Wings of Deceit

On Foreign Affairs

Luna paced anxiously in the Canterlot throne room. Only a few yards away, her elder sister Celestia was discussing policy with what appeared to be a group of military advisors, no doubt on the subject of the Griffons. It had been barely more than a year since she returned to Equestria, and already Luna was up to her neck in matters of state and defense. It was overwhelming at times- actually, it was overwhelming all the time, but Celestia was always there for her, supporting her when she fell and praising her for her accomplishments. At times, she almost wondered if her sister was making up for past mistakes. She wanted to talk to her, to tell her she was fine, and over what had happened years before, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. Celestia would eventually see her independence. For now, she could tolerate a little admiration.

Adjusting back to her role as a princess in this very different Equestria from the one she’d left behind had not been easy. While some ponies instantly accepted her as their co-ruler, there was also been a large portion of the population that she’d had to work hard to build trust with. She smiled as she remembered the numerous “popularity tours” she and Celestia had taken during her first year back, traveling across the nation via train. When she’d been banished, no such transportation existed. Now it was actually possible to rule the nation from a mobile base of operations. Most impressive indeed. Of course, she’d spent a great deal of the tour trying to stay out of the spotlight, but her sister’s support eventually allowed her to take her place with pride. In the end, the previous year had been a good one, though to this day, Luna regretted not attending the Grand Galloping Gala, which, as Celestia had confided in her afterward, had been a glorious disaster. They often shared a laugh out of the public eye over such stories. It was hard sometimes, keeping up a strict and imposing figure in view of the populace. Many of them probably revered the Alicorns as gods, but Luna knew the truth- she and her sister were still children at heart. Albeit children with the backing of several millennia’s worth of wisdom.

Celestia finished her conversation, dismissing the advisors with a brisk nod and hoofshake before turning and heading over to Luna. The blue Alicorn was the first to speak.

“What news of the Griffons, sister?”

Celestia shook her head. “Unfortunately, the news is not good. The rebels are being pushed back to the coastline. It’s likely they’ll be wiped out for good within two months.”

“Along with any chance of peace,” Luna finished. “We see. But sister-is there nothing we can do about this?”

Celestia turned to face her sister squarely. It was moments like these that made her wish that she hadn’t been burdened with the yoke of leadership. Nonetheless, she had policy to follow and a job to do.

“You know our policy on foreign affairs, Luna,” she said quietly. “We do not intervene, and we do not declare war unless attacked first. The Griffons have explicitly stated that if we help the rebels they will fight back. If we lift a hoof to help, it may incur the wrath of our mightiest enemy, and bring tragedy upon our citizens.”

“But if we do nothing then innocents across the ocean will most assuredly die!” Luna countered quickly, “it is our duty to protect-”

“It is not our duty to protect the Griffons!” Celestia shot back. The throne room fell silent, and Celestia immediately regretted her choice of words. She hadn’t meant what she said- the Griffons deserved a chance at restructuring as much as anyone else- but helping now would not only go against policy, it could be downright dangerous.

“Please leave us for a moment,” she said softly to the other ponies in the throne room. Quickly and respectfully, they left, and the last two guards to leave closed the room’s giant double doors behind them.

“How can thou be so heartless, sister?” Luna sighed, “we thought you were different. This isn’t like the sister we left behind…”

“No, you’re right,” Celestia sighed, “I’m not the sister you once knew. I’m older, wiser, and perhaps just a bit more pessimistic. Ruling for a thousand years without a sister by one’s side can do that to a pony.”

“Do not change the subject, sister!” Luna said, advancing, “this is not another one of thine little pity parties! Dost thou forget so easily that we were banished to the moon while thou languished in this castle?!”

“Languished? How dare you!” Celestia snarled, “I died every day for what I did to you! There wasn’t single day that went by that I didn’t regret my decision but you, sister, you gave me no choice!”

The two Alicorns glared at each other, horns glowing. Luna’s pupils had contracted into slits, and for a moment Celestia was reminded of the fateful night her sister was lost to the darkness that became Nightmare Moon. She dropped her head, sighing.

“Please, sister, I don’t want to fight you on this. I understand where you’re coming from, I really do. Once, I would have said the same things you said to me, but now… The possibilities must all be considered and weighed. Do you understand?”

Luna shook her head, “we understand, sister,” she said, “but… how will thou be able to live with thyself as this tragedy unfolds across the sea?”

“I’ve asked myself that same question on numerous occasions,” Celestia said, sighing and peering out through a window down at the rest of Canterlot below, “and I don’t know the answer. All I can say is that, just like today, I’ve made choices before that I felt were wrong.”

“We could change our policies,” Luna pointed out, “isolation does not have to be our only option.”

“If we wish to protect the ponies that rely on us for leadership, we have no choice,” Celestia said.

“Well, while we can see the logic in it, cold as it may be, we are not comfortable with making this decision.”

“No,” Celestia said, moving towards the double doors to unlock them, “and I won’t expect you to be. I only ask that you learn from this, learn to know when it’s wise to trust logic over feelings.We’ll pull through this, as we always have. Our actions will affect what state our country is in afterwards.” She paused before opening the doors. “Our military advisors want a statement. I was hoping you could be the one to do it, but if you’re not comfortable with it, then-”

“Nay,” Luna replied, tired, “we will do it. Let them in.”

The double doors reopened and Celestia stuck her head around the corner, calling to some of the ponies outside. Luna recognized the military advisors from earlier enter the throne room.

“Your Highnesses,” an Earth Pony dressed in an immaculately neat uniform said, bowing, “do you have a statement regarding our recommended actions on the Griffon situation?”

Luna stepped forward, head held a little lower than usual. “Yes, we do. As always, Equestria maintains a policy of isolation. If the Griffons choose to attack us at any point, such policy will be revoked, and a declaration of war will be considered. Until such a time, we are not to assist the Griffons in any way. Ensure that thine troops know that any assistance granted to the Griffons will potentially threaten Equestria. If we incur their wrath, millions may die before our enemies can be stopped.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the Earth Pony said, “I understand. I’ll get the word out to the other generals as soon as possible.”

“Thank you, General,” Luna responded with a stiff salute, “thou art dismissed.”

“You handled that well, sister,” Celestia said, stepping up to Luna’s side, “I know it was hard, but trust me- you did the right thing.”

“Did we?” Luna said, frowning and staring off into space, “we hope so, Celestia. Because if not, we may have doomed the one chance we had for peace.”