“The good General thinks it takes whole armies to change outcomes. He doesn't think individuals can affect change. I disagree.”
David Elliot, The Avatar Of Albion.

It took David Elliot a good forty minutes to, briefly, explain the events of his time in Equestria. He’d left out some of the superfluous details, including (to Luna’s mixed chagrin and amusement) the fight between the Avatar and the two Princesses, but he was otherwise very thorough in his explanation of what had happened.

The part Luna hadn’t known, until he had explained it, was how he had come to be there in the first place. Apparently it had been a plan suggested in desperation by Hell Blazer, the yellow pony Luna had only met briefly in London. From the details Elliot was giving, Luna drew parallels with the story she had heard from Celestia, the memories the man had given to Twilight Sparkle.

It feels like so long ago, she thought wryly, though it has only been days. Despite the seriousness of the situation, she allowed herself the briefest of smiles. Time is such a fickle mistress.

“So,” Anderson finally said when Elliot had finished, “we have an entire nation of allies to call upon.”

He said this with a sceptical glance at Luna, who bristled at his tone.

“We will stand by your side in this dark hour,” she said at once. Her expression darkened. “I have seen the works of this ‘Solamina’ first-hoof now. I will not allow them to continue.” She met each of their eyes in turn. “My sister echoes my resolve in this matter.”

There was a pause as this oblique reference to a Celestia sank in. Elliot gave Luna a sidelong glance, and she met it: his expression was uncertain, but she simply smiled.

We have to make them get past their fear of my sister, she thought, however it can be done.

“Forgive me, Princess,” Representative Cheerilee put in after a long silence, “but your sister… Princess Celestia…”

“Can you really expect us to trust her?” Mr Sato put in, his tone even and polite even as he looked troubled. “Much as she may not be the enemy we have faced… rationality falls flat before the raw feelings of…”

He trailed off.

“Anger? Hatred? Homicidal loathing?” Elliot suggested with a tinge of bitter mirth.

“I would have said distrust,” Sato replied, his tone diplomatic, “but regardless, the strong feelings she will no doubt evoke in any she fights alongside are… a concern.”

“You surely also mean the feelings of distrust that I am already evoking in you?” Luna put in with her own wry smile, her eyes fixing on the politician’s: to his credit, he did not look away. “You do not believe we are here to help: you fear we are a trick of some kind.”

“That’s one way to put it,” Anderson said grouchily. His arms were folded. “All seems a bit too good to be true.”

Luna turned to look at him, before taking a deep breath.

“Do you know how many of our Royal Guards died fighting in your city, London?” When he didn’t answer, she scowled. “Four hundred and ninety three. Many more will be crippled for life, or bear permanent injury. That, General, is the blood price for our alliance, a price we paid willingly, without hesitation.” She narrowed her eyes. “Is it not good enough for you? Must we shed yet more before you will believe what we have to say? Tell me, how many of our soldiers must die to convince you of our goodwill?”

Anderson’s scowl softened. Sato looked down, shamefaced, and Cheerilee’s face fell into a sorrowful, crumpled expression.

“We don’t mean to question your dedication, your highness,” she said, her voice gentle and quiet. “Epona knows we did not mean offence.”

“I understand that,” Luna said quietly.

“Then you also have to understand our position,” Cheerilee said quietly. “We… we don’t get ‘help’. Not from the rest of Equus, so fixated on their own borders as they are. Not from anypony, anyone, anywhere.” Her eyes betrayed something that might have been hope and fear mixed into one. “To receive it from another universe, something we thought of as the stuff of fiction…”

“But I am not fiction, Representative,” Luna cut her off. “Am I?”

“No,” Cheerilee said after a moment. “It would seem you’re not.”

“So much of what’s happened to both our worlds is beyond what we could ever have imagined,” Sato cut in, his expression thoughtful. “To believe this… it does not seem so beyond the realms of possibility. Though it is certainly convenient.”

“Convenience would have had us have this alliance years ago,” Elliot cut in, his expression suddenly morose. “Or have us have some weapon against the Barrier, against the potion. This is many things, Councillor, but not convenient.” He gave another, rueful, smile. “More of a ‘last throw of the dice’, really.”

“Perhaps,” Cheerilee said diplomatically. “But last throw or not, it is welcome.”

“I am glad you think so,” Luna said, “for there is little time to convince you.” She took a breath. “If your enemy is Celestia, corrupted and maddened as she might be, then she might well be the greatest threat in the history of either world.”

“Gee, we hadn’t guessed,” Anderson muttered. Luna scowled at him, but he just sneered. “We’ve been fighting her for damn near a decade, ma’am. We know what she is.”

“Perhaps you think so,” Luna said, “but you have never sprung this kind of surprise upon her. She will react very quickly to this threat: quickly enough, I fear, that you may be unable to stop her.”

“Then what do you suggest?” Sato asked.

Luna took another deep breath. “My sister has already summoned the Conclave of Fairpoint: the leaders of our free Equus. She will attempt to call upon them for aid.”

“But?” Cheerilee asked. Luna blinked at her. “There is a but there, isn’t there, Princess?”

Luna nodded slowly. “They will need proof.”

“Proof of what’s happening here?” Sato asked, frowning. “Wouldn’t Celestia's word, or your word, do?”

“Does it do for the Griffon Empire here?” Luna asked in return.

“Oh, they know what’s happening here, don’t worry,” Cheerilee said dryly. “They just don’t bucking care.”

“Well, the Griffons of my Equus do not know,” Luna said quietly. “And so proof we must send.”

“One of our soldiers would suffice,” Elliot said quietly. “Given truth serum of some kind - I’ll assume your Equestria has that?” At Luna’s nod, he continued. “One of our soldiers, giving sworn testimony…”

“One of your unit, I would say, Major,” Anderson said. “I think it best that we send someone with experience with you.”

“And a human,” Cheerilee added. “So that they know what - and whom - it is they’re helping.”

“Agreed,” Sato added. He looked to Elliot. “Any thoughts? You have a good few soldiers under your command who might -”

“Eric,” Elliot replied at once.

Sato blinked, before looking at Anderson with a quizzical frown.

“Ser Eric is one of the lead Iron Clads we have in your group,” Anderson said slowly. “Are you sure you can spare him?”

“He’d literally never forgive me if I let someone else go to another world instead of him,” Elliot said immediately. His cheerful expression dimmed somewhat. “And… well, if any of us deserves to go see somewhere that isn’t this place, it’s him. He’s earned that.”

Anderson nodded. “Very well. We’ll make the arrangements.”

“Very good,” Luna said. “Having met Ser Eric, I have no doubt he will be an excellent spokesbeing for your people.”

Murmured of agreement echoed from around the table for a moment. Then Anderson took a deep breath.

“Right,” he said. “We have some calls to make, Princess, if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” Luna said, inclining her head. “I thank you for your time. Major,” she added, turning to Elliot, “I will wait for you outside.”

Without another word, she turned and left the room, her mind racing as she began planning the next move. She would have to go back to London to start, and speak with Charlie Horse about the setup and disposition of their forces.

We have made a promising start, but that is all it is, she thought. We must find a way to capitalise on our victories here, else we be undone.

***

“Major,” Anderson said after a moment, “how the fuck do you pull shit like this off?”

Elliot shrugged. “No idea, sir. Maybe I’m just lucky.”

“Lucky my arse,” Anderson snorted. “You live a fuckin’ charmed life, Major.” He shook his head. “I don’t know how you do it, but I can’t argue with results.”

“Indeed, there is certainly an inordinately high level of good fortune in you having brokered this alliance,” Sato added, nodding slowly. “But you realise it is only the beginning.”

“I know,” Elliot said heavily. He sighed. “Believe me, after London, I know.”

“We will be awaiting your report on that, Major,” Anderson said. “In the meantime, however -”

“In the meantime, General,” Elliot cut him off, “I have a request to make of the council.”

Anderson blinked at the interruption, and didn’t reply. After a moment, he opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again.

“A request, Major?” Cheerilee said after a moment. “What sort of request?”

Elliot gave a rueful smile. “Fair warning, sir. You’re not going to like it.”

***

Lyra had been looking for David ever since she had parted company with Luna, hoping to speak to him. After London, with everything that had happened, they hadn’t exactly had the chance to sit down and talk. She still wasn’t entirely certain she didn’t want to kick him for thinking he could just go to Equestria and kill Solamina on his own.

Idiot, she thought, scowling. If he had died, she would never have forgiven him.

She eventually found David packing a kit bag in one of the many tertiary locker rooms, his shotgun left to one side, his hand cannon to another. He looked determined, resolute even.

That means trouble, Lyra thought. She had seen that expression plenty of times.

“Going somewhere?” she asked him.

“Sort of, yeah,” he said without looking up. “Spoke with the Council, and they’ve agreed to give me some leave time.”

Lyra blinked. “You’re taking leave?!”

Elliot smirked, not looking around as he packed his bag. He grabbed a spare shirt from his locker and looking at it for a moment.

“I know, Lyra,” he said, shoving the shirt into the backpack. “It’s a strange time to pick.”

“It’s more than strange,” Lyra’s voice said, sounding strained. “David… we need you! You’re our forces’ commander, you’re the Avatar -”

“And,” Elliot cut her off, “I am not good enough.”

Lyra’s eyes, if it were possible, widened even further. “That… you…”

There were so many things she wanted to say. You are good enough! You’re a brilliant, selfless man, you’re braver than anyone I’ve ever known, you’ve got a jawline to die for…

“I was barely strong enough to hold off a False Alicorn,” Elliot continued before she could say anything at all. “Against Solamina, what hope do you think I have?”

Lyra pursed her lips. “I wish you wouldn’t talk like this.”

It wasn’t the first time the problem had come up. Every time he coughed blood, every time he felt weakened, every time his strength, formidable as it was, fell short of whatever standards he was holding himself to, this was the conversation they had.

“You've always been too hard on yourself,” Lyra said softly, her eyes wide and full of something unidentifiable. “It's one of your most endearing traits, actually.”

Elliot laughed. “Endearing. That's a word.”

“One of many,” Lyra agreed. “You -”

She paused, and Elliot looked down at her with a frown.

“What?” he asked. “What’s wrong?”

Lyra said nothing for a moment, and he placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Are you alright?” he asked her.

She laughed bitterly. “Shouldn’t it be me asking you that? You’re the one talking about taking leave because you’re ‘not good enough’.”

“Yeah, I’m past the ‘being shouted at by Anderson’ phase, I’m fine,” he shrugged. “You - you look like you want to break something.”

“You could say that,” Lyra chuckled bitterly. Her smile faded. “I just…” She paused. “Where will you go? I mean, you’re not just planning on going to a pub and getting wasted, right?”

He laughed at that. “No, nothing like that.”

“Well, then, what?” Lyra asked.

Elliot paused, considering her words, before he nodded slowly.

“Alright,” he finally said. “You know these powers come from a mythological source, right?”

“Well, Excalibur is Arthurian mythology,” Lyra said, frowning. “So…?”

“So, I’ve been speaking with Rupert and a few of the other people in the Archives for the last year or so,” Elliot said quietly. “And we’re all convinced that not only is this weapon the Excalibur - the same Blade wielded by King Arthur - but that it’s possible that… well, that Merlin exists, too.”

Lyra blinked. “Merlin… King Arthur’s court wizard, basically?”

“Something like that,” Elliot said, nodding. “He was supposed to have been sealed away for eternity, right? So our thought process was that if we found him -”

“He might be able to help you become more powerful?” Lyra finished, now frowning again. “David… that’s a long shot. A really long shot.”

“I know,” Elliot agreed. “But it might be the best chance I have of learning what I need in order to…” He trailed off momentarily, his expression hardening. “To finish it. Once and for all.”

Lyra was still frowning. “That’s… David, where do you even begin searching?”

Elliot sighed. “I don’t know. But I spoke with Rupert and John, and they both think I might be able to… ‘sense him out’, I guess?” He chuckled. “‘Feel the Force’ and all that.”

Lyra nodded, her expression softening. “Alright, then. I guess I’ll have to go with you, then.”

Elliot blinked in surprise. “You will?”

“You don’t seriously think I’m letting you go off on a wild goose chase on your own?” Lyra asked, smirking at him. “David, the last time I let you go off without me, you ended up in another Equestria -”

“Which turned out well for us!” he protested.

“Yeah, only after you getting lost for far too long and scaring us all half to death,” she laughed. “I’m with you all the way. Wherever your crazy quest thing takes us.”

Elliot sputtered for a moment, but finally he smiled.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said gently, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Thanks, Lyra.”

She beamed up at him, happy to see him smiling at all.

Whatever else happened after today, she would remember this forever.

Canterlot Palace, Throne Room.

Twilight Sparkle motioned to her guards to wait outside the Empress’ throne room. Despite everything that she and the Empress had shared over the course of the last decade, she felt a wave of trepidation as she stood on the threshold.

How will she react? she wondered. How would… how would any of us react to this news?

The reports she had received were fragmentary at best, but everything they pointed to… none of it was good. None of it was even approaching good. And some of it was beyond belief.

Still: she had a duty to perform. Reaching out, she knocked on the door to the chamber with her hoof. Once, twice, a third time. A deathly silence fell over the entire hall, and Twilight could hear the creaks of metal as her guards fidgeted uncomfortably behind her.

And then, the door opened. A tall figure in shining silver armour was there, gazing down at Twilight imperiously.

“Twilight Sparkle,” said the False Alicorn guard. “Our lady awaits.”

Twilight inclined her head. “I look forward to meeting with her.”

The False Alicorn said nothing, instead stepping aside from the doorway and permitting Twilight entry into the throne room. She didn’t even look at the False Alicorn as she passed, instead for using her attention forward.

Sat upon her throne, reading a parchment, was the figure of another Alicorn. An alabaster coat and multi-coloured mane glinted in the evening light, and she wore golden battle armour. Her helm was set aside, placed on the arm of her throne, and she was smiling.

“Twilight Sparkle,” Astra Solamina Maxima said without looking up, her voice melodious and calm. “How good to see you, my faithful student.”

Twilight kept trotting forward until she reached the foot of the throne, and then she stopped, abasing herself into a deep bow.

“My lady,” she said reverently. “I am at your command.”

“My faithful Twilight,” Solamina said quietly, still smiling. “Let me guess. You come to bring me news of our stunning defeat at the hands of the humans at London.”

Twilight did not rise from her bow, but her eyes widened in horror.

“You… you knew about that,” she whispered.

“Naught can happen within the bounds of my infinite rule that I am not aware of, darling Twilight,” Solamina said benevolently. “All reports pass to me in time. But I am pleased that you are here.” She paused. “Have you a reckoning of our losses?”

“I… yes, my lady,” Twilight said, rising slowly and hesitantly. “Thirty one of your chosen, and eighteen hundred and twelve regular soldiers.”

“Eighteen hundred and twelve,” Solamina repeated with a sigh. “Eighteen hundred and twelve beautiful, unique creatures snuffed from existence - and that, only our own losses. How many more humans have we slain that might have been granted salvation, do you think?”

Twilight swallowed. “Our estimates are in the high hundreds to low thousands.”

Solamina shook her head sadly. “Such a waste. Such a terrible, terrible waste.” She paused, before frowning ever-so slightly at Twilight. “And our officers?”

Twilight’s expression became morose. “Commanders Pie and Sentry were slain.”

“Dear, dear,” that calm, all-too-quiet voice spoke. “My finest soldiers defeated, two of my best commanders killed. London stands, even after such a monumental attack by my forces. Truly, a shocking defeat, Twilight.”

“Y-yes, my lady,” the unicorn said, stammering slightly in fear.

There was a long, all-too-tense pause. Then, impossibly, Solamina let out a gentle, melodious laugh.

“It matters not, my little pony,” she said after a moment. “Whatever victory humanity thinks it has won for itself, it cannot win forever. Not against us. Not against me.”

“Y-yes, my lady,” Twilight said. “However, there… there is another concern.”

Solamina nodded slowly. “Speak.”

Twilight swallowed nervously. “The reports we have from the field indicate that… that there were Royal Guardsponies among the enemy. In old armour, from pre-Imperial Equestria.”

Solamina did not respond for a long moment, her expression unreadable.

“Royal Guardsponies,” she finally said. “Guardsponies… in the old diarchy colours. An odd choice indeed.”

Twilight didn’t reply, instead waiting for her Empress to speak again. When she did, it was in a more grim tone.

“This is troublesome indeed, Twilight,” she said, “and implies that there is more going on here than meets the eye. Is there anything else I need to know?”

Twilight wet her lips nervously. “There are rumours that an Alicorn matching the description of Princess Luna was among the enemy.”

Solamina took a deep breath. “Luna. Is that so.”

“It… it might have been a trick,” Twilight said, “some sort of illusion, but -”

“Regardless of what it is,” Solamina cut Twilight off, her tone becoming colder. “Regardless of what it could be… it requires our attention.” She took a breath. “I will begin my own research, dearest Twilight, and we shall get to the bottom of this affair.”

The purple unicorn breathed an almost imperceptible sigh of relief. “You are wise in all things, my lady. I have no doubt we will discover the truth with ease.”

“Your faith in me is humbling, Twilight,” Solamina said evenly. “And I shall continue to do my best to be worthy of it.” She paused. “The commander of the attack - it was your brother, wasn’t it?”

“He was overall Commander, yes,” Twilight said slowly.

“In that case,” Solamina said, still smiling, “I would like you to work with him. Find out what went wrong - find out if there is anything we can do to avoid a repeat of this… unfortunate defeat. Especially in light of the information you have brought.”

“Yes, my lady,” Twilight said at once.

“After that, my little pony,” the Empress continued in an almost motherly tone, “I want you to go to your family and rest. You have a friend to mourn.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Twilight said, bowing gratefully to her Empress.

“Come now, Twilight,” Solamina said with a soft smile. “We are friends. Though these are dark times, we cannot lose sight of our friendship.” Her voice took on an odd tone. “It is the greatest advantage that we have over our enemies.”

“Yes, my lady… Solamina,” Twilight corrected herself.

“With that in mind, I think it would be interesting if, for old time's sake, you write me a friendship report,” Solamina said. “As a… memento to your lost friend, perhaps.”

“I will get right to it,” Twilight promised with a smile. “You'll have it as soon as possible, I promise.”

“Good,” Solamina said. “Go now. Do not worry overmuch about your tasks for the moment… I would hate to put more stress upon your already burdened shoulders.”

With a final bow, Twilight turned and left the throne room, leaving her Empress in peace. Her mind was already racing with thoughts for her friendship report. Perhaps an essay on the most cherished memories she had shared with Pinkie…?

Alone, Astra Solamina Maxima simply smiled.

So, this time they send armies to the aid of the humans, she thought, returning to her throne without another word. This should be very, very interesting.

Author's Notes:

So… yeah. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I know it’s been forever, but what can I say - I felt the urge. Sort of, anyway. I’ll explain elsewhere, another time.