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// The Emperors Speech (edited by Cakebomb and DaLintyMan) 
// Story: Rise of an Empire, Fall of Another 
// by Kyuubi325 
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The Emperor’s Speech
The minute the Emperor sat down on the marble and gold lined throne the doors opened and countless diamond dogs rushed in, with reporters leading the pack and peasants and union members covering the rear.
“Emperor Theo, Robert Capa photojournalist, is it true that you are ending our isolation just after we have finished the 200 year war? From the reports our people have gathered the westerners are primitive, and are stuck in what many academics are calling a “bloated dark age”.” A Kuvasz diamond dog in a black sweater with brown pants almost shouted.
Before he could even attempt to answer his question another journalist spoke up.
“Emperor Theo, Kenneth Stonehouse of Rooters News, we have also heard reports that one of the most influential nations, known as Equestria, is also extremely xenophobic and racist. There have been reports that they even treat their fellow equines, such as donkeys and zebras, as second-class citizens. Is this true?” An Airidale diamond dog in a two piece suit questioned.
“Emperor Theo, DDB Radio Barkshire, why are we bothering with these western nations? What could they possibly offer us in return? We have heard reports that these nations have yet to discover the world revolves around the sun, and even the most basic scientific principles.  We have also gotten reports that the ponies-” he said that with disgust ”-believe their sovereigns move celestial bodies. How would they react to our knowledge that while magic-” he said that with a shudder “-is a useful force its area of effect and power are limited to Equestria.” The brittany diamond dog in a white dress coat asked.
The Emperor rose, slowly; he knew he couldn't wait much longer, as the reporters would continue to shout questions. He made his way to a podium where microphones were set up, so that his fellow dogs could hear him.
He stood there for a few seconds to draw attention and reduce the ambient noise, and looked at the crowd. He saw diamond dogs of all shapes and sizes. Some wearing fancy clothing while others wore more traditional clothing popular among the working class, such as coveralls. He saw muzzles that held fear, wonder, and skepticism. He knew he had to make this speech count, lest they cause something they would regret as many of his guards showed signs of tension.
Then, he spoke.
“My fellow diamond dogs. I understand that many of you are skeptical of opening up trade with the western nations. Others are worried that contacting the nation of Equestria, a xenophobic and ignorant country, will only lead to another war. I am here to tell you that we will not be opening up trade with the ponies, but with the zebras to the south of their country. We are planning to send both financial and military aid. There are countless rebels in the country of Zebrica, a small war-torn nation filled with bloodthirsty warlords. By aiding the rebels we will gain their trust as well as help them build a representative government. In turn they will be willing to trade with us for things such as refined metal, basic farming and industrial equipment, and our engineers. In return it is likely they will give us access to their considerable oil, iron, and coal resources, and their spice trade.” He looked around the room. Some still were unsure. “We can no longer hide in isolation. I understand many of you are worried that this will lead to another war…. Many of you lost much in our fight against the dragons. Some lost a friend, a brother, a sister, or a parent.” He hesitated after that. “But if we stay in isolation it is likely that another power from the west in their ignorance may try and claim our land. Many of you have heard rumors of a wooden ship spotted in our waters. I am here to tell you that the rumors are true. The reason I am pushing for us to come out of our isolation is so that we can avoid another war. The westerners will continue to explore our waters and they will find our homeland eventually. Many of you may believe that we should simply use our weapons to sink any ships that trespass in our waters, but this will only lead to more death as the westerners will likely continue to enter our waters with larger and larger fleets until they declare war on us. But if we introduce ourselves to the outside world we will be able to show them our boundaries, and prevent more bloodshed. For too long we have endured war. It is time to enter an age of peace and understanding, so that we can create a better future, not only for ourselves but also our children. I do not have to remind you all of the drafts that sent countless pups to fight the dragons to the east only to be burned alive. Yes, we won the war, but at what cost? Millions of young pups, the nobility, and our history was all lost as we struggle to pick up the pieces. Even as we speak our engineers are trying to save the tunnels where our ancestors founded the first packs, scholars are scavenging the wreckage of our libraries and halls of knowledge, and great architects trying to repair ancient strongholds, all to save the foundation of our society. If we fight another war so soon we risk losing what little history we have left. A great diamond dog once said: ‘You can wipe out an entire generation, you can burn their homes to the ground and somehow they'll still find their way back. But if you destroy their history, you destroy their achievements and it's as if they never existed.’ That's what the dragons wanted and that's exactly what we were fighting for.  I remember the final days of the war, when we pushed deep into the dragon’s territory. The faces of the countless young officers are forever burned into my mind. I was there when we fought our way into the dragon’s dens, I was a witness when we smashed their eggs and shot their den mothers. I don’t want anyone to be forced to go through that again. We have lost too much. It is time we moved for peace.”
The countless reporters stood still a few moments before they wrote down what I had said.
“As we speak we are sending aid to the rebels of Zebrica. Our trading ships are leaving our ports and we have sent our most skilled diplomat to broker peace and an alliance with them. Soon we will have a grateful trading partner that will help us introduce ourselves to the outside world. All I ask is that you give some of the westerners a chance.”
A bell rang.
“This concludes the press conference. Please make your way out of citadel. If you have anymore questions please send them to the local representative in your area. They will have answers to your questions. Another press conference will be held in a month after our diplomat has made contact with the rebels.”
The countless dogs made their way out of the throne room; once they were gone the Emperor sat back down in the chair and ordered his guards to leave. He then looked at the countless statues, paintings, and stained-glass windows that depicted the great battles and triumphs of his kind, distantly realizing the last of the attendees were being shuffled out of the room. The displays ranged from the first steam engine to the first great victory against the dragons.
“Is this what you are fighting for? The genocide of our race?!”  He turned to look at a painting depicting a dragoness defending her eggs from diamond dog dragoons.
“How could you? You’re sending out our pups to die! ” A statue of a mother diamond dog feeding her pup.
“You can’t use my discovery for this!! Using poison gas even on dragons is reprehensible; you've seen my tests!!! I beg of you don’t use it against them. The pain and horror it causes is too great” The stained glass window depicted Fritz Haber, the inventor of modern chemical warfare and countless other scientific discoveries in chemistry.
“I beg of you, the world is not ready for such power, such a weapon will wreak untold destruction on the eastern lands!!” He finally turned to the statue of the great Nicolai Tesla, who gave Britannia advanced power production and distribution systems.
“QUIET!!!!!” He roared as countless electric bulbs burst above him, leaving him in darkness...