It had been four days since Twilight and her envoy set sail for Faustica, they still had a gentle easterly breeze, calm seas and clear skies. This pleased all of them, especially Twilight.
Twilight said, "You know something everypony? This is probably the best four days of weather that any voyage has ever had."
Shining Armor replied, "Don't jinx it Twily. You say that and then chances are the wind will shift directions, the seas will get rough and we will run into a storm."
Dark Night said, "You know Twily, you're right about your brother. He is paranoid. I think we should just enjoy the trip."
Spike asked, "What if Colgate does something and casts a storm spell on us the same way Twily did with Rarity?"
Twilight laughed, "Why are you so against Colgate Spike? You know she doesn't know that kind of magic and you know she is loyal to me. I trust her being alone with the other officers more than I do any of my friends."
Starswirl said, "Wow, that is a whole lot of trust. With Colgate though, I can see why you have so much trust in her. She is the perfect commander. She is loyal, tough as nails and has developed a great ability in training troops."
Shining Armor laughed, "Don't go telling that to Rarity! She hates Colgate and her drill sargent mentality."
Twilight said, "Well Rarity is a pony who likes the finer things in life and doesn't like having somepony telling her what to do and she especially doesn't like somepony barking orders at her."
Thunder Rage asked, "Colgate really barked orders at her? I never knew she had that mindset. She would have fit in perfectly with Chrysalis and the way she trained us."
Twilight replied, "Yes, Colgate barked orders at her. The rest of my friends did what she requested so she was nice with them. Rarity on the other hand, was sassing her, not doing what Colgate wanted her to do during the training exercises so she had to get tough on her."
Starswirl could see something on the horizon, something that looked like an island. Starswirl asked, "What is that on the horizon? It looks like an island."
Twilight looked hard and replied, "It is Alicorn Island! We are almost there. It will be so good to get some real water in me."
Dark Night said, "Same here. These apples have plenty of juices in them, but some water sounds so good right now!"
An hour later they finally docked at Faustica Bay and headed into town. They flew up to the palace that LaurFa used to live in and were greeted by Luna.
"Hello Dear Twilight," said Luna "how are you and your envoy doing?"
Twilight replied, "Oh we are doing alright, it was a long trip but we had perfect weather on the way."
Luna said, "You all must be hungry and thirsty, come on up to the dining hall. I'm not sure what you are hungry for but I am certain you want some water."
Starswirl replied, "You must have been reading our minds. When you go four days without it, you get to the point where you would give anything for it."
Luna asked, "Why are you here so early? You know the festivities don't start until tomorrow afternoon."
Twilight replied, "Well I like to get places early. This way my envoy will be well rested before we start things out. What are we going to start things out with anyway?"
Luna said, "Well we will hold our meeting on Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening so we can get it out of the way and just have fun and relax up through Wednesday. After all, who wants to have fun but still have a meeting coming up."
Thunder rage said, "I like your way of thinking princess. Too bad Chrysalis didn't think like that. Oh, wait, Chrysalis never let us relax, it was always work, work, work."
Twilight asked, "So Luna, how are your parents doing?"
Luna replied, "Oh they are doing ok. Mom is still a bit distraught over Celestia being banished to the sun, but she knows that she committed a high level crime and had to pay for it."
Thunder Rage asked, "How are you feeling about her being banished so far?"
Luna smiled and said, "Every sunrise and sunset feels like sweet redemption. Seeing her silhouette makes me so happy. Perhaps in a thousand years when she comes home she will know how I felt being banished to the moon for a thousand years."
Shining Armor said, "Yeah, hopefully so, although I would think the sun would be worse than the moon."
Luna replied, "It definitely is, but the crime she committed was far worse than simply threatening to cast the world into eternal night."
Twilight said, "Yeah, it is. What you did as Nightmare Moon was bad, but you never bought children from their parents either. In my opinion, Celestia is one of the highest level villains in the history of Equestria."
Luna said, "Enough of this negative talk! Let's go up to the throne room. I'm sure that mom and dad are just dying to see you!"
When they arrived at the palace Galaxia ran up to Twilight and hugged her. "Twily, I am so glad you could make it! said Galaxia
Twilight replied, "Well I am glad you invited me. I have so many things I want to discuss and suggest."
Galaxia said, "Well you do rule the world so of course you would need to be here."
Twilight asked, "So who will be running the meeting?"
Cosmos walked up and said, "Why you of course. You have more power than all the other creatures on the planet combined."
Twilight blushed and replied, "Yeah, that is true. I have been thinking about ways to help me along with all you stewards have more funds to run things better, but that can wait until tomorrow when everypony else is here."
Galaxia asked, "So Spike, how did it feel to cough up a message from me?"
Spike replied, "Well it was shocking to open a scroll that wasn't from Celestia."
Galaxia said, "Well by the time she would be able to send messages again, you will be fully grown and who knows where you will be living."
Spike replied, "Hopefully I would still be with Twilight!"
Twilight replied, "Well we'll see Spike. I would need to build something huge for a full grown dragon to live in."
Cosmos said, "Well it is time for supper, let's eat!"
The meal they ate that night rivaled even the largest meals Twilight had ever served.
Thunder Rage said, "Wow, you three sure know how to throw a party. This reminds me a lot of what Twily serves us!"
Galaxia replied, "Well we have the same mentality as Twilight. We treat our guests and allies well."
After supper Spike asked Luna, "Princess Luna, Twilight keeps telling me that I have nothing to worry about, but is your opinion on Colgate? Do you think she would ever try to overthrow her?"
Luna laughed, "Oh Spike! You have been spending way too much time with Shining Armor, haven't you? She is the last pony I would worry about."
Cosmos asked, "Spike, why do you have these feelings about the commander? Has she showed any signs of betraying Twilight?"
Spike replied, "Uh, no she hasn't. I am just paranoid. Twilight is like a mom to me and I do worry about her."
Twilight blushed and said, "Oh Spike, that is so sweet of you to view me that way!"
Cosmos said, "I am getting tired, I am thinking that we should hit the hay. Twilight, you know where the VIP bedrooms are. Show the rest of our guests where they are."
Twilight replied, "Alright Cosmos, will do!"
Everypony slept well that night and when the morning arrived, the other stewards were arriving. Galaxia flew down to greet them.
"Lyra, Lemon Hearts, LaurFa! How is everything going?"
Lyra replied, "Things are going great! Things in Neigh Zealand have improved so much since I took over. The economic conditions are the best they have been in 200 years!"
Lemon Hearts said, "Well things are pretty much the same. There is more stability in the country and everypony feels safe with us having a military now, but other than that, things haven't changed."
LaurFa said, "Well the country has something that it hasn't had in ages, which is stability. Everypony seems to be a lot happier now."
Everypony flew up to the throne room where they were greeted by Twilight. Twilight looked happy with the smile she saw on Galaxia's face.
"So everypony, how are things going in the provinces I have assigned you?"
Lyra replied, "Things are going great Twilight, better than they have in 200 years."
Twilight said, "Wow, that good? I guess I was right in putting you in charge down there."
Lemon Hearts said, "Things are pretty much the same except there is finally stability and happiness there."
LaurFa said, "Well things are going pretty much the same, except there is stability."
Twilight said, "Well it looks like Lyra has done the job of turning the province around completely. We will discuss how to make things better for everypony this afternoon."
After lunch they started their meeting. Twilight banged her hoof on the table and said, "Ok everypony, before we start the fun part of this get together we must have the meeting part of this first."
Galaxia added, "Twilight has some plans, that she hasn't even told me, that she thinks will make the world better for every province. She will also ask for suggestions from all of you."
LaurFa said, "I do think that giving each province a little bit more ability to make decisions on their own without having to go through you would make things easier, as the trip to Ponyville is not short for any of us."
Twilight replied, "LaurFa, who is the world ruler here? You should be happy that I give you the power that I do. How is your military working out?"
LaurFa replied, "They are doing good. The population of the Equine province seems to feel more safe than they used to back in the times when we had to worry about invasions."
Twilight said, "Well that is good. To me that shows that you are doing fine. By the way, why did you think I should allow you a bit more power?"
LaurFa said, "Well the citizens do sometimes ask that we help them out more, as in helping the less fortunate."
Twilight replied, "We will see. I have a plan on how to raise funds for the less fortunate. What about you Lemon Hearts?"
Lemon Hearts said, "Well things seem to be going ok. I don't see any problems."
Twilight replied, "That is good to hear Lemon Hearts. What about you Lyra?"
Lyra replied, "Everything is going perfectly fine. Just leave everything the way it is. Yes we are still not the most well off province in the world but we are far better off than we were and things continue to improve."
Twilight smiled and said, "That is spectacular Lyra. What about the royals here on Alicorn Island? Do you have any suggestions?"
Luna replied, "Well mom, dad and I have been discussing things for a couple of weeks and given that things haven't changed much of any, we have no problems with the way you are running the world."
Twilight started jumping around like a school filly shouting, "Yay! I'm so happy! I feel like I've done my job!"
Galaxia said, "Well we are all happy that you feel that way. Is there anything else business related you wish to discuss or can we move on to the fun part of things?"
Twilight replied, "We have more things to discuss. I think that there are way to raise funds to make the lives of everypony better."
Lemon Hearts asked, "How is that?"
Twilight replied, "I believe that the ponies around the world should pay tribute to me for having the privilege of living on this planet. After all, since I have placed stewards around the world and replaced the old leaders, things have improved, especially in Neigh Zealand. I believe the ponies of the world owe me this."
Lyra shouted, "WHAT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"
Twilight yelled, "No, I'm not kidding. Look at how much better things are for them. They should be thanking me for putting you in power there."
Lyra said, "Twilight, Neigh Zealand has just emerged from over 200 years of economic oppression. Forcing them to pay tribute will only plunge them back into the same economic disaster they were in before."
Luna shouted, "Twilight, are you nuts? What exactly do you want to do with this money?"
Twilight said, "What do I want to do with it? I'm not exactly sure right now. I might help other provinces, I might build on to my tower, I'm not sure."
Lemon Hearts suggested, "Instead of making them pay tribute to you to help other provinces, why don't we just have them pay taxes and help their own provinces. I don't know about you, but I think that would be a much better idea."
Twilight shouted, "You're kidding, right? I rule this world and you are merely a steward. I decide how the money is distributed and what it is used for. If I were to want to build a huge statue of myself with it, then that would be my right."
Lemon Hearts replied, "I'm sorry Twilight, you're right."
LaurFa said, "Twilight, you do rule this planet so it would be up to you. Whatever you choose to do, I will enforce it."
Luna put her hoof over her face and said, "Twilight, your idea is beyond ridiculous. Just keep the money within each province. Things will work perfectly that way."
Lyra added, "I agree with Luna. I cut taxes completely down there and we are experiencing a period of economic prosperity that has never before been seen. The quality of life for everypony is much better. Look at things through the eyes of one of our citizens down there. What would you pick, high taxes and poverty or low to no taxes and prosperity. I know I would pick the latter. What about you?"
Twilight shouted, "I am the ruler of the world. That is not my problem. I don't care. As long as I get my money I will be happy. Galaxia, Cosmos, instead of letting Luna run the show, what do you two think?"
Unlike Luna, Galaxia and Cosmos were sort of afraid of Twilight. They replied, "We will do whatever you think is best Twilight."
Twilight said, "Well Luna, it looks like you are outvoted."
Luna shouted, "THAT'S IT. I'M FINISHED WITH THIS CRAP. I'M OUTTA HERE. I'LL FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE TO LIVE. YOU KNOW WHAT MOM AND DAD, YOU ARE PATHETIC COWARDS. GOOD RIDDANCE!"
Luna headed out the door and started flying east. She had a great amount of physical strength which allowed her to fly much greater distances without needing rest. She decided she would head to the coast of Equestria, head to Ponyville and then head into the Everfree Forest until the time was right.
Twilight said, "Give her time. She will come crawling back begging for forgiveness. I'm not worried about her. She has very little power compared to me."
Lyra asked, "Then why have you always been leery about going up against her in battle?"
Twilight snapped, "Lyra, that was before I became far more powerful than her. If it comes down to a horn to horn battle, I will win and she will wind up in the void."
Galaxia said, "I figured she would do something like this Twilight. I guess the never say die Luna has shown her true self."
Twilight said, "Alright, before we go to the fun part of this trip, let's cast a final vote on what will happen regarding the tribute. If it passes, then we need to discuss what the percentage of income the tribute will be. If it fails, then things will remain the same. Those of you who favor the tribute, say aye."
LaurFa, Lemon Hearts, Cosmos and Galaxia said , "aye"
Twilight said, those opposed say "nay"
Lyra said, "Nay"
Twilight said, "The vote passes by a vote of 4-1. Let's break for supper then we will discuss the amount of tribute to be paid whether it be a set figure or whether it will be a percentage of their monthly income."
Lyra headed out to the courtyard feeling dejected. She felt like she had failed her province. She started to cry and thought to herself, "I helped them out of a horrible economic depression and thanks to Twilight and the other stewards, they will be plunged back into a depression."
Galaxia heard her crying. She walked up to her and said, "Lyra, what is wrong? Why are you crying?"
Lyra replied, "Why should I tell you? You voted for Twilight's oppressive measure on forcing ponies to pay tribute."
Galaxia said, "The only reason Cosmos and I voted for it is because we are scared of her and don't want her to punish us."
Lyra said, "Well Luna isn't scared of her."
Galaxia replied, "Well Luna can transform into Nightmare Moon and easily avoid detection. Luna has no reason to be scared of her. Twilight could never catch her."
Twilight was in a very good mood during supper as her measure had passed. She knew that Galaxia and Cosmos felt forced to vote in favor of it but she didn't care, she got her measure passed and will soon be getting tribute money for anything she wants.
Twilight noticed that Lyra wasn't touching her food. Twilight asked, "Lyra, what is wrong? You're not even touching your supper."
Lyra replied, "I just feel like a failure. My ending taxes in Neigh Zealand lifted them out of an economic depression and now they will have to pay tribute and fall back into the horrible economic problems they were in before."
Twilight replied, "Oh, they will be fine. You're as bad as Spike and Shining Armor when it comes to being paranoid. I'm sure once tomorrow arrives and the fun part of this begins, you'll be fine."
After supper they returned to the throne room to discuss the amount of tribute that will be paid.
Twilight asked, "Alright everypony, what do you think will be a fair amount of tribute for each pony or their family to pay?"
LaurFa suggested, "I think that 10% of their monthly income would be fair as I think paying tribute each month would be fair."
Lemon Hearts looked nervous and suggested, "I think a flat rate of 10 bits per month would be fair."
Lyra looked irritated and said, "I think ZERO BITS is a fair amount."
Galaxia and Cosmos suggested, "We agree with LaurFa, 10% of their monthly income seems fair to us."
Twilight gave Lyra a glare and said, "No need to be sarcastic Lyra. I know you oppose this but give me a realistic amount."
Lyra replied, "I am being realistic. I oppose this entirely and I do not believe money should be taken from the ponies just so you can do what you want with it."
Twilight said, "Ok, I have decided that 10% of the monthly income will be fair."
Lemon Hearts asked, "What if a pony has so little money that paying tribute would cause them to be unable to make it?"
Twilight replied, "That is their problem, not mine. As long as I get my money, I will be happy."
LaurFa asked, "What if a pony refuses to pay tribute?"
Twilight replied, "If they refuse to pay they will be shipped to a labor camp of my choosing and will be sentenced to 12 years of hard labor."
Lyra shouted, "Twilight, how could you be so cruel?"
Twilight replied, "Well you helped me conquer all of this, so I figured you would support everything I want to do in this new world."
Lyra said, "Twilight, I helped you with this because I thought you would bring a better life for everypony on the face of the planet. I never dreamed you would want ponies to pay tribute and force those who won't or can't into labor camps."
Twilight said, "It is getting late. Let's go to bed everypony. Tomorrow we will start our rest and relaxation part of this. Let's just put all this behind us, ok. We will have another meeting in Maredrid in three weeks to discuss the enforcement of this. Goodnight everypony.
Twilight headed to bed realizing that she would need to have extra officers down in Neigh Zealand to make sure that once all this takes effect, that Lyra would enforce this. Little did she know that she would soon have more problems to worry about than Lyra simply being upset.