Cadance The Crystal Princess

Equestria, Friendship Express

The Friendship Express sped along the newly built tracks towards the destination. During the journey, the grass of Equestria would give way to sand and dunes of Bone Dry Desert. Through the windows, passengers could see small, bleached bones scattered across the sands, remnants of creatures that once roamed this unforgiving land as the Friendship Express travelled to a certain place where residents living there called it home.

Klugetown.

Once a lawless haven under the cruel reign of the Storm King, Klugetown had since transformed. Now a vibrant part of Equestria, the town boasted a colorful mix of species and cultures, its once-rotten buildings replaced with fresh, sturdy architecture. The residents, formerly terrorized and downtrodden, had found new hope and pride. It was thanks to the effort of the royal sisters, the Princess of Friendship and the Crystal Imperial, he was put down permanently.

After the Storm King's downfall, the town underwent a complete overhaul. Equestrian architects and builders, along with volunteers from across the nation, arrived to help rebuild. Streets that were once filled with thieves and swindlers had become bustling markets where goods from all over the world were traded. The citizens, once downtrodden and hopeless, now walked with pride, their businesses flourishing in the renewed prosperity of the town. The town was also now outfitted with an embassy which was built near the outskirt of Klugetown and train station to assist any Equestrians new to the town.

However, none of that was of particular concern to the group sitting in first class.

The first was Spike the dragon, who sat comfortable in his seat as he watched the sand dunes out of the window, an armful of scrolls beside him. Though still youthful, Spike had grown significantly since the days of Princess Twilight Sparkle’s wedding to Lieutenant Flash Sentry. He now stood taller than most fillies, though he remained a bit shorter than the average pony or his best friend, Princess of Friendship herself. Two small wings had sprouted from his back, granting him the ability to soar through the skies, though he still preferred the comfort of the train for this particular journey.

Across from him sat or stood several guards and two married couples.

One of the guards was Captain Tempest Shadow who stood near one of the windows of train with the other guards as protection. Princess Twilight Sparkle sat, a scroll and a quill in her magic, while Lieutenant Flash Sentry stood beside her, occasionally glancing back at his wife with a smile. The Princess of Friendship was busy looking through the scroll, too engrossed.

At least until the dragon spoke.

"So... how was the honeymoon?” Spike asked.

The lieutenant arched an eyebrow with a smirk at the dragon while Twilight blushed as she brought the scroll closer to her face. "An entire train journey and you only now ask?” Flash asked.

“Hey, I’ve been busy. You two may have had two weeks in Las Pegasus, but both me and Starlight had been taking care of the Castle of Friendship while teaching the others with friendships lesson at the School of Friendship." Spike pointed out.

"That still doesn’t explain the train journey.” The captain stated, turning away from the window to look at the dragon with an arched eyebrow.

"Come on!" Spike turned to Flash. "Flash, you may be Twi's husband but you can't just be a prick!" The dragon groaned, causing the Princess of Friendship to blush even redder.

“Funny you should say that, that's what Twily said to me after I pushed her into the pool.” The lieutenant smirked, the Princess of Friendship lowering the scroll to glare at her husband.

Several guards giggled while Tempest raised an eyebrow at Flash. "Are you trying to earn yourself a divorce, lieutenant?"

Twilight smirked. "Oh I got my revenge, only it was in the ocean while we were on a yacht. Just two miles away from shore." She giggled. "Though you still need to learn how to swim."

Several guards, the captain and Spike all stared at blushing Flash who dipped his head down in embarrassment before the dragon shook his head in disbelief. "Wait a minute! You can't swim?!"

"Of-of course I can swim!" The lieutenant stammered defensively.

“Splashing around like a foal doesn’t count as swimming, my dear Flashy." The Princess of Friendship gave her husband a sly smirk as the guards and Spike erupted into laughter while Tempest shook her head in amusement

Flash groaned, rubbing the back of his neck with his hoof, but even he couldn’t suppress a grin. "You surprised me, Twily. I wasn't expecting you to kick me off the yacht so sudden."

"Yeah, right." Twilight smirked.

It took a few minutes for the laughter to subside before the dragon asked. "So, it was a good honeymoon then?"

Both of them nodded their head while smiling at the memory of their honeymoon. "Yeah, it was perfect." Twilight replied softly.

“Well, I’m happy for you, both of you. And at least now you and your friends can share the embarrassing bits whenever you guys have time." Spike stated with a mischievous grin.

The lieutenant's face turned an even brighter red once he heard what the dragon said and turned his head to look at his wife. "Oh please don’t, they can't know."

"We'll see." The Princess of Friendship said, still smirking as the guards laughed again even Tempest chuckled a little. "I wonder how Klugetown is doing now."

"I bet that there will be children in the town now that the Storm King is gone." Spike noted.

Twilight leaned back into her seat, a much softer smile on her face. "That’s… good to know."

Flash looked back at his wife. "Twily? Are you alright?"

“I’m perfectly fine; you don’t having anything to worry about.” The Princess of Friendship reassured her husband with a warm smile as she stretched herself before turning to Tempest. "How long until we arrive, captain?"

"Only about two to three hours until we arrive to Klugetown." The captain reported.

"Good." Twilight said, settling back into her seat. “Let’s hope everything in Klugetown is as peaceful as it seems.”

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Crystal Empire, An hour later

"Very well, Miss Haven. Is that all?" Cadance asked with a smile.

“For now, Princess Amore, Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor. We will have more to discuss when the summit begins, but today’s progress has been most fruitful.” Haven Bay said, nodding her head as she got up her seat. Princess Amore, the Princess of Love and her husband also got up from their seats too and escorted the hippogriff out of the Crystal Palace, with Clover the Clever and Commander Hurricane.

"You know..." Cadance started as they walked through the hallway. "It's been so long since I last visited Seaquestria. Me, Twilight and her friends only had a brief stay last time when the Storm King's first invaded and conquered Canterlot and petrified my aunties before the beach incident, but it was incredible. The underwater kingdom is truly a sight to behold."

The Princess of Love smiled warmly. "It would be wonderful to visit again, especially with you two and Flurry Heart. I’m sure she’d love it. Perhaps we could take her after the summit?"

The prince chuckled. "That’s a good idea. I’m sure she’ll have a blast. It’ll be a nice change of pace from the palace."

Amore smiled as she added softly. "How about a family trip? It would be lovely for all of us to experience Seaquestria’s beauty together."

The hippogriff, walking between Amore and Cadance, smiled at the exchange. "Mount Aris and Seaquestria would be honored to host you and your family. Queen Novo and King Crestwing would welcome you with open wings."

As they reached the palace’s main doors, Amore turned to Haven with a sincere smile. "Thank you, Haven. We look forward to seeing you again at the summit. It’ll be the perfect opportunity to celebrate our nations’ unity."

The hippogriff nodded in agreement. "I’ll relay your words to Queen Novo and King Crestwing. Until we meet again, may the winds guide you."

With that, the hippogriff emissary spread her wings and took off, soaring into the crystal-clear sky above the empire. Cadance, Shining, Amore, Clover, and Hurricane watched her go as Haven flew into the blizzard.

Once the hippogriff was out of sight, Amore turned to look at Hurricane and Clover with a warm smile. "Hurricane and Clover. Can you help the other to set up an escort and a carriage for us?"

Both Hurricane and Clover bowed down and raised up. "Yes, Princess Amore. It will be done."

They then trotted off to get the work done.

Amore then turned her to her daughter and her son-in-law. "How are you two holding up? I know the summit will be a busy time."

The Princess of Love nodded, a warm smile on her face. "We’re ready for it. It’s important for Equestria and our allies to come together."

The prince wrapped a supportive hoof around his wife, nodding in agreement. "We’ve got this."

Cadance leaned into Shining's embrace, her expression softening. "It’s been a long road, but I believe we’re on the right path. And with Twilight continuing her work on expanding relations throughout the world, we’re creating a brighter future for all of Equestria and beyond."

Amore nodded thoughtfully. "Twilight's work has been exceptional. The alliance throughout Equestria could reshape the way our nations work together. Who would have thought, after all these years, that peace would be possible?"

"She’s always been a visionary." The prince added with pride. "Even when others doubted her, Twilight pushed through and proved them wrong."

The Princess of Love smiled, her heart swelling with pride for her sister-in-law. "She has a way of bringing out the best in others. It’s her gift."

Amore smiled warmly. "Indeed, she does."

The three ponies giggled before it slowly dying down. "Now, let’s focus on what’s ahead. I’m sure the preparations are already underway, but we still have much to do before the summit begins."

Both Cadance and Shining nodded their heads in agreement before the group turned back to the palace, the crystalline walls shimmering with the light of the afternoon sun as they walked back inside to prepare for the upcoming summit.

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Mount Aris

The large mountain of Mount Aris and Seaquestria lay before King Crestwing and his daughter Princess Skystar. They stood there as hippogriffs working in unison to prepare for the upcoming summit for the finalization of the alliances between Equestria, Crystal Empire and their nation.

"Crestwing! Skystar!" A voice called out, one that both hippogriffs was happy to hear.

"Mom!" The young hippogriff happily called out, running toward Queen Novo before embracing her to which the hippogriff queen returned while the hippogriff king smiled at the scene.

After a few minutes of embracing each other, both the female hippogriffs slowly let go of each other.

"So, how's the preparation for the summit?" Novo asked her husband while he watched their kingdom busy at work.

Crestwing stepped beside his wife, his wings ruffling slightly in the cool sea breeze. "Everything is proceeding smoothly. The alliance will mark a new era for all of us—Equestria, the Crystal Empire, and Seaquestria united. It’s a momentous occasion.”

Skystar’s eyes lit up. “I can’t wait! I’m so excited to meet everypony again. Twilight and her friends, Princess Cadance and especially Princess Amore. Do you think they’ll remember me?”

The queen hippogriff chuckled softly, placing a hoof on her daughter's shoulder. "Of course they will, Skystar. Twilight and her friends and Princess Cadance made a great impression when they last visited. Besides, this summit will be a perfect opportunity to strengthen those friendships as thanks to Princess Amore for saving and bringing your father and my husband back to me."

The young hippogriff beamed at her mother's reassurance, her wings fluttering in excitement. "I really hope so! I want to show them around Mount Aris again, maybe even take them on a little tour of Seaquestria."

Novo smiled warmly, her heart swelling at her daughter's enthusiasm. "Just remember, Skystar. This summit is not only about alliances between nations but also building lasting friendships, just like the ones you started with Twilight and her friends."

The king hippogriff nodded his head. "It’s true. We now stand on the cusp of a new era, and it’s the bonds we create now that will ensure peace for generations to come."

The three chuckled for a while before standing in comfortable silence for a moment, watching their fellow hippogriffs work in harmony to prepare for the summit.

"Skystar, why don't you go help the others with the decorations?" Crestwing suggested gently. "Your energy will be most appreciated."

Skystar nodded eagerly. "I’ll make sure everything’s perfect!" With a happy squeal, she spread her wings and flew off toward the village, leaving her parents to continue their quiet conversation.

The queen hippogriff watched her daughter before turning to her husband. "She's grown so much, hasn't she?"

"Yes..." The king hippogriff agreed, his gaze following his daughter as she fluttered down to the workers below. "She has the heart of a leader, just like you."

Novo smiled softly and leaned into her husband. "And like you too, my love. Together, we’ll guide her and our people into this new chapter."

With the summit on the horizon, the hippogriff royals shared a moment of quiet reflection, their hearts united in purpose.