The next day... 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,"

As Twilight returned home she was met by a yellow pony with a brown mane sitting in the main hall of her castle. Next to her was a black Stallion with a white mane. With them was Mayor Mare.

The Mayor didn't waste anytime as she trotted over the moment Twilight was inside, "Your highness? This is lady Love Tap and her husband, XP Grinder. They say you summoned them,"

"I did?" Twilight blinked.

Love Tap informed, "We're Button Mash's parents your majesty,"

"Oh!" Twilight grinned, "Yes of course, I'm sorry I wasn't expecting you so soon. Were you waiting long?"

"Not at all," Love Tap smiled.

"Only 4 hours," XP muttered only to have his wife elbow his ribs.

Twilight groaned, "I'm so sorry. I was expecting you to come by after school as I had a meeting with Celestia this morning,"

"How did that go?" Mayor Mare jumped in.

Twilight gave her a disapproving look, "I think the Taps have been waiting long enough. I will say the meeting went well but we will discuss the details later,"

"As you wish your highness," Mayor Mare bowed, "I really need to get you a secretary so these scheduling conflicts don't keep popping up,"

"Later Mayor," Twilight repeated, not liking the idea of replacing Spike as her assistant. Yes he was in school and had other responsibilities but judging by how he reacted when Twilight got a pet and he thought he had to compete for affection... yeah that wouldn't go over well.

"Mrs. Tap," Twilight got the yellow mare's attention, "If you would follow me,"

"Of course," She signal her husband to follow.