//------------------------------// // Coalition Of Nations(UNEDITED) // Story: Innocence Once Lost // by Scorched Earth //------------------------------// There was knocking at the door. Twilight stood up, before remembering this wasn't her own library. Discord had been awfully quiet past few days. She had been expecting some sort of grand galore of chaos, not sneaking around. She didn't know if that made her grateful or even more nervous. “Spike, can you check the door?” Her double asked, not raising her gaze from the book she was studying. Even after raiding the royal library, they had not found the spell that would allow them to cross the dimensional border. During this time, she had noticed that her double had been quite... aggressive. She snapped for smallest things and generally was rude. “Oh, hi Trixie, a surprise to see...” Spike said just before Trixie and her guards rushed inside. Guards pulled curtains over the windows and brought something covered on clothes over. "...you here." Spike stepped aside as one of the guards closed the door and stood in guard next to it. “Okay, Trixie, I know you are still sore from that time we...” Twilight started before being silenced. “This ain't it. I need your help with this. First of all, I need to get in instant contact with Princess. I want to borrow Spike for a moment. Second, I need you to check her over. She... uh... is in pretty bad shape and I want her to stay alive just enough to meet with the Princesses first.” Trixie said. Both Twilights walked over to the pile of cloth laid down on the floor. The guards were keeping their distance, while at the same time being ready to act on moments notice. Twilight moved the cloth away, revealing very weak Chrysalis. “TRIXIE! What the...” Native Twilight said, pointing at the unconscious form in front of her. Spike and the other Twilight stared at the changeling queen, Spike preparing to roast her if she tried to do anything. “We found her in middle of a desert. She has information about Discord, but if she dies we lose that information.” “We should just kill her and save us the trouble.” “Yup, sounds good to me.” Spike nodded in agreement. She might not be callous as his foster mother, but also knew that the changeling queen was dangerous. “What!? We can't do that!” Twilight shouted. “Hmm.. You are right. First we get Discords location, then we kill her. Then we have humans drop a bomb at Discord. Let's see if that bastard can stand up to the power of atom. We can stop this before it gets anywhere!” Native Twilight said after a moment. Idea of taking out all possible threats to Equestria and her friends was very tempting. “How can you even say so!? Don't you feel any...” She fell silent under the gaze of her double. Once again, she was reminded that this Twilight was very much not her. Spike gave a worried gaze before returning his attention back to Chrysalis. “Look, it's Princess Celestia's and Princess Luna's decision, not ours. Just... heal her up enough to survive until the meeting. After that, I don't really care.” She finished writing her report and gave it to Spike, who looked at Twilight. Twilight nodded and Spike sent the message forward. “Right, now we...” She stopped and looked at the disguised Twilight. “And who are you? What are you doing here?” “She my double, we made some disguises to hide them. You can drop it.” Native Twilight said. Twilight took of her talisman, reverting to her normal appearance. “Right. So. We keep this queen alive just enough for it to spill the beans?” “That's the plan, if the Princesses want to keep her alive after that, that's their problem, not mine.” “How do we even keep her alive? You didn't sacrifice your troops, did you?!” “NO! She can eat normal foods, she just needs a lot more of the stuff. She had two changelings with her, both perished on our way here.” Trixie said walking up to them. Chrysalis wasn't looking good, she was barely breathing. “Just get some apples from Applejack and try to heal her up enough for her to talk. Princess Celestia will take care of the rest.” She pointed at one of the guards. “Go to the Apple farm get a bag of apples from them. Then bring it here.” “Yes, Captain.” The guard saluted and walked off. Trixie watched him go before returning her gaze back to two Twilights. “More importantly... it appears her hive has been 'stolen', whatever that means.” “Stolen?” Both Twilights asked, raising an eyebrow. Trixie simply shrugged. “That's what one of the changelings said, before it died. What little time she has been awake, she has complained about 'losing a hive and now being captured' before passing out.” “I think we should at least try, I mean, it could help us to find Discord and defeat him. She is too weak to try anything.” “How can we trust her? How do we even know that this Trixie is the original!?” Trixie watched as two Twilights argued, before walking to Chrysalis and giving her a punch on the face. “Wake up. Time to answer some questions.” Crysalis moved slightly and slowly opened one of her eyes. “Where...?” “You want to question her?” Trixie asked both Twilights. The native one walked forward to stared at the changeling queen. “Why are you here?” “I... can't remember... I was fleeing... why am I here?” “I'm the one asking the questions. What is Discord planning?” “...tired...” Chrysalis managed to mutter before falling unconscious again. Twilight shook her head. “Guess we need to take care of her for the moment, at least until the Princess Celestia arrives.” Twilight said as her double seemed to be furious that her questions had not been answered. “Look, we can at least take care of her wounds and try to feed her little.” “...Fine, but for a record I don't like this.” “I don't expect you to. I don't like this, but I got duty to do.” Trixie said, putting her hoof on native Twilights shoulder. She just shrugged it off and went through her books. “Let's see... I am not sure, but basic healing spells should help just enough... If Zecora were here she could help...” She muttered. The other Twilight began to use her skills and soon Chrysalis breathing game much more relaxed and controlled. She still didn't wake up, though. “Well, she should be out of danger on dying on us, but she still needs food.” “Good. Whatever is going on, Discord has pulled something big. Very big.” Trixie said. “Whatever it is, he will be taken down.” Twilight said going through her books. “...Twilight, a word please?” Trixie said and lead her into another room. The other Twilight grew curious and followed, staying out outside to hear what was talked about, but not been seen. “Twilight, are you okay? Honestly. Don't try to lie to me. You are acting... stranger than usually.” “I'm fine, can't you see. I just got an enormously powerful spirit of disharmony and chaos on loose with no knowledge what he is planning.” “Seriously, Twilight, you are not well. I can hear it. Tell me, what is eating you? I know we aren't the best friends exactly, but I hope we can at least be neutral to each others.” “Nothing is wrong. Just drop it, Trixie. I mean it.” Twilight said and walked out. The other one quickly returned to not to be caught eavesdropping. Trixie just sighed. Perhaps it was not her place to talk about, but on the other hand... she had herself been the same. It had been deeply embarrassing to be physically dragged to therapist by her squad and then forced to go through it, even if she needed it. “I'm sorry it took so long, Captain. I was in middle of negations and couldn't read the message until now.” Celestia said as she walked inside the library. “Where is the changeling queen?” “This way, Your Highness.” Trixie said and lead the way. In Twilights room, Chrysalis was tied up but awake. “Well, how nice for you to visit me. Did you come here to mock me?” “Chrysalis, you really aren't position to speak to me like that.” “Perhaps... but the only thing I have left.” “Explain.” “My hive is gone. Taken by an usurper.” “You spoke of Discord when we brought you here.” Trixie said. “You were quite delirious.” “Most likely... where are my two minions?” “Dead, perished on the way here.” “... So I'm all that's left...” She said in sad voice. It was quite disturbing to see the once proud changeling queen like this. “... If you help me to kill that usurper and provide me an asylum, I will tell you everything you want.” “You are not in position to make demands.” Celestia pointed out. “Perhaps. Then again, I have the information you seek. You need me, but I don't need you. It doesn't matter any more what happens to me.” Chrysalis answered. Celestia didn't like how uninterested Chrysalis with her own survival. However, on the other hoof... this one once in a million years chance. They could get the information on Discord and possibly new information about changelings themselves. She would be a fool to waste such an opportunity. “Very well. I accept your terms.” “WHAT!? You can't do that, Princess! She's an enemy!” Her student shouted. “Twilight, we need the information. This is the best shot we have.” Celestia answered. “And no, I do intent to keep my promise. No backstabbing.” She continued. Twilgiht seemed deflate. “I will be in my room, I feel tired. It's been a hectic day.” She said and left. Celestia gave her sad look as Twilight rose up the stairs. “I don't like this, Your Highness. Permission to place concealed guards on surveillance on her.” Trixie said. “... Granted. I fear for her. She's been through a lot, more than anyone should be.” Celestia answered. Then she turned back to Chrysalis. “Now, the details.” “Very well. I was summoned 3 days ago. A dragon brought a message from 'The Lord Of Chaos', who summoned queens from all over the world to him. I answered out of curiosity...” She began to tell her tale. “Greetings. I called your for this sessions because we have a new development.” Celestia spoke to the assembled leaders. “So? What you got?” Korhal asked. Negations had pretty much grind to halt. One of the biggest grievances was that he refused to provide any advanced tech to anyone else. “We have an inside source, who was captured by our recon team and offered her assistance in exchange of asylum. We chose to accept the terms, in order to find out what Discord is planning.” “So, who is this source?” Korhal asked. He wanted to make sure this intel wasn't something they pulled out of their flank. Celestia's horn flashed and the door opened. A changeling queen walked in, causing Zebra Union Representative to jump up and away from the table, while others gasped. “What is this? A changeling!?” He representative asked in shock. Others were rather disturbed too, seeing how insectoid pony stood in middle on leaders of the world. Korhal was both both disturbed and interested, since he had never seen a creature like this. Then again, it had holes, long teeth and general 'I will eat you' feeling he got from the creature. “This is Queen Chrysalis. She has requested an asylum. In return, she has give us much needed information of Discords goals and plans. Please, tell us.” Celestia said. Chrysalis gave her a glare, before turning to rest of the representatives. “Three days ago, me and numerous other changeling queens were called upon a meeting by Discord. We went there, each one for her own reasons. I was interested what it could be about. He gave us an offer: join him and commit our hives to him or be destroyed. I rejected this offer, and thus my hive was stolen from. It serves him now, under a new queen.” “What does this have to do with us?” “Reason why he gathered us, is to form an army. An army, strong enough to beat back humans and ponies and allowing him to break down the field over the human areas. He plans to absorb the chaos magic that has been bound to the ground and become a true god.” “WHAT!? To destroy The Zone?” Korhal stood up and shouted. That was it, they were in DEFCON 2 and they were going hunt down this bastard. He was not going to down in history as 'The First Citizen who allowed enemy to kill millions of humans'. “Yes.” “Hah, good luck with that. Humies put up a good fight, changelings won't be able to beat them.” “No, but he has dragons on his side.” “...Reich und Gott... how many?” “I don't know. At least five, most likely more.” “Shit, we won't able to handle a clan of dragons, fuck, Dragon Age was bad enough and that was unorganized group of dragons. Organized group of dragons is going to bloody us badly.” Others shuttered at this point. To humans openly say that they would lose was a clear indication how bad things were. If humans were defeated, it would spell a disaster to rest of them. “Thank you, Chrysalis. You may leave now.” Celestia said, nodding to her. “One more thing. I don't know how, but he has managed to power the queens under his rule. They are considerably much more powerful than ever before. Even one is than enough to defeat me and I used to be one of the strongest.” Chrysalis said before leaving. The leaders of the world sat in silence. “Now you have heard what is going on. Let's face it, my friends: we can't allow humans to fall.” Celestia said. Even if they weren't in the best terms always, if humans were defeated their armies could not match anything this new coalition could throw at them. “Therefore, I proposed, once again, that we form an military alliance. We agree to help each other, no matter what would happen. We agree to fight and defend each others, from an unprovoked attack.” “I guess this goes without saying, but The Human Refuge is ready to join this alliance. We will welcome any assistance that can be offered. I still won't offer you our technology, but we are ready to fight alongside everyone else and provide logistic help, in whatever form you need.” “Hmm... Very vell! Ze Griffin Kingdoms vill also join this zis alliance. Ve look forward for ze defeat of Discord.” The High King said. The High King Blackwing, the king who fought and vanquished the forces of chaos? That would put the petty barons in their place. “This is a grave matter... indeed, as you said Princess Celestia, we can't afford the humans to fall. If they were to fall, our own armies couldn't deal with the enemy. Zebra Union will join this alliance too.” “We diamond dogs are already allies of humies. They are in, we're in. Besides, we gotta a bone to pick with him. Nobody kills our bosses without getting pounded.” Celestia did her best to hide relieved smile. She had feared that she would need to fight even harder to get this alliance together. With Chrysalis help, she had in a single meeting formed the strongest power block ever. “It unites ponies and zebras, when griffins kills both.” Luna muttered to Celestia. Celestia nodded, it was an old proverb from the times when griffins used to raid Equestria. Even if two species had been on each others throats, appearance of even bigger enemy pulled all two sides together. Now the hard part: getting the agreement on the paper. “Can I ask you of something?” Twilight asked her double as she entered the bedroom to sleep. “What?” “... Why are you so ready to kill someone? I mean... I know you didn't kill anyone before. Not during The War or Lunar Crisis.” “Because they are enemies. They threaten me and my friends. I deserve to be gone.” “But killing isn't the answer.” “Oh? And then what is? Friendship? Become friends with them? Oh sure, I bet that is just a lovely idea. Oh, such innocence, now lost to horrors of war. Look, naïve as you are don't expect me follow your silly notions of morals. We can let them go as many times we want, but they will always return. Only sure way to remove their evil, is to remove them.” “That is very extreme opinion and you know...” “Look, you don't like it. I get it. Now shut the FUCK UP and let me sleep.” Twilight remained silent. Her double had been turning into more and more grumpy, the longer this whole thing went on. This was the first time she had actually cursed at her. Sure, she used word 'bastard' when referring to certain persons, like Discord, but this was first time she heard her curse to someone else. Then there was her general attitude towards her. “... I'm going to sleep by Rarity... I don't think I am welcome here...” She said and turned away. “Yeah, like I care...” Came a quiet response. As the door closed itself, Twilight who was in the bed started to cry. “Damn it... *sob* damn it...” Spike remained silent in his bed, pretending to be asleep. He had already outgrown his basket and gotten his own bed. Still... he wasn't sure how long this could go on. At this rate Twilight might do something she would regret. “Greetings, my fellow citizens. As you may have already heard, I have been participating in talks on the surface. You may have wondered, what these talks have been about. Well, the time has come to answer your questions. Two weeks ago, a creature known as Discord escaped into this world. This creature is very powerful and a threat to all life. However, this is not what has caused us worry about him. It is his goals. He plans to cause The Zone to collapse! He plans to cause deaths of millions of people, all for sake of his own power! Even now, he gathers forces of darkness, to strike at us. He will not stop until every last man, woman and child is dead. The very existence of this creature is a threat against us! I promise you my fellow citizen, we will NOT allow him to succeed! Our armed forces are on the highest alert and we have already moved to secure our lands. Furthermore, our allies, The Diamond Dog Protectorate, have declared that they will join us in this quest for justice! Even more, Kingdom of Equestria, Griffin Kingdoms and Zebra Union have declared their intent to stand by us against this tide of darkness. Together, we have banded to form an alliance, The Coalition Of Free Nations. Together, we have pooled our resources to form a force more powerful than anything the world has ever seen. Together, we will fight this evil that threatens us! And together, WE! WILL! PREVAIL! We WILL defeat this threat! We WILL protect what is ours. For we are HUMANS! AND ARE STILL ALIVE!” The crow exploded in cheers and applause. Korhal walked off the podium and to backstage. They were currently in “Humanity, fuck yeah!” mood, but soon people would start asking questions about this new alliance and about Discord. Who knew how people would react to news of what kind of threat they were facing. Until then, he wanted to enjoy the peace. It would take few days before first joint task force would be formed. He had wished his term would be quiet one. Now, however, he was in middle of a new crisis. At least this time they got a clear enemy and little moral problems. Find the enemy, kill him with extreme prejudice and celebrate a well earned victory. Before that could happen, he would need to pick up a general to serve as an commander of ground forces. No sense of keeping all the generals up here, he needed someone on the ground side too. Then there was organizing the new shipment of troops, dealing with the council, going through the battle plans... So much to do, so little time.