The Archon of Arcturius was not a griffon who lost his temper over trifles. Let alone something important as training and educating a person with such an important role as the heir to the entire empire.
But as the months he spent with the heir night and day, he realized how much the boy had changed in recent times. When the emperor brought out his little son of almost four years old, the military archon had to hold back his surprised expression. The boy had grown up very quickly, not absurdly but still remarkably, looking 2-3 years older than he actually was.
Eyr had given his vote of confidence and as far as Proteus could see it, this was just confirmation. The boy would grow much taller than the counterparts of his age, like his great-great-grandfather Grover II before him. He would have an enormous and imposing stature when adulthood is reached.
From what Grover senior had explained, he wanted his son to start strengthening his body, learn humility and prepare for likely future conflicts.
Gabriela, one of the most fervent critics of any decisions that put Grover Junior in direct contact with the priests. Was surprisingly silent about that decision. The Warrior did not know the reason for such lack if taken action by the pink Griffon, but he had given up understanding the reasons for her actions a long time ago.
The first days were very difficult.
Not for the little heir, no. He took it all in really well, he had an insane amount of energy and a willingness to learn. For the priest, it was very refreshing to have a student who didn't look dead, complain all the time while really enjoyed listening to the stories and lessons he had to give.
But that has passed, he now looks more down and has lost much more of the energy he carried. And the Archon knows why.
Because of his father.
And the little heir wasn't the only one, everyone could see that the Emperor was getting worse. But only a few in the inner circle knew the truth.
The Emperor was dying.
It came as a shock to everyone, but he was there when the news broke to the figures important to Grover. He had been diagnosed with ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
A chronic disease with no cure that slowly affects the body's muscles and makes them obsolete. A degenerative disease of the nervous system that causes progressive, irreversible, limiting motor paralysis.
It is one of the most feared diseases in the world. No magical cures by the ponies at Equus or by the scientists at Yale have been discovered. Being extremely rare, only one in 500,000 get the disease. But those affected suffered greatly their entire lives.
It was admirable how he continued to attend all the daily meetings without fail and sort out the paperwork even with his bodily problems. The more he got worse the more he worked.
This had earned him the admiration of many of the castle's staff and created stories of how the 'Weak' Emperor even though he was chronically ill and suffering with every step he took and wing beat he made, he continued on for his son and nation.
This bore an ironic resemblance to the nation itself. The considered sick bird of Griffonia.
Both old, sick, and slowly dying. But refusing to fall and moving forward with all his might. No wonder the boy admires his father so much.
But even with all this wave of positive energy, it still doesn't change the fact that many realists and pessimists alike can see very well.
The Emperor doesn't have long to live.
If the disease, the way it is, and how far its stages are already in the emperor. As far as Proteus could see, he would last a year or more with luck.
"Aaaaarrggggh!" His train of thought was cut short when out of the corner of his eye he saw a piece of wood coming towards him, he quickly drew his staff in response and deflected it masterfully.
"Boy without honor! How dare you attack your mentor while he is thinking?? You will receive my divine wrath!" He yelled at little Grover, who was returning to his position with his wooden staff while grinning. Seeing Proteus's face betray his threat, smiling a friendly smile at the smaller one. It was obvious he was just kidding.
"It's not my fault that you're getting dizzy with age uncle, I think we'd better stop so you can rest." He remarked with an expression of mock pity, the veins of Proteus could almost be seen popping beneath his white fur.
"ARE YOU CALLING ME OLD??? BOY, YOU WILL BE IN A WORLD OF PAIN!" Grover just responded by laughing childishly, running off with a very angry priest chasing after him.
Some guards in the corners even lost their composure, seeing one of the most respected figures for their discipline totally lose their minds and run after a child. It was almost a comedy scene, both bursting out laughing.
Is it a bad idea to piss off Proteus? Absolutely. Did Grover regret it? Not even a little. 'Uncle's reactions are hilarious!' He thought humorously as he ran to 'escape' from his uncle.
Even trying to play the stiff Griffon. Proteus had grown to like the boy as if he were really his nephew. With his aunt and his 'grandfather' too busy fighting in the political scene to pay attention to the little one, and his father working to the point of exhaustion it fell to Proteus to take care of the little one in his absences.
Erion had come enthusiastically, as Eyr's guide and voice to the Goddess of Fertility, Family, and Agriculture. It was obvious why he thought he was worthy and the obvious choice for the matter of taking care of the physical and well-being of the minor. But the other two Archons saw the truth behind his good looks, he would use the Emperor as his puppet. Creating a very good relationship with the boy to take power for it.
For the honor of Arcturius he could not allow it. For the sacrifice of all the soldiers who fought in wars for his honor. Beings like Erion could not corrupt the sacred bloodline of the Von Greifenstein.
"Hehehe, uncle is dizzy again." He let out a sigh as he saw little Grover flying in front of him and nudging his head with the tip of his small claw while chuckling to himself.
"You little terror..." The Old griffon just sighed as he hid a smile. He would grab the boy who let out a 'hey' and put him on his back. The boy had grown up a lot, but he is still a child. "That's enough for today, it's time to go back to the royal library." He just received a dramatic sigh from his back.
"Reading is so boooooooooring. Let's keep fighting! Is more fun!" He just received a pat on his head from Proteus in response.
"It might not be as exciting as training or fighting, but it's just as important. Having a healthy, strong body is worthless if you don't have the intellect to back it up!"
"But there are a lot of guys in the palace who studied their entire lives for this! Can't I leave the job of governing to them?" His eyes widened when he received a chuckle from his uncle. "What... What's so funny?" The laughter immediately cut off, and Proteus took on a serious expression.
"Your father said the same thing when he was younger...." Grover's eyes widened in surprise. "He regrets that decision to this day."
"But why? They didn't obey Daddy? That's their job!" The Boy argued as the priest passed through the halls of the temple of the three gods. Receiving several bows as he passed by the important figure that he was, and the heir to the throne with him. Being followed by four guards who protected both front and back.
"For they have a quality given to us by the gods that cause strife and misunderstandings to this day; Greed and selfishness." He scoffed, then continued. "Since immemorial times, Griffons have fought for wealth and power, valuing wealth above all else and fighting with each other to achieve the greatest amount of wealth." He told sadly. "Only with the coming of your great-great-grandfather and the first of his lineage, that the entire continent was unified and lived in peace."
"Why?" Proteus raised an eyebrow at the boy's question, who continued with his question after a pause. "Why did the gods give us such traits if they're bad?"
"Simple boy, it's because they cared about us too much." This made the heir taken aback by the answer.
"Care...?" He asked totally confused.
"Your confusion is totally understandable. The gods and their intentions have always been a huge mystery to minds as small and insignificant as ours, but the reason is simple. They made it so that only the strongest would triumph, and the weak would die." Grover had to contain his shock.
"That's horrible!" Proteus just shook his head.
"Yes it's horrible, but it's the law of life. It's the main reason why our race thrived where thousands of others perished. Strength is of paramount importance to our race, to protect yourself and everyone around you. That's why we are warriors since birth. For the only true virtues are courage and discipline, and channeled properly they can overcome any obstacle." Grover listened patiently to the lesson his teacher was trying to give him and with great interest.
"But then why did we break up when the ponies held together for so long?" The priest paused, making Grover fear he had asked the wrong question. But just as quickly as he stopped, he resumed his walk. Making Grover breathe a sigh of relief.
"Because we haven't had a strong hand in a long time." He glanced back and made eye contact with the child. "That strong hand will be you."
Grover was genuinely touched by the compliment.
"And ponies aren't splintered like us YET."
"What do you mean?"
"Grover, have you ever heard of… 'Harmony'?" The little one looked up in surprise, the concept was something much discussed among griffon schoolchildren.
"Yes sir, but I just listened to stories." He gave his uncle a quick glance, silently asking for permission to continue. He received a nod and then continued. "It is a government over the 'Alicorns' a social caste that governs all the other three tribes that together form their country."
"Right and wrong at the same time my dear student."
"What?"
Proteus just chuckled at his student's disbelief, but he quickly composed himself and continued. "Officially Equestria is a constitutional Diarchy, with the senate looking after the state and its two 'immortal' rulers acting as overseers and only intervening when 'needed.' But unofficially, the reality is very different." Grover noticed how dismissive he sounded when he spoke of the Alicorn rulers of Equestria and their actions, he seemed to hate them for some reason. "Beyond what many believe, Equestria is a government with one of the most efficient propaganda machines in all of world history. Hiding the fact that they are an absolutist Diarchy. A government between two heads of state that both have complete control and power over the country, and leading their subjects without an iota of restrictions."
"What??" Grover looked even more shocked, but Proteus continued, looking a little annoyed by the child's surprise.
"You're a little genius, you could understand it easily, but I'll help you. Explain to me, what is an Alicorn?"
He hesitated a bit, afraid of getting his question wrong. "It is.. A race attained only by hard work and embodying their talent..." He looked distrustfully at the Archon. "Huh?"
"That's right, but could you explain to me why there are so few Alicorns?"
"Because... Because few were worthy of the position! Yeah! That's why!" Grover exclaimed very confidently and with a huge smile.
"You're right, officially. But not officially? You're wrong." Grover was surprised.
"But, Ponies are good! I've heard the stories! Peace, prosperity, and harmony! They live in a period of perfection for decades! No prejudice or economic problems!"
"Perfection you say?" Proteus laughed. "The only perfection is the gods, the creators of life and the universe. We are many things, but perfect is not one of them.
He snarled at the thought of that despicable race. "And ponies are no different."
"Why uncle?"
"They're not perfect, they're stagnant." Grover's eyes widened in surprise and he opened his mouth to try to argue, but his uncle didn't give way. "Their rulers have the tools and the ability to transform their species into the perfect war machines, with wings to fly freely through the skies and with horns to cast spells with monumental capacity for destruction while living far longer than any other race."
"But…if that's true, why didn't Celestia do it?"
"Because that would break that illusion of 'perfection' that princesses have so long tried to cultivate. They didn't even bother to give themselves the proper title of 'queen' or 'empress' to fortify that illusion of camaraderie and humility."
"Illusion of perfection...? Are you telling me that they... manipulate their subjects?" He received a nod.
"Precisely. Maintaining its 'perfection', it kills any renovation ideas before they even start." He would explain as they finally approached the royal library. "With their 'cutie marks' they do away with any ambition they would have for assigning each citizen a role in society." The priest narrowed his eyes. "And by maintaining a monopoly on their techniques for the 'ascension' of other Alicorns, they manage to reward those who are extremely loyal, while maintaining the illusion of meritocracy and 'equal-standing' amongst the few alicorns they have."
Grover couldn't close his mouth that kept agape with these information bombs thrown at him. 'I hadn't thought of it that way...'
But he would snap out of his thoughts when Proteus stopped abruptly. When Grover looked around and could see that they had already arrived at the royal library. Its giant, countless shelves filled with book after book.
The little heir had already lost count of how many times he had come here, but he was surprised at how quickly time seemed to pass by talking to his uncle.
"Looks like we're going to have to cut our conversation short, hope it gave you something to think about." He says as he bends down and helps the little emperor down. Turning to face him.
"What??? You can't just drop a bomb like that and not tell everything! That's unfair!" Proteus just burst out laughing, stroking the feathers on the head of the child who had puffed out his cheeks and closed his arms in an exaggerated sulk.
"Life is not fair." He teased the livid child. "But first, I'd like to introduce you to someone."
This caught the attention of the heir.
The Archon swept his gaze around the library, his eyes narrowing as he couldn't find what he was looking for.
"Wait here Grover." Before the little one could say anything more, the priest had already left and entered the deeper rows of books.
Grover looked around but did as he was told, taking the time to think about what his uncle had discussed with him. He had never stopped to think about seeing Equestria that way, he always believed that information placed in books could be completely trusted. Proteus totally broke this illusion of total truth, he should judge all information before taking it as truth...
He heard footsteps, it was Proteus, but he wasn't alone. Beside him was... 'A diamond dog...' He thought with surprise, he had already met some nobles who came from Bronzehill, the land of imperial dogs. But he had never seen one his age. He could see that he was about the same size as Grover, with brown fur and yellowish eyes.
"Rufus, I want you to meet your new lord. Grover sixth, and heir to the throne." The dog's eyes totally bulged and his mouth went agape, Proteus just smiled in response and returned his gaze to a confused Grover. "Grover, meet Rufus Loudbark, your first vassal."
Both children were just silent in shock. They stared at each other in utter surprise and disbelief. Returning their gazes to the priest who seemed to be enjoying the children's surprised reaction with his mischievous smile.
"EEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHH??" And Proteus burst out laughing
Who know the religious guy is a trollXD
Great chapter! I wonder if this will be a all or nothing campaign or something building around the mane 6 plus Spike campaign of the main timeline.
I dislike the idea of the Griffon Prist to make the Ponies into a War maschine...
Better take care of Rufus, Grover.
He is one of the most loyal subject to the imperial bloodline.
Don't you even think of dying or he will turn into a holy regent.
That is what i see Equestria as a closed system in its borders but low tech:
[Hostile Waters - Intro]
Equestria in its borders once Luna returns and rules alongside Celestia & Twilight:
[Hostile Waters - Sanity]
After the MLP FIM main timeline:
[Hostile Waters - Rememberance]
Perhaps it could look like this:
- Celestia 8 hour shift
- Twilight 8 hour shift
- Luna 8 hour shift ruling the Empire from the Throne room
- Grover rules Military and Security (hopefully Griffon can ascending to?
- Chrysalis becomes spymaster and her Hive fills out Social sector rule like for example:
-Firefighers
-Doctors and Nurses
-Security guards
-Ambassadors
-Therapy for mental and physical health
-Dating services
-Bordells
-Communication services etc etc...
Really good chapter, though there are a few writing bugs here and there.
I thought he's gonna meet Benito. But don't you die, Grover. Rufus is one of the most loyal dogs out there.
I suppose that's how one would look at Equestria in a cynical manner. It's either he believes that what the ponies had been through couldn't hold a candle to what the Griffons went through therefore believes Griffonkind deserves a much better fate than pony kind, but fate has shown otherwise. Equestria is a prospering nation while Griffonia is a burning dumpster sans for Eastern Griffonia and he's resentful of that. Being a religious figure he's likely wants Griffons to prosper but 'fate' didn't allow that. Chaotic event after chaotic event dominated Griffonia. TLDR; he's jealous of ponykind.
Or he simply couldn't believe that a nation prospered for 1000 years by simply being 'good' and he believes that life is cruel and to be good for 1000 years is impossible thus assuming there's an ulterior motive.
11475626
There is a great story where it is explained that Celestia uses pretty mutch Alicorn level magic to pull magic and luck to Equestria while bleeding other Nations of it.
Example:
Everything you do, you have to roll a D&D 20 dice.
1 is critical failure , while 20 is the success with multiplyIng effect.
Celestia bleeds all magic and luck to Equestria for a 'plus 10 bonus on default', so hitting a 10 gives already success with multiplication! Even at a 1 they still have 11!
BUT
Every other Nation has a 'minus 10 default malus'!
So they have to roll a 20 to get average result and under 15 let them a failure or critical failure...
You get the idea why Celestia would never reveal a spell like that?
Proteus dumb catbird
Assuming the priest's views on equestria are correct, that's probably an extremely exploitable flaw in their society
Dudenliok at some of tour previous emperors and then imagine them having the power of an alicorn. The fact they are propsering while yours is in a poor spot means you do not have the high ground to judge.
Best birb meets goodest boy. Great chapter, keep em coming
Whether or not Proteus is "right" doesn't mean he is wrong. Equestria's social order has been fossilized to keep it where it is, under the rule of a benevolent absolutist (the fact that Celestia uses soft rather than hard power is irrelevant in this comparison), and this foundation has already begun to crack as industrialization changes some key facts about how economies work. Stalliongrad being the first and largest example of this, but the world is entering a period of change regardless.
Sure, someone who has the correct desires can create masterworks, and ponies being a social species will prefer to buy from people they know or can relate to... But that only goes so far.
I don't know whether this is your actual view of Equestria, a cynical interpretation of Equestrian society, or plain propaganda.
But it is interesting to see Equestria from an outsider's perspective that isn't just simple-minded bashing of ponies and dumb weaklings.
But your stories are dripping with fascinating political commentary and I hope to read more of it.
11475857
Pretty sure it's the outsider view. If you think about it, Griffons are all about strength and all of that, so technically watching their country fade (if you've seen EaW) + generational trauma + propaganda, cynicism, etc. (The winners dictate history and all that.)
He's also not wrong. But only in that Harmony does cause stagnation. (Strife causes innovation for a reason.)
Alondro looks smug.
11476189 I dunno about that. The ponies only took 1,000 years to reach a technological level equal to about the 1940s.
Assuming that we equate the banishment of NMM akin to the fall of Rome, they bounced back MUCh faster than humanity did. And without warfare.
Sooooo, sounds to me like you got a couple case loads of sour grapes there!
11476765
There's a difference between strife and necessity. :b
Also was more referring to EaW anyway. (Seriously, just look at our history for a simple example. We went from flintlock to machineguns to world-shaking bombs in a hundred and change.)
I think a certain silly Youtuber said something like once we got agriculture down, it was all good to go from there.
Wait who is Rufus? I am out of the loop? When was he introduced? Did I miss/forget a chapter?
11477042
Nope, brand new character. Next chapter i will introduce him better don't worry
11476804 Yeah, but from the fall of Rome to the flintlocks took nearly 1,500 years.
The ponies themselves seem to be having something of a tech boom themselves. Just look at the clips of Granny Smith's youth. In less than her lifetime, they went from 'pioneer'-level (mid-1800's) to having at least the magitech equivalent of basic silicon chips (video games exist).
And then there's the logical fallacy of assuming technology CANNOT progress without warfare... given that our species has rarely gone a few decades without a significant war somewhere. We have only ourselves as a sample. Hardly statistically significant.
Now, we could look at the development of electrical power. That took place when the USA was in a time of relative peace, and was driven entirely by industrial and financial desires. Technology and industry exploded from the 1880's to the early 1900's. The airplane was a peacetime invention, created not by military minds but by bicycle makers who simply wanted to be the first to create machine-powered flight. Motion picture film too was developed in peacetime, promoted by small studios. Movies with sound took place during the Roaring Twenties, driven entirely by the will to grab the most audience share in the theaters.
War can push some technology ahead faster than it might otherwise, but by the same token, it can also create conditions which hinder the development of other technology.
All together, the drive for profit appears the be the sole common denominator behind virtually all technological leaps. When the king/emperor owned everything, no one had any motivation to invent, for it would most likely be seized.
11477464
Comments like this is why i love reading and rating it.
Alone all the viewpoint or people defending one view point or the other... Priceless
camo.fimfiction.net/HGKOVNTrPh_dQIegq-4XQTTfq37sBPSPcGN3_7ZAMFg?url=https%3A%2F%2Fderpicdn.net%2Fimg%2Fview%2F2014%2F7%2F10%2F671941.gif
11478117 I am a chronic master-debater.
11478481
What to you think about this?
1.
2.
11476189
I don't know if you can say if he is right or wrong. He doesn't seem to see any merit in how Equestria runs itself, which isn't shown to be any less stagnant than other places in Equestria's planet.
When I read his viewpoint, I am reminded of how authoritarian states might view America: they might be right in dismissing American democracy as inefficient or chaotic. But they ignore and dismiss how America became a rich and powerful nation in the first place.
11479239
Hence outsider view, and the comment about history being written by the victor.
11479427
Yep.
11475694
That's a good theory but the ponies wouldn't need to do that, think about it they have complete control over their environment. The pegasi can always make sure that the weather is always perfect, the Earth ponies can always make sure the land is always fertile, and when you add in unicorn magic in the mix it's a no-brainer why Equestria is prosperous
11488602
Sounds reasonable. But if given the chance to get away with what i proposed, who would not?
There is no human nation that wouldn't use it.
Imagen:
Ever Nation comes to you for your national support when their economy is down.
Further would living in a Nation like that be the best anyone could wish for.
Wars could be a default victory when even rolling a 1 resulting in success.
Only problem of course is the moment one actually finds proof and anyone that get screwed over making a Alliance would end in disaster one way or another.
A secret of that proposition would also never get forgotten by anyone...
11488629
True I ain't going to deny that but you also have to remember Equestria also has control over the Sun and Moon so wouldn't that be Overkill
11488649
I think in some military branches they have a saying:
'There is no overkill, only coming home or not...'
11497989
Through great amount of training and the love of hearing my own voice I have mastered the art of the rambling
11497999
such a rambling man.
11498011
Thank you but anyway what did you think of my statement on the changelings
11498014
I agree that changelings when looked at from an outside gaze are very OP, but I think the reason they don't act on said power is mental and genetic disposition. There are a lot of examples in nature where creatures have insane advantages but dont have the temperment or mentality to use them to their fullest.
The changelings are opertuinst first, impulsive, decisive, leaning moure toward fast reaction and response instead of long term plans and stratagy. Chrysalis has shown time and time again, in show and comic, not to be very plan heavy. She's like an ambush predator, waiting till something shows up and than pouncing, be it idea or pony. In this story she's fighting her biology a bit and schemeing a bit more but if Grover VI hadn't sent her love, she wouldn't have done anything, maybe killed the messanger for the insulting letter, but nothing major.
My vote is on a mental and biological funnel, pushing their prowess in a certain direction.
11498014
I re-read my post and i hope I didn't confuse you. I'm not the most clear when trying to get my ideas and thoughts across.
11498026
🤔 Interesting theory, but I think limited energy reserves make more sense . Because in the show we have seen changelings turn into massive animals before example Chrysalis and pharynx that time when Chrysalis turn to a massive bird and that other time went pharynx change to that massive spider thing. And you said changelings are smart enough to ignore their instincts like we are so I think they need to be more limitations than just there instincts something like the more different the form the the harder it is to maintain
So uh, still with us?
11506666
You are my monthly check-up to remind me of my story, aren't you? Haha. Yeah still here. Stuck on what path to take the story, but i have an idea i will use.
11507928
Just making sure this great story isn’t forgotten :)
Here is some humor that strangely enough get me out of writers block:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Esperaba más influencia humana. Creo que lo voy a dejar para más adelante.
Grover the Sixth, it would do you good to look underneath the underneath. Like how Proteus shattered your concept of absolute truth within the books, you need to also remember that what he said might not have been the absolute truth. See why the ponies were stagnant in the first place, and why they uphold peace so dearly. Maybe strength and war is not the only goals worth pursuing? What if you can balance strength with peace, and values of harmony and friendship with the values of order and merit?
God this story is so good! I wish there's less writing errors, but they're still very much negligible.
Also, for those who might not recognize this disease,
this is the illness that Stephen Hawking got, but it should be ALS instead of ELS. And yes, the ALS that briefly inspired those ice bucket challenges.
Because when everyone else is a enemy, one fights horrors that can not be defeated, fear breed panic, panic ends in death.
Grover VI gets started to be deceived, one can hope he see through the Bullshit, Horseapples and Bird droppings that get thrown at him, avoiding it when ever he manage it.
Not gonna lie man, the ponies have been living pretty well in their fake utopia.
Good chapter, I like it.
Well written, word-smith.