“The sun rises, and the moon sets, the cycle has continued for eons, before even Celestia and Luna were their sole caretakers, now, one cannot trust either.”
~Quick Silver, Special Response Squad, New Lunar Republic, L-Day, December 21st, 1045.
Part 1- Princess Twilight Sparkle
The sun rose, and the moon set, her gaze drawn out her window, her room in Canterlot Castle fit for a Princess, as it should be. Her wings twitched with an alien feeling traveling along her spine, the Coronation felt like it was yesterday, yet, it was 4 years ago, on June 21st, the beginning of summer, of the year 1035. Not much has changed since then, besides politics, and one cannot hope those to stay in one point for more than a few minutes, let alone a few years. The map on her wall was kept up to date by the guards, and while boarders have not changed, relations have. While Equestria has remained in control of all her allies, the Griffin Kingdoms, and Gildedale have made new alliances, the two subspecies of griffin settling over their differences, though they may be minor, to trade both tactics, and weapons. Glascow, once a autonomous region of Equestria has brought it’s ambassadors to attempt to announce full independence. The same can be said for Germaney, and rumors of a Mild West, the homeland of the Buffalo, and Canida, the land of the Diamond Dogs drafting a mutual defence pact has reached even Canterlot ears. The Crystal Empire, and its ruler Princess Cadence, have announced that they will remain independent of Equestria, yet Cadence has expressed that she wishes to remain stalwart trading partners and allies with the Mainland. The Mysterious Tapirus Republic and the Boarder have been allies since times forgotten to Celestia and Luna, yet tensions seems to originate at this location. Zebrica and Camelu seem to now be joined at the hip, and Cervidas remains as impartial as ever. Ibex Empire, the homeland of the Pandas are becoming more and more aggressive, threats of attacks originate from that country daily, as the stack of paperwork on Twilight’s desk can attest. Then there is Vaporia, a land once though nonexistent, sits over the oceans, the pegasi there barbaric and strange, probably due to the many millennia of isolation they have had. Thankfully the countries of Heliopolis, Hosstralia, and Pingwin are silent, for now. Rumors are heard that a new country will soon rise, with it’s capital in the Forbidden City to the north, a country of Dragons. Already Twilight feel fatigued just thinking about the day of international dealing she must attend. For 4 years that is all Twilight has been, a diplomatic figurehead, unlike her “equals” who either rule over an entire region, or the Mainland itself, what has she got? Paperwork, and lots of it.
Part 2 - Cadence
Imbeciles! The sheets ruffling, Cadence awakes with the moon still out, being so far north the days and the nights seldom end during the summer or winter. Cadence has put many different requests that the sun and the moon be brought further north to alleviate the situation. Yet every single time the “Rulers of Equality” ignore her, not even replying. Shining Armor has yet to get up, and that only adds to her aggravation, as Captain of the Guard in Canterlot, Shining can only have 2 weeks per year with his wife, and what does he do with it? He sleeps for 16 hours a day! Why? Because their royal asses keep him working 14 hours a day! Cadence gazes at herself in the mirror,taking in her own features, her bedraggled look only adding to her annoyed looks. She steps into the bath, and begins for another day or, continuing the night. Imbeciles!
Part 3 - Princess Celestia
She arises and raises the sun before starting her day. She passes Luna as she heads to the dining room for her breakfast, Luna gazes at her saying nothing, and proceeds to her chamber. What has gotten into her this morning? I must see her this dusk, before she rushes out to her duties, this might be serious. The crawling of her spine present with the memories of Nightmare Moon, she sits at the table and the servants immediately begin serving the food, and the messenger trots in, parcels in his mouth. He deposits them beside Celestia's knife, bows and leaves. Celestia gazes absent mindedly at the first letter. The seal of the Crystal Empire upon its surface. This again? When will Cadence get it, we will NOT move the orbit of the sun and the moon to suit her needs! She tosses that particular parcel into the bin on the other side of the table, sips her coffee and gazes at the next bit of mail. Hmm? This one from Germaney? One from Mascow too? The Mild West? Zebrica? It seems all of the leaders decided to send me a letter today. I must have Twilight look at this. With that she calls a servant and charges him with the task of giving Twilight the letters. Celestia continues sipping her coffee and occasionally taking a bite of the waffles in front of her as she gazes at the newspaper held with her magic.
Part 4 - Princess Luna
Again, the only ponies who are out are the Royal Guards doing their duty! Not a single pony gazes upon my work, my pattern of the sky! Nopony! Not a single one cares for my work! Maybe they would if it was all they ever saw? No! I mustn't give in to these urges! That is Nightmare talking! Not me! But... Nightmare is me isn't she? This and more thoughts course through Luna’s mind as she walks past her sister to bed. Many thought race in her head. What do I do? Should I tell my sister about my feelings? No of course not! Celestia does have many important duties to attend to care about family. Just like she did 1000 years ago. As Luna enters her room the sun crest the nearby hills and Luna gazes at her sisters bland work before heading to bed. If only Night was day. She then drifts off to sleep.
“You cannot run, you cannot hide, no matter where on this world you go, death and war follow. I just stay as far away as I can.” ~Dead “One-shot” Eye, Solar Sniper Regiment, June 5th 1045
Princess Twilight Sparkle
Just as she began to start on the mountain of political paperwork a messenger walks into her study and deposits a load of letters onto her desk. Ugh! More work! Is Celestia really that lazy! All she ever does is lay around all day doing nothing! Is she really too open a couple of letters! Her rage continues to mount before she remembers her duties to serve the international diplomatic ends of Equestria. I just have to suck it up, many ponies would kill for a chance to work at the palace. I do suppose that maybe Celestia has some responsibilities, as she does lead the domestic affairs of equestria. The sound of quill on parchment echos in the near bare office as notes are taken. She reads the letters from Moscow, the Mild West, Germaney and Zebrica, every single one says nearly the same thing, “We the inhabitants of _____ do formally secede from the Equestrian Empire to further the well being of the people who are blatantly ignored by the leaders of the Empire, any effort at retaliation will be dealt with by the New Republic of Equestrian Minorities, whose memberships include Moscow, the Mild West, Germaney, and Zebrica, formally recognised by the Crystal Empire, expect further messages from Prance, Ib’Xian and Neighpon, who will be admitted into the N-REM by the end of the month, we demand the removal of Equestrian forces from the aforementioned lands within 7 days of June the 20th, failure to comply will be seen as an act of war with N-REM and the Crystal Empire. Good day.” An audible cry rings throughout Twilights now numb body. Guards rush in and Twilight quickly barks and order to fetch Celestia. Shuffling through papers, a recent letter from the Crystal Empire is held in Twilight’s grasp. “Leaders of Equestria, the Crystal Empire is now the protectors and allies of a coalition of autonomous regions of Equestria who are seceding from your country for further voice in their own affairs, as such, you have one week to move troops from the stations you have in their land, if you fail to comply or respond by letter by that time, war will be waged.” Checking the date she sighs as she realizes she still has around 3 days to comply, and seek recommendations from Celestia. Sifting through the papers on her desk, the file containing all files from the now independent regions of Equestria lay on her desk, she flips it open and reads the latest reports, nothing that would suggest any prior reason for these actions, with a harsh crash, the door swings open and Celestia rushes in. “What has happened!?”
“The regions of Moscow, Zebirca, Germany and the Mild West have seceded from Equestria! They have formed a coalition called ‘the New Republic of Equestrian Minorities! They are backed by the Crystal Empire and war has been threatened if we don’t withdraw troops from the N-REM nations in 3 days, as well as troops from Prance, Ib’Xain, and Neighpon who also have plans to join N-REM! I have sifted through the letters that we have recently received and there is no provocation for this! What do we do!”
Celestia closes her eyes in thought, “Time for your first test, Twilight, the leaders of these new nations are to be present at the meeting in an hour correct?”
“Y-Yes but I don’t see how..”
“Sush, now, go to the meeting, and tell them... tell them that their secession is not recognized, and troops will not be mobilized from their current positions.”
“But, Princess, that means war from all sides, we cannot do this!”
“We can and we will.” Celestia leaves and the door closes behind her.
Twilight quickly writes a letter and sends it off with her magic, hopefully, Spike will get it and know how to help her.
An hour passes and Twilight enters the meeting; Chief Thunderhoof, Naponyeon, Bismane, and Kabi are there, as is Poda Nobunaga, Mane Zedong, and Staman.
“Greetings members and future members of N-REM, I see now why you have called this meeting, lets all be seated at this time. I, Twilight Sparkle, Leader of Foreign Affairs of Equestria am representing both my position and Princess Celestia’s position as Minister of Domestic Affairs. This meeting is now in order, and we shall begin with Chief Thunderhoof.”
“I defer to Mr. Bismane from Germaney.” His voice low and calculating.
“Thank you Chief, Princess Sparkle, I, the President of N-REM, wish to inquire about the terms discussed in our letters to you about the location of the troops and when they will be leaving.” His german accent making each work filthy, and hard.
“Well... I uh... I mean, I am not able to comply by order of Princess Celestia, your withdrawal from Equestrian rule has not been recognized, and troops will not be moved in the near future. I am sorry.”
“You do know what this means?” Bismane gruffly replies.
“I do.”
“On behalf of the ponies of Germaney, I declare Equestria our foe on the battlefields of war.”
“As do I.” Chief Thunderhoof adds. The other members of N-REM join in.
“What of you Mane Zedong, Poda, and Naponyeon? What say you to this conflict?” Kabi prompts.
“Princess Sparkle, Neighpon secedes from Equestria, and declares conflict, as well as requests admission to N-REM.” Poda announces.
“As does Prance!”
“And Ib’Xain!”
“All are formally admitted to the New Republic of Equestrian Minorities. Princess Sparkle, you have the customary 24 hours before conflict starts, let there not be a single Equestrian soldier on our lands or they will be terminated. The Crystal Empire will be notified of the meeting’s outcomes by the end of the hour, expect war to be declared. Good day.”
Twilight bows her head in defeat as the leaders file out of the meeting room, and calls for a guard to bring Celestia to her chamber.
As Celestia enters the room Twilight closes the door, and casts a silencing spell on the room. “Princess, we are at war with N-REM and soon the Crystal Empire, I will not allow myself to be seen as the Princess who initiated this war, as such I am holding a Press Conference tonight, you may wish to listen in. Now get out of my room.” With that, she drops the spell and stares at her mentor. I cannot wait for the conference to start. Celestia stares with a cautious glance, and departs.
