//------------------------------// // Equestria Girls Revamp: Views on Diplomacy // Story: Chapters of a Revamped Tome // by Snowy Helmet //------------------------------// Standing at his designated spot, Lieutenant Flash Sentry followed the retreating group with his gaze. Most of them were now engaged in lively conversation about all sorts of things related to their upcoming stay in the Crystal Empire as they followed Princess Celestia, but Princess Twilight was silent, and though her head remained high and the beat to her step firm and regular, he could see the concern clouding her gaze. Flash didn’t fault her. He doubted he’d ever know the first thing about being a royal, but he could relate to her on two fronts. For one, he had personal experience of what it was like to have new duties with no prior practical experience and a lot of expectations on his shoulders, and even was dealing with a new set of those at the moment, after becoming part of the small Equestrian unit assigned to the Crystal Empire until their guard was in better shape. For another, Flash also knew what it was like to have family members who did potentially dangerous work and were away often, also knew what it was like to worry about their safety until they were back home.  I only hope the rumors about the Yaks will be of the groundless sort. Flash couldn't help but muse. Because if they’re not… He let his sentence hang  there, even in thought, but it was already enough for his mind to paint a picture that wasn’t pretty in the slightest. Like she had heard him think, the concern Princess Twilight was feeling seemed to grow, her composed expression faltering and her head dropping just a bit. Despite his efforts to keep his own composed look, Flash turned his head slightly, concern flaring through him, the forced stoicism on his face faltering. He’d breached protocol enough already, and he knew he might be in trouble by doing so even though he was serving under the kind and compassionate rulers that the Alicorn Princesses were, but still, the same part of Flash that had thought it best to give Princess Twilight a reassuring smile when she bumped into him wanted to soothe her concerns once more.  Again like she had heard him think - or perhaps sensed his gaze - Princess Twilight turned her head slightly, her left eye falling on him.  According to his training at the academy, the proper thing for him to do would be shifting back to his proper demeanor and act like nothing had happened until Princess Twilight turned her attention away.  Instead, like he had done before, Flash gave her the most reassuring smile he could. Don’t worry, Princess Twilight. He tried to say with his expression. Everything will be fine.  At first, Princess Twilight stared at him like she was trying to decipher scrawl on a paper. Then, like before, she returned his smile, the turmoil within her temporarily put at bay.  For a few seconds, the two of them kept their gazes locked, before Princess Twilight turned back ahead in an unusually slow manner, like she was trying to make the moment last. Only when she was fully facing forward did she follow the rest of the group again, her gait speeding up to close the gap between them. Flash resumed his proper stance, but he kept looking at the Princess out of the corner of his eye. Although he had yet to join her friends’ excited chatter, her movements were looser and less heavy, as if her concern had been a physical burden she had at least partially discarded. Even as he kept his composed look, Flash couldn’t help but smile inside. “I saw that,” a familiar voice spoke, barely an instant after the exiting group had crossed the doorway. Turning towards the sound, Flash saw Princess Cadence regarding him, a faintly amused look on her face. Were he a civilian, he might have been able to smile, but being a guard, he knew he’d pushed his luck enough already, not to mention that Princess Cadence, while not as skilled as her older aunt in that respect, was also fairly decent at pulling a bait and switch, and for all he knew, she might be building up to one just now. She didn’t tend to do so when things were serious, but it was better not to take chances.  “What exactly did you mean you see, Your Highness?” Flash opted to ask instead. “All of it,” Princess Cadence replied. Saying so, she turned away and looked down to the row of guards to his left, her eyes narrowing the slightest fraction, and yet just enough to make her intimidating. “Both from you and from Sergeant Jargoon,” she added, her change in voice matching the one in her expression. “Would you care to explain why you made that angry growl which Lieutenant Flash Sentry tried to cover up for your sake?” Princess Cadence blinked after she spoke, her eyes flickering to Flash - perhaps worried she had recalled his name wrong and wanting to try and check that through his reaction. But the bulk of Flash’s attention was held by Jargoon, whose body was now flaring so bright that he looked like a bulb about to go out, his lips again pursed in a clear attempt at repressing another angry growl, despite the ashamed look that pulled at his face.  Then, his sparkles dimmer, Jargoon turned to face Princess Cadence and let out a long breath, all anger gone from his expression as he lowered his head. “My apologies, Your Highness. I was out of line.” “I would have to agree,” Princess Cadence replied, her voice slightly softer. “But that’s not the point. Is there anything about your feelings that you wish to share?” Jargoon’s face twitched like he was trying to hold back another scowl.  “Nothing that will make an important difference.”  “Why do you not let my niece decide?” a deep voice interjected from Flash’s right. Risking a glance towards the sound, Flash saw that Princess Luna’s eyes had narrowed as well, the undulating of her mane through the air seemingly slower and more deliberate like a snake about to strike, her wings fully spread open.  To his credit, Jargoon did not actually flinch at the view, but his whole body trembled like he had barely stopped himself from doing so, doubt clouding his expression. Still, his voice was firm and his ears were held up when he spoke again, looking Princess Cadence in the eyes. “All I have to say is that my thoughts on your idea of diplomatic ties with the Yaks remain the same, Your Highness,” he said. Princess Cadence’s eyes narrowed further, and so did Princess Luna’s, her pupils and irises coated over with the inner light that seemed to be starting to glow within her gaze.  Jargoon must have realized how wrong his words sounded, for he added, “I will point out the following: it’s nothing against you. I’m fully aware that if Princess Amore were here, odds are she would want to forgive and build more peaceful relations herself.” Princess Luna’s expression remained unchanged, but the glow in her eyes faded. Perhaps encouraged by that, Jargoon scowled as he added, “And I’d be thinking it was just as bad an idea if she was the one who had it. I won’t do anything to get in the way of that goal, but I think any attempt at making peace with those barbarians is useless, and I am all too sure I will say that I warned you within days once we’re getting ready for war with them.” Princess Luna’s eyes narrowed another fraction. Though the glow in them didn’t return, this time Jargoon actually flinched, his ears dropping and his left hind leg rising like he was about to take a step back. Surprisingly, however, Princess Cadence’s expression softened at the explanation. “I’m well aware the effort may not be successful,” Princess Cadence said. “And I know of the bad history that the Yaks have with the Crystal Empire. But I feel we should at least try. If the Yaks remain unwilling to be our friends, it will be up to them, but I’d rather they not try to start a war before we at least offer them our hoof in friendship.” Her eyes narrowed again, and for the first time since she started talking, her wings spread open also. “And to make one thing clear, I do not approve of judging whole races or nations based on the actions of individual members who died centuries before the present day.” Jargoon opened his mouth, and his tongue even started moving in an indication that it was about to position itself into an uttered sound, but nothing came out. Whatever the reason, it seemed Jargoon had come to the conclusion that outright arguing with his Princess would be a bad idea.  “You’re all dismissed,” Princess Cadence added, her expression and voice gentler again, but still with an official-sounding edge, even as she folded her wings. As one, all the guards in both rows saluted, the Crystal Ponies with their right hooves, and Flash Sentry with his right wing. Then, moving with what seemed like a slight haste to their step, the Crystal Pony guards headed out of the throne room.  Flash lingered behind, glancing at Princess Cadence to see if she would be turning her focus to him again. Perhaps it was stupid given she had included him in her dismissal, but all the same, part of him wanted to wait. Although she had yet to address him specifically, she had claimed to have seen everything he did. That presumably included his interactions with Princess Twilight. If she had anything to clear up, it might be better to do so now.  A few seconds went by. Princess Cadence didn’t address him.  However, now that the three of them were alone, Princess Luna had turned her focus to him. Her eyes were still narrowed and her wings were still spread open, but this time had a probing look to them, as if she was mentally asking herself a number of possible questions and coming to a potential list of conclusions. Flash waited again, this time to see if Princess Luna would be the one saying something.  Another moment of silence went by. Flash started to turn towards the door. “Lieutenant.” Flash froze, his eyes widening as he heard the voice addressing him. He might have been ready to be addressed by her a second before, but somehow, the idea of her doing so after he already expected her not to was enough to throw him off, and the fact she was the Royal he had known for the least amount of time didn’t help things. All the same, he turned to face the Princess of the Night as she stepped up to him, her wings now folded, and her face calm and free of anger, but still stern. “Would you care to explain why you tried to conceal Sergeant Jargoon’s displeasure at the idea of diplomacy with the Yaks?” Princess Luna asked. Flash opened his mouth to reply, but the words seemed to catch in his throat, only a brief, faint hum coming out before he closed it again.  On an instinctual level, he knew why he had done what he did, but knowing his motives and being capable of putting them into words was not the same thing. Especially when he had to do so before Princess Luna, who not only was the Princess he knew the least well, but also had been away from the world for a millennium and had only been back for a little over two years. While she was a quick study, and her core values and ideals had never been a source of friction with her sister or with anypony else - except some politicians and nobleponies who were either backwards as everything or very averse to the Magic of Friendship - Flash couldn’t help but think he would be less nervous if he had to explain himself before Princess Celestia or Princess Cadence. But turning away was not an option.  Looking Princess Luna in the eye, Flash took a deep breath, and explained, “I felt it might be better to try to spare Sergeant Jargoon from potentially serious consequences for the time being. Not because I agree with him, whatever the reasons for his stance, but because I thought it would be better if a fellow guard, temporary as he may be, explained to him why holding grudges and being dead set on war, even against a past enemy, is not a good idea.” Princess Luna curled her right eyebrow.  “If Sergeant Jargoon were still here, he might reply that that’s easier said than done,” she remarked. Flash nodded.  “I know, Your Highness. But if I may, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t get done.” And he’d know what he was talking about. After all, he’d already been through an assignment that had involved him dealing with old school bullies of his’, and had managed to remain professional enough to only use the necessary force to stop their crime even as the old grudges threatened to creep up and the sorry bastards itched for a fight.  “I’m not a foal,” he added. “I know the incoming diplomatic mission can fail. And I certainly am not trying to back out from my duty should a war break out. I made a vow to defend Equestria, and I will keep it. But being ready and willing to fight in the face of conflict is not the same thing as wanting a conflict to exist, or not wanting to try for a peaceful solution first.” The moment he finished, Flash lowered his ears, wishing he was a unicorn so he could create some magical impact to mentally kick himself. Hearing him talk, one would think he was explaining himself to somepony who believed that the guards were bloodthirsty sociopaths who joined the ranks just so they could have an outlet for their murderous urges. He wouldn’t be foolish enough to deny that a few of those popped up here and there despite the psych evaluations each recruit had to pass, but that behavior was not encouraged in the least, and if he was to become one of such guards himself, it would be the greatest shame of his life.  All the more because I was a bit too close to that at one point. He couldn’t help but think, mentally thanking Fausticorn for the friends who had helped him see the light before he slipped too far into the dark. Princess Luna’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Why do you think we sent a group for a diplomatic mission in the first place?” she asked, the right corner of her mouth curling upwards. Against his will, Flash let out a relieved sigh, which was soon joined by a few chuckles. “Point taken, Your Highness.” Princess Luna’s half-smile broadened slightly, the probing look in her face now replaced by an almost pleased one, like she had just decided Flash had passed some sort of examination.  The next instant, Princess Cadence stepped up beside her aunt.  “Neither of us thinks you had bad intentions,” the younger alicorn said. “And there is no harm in wanting to explain to your fellow guards why you feel something they’re doing is wrong, or in helping them overcome grudges, or in assisting them in any other way if you feel they need help. But if Sergeant Jargoon ends up proving that his grudges consume him too deeply for him to be trusted with his place in the guard, it will be on him. And trying to conceal the fact he may not be worthy of the trust we’re placing can be a danger in its own right.” Princess Luna nodded at her niece’s words, the gesture somehow enhanced by her etherially flowing mane.  Flash did his best not to look down. He understood the perils in keeping such deeds unreported, and should the time come, he’d like to think he would have enough moral viber to not let any guard get away with serious misdemeanors or something worse, even as he also disagreed with tattling being a primary measure and (especially) with snitches who lived only to rat out others in glee of the punishments they would get. But Jargoon’s action had been one with potentially dangerous consequences, the kind of thing Flash would rather fellow guards didn’t go through, at least not without trying to help them with their troubles. Ultimately, the best he could say was that he had been trying to help, even if that didn’t mean an earnest attempt meant the desired results or that he was any less responsible for the results of his deeds. “I understand,” Princess Cadence said, like she had read his mind. “Choosing between one’s duty and what’s right can be difficult. And knowing what either thing is can be difficult as well. Sometimes the choice is clear cut, but sometimes… it is less so.” Well there’s an understatement. Flash couldn’t help but think. When he had been a colt, everything seemed so clear cut. The good guys were the good guys, the bad guys were the bad  guys, the good guys defeated the bad guys, and that was it. But as an adult, he knew it was not so simple. When one looked far enough back, and learned enough about everything that came before and what both sides had endured, the line could be much harder to draw. Choices could still be clear cut, like in the case of Sombra’s tyranny over the Crystal Empire, or Chrysalis’ attack on Canterlot, or the ponies who would have commited a hate crime on a baby dragon during the last Dragon Migration if Flash himself hadn't stopped them, but even then, that could be a bad sign in its own right. Clear cut choices of that sort implied fighting back against monsters, both completely literal and more metaphorical, entities or individuals with no motives but sheer greed or sadism or thirst for destruction, who were far less likely to choose to back out of a conflict, and could have the power to cause a lot of suffering before they were stopped. In short, scenarios that tended to cause the most suffering. Which category the Yaks or their ruler fit was an unanswered question, given how little was known about them even in the Crystal Empire, but whatever it was, war with them would be bad. Maybe it would be necessary to fight back if they were the ones starting it, but it would still be bad.  One could only hope Princess Celestia had been right in her choice for ambassador, and that the Yaks themselves wouldn't be as unreasonable as rumors painted them. “You’re dismissed, Lieutenant.” This time, Princess Cadence’s voice was the one snapping him out of his thoughts. Blinking to regain his bearings, Flash saw both princesses looking at him, their faces calm, but with a stony appearance that suggested they were trying not to let any impatience show. He must have been lost in his thoughts for longer than he thought. No sense in wasting more of their time then.   Briefly reassuming his stoic look, Flash made one last wing salute to the two princesses, and turned to walk out of the  throne room, letting his conversation with the princesses travel farther into the back of his mind, and trying not to let his concern over what could come fill the space that was vacated.