Myself, as well as my four Vals in the princesses, Nightmare, and Fleur, Silver having revealed to be a leader in her own right, and not a Val anymore, made our way to the hive throne room, with our armor on. "I'm surprised the Griffons are just now here for an alliance," Silver said. "Dainn's forces have been harassing the border ever since Canterlot was taken."

"Don't forget abducting Grifonnesses and the males, turning the males into females," Fleur said. "The fact they are looking for an alliance now means it's desperate."

"Which gives us something to use," Nightmare said.

"Agreed," I say.

"You want to black mail them," Celestia asked, shocked.

"It only makes sense," Nightmare said.

"They should have helped us to begin with, or at least have given us supplies," Fleur said.

"And you'll be able to tell their representative that soon enough," I say.

"Thankfully," Fleur said. "Who knows how many others in the Resistance were killed because of shitty armor. Close friends of mine included."

Both Celestia and Luna put an arm around the more recent alicorn. Can't really blame them. They too had lost friends, either those who fought, or those that were truly red collars, and not fakers like Celestia, including Twilight Sparkle. Not that she would wish to fight, anyway. Especially not beside the one who had killed one of her closest friends. . . . . . . No. I wasn't the one to bring about Spike's death. Yes, I may have brought down the blade, so to speak, but it is because of Dainn, himself or no, that I am here. It is because of that that Spike is dead. I may feel guilt for having to kill him, but, as I had taken an oath when I put his blood on my chest plate, i would taken vengeance on the Caribou. Only now, not in the way I had thought.

Anyway, we made out way to the throne room. Upon the guards, both female changelings, opening the door, we saw Chrysalis, dressed in her hive's battle armor, made up of a black, steel like metal breastplate, shoulder pieces, bracers, and leg armor with greaves, a green strand of fabric connected to the band around her waist in the front and back. That is how a royal should look, not Celestia in a damned silken gown, especially in combat.

The Griffon was a female with the head of that bird from the Assassin's Creed II trailer, I don't know the name, and, of what I saw, fleeting glimpses of her ankles and arms, she had the body of a lion, and it went with the sleek grace she had upon moving, and wore battle armor that looked as if it was made of bone.

"Chrysalis," I said in way of greeting, getting the attention of the two.

"Hello, Mau'ual," she replied in a neutral tone. Yeah, she didn't like me that much. I can only wonder why. I'm not being sarcastic, I really wonder why. "Princesses, Fleur, Silver," she said to the others, the last two and Nightmare nodding, while Celestia and Luna did nothing, hate for the wedding in their eyes. "This would be Quick Wing, the recently arrived Griffon Representative. Quick Wing, these would be my fellow leaders."

"It is an honor to meet each of you," Quick Wing said, bowing. "You especially, Princesses."

"And why is it now you wish for an alliance," I ask before a reply could be made, getting straight to the point.

"You must be Mau'ual," she said. "In honesty, it is thanks to you. Our spies within Canterlot say that what you did in Ponyville has reached all of Dainn's forces, especially the fact you were able to harm him. They already call you a 'Demon'."

"You have not answered my question."

Quick Wing sighed. "It is because, though partly because of you as well, Dainn's forces have begun to make larger and larger incursions into Griffon lands, and have begun to enslave more females." She paused before adding, "Including my sister and her chicks."

"My condolences on losing them," Silver said. "I've lost family and friends to Dainn as well."

"What's a Caribou doing here," Quick Wing asked in a snarl. "They should all be killed."

"She is here because she is different than the rest," I say. "As is every single Caribou here, to some degree. And if you decide to cause harm to even one," I say, walking over to her, "then you shall see why the Dainn's forces call me 'Demon'. Am I clear?"

"Yeah, you are," Quick said. "Still, Our deal will not involve them."

"It matters little," I say. "As rightful ruler of her kind because of an ancient overthrow who know how many years ago that many of her Order kept track of, Silver made her own deal with Chrysalis when she first arrived at this hive, and later, four days ago, to be precise, with the Princesses and myself. So, what is the deal you wish to make?"

"The Griffons will assist you in defeating Dainn's forces, and help you in protecting your borders until Equestria is back at the strength it was before the Caribou. In return, once Equestria has recovered, we will be the ones you trade with most."

"I have a counteroffer," I say. I may not be a politician, but I had seen that move coming. "You help us, we remove the threat from your borders, because it is obvious you need the help. Otherwise, you would not be here. Seeing as how I'm the one in charge of military matters, I decide where the military goes. So, which will it be? Trade that is iffy at best depending on if we win this war, or us helping you to remove the threat at your borders?"

As I had hoped, this made her think. Another side effect was Luna and Celestia glaring at me, most likely for blackmailing an ally. But the job of a General was to protect his country first, and right now, that country was Equestria.

Eventually, she said, "Fine. The King expected you'd say that."

"Thank you for accepting the offer," I say. "Now, where are Griffon forces?"

"Last I saw, near the one spot in the border where the Caribou don't attack."

nodded. "Chrysalis, are you able to send your forces there?"

"Yes, why?"

"Because we'll need Griffon support for what I have planned," I say. "Chrysalis, if you agree, send changelings to the border area the Griffon army is at. Quick Wing, tell your king I'll need his army."

"What do you have planned, Mau'ual," Chrysalis asked.

"Simple," I say with a smirk. "Taking Cloudsdale and freeing the Element of Loyalty."