Nightmare Moon's Stars

As much as diplomatic protocal forbade it, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza hoofpalmed herself. Hard.

Slowly dragging her hoof off her face, she opened her eyes and gazed upon the mess before her. What was once a minor political arena for dealing with the Equestrian Star Realm had become an all versus all brawl.

Three of the earth pony representives were pinning down and pummeling the lead unicorn delegate.

A pegasi representive dropkicked a dragon before it could tackle a griffin.

The changeling delegates openly transformed and encouraged the chaos by attacking in rotating disguises.

Discord floated near the ceiling and watched the whole thing with a tub of popcorn in his arm.

One of the minotaur delegates had gotten his head stuck in a table and opted to continue rampaging with it on his neck.

A breezie, zebra and a donkey alternated between throwing random objects at random people and hiding behind a gradually shrinking number of intact furniture.

More than once Cadance swore she could hear Dragon Lord Ember howling in lamentation that she could not be present for the brawl.

And so, she did the only thing she could do.

I should not be sitting here while I have a chance to suckerbuck those Canterlot nobles, thought Cadance.

And galloped into the brawl towards the unicorn delegates.

The politicians of Equestria were in total disarray. For decades, the resources demanded by the Equestrian Star Realm were regarded as a pittance to be paid and then ignored at worst, a new avenue for wealth to be exploited at best.

Now, the politicians of Equestria did not know what to expect. A shield against space invaders? A sword against unidentified enemies? Or worse? Something to undermine their own power?

Calls were made, publicly and privately. Nobles began to conspire. Elites started to plan. Conspiracies were founded. But there was simply no consensus. The technology introduced by Nightmare Moon would not go away, nor would the masses forget the loss of the Wonderbolts.

And so no consensus was reached. Instead, the politicians split among themselves, just as the people began to split among themselves.

Some demanded power. To protect the lives of all Equestrians through overwhelming force. To destroy the enemy before the enemy could destroy them.

Others demanded safety. To protec the lives of Equestrians with secure defenses. To engage the enemy on their own terms to maximize the safety of all Equestrians.

Some even demanded the elimination of all threats. To ensure that Equestrians were never threatened, only Equestrians could be permitted to exist.

And so they targeted the Equestrian Star Realm. Not to destroy it, but to control it in the worst way possible.

Politically.

Cadance was sure no political moves for the 6 months would be enough to ruin her content state after bucking the entirety of the Canterlot delegation. Twice.

She was wrong.

Cadance could only croak in shock half of her crystal ponies joined a multi-national group of delegates as they announced their establishment of a new political group. Their directive? To ensure the safety of Equestrians with an overwhelming military. Their wildest goal? To strip Nightmare Moon of her authority over the Equestrian Star Realm and replace her with a military leader of their own choosing.

I have to keep them under control or there is no telling what Nightmare Moon would do, mentally screamed Cadance. Demanding a stronger military is one thing, but to openly admit they seek to remove her from power? Nightmare Moon is from the old days, I would not be surprised if she executes them herself!

Cadance could only look out of the corner of her eye and up at the empty seat that was reserved for Nightmare Moon.

I don't know if its better she isn't here to kill them now or if it'll be worse when she finds out later.

"Ok."

Its worse than I ever imagined.

If it wasn't for the fainted Crystal Empire guards leaning her from both sides, Cadance was sure she would've fainted as well.

"Y-you're ok with this?" Squeaked out Cadance.

"Yes." Casually answered Nightmare Moon as she continued reading and processing reports as they flew across her screen.

"...but now they'll be united! Against you!" Suddenly yelled Cadance. As much as she disliked Nightmare Moon, she still wanted first and foremost to rescue Princess Luna.

"No. They'll be united for the Equestrian Star Realm. And in the Equestrian Star Realm, my word is law." Nightmare Moon responded in a matter of fact voice. "They may be able to influence the political process, but death is the great equalizer and I am not unfamiliar with assassination."

"But auntie-"

"I AM NOT YOUR AUNTIE! I AM NIGHTMARE MOON!" Snapped Nightmare Moon.

Shrinking in fear, Cadance pressed her ears down on her head and fell on her haunches.

"If they think they can use my own pieces against me, they will be corrected." Sharply glaring at Cadance all the while. "I do not like to play political games but I am no stranger to them. If they are useful, I will use them. If they are not useful, I will ignore them. If they are harmful, I will exterminate them."

Cadance could only lower herself lower to the ground at that last line.

"If that is all, then you're dismissed." As Nightmare Moon slowly went back to her previous nonchalant state. "Twilight Sparkle has been errant from her duties and it has disrupted operations. See to it that is corrected."

Cadance kept her head low and she quietly shuffled out of the room dragging her still-unconscious guards alongside her. It was only when there were two doors between her and Nightmare Moon was she able to begin releasing the tension inside of her.

The last time I felt that scared was when Nightmare Moon pinned me down and demanded that I yield, thought Cadance.