NOIRE POV

"That went awfully." The Grand Galloping Gala was a shot at not only having the first Gala at the Crystal Empire, as a sign of our unity, but an opportunity to bring the leaders of almost every race under the same roof, save for a few that have not been seen in ages. We started off well, and by the time we had announced our first attempt at a coalition of nations, we had gained support from the dragons. Ember and Ignia, who was for the first time in centuries, outside of her region immediately offered her help, saying that desecrating the resting place of her ancestors was a crime she could not abide by. However, our issue lied with Gillahaut.

Moments ago, we were answered with a laugh of condescension before slamming his fist onto the table "How tragic for you, princesses. A threat that can't be resolved with your pony magic, and you squirm for more powerful allies. I refuse to lend my aid to a weak-minded, lesser species. This is your problem, and if this Grim shows his ugly face on my land, we griffins will deal with it with our own power, like we always have. Good day." With that, he had left with his men. The princesses had expected things with him to go nowhere. The minotaur, who were attempting an alliance with the griffins, also declined.

As for Yakyakistan, Prince Rutherford said, in the shortest, plainest, most direct way possible "Must consult the council," and left as well.

As the princesses and I sat around the table, Cadance and I were simply amazed at how quickly negotiations had dissolved. On the other hand, Celestia and Luna seemed to expect it go bad from the beginning. "I expected the other countries to not be interested in helping us. An outcome only due to my inability, or more bluntly, my unwillingness to support other nations during my time as the sole leader. However, now we can work on improving relations between the other nations. Luna, can you call in the Elements and generals?" Luna nodded and exited the room as well, leaving only Celestia, Cadance and I. "Before we have to get into the nitty-gritty, I would like to ask if you felt anything off about any of the leaders, Noire?" I raised an eyebrow at her question, to which she responded "Grim has already attacked another nation besides our own, and has created a weapon on par with an awakened code avatar and general. If Grim manages to get to the Griffin Empire's collection of magical artifacts, then we might be seeing perfected versions of the chimaera you previously fought." The dragon chimaera was strong while in beta. A perfect one could destroy cities with enough sources to feed it.

"But what can we do? The Griffin's borders are practically impenetrable with our relations, and for all we know, Grim may not be there," Cadance argued.

"He would be a fool to not get help from the second most powerful nation on Equus." The doors opened and everyone else entered. We were ready to make the next step.

CHRYSALIS POV

Most of the pieces were in place for their next step. Gillahaut was sufficiently compelled to storm out of that meeting room, and make his way to the dark alley where we arrived. It didn't take that long at all either. "Maybe I didn't need to compel him that much. It seems like the good griffin has come out of his own volition," I said, half to myself, as I felt his presence, free of any compulsion. As soon as his large silhouette revealed his regal self, along with his increased entourage of guards, he stopped a good distance away from us with his arms folded in curiosity.

"So, changeling queen of nothing, you made your intentions very clear with your stunt tonight. Now make my silence worth it." He spoke with a cold and blunt arrogance that came from pain, and living through it. Anyone who knew his story would have the same feeling. The scratch marks adorning both sides of his cheeks, and a giant scar going through his left eye, were nothing to his hard stare of thinning patience. I chose my words quickly, but carefully.

"My associate, a power beyond Equus, has declared this world wrong, and his ambition to see it destroyed. To those that stand against him lies only ruin. To those who band with him-" I open the portal to our HQ "-see their greatest desires achieved in the new world. I have been given the chance to see my race thrive without senseless persecution. My lover, his due recognition and respect. I am sure your dream can be accomplished much sooner with our cooperation. Is that worth your silence and mutual cooperation?" I wait for his answer.

"Hmm, now exactly why do you think my dreams align with yours?" He asked.

"We don't all have to be ponies to get what we want. Shining Armor has found his new body much more satisfying than his old one. Plus, a world without them is a world I wouldn't be against in the slightest." For a while, we only had his silence as he stared at us, and then the portal before he walked past us and through without so much as a batted eye. I smiled to myself as I internally celebrated a job well done.

"I thought this would be a lot more violent. We know his track record of picking fights with royalty." Shining said as we headed through the portal,"

"Yes, well, even the strongest can be swayed to work with you when you offer a good enough shortcut. Let s report our success to Grim and get some sleep. This dumb dress is beginning to cut in."

CADANCE POV

It had to have been a joke. My mind began racing as I processed all that I had heard from Ayra as she came bursting into the meeting room, panting and white as if she been reborn. Those four words clung to my chest and was pulling me towards the door, urging me to find her. "I saw my mother!" she had said with such fear in her voice that everypony in the room felt it themselves. Even Tidal, sat right next to me, was tapping her feet aggressively, in a mix of rage and anxiety. It took Noire taking both our hands to calm our nerves. "I'm sorry for barging in, but I felt her here! And she wasn't alone!"

"Shining..." I murmured to myself, before steeling myself in the change in conversation to come. Noire spoke first.

"We expected something like this to happen, Ayra, but can you tell us anything else?" He asked. Ayra shook her head apologetically. It made sense that they had connections all over Equestria and beyond, however, just knowing your former love and the one who took him were here, watching, made me feel useless in the face of this threat. Even Celestia and Luna had something to provide, even though they were defeated in their encounter with Grim 10,000 years ago. All I could do was send my soldiers to fight for me. It was scary, but even more infuriating.

"The best bet we have for their motive has to be the leaders. Their looking to recruit another kingdom. Most likely the Griffin Empire," Celestia proposed. Gillahaut had to be the worst possible person to join their side. With his massive army, double the size of both Canterlot and The Crystal Empire. That along with their assortment of magic artifacts made their force one to be reckoned with. Gillahaut himself wasn't a griffin to be trifled with either. His hatred of ponies is known throughout Equus, along with his justifiable reasons for it. "If his refusal is in any way related to that, we have to make our move on him before he does to us."

"But we can't just attack him unprovoked, can we? That just makes our situation worse," I added. As if Faust herself was watching, the fates aligned for us perfectly in the form of another intruder. He was a griffin with a black panther's body and angular head shape, mimicking that of a crow or raven. His head feathers were styled upwards and around his neck was a cape, with a symbol of the royal guard. Everypony was on alert as he rose shakily, but calmed as he reached out a hand to Noire.

"A-are you the sword?" he said with his remaining energy. Noire remembered this name from his speech in Canterlot, and nodded his head yes as he gave has arm for the griffin's support. As he was held up, he muttered his ;last words before passing out.

"The Empire... it needs your... h-help."

GILLAHAUT POV

As the throne room doors opened to reveal a sickly pale man, an almost exact replica of the human I had met before, on his throne, reading a book. He didn't look like much at the moment, but his aura was intense, like a heavy wave that could knock you off your feet and drag you into the depths. When the doors closed, he turned to look at me, and then to his subordinates, Chrysalis and Shining, with a small grin. Both of them stood either side of me as a preventative measure, and bowed as soon as they were close enough. This was all very intriguing. I wanted to know the man who could inspire a changeling to kill her own kind, and a captain to betray his wife and kingdom for his torturer. He spoke with efficiency "You have returned with our new benefactor. Good work. Now leave us." Without missing a beat, they bowed once more and left the halls immediately. Once we were alone, excluding my entourage who had followed me, we began this negotiation. "I take it my subordinates have explained the details of my offer to you, your highness?"

"Enough to bring me here," I answered "However, there is a few things I need to know." I took a few steps towards him, and
"I may have been intrigued by your subordinates' promises of my dreams fulfilled, however, I refuse to work with someone unless I hear the bargain from them personally. Plus-" I made a dash at the crippled king, vanishing for a mere moment before reappearing in front of him. I brought down my hand in a swift chop, but was met with equal force "I want to see what has the ponies shaking in their fur." I threw several more punches but his hand deftly blocked all of them. He didn't need to use magic.

Grim was unfazed by our collision, and stood to meet me eye to eye. "Yes, you two are practically twins, though you look like you got crapped out. May I ask why that is?"

"Until I know that can trust you, be content knowing we are kindred spirits," he said.

"Fine then. My second question. Can you destroy Noire? If I decide to join you, he, as well as the rest of Equestria would become a nuisance to me, so I want to know if you are stronger than him." Grim took his time answering that one, placing his head in his hand before answering.

"In strength, I would say we are equals, but he would still lose to me. However, for my plan to work, Noire will be one of my vital assets, whether he likes it or not. The only reason I have spared him is because I cannot remain in Equestria for long. The strength of the seal that keeps me here is weakening, but I should be free soon enough. Any more questions?"

"Can you really create a world with no ponies?" I said almost desperately, losing my regal composure for a moment. Grim smiled as he patted my shoulder.

"If everything goes the way I wish it to, everyone will benefit. I could make everyone griffins if you want, make a whole new race for you. As long as you are on my side, of course." He extended his pale hand to me, crawling with black veins, signaling for me to make my decision now. No 'I'll think about it'. Immediately. I was no fool. As soon as I approached him, I knew he was more powerful than anything I could muster. From the news I had heard through the grape vine, he sounded like a frivolous child, acting on a whim, but now I see a king. I don't know what happened to provoke this change, but at least it made my choice easier on my shoulders.

"Your going to kill me if I see you again, Guila, but I have to do this." I thought as we shook hands.

THE NEXT DAY, THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE, NOIRE POV

"Welcome to our training facility for the day!" Windy cheered was he presented us with a frozen cave, littered with stalagmites and stalactites surrounding a large, empty ring.

"... Next time, I'm picking the location," Tidal said.

Author's Note

Sorry I've gone since *proceeds to check how long he's been gone* January! Yeah, this can only be described as poor work balance and burning my self out even though I didn't need to. I'll try to do better next time, but for now, I hope you all stick around for the summer, as I no longer have to worry about exams (for now) and can actually start focusing on improving this story. Thank all of you who have joined me and I WILL see you soon.

Stay dizzy. Wuzzy out.