Eye of the Storm

Princess Celestia sighed.

“I’m ready.”

She tried not to let her thoughts escape through the unreadable expression on her muzzle or the orderly clip-clop of her hooves, but she knew what the result of this day would be.

Bloodshed.

She arrived in a small, white room. Possibly the least remarkable room in the castle. Behind her, the Equestrian flag, the Flag of the Two Sisters, was proudly on display.

In front of her, a very serious-looking grey-coloured unicorn standing on a cardboard box, and beyond him, a window, lighting up her features with a focused ray of light. She looked almost supernatural. That was the intent.

After staring at the ground one last time, Celestia looked up to face the unicorn - still atop the box - awaiting her command.

Celestia nodded, and his horn lit up.

“Rulers of Earth,” she began, “I am speaking for the nation of Equestria. Our intention is to contact you not as hostile invaders, but as concerned friends. The disharmony in your world, which we have recently discovered, startles - even disturbs - us.”

She adjusted one of her front hooves slightly, as if to release the feelings that threatened to make their way to her expression.

“So, on behalf of Equestria, I am issuing a request. Within the next five years, you are to stop all usage of fossil fuels, bring to an end the mass-maltreatment of animals, and ensure all citizens under your rule have the food, water, shelter and healthcare they require to survive.

The timing of this request is negotiable. The conditions are not. We will provide any assistance required achieving these aims, this is a promise we will not break.

If you do not agree, we will have no choice but to take your world by force. We do not wish to do this, but we have the capability to do so. We have located and cut off all of your military bases. We have seized control of your communication networks. We are prepared to go further, but we would prefer not to.

For the sake of every pony and human involved, I hope you make the right decision.”

The glow around the unicorn’s horn flickered out, and he remained standing, waiting for Celestia’s command.

“Have I made the right decision?” she asked him.

“Y-yes, of course your majesty. But it’s not my place t-” he replied, startled by the unexpected question.

“Apologies. I should not have put you on the spot like that.” She took a deep breath. “You may return to your usual duties.”

“Thank you” he answered, bowing his head. The shift in his weight sent his makeshift platform tumbling onto the ground. “Forgive me, I’ll have it cleaned up right a-”

“That won’t be necessary” Celestia said with a smile, a small giggle escaping her, breaking through the wall of sternness she had been building inside her for the past few days.