Author's Note

Hello everyone sorry for the long wait, school and work do that to you. Now I have something to say. With the release of the season 9 trailer and this being the finale season of friendship is Magic and of G4 mlp I have chosen to keep on writing even after the show ends because I find it fun. So with out further waiting enjoy the chapter

Old Alliances, Older Enemies

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Canterlot Castle one week later

In the days following the Blood Moon, many things had come to pass. Thanks to failed attempt by Choraus to try and invade and capture Canterlot, a summit had been declared to gather all the nations either allied with Equestria or who had diplomatic relations. This union appropriately known as the council of Nations was an international diplomatic organization that was form by Celestia some five hundred years ago, shortly after The Caribou- Hooviet war, as a means to maintain peace and to try and find alternative means to settle differences without the need for bloodshed. Truth be told Ulfric didn’t quite know how to feel about this, on one hand he was pleased that so many nations and kingdoms is together to try and create a more peaceful world, while on the other hand he was displeased to learn that in the last three hundred years there had been no less than ten separate wars between half of the members nations. Despite the efforts of the council to maintain the peace between the warring nations diplomacy would often fail. Yet during this time period Equestria itself had not seen war or conflict for eight hundred years, that was until the attack on Canterlot. Many ranking military leaders flat out said this was a declaration of war between Equestria and the Crimson changeling hive, while others still wanted to pursue the route of diplomacy. Suffice to say this lead to many a shouting match during general staff meetings in last month and a half. Yet seeing as it had held the peace for so long Ulfric was not about to counter argue the usefulness of the council. Yet it was the list of visiting rulers that raised some concern with the human, many were coming from lands that had been long standing allies with Equestria, Minos, The Highlanders’, Neighpon, even the king of the Diamond Dogs was arriving from the Lonely Mountain located far to the northwest. The thought of the Highlanders brought a smile to his face as he recalled the battle that saved their lands from the Caribou and solidified a lasting alliance and trust with Equestria. For now he would simply have to keep a stoic expression and calm demeanor as there were some who now lived in the castle who knew what Ulfric’s temper was like not that they ever made him angry any second mind you.

While this was playing out in his mind, Ulfric was busy making sure his armor was presentable and free of filth and grime. Being that most of the nations had long forgotten him, he fully intended to re-educate them on who it was that helped protect their lands or brought about their humbling. And so as the hour of the meeting grew closer Ulfric decided it was time to make ready so that this threat of the crimson hive could hopefully bet dealt with swiftly and efficiently.

Canterlot Castle Diplomatic meeting room

Behind the heavy white oak doors sat Celestia and Luna each sitting upon their respective thrones as they awaited the arrival of the foreign dignitaries.

“Nervous Tia? Luna asked

“A little more of how Ulfric will react upon learning that the Caribou are a member of the council, given that his last meeting with them was shortly before your......banishment “ Celestia said with a hint of sadness after saying the last word. Luna knew that her sister still felt grief and sorrow for the pain she caused so long ago, but she did have a point, seeing as the last meeting Ulfric had with Caribou was shortly after the Caribou’s old empire was finally toppled and the nation rebuilt into a free republic where females would no longer be treated as property or as items of sexual abuse. Though Luna could clearly recall Ulfric saying that if they ever returned to their old ways he would personally finish them off leaving nothing but ruined cities and the dead as a reminder to any who tried to tread down that path again. How could Luna forget such an event when she witnessed it first hand.

“Point taken Tia, but though from what I have read, they have returned to some of their old ways, but I think it will have a positive outcome. “ Luna said with a small smile giving Celestia's hand a soft squeeze.

“So do I Luna, now if I am not mistaken our first visiting dignitaries should be arriving right. About . Now. “ Celestia said stealing a glance at the Ponnex wrist watch she wore. Like clockwork the doors to the conference room opened ushering the many guest, the crown prince of Neighpon, the Chancellor of Germaney, the Prime Minister of Prance, the chieftain of the Minotaurs, and many more. One particular dignitary caught the attention of the others, she was a hulking seven feet six inch tall brute of a mare, arms and legs ripped with muscle shaggy fur and her chest heavily endowed, she was clad in leather armor and a knee length blue and green kilt, and upon her head was a jeweled golden circlet, with a large bear pelt hung over her shoulders This was Valka Strongarm. The current queen of the Highlanders, descendant of the legendary King Thunderstorm Skulltaker. Celestia was good friends with the mare though they only saw each other once every eight months or so given that the Highlands were located far to the northeast of Equestria, yet the Highlanders had remained on of Equestrias strongest allies in the last thousand years.

“Sister is that Thunderstorms heir?” Luna said with a hushed whisper.

“She is sister while she may look brutish she is in fact quite the conversationalist “ Celestia replied, earning a nod of understanding from Luna. A few more minutes past before all of the dignitaries and representatives were finally seated.

“Vith your permission princesses may ve begin zhe meeting.“ The Chancellor of Germaney asked.

“We still await the arrival of one more individual and they we may begin Chancellor, you have our promise “ Luna said with a soft smile.

“ Oh? Und who vould zis pony be.” the Chancellor asked.

“If we are correct in our timing he should be joining us right. About. Now.” Luna and as if on command the doors to the conference room opened allowing the newcomer to enter. With a slow deliberate pace, Ulfric entered the room, carrying his helmet under his left arm. He would steal a glance every few seconds at the reactions from those present save for Celestia and Luna. Many were taken back by what they saw as none had ever seen a human before, some had never even heard of a human and yet Ulfric was present before them.

Ulfric took his place next to Luna,after giving both her and Celestia a quick salute, sitting in a throne of his own, yet while the thrones that Celestia and Luna both used were ornate and comfortable to sit in, Ulfric’s was the exact opposite. His throne was made of solid stone with sharp angles, when asked by the castle stone cutter why he would want something so uncomfortable to sit in, he gave the stallion the same answer his father had given him so long ago. “The duty of a general or any commander will never be easy they will have to make decisions that affect everyone and everything from a single soldier to an entire legion, to the entire kingdom” And so Ulfric has this throne commissioned as a reminder to what his father had told him.

“Good morning. “ was all Ulfric said to those gathered around the large table, giving a nod to both Luna and Celestia.

“If we are ready then, with the power vested to me and my sister we declare this meeting of the Council of Nation open,” Celestia said tapping a small gavel on the table. “The first and only item to be discussed is the attack on Canterlot by the Crimson changeling hive by queen Chaurus. “

Murmurs as whisper filled the air for a few moments before, the ambassador of the Emerald hive rose from her seat.

“The Emerald hive recognizes this issue and shall support Equestria in whatever decision it makes, as the marriage of now Prince Shining Armor to our Queen has also made this an attack our hive as well.” she said her voice full of vigor.

“Prance seconds zhis.”

“Und zo does Germaney.”

“The Highlanders will fight fer Equestria until the end a time, so if any of ye milk drinkin focks think about stopping us ye got another think commin ye hear.” Valka said as she slammed her fist on the table breaking off a small chunk in the process. Many were take back by the massive mares statement but then again most knew better then to try and argue with a highland pony. Many of the remaining delegates also voiced their decisions to support Equestria and now the Emerald hive but at the expense of remaining neutral. However the last two individuals had yet to voice what they had decided. Specially the representative of the Caribou and of the Crimson hive, they were quiet, the tension was so thick you could cut it with an axe and turned it into a desk or dining table. Everyone waited as the world either watched or listened in to this decision that could bring about a swift peace or a drawn out war. The crimson changeling and the Caribou both spoke in hushed whispers many hoped for peace even Ulfric did but a feeling in his gut screamed for him to be ready to draw his sword, axe and to unleash the magic of his homeworld at a moments notice, he would not be proven wrong, as the Caribou ambassador spoke.

“It is the decision of both the Caribou Republic and the Crimson Hive....That war with Equestria will continue against our mutual enemy” The moment the last word left his mouth the room was in an uproar as the other delegates screamed their curses of disappointment and dissatisfaction.

“SILENCE” Ulfric shouted his voice amplified by an amplification spell. “I knew you would do this Caribou from the moment you set foot in this castle I knew never trust the Caribou”

Ulfric snarled as he unsheathed his sword and drew wolfsfang. Yet before he could even issue the order to have both delegates apprehended, they both began to laugh maniacally as if this situation was one big joke to them.

“Did you really think we would forget what you did to our empire and to our race so long ago, Ulfric Stormwolf, because the remnants of the royal family now rule our nation once more, and this time nothing will stand in our way from saving males across the globe, not even you, ape.” the Caribou said laughing once again, before the the shattering of glass broke gained the attention of everyone in the room. There source of the disturbance were no less than forty Special Operations Caribou storming the room, along with fifteen Crimson changelings.

“Sssss it be wise for you to cooperate without resistance we don’t want anypony to get hurt would we now. “the crimson ambassador hissed through her fangs. “Besides with you as a constant source of love our hive will dominate the land.”

Ulfric didn’t say anything, only turning his gaze to Luna and then to Celestia, giving them each the faintest of nods as if he was telling or agreeing to something without using any words at all. Both alicorns knew what it was he was planning, and both were ready to begin anew a past conflict and to start a brand new one. In a fraction of a second a blinding golden and sapphire light filled the room, before it faded revealing Luna and Celestia clad in their full panoply of war

“If it is war you want,” Celestia said

“Thou shalt have it “ Luna finished reading her sword and Celestia her halberd. And with the rest of Equis watching, the war that would many had hoped to resolve without violence had truly begun, and there was no going back, all the pieces have been set upon the board and the game must be played for only one side will win.

Authors note: Valka is based off of the Highlander from For Honor just as a reference