Cadance The Crystal Princess

Three hours later

It had been three hours since the group arrived to Canterlot from the Crystal Empire and across the world. Preparation of the second Friendship Festival were underway after the Storm King 's invasion had ruined the first one.

At the Canterlot Square, a group of ponies and creatures were setting up the festival, with Starlight Glimmer overseeing the preparation while holding a checkbox paper and a quill as Twilight had to go to Canterlot castle to tell Amore and her daughter that the festival will be ready soon.

Mallow Sear and Ocellus were assisting Rarity and Spike with decorating the stage for Songbird Serenade's performance. The area sparkled with ornaments and trinkets, meticulously placed to create a dazzling backdrop.

"How's it coming along, Miss Rarity?" The young changeling asked, holding up a string of sparkling gems.

"Splendidly, my dear! These decorations will make the stage shine like never before," Rarity replied, her horn glowing as she placed the gems with precision.

Mallow Sear and Spike were busy arranging the ornaments and trinkets, their teamwork seamless. "I think this spot could use a bit more sparkle." The crystal kirin suggested, placing a shimmering ornament.

"Good idea!" Spike said, adding another trinket to complement it.

In one of the stand, Applejack and Yona were working hard, making and serving apple cider to everyone. "Here ya go, partner," Applejack said, handing a mug to a passing pony.

"Yona happy to help!" The yak added, carrying a tray of ciders with ease.

Near the stage, Fluttershy and Sandbar were positioning the rehearsed birds on the stage. "Just a little to the left, Mr. Robin." Fluttershy gently guided the blue bird.

"Perfect! They're going to sound amazing!" Sandbar said, admiring their work.

Pinkie Pie, Silverstream, Princess Skystar, Gabby, and Autumn Blaze were in a flurry of laughter and creativity, making balloon animals of all shapes and sizes.

"Look at this one! It's a dragon!" Silverstream exclaimed, holding up a balloon dragon.

"That's awesome! Check out my kirin!" The cheerful kirin replied, showing off her creation.

Meanwhile in the sky, Rainbow Dash, Smolder, Gilda, and Gallus were busy clearing the skies, making sure the weather was perfect for the festival.

"Clear skies, just as planned!" Rainbow Dash cheered, zipping through a cloud.

"We're doing great! This festival is going to be awesome," Gallus said, high-fiving Smolder.

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Within Canterlot castle's strategy room, Queen Seraphine, King Thorax, Pharynx, King Fire Blaze, Queen Rain Shine, Thunderhoof, Au Hasard, Prince Shining Armor, Solar Captain Crimson Chaser, Lunar Captain Night Shadow, Commander Hurricane and Starswirl were discussing with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. They were talking about mixing the Royal Guards and the Elite Royal Guards stationed in Canterlot with some of the guards from the leaders of various races for the festival and increasing the defences and presences of guards.

"The Storm King will be back once he finished regaining his strength when the Friendship Festival starts, and when he does, he will resume his plan of stealing you, your sisters, Princess Cadance and Princess Twilight Sparkle's magic to fulfil his plan. This festival will be opportunity for him to strike since you four princesses are here." The changeling queen said to the royal sisters.

"Queen Seraphine's right." The dark cyan changeling added. "From what you told us, he has dark orbs that can turned you, your sister and the two princesses into dark crystal statues." The green changeling nodded his head.

The solar princess and the lunar princess shuttered at what Pharynx said as they remembered how it was like when they were the first to be hit by the orbs threw by Tempest Shadow.

"The Crystal Imperial guards will be joining forces with the Royal Guards and the Elite Royal Guards for the festival as a precaution of Storm King's attack, along with the guards from changelings, yaks, dragons, hippogriffs and kirins." The commander stated.

"Do you think it is enough? The Storm King's soldiers are big and strong that they can overthrow the Royal Guards with ease." The solar captain voiced his concern.

The lunar captain nodded his head in agreement with his solar counterpart. "I agree with Crimson. Those soldiers are like Minotaurs, but more formidable."

"Yak's guards are capable of knocking those soldiers down, allowing the rest of guards to detain them. Would that work?" The yak voiced his suggestion.

The King of the Kirins stroked his chin with his hoof. "That could work. My sister's guards and mine can turn into Niriks and provide fire support." The Queen of the kirins smiled at her brother's idea while nodding her head.

"We could supply the Royal Guards and the ERGs with some of our spears and leftover arrows stationed at Canterlot. The spears the Crystal Imperial guards use can fire a precise bolt of magic before requiring a brief recharge while the arrows the Crystal Imperial archers use are tipped with explosive magic which can decimate any adversary with a single strike." Hasard suggested while explaining the weapons to the royal sisters.

"That's a good idea. Those weapons could help the guards out." The Prince replied with a smile.

"The Pillars and I will also be here. While me, Mistmane, Rockhoof and Meadowbrook stayed on the ground for his soldiers, Flash and Somnambula will take care of any Storm King's airships." The bearded unicorn said.

Celestia and Luna glanced around the ponies and creatures.

"All those ideas could work. If the Storm King and his army does attacks again during the second Friendship Festival, the civilians must be evacuated to the nearest shelter while your guards and ours will handle his soldiers." The solar princess addressed everyone in the room before turning her head to her sister.

"Luna, how are the search for Storm King's stronghold?" Celestia asked.

The lunar princess shook her head. "Not good. The recon teams we sent to find his stronghold have been unsuccessful. Not to mention, one of the team hasn't returned."

Both the captains and Celestia grimaced at the news.

The solar princess turned to Captain Crimson. "And what about Storm King's lieutenant, Tempest Shadow? Has she given up information?"

"No, she hasn't." The solar captain sighed. "She's not willing to give us any information of Storm King. Said that she would rather rot in a cell than betray him."

The room fell into a tense silence as everyone exchanged worried glances.

"I see..." Celestia rubbed her forehead. "Then we may need to prepare for anything. Thank you all for your cooperation and dedication." She addressed the group once more with a smile, Luna nodding her head as she too smiled.

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Princess Amore and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza walked through the hallways of Canterlot, with the Princess of Love and her mother talking to each other.

"Mother, I never got the chance to thank you properly for everything." Cadance said, her eyes shimmering with gratitude.

"There's no need to thank me, Cadance. You have become a wonderful ruler and mother in your own right." Princess Amore replied, smiling warmly.

The Princess of Love blushed at the praise from her mother.

But before she could thanked her mother again, a voice called out to her. "Cadance!"

Cadance turned and smile at the sight of her sister-in-law galloping toward her.

Knowing what was going to happen, she readied herself.

"Sunshine sunshine ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!” Both mares sang while doing the dance to go with it, at the end they both broke down into a fit of giggles and hugged each other.

"What are you doing here, Twilight? I thought you are overseeing the Friendship Festival's preparation?" She asked.

Twilight giggled. "Starlight is overseeing the preparation for the moment. I just came here to tell you, your mother and the others that the festival will be ready soon."

Amore watched the scene with a tender smile as the sister-in-laws talked to each other.

After they had talked, they both looked at Amore, to which she asked. "So, what's that dance you did with Twilight, Cadenza?"

The Princess of Friendship's eyes sparkled as she turned to Amore. "Oh, it's a little chant and dance Cadance and I made up when I was just a filly. It was our special greeting."

The Princess of Love nodded, still smiling. "It became our tradition. Every time we see each other, we do it. It's our way of reconnecting."

Amore chuckled softly. "It's lovely. You two share a beautiful bond."

Twilight beamed. "Thank you, Princess Amore. Cadance has always been like a big sister to me."

"And Twilight has always been my special little sister," Cadance added, giving her sister-in-law a gentle nuzzle.

Amore smiled. "I can see why Shining Armor is so happy to have you as his wife as a pretty and beautiful mare."

The Princess of Love's face turned bright red as she stuttered. "M-mom!"

Both mares both giggled at Cadance's flustered state.

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Sky Beak strolled through another hallway of Canterlot Castle towards one of the sleeping quarters, where he knew that his brother, King Crestwing, and his sister-in-law, Queen Novo, would be there talking to each other in private. After what he heard from the beach from Novo, he decided to convince her to open relationship with Equestria and get help from them.

Sure enough, he overheard arguing from his brother and his sister-in-law behind the door of the sleeping quarter. Sky Beak stood by behind the door to listen in.

"Novo, I understand protecting our kingdom is important. But outright refusing to help the ponies out when the Storm King first invaded and taken Canterlot, that isn't you." Crestwing glared at his wife.

“Crestwing, you don’t understand. Our kingdom were forced to hide to Seaquestria after his last attack on Mount Aris when we lost you. I can’t risk our people being exposed or the Pearl of Transformation being taken by him. If he turns his attention back to us, it could mean the end of Seaquestria.” Novo countered.

The king of hippogriff pinched the bridge of his nose, his face softening a bit while sighing. "Novo honey, I know you're trying to protect everyone, but isolation isn't the answer. We need allies, especially now with the Storm King still a threat."

"I know... I just... I don't want to lose anyone else, Crestwing. Not after what happened last time." The queen's voice softened.

Crestwing's voice remained firm, yet tinged with a softness. "Novo, we can't keep hiding. Our people need more than just safety; they need hope, allies, a future."

Novo's eyes flashed with determination. "You think I don’t know that? Every decision I’ve made has been to protect our kingdom, our people. The Pearl of Transformation is our lifeline. If it falls into the Storm King's hands, we’re finished."

The king of the hippogriff took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure. "But by isolating ourselves, we’re only prolonging the inevitable. We need to stand with the ponies, show the Storm King that we’re not afraid, that we can fight back. If we had helped them during his first invasion, things might have turned out differently. Novo, you and the hippogriffs in Seaquestria need help. Equestria will help us."

"Sky beak made the same suggestion." The queen sighed.

"That’s because it’s a good suggestion." Sky Beak finally made his presence known. "You should listen to us, Novo. It's not too late."

Novo stared down at the floor a few minutes, before nodding her head slowly as determination returned to her eyes. "Alright. I’ll do it."

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A few miles from Canterlot, the remnants of the last recon team lay scattered. The final pony, battered and exhausted unicorn, made a desperate attempt to escape. His breath came in ragged gasps as he stumbled through the underbrush, but his efforts were in vain. A large, clawed hand reached out, grabbing him by the neck and lifting him off the ground.

The pony's eyes widened in terror as he looked into the cold, unfeeling eyes of one of the Storm King's soldiers. The soldier's grip tightened, and with a final, brutal twist, the life drained from the pony's body. The soldier dropped the lifeless form to the ground and turned back to his comrades.

In a nearby clearing, the Storm King stood tall, flanked by his three generals, while airships bearing the flags of the Storm Realm loomed overhead. He turned his head toward his generals, his eyes gleamed as he surveyed them who were ready for another assault on Canterlot.

"Report." He asked the three generals with a deep, menacing voice.

The first general stepped forward, saluting before relaxing. "Our soldiers are now fully reinforced and are ready to fight."

The Storm King nodded approvingly. "Good. And with the element of surprise on our side, we will strike when they least expect it. The second Friendship Festival will be the perfect opportunity. All the princesses will be there, and with them, their magic."

The second general looked down in shame. "We don't have enough materials to make more Obsidian Orbs, my King. We would be able to turn them into crystal statues, so taking their magic for your staff will be difficult. We also have scouts reporting that there will be a lot of those crystal creatures and guards in the festival."

"I see..." The king said.

The third general spoke up. "And what of Tempest Shadow, my King?"

The Storm King's expression darkened. "Tempest Shadow has failed us by not getting the last two princesses before we were forced to retreat. Leave her to her fate."

The three generals nodded, their faces grim. The Storm King turned his gaze back to his generals, raising his Staff of Sacanas high. "Prepare for the invasion! We march on Canterlot at dawn. This time, the invasion will not fail!"

The generals saluted and began to order the army to move as they prepared themselves to march toward Canterlot.

Unbeknownst to them, an injured pegasus stallion, Private Dark Meadow, was hiding in a nearby bush, having able to escape his recon team's death at the hands of the Storm King's soldiers, and had heard the entire conversation as he watched the army marched.

The pegasus waited until the army disappeared before weakly walking out of his hiding place. He surveyed the surrounding area for any sign of the army's soldiers before flaring out his wings and took to the sky toward Canterlot to warn the princesses about the incoming army.