“Well, that’s a very creative idea, Spike!” Princess Celestia praised. “But unfortunately, I can’t just make an infinite amount of bits.”
“And why not?” Spike asked, tapping his foot against the floor, which sent loud reverberations throughout the cavernous throne room.
“Well, you can’t just create value out of nothing, my dear,” Celestia cooed softly. Her wise visage never wavered from it’s calm demeanor as she spoke. “Simply minting more bits could lead to hyperinflation and a weakening of the currency on the international market. It was a fine idea though, and I very much appreciate you coming in with it.”
“Very well, I shall take my ideas elsewhere,” Spike harrumphed, turning tail and exiting the throne room.
“Make sure to eat vegetables and exercise, my little dragon!” Celestia called after him.
When Spike had exited the room, he rubbed his hands together fiendishly. “Little does she know, I won’t be taking my idea elsewhere at all…”
Three hours later, Princess Luna sat on the throne, her head leaning against her hoof. “I am exceptionally bored!” she groaned out loud.
A royal guard poked his head into the room. “Your Highness, the Friendship Ambassador to the Dragon Lands is here to see you on official business!”
“FINALLY,” Luna groaned. “At least something is happening. Um, who is that, again, exactly?”
“Spike.”
Princess Luna raised an eyebrow.
“The Dragon?”
Luna’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Twilight Sparkle’s assistant?”
She chewed on her lip thoughtfully.
“Your sister raised her like he was her own child after Twilight hatched him? Saved the Crystal Empire? The purple and green one? Bakes pretty good cookies?”
Luna’s eyes lit up. “Oh, yes, him! Send him in.”
Spike strolled into the room and shot Princess Luna a few finger guns. “Princess Luna! ‘Sup, what’s going on?”
“What is going on is nothing. I am exceptionally bored and for some reason nopony in the entirety of Equestria is having a crippling episode of night terrors.”
“Well, I have something for you!” Spike grinned, hopping up the stairs to the throne. “How would you like to be the Princess that eliminated Equestria’s national debt?”
Luna’s ears perked up. “I would indeed like that.”
Spike looked at her expectantly.
Luna looked side to side awkwardly. “...I said that I would indeed like that.”
It was now Spike’s turn to look around awkwardly. “Uhm...and I know how you can do that.”
Luna shot to her hooves. “Why didn’t you say so!? Are you serious!?”
“I am! All you have to do is make more bits!”
“Make more bits…” Luna mouthed to herself as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “And then we can just use them to pay off everything!” She shook her head incredulously. “I can’t believe nopony ever thought of this!”
“It’s a simple and elegant solution, isn’t it?” Spike asked.
“Indeed! I shall run it by dear sister at breakfast and we will get started tomorrow!”
“No!” Spike cried. “I mean, uh, why involve Celestia? She’ll just like, take credit for it.”
Luna’s eyes widened. “You’re right! She’s always taking my ideas! Did you know it was my idea to build Canterlot on the side of a mountain? The nerve of some ponies! I shall instruct my advisers to begin minting immediately!”
Spike smiled mischievously. “Now, as your most humble adviser who totally won’t steal your thunder, I would very much appreciate an award,” he flattered, holding out a claw and opening and closing it repeatedly.
“Oh, why of course!” Luna patted Spike gently on the head. “That is a very good dragon. Auntie Luna is very proud of you.”
“I mean bits. You can even give me, like, a billion, because after all, we’re making free money now.”
Luna blew a raspberry at him. “And here I thought this was a friendly visit to give pro bono advice. Nice try! If I wanted to pay someone for unsolicited advice, I would have hired a consultant!”
Spike was about to protest, but instead brought a claw to his chin and scratched slowly as the gears in his head began to turn once more. “...Consulting, you say?”