The Plan

(Harrowgate Sanctuary, Land of Ashfeld; 2 years into the Apollyon war)

Ever since Apollyon died in her desire for a land filled with war, the Iron Legion, the Warborn, and the Chosen were at each other’s throats. That case wasn’t true in regards to the former faction leaders and their lieutenants. Warden, Orochi, and Raider alongside Holden Cross, Jarl Stigandr, and Kensei Ayu had managed to create a unified force of Iron Legion Knights, Warborn Vikings, and Chosen Samurai.

Despite the success of creating a unified force, the majority of the factions’ people themselves didn’t honor the new alliance and the war stayed on strong, so the Unified Alliance (as they came to call themselves) started into the fighting to try to break up fighting and try to resolve things as peacefully as possible. However, this only resulted in the two or three fighting sides to turn on the Alliance before they would resume the slaughter on themselves, leaving the Alliance to lick it’s wounds. It was after one of those instances that Cross, Stigandr, and Ayu sat down to again discuss the futility of trying to work for peace.

“I don’t get it.” Cross carefully placed his poleaxe on the ground next to the crate he was sitting on. “Two years. Two, long years of our efforts after we first met for peace, and we still have nothing to show for it."

"I can list one thing.” Ayu began cleaning her nodachi of the blood from their recent peacekeeping attempt. “We managed to get away with our lives. And it was you that said we would die in the attempt to bring about peace."

“That may be true,” he confirmed. “But I was hoping that our efforts would have shown fruition sooner.”

“Don’t get too uptight, Shield-Brother.” Stigandr placed a hand on Cross’ shoulder. “Regardless if we obtain victory in our fight now or later, our efforts will be remembered through the ages.”

“Yes. There will be much honor in our cause, regardless if we fail or succeed,” Ayu agreed. “Now, I believe we should get some rest. We need all the strength we need for when our next mission comes.” Everyone then trudged off to their sleeping mats, undid their armor, and began their rest.

(Meanwhile, in the Remnant Kingdom, about a week after Chrysalis arrived)

“Your Majesties and Council of Harmony,” a Remnant guard announced as he bowed. “I present Queen Chrysalis of the Former Changeling Kingdom.” He stepped aside, allowing two other guards to open the doors to reveal the queen and her guards, still sickly looking, but better than how they appeared.

Queen Chrysalis was walking in with the support of a cane, while her guards hobbled in using an ingenious, yet strange mix of pole axes and crutches (designed by Cherry Pie herself). The Queen carefully sat down on the seat provided for her, her guards shakily taking positions next to her and the door as well. Once she was seated, the meeting started up.

“To start,” Princess Celestia began, but was quickly interrupted by Queen Chrysalis.

“There is no need to beat around the bush,” she said, annoyance clearly showing on her face. “You all want to know why I'm here, so I will tell you.” She took a deep breath and continued. “As of a year ago, I am the last female of my kind and my guards are the last males.” Everypony’s eyes widened at this, but Chrysalis wasn’t done. “Aside from refuge, I also came to try to right the wrong I did all those centuries ago."

“That's a bunch of bull!” Speedy called out, giving the Queen a glare. “Isn't that what you wanted? To reveal to Ponykind of a shapeshifting species, therefore, sowing seeds of mistrust and causing us to fight each other!?” Chrysalis simply stared at him, completely unfazed by the yelling.

“Let me ask you something, young hybrid” -She leaned forward in her seat, her stare morphing into a glare- “What benefits would a species that feeds on love get by causing mistrust in a nation when we can't feed off of it?”

“I...you...Bwaah?” Was all that Speedy could mutter in his bewilderment. The Queen, in one question, practically diffused his anger, but he still wondered, “Why did you invade then, if mistrust wasn’t what you wanted?” The Queen sighed and answered.

“We were starving and dying,” she said, bluntly. “And don't suggest that we could have gotten the love we needed by diplomatic means. I can list three reasons why it wouldn't work. Number one, things already happened. We can't change the past. Number two, we were delirious and confused. Anything we did or said was our unsated appetites. Lastly, number three, what chance would any of you be willing to help creatures as hideous as us?” None of them responded.

“When you put that all together, it makes sense.” Press said. “You, logically, didn't have much of a choice. Now, having had to hide for Celestia-knows-how-long, you've just now been able to muster the courage to try to reason with us and right the wrong that you wrought and hope that we forgive you. I, for one, don’t need more convincing than what you have already presented. As Bearer of the Element of Honesty, I forgive you of your past deeds.”

“As do I,” Eris said as she stood. The rest of the Bearers and the Alicorn Royals followed suit, standing and forgiving the Queen for her misdeeds. Upon hearing their forgiveness, Chrysalis could do nothing but cry as a proverbial weight was lifted off of her shoulders.

“You can’t imagine how much happiness and joy those words give me,” she said through her tears. “I’ve spent the last few centuries holding that failed invasion and subsequent war over my head. As the Bearer of Honesty has said, I just now mustered the courage to come here and present you with this.” Queen Chrysalis pulled out a scroll and presented to the Council and the Royals. Prince Dusk Watch took the scroll and examined it. His eyes widened at what was on it and he handed it over to his mother. She read it, and her eyes widened like her son’s did.

“This is an amplification scroll!” She exclaimed. “How did you find this?! I thought all of those scrolls were destroyed!”

“I actually made that one, based off of the spell matrix of a ruined one I found a few years back,” Chrysalis informed. “I then finished it’s destruction before we came here. I don’t think it would have been good if anypony from the Platinum Empire found it.”

“Uh, I hate to interrupt, but what is an amplification scroll?” Elusive asked.

Twilight got into lecture mode. “An amplification scroll is a spell circle matrix that enlarges a normal spell’s energy output by…”

“In simple terms!” Speedy called out, half-bored.

“Basically, it can make any spell sealed in it or cast with it stronger,” Twilight huffed. “So if I used a basic levitation spell with it, and given my raw power alone with that, I could easily uproot Roost Mountain and move it into position to become another moon.” She examined the scroll again. “However, there is already a spell sealed into this one, but I can’t identify it.”

“That’s because, Twilight,” Celestia spoke up. “The spell was a direct revelation from Faust herself.”

“So that’s where the idea came from,” Chrysalis mused. “All that this spell needs is an energy source. The power of the Elements of Harmony should do the trick, since Faust was involved."

“Then, we are in agreement?” Luna asked the gathered ponies and changeling. They all nodded in the affirmative. “Then, on the morrow, we shall activate the spell with the usage of the Elements of Harmony. This meeting is adjourned.” A gavel sounded off, signaling with Luna’s words.

Author's Note

And the spell would bring them more than what they expected.

Soshite, sono jumon wa karera ga kitai shite ita yori mo ōku o motarasudarou.

Und der Zauber würde sie mehr bringen als das, was sie erwartet.

Och passet skulle ge dem mer än vad de förväntade.