***

“This war is an abomination, and this Solamina a mockery of everything we hold dear.”
Princess Celestia, The Avatar of Albion.

***

Canterlot Staging Area. May 7th, Year 3 of the New Diarchy Calendar.

Celestia watched the last of the troops file through the portal, the shimmering gateway still looking as stable as it had when she had arrived, for which she was grateful.

“Right,” Discord said, cracking his knuckles. “This baby should stay open as long as you need.” He glanced back at her. “That is, of course, assuming that you need it, still?”

“We will leave it open for them,” Celestia said grimly. “I want to have an avenue of retreat open should it become necessary.”

“Alright,” Discord said, nodding. “Shouldn't have any problems. With the gateway at least - can’t guarantee they won’t need to retreat.”

“Such are the fortunes of war,” Celestia said grimly. “But I have confidence in Luna’s abilities as a commander.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet,” Discord said with a sigh. He looked troubled. “So now what?”

“Now, we wait,” Celestia replied quietly. “Or rather, you do.”

Discord frowned, looking faintly insulted. “You want me to just stay here and… what, portal-watch?”

“Yes, at least for the moment,” Celestia said, looking at him. “You will wait here until a cohort of 7th Day Guard comes to guard the portal.”

Discord clucked his tongue. “Right, and after I’ve played portal-watcher for you?”

“After that, there is much work to be done,” Celestia said softly. “Tomorrow at noon you will join me in the council of war.”

Discord folded his arms. “A ‘council of war’, huh? And you suppose I’m just going to hop to, come when you call, like a good little pony?”

Celestia gave him a look. “Discord.”

“I’m not your servant, Celestia,” the Draconequus said with a snort. “I’m helping you. Not obeying orders.”

He snapped a talon, and was suddenly dressed in what might have been Guardspony armour, except built for his form.

“I need you to come tomorrow,” Celestia said, frowning. “There is much we need to decide. And frankly, this is not a time for posturing, Discord.”

He sighed. “No. It isn't. Thanks to you.”

He vanished in a flash before Celestia could question the meaning of his words. She sighed.

“Alright, don't wait for the 7th Day Guard then,” she said irritably. She still didn’t quite know how to get a read on Discord. He acted as he willed, and he willed… strangely.

***

Canterlot Library.

There was a tension on the air, more so than usual. Though nopony wanted to discuss it, soldiers of Equestria were out there, right now, dying on another world, fighting against mares and stallions who might as well have been themselves. Might even literally have been themselves.

“And we’re just sat here,” Applejack said softly. “Waitin’ to hear what good we can do.”

“If there is any,” Rarity said quietly, her nose still deep in books of military apparel. Lyra was sat nearby, her eyes roaming over her copy of Ancient Myths of the Aquilans.

“There's something,” Rainbow Dash said insistently. “There's always something.”

“You say that, but it sounds more like platitudes than truth,” Rarity said grimly. “None of us are warriors, none of us are trained for combat. That's a pretty big hindrance.”

“Yeah, we’re not trained, not yet,” Rainbow agreed impatiently. “But if we -”

“Standard training for the guards lasts six weeks,” Twilight said quietly. “And with the state the human world must be in, we can't guarantee it’ll last that long.”

Rainbow growled. “So what? We don't do anything? We sit back and let the Guard do it all?”

“I-I’m sure Twilight doesn't mean it like that,” Fluttershy said quietly.

“Although I can see why she might,” Rarity put in. “This is different to the usual things we deal with. Pest problems or single individual threats we can handle - but we’re the Elements of Harmony, not of Warfare. Our skills lie elsewhere.”

“That’s true,” Applejack said, nodding. “But Ah can see why Rainbow don't like the idea of doin’ nothin’. Ah don't like it neither.”

“It is fortunate then,” a voice put in from the doorway, “that you will not be doing nothing.”

Princess Celestia stepped into the room, her expression grim.

“Princess!” Twilight said. “Is there any news?”

“Our forces have passed into the human’s world,” Celestia told her. “We do not expect to hear back for some time.”

Twilight and the others exchanged glances. None of them were entirely happy.

“But now there are different matters afoot,” Celestia continued, her tone grim. “Twilight: tomorrow at noon, you will be among those attending a council of war, along with several other important figures in our immediate plan of action.”

Twilight nodded mutely, and Celestia smiled.

“I knew I could count on you, dear Twilight,” she said quietly. She turned to the others. “Be assured: this will not be a simple time for any of us, but together, I am confident we will prevail.”

She turned and left. A moment passed, and Pinkie whistled.

“She’s good,” she said quietly, smiling. “She’s really good. I think she almost believed herself.”

Twilight scowled at Pinkie. “She was telling the truth. She’s confident.”

Pinkie’s smile faded slightly. “Yeah… maybe.” She took a breath. “Anyway. You've got a council thingy to go to tomorrow.”

“A council of war,” Twilight corrected gently, frowning. “I've gotta say, of all the things I ever thought I would be at…”

“If you're going to a council of war,” Rarity said with a frown, “you'll need to be properly dressed.”

“Rarity,” Applejack said tiredly, “Ah’m not sure -”

“It's important to look the part when one is entering matters of great importance!” Rarity snapped. She calmed. “Your measurements haven't changed, have they, dear?”

“Uh, no…” Twilight said with a frown.

“Alright, I’ll throw something together for you,” Rarity smiled. “Want you to look your best for something important.”

Twilight smiled back. Whatever terrors awaited, she could at least be grateful that she would be standing alongside her friends in the days to come.

***

War Room, Canterlot Palace, Canterlot. May 8th, Year 3 of the New Diarchy Calendar.

It had been over two hundred years since the War Room of Canterlot Palace had been opened up and used for its original purpose: the war between the Equestrian Diarchy and the New Aquilan Empire (which had not lasted over-long, but long enough to cause problems). The slick, evocative paint-scheme (rust-red and ivory) and the ancient battle-standards that adorned the walls certainly made one feel like this was a place where the art of conflict was taken seriously, at least.

For Princess Celestia, this place brought with it a slew of memories, both good and bad. Many generations of the Blood family, her nephews and nieces, had commanded armies from this room, and many warriors brave and true had died because of the decisions made here.

She was clad in ancient armour, the Astra di Irae floating by her side, ready to be used at a moment's notice. She was already feeling a new wave of confidence. She'd received word from Luna that the initial battle had ended in victory. Soon, envoys would be dispatched to speak with her, to confirm the alliance they were forging.

We have begun this game well, she found herself thinking grimly, but there is still all to play for, and these are but the opening gambits.

Waiting for the Princess was the council of war she had assembled: a collection of ponies who would help her in this time of conflict. Captain Shining Armour, still nominally the “First Captain of the Royal Guard” even though he spent most of his time as the Prince Consort of the Crystal Empire, stood in his purple-tinted armour, grim faced and stoic. Near him, her lips thin and her eyes full of worry, was Cadence - she wore glimmering silver armour, and girt at her side were a pair of slim and elegant crystal axes - the Warsongs, Irae and Cadenza, heirlooms of her ancestral house. Even as elegant as they were, they seemed oversized and, somehow, wrong when sheathed at the young Alicorn’s side.

Cadence is a mare of love and peace, Celestia thought grimly, and they are tools of war.

Discord stood nearby, his paws on his hips, the Draconequus lacking the same sort of regal attire as Cadence or Shining Armour, but making up for it in the solemn, entirely uncharacteristic expression he wore. His arms were folded, and he looked surprisingly sullen. The only hint to the formality of the occasion he had donned was a strange red and black shirt with a small silver arrowhead symbol on it.

“The only uniform I've ever encountered worth wearing,” he'd said when asked. “I don't have any right to it, or so I was always told, but if everypony else gets to play dress up, I do.”

Twilight Sparkle was there too: for the sake of the occasion she wore a formal, military-cut dress her friend Rarity had made in short order for her to wear to this occasion. Her face was full of worry at the events that were happening. Celestia felt a pang in her heart at seeing her faithful student here: she was so young…

Is she any younger than we were? she thought to herself, thinking back to the first time that she and Luna had fought, millennia ago. The two of them had fought wars all of their lives, ever since they were children. Their mother had been a soldier, and their father a Prince and a Knight of the old Unicorn kingdom. Though war was almost some stranger, some boogeyman to be feared by the ponies of this time (save those who lived in the disputed colonial territories), to Luna and Celestia it had been life, much as neither of them spoke of that time anymore.

We are old and they are young - they are children, but all children grow up. I would not have had it be now… but I will not hide from a battle that is as much mine as anypony's.

Once everypony was settled in, Celestia began.

“I now declare the council of war in session,” she said gravely. “May our choices in the hours and days to come be wise.”

“Your highness,” Cadence said formally. She bowed her head. “I, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, swear the service of the Crystal Empire to your command. My armies are yours - we go where you will.”

“Thank you Cadence,” Celestia said, bowing in return. “I accept your fealty humbly. I only regret that you must stand with us in a time of conflict.”

Shining Armour saluted. “It is my honour to serve once more in the armies of Equestria, your highness.”

“And our honour to have you at the head of our armies, Prince-Captain,” Celestia replied. “Be assured - this will be a war the likes of which we have not seen in many years.”

“Whatever comes, I will serve,” Shining Armour promised.

Twilight merely bowed, but her nervousness was palpable.

“My faithful student,” Celestia said with a smile. “The others are elsewhere in the castle, are they not?”

“Yes, your highness - still researching in the library,” Twilight said quietly. “I… didn't know…”

“You didn't know what your task here would be,” Celestia finished. Twilight nodded. “I understand - needless to say, the Elements of Harmony are a chief part of our arsenal: one of our greatest defenses.”

“Greater than you think,” Discord muttered, but everypony ignored him.

“Your presence may well decide the fate of this conflict,” Celestia said.

“I'm… honoured,” Twilight said after a moment, bowing once again but with an uncertain look on her face.

Celestia threw Discord a glance. He raised an eyebrow archly.

“If you expect me to play this game of 'bowing-scraping-kissing-flank', you're neighing up the wrong metaphor,” he said. “Then again, you think this war is actually a good idea, so I guess this is your week of stupid.”

“A 'good idea' is a very vague definition,” Celestia commented with a wry grin. “We are about to go into battle against a tyrant who is an insult to us and a threat to harmony. I would call that a 'good idea', for the sake of being able to sleep at night knowing we did everything we could to help.”

“Well I wouldn't call it a good idea, morality be damned,” Discord replied, scowling. “You're up against armies equipped for wars you've never dreamed of. The things that are waiting there… her... the fact that you're not currently quivering in your metaphorical boots is simultaneously proof that you're brave and proof that you have no idea.”

“Then enlighten us, Discord,” Cadence said mockingly. “Tell us what we are about to go to war against, if we’re supposed to be ‘quivering’.”

Discord scowled at her. “Unlike you, Cady-Wady, I’ve been there. I know what Solamina is, what she’s built.”

The seriousness of his tone gave even Celestia pause.

“I don't understand,” Twilight said. “She’s just an evil Celestia, isn't she?”

Discord sighed. “Basic rule of parallel universes - there is a point of divergence, a place in history where one of the two Celly’s in question when left and the other went right off the deep end.”

Celestia frowned. “And you know what ‘threw her off the deep end’?”

“I do now,” Discord said without elaborating.

“And?” Shining Armour asked. “What do you know?”

Discord closed his eyes. “That Solamina is not Celestia. At least, not just her. Not anymore.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Cadence asked with narrowed eyes, but Discord didn't answer, his expression uncharacteristically morose.

“If she's not Celestia anymore, how is she still the ruler of Equestria?” Shining Armour asked. “How have our counterparts not -?”

“Deposed her?” Discord asked hollowly. “Well, your counterpart, along with a good eighty percent of the existing Guard contingent, were subject to a ceremony of renewing your oaths of loyalty, a ceremony that prevents your counterpart from even considering treason. And as nice as it would be to presume that most of Equestria is ‘too good’ to serve a Tyrant, it's a fantasy. Those ponies who turned on Celestia when she became Solamina are a minority. Most ponies stayed loyal.” He turned to Cadence. “Including your counterpart, Cady-wady. She's as much a Solaminan Empire loyalist as you are a kisser of Celly’s flank.”

Cadence’s expression turned cold. “That… that isn't…”

“That doesn't seem possible,” Shining Armour said with confidence. “Cadence wouldn't support a tyrant, even if the rest of Equestria might.”

“Celestia’s done a very good job by most ponies for the last eleven millennia,” Discord pointed out. “So good that it takes a lot to shake a pony’s faith in her. Anypony’s faith. Especially when Solamina has a propaganda machine. Besides which, Captain Shiny Helmet, Cadence is loyal to family. Celestia’s the oldest member of the family she’s got - one of the only members that Cadence still has.”

Shining Armour’s face became less certain.

“Whether she is truly ‘me’ or not is irrelevant,” Celestia said quietly. “We are now committed to engage her forces in battle. Captain Armour - what is the state of our current forces as you deem them?”

Shining Armour whistled through his teeth. “We’ve been in an unprecedented time of peace these last few years, your highness. Recruitment has been low, the colonial borders have been quiet… but what forces we have are at the top of their game.”

“The Crystal Empire’s militia has been training with Guards that Shining brought with us to the Empire,” Cadence added. “And there were a few things we’ve managed to repurpose: armouries, etc. Still, I'm afraid the Empire can't really bring that much to the table at present.”

“It all depends on what we’re fighting,” Shining said with a thoughtful frown. “Discord?”

“An Equestria built for war with all of Equus,” Discord replied grimly. “To put it mildly. She's got millions more Guard than this Equestria, and that's leaving aside specialised weapons: Super-Zeppelins, Crystalline Golems, Solar Idols, the Sunstorm project, the False Alicorns -”

“The what?!” Twilight asked, leaning forward. “What did you just say?”

Discord grimaced. “I suspect Lulu will be able to fill you in. She's fought some.”

“False Alicorns...” Celestia whispered, her eyes wide. “By Epona Ascendant, she's insane. She… she’s messed with the forces that create Alicorns themselves?”

“She has,” Discord said. “Honestly I don't know why you're surprised. You know the power of Alicorns. Wouldn't you want a small army of them?”

“I know what happens when you force ascension,” Celestia growled. “And I thought even a Tyrant would know that you do not force ascension.”

Discord shrugged. “She found a way to make the transformation stable. What happened to Divine Right won't happen to these things.”

“Divine Right?” Twilight asked, frowning. “He… was the last ruler of the Adamantine kingdom, right?”

“Many, many years ago, before the first Discordant Age,” Celestia said tiredly. “He was a king who tried to force ascension upon himself. The process did not complete properly. He destroyed himself, his body unable to contain the magic he was trying to harness.” She sighed. “If Solamina has somehow perfected an artificial ascension…”

“With that, and with the increased militarisation Discord suggests,” Shining Armour said slowly, “I’m… struggling to see us being able to win a decisive military victory. At least, not without massive drafting and building, both of which would still require time…”

“… that we don't have,” Celestia finished with a sigh. “Alright then. I shall investigate our options. In the meantime, Cadence and Shining Armour - you must prepare the bulk of our forces for this conflict.”

Shining Armour saluted, and Cadence bowed.

“Twilight,” Celestia continued, “you and the other Element Bearers must continue your research for the moment. Any insight you may gain would be worthwhile.”

“Yes, your highness,” Twilight said with a slight bow. “But… I don't know what we’re looking for yet.”

Celestia sighed. “At this point, anything that might provide insight. Discord has brought a hint that this Solamina is not what she was - perhaps you'll find an explanation.”

“You might,” Discord agreed unexpectedly. “I'm gonna go poke that portal, make sure it's still going strong. Then… I dunno, I'll reconnoiter.”

“That idea has merit,” Celestia said diplomatically. “But you and I will talk soon.”

Discord let out a soft grunt, and then he disappeared in a flash.

“I'll begin overseeing preparations, your highness,” Shining Armour said with a bow, and he and Cadence left. Twilight bowed again, and moved to go as well.

“Twilight, one last thing,” Celestia said, and the young mare stopped. She turned to look at the Princess. “Can you send Ms Heartstrings to speak with me in here, please?”

Twilight nodded. “Of course, your highness.”

“Thank you, Twilight,” Celestia said with a small smile.

With that, Twilight left, and Celestia was left contemplating her next move carefully.

***

Lyra blinked. “The Princess wants to speak to me?”

“That's what she told me,” Twilight said with a nod.

“Did she say why?” Lyra asked, frowning in confusion. Had she done something wrong? Or was it something to do with the human?

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Twilight said with a small smile. “Not to worry, though. I'm sure it'll be fine, though. Maybe she has something to discuss with you about the human.”

“I was just thinking that,” Lyra said thoughtfully, “but you had more contact with him than me.”

“That's true,” Twilight said thoughtfully. “I’m not sure, then. Maybe she’s thought of something you can do?”

Lyra frowned slightly. “Or maybe she’s sending me home, because there is nothing I can do.”

“I'm sure that's not it,” Twilight said softly. “In any case, you'd better go now.”

“R-right,” Lyra said softly. She felt a sudden wave of trepidation.

I’ve learned so much about humans from this one specimen that I met, she thought mournfully. And they're in danger. I have to help them, somehow, don't I?

She trotted slowly from the library to the council chamber Twilight had directed her to, all the while fearing that she was about to be sent home, away from the chance to help save humans, away from the chance to learn about them…

And then she was standing in the chamber, watching the Princess as she sat at the table, going over paperwork. The Alicorn looked up, a smile upon her face.

“Hello, Ms Heartstrings,” she said quietly. “Or… do you prefer Lyra?”

“Um…” Lyra said, trying her best not to feel foolish. The fact was, she had spent more time in the presence of Princess Celestia for the last few days than she had in her entire life. In fact, she had never so much as been near her, let alone spoken to her. “Uh, Lyra will do fine, your highness.”

“Then Lyra it is,” Celestia smiled. “Welcome to the council chamber. I fear any joy at the historical significance of such a room is dampened somewhat by circumstance, but I hope one such as yourself can recognise some relics of our past.”

Can I! Lyra thought privately. This room had displays of tapestries in the Primatian style, paintings of battles she'd only heard rumours of, and there was a single signet ring in one glass display cabinet that Lyra could have sworn was made for a human hand.

“You wanted to speak with me, your highness?” she asked, trying to distract herself from this room.

“I did indeed, Lyra,” Celestia said with a wry smile, as though she knew what Lyra had been thinking. “I was wondering what you were planning to do.”

Lyra blinked. “Uh… well… I hadn’t really thought about it, I suppose.”

That was a lie. Half-cocked ideas about joining one of the expeditionary forces (by joining the army, she guessed) had already run through her head at least once or twice. The notion of going to an entirely different world, meeting humans, seeing how they lived their lives - even in the horrible world that she had heard about - was simply incredible.

“I see,” Celestia said knowingly, as though she already knew what Lyra had been thinking.

“But… but I want to do something to help,” Lyra continued. “To help the human, I mean.”

“Yes, Major Elliot,” Celestia said quietly. “Given what little we’ve learned, I do not blame you.”

“It's just…” Lyra said, sighing.

The Princess raised an eyebrow. “Just?”

“I… I don't know what I can do,” Lyra blurted out. “It's… it's a war, right? I don't know what I can do to help in a war, I'm not a soldier, I'm not…”

She trailed off, feeling silly for her outburst.

Celestia smiled indulgently. “I can understand that frustration. I used to be young and have my passions too - research, the art of duelling…”

Lyra smiled. “I guess I just want to do everything I can to help.”

“It’s with that in mind that I wanted to speak with you, actually,” Celestia said quietly. She stood up and paced around the room, looking at some of the artefacts. “You seem to know a great deal about other cultures of Equus.”

“A little,” Lyra said modestly.

Celestia narrowed her eyes playfully. “Then how would one address a Qilin ambassador?”

“As ‘ambassador’,” Lyra replied at once. “A Qilin is their role in life first. I don’t think anyone knows their true names save for their families and closest acquaintances, and even then I don’t think they use them that often…”

She trailed off, feeling faintly embarrassed, but Celestia was smiling at her.

“You truly are somewhat of an expert, aren’t you?” she asked.

Lyra mumbled something barely audible, feeling too embarrassed to really say anything.

“As it happens, I could use that expertise,” Celestia said. “With Luna gone, the time has come for me to go to Fairpoint.”

Lyra’s eyes widened. “Fairpoint?”

“You’ve heard of it, then?” Celestia asked.

“It’s the location of the ancient conclave of Fairpoint, isn’t it?” Lyra asked. “A completely neutral location that no one nation holds any claim over, right?”

“That is correct,” Celestia said with a smile. “Last used after the escalation of the last Griffon war, in order to renew the Fairpoint Conclave.” Her smile widened. “It is to Fairpoint that I must go.”

Lyra blinked. “You mean…”

“The clarion call of a few days ago was not merely a call to summon Equestria,” Celestia said solemnly. “It was a summons for the alliance of nations that was forged at Fairpoint. A summons that they will not dare fail to heed, for it is one of the gravest urgency.”

“So they’ll come to Fairpoint,” Lyra said quietly. “Griffons, Qilin…”

“Many different groups,” Celestia said. “I do not doubt there will be frayed tempers and much disagreement there, but if what we have heard is true, this Solamina’s Empire has already wrought devastation upon her Equus.” She sighed. “Our forces must band together in order to stop her.”

“A-and you want me to come with you?” Lyra asked.

“As part of the diplomatic function, yes,” Celestia said. “Few of my own diplomats study as extensively as you - they may know Griffon customs, may even know how to address Qilin, but Moles? Fenri? The many varied races of the Ayakashi? The horses of the Husianid Caliphate? No, few of them have knowledge that in depth, and we can't afford to offend any of these beings.”

Lyra nodded slowly. “Alright, your highness. Any way I can help, you can count on me.”

Celestia smiled. “Thank you, Lyra. Please go pack your things - we leave in two days.”

Lyra bowed and turned to go, already thinking of what she would need.

Well, she thought to herself quietly. I always said I wanted to get out there and see the world.

Author's Notes:

Hello again, guys :-)

Sorry it's been absolutely ages since I've updated. I've spent a good long time being beset by so much IRL crap it isn't even funny, never mind my personal slump after December. Nonetheless, here I am, back with the start of the next arc of Albion - "Alliances" will be split fairly evenly between Luna, now in charge of the Equestrian forces assisting Earth, and Lyra and Celestia as they brave the diplomatic hazards of the Fairpoint Conclave in order to better prepare for the war. There are a whole host of characters that I am very eager to introduce to you in the next few chapters, as well as some old favourites from the original Avatar of Albion that will be returning to the spotlight (spoiler warning: Grey Squadron, more of Hell Blazer, the Council, and more besides).

Here's hoping I'm able to find time to get the next chapter out fairly soonish. In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Cheers, all.

Jed.