//------------------------------//
// Addressing Ponyville 
// Story: The Decline and Fall of West Equestria:  Twilight's Tale 
// by StormLuna 
//------------------------------//

It did not take me too long to make the flight home to Ponyville.  While I was hoping that I could just relax for a while, apparently the news that I had been released from captivity had got out.  The whole town was down at the base of my castle, waiting for me to address them.  As I flew over town I could hear the ponies cheering and like some in Canterlot did, shouted "We love you Princess Twilight."

I wanted to simply tell them that I needed some rest but West Equestria's news network was present as well so I figured I better take care of this.  I landed on my balcony and looked out to the crowd, which was filled with happy, cheering ponies.  I raised and lowered my wings and they went silent. 

I wanted to make this address short and sweet so I could get some rest and spend some quality time with my friends.  I began, 

"Hello everypony, I hope all is going well for you."  I will admit, I was a bit more nervous speaking to the crowd here in Ponyville than I was in Canterlot, maybe because I know them a lot better and live with them.  I continued, "I want you all to know that even though I was imprisoned for a little over a year, my heart was always with all of you.  My true desire was to be able to eventually return home and be with all the ponies that I love so much."

The crowd again cheered and in unison shouted, "We love you Princess Twilight!"

This brought a smile to my face but I knew I had to address serious concerns so I continued, "While I am very happy to be home with the ponies that I love, there are serious issues facing us in West Equestria.  As you all know, the nation split in two a couple days ago and unfortunately most all of the wealth lies in East Equestria.  For now we will have to limit our consumption of certain foods and be frugal when it comes to what we purchase until we can get more factories built and mines operating here in the west."

A filly out in the crowd shouted, "Why?"

I could sense concern but confusion in the filly's voice.  I continued, "Because we don't have that much in the way of our own stuff and having to import from East Equestria will not exactly be cheap and besides, it is ruled by the pony who took me away from all of you for over a year."

The crowd began to boo, "Death to Starlight!  Let's go get her!"  

The stallions then began shouting that they would go to war for me, that they would put their lives on the line for me if it meant reclaiming the east and taking Starlight down.  I had to let them know that was not the way to do things.  I continued, "I appreciate you offering to put your lives on the line to help me along with West Equestria, but war is not the answer."  The crowd sighed in disappointment as I said this but what I would say next was something that was hard for me, something that I said with a bit of anger.  I continued, "East Equestria has a very strong military and Grand Mage Starlight Glimmer the Second has so much power alone that she could easily take not just me, but our military as well."

Saying that, patronizing Starlight like that took a lot of self control.  While it was just West Equestria's news network that was there, I knew Starlight would be watching and knowing how she is, she might just decide to attack, take me again and then demand even more.  That is why I didn't say to the crowd what I really wanted to.  Not all of the crowd would be completely supportive though.  I heard one pony ask, "Princess Twilight, what are we going to do if our livelihood rests on things that happen in cities such as Manehattan?"  His regular question turned into a sneer,  "Are we just supposed to give up our livelihood and do something else?  You're smart, you should be able to figure something out."

I shouted, "Filthy Rich, we can discuss this later in private."

Another pony put her hoof up and shouted, "And what about me?  I need silver to fill teeth and importing silver is expensive.  The east is where we have always had to get it from and they have jacked up the price of it significantly.  I may have to close up shop if something is not done!"

I sighed, "Colgate, we can meet in private and talk about this later as well."  I raised my voice and continued, "If anypony else wishes to speak to me in private just drop by and if I'm not busy, we can talk.  For now though, I just want to get some rest."

While I was expecting the ponies to give me a warm good-bye as I headed in, I just heard grumbling as the crowd dispersed.  I thought to myself, "Oh great, this is all I need, for the ponies here to be dissatisfied with how things are going."

As I headed into my bedroom I ran into Spike.  He asked, "Hi Twilight, how did things go addressing everypony?"

I replied, "Well up in Canterlot things are not looking all that good and here in Ponyville I am getting mixed reactions.  Some of the ponies seem happy I'm back while others are upset with what's going on.  I think they might be mad at me."

Spike scoffed, "Them mad at you?  That's ridiculous!  You know they love you Twilight."

I replied, "What worries me are the businessponies who rely on the east for their way of living.  Filthy Rich doesn't want to have to pay foreign transaction fees and Starlight Glimmer has jacked up the price on the silver they export to us.  This makes silver expensive which affects Colgate and her ability to fill cavities."

Spike asked, "So what are you going to do about it?"

I replied, "Well they want to meet with me about this but there isn't much I can do about it.  I will just have to have them talk to Celestia and Luna about it."  I yawned, "Well I need to clear my mind for a while.  Talk to you later."

Spike replied, "Well ok."

I headed into my bedroom and closed the door.  I laid on my bed and shut my eyes wondering what was going to happen.  I knew that I would not be able to just discuss lowering or getting rid of the foreign transaction fees with Starlight directly nor would I be able to do that involving the price of silver.  I would simply contact Starlight and see if we could address this over the phone but I know she would not agree to that.  Yes there is that neutral meeting place on the border but I would need Celestia or Luna to come with me for protection.  If I went there alone, I know she would capture me, take me back to Fillydelphia and demand even more land to return me again.  All I can do for now is hope for the best.