//------------------------------//
// Something Wonderful 
// Story: Crystal's Hopes 
// by Crystal Wishes 
//------------------------------//

Jet Ship sat behind his desk with his hooves steepled, his eyes closed, and his expression entirely unreadable.  Crystal could have heard her own breathing in the silence between them if the looming pressure hadn't suffocated her into perfect stillness.

Throughout her whole explanation of the Flower Foundation, he hadn't said a single thing.  He had hardly even blinked.  Instead, his orange eyes pierced into her and judged her every word.  And when she finished, he merely closed his eyes in thought.

How much time had passed?  More than a minute, certainly—perhaps two or even three.  She tried to force herself to breathe evenly.  What was the worst that could happen?  If he denied the request, then she'd not only have to look elsewhere, but face her mother who had told her to start small.

She didn't want to start small.  She didn't want to back down.  She raised her head a little higher and continued to stare at him, waiting, hoping.

Jet Ship clapped his hooves suddenly, eyes snapping open.  "Splendid idea!  I'm glad you came to me about this, dear.  This would be absolutely perfect for Jet Ventures's image."

Crystal kept her smile firmly in place.  He was a business pony first and foremost, after all—and she desperately needed his financial backing.  "Of course."

"Now, how much do you need?"  His horn lit up and levitated a bitpurse, the coins inside jingling.

"I—"  Her gaze fell to the little pouch and her heart sank.  "Well, Grandfather, obviously an endeavor of this scale is going to be quite an undertaking."

Jet Ship nodded idly as he opened the bitpurse and started to riffle through it.  "Mmhm."

Nervously, Crystal wrung her hooves.  "I've spent a good deal of time with my mother-in-law doing research into what it would take, financially."

"And?"  He looked up at her with a smile.  "How much, dear?"

Her voice fell weak as she replied, "A million bits, Grandfather."

There was a long moment of silence.  Jet Ship's smile fell into a flat line and his gaze shifted back to the bitpurse.  "Oh."  The bitpurse slowly lowered out of sight.  "I see.  That is not a paltry sum, Crystal."

"I know."  She tried to keep from shrinking into her seat, feeling very much like a little filly under the weight of his piercing gaze.  "I know, Grandfather, but there is so much involved in starting a charity organization.  I want it to be built on as strong a foundation as possible, so there's no doubt in anypony's mind regarding our dedication."

Jet Ship chuckled, raising a hoof and waving it.  "Yes, yes, dear.  I understand.  I'm not saying no.  But for a million bits, I'm going to need more than some good press for the company."

Crystal swallowed as her throat went dry.  "Such as?"

"I'll require a seat on the board in exchange for being such a charitable benefactor."  His expression hardened into that of the serious, confident stallion who had become a wealthy, prominent business pony.  "I want to have direct insight into the foundation, as well as influence in any board decisions.  I don't want a single bit spent without having one of my lawyers take a look at where it's going."

"The board?"  Crystal's confidence faltered.  Wallflower had offered to come along for this discussion, but she had assured her mother-in-law that it wasn't necessary.  Now, she regretted those words.

Jet Ship waited, gaze unwavering, expression unchanging.  He didn't look at her as a grandfather to his granddaughter.  This was purely business to him.

Crystal fought the urge to bite her lower lip.  She had to set aside her personal feelings, even though they ran deep into the very core of the foundation.  All of it was personal to her.  However, she was going to face many challenges in getting it off the ground, and she couldn't let her feelings get in the way.

The fact was that she needed him, and it was easier to be in debt to somepony she knew than a bank she didn't—assuming a bank would even make the loan at all.  Her grandfather was considering it, so she had to take the offer.

"Of course.  It's only fair."

"Splendid."  Jet Ship reached across his desk, smiling when she accepted his hoof and they shook.  "In that case, I'll loan you one of my best lawyers to work for the foundation, pro bono.  I'm sure you'll have need of him.  Now—"  He dropped his hoof to clap it on the desk.  "—have you thought about your grand entrance?"

Crystal blinked a few times.  "Grand entrance?"

Jet Ship chuckled.  "Of course!  You have to give in order to get.  Show Equestria your dedication with a big unveiling.  A publicity stunt, if you will.  Something that will etch into the minds of everypony that the Flower Foundation should be at their foremost thoughts when it comes to military charities.  Turn all of Equestria's eyes onto you."

Her heart jumped in her chest, eager to escape from the nerves that fluttered up from her stomach.  "Oh."

Yes, she had known that starting a foundation that reached all across Equestria would put her in the public eye.  Yes, she had known that she would have to give speeches and attend events.

But when he looked her in the eyes and spoke of a 'grand entrance' of that magnitude and importance, she felt paralyzed with fear.  How could she express her dedication?  How could she convey her feelings to ponies she had never met?

Was she ready for this?

"I'll—I'll give it all my thought," she said, her voice faltering from the fear that gripped her from the inside out.

"I know you will.  You've always been such a thoughtful filly."  He smiled the smile not of a business pony, but of her grandfather.  "I expect there will be a board meeting to discuss ideas and strategy once you've thought it over?"

All she could do was nod.  There was some comfort, at least, in knowing that the board consisted of ponies who cared about her.

"Wonderful."  His magic grabbed a little butterscotch candy wrapped in gold foil from a glass bowl and levitated it to her.  "Well, then, I have a meeting with your father to attend, but I'm glad we had this talk.  I'll arrange the funds and when I'm ready, send the details to you with my lawyer, Goodwind.  I look forward to working with you."

Crystal accepted the candy with a small, fond smile.  "And I with you, Grandfather."  She stood up from her seat and placed her forehooves on the desk to prop herself up so she could lean across, planting a kiss on his cheek.  "Give Father my regards."

Jet Ship chuckled and patted her cheek before she pulled away.  "I will.  Take care, dear."

As Crystal left his office and made her way out of the building, every step felt like new weight was added to her hooves.  Each pair of eyes on her felt like needles pricking at her sides.

She had thought she was ready for this, but she suddenly felt uncertainty clouding her mind.  The general release of The Desert Rose was in a few days, and the Equestrian Writers Convention was at the end of the month.  Sunset had made it clear that she was not to skip it, especially with her lack of commitment to her writing career as of late.

Who was she these days?  A writer who went public, and then did nothing.  A writer who started a series, then dropped it to chase a flight of fancy with a film.  A writer who might give up her career to start a charity.

Crystal paused once she was outside to look down at her cutie mark.  Between her special talent and her heart's desire—between what she was supposed to do and what she wanted to do—who would win in the end?

With a quick shake of her head, she broke into a light trot toward the palace.  Once the war was over and Silent was home, she could turn the Flower Foundation over to somepony else.  Until then, she needed to do her part, and writing romance wasn't contributing enough to keep her sane while her husband fought overseas.

As she made her way through Canterlot, she looked around in hopes of spying inspiration.  What was Equestria to her?  What was Equestria to everypony?

The ponies she walked past stirred a strange bitterness in her rather than ideas.  Every time she walked the streets, she was reminded of how many lives continued on as normal.  She overheard gossip about who was seen with whom and what fashion designer was currently in the spotlight.

It made her want to go home and never leave again, but that just wasn't an option.  There was too much to do.  For now, she had to focus on her meeting with Luna.

Her pace quickened the nearer she got to the palace.  She nodded to the guards posted outside the main gates—stallions she didn't recognize, stallions that looked more like mere colts.  Was she getting older, or were they getting younger?

Once she crossed the threshold, it felt as though the weight was lifted from her.  The courtyard was open and airy, with lush greenery to the right interrupted by a small cobblestone path that led into the royal garden behind the palace.  She felt like she could breathe here without the looming of close-packed buildings or the smiles of blissfully ignorant ponies.

At the doors into the palace were more unfamiliar guards, but she nodded politely to them nonetheless.  To her surprise, Luna was waiting for her just inside the main hall with Willow in tow.

"Good afternoon, Crystal," Luna said with a tired smile.  Everything about her seemed to be dragged down by exhaustion; even her mane didn't sparkle and shimmer like it used to.  "I was beginning to worry."

Crystal blinked, tilting her head to one side.  "I'm sorry, am I late?"

Willow gave a light snort.  "No, you're exactly on time.  With how busy the princess is, on time might as well be late these days."

"Mind her not," Luna said.  She turned away and nodded her head to gesture for Crystal to follow.  "We are all under a great deal of stress.  I can imagine you understand why."

"Yes, of course."  Crystal's ears flicked back as she felt a twisted sensation of empathy.

While the average citizen may have continued on as normal, neither princess was unaffected by the war.  Both were struggling under what must have been unfathomable depths of guilt and concern.  Although they were alicorns of great power, they were also ponies with hearts that loved their citizens and ached with every report of casualties overseas.  Such was the burden of the crowns they wore.

"Now, what is it that you wished to discuss?"  Luna glanced down at her.  The weariness in her voice was tempered only by her soft smile.

Every time Crystal explained her plan, she felt closer to making it a reality.  Each word repeated had more power behind it than the last time.  It was like when she received the first proof of The Mare's Temptation, the feeling of seeing her dreams come to fruition.

"... and I just confirmed the funding from my grandfather, who wants a grand gesture to start the foundation off in the public eye."  Crystal briefly scrunched up her nose.  "Regardless of what that is, however, I know I will need your help in getting the proper social connections."

Luna had taken the whole thing in with calm but noncommittal responses, Willow following behind them as they wandered through the halls of the palace.  Finally, Luna came to a stop and turned to regard Crystal with a smile.  "If this is the path you wish to follow, then you have what I can offer of my support.  Willow can arrange a meeting with the mayor of Canterlot so you can make that introduction."

Crystal paused to glance around at their surroundings to get her bearings.  They were in the middle of a long hallway that glowed with light filtered through colored panes of glass—the Hall of Memories.  Her breathing softened as she looked at the nearest stained glass mural that depicted Celestia and Luna in their younger years of ruling together as bonded sisters.

"Thank you, Luna."  Crystal took a few steps to look at the next mural—it showed Celestia with her wings spread out, the sun rising behind her.  A Summer Sun Celebration.  Perhaps the first?  "I appreciate it."

Willow asked her something, but she didn't quite hear it when her eyes found an alcove that shimmered with the colors of six murals.  She felt herself drawn to it and before she knew it, her hooves were leading the way.

There were seven windows in all—a clear pane of glass in the center with three murals to the left and three to the right.  They were a series of portraits, each featuring one of the six ponies she recognized as the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony.

Her gaze wandered each pony from left to right: blue pegasus, orange earth pony, white unicorn, purple unicorn, pink earth pony, and yellow pegasus.  All faced the window that overlooked Equestria, which stretched on into the horizon.

"This is the Alcove of Harmony," Luna said as she walked over to stand beside Crystal.  "Twilight Sparkle and her friends have done great deeds for Equestria, but none greater is the mere act of wielding the Elements.  Once upon a time, it was my sister and I who held them and, before us, six other ponies."  Her expression grew somber as she gazed through the window at the distant mountains.

"When she was forced," Luna continued, "to use them against me—against Nightmare Moon—the harmony between us was broken.  It is the only time I know of that a single pony was able to wield the Elements, as you cannot have harmony on your own, but that act came at a great cost: we both have lost our connection to the Elements.

"They remained dormant for a thousand years until their time of need came once again.  Six ponies who exemplify each Element came together and are now their bearers."  A wry, almost sad smile lifted the corners of her lips.  "When all seems lost, Harmony will always find a way."

"Harmony will always find a way," Crystal repeated in a soft murmur.  Something warm and wonderful rose up from within her and encircled her heart.  "What a beautiful sentiment."

A quiet laugh rumbled under Luna's breath.  "It is more than a sentiment.  Harmony is what guides Equestria."

Crystal looked at each mural again, this time at the Elements rather than the ponies themselves.  Their names were stretched across the bottom of each window: Loyalty, Honesty, Generosity, Magic, Laughter, and Kindness.  Crystal didn't recall much about the Elements of Harmony from her history classes, but she knew enough.  They were relics of power, yes, but more than that.  They were ideals that each and every pony should take into their heart and hold true.  They were the key elements to living in harmony.

A pang of icy pain shot through the warmth she felt when she brought her thoughts to the present.  The war had felled the TMS Harmony.  The gryphons could have taken any other ship, but they had taken the Harmony.  They had taken Equestria's Harmony by taking so many lives all at once.

Crystal breathed out through clenched teeth as she looked around the alcove again.  Six ordinary mares made extraordinary, all facing a magnificent view of the land she called home.  Luna's words became clear when she took it in as a whole scene rather than as individual murals of individual ponies: Harmony would always find a way, through ponies working for the good of Equestria, for each other.

The fall of the TMS Harmony was tragic and had plunged their soldiers into the front and center of war, but it had also brought everypony together.  Yes, many quickly returned to their normal lives, but for that period of time, they stood together as Equestrians, not as Canterlot elites or Ponyville farmers.  Ponies from all walks of life mended each other's broken hearts.

"I have it," Crystal blurted aloud into the silence.  Her voice echoed in the small space around them.

"Have what?"  Luna tilted her head to one side, regarding Crystal with one brow raised.

"The grand gesture for the Flower Foundation.  I know it will be a lot to ask, but—Willow, I need your help."  Crystal turned to face the pegasus with rejuvenated hope and purpose.  There was only one grand gesture appropriate for not only the Flower Foundation, but for all of Equestria.  "I need a sizable plot of land here in Canterlot, permits, a contractor, a gardening supplier, and a meeting with the mayor."

Willow blinked a few times, her gaze flickering to meet Luna's.  "Princess?"

"If you don't think you can manage it," Luna said in a soft voice that belied the mischievous look in her eyes, "you could always ask Raven for assistance."

After working so close for several years, Luna and Willow knew one another very well—including how to push each other's buttons.  Willow's wings snapped in to her sides and frowned.  If she knew she was being played, she either didn't show it or didn't care.  "Of course I can manage it.  I was merely looking for your approval, Princess."

Luna waved a hoof.  "You have my approval.  See to Crystal's needs."  She turned her head to look at Crystal with a smile.  "I look forward to what it is you have so suddenly in mind.  If there is anything else you require, Willow is at your disposal."

Crystal smiled and gave a cordial bow of her head.  "Thank you, Princess.  I promise it won't disappoint you."