"War has changed."
Twilight looked around the table at her friends. They had been through so much together. Nightmare Moon, Discord, the Changelings, King Sombra... Now they were gathered to discuss an entirely new problem. One that they couldn't simply blast with the Elements of Harmony.
"Well, I'll say it first. This new economy that's gettin started has made business for the farm boom. More food to feed soldiers and what not," Applejack said before drinking some of her cider.
"And I've started expanding my business away from clothing," Rarity said. "Seems all my customers are from these private military companies as of late."
"Well things were fine the way they were," Rainbow Dash said. "War economy? War is horrible! Why would they make it into a business?!"
"I just hope Ponyville doesn't end up becoming a war zone," Fluttershy said.
"No way that'll happen!" Pinkie said. "Equestria's a huge, powerful country."
"Yeah. Mostly third world countries that are gettin war torn," Applejack said.
"Girls," Twilight said, getting their attention. "I can see we're in agreement about how horrible the war economy is. So that's why I called you all here. I've been all over the figures and thought over a lot of ideas, and there's only one way I can see for us to deal with it."
"How's that?" Dash asked as Twilight stood up and got a rolled up poster from her desk.
"This," Twilight said as she unrolled the poster, revealing a logo. It was the design for the Elements of Harmony found in the Reference Guide to the Elements of Harmony, and beneath the logo was a single word.
"Harmony?" Rarity asked.
Twilight nodded. "The only way to take down the war economy is from within. This is the logo of Harmony Incorporated. Our own private military company."
"What if we're seen as bad by everyone else in Equestria?" Dash asked. "PMCs are seen as war mongers."
"I know, Dash," Twilight said. "That's why, if we do this, we'll only fight for causes we believe in, and we do them cleanly. And while we're at it, we look everywhere for a way to break the world from using war as a business. Are you with me, girls?"
The other five looked at each other for a moment before looking back to Twilight.
"We're in, Sugarcube," Applejack said.
Twilight nodded. "Before we go to Canterlot to get everything set up, there's somebody I'd like to bring along with us."
"Who's that?" Dash asked.
Facet's refined muscle memory was literally the only thing that kept him from hitting a cleavage point and ruining the sculpture he had been working on when Twilight dropped that particular bombshell on him. Setting the hammer and chisel down, he turned to look at her. "You want me to do what?" Twilight's friends had opted to stand back and let Twilight do the talking.
Twilight looked to the side a bit nervously. "The girls and I are starting a PMC and we, well... I, want you in on it as a financial backer."
"And why the sudden interest in the military-industrial complex, and the war economy?" Facet asked, crossing his arms and leaning against his work table.
"Because it's the only way to break the world from it. From within the war economy itself," Twilight said, looking him in the eye. "Please, Facet? I'd feel a lot better knowing you're on my side."
Rainbow nudged Rarity with as elbow. "I think Twi's got a crush on your brother," she said in a whisper while grinning.
Rarity nodded with a simple smile. "He needs a good woman in his life."
Facet walked over to a display stand that held a katana. "You're sure?"
Twilight nodded. "I'm sure."
Facet picked up the katana, a family heirloom passed down for generations, and turned to her with a smile. "Alright. I'll write a check. Business was getting a little slow anyway. And this might be a nice change of pace."
Twilight smiled and hugged him. "Thank you, Facet!" she said before letting go of him with a bit of a blush. "Sorry. I got a bit too excited."
Facet chuckled and hugged Twilight. "It's alright, Twi."
Twilight nervously looked at Canterlot Palace as it came into view from the train. "Do you think Princess Celestia will be disappointed in my decision?"
"I don't think so," Fluttershy said.
"Yeah. We're trying to beat the war economy from inside it," Rainbow said. "How could she be disappointed?"
"I think we'll be met with grim approval," Facet said, putting a hand on Twilight's shoulder.
"Indeed. Considering what this entails," Rarity said, a grim look on her face.
"We're doing what we gotta do, Sugarcube," Applejack said, a look of sympathy on her face.
Celestia looked at her faithful student with a surprised gaze. She had never expected this sort of request from Twilight. "You really want to form a private military company, Twilight Sparkle?"
Twilight nodded. "I do. We've got everything worked out, and Facet is our benefactor. Harmony will only fight for causes we believe in, and we'll do them cleanly."
Celestia looked contemplative for several moments. "Very well, Twilight Sparkle. I will approve the founding of Harmony Incorporated."
Twilight smiled. "Thank you, Princess. We won't disappoint you."
"Where are you going to have your headquarters?" Celestia asked. She didn't think there was room in Canterlot.
"In Manehatten, Your Highness," Facet said.
"I see," Celestia said before looking at Twilight. "I imagine you'll be quite successful, with Facet of all people as your benefactor."
"So, Facet," Rarity spoke up as the newly approved group of private military contractors exited Canterlot Palace. "What is our beginning budget?"
Facet grinned as he wrote a check and handed it to Twilight.
Twilight's eyes widened at the amount. "Really, Facet?!"
"How much do we get to start?" Rainbow asked.
Twilight whispered in a hushed tone. "4.6 billion bits..."
The other mares, save Rarity, looked at Facet in shock, who was grinning a grin that said he wasn't going to miss that money.
Author's Note
A little rushed, yes. I'm still trying to get more detailed stuff. Bear with me, please.
