Twilight Sparkle let out a sigh as she walked through one of the many new arms factories that were being constructed. She had chose this one because it was being constructed on the outskirts of her old home. Construction had been accelerated thanks to funding from the town treasury, one section was already producing weaponized gems. Royal Guards stood vigilant in watch towers that had been erected with the walls around the compound, workers shouted at each other as concrete and steel were set in place. A guard walked up to her and saluted.

“Princess, there are some mares at the front gate here to see you.” He stated, Twilight brightened. Even in the darkness that came with watching the march of progress, she still had her friends to depend on.

“Alright, take me to them.” She replied, hoping they wouldn’t be too angry. It was the first time she’d come to town and not seen them before getting to work, but duty called. The guard led her to the front gate, she passed several stallions loading crates of weaponized gems onto a dolly to be sent to armories around the country. They would be ammunition for the new crossbows that were going to become standard issue, they were joined by larger crystals that would power the larger weapons. Twilight let out another sigh. That was how her life was looking lately, kill ratios and statistics, it had brought out her cynical side.

“There she is!” Pinkie cheered happily, trying to push past the gates. Two stone faced guards were keeping her back, scowling in distaste at her antics.

“Princess, can I get you to sign for these?” Asked one of the stallions loading the ammunition, Twilight scanned over the shipment and nodded before levitating a quill and signing an all too familiar form. “Thank you, your highness.” Twilight nodded and continued to the gate, her friends smiled widely at her. The alicorn returned the smile, though not as widely.

“Hey girls!” She said cheerfully, exiting the gates. Her friends wrapped her in a hug and brought her smile out completely. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to see any of you when I got here, but they needed someone to look over the designs for the other parts of the plant.”

“Of course, darling. We understand.” Rarity said as the group let go of her. “Duty calls, right?”

“Yeah… Duty calls.” Twilight looked them over for a moment. “How are you all doing? It’s been so long.” Pinkie Pie bounced up and down in place.

“We’re going to take you to the library and have a big ‘Catching up’ party! Spike’s been working really hard on a cake and I’ve got streamers!” She said loudly, Twilight’s smile faltered for a moment. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing, just give me a moment.” The alicorn said before she turned towards the gates and whistled, a guard came out and saluted. “Major Iron Side, I need you to push the meeting with the mayor back until tomorrow.”

“She won’t like that, ma’am.” The guard stated, Twilight scowled. “I mean, I’ll tell her right away, ma’am.” Her smile returned and the guard went off to perform his duties. The lavender mare looked back to her friends and gestured for them to lead on, they were all too happy to do so.

“So, how’s tall, psycho and brooding?” Asked Rainbow Dash, Twilight sighed and shrugged.

“I can’t say, mainly because I wasn’t told. I know they moved him, and that’s it.” She said, looking around the town and noting several changes. A guard recruiting station had been set up in what had once been Quills and Sofas, she saw some teens checking out pamphlets. “Quills and Sofas closed? When?”

“Two weeks ago, the guards were in there faster than dragons to a gem mine. They’ve practically recruited half the colts in Ponyville.” Rarity said, slightly upset by the appearance of the recruiting center. “The other half are going to that new factory…”

“They’re gettin government jobs.” Applejack interjected. “The benefits are great, the hours are okay, ah don’t see why it’s a bad thing, Rares.” Twilight sighed, of course this would spark another argument.

“Come on girls, let’s not fight on the day we have Twilight back!” Pinkie said, grabbing both mares in a tight hug. They both nodded and appologised. “What is that factory anyway? I heard Mr Cake talking about maybe taking a second job there.”

“I’d rather not discuss work while we’re together.” Twilight tentatively said. “I really just want to get to the library and see Spike. I can’t wait to see how much he’s grown!” That took the mares’ thoughts from the looming complex on the outskirts of their small town. They continued on to the library, Twilight was impressed by how well kept it looked. The smell of baked goods wafted out of one of the windows.

Pinkie Pie bounded up to the door and pushed it open.

“Spike! She’s here! Act surprised!” She called into the building extremely loudly.

“Huh? What’re you talking about…” The drake said coming to the door, his eyes settled on Twilight and a large smiled wormed its way onto his face. “Twilight!” He exclaimed rushing out and wrapping the lavender mare in a hug.

“Spike!” Twilight replied, returning the hug. “It’s so good to see you! I’ve missed you so much!” She noticed that in her months in Canterlot, he’d grown to eye level with her and his voice had deepened. “I’m sorry I didn’t stop by when I got here, but…”

“It’s fine, Twilight.” Spike said, looking at her with a grin. Pinkie Pie came up and wrapped the both into a massive embrace.

“Isn’t this so great!?” She asked, looking at all of her friends. “I made cake and punch, invited everypony in town! It’s gonna be awesome now that Twilight’s back!” At this, Twilight frowned. She looked off at the factory, it was only one of dozens around the country, all of which would need to be inspected. “You are staying, right?” Pinkie looked at her with a quivering lip.

“I’ll see…” Twilight said, sighing. “Let’s get the party started, eh?” She gave a small smile, and the others smiled in response. They began entering the building, Twilight paused. Casting a look at the looming factory, she shook her head and entered the library. The inside was just as she’d remembered, save for a few minor changes. A large desk had replaced the table in the center of the room, pamphlets regarding enlistment, as well as other career paths sat spread out over it.

“Sorry about the mess.” Spike said, quickly grabbing the pamphlets and tidying them up.

“It’s okay, Spike.” Twilight replied, looking at the books on the shelves. The all seemed to be more worn than when she used the library, as if they’d seen far more use since she’d been gone. She had been very strict with books, and as such, few ponies ever visited the library. A thought popped into her head, had she been the one responsible for the lack of business?

“Hey, let’s all hear a cheer for Twilight!” She wasn’t sure who had shouted it, but it snapped her from her thoughts. She smiled and looked at her friends, they all cheered before delving deeper into the festivities. Rainbow Dash spent most of her time bragging about how she’d been promoted to chief weather manager for the area, which was practically ‘Just below Wonderbolt’. Pinkie talked constantly about how Mr. Cake would be giving her more responsibility in the store, mainly so he could take up his second job at the factory.

Rarity had been inundated with orders for uniforms, and was complaining about how garish it was to make the same thing over and over again. She was interrupted by Applejack, who was happy to say that orders for apples had skyrocketed. For a change, Fluttershy was quite loud with her news, mainly because it was all she could do to keep calm. Many of the woodland critters were in an uproar at the construction of the factory.

“I’ve tried talking to the guards and the construction ponies, but they don’t seem to listen!” Fluttershy said, extremely upset. “I’m afraid a lot of my animal friends will leave if the factory opens… Oh, Twilight. Can’t you do something?” Twilight frowned and looked at the floor, then shook her head.

“I’m sorry, Fluttershy. I can’t.” She said, sighing loudly. “This is progress, unfortunately. If this is what it will take to make Equestria safer, I can’t in good conscience close the factory.” Fluttershy was going to say more, but Pinkie quickly interjected with a joke. Twilight could tell the pink mare was upset, she was far more erratic in her volume. The lavender alicorn looked over at Spike, who she noticed was holding one of the pamphlets. He seemed very interested in the guard pamphlet, that concerned her. She’d have to talk to him about it later.

She zoned out for the rest of the festivities, only speaking when spoken to. The thoughts of the day ricocheted like bullets in her mind. She wanted to help her friends, she wanted to say ‘I’ll stop the factory’. That wasn’t possible, however, as she was forced to accept something she hadn’t wished to. As an alicorn, she’d outlive her friends, the decisions in the now would later be past. She couldn’t make decisions for the now, to be looked on in the past as a mistake.

As the sun set, her friends slowly left one by one. Twilight looked out the window and noted the sky was far darker than normal, for what reason? She had no idea. When the last of her friends left, she found herself standing alone with only Spike for company. She could tell he had something to ask her, and she feared for what it was. Rather than ask her though, he simply let out a sigh, said goodnight to her, and ascended the steps to his room. The room that’d once been hers.

Twilight sighed and sat down, looking around the empty room. Her eyes settled on a design burned into the wooden floor, it was an image of her cutiemark. The image marked her ascension, as well as the end of her ‘normal’ life. Each day took her farther away from her normal life, farther away from her roots. The mare went to the kitchen and brewed a small pot of coffee, she sipped at a cup and looked out at the incomplete factory in the distance.

Author's Notes:

Here's a thing. Normally I would post something like this with a normal chapter, but with my current predicament, I don't want to keep you all waiting. Have a good one.

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