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// Formation of the Alliances 
// Story: Terror in Equestria 6:  The Great War 
// by StormLuna 
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Late that afternoon Lyra and Lemon Hearts arrived at their ship on the coast and set sail for Prancington, Neigh Zealand.  Both were frustrated but realized that in a changing world they could no longer be allies with Brevity, Colgate and Luna.  Lyra asked, "Lemon Hearts, I never imagined that this would happen.  I remember back when Twilight was defeated we were so close, what happened?"

Lemon Hearts replied, "Well things change, times change.  They seem to care about nothing except money.  They care nothing about the old world that was full of love and harmony."

Lyra suggested, "You know Lemon Hearts, I am seriously thinking that we need to start exploring our countries for more natural resources.  After all, if we were to have to go to war with them, I don't think we would fare all that well against them with most of our equipment being made of wood."

Lemon Hearts asked, "Why do you say that?  Do they have different types of equipment?"

Lyra replied, "Yes.  When we were sailing out didn't you see their military base on the coast?  Equestria's carriers are made out of metal.  All they would have to do is ram our wooden carriers and we would sink in nothing flat.  Plus, wood is easily destroyed by the energy of dark Alicorns, that metal they use isn't."

Lemon Hearts did not want to deviate from thousands of years of tradition but realized that Lyra was right.  So she reluctantly agreed to Lyra's plan.  She asked, "So what are we going to do?  I really don't want to force my subjects to have to go out and do the hard work of mining."

Lyra replied, "Just do what Equestria and the Equine Empire does, have your dark Alicorn soldiers do it.  Their civilian ponies don't have to do stuff like that."

Lemon Hearts grunted, "Why didn't both of us think about this thousands of years ago?"

Lyra replied, "I honestly don't know.  This just came to my mind.  I guess both of us have wanted to keep living in the old ways when peace and harmony were the norm, that we failed to see that our new enemies were forcing change on the world."

Lyra was scratching her head when something came to her mind.  She looked at Lemon Hearts and asked, "Lemon Hearts, I believe it would be in our best interests if we form more than just a trade alliance.  What do you think?"

Lemon Hearts knew what Lyra was thinking and she was unsure about it.  She knew in the back of her mind that Lyra wanted to wage war on the Equine Empire and ultimately Equestria but she had not developed the hate that Lyra had.  She asked, "Uh, Lyra, are you sure that would be such a good idea?"

Lyra replied, "Yes Lemon Hearts.  I know they are going to forge a military alliance.  They are probably drawing up plans in Colgate's black tower as we speak.  It is either that or we get crushed.  I now realize that Neigh Zealand must move forward from the past."

Lemon Hearts said, "Well you go ahead.  I do not wish to eradicate love and harmony in Saddle Arabia just to be ready for a war."

Lyra replied, "Well, it is your choice.  If you don't move forward, I can and will come in there, take Saddle Arabia for myself and modernize it just as I am going to Neigh Zealand."

Lemon Hearts shouted, "YOU WOULD SERIOUSLY DO THAT?"

Lyra replied, "Yes Lemon Hearts, I would.  Yes I would rather be able to keep things the way they used to be but it can't be that way anymore.  I care enough about my citizens to adapt to changing times.  If you won't help your citizens the same way I will go in there and do it myself."  Lyra's eyes were starting to shine white and she had her horn pointed at Lemon Hearts.  She asked, "So which is it, will you adapt or do I have to bring Saddle Arabia into the modern era FOR YOU?"

Lemon Hearts started cowering back in fear.  She had never seen Lyra act like this before.  She also knew that Lyra knew much more magic than she did so she felt like she had no other choice than to concede defeat.  She said, "Ok, Lyra.  I agree, we should forge a military alliance as well."

Lyra replied, "Good.  We can do that when we get back to my castle in Prancington.  We can get my dark Alicorns and changelings in a meeting with us.  There we can discuss with them what needs to be done in Neigh Zealand and then you, some of my higher ups and I need to go to Ridead and discuss the same with your officers."

Lemon Hearts said, "Ok, whatever you want Lyra I shall do it."

Lyra smiled and replied, "Good!  That is the Lemon Hearts that I consider such a good friend and ally!"

In Ponyville Colgate, Brevity and Luna were still a bit in shock but ultimately realized what needed to be done.  They realized that a strong military alliance must be formed.  Colgate looked at her two allies and said, "Brevity, I think you really need to build up your army.  Your army is still quite small.  Yes your entire population is Alicorns and they can shoot enemies out of the sky but I still think you need to increase the size of your army."

Brevity replied, "Brevity thinks you make a good point.  We do have more than just one island.  We do have other islands that they could be stationed on."

Colgate said, "Sounds like a good plan.  Luna, I think you might want to ready your forces for battle, as do you Brevity.  You never know when Lemon Hearts might send her forces flooding across your border."

Luna asked, "What about you?  What will you be doing?"

Colgate replied, "I plan on stationing more of my forces near our large coastal cities.  If I had to pick which one would be more likely to use the resources to come here and attack, it would be Lyra."

Brevity asked, "Why would it be Lyra?"

Colgate replied, "Did you notice how much more aggressive Lyra seemed when she was here.  I can sense that she wants to do anything she can to crush our nations simply because we have more resources."

Luna began to laugh, "Oh that is a good one!  How is Lyra going to come crush us when our militaries are more advanced than her's and our armies are larger and more powerful?"

Colgate glared at Luna and said, "Luna, this is no laughing matter.  I have a feeling that she is going to change what she is doing as soon as she returns home.  I also have this feeling that she is going to manipulate Lemon Hearts into aiding her in any war efforts.  She could even go as far as threaten her with a takeover if she doesn't do what she wants."

Brevity asked, "Why do you have that feeling?"

Brevity replied, "Because Lyra is quite a bit more advanced with magic than Lemon Hearts is, that's why.  Ok, who is in favor of us forming a military alliance."

All three of them raised their hooves.  Colgate said, "Good.  Now let's just relax for a few days.  I will, however, watch them through the eye and monitor what they are doing.  I can then relay any and all information I find out to you.  Let's just say that I have a feeling that the peace the world has enjoyed for the past 3,000 years will soon come to an end."