Author's Note

The Italian king's departure was tweaked in the last chapter for anyone who has not read it. TLDR: Twilight teleports between the King and the door to try to stop him from leaving.

Thank you guys so much for your patience, college is very busy and I have not had the luxury to invest a lot of time into this story, hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 8: A Brewing Storm

May 30, 1910: Manehattan City Hall

The press was idly waiting for any word of what was happening inside City Hall. Pony and human photographers discussed at length the intricacies of the near-instant magical color photo development of the Equestrian cameras. Journalists from all of the world's major news publications were sitting on benches or cross-legged on the floor writing out drafts and notes for the stories describing the Grand Reception. Equestrian Royal Guards along with the guards of the world nations blocked any access the journalist may have to the deliberations inside City Hall.

Then the massive double doors burst open as Italian guards funneled out forming two columns of men flanking the carpet leading out to the carriages parked on the opposite side of the plaza. Photographers and journalists quickly pounced on the commotion as camera flashes rang out and pens furiously scribbled on notepads. Then came the crowd of Italian dignitaries and barely visible in the middle of the crowd was the King and Queen of Italy. As the royal couple made their way down the steps a Royal Guard Galloped out and barked orders to the rest of the guards. A squad of Stallions galloped to the carriages and quickly prepared the Italian carriage, the rest of the Equestrian Guards galloped out to secure the roads to the port.

After slightly more than a minute of constant camera flashing the King and Queen were gone, the remaining Italian soldiers lowered the Italian flag and then began the march down the avenues of Manehattan. A large detachment of journalists including reporters of the Italian Il Messaggero.

“What the bloody hell just happened?” Asked a reporter for the Times

“I believe that they have stormed out, no pony… er… um, no one else has left the building other than guards,” replied a reporter from the Canterlot Chronicle.

“Maybe it was an emergency,” interjected a reporter from the Washington Post.

As activity died down and Royal Guards retook their positions on the steps, the journalists settled down, anxiously waiting for any word from the reporters who had followed the Italians. However, only after a couple minutes, another Royal Guard trotted out of the building ordering the rest of the stallions to prepare the carriages. With warning photographers took positions as close to the steps as they could get preparing the lenses and swapping film reels for another barrage of photos. Finally, the doors opened and the world leaders emerged.

“Mr. President!”

“Mr. President!”

“Can you tell us about what happened during the summit?”

“Do you have any comments on King Vittorio Emanuel’s sudden exit?”

“What can the American people expect from this summit?”

“Can you tell us more about the leaders of the new lands?”

“Please tell us more about the Princesses?”

“The ponies would like to know your opinion on Equestria, your Excellency?”

“Mr. President, how will the summit affect the upcoming Midterm Elections?”

President Macmillan and the First Lady quickly shuffled down the steps before the main entrance of City Hall. Marines and Secret Service pushed back the horde of journalists shouting out questions to the exiting heads of state. All around him ponies, humans, and a few other creatures filled the plaza with camera flashes, his only respite being that many journalists were busy bombarding other world leaders with questions.

After a couple of minutes, the President had finally made it to his carriage. A marine waiting opened the carriage door as President Macmillan helped his wife inside and then quickly followed her in. Once settled in, the carriage began to move towards the Waldhoof-Aurora Hotel, the Equestrian Royal Guards hauling the carriage speeding up into a gallop.

Howard found the city incredibly fascinating, it was so familiar yet so foreign. He could recognize the architecture of Midtown Manhattan and the skyscrapers resembled smaller versions of the Singer and Met Life towers. On the other hand, the streets were lined with ponies of all colors, most of them were the so-called “earth ponies”, but the few unicorns and pegasi added to the alien nature of the city, yet they ate hotdogs, albeit with carrot sausages rather than Frankfurts. They also spoke with the typical New York accent, if he simply closed his eyes and listened to the distant chatter of the ponies it would be hard for him to believe he wasn’t in New York.

“You need to ask for his letter of resignation,”

Pulled away from the enigma that was Manehattan, Howard now needed to contend with the fallout of the less-than-ideal American performance at the Global Summit. To be frank Princess Mi Amore Cadenza had been right, he had acted like a child with his outburst against Minister Hokata. But then Secretary Chase doubled down and jeopardized America’s relationship with Britain, a line that could not be crossed. His hands were tied even if he didn’t want to let Chase go Mr. Franklin and Mr. Clyde had seen the whole ordeal. Soon America’s corporate elite would be out for Chase’s blood, for jeopardizing their lucrative business dealings with the English. Anyways Assistant Secretary Newsome was a competent administrator and much less hawkish, Chase being granted his position more for his long naval career rather than his tremendous ability. Sighing he turned to his wife, “He signed his death warrant. I’ll ask for the letter at the hotel, and I’ll get the Chief of Staff to send a telegram to Robertson so he can get Congress to start the confirmation process for Newsom”

Ethel Macmillan noded, “Honestly dear, what were you thinking, your little display made the Equestrians think all of us humans are bloodthirsty warmongers,”

“What is done is done, but I don’t disagree, it’s just that ever since the Shangdong incident and the Japanese war with the Russians, America can't trust that the Japanese won’t use Griffin or Deer ports against American Polynesia or Hawaii,”

“That is still no excuse for what happened there,”

“I know,”

Finally, the carriage stopped and the President got up from his seat and helped his wife up and then out of the carriage. Before then stood the Waldhof-Aurora Hotel. While not as large as the Waldorf-Astoria the Equestrian hotel was just as grand, built in a neoclassical style the hotel featured an impressive portico with beautifully carved columns supporting carvings of unicorns, pegasi, earth ponies, and laurels all surrounding a majestic alicorn basking under the light of the sun and moon. The building itself was around 10 stories tall and built of marble and granite with tall arching windows and wrought iron balconies. The roof was fashioned with stunning lapis colored roof tiles and the facade of the building featured more ornate carvings.

Cameras flashed as more journalists lined the street opposite the hotel and crowded the barricades set up by the Royal Guards. Marines escorted the first couple into the lobby of the grand hotel. Once inside Chief of Staff, Mike Tompson, stood in the center of the vast hotel lobby.

“Welcome back Mr. President, Madam First Lady,” greeted Mr. Tompson as he approached the President.

“Thank you, Tompson. We will retire to our room, can you please have Secretary Chase visit me when he arrives?”

“Yes Mr. President, these porters will lead you to your room,” replied Mr. Tompson as he gestured to two young Stallions dressed in red porter uniforms. The First couple and a detachment of Secret Service men followed the ponies up to the Presidential Suite.

Five minutes after settling down in the suite’s study, a Secret Service officer announced the arrival of the Navy Secretary.

“Mr President, what do I owe the pleasure of your summoning?”

“Secretary Chase, unfortunately, I need to ask for your letter of resignation,”

The secretary swallowed as his face darkened, “But… Mr. President, I have been nothing but dutiful,”

“Mr. Chase, your comments to King Albert were uncalled for. I have no choice but to remove you from this administration. Your comments threatened American relations with Great Britain, our trade interests, relations with the Equestrians, and the nations of the new lands. I bear some responsibility for the exchange with Minister Hokata but you took it a step too far,”

“Yes, Mr. President. I’ll have a letter prepared by tonight,”

“Thank you. You are now dismissed,”

The Secretary turned away and left the room with his head hung low. Chief of Staff Tompson quickly shuffled into the room.

“Mr. Tompson can you please send a telegram to Vice President Richardson, telling him to have Assistant Secretary Newsome nominated for the position of Secretary of the Navy,”

“Yes, Mr. President,”

As the Chief of Staff left the room, a Secret Service Agent entered, “Mr. President, King Albert would like you to join him downstairs at the lounge,”

To say that the Princesses’ display was impressive was an understatement. His conversation on levitation with Twilight had been fascinating and seeing Princess Mi Amore Cadenza wield it to move Twilight away from King Emanuel was quite the demonstration. However, all the more impressive was Twilight’s teleportation, something he had never seen any other pony do, much less so effortlessly. Albert was fascinated, he wholeheartedly agreed that human technology coupled with Equestrian technology could create machinery and tools far greater than anyone had previously dreamed of, Lady Dash’s sonic rainboom being a perfect example.

Following Princess Mi Amore Cadenza’s call for recess, King Albert got up from his chair followed by his Foreign Secretary Lord Durham, Lord Inverclyde, Lord Cumberland, and his aides. Outside a horde of journalists bombarded him and other world leaders with a torrent of questions. British Royal Guards pushed through the crowd allowing the King to board his carriage. As the carriage began to roll away towards the hotel, Albert pulled out a small sketchbook and began to draw Manehattan architecture and the crowds of ponies lining the streets. He also began to jot down notes on the little he had learned about Equestrian magic before noticing that he was drawing a pair of massive eyes.

Regaining his bearings he set the book down and set his head against the window. Damn Americans and Japanese, why the bloody hell did they have to go off on each other. The Grand Alliance’s position in the Pacific was tense, the Japanese and Americans both eying the Philippines as new additions to their emerging empires and their interests in the Pacific were in constant conflict. Ever since the Shandong Incident of 1902, during the Chinese Rebellion, when the Japanese bombarded the city killing 156 Americans, Washington’s and Tokyo’s relationship had been icy. Japanese aggression during the Russo-Japanese War had spooked all the major powers in the Pacific, not helping their relationship with the Americans.

However rocky their relationship might be, it was still important that the Grand Alliance present a united front. Thus as soon as he arrived at the Waldhoof-Aurora, he had his aids reserve a private lounge and invite the leaders of the Grand Alliance to join him.

Now seated in one of the plush sofas of the sofa Albert was nursing a glass of cognac when guards opened the doors and the Kaiser stepped inside. Setting the glass down on the table Albert stood up and performed a slight bow, “Uncle Fredrick thank you for joining me on such short notice. Care for a drink?”

“Greetings Albert, Yes please pour me a glass,” Kaiser Friedrich said as he took a seat in the armchair next to Alberts.

The servants had left a silver tray with a crystal decanter filled with the finest French cognac and seven sparking crystal glasses. Picking up the decanter and removing the stopper Albert poured a serving of the rich mahogany liquor into one of the six remaining glasses. Kaiser Friedrich thanked Albert as he handed him the glass before the doors opened once again.

“Your Majesties,” greeted President Macmillan as he performed a small bow.

“Mr. President, I'm glad that you could make it. Would you like a drink?”

“Hallo Mr. President” Kaiser Friedrich replied as he got up to shake Macmillan’s hand.

“Yes, please. I assume that the Emperor and Minister Hotaka will be arriving shortly?” The President replied as he took a seat.

“Yes, you are both probably aware that I called this meeting to discuss the summit,” said Albert as he handed a glass to Macmillan.

“I am aware that I let the differences between Japan and America get the best of me and apologize to both of you and Minister Hotaka and the Emperor once they arrive,” the President then focused on King Albert, “I would also like to apologize to you personally on behalf of Secretary Chase, and reinforce America’s commitment with amicable relations with Great Britain. I have already asked for the secretary's resignation,”

“Thank you, Mr. President, I assure you that the British Empire is committed to our relationship. I understand that tensions are high,”

The doors opened once again and Emperor Meji walked into the room followed closely behind by Minister Hataka. Hataka bowed deeply followed by a shallow bow from Emperor Meji which the other leaders returned.

“I word rike to aporogize personary regarding da summit. Da Emperor wants to assure you dat regrdress of our differences we are committed to da Grand Ariance and our rerationship wid America,” stated Minister Hotaka while still bowing.

“I would also like to apologize to His Majesty and you personally, my response was not professional,” replied President Macmillan.

“Wonderful! I am hopeful we can smooth out some of the tensions between Japan and America,”

Minister Hotaka and President Macmillan smiled, followed by the Japanese Emperor reading the mood. Soon Sultan Abdul Hamid II and his interpreter Foreign Minister Halil Pasha, King Gustaf V of Sweden, King Manuel II of Portugal, King Alexander I of Yugoslavia, and his Foreign Minister arrived following further discussions between the Japanese Foreign Minister and American President. Albert gestured for the leaders to sit down as he poured more drinks and then opened up a shallow wooden box tied in a silk ribbon, “Now that we are all here would any of you like to partake in a cigar? They're from India, I have yet to try them but Lord Derby says that they rival the finest Cuban cigars,”

“Well I’ll see about that,” replied the President as he took a cigar and pulled out a cutter. Slicing off a small part of the head Macmillan brought the cigar to his mouth before taking a cold draw, then pulled out a box of matches to light it. The Kaiser followed suit and the Emperor, while reluctant at first, took his cigar after some quiet mumbling with Minister Hotaka.

“Well I’ll be, this is surprisingly good, Indian tobacco is usually harsh,” said President Macmillan as he blew a puff of smoke.

Albert smiled lighting his cigar before taking a draw, “Britain might soon be making better cigars than America,”

“Don’t get too carried away, Cuba is till the tobacco capital of the world,” President Macmillan laughed.

“It’s quite nice, but I sink we should discus ze Italians. I would not be surprised if zey launched an attack against us. Should we be discussing general war plans against ze Entente?” Asked Minister Halil Pasha after drawing from his cigar.

“I believe that would be prudent, although I do not know if the Russians will refrain from the attack after their pledge of peace, I would not put it past them to attack anyway. The Royal Navy has warships prepared for Mediterranean engagement and mine-laying operations have already been planned, Lord Haddington will be sending the Ottoman Navy and Kaiserliche Marine an updated map of planned mine-laying sites. The British Expeditionary Force also has 15 divisions ready to deploy between Ottoman territory and Germany, with another 50 that can be deployed within a month of hostilities,”

“75 divisions are ready for immediate engagement, Field Marshal Von Möllendorf assures me zat another 200 divisions can be mobilized wizin two weeks of first engagement. Ze Alsace line haz also been reinforced should ze French attack. A detachment of 17 divisions has been prepared along the Yugoslavian border to assist in the Balkan Front. Ze Kaiserliche Marine would like to moor warships in Malta as Trieste is vulnerable to Italian mines and torpedo attack,” Kaiser Freidrich stated as he swirled his glass.

“I will authorize Lord Haddington to have Malta prepared for German vessels,”

“Yugoslavia has 20 divisions ready for war. Fortresses have been built along se Hungarian border and se Germans can count on easy access through our nation to reinforce the Ottomans,” stated Minister Pašić.

President Macmillan set his cigar down and took a sip of cognac before saying “I can not commit any troops as of yet, but I have already consulted with Congress to have material shipped,”

“Well we all understand our roles in a European war sparked by Italy, I think we should also focus on courting our relationship with the nations of this new world. I suggest that we invite the princesses to our respective nations to show them what our nations have to offer and the advancements in technology and science that we have achieved. I have had a wonderful conversation with Princess Twilight and gathered that the Equestrians would love to learn more about human technological advancement. An exchange such as this can allow us to learn about Equestrian magic which I am sure we all got to see the power of with the Princesses display during King Vittorio Emanuel’s departure,”

The men chuckled before Albert continued, “Are we all in agreement?”

“To Equestria,” declared Kaiser Friedrich raising his glass before all the men returned the toast.

What an unmitigated disaster, the first day of the summit had proven to be a massive embarrassment to the Entente and to the Bourbon Empire. He had grossly miscalculated and had let the Grand Alliance gain the upper hand. As much as he hated to admit his wife was right, he had made himself look like a fool and his pride along with that of King Vittorio Emanuel had given the Grand Alliance the opportunity to fane innocence.

With the Italian King’s departure Charles' job was made all the more difficult as he would have to coordinate a salvage effort with the rest of the Entente powers of Russia, Denmark, Greece, Bulgaria, and Hungary while praying that the Italians wouldn’t do anything rash. However, that might be wishful thinking. The Italian government and press had already begun a massive public relations campaign to rally support for an invasion and annexation of Ottoman Tripolitania. Italian troops were already mobilized, and for the most part, the press had been successful in rallying the public. With King Emanuel’s departure, the Italians could have troops in Libya by the end of the week.

The only positive sign was that it seemed that Russia would pull away from a joint attack on the Ottomans. Tzar Nicholas being the first to relent gave Charles confidence in this belief. An Italian-Turkish war would no doubt further sour the Entente’s precarious position with the Equestrians. Tomorrow had to go perfectly to provide some breathing room should the Italians attack, or else Equestria would fall into the grasp of the wretched Grand Alliance.

With Princess Cadenza’s call to recess, the Emperor got up and then helped Carlotta out of her chair. Leading the French procession out of City Hall, his guards fought their way through a horde of reporters. Using the commotion as cover Charles was able to ask the remaining entente leaders to join him in his suite.

After 30 minutes the Emperor was now seated at the head of the fine walnut table in the dining room of his lavish suite. Across from him sat Tzar Nicholas, while King Frederik VIII, Queen Wilhelmina, King Geórgios I, Tzar Ferdinand I, and King Frigyes I sat on the sides of the table. Servants brought in glasses of port and a platter of fine pastries.

Taking a sip of liquor Charles then set his glass down, “As we all witnessed, today’s discussions with the Equestrians did not go as planned and I fear what Italy might do now that they have abandoned these discussions,”

“The Russians can assure you that we will be demobilizing the divisions prepared for the planned Turkish campaign,” asserted Tzar Nicholas.

“The Greek people are itching for a Macedonian revolt, I am unsure if I will be able to stop an incident with the Ottomans,” warned King Geórgios.

“We simply need to present a unified front and a desire for peace. Today our conduct has given the English and Germans the advantage in courting the Equestrians. The Bourbon Empire is committed to offering economic investment in Equestria,” Emperor Charles turned to look at Queen Wilhelmina, “The Bourbon government is committed to assisting the Dutch government in subsidizing a venture to have Royal Dutch Shell offer free infrastructure development in Changeling Kingdom and Saddle Arabia. We need to offer the best deal possible, we can not afford to have Standard Oil or the Anglo-Persian Oil company swooping this opportunity away!”

“The Entente can count on the Dutch to pursue an effort in securing this new world oil,” replied Queen Wilhelmina.

“And what of American finance, they could bury the Equestrians in cash and with all due respect your Majesty, but France would be unable to keep up,” mentioned the Hungarian King.

“The Americans are in the business of making money, I doubt that Washington would be willing to subsidize a profitless venture,”

“That is assuming that the Grand Alliance is not as desperate to court the Equestrians as we are and the English and Germans control the second and third largest reserve of capital. If they hold our same intentions, the economies of the Entente could never hope to compete in buying Equestria’s favor,” countered Queen Wilhelmina.

“That may be true when looking at the raw numbers, but the Grand Alliance is burdened by their democratic governments, especially the Americans and the English. The Republicans are dependent on the favor of American business interests and the continued support of urban workers to maintain power. The appearance of the Equestrian continent has already strained the relationship between the Macmillan Administration and the corporate elite. For the United States to counter our plan, the Republican government would have to funnel so much taxpayer money into the endeavor that the voters would certainly defect to the Democrats. The English Liberal government is in an even worse position, The Chamber of Deputies is still under my influence and I can have funds procured to invest in a future Equestrian Alliance,”

“But what about the Germans, the Kaiser still has great influence over the government as well, can he not have Germany outspend the Entente?” King Frederik asked.

“The Germans may be the third largest economy in the world, but they have only recently surpassed the Bourbon Empire, their financial institutions are not as developed and France still possesses a larger merchant marine,”

“What of the Italians? What should we do should the Italians go ahead with their planned invasion of Tripolotania?” Asked Tzar Nicholas.

“Should the Italians foolishly enter into a war at this moment we should not support them.”

“But they are still our allies, a coordinated attack would surely bring the Ottomans to their knees, Bulgaria will finally be able to free our Slavic brothers from Turkish oppression!” Cried Tzar Ferdinand

“There will be other opportunities to carve up the Ottoman Empire, but at this moment it would serve the Entente better to gain allies before committing to a war. Should the Italians attack, we will condemn the attack, King Emanuel let his pride betray the unified front of the Entente. No matter what happens after that the Entente will still benefit, should the Grand Alliance come to the aid of the Ottomans then the Equestrians will see them for the warmongers they truly are. If the Grand Alliance also refrains from any action, then the Italians will gain Tripolitania and secure ports for the Entente to use in a future conflict. Regardless of what happens, we must ensure that in the Equestrian eyes, we are seen as the defenders of peace,”

“Wouldn’t condemnation push the Italians away, they would see it as a grave betrayal.” countered King Geórgios.

“The Italians have no one else to turn to, the Entente has offered them the Adriatic coast, Tripolitania, and Egypt. What does the Grand Alliance have to offer them, Savoy? Please,” Emperor Charles picked up his glass and took another sip before continuing, “So are we in agreement for tomorrow?”

The Entente leaders nodded in agreement as they began to participate in small talk following the more serious political discussion.

Once the last of the dignitaries had left, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Spike began to clean the table along with all of the servants. Twilight sat her face buried in her hooves.

Rarity walked up to her, “Darling, you did it, you got the humans to agree to peace,”

“I ruined it! I spoke too soon, I made myself look like an idiot! Now I pushed the Italians away!”

“Twilight, the Italians left on their own,” replied Starlight

“Because I hadn’t gained their trust yet!” Cried Twilight as she slammed her hooves on the table. The rest of the ponies all turned to look at the purple alicorn as Rarity and Starlight recoiled away from her. Seeing the room's reaction Twilight crumbled back down into her seat, “I’m a failure,”

“Servants, guards, girls, Shining, Spike, can you please leave me alone with Princess Twilight,” Ordered Cadence

“Yes your Majesty,” replied the guards and servants in unison as they vacated the room, followed reluctantly by Twilight’s friends, Shining and Spike.

Once the room was empty Cadence turned to Twilight, “Twilight, I know you mean well, but… you need to show some more restraint. You are the Princess of Equestria, the fate of Ponykind rests on your shoulders. I agree with Celestia and Luna, you are worthy of the Crown, but you have yet to learn to truly keep your emotions in check. You can’t just simply try to stop somepony from leaving a room even if you were trying to reason with them. You could have very well started a war with a power that wields technologies far beyond our own,”

Twilight’s ears folded back, she felt minuscule under Cadence’s ire. She knew Cadence was right, she had just like with the captains at the beginning of the month tried to magic her problems away. Choking back tears,” I just always feel I’ll never be good enough that I’ll never be able to replace Celestia and Luna. I want everything to go perfectly but then I just mess it up,”

She felt a hoof under her chin as Cadence tilted Twilight’s head up towards her own. With a gentle smile, Cadence replied, “You are and always will be my favorite little filly, Twilight. I honestly feel so lucky that your parents won the lottery to have me be your foal sitter. I only mention your little outburst because I know you will be the greatest ruler in Equestrian history and I want to be one of the ponies that help you reach that goal,”

“You really mean that?” Replied Twilight as she choked back tears. Cadence wiped them away as she nodded. Twilight quickly pressed herself against Cadence, who embraced her, “Thank you,”

Wiping away the last of her tears Twilight and Cadence finally stepped out of the room to join the crew waiting in the foyer. Servants rushed back into the hall to finish cleaning and prepare for the next round of negotiations tomorrow. Rarity embraced Twilight, “Feeling better darling?”

Twilight nodded.

“You know, the Waldhoof-Aurora has the highest-rated spa in all of Equestria. A few spa treatments will surely relieve all of that pent-up stress. What do you say,”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, “Uh, really, the spa?”

“Rainbow ah know how much ya like your “Deep Tissue Sports Massages”, don’t be such a downer,” quipped Applejack as she winked at Rainbow Dash.

As the group of ponies walked out of City Hall, like all of the other world leaders, they were bombarded by questions from the press. Royal guards pressed the press back but Rainbow Dash flew up and started answering questions and posing for press pictures. Twilight rolled her eyes but decided to humor questions.

“Princess, what would you like the humans to know about you?” Asked a reporter for the Times.

“I want to form a positive relationship with all humans, you are such incredibly ingenious creatures and all of your technological feats are incredible, especially with your lack of magic. Equestria would love to learn under your example and I hope that together we can create a bright future that combines your technology with Equestrian magic,”

“Princess, what is your opinion of the human leaders?” Asked a reporter from the Washington Post.

“I have had wonderful conversions with many human leaders and our discussions have been productive and insightful,”

“And what of King Vittorio Emanuel, we all saw him storm out of the summit,” followed up the Washington Post reporter.

Twilight winced reminded of her failure, but then felt Cadence’s hoof on her side, “I am disappointed in King Vittorio Emanuel’s departure but I respect his wishes and hope that Equestria can foster a positive relationship with the Kingdom of Italy through other means,”

“There are rumors of a global peace proposal, Princess would you like to elaborate on that? Asked a reporter from the New York Times.

“I firmly believe that there are better ways of resolving issues than brutal conflict. All creatures are better off reconciling their differences and learning to understand each other's points of view. Working together will help build everyone up and make everyone stronger as a whole. Equestria has enjoyed over a thousand years of relative peace and my research on human history makes me believe that if we try hard enough we can make agreements such as the Congress of Vienna that stand the test of time,”

Twilight felt Cadence pull her away from the mass of reporters before whispering into her ear, “You don’t want to give the press too much information they can spin it against you, let's make our way to the carriage,”

Twilight nodded and the two princesses along with the girls finally pushed their way through the press horde and to the carriages. Rainbow noticing her friends were ready to leave finished answering her last question and sped over to the carriage. Finally, after about half an hour, they made it to the spa.

“Send the ultimatum, have one sent back to the Ottoman Emperor here at the summit and another to Constantinople,”

“Ye… yes your Majesty. Anything else?” Replied Foreign Minister Capotondi.

“Have a telegram sent to Prime Minister Rudini informing him of my decision and another to the General Staff, to prepare for total mobilization,”

“Yes your Majesty,”

Cowards, Cowards the whole lot of them, the King of Italy was going to show them all the wrath of Italy, for she would take her birthright and claim the Mediterranean for her own starting with Libya. The Foreign Minister performed a quick bow and walked away, now with nothing left to do but carry out his planned invasion, King Vittorio Emanuel walked down the pier, sailors lining the decks of the RMI Reigna Elana to salute their King.

“Evviva il Re!”

“Evviva il Re!”

“Evviva il Re!”

The men cheered as the King and Queen stepped up the gangway, soldiers, and sailors removing their hats in salute. Once aboard Captain Busamente bowed to the Royal couple as the navy band began to play the Marcia Reale D'Ordinanza. As the National Anthem finished playing, and the soldiers in the docks funneled into the battleship, pony dock workers and Italian sailors began to throw out the mooring lines.

With a blast of the horn the RMI. Regina Elena began to pull away from the harbor, King Emanuel walking up to the railing, pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his tunic. Lighting one of the cigarettes he quickly placed it in his mouth and drew a deep breath as he saw Manehattan slowly grow farther away.