"The day diplomacy fails we will all drown in a sea of our own blood."

                                                                                                                       Unknown

Spike slowly walked through the military base under Fillydelphia, the dragon had been shaken by the way Applejack had acted. She had once valued her family more than her own life and to allow her cousin to die like that and not even bat an eyelash had showed him she was beyond saving and possibly beyond redemption. The dragon sighed morosely before entering his office, the guards saluted but Spike didn't bother acknowledging it. Another matter that bothered him was the tome that lay on his desk. He picked it up and growled vehemently, his anger reached a boiling point as he stared at the Ursa leather bound book as if the tome mocked him in some way. Instead of letting his temper boil over he simply sighed in defeat and slumber in the chair behind his desk.

'My only clue is the Dragon Graveyard,' Spike thought to himself as he picked up the navy feather and began twirling it around in his claws,' But I can't just leave I have a war to fight here.'

His office door opened revealing Moondancer, the fuchsia unicorn mare seemed in high spirits as she trotted into the room.

"My lord the message has been sent."

"Good. What of Applejack?"

"No change."

Spike nodded,' I figured as much.'

"Moondancer I believe it is time for you to make your way to Manehatten." Spike got up from his chair, pulled a set of leather bound documents from off his desk, and handed them to Moondanncer." These will get you into the city upon your arrival contact Octavia Melody."

"Ah yes she's one of our 'anonymous' benefactors isn't she."

"Yes once there I will need you to try to set up a meeting with the Whitegold Inner Counsel. Octavia, I believe has some standing with a few members she will help you. Take with you three Shades you would trust with your life."

"Planned on it my lord," She chuckled," That city is full of backstabbers but my question is my lord why Whitegold? After-all they are called the house of liars for a reason and lets not forget that Lady Rarity is the best of the bunch."

Spike's expression changed for the briefest of moments to that of regret. The second it had showed itself it vanished but did not go unnoticed by Moondancer.

"I know that mare could sell sand to a camel but House Whitegold has what we need. As well they will back us I'm sure of it. Lady Rarity wants the other Houses brought low as much as we do."

Moondancer bowed," Yes my lord forgive my inquiry."

"That is quite alright," the unicorn turned to leave at that but Spike called to her as she opened the door," and Moondancer thank you."

The mare turned to look behind her a smile gracing her lips," Your welcome."

Moondancer left the room to begin preparations for her trip.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                                                                                      ~A few days later~

"Why should we give into their demands," a cobalt blue earth stallion shouted as he slammed the letter he had just read onto the table. House Brightflame's letter asking for Earthborn's surrender had arrived a few hours by pegasi in Apploosa. The Earth counsel had rushed to convene under Granny Smith's order. With Applejack absente the light green mare was the ranking member at the table. She had remained silent upon reading the letter and appeared calm. On the inside she was equal parts furious and sorrowful. The thought of losing one of her grandfoals scared Granny Smith to death.

"Ah say we march on Fillydelphia full force," Applebloom shouted form her spot at the table. Her outburst garnered several grunts of agreement around the table. A voice of caution came form an unlikely source, Little Strongheart.  The massive buffalo slammed a hoof on the table garnering everyone's attention. She was silent for a moment, her eyes scanning the room as if daring anyone to speak up. 'She knows how ta get a pony's attention that's fer sure,' Granny Smith commented mentally as her gaze fell on Little Strongheart.

":Have they not conquered two of Earthborn's settlements and managed to emerge victorious in battle against even Applejack's army. This House Brightflame is a worthy foe and rushing to face this new enemy is foolishness. This group appeared as if out of the blue and easily toppled our border. What makes you think they will not simply take our lands by force should we refuse this offer?"

A pink pegasus mare spoke up," Then why bother asking for our surrender? Answer me that buffalo."

"Cause whoever this here Pyrequill is wants a peaceful solution," Granny Smith said suddenly standing up from her spot," So we'll cast a vote here an now. All those fer at least meetin' with this House Brightflame raise yer hooves."

Six hooves rose in the air including Little Strongheart's and Granny Smith's.

"And all those against," the pink mare from before asked. Six more sets of hooves rose in the air. All present stared at the only earth Counsel Member present that hadn't voted Master Blacksmith Applebloom. The young earth mare looked at her grandmother with equal parts guilt and fury in her eyes.

"Ah'm sorry Granny," Applebllom rased her hoof she yelled," Against!"

'You foolish, foolish child,' Granny Smith closed her eyes, disappointed in her granddaughter. The cobalt stallion slammed down a gavel.

"It is done then we will refuse Brightflame's proposal."

When the counsel members all started to leave Granny Smith remained in her seat. Applebloom walked over to her.

"Granny Ah know you don't agree with the decision to refuse the offer but we can't let surrender to 'em  We..."

The green mare held up a hoof to silence the younger mare," Ya got nothing ta be sorry fer child its mah fault. Ah didn't notice that mah own grandfoals had started putting a war before family. Ah failed you an Applejack."

"Wha-" Applebloom began but Granny Smith shook her head.

"We Apples always put kin before anything else its been that way fer over five hundred years and here is mah own granddaughter putting th agenda of some counsel fore her own sister. Ah look back and ah don't know when but you, Macintosh and Applejack have forgotten yer values and ah was too blind ta see it. Ah hope yer decision is worth it cause a lot of ponies are gonna die in th comin weeks."

Without another word the old mare rose to her hooves and walked out of the room, her head hung low. Applebloom watched her go and began to wonder herself if she had made the right decision.  

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