Princess Twilight embraces the dark side... of currency! 
And assistant-to-the-crown Raven Inkwell gets Spiked. 
- Content Notice: Ch1: An off-colour insult 
; "buck" curse used once 
; Ch3: possible death alluded to. 
-Ch 1: Comedy/Drama; Ch2: Adventure/Mystery; Ch3; Adventure/Drama
- For the My Little Pony Renaissance Contest: "[it can be]... as dramatic as Princess Twilight Embracing the Dark Side."
- The dark side of what was not specified, be it the moon or otherwise. Several commentators assumed Princess Twilight would be embracing HER dark side (whichever side points away from the sun?), but why read a pronoun into the statement when we all know Princess Twilight has absolutely no dark side! She never bewitched a town into hatred over desiring her stuffed foaltoy--that was an alternative universe--YOUR Little Pony, not MY Little Pony. (j/k?).
The Contest Theme is Change.
- We've got ch-ch-ch--changes here. Turn the bit and face the strange changes in change (currency, rather). Changes in Rulership, Changes in seconds-in-command, changes in jobs, roles, maturity, relationship, story tones per chapter, and more! Contest Folder.
* Era: Post-Season 9. (See an index of my stories, sorted by My Little Pony Season).
* Made the "Popular Stories" list on 21, July, 21.
Image Rights Only: by Delapouite, the Image Only is CC BY 3.0.
I wanted an episode of this "palace stuff" soooo much in the show
Thank You so much for writing this! You're awesome!
Well! Raven had that coming.
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Indeed she did! Spike, however, is not exactly to be commended for how he made it happen.
(To be fair though, at least he, unlike some dragons, didn't burn anything down, to reference an enjoyable work that you well know).
Thanks for reading!
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Thank you for enjoying the palace intrigue! The notes for chapter three will have some recommendations on other authors' stories involving currency and/or bureaucracy. Here's one, a little early, involving "palace stuff".
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You know, now that you mention it, that story does seem vaguely familiar...
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I have read that one too!
And I love it also
Raven: Care to explain yourself, Chancellor?
Spike: Huh... This was all Twilight's idea...
Raven: AND YOU WENT ALONG WITH IT!
Spike: I recall somepony saying it was important to show Twilight not all her ideas were perfect!
Raven: Why you fire-breathing newt! You dare try to pin this on me!
Spike: Calm yourself down... I would not want an old mare like you to have a heart attack.
Raven: This old mare thinks it's time for the baby dragon to have his diapers changed.
Spike: I HAVEN'T WORN DIPPERS SINCE I WAS 10!
Raven: AND I AM ONLY 26!
Guards: The princess is in danger you two...
yes!
Yes!
YEs!
YES!
...says the Chancellor who did the exact same thing first...
Hello, Workaholics Anonymous? Yes, I have someone I'd like to sign up for your group meetings...
They must've found the Stronghold portal to The End. Wonder where they got the Eyes of Ender...?
See, that's why I think you need to leave this job, because you're already, in a way, "dying" by letting the job dictate your life so. It's past time you realized that there's more to life than that.
Meh, even knowing what I know now, I still say Raven had that coming to her. Plus, arguably, it helped paved the way for them to have this conversation in the first place, one they might not have let the other have the chance to have if it didn't, so don't go saying it won't work out in the end.
Eh, it's cliche, but it'll work.
I thought that comic was just from a Canterlot store that specialized in magicking books like that, and as such wasn't inheritently evil except in the sense of the probable corporate greed behind producing it?
Well, considering some of the popular ships, you could've been dating a changeling, or a griffon, or...
Of course, now I'm wondering who it is she is going to take on a date...
I dunno...I mean, I do get what you're doing with all of this, don't get me wrong, but I still meant what I said before--I think Raven needs to be given something else to do instead of her customary job, for her own sake and well-being moving forward. If that can be something still at the castle where she can still feel useful, which I'm sure can be arranged, great! But I still think she needs to step down from her current post nonetheless and accept a new lot in her life. I genuinely think that would be better and healthier for her in the long run.
But hey, not my story either.
Indeed! And Spike calls her out on it immediately, in parallel structure.
It's often difficult to retire when one is a workaholic.
For some, their life's vocation is their work.
Hopefully there can be a good transition period; at least now she and Spike shouldn't be at each other's throats.
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Raven: Tch... I kinda did, didn't I...
Raven: My name is Raven Inkwell. And I'm a workaholic.
Group: Hi Raven!
Raven: To be honest this whole "Days Off" thing still feels weird to me... I don't think I like it very much....
I think those guards are dead dude.
A certificate of 30 years of perfect punctuality is no confort on your deathbed, Raven!
I agree. Also, funny how that bit Spike used turned out to be very inportant in saving Equestria this time.
Starlight: Blast off again, darkness!
I didn't thought that comic book was evil...
I also would love to know who Smolder's date is!
Personally I see Raven remaing at the castle, one way or another. But she needs to slow down and live a little. She has gave Equestria enough.
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It was meant to be a quip about how this evil cavern is apparently populated by silverfish and other Minecrafty monsters. I just couldn't help but think "Minecraft Stronghold."
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Oooooh!!!
I missed that reference xD