Changes. You wouldn't think that a word like that could have world changing implications. Would you? Eh, maybe some of you would. The others, not so much.
Let me start like this: When I say "changes", what do you think that means? A usurping? A coup d'etat? New polices? New amendments? A new verdict on Issue 545? Most of you probably assume that when I, one of the co-rulers of Equestria mention anything even remotely related to "changes" it will have life-altering consequences. And for the most of you that assume that, I say you are correct. The world is changing around us. What once was a Tyranny evolved into a monarchy. And what once was a monarchy evolved into a Diarchy. Even as I speak, a law is being passed by the house of City representatives. I alluded to it earlier; Issue 545. A law granting legislative, judicial, and executive powers to any elected citizen of the Equestrian state. As you already know, the issue has already sparked some contention with the conservative nationalists. Those for and against the bill are openly demonstrating in increasingly violent and sporadic demonstrations.
The nation is at a standstill. Civil war is tearing the country apart while foreign powers bristle, once again vying for both our territories and our lands. Princess Celestia and I, as a token of good will, have stepped down to try and ease the tension between the two factions. But it is not working. Those for the bill argue that we are power hungry and are doing too little. They accuse us of being unwilling to part with our power. Those in favor of centralized rule are saying that Equestria is not ready for self-rule. The Bearers of Harmony, national symbols of trust and unity are powerless in the face of this dissent. Love, tolerance, and friendship are faltering as brother turns against brother. Ladies and Gentlemen, the country is on a collision course. With both Gryphica and Zebrica at our borders and an imminent civil war within our very cities, I ask you; do these desperate times call desperate measures?
Obviously you wouldn't be here if it didn't.
While my sister and I have given up a modicum of power, we still retain authority over matters of national security. Therefore, Princess Celestia, my sister and co-ruler of the nation of Equestria has sanctioned a covert operation.
Ladies and gentlemen, you are the hoof-picked. The best of the best. You all come from all walks of life. Some of you have been in the army for as long as you can remember. Others are relatively new. The point is, that doesn't matter.
There is a reason the Equestrian Nightguard only recruits volunteers. You all are to be both my personal protection, and my eyes, ears, and hooves. Already I have asked a great deal from you. I have asked you from you, your unswerving loyalty. I have asked you to forsake everything in pursuit of both personal, and national security. And now, I ask you one more thing.
As of right now; the entirety of the Equestrian Nightguard is a covert operation under my direct authority. The pony you are now, has ceased to be. Each and everyone of you has been erased from the annals of Equestria. From this day forward, you are all ghosts in the system. Forgettable faces glanced in the periphery. The nagging memory. From this day forwards, we are at war with every single country on this planet. We have been authorized to use any and all possible means to ensure the safety of Equestria, and in turn; have become it's guardians. We have the authority to imprison and or execute any and all persons who have been deemed threats to the safety of the nation. Domestic or otherwise. We have been granted permission to infiltrate all governments of the world in direct violation of the Starswirl Accords. If you have volunteered for espionage duty, know that the punishment you will face if your cover is blown will be severe.
I know the weight I have thrust upon your shoulders is a truly staggering one. And even as you feel, I do too. We, the few of the night, have been entrusted to watch the entirety of the state. We who keep watch when others are asleep, now hold power over their dreams. Our eyes and ears will be the eyes and ears of Equestria. Our swords, those striking on behalf of the nation. We are the rear-guard. Protecting the interests of Equestria at home and abroad.
Fret not however, you will not be alone in the field. Advancements in technological magic have given us the upper-hand in this cold war. All guards will be forced to undergo new physiological conditioning. Fitting you to withstand stressful situations and extreme torture. In addition, all guards will be fitted with vocal modulations and phenomenal augmentations, capable of swaying even the most stubborn of opposition. You will be injected with chemicals and drugs that will grant you a higher pain threshold and heighten your senses, allowing you to be more agile and withstand more hits. Unicorns and pegasi will undergo surgery to increase their muscle mass and horn length, granting each more power and speed. Earth ponies will be fitted with reflective skin-tight armor, capable of turning the wearer invisible.
What I ask of you all, is that you become the perfect soldiers. Capable of killing without a moments hesitation. I ask you to be uniform. Giving up all rights of personality. You will become sub-equine, merciless killers and calculating masterminds. You will loose everything that makes you a pony. Your morals, values, hopes, beliefs, and above all; your trust of any other living thing. I know I ask a lot. For some, too much. But the world is changing. All the old world values that have gotten us where we are must be abolished and destroyed. Know that we exist above and beyond the system. And above all, know that we ARE the world changing implications.
You know, I find that during these dark times, it helps to dream. This may come as a surprise, but during my thousand year stint on the moon, I too dreamed. I dreamed of a brighter future for equine kind. I dreamed that all the little fillies and colts were free, able to do anything they put their minds to. I dreamed that one day, Equine kind would stretch out amongst the stars. Forever acting as a beacon in the dark abyss for all civilizations to see.
But alas, that dream of mine has yet to see fulfillment. Equine kind is still in the protozoa stage of its existence. The greatness that is equine kind, is blighted by larger powers. Predators who we fought off in the ages before civilization have evolved alongside us, preying on us even in times of relative peace and stability. Now however, their goal is not our flesh. Their goal is our subjugation. To enslave us, and use us as tools in their ever expanding industrial machines. Under the Treaty of Stalliongrad, the nations of the world agreed to certain terms and conditions. One of these is the fair treatment of visiting citizens abroad.
Let me tell you now, that our neighbors have not honored that promise.
The Treaty, signed into being after the first great Species war in 1918, has been violated by Gryphica at least thirteen times since it's founding. The Talon Uprisings is one example. Know that this is information still considered classified by both the Gryphic Oligarchy and the Equestrian Secret service. This information, may very well cost me my life.
In 1957, thirty nine years after the war, The United Gryphic Nation began the Hegemony Initiative. A program designed to secure the world under the rule of one government. Now, in theory that sounded good right? No more wars, no more chaos. Just unity under one head. Unfortunately however, the Gryphic government was not suited for the job, and the Gryphic nation was not suited to become the head.
Gryphica itself has a violent history since it's founding. Corruption, nepotism, laundering, bribery, blackmail, and murder have plagued the country all throughout its history. And violent uprisings have become the new norm. One day, one faction could rule, the next, another. It is a war torn country, but let me tell you one thing, its people are strong. Their armies are the best in the world. Their soldiers, seasoned even before they see battle. They are fearless, they are merciless, and they are under the control of some of the most evil men since Discord. Those dictators have subjugated their people. And for them, there is no hope. The faces of their soldiers, the faces of their leaders, the faces of their people, are those of a nation that has stopped dreaming.
But, I digress. I'm here to divulge classified information.
Thirty nine years after the great Species war, Gryphic went ahead with the "Hegemony initiative". And they nearly succeeded. All the nations that opposed them were whipped quickly subdued with extreme brutality and prejudice. And in those dark times, all hope seemed lost. At that time, Equestria was the last nation standing. We were outnumbered and surrounded on all sides, our allies had fallen, and we were pressed. It seemed as if the end had come. I feared that my dreams of a glorious Equestria would never be realized.
But that all changed when the Talon Uprisings began. The first city was Talon. A major industrial city within the eastern most provinces of Gryphica. The workers there were fed up with the low wages, poor sanitation, and horrible health code violations. So they did what they could. They revolted. But they revolted in a way unlike anyone had ever seen. First, they formed a union supporting the Gryphic Oligarchy, who then appointed the leader of the union, a man by the name of Silverane as an honorary member. He was their pet. Someone who could be called upon to instantly quell public dissent without the need of army intervention. But unbeknownst to them, he was a double agent, feeding the enslaved people of the world vital information about both the government and the army. Time passed, and eventually, the United Workers of Talon, became The United Workers of Gryphica. One massive union that controlled the whole Industrial complex of Gryphica. All of it, headed by Silverane, who had eventually replaced one of the members in the Oligarchy. Eventually, the Oligarchy, under the urgings of Silverane, moved their capitol the Talon. Silverane had led them into the serpents nest. None of the other members knew that he had total control of the army which was also full of Union soldiers. And on the day of December 31, 1957, the Oligarchy was captured by a Special Operations squad and publicly executed on the steps of the Majitza. On that day, in front of the cheering masses, Silverane said this:
"When I was just a poor worker in the Steel Mills, I dreamed that one day, I would be at the helm of a revolution. A vicious tide that would sweep away the tyrannies of old, and wash away our country's sin. And now that my dream has been realized, I dream that this country will be the shining jewel of the world! "
Of course, he was assassinated thirty years later when his policies proved unfavorable, but eh, what can you do? Sometimes the difference between a dreamer and a ruler is what they see. Now, him and I saw the same things for our countries. The only difference is; I don't let my dreams get in the way of my goals.
Don't get me wrong. I like visionaries, I just don't like them in power.
See, there's a fundamental difference between visionaries and those who've achieved greatness. Sure, some of them WERE visionaries, but that's beside the point. The reason most visionaries are elected into positions of power, is because they're strong in times of weakness. Say for example, a country's going through an extreme economic depression. In this case, a visionary would be someone who'd be looking to restore the country while simultaneously adding their own twist, hoping that the country of their dreams will come into being and flourish under their rule. The problem however, is that a strong, uncompromising leader works only in times of extreme distress. Often enough, you'll have an extremist and uncompromising leader in power looking to reshape the country through force, unaware that the people don't WANT it to change.
This is why I don't like visionaries; they don't have any finesse. So, here's my question to you recruits, will you let your dreams guide you, or control you?
~~~
He stepped briskly onto the street, watching the hooftraffic and weaving in and out of crowds with the ease of a native. He'd been in Canterlot for almost several years now, and nopony knew it like he did. All its gothic arches, flying buttresses, all it's domes and medieval towers. All it's crooked and winding streets, all it's endlessly tantalizing storefronts. All it's citizens, laughing and sitting around in cafe fronts and chattering idly into the crispy and fresh night. He had come to Canterlot as soon as he was able to. For him, the city reminded him of his hometown, only bigger, brighter and with more mystique. Smiling, he made his way to his favorite cafe, a little shop by the name of The Didactic Tongue. A small meeting spot for all the esteemed Academia of Celestia's School for Gifted unicorn.
"Hello Fancy! The usual?" Asked the barista behind the counter, a small cappuccino mare just beginning to flower. He nodded, the sides of his mouth turning upwards in a Mona Lisa smile as he chuckled in mirth. All had been going well, the night air was crisp, and as of recent; he'd received word that an old friend had wanted to meet him. The light brown Unicorn nodded. Her crisp and curly october time mane combed and springy on her head. A small birth mark, a white dot on her left cheek dimpled as she gave him a large smile and practically pranced over to his table, using her magic to take out a menu from a nearby stand and place it on his table with a quick snap of her hooves. Looking upon the prancing barista, Fancy couldn't help but liken her to a Ballerina, with their sharp but elegant poise and movement.
"Would you like anything? An expresso? Or perhaps a poundcake?" She asked with a gleam in her eye. The girl had joined the small staff of the cafe not two years ago. Back then, she hadn't spoken a lick of English, just the beautiful, albeit archaic language of her home.
"Could you ask that in your language my dear?" He asked feeling quite hopeful. Her english had steadily gotten better, but her voice still carried the elegant cadence of her foreign birth.
"Sì, signore. Cosa ti piacerebbe ordinare?" She asked. He sighed, closing his eyes and listening to the delicate inflection.
"Music to my ears my girl. And I'd like to order the Expresso with a poundcake please." He said, chuckling as she playfully rolled her eyes and took away the menu.
"Okay. Only if you promise me to talk with your language signore." She added playfully.
"Le café express serait merveilleux s'il vous plaît." He repeated, much to the amusement of the girl's amusement who quickly danced away in her elegant gait.
"Fancy." A voice sounded to his right as the groan of metal sliding across cobblestone alerted him to another's presence. He gamely turned to the new arrival, a broad smile playing across his face which was accented by his handle-bar mustache.
"Princess Luna! How nice it is to see you!"
"Save it Fancy, we have much to discuss."
"Indeed we do." He said, voice losing the lilting french inflection that had come to define the stallion known as Fancy Pants.
"What can I do for you?"
