Note: Does anypony want a map of Equestria Earth? Or a description? Just wondering...

Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: Canterlot Castle

Time: Five days after the arrival of Miranda

They weren't waiting very long for that ultimatum. The very next day, word got out that a personal courier from the alliance had arrived, carrying it. Celestia called Twilight Sparkle, Cadence, Shining Armor, Ali and Ahmed Ponhammed, and Flaming Star to the Summit room to read it out loud.

As all the pones got assembled, Celestia took center-stage and opened the letter. She cleared her throat and read, "Equus-Irrum Alliance ask the indulgence of Equestria to comply to these rules to prevent further hostility, propaganda, and violence between these respective illustrious nations. Failure to comply will instigate… will instigate… will instigate WAR!"

There was a long pause, and Twilight gasped. Celestia blinked at the paper, as if it had suddenly caught on fire. She continued reading.

"The ultimatum read as follows: One. You will destroy all forms of history regarding the Equus-Irrum war, the Irrum civil war, and the fall of the Ottopony empire. Two. You will disband the famous group called the Harmony Bearers, as their power poses a threat to the natural balance between pony nations. Three. You will recall any form of military influence from your neighbors, Bray, the Crystal Empire, and Hor Sey. Four. You will accept the arrival of important representatives from both the Equus and Irrum nations and grant them special military powers as to allow them to suppress any form of anti-alliance uprisings. Five. You will provide an explanation as to the circumstances surrounding the escape of six-star wanted fugitive Dark Hoof. Six. You will immediately dissolve any form of propaganda regarding the Equus-Irrum alliance that casts this distinguished union into the role of any form of villainy. Seven. You will provide the alliance with the proper evidence surrounding the escape Dark Hoof. Eight. You will arrest the suggestive perpetrators involved in Dark Hoof's escape; these involved are named to be Flaming Star, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Sunset Shadow, and Rainbow Dash. Nine. You will incarcerate Flaming Star and Twilight Sparkle with respects to the gravity of their felony. Ten. You will alert the alliance immediately of the execution of these previous nine conditions."

There was a long pause, broken momentarily only by a small, broken sob from Twilight. Flaming Star leaned back in his chair. "Well," he said, "I vote I show you guys how to make ballistic hydrogen bombs, and we toss twelve or twenty their way. I get to keep the crater as a memorandum though."

Luna slammed her hoof down so hard on the table that it cracked and splinter. "This is blasphemy! I agree not to a single one!"

Celestia folded up the paper, "We cannot agree to these. They obviously have no intention of not going to war, they simply gave this out so that, in the event that we lose, all future history books will make us look like the villains."

Flaming Star stroked his chin. "It is a clever setup. What we need to do now is buy a little time before alerting them that we will not agree to their ultimatum. While we beat around the bush, be can mobilize the Cloudsdale airforce, and get the Equestria Regulars up near the frozen north. We will need tank emplacements at the Freezelock pass in the mountain to keep them from sending military hardware through via the train tracks."

Celestia sighed, her face the picture of despair. "I suppose there is no other act to take but declare war then."

Ahmed nodded. "It seems that way. We ourselves will not get directly involved as of yet, but a single alliance tank so much as crosses our outermost border, we too will declare war and send troops to engage Irrum's territory."

Twilight got up and said, "We will need to see what is going on negotiation-wise between the alliance, Trotton, Spurdan, and Bray. If any of these nations have agreed to aid the alliance, they will have direct passage to the frozen north without any hindrance."

Flaming Star got up as well. "Twilight is right," he said, "We need to reach out to at least Bray. If we can get military assurance that they will not join the alliance, we will be able slow their attacks by some extent."

Celestia nodded. "This is what we will do. We will stall with the answer to the ultimatum. While this is happening, we will send a representative or two to Bray to negotiate. We will also mobilize Equestria's royal army."

"Who would we send as representatives?" asked Twilight.

Celestia smiled. "I was thinking Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Discord."

Twilight's mouth dropped. "What?" she said, "Why?"

"Rarity is an excellent speaker," said Celestia, "And Discord is a very powerful dimensional traveler. He may not be the best traveler, but he owes Rarity and the Harmony Bearers, and he should be more than happy to watch over her while she negotiates. And Pinkie Pie… they both could use a little laughter."

Twilight's eyes were wide as she said, "But what about me?"

"You need to be here to help oversee mobilization," replied Celestia. She then turned to Flaming Star, "You seem to know what you are doing with the tank emplacements. I put you in charge of securing the Freezelock. Will Sunset be of any help to you?"

Flaming Star shook his head. "No," he said, "As powerful as Sunset is, I think he has truly become a pacifist. I do not think he will want to be involved in any of this. I will take Twilight with me."

Celestia nodded. "Make it so." She turned to Cadence and Shining Armor. "Will I be able to count on support from the Crystal Empire in any time of need?"

Cadence looked worried. Finally she said, "I think… I think so. But remember, we owe it to our people to keep them safe. We will in no way put them in unnecessary danger."

Celestia bowed her head. "We understand. We thank you for your time. Ahmed, I believe you should return to your people, these are dark times."

Ahmed nodded, and he and Ali left quickly. Flaming Star spread his wings. "We need to oversee mobilization immediately," he said, "We can only withhold our reply to the alliance for about two days."

With that, Flaming Star and Twilight left, leaving Celestia and Luna alone.

"What will become of Equestria, sister?" asked Luna in the silence that followed.

Celestia bowed her head, "I do not know. We most certainly are facing grave times, but we must be strong."

"Ever since the arrival of Sunset Shadow, we have not had even the slightest trouble from the other nations."

"I know, something is not right, but we have to time to ponder it."

With that, the Sun and Moon sisters left the Summit Room.

Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: Outskirts of Ponyville

Time: Five days after the arrival of Miranda

Just shrouded by bushes, a portal opened and black Pegasus pony with an electric green mane trotted out. He immediately fell over, tried to get up, and fell over again. After a bit, he stood up on all fours, wobbled a bit, and steadied himself. He looked around and then said through a telepathic intercom, "Well… I don't see any fire. Are you sure it's the right place?"

Daniel's voice came back, "I am sure. What do you look like?"

Night Shade looked at himself and rolled his eyes, "I look like… a moron. This form is absolutely ridiculous. Can I shape-shift out of it?"

"No," Daniel's voice replied, "If the planet isn't destroyed, then there is probably life. Your body has taken the form of this dimension's main sentient species; we don't want to seem out of the norm."

Night Shade shook a hoof. "Great. Okay, I'm going to quickly see what is going on in the world. Give me three minutes."

With that, Night Shade sped up his molecules and blasted around the world, checking every nook and cranny of the earth to see what damage Legion had wrought. When he came back, he was really worried.

"Are you SURE this is the right dimension?" he said three minutes later as he returned to his arrival spot.

"I am SURE this is the right dimension," replied Daniel, "Why? What's the matter?"

"Well," said Night Shade, "I don't see anything wrong with it. There is literally no destruction anywhere. AT ALL. EVER."

There was a pause. Finally Franklin's voice came over the intercom as he said, "Is there lots of pink? How about rainbows?"

Night Shade rolled his eyes, "Yes there are a lot of colors, and pink seems to be a favorite color amongst some, but that is only the case in this specific land. What should I do?"

Daniel replied over the link, "Stay there and blend in. When Franklin and I finish securing our location, we will join you to see what is going down ourselves."

Franklin's voice then said, "WHAT? No, I am NOT going there. What if I have a stroke?"

There was a quick scuffle over the intercom, and then Franklin said, "Fine, whatever, cool."

Daniel then said, "Okay, hang in there. Will you be fine?"

Night Shade, who was staring indignantly at his reflection in a nearby stream said, "Yeah… yeah I will be fine."

"Cool," said Daniel, "Remember, when in Rome…"

"… Cause a fire," came in Franklin's just as Night Shade was going to say: do as the Romans.

There was a really long moment of silence. Finally Daniel said, "Franklin… you weren't the one who cause the Great Fire of Rome on 64 Anno Domini in the Orbis Terrarum XII dimension were you?"

There was another really long moment of silence. Finally Franklin replied, "Hey! The entire planet was going to go during World War III in 1989 Anno Domini anyway! Besides, I didn't think my experiment with a pre-classical ceramic barbeque would go awry like that anyway! Not that many people were hurt!"

Night Shade interrupted, "Wow, okay. I'm going to be signing out and seeing what I can see while you two figure out stuff. I'm out."

With that, Night Shade terminated the link. Taking a deep breath, Night Shade trotted to the nearest sign of civilization: Ponyville.

Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: Ponyville

Time: Five days after the arrival of Miranda

"Oh darling, that would be WONDERFUL!" exclaimed Rarity as Twilight informed her of her new task, "I've always wanted to travel abroad. Bray has always been one for the classical era, how elegant! This will be wonderful!"

Twilight smiled, "I'm glad you agree. Remember, you will be escorted to speak to the Bray senate, and you will need to discuss the situation between us and the alliance. You can go shopping later."

Rarity nodded, "Of course, darling. However, are any of you going?"

Twilight pulled a face. "Weeellll… yes. You're going with Pinkie Pie and Discord."

Rarity just blinked. "Pinkie Pie… and Discord."

Twilight nodded. "Celestia said so. I'm not sure why she chose Pinkie Pie, but Discord is a powerful dimensional traveler, and he owes enough to us that he will willingly protect you from any harm."

Rarity groaned, "Very well, I just hope I don't have to bring them on my shopping sprees… or my elegant gatherings… or my social gatherings… or my senate speeches… or my-"

"Yes, yes," interrupted Twilight, "I understand. They are there to be your friends, not to ruin your life, just remember that. You will be leaving within the hour."

Rarity's mouth dropped. "WITHIN THE HOUR? Why, that isn't ever enough time!"

Twilight dipped her head apologetically. "I understand that it isn't really enough time, but we have no time. We are postponing our refusal of the alliance ultimatum for as long as possible, but we cannot do it for long. We need everything in motion as soon as possible."

Rarity sighed, "Very well, dear. Let us go, I must get ready!"

Twilight smiled and hugged her, "Good luck Rarity!"

With that, Twilight turned around and quickly galloped to Sugar Cube corner where she found Pinkie Pie.

"Hey Twily!" exclaimed Pinkie, "Whatcha doin'?"

"Pinkie," said Twilight, "I need you to go with Rarity and Discord to Bray to discuss peace talks with them."

"Okie Dokie Lokie! When we goin'?"

Twilight smiled, "Within the hour."

"Gotcha! I'm ready now! Do you want a cupcake?"

Meanwhile, Flaming Star was wandering Canterlot Castle, looking for Discord.

"Stupid Discord, where is he when you need him?" muttered Flaming Star as he continued to trot down the grand halls. Suddenly he tripped and fell over. Glancing up, he saw whose cloven hoof he had tripped over… Discord.

"Oh dear, I didn't see you there firstborn," said Discord in mock worry. "My deepest apologies."

Flaming Star leapt up and said, "Discord, I have a job for you."

Discord pointed at himself, "Me? Why, what is it?"

"I need you to watch over Rarity and Pinkie Pie as they negotiate some issues with the Bray senate."

Discord began to laugh. After a bout of laughing, he said, "Oh my, what exactly are these issues? I mean, Bray is a nation of mules! They obviously have no idea what is even going on outside their borders!" Discord doubled over as he continued to laugh.

Flaming Star raised his eyebrows and waited patiently for Discord to stop. Finally, he said, "Yes, we understand. However, if you were somehow unaware, we are about to go to war with Equus and Irrum."

Discord's laughter caught and died in his throat. He looked at Flaming Star. "Oh… Well, I need to watch over Rarity and Pinkie Pie? Why?"

"You are a dimensional traveler, one of the most powerful; your protection would be well needed as they are discussing matters with the Bray senate."

Discord sighed and nodded his head, "Oh, very well… I will do just that."

Flaming Star bowed his head. "Thank you Discord. The train to Bray is leaving within the hour, so you will need to be ready to trail it as soon as possible. I will be leaving you now to find Rainbow Dash. Remember how much you owe the Harmony Bearers, don't let me down."

With that, Flaming Star turned and teleported away to Ponyville.

Note: An invisible trophy to whoever can tell me what two wars this crisis is based off of... Anyway, don't forget all the R&R stuff! By the way, I understand that you guys are still really excited to see the BIA corps meet up, so here is what I am going to do: if you PM me or something before 7:00 pm PST telling me what Franklin Montgomery would do if he was trapped in a small room with Pinkie Pie, I will put up the next chapter (specifically devoted to the BIA corps and them meeting with the other guys) at 7:30 pm PST. Sound good? Just let me know...