Canterlot Castle, 9:00AM, +6 days after event
Celestia was about to start court after a very emotional day yesterday, she had talked to Luna about the incident and she shared Celestia’s concern. ‘It would be a great honor to fight by your side again sister, let’s hope this terrible conflict shall never come to pass again.’ Luna said to Celestia that evening. She had just called court to order and was about to ask for the first petitioner when she hears a slow thumping sound, “What is that sound?” Celestia wondered as she steps out of her throneroom onto a adjacant balcony and sees a sight she never thought was possible.
Celestia knew about Leoneighdo Da Vinci, a very intelligent pony who’d she had the honor of meeting 200 years ago. He was one of the most influential inventors of his time and to this very day, inspiring numerous mechanical and magical wonders. Without Leoneighdo, the invention of the telescope would’ve been impossible. But for all his intelligence, Celestia thought that some designs made by Leoneighdo were too imaginative to be true.
So the shock Celestia receives when machines straight out of Leoneighdo Da Vinci’s aerial designs were flying into her city was enough to carve out a whole mountain if it’s made to solid form. How? Celestia thought, Even with magical asistance, his gyrocopter couldn’t generate enough thrust to fly! How did these French manage to perfect Leoneighdo’s design?
As the gyrocopters enters the city and everypony was looking at the huge machines with wonder, Celestia prepared herself for the coming negotiations.
Daring Do was in a helicopter carrying her and the rest of the diplomatic team. After Celestia’s response, Graceful Winds took to the sky and tried his best to inform the rest of the Diplomatic team in Vanhoover about her response. But after pushing himself to his limits trying to reach Canterlot itself, he only reached Vanhoover by 6pm, completely exhausted and after telling the diplomatic team, passed out while he was taken to the nearest hospital for severe fatigue.
Poor soul Daring thought as she remembered the looks of Graceful Winds’s eyes when he reached Vanhoover City Hall. Anyway the gyrocopter (helicopter for humans) eventually reached Canterlot and landed in the front of the castle courtyards. French Marines pour out and secure the area before giving the thumbs up for both Daring Do, Mr Julien Thomas and the rest of the diplomatic team to step out of the NH90.
In front of her was Princess Celestia herself and a group of Royal Guard in their regular golden armor. “Princess Celestia!” Daring run to her as they both hugged, “I bought you Severus’s sword, do you want to see it?”
“Oh Daring, I’m sure there will be more than enough space in the Canterlot Museum to host the sword of the legendary raider.” Celestia replied, how did Daring Do managed to contact these French in the first place? Celestia thought. Any further thoughts were interrupted by a new voice.
“Ah you must be Princess Celestia correct?” as Celestia heard someone speaking in very accented Equish, yes these French do remind her of the Prench after all.
“Yes mister…..”
“Julien Thomas madamoiselle.”
“Oh yes, Mr Julien Thomas. My name is Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria and also Princess of the Sun.”
“It is an honour to meet you Princess Celestia, can we start our negotiations?” he asked
“Yes, but before that I must inform my sister, Princess Luna about your arrival, if you’ll excuse me. I need to wake her from her slumber. My guards will escort you to a more fitting room for our negotiations.” Celestia notioned her guard and he simply says “Yes Princess.” before the delegation and Daring Do was escorted to the negotiation room.
Several minutes later Princess Celestia entered the room alongside a grumpy looking Princess Luna with a hairstyle only possible when you only have minutes to prepare.
“Welcome to Equestria Mr Julien Thomas, now I understand from the letters sent by Mayor Red Tape that you needed assistance. Would you kindly explain how we can help?”
“Yes Princess Celestia, what France needed are minerals like Iron ore and the likes in this paper,” Julien handed a stack of papers to Celestia, containing the mineral requirements and rare earth metals needed to continue the manufacturing of electronics and equipment “and also investment space.”
“Investment space?” Celestia inquired
“Yes Princess, investment space, after the displacement forcibly removed the entirety of our country and associated territories France was effectively cut off from the global trading network that we are used to on our ‘homeworld. WIth the loss of this network, France is about to enter a massive recession unseen of in recent history. If you allow French companies to invest in Equestria we can also provide you with technologies, medicine and equipment to modernize your infrastructure, and even your army if you want to.” Julien responded.
“I’m sure we can adjust our labour laws accordingly…….but,” Celestia added
“.....Yes Princess?” Julien responded cautiously
“This agreement is very beneficial for both nations I’ll admit” Celestia says at a slower pace “But before we hammer out the details and sign the agreement, Equestria might need some assistance regarding external matters” Celestia concluded.
Knowing what Celestia is asking, Julien responded accordingly. “I’m sure France could help with your….problem, but I need some time to think about it. I will contact my leader immediately. Can we resume the meeting after lunch?”
“Oh yes of course” Celestia responded. She knew about the ‘contact leaders of country’ excuse and many leaders used that as a sign that they will agree to her terms and they are merely looking to be thorough and concise before agreeing. She sighs in relief when the diplomatic team left. Only to find Daring Do still at her seat.
“Daring, don’t you want to accompany the team?” Celestia asked
“Oh don’t worry Princess I’ll catch up, I just wanted to tell you something.” Daring said
“Oh yes of course Daring, anything for one of the most famous archeologists in Equestria.” Celestia responded as she hears with intent on what Daring has to say about these humans.
“Just trust them Celestia, this species means you no harm at all. Sure they can be defensive if threatened but everyone gets defensive when threatened anyway.” says Daring
“I just can’t give in to all their demands Daring, Equestria is already at war and this is our opportunity to bring back the Changelings to their former glory….with proper application of Friendship and Tolerance of course.” Celestia says in an unusually political tone.
“Y’know Celestia, you just sounded like what any dictator would sound like back there.”
Celestia slumped and sighs “I know Daring, I know, it’s just…...I have been such a passive ruler in these thousand years and I’m partly at fault as well for the downfall of the Changelings.” Celestia guiltily says.
“Don’t give me that crap Princess!!” Daring interjected
Celestia, obviously stunned about how direct her last sentence is. “W-what?”
“I know I’m not a thousand years old and I know I haven’t fought with beings infused with Chaotic Magic or whatever, but what I DO KNOW is that you have been one of the greatest rulers Ponykind has ever seen! I’ve seen copies of the hundreds of treaties you proposed with the Changelings in the last 1000 years and all of them, ALL OF THEM are very reasonable treaties. Some of them even giving Changelings exclusive rights to harvest love in case of emergencies. If there is one species who’s at fault it’s the Changelings Princess! Do not kick yourself when you are the innocent one in this conflict, just….don’t.” Daring Do responded strongly
Celestia was stunned by her authority. Sure Daring is one of the rougher ponies she met, but never in her life had she ever imagined Daring to openly respond in such a….direct manner. Eventually she responded “Your advice will be taken into consideration Ms Do, thank you very much.” as Celestia leaves to get some fresh air.
Elysee Palace, 10:00AM, +6 days after event
President Hollande nearly dropped the phone when he heard just what had transpired in the halls of Canterlot Castle. “So are you telling me that the first action France needs in order to gain the trust of Equestria is to send troops?!” Hollande responded loudly
“Yes sir, the Princess briefed me further about the situation and it appears these ‘Changelings’ have broken the professional army in a region called the Badlands and is now about to mount an attack on a town near Canterlot, possibly endangering Canterlot itself.” Julien reported.
Hollande could only respond with a weak ‘oh la la’ as he slumped in his office chair. So the first nation France has contacted is about to collapse and France needed to send in the military, THE MILITARY out of all things to solidify their friendship? Well from the map given by Jean Jacques Equestria is indeed huge and this is an opportunity France cannot and will not miss. But still…...couldn’t they have had to do something more mundane like building a bridge?
“Very well” Hollande says, “Tell them France will send troops immediately, I have no idea how the hell I’m going to convince the National Assembly to do this, but who cares about them anyway right?” as the president closed the call. There is going to be uproar in the National Assembly once word got out, but what’s done is done. France will send troops to Equestria as their first major action in this new world.
Appleloosa, 11:00AM, +6 days after event
“C’mon little Strongheart, bring the applecart onto the train.” as both Breaburn and Little Strongheart struggled to lift all the filled applecarts into the train. When the population of Appleloosa and Dodge City heard about what had transpired in the Badlands they were shocked and angry as well, but upon seeing the desperate faces of the returning Royal Guard and Wonderbolts and the announcement that the entirety of the Mild West was to be evacuated, was not taken well by neither the ponies or the buffalo living in the region. Eventually after some reasoning and threats they begrudglingly agreed to evacuate both cities. Braeburn and Little Strongheart finally lifted the last applecart onto the train and boarded. Inside the passenger section there was a whole slew of ponies and buffalo as Braeburn and LIttle Strongheart take a seat.
“All aboard Ponyville Express!! All Aboard Ponyville Express!!” the conductor said before the train starts moving again. After the guard’s announcement about the evacuation everything had been a blur for both Braeburn and Little Strongheart, Braeburn was forced to harvest all his apples early in order to stock up while Little Strongheart had to collect all her charms and personal stuff in her teepee. Only now did they have the chance to meet together again. As the background of the mild west fades into the grasslands in mainland Equestria, Strongheart asked Braeburn.
“When are we going back?”
“Huh?”
“You know…..when are we going back to our homelands? The ponies are not the only species that was harrassed by the Changelings you know.” Strongheart said
“Oh well…..ah frankly don’t know Strongheart, these darn Changelings have always been a thorn on Equestria ever since forever. Ah don’t know when we are going back Strongheart, but ah can tell you this: We’ll take back the land we lost and then some, mark my words.” Braeburn concluded triumphantly.
Strongheart could only eye Braeburn with disbelief, sure Buffalo Changeling relations have never been good but it never amounted to the level of hate Braeburn is now emanating. Nevertheless Strongheart agreed that the Changelings should be driven out of their lands and decided not to argue with Braeburn. Especially in these trying times.
Brest Naval Arsenal, 1:00PM, +6 days after event
Sanako Nakanishi eyed these ‘French’ as they would call themselves with great interest. The Kirin was informed that 5 (now 6 days) ago, something happened that ripped this country off the fabric of one planet and transported onto this planet. Now Sanako have heard a lot of legends about seamonsters or the ‘Eye of the Lunar sea’ which are simply untrue, and if someone were to tell her that a country that posseses no magic was displaced onto this planet she would just laugh it off as some sailor getting drunk. But this time she decided that this is a little bit too real for her to say this is not true, because right now her ship is now in a dock unlike anything she has ever seen and she is being briefed by two hairless apelike beings telling her about what will happen to her, her crew and her ship.
“And so that concludes your rights and limitations if you were to remain in France. The President would also like to invite you to Paris if you are willing to go, but if you need to go to Equestria we can give you pilot service until you’ve entered international waters. Any questions?” The hairless ape (she was also informed this species call themselves humans) asked.
“Y-yes, very clear Mr Human. But I believe I may not be fit to talk to your leaders, only people with authority like the Daimyos or the Emperor can talk to other country’s leaders” She responded.
“Oh don’t worry about that Madamoiselle. Once you’re done, if you intend to return to your empire, France will also send a delegation to work with your emperor and commend you on your work to establish diplomatic relations with France. You are the first ‘Kirin’ isn’t it? to make contact with France afterall” The male human finished.
“And if you’re wondering about the cargo. Don’t worry about it at all, you can continue your journey to Equestria if you wish to and we’ll send the diplomatic team directly to Amaterasu if you wish to keep your part in all of this quiet.” The female human commented on her situation.
Sanako now have a difficult choice to make, continue her journey to Equestria to sell her goods (which although admittedly sell for a high price, it doesn’t really gain her any favors or anything) or be remembered in the history books as the first Kirin to ever made contact with these ‘French’ people. In the end the answer’s pretty obvious.
“With these circumstances in mind, I have decided that in order to further the interests of the Kirin Empire of Amaterasu. I want to meet your ‘President’ and establish official diplomatic relations between France and Amaterasu” the Kirin finished her sentence, being diplomatic is really not her strong suit and she felt that she’s being too polite. But what has been said has been said.
“Very well then Miss Sanako, I will contact the palace right away, please stay right here. If you request food we can bring you some vegetables on your way to the President.” As both humans leave the room and left her to her own devices.
Canterlot Castle Dining hall, 6:00PM, +6 days after event
“I must admit Celestia, these ‘humans’ are a most peculiar species, they came from a world where there is no magic and suddenly here they are, transported into a world where magic is as common as water.” Luna commented on the nature of these humans.
“It must be shocking for them as well Luna, I heard from Ms Do that even though these French people have no magic of their own, based on her reports this nation will easily dominate Equestrian politics in the years to come……..thus giving me more paperwork.” Celestia grumbily munches her salad as a response, sure the French have given her hope for the future and now Equestria would be practically allied with the most powerful country in the world right now. But the amount of paperwork Celestia predicted would be staggering. And I effectively did this out of my own volition Celestia thought as she munches her salad again. She killed off so many attempts to form a parliament in the last 500 years that it’s practically a foreign idea for most ponies, thus giving the job of managing the country solely to the princesses and her ministries.
“You really shouldn’t kick yourself constantly Celestia, these French have promised us aid and even economic devlopment in the future, not to mention military assistance in the current conflict.” Luna responded.
“Speaking of the conflict, Chrysalis seems very happy right now. I just got this dragonfire letter just a couple of minutes ago, says something about how the end is neigh and we should submit ourselves to her glorious rule or whatever.” as Luna hoofs Celestia the letter for her to read.
“No Luna I’m not going to read the letter, daycourt’s over and I’m going to get my beautysleep, no need for me to have more nightmares about our country’s destruction. Goodnight Luna.” Celestia replied as she leaves for her chambers. She never was this grumpy before Luna thought, has this conflict really affected her that much? she further asked herself. These might be small questions in context of the whole conflict but it is important nevertheless, she might need assistance after this conflict is over, maybe Cadence could handle some of the work Luna mused as she finishes her dinner and prepares to open the nightcourt.
******
Despite stiff opposition in the National Assembly, Francois Hollande managed to convince his own party and a smattering of other parties to officially declare war on the ‘Changelings’. The declaration was officially completed in 21:00PM on Saturday, 14th of November. France is going to war.
Construction for the PA2 Carrier officially begins on the 13th of November 2015. The French Navy have christened this carrier class as the Suffren Class. Named after the famous French Admiral Pierre Andre de Suffren
Evacuation of Appleloosa and Dodge City underway, the Ponyville Apple Family and the Manehatten Orange Family offers refuge for all members of the Apple Family living in the Mild West.
Some versions of the ESRC are being considered to have a mounted 110mm gun in the same fashion as the AMX 10 and the ERC 90’s. The Army acquisition’s board will consider such options tomorrow.
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna talks about the French assistance.