Wish Gone Awry. Enter Equestria! Enter New Life!

"Oh, you're still going at it," Raven Inkwell sighed as she walked into Celestia's office. "In regards to the mining expansion, there could be a problem. The owners of the mine might need to be investigated. While the corporation has been profitable, some of the employee complaints are concerning, and they're slightly higher than expected. I recommend sending agents of the crown to their mines to investigate," she said as she held herself together.

"This had to come up now, hasn't it," Celestia sighed with some annoyance. "Well, I've already finished the paperwork for the day, and it wouldn't change anything if I waited until tomorrow. So, put together several teams of qualified professionals to inspect the mining sites and interview the employees. After the teams have been put together, bring them to me for inspection and for me to finalize the inspection," she told Raven as Julius worked his way out from under Celestia.

"Wait a moment. You don't think that'll work, do you?" Julius asked in mild shock. "I know how this song and dance goes; it happens far too often in my world. They'll cover up the problems, pay off the employees, and if it's too bad to cover, they'll find a fall guy to take the fall, probably by offering them a generous retirement package," he told the two mares.

"Yes, I am aware of that being a possibility. During the official inspections, everything is fine, but those are known in advance. This shall be a surprise inspection on all the sites simultaneously," Celestia calmly stated.

"Oh good, you planned for that," Julius sighed. "What about their punishment?"

"Usually, it's just a fine," Celestia started to say.

"NO, JUST NO!" Julius loudly exclaimed. "You can not, I repeat, CAN NOT, just fine these corrupt bastards! They have the money to pay the fine! You have to go harder; you have to make an example of them!" Julius strongly insisted.

"Well, this certainly isn't a response I was expecting," Celestia chuckled.

"Indeed. It is quite odd for a stallion to insist on such matters so strongly. I'm guessing it's a cultural thing," Raven added.

"From what I know of his kind, I'd have to agree," Celestia nodded. "Tell me, what did you have in mind?"

"If any of the mining sites have any severe violations, don't just fine them; nationalize the site. If at least thirty percent of the sites have severe violations, then nationalize all the sites, then put the owner, the board, and whoever is in charge on trial for crimes due to their endangerment of pony life, and give them life sentences with full asset forfeiture," Julius firmly stated as he stamped a foot hard on the ground.

"That's far more extreme than I was expecting! Does the crown even have the legal authority to do that?" Raven asked in shock.

"Yes, I have had to seize a few corporations in the past, although that hasn't happened in over six hundred years. In every instance, the corporation in question was auctioned off, though. Keeping the mines under crown authority would serve Equestria well, but it would add to the burden of the crown. Perhaps something could be done if suitable creatures were found to run the mining sites. But until then, I'm not sure. Your suggestion, while extreme, does have some merit. I'm guessing this sort of thing has happened in your world and that you've heard of it," Celestia commented.

"Yes, far too often. Large companies get away with breaking the law so often it's downright infuriating. Oh, sure, they get fined, but who cares when the fine is just a fraction of a day's profits? And sure, if things get really bad, then people might get fired. But I guarantee you, those fired were fall guys, given a generous severance package for taking the fall. In my world, I couldn't do anything about it; but here, with the ears of the rulers, I can. Don't make those mistakes; don't let the thieves, the exploiters, the corrupted, the criminals among us walk freely, doing as they wish. Make them pay, make an example of them," Julius firmly stated.

"While such aggressive actions are uncomfortable," Raven slowly said, "there is some merit to doing them. It has been quite a while since the crown has exhibited its power, and some of the lower-class citizens have begun to question the crown's power and authority. The near rebellion in Severnaya under Steel Stallion is proof enough of that."

"Agreed. While extreme, that is a good point, one that I've been considering for some time. I have an idea of some creatures that might be well suited to run the sites, but I don't have good relations with them. I suspect that Luna might be able to pitch the idea to them," Celestia responded.

"What are those creatures?" Julius asked as Celestia slightly closed her eyes at him. "Oh, oh, yeah, yeah, Luna probably could talk them into it," he slowly said as he facepalmed.

"I'm guessing you mean the thestrals," Raven calmly said. "Are you sure that your sister could talk them into it? With all due respect, the thestrals have always shown contempt for the crown."

"True; however, my sister has always been extremely highly regarded by the thestrals. Many of them still worship her as their goddess. If she goes to them with this idea, they might just accept it; the intelligent among them should see this for what it really is, a peace offering. I suspect their leadership already knows this and would welcome an excuse to become closer to Equestria," Celestia told Raven.

"That's some confidence; why are you so sure?" Julius asked.

"I have my sources. While Equestrian Secret Services may not be as good as the thestral's, the head of the ESS is probably the finest agent I've ever seen. Why they even have the 'specially chosen' fooled," Celestia confidently stated.

"Who is the head? Do I know them?" Julius quickly asked.

"That information is confidential. The only creature in all of Equestria who knows the head of ESS, other than them, is me. I'll tell Luna in time, but I want to see if she'll figure it out on her own. Honestly, I think she'd appreciate it; after all, it is based on one of her ideas," Celestia responded.

"I can confirm that it's confidential. Not even I know who the head is, or even if there's only one. I have a few guesses, but that's all they are, guesses," Raven confirmed. "As for these 'specially chosen' ones, I have no idea who they might be. If I had to guess, I would suspect they're a group of thestrals selected for special training."

"Well, I guess that's technically accurate," Julius absentmindedly said.

"Wait, you know who they are? Who are they?" Raven asked.

"If Celestia is being secretive about them, then she has her reasons. Besides, I don't think they'd like me to talk about them. Though, I guess it's fine if I say that they're not a threat unless you give them a reason," Julius said with a shrug. "I mean, I wouldn't want to fight them again seriously."

"Wait, you fought them; why?" Celestia asked in bewilderment.

"It was to test me. In all fairness, I chose that test with a surprise attack; it was a hundred percent on me. If I'm being honest, I didn't stand a chance, but I still took a shot," Julius proudly stated as he puffed out his chest.

"Foolishness is not something to be proud of," Celestia sighed. "Which one did you fight?"

"Aloysia," Julius said as Celestia groaned and rubbed her eyes.

"You are so lucky she wasn't serious. So very, unbelievably lucky. She's roughly as dangerous as Luna or me. If it were a real fight, you'd have lost in under a minute, no question," Celestia sighed. "You know, at times, you show great intelligence and wisdom, then you go and do things like that, and I question how you survive."

"Well, as long as she wouldn't kick me while saying 'know your place,' it wouldn't be groan-inducing. As for the whole survival thing, well, I'm the most level-headed of my siblings, and I'm far more composed than my grandfather. I swear I've seen that man pick a fight with his reflection; in his defense, he won," Julius chuckled.

"That doesn't make me feel any better," Celestia sighed. "Can we just get on with the day? I already have enough to think about."

"Yeah, sure, I wouldn't mind walking around a bit," Julius said as he nodded.

"Great, let's leave," Celestia said as Julius got dressed.

"In one moment," Raven responded as she ensured all the papers were filed. "Alright, coming," she said as she walked out the door with the other two. Locking the door behind them, Celestia started walking down the hall until the three spotted an out-of-place pony.

"Isn't that the pony that's always with Lyra?" Julius asked.

"Bon Bon, yes. I wonder why she's here. Something must have happened," Celestia guessed as she hummed and eyed the mare.

"Well, let's go ask," Julius said with a shrug as he walked up to the mare. "Bon Bon, is it? Can't say I was expecting to see you here; what's up?"

"Yes, it's not often I go to the castle," Bon Bon said as she spotted Celestia. "Your highness," she said with a quick bow. "Forgive my abruptness, but I have to borrow Julius for a little bit."

"OK, I know where this is going. The castle has many bedrooms," Julius said as he started to stretch.

"Does everything have to be about sex with you?" Bon Bon jokingly asked.

"Not everything, just things that matter," Julius joked back.

"Don't worry; I won't be long with him, I think. It's just something is going on," Bon Bon sighed as she shook her head.

"Guess I'll go with Candy for a bit, see what's up, see you in a bit," Julius chuckled as he followed Bon Bon.

"I'm guessing it's something to do with Lyra," Celestia said as Raven looked at her.

"Do you think he knows?" Raven asked.

"What about Bon Bon's job? I doubt it," Celestia chuckled. "She's a professional, after all."

"So, Bon Bon, what's up?" Julius asked as Bon Bon led him into a private room.

"It's about Lyra," Bon Bon said as she collected herself. "Ever since she's been with you, she's been different. Lyra's always been a bit different. She's always been interested in non-pony beings and always had these odd thoughts and ideas. Honestly, she's always sounded a bit odd and out there, but she insists that they would work. She speaks with such confidence despite having no evidence that any of her ideas would work that I want to believe her, even though I know better. Why this one idea she had involved building a giant metal tube and filling it with liquid gas or something and using it to fly to the moon," she laughed as Julius looked surprised at her. "I know, crazy, right?"

"No, that would work. It's a bit too simplistic, but it would work. And I bet Equestria has the tech to pull it off, too," Julius confidently said.

"Really? You believe that? Why?" Bon Bon nearly spat out in surprise.

"Because in my world, we literally did it. It coined one of the most famous phrases, 'That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.' Though how Lyra came up with this, I have no idea," Julius said with a shrug.

"The fact that your kind even tried such a thing is insane," Bon Bon sighed. "I have no idea how she came up with such an idea, but what I do know, after your session, she's been, well, melancholic. Constantly looking off into the distance, sighing, and just being despondent. I asked her about it, and all she said was, 'Distant memories of a different life that I wish I could forget.' then she would sigh. Since this started after she saw you, I thought that maybe you could do something about it."

"A bit of a leap, but why not? I'll see what I can do. Is Lyra here or in Ponyville?" Julius asked.

"She's here; she's staying at Minuette's house," Bon Bon told Julius. "Do you want time to get ready?"

"Nah, I'm ready now," Julius said with a confident nod.

"Alright, follow me," Bon Bon said as she led Julius out of the room.