Coup D'ont!

Equestria was led by a Diarchy, Princess Celestia and Luna. Beings with enough magical poweress to move the celestial bodies themselves. Despite their magical abilities and immortal status, no leader rules a nation alone.

After the founding of Equestria. And the subsequent arrival of Princess Celestia and Luna, the newly founded kingdom faced a major issue. A financial issue.

The Earth ponies were mostly farmers and carpenters, they couldn't spare any bits for the kingdom or risk going into poverty. The Pegasi on the other wing, didn't had any established trading system, and still relied on the bartering system. But the Unicorns, oh the Unicorns. They were different from both the Earth ponies and Pegasi. The unicorns established an economic system way before the founding of Equestria, which gave plenty of time for certain unicorn families to become rich, and eventually becoming Nobles.

The nobles were the backbone of Equestria. Without their support, Equestria would collapse into economic chaos.

Their wealth enabled to control government policies, and the Princesses had to play nice with them in order to keep their support. None dared to challenge them.

Except for one institution. The Military.

Under the control of the House of Atlas, and supported by Princess Luna. The Military was a formidable foe to the Nobility. While the Nobility had money, the Military had weapons.

Like the Nobility, the Military could influence governmental policies, always with the rumors of taking over the Government if Celestia didn't listen. This set up the Nobility to fight the Military.

Time and time again, Celestia had to balance Equestria between a possible economic collapse and a possible military takeover every time a new policy, a new budget proposal, or just about anything was to be officialized.

But with the banishment of Nightmare Moon, and the fire of Atlas Manor, the Military was thrown into disarray. Giving the nobility time to strike its foe into the depths of history. Cementing the nobility as the sole faction power within Equestria.

And for a thousand years, Equestria was subjugated by the nobility, with its power unrestricted, and Celestia was powerless to stop most of their scheming.

But with the return of Princess Luna, the sudden revelation that the a descendant of the House of Atlas was still alive and living in the neighboring state of Griffonia Nova and his subsequent return to Equestria, and the refounding of the Equestrian Military. The Nobility was thrown into shock as one of its most ancient opponents had returned and challenged them once more in the policital sphere.

And the battle for control of Equestria continued on in the shadows.

16 September 1001

Prince Blueblood looked across the many faces in the dining room along with him. With him being at the head of the table.

Several faces had looks of boredom while several had faces of contempt; as if knowing what he was going to say.

"Stallions and Mares," he began, "I fear for the continuation of our Noble Houses are in jeopardy,"

As he finsihed the last word, many began murmuring in fear of what could possibly be threatening their Houses.

"Now, now, settle down," He said while tapping a spoon against his wineglass with his magic. "Our houses in jeopardy once more because of one thing, the Military,"

The murmuring continued once more as nobles speculated why could the Military ever be a threat to them.

"I know oh all are probably wondering, how could the Military ever face us, with us controlling almost all governmental posistions? Quite simple, it's because they don't care for governmental positions, or possibly even the government! Way back, back a thousand years, our Noble ancestors battled the savage military in the political sphere for Equestria! And when their vile leader, Globe Atlas and his lackeys died in the fire of Atlas Manor, the Military was thrown into disarray and we were able to stomp them out! And add that with Nightmare Moon's banishment, the Military had no more supporters in the government to help them, and they were wiped out!"

The murmuring stopped now, everypony had their ears glued to Blueblood's words.

"But now, the Military is back with a vengeance to stomp us out. It seems that despite most of the Atlas family dying in the fire, one of the sons of Glone Atlas wasn't there at the time, and instead settled in Weter, up there with those griffonian peasants. And his descendant has returned to Canterlot once more upon hear of the return of Princess Luna, and has used his silver tongue to bring back the Military! I fear my fellow nobles, that he plans on fighting us once more that like his ancestors did. And finally put an end to our Noble Houses!"

Blueblood paused to look at the nobles gathered. All with wore a face with fear, fear of losing to their noble statuses and wealth forever. A fear that Blueblood could manipulate.

"If you fear for our survival, if you fear for your family's glory, if you fear for the Harmony of Equestria, then join me, my fellow Nobles! In a Crusade against the Corrupt Military once more!" He raised his glass of wine as others followed suit with shouts of agreement.

"Let us toast to the defeat of the Military once and for all!"

"To the defeat of the Military once and for all!"

And they all downed their drinks and began plotting of ways to challenge the military.