a military area of the castle that held armory. So they turned around and took the other path. That was a long walk, but they did make it back to the foyer. The larger than life foyer.

Celestia huffed and slowly walked across busy marble flooring up to the Guards standing in front of the elevator with the note presented. Their expressions were always cold and heartless. "We need to speak with Her Majesty," she said.

The one in charge leaned in to read the note much better for a second. Then stepped to the side with the rest of the Guards. He pushed the up arrow and waited. Then glanced to the rulers and asked in a deep voice, "How is Her Highness?"

Princess Flurry Heart nodded and answered, "She is doing much better."

"Good. Get in." The elevator parted open and they poured inside. Once the last pony was in, he reached in and pressed a button then ducked back out. He had no reason to be on Her Majesty's floor. Before the doors could slide shut, he faced Celestia and instructed, "Show the Guards what you showed me and they'll let you pass." Then he ducked back out, the doors shut, and they were rising to the top. More like speeding to the top.

Celestia was not used to Elevators. Actually, now that she's thought about it this is the second time in the thousand years of her life that she has rode inside an actual elevator. And the speed continued to jar her. Flurry had to place a hoof against her father just to gain traction. Thankfully, the elevator ride was less than thirty seconds. Really quick considering how big the Castle of the Gods was.

But very much unlike the actual Castle, this hall was really silent. So silent, it concerned Celestia.

The Guards up here were still and motionless. So still they practically were statues staring at one another across. Statues that were still. The second the doors opened, they shifted their heads and looked straight at them. Better raise the note.

Princess Celestia raised the letter quickly and explained quietly, "We have permission from King Madun to attempt an appointment with Her Majesty."

The closest guard—a mare—snatched the note out of her magical hold and read it with her wing for a moment. After a few tense seconds, she nodded and declared, "It's legit."

The Guards down the hall at the only two golden doors waved them closer and knocked on them. Their eyes never left the Princesses and Prince. With squinted glares. The Elite Guard were trained to be aggressive. And they bared that trait well.

The second they reached the doors and formed a line, they creaked open. And Her Majesty poked her body out wearing an apron with a flower on it hiding the front of her orange-blue coat. She glanced down the line of five with a bland face and answered, "Yes, can I help you?"

Celestia bowed and requested, "We wish to learn more about The Gold Wars. Your son, King Madun has said that you were the best to ask."

Her Majesty blinked at them with her intense ice blue eyes and hummed with no thought that they could read. Then turned and slowly walked back into her home. "Come in. Quietly," she instructed.

The visitors shared a look first before they made any motion. Then without any further thought carefully walked in after her on soft hooves to not disturb the silence. Once they were past the threshold of the hallway and her home, the Guards closed the doors back and silenced the hall once more.

Just like everything else, the life in this suite was dead silent. No LiVAMs, no voices, just... Nothing. A fireplace crackled with life in the library. But nothing else made a sound. Her Majesty walked over into the kitchen across marble floors and asked quietly, "Do you want something to drink? I have juice, water, and wine."

Since there was an under-aged mare nearby, Celestia kindly answered, "We'll have juice, thank you."

Seems she's the one leading the charge, Molten thought. But was there any doubt? She grabbed a few glasses and placed them on the counter a few hooves away. Then proceeded to pour their drinks. Princess Celestia realized that unlike the Royal Suite, Her Majesty had actual real windows in her home. Windows that looked over Psera in possibly every direction. The one in the kitchen had an excellent point of view of Psera Skies. So good it could have been mistaken for a photograph.

In the center of the kitchen was a round, completely glass table. And on the left side of this table many hooves away was a long marble counter with stark white cabinets underneath. Above it were more large cabinets where plates and other utensils lied. A very nice refrigerator was on the opposite side of the table. And directly across from them was a stainless steel sink.

After the glasses were set, Her Majesty gestured to them with a wing and instructed, "Grab your drinks and follow me to the Garden."

The garden at the top of those grand stairs they saw when they first walked in was pretty much a greenhouse. Just made of glass. It was humid but not hot. Cool, but not cold. Amazing.

Rows upon rows of flowers in rectangle soil beds lined spaces all around them. With enough room to walk along concrete walkways. Different versions of Tulips, Roses, Carnations and Transvaal Daisies. A huge space of flowers with only a glass barrier keeping them from falling off the edge to the hard castle roof below. Perfected with a perfect view of Psera's Cop and beyond. Now they could see everything here.

Princess Flurry Heart walked over to the window facing the front of the castle with Molten burning her eyes into her back to just watch. Watch the life move back and forth. The Pserateps flying to and fro. The greenhouse was an entire observatory of this beautiful country littered with advanced technology. The buildings with flashing displays.

Molten sighed and walked over to a table holding gardening supplies and potting soil. They had interrupted her gardening. And she really didn't appreciate that. But they wanted a story, they'll get a story. She asked, "So you want to know about the Gold Wars do you?" 

Princess Celestia trotted over to a flower that piqued her interest and answered, "If it is not too much trouble."

"I lost a lot of friends in this war." Molten counted silently with her hoof to decide which potting soil to use. Not too soft. She picked up the "Super Bloom" with her teeth and walked over to the red chrysanthemums. The scent of the flowers blew through their manes when the air blew in through a vent unseen behind them.

Molten dropped the soil down and started her tale, "The season was a cold one. The summers on Psera were always hot, but the winters not too frigid. That year, it was a temperature many would not enjoy. It was like the planet itself knew death was on the way."

Molten ripped off the top of the bag and used her hooves to start setting the soil down. Then glanced up to Flurry directly across and said, "The Zebra you know now were not the Zebra we knew then. Not even their land. They did not live behind Mount Aris in the East. They lived behind Psera in the west."

Luna looked from the chrysanthemums and repeated, "The west?"

"Or as we liked to call it 'The Untraveled West.' Because... Well we never traveled it after the wars. I was a young queen during this time. I had decided to stop traveling and share my experiences and techniques with the world under the guidance of my parents. I had fallen in love before my mother and father, rest their souls, passed the throne down to me."

Their eyes followed Her Majesty back to the equipment table where she grabbed a small white steel box and flipped a few switches on the side to pop it open. Then reached in and grabbed a bag glowing purple that she tossed recklessly to the soil she just set down.

Her eyes met Shining Armor when she said, "During this time, Psera had links to other civilizations outside our borders. We lost contact with them for some strange reason after the war. Then checked on them to find their countries abandoned. Just wastelands for no known reasons that remain a mystery to this day. But back to the Zebras."

Her Majesty grabbed another bag and walked over to her plants. "We received a distress letter one evening for Zebrica needing our help. Just like in Equestria they were suffering a plague of... Everything. Fresh water, grass, fruits, vegetables, building materials. You name it, they lost it.

"They requested solitude here, and we obliged gladly. We had more than enough resources to compensate their needs. Food, water, shelter. Terrible mistake." She ripped the bag open and shook out a few seeds onto the soil. "They took the castle hostage first out of greed through an entry we have not found to this day. They took the King and Queen hostage and ordered us to place our Gold on ships. Then give those ships to them. They would let my parents go once they were out of Psera waters.

"Our plan was to give them what they wanted, then blow up the Aquatas remotely once they were gone and my parents were safe. A simple plan. None of my ponies would be hurt. Until they killed my parents, my sister, and my husband. Spears, arrows, knives, our old weaponry was used against us. They killed whoever else they could get to in the castle, then turned to the streets of Cop. I was ordered to hide with my Guards in a remote location and ordered the Aerial Guard to set fire to any Zebra on the continent. For they stole an Aquata and left.

"After the sudden attack, I finally left my fallback position to see the damage. And all I saw was... Blood. Blood lined the castle floors. The bodies of my husband, my parents, my sister, my citizens. Outside of the castle was no better. The snow outside was red. Bodies lined the streets while the living stayed indoors. And what did they want?"

The flowers that Her Majesty planted grew quickly by her hooves into golden Chrysanthemums. A large bushel of flowers. Magic. Her Majesty sighed down to them and answered, "Gold. The Zebras attacked for Gold. They stole five Aquatas, and back then they were made of gold. It was a setup. An attack. Their reasons were unknown. But they still attacked and slaughtered innocent ponies. That was when the Elite guard was founded.

"They went back to Zebrica and started packing their stuff up. They knew we were coming for vengeance." Molten stopped smoothing the soil and glanced up to their sodden faces with a fierce glare in her eye. A fire so hot, the sun above would be outmatched. "They knew I was coming."

Celestia assumed something serious was about to happen in the story. "I proposed a war on Zebrica that was declared a few hours later. We readied fifty Aquatas with weapons, saddled up one hundred thousand troops with myself at the helm. And set sail for Zebrica. I can still taste the salt from the ocean when we splashed in the waters. The war chants, the rhythmic stomps of thousands of soldiers aiming weapons at Zebrica's coast. But by the time we got there, they were gone. They flew their nest because of fear.

"But that did not stop me from destroying what they had left behind. There were still a few Zebras who chose to stay." Molten stroked a few of her flowers with tender love and care. "I killed them myself. Their screams still echo through my mind to this day. They were lined up and beheaded with the same weapons I carry even now."

Molten slowly lifted her wing high enough so they could see what was underneath them attached. Blades. Small blades that made her wings shimmer with the sun's rays that bounced off. Molten had more of an involvement with Zebrica than they thought. She actually took part in the war and killed. No wonder she never flew, there were blades under her wings. She could accidentally slice somepony's head off.

Molten closed her wing and continued. "We followed them and actually managed to catch up. Two weeks of searching the sea and land for any signs of a Zebra brought us to the seas behind Mount Aris. We go any further, we would have reached Equestria. But we caught up to them. And sunk every single bucking ship they had in their position. Not including the ones we stole. We stole those back. They're now held in a museum in Lavender. I'll be happy to show you some time while you are here.

"We boarded and took every single Zebra by the throat..." Molten reached down and yanked out a pair of black and white chrysanthemums near her golden ones and threw them behind her to a random space. They hit the floor and burst into dirt and soil. "And tossed them into the sea to drown to their deaths."

Flurry Heart swallowed hard. That was truly scary. She never wanted to experience a war. Molten whispered down to her flowers, "I can still hear the explosions from centuries ago. Our technology weren't as advanced as they are now, but they still got the job done. Small projectiles were launched into the air, hit the ship's sides and blew them to the sky. The ocean ran red with blood that night. The sky turned to fire. That was the night the Zebras went extinct.

"Bodies floated in the ocean the next morning with their blood as the water. We now call it the Red Sea. We set sail for home after we avenged our fallen brothers and sisters sevenfold. Only after we raised a barrier to protect our seas did we mourn. And a declaration was made that no creature approach our seas, no matter what's wrong with them. Only relatively recently was that law reformed, thanks to Queen Arcadia and her actions against Maheera.

"We buried our dead, and learned from our mistakes. The moral of the story: Never ever trust a Zebra."

"So should I burn these then?" Molten instinctively sliced her wing through the air to the space behind her and stopped it at the neck of Queen Arcadia. She was looking at the flowers she had thrown without a care to the world. Her mane had been done up in a bun and topped off with a violet rose she more than likely got from Madun. She still had her injuries wrapped up and eye creamed. She sniffed the flowers then glanced to Molten with a smirk. "These are good flowers, Molten. I'd sure hate to see them go to waste."

The blades glistened in the humid atmosphere under Molten's wings. Hidden from sight, but just as deadly with a simple twitch. Molten sighed and slowly drew her weapons back in to continue her gardening. "One of these days Twilight someone is not going to stop a swing," she warned.

Queen Arcadia placed the Chrysanthemums down and walked across the wooden floors of the Greenhouse. Her wings dragged the ground with surprising silence. Just like the rest of this home. She stopped by her side and replied, "Then we have a pony who is undertrained that needs to meet the Queen. I could give them a few pointers. I feel like your recollections and storytelling has become more livid."

Her Majesty stood up to her full height to gaze around her garden. "Here is literally the only place in the castle that allows me to relive those times to their fullest. I taught you about the Gold Wars in Lavender. Now you're back in my territory. You should be resting, Queen Arcadia. Not talking flowers."

Princess Celestia walked over and added, "Yes, you should be sleeping, Twilight. You know what the doctor said. Stay in bed, get on a healthy diet and take it easy."

Twilight grinned and pointed at her to correct, "She didn't say I have to sleep. Just get plenty of rest, which means to be relaxed. And I am relaxed. I am currently at home, watching a game with my daughter. Which means this spell was able to confuse you. Another win for me."

Celestia craned her neck in suspicion and attempted to poke Twilight's cheek with a hoof. Once it hit her violet fur, it passed harmlessly through to the other side. Like a ghost. No wonder she wasn't worried about Molten hitting her. She sighed and asked breathlessly, "How exactly do you create these spells? They require time and effort. And you seem to make them as fast as I can raise the sun."

Twilight pointed a hoof down to the ground and clued her in on a secret. "I make all my spells in specific locations. I look at things that could be innovated and make those innovations that I usually reserve to myself. But..." She sighed and said, "I guess I could give you a few things. But not now. It will have to wait tomorrow after lunch." She glanced up to Molten and stated, "There's a meeting between us and a few colleagues when the suns are at their highest."

Molten nodded to her. She knew what that meant. A secret meeting at night. "Of course. Only you would attend a meeting even when you're sick. You're a one-of-a-kind pony, Queen Arcadia."

Queen Arcadia nodded and walked over to Flurry Heart watching Psera move once again. "The first Alicorn-Pseratep known to exist. Hey, Flurry."

Flurry Heart looked to Queen Arcadia and greeted, "Hey, Aunt Twilight."

"You know, you're an Alicorn-Pseratep too. But not as much as one would expect. Years before your cousin was born and I was actually pregnant, I had broken the news to your family back in Equestria. And I saw that you had gained in wing length. I theorized that a Pseratep's genes runs through you too. Or at least the bit for love consumption."

Flurry never questioned why her wings were longer than her mother's. They were nowhere near as long as Dawn's and definitely not Aunt Twilight. But they were definitely above average for Pegasi in Equestria. She hummed and asked, "So what does that mean?"

Twilight answered her question in a form that made Molten glance her way. "I don't know. I never really paid much attention to it. It could mean many things. But I've never investigated them. I just assumed it means you have longer wings. Now I have to get back to the game. Can you believe I missed forty three games?! It's a nightmare. So I'm catching up."

Shining smirked from afar next to Cadance and teased, "Yeah. We can't have Twily missing her games. The world would be flipped upside down."

Twilight playfully blew a raspberry at him before her departure. She broke down into a purple mist that flowed away with an invisible wind until no trace of her was left behind. Once she was gone, Molten grabbed a Rose and said, "I ordered for a little gift to be picked up from Equestria. I hope that isn't an issue?"

Luna walked over to the glass windows and looked down to the ground very far below. That would be a gruesome drop. She repeated, "A gift?"

"Yes, for Twilight."

"Her parents and friends I assume."

Molten nodded and walked over to Flurry to slide the Rose into her mane. It was a light blue with shimmering water drops on it that accentuated her mane to a small degree. Flurry looked at her reflection in the mirror and touched it with a tender hoof. It was enough to push a smile on her face, which was enough for Molten.

She smoothed Flurry's mane and explained, "When I lost my family to the war, I struggled. So I turned to my family here in the castle. Everyone here is a family. We watch out for each other. We not only help run the country, but also one another."

They could testify and witness to that when Twilight stepped hoof back in the castle yesterday. And this morning at all the ponies there to meet and greet her in the foyer. There were so many. And they all worked in the castle.

Molten turned around and took off her apron with her hooves. "She needs her family now more than ever. She won't admit to it, but... " Molten walked past the Princesses for the stairs and said, "Queen Arcadia is scared."

Scared? Even Flurry Heart turned her head around and followed Molten closely back down the stairs. Since the story was over, there was really no point in staying any longer. While they treaded towards the door, Princess Celestia decided to push the subject of Twilight being scared. "What do you mean, Queen Arcadia is scared?"

Molten's sigh was either from impatience or fatigue. But she stopped in between the doors and stairs, and turned around to face them. "I'm pretty sure you've surmised by now that Queen Arcadia knows something you don't."

Well since the Cat's out of the bag... Cadance slowly nodded and confirmed, "She refuses to tell us, yes."

"The same applies for Psera's citizens and government. She knows something we don't. It is her right to withhold that information, but I can tell she knows a lot about it to actually present her findings. However... Not a peep. She knows something extremely important. But I believe she is afraid of how it will affect Psera and her future."

Shining waved his hoof around and asked, "And what is this secret? Any clue?"

"No one knows, but we do suspect her of knowledge. Why else would we need more weapons of mass destruction that are strong enough to make an entire continent go boom if there was no threat? Of course, Psera is really defensive over her things. But we don't need that much weaponry. Whatever she knows, she's preparing for it. Down in her laboratory, when she's not on the throne, when she's not in town and somewhere else. She knows something. And she's preparing for it."


~✶~


After reporting to Molten about the meeting tonight from the safety of her home's living room couch, Twilight opened her eyes and trained them directly on Dawn's... Stomach. What was she doing? She was trying to climb over her head from her lap to do whatever it is she's doing. "Umm . . . Dawn?"

"Your horn is dirty," was her excuse. Now that Twilight was aware, she could feel something wet and cold on her horn. Sliding up and down.

Twilight chortled and said into Dawn's belly, "Sweetheart, I can clean my own horn."

"No you can't, Doctor's orders."

"Are you gonna give me a bath next? Oohh, when you were a foal, you loved baths! Maybe we should take one together."

Dawn quickly got off her mother's head by shadow teleporting to a different location by the LiVAM. Looks like that did the trick. Dawn clearly liked intimacy, but only to a very specific degree: No mommy kisses in front of friends, stay out of her room, ugh. So many. But she wasn't here right now. Probably going to see her friends.

That left Queen Arcadia enough time to worry. Her smile dropped and was once again replaced by that serious expression Psera has seen when she sits on her throne.

During her years here on Psera, I have noticed plenty of signs when Twilight worries. Twilight left the couch and made silent strides across the floor to the right where her bookshelf sat. Her steps were silent and quiet. Madun was in the office doing work at home. Maybe she'll make him some soup. He liked soup.

She'd get a quiver in her eye and a twitching in her feathers when she knew something you didn't. A long stare as if she was going back through mental time. Twilight stopped six inches away from the bookcase and trained her eyes on a book's spine. It was colored gold, it was thick.

It was Twilight's biggest fear.

Motions do not lie. Queen Arcadia knows something big. And she's not telling. But I urge that you do not ask about it, for you will be breaking Psera's Law, The Right To Privacy. And you'll get that glare from the Queen you will not enjoy.

Twilight slowly slid the book out with her magic and held it face up in front of her. The cover held no words but "The Secret of The Garden" in Old Pseratopian. An actual book here on Psera. But it wasn't a text Twilight held in her catalog. It was a recording of excerpts from Narmeelah's Diary that Psera's greatest minds couldn't decipher.

She took it upon herself to figure them out. When she first read them weeks before Maheera invaded, they made no sense. But she did write down all of the theories her mind came up with. One of the excerpts had scared her. Scared her really bad.

She sat down on the nearest couch and flipped to that excerpt. It was still here. And she highly doubt it's been read. "An infection that mustn't be. Crossbreeds of the perfected and the less than. It must be cleansed and restored posterior to my own restoration. My Control Room is prepared and ready. Psera's love gives me the strength to restore my world. Which in turn will allow me to clean my world."

It was a bit confusing. But that was because Queen Narmeelah's words were deep and cold. Some of Twilight's theories were simple and clear to understand. Narmeelah just wanted to restore a race that may not have been born under the right conditions. But after Maheera told her about Narmeelah's favoritism towards the Pserateps, she had to guess her wildest theory. A theory she wrote in bright red in all capital letters:

EQUUS' RESET. She would take everything apart and start it all over because it didn't turn out how she envisioned. A spring cleaning. Just like a home that collapsed. You start from the beginning. Narmeelah was going to take Equus apart and start it all over. Psera, Equestria, Zebrica, The Dragon Lands, all of them. They were going to wiped out.

Twilight sighed and closed the book back with a soft punch. Now that she was back, she could start work on these projects. A few more and Psera would be armed for Narmeelah's return. And she would be ready. Well almost. There was no telling where "Narmeelah's Control Room" was. And there was no telling when she would return. There was no entry. Which is why all of these weapons were going to be archived for later usage.

Twilight looked down the hall and called, "I'm going to my office for a bit sweetheart!"

"Wait, wait, already?" After the sounds of his rising from a chair back there, he trotted out of his room up to Twilight and that book she was holding. His face riddle with worry and contempt. "Why?"

Twilight leaned up and kissed his cheek. "I need to grab a few documents from my laboratory. Don't worry, I'll bring Gardeen with me." Twilight could tell he still didn't like it. Those eyebrows never lied. She kissed his chin and whispered, "I'll be safe. I promise. Besides, I need to plan out what to do about the Obelisks."

Well that did need to be complete. Yet so soon? But he had a feeling she was going to do it anyway. So he sighed and kissed her on the lips. "Alright. Be careful, no more experiments for now, okay?"

"Of course, love." Then Twilight turned and walked for the door with that book in her hand.


Twilight knows something you don't. Something big. Something serious. And she's not telling.

> Chapter 60 - Vague Twilight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The elevator ride back down to the third floor was silent. Molten's story had done a number on Flurry's mindset. Her thoughts. War was a dangerous time. Equestria had been through plenty of wars. But never in a lifetime did they witness the loss of lives during the times.

Cadance took a deep sigh and whispered, "I feel like we know a little too much about Psera now."

Celestia shook her head and glared at the elevator. "I fear we do not know enough. Psera is a Legend. A Legend hosting Legends. Twilight is one of them. Holding secrets." The elevator slowed to the third floor and dinged open to the quiet halls. Then they took a step out among the silence.

"We've been waiting for you." Celestia looked directly to her right, into the faces of Gardeen and Twilight. Twilight was holding a large book with a furry cover. And Gardeen couldn't be looking anymore serious. They walked past them for Twilight's office and ordered, "Follow me, please. I want to speak to you all. Privately."

They shared an unsure glance. Whatever she wanted, it was ominous. Then followed after Queen Arcadia and Gardeen down the hall. They got off on the throne room floor. The quietest floor as of yet. There were guards up here taking up post and saluting when Queen Arcadia passed. But other than that, it was silent.

Arcadia looked to Gardeen and told her, "I need to exercise soon. I fear I'm out of shape. A decade late, am I right?"

Late? Gardeen shook her head in amusement and answered, "You're more than fit, Arcadia. I remember in the past you used to spar with Madun on the training grounds."

Sparring. Great memories. "Does Dawn spar with her friends?"

"She does with Kia. They have the same training classes."

Twilight nodded and replied, "Erikia Farue. Orphan. Lives in an institution in Downtown Cop, thanks to the war that arrived on Psera soil. It will never happen again. I will always make sure of it." She used her magic to push both sets of her office doors open. They could see the grass and light coming out of the room. Flurry couldn't help but feel slightly scared of the silence. The only motion was the playground in front of the office. There was a little swing there squeaking back and forth by an unseen force. Strange.

They soon stepped hoof onto the grass making up Queen Arcadia's office floor. A space Flurry gawked at. A home Queen Arcadia found comforting. They stopped in the middle of the room while she strode behind her desk. Shining thought she was going to sit in her chair. But she instead slid open a wooden drawer and pulled out what was definitely a key, then walked over to her bookcase. How she knew it was even there after all these years was a mystery. They were vaguely aware of the doors slowly shutting behind them. But their minds were more focused on whatever it was Twilight wanted to talk about.

"Magic is strong," she started off. She lifted the key in her magic so it was out of the way and pressed her right hoof against a specific book. No point in hiding it now since everyone now knew it was here. The bookcase shimmered, then pushed out like a door. Their eyes were glued to it when it moved. "Magic is fluid, magic is beautiful. But if misused, magic is fatal. Get in."

They looked at her oddly but did take careful steps inside. Followed by the Queen then Gardeen. They all faced the outside before the bookcase shut, then a rune activated before the elevator dropped. They had to grip the floor again at the speed. Twilight admitted over her shoulder, "I am guilty of misusing magic, yes. I am guilty of using Dark Magic. To prevent bad events... Sometimes you must resort to the dark side."

Shining sighed from directly behind and asked, "You of all ponies know the repercussions and consequences of Dark Magic. So why use it?"

When the elevator slowed, Twilight looked behind her and glowered at Shining. "Because I didn't want to lose my firstborn daughter. Or my citizens." Once the elevator was in the hall, Twilight walked out first with that key in her magical hold before the rest of them. They could see the tunnel they took to get here before on their left. Deep and dark.

Twilight stopped at the doors and explained as a scientist and Queen, "I use all of my knowledge, research, and resources to protect my country. I would do whatever it takes to protect my home, and my children living in it." Twilight grabbed the handles on both doors and threw them open. They were met with darkness once more before the lights flashed on when they walked in. Twilight's lab was trashed. The membrane was everywhere. Spikes in the ceiling, through the tables, through technology, through the walkways.

But she picked her family up in her magic and carried them down into it all with a flap of her wings. She landed them gently on the ground floor in the middle of the actual lab, then landed herself further ahead in front of her control panel on the smooth tile floors. She flapped her wings to disperse all of the dust they didn't get a day ago and climbed into her chair. The passage of time was so evident here. She looked back to them and whispered, "That's why I make all of my weapons. And spells."

She lowered the key down into the control panel and inserted it into a spot bearing a keyhole they didn't see before. Then the control board flashed once before she twisted it.

From behind the group came a click then a whirring that attracted their eyes. A glass tube holding a large purple orb rose up out of one of these machines in this laboratory. Immediately, the membrane surrounding them came back to life and soared straight for it. The ponies screamed and took cover before they could impale it, But they never did. They froze an inch away from it. Sharp points aiming straight for it.

Twilight carefully lifted the orb in her magic and levitated it slowly back towards the prison. The ponies with her slowly rose back to their hooves and took deep breaths to calm their beating hearts. She threw it inside followed quickly by the membrane and immediately started pressing buttons. Pulling faders, adjusting sliders. The portal began spinning again. But this time began closing too. It took less than a minute then it was all shut down. The room was back to normal. Their gems were glowing on the edges. The front was painted with lines of energy.

Twilight grabbed the gems and floated them back down to rotate around her and her chair. Then she swiveled around and said, "I learned Dark Magic and created advanced weaponry because I knew something bad was going to happen. And is going to happen."

Gardeen walked towards the control panel and asked, "What are you talking about, Arcadia?"

Queen Arcadia looked to Gardeen but glanced to her family. "I am aware that you all have been concerned about my keeping of secrets. My 'strange' activity and behavior. But I assure you I have my reasons." She raised a hoof before a word could leave Cadance's mouth. "Do not try to deny it. I am the Queen of a military nation, I know when something's amiss. Now I urge you to stop poking around. Because you won't like what you learn."

Celestia sighed and said, "Alright, Twilight. We'll stop scoping out Psera's secrets. Now are you feeling alright? I don't think you would have brought us down here to tell us that."

Twilight spun her chair around and answered, "Of course not. That would be a waste of time and energy. This is why I brought you down here." She reached her hoof out to her right and used her magic to grab a single book on a specific shelf. It floated through the air and into her hoof. Then she formally held it out to them from her chair. "A gift. For helping release me."

A gift? Luna strode forward first before the rest and took the book out of her hooves. It was black and had barely any text on it save for the number on the side. In Old Pseratopian. Luna flipped it open and read the first line. "Twilight... Is this Dark Magic?" She blandly asked.

She slowly nodded and admitted, "It is."

"I'm afraid we can't accept this, Twilight." She closed it and held it back out, but Twilight gently pushed it back with love and care.

"Keep it," she pressed. "You will need it. And very soon."

Uh oh, Twilight the Vague returns once more. Shining sighed and blandly complained, "So you tell us not to go searching for secrets. Then you tease us with another one."

"I'm not teasing." Twilight jumped out of her chair and walked forward with Gardeen. "I'm warning you that something is coming. No teasing whatsoever. You just need to be prepared. Like how Psera is being prepared."

Cadance pressed a hoof against her forehead when she was near and assumed, "You seem to have rising temperatures again. I think you should go home and get some rest."

"Although I am tired, it is not because I need rest. Now trust me. You will need this way more than I do. I memorize all of my spells, and Dawn won't be learning this set." Twilight held them in her magic and flew with all of them back up to the walkways. Then teleported all of them back up to her office. The elevator would rise by itself.

Once they were in her office on warm solid grass, Twilight led them back out the doors into the peace of the castle, and used her magic to shut them behind her. "What exactly do you mean?" Celestia asked.

Twilight looked over to her brother and nuzzled him under the chin. "I mean something is coming. And possibly the only way to stop the threat is with Dark Magic. That is all I can say for now."

Celestia shared a concerned glance with the rest of the Princesses then back on Twilight. "Now I have to get my rest," she said. She sighed with the weight of the world and replied, "Tomorrow is Monday, I believe. Psera's busiest day of the week. Unlike Equestria, Psera has a total of nine days for a work week. And Monday is the busiest. I think Madun works on Mondays still, right Gardeen?"

Gardeen corrected, "Well he works for six days approximately. So yes."

Twilight hummed and said, "Madun needs his rest. And something to eat. I have to head home. Gardeen?"

Gardeen bowed her head and replied, "I'll see them where they need to go."

Twilight nodded and nuzzled her behind her right ear with love. "I'm so happy you're okay," she whispered. "I don't know what I would do if you were hurt while I was resting."

Gardeen rolled her eyes underneath Twilight's head and whispered, "Twilight, I'm in my thirties, I'm not a filly anymore."

Twilight giggled softly and replied softly, "Oh Gardeen... You will always be a filly to Madun and I."

Gardeen smiled gladly and returned the nuzzle. As clear as it was all the time, Gardeen was pretty much Twilight's second foal. She was always looking out for her. A shoulder she needed to cry on when things got hard at home, another friend when needed the most. The wisest of all Pserateps whenever she had a deep question. It tore her heart when she didn't return back home from Equestria a decade ago. "Thanks, Twilight," she whispered.

"You're welcome, sweetheart." Twilight removed herself from Gardeen and trotted away. "Please escort them back to... Wherever they were headed before. And Gardeen?"

"Yes?"

Twilight stopped at a corner and looked over her shoulder with that look that pushed a cold shiver down Celestia's spine. "When the stars are at their highest tonight."

Right, the message. "Of course," Gardeen replied. Then without so much as a wink, Twilight teleported away. The stars she left behind twinkled to the floor before they moved forward again.

Flurry broke the awkward silence by commenting, "You and Aunt Twilight seem to be really close."

"Without your Aunt..." Gardeen looked over to her. "I wouldn't be where I am today. We're more than close. We're family."



Another night in Psera. The stars were high and crickets were chirping the nights away. Most of the ponies here were sleeping. Giving up the world for their dreams except for those who needed to work nights.

But Celestia and Luna couldn't. Luna because she was up taking care of dreams in Equestria. And Celestia... Because she simply couldn't. Everything was just too confusing to rest on. Therefore she lied awake. Everything was quiet. It's been so long since she was in a standard bed. So long that she's forgotten what it was like to be average. A normal working class citizen of a nation.

Her open bedroom window allowed her room to be bathed in all the lights Psera had to offer from outside. Most of them were clearly made with magic. Twilight. She was practicing Dark Magic.

Celestia sighed and rolled her body over to face the door to try and rest. But her mind wouldn't let her. Twilight. Now that she was back, things would get exciting. Interesting. Dangerous.

A light knock on her door perked up Celestia's ears. Who would make a visit like this late at night? She stifled a yawn and pulled herself out from the warmth of her covers. Then set her cool hooves on the floor and strode towards it. Maybe it was an emergency. Maybe it was Flurry. Maybe... It was just Novo. Standing there with one of Psera's delicacies and a goofy grin. She wasn't wearing her royal attire. Instead, opted for her coat and feathers.

She whispered, "Did you know the cafeteria downstairs offers late night snacks? Now that is what I call luxury."

Celestia couldn't help but crack a smile at Novo's late night silliness. Only she could get her to at least chortle at this hour. But she knew what she wanted. So Celestia stepped to the side and allowed her entry.

After the door shut, Novo walked over to her open window and informed, "A little birdie has told me you could not sleep."

Luna. Who else knows that? Celestia sighed and walked over to the other side of the bed to stand next to Novo in front of her open window. The moonlight bathed both of them in a cool off-blue glow. A glow that highlighted both of their features sharply like a high quality photograph. Celestia replied, "Well Luna was more than likely attempting to poke into my dreams. And since there were none, then she made assumptions."

They both gazed silently outside the window at Psera. Even at night it looked alive. The new CPC had an electronic display on the surface displaying an animation of a Pseratep sleeping. But there were still some Pserateps flying around out there. They could see them from way up here on the third floor of the castle. It may as well be the tenth. One floor was equivalent to three.

Novo passed over the food she grabbed from the cafeteria to Celestia and wrapped a wing around her. "It's been quite the day, hasn't it?" She asked.

Celestia couldn't deny it. Twilight just returned and it feels like an investigation was being commenced. Not to mention, Dawn's body. It was crazy how much has transpired within twenty-four hours. Let alone two days. The shootout in the lower levels, Twilight waking up, Dawn being made from Dark Magic. Celestia smirked and answered, "That means things are back to normal. For something not to happen proves that... Twilight brings life everywhere she goes."

"Speaking of her..."

Celestia knew what she wanted to hear. She nodded and replied, "She is in fact hiding something. And it concerns me of what it is. Even Her Majesty sees it. And Twilight herself has confirmed that she knows something that has her scared."

Novo moved her gaze from the Pserateps flying by to Celestia on her right. "Scared?" She repeated.

"That's why she's creating so many weapons. The Mecrah Portal is one of them. And now..." Celestia glanced up to Novo with quivering eyes. A look nopony has ever seen on her. "I fear what she thinks is so strong that a weapon like Railer One must be used to defeat it. Along with even more weapons we have yet to encounter or witness."



Ten o'clock. Showtime. Dawn was fast asleep right now. Good. She didn't need to see this. Once the time was approximately ten, Twilight's eyes snapped open and trained on the glass cabinet holding Madun's crown. Dawn had hers in her room in a lock very similar.

Twilight used her left rear hoof to nudge Madun once. Then slipped out from underneath the bed's dark covers to stretch. The floor under her hooves was chilly. Not too cold, but frigid enough that she had to slip her hooves into some insulated hoof shoes before she moved any further.

Madun's voice reached her ears by the time she had on one of her many nightgowns. An old red one with small sparkles on the edges. "Mmm, is it time already?" He grumbled.

Oh how he hates getting up. It made Queen Arcadia smile. She missed his complaints of late night work. She walked over to his side with his crown and robe. "It is," she replied. Her magic pulled out his crown and coat. "Get dressed. I have to proof Dawn's room."

After he had what he needed, Arcadia stepped out of their room into the hallway for Dawn's a few feet up on the right. There she was. Sleeping silently away. Most of the walls had been covered in pictures and posters of teen infatuations. Including some singer from somewhere. Twilight had something similar when she was younger. Except of Starswirl the Bearded and Celestia. Who knew she'd get to call these role models her friends.

Queen Arcadia silently walked into Dawn's room amidst a spell used to keep out her noise. She would use this spell when Dawn was much younger. When she and Madun were... More intimate. To keep the noise down.

After the spell was applied, she began applying layer upon layer of spells on the walls displaying night outside and pictures below. The wall glowed for a few seconds before it faded. Complete protection.

Madun walked in behind her wearing a black and red housecoat and glanced around the room. Besides Dawn's awkward sleeping position, everything looked the same. He whispered, "Is it set?"

Twilight nodded and replied, "The most she would feel is a small headache. Nothing major."

"It would still be an alien feeling." Twilight glanced over to him with a sense that she was missing something. "I'll tell you on the way."

Twilight nodded and blew a small kiss to land on Dawn's snoring body. Then walked with Madun through the dark living room out the front door of the suite.

The guards stationed graciously bowed with spread wings towards their royalty. "Good evening, Your Majesties," one greeted. And based off of her ranking, she was a Sergeant. A Pseratep with a dark blue coat similar to Luna, and a short mane. "Welcome home, Queen Arcadia. The entirety of Psera grieved in your absence."

Arcadia stuffed down an impending yawn and replied, "It feels good to be back. Is the castle quiet?"

She straightened up and saluted. "Yes, ma'am. We haven't heard any chatter. The castle is clear."

Good. They didn't need any ears. Madun led the way with Twilight following shortly behind for the hall of offices. It felt like only last week she walked through these halls with books hovering in her magic behind her. But now she could see small changes. Barely noticeable except to her.

When they stepped into the hall, Madun leaned over into Twilight's ear and whispered, "After your memorial service a decade ago, on the exact same day, in the exact same hour... Dawn got her cutie mark."

Twilight freezing stopped their progression. Her wide eyes slowly moved from the hall to Madun. "...what?" She whispered.

"Dawn got her cutie mark two days after you disappeared," Madun repeated. "I freaked out a bit but your family from overseas knew what it was. They pointed me to the crusaders."

Fond memories when he said that name. Memories that placed a smile on her face. "Ahh, the Cutie Mark Crusaders. When they were much younger they caused so much trouble in Ponyville."

Madun smirked and continued leading Twilight towards their destination. "Yes, well they told me what her cutie mark meant."

Oh boy. Here we go. Twilight glanced his way and asked, "And what is that?"

"...to create life."

Twilight just kept walking as a response. She had a feeling that it was something like that. The stuffed dolls lying around her bedroom snoring were a clear indication that Dawn had something the world had never seen before.

She had abilities that her own mother hasn't seen before.

They kept quiet when they walked past the guest bedrooms. The guest bedrooms that Twilight started scanning with her magic. Specifically one. Madun sighed and rolled his eyes to her nagging. He knew what she wanted. "Twilight," he lightly scolded. "She is innocent."

Twilight kept scanning but did slowly walk when Madun placed a wing on her back. "Until I find something," she replied. "I know none of you believe me, and I know I said I'd give her a chance. But there is something about Queen Tarsafani that I just don't trust."

Madun shook his head and decided to just let her scan. She was going to do it anyway. "And just what is that?" He asked.

Twilight cut her scanning and stopped in front of the guarded defense room's doors. She looked to the ground and admitted. "I'm... Not sure. But I know a bad feeling when I get it. I just got back, Madun. I have no just reason to feel anything bad about her. I just met her, you're right."

Twilight glared at him. "Therefore you should know that if I feel something off, it should be cause for alarm. I'm not sick, I'm not tired. I just know that something is wrong. Now. Let's have this meeting." Twilight faced the doors and used her magic to quietly push them open.

The technology inside the Castle's defense room was warm and ready to roll. Twelve seats were occupied with members of highly important parties. Secretary Manny who hasn't changed a bit, Director Foresight, Bright Gold in a robe of her own, Her Majesty Molten Ice, and Generals Bold Shoulder of the Force Guard, Neon Lightning of the Aqua Guard, Mack Land of the Aerial Guard, and Admiral Shooting Star of the Coast Guard. Along with many others.

The walls of the room held LiVAMS of live feeds of Serl and the different cities of Psera. Including notable locations such as Events at Eventa, the castle, Lavender Hall, and a few PDS obelisks outside of Psera. Currently changing colors from white to Purple.

Those inside stood up when they walked in and bowed deeply. "Greetings, your majesties," Secretary Manny greeted. "Welcome home, Queen Arcadia. Your sacrifice has not been forgotten."

Queen Arcadia nodded to all of them and walked for her seat on the furthest side with Madun. "Please rise, my friends," she requested. "I feel as if I saw you all only yesterday. Dawn's maturity tells me otherwise."

She shared a loving hug with Secretary Manny and the rest of the ponies along the way before she dropped into her seat with Madun. He ordered, "You may all be seated." 

Once they were down and the door was shut, the lights in the room lowered and a 3D image of Serl appeared in the middle of the table between them. Stranded in the middle of nowhere with no source of survival in sight. Once it was up, Director Foresight began the meeting.

"Before Arcadia Nova was Queen, let alone Lady in Waiting, she approached us with a question: Is it in our knowledge to wipe out magic temporarily? Our answer was uncertain. We've never had to try that before, nor had a real reason to. Psera was barely even aware of magic when she asked this question. But with her assistance, Serl assisted in silence."

Bright Gold took over from across him, "At this moment, only a small hoof of ponies know the details of the project, let alone the name." The 3D image of Serl was replaced with an image of a large weapon. Large enough that it was compared to sit on one of Psera's Aquatas and be half as long. It was white, smooth, and oh so futuristic. In the form of a flat cannon.

Director Foresight explained, "Creating the weapon was a challenge since developing the actual hardware was the simple part. We had to learn about Magic through Queen Arcadia herself and in-field study before she disappeared. Magic is a different form of Radio Waves. But less than dangerous unless emitted in large sudden quantities. As a matter of fact, it's less harmless than sunlight itself. so we treated it as we treated UV rays to keep it from bouncing around."

Director Foresight stared at Queen Arcadia with a request in his eyes. A request granted with a wave of her hoof. And with a button press, Queen Arcadia was displayed with a smile and wings up and out. Cutie mark, face, all on display. "Queen Arcadia gave us permission to study her and how her body reacts when magic is being used and we learned that her fur is even more responsive than her actual horn."

Now that Twilight didn't know. Interesting. She leaned in with narrowed eyes and clasped her hooves together in front of her face to listen even closer. "Before Twilight uses her magic, her fur seems to vibrate and shift." The image of Twilight turned into a heat sensing mix of red and blue. When her horn turn red, the rest of her body did too. Only brighter.

Director Foresight told everyone, "Her Highness is a simple variable that we used as a base. As of this moment, she is the second most powerful pony known to exist, behind Narmeelah. We built upon that base by discreetly monitoring our friends from overseas. Just as you requested, Your Majesty."

Twilight slowly nodded. Spying would not go over well. But this was science they needed. Twilight was replaced by four different ponies: Celestia, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity.

"The weapon only affects ponies with horns by releasing a sound wave loud enough to disturb the coat of a pony. A white noise with another frequency bearing a sound below ten kilohertz. Highly compressed and saturated, they'd feel it for nearly one hundred miles. The sound alone scrambles the magic in the air, relinquishing control for a minimum of an hour, to a maximum of three days. The magic around is scrambled along with radio signals, lights, and anything else outside the body.

"Inside the body, the flow of magic is decayed. Since it doesn't receive direct interference thanks to the protection of the body, it slowly decays away to a substance so small it can't be used. At its strongest..." The red around Celestia and Rarity shrunk down so low it seemed to be a dot. "And at its weakest." It grew bigger to dim red, but not as bright as before.

Twilight nodded and requested, "Is the demonstration ready?"

Bright Gold nodded and replied, "Yes, ma'am. But we must step outside. The feeds will go out and we won't be able to see the affect."

"Of course." The room stood up and left their seats to follow Director Foresight and Bright Gold out the door. The halls of the COTG were dark with barely any lights present. The Guards on their night shift saluted when they turned left for a location further down the hall until they reached a staircase hidden in the wall. The climb up to the roof was uneventful, but the air outside was well worth it.

The skies of Psera were bright with light and flowing with her magic. An honor that made her smile. Once the door back into the castle was shut, and the light from inside was cut, Director Foresight faced Cop and made a gesture out to it. At all the lights, the highways, the streets, and the silence.

"Now the power may go out with the magic," he said. "Through our testing, we noticed the power would blink at strange intervals. No power, and no magic. At the strongest and weakest, there's no estimation."

The rest exchange nods. A few hours without power was okay. Most of the world was sleep by this time. So Twilight nodded and gave him the signal. He nodded back and lifted a Comm Block up to his mouth. "Castle to Serl, you're a go. We'll see you in the morning."

"This is Serl, ten-four. We're launching... Now. Good night, director." Then the line was cut and all eyes scanned the City of Cop. Twilight decided to bring out a subject to be tested on. A small plastic cup she stashed inside of her robe on the way out of the Suite, held a few feet away.

At first nothing happened. The city was still bright and beautiful. Then Twilight's magic around the cup disappeared at the same time a rolling blackout swept over Cop. All lights gradually cut from left to right starting on the east side of the Mountain Ring towards the left. The stars of energy blanketing the land were replaced with the cool sweeping darkness taking over Cop. Just enough to be darker than the sky. The moon provided light, albeit mediocre. Besides that, Psera was as dark as First Light's coat.

Queen Arcadia smiled and nodded. "...perfect."
> Chapter 61 - The Cleansing Project
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Novo was a sweetheart. The warmth of her wing provided protection and comfort. Love and care. Novo had her beak on the top of Celestia's head and a wing on her back. She herself was holding a cup of sweet tea they retrieved from the cafeteria down below. Novo was right. The refreshments here were amazing.

Novo sighed into her mane and asked, "Do you remember when we first became this close? Twilight's disappearance traumatized you."

Celestia took one final sip and nodded to the window they were facing overlooking Psera. "Yes," she replied peacefully. "Twilight is as close to a daughter I'll ever have. I... Started seeing her ghost everywhere. I just couldn't move on without her. Then you had to knock on my castle door asking for an audience."

Novo smirked and playfully corrected, "It was actually for sugar."

"...was it my sugar?" Celestia could feel Novo slowly grin on top of her head. Her reaction painted a grin on her own face. "I knew it."

Novo nuzzled Celestia's head softly and queried, "Can you blame me? I came there to help, but... I also wanted some sugar." Celestia had to cover her mouth to keep from giggling at Novo's silliness. It was so cute... And oddly arousing.

Celestia sighed behind her cup and took another sip. "Yes, well my sugar is restricted from all, save for the pony who loves me most of all. And has stolen my heart in return."

"Do I not love you?" Celestia looked up into the saddened eyes of Novo. A look that very much shattered her heart.

"No... No, sweetness," she backpedaled. "I know you love me and I love you. We just have not reached that stage yet. You have yet to take me out on a date."

"Could this not be considered a date?"

Celestia hummed and silently admitted it qualifies. They were having a late night snack together watching the twinkling beauty of Psera's night. Yet... Celestia smirked and admitted, "It is. But it's not the proper way to get one under the sheets with you."

"Are you sure?" When Novo licked her neck, Celestia closed her eyes and tilted her head to the side to allow more access. The feel of someone else being intimate with her, making her body shiver with want... It was alien. It's been so long she forgot what it felt like.

However their time alone was interrupted when the paper cup in Celestia's hold clattered to the floor. Empty, but still something that caught her attention. Her eyes snapped back open and moved down. But Novo's claw was in the way. "Hold on, sweetness, hold on," she ordered. How did that cup drop? She didn't let it go.

Novo backed off and observed Celestia gazing at the cup with contempt. Since it was empty, it should've been more easy to pick up. But... "My magic doesn't seem to be working," she announced.

Novo blinked to her and then bent low to get eye level with the cup. "What do you mean?"

"I mean my magic just... Switched off." Celestia moved from the window back into her room to try on something else much easier. A feathered pen. She closed her eyes and strained. Focused. But still no success. She shook her head and looked to Novo with desperate eyes. Like a scared puppy in the cold and rain. "My magic isn't working, Novo, my magic isn't working!"

Novo quickly rushed over and attempted to relieve her worries. "Okay, okay, calm down... Celestia, your mane." She reached out and lifted pink strands of hair into Celestia's sight. Celestia's real hair. Not glowing. Not moving on its own. It had fallen from the air and onto the floor. She hasn't seen it like this in over a millennia.

Celestia held it up herself with eyes of terror and mumbled, "This isn't good."

Suddenly, the little light they had in Celestia's room lost brightness. Everything turned pitch black. Both inside and out. "...what just happened?" Novo whispered.

"The lights just went out. Okay, something is definitely going on. Hopefully, I can light this candle." Celestia scuffled around in the dark and ended up bumping into something that shattered. "Oops," she mumbled. Then a match was lit and they had a glowing candle that highlighted her and Novo's faces. Thankfully these rooms came with those. Why, she had no clue. But that wasn't the issue right now.

Novo glanced to Celestia from the lick of fire and asked, "You have pink hair?"

Of course that's where her mind would go. Celestia sighed and deadpanned, "Yes. You didn't seriously think I had spectrum, did you?"

Novo smiled and admittedly shrugged. "I don't pay attention to you all-mighty alicorns and your manes. I just roll with it and deal."

Alicorns... Celestia gasped and asked urgently, "What about the others? Quick, grab the candle."

Once Novo had the candle in a claw, Celestia creaked open the door and peeked out. The entire hall was blackened. One would have guessed it to be Fresh Dawn. But no other creature except the Princesses knew of Fresh Dawn's... Uniqueness. And since this was still a hallway and not some other unknown dimension, they were still in the Castle. No Guards seemed to be in sight right now.

So Celestia crept across the hall to the room directly across. She knocked lightly and called in a small but urgent voice, "Cadance... Cadance, Shining, are you awake?" A tense three seconds and no response. Celestia rolled her eyes and used her hooves to push down the door handle. Flurry more than likely had her own room. And since the door was unlocked they didn't catch them at some rather intimate moment like she and Novo were having. Although, they did look rather cute together.

They were under the sheets snoring the night away with Cadance tuckered within Shining's hooves. Her head lay on his chest while he chose to be in an upright position facing the ceiling. As cute as it was, Celestia was worried. Because Cadance's mane wasn't moving either.

Celestia walked around to Shining's side to look directly in Cadance's face."Wake up now." Cadance mumbled something and shuffled her head but arise she did not. "Wake up!"

Cadance yelped and sat up as fast as a deer caught outside of the woods. "I'm awake, I'm awake," she mumbled. Then locked tired eyes on Celestia before they almost popped out of their sockets. "Celestia? What... What happened to you?"

Shining yawned and was more gracious with his rising. But he did get out of the bed and stood in front of Celestia. "What in Equestria? Why are you two in our room? And... Whoa." He eyed Celestia up and down and lifted her mane with a hoof. It was really long. So long it was dragging the floor. "Uh... What happened? And why do you look so worried?"

"Can either of you use your magic?" Celestia asked. "Something's wrong, I lost mine."

Lost her magic? That's unheard of. Cadance attempted to use hers on the door to close it back. But... Her tired look slowly changed to that of surprise. Then struggle. "I... I can't use mine either," she whispered. "Shining, can you?"

Shining was straining to use his himself. With scrunched eyes and grunts. But in the end he huffed and relaxed with a shake of his head. "No," he answered. "No, my magic is useless. What's going on, why can't we use our magic?"

Before they could answer, Luna rushed into the room in a panic. She nearly ran into the door. "There you are," she scolded in a hushed tone. "What's going on, nothing is working! I lost connection to the dream realm! And the rest of IHT is worried. No one can use their magic."

Right, Luna must've been in the midst of a dream when she lost touch with hers. As for everyone else, no clue. Celestia shook her head and replied, "I am not sure. Novo and I were talking when my magic cut and... The power." Celestia strolled out of the room and past Luna in favor of her own. Specifically her window to gaze out in wonder. There was nothing out there save for the stars in the sky. They could at least make out silhouettes of distant buildings. Even Twilight's Central PDS was offline. But other than that, everything was just... Black.

The Rulers gasped at the sight. Whatever happened it knocked out all of Psera's energy. The castle was more than likely already notified. Yet there was no clear action being taken. Luna backed away from the window and asked, "Okay. All energy is out. Is it nationwide?"

Celestia shook her head and left the window to face her sister. "Not sure. All I know is that everything just dropped. There is no clear or visible source. And..." Celestia gasped and whispered, "Dawn. She may be affected even worse than all of us."

The Princesses and Shining shared her worry whereas Novo was completely clueless. Apparently she was going to be the one holding the candle for them directly in the middle while they held their discussion in the dark. She merely sighed and accepted her position. No use in fighting it.

As late as it was, she had to know if Dawn was okay. Celestia opened the door and bumped into the two less likely ponies to be up at this hour. Surprising, considering one of the two's situation.

A guard out of the plenty with them was holding a flame to light Arcadia and Madun's path amidst the darkness that was the castle. They were wearing housecoats or Robes as they call them here in Psera. Might as well be the universal language. Arcadia tilted her head to the side and asked Celestia, "Your mane... Is pink?"

Celestia blushed and sighed in defeat. "Yes, my mane and tail are actually pink. Now that we got that out of the way, what's going on?"

Twilight smiled while Madun continued walking back towards the room. "Solar flare," she lied. "Everything will be out for quite some time, around seven hours. But you will have your magic back up and running before it is time for you to raise the sun. No worries." Twilight looked past Celestia at the rest of them in her room. "Quite the party you have going on here."

Celestia followed her gaze to the all the ponies in her room. And they all looked like a mess. Quite the party indeed. She bit her lip and faced Twilight with a mask on her face. "Yes, well we were all concerned about our magic. I see you're less stressed about it. Odd, considering Psera looks to you solely for magic." It was strange indeed. Very strange.

Twilight nodded and started the move back towards the Suite to catch up with Madun. "Yes, well I calmed down when I learned of the situation. No need to fear, your magic and the power will return in a matter of hours. Good night, everyone." And with that, Twilight and Madun crept back down the hallway with a conversation they were having on their own. "Now you're saying Dawn can't get sick because..."

Celestia held up a hoof before Cadance could leave and pushed her back into her room. Then lightly shut the door. She waited until the sounds were gone, then turned to face them. "Twilight has a good poker face, but I can see right past it. She's terrible at lying. She always has been."

Novo set the candle down on the desk beside the bed and climbed in. May as well, they weren't going anywhere anytime soon. "Lying?" She repeated.

Shining shook his head and denied with a wave of a hoof, "Twilight doesn't lie. For her to lie would be the equivalent of the world ending."

Celestia walked past them all and explained her reasoning to the darkness of Cop. "Then we must all be in Tartarus. I have been moving the sun from its position for centuries. I have seen it rise and I have seen it set. I become the sun and it becomes me. I know the feeling of when a Solar Flare spits out from its corona. And a Solar Flare did not occur for the last few weeks." Celestia turned around and faced them. "Not to mention, the Psera we know would have freaked out entirely. There wasn't even an alarm. Or military scrambling. Which let me know they knew this was going to happen."

Cadance scuffed at her mane and admitted, "That does seem odd. And Celestia does know more about the sun than Twilight does. She would know a Solar Flare better than her. Despite her knowledge of... Practically everything."

The room bathed into a silence. A deep deadly silence none of them have ever experienced. Shared looks of worry but no sound. Shining tore his eyes away from Cop and looked back to their circle. "I think we should roll with whatever Psera does here," he suggested. Then added with a quick shiver, "No matter how concerning it is."

Novo suggested from Celestia's bed, "I for one think we should look into it."

"As do I," Cadance agreed. "Whatever they are doing could cause harm to other creatures out there."

Celestia shook her head from the front of the group and raised a hoof to slow them down. "No," she sternly ordered. "We barely have any permission to be here, and Psera is not a part of IHT. They do not fall under our treaties, rules, and regulations. Not to mention, we'll more than likely be leaving either tomorrow or the day after sometime. Psera's Queen is back and they are seeing to her health and protection. Our mission was to get her out. We have done what they wanted. Now it is time for us to go. End of it. If we search for anything, we risk the trustworthy credibility our countries have in our names, and Psera's descent back into their secretive darkness. We can't afford that. Especially with Twilight's warning that another threat is coming."

Oh right. They could lose a possible alliance with Psera. And their crazy weaponry. An alliance they needed.

But Novo was concerned about something else. She jumped out of Celestia's bed and repeated, "Another threat? What are you talking about? If there is a threat coming, I prefer to know it now." Did any of them know about this? Based off of their looks, it seemed that only Celestia knew.

Celestia sighed and whispered to everyone, "None of this leaves our circle." Novo nodded and straightened up into the look of a Queen. "While in the hospital, Twilight told me that she and Maheera... Actually held a conversation on the other side of the Mecrah Portal."

It was news that warped their minds. Cadance sat down like Novo and asked, "They held a conversation? No fighting? Talking?"

Celestia nodded and confirmed, "Maheera told her that Narmeelah... Was not who Psera thinks she is. She was a kind and loyal Queen on the surface, but she was willing to do dirty things to keep everyone away from Psera. As well as enforce the law. Anypony that came in were killed, and anypony that went out were killed. She kept Psera away from everyone, and everyone away from Psera. Maheera was one of the Ponies Narmeelah created using discarded magic and cast to the side. Dark magic. Just like ... You know who.

"Anyway, Maheera was trying to teach Narmeelah that all creatures, no matter origin, shape, or size, were equal. And that none were a threat to each other. She did so by infecting all ponies not from Psera and showing Narmeelah, but Narmeelah wiped them all out. And restarted all races except Psera in the process. Which is why Psera is so much more advanced than us. We're foals compared to the Pserateps."

Celestia sat down at the desk near the bed and stated, "Narmeelah's goal was to keep Psera to herself and her personal creations, and to keep her personal creations away from everyone outside. But now everyone knows Psera exists. And have spoken with them. I believe and theorize... That Twilight is anticipating Narmeelah's return to be angry."

Shining smoldered at her through the darkness and repeated, "Her return. Are you saying Narmeelah is alive? Psera's legend indicated—"

"That she disappeared," Celestia corrected. "Not cease to live. Clues and notes were found in her bedroom surrounding her diary. But as for herself, a body, even a fossil, there was nothing. So a confirmation of Death is still pending. Even after all these years. The only pony who actually read Queen Narmeelah's diary front to back entirely was Twilight, who said she has it locked up in a special location only she and a hoof of others could get to. Something in that diary must've scared her. Whatever it is, only she knows. And she's not telling. I suggest we keep it that way. It is not of any urgent matter right now, and what Psera deals with is their business until it concerns us. Until then, we stay out of it."

Luna nodded and agreed, "It is for the best. If Twilight needs our help, she will let us know in one way or another. Until then, we continue making sure she's okay as her family."
> Chapter 62 - We're Back
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The weapon worked. Another success in the name of Psera. A top secret one. Twilight couldn't be any prouder. Just as she said, by two in the morning, energy and magic were restored to Psera. All databases of information were untouched in data centers located in every city. Serl was back up to speed. And no one was hurt. Except one.

"Mom~!" Twilight shot up directly in her bed atop Madun and looked around when she heard her title called. "Mom, my head hurts. Why does my head hurt?"

Twilight leaped off the bed and sped into the home's hallway to stop in front of her daughter's room. Dawn was sitting in the mirrored sun's rays on the side of her bed rubbing her head with Sky Blue in her lap. She was yipping into her face and dry licking her cheek with love and happiness. Now this was a family.

Wait, no time to admire this.

Twilight urgently trotted into her room and asked quickly, "What's wrong, Veola? Are you hurting? Are you sick? Did something fall off again?"

Dawn shook her head before Twilight wrapped her in a wing to pull her close.

"No," she groaned. "My head... It feels really weird."

Twilight rubbed her large wing up and down along her back while Dawn moved her head to be directly under hers.

"It's just a headache, sweetie," Twilight whispered. "You're experiencing something you've never felt before. We held a test last night that affects magic, and you were temporarily affected. It's causing you to have a headache. But you'll be fine, everything's restored by now. It'll disappear before long."

Madun walked into the room with a mighty yawn and a small smile. "Good morning to you, too," he greeted. "How'd my girls sleep?"

He placed a kiss on Arcadia's cheek, then on Dawn's who answered in the voice of First Light, "We have a headache. Mother said it is temporary."

Great, more magic mojo. How fun; and this early too? It must be his lucky day. Twilight must've known what he was thinking because he earned a playful boop to the muzzle.

"It is never too early for magic," she proudly chided. "Besides, magic is everywhere at all times and places."

Madun nuzzled her roughly behind the ear and replied, "Yes, baby, I know. But that still doesn't mean I can't not like it every now and then. Now, Dawn has to go to school today and get ready for that game tonight!—"

"Oh, dad, not so loud." Dawn moved quickly from underneath her mother's wing and out for the bathroom to get ready. They watched her trot out holding her head grumbling indecipherable terms.

Once she was gone, Arcadia asked, "Was it something I said?"

Madun shook his head and assured, "Highly doubt it." He got off of Dawn's mattress with Arcadia and led her out the door for the kitchen. "Dawn's just experiencing her first. She's tired."

Twilight used her magic to flip on the home lights while Dawn took her shower. She could hear the water running. Her hooves carried her into the kitchen and her eyes trained on the clock. Barely over six. The sun would be rising soon. Time here was much different than Equestria. Princess Celestia was likely already up.

Twilight sighed and stretched out her body. Her wing joints cracked and popped with strain.

"Right, right," she replied. Then focused on the living room.

Looks like the Magical Windows to the world outside the castle were wiped out permanently. She had to make new ones. That along with exercising, reading, and tea time would be a great time killer until she could get back out there. She wasn't allowed in Psera's air until the chemicals in her brain were balanced.

Even the Guards would be watching her and directing her inside for her own health. Great.

Madun froze when he felt Twilight rubbing up against his side in front of the stove. Oh, Narmeelah, it's been so long since he's felt a touch like that, but... "Sweetheart, I have to get ready for work."

"Awww, not even a little?" Twilight whispered. She was absolutely positive these were the chemicals in her brain. But why not roll with it? What could really go wrong?

Madun chided himself for doing this, but... He shook his head and apologized. "Sorry, love. But I can't. I have a country to run. I have to get to the office and work on documents before Court starts so I can send those requests on their way. And I have a meeting today with the environmental committee."

Twilight pouted but nonetheless understood. So she kissed him on the cheek and rubbed his face against hers. This was something he had time to enjoy. "My king," she whispered.

"My Queen. Besides trying to seduce me, what are your plans for the day?" He opened the fridge and pointed to two eggs that Twilight took hold in her magic.

She levitated them silently over the pan sitting on the stove and cracked them open. This must be Dawn's breakfast. Twilight answered, "First, I'm going down to the private training range to get some exercise in. It's still there. Right?"

Madun nodded and shifted the pan for the eggs to cook properly. Dawn doesn't like improper eggs. "That's where Dawn goes for defense training," he answered. "Along with Mary's twins."

"Okay. After that it's an early morning with Executives visiting me. I'm sure Gardeen sent out a message by this point in time. Bright Gold is coming over to deliver me a report of Serl, then a meeting with the judges to discuss what happens now before I retire for the day and watch Dawn at her game." Before Madun could tell her that she had to stay inside, Twilight quickly reasoned, "I'm just going to use one of my spells to be there. I don't want to miss my filly's game."

Well Madun couldn't say no to her magic. Besides, telling her to miss Dawn's final game of the fall season would be a waste of breath. So he sighed and slid Dawn's breakfast on the plate Twilight grabbed for him. Then grabbed the edge of it with his mouth and walked to the table. This was Dawn's favorite breakfast. But knowing her, she was going to get it to-go.

When he turned around, it was to the all familiar sight of Twilight washing off by using that water snake. He couldn't believe he missed seeing that. He chortled and quietly asked, "In a rush again?"

"Me and you, actually. Now hold still." Before he could ask, the water snake zipped over to him. It slid all over his body like a tube, ridding of any dirt, smell, and anything else. Even going to the area below that made him freeze up before flying right back into the sink.

Twilight grinned innocently and cheered, "There you go! Much better! Now time to rinse your teeth and we'll be out of here." Wait ... Rinse?

Another surprising tube of water into his mouth, dressing up, and Dawn arriving later, and they were out the door. Instead of royal regalia, Twilight chose to wear her workout uniform. Well uniform was more like a tight latex suit.

It was a deep violet with a single glowing purple gem on the chest. According to history, she wasn't the first Queen to wear something like that. Queens before wore something tight fitting as well to replace the weight of their actual clothes to represent their place in hierarchy in favor of the more lightweight.

They moved slowly so Dawn could have this moment of peace. But the second they reached the offices Queen Arcadia was scanning once again. Madun sighed and was about to say something. But Twilight beat him to it. She put a hoof to his lips and reminded him, "There's no place like a safe home." Then continued scanning before one of the bedrooms ahead opened up.

Flurry stepped out of the hall yawning and stretching her limbs. Last night was much better than usual. She wondered why. Eh, who cares?

"Good morning, Flurry."

Flurry turned to her left and smiled at her Aunt and Cousin heading her way with their security and male friend. Husband. Father. That handsome guy Twilight married so long ago. "Good morning, Aunt Twilight," she replied. Then focused on Dawn. "Morning, Dawn."

Dawn rubbed the area behind her tiara and groaned, "'Tis no good morning, our head aches with discomfort. We must make moves for the infirmary and teas to accommodate our pain."

Head aches with... Tea? Flurry tipped her head to the side and dumbly asked, "What?"

Madun smiled and silently chortled. Flurry trying to wrap her little mind around Dawn's vocabulary was about as funny as seeing Twilight try to understand the most simplest of things. He placed a wing on his daughter's back and led her around Flurry. "Dawn has a headache," he explained. "And she's never had one before. This is new to her."

Arcadia stopped next to Flurry with her ethereal mane blowing into her face. "Would you like to join me for a morning exercise and breakfast? I could use the company."

Flurry beamed and followed after them. "Sure! I want to look around the castle anyway. It's so big!"

Twilight chuckled and used her magic to shut Flurry's door so she could have her privacy. Then proceeded to walk forward behind Madun and Dawn. "Yes, it's been around for centuries. There are so many rooms and locations even I haven't seen them all. Can you believe that?"

Flurry laughed and shook her head. "It must get lonely in here sometimes," she commented.

"Honestly, it is a little too big for my tastes. However, I am a master of learning. I learned my way around the castle quickly, along with the Old Pseratopian language."

Flurry nodded and watched Dawn and Madun fly over the edge of the walkway down to the large foyer below. It was still hard to believe how big this place was. It was much bigger than her home in The Crystal Empire.

After she and Twilight caught up to them at the doors to the castle's guarded entrance, Twilight pulled Dawn into a hug and placed a soft kiss on her smaller forehead. "Have a good day at school," she said. "Listen to the teachers and listen to your escorts."

"Mommm," Dawn whined. She giggled after Twilight nuzzled her in that one spot she knew made her laugh. "That tickles."

Twilight knew that would get her. She nuzzled her mane and said, "Be good sweetie, and have a great day at school. I'll be here."

Dawn nuzzled under her mother's cheek and replied, "Okay. We love you, mother."

"I love you too."

Dawn nuzzled Madun next. "We love you, father."

Madun chortled deeply and replied, "I love you too, Daughter. We'll see you at your game. Have a great day."

One more kiss and Dawn was shuffling out the door with her four escort guards. Twilight watched her fly off into the air of Cop with the rest of Psera's citizens. That headache wouldn't last long.

Madun leaned over and kissed her cheek with love and tender affection. "I have to get to work, love," he said. "I'll see you later, okay?"

Twilight nodded and shared a kiss with him before he moved along. Leaving only Twilight and Flurry heart together once more. The castle floor was empty save for them, the ponies coming in to work, and the Guards taking up their positions for the day.

Twilight focused back on Flurry and nudged her side with her wing. "Hey. Want to get some breakfast?"

Flurry brightened up and eagerly nodded. "The food here's really good. Is there anymore foreign foods?"

Twilight giggled and started making her way over to the first floor's bottom hall. Underneath all the offices, meeting rooms, courts, and bedrooms that held more fun areas. Like stores, restaurants, and the castle cafeteria. Twilight decided Flurry needed the special treatment. She placed a wing on her back and answered, "Sweetheart, you're in a country with all types of food you have yet to try. There is definitely foreign foods."



Molten Ice's bedroom—just like the entire home she lived in—was as silent as a thief. What she's experienced in the past forced her bedroom walls to be fitted with only pictures of her accomplishments, lost family, and children. And it was decided without saying that Arcadia is definitely one of those children.

Most of the day's noise occurred outside of the suite. When her hoof shoes of royalty would tip and tap along the marble floors of the hall leading to her home's tall doors. When the guards would salute to her when she'd pass on the way to the elevator. The sounds she would never get tired of hearing.

The ride down too was quiet, despite the small engine that occupied it. She relished in the peace and serenity. She basked in the sounds of utter peace. She knew it wouldn't last long. And she was right. For when the doors slid open on the Castle's third floor, she could hear the sound of a mother looking for her child.

Twilight Velvet and Night Light politely but eagerly walked past the elevator doors to nearby guards. "Excuse me, have you seen Twilight anywhere?"

The Guard she was speaking to glanced around awkwardly and focused on her Majesty. "She would have more information than I would at the moment, ma'am," she answered. Then lifted a wing and pointed to Her Majesty approaching them. "Good morning, Your Majesty."

Molten nodded to the Guard and replied with ice blue eyes on Twilight Velvet, "Good morning, everyone. Where are the others?"

Twilight and Night Light bowed very briefly before Night Light answered, "They're setting up in the Royal Dining Hall right now."

Excellent. Everything's going according to plan. Hopefully, Arcadia was good with surprises.



After Flurry and Twilight had their breakfast, Twilight excused herself by going in the opposite direction that Flurry was taking with an excuse that she was going to do some magic training. Which was actually true. So with a curt "see you later," Twilight made her way deeper into the castle. Away from prying eyes and listening ears with a direction for The Hive. The command base for security inside the castle.

The Base's aesthetic interior was a complete contrast to the rest of the castle. Instead of colors and expensive materials they decided on basic necessities such as concrete, wood, and marble. As well as steel for cells, interrogation rooms, and armories inside. There were two wooden doors that made up the entrance bearing the Crest of Psera. A entrance she was more than cleared to walk into. And since it was still early, the room was very much not abandoned.

Across the expansive marble flooring was a gray security desk currently manned by two female Elite Guard soldiers. One blue and another white. It must've been a long night, they seemed really bored. Sitting behind the desk leaning on their hooves with eyes trained on the LiVAMs built into the desk.

There were two entrances to hallways on both ends of the desk. One led to the offices, the other to where Arcadia needed to be.

She trotted up to the desk and looked over to see what had the guards really distracted. Besides the high amount of screens displaying all the different parts of the castle, there was nothing really to be distracted by. Guess that's why they looked up to see who was invading their personal space.

Before Arcadia could make a joke about how fun this is, the blue mare on the right bounced up and quickly saluted with her partner. "Your Highness!" She loudly greeted. Her eyes dilated to the size of a needle's. "We were not informed of your arrival here. Welcome home, ma'am."

Arcadia nodded and moved for the hallway on the right. "Thank you very much, Sergeant. I'm never too keen on telling everyone I'm heading to the training room. So it's a surprise most of the time. As you were."

She took a right into the one place she didn't really have a place to be in. But it held everything she needed for this morning's task: The locker room for mares. Even now she could hear the ridiculousness going on when she stopped at the door.

"Catch it, Sandy Lips. Or maybe you can catch it somewhere else."

"Puh. You wish they were on you. Oww! Stop smacking my flanks!"

"Can't help it, they're just so juicy." Madun was the same way now that Twilight thought about it. She had a feeling she was not going to like what was behind this door. But either way, she opened it with her magic and stepped inside.

Tiled floors, wooden benches supporting a lot of mare Pserateps getting ready for work, and playful action. A towel flew across unamused Arcadia's line of sight and landed on top of one of the day shifts' head. The one who clearly threw it suggested, "Keep this on. Just to get rid of all the heat you're going through."

The one it landed on growled and threw it back. "You can keep your bucking towel, creep. Who keeps those towels in their locker?"

Arcadia sighed and proceeded to get to her own room. Unfortunately, she had to go through this madness to get there. The first one to spot her purple color was the mare that had been hit with the towel. She fortunately had the exact same coat color as Arcadia. But her mane was short and dark blue. She was putting on her helmet when she saw her. "QUEEN ARCADIA NOVA!!" She shouted. Then stood up and saluted.

It wasn't even two seconds before the locker bays inhabitants were in place saluting with her. It was so familiar... And highly appreciated. She smiled gracefully and ordered, "At ease, stop teasing each other, and get ready for work. I too have a long day ahead."

They relaxed partly as she walked down the straight hall outlined by soldiers for the room in the very back. The room with two pairs of doors and the Crest of Psera on them. It had a security code panel on the right side for an input to be unlocked. A seeming office space, but nothing of the sort in reality.

The one who got hit with a towel politely asked, "How are you faring, my Queen?"

Twilight stopped at the doors and placed a tender hoof on the code box. "Pretty well," she answered. "Considering I've missed so much. I've missed my daughter grow, and I fear she's hurt because of that. And I still have to correct my errors. But do not worry." The door unlocked and pushed open when Twilight looked back to them. "They will be corrected."

Twilight dragged herself and her long wings into the room in front of her and closed the doors to eye the expansive area in front of her in privacy. A preparation room. Technically, a locker room inside a locker room. A locker room that held weapons behind large shields of glass, medical supplies, armor, and water. She could make out Dawn's outfit beside her own. A violet suit similar to this one with overlapping slabs of reflective metal on every inch of it. There was no weak point, no hard to reach place. No place an enemy could reach. SERL made sure of that.

The bladed wings that Molten wears all the time were in here too. Twilight may arm herself with those as well. She may even do what she does and keep them on around the castle. There was a Stripe walking these halls.

Twilight placed her hoof against the glass holding her suit and let it open outwards. The smell of freshly preserved latex reminded her of past days. She smiled and lifted it into the air to hover in front of her. Along with the wing blades and helmet.

It felt good to be back.
> Chapter 63 - Unstable
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was easy to spy on any ponies out there. As easy as counting one, two, and three. Step One? Get a sample of Fresh Dawn, such as fur, underneath your hoof while treading the extremely observant, yet still racist halls of this castle. Step Two, draw a Craft around the sample and activate.

Step Three? Watch and take notes in the cool darkness of her room. One thing about the Pserateps: They listened to and obeyed their Queen's orders. Keep a close eye, but keep a far distance. She was giving Tarsafani respect. If the end of times were not close she would have returned the gesture in kind.

Unfortunately, that was not the case. Dawn had to die. Or at the very least disappear.

The School Dawn attended was... Interesting. An even ratio of male to female with two floors, guarded and thoroughly protected thanks to the presence of Psera's Heirs: The Twins, and Fresh Dawn. But there was an interesting character.

The one she calls Kia.

Tarsafani's closed eyes slowly parted open when her mind scrambled together a plan. Kia Farue was a close friend to Dawn and trustworthy. Along with this "Dusty," a stallion she grew up with. A beautiful relationship between three ponies. Perfect.



This private training room under the castle was one of Twilight's greatest feats. In an effort to strengthen their military, the Arcadian Elite Royal Guard was created to protect the Queen herself. The elite of the actual Elite. They needed a different form of training to take on much bigger projects. A different branch of Soldiers to add to their already fortified military.

The Arcadian Training Program was created. Engineered through a combination of magic, science, and knowledge, a large steel field going over three hundred feet was created. The administers of the Program including Twilight herself would watch everything from a room above behind protective glass windows as their soldiers would rage through a simulation of wars. Both from the past and possible futures.

Fights against Pegasi, Earth Ponies, Unicorns, Sea Ponies, Dragons, and of course Zebras. Thanks to magic, you could even be cut in real life. Which made this the perfect place for Twilight to train. Being trapped inside her own spell that she willingly threw herself in made her realize there was darkness that even she couldn't see. A darkness building inside of herself.

This was a great place to dump her darkness.

She changed the simulation settings to one of warfare and told the Guards relaxing behind the doors not to disturb her. Then shut them and locked herself into what could only be described as an accurate rendition of the fight with Maheera over Equestria.

A desolate Las Pegasus with catastrophic buildings, dusty atmosphere, and fires. The howling of rogue wolves under a blood red sky. She was home.

Twilight's mindset changed to that of a soldier. To one trying to survive. When Maheera first attacked Psera, she aimed to kill. Now she could finally return the favor. She had to do this.

Twilight flicked her wings and unsheathed her blades with a sound of metal sliding against metal. Her hooves held automatic blades, one long sword on her back she retrieved from the actual armory, and an Arrow Hoof. An older weapon that hasn't been used since they developed the Wing Cannons. But still good nonetheless. Under one of her hooves she carried her violet helmet from her weapons stash.

This time, there would be no aiming to push to the side. Maheera wanted a war? She'd be happy to give her one.

"Back for more?" Twilight stopped treading the landscape and stared straight ahead. Towards that chair Maheera was lounging in. Kicking her feet up on the back of what looked like an infected Apple Bloom growling at her. Now that could not stand.

Twilight glowered at her and responded, "Well you still have innocent ponies under your control."

"Let's be honest here, Arcadia." Maheera jumped out of her seat over Apple Bloom and moved towards her. The ground under their hooves vibrated when even more infected ponies dug their way to the surface. Fangs bared, coats bloody, and eyes black as the night. The sky seemed to turn even more red when they appeared. Twilight planted her hooves down when they rose to the surface and growled at her, and placed her helmet on her head. "As much as you want to free these ponies, even killing me will never set them free. As long as Narmeelah's laws exist."

"And I aim to change those laws." Twilight nodded her head hard to flick down her helmet. Leaving only her eyes out. "A big mistake that have already cost ponies their lives. You have not read the reports and myths of ponies walking into Narmeelah's castle and never returning. But I have. And I know they are true."

Maheera and the horde of infected ponies from all over had stopped their positions and surrounded Twilight to ensure no escape. Good, she had them right where she wanted them. Twilight lit her horn a neon violet and created a shield around the entire field to trap them all inside with her. Then bore her eyes into Maheera's.

"This is it, Maheera. Stand down, or suffer the consequences."

Maheera has never stood down in her life. Why do so now? She shook her head of black hair and pointed her hoof at Twilight.

"The answer is no. Attack."

And the battle was on. A Hippogriff was the first one soaring up to her followed by the rest of Maheera's horde. Screaming, cheering, yelling, pushing wind. Maheera asked for this.

Twilight responded in kind. She raised her hoof to the right fitted with the small Arrow Hoof device and flicked her wrist downwards. The arrow shot out and soared through the air. Soon finding home into the foreheads of one of the Infected Royal Guards of Equestria.

He stopped running, stopped screaming, and stopped flying forward. Instead, he fell to his knees and tumbled across the dirty landscape to a stop. Face up with a fatal arrow to the forehead. Dead. Twilight could see the blood pooling on the ground beneath him. Staining red with the blood of Twilight's enemy. More would join him shortly.



Twilight Velvet remembered eating in this same room on Twilight's coronation as queen to this country. In the Grand Cafeteria lounge. One long table holding Twilight's friends and her family. A table full of food and happiness. Today would be no different.

Their theory was correct. Twilight was in fact alive inside of Mecrah Portal OUT. The gems she gave to the rulers of IHT were the keys to get her out. All around knew she survived and was transported to the hospital immediately after. There was no clue as to what went on in there during certain moments when they weren't allowed to be in there, but her friends and family knew it wasn't good at all if the details were classified. Even the Princesses weren't allowed to say anything. It was all a cover up. No one was saying anything about what was under the castle, no pictures were released. And the video footage was lost to the wreckage that occurred after.

But that didn't stop her Equestrian friends and family from setting up this surprise party. The room had been decorated per Pinkie Pie's taste with Twilight's violet style. All pink and giggling, she'd throw up balloons, banners, and table liners to color it from Gold and shiny to colorful and happy. Cake had been put out and even more goodies had been set in their places.

Psera's VIP makeup of Noble houses, Military Leaders, Eggheads, and Government leaders such as the Council were invited. Talking up a storm and creating a cloud in the room. While they waited for Queen Arcadia's arrival from wherever she was, Celestia fetched everyone in IHT a glass of Mist Juice—one of Psera's finest drinks—from the table holding all the food and beverages. Unfortunately, Madun could not make it. He had work to do today, and Fresh Dawn was at school. That just left Merry and Blazing Fire standing with Twilight Velvet and Night Light.

For the fifth time in an hour, Night Light asked Blazing among all the noise, "So where is she?"

Molten was actually wondering that too. As of this moment she was ten minutes late. She was rarely two minutes late, let alone ten. Molten walked away from her place next to her daughter over to a nearby Guard Captain.

"Where is Arcadia's last reported location?" She asked.

He saluted and reported, "Queen Arcadia's location was last reported at the Arcadian Training Program Field, ma'am. She asked not to be disturbed."

The Training Field for advanced soldiers? Why would Twilight be...

"Oh no," Molten whispered. There was only one reason to be on the training field. And for a current state of mind like Twilight's it wasn't a good thing. This plan was about to go upside down really quickly.

She handed off her drink for the captain to hold and made a mad dash for the doors.

She ordered over her back, "Send two soldiers of Arcadian Guard to meet me there! Unarmed!" Molten surprisingly jumped straight over Rarity and Rainbow Dash with the grace of a teenager and landed at the doors. Then raced quickly out into the halls like a raging fireball.

Celestia and Luna shared a surprised look and stared at the door after her. Whatever it was must've been pretty serious.



Twilight's panting was deep. And not from fatigue. But because her armor was getting a little stuffy. She could only fight for so long in something so constricting.

Her armor couldn't have been more red with the simulated blood of her enemies. The ground was littered with the dead and lifeless bodies of ponies she once knew. A gory sight she stepped past while cautiously making moves for Maheera Dark staring unaffected. Unimpressed.

She pulled off her helmet and carelessly threw it to the side. Her narrowed eyes burned anger into Maheera's soul. Sweat poured down Twilight's face. Practically painted red.

"I warned you," she growled. "You should have stayed away from my country."

Maheera snarled at her and morphed into her Draconequus state. Tall enough to strike fear into the hearts of Torch, were he still alive. Twilight unfortunately killed him. Both here and in real life. This big Draconequus would not scare Twilight.

She pulled her sword from the head of a dead dragon nearby and yelled a war cry. Then charged straight for Maheera. She responded in kind. Blowing flames through the air while her body slithered over the thousands dead around them.

Twilight flapped her wings and jumped high into the air to be in Maheera's eyes. To make sure she would be the last thing she saw. Twilight grabbed her sword with her hooves and righted her body. Maheera pulled back her claw and roared with the wind. The two would collide an end this once and for all. With one of them dead. With their head rolling over the ground. One would not rise again.

Would have.

A long buzzer in the air and everything ended. The environment of Las Pegasus and dead bodies blew away to be replaced once more by the steel underground field. Twilight faltered and lost her balance, and instead of falling for Maheera Dark's face fell for the steel floor. What happened to everything?!

She hit the steel and rolled over into a standing position, sweating and swearing under her breath. It's still wartime, right?

"Twilight!" Molten shouted. She left the double doors leading to the outside of the simulation with two Arcadian Elite Royal Guards for Twilight. "What are you doing?"

Twilight bounced back to her hooves and grunted sourly on her approach.

"I was exercising," she sternly answered. She sheathed her sword and watched the Elite Guard flank her sides before Molten stopped in front of her. Worry was on her face. A worry Twilight had seen before.

Molten reached out and took off Twilight's utility belt. "My dear I think you may have something with severe trauma," she assumed.

"Nonsense," Twilight denied. She walked past Molten with a destination for the doors. But she and the Guards easily caught up with her. "I'm perfectly fine. I was only exercising."

"In a war you just escaped from? Twilight you are not well. You need to relax and rest. If you need to exercise I suggest a small jog. Because a full blown battle in the likes I've just witnessed is more than exercise. Psera doesn't need you turning into me, Twilight."

Twilight rolled her eyes and teleported them back up to the lockers. In front of her open one. She unbuckled her Sword's scabbard and let it drop to the floor. Then was about to take off her Arrow Hoof and arrows... But decided against it and moved on.

"Twilight," Molten warned. She seriously didn't think she missed that, did she?

Twilight unbuckled out of her armor and stated, "I know you think I'm just tense Molten because I just came back from the past, but I assure you..." She slipped off her Arrow Hoof in favor of one of her more discreet weapons: A sword knife. A flick of the wrist and this small knife changed to a really thin but strong sword. Made out of Equus' strongest metal. She put that and small throwing knives in their places on a utility belt around her hooves. Something Molten rolled her eyes at.

Twilight flapped off her wing blades and turned to face Molten and her Guards. "I feel a manipulation in my castle."

"Is this about Tarsafani? Again?" Molten deadpanned.

"Well it's definitely not about Gardeen." She walked past Molten and out the door into the Hive's empty locker room air. Void of any other guards. She couldn't tell how long she's been in there, but definitely for a while.

"I thought we buried the hatchet on this issue, Twilight." Molten pushed open the Hive's doors and walked out into the Castle halls with her while the Guards closed them back.

Twilight shook her head and sternly answered, "As long as she is on Psera the hatchet is still raised in the air. Directly above her neck."

"Why do you—"

"I hold nothing against the Zebras." Twilight stopped and faced Molten for a moment before she continued guiding Twilight down the hall and up a staircase. "I just don't enjoy a Zebra on the country I have sworn to protect."

Yep, this Zebra business seemed to really be getting to her. Molten sighed and stated factually, "Twilight those times are over. The Zebras are on the other side of the planet and are less than a threat to us. And I doubt they'd test us considering all of our military upgrades. It'd be foolish and suicidal. Lay down your arms Twilight, there's no need to be wary."

Twilight was resilient and allowed herself to be led. "I'll lay down my arms when I feel we are safe. Until then I shall have my weapons secured on me at all times."

Molten smirked and commented, "Try not to cut yourself when you wipe, it has happened more than once to ponies in your shoes who were more than paranoid."

"I'll remember that, and paranoid?" Oh boy, here we go. Molten rolled her eyes once again and slowed their speed upon nearing the doors hiding Twilight's surprise party behind them.

When they stopped, Twilight faced Molten and clarified,  "I tell you, Molten, paranoia is a mental superstition involving pain with an unknown ETA. I however know for a fact that something is wrong and something is coming. I am not paranoid."

Molten asked unamused, "You're not?" Then calmly pushed open the doors.

"SURPRISE!!"

Twilight screamed, flared her wings open, and flapped them. Four blades zipped out from deep within her feathers heading straight for the ponies. One popped three balloons, another soared through Pinkie Pie's cake, another cut off a good amount of Twilight Velvet's mane, and the final one literally ricocheted around the room and forced everyone to take cover. Bouncing off the golden columns, the ceiling, the table, and almost hitting Rainbow Dash.

She pushed Applejack to the left and soared to the right before the blade soared through where they both were. It bounced around four more times before Molten rushed forward, jumped on the table holding refreshments, flipped upside down in the air and caught it in her teeth.

She landed on graceful hooves on the other side and trotted in an arch to a slow stop facing Twilight with her shiny blade in her mouth. As impressive as that was, everyone was still a little... Frozen in fear.

Molten made a face at Twilight driving her point home reading, "Not paranoid you say?"

Twilight stomped her hooves and shouted, "I am not paranoid, I know what danger is when I feel it!" Then walked deeper into the room. "This just simply caught me off guard!"

Molten let the blade fall from her teeth and shouted to the other side of the table, "You honestly don't believe I missed the blades in your wings, did you? You cannot full the master of stealth, Arcadia!"

"Oh yes I can!" She lifted her left wing to show she somehow managed to sneak the sword Molten and the Guards saw her drop.

Molten rolled her eyes and shouted, "Arcadia, you honestly need to sleep! I can order one of the Princesses to put you in a more relaxed state of mind!"

As much as anyone wanted to say something, it seemed like this was just between the two of them. Twilight stopped walking and glowered at the Princesses. "Do that and I will cut you."

Molten sighed and decided she's had enough. "Twilight, the Zebra has been declared harmless by the courts and has literally done nothing to prove us otherwise. There is no proof of any sinister planning, no runes like you say there are, and no traps. There is merely one Zebra sleeping as we speak. We are not in danger, there is no threat. You just woke up from a wartime effort, but the war has been over for ten years and Psera has lived through a decade of peace with you gone. Don't bring back paranoia and fear because you 'feel a manipulation' upon your return! As Majesty of Psera, I order you to lay down your arms and weaponry!"

"Molten—"

Molten stomped her hoof and shouted, "That is an order, Twilight! Lay down your weapons now!"

The thickness between them ceased all beating hearts. Twilight glared at Molten with a growl in the back of her throat. And without further delay—and without taking her eyes off—shifted her wings and had all thirty one blades fall and clatter on the floor. She unbuckled the weapons from her hooves and slapped them down. And as for the sword?

She unsheathed it and stabbed it deep into the floor underneath her hooves and threw her Scabbard down next to it.

"Fine!" She spat out. "You'll be damning Psera to pain and suffering! Don't say I didn't warn you!"

Molten ignored that and ordered, "All of your weapons!"

Twilight turned her body towards the entrance, flicked her tail and sent another knife through the cake into the floor directly at Molten's hooves. She didn't even budge.

"You'll be needing that," Twilight warned. Then started walking back towards the entrance with all worried eyes on her. "You all think I'm paranoid. And that I have no reason to be fearful or 'scared' as you so put it. 'To keep my daughter away from the Stripe at all costs and to be armed day and night is utterly crazy.' But you seem to forget..." She glared over her back to all of them. "I was also the only pony to notice an incoming Changeling invasion in Canterlot during my brother and sister-in-law's wedding. The Princesses, the Guards, my friends, no one believed me. Until it was too late and they took hold of Canterlot by the throat. Bet they didn't tell you that, did they? If something happens to my family Molten, I am holding you responsible."

Without further adieu, Twilight trotted out the doors and slammed them closed behind her. They can have their little party without her.
> Chapter 64 - Disbelief
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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."
> Chapter 65 - Tense
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tarsafani could feel how tense the air was when she met up with the rest of IHT in the Castle's foyer the next morning. Waiting for Twilight to arrive and open a new portal back to Equestria. She could feel the intensity her back was being burned with the eyes of watching guards. She would be the last pony to arrive before the Queen.

Celestia spotted her before the rest did. "Spend all night reading?" She asked.

If only they knew the real reason why there were bags under her eyes. Learning the pattern of the Elite Guards rounds in one night was no easy task. Especially with only temporary spells that can't be tracked. Orchestration was a mighty big task.

Tarsafani smiled and let her bags drop to the floor from her back. "It was an interesting chapter," she answered.

Rainbow Dash landed from the back on stern hooves and shouted, "I can't believe the egghead is already kicking us out before we even got a chance to say hi!" That was what she said before a violet portal appeared in front of them. "Or even goodbye!!"

Worry and concern spread through them all. But it was clear from yesterday that Twilight still had a lot of issues to work with.

"I'm sure mother will makeup for it soon."

They turned towards the elevator dinging open to let out Princess Fresh Dawn wearing some cute pink pajamas with Sky Blue on her back. Twilight Velvet squealed and ran over to meet her half way.

"Ohhh my little grand filly!" She cheered. Then wrapped Dawn in a hug and placed on so many kisses. "Oh you're growing up so fast! Stop it, stop growing!"

"Grandmaaa~!" Dawn fawned. She struggled to push her away. "Too many kisses!"

That didn't stop Twilight Velvet from leaving the kisses on Dawn's fur. Dawn was hugged by the rest of Twilight's friends and family. Uncle Armor, Grandpa, and the rest of them. Especially Flurry. She truly enjoyed this place. "Thanks for letting us stay," she said in her shoulder.

"The pleasure's mine! Thanks for coming to my game!" They separated and shared smiles. "Mom had slept right through it. They put her on Administrative Parole at Midnight last night, so... There's that."

"Parole?" Shining repeated.

"Yeah. She has like a schedule, Guards, orders, and she can't use magic except this instance. For a freaking month. It sucks and she's really upset about it. And I can't get any magic experience except through reading until then, so..." Dawn took a breath and mumbled, "I'm hitting the books."

Twilight Velvet stroked Dawn's mane and suggested, "Well you do have access to all of us. I'm sure your mother would not mind teaching you how to contact us, okay? If you want, we can teach you a few things."

About that. "Oh, uhhh... Mom says I have a... More special kind of magic and I don't think you guys can teach that to me."

Oh right. Dawn is much stronger in Dark Magic than normal magic. She can't learn their type of magic. She needs special lessons.

"Ah, correct," Cadance replied. "Well I'm sure Twilight will find some way. She loves you and wants the best for your future." After a brief nuzzle and kiss, they made strides for the portal. "Now we have to go and leave your mother to her recovery. We'll see each other again."

"I have no doubt. Bye!" Dawn waved at them before Tarsafani bowed her way.

"I have a feeling," Tarsafani said to the floor. "That this will not be the last time we see each other, child. I feel you will be the one to unite all of our nations together when we need one another the most. I thank your mother for allowing me to at least a stay here."

"And I'm sorry you couldn't be more comfortable. Mom can become really aggressive when it comes to Psera. We have a lot of weapons. Until we meet again, Tarsafani."

"Until then, Princess Dawn." Then they all turned around and walked through Twilight's portal back into the land on Equestria. Or even more specifically in front of Twilight's old castle in Ponyville.

Celestia smirked at the sight entering her eyes of one of Ponyville's busiest days. At all the ponies flying around and getting their deeds done as a form of traffic.

"The fact that she still has it in her," she said. "Lets me know she's going to bounce back quickly."

"Eh, I wouldn't say all of it in her." They turned around to face the voice of Shining Armor and the luggage lying on the ground he brought with him. "Looks like her portal clipped my stuff."

Tarsafani smirked and began drawing a rune on the ground in front of them. "As much as I would love to stay and chat," she said. "I must get back to Zebrica. There's so much that's needed to get done and I don't have nearly enough time to get it all done since this sudden trip." One more symbol drawn and she jabbed into the center of the circle filled with weird characters. It illuminated a rotating circle of colors creating a portal leading back home.

She faced Celestia and bowed to the rest of them. "I will see you all again."

Celestia bowed back and responded, "Farewell, Tarsafani. Stay in touch." Without further reply, Tarsafani jumped down into the portal leading back home. Back where her life was.

Once she was gone, Celestia addressed Luna's growing concerns. "Do not worry. In order for a rune like that to work, there must be a host drawn on the other side. Twilight definitely would've found any on Psera if there were  by this point. Now let's help little Shining pick up his clothes."

"I'm not little."



Zebrica. Home of the Zebras. Nothing but grass land and forestry as far as the eye could see. It was much further away from Equestria, but not nearly as far as Psera. Hidden behind Mount Aris, Zebrica's Red Sea was a constant reminder to their sacrifices.

Where in the past Zebrica was a flowing oasis of life, it now only served as a green beacon of stripes. With barely any water that forced the citizens to mine for it. For Zebras to dig. As small as Zebrica was, getting to water underground was still exceedingly difficult. Keeping building materials reserved was next to impossible. And as for food? The grass was all they had left. No fruits, vegetables, nothing.

Zebrica was nearing its last days. Even Tarsafani could see. Zebrica's real Royalty knew it too. And they all knew the solution. Before the beginning of the times, Zebrica worked for another. They worked for Narmeelah.

As Narmeelah's task force, the soldiers underneath Psera's eyes. She pointed, they served in that direction. They didn't, they starved. Narmeelah may be gone but even Tarsafani could see it in this one village's eyes. The ferocity stolen from them. The pain and suffering as a consequence of a failed mission. She locked eyes with one of Zerbica's young resting silently with her orange coated mother. Washing her clean and do what she can outside of her hut. It won't be like this for long.

It wasn't long until she walked out this village towards Zebrica's beach. Towards the mass of Zebrica's watching the waves. Over a hundred different colored striped ponies. She recognized one of her own friends that convinced her that this was what Narmeelah needed from her. That this was the right thing to do.

Mahreeo. Her sister. She had a light blue and white coat with a thin figure from near starvation. A thin single light blue braid from her mane held together by bands draped on the right side of her face.

Before Tarsafani reached the line, Mahreeo trotted over and shared a loving hug. "Are you ready?" She asked quietly.

Tarsafani nodded into her neck and answered, "I have done what must be done. What is your assignment?"

"...to remove."

"You're the one taking the foal," Tarsafani clarified. She raised a hoof and brushed Mahreeo's mane. "It will not be easy to get to the cliffs on hoof. Make sure she has her Dark Magic books that their Queen has given her."

"There are more than enough reactive runes on Psera. And enough soldiers already there taking on their forms. I will be secure. They already informed us of Dawn's routes. We have enough weapons for a full scale invasion. Do not worry about me. I will see you soon in the Everlasting Sky." Mahreeo leaned up and pressed her lips to Tarsafani's. Expressing both sisterly and romantic love before they separated. Tarsafani kissed her one last time on the forehead. A slow loving one. Then separated and made her way over to the other Zebras waiting in the wet sand at the foot of the Red Sea.

Tarsafani's hooves walked through the Sandy aisle they created before they closed it off from sight. Mahreeo may have turned her head and flopped her ears down. But even she could hear the sounds of a proud death. The sounds of the hundred blades piercing Tarsafani's body. Sending her to the Everlasting Sky. And out of the deathly silence, heard the final words Tarsafani spoke: "Thank you, Narmeelah."



Thirty one days. Thirty one days of the same ol' thing. Wake up, make breakfast, take Dawn to the doors to watch her go to school. Send Madun to work, do what she wants until one, time to be watched eating lunch, read, exercise in the actual exercise room in The Hive, then go back home, and lights out by eight.

Then do it all again the next day.

Repetition, repetition, repetition. Walk, walk, walk without a purpose. It was seriously demeaning and was frustration settled. add no magic and you got a very upset Queen.

But she refused to fight back. Her escorts were only doing their jobs and she didn't want to make their jobs more difficult. So she rolled with the punches. On a good note, the chemicals in her body seemed to have stabilized way past the point. But on a bad note...

The feeling of danger was still there. It didn't leave when Tarsafani left. Maybe it wasn't her after all. But she couldn't place what it was in the first place. Not right now. Another day, another morning. She yawned from the foot of her bed and leaned over Madun to place a kiss on his forehead. "Good morning," she greeted.

"Mmmm good morning, gorgeous," he greeted. Then reached out and pulled her down on top of him giggling. "Guess what today is?"

Twilight knew exactly what day it was. "Day thirty-two, so get this ring off," she expertly answered. She pointed a stern hoof up to the top of her head. Where that disgusting silver ring was holding her prisoner. Now this was what anxiety feels like.

"Yes it is, and..." He pecked her lips. "It's your proper welcoming day back to the throne. Remember?"

Oh yeah! She was supposed to dress up all nice, get pampered, and sit back on the throne next to her husband and daughter. Twilight's grin was enough to get Madun back up and running. She smashed her lips on his and laughed in happiness in the kiss.

"Yeah I remember!" She cheered. Then jumped off his chest and onto the bedroom floor. She was excited. She was pumped. She was happy. "I have to get dressed, put on some makeup, and... Where's Dawn?"

She slid to a stop in front of Dawn's room only to find it void of any Dawn. Or First Light. She didn't have school today, it was another Saturday. Madun groaned from their bedroom and answered, "She's probably taking Sky Blue out for some air."

Well Dawn was going to take her out. And was on her way there. But things turned from peaceful to confusion. And fear. She remember having Sky Blue circling over her head on the first floor. In the same hallway leading to her skatepark. It was quiet and peaceful. The rays of the sun were beaming into the hall from the secured glass doors up ahead.

She remembered having Juniper ducking in and out between her legs on approaching the doors when she all of a sudden lost feeling in her entire body. She slumped forward with her flank in the air. Thankfully, she was wearing a dress or else everything would be out there.

Juniper stopped walking and turned around to stare at her. Then barked one time and again. The guards approaching were supposed to help her. But instead, they picked her up and threw her to the wall. What was supposed to be the wall. Just because she was immobile didn't mean she couldn't move her eyes. A huge circle with tiny shapes formed into existence. Constantly changing different colors.

She was thrown through the wall and into a dark atmosphere. There was nothing but darkness around her and more ponies. She could hear them moving and talking.

"Well . . . That horn ring was more effective than I thought," one of them said. A strange voice she's never heard. Now she was scared. "How much of the castle guards are gone?" They asked before Dawn was lifted up and dumped on the back of another pony. Straps were slapped on next and as for her pets? They were stuffed in two saddle bags and zipped inside.

"Eighty percent," another answered. "We have control of their command." This one a female. She couldn't see them but knew for a fact exactly what they were. A Zebra. She could see a white stripe. A Zebra had managed to get into the castle. Zebras plural.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Dawn shouted. That must've taken them by surprise because they jumped. "You let me go this instant! This is a terror attack and this will not stand! I will not—mmmm?!!"

A thick green rope was securely tied around her muzzle preventing anymore verbal movement. The Zebra in charge, a big stallion with the standard black and white stripes looked to Mahreeo and the four Zebras and bid them farewell. "Good luck. We'll see each other once more in the Everlasting Sky."

Everlasting Sky?! What the buck did they know about Narmeelah's haven?! Okay, besides being tied up, Dawn was absolutely sure something was seriously wrong. She was beginning to panic!

Mahreeo nodded to him and replied, "Farewell, Samir. All will bow to Narmeelah in the end." Before Dawn could shout out they were crazy behind her makeshift gag, a Rune glowed in front of them and brightened their dark space even more. She and this Zebra she was tied to the back of jumped through with eight more behind them with the swiftness of silent predators before it closed back.

That left only Samir. Or more importantly, Princess Fresh Veola Dawn when she jumped out of that same Rune as she was before, save for the stuffed pets. The spell exceeded expectations. Samir had Dawn's fur, mane, dress, tail, size, voice, and personality. She walked opposite the way the real Dawn was headed with a smirk on her face. The Guards on the hall did nothing. Merely watched and waited as she  passed. Except the skinny gold coated one at the end. 

He reached into his suit and pulled out a small black block with a constant red light on the top. "The signal, Samir," he explained.

Samir smiled and took it in his hoof. It felt heavy enough to pack way more than it's actual punch. Perfect. "Thank you," he said in the voice of Fresh Dawn. "I will see you in the Everlasting Sky, my brother." Then Fresh Dawn was on the move once again with a suspicious smile sketched on her face. The mission was on. And there was no resistance. Not this time.



Queen Arcadia was back. Before she could leave the suite, she had to be cleaned and pampered. And of course given breakfast. Molten Ice's own "Cleaners" were assigned to apply Twilight's makeup and ceremonial wear. A large violet and red dress with a lot of frills and space. Shimmering lipstick and golden hoofshoes she chose herself. The dress was mostly red to show the power of the Royal Family, but did have shades of Twilight's Violet here and there in certain spots like on the shoulders. It was a matte red with less than enough detail. Flat enough to allow room to actually move and bend. This must've been Merry's design. Had to.

Twilight's mane was done up in a bun with two strands loose to accentuate her face, and her horn was donned with a ring to add detail and protection after Twilight spelled it. There was no way she was going to have her horn taken advantage of again.

Once she was dressed up and pretty in her home, the door was finally opened and Twilight walked out a free mare. The Guards and ponies outside waiting graciously bowed in her presence.

"Your majesties," Gardeen greeted. Then rose back up to her hooves. "We've been waiting for this day for quite some time."

Twilight nodded and joked, "You mean thirty-one days? Oh yeah, me too." A few laughed before she dragged her long wings out with Madun. "Are we ready?"

"Yes, ma'am," a soldier replied from her left. A soldier she recognized almost immediately with his three team members. Dark Silver, Worn Weather, and Shining Sword.

Dark smirked and joked, "As long as you stay with us this time and don't go flying away."

Twilight laughed and made her way deeper into her security detail. "Whatever you say, Captain. Where is my daughter?"

Lieutenant Worn Weather flanked her right while Shining Sword flanked her left. Dark Silver led the escort for them into the Castle's offices, thoroughly protected by Guards.

Dark answered from the front, "She's with the others. Her Majesty, Princess Merry, and Prince Consort Blazing. They're in the Throne Room talking to Press and VIPs right now."

Well at least she was nearby. She didn't bother checking for her magic. Dawn was a fifteen year old filly that knew how to take care of herself. Hopefully. She hasn't seen or heard of any trouble.

Gardeen moved in with Queen Arcadia and King Madun holding a clipboard. She was wearing a green dress that went great with those stylish glasses. No purpose but to impress.

She relayed, "You have Meet-and-Greet first at ten, press at ten-thirty for a few minutes, then your place back on the throne with a party."

Excellent. Everything was going smoothly. Although she wasn't looking forward to seeing Molten. She hasn't seen her this whole month, and was sort of glad. It was clear that it was because of her that she was on Administrative Parole. Who else? The Courts only process complaints and solutions. Someone had to have made a complaint first before a solution was raised and voted on.

Something else she wasn't looking forward to was the danger ahead. She could still feel it. She knew it wasn't because she was paranoid and still from the past. She knew something was wrong, and they were now in the thick of it. The sense was coming back much stronger than before. There was danger up ahead near the throne room. Near all the ponies talking and laughing as far as she could see.

Past all the stoic guards they were walking through. There was danger near here. Let it rear its ugly head.

When the noise in the Throne Room grew in intensity upon her arrival, Twilight and Madun put on their best smiles and waved to the crowd, the flashing cameras, and their family. But Twilight could feel deep down that the problem lied in here.

"Your Highness, this way please!"

"Queen Arcadia, this way!"

"Smile, your majesty! Give Psera that smile!" Oh how they loved her smile. Twilight proudly gave it to them.

"Mom!" There she was. Fresh Dawn. Trotting up to her in a violet red dress like her own with a concerned look on her face. Her red mane was put in her favorite pony tail. "Are you alright?" She asked.

Twilight stopped waving and stroked Dawn's mane into place. "Of course," she replied. But was she really? After all, her sense of danger grew to a megaton upon Dawn's approach. But that didn't make any sense. It wasn't like this all month and Dawn lived with her.

Twilight would've thought more on it, but the Guards ushered them into the packed Throne Room. Into all the gold, onto all the marble, and hooves on the red carpet. Before Fresh Dawn walked in, she looked back for a second and nodded with a soft smile to a single Guard. A single Guard who smiled and nodded back.

Twilight lost her smile when they entered the mass of ponies. The sun shone through the stained glass windows coloring Psera's outside world. The world she's barely stepped a hoof in all month. Not that she'd want to, the temperature outside was beginning to drop. Was it just her, or was it much colder than she remembered it being here in Psera? It felt like it was going to snow each morning when Arcadia would see Dawn out the Castle doors. At least they allowed that.

"Queen Twinkle!" Well that's a new one. Arcadia's attention shifted from the windows to Merry walking her way with a smug grin. She was wearing a dress similar to her own albeit much small and just red. Her green neck was adorned with a fire red jewel stuck to her fur with adhesive. And that wasn't a rhinestone.

The Guards had moved to the side to allow she and Madun their space. All except Dark Silver and another who stuck with them. They still needed at least two.

Arcadia smiled and greeted Merry with a hug, "Hello, Merry, how are you?"

"Much better," she answered. They separated but her hoof didn't leave the back of Arcadia's neck. "Especially since you seem to be more calm. I take it the Parole fulfilled its purpose?"

Twilight made a face and answered, "Well I am in public. I have to behave."

"Twilight..."

Twilight laughed and lied, "I'm joking, Merry. I'm fine."

"No more you know... Danger sensor?"

Twilight stopped laughing and sighed behind her smile. As much as she didn't want to say it, something was wrong. And it was stronger than ever. She patted Merry's hoof on her neck and quickly nodded. "Yeah, it's . . . Still going off. But I'm not going to bring it up today."

"Please don't," Merry begged. "Not today, tomorrow, actually for two—no—three whole months. Please."

Twilight laughed and playfully hit her arm before Madun offered her a glass from her right. He smirked and whispered huskily, "A Lovely Cherry for a lovely lady."

As hot as it was, Twilight saw a flaw. "You know I'm not a fan of Lovely Cherries." A Lovely Cherry was one of Psera finest non-alcoholic wines. It was red and brewed with actual cherries and their juices. But Twilight thought there was too much Cherry and not enough wine for her tastes.

Madun nodded and agreed, "I know. But that was a great line."

"I know, love." Twilight took a sip and immediately made a face. Too sour like always. "But I don't think it was worth it." She handed him back the cup and grabbed another from a passing server holding a tray. "Now this is much better. Crystal Water."

Well he couldn't argue with that. But he preferred Lovely Cherries.

Dawn watched as "her father" took a sip from the side. None of Dawn's friends were here. No Kia or Dark Dust in sight. Good. They didn't need to be here anyway. It wasn't too long until it was time for meet and greets. Actually, it wasn't long at all. It was literally right now.

While Twilight, Madun, and Dawn were led towards the side, the sense of Danger increased. It took up most of her mind. So since there was no way to ignore it, she turned half of her attention to it. She lit her horn and started scanning the air for anything strange. Nothing too odd but a large magical cell in the room somewhere. 

But apart from that... Wait... Something was missing. Something big. But she couldn't place her hoof on it. Something that was supposed to be here. "Queen Arcadia, smile!"

She shined her perfect smile back to the citizens waiting to meet her. Nobles, rich executives. All in one room. When Madun stood between her and Dawn, pictures were taken at the speed of light. At least there was no flash this time. Looks like Dark got to them about that.

After Press and photos, Twilight finally got to see her on the way to the four thrones. Molten. She was wearing a dark red dress drinking that Lovely Cherry. Now Twilight could see where Madun got that fascination from.

"Queen Arcadia," she called out. Twilight's ear flickered before she turned from the nobles she was speaking with to face her. Then trotted over to hear what she had to say. Molten started by sighing and reaching out to fix Twilight's mane. "I wanted to check up on you. To see how you were feeling."

"I'm fine," she answered. Although with a bite to it that Molten flinched at, and she herself sighed to. "I'm sorry, your majesty."

"Don't be," Molten told her. She placed a wing on her back and led her towards the thrones with her family. "I know you feel disrespected and hurt from your parole. I had the vote placed to assure your recovery, but I never thought how much it would affect you after being locked away for ten years. And I am sorry, Arcadia. I never meant to hurt you. I just didn't want you to turn into me and live your life with less stress."

Molten says that a lot. Turn into me. What did she mean? Twilight shrugged it to the side and nodded to her. "Well I accept your apology, Molten. Although a little late your feelings were still behind it. Thank you. Now I have... To... Wait, what did you say earlier?"

Molten raised her right eyebrow and repeated, "Earlier?"

"Yes, about the stress?" Something about those words made her mind pulse. Something she was forgetting. The answer was in those words.

"Oh, I wanted you to live your life with less stress."

Boom. There it was. Twilight gasped under her breath and immediately started scanning. The answer was right there in front of her face the whole time. Life. There was too much in this room. No one else in this world could feel it, but Twilight did because her Magical Aura was just that big and sensitive.

The magic Dawn was constructed out of was literally like a pocket. Sucking in all the life Twilight would pick up in her senses and make it seem almost empty. And that was everywhere she went. Twilight's known her long enough to recognize when Dawn's near when she felt her.

And Dawn was not near her.

Twilight moved her eyes to the pony sitting in her daughter's throne waving to the crowd below. Acting. Whoever they were, they knew where her real daughter was. And they were the source of the danger. A changeling perhaps? Or something else entirely? She's never felt this much danger around a Changeling before.

Twilight waved her hoof to and requested, "Molten." Molten walked over and bent her head low to listen. "Remember I told you that I sensed danger? And how it was strong?"

"How could I forget. You threw a knife at me."

"Yes, well . . . I think I know the source." Molten followed Twilight's glare to the only pony grinning and waving up there.

"Your daughter," Molten assumed. Now why could she find that hard to be believe?

But Twilight shook her head and said with such vindication, "That isn't my daughter. I don't know who that is, but the danger is coming from her. And I'll prove it. Grab Merry and get near the thrones, an enemy is trying to sabotage my return." Then Twilight eagerly moved for her throne. Her citizens were in danger 

Her family was in danger.

"Whoa, whoa, hold on sweetheart, let me get ready!" Madun stood up from his spot and adjusted his suit, cape, and crown. Then waved to the closed off area behind the thrones. "We got you a present."

Saving the day could wait for just one second. Twilight smiled and walked towards the space being cleared for both her and Madun. "Dawn" chose to stand in front of her throne while Madun approached with a long steel box being carried by Psera's two Anonymous Honors. Two ponies wearing all white with covered mouths, manes, and tails.

They set the box down between the both of them, unlocked it, and flipped it open. Then bowed and backed out of the way so the Queen could gasp at what was inside. Her old Crown and Sword. The one from the very beginning. No blue gold or any changes.

Madun reached in to grab the crown and explained, "We had all the instructions archived when we first created your sword and crown for historical purposes. These aren't the originals, but..."

"...they're perfect, love," Twilight whispered. If she could cry right now, she would. Madun softly placed the crown back on her head, and adjusted it behind her mane to sparkle in the sunlight coming through the stained glass. Then he pulled out her sword and presented it in both hooves.

When she grabbed it, she knew it was all for her. The same shape, size, engravings, and colors. The scabbard she attached to her dress the same. The sword sheathed into its space perfectly. "Thank you, Shimmering, it's beautiful."

"That's why it belongs with you. I love you, Twilight."

"I love you too, Shimmering." They shared their kiss of love and promise before Madun guided his Queen up to the throne in silence. However the danger was screaming at her not to sit in the same exact seat next to the throne where her daughter used to sit in. In the space where she would draw and do her homework while mommy and daddy were working. She would be bored, but she also didn't want to leave.

This mare was not that same pony.

Twilight stopped directly in front of her throne and said loudly, "But I do have a question, sweetheart."

Madun was all ears with a nodding head of red and attentive eyes. But the question wasn't for him. She turned her eyes to "Dawn" and asked sternly, "Where is my daughter?"

Madun looked to Dawn then to Twilight like she was crazy. "Really?" He drawled. "Twilight, are you okay? You're—"

"This isn't Dawn. Because for one..." Hopefully she was right. Because Twilight lifted her hoof and slashed it across this imposter's left rear hoof. A deep gash was made from the concealed blade had with her since the first day of her parole. A very deep one that made this pony jump up and move to the side. "Dawn doesn't bleed."

Her words rang true when a river of blood poured out of this pony's left rear hoof. A steady stream that made Madun's heart stop pumping. Dawn doesn't bleed. She had no blood. It was proven time and time again. The ponies gasping and staring in shock behind them didn't know. But they did.

Madun growled and grabbed this pony by the dress. Then hoisted them into the air above the throne. "Where is my daughter?!!!" He yelled.

Eight Elite Guards approached the throne the second he shouted while the other Royals were escorted behind it for safety. Twilight was right. Danger was in the castle. And they had her daughter.

Danger. Samir reached into his dress and pulled out the block. One of Arcadia's own design with a insanely flashing red status light. Samir flashed before their eyes and changed from filly to fully grown Zebra stallion. A Zebra.

All screamed and backed away while Guards aimed and shouted. "Drop the weapon!!! Drop it now!!" Captain Dark ordered. He grabbed this Zebra from hooves of King Madun and slammed him on the carpet with the help of the rest of the Guards.

They had him. They did. But then Samir smiled and answered their earlier question. "She's dancing with Narmeelah in the Everlasting Sky. She's waiting for you."

Oh no. Twilight turned around and grabbed Madun. "EVERYONE RUNNN!!!" She shouted. Right before everything turned white and her ears rang from the sound of the explosion that followed after.
> Chapter 66 - Fight To Dawn Pt. 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The smell of burning iron. The fumes of smoke. The burning of fabric. Twilight could detect it all through the searing pain she felt in her face. A pain she's never felt before in her life overshadowed by the ringing in her ears. It was hot and burning through her fur and skin underneath.

Since she wasn't able to open her right, she opened her left eye and gazed around. Red littered her throne. The room. Blood. A bomb. An explosion. It was a suicide trip. That Zebra just became a suicide bomber. 

She could barely make out the screaming of the Pserateps and the cannon fire going on around her. But she could definitely see it. Once again, Psera had been invaded from directly underneath their noses.

"Queen Arcadia, we have to move!!" She looked up into the blurry faces of Worn Weather and Silver Sword dragging her and Madun across the floor with their own squad. But the other Elite Guards?

They were open-firing on the citizens trying to escape. A barricade had been setup by the Guards watching outside. After the bomb went off in the room, they rushed inside and slaughtered the ones who weren't dead.

While she was being pulled towards the back of the thrones, Twilight gasped and shouted, "NOOOO!!!"

She saw them all fall. She saw all the blood fly from their bodies and paint their floors red. She saw the lifeless forms of innocent ponies hit the floor before she was pulled behind cover out of sight. She saw a takeover in the worst way possible.

They managed to get on this side too through the rear entrance, but the Elite Guards had gotten to them before they could enter.

Lieutenant Worn looked into Twilight's traumatized face and announced, "The Queen has a burn on her face!!" That's what that was?!! "The King was hit by two strays, we need a med team here now!!"

Madun!! Her husband, where was her husband?! Twilight scanned her space and saw them bring Madun out of harm's way. His outfit had been painted with blood. His or any of the dead out there, she wasn't sure. She herself had been sprayed with red all over her front, but not as bad as him. Oh Stars above, why?

She crawled over to him and shouted, "Madun!! Madun, wake up baby, wake up!!"

His hoof found hers before a stream of magic flew through the solid backs of their thrones above them. He was hit. How, she didn't see. He took deep breaths and ordered through strained teeth, "Get to safety. Now. Find D-Dawn—"

"You're coming with me!!" She interrupted. "There's no way I'm leaving you!"

"MADUN!!" Merry raced over with Gardeen and Molten Ice. All eyes scared and trained on Madun bleeding out like the rest of the innocent ponies. On the way over, Molten swiveled around and dance with her wings through the air to send knives flying. Fighting back and providing cover.

Merry slid over and grabbed Madun's free hoof. "You're gonna be okay, alright?! You're gonna be okay!!" Their guards were doing an excellent job providing cover from the Zebras. They had taken over a majority of the Castle's guards and were using their weaponry against them. Sparks of magic were flying through the air. Pinning them down behind their rapidly shredding thrones.

But Madun was still dying. He was critically wounded.

"Twilight..." Twilight focused back on Madun with just one eye. He wasn't looking too good and they had no medical supplies. The Guards were doing what they could by applying pressure to the wounds. But they needed those supplies. Madun reached up and pulled Twilight down to kiss her one final time. Among all the dirt, fire, pain, blood and gore he would show his love at least once more.

He let her go and smiled. "Get Dawn... Back..." He said. Then said nothing more. Or moved. His eyes stilled and his body ran cold. Blood pooled on the floor underneath them.

"Madun!!!... MADUN!!!" Twilight shouted. She wrapped Madun's body in her aura and tried a rejuvenation spell. A resuscitation spell. A shocking spell to at least get his heart pumping! But nothing was working!

Soldiers streamed in through the rear entrance and shouted, "Medic and Evac!! Medic and Evac!!" A large group flanked the golden thrones and laid fire to the Zebras shooting on the other side. Then grabbed the royals and tugged them towards the door still firing. The Zebras were good, but they weren't trained like the Elite. The reinforcements had arrived. But they were too late.

Once they were out of sight and thoroughly protected by Arcadian Elite and Elite, they went to work on healing. Gardeen had a severely burned right rear hoof, Molten had possibly a few feathers missing, and Merry, Blazing, and the twins were back here when everything went to Mahnurka. Twilight, Madun, and Gardeen got the worst so far.

Twilight attempted to get to Madun, but the Guard held her back. They had him on the far side of the room doing what they could to revive him. "Madun!!" She shouted. "Madun, wake up baby, wake up!"

"Your highness, you have to calm down!!" Worn shouted. While one Guard held her still, he cracked open a jar of burn ointment and started applying it to her face. It burned. A lot.

She seethed and cried out. "I know, I know, I'm sorry," Worn apologized. "But we can't risk an infection. Are you injured anywhere else?"

Twilight looked past him at the soldiers taking their helmets off across from her. Around the still bloody body of her husband. King Shimmering Madun... Was dead. Assassinated. Twilight slowly shook her bandaged head and answered, "Just my heart."

Buck. Lieutenant Worn stomped his hoof and rose once more. They just lost the king. "We need to secure them to the Code Base now!"

The Code Base?! Twilight stopped crying and stood up with Gardeen as a guest to her support. "No, we need to find Dawn!" She argued.

"We'll let the Guard handle it, your safety is my priority!—"

"The Guard has been compromised! And they've clearly taken control of the Castle's command center! My baby is out there and we have to find her! Odega!"

Odega burst into a fiery existence around them and saluted. "Yes, ma'am!"

"I need your help getting us to the front of the castle!" She requested. Twilight created a portal and jumped through to the other side wearing her armor and helmet. Well she threw the latter off, she could barely see as it is. She moved her sword to be positioned on her back instead of her side. "The Zebras have Dawn and taken hold of the castle. We don't have a lot of time. And Dawn is... Teleporting or something all over the place."

"They're Runes!" Odega jumped into the air and flashed into a small Phoenix that took residence on Twilight's back. "They're using old runes from the old days. There are none back here, but there are plenty all over the castle."

Runes? Twilight whipped around to Molten and repeated, "Runes all over the castle you say?"

Molten groaned and hopped onto her hooves from her son's lifeless body. "Now is not the time!!" Molten shouted. "We have to stay focused!!"

"I warned you, Molten!" Twilight jumped over to her and shouted. "I warned you that there was danger! I warned you that there was something in the air! That we should've gotten rid of that Stripe when we had the chance! But no, 'I was paranoid,' 'I was too tired,' 'I needed my rest!' Now my husband is dead, I saw a room full of at least one hundred of my innocent civilians get turned to holed crackers, my daughter's been taken hostage, and one of the first friends I've ever made here just blew up in my face! So I will not be silent today!!"

Despite Molten's potential retort, Twilight turned to Worn Weather and ordered, "Let's get my daughter back and then take refuge at Safe Haven. It's the only safe space we have." Then without further say-so stopped at the corner leading to the hallway out there behind soldiers taking point. "Now let's move."

They heard the Queen. Blades and weapons were out. Wing cannons ready to fire. They moved into the darkened hallway with the light and lasers dancing through the air. At the very end of this service hall leading to Queen Arcadia's office, three soldiers were clearing a path. Well attempting to anyway.

Worn Weather shouted on approach, "We have the Queen! What's the status?"

One of the soldiers looked back in and answered, "We're pinned down sir! They're sending heavy fire!" Lines of magic flew past their hiding spot and dented the wall. An attack that forced them to step back.

Well now wasn't the time to be trapped. Twilight unsheathed her sword with her magic and ordered, "Stay behind me!" Then ran out into the fire and quickly put up a magical wall to shield off the whole hallway from side to side. She could see all the Zebras ridding of their disguises.  Eight aiming at her but hitting the wall instead. Everyone followed behind her and yelled a war cry before the wall pushed the Zebras off their hooves and into the table decorating the hall behind them. One sword swing later and two zebras were decapitated. These monsters killed her husband and kidnapped her daughter.

They were going to die today.

She turned around and bucked one into a vase with a loud crash and slugged another one in front of her across the muzzle. Her sword was brought around and sunk into his chest before impaling her horn into the final one standing behind her.

"Take cover!" A guard shouted. He pointed down the hall to a terrifying sight.

A zebra was running for them yelling. That was never a good sign. Twilight wrapped them in an Aura and threw them as far back as she could. Then ducked once more into her hallway before they exploded.

The lights flickered and the world around them vibrated. Worn looked out and silently cursed.

"They still have bombers," he growled. "They could be anywhere."

He turned back to the team with a small smile. "But there is some good news. I hear fighting down the hall. That means there are reinforcements attempting to enter the castle. If we get there in time, we can box them in and take hold of the Castle once more."

"Good, but let's keep the Block Chatter quiet," Twilight suggested. "There's no telling who's really who. Let's move. Odega, light our path." Odega jumped out from behind Twilight and ran out there first. Followed by Worn, Silver Sword, then Twilight and everyone else. Gardeen was on the back of Molten trying to stay awake but Twilight could easily tell she needed to pass out.

"Gardeen baby, go to sleep okay?" She urgently cooed. Gardeen locked tired eyes on her. "Everything's going to be fine when you wake again, okay?"

Gardeen slowly shook her head and replied through her fatigue, "No... No it won't." Then let her eyes drift close before they encountered even more Zebras.

But that response rang loud again in Twilight's mind over and over. It won't be fine. Her husband was killed along with many others in cold blood. And her daughter was kidnapped from the very castle they were supposed to be safe in.

Twilight fired shot after shot of her own magic in anger to the Zebra barricade up ahead near the foyer. Using the weapons of the dead guards. She dodged past then teleported behind them. And ended the fight by sweeping her long wing underneath their hooves.

"Knock them out," she ordered. "They hold valuable information." Then provided cover by sending a stream of magic towards the Zebras rushing to them down the hall in the form of a constant beam. They had to duck into the different rooms up ahead and fire from the doors.

"For the smile of Narmeelah!!" They cheered. Oh yeah, they held very valuable information.



The military had been scrambled. Dawn could hear the sounds of battle from the back of this Zebra she was riding on surrounded by her escorts, the alarms ringing through the air. The PDS had been activated, a code black. She could hear the Guard zipping through the air as fast as the speed of Light. Breaking the sound barrier repeatedly before she and these Zebras would once again jump through those big symbols on the ground. Those big colorful symbols that would flash her vision and take her all the way to another city.

They did this for so long. So many times that it was starting to annoy. Dawn turned into First Light at the stomp of a hoof and tore the gag to shreds in her mouth. She couldn't do much if any movement. But she could at least move her mouth and whatever was in it. Along with her eyes and ears.

"Mother is going to kill you!" She shouted.

Mahreeo looked to her back for a moment then to the eight escorts running behind her. They held faces of confusion mainly at how she continued to get that gag off rather than what she said. Either way, her warning was ignored and they bounded through another portal to where they needed to be. Lavender. According to the texts, the point of sacrifice was where the sun meets the ground. Or in other words, where the gold underneath Psera peeked out at them.

The rune was on a gold boulder near the sea. At the cliffs in Lavender. This was where the mission would get dangerous.

They ducked underneath an artillery pod at a parking station and kept their eyes on the massive movement of Pserateps taking to the sky and spreading out to different cities. And those were a lot of soldiers.

The sky practically turned dark with their different colored fatigues and weaponry. Shooting into the air with a destination for Cop. First Light and Dawn tried to yell out, but they had gagged her again. How many ropes did they have on them?!



The fight for the Castle and Psera was getting intense. The Military had setup defense posts outside the castle and trained large weapons on the entire building. The bullets and magic flying through the air were shattering windows, chipping away at the grandeur of the historical castle.

It wasn't long before Twilight and the rest of the survivors from the Throne Room made it to the foyer's staircase panting and gasping for air, sweating up a hurricane. Twilight's armor had multiple blood splatters on the surface from many sword swings. Twilight will definitely be cherishing these final gifts from Madun. Always and forever. She could still feel the marriage ring on her chest. Pressing against her fur like a constant reminder that her husband would forever be with her.

After pushing through another hall they ducked into a convenient war room and waited for a report about defenses and tactics. They had finally arrived at the field-wide walkway overlooking the Castle's grand foyer. The fighting here was at its zenith. The Pserateps had switched from magic to their deadlier weapons. Good, their Queen wouldn't have it any other way.

Twilight peeked out from underneath Worn Weather and Silver Sword, eyeing the Zebras' setup. They had more than enough cells to provide cover for hours. Stable material to provide protection from the metal Psera's military had switched to in exchange of magic. But what was most noticeable were the four glowing circles behind their defense line.

Twilight ducked back around the corner and shouted over the fire power, "Portal Runes! Active and powerful! That explains why Dawn's position is all over the country right now and how they got into the castle!"

Molten peeked out and silently sworn. "How did we not see these earlier?!"

"They're ancient!" Twilight answered. She could tell by the way they moved and flashed. They were weak and unstable, but still powered enough to still work. "Those date back many many years! So old they were almost faded away entirely. More than likely from Zebrica's first invasion! With those they can hop anywhere all over the continent. But in order for them to work, they need to create a connecting Rune Portal!"

Worn grumbled something about stupid magic tricks and asked, "How do we destroy them?!"

"We have to erase one end! Cover me, I have a plan!" Then she stuck out her protected horn and fired at the Zebras. Of course they would notice the magic flying at them from the right. At least five Zebras were down before they returned fire.

Silver Sword grabbed Twilight and pulled her back behind cover before they could hit her and commented, "I don't think that was a good plan, your highness!"

"No, that's what I want them to do! Odega, burn them from the front while I erase the Runes from behind!" Then Twilight teleported away before anyone could say anything.

Odega could do nothing but obey. That impulsive Queen needed her support. And she swore to always deliver. She sighed and ran out from behind the corner like a ball of fire. Streaming straight to the Zebras. The shots of magic flew through her harmlessly and hit whatever was behind her. Twilight reappeared on the other side of the walkway and ran straight for the Zebras. Using one wing, she flipped them one after the other over the railing while the other was wiping away the runes like dust on a surface.

Zebras were being launched out from behind their cover out into sight of the soldiers below when even more Guards ran out of the stacked floors. Cheering and shooting. Twilight looked over the edge and held up her sword. Glowing with magic. "CAPTURE AND APPREHEND!!" She shouted. "THEY HOLD ANSWERS!!"

"The Queen's alive!!"

"All hail Queen Arcadia!!"

Queen Arcadia responded by jabbing her sword to the ceiling. Then turned to Worn Weather and the rest approaching.

"We have to get to my daughter!!" She shouted. "Start searching the entire country, they have Dawn!! Have the PDS Obelisk triangulated immediately to scan for a level of negative five for her magical signature."

Worn Weather and Silver Sword nodded obediently. Then with a grab of her hooves glided her down from the third floor to the military below taking in the Zebras.

Thankfully Bold Shoulder was among them. Upon recognition he shouted, "My Queen!" Then ran over and saluted. "We have forty in custody and scanning for Dawn as ordered! We have to get you to Rayray immediately!!"

They surrounded Queen Arcadia and the rest of the surviving Royal Family, and quickly ushered her outside the doors into Celestia's sun. The cool atmosphere of fall was quickly approaching.  When she first imagined coming out of the castle for the first time in a month, she wasn't expecting it to be because the castle had been taken over, her husband was killed, and her home was no longer safe.

A long thick Chariot quickly landed and slowed to a stop at the bottom of the stairs with escorts covering their flanks. They led them towards the doors and quickly pushed Queen Arcadia inside with Molten, Merry, Blazing, the screaming twins, and Gardeen with the Queen.

Twilight quickly placed Gardeen's head in her lap when Odega landed on her own. Then held on when they took off into the air. They were shot at harmlessly by Zebra taking the castle's roof before zooming out of their sight with a full escort team of forty.

Twilight looked back down to her castle—the head of beauty and power—in horror at the fight still raging until they sped over the mountain range. Oh stars above, Madun was...

Twilight held her breath, squeezed her eyes shut and covered her mouth to keep the tears from falling. Now was not the time to cry. They still had Dawn. When she's finally holding her daughter that's when they could both cry together.

"Arcadia!!" Odega landed on Gardeen's chest and pointed a wing towards the left. "Dawn! I sense her, it's a constant signal! She's in Lavender with nine Zebras running for the cliffs!!"

As stupid as that was, Zebras were known for blending in. And they were going to get away with her filly. No way in Tartarus that was going to happen. Arcadia placed a soft kiss on Gardeen's forehead then set her head on the seat's cushioning. She needed to rest like she herself should. But Twilight couldn't at this time.

Arcadia looked to Odega and ordered, "Follow me!!" Then jumped out the chariot and zoomed for Lavender.

Silver Sword gasped and quickly followed with ten on Queen Arcadia's tail.

He shouted, "Your highness, we have to get you to safety!!" She didn't listen and instead unsheathed her sword and pointed forward.

"She's in Lavender with more Zebras!! Kill on sight!!" They already took her husband, they weren't taking her daughter.
> Chapter 67 - Fight To Dawn Pt. 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lavender was hot with Pserateps ready to fight. Mahreeo could hear it from her hiding position with her escort team. Hidden underneath another Artillery Pod that was in the midst of a structural breakdown of one of Psera's Aquatas. Now it was abandoned by the soldiers who fled to the fight in Cop.

The sacrificial point was all the way down this line of over eighty Aquatas. No hiding places, they would have to make a mad dash for it non-stop. Mahreeo looked back to her escort and briefed them. "We will have to do a straight run," she explained. "No stopping."

One of the escorts, a Zebra stallion with a big build nodded and placed a hoof on his chest. "We will fight to save Equus. The child must be sacrificed, and we will see to it."

Sacrificed? They were going to kill her?! Dawn shouted from Mahreeo's back, "You can't do this!! Psera has done nothing to you!!"

While another annoying gag was being placed, Mahreeo focused on Dawn and replied peacefully, "I know, child. But because you simply exist, Equus will go through a reset. All creatures will die. So to prevent that, you must die. Now let's go. On my count. One... Two... Three!"

They zipped out from their hiding spot and out into the view of the Sun and all of Psera. Dawn could still hear all the shouting of the military getting ready to take off for Cop. She couldn't even scream anymore. They were going to kill her to save the planet?!

They passed the first Aquata. Then the second, third, fourth, eventually reaching the fortieth after some time. Zebras were fast runners and their speed on the ground was unmatched. It wasn't until after they reached Aquata sixty and the cliff was in sight that someone finally spotted them. And it was the last pony they expected.

"YOU LET MY BABY GO RIGHT NOW!!!"

First Light chewed up the rope once again and spat it to the ground. Then responded in her strange tongue, "Oh you Zebras are about to be dead now. Mother is going to dead you... Kill you. Mother is going to kill you."

Mahreeo grunted and yelled down, "I am really anxious to just throw you over this cliff, child!!" Then kicked it up a notch and zoomed away from her escorts. "Handle them!!" She ordered. "Don't let them pass!"

Twilight could see them running from above. She could see her daughter strapped to the back of that white Zebra. She was fast. The other eight turned around to them and started shooting with weapons. They were good. They got four out of the ten guards traveling behind her. But they needed to be a little better than that to get the creator of their weapons.

Twilight tilted her body and spiraled around the stream of magic being shot to her and Odega, and fired a shot of her own.  A single shot that created an explosion launching them into the air.

She almost flew over when something snagged her rear hoof and pulled her to the ground. Hard. She landed with a crash and yelled in pain. The ground underneath her was concrete. She was pretty sure a rib just snapped.

Twilight rolled over and pulled out her sword to combat the Zebra who snagged her. A big fella with a lot of rings growling at her. He was about to rear up until Odega came over and swarmed over him in the form of raw fire. He came out nothing but steaming bones.

Once Odega was back on hooves she ordered Arcadia, "Go get your daughter, we'll handle the Zebras!!"

Oh thank the stars for this annoying goddess. Twilight was back on her hooves in an instant despite the pain in her chest. Odega and the Guards gave her this chance. She took to the air and sped after that Zebra zooming away with her daughter on her back. There was no way she was going to take her.

Two more Aquatas. Just two more. Dawn was flailing about lifelessly on Mahreeo's back yelling. "You're crazy, you hear me!!! Marsheema eshoola, you're bucking insane!!"

"Your death will save us all!" Mahreeo replied. Her time was close. She could feel it. Almost there, almost there! A few more feet!

A violet blur suddenly landed in front of her and forced Mahreeo to a skidding halt. Queen Arcadia Nova. She knew her description. Although, she wasn't looking too good right now. Not as described. A thick bandage on her head, bent and disfigured armor that she was discarding to the side with anger and recklessness. Gritting her teeth glaring murderously.

Arcadia flared out her large wings to block Mahreeo's path and offered in the form of a warning, "You let my daughter go..." She threw off her chest plate into the ocean behind her and took taunting steps forward that forced Mahreeo backwards. "And I'll at least send you home with your head intact and the bodies of your allies. You don't, I'll pull your heart out through your mouth and feed your body to your starving friends I'll be keeping prisoner."

Now that was a cold threat. Even Dawn shivered when it reached her ears. "Mom!" She shouted. Twilight's ears perked up and her attention swiveled to Dawn. "They're trying to kill me to 'save Equus!!' They're trying to 'sacrifice' me over the ledge!"

Sacrifice?! Twilight looked behind her at the edge of Psera. At the cliffs leading down to the foaming ocean beating on Psera. She turned around and glared at Mahreeo. "Change of promise," she growled. "Drop Dawn and I won't have Odega throw you over the ledge."

Odega landed behind Mahreeo holding the skull of one of her escorts followed by the surviving Royal Family. Glaring daggers and burning hot. "And I won't hesitate," she threatened.

Mahreeo grunted and looked back to Queen Arcadia. "You forget who is holding the bounty, Queen Arcadia," she reminded her. "We know who you are. Saviour of Psera, but destroyer of all. Your selfishness will be the bomb that destroys Equus. When Narmeelah returns, she will kill us all when she sees this foal."

"We'll worry about that when she does return!" Molten flew over and flanked Queen Arcadia with her wing blades flashing. Her ice blue eyes sent another shiver down Mahreeo's back. "Until then, you and your allies have once more started a war against our two countries. A war I guarantee you will not win."

Mahreeo glanced around for an escape. She was trapped inside of a large bubble. Guards hovering above with weapons aimed, guards on the ground ready to pounce, two Queens ready to kill, and a pony of Legend burning a hole in her tail. All waiting for the first move. They had the strength, but she had what they wanted. If she was a suicide bomber they would all be dead. No one would survive. No one from Psera wanted to take that chance.

But escape was near. Mahreeo glanced down and saw the faint outline of a promised future. Of the Everlasting Sky. Of a complete mission. A nearly faded Portal Rune but still possibly active. She slowly slid her hoof onto it and could grin at where it went: Literally through the cliff. It was as if her ancestors knew this would happen. As if they knew she was here waiting.

Mahreeo blew her single braid out of her face and chortled gleefully. "You are all fools to let us on this land. Now... Your Princess dies." Before Twilight could act, Mahreeo slipped down into the Rune and came out the other side.

Twilight's magic shattered the rune and promised a certain death. But not a certain rescue. She gasped and looked around while the Guards spread out. "Where'd she go?!" She shouted.

"Mom!!!" Twilight's ear flickered at the voice. Behind her. She turned around, jumped over the ledge, and let her body fall to the voice all the way down to the waves.

Mahreeo had unstrapped Dawn and sent her down to the leaking golden slab of rock. With the ring still on Dawn's horn. She couldn't save herself. Only fall helplessly.

"DAWN!!!" Twilight folded her wings in and zoomed down as fast as she could. Along the way, she encountered a falling Mahreeo. A Zebra laughing and smiling. A Zebra she unsheathed her sword at and cut clean in half on the way down. Blood rained down faster than Twilight. But that wouldn't stop her.

Twilight quickly teleported lower to catch Dawn. The golden rock was coming up quick. She could feel the pain she was already about to endure. But in the end, Twilight wrapped her hooves and wings around Dawn's smallish body and flipped over so she was on bottom. So she could take the impact and not her daughter.

The hit was hard. An impact that made Twilight shout in pain. She let Dawn go and rolled down the rock a few feet away. Her sword clattered aloft during the painful trip rolling over hard rock. Then all time stood still. And the waves still crashed around them.

After a moment of silence, Twilight groaned and lifted her head weakly to see her daughter lying on her side blinking at her with lively violet eyes. "...mom?" She whispered.

She was alive. Dawn was alive. Twilight slowly grinned and crawled her way up to her daughter. To grab, pull into her chest and hug tightly. No matter how much pain she was in, no matter how tired, Dawn would always have her mother to love and protect her.

"Oh baby," she whispered. Twilight's lips pressed against Dawn's soft forehead. "You're okay... Everything's going to be okay."

"Then why can't I move?"

Twilight pulled back and scanned over Dawn's body to find a source. Apart from the dress she was wearing and the horn ring, there was no other sign. Where'd she even get a horn ring?

Twilight pulled it off with her magic and threw it to the side with a hope for the source. That was the source, the ring was enchanted with a spell. Her wing twitched followed by her hooves. While Dawn maintained mobility Twilight hugged her tighter. Physical love wrapped in protection.

When she had control of her body, Dawn quickly hugged her back. Oh Stars it felt good to move again. "I love you, mommy," she said.

It only felt like yesterday when Twilight heard that word. Mommy. Dawn called her that all the time. "I love you too, Fresh Veola Dawn," she replied. Then sealed it with a kiss to the lips.

From high above Odega landed next to them. Followed by Merry, Molten, and Blazing. "Oh you're okay!!" Odega cried. She reached out and pulled them both into a hug. "You're okay, you're okay!!"

Molten piled on with Merry and Blazing when the Guards arrived carrying medical supplies. Mostly for the Queen. She hosted more bruises than anyone else. Twilight sighed in the hug and asked, "Did they hurt you anywhere? Did they hit you?"

Dawn shook her head in her mother's coat and answered, "No, but... I feel strange. Everything's hot." Now that she thought about it, something wasn't right. Her wings felt cold and awkward. Like a weight on her body she couldn't lift.

"Okay, we'll look at you in Rayray. Let's go." With Dawn wrapped in her hooves, she and the rest dispersed and took to the air back for the cliff above. It was over for them. The fight was won. Of course with major losses that Twilight would remember when she was comfortable and getting patched up in Rayray. But right now, they had to slow their beating hearts.

"Uhhh... Mom?" Twilight looked down to Dawn in her hooves and slowed her speed slightly from loss of concentration. Something was wrong. It wasn't over. Dawn was gradually glowing a blinding gold. Her violet fur was changing hues, beginning at her hooves.

Molten looked down to her then to Twilight. "Twilight..."

Twilight slowly shook her head and admitted in shock, "I've never seen this before. Let's hurry. Now."

They bounded over the cliffs of Lavender and landed on the cool concrete. Chariots and soldiers were waiting for them. Majors, Generals, Lieutenants, all saluting when they appeared and ready to go when they were.

But Dawn wasn't getting any better. She was getting weaker and glowing brighter. She stumbled next to her mother and fell against Molten. "Mom, everything hurts," she whimpered. Twilight stopped and helped her daughter to her hooves. But she couldn't stand. Her muscles were too weak. It was like all mobility was leaving her body. "Mom, I can't... I can't move," she whimpered.

Twilight held Dawn as much as she possibly could while everyone else approached to help. Dawn was glowing a bright gold by this point. "Hold on baby, we're gonna carry you to the chariot okay?" Twilight told her desperately. "Get the seats ready!! Hold on Dawn!!"

Dawn was clinging desperately to her mother by the time her entire body was gold. Hanging on as tight as she could. Staying as strong as she could. But...

"Mom..." Twilight looked down to Dawn and her glowing body. Into her golden eyes that were filled with warmth less than two minutes ago. But now filled with pain. "I... Can't hold on." Then the worst thing Twilight has ever seen in her life happened. The worst thing she wished no one ever endure or witness in their life. Or even go through.

Dawn burst. She blew in her hooves, in her face. Dawn's body pulsed into thousands of golden pieces like sand and fell through her hooves to the concrete below. Raining like golden water and forming a puddle.

All movement and chatter froze. They all saw it. It was hard not to. All eyes stared at the spectacle in shock. At the Queen holding her breath with hooves wrapped previously around her daughter. Now wrapped around golden dust and herself covered in it. Her violet eyes were transfixed on the air that previously held her filly. The last of her family. Then she blinked and slowly tilted her head down to her hooves. To all the Golden Dust that was Fresh Veola Dawn before.

"...Dawn?" She whimpered.

Merry took cautious hooves forward when Twilight fell to her rear hooves. "Dawn... Baby..." She slid all the dust across the concrete into a pile. Into something that could possibly look like her daughter. "Dawn... Dawn, no Dawn..." Her actions were becoming more desperate. "Dawn!.... Dawn!!"

"Arcadia," Molten cooed. She walked forward and placed a hoof on her shoulder with tears brimming the corners of her eyes. "We have to go—"

"No!" She shouted. "I'm not leaving without Dawn! I'm not losing my daughter!!"

"Arcadia!"

"No, get away from me!!" She slapped Molten's hoof off and attempted to rebuild her daughter. The last of the life she worked so hard to have. The last of her family.

She became so desperate that Odega unfortunately had to take action. She sighed and calmly approached Queen Arcadia still gathering dust from behind. "I'm sorry, Arcadia..." She raised a hoof and lightly touched the back of Twilight's head. Twilight slumped forward and was out like a light switch. Odega caught her before she could fall into the dust of her daughter. "But we have to get everyone to safety."

When the Medics and Guards moved forward, they paid close care to watch their hooves around the dust that was Princess Fresh Dawn. "Be gentle," Odega ordered. "She's been through a lot."

"No..." Odega looked back down to Twilight and the mouthing she was doing in her sleep. "No... Not my babies..."

Her tone shattered their hearts. "...she's been through too much," Odega corrected. "Someone softly sweep up Dawn's Remains. I'll see to Twilight's safety." Then Odega solemnly walked behind the rest of  the departing Royals heading towards the Chariots.

Lieutenant Silver Sword didn't know who put her in charge. But she was the only one here who did take charge. Besides, he was going to give that exact order if she hadn't. He looked behind him to his soldiers awaiting his command and nodded them into action. They didn't need anymore say so. He could already see a war brewing in their eyes.

Psera failed. Partly. The king of Psera was either shot or had internal injuries, the Princess literally melted into dust, and the Queen... She suffered light injuries in comparison. Only a burn to her right eye that she would more than likely lose access to as far as they could see. More assessments would be conducted once they were at Safe Haven.

Over a hundred ponies were slaughtered in that throne room. That carpet had to be replaced, the thrones had to be replaced, bodies had to be wrapped and buried. Another page in the history books. It was supposed to be a day of happiness. To celebrate Queen Twilight Sparkle's return to the throne. It became a day of horror.

But the worst out of all of this? The future. The King and Princess of Psera were murdered. They were slaughtered with no care. And left the most powerful living pony in Equus' existence and history known to live with it. The Queen's firstborn daughter died in her hooves. Burst into sand and lying in a pile. And the same with her husband except he bled out. When Queen Arcadia wakes up walking once again, there would be no place on this planet that a Zebra can hide from her. Looks like they were finally going to put those new weapons to use.

Psera was going to war. And it was going to be bloody.
> Chapter 68 - Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

No one saw it coming. No one saw the attack, the slaughter, the pain, the fires, explosions, the chase. The deaths. No one but Queen Arcadia.

Safe Haven in Rayray was completely locked away from Psera's society. The Airspace above was to be completely avoided at all times. It was a safe house for Psera's Royalty hosting three floors, ten bedrooms, eight bathrooms, two kitchens, and a bunker underground. A fortified security with camera feeds in a single room, Arcadian Elite taking the helm at every post, and a mass of weaponry on the rooftops, at the gate surrounding all seven acres of flat grass land.

Safe Haven had two wings. One on the left called the East Wing, the other on the right called the West Wing. The front of the compound had a flat front while the back was rounded. The floors were flat and marble. The walls were insulated stone. Pretty important thanks to the impending winter.

Directly in the center of this safe house were the King and Queen's quarters. Or rather the Queen's quarters. An office space on one side, a bedroom in the center, and a bathroom on the other side. Directly in front of the Queen's quarters beyond the two wooden doors was another hallway connecting the two wings featuring a large tinted window bearing a perfect view of Rayray. Safe Haven was placed on a hill detached away from the rest of the city. Molten Ice could see it all from her viewpoint.

She was sitting in front of these same windows watching the city move and listening to a report from a LiVAM Merry or the twins had blasting nearby.

"...when the castle was taken by storm by what ponies say Zebras," a newspony reported. "Sources and survivors inside recalled the fight as 'terrifying.' The Castle Ambassadors are reporting that it is going through a thorough clean up and will be closed off indefinitely for months, and that the Queen of Psera, Queen Twilight 'Arcadia Nova' Sparkle, is secured in a remote location with the rest of Psera's executive leaders with only minor injuries. However it has been confirmed that her husband, King Shimmering Madun, is dead. Along with over one hundred guests who attended Queen Arcadia's return ceremony. An investigation is currently taking place."

"We're going to war."

Molten sighed to the window and asked in frustration, "What is with ponies these days never staying in to rest? Back in my day, we took advantage of things like this, Gardeen."

She turned her sight to Gardeen's much smaller height on her right, staring out the same window Molten was. Her right rear hoof was wrapped up in a thick gauze and applied to by soft ointment. She was cleaned up and looked much better than before. But it was easy to tell her mind won't be able to forget what she has seen.

Her nonchalant gaze turned up to Molten. "Is it true?" She asked. "That... The Princess..."

Molten looked from her to the closed off bedroom behind them Twilight was being held in. She was sleeping right now. And they knew for a fact that when she wakes up... Things were going to go to mahnurka. She faced the window and solemnly answered, "In her mother's hooves. Even Arcadia doesn't know how."

She wrapped a wing around Gardeen and softly pulled her in. She's cried for the loss of her son already and Merry was still crying. Now it was Gardeen's turn.

Beyond the doors behind both of them, closed off from any access sat Queen Arcadia on the left side of her bed. Facing the bedroom entrance to her office. She was dressed in a standard black pajama set. The bottoms were staining with silent salty tears.

Her daughter was dead. Her husband was dead. All on the same day. A day of celebration, love, and rejoice turned into a day of suffering, death, sadness, blood, and terror.

The right side of Twilight's face was hidden by her ethereal mane flowing through the air. But it didn't take a genius to know that she could no longer see through her right eye. There was a large taping of gauze covering that hemisphere.

She had a hoof covering her mouth and remained motionless while her mind was busy coming up with reasons. But could she honestly say that there were any viable? Any at all to the assassinations and cruel executions of her ponies and family? No. There were none to validate the attack on this country.

Queen Arcadia slowly rose to her hooves and walked across the floor through the dim atmosphere into her office space. A futuristic office space that definitely painted the COTG's future. There was a large wooden desk in front of her smacked directly in the middle of the room with a glass top. Underneath that glass was a display with a live rotating Crest of Psera. Above the desk were four low-hanging LiVAMs bearing the same animations. This wasn't the first time she was in this room. When she first became Queen, they brought her here a few times to get used to this space and to learn about it.

She never thought they would have to use it.

Twilight dragged her wings behind her desk and climbed into her seat. Then tapped the screen inside of it. She went to work coming up with plans. Retaliations. Revenge. Going through records and files of all of Psera's works. Of all the projects and weapons Lavender has to offer. She recognized Railer One, one of their best. But those unfortunately weren't as long range like she wanted.

But they did have long range weaponry. She made sure of it. Queen Arcadia's hoof slid across to the corner of her desk where a small little microphone and speaker sat. A green button lied before it that she pressed and triggered a small red indicator light. It turned off less than a second later followed by a deep voice.

"Yes, your highness?" They said.

Queen Arcadia sighed and silently ordered, "Have all of my Generals, Defense Project Leaders, Admirals, and Advisors in the defense room by five o'clock."

"Yes, ma'am."

Queen Arcadia blinked and looked up to one of the LiVAMs above her desk. "King Shimmering Madun Is Dead." That's all she had to read before tears flowed down her face. She quickly turned off that display and focused on the knock on her door. Arcadia quickly gathered herself before doing anything else. Psera didn't need an emotional Queen right now. Once she was good, she cleared her throat and ordered, "Enter."

It cracked open and in walked... Arcadia stood up and made her way around the desk. "Gardeen," she mouthed. Twilight quickly swept Gardeen into a hug. Into a tight hug filled with love and emotion. Emotions be damned. She kissed her repeatedly on the cheek, "Oh my stars, how are you feeling?"

Gardeen kissed Arcadia back and stepped away to ask, "It's painful without any numbing medication. But I can manage. Now... I'm so sorry, Twilight. I... I can't even fathom what you must be feeling right now."

It seemed that Twilight's eyes grew dark with rage and anger. Raw unkempt emotions that would have made Gardeen's fur rise. Arcadia turned around and walked back to her desk.

"They will be avenged," she darkly promised. She dropped down into her chair and raised her hooves. "I had her, Gardeen. I had her right here in my hooves. She was alive. Then she..." Twilight covered her mouth and took a deep breath to cease her incoming tears. No words left their mouths as her words sunk in. It was a time before they opened once again.

"I called for a meeting with all of my executives within two hours," she reported. Her eyes narrowed with raging fury. An expression that Gardeen had never seen. And it scared her. "Zebrica will pay dearly. With blood. And I will watch as they suffer. There is nowhere on this planet they can hide from me. They all will die."

Gardeen swallowed hard. She didn't doubt it. They bit the Queen Bee. Now they were going to get more than a sting.