Princess Celestia spoke purposely, a grim determination pulsing through her speech, "Population is one of the least of our issues, sister! A key issue are those Faust lunatics, not a lack of food!"
Princess Luna made a a pffting sound while rolling here eyes, before speaking back with the same determination, "Just because thou is not looking on by all ponies as a God does not mean the fall of this utopia!"
Princess Candence looked from one Princess to the other, each at a different corner of the triangular table between them. They had been arguing about the biggest issue that threaten Equestria, and it had finally boiled down to this; Population Vs. Religious fanatics. Candence groaned inwardly, and though about Shining Armour absent minded as the two sister fought.
They were in a special meeting room, made not too long after the changeling invasion. one had to go through the very tunnels Cadence was trapped in to get to the heavily hidden and locked door to the room. The room it self was a octagonal shaped, with a flat floor in the middle with a design of a oval with two small circles at each end, which was within a triangle with a similar circle at each corner, within a square with the circles to the corners, and so on until it was all in one large heaxgon, surrounded by six circles. The reason for the design was because of a small clockwork system underneath; one could chose the table and number of chairs for the occasion. Major shapes were tables, circles being the chairs.
As Celestia started on about the religious rebellion in Griffiania in 308 BN, and how it was mentioned by many griffin officials that it could have been prevented, Candence thought about a small discussion with Twilight a while back.
"Candence, the Utopian equation I've been studying is just about impossible. Translating it into numbers requires the number to stay over 0, meaning that it's x+y>0. X is the positive, utopia forming equation, and y is negative, the utopia degrading equation. But in reality it's x+y*e>0, e being large events.," Twilight paused in her rambling, taking a deep breath, "In most textbooks, e must be positive in order to maintain a utopia. But in order to create a utopia, e must be negative."
Candence looked at Twilight with a blank expression for a moment before answering, "But in Equestia's case, The Nightmare Years took the place of e, thus beginning the Utopian Age, making it very well possible."
Twilight sighed, and replied, "The Single Princess age, as some call it, was very well begun with that event. But that isn't my issue now; through many of my lessons, I've discovered that the utopia isn't here anymore. Luna's return, Discords return, the recent changeling invasion, those were all negative events. Multiplying by a negative three times will return a negative."
Candence's eyes went wide, realizing what Twilight was getting at, but was able to answer in a formal voice, "But even if that's true...surely another bad event will come and fix it? And even then, we may be able to get neutral throu...." Candence trailed off, unsure of what more to say.
Twilight said grimly, "Only another large event that would possible destroy Equestria could save it's utopia. And considering the technological advances that have been made throughout time, it'll get harder to return to a utopia with every year. The transfer from the Twin Princess age to the Single Princess age was simple, but it won't be so for this age."
Candence had left for the Crystal Empire after that visit, and soon had been caught up in the daily affairs. On the train ride to Canterlot for this very meeting she had remembered the talk, and had come up with a drastic idea; to somehow provoke a a disastrous event. It would risk much; it could throw Equestria into anarchy, enslave and/or destroy it, or cause another disaster and return it to where it was already.
Candence continued to think about these things, barely noticing Luna countering Celestia with a countless number of famines; come to think of it, the two princesses might not even be aware that their land was no longer a utopia, according to that age-old equation, considering their blander about the Faust worshipers and possible famines. She was ripped from some of these comical thoughts when she heard her name.
"Princess Candence, thee haven't spoken about this issue yet. Have you any idea to counter ours, or yet support one of us?" Luna spoke purposely, genuine curiosity and hints of anger blended into her voice. Celestia had hints of similar emotion trickling out of her eyes in the form of a subtle glare.
Cadence swallowed, somewhat nervous as to the fact she had not been in many formal meetings with the other Princesses quite like this, but was capable to say, "I think that the utopia is currently broken, and the only way to repair it would be through a possibly disastrous, extremely risky attempt to cause something among the lines of war."
The two princesses stared at her, then at each other. Celestia attempted to speak, but was at a loss for words. Luna didn't even try to speak. For several minutes, the room was in a awkward, shocked silence. Finally, Celestia spoke.
"No matter...how much....I don't want to admit it...." Celestia said, before hesitantly continuing, "You are right. The...only way to save the utopia.....is some sort of drastic event."
Luna hung her head for a minute before replying in a serious tone, "But even then, the two before argued situations must be dealt with, best in the same time has thy idea."
Candence looked from one to the other, thinking hard. How could they do all this and more? Suddenly, she remembered something else; She had overheard Shining Armour talking with another official about a expedition they had sent scouts on. A large land mass, long off the coast of Las Pegasus.
"What if we sent the Faust ponies and large portions of ponies to settle the landmass found in the West? Their are hints of another kingdom over there, thus possibly provoking war," Candence said quickly, taking in a breath only after saying it, closing her eyes. After a minute, she slowly opened them, and say the princesses staring at each other.
They suddenly shifted their gaze towards Candence, and said in a serious grim unison, "That is the only reasonable way," After hearing this, Cadence looked at the table, thinking about it; everything would rely on the fact that this fabled 'other kingdom' existed, and could launch a invasion into Equestria. Even then, they may only just attack their settlers, and not affecting the main land in any way but war fever.
They continued to discuss the situation after this, mostly planning the colonies. The biggest choice they made was to spearhead the operation with none other than...the Elements.
