For The Greater Good
It was a bright and sunny day, as usual for the citizens of all of Equestria. Birds can be heard chirping, mares and stallions can be seen working and little colts and fillies are learning at school. It is indeed just a normal day for every citizen, but for a select few within the Royal Palace of Canterlot, this was not normal day. Inside the palace Princess Celestia was walking down a long hallway, usually she would signs of cheerfulness, but on this day she was not her cheerful self. She was on her way to an important meeting, one she did not want to go. She never enjoyed these particular meetings, she even wished they would never happen. However, no matter how much she disliked them she knew they were necessary, her only comfort was that these meetings rarely happened.
As Celestia continued walking she saw her sister Luna standing in the middle of the hallway waiting for her.
"Greetings sister, I have been wondering when you were coming," said Luna.
"Hello Luna, have you been waiting long?" asked Celestia with a smile.
"No, I've only been here for a few minutes now, to be honest I didn't think you'd be coming so soon. I do remember how much you disliked these meetings" Luna replied.
It had just accord to Celestia that it has been a thousand years since Luna has been to one of these meetings. The two princesses continued on their way, they were now in a part of the palace that few were permitted to enter. There were two unicorns in golden armor standing guard by a large door, the two guards suddenly straighten up when they saw both princesses come before them.
"Good day your Highnesses," said one of the guards with a bow, "I report that the others have already arrived and are waiting for you both".
"Now we mustn't keep them waiting then, thank you both," said Celestia.
The two guards lit up their horns and opened the door to allow the princesses entry. Celestia and Luna walked past the two guards and as soon as they past the door way Celestia turned her head towards the two guards.
"You both know what you must do," she told them.
"Yes your Highness" they both replied.
The guards then closed the door behind the two princesses and the door suddenly glowed but only for a second. Celestia and Luna were now inside a large room. There were no windows and at the center was a large round table. Other than the chairs that surrounded the table, there was no other furniture in the room. The princesses were not alone, already standing from their seats were three ponies. One was a large brown Pegasus with yellow mane that was cut short he was wearing a green suit with several medals penned on, his hat which was the same color had a gold winged medallion on and it laid on the table to his right. Across from him sat a mare, she was a blue green unicorn with a blue violet mane that was tied into a bun and was also wearing a fuchsia business jacket. Finally the one in the middle was a grey earth pony, his mane was black and was sleeked back, he wore a black suit, and his eyes were hidden behind a pair of sunglasses. All three of them had risen to bow to the princesses as they approached the table. The Princesses acknowledged the three and they all sat down to begin the meeting.
"Your Highness, we're glad you made it," said the unicorn, "and I see Princess Luna is joining us."
"Are you implying that I shouldn't be here?" said Luna with a raised eyebrow.
"No, no, it's just that this is the first time for the three of us to have you here," said the mare nervously.
"It's quite alright," said Celestia, "after all its been a thousand years since my sister has accompanied me to one of these...get togethers. Luna you remember Ms. Quill Sign, Speaker of the Royal Senate and General Thunderforce, head of our military."
"Of course," replied Luna.
"And this is Mr. Silver," said Celestia, referring to the grey earth pony wearing sunglasses. "He is the director of Alternative Solutions otherwise known as A.S."
Luna had met the first two ponies before in some of Canterlot's major social events, but she had never meet or heard of this Mr. Silver.
The General then cleared his throat before he spoke.
"Your Highnesses, now that everypony is present may we now start the war meeting?"
"Of course we may begin," said Celestia with a sigh.
"Um, excuse me but isn't Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor going to join us?" asked Quill Sign.
"This war meeting is an Equestrian matter," said Mr. Silver bluntly, "In case you had forgotten Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor are now the rulers of the Crystal Empire which is still an independent nation that makes their presence here unnecessary".
"Pardon my interruption then," said the unicorn giving the earth pony an annoyed look.
"As I was saying," said the General as he glared at the two that had interrupted him. "We have strong reason to believe that the Griffon Kingdom may be preparing for war against us".
"What?" Luna said in disbelief.
"Are you sure of this?" said Celestia with a worried tone.
"Yes your Highness," said Thunderforce, "our sources from within their borders have confirmed this".
"We've been at peace with the Griffon Kingdom for almost a thousand years why would they want to go to war now?" asked Celestia.
"The peace between our two nations have always been shaky at best. Even now they still envy the power and prosperity that we have. We also have evidence that says that they're not acting alone," said the general.
"What?" asked both princesses in unison.
"The intelligences we have received from Mr. Silver's operatives says that they have made an alliance with the Minotaur Nation and with some of the smaller kingdoms around their borders. Our aerial spies have also brought photos that shows that they are building up their armies," continued the general, " it is clear that they are consolidating their power and resources for war."
"That still doesn't answer why they would act against us," asked Luna.
The General and Quill Sign were silent, they looked nervous as they tried to think how to answer Luna's question.
"Because they now know that we're not invincible" said Mr. Silver, "ever since Nightmare Moon's first defeat one thousand years ago the other nations have been too scared to act against us".
"What? but why would they be afraid of..." Luna stopped in mid sentence when it suddenly hit her.
She then looked at Celestia who didn't say anything, then she just lowered her head.
"Perhaps its best that Princess Luna be brought up to speed," said Mr. Silver
.
Then with a sigh Celestia finally spoke.
"The truth is sister, is that the other nations did not know about the dark forces that possessed you, the war counsil at the time and myself thought that it would be for the best".
"Which was proven to be very effective," said Mr. Silver "as far as the other nations knew Princess Celestia's sister tried to usurp the throne. If banishment to the moon was something she would do to her own sister then what would she do to them if they acted against Equestria?"
Luna was shocked at what she was hearing, that her own sister would use her dark past as a weapon against another country.
"Luna please understand that after you were sent to the moon Equestria was left very vulnerable. We could not afford to go to war with another nation so soon after Eternal Night," said Celestia.
This was a lot for Luna to take in, a part of her understood why her sister and the previous war counsil did what they did. But at the same time it was hurting her on the inside.
"Since then Princess Celestia had maintained the image that she was an all powerful deity. This also has aided in deterring the Griffon Kingdom and the other nations with the belief that any attack against us was destined for failure. However recent events had made this very difficult. A.S. was successful in keeping the key details in the return of both Nightmare Moon and Discord from reaching the other nations. The Royal Wedding however was a complete disaster," said the general who then glared at the grey stallion.
"If I recall the military was also completely incompetent in stopping the invasion," Mr. Silver replied.
"Why you son of a-"
"General please," said Celestia cutting the general off.
"The General is correct," said Mr. Silver, "The Changeling Invasion was wide open for all to see and unfortunately, word of Princess Celestia's defeat by Queen Chrysalis had reached the other nations. Now they know that we are not invincible, that we can be beaten with a strong alliance which they now have. Which brings us back to our current situation, which I take full responsibility for. It's ironic really, Equestria has always preached about the power of friendship, now it appears our enemies will use that very sentiment against us".
Mr. Silver paused to let that last statement sink in, if he was telling a joke or not nopony could tell either way. the princesses did not seem too happy about it.
"Which is why we must use another strategy to avoid war," said Quill Sign.
"Fortunately for us we do have a... solution," said the General.
The General and Quill Sign turn to Mr. Sliver.
"My colleagues along with myself within A.S. believe that Discord is the solution to our problem," said the grey stallion.
"Discord?!" shouted Luna.
Celestia was shocked to hear this, the mere mention of that name filled her with anger which she was able suppress.
"You can't be serious are you?" said Celestia calmly.
"Yes I am," Mr. Silver replied, "We are the only country that has the Elements of Harmony, which is the only tool that works against Discord. We believe that we can use him against the other nations."
"So you want to use Discord as a weapon?" asked Celestia.
"More as a deterrent," replied Mr. Silver.
"And if it doesn't work what then?" said Celestia with a serious look.
"Then we unleash Discord upon them," said Mr. Silver, "let him do what comes natural to him, without the Elements of Harmony they will be helpless against him."
For a moment Celestia was silent then she finally spoke.
"For how long would we have Discord spread his chaos?" she asked.
"Sister?!" said a surprised Luna.
"That would be up to them," said Mr. Silver, "when they decide to stand down,"
"THIS IS INSANE, DISCORD CAN'T BE CONTROLED!!!" shouted Luna.
"I am confident that Twilight Sparkle and her friends are capable of keeping Discord in check" said the grey stallion "After all we're just merely giving Discord an outlet to use his chaotic powers. No one said he had to stop causing chaos, just not in Equestria. Unless the princess doesn't think her prized pupil is up to it."
"Sister we cannot let Discord free from his prison," said Luna, "even if he does agrees to help us which there is no guarantee that he will, but think of all of the innocents that will suffer at his mercy if we use him as weapon."
"Think of the countless innocents that will suffer if we go to war," Mr. Silver countered, "keep in mind that the majority of our citizens have never once held a weapon in the lives. We must do what is best for Equestria."
"Have we even tried reaching out to them?! Try to reason with them, to negotiate a proper peace treaty?" asked Luna.
Oh that's rich coming from you Mr. Silver thought.
"With all due respect Princess, but they've been wanting a piece of us for the last thousand years, I seriously doubt that they are willing to talk especially now that they are preparing for war," Mr. Silver replied.
The atmosphere in the room was now tense.
"If I remember correctly, according to The Equestrian War Doctrine" said Ms. Quill Sign, "a measure like this can only be decided by a majority vote among the members of the war council. I believe now is the time that we put this issue to rest, with your highnesses permission of course."
"Very well," said Celestia with a sigh, "let us begin then... Dear sister do you still oppose this course of action?"
"Of course sister," said Luna.
"Ms. Quill Sign what do you say?" Celestia asked.
"Your Highness... I must agree with Princess Luna, Discord is just too dangerous to set free. I must vote NO. There has to be another way".
"Very well," replied Celestia.
The blue green unicorn turn her head towards Luna, the princess gave her a small smile as if she was thanking her for siding with her.
"Mr. Silver you have made it clear that you support this course of action, am I correct?" asked Celestia.
"Yes," he simply said.
"General Thunderforce what say you?" asked Celestia.
"Your Highness, I believe that this is the best course of action, so I vote yes" said the General.
There it was, two votes for yes and two votes for no, with only Celestia to break the tie. She knew that it all came down to her, what was she to do? It's easy to make decisions in times of peace and as the princess it was her responsibility to keep her citizens safe. She did believe that Twilight and her friends, perhaps Fluttershy could be the one who will succeed in keeping Discord in line. But still, did that give her the right to unleash chaos on others? Even if it would keep Equestria safe. As she sat there with the other members of the war counsel watching her, waiting for her vote. Sometimes leaders must make the hard choices, but they have to be made and now it was her time to make her decision and then cast her vote.
Epilogue
For the last several days chaos has spread rampantly across the Griffon Kingdom. Cotton candy clouds blocked out the sun as chocolate continued to rain down. Parasprites the size of basketballs swarming from farm to farm devouring crops. Most of the carts that transported valuable resources were made immobile as roads were turned into glue. Many buildings, homes and businesses, sprouted legs and were now moving on their own. Their economy had shut down, their armies stretched thin as they tried to stop Discord only to fail miserably. The other nations fared no better. Rumors of living snowmen that don't melt are causing problems in the Minotaur Nation.
The Griffon King watched from his castle as the chaos continued on in his kingdom. The royal courier had just arrive with an important letter. After bowing to his king the courier handed him the letter. When the king examined the letter he found the Equestrian seal upon it, he then opened it and began to read it.
To the Ruler of the Griffon Kingdom, From Princess Celestia,
If you are reading this letter, then know that we have known for some time that you and your allies have been planning to wage war against us. It's because you forced our hoofs that your lands have been plagued by Discord, The Spirit of Chaos for the last several days. We are willing to stop Discord for we are the only ones who possess the Elements of Harmony, and will give aid to your kingdom to restore order and stability. However any such aid from us will not come as long as you continue to seek war with Equestria. I implore you to do what is right for your kingdom, stand down or we will allow Discord to continue his reign of chaos upon you.
We await your answer soon.
As soon as the griffon king finished reading the letter it suddenly burst into flames leaving only ashes. He knew that by now his allies have already received similar messages from the princess.
It's over then, many years of planning all to come crashing down before it ever started the king thought.
He then looked out his window, after seeing the moving building and the chocolate raining down he gave a sigh of defeat. The king then grabbed a piece of paper and a quill and he wrote his response. It simply said
To Princess Celestia from The Griffon Kingdom
You win