C.24 Alliance Negotiations

The morning of the war meeting was upon them. Twilight came down one of of the spiraling staircases that led up to her quarters into the main room, which was the library, that took up most of the space. The library had three floors, the entire building had five including a basement. The top floor was a living area big enough to house up to four teams, so two teams and a group of Delegates was nothing. The entire building has a few large fountains that ran off into waterfalls at various points. The Basement housed the largest one. The basement also held a large crystal cavern that went all the way around the cavernous trench, spiraling downwards. The caverns were open to the trench, which yielded a nice view.

Twilight said Galio and Mordekaiser wrestling, Pinkie cheering Galio on while Nocturne watched with a smile. Rarity and Vayne were speaking to the Phantom delegate and her guard, she realized Nocturne must be a Phantom because they resembled him greatly. They worse intricate robes though, she guessed the two were asking them about it.

Spike was chatting with the Dragon Delegate and his guards, them having been given a shrinking spell, as they happily chewed on a few Sapphires from the caverns. Rainbow Dash was talking to the Griffons, Gilda's father and the Griffon herself being part of the party, while the three Timber Wolves were coming towards her.

Fluttershy was speaking to the Dryads, them having a common interest, and was joined quickly by Hecarim. The rest of the Vamponies were chatting with Celestia. Luna came down the stairs right behind her, having given her the third Blood Pack that morning.

“Your princess gave us spell so all may hear our voices.” the Timberwolf, the one that called her Pack Savior, said.

“That's good...it's great to see you friends. Thank you for coming.” Twilight said weakly, having not completely recovered from the recent regeneration.

“Of course. What has harmed you so? We will rip their limbs from their body...” he growled.

“It is already done, d not worry.” Twilight replied.

“Very well...I am afraid I know not your name, and you know not mine. I am called Silent Howl.” he said.

“My name is Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight said. Silent moved forward and looked like he made to head butt her, but he stopped half way. Remembering this is like a hoof shake for the wooden creatures, she did the same- albeit a bit awkwardly due to her handicap.

“Now if excuse us we will speak to Dryads and Shy Friend.” he said. Twilight nodded.

“I have noticed something between your friends and your team Twilight.” Celestia said, coming up to the two.

“What did you notice?” Twilight asked.

“Look at how close Vayne and Rarity are sitting together. Hecarim and Fluttershy have not left each others' sides since they woke. Vlad and Red Heart are just obvious...and Pinkie kissed Galio good morning.” Celestia said. Twilight hadn't noticed Vlad and Red heart and looked for them. She found Vlad with his arm draped around the nurse reading in the corner.

“They kissed?” Luna asked.

“Yes...I asked Pinkie about it. Her exact words were 'He handles the Cake Foals better than I do and he bakes almost as good of course I like him!' or something like that. I asked Galio about it and he just replied with a nod.” Celestia replied.

“Hey...is Nocturne a Phantom? Sorry for changing the subject, I'm a bit scatter brained.” Twilight said, her voice regaining strength.

“Yes he is, though his Vampirism mutated him a bit to allow him the form of a Pony. Vayne and Rarity seem to adore their attire though.” Celestia said. Twilight nodded.

“Hey Twilight.” they heard and turned around to see Gilda.

“Hey...” Twilight replied. A wave of pain had gone through her so she accidentally had a bit of resentment in her voice.

“Please don't hate me...I'm really sorry...” the Griffon said sadly.

“Sorry, sorry...I'm just sore and it just flared...I'm actually glad you're here on friendly terms.” Twilight said reassuringly.

“Yeah me too...damn...that must have been horrifying, facing that Wraith...yet you're strong enough to go through all of this pain and regeneration...I have to admit...you're a stronger soul then I.” Gilda said.

“Are you sure you're Gilda?” Twilight asked with a chuckle.

“Yeah...what happened before made me realize what I was doing wrong. I still love pranking people, but I'm not as much a jerk anymore.” Gilda said, rubbing the back of her head.

“Well thank you. Hey have you seen Chrysalis or Metamorphosis?” Twilight asked.

“The Changeling Delegates? Um they're over there next to those two.” Gilda said, looking around and pointing near Vlad and Red Heart where the two Changelings were watching the match between Galio and Mordekaiser with amusement.

“Thank you. Luna you should probably go prepare, I'll be fine.” Twilight said. Luna sighed, nodded and left.

“Greetings Twilight Sparkle. Is there something you need?” Chrysalis asked when the Unicorn limped over.

“Sort of...follow me.” Twilight said and led the two into the Caverns below. They had plenty of light from the sun and glowing crystal lanterns hanging frequently.

“What is it?” Meta asked. Twilight closed her eyes in concentration for a moment before her coat color and mane color slowly changed. She looked like a smaller version of Meta in about a minute.

“You gained our change ability?” Chrysalis asked.

“Not exactly...it's only my looks...and it takes a lot of time...maybe if I get better it'll get stronger...but yeah...a little of the power in your blood bled through the regeneration.” Twilight said, turning back into herself.

“I am fine with this, it is actually what I had hoped.” Chrysalis said.

“Why?” Twilight asked.

“Because I want to help you. I already told you that...you said I was your friend. I want to cement that fact.” Chrysalis said.

“You don't need to give me your strength in order to be a friend Chrysalis.” Twilight said, awkwardly hugging the Queen. Chrysalis hugged her back and they separated.

“It's almost noon. Come now Love, we are needed.” Meta said. Chrysalis nodded and helped Twilight up the stone stairs.

“We are all here. This is technically a war meeting, but our topic is Peace.” Celestia said, they were all seated in various groups around the large table adorning the center of the library. “The Changelings have allied with us and the Dragons are finalizing their decisions now. All that is left are the Dryads, Phantoms, Timber Wolves and Griffons.” she continued.

“We will start then by announcing our alliance under the condition of allowing free trade with border cities.” the Dragon Delegate announced. Celestia nodded to him.

“Thanks to the Pegasus we know exactly what is going on. We wish to know what our role in this war would be and what we will do before we make conditions of alliance.” the Dryad Queen said.

“Very well. The Dryads are skilled with healing magics, so your people would mostly supply support, though what they do in terms of anything else is your own decision. They will be put in harms way and in battles, but we will increase team sizes in order to create teams that can easily protect each other.” Celestia explained.

“Then we have but one condition, and it is just a question we want a truthful answer to.” she said.

“Ask then.” Celestia replied.

“That one, why is she in such a state?” she asked, pointing to Twilight.

“This is proof of the strength of our enemies...my state represents what are we are trying to stop. This is the doing of a Wraith, a Dragon that has been corrupted by a Lich.” Twilight answered, forcing her voice not to waver.

“...Our condition has been met, we shall do as you ask princess Celestia.” the Dryad Queen said, putting her hand over her heart and bowing her head.

“Thank you.” Celestia said.

“We shall go next. Our peoples have fought in the past, but this generation has been trying to mend the relations. Our condition is land enough for a single city along the coast near Canterlot, our fishing towns are beginning to die off due to over fishing. We also hope you will allow a Delegate in your court, but it will not be necessary to the Alliance.” the Griffon Leader said.

“This is acceptable as long as you allow us a Delegate in yours as well.” Celestia said. The Griffon nodded and Celestia nodded back.

“We are a warring race, our only condition is that you include us in your fight and keep us housed while we are away form our lands.” the Phantom leader said.

“Of course, we would be honored.” Celestia replied.

“Us Last...Pack Savior, Twilight Sparkle, saved our pack form evil lead. We would fight for her without question, but for lasting alliance not enough. We ask to no longer be outcast. We ask to be not feared and allowed in cities. We are more civilized than ponies believe, our spell casters can learn this speech spell and we learn.” Silent Howl explained.

“If we win this with your help most ponies would welcome you wish open hooves.” Celestia said.

“Then we will join.” He said.

“Thank you everyone for your support and alliances. I would say you are free to do as you please while in this place, but it is not under my possession.” Celestia said.

“It is mine, but you may do as you please.” Twilight said tiredly.

“Well that's settled. We will meet again tonight to discuss action.” Celestia said. The others agreed and they adjourned.

“What's wrong Twi?” Spike asked.

“I'm just tired...can you tell Luna when she's done I want to talk to her?” Twilight asked as she limped to the stairs to her quarters.

“Sure, go get some rest.” Spike said.

“That was so fast...” Twilight said when Luna came up after her nap.

“the Wolves were already loyal to you, so I was not surprised. I was surprised by the Phantoms' willingness, but I suppose it made sense. The dragons had been in negotiations for three days before now. The Griffons must have already known exactly what was going on though, so they had already decided on conditions...the Dryads though, they are a peaceful people. They despise conflict and stop it whenever they can. Luckily they were sympathetic to our cause or they would have been neutral mediators in this war...” Luna explained.

“So what about this team expansion?” Twilight asked.

“Each team will be getting an expansion from five to nine, including all the races in this alliance. I don't know much more than that.” Luna said.

“Mmm...I'm hungry, I've tried some of this fruit and it's delicious...I've heard ponies call it 'Sparkle Fruit'...it doesn't sparkle though.” Twilight said, levitating one of the fruits growing on all of the trees now in through the window.

“Probably because you created them.” Luna said, deciding to sample it herself.
P.S. need a name for the Alliance.