Subplot : Twilight , City State .


Entering Mayor Mare's office, Twilight found the grey maned Earth Pony, busy filling out paperwork. Her unicorn assistants were levitating the papers over to the older mare, for her to quickly read and sign.

"You wanted to see me?" Twilight asked.

"Ah yes, Your Highness," Mayor Mare gently shooed away her helpers, and put her quil down. Twilight watched as Mayor Mare then walked over to her desk, and pulled out a large scroll.

"You might not know this, but I've been trying to get Princess Celestia to grant Ponyville the rights of a city state, for some years now." She informed bringing the scroll over, and giving it to Twilight. "Technically, right now, we are just considered a large village, which falls under Canterlot's jurisdiction, but as a City State, we would be allowed to participate in setting down national law. It would also, greatly, increase our trade, and help with tourism."

"That sounds good," Twilight nodded. She knew all about the benefits of being one of the city states. She had been Celestia's apprentice, after all, and learned a lot about politics, if not just from watching her.

This meant she understood the disadvantages, of being a City State, as well. They would no longer rely on Canterlot's army, and would have to form their own royal guard. They would also have more responsibilities, and a greater level of independence, which could be good or bad.

Mayor Mare continued, "Princess Celestia has denied my various request, stating that Ponyville was just not ready, but after you ascended into an Alicorn she has been giving us a longer leash. She even allowed Ponyville to participate in the Equestria Games. That was a big step in the public's recognition of us... if you were to make the request of her..." she trailed off.

"You want me to ask Princess Celestia if we can be a City State?" Twilight blinked.

"With respect, I think she is waiting for you to ask. You are already considered Ponyville's Princess, but it isn't actually official. You would need to personally tell Princess Celestia your ready to lead. You've taken on a large amount of responsibility, since you became the Princess of friendship, but most of what you do in Ponyville you aren't actually required to. Since you are technically a resident, and not our official Princess. You've been doing the job for near a year now, regardless. So I think it's time to make it official."

Twilight shifted uncomfortably. She knew the town relied on her a lot, but actually seperating from Canterlot, and declaring herself Ponyville's official Princess? She didn't even like it when ponies called her by her title.

"In here," Mayor Mare patted the scroll, Twilight was now holding. "Are my suggestions for turning Ponyville into a City State. You need to have a firm grasp on where you want Ponyville to go, in order for the request to be taken seriously. Firstly, there is the matter of officially recognizing Spike as Ponyville's prince."

"What?" Twilight blinked.

"Well he is your ward, and he helps you a great deal with your duties. I think he will be able to handle the responsibility when he's older. Don't you?"

"O-of course," Twilight fumbled over her words for a moment. Spike might let the title 'Prince' go to his head though.

"Much of Ponyville already understands him to be our prince, but sadly most of our population believe him to be your... servant," truthfully most of the townsfolk thought Spike was her dragon slave or some kind of familiar.

"WHAT!?" Twilight gaped.

Mayor Mare poked the scroll firmly. "This would help nip that misconception in the bud," she stated. "Next we have the matter of selecting the City's nobles. Obviously you would want your friends to fill that role."

"I would?" Twilight blinked again.

"Please take this more seriously, your highness. If Ponyville is truly to become a City State, you would need to hold yourself with the highest confidence."

"R-right," Twilight blushed but steeled herself, and tried to act more Regal. "Yes, yes of course but what I mean to say is why would my friends be a good choice? Other then being my friends I mean."

"Well you already run a 'Council of Friendship', with them. Where you spread across Equestria, handling diplomatic disturbances, both large and small. This means each of them have the essential understandings, of what it means to be in a position of authority."

'By solving Friendship problems?' Twilight thought to herself.

"And if they were genuine nobles ponies, would be more inclined to listen to them, when you send them off, on one of these diplomatic ventures. And although you might not realize this the very fact they're your friends plays a large part. They can keep you grounded and won't be afraid to disagree with you, or call you out, when they think you have gone too far. Such qualities are the very reason City States have governesses to begin with."

"Well... I imagine Rarity would love being a Governess... still, I need to talk with them, to see if they are willing to take the job."

"Of course, and I have one final suggestion, for a noble to serve on the Council."

"Who?"

"Filthy Rich, his family is largely responsible, for making Ponyville what it is today. Making him a noble would make him happy, and insure his family maintain its roots here, bringing us more business. It would also help him spread his own influence, and potentially make more money. Which would, again, help Ponyville. Also, although it is rude to say, having a stallion on your Council would make you look very good and progressive,"

"So you want a token Stallion," Twilight gaped.

"No, of course not, I never meant to imply that. Everything I said was true. Having him serve on your Council would greatly help. His family, along with the Apples, are responsible for building this townz and should be recognized for that. As Applejack is serving on your Council of Friendship, and would already be made a noble, her family would be represented properly.

"The Rich family might actually be insulted if you gave the Apples such an honor, and not them, as they are equally responsible for building this town. Besides Filthy Rich is a reasonable colt, even if his wife is a bit unbearable, and his heir has had a dramatic change of heart, and might actually be capable of doing some good herself, when she's older. Their family already understands politics, and you would need someone with such experience, as one of your advisors." the fact he was a Stallion, which would look good to the voters, was just a bonus.

Twilight nodded, "That makes sense, I would like to read over the scroll myself, make a few adjustments and get back to you later this week."

"Of course your highness, that is exactly what you should do."


Later that Week.


Twilight was a wreck. Here she was standing before Celestia asking for Ponyville to be made a city state. Asking for more freedom and independence from Canterlot... asking to be taken seriously and have a voice in decision making for all of Equestria.

Honestly? She felt exactly like she did when she told her mom she was moving out. She felt like she was taking that first leap after a lifetime of baby steps. She felt like she was finally becoming an adult... WHO WOULDN'T BE TERRIFIED!?

"Well Twilight," Celestia smiled although it was one of those bitter sweet smiles of hers, "This is certainly well thought out. You have a good idea for converting the Castle treasury into the city treasury and a good budget planned out for the next..." she chuckled, "300 years, including a nice emergency fund.

"Oh, I see you have a plan to have your royal guard act as not only the domestic police force but your military as well. I like how you plan to make the extra requirements for Stallions to be allowed in combat situation as standard training for all your guards. As you say 'A necessity for a city that suffers frequent monster attack'.

"I particularly like your request to expand your boarders to include the Pie Rock Farm. It not only allows you access to their crystal mine and erosion production but will give you room to grow. Your ideas about what to do with the land are impressive, especially the dragon district you want to build.

"Overall a well thought out and brilliant proposal... no,"

Twilight blinked, "No what?"

"No, I will not allow you to seperate from Canterlot," Celestia said mournfully, "While I know you have brilliant leadership ideas I don't believe you are ready to act independently. But perhaps we can implement some of-"

"Not ready!?" Twilight gaped, "I've been doing the job for a year,"

"After Cadence ascended into an Alicorn I had her study under me for ten years before I trusted her with her own City State,"

"She was a child,"

"So are you,"

Twilight recoiled as if struck but stood her ground, "What about letting Ponyville participate in the Equestria Games? That's usually only reserved for city states,"

The Princess of the sun blinked, "I thought you might like it if I made an exception for you. I didn't mean for you to think Ponyville was ready to..." Celestia sighed, "Twilight you aren't even a hundred yet. You have plenty of time to prepare yourself for-"

"You didn't think I was too young to save your sister," Twilight stood tall and Regal, "Nor to stop Discord, nor REFORM him. I beat Tirek even when all you wanted me to do was hide. I've lead a small village into a thriving city in less then 5 years. I. am. ready for this. The question is Celestia, are you?"

Celestia stared at the younger Alicorn for a moment, at all her confidence and irritation. If the Sun Princess didn't grant this she would lose Twilight anyway. So Celestia chose to speak honestly, "Maybe not... Twilight I know you've grown up and accomplished great things but... You're right Twilight. The fact is I'm not ready for you to be completely on your own yet... for you to to cut all ties with me,"

Twilight's hard eyes couldn't help but turn soft, "Princess Celestia..." but didn't know what to say to that.

"I know you've grown up a lot since you were my student but I'm not ready to let go completely yet. Please respect that and be patient. You could still benefit from-"

"You're wrong,"

Now Celestia recoiled.

"No I mean wrong about cutting all ties with you. Celestia, that's not what this is about. I will always need you. It's not like I'm telling you I never want to see you again. I just want..." Twilight fidgeted but decided she should be honest to, "for you to acknowledge I've grown up, but just because I have doesn't mean I don't need you anymore. We'll still exchange letters and see each other regularly for tea like we do now. All this proposal is about is exactly what it says it's about. Ponyville, ready to stand on it's own. I am ready to lead a City State,"

Celestia stared at her a moment. The fidgeting had stopped and a look of pure determination had replaced it. She really did look ready, "Alright Twilight... I hereby grant Ponyville it's independence from Canterlot... on the condition you write me weekly reports of your progress,"

Twilight chuckled, getting a little nostalgic as she remembered the letters Celestia made her write when she first moved away, "Of course Princess,"