Fall from Grace


“Is everything in order princess?”

Twilight blinked and shook her head. No matter how many times the regal princess attended these council meeting she would be met with reminder after reminder that no matter what she did, no matter how well prepared she was no matter how many flash cards she had made, nothing she said would make a difference.

“I’m fine Miss Periwinkle, thank you,” she paused and rolled her eyes, “let’s get on with this then, shall we?”

Twilight quietly seethed as her and her royal assistant walked through the ever lavishly adorned halls of the Canterlot castle. Warm sunlight reflected through the tinted windows casting a cacophony of colors down the hall. Twilights hoof steps echoed off the pristine marble floors as she finally made it to the council chambers.

She would rather watch paint dry than have to deal with these ponies. After ascending the throne Twilight had wanted to use her newly found position of power to do good, and make Celestia proud, but the aristocracy of her government treated her like a child, like she couldn’t possibly know better than them, those who have been running Equestria and creating policy with her predecessor long before she had ever even been a notion in their minds. At most they would, say “that’s a marvelous idea princess, we’ll take it into consideration.” And yet the same problems Equestria has been facing for years has yet to be addressed, despite her best efforts.

“Good morning princess,” came the deep sickly masculine voice of the head of the council and governor of Canterlot, he was beige stallion certainly climbing in years, for even Twilight didn’t know what the color of his mane might have been before age turned it to drab silver grey.

“Good morning governor,” Twilight replied cordially.

The governor gave a nod and Twilight along with the rest of the council took their seats around the long wooden table, with Twilight at the head of course.

“First on the itinerary for today, Miss Rose I believe you had those annual tax margins you wished to revise?”

Ruby Rose, a posh mare with a bored expression pulled out several rolled up scrolls, “as you can see the average fiscal year for companies operating inside of Canterlot accumulates as much as-“

As Rose droned on Twilights mind began to wander, she found herself thinking of her friends and how badly she wished to visit Ponyvillle to see them again. But they weren’t even at Ponyville, Rarity was at her new boutique in Manehatten, rainbow was off with the Wonderbolts, Flutter Shy was busy with her animal sanctuary and pinkie moved so her family could have a better life. Twilight sighed, at least applejack was still in ponyville, managing her farm as always. Thinking about her friends, Twilights thoughts drifted to Flutter Shy, and how much more confident she had gotten since first meeting her. Twilight face hoofed and smiled before lurching to her hooves. Out of all the ponies, Twilight giggled to herself that it was flutter shy who reminded her that she needs to be more assertive.

“No, no more” Twilight said, putting a hoof down, “this is ridiculous, I demand to know how my infrastructure project is coming along, and don’t tell me you are considering it, I want it on the table, right now, this meeting will be about the importance of this project and the good it can do across Equestria, and we won’t be leaving until we come to a consensus”

“Miss sparkle-“

“Princess,” She interrupted.

The governor rolled his eyes, “Princess this is highly inappropriate. We have a way of doing things here, and it’s been done this way for longer than either of us have been alive”

“Well maybe it’s time we change things” Twilight affirmed with a nod.

“Miss Sparkle, despite your position in this government, you can’t go making demands of the council, oversite exists for a reason, now may we please return to the topic at hoof?

“No governor we may not,”

“Then this council is adjourned.”

“Not till we go over the project, if you refuse to discuss and review my ideas then why am I even here?”

“you’re here, miss sparkle because we allow it”

Twilights rage finally boiled to the surface, “no you are here because I allow it!”
“you… you can’t I-“

“Get out” Twilight said quietly, dangerously.
The now former governor gave a harrumph, and muttered something about tyranny before slamming the large door with his magic on his way out

Twilight looked over the crowd of shocked council members. Weasels the lot of them, she thought.

“Now, how about we finally go over the project, I will take the role council lead moving forward.”

The other council members now fearful for their position didn’t protest once as Twilight started pulling out scrolls and blueprints.

_


We’ll that was remarkably easy, Twilight thought as she continued down another hall on the way to her room. Her loyal assistant trotting close behind her. If only the rest of the government could be streamlined like this, there would be anymore red tape for her to do some real good. The other council members would for the most part have to be replaced, they clearly didn’t have Equestria’s best interest in mind, more concerned with driving a profit and taking money from lobbyists.

“Miss Periwinkle, I want a list of new potential council member candidates on my desk by tomorrow”
she trotted up beside Twilight, “yes princess of course.”

“And Miss periwinkle?”

“Yes Princess?”

“Ensure the candidates aren’t from the aristocracy, I would even encourage you to consider military personal of high standing as potential candidates.”

“Princess are you sure, I think maybe it would be wise to-”

Twilight glared at her.

“She drooped her head in a bow, “Yes Princess,” she murmured.

“Thank you, now I really must be off to my study.”

Twilight’s assistant nodded and turned down a different hall.

Twilight slammed the door open to her suite in excitement, a thud and loud bang followed by a groan came soon after. Not that Twilight seemed to notice.

“Spike… Spike!”

“Over here” he mumbled, pulling himself to his feet, “ya know, you really gotta ease up on how hard you throw open doors."

Twilight cringed back apologetically, sorry spike I was just so excited, I wanted to tell you the news!

Spike dusted himself off and ran over to Twilight with a big grin “my new limited-edition comics arrived!?”

Twilight looked nonplused, “no silly, they’re finally taking steps to integrate my infrastructure project!”

“That’s great news! How’d you get Mr. mc grumpy pants to say yes?”

“He didn’t, I fired him.” Twilight boasted pointing a hoof at her chest.

“You what now?” spike asked shocked

“He’s not the only one, I plan on changing out the council in its entirety and putting ponies who truly care about the welfare of Equestria in charge.”

“I don’t know Twilight, doesn’t that seem kinda extre-”

Spike put a claw over his mouth and lurched backwards before belching up green flame, the green flame spiraled upward and swirled in a flash to reveal a letter that promptly fell softly to the floor.

Who’s it from? Twilight asked

Spike grabbed the letter and took note of the old royal seal that was used “its from Princess Celestia” spiked rolled open the letter and cleared his throat.

“My faithful and dearest successor Twilight, I have received word that you have relieved governor Olindguard of his position within the royal council. I know you only mean the best and I am confident your reasons are just despite what I have heard from him and the other councilor’s, they don’t know your heart like I do. However, I would heir on the side of caution, these things shouldn’t be done without great consideration, If you need any advice please to not hesitate to write me, I always love hearing from you.”

Twilight narrowed her eyes, “I can’t believe she thinks I can’t do this on my own I know what I’m doing, I’ve been doing it for years now while she sits on some beach sipping mi ties and bungie jumping or whatever.”

“She wouldn’t have put you in charge if she didn’t think you could handle it, I’m sure she just trying to help”

“Well, I don’t need her help!”

Twilight passed back and forth in contemplation,

“Spike, have you heard from Princess Luna?”

“No, last I heard she went back up north near the sea of shadows to help her people rebuild.”

“How many night guards does she have at her disposal?”

“Up there? probably an army”

“Then take a letter spike, I might need her help, she’s pragmatic, she’ll listen to reason.”

“Twi what are you planning to do?”

Twilight spun on spike, “this government is out of control, there is corruption at every turn I make, the time has come for drastic action”

“Twilight I don’t think-“

“Princess Twilight.” Twilight interrupted with a growl.

Spike took a step back “Twilight, what’s gotten in to you? maybe you should get some sleep and we can talk about this tomorrow?”

Twilight groaned, “fine, if you won’t write the letter I will.” she reached out with her magic and grabbed the quill and paper from spike before turning and slamming the door to her room behind her.