"Now presenting the regent of the Storm Kingdom, The Traveler's Chosen, The Darkslayer, Storm Queen Lucette Petremol!" cried a pony in a fancy suit as me and Suki walked into the grand hall/ballroom of Canterlot Castle. "And accompanying her, Storm Princess Suki Petremol!"

Suki was a little bit shy with all the new people around, holding onto my pant leg as we walked. I could understand it, honestly. With all these people, all of such differing races and with so many in such imposing garbs? Yeah, that's intimidating for any kid her age. I reached down and patted her head.

"Don't worry, muffin top," I whispered. "Mommy's right here."

She simply nodded, but didn't let go of me. I sighed and smiled, then looked out across the vast expanse of creatures around us, talking to one another. Some of them were holding goblets and wine glasses, or were just chatting amongst themselves.

Honestly, I was less scared and more fascinated by the fact that there were so many mythical creatures here. I knew about most of them from the brief descriptions my Darkstriders and Tempest had given me, but it was another thing to actually see them in the flesh.

After a bit of looking around, me and Suki found a nice little table away from the ballroom floor and tucked ourselves into it's chairs, Suki jumping up on my lap without my consent. I was going to scold her for it, but one look at how tightly she clutched my chestplate and I crumpled and simply started petting her.

I then turned my attention to the crowd again as she slowly calmed, taking note of the various groups and sizing them up. To my surprise and delight, the Abyssinians were here, and I gave the two rulers a wave. Nami simply turned her head away, whilst Capper waved back before he was forced to return to talking to some other diplomat, a Deer by the looks of it.

I continued my scanning of the crowd. As expected of an International Council, this place seemed to have every leader from every nation from every race. Deers, Reindeers, Saddle Arabians, Yaks, Thestrals, Minotaurs, Abyssinians, Ponies, Crystal Ponies, Dragons, Griffons, Changelings, Zebras, Donkeys, heck, even Diamond Dogs, Sirens, Gremlins, and the Hippogriffs, Nyx's, and Buffalos and recently inducted Kirin.

I soon noted that the entire collection of leaders would look at me and Suki every now and then, then return to their conversations. Hippogriff Queen Novo and the Minotaur Emperor were less discreet, however. I didn't have much chance to think more about it before two Kirin approached us, one tall like Celestia with a blue lion's tail and mane, beige fur and lighter beige scales across her back and snout, and a small crown around a very red and unique horn. The other was smaller, likely a male but still too feminine for me to really tell.

He had dark red fur, deep brown scales, a blue mane and tail like the tall one, and a similarly red horn and a small crown as well.

They stepped up to us and smiled, the taller one speaking first. "Hello there. You seem to be a new face to this gathering as well. Might I ask what your name is, and, perhaps, what you are?"

I smiled, Suki still in my lap and holding onto me. "I am Lucette Petremol, the Queen of Storms. I'm an Awoken." I patted Suki's head. "This is my daughter, Suki Petremol. Say hi, sweetie."

Suki slowly turned her head to them and waved, giving them a brief, "H-Hi..."

The male Kirin walked up to her and extended a hoof. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Dusk Burn, Rain Shine's son."

Suki hesitantly grabbed his hoof and shook it, me and the other Kirin smiling at the interaction before we looked back to each other. "So, might I have your name?" I asked.

"Rain Shine. It's nice to meet you," she said with a small smile.

I nodded. "Same to you."

Me and Rain Shine chatted for a little while, and soon enough the other leaders came around as well and talked to me. Suki remained hesitant to talk to anyone, but I managed to get her talking with Dusk Burn eventually. We talked for what I assumed was hours, going from topic to topic easily and seamlessly. Rain Shine seemed like a pretty sensible and just leader, albeit not the most experienced in some matters. Still, she was a good conversationalist, despite what she told me about her species rendering themselves mute not too long ago. Dusk Burn was polite and amiable, qualities that soon brought Suki out of her timidity.

Suddenly, the crowd grew quiet, and we all looked to the far end of the room where I noticed the four Princesses and Shining Armor all standing. Celestia spoke up after each conversation settled.

"Friends, colleagues, it is an honor to have you all here again. Seeing everyone united in friendship here warms my heart," she began, and her sister continued.

"However, as you all may have noticed, we have some newcomers to our group," Luna said.

"Please welcome Storm Queen Lucette Petremol, her daughter, and Rain Shine, Chieftain of the Kirin, accompanied by her son!" Cadance announced. A round of applause followed as me, Suki, and Rain Shine and her son simply smiled and waved. Though Suki didn't wave on account of the attention that had been focused on her, instead retreating further into my chest.

As the applause died down, Celestia spoke again. "Please treat them as you would any of us, and let us all celebrate our unity!"

More applause followed, and I simply smiled. Soon after the applause died down again, more diplomats and leaders approached me, and the long day of politicking began.

Me and Suki retreated to our reserved room after everything was said and done for the day, Suki in my arms and falling asleep. I was honestly pretty worn out myself, so I walked her over to the bed and laid her in it as well as tucked her in.

Then, she yawned and pulled the covers over herself and looked up at me with her big, blue eyes. "Mommy... Can you sing me a lullaby?" she asked tiredly.

I paused at this. I hadn't sung a lullaby before, not since... I pushed that thought away, then sighed and pulled a chair over to the side of the bed as I put on a tired smile. "Sure, muffin top." I said.

Suki smiled, snuggling herself further into the pillows and sheets before looking to me expectantly. I took a moment to remember the words, then took a deep breath, and sung the song my mother had taught me so long ago. Suki's eyes slowly closed as she listened to the song's first few verses. I could hear other instruments joining in, like those that were in the original song, but I ignored it and continued, bringing a hand up to stroke her face gently, my precious daughter pressing her face into my touch.

As the song continued, I could feel old memories welling up, but I suppressed them and the coming tears as I kept singing. Soon enough, Suki fell asleep, her soft breathing bringing a smile to my face as I continued the song until it's end, still stroking her face.

By it's end, I kissed the top of her head, then relaxed into my chair and looked up at the ceiling. "...Je T'aime, toujour... Mother..."

The next few days were hectic as all get-out. It was certainly good in some respects, what with the dozens of trade agreements, alliances, travel agreements, loads of tariffs on all manners of things, and worst of all, tourism. Tourism and travel agreements were by far the biggest headaches for me. Why? Because I didn't want anyone getting into my country that was a soldier or spy, whether retired or not. Heck, I didn't want regular civilians getting in without a lot of checks and tests. There was just too much in development, too many things that tourists and prying eyes could see. Sadly, that meant a fair amount of arguments and debates when it came to the other world leaders.

The other nations did not like how secretive I was.

Then again, as long as they didn't send spies or soldiers my way, I couldn't give two shits. I told them over and over that civilians were fine as long as they went through the checks, but soldiers and spies, even retired ones, had to go through even more rigorous checks before entering my country and territories. A lot of them tried to push the issue, and some tried to threaten me with embargoes and the like if I didn't lessen the requirements to get into my country, but again, I didn't give two shits.

Of course, that didn't mean the experience wasn't draining.

By the end of it all, I was beat, but I had gotten a lot of trade agreements that I had needed, as well as made good connections. Thankfully, the entire event had only one more week to go, and this last week was specifically set aside for my entry into the International Council's Circle.

Thus, I was now walking down the halls, escorts on either side of me as I was led to the chambers that were reserved for the Circle meetings. My thoughts raced as we walked, preparing myself for the inevitable. There was a lot that could go wrong here if I didn't step carefully, especially with Steel Axe and the Princesses. Steel Axe would definitely cause a scene, and if I tried anything sneaky the Princesses would catch it if I wasn't careful. There was also the other members, too. I didn't know some of them as well as I would've liked, so I'd have to rely on what Tempest had shown me and what I'd learned from written accounts.

Sadly, my thoughts were interrupted as we reached the doors to the chambers, the guards letting me pass and opening the doors.

Ready or not, I guess...

EDIT: Added a new, better intro, complete with a new, more fitting song.

Well folks, here it is, the beginning of the World Stage Arc. I hope you all like it! Admittedly it was going to be shorter than this current version, but I decided to make it longer, so, here we are. It may be a bit fast, I know, but honestly I'm not entirely certain how to add more to it...

Anyways, I thank you all for sticking with me and reading my story. I hope to keep entertaining you all with my tales.

-Timeless Celestial