Forgath was enjoying a relaxing morning in the Tower of Despair. He had awoken with the sun, completed his morning contemplation and ablution, and breakfast had arrived just on time. He sat at the dining table with a book and ate, listening with a little smile for the sounds of his daughters rousing themselves and beginning their own routines. He knew that a certain pink filly had not gone to bed on time last night, and was curious to see just how late she would make herself.
The answer, as it turned out, was about fifteen minutes.
Forgath chuckled to himself upon hearing a dismayed squeak from her room, followed by frantic hoofsteps and the start of what would be a very short shower. Fillies would be fillies, he supposed. He was no stranger to late nights and sleep lost to study, but he also knew that she would learn the value of sleep better this way. Or setting an alarm - wondrous things could be done with clockwork these days.
His thoughts became nostalgic as he made his way through his eggs and toast; he realized that alarm clocks weren't tremendously new, but he still couldn't help but think of them that way. Perhaps it was a sign that he was growing old? He was on his second millennium after all...
Such thoughts were distracting, so much so that when his eldest daughter came (metaphorically) flying out of her bedroom, dressed and ready to go, he almost made a terrible mistake. She skidded her way up to the table with her blonde mane fluttering, gobbled up a few bites of eggs, and snatched up a slice of toast in her mouth to eat on the way; the moment it was secure she bolted for the door with little more than a muffled "Hi Dad! Bye Dad!" which got a hum in reply. But that's when he noticed it.
"Tourmaline Trillion Torque, exactly what are you wearing?"
The pink pony froze before the door at the use of her full name, faster than any ice spell could manage. She slowly turned towards him, smiling what she hoped was an innocent smile as she transferred her toast to a hoof to speak. "Um...a skirt and a blouse? It's no big deal, really."
"Mmmhm. And what sort of skirt is it, exactly?" A pair of heavy arms crossed over a chain-clad chest.
"A...plaid one?"
"Exactly! Lin, what happened to the black skirt I got you for your birthday?"
"Daaad, no one's wearing black right now; it's going out of style!"
"Blasphemy. Black never goes out of style."
"I'm sure you think so, but plaid is in right now; it's bright and peppy."
"'Bright and peppy' is not proper for a dark lady. And besides, that skirt is far too short of a filly of your age."
"But Dad, this is what everyone else is wearing right now! There's even talk about making it a school uniform, like what they have in Canterlot!"
"Not on my watch! That's absolutely inappropriate for a secondary-school uniform. And are those pleats?"
"So what? Lots of skirts have pleats. And it's called middle-school." She turned slightly, as if hoping to move the skirt out of view.
"Cheerleader skirts have pleats, not respectable skirts. No, you're going to have to go change."
"W-what? But I'm probably already going to be late! And...and besides, this is fine!"
"You have an image to uphold, and that is not it."
"Well maybe I don't want that image; I want to fit in!"
"But you used to love it! Remember a few years ago, when you dressed in black all the time? Practiced your laugh? Started calling yourself "Schorl"? You even darkened your mane. It was so cu-...villainous and threatening; quite becoming for a young lady." He heaved a little nostalgic sigh, getting a frown from her in the process. "You were taking after me so closely; you hung on my every word. What happened to all that?"
"It was just a phase, Dad."
"It doesn't have to be."
"Some of us want to grow up."
"Some of us grew up a long time ago. Now go change."
"Uuuugh! I can't believe this..." She made her way back to her room with much grumbling and toast-munching. It warmed Forgath's heart to see, and he smiled to himself as he turned back to his reading.
Before she could return, her younger sister made her own way out and over to the table with a wide yawn. Sitting down and joining her father, she began to eat. She looked better than she had been the last few days; a childhood pox had swept through the ranks of her second grade class and she still sported little red blisters all across the skin of her wings, but at least she could fold them comfortably this morning. Hopefully, it would make its way out of her system in another week, and until then Forgath could take the opportunity to dote on her. After all, it was quite clear that he wouldn't have such opportunities forever.
He gave her enough time to stop looking quite so bleary-eyed - orange juice worked wonders for waking up thestrals - before setting aside his reading and giving her a warm smile. "Morning, sweetie."
"Morning, Daddy." Still groggy, but at least speaking.
"Are you feeling alright?"
A nod, and her wings spread and refolded. "Mmmmhm. They don't itch anymore. Can I go back to school?"
"No, not while you're still contagious; it will be another week or so."
"Awwww....but I'm gonna miss Stiletto's birthday party." A sad little hoof pushed a sad little fork across her plate.
"It's unfortunate, but you don't want to get her sick as a birthday gift, do you?"
"....No."
"Don't worry; we can send your friend a gift for the party, that way she'll know you didn't forget her."
"Okay."
Before Forgath could say more, a grumbling pink pony made her way through the room and towards the door on stomping hooves, now clad in a long black skirt (though having retained her white blouse). "I'm leaving."
"Have a good day, s-" A slam cut off whatever pet name he was going to use; out the door and galloping away she went, hoping she wouldn't be late.
Silence reigned for a few moments, before the little foal gave her father a surprisingly flat look. "You know she's got her plaid skirt in her saddlebag, right?"
"Probably."
"You're gonna let her get away with it?"
"She's at that rebellious time; it's good she gets it out of her system now."
"That's dumb. She's bein' dumb."
"As you will be when you get to her age."
"Nuh-uh!"
Forgath chuckled, reaching over to playfully ruffle her mane and ears, getting an indignant squeak and a pout from his daughter. She ducked back, brushing blue-green hair out of her eyes as she fixed him with as fierce a puffy-cheeked glare as she could manage.
"Finish your breakfast, Shady, and then we'll play. I'll teach you chess."
The thestral continued to pout, mumbling through a bite of eggs, "Already know how to play chess...."
"I'll teach you to beat your sister at chess."
Little ears perked with temptation, but soon flattened again. "Mmmph. Chess is booooring. Can we play something else?"
"What would you like to play?" Forgath replaced the ribbon in his book and shut it, rising to collect the plates and placing them upon the tray to be returned to the kitchens by a servant.
"Hungry Hungry Hydra!"
Forgath held back a sigh. He did not like that game. "Alright; go on and get it."
She let loose a "Yaaay!" and off she ran to the chest of games.
He shook his head with a smile; at least she was starting to feel better, that's what really mattered. For that, he could endure an annoyingly clattery game or two.
Loving this story so far, good work.
...I want to play Hungry Hungry Hydra now too...
Woooooohoo, let's go. Personally, I prefer this story more on ''back in times'' side of the story, since I find it more interesting to read about how he builds his empire and Puffy's antics rather than the foals side of the story.
What I really want to know is what happened to their mother. And how he ended up with pony foals in the first place. My fist guess was adoption, but after that chapter where he named the city...
I see in the modern day, Forgath has to deal with the scourge of parents everywhere: Having a teenager.
8800300
Oh, it's not so bad.
It only lasts four or five years. Only.
Seeing this story update really made my night.
Puffy is SO their (unofficial) first queen, I bet!
More soon? It took way too long for this update to come
8800337
I shall see what I can do.
8800365 It seems that there are lots of secret Ursists around
8800318
Unless they’re millennials, then you may have to deal with them till they finish college, if you’re lucky.
Huh, I thought all these big bads were Americanized. Surprised to see one say "secondary school"
I'm looking forward to his first encounter with Celestia.
Nice
Ooh, a thought to add to that: the lock on the room she gets put in has a latch on the inside. She's actually free to leave at any time. Only one of the rescue party notices and it's only after they're all back in Canterlot that the rescuer realizes the significance.
I've never really read a story that does timeline jumps like this, other than the Stephen King books I read. I must say, you're doing it quite well. Keep up the good work, my friend.
8800705
Roughly seven years actually, but you're right; during an earlier draft the timing was adjusted a bit to accommodate for Torumaline being in middle school - but I forgot to correct Shady's grade. She's in second grade at this point, not kindergarten; thank you for catching that.
8800877
Oh I'm mostly teasing; the "reveal" is Puffy's gender, which remained intentionally vague in the first chapter while Forgath knew little of ponies.
Towards the latter, the name comment comes simply from Puffy's name being "Forge" - but the portmanteau potential didn't go unnoticed by some, Puffy included.
8800893
Ah okay, thanks. Threw me for loop there for a bit. Anyway, keep up the good work!
Finfin Shadywig? No, I don’t expect you to get that reference.
shady's full name is....
Luminous Shadow
or Shadow Chaser
Shadowfax. She is the lord of all thestrals, and has been my friend through many adventures.
when i read "Pin the dagger in the traitor"
I almost pissed myself laughing.
Great stuff Author
The Monk
In his case it's permanent.
Also,
LUL
Well this is bloody brilliant... Do carry on, good author.
Forgath best father
Here's a song that might fit the story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSlKRy4fcCs
Great story.
For the glory of Armok!
That moment when you find a good story, read it, and suddenly find you read it all as far as it is updated...
Worlds smallest violin is playing for me.
What I really want to see is Celestia dealing with him in modern times. It has to be hilarious. This Dark Lord, while somewhat mellowed out, still adhering to the clish... um, I mean "Classic" Evil Overlord image interacting with the paragon of light, goodness and harmony. Diplomatic visits have to be a real treat.
What I really want to see is Celestia dealing with him in modern times. It has to be hilarious. This Dark Lord, while somewhat mellowed out, still adhering to the clish... um, I mean "Classic" Evil Overlord image interacting with the paragon of light, goodness and harmony. Diplomatic visits have to be a
This is absolutely adorable. I implore you, please continue this.
I absolutely Love this story. Good Work.
8845368 8876359
You'll both be pleased to hear that the next chapter is in progress; the major events are lined up and much of the transitional work is done. Don't hold me to it, but I'm hoping a week's time will see it published.
8800489
Celestia isn't the sort of mare you kidnap on a first date. No, a mare that fine you gotta woo.
Joking aside, their first meeting is indeed a chapter, and a solid half of that chapter is already written, but I'm afraid it's several updates later in the order; much happens before we get there. Anything more I can say about it is bound to be spoilers, but I want you to know that I like your take on it.
8875077
And you shall get it; a present-era meeting between him and Celestia is also planned - but that is also a ways out yet, and likely won't be seen until after the aforementioned first meeting chapter.
Why do I keep imagining him in the pta at her school?
8922111
Either because it's an amusing and fitting notion or because you peeked at my notes for future chapters.
8922873
Maybe I did maybe I didn't. I just keep seeing him sitting in a chair that's way too small for him. And he's in the book club.
...This is the no. 1 human story on Fimfiction. What.
8928640
A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. Don't worry, it's probably temporary - and in the mean time, it's motivation to keep working on the update.
8929384
‘Probably temporary’. Let’s all remember how long it took the previous holder of this position to be dethroned. And it was dead.
8929384
from the makers of Pin the dagger in the traitor and Hungry Hungry Hydra comes wak a fool and stab a fool
8929640
What was the previous number one? And where did you find this supposed list?
I when to click on the next chapter and their was not next chapter this needs to be fixed
8932569
It was Arrow 18. that, or Hail to the King. one of those two.
FimFiction automatically makes the list based off the like/dislike ratio.
8932569
Basically what 8933316 did was run a search using the human tag without any other parameters and picked "sort by rank". You can also see a story's overall rank on its stats page, when can be accessed by clicking on the drop-down menu at the upper-right of a story's large-view, right next to the vote buttons. At time of writing, this little story sits at 17th overall, which is encouraging - and far better than I expected it to do! I'm just glad folks are enjoying it.
It's worth noting that it's not just the up/down ratio that places a story's ranking; the overall number of upvotes also has something to do with it, but I don't know how it's weighted.
8933325
Yep. It’s also displayed when you click on the human tag.
8933356
Oh, I'd never seen the tag pages. Nifty!
8933369
They’re useful for entertaining yourself/outrunning depression.
8933316
Hot damn, those 5000+ thumb ups.