//------------------------------// // Month 2: Prologue // Story: The Harmony Initiative // by Madame Hellspawn //------------------------------// Princess Luna sucked in a deep breath. This was a moment she had been dreading. The soft and sweet choir of nighttime insects and nocturnal birds was so rudely interrupted by the clamorous roars of the ponies waiting in the court below her throne to hear the response to last week’s disaster. The winter breeze briskly brushed against the alicorn’s coat and dug into her skin like icy fingers running themselves through her fur. The way her body reacted—shivering from the cold and stiffening up—was something she had not felt before her own ascension. She found it ironic; how tired she was during the time when she was supposed to be in charge of the nation. Her eyelids were heavy and she even had to stop herself from yawning before her subjects. She stared blankly forward for a time before her eyes closed, only to have them open a moment later. She stretched her back, straightening as far is her muscles would allow and relaxing herself with a deep breath. The two night guards flanking Luna waited patiently, staring forward and keeping the press at bay with nothing more than their presence. The barrier of Royal Guards and Night Guards down below the thrones stood vigil before the ponies, shouting and flashing photos. Newscasters stood by with massive equipment being lugged around by ponies, setting up cameras while others already began reporting to their respective news networks. Princess Luna looked to her left, the grand seat of Equestria’s most powerful pony sitting empty. She chewed the inside of her cheek, biting down harder than she would have liked. A thousand years and Celestia still took her time getting ready for the Night Court, leisurely making sure to keep up appearances, as if they changed in the slightest during the day. Luna willed herself not to tap her hoof as the chorus of ponies yammering away and asking questions when The Court had yet to begin began to increase in volume, even if it was almost unnoticeable. It had been another two minutes before she finally arrived, entering through the thick, tall, double doors and hardly garnering the attention of the newsponies. She ignored Luna’s glares and took a seat on her throne. She sat, tall and regal; back straight and face stern. She looked to Luna and gave a nod. “Alright everypony,” Luna spoke, a sternness in her voice. The voices of the ponies began to die down. Cameras still flashed and news anchors diverted their attention, allowing the recording equipment to properly focus on her. “Let us begin.” Silence swept through the court, spreading like an infection. “As I speak, Equestria reels after The Vanhoover Attacks,” Luna began. “Relief efforts are up to par with that of Manehattan and we are constantly uncovering more ponies buried beneath the rubble. I have personally sought out ponies in an attempt to aid the Royal Guard and local authorities in recovering and bringing families back together. However, Equestria is not the only victim of attacks of this nature. As you all may be aware of, a research facility in the Zebra Savannahs was decimated, leaving no survivors. The Griffon Empire is suffering from massive abductions on a scale comparable to that of Manehattan.” “We’re at war,” Luna said simply. The ponies in the crowd murmured, panic apparent in their eyes. A few had even begun to visibly shake. “You all have known that since The Manehattan Incident. We do not know our enemy’s purpose. Not yet, but rest assured, we are working hard to find out. The nations of The Known World are banding together in an effort to repel these invaders from the stars.” The moment her lips closed, ponies all around the room burst into shouts and chaos permeated through the room. Several ponies scrambled for the doors, shouting and giving an excuse to the Royal Guards standing outside of the doorway. Families in need of safety, lovers to keep safe, children to look over. The Night Guard filed the ponies out one by one, gritting their teeth and using their bodies to pen the panicking newsponies in. The Night Guard below the thrones readied their lances, in the event that somepony’s first thoughts would be so bold as to outright attack the princesses after hearing such news. Fortunately, most ponies had more questions about the news rather than any heated feelings, barring the ponies frantically trying to leave the room. Microphones levitated closer surrounded by arcane fields, some coming too close for comfort. Pegasi operating cameras hovered above the air, avoiding the crowd blocking their views and lining up for the perfect shot of the princesses and the ponies below them. Luna stomped her hoof on the ground and silence swept over the room like a veil. “Everypony please! Believe us when we say you are safe for the moment.” The panic was still in everyone’s eyes and their bodies shuddered. It was a poor choice of words, but the message seemed to be well received among the gathering before Luna. Most tried to relax themselves, but they had not been prepared for such news. How could they be? “How will we fight them?” A stallion asked. “How long will it last?” Asked a mare. “Will we survive?” "From the stars?" Luna spoke up once again. "Our enemy hails from a land far from our planet. How far, I am uncertain, but they have traveled a vast distance, perhaps millennia before arriving here. Their technology vastly exceeds our own in every possible way. But they lack even the most fundamental forms of magic, which I believe grants us an edge, although a small one. You have seen and heard what they are capable of. Manehattan, Vanhoover, Har-an Itef. Regardless, we shall not fall to such a malicious enemy. We shall fight to ensure the freedom of everything in The Known World." “Princess Luna! Princess Luna!” A pony called out. “Are the ponies sighted around Equestria associated with any organization under your command? Who are they and who granted them the authorization to combat the enemy threat with such force?” Luna hesitated. She looked to Celestia who nodded and took charge. “The Equestrian Bureau of Defense has been investigating these matters alongside the Royal Guard,” She answered. Luna felt a small weight lift off her shoulders. “We have reason to believe that these elements mean us no harm and when these ponies arrive at a scene, everyone should seek safety and not interfere. We do not know their true motives yet, but rest assured, we shall find out.” Luna felt her heart drop. “This is not what we agreed.” The sudden telepathy caused Celestia to visibly stir. She turned her head slightly, a gesture that made Luna’s blood boil. Could she really be so bold as to lie to her own people? Who knows what else she had decided to hide from her loyal subjects. “They should not know,” Celestia replied. “It’s for The Initiative’s safety.” “They’ll figure out something is amiss sooner or later.” “Later. They’ll be focused on where the war is rather than who is helping them. They’ll just be thankful there is someone to fight the battles for them. Those who wish to fight can fight. It will be better this way sister.” Luna cast a scowl, but said nothing more. Perhaps announcing the existence of The Initiative would have been too bold of a move. But the notion of lying to her subjects forced a pit in her stomach. “So,” another pony raised her hoof. “Do you advocate the support of these soldiers fighting of the enemy? If they are in an area, should we look to them for help?” “So far there are no reports of them causing ponies any harm,” Luna said, sharper than she would have liked. Even the mare she addressed, recoiled in her sudden shift in tone. Luna cleared her throat. “While we do not advocate civilians fighting alongside them, we do agree that they should be considered a friendly force and they should be there to help.” A murmur spread through the crowd. Most looked uncomfortable, grimacing and questions burning on their faces. Luna felt herself growing more and more uncomfortable. There was not much she felt she could say to put her little ponies at ease. The threat of war against an adversary nopony knew anything about? An organization stuck in the shadows and the advent of a new age for ponies? They were not things Luna felt she could explain in less than a few sentences. Perhaps there was a good reason Celestia withheld the information of The Initiative. Maybe she saw a threat Luna had not? The Princess of The Night straightened her back and continued to stare down at the ponies below. They were not prepared to face the struggle she had lay out before them. She was certain that months down the line, she would not see some of these ponies again. She had faith in The Harmony Initiative, but she found that even then, that faith was beginning to wane. The following questions had all remained the same to Luna’s ears, all of which asking how the war will be fought, who is fighting and when it will be over. She and her sister answered and addressed all they could, granting the same answers in varied ways. “War is a new concept to the modern ponies of Equestria,” Celestia said, bringing a semblance of silence to the ponies. “My sister and I are no strangers to conflict. On the scale in which we shall fight, no doubt all corners of the world will be brought into this struggle, but we are prepared to face the worst our enemies have." "Can ponies help with the war if they so choose?" "Of course," Luna answered. "The Royal Guard is always open to volunteers looking to make a difference. It is no easy thing to ask of anypony, and we shall not force any to join the ranks. Ponies should also support local authorities in whatever ways they can. We will warn everypony in Equestria however; be wary and extremely cautious. At the first sign of danger, safety over yourself and those around you should be paramount." More questions came, faster than Luna could answer them. “Court shall be adjourned for tonight.” Luna announced a moment after. She cast a scowl to her sister. Celestia’s face seemed to shrink. She turned her gaze downward and towards the crowd of ponies. “We can proceed with this meeting in the morning when delegates from our neighboring nations arrive. We shall discuss our plan of attack against these beings.” *** “Princess Luna?” Moondancer pressed a hoof against the pastel blue door, opening it slowly and poking her head in through the cracked frame. The beautiful Princess of The Night sat by her balcony, unmoved by the chilling breeze which crept in. The princess turned her head slightly, not wishing to break her gaze from the city below. Candlelights flickered in distant windows while most homes remained unlit. The lower portions of the mountain Canterlot rested on were completely shrouded in shadows; not a single light other than those from beams of streetlamps. Beyond the curve of the city hugging the parent mountain, fields of darkening green stretched out for miles. “Come in Moondancer.” She did, shutting the door behind her. Despite all the technological advancements made by Equestria and The Griffon Empire respectively, every time Moondancer entered Luna’s study felt like a trip to the past. Shelves reached towards the domed ceiling, scrolls and books inhabiting the spaces, most of which held no titles on the binding or were too worn for them to be seen, even with her glasses on. Shelves were separated either by windows or paintings, each depicting some scene of the night. The sky in each painting moved on their own, clouds covering the twinkling stars in the dark indigo background. There were no radios on any of the tables, and no fixtures for lights other than candlesticks and an oil lantern. Princess Luna shut the doors to her balcony, the last chill of winter entering behind her, throwing up the drapes and sending a thick shiver through Moondancer’s body. She shut her eyes and her teeth chattered. She hugged herself and rubbed her hooves against her body as the last of the chills died out inside the heated room, leaving only silence, save for the crackling of the fireplace. “Quite the address today,” Moondancer said. “Indeed.” Luna said simply. She stepped towards a glass display, staring up at the set of armor resting on the body of a mannequin inside the case. “I find myself disagreeing with my sister on most things as of late. I feel like we've grown distant, despite living in the same palace together.” The Lunar Princess armor set stood tall and proud, towering over Moondancer. The sharp and jagged edges reflected the tumultuous era in which it was made. Anypony who dared to get in close to the princess would easily be threatened should she have been missing a weapon or drained of magic. The sharp violet hue shimmered as Moondancer stepped towards it, like water being brushed by the wind. Princess Luna grimaced as she looked at the indigo plates and the lapis lazuli eye in the chestplate center. Moondancer could sense it in the air: the regret and the pain that built up for a thousand years and a longing for atonement. “Celestia’s star pupil is out there leading Equestria’s most advanced defense organization,” Luna turned and faced Moondancer. “Mine is working under the guise of an investigator that acts as a shroud for that organization.” “I don’t mind the job Your Highness.” Moondancer raised her glass and mixed the wine inside. “In fact, I find it perfect. Recruiting ponies for Twilight alongside Ms. Belle and Ms. Bon has been it’s own reward.” “You may not mind the job,” Luna stepped forward. “But I do. You are capable of much greater.” “Is that why I’m here?” Luna was silent for a moment. She walked towards her dark wooden desk before sitting on a cushion behind it, her brilliant blue eyes gazing into Moondancer’s. “There is...much for us to discuss.” “I have all night.” Moondancer settled into her seat, a velvety crimson pillow lined with gold trimmings. Luna smiled, offering wine, which she accepted graciously. Since the Vanhoover Attacks, Moondancer’s workload had all but tripled; having to fill out multiple forms for her ponies to investigate, relinquish resources to aid with the rescues, and devote most of The Bureau to investigate suspicious activity throughout Equestria as a whole. Stress levels were high for the unicorn and her many other subordinates. This was a much needed break from everything in The Bureau, even if it was still technically ‘official business’. “I’m sure you’ll be needed back in your office soon enough,” Luna said. “Either way, we should have enough time to speak.” Moondancer took a sip, savoring the antiquity of Luna’s wine. “Thank you for that. It's been a while since I've had a break.” Luna’s horn glowed, bringing out an ornate silver canister, placing it on the table and turning it’s latches towards Moondancer. She looked up at the princess with a raised brow. “I have given much thought as to your role in our current struggle against The Invaders. You pretty much run the Equestrian Bureau of Defense.” “I advise Administrator Blueblood and run specialized tasks for him.” Moondancer humbled herself. "I mean, sure he gives me a lot of paperwork here and there, some more important than others, but I keep his office in working order." “Case in point,” Luna said with a chuckle. “Blueblood wouldn’t know his horn from his hoof without your assistance. However, it is a role which can be replaced, although by somepony who may seem less capable. But it is a sacrifice to be made, should you so choose.” “I’m being replaced?” Moondancer dropped her chalice on the table. She struggled to find her words. “P-Princess Luna, I cannot...This...P-please, I need this job. This is, by far, the most important thing I have done ever since I was reunited with all of my friends!” “I know,” Luna replied simply. Moondancer tried her best to hide her growing frustration. “But as I said, I am giving you a choice in the matter. You don’t really think I’d just uproot you from something if I didn’t have something else to offer do you?” Moondancer sat in thought. What could Luna possibly grant her that would be an improvement to her current position? She would not have the power to uproot the arrogant prince from his position as administrator of the EBD, even if she was the princess. House Blueblood had too much power among the Royal Families to allow that to go unnoticed and the last thing Equestria needed was a civil war over something so simple. The fact that they allowed the non-unicorn families of Canterlot to bend the knee to Celestia during her rule countless generations ago was almost an affront to their beliefs that they and the Princesses should rule over all. Although most days, Moondancer was sure it was them who wanted true reign over Equestria. “Well,” Moondancer composed herself. “Let’s hear it.” Luna's horn glowed, bursting into a brilliant blue light which spread and diffused through the walls. Moondancer knew the spell well. She soundproofed the room. “We are constructing a new base for The Harmony Initiative, in another undisclosed location.” Luna answered. Moondancer’s ears fell flat. “A new base would require a new commander.” The box opened. Moondancer edged herself forward slightly looking down into the padded walls. In the center, an emblem of the highest honor sat. A metallic blue alicorn with the arching crescent of the moon behind her. The metal seemed to glow underneath the candlelight, a glint of another object catching Moondancer's eyes. A black nameplate with the words Commander Moondancer engraved. “W-w-what?!” “I know,” Luna sat. “It is a lot to ask for, but somepony with your abilities can easily do as good a job as Twilight Sparkle. You have the intellect, you have the charisma and you have the teachings of a thousand year old monarch just as Twilight does. Should she have refused, you would have been my second option.” “M-ma’am!” Moondancer cleared her throat and sighed. “I’m already doing my part for The Harmony Initiative, a part that I quite enjoy. I-I’m not fit to lead anypony.” “Your current role in The Bureau says otherwise.” Luna lay her forehooves on the tabletop. “Prince Blueblood may think himself to run the organization, but his work ends the moment yours begins. I have watched The Bureau under my nephew’s leadership, if one could even call it that, and I can say without a doubt that you could easily replace him, would his family allow such a thing. I have already found suitable replacements for you, although they would lack some of your skills. “I understand that you think yourself not worth leading a branch of The Initiative, but I have faith in my star pupil, much in the same way Celestia has had faith in her own. I cannot stress that enough my dear. You will have access to all of the same resources and technology as Twilight and the best soldiers this world has to offer.” Moondancer thought for a moment. Did the benefits of being in charge of her own contingent of ponies outweigh the benefits of working under Blueblood's shadow? She could not say for sure. She was a good organizer, without a doubt, possibly the best one The Bureau had to offer. The recruitment force for The Initiative was also relatively low in numbers. Moondancer pulled most of the strings in that department while she was not muzzle-deep in paperwork for the arrogant prince. While he sat and relaxed in his lavish office, who was the one filing and filling out papers and making statements for the press regarding activities and investigations since Manehattan? Oh Goddess, she's right. Moondancer brought her hooves up to her face and shook her head. She could have run The Bureau by herself if she could. However, the organization did not pride itself in the battles against The Invaders. There was that major difference. While The Initiative preferred to attack and kill the enemy in broad daylight, The Bureau covered their tracks as best as anypony could. That was Moondancer's specialty. She could not even predict how commanding her own sect of The Initiative could harness that kind of an approach. Would it be wise to refuse such an offer? Luna had already gone through the trouble of creating a nameplate for her. It was like she knew Moondancer would accept. “You flatter me Princess Luna...” Moondancer cleared her throat again. She brought down her hooves and looked her mentor in the eyes. She could see the hope in them. Hoping she would accept, hoping she could bring this war to a closer end. Hope that she could possibly do an even better job than Twilight perhaps. “But, this is a huge leap for me. I-I-I... don't know if I can do this.” The hope faded. Luna's expression turned grim. "I see." "I'm not rejecting your offer ma'am," Moondancer said sharply. Luna's face softened only slightly. "I just need some time to think it over. Like I said, it's a big leap." “Of course,” Luna nodded. “You’ll have the month to come to a final decision, although I suspect I’ll be hearing from you beforehand.”