Twilight woke up the following morning in a very good mood. She realized that the day had finally come that she would be able to stick it to some of the wealthy up in Canterlot who think the world owes them. She headed downstairs to the dining hall and was greeted by her normal company.
General Dark Night said, "Good morning Twilight, did you sleep well?"
Twilight replied, "Yeah, I slept very well. I am very excited about today."
Shining Armor said, "Yeah, I can tell. What are you going to do if everypony up there pays their tribute? I know you are just itching to send some of them off to labor camps."
Twilight replied, "Well I will be happy that they paid up. Yeah I am hoping that I will be able to send some of them to labor camps, but having them pay up will be nice."
Starswirl asked, "As far as the remote labor camps go, how are you going to get food down there? After all, they will need food and fresh water. Laborers who are starving are very weak and won't be productive."
Dark Night said, "The fresh water issue is covered up where Sombra used to live. There are a couple of fresh water lakes and the food issue won't be too difficult as there are plants and animals that live off to the west of there."
Thunder rage added, "The realm that Chrysalis used to call home isn't so welcoming. It is a good thing that changelings don't require much food or water to survive. It is nice to have it but it isn't life or death. Unfortunately, the laborers will need that stuff."
Twilight was not thrilled. She grunted, "Well I guess for right now all of the laborers will be brought here. They will need housing as our barracks are already overflowing. I will create much more housing, both for our soldiers and for the laborers."
Shining Armor said, "Well here comes breakfast. It is a good thing too because I'm starving!"
Twilight replied, "You're always hungry big brother! Between you and Colonel Ice Storm, you could probably eat more than the rest of us combined."
"Speaking of Ice Storm, how much more has he been able to eat here lately?" asked Shining Armor
Twilight replied, "Well my parents are eating all of their meals but it is Rarity that is making him fat. She barely eats enough to survive. Well the hunger part is a punishment she is bringing upon herself, so I'm not going to worry about it."
Dark Night said, "You know, you might want to have him split Rarity's leftovers with Lightning Wasp. He is getting so big his armor is getting really tight on him."
Twilight replied, "I think you have a good idea there. He ain't going to be much use to us if he gets so heavy he can't fly."
Starswirl asked, "Shouldn't we be waiting to discuss this until after breakfast, since it does involve the business of Twilight's government?"
Twilight replied, "Yeah, we probably should."
After breakfast Twilight and her company headed into the throne room to discuss the collecting mission. Twilight wanted to hurry up and get this started.
Shining Armor asked, "So who will you be taking with you to Canterlot?"
Twilight replied, "Well I will be going obviously. I will be taking the two generals and 100 of each type of soldier. I will need to cast an armor spell on all of you because there are plenty of unicorns up there."
Dark Night asked, "Are there any Alicorns up there anymore?"
Twilight replied, "No, there are no more Alicorns there. There are only powerful unicorns, earth ponies and a few Pegasus ponies left."
Shining Armor asked, "What will I be doing?"
Twilight replied, "You will be staying here. Colgate has a full schedule today and I have inconvenienced enough of her patients already. I have to go."
Twilight flew out from her balcony and met with her generals and the soldiers they would be taking. Twilight said, "Alright everypony, gather around me. I need to cast our armor spell."
Twilight began to glow brightly as did her horn, she recited, "The one without armor does not stand a chance, so it is what we must enhance, the unarmed one will likely receive death, with armor he shall continue to draw breath, without armor he will be torn to shreds like a rag but with armor victory is in the bag."
A huge bright purple ball exploded giving them the extra armor necessary. They then sped off towards the west to collect the money that they owed Twilight.
In Canterlot it was an ordinary day. Things were going on normally as Photo Finish was again holding a photo shoot for prospective models and Hoity Toity was hosting a party for the elite. One of the ponies saw Twilight and her army coming and shouted, "It's her, it's Twilight. Run for your lives!"
Twilight heard this right as she landed in front of the pony. It was Accurate Aim, the pony that escaped from the Crystal Empire. Twilight said, "Who are you and what makes you think you can go saying crap like that?"
Accurate Aim said, "My name is Accurate Aim and I said that because I have seen the many things you have done to this city."
Twilight said, "Thunder Rage, Dark Night, grab him. He's going with us, whether he pays or not."
As her generals grabbed him Twilight flew up to the old balcony that Celestia and Luna used. She knew that making her address from there would gather the most attention.
"Attention everypony," said Twilight "I am sure you are wondering why I am here addressing you."
Hoity Toity shouted, "Actually yes, we are wondering why you are here. I thought you hated it here."
Twilight continued, "Hoity Toity, I do hate it here. Now back to what I was saying. I am here to collect the tribute that you owe me. I have made it global law that everypony or every family will pay me 10 percent of their monthly income, every month. I want all of you to go to your houses, get ten percent of your income and bring it to me. Do not try to screw me over, I can tell a liar from a hundred miles away. If you do not give me the required amount or you refuse to pay, you will be sentenced to 12 years of hard labor in a labor camp of my choosing."
A pony out in the crowd said, "Where are we supposed to bring our tribute to?"
Twilight replied, "I will fly down to the courtyard where my army is. Take it down there."
Twilight flew down there and was met with Photo Finish. She said, "Twilight, I will not pay you any tribute. You don't know who you deal with."
Twilight said, "Ok boys, cover her in ooze. Do the same with Accurate Aim."
Hoity Toity was the first in line to pay tribute. He said, "Here are 50 bits, this is my tribute."
Twilight glared at him and said, "This isn't even close to 10 percent of your monthly income. Pay me your full tribute."
Hoity Toity shouted, "This is ten percent."
Twilight yelled, "Look Hoity, I can tell a liar from a hundred miles away and you are not telling me the truth. Pay me the rest of what you owe me or I will haul you off to a labor camp."
Hoity Toity said, "Well I spent a lot of money hosting a party up in the gardens today. This is all I have left."
Twilight replied, "Well this will have to do. Thunder Rage, cover him in ooze. He is coming with us."
Hoity Toity shouted, "But I payed you, why are you doing this?"
Twilight shouted, "NEXT!"
Next was Red Mane, a cousin of Celestia's. She gave Twilight 200 bits and said, "Here your Majesty."
Twilight gave her a smile and said, "Thank you. It is nice to see some of the elite being honest."
The rest of the ponies went through line and paid their tribute. Twilight was pleased that she had collected a great amount of money. She collected so much that it took five dark Alicorns to levitate all of it. Dark Night and a couple other dark Alicorns would levitate her new laborers.
Twilight said, "Alright guys, let's get back to Ponyville. I need to get some extra housing put up and then these three need to get to work immediately."
Accurate Aim asked, "Twilight, don't you know what I went through with Sombra and now I am going to be your forced laborer? How can you be so cruel?"
Twilight replied, "You want me to be cruel? Tell you what, as soon as I get things set up, I will relocate you to a much harsher camp. That is what ponies that whine will get."
Accurate Aim said, "I'm sorry Twilight, I didn't mean to upset you."
Twilight shouted, "THAT IS DARK GODDESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE TO YOU!"
They returned home around lunch time and while Twilight is turning into a mean, ruthless pony, she did allow her new 'laborers' to eat lunch with her military, under tight security.
Up in the dining hall Twilight said, "I'm sorry I was a little bit late. I don't know what is going on but maybe I need Colgate to teach me how to be on time again."
Spike asked, "Twilight, why were you late anyway?"
Twilight replied, "Oh I had to go and collect some revenue for Equestria."
Spike asked, "How did you do that?"
Twilight replied, "Spike, lunch is coming. Now isn't the time to discuss things like this."
Starswirl said, "You know Twilight, I have never ate this good in my entire life. Thank you so much for freeing me from my madness."
Twilight replied, "You don't have to thank me so much Starswirl. It was my honor to free you and bring you back to your normal self."
After lunch Twilight headed down to the base where her army and her new laborers were. Twilight looked at the shortage of barracks and thought to herself, "my soldiers need more housing and my new laborers will need housing as well."
Dark Night asked, "So Twilight, what are we going to do with these three?"
Twilight replied, "Well before we do anything, everypony needs more housing."
Twilight fired numerous bolts of energy causing many more barracks to appear. She then fired a bolt of energy for a twenty foot high fence to appear around the barracks that will be used for her laborers.
Thunder Rage said, "Wow Twilight, that is amazing. How do you do it?"
Twilight replied, "Just like everything else, tons and tons of studying!"
Accurate Aim asked, "Dark Goddess Twilight Sparkle, when will be able to move into our new housing?"
Twilight barked, "AFTER YOU DO SOME WORK. You three follow me, I need to show you what I want you to do. Dark Night, Thunder Rage, come with me, I don't want them trying to escape."
Twilight and her generals led them out about a mile east of town to the area where Rarity used to find gems. They had a feeling that what Twilight was going to have them doing would not be easy.
Twilight ordered, "Ok you three, I want you to dig in the ground and find gems. My assistant is always hungry and he loves gems."
Hoity Toity asked, "What in the hay is your assistant, a dragon?"
Twilight shouted, "YOU ADDRESS ME AS DARK GODDESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE, GOT IT? And yes he is a dragon."
Photo Finish said, "No, I won't do this. I might chip a hoof."
Twilight went into a rage. She shouted, "Either you do this or you die. Remember, I control your destiny. Do you want me to make that twelve year sentence a lifetime sentence?"
Photo Finish said, "No, but twelve years will seem like a lifetime."
Twilight rolled her eyes and pointed her horn at her and said, "Dig or you will wish you were dead."
This caused Accurate Aim to start digging in earnest while Photo Finish and Hoity Toity were barely dragging their hooves on the ground. This did not sit well with Twilight.
Twilight screamed, "What the hay are you doing? I said to dig, not drag your hooves on the ground. Look, Accurate Aim has already found a lot of gems, but here you two are acting like a bunch of wimpy elites, so afraid to chip a hoof! Oh wait, you are a bunch of wimpy elites. Get digging, NOW!"
This finally caused them to start digging like Accurate Aim was. Despite that, they did not find any gems while by supper time Accurate Aim had a huge pile of gems piled up.
"Accurate Aim" asked Twilight "do you have some sort of special talent for finding gems?"
Accurate Aim replied, "I don't think so Dark Goddess Twilight Sparkle."
Twilight said, "Well I do know that Spike is going to be one happy dragon. Tell you what Accurate Aim, I want you to come up and eat supper in the tower tonight. I like your work ethic, I might have other plans for you."
Accurate Aim sounded kind of scared and said, "Yes your Majesty Dark Goddess Twilight Sparkle."
Twilight replied, "You don't need to be scared. Also, since you have a good work ethic, just call me Twilight or Twily."
Photo Finish shouted, "ARE YOU FREEING HIM ALREADY, JUST BECAUSE HE FOUND A FEW GEMS?"
Twilight growled, "Look, he has a good work ethic and what my plans are right now are only known by me and will be known by him shortly. Dark Night, Thunder Rage, get them put in their barracks. Have Ice Storm and Lightning Wasp bring them their food. Supper awaits us."
Twilight and Accurate Aim headed up to the dining hall and were greeted by her usual company.
Starswirl asked, "Twilight, who is this with you?"
Twilight replied, "Well it depends. Accurate Aim, are you good at cooking?"
Accurate Aim replied, "I can cook some. I can't cook fancy things but regular things like oats, eggs, bacon, sausage, beef, stews and things like that I can cook very well."
Twilight asked, "Accurate Aim, how would you like to be one of my chefs. If you choose to accept, you will get to live here in the tower, you will be paid very well and you will be exempt from having to pay tribute."
Accurate Aim asked, "Will this be for the 12 years or will this be a different type of work?"
Twilight replied, "This is not forced work as you are going to be getting paid. You can work for me for longer or for less if you wish. You are an at will employee. So do you accept my offer?"
Accurate Aim said, "I accept your offer Dark Goddess Twilight Sparkle!"
Twilight answered, "Now that you work for me, just call me Twilight or Twily. I apologize for taking you the way that I did."
Accurate Aim replied, "It is ok Twilight. It looks like things have worked out good for all of us. I can't wait to cook you your first meal. I hope you will like it."
Twilight replied, "Well you will get to test your skills tomorrow morning. For now you will be sharing a room with the other chef until I can get you sleeping quarters of your own."
Accurate Aim said, "Thank you Twilight! You are no evil pony, you are a wonderful, sweet pony and any pony that tells me otherwise I will tell them they're wrong!"
Twilight blushed and replied, "Wow, I don't really get compliments like that. Could you go help the other chef get things cleaned up, the rest of us have a meeting in the throne room."
"You got it boss! Which way is the kitchen?" asked Accurate Aim
Twilight said, "Go through those double doors and it is the second door on your right."
They headed into the throne room and everypony else looked at her with a stunned look.
Shining Armor asked, "You went all the way to Canterlot, rounded him up in a not so pleasant way and now he is a chef? Why did you decide to give him such a cushy job?"
Twilight replied, "Why did I do that? Because he is respectful to me and he has a good work ethic. I am beginning to wonder if this whole forcing non-payers into work camps is even worth it. Perhaps it would be easier for us to seize their assets and sell them to the highest bidder. We could always generate revenue that way."
Starswirl asked, "Why the sudden change of plans?"
Twilight replied, "Today I learned that forced labor doesn't work with a lot of ponies. Besides, it is too much of a pain in the flank for me and my army to monitor them. When we go to Maredrid, I will let my stewards know that I no longer want to do the forced labor. I will let them know that simply seizing assets will be easier."
Dark Night asked, "May I offer a suggestion?"
Twilight replied, "What is your suggestion?"
Dark Night replied, "Well I was thinking. Since you plan on seizing their assets which would include their house, you could always charge them rent to live in the house since it would belong to you."
Twilight smiled and said, "That is a genius idea Dark Night! I never would have thought of that!"
Shining Armor asked, "What do you think Lyra would think of this plan?"
Twilight replied, "Oh she would still oppose it. If she did have full control down there, she would do nothing but coddle every single citizen down there and they would love her more than they already do."
Starswirl asked, "Wouldn't that bankrupt Neigh Zealand if she did that?"
Twilight said, "Not coddle them economically, just be nice and use her magic to help them out any way she possibly could."
Shining Armor asked, "So what are you going to do with the other two?"
Twilight replied, "Well they sassed me so they're going to the dungeon. I am thinking a 10 year sentence a piece will work. I'm sure that Rarity will love having some of her elite buddies down there with her."
Thunder Rage said, "You know Twily, you will have to build an entire penitentiary before too long! How many cells do you have down there right now?"
Twilight replied, "I have ten right now. I will just use my magic to blast out more room. I am planning on vaporizing enough rock that I can have 100 cells down there. Chances are I will need them."
Dark Night asked, "When do you plan on putting those two down there?"
Twilight replied, "Now. I don't want my military to have to put up with them any longer than they have to. I need you, Thunder Rage and Shining Armor to help me."
They headed out to the base where Photo Finish and Hoity Toity were being held. Thunder Rage grabbed Hoity Toity and Dark Night grabbed Photo Finish.
Hoity Toity asked, "Where are you taking us? What are you going to force us to do at this time of night?"
Twilight said, "Just come with us or you will wish you were never born."
Photo Finish shouted, "You are pure evil Dark Goddess Twilight Sparkle!"
Twilight, her brother and her officers finally got them down into the dungeon and into their cells. Photo Finish was placed in the cell across from Rarity and Hoity Toity was placed in the cell next to Photo Finish, which allowed Rarity and her elite friends to communicate better.
Photo Finish shouted, "How dare you put me in a jail! I am an elite pony and you don't do this to elite ponies."
Hoity Toity said, "You won't get away with this Dark Twily."
Twilight said, "Shut up you two. I was only going to give you 10 years, but now it will be 35, just like these three. Keep your traps shut or I might just give you life and then some."
Rarity shouted, "Why don't you just kill us all your Royal Darkness, I know you would just love that!"
Twilight replied, "Because that would be going too easy on all of you. I know all of you hate my food and hate the dank, dark conditions down here so this is the perfect punishment for all of you."
Twilight Velvet said, "Rarity, stop it! She will just increase your sentence."
Twilight replied, "Mom, just keep your trap shut or it will be YOUR sentence I increase. Come on guys, let's get out of here. Their whining and complaining is getting on my nerves."
Shining Armor said, "Alright guys, come on. It is getting late."
Twilight replied, "Yeah and I do want to get some sleep tonight. I might send a message to Galaxia tomorrow telling her about my change of plans."
Twilight headed up to her bedroom and tapped into the eye. She saw that over in the Equine province that LaurFa was having her military round up those who refused to pay tribute and putting them in labor camps. She saw the same thing in Saddle Arabia and was thinking to herself, "I have got to get a meeting set up sooner. I am not going to do this here and I don't want them doing it there."
She then looked at Neigh Zealand and Alicorn Island and saw things were going normally, which for once pleased her. She thought to herself, "Well I know Lyra and the royal family won't start doing this yet so at least the ponies there won't have to put up with it."