"...Princess Celestia, in light of the recent chaotic events, we, the ponies of Equestria bright forth this petition, to reform the Wonderbolts into a military unit, to ensure the safety and security of our nation, our families and our children" The elderly stallion slowly bowed and presented the document.
Celestia was watching him with an empty expression, as she slowly came forth and accepted the parchment. This was the end, she thought to herself. When something so innocent and pure, must to be twisted and turned into a weapon, the world is truly lost.
* * *
She was quietly standing on one of the many balconies of her castle, overlooking the towers of Canterlot as the sun slowly set over the horizon. The sound of distant hoofsteps made her snap out of her thoughts and turn around.
"My lady" a voice rang and Shining Armor slowly stepped into view.
"Good evening Captain" Celestia squeezed out a forced smile and turned back to look at the sunset.
"I... heard you received the petition" Shining Armor quietly said. The princess did not respond, still silently watching the sun. Shining Armor uneasily looked to the side and asked after a while: "...if I may, your highness... what will you do?"
"I don't know..." Celestia said in a colorless voice. A sad smile appeared on her lips as she looked at the city below: "The Wonderbolts represent something very unique. What they do is not just a fabulous show for the masses... it is... art. Beautiful. Pure. Their work inspires the youth, gives dreams to our children. What right do I have to twist it into a weapon of war?"
"If I may be so bold, your majesty-" Shining Armor slowly took a step forward: "If our children will be in danger, if our nation will fall into ruin, the beautiful art of the Wonderbolts will not save us" He blinked: "The military will"
Celestia turned to him in slight shock but Shining's expression remained firm: "...if you wish for our children to even have a future, you need to make right call... reform the Wonderbolts. Turn them into a force to be reckoned with. They are the best flyers. They will make the best warriors"
* * *
The sun had already set, when Celestia entered the training grounds of the Wonderbolts. Spitfire was still drilling the recruits, occasionally breaking the peaceful silence of night with deafening screaming of orders. Celestia stopped several meters away, trying not to disturb the captain. Spitfire noticed her and nodded before suddenly barking at the recruits: "DID I SAY YOU CAN STOP! KEEP FLYING!!!" she then looked to Celestia and slowly approached: "...my Lady"
"Good evening Captain" Celestia nodded "How goes the training of your new recruits?"
"Excellent" Spitfire replied in a cold tone: "I apologize my lady but I still have much work to do. Is there anything I can help you with?" she quietly said with a stone cold expression. Celestia was slightly taken aback and replied after several moments: "...I... understand you already heard of the petition"
"Yes" Spitfire nodded as a frown appeared on her face.
"If I may ask..." Celestia hesitated a moment: "may I hear your thoughts on the matter?"
"My thoughts?" Spitfire scowled: "...my thoughts are that this... travesty... cannot be allowed" She took a step forward: "The Wonderbolts are a competitive group that flies not only for sport, but to bring light to the hearts of our ponies. Hope, entertainment but above all else, happiness. That is what the Wonderbolts seek to give to our nation."
Spitfire bitterly looked at her Princess: "How many children have looked at the sky, how many wished they would become the best flyers in Equestria. They want to compete, they want fly, they want to play sport games but above all, they want to bring happiness the ponies. They want make ponies smile, not wield a sword and charge into combat!" Spitfire angrily took a step forward.
Celestia was watching her with a stiff expression as Spitfire wiped something away from her eye: "...you're planning to twist my academy into horror of war... The word 'Wonderbolt' will loose all of its meaning" Spitfire bitterly glared at the Princess: "How many children have dreamed of becoming a Wonderbolt? How many dreams... will you destroy?" Spitfire quietly said, then looked at the ground and turned to walk away.
"Spitfire, please..." Celestia called. Spitfire stopped and suddenly said without turning around:
"...if you turn the Wonderbolts into a weapon... I will resign" and without waiting for an answer, Spitfire walked away.
* * *
The morning sun felt pleasantly warm, as Celestia made her way to the library. She waited a moment outside, shuffling her hooves before she finally knocked.
"Just a minute!" a mares voice rang from inside and after a moment, Twilight appeared at the door: "Oh! Princess Celestia! I didn't expect to see you so early! I would have prepared tea at least-"
"Thats quite alright, Twilight Sparkle." Celestia pleasantly smiled "I did not mean to trouble you" the princess uneasily looked to the side before she continued: "I was hoping... to receive your advice on a serious matter..."
"Oh my goodness" Twilight nervously said: "I... I'll do my best hahahaaa" she awkwardly laughed before inviting the princess in. The library looked pretty tidy but Twilight still nervously looked around, terrified to find some form of disorder.
"...Twilight" Celestia quietly called and Twilight nervously twitched:
"Yes? Haha... so, what can I help you with?"
Celestia nodded: "You've no doubt heard of the petition"
Twilight became serious in a moment and slowly nodded her head: "Yes"
"...what would you do... in my place?" the princess asked, looking Twilight right in her eyes.
Twilight silently waited a minute before she slowly looked down with a sigh: "...as much as it pains me... we have to look at the big picture... our ponies will not always recognize the best course of action and they will not always agree with our choice but, we have to put their interests above everything else" Twilight looked up with determination: "The Wonderbolts represent something beautiful. But it will do little to save us from danger, if our nation will fall into chaos again. It is a hard call to make, but I think you already know what I'd do"
Celestia waited in silence, before she nodded her head and smiled to Twilight. Only the smile turned a little sad.
* * *
The princess was slowly walking towards her castle, when a small filly suddenly bumped into her:
"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry-" the filly suddenly gasped: "Princess Celestia?!"
"Hello Scootaloo" Celestia pleasantly smiled: "How are you today?"
"Thanks! I feel really good today!" the filly shined a bright smile.
"Oh? How so?" Celestia looked at the filly.
"I decided what I want to be when I grow up" Scootaloo said with stars in her eyes: "I will be a Wonderbolt! Just like Rainbow Dash! Isn't it cool? Isn't it really really cool!!!"
"...yes... Scootaloo" Celestia gently patted her on the head but as she did, the princesses smile quickly turned sad: "...its really cool" she repeated the fillies words: "... its gonna be ok, little one" Celestia suddenly said, looking right at the filly: "...its gonna be ok..."
* * *
Many important ponies have gathered again in the throne room. The royal guard stood at attention and Princess Celestia slowly walked in. She noticed Spitfire somewhere in the crowd. The Wonderbolt was watching her every move like a hawk, with a stone cold expression, waiting in silence.
Celestia looked away and continued to march to her throne. Her expression showed no emotion but her eyes were no longer empty. There was resolve in her eyes. And those who looked at her began to realize, she had already decided.
Princess Celestia slowly walked to her throne, turned around and looked over the room:
"...my friends... my colleagues... thank you for coming" Celestia spoke in a voice so quiet, that the ponies before her had to go fully silent to hear the words: "...I... have been petitioned to decide a serious matter. The Wonderbolts are an organization, dedicated to give the ponies of Equestria, genuine happiness. Each time, they go up in the sky... what they do each time they fly-" Celestia smiled, as a tear fell from her eye:
"Its Art.
Yesterday I looked in a mirror and tolled myself - If something so pure and innocent, must to be twisted and turned into a weapon, the world is truly lost. But we have to look at the big picture." She firmly said, taking a step forward. Somewhere in the crowd, she spotted the familiar pink hair of Scootaloo. Celestia smiled:
"...we have to do whats best for our children... we have to ensure their safety... no matter the cost... because nothing is more important than keeping them safe"
Celestia looked over the crowd and smiled as another tear fell from her eye:
"...I hereby declare the Wonderbolts, to be reformed into a military unit-"
Somewhere in the crowd, Spitfire turned and walked away from the throne room.
"-that will ensure the safety and security of our nation, our families and our children" the princess finished and smiled to the crowd. And the crowd applauded.
She kept smiling as moments ticked by, only her smile turned little sad.
