The Last Sparks

Chapter 5

Princess Mi Amoré Cadenza

Verein, Jump, Thomas, and Laughy had just arrived in the Crystal Empire.
"Okay, Thomas, Laughy, you know what to do." Verein said.
"Yes, ma'am." Laughy said.

They blew their trumpets and introduced Verein and Prince Jump, soon after running off. Verein and Jump were then greeted by Jump's Cousin, her daughter, and Brother in Law... Princesses Cadence and Skylla, and Prince Shining Armor.
"Hello, I am Princess Mi Amoré Cadenza, this is my daughter, Skylla, and my husband, Prince Shining Armor, and we give our warm welcome to the FA-HABULOUS CRYSTAL EMPIRE!!" Princess Cadence said.
"It's such an honor to meet you. Now I am here to meet with your ambassadors about trading with you." Verein said.
"... Oh. My ambassadors... yeah. I don't think we have any, so..." Princess Cadence said.
"Your kidding, right? Ugh." Verein said.
"I'm sorry, is there anything wrong?"
"HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO TRADE WITH A COUNTRY WITHOUT AN EMBASSY?!?"
"Well, ... I think I'm the only ambassador, actually. I was a member of the embassies before the FA-HABULOUS CRYSTAL EMPIRE returned."
"Okay. I guess we could talk about it. I do see you have ports, so there must be some sort organization around that takes care of that."
"We have a World Trade Center in the castle."
"What?" Verein said before walking off laughing, right before Jump walked out of the train.

The trio looked at Jump, and Jump, exhausted from Verein yelling at him, looked at them with an expression of exhaustion and regret.
"Hello, we don't have all day. C'mon!" Verein said.

Cadence trotted over to Verein after kissing her husband and child goodbye.
"Now, I am Queen Verein. I am here to discuss trading with th-"
"The FA-HABULOUS CRYSTA-"

Verein crammed her hoof into Cadence's mouth.
"Don't. Anyway, I need some materials for reconstruction in the Ponyville Republic. About a year ago, there was an attack, and some structures still haven't been rebuilt. Listen, both nations have an enormously bright future ahead of them, and without your help, we may go through a dark age."
"Oh, don't worry. We've got it handled. Though, it may take a little bit of time to actually get the materials to you."
"I've got another question."
"Yes?"
"Is Cadence a nickname, or your real name?
"Well, I feel comfortable with Cadence, but my full name is Princess Mi Amoré Cadenza."
"Don't ever use a nickname. Ponies don't respect you."
"Hm. Do you have any plans for tonight?"
"No, why?"
"Because I would like to invite you to dinner."
"Okay. Shall we meet in one of the fanciest restaurants in Town Center?"
"Actually, I was thinking about in our castle."
"Alright, that sounds just fine."
"Arrive at about 6:45. Dinner should be ready 7:00."

They continued to talk for about another hour, then Verein went back to her hotel room. Jump and Shining Armor were talking about the last week before... gunshots. The two and Skylla ran away, trying to avoid the shots being fired everywhere they looked. One just nearly clipped Shining Armor's left ear. They kept running until they could no longer heard the fires of the rifle. They calmed down after a minute and continued to talk.
"So, I've been wondering, Jump, how did you end up with her? Who is she, anyway?" Shining Armor asked.
"She is Queen Verein... as of next week, ... she'll be my wife." Jump said.
"So, you broke up with Twilight?" Shining Armor asked.
"No. I can't get a hold of Twilight. I need you to tell her that I am with Verein, and that she's been blocking out radio transmissions to Ponyville City." Jump said.

Shining gave the okay and the two and Skylla walked back to the castle. When they reached the castle they washed their hands and sat down to eat. Everypony heard yelling behind the doors which led into the kitchen. Then, a chef brought out large bowls of soup, and glasses of wine to everyone. The fighting got even more intense once they brought out the bowls. They began to eat without any disturbances, when finally, they said their goodbyes, and Jump and Verein left.

The next day, newspapers all over Ponyville read 'Princess Cadence in hospital; Critical Condition.' When Jump went downstairs for breakfast, he saw a crowd of ponies gathered around a newspaper, cheering. He walked up to them and looked at the newspaper and thought 'Why the hell are these ponies cheering?' Then, Verein walked in. She looked at the newspaper, after shoving everypony out of the way, rubbed her eyes, and walked out.

She asked Jump, Thomas, Laughy, and Discord to go with her to the Crystal Empire. On the ride there, Jump saw a familiar face of a certain pony... Rarity. She was pushing a food cart to the front of the train when the train slammed to a stop at the train station in the Crystal Empire. Food spilled everywhere, and Rarity was kind of stuck cleaning it up. Luckily while the others walked the other direction, Jump walked towards her and helped her clean things up.

Rarity was on the ground picking up some napkins, when she realised a unicorn's hazel glow around them. She looked up to see the majestic blue alicorn standing above her.
"Jump? Is-is that you?" She asked.
"Heh, yes it's me, friend." Jump said. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, I was looking for a job when I found an opening for a designer. But, I was fooled and got stuck with a job as janitor. They're thinking about getting rid of this and replacing it with a diesel engine and firing everypony on the staff except the conductors. But, it pays a lot, so I'm happy." Rarity said.
"Hm. Well, better go before I get yelled at again." He said.

With all friendship in check, Rarity and Jump said goodbye to each other. Little did Rarity know what was going to happen in the weeks to follow, such as the marriage between Verein and Jump. All she knew was that Jump was okay.