"I'm sorry, what?!"

When Guardian proposed the alliance, Chrysallis was shocked that anyone would suggest such a thing.

"Please, without your army Equestria doesn't stand a chance." Guardian was pleading now, He couldn't afford to lose this asset.

"Even though I owe them compensation for my attack on Canterlot, I will not be dealing with those racists!"

Tell that infernal woman that if she doesn't join us then she will not even survive their first attack.

Guardian repeated his "advice" from The Overlord to Chrysallis, leaving out the insults of course. Chrysallis still wasn't giving in, "How could you possibly think that they would accept me after what I did?"

The Queen looked down at the ground, regret and sadness filled her eyes, "What I did was unforgivable and just utterly idiotic! Why would they trust me after all that?"

Guardian reached out and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, "I've done my own atrocities against Equestria myself," Chrysallis looked up in surprise, "Although I'd rather not speak about it, everything worked out in the end and they forgave me." Chrysallis thought hard about this. He was right about one thing, the Changelings were in no position to go to war by themselves, only by aligning with Celestia would they have a chance at survival.
Chrysallis straightened and looked Guardian in the eyes, "Very well, I will meet you along with whomever else you've invited, at the castle in two days time. You are dismissed."

He drew his hand back, breathing a sigh of relief. A Changeling guard appeared and began to escort Guardian through the darkness. Before they stepped back into the tunnels Guardian turned around,

"It's not going to be an easy day, I'm not going to be as friendly as I am here. And don't worry I'll make them trust you,"

His next words were very unsettling to the Queen.

"No matter how harsh I have to be."

-----------------------------------

The next day was mostly spent on waiting for Guardian again. Celestia and Luna were already at the Castle of the Two Sisters when Twilight and her friends arrived. When they entered the throne room they were surprised to see Chrysallis and the princesses standing side by side facing the door. Just as Rainbow Dash was about to make a rude comment to Chrysallis, Celestia flashed her a very harsh glare.

"Fall. In. Line."

Twilight had never seen her mentor so worked up over something. Celestia wasn't angry, she was, frightened. By what, Twilight couldn't guess.
As soon as they took up position by Celestia, the group of mares turned to face the door like the alicorns were. They wore serious expressions, which even silenced Pinkie Pie. Then the castle doors swung open, Guardian marching through with a...critical stare. Twilight could have sworn she saw Luna stop breathing for a moment.
Guardian stopped a few feet in front of them, his gaze sweeping over them. The princesses stared straight ahead, not making eye contact nor speaking with Guardian, as if they already went through whatever this was. Twilight was confused about the whole ordeal. She desperately wanted to ask Guardian what was happening but kept her mouth shut. The silence was finally broken when Guardian gestured to Fluttershy and Rarity.

"When you entered this building, you were scanned and your physical capabilities have not met the training requirements."

Fluttershy and Rarity looked at each other, neither had the faintest idea of what he was talking about. When Guardian noticed this he gave a frustrated sigh, then assessed all of them.

"You have all been made aware of the threat that lies on our doorstep. An army is coming to Equestria with the intent to kill and nothing else. We need to strike back with a force of our own, that's why your here. You will each undergo a series of assessments that will test you to the limit. When I decide the right time, you will then be assigned a squadron and a specific role in that squad. Questions?"

Twilight stepped forward, but immediately fell back when Guardian answered her unspoken question, "No we cannot reason with them. War is what they want and it's what they shall get, but they will be denied victory. Anyone else?"

When no one came forward, Guardian continued, "Ground rules, I am not your friend as of this moment, but your commanding officer. I expect the utmost respect from all of you. You will respond to me with a yes or no 'sir'. Insubordination will not be tolerated and will be met with severe consequences. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Sir!" The alicorns responded in unison, everyone else nodded their head out of fear.

It's going to be a really long day...for them at least.