-TERRARIA, CAMELOT: CASTLE-

Multiple series of both footsteps and the clopping of hooves echoes throughout a large hallway; within Camelot Castle. Various images adorned the walls as large windows allowed the rays of the sun to beam through. Multiple doors were present which led to various locations. Guards of both genders, donned in very particular armor, stood at the ready while also nodding respectfully at the passing royalty: Princess Cadence.

Twilight, Linn, Starlight, and Shadow Thunder followed close behind The Princess as the knights from before were notably missing, breaking off to return to their duties. In addition, both Zecora and The Mech were also absent.

“It was really nice of Zecora to stay with our robot friend in the courtyard,” Starlight comments as she walks alongside Twilight, “I’m still confused about that mechanical entity. We definitely need to question it for more answers.”

Twilight nods, “Apparently, The Mech caused quite the ruckus, and the citizens of Camelot claimed it ‘came from underground.’”

“Not to mention it kind of wrecked a small portion of the guild,” Shadow Thunder comments with a nervous smile.

“It damaged the guild?!” Both mares shout in unison.

As this goes on, both Linn and Cadence were in the lead, lost in their own conversation.

Shadow Thunder clears his throat, “Believe it or not, what that mech did was actually a blessing in disguise. A very dangerous revelation was made when It emerged from-”

“The Hellevator!” Twilight exclaims and interjects, her face riddled with realization, “There’s so much that happened to us in The Underworld, but The Mech must’ve used it to follow us to the surface.”

Twilight’s exclamation garners the attention of both Linn and Cadence, who both look over their shoulders, “That’s partly why my mother asked you all to come and see her.” Cadence said.

Twilight, Starlight, and Shadow Thunder all turn towards The Princess. The group still continues down the large hallway, but a pair of large double doors are now in view and drawing ever closer.

“Excalibur has warned my aunt of a series of events that will take place soon,” Linn says while looking back to the group behind her, over her shoulder, “It’s no doubt tied to what we were warned about in Anubis’s Pyramid when Oblivion manifested before us all.”

Both Twilight and Starlight look at each other, then back to Linn, “Anubis’s Pyramid?” Twilight questions.

“Oblivion?” Starlight inquires.

“I promise to reveal that to you both in the near future,” Linn responds before turning her head forth, “But we must attend to her majesty, immediately.”

In that very instance, the group now finds themselves standing before a large pair of doors as two guards, a male and female terrarian, stood firm and stoic. Linn nods to the duo before her as the guards, in turn, salute in response before each individual grasps a handle and parts the doors for the group before them.

Upon opening, Twilight and Starlight were instantly drawn to the beauty of what was obviously a throne room. Drapes littered the ceilings and beautiful chandeliers hung from above, providing an obvious light source while also emanating their beauty. A long red carpet with golden outlines stretched all the way down to the throne that sat in the distance, guards positioned alongside the carpet. Sitting on this very throne was a beautiful terrarian in royal attire.

Twilight and Starlight’s mouths were dropped, their eyes wide open, as Shadow Thunder walks up to the unicorn mare and closes her muzzle with his forehoof; with a chuckle. Linn does the same for Twilight.

“Mom! Linn and the ponies are here!” Cadence exclaims as she runs down the red carpet, her glass slippers echoing in the process, “Oh, there’s even a zebra!”

All the while, Starlight, Linn, Shadow Thunder, and Twilight continue to make their way down the red carpet. Each guard they passed by simply looked on with a stoic expression while others were momentarily interested in the passing equines, before brushing it off soon after.

The group now found themselves near the throne as they gazed upon Queen Amore’s form, who was currently hugging Cadence, as The Princess hugs her mother by sitting on her lap.

“Thank you for greeting your cousin and for extending a welcoming gesture, dear daughter,” Queen Amore says as she waves a hand through Cadence’s hair.

“No problem, mom!” Cadence responds as she merrily hops off of her mother’s lap and stands at her side.

Linn bends a knee and takes on a respectful pose while saying:

“Queen Amore, we are here to answer your call,” She then rises to her full stature, “And to help in any way we can.”

Queen Amore chuckles, “Oh come now, dear niece. You don’t need to bend your knee to me,” The Queen then turns her gaze to the ponies and beams a smile, “We are all friends here, and while I do appreciate the gesture, please refrain from kneeling before me.”

As Twilight looked on with awe, Starlight bumps the alicorn’s flank with her own and says:

“Now’s your chance. Do us proud, Twilight.”

The alicorn nervously chuckles in response, while Starlight takes a few steps back and now stands next to Shadow Thunder. The lavender mare takes a breath and says nervously:

“H-hello, Queen Amore. M-my name is-”

The Queen raises a hand and cuts off Twilight’s words, “Please, my dear, do not be so nervous. You can address me simply as Amore, or even Mi Amore,” She then chuckles, “And you must be Twilight Sparkle, yes?”

Twilight was internally shocked by this as she staggered, “Y-yes! Um, your maj- I mean, M-Mi Amore.”

The Queen looks over to Starlight and Shadow Thunder, “Ah, I see Starlight Glimmer is here as well; in addition to Shadow Thunder.”

“It’s a pleasure, your majesty,” Shadow Thunder responds with a nod.

Starlight raises a forehoof with a sense of nervousness, “H-hello there,” She said. The Queen nods in response and turns back to Twilight.

Starlight then whispers to the dark pegasus beside her:

“How are you so calm about this?”

“I spent a lot of time with Lady Harmony, remember?” Shadow Thunder responds. “I’m used to standing before royalty,” He then chuckles, “I thought you’d be used to it seeing as Twilight is royalty in her own right.”

“Y-yeah… but Amore radiates a sense of, how can I put it, respect? Authority?” Starlight says with a pondering gesture, “It feels so different in comparison to when I stand before The Princesses back home. I can’t explain it, and I know this might sound bad, but compared to our royalty back home, this Queen is so… intense,” Starlight turns towards Twilight’s incredibly nervous form, despite The Queen trying to ease the alicorn, “I think Twilight feels it too.”

As this goes on, Queen Amore clears her throat and speaks with such authority that even Princess Luna would silence herself just to hear The Queen’s statement.

“I thank you all for being here, but I can also see that you’re wondering just how I’m so familiar with each and every one of you,” The Queen says as she brings out a closed fan and opens it, placing it before her mouth.

Linn chuckles as she sees Twilight’s near frozen, but nervous form, “It’s ok, Twilight. I promise you that all will be fine,” The pink-haired terrarian raises her hand, “Just take a breath,” She lowers her hand, “And release.”

..........

Incidentally, a certain figure was watching the proceedings take place from outside a window of the throne room, a kenku. However, they were also accompanied by a zebra and a mechanical entity using its rocket propulsions to stay afloat.

..........

Twilight heeds Linn’s words and tries to steel herself before saying:

“I am curious about how you know about us. Can I assume that it was Linn’s doing?” Twilight questions.

“Not entirely, my dear,” The Queen responds while fanning herself, “It was mostly Celebes’s doing. She’s been keeping me informed on your progress and I must say, you ponies are quite a capable bunch. Including your zebra friend outside, of course.”

Twilight tilts her head sideways, “Celebes kept you all informed on our progress?”

The Queen nods, “Indeed she has. I know all about your battle with The Goblin Army, The Crimson Biome, and even your victory over Skeletron.”

The Queen rises from her throne and gracefully walks down the small flight of stairs that were present at the base. She now stood before Twilight, the alicorn nervously quivering in response, and kneels down before scratching the back of the pony’s ear.

“On behalf of the entire capital, and the royal family, I want to personally thank you for aiding my subjects with your heroic efforts,” The Queen closes her eyes and smiles brightly, “My dear Princess of Equestria.”

All the while, Twilight was absolutely speechless but she did admit to herself that the ‘ear scratch’ felt rather good. Suddenly, the alicorn notices that the Queen’s cheeks became red as she fidgets in place while saying:

“U-uhm, could I ask something of you, dear pony?”

Twilight’s ears perk up in response, all while Starlight looks on with wide eyes as Shadow Thunder, Linn, and Cadence observe the scenario with neutral expressions.

“Are you ok, Mi Amore?” Twilight questions with concern, “Are you taking on a fever? Your cheeks are red-”

“Please let me snuggle you!” The Queen roars out with an embarrassed face.

Of everyone present, all of whom have their own reactions, Twilight and Starlight’s dwarfed them all in a very simple way. Starlight was now imitating a goldfish with wide eyes and falls onto her flank as Twilight stares at The Queen in absolute dumbfoundedness before she blinks twice and finally manages to say:

“H-huh?”

Character inventory/equipment:

Fluttershy: Statigel Armor(pony, equipped), Overloaded Blaster, Eviscerator, Crimslime Staff, Corroslime Staff, Slime Staff, Finch Staff, Snow Flinx Staff, Hornet Staff, Blood Clot Staff, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Healing Potion, Honey Comb(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Slime Mount, Staff Of Necrosteocytes, Purified Jam.

Rainbow Dash: Necro Armor(pony, equipped), Star Cannon, Minishark, Eviscerator, Aquatic Discharge, Bloody Rupture, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Healing Potion, Aero Stone(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Victory Shard, Slime Mount.

Zecora: Crimson Armor(zebra, equipped), Dune Hopper, Sausage Maker, Beenade, Tooth Ball, Aorta, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Various Potions, Rocket Boots(equipped), Honey Comb(equipped), Sand Cloak(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Bloodstained Gloves(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Skeletron Hand.

Starlight Glimmer: Meteor Armor(pony, equipped), Space Gun, Starfury, Vein Burster, Purple Phaseblade, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Mana Potion, Healing Potion, Victory Shard, Rocket Boots(equipped), Aero Stone(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Slime Mount, Book Of Skulls, Skeletron Hand.

Rarity: Meteor Armor(pony, equipped), Space Gun, Hornet Staff, Snow Flinx Staff, Ice Mirror, Blood Clot Staff, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Mana Potion, Rocket Boots(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Slime Mount, Book Of Skulls, Skeletron Hand, Staff Of Necrosteocytes.

Applejack: Crimson Armor(pony, equipped), Vein Burster, Orange Phaseblade, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Rope, Metal Detector, Healing Potion, Rocket Boots(equipped), Honey Comb(equipped), Flurry Boots(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Slime Mount, Bone Glove, Skeletron Hand.

Twilight Sparkle: Meteorite Armor(pony, equipped), Space Gun, Book Of Skulls, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Mana Potion, Ichor, Victory Shards, Aero Stone(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Slime Mount.

Pinkie Pie: Crimson Armor(pony, equipped), Vein Burster, Blue Phaseblade, Bloody Rupture x2, Aorta, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Metal Detector, Rocket Boots(equipped), Honey Comb(equipped), Flurry Boots(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Slime Mount, The Blood Butcherer, Skeletron Hand.