Author's Note

Character Tags: OC, Princess Luna, Gilda, Spike, Other, Main 6
Tags: Slice-of-life, Drama

Set: 1519 AD; 7 years after The Broken and The Damned.

The Friendship Games~PT. 1

The island of Cepolina. Formerly a Pryhan colony, the island to the south of Neighpon was formerly used as a naval base and trading hub. Following a series of internal issues, the island was abandoned. Now, the island had been converted into the headquarters of the Coalition.

The former fortress had been converted into a meeting place for the various leaders from the nations in the Coalition. The Coalition had been founded shortly as a part of the Canterlot Concordance. The purpose would be to prevent future conflict via diplomatic means, as well as providing aid to various nations that may need them. Another thing that would come up would be the encouragement of international goodwill; the cause of their current conversation.

"You're kidding me, right?", Caesar Diocletian asked.

Princess Luna shook her head, her gaze fixed on a piece of paper on the large table. "No, I'm not. This is an actual proposal that the Isolationists have pushed forward."

Gilda said, "Geez. If one of my griffs pushed something like this forward, they'd be laughed out of the Senate room and not come back until their term ran out."

Luna said, "I agree. Unfortunately, Neighsayer is quite popular in his district, despite what he says. In fact, that is likely why he is so popular."

"He is praised. For pushing forth a proposal to lower trade and tourist virtues to several nations he views as 'Barbaric'", Diocletian said. "And here I thought you were supposed to value Friendship and Harmony."

Spike said, "For the most part, they do. At least, the ones in the countryside. Ponies in the cities and not in the cites have different interpretations of values, I guess."

"Still", Cadence said. "It's disturbing."

"No kidding", Pharynx said. When he got several looks, he threw up his hooves. "What!? I'm in charge, and I've had to calm down my brother several times because he's afraid that we might end up going to war again."

Luna sighed, looking down. "Due to the limitations in place, that won't be happening. However, there have been pushes to get things like this done."

The other leaders present looked amongst themselves, muttering and deciding things. Besides the leaders of the larger nations of Equestria, Griffonia, and Pryha, many smaller or less prominent nations were also present. The Changelings, the Dragons, the Yaks, two of the most prominent Minoan city-states, a representative of the Zebricans. A large portion of them were representatives of the various pony nations: Prance, Germaney, Mexicolt, Saddle Arabia, Bitannia, Neighpon, Maretonia, and the Crystal Empire.

The Germane leader, Kaiser Eiserner Kanzler, asked, "Well, what are we to do of this issue? If such an issue becomes large, it may impact trade; a negative for both sides."

Luna said, "My sister and I have tried to change many of our ponies' minds on the subject. But, we've had surprisingly limited success."

"Really?", the Zebrican representative Zarifa asked. "I thought they loved you greatly."

"Normally, they would", Luna said. "But, after what happened with the Changeling, they are distrustful. Er, no offense, Pharynx."

"Heh. None taken", Pharynx said.

"Anyway, but many of them are scared. Those in the bigger cities saw first-hoof what kind of destruction your armies could do. Even in the smaller towns, they were greeted by massive armies and prison camps for the Changelings. Even after the war ended, they were greeted by books and histories telling of wars, famine, and other such events. They're scared of such a thing happening to them. Some of those higher up merely wish to hold onto power, but many of them are merely scared of being thrust into more conflict."

"They should not be afraid!", Prince Rutherford exclaimed. "Yaks help ponies if something attack you again!"

"I know", Luna said. "But again, they're scared. Even the more open ones like in Ponyville. We've been reduced in size, lost a lot of revenue. That's to say nothing of the scars left and those killed in the war against Chrysalis."

"Perhaps if we show them that there is nothing to be afraid of", Cadence suggested.

Spike sighed. "Cadence, as good of an idea as that sounds, it'll also sound like we're pushing this on them. And I imagine Luna doesn't want this group to get any more powerful than it already is."

"Agreed", Luna said.

Diocletian pulled out a small flask, taking a sip. Meanwhile, the Maretonian duke said, "Well, what should we do?"

Diocletian said, "May I speak?"

Lord Cropwell of Bitannia said, "I don't see why not. What do you have to say, Pryhan?"

Diocletian said, "Well, like Lord Spike and Princess Luna said, we can't just push them into accepting outside nations. However, I also agree with Empress Cadence, in that we should find a way to show the Equestrians, particularly those in the major cities, that the outside nations are not savages or we will not harm them."

Luna adjusted her posture, interested. "What do you have in mind, Caesar?"

"I propose, a Games."

Several laughs came from the various leaders. Pharynx said, "You really think that we all could bond over a few sports?"

"Yes, King Pharynx. That is exactly what I am proposing", he said. "Most of us all have some sort of large-scale sporting event. The Equestria Games, the Griffonian Games, the tournaments on Adunationem, the Crystal Faire. A point of international similarity. We use that as an excuse for Equestria to host such an event, save with sports contingents from each nation."

"How are you certain that the ponies will agree with it", Luna asked.

"Well, foreign spectators will be coming to whatever city you choose to witness their teams hopefully achieve victory. If the restaurant owners and hotel owners wish to deny them business, then they will only be hurting themselves compared to those that will serve them. And if they do serve them, then both they and their other patrons will be learning of other cultures as they speak or listen to the conversations."

Luna said, "And you really think they'd do that?"

"I know of no society where personal virtue fully trumps personal incentive", he said. "They'll do it. And, if my experience with others is anything to go by, nothing bonds creatures together like a little friendly competition."

Luna considered Diocletian's proposal. What he said made sense; The Equestria games had been implemented in early Equestria as a similar unifying force as to what he was suggesting. The opportunity for lessening the fears of the common ponies could likely result from such interactions with other nations and their creatures. And the business brought in by large amounts of tourists could help stimulate the economy, if nothing else.

"I agree that it is a good idea", Luna said.

"Then we shall put it to a vote", Diocletian said. "All in favor of this idea, raise your limb." After a few seconds, all of the hooves, paws, and talons were pointed up. "All oppose?" Not a single one. "Well, that settles it."

Gilda asked, "Why'd you ask if anyone opposed? You saw everyone raise their limbs."

"Just a matter of protocol, Chancellor", he replied.

Pharynx said, "I can respect that."

"Anyway", Diocletian said. "Princess Luna, we will allow you to set things up. Choose the city, set up the location for the games, et cetera, et cetera. Just tell us what you need and the parameters for what we should bring in terms of teams."

Rutherford asked, "How long pony take to set up?"

"Give me, say... six months. I'll work out the kinks by then", Luna said.

Cadence cocked her head. "You already have something in mind, Princess?"

Luna looked over at her adoptive niece, and couldn't repress a chuckle. "Cadence. I've wanted to do something to shake up the status quo in Canterlot for years now. Well, now, I have the perfect opportunity."

++++~++++

Roughly a day later, Princess Luna returned to Canterlot. The city had healed almost completely since the Changeling Crisis. In the early evening light, the city shown like a beacon on the side of Mount Canterhorn. As she landed, she was greeted by her sister and several of her Night Guards.

Luna stepped off her sky-chariot, hugging her sister and saying, "Greetings, Tia. How was my nephew while I was away?"

"Well, you know how Rising Dawn can get." Celestia then asked, "Well? How was the meeting at Cepolina?"

"Fine. That is actually something I'd like to talk to you about. I may need you to deliver a speech, though", Luna said as the two walked into the castle.

"I thought I wasn't going to be involved in any political matters", Celestia said.

Luna said, "The matter I need you to discuss isn't political, but it may be controversial. Most of even the most hard-line hard-liners trust and respect you more than me, as well as many of the common ponies. They might take it better and be more assured if they hear it from you."

Celestia questioned, "What is it?"

Luna stopped just before the palace door. She snorted lightly, before cracking a grin. "A display of Friendship. The Friendship Games, if you will."