Applejack sighed as she trotted through the Everfree Park. Five months, that's how long it had been since Empress Twilight had taken on Trixie as an apprentice.

Most of her friends weren't very optimistic about this choice to say the least... well, mostly Applejack and Rarity, Fluttershy was more open to the idea considering her friendship with Discord, while Rainbow and Pinkie didn't really care (although Pinkie did threaten to "remove her mouth the hard way" if she pulled another stunt like she did with the Alicorn Amulet).

"Sis? Somethin' wrong?" Applebloom asked her sister as she walked up to her.

“N-Nothin’... just thinkin’ about… Twilight…” Applejack sighed as they trotted through the Everfree Park. “S’cuse me,” She mumbled as she brushed past a Pegasus Stallion, however she blinked and looked back, realizing that said stallion seem to have a faint glow about him.

A Changeling.

She wasn't exactly sure how (Although she had a small suspicion that it had something to do with that brew Zecora made before the Castle was built), but ever since Twilight had established her empire, every time a changeling would take the form of someone or something a faint glow seemed to surround their figure.

"Weird." Applejack said to herself as she continued to walk along the park. She was fine with... most of Twilight's reforms and had to admit that most of the Empire’s citizens honestly had better lives because of her.

She still remembered the look of shock on everyone's faces when it was revealed that Fleur was actually a changeling, and what's more, Fancy Pants had proposed on the day interspecies marriages had been legalized within the Empire!

Although there certain citizens who were still somewhat uncomfortable with the ones that once invaded Equestria now living amongst them… she remembered a few fights that had broken out either because a Changeling overstepped his/her boundaries or a few ponies couldn't let go of the past and antagonized one.

Then there was Twilight herself, almost everything about her just felt… aggressive and cold, even when she tried to act friendly, she could feel the intimidating vibe behind her tone...

As they continued to walk through the park, they noticed a dark-green Pegasus wearing the Dusk Guard armor approaching them, upon getting close enough he stopped in his tracks and stood at attention. ‘This has gotta be important.’

“Miss Applejack.” The Guard began. “Empress Twilight requests your presence immediately. It concerns the tower that has… ‘grown’ on your property.” He explained, as if having trouble putting it into words.

"Ah understand. Thank ya." Applejack said as she turned towards the castle. The guard in turn went back to wherever duties he had to perform. "Bloom, head back home." She said as she trotted off, her little sister simply watched her leave with a small look of uncertainty on her face...

“...and thanks to the full citizenship granted to the Diamond Dogs, we can use their mines as a construction site around the purple tower.” Mayor Mare explained as she and Twilight conversed in the main council room, which had a round table in the center displaying a near-transparent image of her Empire.

“I can see this… but, what about their- ” Twilight was about to ask, only to noticed Applejack enter her throne room. “We’ll continue this conversation later.” Mayor Mare nodded as she grabbed her papers and left the room.

"I'm glad to see you made it." Twilight said as she approached her friend.

"Howdy Twi." Applejack greeted, tipping her hat. "Ya wanted ta see me about somethin'?"

"Indeed I do… you see, I've been going over it with Mayor Mare, and apparently the tower that manifested on the edge of Sweet Apple Acres is technically you family's property..." She explained as she guided her to the map. "I have some ideas for its secondary function that I need to go over with you..."

"Whaddya mean?" Applejack asked her friend who had a small smile on her lips.

“Well it would be used to store food in case there's a shortage during winter or a crisis in which resources are limited, as well as several devices that would not only help the work go faster, but also restock and ship supplies throughout Equestria.” She explained as she cast a spell on the map, immediately several train tracks seem started extending from the orange tower towards the main railway connected to the pink tower. “You see, ever since the Empire had been established and expanded, I've been working re-modifying the railway system and made the pink tower the newest central station with several smaller stations being built throughout the Empire…” She explained to the farm pony, however she looked away for a moment, a bit hesitant to bring up the next subject.

“Is there… somethin’ yer not tellin’ me?” Applejack asked curiously. "So far this seems mutually beneficial. Ah’d have to go over a few things with the family… but we ain't got no reason ta go against ya."

"It's not that, it's just... in order for this to work there would have to be several… technological modifications to your farm, that kind that would help the workflow go smoother and faster mind you..." She explained, upon noticing Applejack's skeptical look she decided to stop beating around the bush. "...and the ponies who are the most qualified to be working on said modifications happen to have a history with you..."

“What histor-" Applejack stopped as she slowly realized exactly who she was talking about. “No, absolutely not. Twi Ah don't care what ya think they can do but it will only benefit them. They're snakes and liars. The moment they get a INCH of mah land they'll kick me and the family off!" Applejack yelled at Twilight, refusing to entertain the idea of the to brothers who almost drove her family out of business owning any part of her family’s property.

“That might’ve been the case… if they weren’t under constant observation by the Royal Guard no matter what they do.” Twilight stated confidently, getting the farm pony's attention. “Plus, they won’t be given any land, they’ll only be allowed to make modifications.”

“Yeah and at the first chance they get they'll find a loophole it to make it work for them!” The farm pony protested, still unconvinced… until she saw Twilight’s smile. “What did ya do?”

Twilight chuckled lightly. “Well you see, before I came to you I looked up their history at various towns and cities where they've pulled their little swindling stunts. As a result I-or rather you, will basically have them on a very short leash, either they provide their inventions for the Empire, or they get shipped to the prison of the last town they swindled, complete with bright shiny bows on their heads.”

Applejack arched a brow. “So yer sayin’, they really can't afford to push their luck… ‘cause it's either work for us and provide technology…”

“...or get thrown in a cell in a town that’s screaming for their hides.” She finished as she trotted towards her friend. “Applejack, I know I’ve been very cold and distant for a while, but I-no, WE need to modernize Equestria, and those two are very adapt at developing technology. This will be a big step forward for the Empire.”

Applejack stared at her eyes, uncertainty written all over her face. "Okay Twilight. Is that the case? Then explain how this makes ya any different than any of the tyrants from the past? Cause Ah'm not a good history nut but most of them claim it's fer the best." Applejack replied. "Ah ain't budgin' 'til ya give me a satisfyin' answer."

Twilight sighed and took a moment to collect herself. "Because advancing our our society and technology is the best way to advance Equestria towards a brighter future. Applejack, you may not know this, but Equestria is just, if not more, stubborn about following tradition than you were." She held up a hoof to halt any questions or arguments AJ had. "We currently live in a society that mostly believes that if magic cannot do it, it is impossible and saying otherwise is nothing short of blasphemy. Case in point; Pinkie Pie.”

“What does she have to do with this?” AJ asked, confused as to why the former party-pony was now being brought up.

“You see, she has a condition that has her constantly hearing voices in her head, said condition has happened to past members of the Pie Family as well.... sadly they were... driven insane… or went as far as to take their own lives..." Twilight stopped for a moment, letting the farm pony register this before continuing. "The only reason she can function normally in society is because her family is wealthy enough to afford medicine from the Minotaur Kingdom. Without it, she would've been sent to an asylum in the middle of nowhere, a place where ponies born with mental conditions are left to be forgotten about by society, all because these problems cannot be fixed with magic." As she finished, she gave Applejack hard look. "Now tell me Applejack, if advancing our technology can prevent more ponies from going through that, can you honestly call me a tyrant for wanting to change Equestria for the better?"

"....fine. Ah'm in.... on two conditions." Applejack said with a glare, Twilight shrugged.

"Name them. I'm all ears."

"First; those two are tah be watched at ALL TIMES. Ah don't care if they're eatin', sleepin', bathin’, or even takin' a piss, they're tah be guarded 24/7!" She stated firmly. "Second; they are NOT to make any "modifications" unless me, mah big bro, or Granny Smith approve!" She finished, giving Twilight a look that made it very clear that this was not up for debate.

"Understood Applejack. You can calm down now." Twilight said as she held up a hoof. AJ huffed a bit but soon calmed down a bit later. "I promise that what you have asked will be done."

"See that it is, ah don't trust those snakes as far as Ah could buck 'em." She replied.

Twilight watched from the balcony as Applejack exited the castle, a small smile on her face as she trotted through the park.

“Quite a bold move you made, my Empress...” A new voice called out, Twilight turned to see a Unicorn mare enter the room, escorted by a Griffin Skyhawk, a Diamond Dog Stone Cracker, and a Changeling Dusk Guard, all of whom stood at attention by the doorway. Said mare had a light pink coat, bright blue eyes, a deep purple mane with one streak each of lighter purple and light green. Her cutie mark was a four-pointed violet star overlaid on a white one, trailing wisps of swirling bluish-green light. “I’m glad to see that you’re not afraid to bring down your hoof when needed… though I find it odd that you’d put them to work instead of locking them up and throwing away the key...”

“They could have used their talents to help ponies, but they choose to swindle them out of their money instead.” Twilight stated before heading back inside. “Well they’ve forfeited that choice. They will use their talents to help others whether they like it or not. They’ve dug their own grave and will be tossed in if they step out of line.”

“And where does that leave me?” The Unicorn asked in a neutral tone.

Twilight turned to face her. “While you had a point that cutie marks shouldn't dictate what one does for the rest of your life, you went about spreading that message in the worst way.” She stated. “Simply giving everyone the same mark in your little village wouldn't have let you slip under the radar. If my patrols hadn’t come across your little village, chances are you would’ve been found and arrested anyway.”

The Unicorn scoffed, not liking that she was being told how pointless her actions were.

“However, you have a unique gift… and that’s why I’ve decided to keep you close, because that gift that can be put to good use if placed in the right environment...” She continued, approaching the Unicorn before spreading her wings. “However, I will be keeping you under close surveillance, and I have zero tolerance for those who step out of line. So do not test my patience, understand?”

The Unicorn bowed respectfully. “I understand, my Empress.”

"Princess!" Trixie called out as she rushed into the room, pushing past the guards. "We have a situation!"

"What is it Trixie?" Twilight asked, rather worried when she saw how panicked she was when she entered the room.

“It’s Sunset, she just sent me a message that there are three girls on… the other side…” Trixie explained, warily avoiding spilling any info in front of the Unicorn. “...have been using magic to hypnotize an entire school!”

“I’ll be there shortly. Wait for me by the throne room!” She stated, Trixie nodded and teleported away.

Twilight briefly turned her attention to the Unicorn before her. “Think long and hard about the option I’ve given you… I foresee great things for you Starlight Glimmer, don’t disappoint me.”

And with that, she teleported away...

Author's Note

Gonna be blunt, this hasn't been updated in a while because I'm in serious need of a co-writer. If anyone's interested in helping dust off the cobwebs on this story please PM me.