SteelEagle

Muziki was never bored in Ponyville. It was so different from everywhere else she had lived. It was not the hustle and the bustle of the big city, nor the scenic panorama of the nomadic Savannah of her birth nation. It was the middle ground, and she knew for a fact that every day it seemed like she understood it more and more. The very act of learning ponies both in their small day to day ways and in the larger mythos that informed them was worth every bit of her love and attention. It was harder to translate it into unique Unyasan bard ballads sometimes, but worth the effort in any case. But she had to admit that she was mostly just being a passive creature in Ponyville. She read, she listened, she took part in classes but she didn't get to experience the same history as they had lived. So no, she wasn't bored, not at all, but that adventurous spirit that burned within her was not being well tended. So it was when she started seeing all these flyers plastered around town promising adventure and danger and treasure and all those things that she was assured waited at the very heart of a good adventure. And so it was she approached Dark Core, trotting happily. She had a large saddlebag well-stuffed and stocked, and her green and blue bardic hat on just so with a recently acquired pegasi feather sticking out of it (she loved to tease that silly colt). She found the Dark Core and his little colonel croaky as well as a well-looking mare with a cart. What a good group! She bounded up to the Dark Core, whom she had seen once in a blue moon, a little note sticking out. "He-" she started, then remembered to spit the note out, "-pssbbs, okay, there going now. Okay, hello there! I am Muziki, and umm, I have heard that you are going on big danger adventure and treasure hunting?" She beamed happily before reaching back down to pick the note up. "I asked ma and pa if it okay and they said yes and give note. Umm, maybe they not know badland! No matter! This is permission slip. May I be in adventure now?"

“Well, that sounds like a real good idea. Got so excited when Ah was told you were on yer way that I forgot to eat breakfast!” Apple Bloom laughed as she picked up the pace. “Come on, just gotta get ready,” she said as she led Babs to the hotel. It wasn’t the fanciest hotel in the city. Wasn’t as if she was here to see the royals or nothing. The lobby was well-staffed and the ponies were nice enough, but it was off the main road in a secondary business district. Everything had that nice plastic sheen you saw on new places. She went up two flights of stairs and opened up her hotel room. It was a mess. Energetic pups, and Diamond Dogs beyond that, required a level of care and coordination that was hard to maintain. And with them being such bundles of joy and ceaseless energy, well, she was just happy it wasn’t worse. Covers were throw wildly, toys were strewn about, and her own clothes were still somehow neatly set aside. “Make yerself at home. Ah know they have,” she laugh as she shook the baskets off and onto the bed.

It was always interesting, watching sentient, intelligent creatures devolve ever briefly to their baser instincts. The way Niilaavin flared himself to appear more threatening, The way he approached her, held the scruff od her neck, controlled, then licked and purred her. It was a good reminder that they were all animals of different sizes and wavelengths, only a few steps removed from their feral cousins. If such a thought was given influence by Jizara, it was given certainty by Niilaavin. If anything, Jizara seemed to have better control of herself considering she just underwent a dramatic and irreversible species change. Of course, Twilight was certain that in about a second or two they were going to experience the most physically exciting part of Cadance’s domain, so she was quick to speak. “No price, Niilaavin. Jizara is finally herself. I hope you two are able to find your own happiness and harmony in each other’s paws, even as you embark on the custodial role of nation-builders together. There remains just one more thing,” Twilight said as she took a quick breath. She looked at the bands and her horn glowed. She knew she could just destroy them, but that could damage Niil and she did not wish to harm him. It was one of the better defenses against a powerful magical being, make it so that the power itself gave no grand benefit past a certain point. A few different attempts at scouting revealed how well made these cruel bands were. And so her magic traveled back in time, looking for cracks in its metaphysical armor through the eons. Not one. She then went back to the time of their creation- no, indeed they had warded the work before the work began. She went back even further, tracking the base materials used in its creation. She created impurities and magical backdoors to either weaken the work imperceptibly or allow her to override the band. Nothing changed; they were made by somecreature that put great effort into only using the best materials. No matter. She created a new element, a new material, localized it in the time and place of the band’s creation. It had all the strengths and qualities and protections and was for all intents and purposes an atomically correct replica of the source material. All she added was the faintest and lightest of touch, something so absurdly minimal that even Twilight, knowing what it was and what to look for and having placed it there herself, could only barely discover it. Happily, the bands were now made of this material as they always had been. She scanned the bands and found the trail of magic she had left behind. Like picking a lock she moved her magic, working through the personal ley line stealthily added into the material. Finally the bands came off, releasing Niil from them once and forever. She lifted the bands and put them on the table. “There. Now you can act as a ruler should- no chains on you,” she smiled mischievously, her eyes twinkling something fierce. “Maybe I can resize them for Blue?” Cadance allowed herself to simply focus on the happy couple. Niilaavin likely did not know it, but she had infused the teleportation they had undergone with a bit of influence tailored to him. Not that he would need any cause to become so very interested in her, but to be clear, the chances of a litter being bred in the here and now was much higher than normal. Considering a primary goal of the day’s festivities was ensuring the survival of the species, a good decision on her part. She focused on the happy couple, the power of their affections acting as a warm salve to her. Her wings stayed close to her but shifted ever so slightly above, allowing the smallest of air currents to pass through to cool her body as it grew warm. She did manage to see North Wind, and she leaned over and whispered lowly. “How are you feeling about all this?”

“Mane in Manehattan?” Apple Bloom snorted, sounding more and more like her older sister the older she got. “Well, Ah ‘spose that name is as good as any. Pretty nifty, if ya ask me. Ain’t gotta guess what’s up thar,” she said as she beamed at the prodding about Russet. “He sure is,” she said as she gently lifted up the lid to the other basket. There, Roxbury Russet was sleeping, tongue lolling outed, clutching an even smaller plush. His features were more pony the further up you went aside from the ears and tongue, and more diamond dog the further down you went. “He’s a real sweetheart, that one,” she said as she closed the basket. “Applejack was supposed ta tell me? Well, that explains it. Mah sister has had her head tossed here, there, everywhere lately, what with Rainbow and her own kids, tha farm, an’ everything else on her plate. That’s why Ah’m here, actually. She is getting an award of some kind an’ she asked me ta represent her. Not a bad way ta get out of work for a while, right?” She laughed, then nodded towards a nearby hotel. “They’re paying for mah room at tha Shimmering Suites. Wanna come in?’

Apple Bloom smiled. “Where do ya work, exactly?” Of course Babs would be open to doing her mane. She would do it even if it wasn’t her special talent- cousins would be cousins after all. But for all that and two buckets more she was happy to have that on her schedule. She hadn’t had a good mane care day in forever and an hour. She wasn’t like Sweetie or Rarity mind you, but she found herself enjoying a bit of care more than some of her family. “She sure is a cutie. She’s a Diamond Dog through and through- that’s been a whole mess and a half in and of itself, let me tell ya- but her brother is a hybrid. Cute fella, for sure,” she said, wondering whether to wake Roxbury up or not. She decided not to. He was a very concerted sleeper and she’d hate to wake him while he displayed the one-true talent he had already displayed. She was quiet on the someone special line, though she didn’t give a wince or anything of the sort. Truth was, it was all a blur. She had been traveling on Tempest’s airship seeing the world and having a true- blue adventure away from home when they ran across a village in the path of a terrible tornado. One thing led to another and she was being treated like a hero by the town. Drinks were shared and- well, one thing led to two pups, but for the life of her she couldn’t quite put her hoof on the name of the Diamond Dog who laid her up fierce and true. “Well, Ah’m just glad yer out an’ about. Strange we’re meeting here in tha Crystal Empire, though. How’d ya know Ah was gonna be here?”

Cadance nodded. “We all have our ways of using magic. I think it is important not how grand or powerful the magic we use happens to be, but how we choose to view it. As long as you use your magic in service, I think you will find your magical capabilities have a wider, grander implication than even you know,” she said as she prepared to end the spell. As he spoke, she had two thoughts. One was that his loneliness was something she may never truly understand. She could respond that having such closeness with other creatures, friendship, love, opened you up to escalating levels of grief that only such warmth could breed. But she wouldn’t turn this into a competition. Secondly was the knowledge she had, foretold, that his concerns for his love for her and how it was shared. He would soon have to change some of those thoughts and concerns. “We will have time enough soon to further investigate these lands, but I think something is happening back at the negotiation that you would be very interested in seeing. I will teleport us in three...two...one...now!” ---- Twilight took her tea gently as she watched Jizara come to terms with her body. It was very cute, in a way. For all their regality, sphinxes were just big cats. All of the great species, despite their advancements and intelligence, had their animalistic pasts buried deep within. Jizara tore and moved and attacked like an over-energized housecat the size of- well, a house. Blueblood chose to protect himself with a table. Twilight remained in her seat, protected by a thin layer of magic from some debris. “Jizara, a delight for you to finally join us. A regal posture befitting your kind,” Twilight bowed her had slightly in respect as she started pouring some tea. As she did so, Cadance finished her teleportation...

“Mane care? Well, Ah reckoned it’d be somethin’ like that. Ah’ll have ta have you come by and do mah mane ‘fore Ah pick up AJ’s reward,” Apple Bloom laughed heartily as she turned about and trotted side by side with Babs. She was pretty certain that Babs was one of the best mane care specialists in the whole city because she sure as shine didn’t look like it. She had to work at it, had to find it, search for it. And she thought that was neat! “Awww, thank ya for tha gift. It looks real pretty,” she said as she went to try it on. Her mane had grown and it needed to adjust- no matter. She knew she’d make it work! “Pups,” she corrected. Not that she blamed her. A lot of ponies she knew somewhat distantly or saw rarely heard she had some kids, thought (of course) they were foals. Not many of them knew the father was a Diamond Dog. “Ah reckon-” she began before, on cue, Honeygold pushed up on her basket, the little pup only half away. She saw her momma’s ear and launched up to bit it playfully. Apple Bloom’s head jerked to that side. “Honeygold, stop yer foolin’,” she said, and the Diamond Dog obeyed. Awake, she looked at Babs curiously. “This here’s yer Aunt Babs Seed. Say hi,” Apple Bloom said, nearly cooing as Honeygold waved a paw and started dropping back down into her basket. “That there is Honeygold. Her brother is Roxbury Russet.”

Apple Bloom had taken up the offer to collect some sort of reward for Applejack that was being given out in the Crystal Empire more readily than she’d care to admit. Ever since she had her pups it had been work, work, work. She was a young mare but golly, she didn’t think all her energy could be used up so quickly and readily like this! Still, Applejack was indisposed in some manner with RD and the trip was all expenses paid. She could use the vacation. She had been in the Empire for just a night when she received a message that her cousin Babs Seed was coming into the Empire. Well, that seemed awfully convenient! Apple Bloom wasn’t gonna look the gift-horse in the mouth though. She made sure she looked presentable, with a saddlebag on her bag and two large side baskets. Roxbury Russet in the left, Honeygold in the right. Luckily they were both asleep as the cold wind blew through the train station. It didn’t take long before Apple Bloom saw Babs and trotted up to the mare, giving her a big hug. “Well, if it ain’t Babs Seed! Ain’t seen ya in a while, cuz,” she said, letting go of the hug and taking a look. “An’ look at tha state of ya! How’s Manehattan treatin’ ya?”

“You are here. Technically. We…” she thought best how to explain it, “we are in the...veil...between material reality and unreality. You are seeing things as they are, in real time, as they exist now. If the spell were to stop, you would take up that physical space that you occupy now for all the good and ill that would imply,” she shook her head. “It is a powerful spell, one I learned not long ago thanks to Twilight. It requires not only a significant amount of magical power, but a deep knowledge of the area I am locating myself and others at while also requiring many magical crystals exist at the location of the spell. Luckily, this cavern has many of them.” It was very true. As they dove deeper, the mine seemed to continue. The mining was indeed extensive, but careful work was shown up and down the mine. They mined at a rate that allowed the crystals and other precious materials to regrow at an acceptable rate, while also doing so safely. Everything spoke to a well-oiled machine being overseen by a startling small number of ponies. “I think she sees in you the same pride and majesty of spirit that she has always looked for. Beyond that, I have learned lessons throughout life. We accept the love we think we deserve. You are worth all that she is giving you now plus much more, if you allow yourself to see it. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Without this, you would not seek to create the better world for all Sphinxkind. Without her love, and without loving her in kind, you wouldn’t have a Kingdom to call your own. The rest, how her love works on you, what it means in your heart, those lessons are personal and take much longer,” she said gently as she turned to face him. “This is a journey that you will enjoy, more than any other.” As she said that, she felt a small aethereal movement along her wings. She bit her lip in excitement, knowing what it meant. “Oh, I see. Well, I think we should be heading back.” *********************************************************************************** Twilight had considered whether to modify Spoiled’s age during her transformation to Jizara. Of course, Sphinx aged in a very different manner. Spoiled was an older middle aged mare, but chronologically she would be barely an adult as a Sphinx if she used the exact birth-date. As far as Twilight could tell, Sphinx may mature somewhat slowly compared to ponies but it was once they reached adulthood that their aging slowed to a crawl. Of course, Jizara didn’t need to know that. If she wanted a favor so graciously given, then she would receive one. Twilight smiled. “You will be a youthful sphinx, matching the energy and future you have and hold in your heart,” she nodded. “Now, hold still.” Twilight’s horn lit up. In the past, such a spell would be hard and dangerous. It required time and preparation and she had messed up similar ones in the past. That would be because she was altering a form, changing what was into what is. For a unicorn or alicorn of her old power, not hard to do, but difficult to do well and accurately. This time, she went a different route. She instead reached through the fabric of reality and rewrote it. She changed what is into what was, and what was happened to be a Sphinx named Jizara. In a brief flash, Spoiled was no more and never had been. The only mark of her existence were her family members and paperwork, but as far as the foundational mechanics of material reality, she herself had never existed. Instead, Jizara existed, as pure and functional as if she had been born a sphinx. To outside observation, it happened near instantly. How Jizara herself perceived it, whether she even could, Twilight could only venture a guess. The spell was finished, and there sat Jizara the Sphinx.

Sunny thought about it for a small moment. If he knew her, she assumed that he had to know about her friends. Of course, maybe he knew of them but not well enough to have a full accounting of their names. pony names could at times confuse or frustrate other creatures, or so the old stories told her. She nodded and cantered on over to a wall that had pictures of her and her friends during their new and joy-filled lives in Maretime Bay. "Princess Pipp Petals of Zephyr Heights. We just call her Pipp!" She said, pointing at a picture of Pipp as she performed at Mane Melody. "She also owns the new mane-care saloon on the boardtrot," she said as she turned back to Allegro, beaming. "I'm sure you've seen her! She is very creative. If anypony could help us create an awesome costume, it would be her!"

When Flurry Heart was out of view, Cadance allowed herself a moment to think deeper about the day’s plans. Fact was, she was not Twilight. There were many reasons why that statement was true, but for today the primary one was that she had grown up a pegasus raised in large by earth ponies. By the time she had magic and Celestia found her, she had her cutie mark. From there she had learned quickly, thanks to some very hooves on training from Celestia. But there was no denying that she lacked a certain degree of finesse, knowledge, and power. Despite being an Alicorn, in all magic not directly related to love Cadance was only above-average. There were plenty of unicorns who were stronger than her, more refined, more efficient, more creative than she was. She had immense power, true, but she never had the proper training as a young filly to mold her magical self to use it well. She didn’t find that it ever really mattered, of course, and with Twilight’s help she had learned a lot of tricks on how to manipulate her own magic to get the best results. More importantly, she had her husband. He had lived his whole life in a family that valued knowledge and learning, and this had translated into a proper magical education and training for the young colt. As he became a stallion- and what a stallion at that!- his diligence and commitment to becoming the best Shining Armor he could be for himself, for Cadance, and for the Princesses had given him a lifetime of training and study that she found invaluable to lean on. Now it was their daughter who would hopefully benefit from this. There were many things only Cadance could help with as an Alicorn, but what she needed more than anything else was somepony who was astute and had the experience of growing up with magic. Shining Armor would as invaluable in her education as he was in so many other ways. Cadance allowed these thoughts to dance at the edge as she started finishing breakfast for her family, the night still fighting to remain relevant ever longer...

Cadance took his pawing in good stride. Cats liked shiny objects, he was a bag cat. She wanted him to get used to it, however. Crystal ponies would be a going concern for him for as long as he lived now and if he didn’t get used to the way they looked, then he would be be having a very bad time. “Is it now?” She giggled. She nodded. “Sorry. I didn’t expect powerful creatures such as yourself to feel such an effect from teleportation. Same for you, North Wind. I suppose I’m still not as good at this as Twilight is,” she laughed as she led them further, this time into the mine itself. “Ahh. Well, no shame in picking something because it is pleasing. Symbolism is what we make of it, isn’t it? Same thing with Cutie Marks, really. Most Cutie Marks do give you guidance, true, but what it means is up to you. Smiling flowers don’t make you a gardener, after all,” she said as they ventured into the mine further. It was well-made and established, and the few ponies they saw there were universally hardy looking. Most were unicorns, some Earth ponies and even a pegasus, but they were all blackened and greyed by the dark of the mine. Few words were spoken; they worked as a well-oiled machine. Even a small filly was seen using her magic to move and carve and push and pull alongside her father. “And what mark would you give Jizara?” Twilight had learned very early, in fact. Just when was hard for her. The time period of her ascension had been followed by a very literal growing into her role. During that process, time had lost meaning and structure. Even now she was unaware of just when she had learned some things, only that she always had known. She didn’t know how important it was, however, to understand just when the manner of their love and her realization had come to pass. What mattered now was aligning reality correctly. “I will make the offer to Diamond Tiara,” Twilight replied without expansion. Truth was, Diamond was not going to join her mother. She was not given to the greed and the lust for power that defined the heart of a Sphinx, even the ones who did kind things. Her fate would be quite awful as a member of that species. Besides, Twilight knew that Diamond had a bright future ahead of her and wasn’t expecting that to deviate anytime soon. “Though with the assumption she declines it, I will make sure she takes your change in good stride.” Or as well as she could, considering her mother was abandoning her not only in terms of hearth and home but even as the shared experience of a pony. It was a betrayal of that young mare, but Diamond would take it well. The relationship had been strained for so long thanks to Diamond’s innately good heart finally allowing her to blossom into the fine mare she was destined to become that the tears shed would be brief if passionate. “I’ll keep your memories intact. Your past, intact. If this is your wish, so be it. As for the divorce, I will handle the exact distribution of assets at a later point. Your marriage is hereby ended with Spoiled Rich; a copy of the proceedings is now in the Canterlot Archives,” she said as several quills worked feverishly on a stack of papers. One by one, they vanished, leaving only Twilight. Her horn lit up. “Any final requests, Jizara?” As she spoke with Jizara, Twiligtht held back a giggle in her head. Blue may not have known how Twilight looked at Equestria, but in a way it was like she had several dozen million little ones laying around. Weariness in that manner was an old friend, dearly entrenched. “I’m happy to hear you accept, barring spousal approval. As for the other thing- we’ll discuss that, but not for now. One step at a time for you, Blue.”

“Oh, I can see that. Somesphinx could really use with some warmer shades. They stand out in the far north pretty well,” she said as she moved some of them tufts of mane and fur out of the way. She had to stop herself from petting Niilaavin. Big cat, big scratches. It was instinct. “I am sure we can work on making the Tyr presentable for a wonderful public ceremony,” she said as she led the Tyr away on his tour. She flapped her wings once, twice, and then a third time and using Twilight’s leftover magic she teleported them as whisps in flame to an area right outside Crystal Caverns. She sparkled in full Crystal Pony form, and as she moved she moved through tree and rock alike. She was taking him on a tour and she could take him anywhere she so needed to, but they would not be seen by the ponies of the area. This would allow him to get a full understanding without concerns for his size or the fears of the creatures around. North Wind had been transported as well. “I see. Very interesting. It seems many creatures have such coming of age marks. What does your mean? What is the symbolism?” Twilight smiled as the pair left and allowed some time to pass before she continued. “Excellent. Now we can work on his real gifts,” Twilight said with a smile once the Tyr was well and truly gone. She looked at the two who had remained. As she did so, she spoke to both of them. “Jizara, Jizara. A good name for a good Sphinx,” Twilight’s horn lit up as she worked on setting the table appropriately. “I must say, I wasn’t as shocked as others when developments drew you down the path. Your path was always dotted with the trappings of prestige and power, growing like weeds throughout a kingdom. You cannot flower thusly in Equestria, of course; you need a new garden in which to grow. Hayatria will be that garden,” Twilight said as documents of a crackling, energetic nature knitted themselves in front of her. “I will give you your new life as a Sphinx. No conditions attached. Of course, the real question is what to do with assets as they exist now. Your marriage will be ended with Filthy Rich, as much as it exists now. Your status as Mayor of Ponyville will be ended. Your status as a subject of Equestria, as my Subject, shall end. All of these things are clear,” she finished, showing the documents. She looked up, only the barest smirk hidden. “I can do much more, if you will it. So, Jizara, how far do you wish this new life to have gone?” As she spoke to Jizara, Blueblood would hear Twilight’s voice in his head. “Prince Blueblood, I’m so proud of the pony you have become. All that has happened- from your not-so humble beginnings to the establishment of IMAGINE, to the fine stallion and mare you are and the wonderful Herd you have joined- have led you here. You more than most deserve praise and a break, but as you know, leaders get far too much of the first and never enough of the latter,” she finally turned to Blueblood and spoke to him normally. “You know full well that this new kingdom lacks the diplomatic tact and international wisdom that it will require to succeed in the long term. As such, I am offering you the position as Equestrian Ambassador-slash-Ambassadress to the Kingdom of Hyatria. I presume you find this agreeable?”

Twilight was pleased to see the new Tyr retreat from his obstinance, if only to allow the more civic minded and literate among his party tend to the boring matters at hoof and paw. He fell into his love for Jizara, and with it Twilight knew his mind was refocused on matters more up his alley. Cadance smiled a brief, happy thing as she saw the Sphinx no longer offer such resistance. “I am sure that we can work on the exact details, down to the specifications of it. What is important is we have reached an umbrella agreement that would allow us to work on the details. All of which would be approved by you in the end, of course,” Twilight nodded her assent to the proceedings. The hardest work was done. The rest- the minutia, the details- were the fun parts of the job to her, and the parts she was more than ready to work with Blueblood and Jizara regarding. Well, after other tasks were tended to. “Agreed. With the umbrella terms understood, we can work on specifics. For now though, Tyr Niilaavin, would you like to take an in-creature tour of some areas of your new realm not so readily accessible from the air? You can tell me more about these markings. They sound fascinating!” Cadance offered. Truthfully, it was a ploy to remove him from Jizara and Blueblood so Twilight could do her work with them without the big kitten being overly concerned or reactive. “And while the Tyr is taking his tour, if I could ask you two to remain here? I am sure the next part of the negotiation will require a devotion to detail and minutia that would drive other creatures mad,” she said, her eyes swirling in her head as she smiled.

Cadance, for her part, seemed undaunted by the outburst. “I am not bleeding you dry. I am saving you time and money, and helping you become a powerful Tyr worthy of the attentions of wealthy immigrants. You say you can do the work yourself, but even if you never slept and worked with precision and power in the mountains, the time it would take for you to finish the job would see the potential loss of profits from the mines and the prospective other financial opportunities in the mountains supersede the up-front investment costs in deploying my Crystal Corps,” she finished before nodding towards Twilight. “In that scenario, it would be the equivalent of having paid four point one bits an acre in the best case scenario, or five point five bits if things go poorly. Cadance’s plan, so generously conceived, saves you one point four to two point eight bits an acre. As for the dividends, these will be your lands, and so you will benefit both in the immediacy and in time from the work of the Crystal Corp,” she looked back expectantly at Cadance. “Yes, they will be. You will reap the rewards of not only your own immigration policies and internal economic model,” Cadance recited that bit as if she had to memorize it in front of as mirror, “but also the work that my Crystal Corp has done in identifying places of potential wealth and settlement, identifying the necessary work to repair the Path, and then the highly skilled labor in a uniquely challenging environment required to see the work done. I challenge you to find a competing contract at that scale, in that environment, requiring that much skill, investment, and experience, whether it be private enterprise or government, for anywhere near the cost I am offering,” she finished. For the first time, Cadance felt herself putting her hoof down. It was one thing to decline an offer, but it was infuriating to have an offer developed with such absurd levels of support and leniency baked into it shot back at her with such claims. She should be asking for more, frankly. She was being humiliated in small ways the entire time. Her land was being taken, her subjects taken from her (though she expected many to choose to return to her). Her relations with the powers of the west being changed, weakened. Her subjects, only so recently freed from the shackles of slavery and the sleep of a thousand years, being forced to accept the national shame of a nation being carved out of it randomly. It was Twilight's work the previous few days that had seen her be brought into a broad agreement. She was doing everything in her power to be more than simply fair, but supportive of the new nation. The sphinx not recognizing the remarkable kindness and generosity on display was...where was Shining? She needed to see him. “If you do not wish to avail yourself of the full offer Tyr Niilaviin, then that is your prerogative. But it is untrue to claim financial hardship or foreign debt as the primary cause of the decline when it is indeed an offer designed to save you financially and help increase your economic independence faster and in a more secure manner. Military alliance and preferential trade relations between the Kingdom of Hyatria and the Crystal Empire plus one point five bits an acre being transferred to the Crystal Empire is the base offer. The Crystal Empire will as a gesture of good will give the Kingdom of Hyatria the Crystal Corp of Engineers in-depth work on the region. For an extremely generous additional one point two bits an acre, the Crystal Empire will allow the use of the Crystal Corp of Engineers to be deployed in the national borders of Hytaria to work on the plan as developed by them for the Path,” Twilight stated, the terms of the offers being written in large. "As a further demonstration of my willingness to work with Hyatria, I am willing to lower the bits being requested for the deployment of the Crystal Corp to one, bringing the total bit offer to two point five bits an acre. I have stretched the limits of what I can offer without touching absurdities when it comes to that cost, for that offer," Cadance offered, her voice carrying an edge of finality to it. She could and would go no less for their work. “I will work with Blueblood to hammer out the specifics,” she flashed a smile at Blueblood, “hope you brought something to drink, I like to work long into the night! Can’t help myself. Numbers and land surveys are fascinating reads,” she laughed before looking back at the Tyr. “When we do reach an agreement, I suggest you meet with Cadance while I speak with your mate. I have a little to discuss and much to do.” Cadance knew what she meant and looked nervously about for a half-second before fixing on the two leaders, then smiled as they moved ever so slightly into her preferred arena. “And later, I would like to discuss how to properly conduct a ceremony honoring your relationship.”

The sweet taste of victory, friends. How are you?

“Oh Allegro, its gonna be fine! And fun. And then you’ll be a hero and everypony will just ADORE you,” She smiled broadly and warmly. “That will be an easy way to get ponies to accept you. Ponies love heroes and heroines and those that save the day. Or at least, you know, save an afternoon or something. And when its all over, I'm the one who has to deal with the awkward aftermath. And believe me, I'm used to plenty of those," she laughed breezily as she started imagining the look and costume. While her mane was lost to wonder, her brain was allowed to ponder. Why not allow a random evil Alicorn to reveal itself? She giggled. "I was being a bit silly. Alicorns are exceptionally rare. In fact, I think there have only been...seven?...Alicorns in history. Of those, only one- Opaline- seemed to be entirely evil. Another wasn't evil per se but had, err...a period of time she was? It just so happens that between Opaline and...Lunar? Nightmare Moon, I think?...a lot of Equestrian history revolves around it," she finished, then shrugged. "In any case, I don't think we can count on that. Nope,' you'll just have to count on me and...somepony to design a great costume for me," she said, hopping back in place. "How about...Pipp?"

Cadance pondered the offer briefly before shaking her head politely. “Three decades is generous- indeed, overly so. One year is all I ask for and can accept. It will do neither of our nations any good to have these regions living under nebulous, questionable loyalties and conditions for such time. These are your subjects upon our agreement today; whether they choose to remain so or not is up to them,” Cadance replied, shockingly so. Of course, it was not entirely of her own making. Her discussion had made clear that the ruler of Equestria intended for these changes to be handled as cleanly as possible. The temporary pain, while sharp, was better suffered now rather than allowing gnawing, concussive pains to batter away at them alike. It was then that the sphinx brought up an area known as the badlands, a part of which he made clear. She shook her head. “I have no claim there. Princess Amethyst was given a castle in the region as a dowry during her tryst with Prince Bradford of Yakyakistan, but I think it fell into the river long before the time of Sombra. Twilight, who owns that land?” Cadance turned to Twilight. She knew the borders of her Kingdom well, but Twilight had made clear that on issues involving the Changelings she was to be the point mare in these discussions. It was delicate, involving such two unique species. “That territory is currently claimed by the Changeling Kingdom, though it has no official settlers from any nation at the moment. I know Thorax had planned a series of settlements after the Changeling Breeding Program finishes in the next couple of moons, and that area featured heavily. It also exists near Yakyakistan and they have ancient claims up to the river, but they didn’t object to Thorax’s claims. I am sure that you could discuss it further with them. As for what exists there currently, scattered caribou, yaks, changelings, some independent equine and griffons- by my last count, less than a hundred creatures in total, including the changelings disguised as flies spying in the region that Thorax thought he could hide from me,” Twilight smirked. “I am sure that you could strike a deal with them. Thorax is an easy partner and Prince Rutherford, once you understand how Yaks operate, is surprisingly amiable.” As Blueblood discussed the infrastructure, Cadance offered a few pages of assessments. “Crystal Caverns has its own mining operations that are well established. The Webwing Path cuts along the mountains from Crystal Caverns to Fairflanks, and Fairflanks has a road that leads into the Empire. The Webwing Path is certainly...maintained,” her ears drooped, “it is usable, they make sure of it, but outside of it being usable I wouldn’t say it is any good. They have cared only for base utility, not comfort or making sure all of it is to the same standard. Nonetheless, it certainly is better than nothing. Fairflanks itself is as well-developed as any farming settlement of its type could be. We found no infrastructure concerns in the area and believe that it could grow in population considerably before native infrastructure proved inadequate. For Trottderdale’s ‘port’ is in working condition, if shabby and in need of better maintenance. The castle itself, however, remains near immaculate,” Cadance said as she started making her own marks on the map. “As a gesture of good will, I will submit to you the plans my Corp of engineers have recent finalized for improvements to the Path. Not only would it ease transportation in the mountains, but we have even earmarked locations to be investigated for mining and settlement. I think you will find that this will save you tremendous time and treasure having to establish the necessity of these needs. Moreover, I am willing to lend the Crystal Corp of Engineers and Development to Hytaria for the purposes of this mission. In exchange for this aid- which will save you by my estimation nothing short of twenty years of work if everything went right for you without it- my asking price to complete this deal will stand now at two point seven bits per acre.” Twilight nodded. “While I am sure you may be concerned for your immediate financial stakes, I am certain you are aware that with such strong economic partners and with such good relations any fear you have of economic hardship will be short lived. And for those of us here, comically so. Do we have any issues with this agreement so far?”

The discussion grew rapidly. It was clear to Twilight that Niilaavin had relied perhaps too heavily on the grandeur and scope of his desired empire but had not done a truly deep dive. This was no sin; she was guilty of the same mistake in the past any number of occasions. Having power and knowing what to do with it, or how to use it properly, were very different propositions and one she knew came with experience. Of course, she knew his nation would have issues to start with. She did not really consider the claims to state poverty to be fully compelling, however. The area he had selected was inured against the degradation of poverty by the very nature of how it operated. They were a self-sufficient people who provided for themselves readily enough that the only creatures that would feel the sting would by Niilaavin and Jizara, and even then she was very confident that any such issues would be resolved swiftly. “The settlements that will now exist in your domain are on their own already self-sufficient. Your kingdom has no reason to not immediately benefit from the Crystal Caverns, while Fairflanks provides a basis for food security that will benefit your subjects tremendously. One point five bits an acre is still low; in a normal situation when factoring for the blow to Crystal pride, I would argue four point two bits per acre is an appropriate offer, one that could be easily paid in installments,” Twilight offered, offering up multiple documents detailing the financial boons of the land. Almost too much, frankly. “Thankfully,” Cadance jumped in quickly, saving the big cat from a lifetime of reading and data analysis, “this is not a normal situation, and I am not expecting a fully monetary compensation. One point five bits is still the lowest amount I am willing to discuss. Your offer of alliance and preferential trade is accepted as part of the overall package. However, I will decline the offer of overseers appointed by me,” she smiled. “While I appreciate the thought behind it, if you truly are going to lead a nation you can’t have another leader effectively running or interfering in- even with the best of intentions- your largest or most profitable settlements as your nation begins. A period of transition that would allow my subjects the choice to leave would be appreciated, but overseers would not be required,” Cadance ended gently, herself trying to come to terms with it. It was hard to imagine a Crystal Subject desiring to stay under the rule of a Sphinx, but she also reminded herself that the creatures of the claimed territory were a strange lot who rejected normal society by and large. It would be intriguing to see who decided to stay and who decided to leave, and even better, who decided to immigrate there. Twilight focused more on how he described his relations with the tribal ponies and how he decided to rule his land. It was not unexpected. Sphinx had only ever ruled in this manner and as much as time changed things, you needed a species to exist for that change to happen. Niilaavin would play an important in saving his species and helping it form the basis for a better future, but expecting their societal or governmental attitudes to change was naïve at this stage. Give it ten thousand years of contact. Twilight would document it every step of the way. “I see. They will likely appreciate that more than most. The Basin tribes, as noted,” she nodded to Blueblood, “are more civilized than those of the Leota. You will find good relations with them as Tyr easy. Cemmoyāhua would make a fine pony to negotiate with in order to establish good relations.. Joint guardianship of Tartarus between Equestria and the domains of the Tyr would be agreeable. You may run the entirety of the external area, as guardian and owner. I will handle Tartarus itself. Outside of the baleful magic emanating from it, I hope you never have to involve yourself in Tartarus,” she said, nodding solemnly. Indeed, she didn’t imagine many creatures could even stand to exist in Tartarus for long so it seemed unlikely anycreature from the outside would need to. Cadance for her part nodded towards the honorary-sphinx-soon-to-be-real-sphinx. “There are no formal guilds in the area. But the families who run Crystal Caves have been in charge for eons. Every last pony there is the an expert in their field,” she said, giving Jizara documents detailing the blow by blow financial details of the Caverns. Twilight allowed the discussion to settle a moment. “Where we sit at this juncture is this: In exchange for the land as claimed by Tyr Niilaavin, the Joint Commission for the Establishing of the Kingdom of Hyatria will pay an amount over one point five bits per claimed acre to the Crystal Empire, plus preferential trading with the Crystal Empire and a formal military alliance. Tartarus will be jointly administered by Equestria and the Hytaria. This deal has not yet been finalized as final financial compensation has not been entirely agreed upon, but this should summarize where we are.“

Twilight and Cadance looked at the offer. Twilight already knew it, and she rather enjoyed the display that Niilaavin applied to the proceedings. Twilight could feel the snow and cold, though she knew at that very moment there was an unseasonable warm front passing through. That would eventually meet another weather front that would prove difficult for the Empire to manage as it passed over the city, but Cadance relished the challenge. Her love of weather control knew few limits. Twilight allowed the initial round to end before she nodded. “I would be wary of any Griffonian claim to land in the Great Leota. Most- not all, but most- such claims come from a specific document,” Twilight said as she popped an ancient scroll into being, as well as the more boring pieces of work that actually brought it into motion. “King Guto I of Griffonstone ‘received land and property’ as a wedding gift from King Stonebreaker of the Clain Stonehoof in the Great Leota. Of course, King Stonebreaker owned no such land and used it an effort to get Griffonstone to go to war against his western Leotan enemies when Celestia refused to accept his own claim to their lands. Many Griffons claim ownership based on this deal and it has been the source of many congriffon’s fortunes. The lands you have requested so far exist solely in the domain of Equestria and the Crystal Empire, legally speaking.” It was time for Cadance to join. “The area is not densely populated, but there are indeed citizens of my Empire there that I protect and pay taxes for that protection and care. Fairflanks is the largest single settlement. Last census puts the population at the very low hundreds- certainly nothing worthy of being on a map, but someplace I care for. It is a collection of a few farms built around a single Crystal Keep, like many frontier towns. The second largest settlement is Crystal Caverns, where the Webwings curl and the River forks east. A small mining settlement of only a few families, they’ve kept to themselves since before the banishment. Not unkind, just...prickly. Fort Trottderdale is located in the far north of your claim, in the Frozen Swamp near the bay. It is a single large abandoned fort home to several dozen ponies. Beyond that, the land you are desiring from the Empire is populated by some hardy settlers and families. According to what figures I have at present, that would come out to over eleven hundred Crystal Empire citizens,” Cadance said as her magic hovered around the map, marking the settlements. “As for your initial offer, there are other factors at play. The mining settlement in the Webwing is the second highest performing per capita of all mines in the Empire outside of the City Herself,” she said as she lifted several documents over to Prince Blueblood. “Crystal Caverns itself would be worth nearly a full bit for the whole acreage of this Kingdom. Fort Trotterdale already has a built and established port, even if it needs to be repaired and staffed appropriately. One point five bits an acre is the starting point. More importantly, you’re asking for me to ask the citizens of my Empire to accept a chunk of their historic land being sold off. I will work on that myself, but payment for that will need to be part of any financial deal,” Cadance finished. She was being polite and warm still but there was an underlying sense that came through easily that she was upset at the whole ordeal from the standpoint of the Crystal Princess. The Empire had been asked to swallow many indignities and while she more than understood the need to establish a Kingdom for the Sphinx, the need to bring them back, and she was pleased to help the breed return, it was still tough to stomach the loss she was asking her citizens to take. “Nonetheless, I find most of your claims agreeable in large. A few points of discussion. The pony tribes of The Great Leota bow to nopony and I doubt they will bow to you. However, the tribal leaders have recently renewed their vows of friendship with Equestria, their vows of friendship to me. I have little doubt that they would operate peacefully in your new kingdom, should I know how you plan on dealing with them. I also require you to be aware of changes I have made to Tartarus, since it lies within your claim,” Twilight continued. She lifted a wing and Tartarus was shown- it now lacked any entrances or exits, and the mountain hummed slightly with baleful energies. “There exists now no entrance or exit, and I have the whole mountain under a powerful spell that causes confusion, weakness, and illness to all that approach. Be cautious near there.” She took a drink. “Beyond the tribesponies, a few relatively standard questions. How do you plan on running this new nation of yours, Lord Niilaviin?” She asked. “This goes as well for you, Lady Jizara. If this truly is your last day as a subject of mine and the first as Queen of another, I would ask that you answer as well.”

Twilight had never been fully comfortable with the ceremonies that came with her title and position. In that way and manner she was more egalitarian than Rarity would ever be, or Cadance for that matter. Neither mare by nature thought themselves more deserving of such pomp and circumstance. For Twilight that had become a minor point of absurdity after her ascension to the throne as she often wandered Canterlot and Ponyville sans guards. Of course she was safe- safer even than those most easily assured of her safety could even fathom- but that didn't prevent ponies from considering her departure from Celestia's norms unusual. Give it time, say a few centuries, and those concerns would vanish. Which is to say, Twilight didn't really care that every member of House Platinum- or their new name, to be revealed- were given what she would personally deem over the top entrances while Cadance and her were given quick, comparatively modest introductions. She knew at some level that Niilaavin looked at this as a competition and wanted some engagement at that level. A fight, a duel, a hunt. His kind was bred to dominate and control, if not in a malevolent manner than at the least in a superior manner. Twilight wasn't going to dissuade him from that feeling. Like the care of other big cats, it was important to allow their innate instincts to be satiated. "Welcome, Lord Niilaavin. I hope you find these accommodations to your liking," Cadance said, hoping that she had proven a good host. For all the issues she did have with what had transpired, she had no desire to make her guests feel like their care and comfort had been neglected. The diet and care of a sphinx had been mostly left to guess work before Blueblood had bonded as he had with Niilaavin. Now they had to concern themselves mostly with his taste rather than his base concerns. In less stressful news, Blueblood was right to discuss family. “We have been doing very well up here in the cold, Blueblood. A little bit of warmth is always appreciated! I’m happy to hear Pax is getting their wings ready. I’d be more than happy to come by sometime- always happy to teach,” she said with a soft smile. She knew she was being buttered up. Frankly, she didn’t mind nor did she care. Affairs were already beyond her; if she could catch up with family, extended or otherwise, all the better. "I hope you will find this discussion beneficial, Lord Niilaavin. I'm eager to conduct it, myself," Twilight admitted. That much was no lie. Her position and presence disquieted her, but the prospect of change energized her. When you could peel back the layers of time, being able to see its ebbs and flows, recognizing when cycles began and end and knowing you were present during one the turns of it was exciting. "Blue, good to have you here. I hope you've given today's activities a lot of thoughts vis a vi House Platinum?" Twilight allowed her mind to settle on Spoiled Rich as she entered and took her position. Twilight had allowed that mare to run Ponyville despite misgivings, honoring Ponyville’s right to choose. Now here she was, ready to throw away that responsibility, that privilege, the trust of that town, her family, her lineage, her previous hopes and dreams. She had so readily embraced a sphinx’s attitude towards power as she had fallen in with Niilaavin that Twilight’s concern about the ancient Sphinx’s personality imprinting and brain altering powers were set aside, because even in those stories those so changed did not embrace it so readily. So why was she content to agree to the move? Well, that would come later. “Lady Jizara, good. I see we are all here. Lord Niilaavin, you may begin,” Twilight said as her horn lit. Outside light bled away at the ages until they were left alone, even the attendants only verging into the light ever briefly. Blueblood’s maps and graphs were shored up by Twilight, who brought her own array of documentation, and Cadance, whose own magic whisked around the area and brought a secure warmth to them all.

Cadance had prepared her Royal Hall as best she could, full in the knowledge that they were in uncharted waters. A part of her was happy. Sphinxes had edged on being entirely extinct or just as well for eons, long before she was alive. The possibility of not only helping that species find a way back into the common vernacular of modern life but civilization itself was a treasure that Cadance was absolutely pleased to be partaking in. And the fact she was being asked to participate also in the first officially sanctioned union of Sphinxes was a treasure to her. Love in all its forms was special, and love when it would help lead to the salvation of species was special and unique. She had prepared more than her usual bits and baubles for the occasion and was hopeful that Spoiled Rich and Niilaavin would be more than pleased. What she was less than happy about was the proposed land arrangements. While she was fully aware that the Crystal Empire was subservient to Equestria and found this arrangement to be beneficial for both, as Empress of her subjects she cared deeply for not only their well being, but treasured their sense of joy and pride. She knew there would be negotiation, but she hadn’t expected it to start so poorly for her. Twilight for her part had found the deal quite beneficial for both sides. The northern territory proposed had only included a small number of settlers but cost a lot for the Empire to defend from stray caribou who refused to accept the end of the war, the pony tribes of the jungles and High Woods who bowed to nopony, and the various criminal clans and so-called ‘independents’ that ranged beyond. While by no means especially dangerous compared to other parts of the world, it was the most dangerous part of the continent. If the Sphinx Kingdom could rule the land it would bring further peace and prosperity to the continent. Besides, it was a good way to see her family some more. She had arrived earlier and had a healthy breakfast with them, including getting quite the show with Flurry Heart and some magic. Now the Hall was ready for work, prepared for two(three) Princesses, one Sphinx, one Sphinx at heart, and a Prince (or none). The two were prepared in the Hall. Cadance, despite being the ruler of the Crystal Empire, sat at one of the long edges of the table while Twilight sat at its head. Maps and figures were arranged, and the table itself had a soft shimmer to it. Food and drink wad out for the guests, with appropriate seating for massive creatures of power and grace.

“Me? I have been so very man places. I was born in the land of the tribes of the Upepo na Wimbo, and I walked all along the southern lands of Unyasi. Umm, then I saw the cities, but then I saw even bigger cities when I saw the town with the griffons. Clawifax! And Taraju, of course. But then we did the moving into Equestria and we lived in Manehattan and then Ponyville and I have seen, umm, I have seen Hoofington and Canterlot! Did you ever see the big Canterlot castle? It was so nice looking. Umm, and then I saw...I saw Cloudsdale in the sky, and smelled Trottingham, and the Velvet Strand, and then I saw Stalliongrad and now I am here! So many cities. This is such a big land!” She said in response to Crystal, nearly skipping alongside the pegasus as she excitedly spoke about every rock and pebble in existence. “Where have you been? Have you ever seen, umm, have you ever seen another crystal cities? Do all the crystals in the world come from here?” She asked as they waited for Mr. Kabra’za to finish with his cart. Then they could get food, and she was hungry! But then, something fun happened. Muziki was entranced as she watched Mr. Kabra'za go to work putting on a show. Muziki loved performance of all types and flavors, from the prestigious arts of dance and song to the fake fighting in ring and magic shows and all things in between. Talent was a wonderful thing to have but even better to share the fruits of it with others. At least, thats what her parents always told her and she believed they were right about everything but the best flavor of ice cream. Everypony knew the best flavor was rocky road and everything else was heresy time! With that said, she was enamored with his magical show. He detached his shadow used it to catch the shadow of his hat in place. Muziki immediately knew what this meant! She clopped her hooves together. “Ooh! Oooh! You are, umm, Witch Doctor!” She nodded happily, then turned to Crystal. “From shadow to light and hoof to heart/In the art of healing, he plays his part. With herbs and chants, he mends the weak/A touch of kindness, for those who seek. In the depths of night, his work begins/A dance with nature, free of sins. He whispers wisdom, old and smart/From shadow to light and hoof to heart. They are like, umm, if he is Path of Mirror? Reflectioning? That is, umm, like Pony Psychology. But magical!”

She was very happy to hear that it did not rain crystals. While that certainly would have made for a very fun bout of souvenir collecting, she doubted her noggin could take the beating without her going all cattywampus. If that was true, then where did all the crystals come from? Did they grow like leaves, or did you have to plant them? Were there special crystals seeds that the crystal ponies used to grow crystal trees? She assumed it was magical because everything in Equestria was magical. Even the water you purchased at the market, it was super magical! The stallions in white and blue stripes back in Las Pegasus had sold her super magical water for a lot of bits! It tasted like really good water, but she was sure that the water would make her super smart. “It is a very pretty city. It has so many crystals! I bet all you ponies up here, umm, I bet you’re super duper tired of them, right?” She said as she skipped along. “Oh! Princess Mi Amore- I saw, I saw her daughter and her husband back in Las Pegasus. We were buying candy and I was the big candy winner and that made me so happy, and the little Princess was nice but I think I super impressive her with my big candy winning! And her father, he seemed very excitable about this mare there, and also I think the princess wanted my candy,” she said in a stream of conscious as she followed the Crystal. As she did so however, Mr. Kabra'za said something that made her puzzled. She gave it some deep, deep thought before she asked. “What’s a parking ticket? Do you, umm, is it like a prize? They don’t give us prizes like that. We head to, we head behind the tavern near the woods with cart. Hey Mr. Kabra'za, umm, do you keep mask ya salamu in your cart like we do?”