Chapter 4
Princess Celestia is standing at the highest balcony in Canterlot looking at the moon and stars. On her face is worry and uncertainty. From behind in the shadows, somepony else emerges.
“It is not often I see you watch the night sky.”
Celestia turns her head around to see Princess Luna walk towards her.
“Sister.”
Luna is now at Celestia’s side, looking into her eyes with concern.
“Heavy thoughts, Celestia?”
Celestia lowers her head as though ashamed.
“You know what troubles me.”
“You wonder if it was wise to have sent Twilight Sparkle out there? In what may now be considered enemy territory?”
“Not enemy territory. We have not been at war for a long time.”
“But our relations with them have not been the strongest, nor the most peaceful. We are not allies, nor are we friends. No trade is open between our nations, no pony is to enter their lands and they do not enter ours. That was the Treaty.”
“But the zebras, and Zecora...”
“Are the only exceptions because they are equine. And even so, there is still strong tension and mistrust between ponies and zebras. Even in Ponyville, the ponies were suspicious and fearful of Zecora before Twilight Sparkle and her friends made peace. She was the last zebra willing to stay in Equestria. No pony was willing to give them a chance.”
Celestia looks into her sister’s eyes with a stern gaze of an elder sister but with her usual calm demeanor.
“If you recall, it was a young filly who sought out Zecora, who was willing to learn, to understand, and befriend her. A foal, Luna! This shows that there is hope, that our nations can be truly at peace and that we may welcome one another into our lands as friends. If many more young foals like this Applebloom can open their minds and hearts, then their generation will know a wonderful and new future unlike anything we can imagine. And Twilight Sparkle and her friends will be more than capable of proving that to the nations of the south.”
Luna furrows her brows truly considering the power of her elder sister’s words. True, even in this day and age in Equestria there was still prejudice among the ponies based on their race and class. This was especially prevalent in Canterlot and she can only imagine how non-ponies were treated. From what she heard they were in no way horribly persecuted but there were many cases in which they were treated unkindly. She knew all too well what it was like to be treated like she did not belong when she came to Ponyville during Nightmare Night. Luna could only hope for a new change. But there is still a serious matter at hoof.
“That may be possible for the zebras but what of the elephants? If they truly are responsible for the attack, it will have been a declaration of war. And by sending Twilight and her friends into their lands, you have put them in grave danger. You may as well have sent our entire Royal Guard along with them! We cannot afford to delay assembling our armies.”
Celestia looks at her sister momentarily in grave understanding but turns her gaze to the stars with hope in her eyes.
“Until we receive word from Twilight confirming that the elephants are indeed responsible, we cannot be so quick to declare war. Twilight and her friends will go under a banner of truce, so as not to spark anything. We have to hope that the elephants will see reason.”
Luna skeptically eyes her sister.
“And I assume this is also why you sent Zecora? To help put the elephants at ease to see an ally race standing beside ponies? You think it will make them less likely to attack citizens of Equestria?”
Celestia turns her head back to Luna.
“Equestria has been attacked before and we have repelled many enemies but we have not been trapped in a lingering war for a long time. The elephants had not dared to do such a thing since the Treaty was formed. They know it would mean certain destruction and death for them as it would for us. They cannot afford to risk their lands and the lives of their herds. It simply does not make sense for them to attack now.”
Celestia looks up at the night sky.
“What has changed?”
Luna joins her sister in looking up at the stars, taking in the calm and peaceful mood of the night. There is so much more to discuss, to wonder, and to decide. But for now, they simply wait. From behind the sisters hidden in the shadows of the balcony curtains, Prince Blueblood silently walks away. The wheels and gears in his head turning as he begins to form a plan...