The People's Republic of Twilightlicious

by GeodesicDragon


Prologue

Twilight eased herself into a comfortable sitting position on the plush cushion, as Celestia and Luna watched her patiently. As soon as she was ready, she looked at her fellow Princesses and smiled.

"So," she said. "I understand that you both wanted to see me regarding a training program of some kind?"

Luna nodded. "That is correct," she replied. "As Princess of Friendship, you already have a lot of responsibility — but the time may soon come when you will be called upon to lead the whole of Equestria. Celestia and I cannot be here all the time, especially when Discord's cursed plants steal us away, or we are required to travel elsewhere on diplomatic business, so it falls to you to lead Equestria when we are otherwise indisposed."

Twilight looked shocked. "You... you really think I'm ready for that level of responsibility?" she asked. "I've only led Equestria once, and that – as you said – was when Discord's vines were causing havoc in Ponyville and abducted you both."

Celestia laid a reassuring hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "Do not worry, Twilight," she soothed. "We are not going to throw you into the deep end and expect you to know everything there is to know about running a country, Twilight — so, what Luna and I have done is arrange for you to go to another nation and act as its leader for the foreseeable future."

"Indeed," Luna added. "The people of this country seemed really keen to have you as their leader, after Celestia and I told them about your rise to Princess-hood. In fact..." She giggled. "They have even gone so far as to rename their country 'Twilightlicious,' in homage to what they called 'your apparent greatness.'"

"Wow, really?" Twilight let out a giggle of her own. "That's, uh, really nice of... wait, did you say 'people?'"

"I did." Luna grinned. "The entire country is populated by humans. Do not ask how we contacted them, all you need to know is that they are waiting for you to take control of their country."

"Will I have any help?" Twilight queried.

"You will have the assistance of several advisors, who will offer their own suggestions on how to deal with the many issues you will face. It then falls to you to decide how best to act." She paused. "However, you could always put it to a vote and see what happens."

"I'm not sure about this," Twilight mused. "But if you think that doing this will prepare me for leading Equestria, then I'll do it. When do I leave for Twilightlicious?"

"Immediately." Celestia and Luna spoke in unison.

Before Twilight could question them further, her world vanished in a blaze of white and blue light.

***

Twilight groaned as she opened her eyes, standing up on her hooves and looking around at her surroundings. She was in a small office, which had a desk and a chair large enough to accommodate an alicorn, a few smaller chairs in front of the desk, and a flag on the wall depicting – to Twilight's shock – the back of her head.

As soon as she sat at the desk, the door to the office opened and a man walked in. He bowed to Twilight and cleared his throat.

"Greetings, Princess Twilight Sparkle," he said. "My name is Raymond Bullock, and I am responsible for easing you into life here in Twilightlicious." He grinned. "Do you like the name we chose?"

"Hello, Raymond," Twilight replied. "Thank you for your welcome, and yes, I'm touched that you chose to name your country after me. Now, what can you tell me about it?"

Raymond opened a drawer in the desk and pulled out a folder, opening it and looking over the documents within.

"The People's Republic of Twilightlicious is a tiny, safe nation, renowned for its irreverence towards religion," he said. "Our hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic population of seven million are well known throughout the region for their efficiency and work ethic, as well as their general suspicion of leisure."

"'Suspicion of leisure?'" Twilight seemed stunned. "Well, I hope that's something that we can address in the near future."

Raymond shrugged, then continued speaking. "The government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Welfare, and Education, citizens pay a flat income tax of twenty-one point four percent, the economy – worth three hundred and sixty three billion bits a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Trout Farming, Uranium Mining, and Cheese Exports."

"'Arms Manufacturing?!'" Twilight shouted. "And what, pray tell, are these weapons used for?"

"Police and military use, mainly," Raymond said. "Although that doesn't stop civilians from getting their hands on them."

Twilight sighed. "I hope I can steer us away from that path, and towards an industry that is less inclined towards violent behaviour." She paused. "Also, you said 'bits' when referring to the economy. The currency back in Equestria is the bit."

"They're not the same." Raymond shook his head. "We wanted to make you feel at home, so we changed a few things about the country — chief amongst these being the name and the flag. We also changed our currency to the bit... but if you try and use our bits in Equestria and vice versa, it'll just cause problems."

"I see." Twilight put a forehoof to her chin. "Remind me to thank everypony – er, everyone – for their hospitality."

"Yes, Princess," Raymond replied. "Now, if I may continue, the average income is fifty-one thousand, nine hundred and ninety five bits a year, with the richest citizens earning six point two times as much as the poorest. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Finally, our national animal is the timber wolf — no relation to the ones you are familiar with in Equestria."

Twilight removed her forehoof from her chin and nodded. "Thank you for the information, Raymond, though I have to say that there are quite a few things I find troubling. In particular, the fact that rich people earn so much more than the poor. Tell me, can we address that as soon as possible?"

Raymond shrugged. "I'm sure the issue will come up at some point, Your Highness," he said. "Now, speaking of issues, are you ready to deal with your first one?"

Twilight nodded. "I came here to learn, and to do a job," she replied. "So please... send in the first group of petitioners."