//------------------------------//
// 3rd June, 2018 
// Story: The Southern Expedition 
// by Ponelover 
//------------------------------//


The Crystal Empire, 3:00PM, 3 years after event


The roar of artillery fire was deafening for Twilight, the French accompanied by her group have just repelled another assault done by King Sombra. Princess Cadence was trying her best to find the Crystal Heart, looking at every room without success. We just need to tough it out Twilight thought as the French artillery reloaded and fire once more. Trying to delay the advancing King Sombra with thermobarics and incendiary weaponry.

“This is demon flight 1, we’ve entered the combat zone repeat we’ve entered the combat zone, dropping thermobarics now” she heard the radio the French has given her chatter as she heard the familiar shrieking noises of the French fighters as they begin dropping thermobaric bombs into the advancing abyss. Which is met with loud screams as Sombra tried to swat the fighters to no effect. They’re too high up Sombra, and good luck swatting bombs at terminal velocity Twilight thought as the shelling continues to make Sombra pay dearly for every inch the tyrant tried to advance.

Princess Cadence slowly conjured up a gravity spell alongside her Commando escort as they managed to thwart Sombra’s tricks once more. “And now this Illusion?” She said as they slowly skated into the final door using Cadence’s gravity spell.
“Step it up boys! You wanna be dead or ya wanna save the empire!?” the Colonel shouted to the group as they slowly skated through the illusionary door. Once through, a bright light then fills Cadence’s eyes as they finally reverted back into normal standing, most of her escort crew and she herself are busy reorientating themselves before they finally saw it.

“Fireteam Charlie to base, Crystal heart found. Cadence will attempt to retrieve it” the Colonel radio’ed the base which is responded with the usual ‘roger that’. The Princess looked at the Crystal Heart with awe and respect, ‘so this is where the heart’s always been. Before the return of the Empire I always felt that something’s missing. Now it’s here and…..and I feel fulfilled’ she talked to herself as she slowly take the Crystal Empire and hugged like a mother would hug a baby, she eventually snapped back into reality and thanked the Colonel for his efforts to protect her.
“Thank you Colonel for your asistance. Blowing up that cursed door is really fun, but this time I’m taking over. See you later!” Cadence said as she flew across the slowly darkening Crystal Empire for all their despairing citizens to see the Crystal Heart. “Behold! the Crystal Princess” she heard as one Pony exclaimed the word which fills her heart with hope as she finally landed at the center of the Crystal Castle.

“The Crystal Heart has returned, use the light and love within it to insure King Sombra does not!” as she levitated the heart into the center of the castle, beneath a hail of Artillery fire, explosions and King Sombra closing in. It’s there!! Twilight thought excitedly as the Crystal Heart starts rotating, emitting very powerful magic which eventually lights up the Crystal Empire and it’s citizens.

“Keep up the fire boys!! We just gotta wait till Sombra’s gonna taste that Friendship face first!!” the commander of the operation yelled as he slowly realized their little op to save the Crystal Empire is about end. He has seen that the Crystal Heart has returned and he could see the Crystal Ponies powering up when the operations room was suddenly engulfed in a white light which quickly subsided as it entered. 

Minutes later he suddenly heard reports that Sombra is dead from the magic blast, followed by the Crystal castle suddenly emitting a burst of magic which forms an Aurora detectable by Satellite. He later received reports that the main Operations center in Canterlot saw the Aurora as well which is more than enough to tell him that the objective has been met. And with that the Commander finally said “Gentlemen and Gentlewoman, Opération White Snow has been a success!!!” which is met with loud woos as the room suddenly bursted in enthusiasm which the Commander gladly partake in as well.

Outside the command center, the Crystal Empire was practically in celebration as the Crystal Ponies flooded the castle grounds to celebrate and dance as the threat of King Sombra is finally over. “No more Slavery!!” one citizen jubilantly said as the entire Empire was brought into ecstasy over the death of the Crystal Tyrant.

Back in Canterlot the Princesses as well as the now Army General de Roux was toasting for the success of yet another joint operation. “A toast, for friendship” de Roux said as all three leaders drank their Champagnes to the last drop. Confident that after this Opération and Opération Drake which saw the capture of Starlight Glimmer and the liberation of her village, the Equestrian and French people are confident about the strength of their alliance.

“I must say de Roux, these French do really know what they’re doing. My compliments to their competence.” Luna complimented the performance of the French military as they finallly sat down in the now renovated throneroom to accomodate Princess Luna as well as the dignitaries of the French Republic.

“Yeah well it’s practically in our blood. Fighting in Europe means that you need to be on constant alert, not that we had much of a choice back then anyway.” de Roux responded which is met by Princess Luna’s tongue dropping out in disgust.

“Ugh, so many wars. It just make me sick thinking about that when I studied about French history, how I still maintain my conscience is beyond me” Luna replied
“now now Luna, we know full well that despite their very…..violent past, the French have mostly moved on from that part of their history. But that’s a topic for another day, I’ll send my personal thanks to the President later today.” Princess Celestia replied
“But aside from all of that, thank you Celestia for bringing in the element bearers into this crisis. They might be young but their knowlege of the arcane has been invaluable to us, or at least that’s what I heard from the boys in the field.” He complimented Celestia’s initially preplexing decision to send six seemingly normal mares to Opération White Snow.
“I told you that you should trust the Element Bearers de Roux. Twilight’s rarely failed me and it seems my faith in her is not misplaced.” Celestia felt pride in her heart knowing that Twilight has been such a faithful student to her.“ And it seems so here. Well it seems that it’s time to rest now Princess, planning the operation is so exhausting” de Roux concluded the conversation as he stand up from the cushy sofa and walked to the throne room doors.
“Be safe on the way out” said Luna as the doors of the throneroom closed, leaving the royal sisters alone to their own devices

A couple of hours later, somewhere beneath the Crystal castle

“3…..2…..1 clear!” which is met with an explosion as the Commando group quickly moved into the darkened room. Lazer sights ready and FAMAS at the front.
“All clear!” a fireteam member said as they lowered their weapons and proceed to further investigate the darkened room
“Found the lights here” a fireteam member said as he turns on the switch to reveal a laboratory long abandoned by King Sombra after his banishment. It was the eyes of a certain private patroling the Crystal castle that found this part of the castle and the Commandos are immediately informed about the situation. Plans were laid down and weapons are armed, and now the Commando team tasked to escort Princess Cadence to find the Crystal Heart have also been tasked to uncover what used to be Sombra’s crystal labs.

“Private, tell base that we found Sombra’s hiding place. Also bring Cadence here, keep searching this place while you’re at it.” the group leader commanded as the French Commandos ransack the place to find any further evidence of Sombra’s research to Crystal Magic.
“I found something” one of the Commandos said which quickly got the attention of the Colonel as he approached and reads the parchment of paper given to him. As he continues reading the paper his eyes slowly widens and by the end the fireteam can clearly see that the Colonel seems spooked by that piece of paper.
“You okay sir?” a lieutenant asked which is met with a thumbs up as the Colonel slowly got up from the desk chair he sat on during his shock and walks slowly out of the labs to get some fresh air.
“Yeah I’m okay Lieutanent, I’m bringing this paper for the Princess to see. Keep searching for traps and evidence and make this place secure while you’re at it” ordered the Colonel as he leaves the fireteam to secure Sombra’s lab.

As he slowly walks up the stairs to the glistening halls of the Crystal Castle, he was met with the private he ordered before and Princess Cadence as well. Knowing this will be his time to show her the paper that scared him, he approached the Princess with his usual salute.
“Ah Colonel, I trust that your men are searching the labs with great care yes?” Cadence asked the Colonel
“Yes Princess, I also found this piece of paper that you might need read about. I already informed base about the contents of this paper and HQ requested for you to be informed as well.” the Colonel replied as he hands over the piece of parchment for Cadence to read
“Yeah sure, why not” Cadence replied as she slowly reads the piece of parchment. As she read the parchment’s contents, her eyes slowly widen and the Colonel can see that the Princess is as startled as he is by the contents the parchment has to offer. When Cadence has fully read the parchment she just slowly touched the Colonel’s chest and said “Bring your staff to my Castle immediately. We’ve got a LOT to talk about.”
“Of course your highness.” as the Colonel radio’ed the base which is replied positively as usual.

15 minutes later, at the Crystal Castle throneroom

“Hello there Commander Arnold” Cadence said which is met with the standard military salute Cadence is all to familiar with. The discipline of their military ugh, just when I thought the Canterlot royal guard were stoic these French just have to steal their thunder don’t they? the Princess thought as she briefs the Commander about the events that has transpired below the Crystal Castle.

“I trust that the Colonel has informed you about the events down below yes?” Cadence said stoicly which is met with a nod
“Yes your highness. The Colonel has informed me about the piece of parchment detailing about Sombra’s dealings with Alicorns before his return and eventual defeat”
“And you also know that as far as I know, there are only 3 Alicorns known to Ponykind. And we are all allied to you so that is out of the question, and why would I deal with my worst enemy anyway right?” Cadence responded
“Yes of course your highness. Which is why the event that has transpired in the ‘Guiana Passage’ 3 years ago has become so important. The first expedition after the Téméraire was attacked was hindered by unusual anomalies like the crew suddenly getting sick and rapid changes in the weather pattern which hindered our expedition enough for then President Hollande to pull us out temporarily, we haven’t mounted an expedition since and the ‘Guiana anomaly zone’ has been erected as a warning to all shipping that goes through the area” the Colonel explained in detail about the events that has transpired in the passage.
“I was aware about the events that happened in the Guiana passage and the Alicorn Mersna but I never thought that you would’ve sent another expedition down there. I know that the magical anomaly needs to be investigated but at least develop some magitech first!”

“Which is why this parchment is so important and would allow us justification to send de Gaulle and his battlegroup down south. The fact that Sombra had dealings with the Alicorns before the fall of the Empire is huge, would’ve spooked the Princesses enough to spill the truth about their past as well.” the Commander thought as the conversation continues.
“I would suggest you to hold back on the princess part Commander, informing your general in Canterlot to convince the Princesses to spill out the beans has potential to be disastrous for Equestrian-French relations. Just inform to general that you’re sending your carriers down south and bring a copy of the parchment as well. Shouldn’t be too hard to convince Celestia or Luna once you got hard evidence” Cadence replied
“Oh, of course Cadence and thanks for the tip. I’ll tell the general and the President right away.” the Commander said as both of them know that their ‘little’ conversation is about to end
“Thank you for bringing me up to speed for your proposed plans Commander, I’ll await what the President does tommorow. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have an Empire to rebuild.” as Cadence dismissess the meeting and both of them leave the throneroom, knowing full well this is either make it or break it for both France and Equestria.


Canterlot Castle, 6:00PM, 3 years after event


Princess Celestia sat in the dining table alongside Luna, their minds obviously thinking about the revelation underneath the Crystal Castle, but how could Sombra do this? The first Crystal Crisis happened 300 years after ‘that’ battle was fought! How could Sombra deal with the rest of our species if we are only ones left? Celestia thought when suddenly Luna broke the tension.

“So…..have you checked the tree yet? This revelation is very startling and that tree has not been reunited with the elements for a very long time.” Luna said, which is met with a sigh from Celestia.
“No Luna I haven’t, might as well summon the elements back here to discuss the tree. And where is de Roux anyway!?” Celestia suddenly snaps which is met with a startled Luna
“Calm down Celly, it’s dinner-time and-” Luna was suddenly interrupted as the door in front of them was suddenly opened to reveal a tired looking general trying his best to be formal in his presentation.
“Hello there Celestia, Luna. I trust that you have been given updates about what is happening right now in the Crystal Empire?” the General asked.
“Yes we have de Roux and cut the formalities. We clearly know that you’re as tired as my sister is, come, sit down while we formally discuss the issue about the old Alicorns” Luna said as the general take a seat with a salad in front of him.
“Salads...how typically Equestrian” the general glumly said as he munches down the salad with as they begin formal talks regarding the issue of the ancient Alicorns.

“So your highness. Do you have anything to say on the matter?” the General asked as he continues eating the salad
“Not really, it’s an era I don’t wanna talk about. So much suffering for so little gain.” Celestia replied. Indirectly informing the general that she doesn’t want to talk about her past
“Well, you might as well give us some disclosing information about that 4th Alicorn we just killed because we’re gonna send a task force down to the very site where she was encountered. Got a feeling that’s where we’ll find our lead on this issue.” the general said which is met with a glare from Celestia as well as Luna. Did I just piss them off? de Roux thought as he awkwardly smiled at the stares he got from the Princesses of Equestria. Eventually the tension was cut short as Celestia relented with a heavy sigh and said 
“General, please inform the embassy staff that Equestria will support you in goodwill and knowledge regarding the issue of the ancient Alicorns. Do also tell the staff to add a disclaimer on the knowledge part, saying that the Princessess will only reveal knowledge regarding the Alicorns in line with the evidence you’ve found on the ground. I don’t want to reopen old wounds again” Celestia grimly replied which is met with unusual curiosity from the Army General.

“Understood your highness, I’ll inform ambassador Julien right now.” the general said as he quickly left the dining table for the embassy just close by. Man, the mood at that dining table suddenly got grim. Don’t wanna know what would happen to me if I stayed a bit longer the general thought as he quickly beelined towards the French Embassy to ask the staff to send a letter to the President.


Elysee Palace, 6:30PM, 3 years after event


President Jean-Marc Ayrault is reading the message sent from General de Roux regarding King Sombra’s cooperation with the Alicorns. “So that’s why there’s a huge magical disturbance in the south, are they scheming something down there?” he thought knowing the report a year ago regarding the magical anomalies on the Guiana Passage. 

It has been 3 years since France has been displaced to Equis, during those 3 years France immediately fought a conflict, conducted peace negotiations, and entered an unexpected period of rapid economic growth alongside Equestria and Amaterasu as trade in what is now called the ‘French Network’ exponentially increase. It’s all fine and dandy until the elections in 2017, where the Socialist party, knowing the Hollande’s political career is ending elected former Prime Minister Jean-Marc as their candidate for the Socialist primary and won the elections in a rather tight election. And now here he is, 1 year into his Presidency and already his popularity grew by 5% thanks to his promises of ‘no more austerity’ which he followed. 

“So Jean Yves, what do you think this report entails?” he asked the still Defense Minister Jean Yves le Drien.
“Well Mr President, this report could suggest that the Magical anomalies in the South might not necessarily be a natural event, but an artificial event caused by…..something or someone” he responded
“Could this be the work of the Alicorn remnants? I know that so far only Celestia, Luna and Cadence are the only Alicorns still alive in this world. But the Téméraire’s combat against the yellow Alicorn in the passage shows the Celestia and Luna haven’t told us the whole truth now is it?” the President inquired
“Very true Mr President, even Celestia later admitted that she haven’t told us everything she knows about the Alicorn. Citing that ‘It’s an era I don’t want to remember.’” the defense minister replied
The president went into silent thought for a moment before responding. “If I know at least something about Celestia, is that she’s usually a calm and collected leader who only flew in rage when something annoys/threatens her greatly. The fact that Celestia doesn’t want to talk about it indicates that this might be a possible threat to the security of this world and as the only nation powerful enough to possibly stop this threat we need to investigate this matter further…...Jean, bring me the Army, Navy and Air Force chief of staffs. We need to discuss about sending a task force to the passage” the President ordered.

Jean was taken aback at the sudden request. He knew that during his days as Prime Minister, he always supported Hollande’s rather aggressive military actions. But this is not what he has in mind, “Mr President, are you sure-”
“I’m very sure Jean, now bring me my military officers now! This issue cannot be pushed back further down the road. We might be dealing with a crisis right under our noses.”
“Of course Mr President. I’ll inform them right away.” Jean responded as he left the meeting room to inform the Army, Navy, and Air Force chief of staffs about the president’s request.

1 hour later

“Ah yes there you are. Come in come in” the president gladly welcomed the French military chief of staff as they prepare what could be possibly be a very long night ahead of them.
“Bonjour Mr President. I’ve heard about the parchment and I must say I’m not surprised. In all the fantasy books I crash-read there will always be a union of ‘evil’ forces bent on oppression and other generally bad stuff.” the Army chief of staff started the meeting
“Yes, but we’re not living in the Lord of the Rings here. We’re living in Equestria and we don’t know just to what extent these ‘evil’ forces are capable of. For all we know they could invade France and destroy the whole planet just by willing it.” the Navy chief of staff replied
“Fat chance there admiral. The Alicorns are reputably the most powerful beings in this would, and we just shot down one of them with an anti ship missile.” the Air Force chief of staff responded. Sensing that a debate is about to break out, the President quickly quells the increasingly rowdy chief of staff.
“Yes yes calm down now. We’re here not to debate about ancient species of powerful horses, we’re going to discuss how are we going to deal with these ancient species of powerful horses.” the President declared which got the attention of all three chief of staffs as they wondered what’s in the president’s mind right now.

“What are you suggesting Mr President?” the navy chief of staff asked
“Simple really, I want a task force assembled immediately to leave to the passage, this whole connection between Sombra and the Alicorns reeks of a conspiracy and I want the plotters squished before it gains ground.” the President resolutely declared.
“Of course Mr President if that’s your intention. But I do need to inform you that making decisions before we managed to get more intel from Sombra’s labs in the Crystal Empire seems risky.” the Army chief of staff countered.
“I’ll deal with that later. But for right now I want the Charles de Gaulle and his battlegroup to prepare for combat operations immediately and in 3 days they are to sail to the passage. Once they reach the passage they will coordinate with the army to ensure that their reconnaisance mission is safe and sound. Is that understood?”
“Understood Mr President, I will inform the Captain about your decision and coordinate with the general to create a task force suitable for your needs.” replied the Admiral
“As will I Mr President” concured the general.
“Good then, this meeting is dismissed. You might want to get started right now, I’ll send you the details of the plan later in the morning.” the President said as the Army, Navy and Air Force chief of staffs saluted and exited the meeting room.


Toulon Naval Base, 10:00PM, 3 years after event


Captain Jacques Rousseau, commanding the carrier Charles de Gaulle ever since the displacement event reads the E-mail given to him from high up, and, frankly saying, was very pissed off at the moment. “Three days?! What the hell!! Don’t they know that I was about to sleep and instead I got this piece of bullshit mailed to me at the middle of the fucking night!!!” the angry shouts of the Captain was nothing more than muffled screams due to the steel doors but any crewmember who’s been with the Captain for more than one year can tell that he’s very angry at something.

After a couple more minutes of muffled screaming. The Captain came out of his quarters and took it upon himself to inform the entire crew that they’re being deployed into harms way. “Attention all crewmen who is hearing this announcement. I have received word straight from the top that we are to deploy into the Guiana Passage in three days time. Our task is to escort the army task force who will be conducting aggressive reconnaisance on the peninsula once we’ve cleared a beach head for them to land on. Wake up as usual tomorrow so that we may begin drills.” 

He knew that this is not going to be met with much approval, after all the carrier and her escorts are going into what is essentially the Bermuda Triangle of this world. But orders are orders and the Captain needs to obey them. Damn you admiral damn you!!! the Captain silently cursed as he went back to sleep, thinking about the dreary paperwork he needs to attend tomorrow. 

******

Lyon officially announced the tech capital of France as the remnants of major IT and tech companies like Google, Facebook, Apple and Samsung move to the city to consolidate their gains and prepare the future of their companies.

Sales of IT technologies in Equestria soared yet again as computer shops selling rudimentary PC’s are cropping up all across Equestria. It’s also quickly becoming the go-to business model of the future as Equestria embraces IT technologies in the three years after the event.

The Changeling Protectorate and Equestria finally signed an open borders treaty and the establishment of a joint police force in conjuncture to patrol the Badlands and the Mild West for any potential criminals.

Battle for the Crystal Empire officially announced a victory after three days of bitter fighting between French and Equestrian forces against King Sombra.

In a stunning move of French solidarity. The native Melanesian population of New Caledonia staged a rally in their provincial capital Noumea. Waving French flags and shouting ‘Solidarity with our human bretheren’ as their national motto, dealing a blow for the independence movement in New Caledonia.

Population of New Sartre officially reached 180.000 people as immigration from Metropolitan France, done mostly by the disenfranchised boosted the population of the newest French territory in the last 3 years.

The mayor of Marseille officially announced that the city is now ‘crime free’ as plans for the urban renewal of the second largest city in France in conjuncture with a major crackdown on drug dealing have finished it’s major facets and is now in the process of cleaning up ‘loose ends’ as the mayor said. Possibly implying eliminating the rest of the drug problem which used to plague Marseille due to it’s location as a staging point for trafficking drugs to the US.