“I see, and I assume we need only bow to this Lord Anarchy you mentioned before, and we need abandon our current way of life to be a part of this empire you say fears us and wishes for our replacement.” At her words, her fellow Alicorn stood to her sides wings unfurled and any perceived weakness erased from their minds. No doubt you intend to exploit our little ponies-”

“Not in the least.”

That took a bit of wind from Celestia's sales but she stood resolute nonetheless.

Kunai’s eyes traced the wings “I always found it fascinating that no matter how advanced a species be it Phoenix, Hippogriff or Alicorn, creatures with wings instinctually extend them to seem larger when agitated.”

That comment made Twilight self-conscious enough to droop her wings significantly but re-extend them when she noted Celestia and Luna still stood unwavering. With Celestia's silence Kunai continued.

“The U.N.A.O is not an empire, nor does it require its members to be beholden to any central leader. Rather, members are beholden to the standards of the organization and each member retains the right to manage their holdings as they see fit. And while there are laws and regulations that all members are expected to adhere to, those were voted in and can be revised or modified whether overall or to fit the situation of individual members with extenuating circumstances. The U.N.A.O as a whole selects its agents from a pool of the most qualified of individuals put forward by each country. They have the authority to investigate any member suspected of breaking the aforementioned laws and regulations as well as providing aide in a number of circumstances. Additionally, you will find that large issues affecting the U.N.A.O as a whole are voted on by all its members. There will be changes you are expected to make, I can tell you that with absolute certainty. One of the aforementioned laws is geared expressly toward second class citizens and forbids members facilitating or otherwise allowing such situations to develop. That would be your biggest concern. Should you join their will also be agents reviewing all your active laws, primarily to filter out laws that facilitate certain atrocities but go ignored but still active in the law books of nations that have a long and varied history. You will be required to repeal or abolish these laws. If you so wish I can provide you all the necessary documents you will need to be up-to-date on the philosophy of the U.N.A.O and its workings, in addition to the powers agents of the U.N.A.O can Exercise. I think you will find we are not an evil organization bent on world domination.” Not in the way you are used to at least.

Celestia had tucked her wings back to her side by this point and was giving Kunai a contemplative look.

“Twilight explained to me the nature of this document.” She tapped the magically binding contract with a gold clad hoof. “Would it be possible to add my own set of fail safes to its current enchantment?”

“Yes, you can, I assume you want to modify the document in such a way as to ensure I am not attempting to deceive you.”

Celestia's steely gaze never left Kunai’s “Indeed, I outlawed such magic many years ago. But seeing as should what you say be true the wellbeing of my family and nation are at risk, I am willing to employ such magic to ensure their security.” Twilight was fidgeting incessantly and Luna had abandoned her attempts to stare down the sitting Gardevoir and turned her eyes to her sister.

Nodding Kunai watched as Celestia’s horn blaze golden as the room temperature rose several degrees before the light died down. Silently the AC worked feverishly to push cool fresh air into the room as a lime green cube of magic shot through with swirls of black floated above the tip of her horn. Leaning forward Celestia touched her horn to the glass like paper and the cube came to rest on the paper before resolving and sunk into it tinting it a sinister red before it faded to its original coloration. Instantly Celestia drew a quill from the ether. And made to sign the contract.

“You will need to focus your magic into the paper for it to work properly.”

Celestia paused and turned to Twilight expecting her to continue, before looking to Kunai.

“That is not where it ends but that is all that is required of you.” Kunai stated.

Celestia looked down at Twilight's signature. Below which she was about to sign. She had already received a report from Twilight detailing what she had observed of her guests, including the full explanation of how the magical contract worked, or at least how they said it worked. In addition to a list of pros and cons of signing in addition to the side effects Twilight experience and her reasoning for not pushing for a less intrusive form of contract. While Celestia couldn't completely agree with all of Twilight's reasoning it was too late for it to make a difference. If she refused to sign she would have to overrule Twilight's decision in front of foreign delegates. Had they been representing only their country she would likely refuse to sign this agreement. That was no longer an option, they were supposedly connected to though not currently officially representing a powerful group of countries that’s still growing. Questions were raised as to twilight and Cadance absence during the attempts at negotiation in Canterlot. She had explained that they were busy governing their own responsibilities. Cadence undoubtedly was but one could argue Twilight's pursuits at the time were negligible. Sending them to her was not expected to yield these results. Now Celestia was cornered between rejecting Twilight’s decision and risk her country looking fractured and easily divided at its highest levels and signing a document that would leave her with half her magic should she deviate from the agreement in anyway. At this point she had no real choice but to honor this agreement to the fullest, and her enchantment would ensure Equestria’s benefit in the long run, among other things. Celestia quickly scribed her signature glowing gold. She passed the document to Luna and the process was repeated with a blue hue. Lastly was Lady Kunai. She placed the document on the table before them and manifested a pen before signing in a line of symbols that radiated a baby blue light that was uncomfortable to look at. The document then illuminated and several other signatures inscribed themselves, three others in similar string of strange symbols, one a faint blue, one a brilliant amber and the other in Vanta black ink.

Noticing the interested stares and sensing a wave of confusion and anger from Celestia in particular Kunai took it upon herself to provide exposition. She then thought better of it and handed the document to Celestia who snatched it a bit more viciously than intended.
Examining the signatures, she noted the added text.

Princess Twilight Sparkle

Princess Celestia

Princess Luna

Lady Kunai Representative of The StormFront Islands And its territories.

Leccy Penumbra Representative of The StormFront Islands And its territories.

Michelle Crescent Representative of The StormFront Islands And its territories.

Deathly Belladonna Representative of The StormFront Islands And its territories.

Each of their signatures were comprised of their magic and Celestia could feel something holding fast not to her magical stores but rooting itself into her magical source. As twilight described it held similarities to the sensation of Tirek’s magic stealing abilities. This document was comprised of truly vile magic. The next sensation was a dark magic she employed seeping into her mind, centuries of discipline were the reason Celestia withheld her outward reaction. Luna’s only tell was a widening of her eyes while Twilight audibly gasped and shivered.

“It seems the spell you applied is taking effect.” Kunai stated.

“Indeed, it is” replied Celestia. ‘But this is not how it is supposed to work!’ She thought, ‘What did this creature do, no pony should be able to manipulate that spell but me.’

Kunai smiled and clapped her hands once. “Now, since that bit if business is complete, Princess Twilight Sparkle Miss Belladonnas informed me that you wish to establish an equestrian embassy in StormFront. At her name twilight sat at attention staring at Kunai for a moment before looking to Celestia who was combing through the document. Tilting her head slightly Kunai continued. However, I'm sure you would like time to work on any other details and confer with your fellow princess.” Holding out her hand a glossy white box appeared and floated over to Twilight. You can use this to communicate with us at any time. Materializing a card Kunai presented it to Twilight. “Here is our contact information if you are still interested feel free to contact any of us at any time, the box should contain a manual and some other useful information.” Kunai panned her eyes across the Princesses.

Locking eyes with Kunai Celestia nodded once. “There is another matter of concern. Since there is no timeline or deadline on our signed agreement,” (Twilight’s ears folded back as she adopted an expression of shocked shame.) “I think it prudent to ask when can we expect to receive the promised reparations.”

“Deliveries will begin in 3 to five business days, though I do not expect them to start showing up until about three weeks afterwards, there is quite some distance to be covered. However, there is another way to claim your reparations should you be interested.”

“I think we would prefer thine promised reparations rather than any alternatives.”

“While I agree with my sister I believe it would be wise to at least hear your suggestions.”

“Very well, Equestria does not currently have any ports that can accommodate any of the vessels that would be employed to transport any of your cargo. As a result, once our vessels enter equestrian waters several of your own vessels will need to be employed to transport the cargo from our vessels to your mainland. However, our vessels are not compatible with yours for easy midwater transfer of cargo. As a result, I have decided to give you the option of purchasing any other product tax-free for the equivalent value of your reparations, be it ships, equipment, vehicles or other finished or unfinished products or services. The value you get for your reparations would be subject to inflation, and the tax-free aspect only applies to things bought from StormFront, Nihon, Create, Acheron and any of their colonies. You may ‘spend' any amount of reparations you choose and collect the rest as you see fit.”

“An interesting offer, will it remain open?”

“My offer applies to any portion of your reparations that has yet to arrive at our ports and is no longer valid for any portion of your reparations that are at or are exiting our ports. Additionally, any of you or anyone you give written consent can put it in effect at any time assuming you are in any country that is a member of the U.N.A.O. Otherwise, it will require signed permission from all of you. I should also note that the U.N.A.O primarily uses magical signatures to verify official documents whether the document is enchanted or not. It is the most secure method since magical signatures are particularly difficult to forge. Not impossible mind you, but non-magical signatures do not provide the same level of security.”

Celestia raised a brow, “I see, that is reasonable, if a bit more involved than expected, very well.”

♫♥♠♦♣♫

The meeting had ended hours ago. Staring at the city through the hospital window, Twilight was thinking. She had a lot of thinking to do, Equestria had been her entire world but, the past few days suggested the world was bigger than she could have imagined. Ponies aren’t explorers by nature, they never were, she would freely admit this. Even so, the thought that there are hundreds of countries out there no pony knew about just couldn’t be reconciled in her mind, a dozen? Sure, twice that would feel like a stretch, but hundreds!? The answer is simple, she never thought about it. The thought brought about the image of a blind earth pony sitting at the grand dining hall in Canterlot castle with only hay and alfalfa in hoofs reach, and telling the Pegasus beside him that the rest of the table is covered in the same thing, while unbeknownst to him, said Pegasus is eyeing the barley and bracken fern fried rice that’s being waiting patiently two seats down. She should know that people like Zecora had to have come from somewhere but... Zecora, what are the chances she knew anything about stormfront. The only thing Twilight really knew about where she came from is that it's a really far away country. She never had that much interest in Zecora’s home country. Griffinstone had set a negative president for foreign countries in her mind. But a lot of digging after finding inconclusive information about Griffinstone led her to the discovery that it was built on equestrian land, or at least land claimed by Equestria thousands of years ago that went unused because Equestria didn't have the population to occupy it. Was there a country of donkeys out there somewhere? A country of Minotaur’s like iron will? Does that mean Cantors like Tirek still exist in huge cities somewhere out there, Twilight shivered at the thought of a city of magic stealing Centaurs. Lady Kunai said there were other creatures like her out there, and she had managed to easily put discord in the Hospital and without using her strange magic at that. She needed more information. If what Lady Kunai said was true it stands to reason that some of these creatures didn't think very highly of Princess Celestia and Luna and by extension Equestria. And she was an agent of someone called Lord Anarchy who is presumably stronger than her. Belladonna… Twilight's mind flashed back to memories of mutilation, and blood. She clenched her eyes shut and took deep breaths. Belladonna mentioned other Alicorns and ageless beings, were there more Draconequus out there too? Lady Kunai must know a lot about them considering the things she said. Does that mean Lord Anarchy is a Draconequus? There were so many questions. ‘That meeting made it feel like Equestria had dozens of enemies waiting to take advantage of any slip up’. She looked down at the glossy white cardboard box she was given, removing the lid she took note of several books one was an instruction manual for something named a phone, another was the promised book of foreign customs there was also a paperback titled (The life of the U.N.A.O). The manual was the size of a journal while the other books were thicker than her hoof. There was a smaller box inside grasping it in her magical aura she

“Twilight!”

“GAH.” and flung the box into the air, scrambling to catch it she clutched it to her chest and turned to Starlight.

“Starlight! What is it.”

At the sight of her Starlight sighed. “I was worried about you, you just disappeared, everypony’s looking for you”.

“Twilight turned her eyes down I’m sorry I just…”

Starlight turned to the other side of the room. “Don't worry Twilight it’s Discord, he'll be alright. Right Fluttershy!?”

Having been Freshly startled awake Fluttershy levelled a glare that made Starlight recoil. “This is a hospital, keep your voice down.” She Turned back to Discord, he was in a full-body cast and Fluttershy was trying not to squeeze too hard while clutching his paw between her hooves.

It just wasn't right, discord was always practically bursting with life and couldn't stay still for anything. ‘It just isn't right for him to be so still, it just wasn't right’.

Starlight lowered her ears and Fluttershy turned back to Discord. “How is he”?

At the question, Fluttershy looked back to starlight with an expression of despair before turning her eyes to the rooms Heart monitor. When starlight turned her eyes to it, the sound of a flatline moved up from background noise and became all but deafening in her ears. Mouth opening in horror and face contorting to anguished disbelief Fluttershy quickly corrected her. “It doesn't work on him, we have no way of knowing his condition, but the nurses left it on because none of the doctors know what to do. The princesses are just as clueless. They set his broken bones and took care of his wounds, but they can't use healing magic to do anything, they can’t even reduce his pain or wake him up because they don't know enough about him. It wouldn't be safe, it could make things worse”.

♫♥♠♦♣♫

Kunai made her way to the medical bay; the Yacht had left the port for open waters hours ago and all that time was spent explaining their current position to the office. She wasn't surprised that several member countries of the U.N.A.O. were concerned that her presentation was too aggressive, while the rest of them thinks she should have taken the opportunity to kill Discord to make any future campaign easier. There was a myriad of beings represented in the room. From Donkeys and Deer to Kiren and Dragons, and several others. The person who really caught her interest was Lord Anarchy, she honestly didn't expect him to be there. Seated on his right was an elderly Sheep and middle-aged Griffon. The Tyrant and prime minister of StormFront respectively. On his left was a Kirin, distinct with two antlers decorated with white Blossoms and a single horn sprouting forth from her forehead and a Sphinx adorn in gold jewellery. The representative of Nihon and ambassadors of Acheron respectively. Equestria would be left alone, at least until after the reparations were delivered until then no further actions would be taken. When she got back that would officially no longer be her concern.

I didn't expect to see you in the political scene again.

Salina, Hawk, and Mash had been trying to convince me to attend, but Thalassemia wanted to see a Kirin, that's ultimately why I decided too.

Did she say anything?

She asked about Thalassemia

No doubt surprised to find you had another agent.

Not particularly, she did give me one of those ‘you-bastard-you're-the-scum-of-the-earth’ looks though. then she invited Thalassemia for a visit to her palace.

And we all know where this is going.

Yea, Let’s hope this doesn't go badly.

So, what are you up too now?

I'm on my way to the marina, and guess who’s with me.

Thalassemia?

Well, yes, but she isn’t the one I was talking about. Hayami decided to join us. She wants to meet Pandora, she and Thalassemia have been conversing the entire trip.

She talks to me about as much as she talks to you, why the interest in Thalassemia.

Either they are trying to get closer to us or she’s trying to save Thalassemia which is harder to address, I usually can’t hate someone when there sincerely trying to do the right thing. We'll find out I guess. So, how's pandora doing?

I'm about to find out.

Kunai received the occasional greetings and salutes on her way, when she finally arrived she found the Draconequus in question struggling to stand.

Her magic is probably stagnating, painfully at that.

If she’s anything like her father, then being around chaotic natural energies will help a bit. I’ll take her out on the deck after we've been ported, Zyanya will help with that.

[“I would advise against that.”]

Pandora's head snapped to kunai, or they would have if she didn't lose her balance and stumble into the wall before falling onto her back. She turned to give kunai a glare while pulling herself up to sit on the bed, whatever awkwardness she had has apparently evaporated. Pandora seemed to take a small amount of comfort in her presence, it didn't hurt that she was genuinely curious about her. Most of their friends from that dimension had not been in contact with them for centuries, she would have at least expected a heads up before one of there so far unknown children showed up on their planet. They would just have to contact her father when she was on her feet again.

Great, She seems like the special kind of stubborn that doesn't abate until she breaks something.

[“We will be in StormFront in a few hours. The ship is about to be ported to another location and I wanted to check on you before we did so. Are you feeling any worse”?]

“[Yea, I feel weak, light-headed, dizzy and if I stay still for too long my body starts to go stiff.”]

[“There should be something that can help a bit.”] Moving over to a medicine cabinet kunai searched around for a bit before removing a small bottle. She emptied the bottle's content onto a metal tray and separated the small crimson tablets into five groups of twelve and presented the first dozen to Pandora. [Eat these.”]

Pandora spent a second examining the tablets.

[“They are magical stimulants, they will keep your magic flowing without worsening your condition.”]

Glancing at Kunai she took the first dozen in her paw and brought it to her open mouth. The tablets seemed to disintegrate while floating into her open mouth.

[“any improvement?”]

[“I'm still a bit light-headed but the pain and dizziness are receding.”]

[“Good, the pain will flare on occasion but your weakness will get a bit better every time it recedes.”]

[“Thank you.”] she looked to the medicine cabinet.

[“Would you like to go up onto to the deck when we're further away, it is likely to improve your condition somewhat.”]

[“Sure.”]

[“We will be porting closer to StormFront. In a minute, I expect we will reach the deck after that. Can you walk?”]

Pulling herself off the bed Pandora passed Kunai for the door with minimal staggering.

[“You're lucky to be alive”]

[“I said I don't want to talk about it.”]

[“Knowing how you got like this will make helping you significantly easier, different types of Matrice poisoning require different treatments and I'm going to find out eventually. Either that or you die while I am trying to figure it out.”]

{“...”]

{“...”]

{“...”]

Yep, stubborn.

How tedious.

Kunai shrugged [“Ok.”]

Approaching the upper deck there was a momentary feeling of weightlessness, followed by a sudden return of gravity.

Pandora Tensed [“We are approaching StormFront waters now.”] Stepping onto the deck the sky was overcast and off in the distance a Tempest raged from one end of the horizon to the other and seemed to climb to the top of the sky. ‘[“Do you feel any better”?]

Pandora took a deep breath of the wild energies in the atmosphere. [“Yea, that’s a lot better.”] she took the opportunity to explore the decks of the ship while kunai moved to the railing. Eventually she found her way back to Kunai [“Are we sailing into that storm?”]

[“Yes, Stormfront is at the centre.”] A light rain started to pick up. Kunai held up a hand bathed in Psychic energy. [“If you like I could keep the rain off you.”] Pandora nodded her assent and a thin barrier encased her body. The creatures on the deck produced a similar effect for themselves with the exception of those in armour. They allowed the rain to patter off the dull covering as the rain and wind steadily picked up to a deafening crescendo. Pandora noticed most of the crew making their way to the railing she had no clue there were so many species onboard, Sheep like creatures were the most common but there were Zebra, Ponies, Parrots, Minotaur, Deer, and some kind of bipedal Cat. All around the deck crewmembers loiter at the railing. notably, the space around her and kunai was uncrowded for about three meters.

Instead of sailing directly for the centre of the storm the vessel started to pick up speed and entered at an angle. Sailing with the current and wind for hours the vessel was blindsided by rogue waves dozens of times, the smallest of which was at least twenty four meters. Each time the ship was swallowed a streamline transparent shield shimmered in and out of visibility. When inside of a wave the looking over the railings would yield a view of a black abyss hinting at an immense shape moving beneath, the sight was enthralling. Several cries went up, some of the crew were scrambling beneath the deck, others were less panicked and doing a brisk walk, but more still were either laughing staring into the abyss or some combination of the two. Turning to see Kunai peering into the abyss she chose to do the same at every opportunity. Seemingly too soon the rogue waves stopped, a bit after that they were leaving the storm for the open ocean again and the overcast sky and rougher waters started to fade behind them. The sky's closer to the storm had huge shapes ascending from the ocean and flying spirals into the sky. [What are those?]

{Note: The ship in the image is not the one they are riding on. I do not own this image}

[“They are called Plasma Rays, their native to the islands and like most sea monsters are extremely magic resistant.”]

Eventually, they started to pass the occasional small island comprised of rocks and sand, with mangrove trees. Hours passed before mountains could be seen rising in the distance, and more yet before a coastal city was seen. The largest structure visible was an arch-shaped building soaring above all the others. It wasn't much to look at all things considered.

I do not own this image, karracaz does.

The rest of the island continent's coast was thick forest or mangroves with the occasional city on the coast. Off the coast were a plethora of smaller islands some with towns others with houses mansions and others with various marine farms and fishing towns. The sight was somewhat repetitive and remained that way until they reached the northern group of larger islands between the two inner island continents. The island they landed on was named Night Phoenix island and its soaring city of glass conveniently called Night Phenix City. The yacht pulled into a marina filled with various watercraft. The yacht pulled up to a pier long enough to admit a small crowd consisting of a Sphinx, several Sheep, a Griffin, a Draconequus, a Kirin, and a … tiny green tyrant lizard, and ornate one by the look of it. The Draconequus had his tail behind it, a pet loved like family then. Overlooking the rest, the last three commanded her attention.

The Kirin in question was a leafy green with a cream underside covered in the same scales as her cheeks back and shins. The top of her snout adorned the same scales serving to draw attention to her golden eyes. Her long hair was divided into an intricate bun in the back, bangs that left her eyes unobscured, and long side lox extending past her shoulders each held together by two golden beads. Her onyx hair was twice parted by two cream antlers crowning her head each with a golden band around their forward point. Her presence, power and aura were all hidden, most likely in an attempt to seem non-threatening but the potential surrounding her was palpable.

I do not own this image. it belongs to Faith-Wolff

Her eyes flashed from Draconequus to Kiren to the tyrant lizard constantly as her previous demeanour was slowly replaced with fear laced apprehension. When the vessel came to a full stop Kunai was the first to disembark. Unhesitant she walked up to the group and embraced the Draconequus Pandora's eyes kept bouncing off of. In the back of her mind, she wondered if he was being stabbed with the thing on her chest. Returning the embrace, he wrapped his tail around her legs. At that action, Pandora started altering her course to put as much of them as possible between her and the Kiren. Something said Kiren took note of since there was nothing between them for the time being.

Author's Note

My muse snuck up on me last night.
Comments tend to cause such things, strange that.