//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Princess Twilight Sparkle in the Changing of the Night Court // by bejammin2000 //------------------------------// Canterlot proper was quite a buzz with the Night Court's proclamation. What with Viscount Always Faithful thrown from the House of Peers. Of course, the fact of the matter was, various nobles and peers always get thrown from the Upper House once the Princess found out about their various dalliances etc. What really shook up the status quo, however, as the fact that not only was MP Highen Mighty dismissed from the Lower House, he was both ARRESTED on charges of Corruption and Princess Twilight Sparkle said that she would be appointing a new representative from Vanhoover within the next few days. Every newspaper in Canterlot was going over it. All the political leanings, from the Worker's Write to the Capitalist Evening Post. Some papers supported the decision, others said that this was a terrible precedent, but Prince Twilight Sparkle was a new ruler. This is just the terrible twos. And yet others said that they couldn't speak for anyone else, but they welcomed their new lavender overlords. In fact, Princess Celestia decided to speak with Twilight on the nature of just what had happened. This was a terrible precedent. Never had a princess outright ousted an elected official like that. Ponies should always be able to have a voice and pick those to speak fo them. The fact that Twilight decided to go and toss one out without an inquiry was tantamount to revolution. "Twilight Sparkle..." The regal looking alicorn tried her best not to seem disappointed. She failed miserably. "Do you know what you did? You did something that not even I would have done. This.. what you did, Twilight Sparkle, was absolutely uncalled for." She didn't sound mad or angry or anything like that, just... disappointed. "Princess... I understand that it's not the usual, but you don't understand. We had evidence that Highen Mighty was involved in a case of corruption. He was practically bribed with a wonderful weekend in Las Pegasus." She hoofed at the floor, collecting her thoughts. "We looked into it. He had everything paid for and was paid a few thousand bits not just for his speech, but just to be in the city. He's on the Recreation and Habitual Use committee... being buttered up by the industry he's supposed to regulate. It would be one thing if he was a regular MP, but he had influence. He had to be gone." There was a moment of silence. "And what do you plan on doing with the poor pony you appoint to such a position? They may not have to take Mighty's position in the RHUC, they'll have to deal with all the baggage left behind. Everything that Mighty was working for Vanhoover." Celestia was trying to get to Twilight. Making sure she understood the extreme political ramifications of what she did. "I understand that. We'll appoint someone and make sure that they understand that come elections, they'll have to fight for their seat just as anyone else and election is coming up in six months. All they have to do is vote along with their party and boom. Instant political career. It's practically a gimme. Every clerk in Vanhoover with greater aspirations will be fighting over themselves looking to get this. It's win-win for everyone." The argument she made was logical and well thought out. "That's very logical and well thought out, Twilight. But I wish you would talk to me about these things. Before you do anything else, please consult me." With that, she left, possibly to take care of her own royal business. With that being said, Twilight went to go see what the papers were saying. How bad could it be? Well, bad enough that when she looked at the first newspaper, it featured a political cartoon. It was simple enough. There was a picture of the parliament building... and towering over top of it was a caricature Twilight Sparkle looking just like Nightmare Moon did. "Tyrant Sparkle? Please! This was for the good of Equestria! No one is defending Always Faithful." The next newspaper talked about the philandering viscount, discussing how it the former lord temporal brought great shame upon his family, Equestria, possibly the species. The rest, as mentioned early, were either supportive or not. But that didn't matter to her at all, she was the Princess. She was doing good things. ... she would have to go and talk to the Royal Secretary. She had a question about something of great importance. "Chamberland! I have need of your assistance! Well, I have more of a question!" It was easy to find the royal secretary. Not many adult ponies were in the castle that were the size of a foal. "And what is it that you need, Your Grace?" He was currently on his desk, singing a few sheaths of papers. Twilight nodded. "Yes, yes I do. Is there any thing that prevents a Princess from censuring a newspaper due to an unflattering protrayal." She asked, not realizing just what she was implying. "Well... yes. There is, it must not be unflattering, it must be positively libelous." Ah ha! Yes. She could then! Tyrant Sparkle, ha! She'll show them! "Thank you, Chamberland. Could you draft something for me, please?" Oh, this was going to be almost too perfect. "And what would that be, Your Grace?" He had a quill ready. "Ahem. I, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Magic, do find that the Canterlot Times to be quite libelous in their portrayal of my royal being in their terrible political cartoon. No fear, however, as I am quite the merciful pony and am only charging a fine of 40% of the sale of each issue of the Canterlot Times that features the unpleasant caricature. We also expect an expedient apology." She looked at the miniature house. "That would be all." The royal secretary looked at her. "I will make sure that this is... sent to both the Equestrian Revenue Service and to the Canterlot Times." With that, Twilight Sparkle headed back to her room. She needed a nap before the council meeting tonight. And later that evening, Twilight Sparkle found her caught up in the whole thing, saying with them how they should all hail Nightmare Moon. "I would like to open this meeting to congratulate Princess Twilight Sparkle on her handling of the corruption in the Parliament. I couldn't have done it better myself! A round of applause." They politely clapped at the insistence of the Grand Vizier. "Why thank you, Stone Cutter. I only did what I thought was right. You know, before I thought that you lot were bad ponies. But you just play this political game better then everyone else. Highen Mighty was a bad pony. I don't see you all taking bribes and kowing to lobbying pressures. Or telling lies in newspapers." She was almost proud of herself. "Oh, you pressed forward on your own?" This was perfect for Stone Cutter. It only took two days of talking with her to start acting on her own. This... she was molding quite perfectly on her own. "I did, yes! It felt... kinda good, actually, telling them not only that they did bad, but that they actually have to listen to me and I got to punish them." There was another round of applause from the table. "And that is why we are fortunate that our Dark Lady has granted as such a quiet night that I move that we celebrate Twilight Sparkle's first acts of being a ruler with real positive Consequences! All in favor?" "Aye!" It wasn't like one of Pinkie Pie's parties, the small celebration that they did. It was a very subdued affair. A bottle or two of wine was brought up from the royal cellars, as was some fresh fruit. All in all, very very simple fare. "Your Grace, the last couple of days I was thinking and it occurred to me that you need a personal bodyguard. If it's just the same to you, I could assign a Night Guard are two to watch over you, especially if you plan on filling in for Lady Nightmare Moon for long." Able Body was into his third glass of wine and Twilight managed to mingle with the councilors. She was still into her first, but it was strong prickly stuff that they brought out and she herself wasn't used to drinking spirits. "You know what, Able Body..." There was a blush on her cheeks and she was smiling and she hadn't felt this good in the weeks since she turned into an alicorn. "That sounds like a wonderful idea! Celestia wanted to assign a guardspony from the Day Guard, but couldn't find someone appropriate yet! But you... you already have someone picked out." She gave the earth pony a tap on the side with her wing when he nodded. "Well then! I would love to meet them." She gave a little hiccup and her blush deepened. "Tomorrow, I think I shall turn in early." And she stumbled out of the meeting room. "I think..." Grand Vizier Stone Cutter started. "We should have liquid refreshment at all our meetings from now on. She seems so much more susceptible to our influence while imbibing." The rest agreed.