"Seems you managed to find yourself an ally."
Huh? Oh, Mom. The hell is she on about?
"You have chosen well. The Duchess of the Alban Hills is a very powerful and influential member of the Court and having her support will most certainly greatly help you in the Game."
What, like the Game of Thrones? Of course that's what she meant. What happened, Mom? You used to be all about friendship and rainbows and marshmallow. Couldn't you be that Celestia?
"Thank you, Mother. Could I see him tomorrow, before the celebration start again?"
Please, say yes...
"Hmm, very well. After all, with your lessons put on hold for the celebration you have the free time to do so."
"Thank you, Mother!"
I turn away from her ready to trot back, when she talks again.
"I'm proud of you, Solus."
what?
"Your dedication to your studies is exemplary..."
What?
"...and Iron Rod talks highly of you. He said he never saw a more stubborn student than you..."
Whaaaat?
"...your attitude this night was perfect. It took me years before I managed to fend off the nobles like that." She chuckles a bit at that.
What.
She doesn't chuckle. She doesn't do compliment. Oh stars, what is she planning?
"Solus? What's wrong?"
What's wrong? WHAT'S WRONG!? For years I've been trying to get your approval, you bitch!
"Are you that surprised, of me being proud of you?"
YES!
"YES!"
Oh fuck. Oh fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck. Why is it so silent? I just used the Royal Canterlot Voice against my mother. Oh callise d'osti de tabernack, I just used the Royal Canterlot Voice against Celestia!
"I'm sorry! I didn't-AAAAAAGGGHH!"
Pain. Hot, searing pain. Oh, please, make it stop! Stop! STOP IT! PLEASE! I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY!
"I'll let your impropriety slide this time, as it was the first time you did so, as well as the last. Never do this again, and it will never have happened and you'll still be able to go see your little companion. Am I clear?"
*Sob*
"AM I CLEAR?"
"sniff... Yesh, Mahter..."
"Good. Proper Worth, bring him back to his quarters."
"Of course, Empress."
"Then come to my room, it seems you have been remiss in your duties."
"What! Oh, Empress please, I-"
"Silence. Are you questioning me?"
"No..."
"Then proceed to do as I asked."
Proper helps me up, but I can barely walk. Everything hurts, like it's on fire.
I won't make the same mistake twice. I thought you might be like Celestia under your mask. But the mask doesn't hide your goodness.
It hides what a monster you are.
I lay in my bed, not daring to move. Even after an entire night, it still hurt.
I can' believe it. Why did I do that? It's not like I didn't know she was bad. So what if she's proud of me? It's not like I'd want the approval of a psycho like her.
Right?
Oh, whatever. It's morning and I can go see Shining Armour. At the very least Celestia didn't take that from me. Let's get up and...
"Owowowowouch..."
Please tell me that Shining prefer reading like his sister.
So, now let's just limp to the dining room and...
Oh, hello Proper, you look so happy this fine morning.
"Good morning, Proper."
"...Good morning, Prince", he says in clipped tone.
Youpie, one hateful majordomo, what I always wanted. Can I fix this?
"I'm truly sorry the Empress punished you for my misbehaviour."
"Umph, thank you, Prince."
Wow, didn't that sound sincere.
"Prince Solus, you might want to get breakfast over quickly."
"I know, I can go see Shining."
"Indeed, but this isn't what I'm referring to."
"It isn't?"
"Should I ask the court physician to check your ears?"
"No, no! Um, what is it then?"
Ain't we one massive grouchy pants.
"Your Mother decided to allow you to have one of your birthday presents early, in the hopes that, and I quote, 'It will teach him why respect is important.'"
Isn't that ominous.
"Where is it, then?"
"We'll have to procure it, Prince."
"We?"
"Yes. After all, you get to choose it."
"Choose? Are we getting a pet or something like that?"
"Hmm, I suppose you could say that."
Uh, cool. I wonder what the choices are? A phoenix would be awesome!
"Your breakfast, Prince."
Oh, right!
Proper said we'd go after I spent some time with Shining, saying something like I'll need to focus all my attention on my gift, which is fair enough, really. For now, I'm simply waiting for Shining to come over. Which is entirely fine by me, considering I'd rather not move at all.
"Your Serene Highness, there's a visitor for you", one of the maid says.
"Show him in, please."
And here comes my little plushie, uh, Shining, I meant Shining! Anyway.
"Hello, Shining Armour."
"Um, hello, Your Highness," he squeaks out.
And I thought death by cuteness was just a brony joke. Meh, it has probably more to do with the soreness my "punishment" caused.
"What did I say last night?"
"Uh, you said a lot of thing, like how you like bananas and-"
What? It's in my blood!
"I said, don't worry about it. You don't need to act like I'm about to blow up each time you do something."
"Oh, right, sorry..."
I put an hoof on his wither.
"Don't be, I understand why you're so nervous. How do you think I feel when I'm with the Empress?."
"Happy?"
I walked right into that one, didn't I?
"Nervous, incredibly nervous. Even for me, she won't make an exception."
"But surely she's not as harsh with you, right?"
I'm sure my face must be in a rather fascinating configuration, if Shining's wince is any indication.
"No."
"O-oh, I'm sorry, of course I wouldn't know, I'm just a stupid colt and-"
"Shining, stop. You're not stupid. You had no way of knowing, okay?"
"But-"
I raise my eyebrow.
"Oh, uh, no but, right?"
"Yes. Who told you you were stupid anyway?"
"My mom, uh, mother always call me that when I make a mistake."
Oh, Shiny.
"Well, she shouldn't!"
"But I always mess up and say stupid things and I'm just stupid-"
I hug him tightly. Poor thing, he's shaking like a leaf.
"No you're not. I'm sure you're a very intelligent young stallion. Sure you make mistakes, but if you didn't, how would you learn?"
"Wha-what do you mean?"
"Look Shiny, everypony make mistakes, even the Empress. But that's not a bad thing, as long as you learn from them and strive to never repeat them. Do you understand?"
"Ye-sniff-yes."
"Are you crying?"
He ferociously wipes his eyes.
"No, I'm -sniff-, I'm not!"
"There's nothing wrong with crying, you know. Tears help your mind calm itself. Only fools think that crying is a show of weakness, because they'll be the first to break."
"But I c-can't just cry in front of everypony!"
I wipe a stray tear away and raise his head so he'll look at me.
"Of course you can't. But that doesn't mean you can't do it when you are alone. Or when you are with a friend."
"Li-Like you?"
"I'd be happy to be your friend Shining, as long as you're willing to be mine"
"Of course!"
"Then why don't we have some fun, like friends should?"
"Uh, what should we do?"
"Well, can't go play outside, I'm still sore."
"What happened?"
"Oh, uh, I fell, um, down the stair. Yes, the stairs!"
Oh bother, I sound like an abuse victim. Which I am, actually. Fuck damn it. I'm an adult, he's just a kid. Get your priority straight!
"Um, okay, if you say so. What about, uh..."
"What about reading? I've got a few good stories here."
And he's looking down again.
"Shining, what's wrong?"
"I, uh, don't... don't...-sniff-"
Oh stars, he looks about ready to bawl his eyes out! What did I say?
"Um, look, if you don't like reading-"
"I don't know how to read! I'm so-sorry, I told -sniff- you I was stupid, a-and -sniff- simple, not worth your time, I'm so sorry-"
"Whoa, hey, hey, calm down! It's alright if you don't know how."
"It's not! You know how to read!"
"I'm not exactly the best pony to compare yourself to-"
"Exactly! Because you're an alicorn and you're perfect and-
"Perfect? I'm not perfect! If I was, would I have hurt my friend feelings?"
"B-but-"
"No, Shiny. I apologize for making you think you were stupid-"
"No, don't apologize, I'm not worth-"
"Yes you are!"
I place my hoof on his cheek.
"Shiny, you're just six. It's normal if you don't know how to read. I often forget my foalhood is anything but normal. I can help you learn if you want, but you have to stop thinking so little of yourself, okay?"
He stays silent, looking away.
"Okay?"
"...okay."
"Right. See the bookshelf there? There should be foal's book at the bottom, take one you like and I'll help you read it."
"You really don't have to do this."
"Shiny, I insist. That's what friends do, okay?"
He nods at me, and go fetch a book.
Oh, Shiny. Does everypony in the Empire think like that? No wonder the servants look so afraid when they see me.
"Uh, I have the book."
I smile at him, trying to reassure him.
"Good, sit down beside me and I'll help you trough it."
"...The u-unicorn...?"
"Right."
"The unicorn vent, uh, went to the ma... ma, uhm..."
"Mar-ket."
"Oh, right..."
"Don't worry Shiny, you're doing real good."
"My tutor doesn't thinks so."
"Your tutor just want to have progress so he doesn't get fired. If he makes you that uncomfortable, it's no wonder you're not learning anything from him."
"You really think so?"
"I know so. Literally. I had teachers like him."
"Had?"
"My mother learned they weren't doing their job properly."
"Oooh...", he says with a wince of sympathy.
"Yup. The others soon learned that pushing me too hard is counter-productive. They still push me, but they have legitimate reasons to do so."
"I wish my mother would understood that."
"Maybe I could talk to her?"
"Really?"
"Yeah, of course!"
He hugs me.
"Thank-you!"
He suddenly pulls away.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean-"
I pull him back.
"It's okay, you silly pony."
I let him go before he a apoplectic fit.
"Prince Solus, an Alban retainer is here for Lord Armour."
Party-pooper. Oh well, there'll be other times.
"Thank you. Well I had fun today Shining! If you are patient, I am sure you will master reading soon enough. I hope I'll see you again soon!"
He gives me a small smile at that.
"Likewise, Your Highness!"
He makes for the exit, but before he leaves I tell him something more.
"Shining?"
He turns his head to look at me.
"Y-yes?"
"You're a wonderful pony, please, stop thinking so lowly of yourself."
"O-of course!"
He then scampers away, beet red.
Oh, Shiny, thank you for showing me there's still hope for this world.
R.I.P. Any hopes of cuntlestia actually having positive emotions.
Also wanna snap her neck...sooooooo...
poor shining it must suck to be him
I am calling it now. His "present" is going to be a slave.
The only question is, what non-pony species will they be?
8290450
That is an awful lot of neck to snap. She's like a small giraffe.
8290478
Good the more places I can fold that faggots neck the better.
Not trying to insult anyone with that sexual preference.
8290471
Non-pony? My money is on an earth pony. We haven't seen any non-unicorns so far.
8290471
Wouldn't be surprised if it a Changeling. I mean wouldn't a slave that could become just about any other race be in high demand and at the same time stupidly hard to catch?
8290471
Pretty good chance it's a zebra.
I think I know what that gifts gonna be .... Now the question is main or background .... hymn.... maybe even an original. Man if hes gonna meet twilight later it better be before velvet decides she's worthless since she didn't show any real potential till the sonic rainboom i could see her selling her to the castle as a maid for sol since him and shining are hitting it off. Probably would hope she became pregnant so she could gain influence with sol. Or worse celestia corrupts her as a student after the rainboom.
Well sol is 6 so as for slave I'm hoping pinkie it'd be nice for sol to make her smile. I think twilight is like 20 in the show ... spikes like 10 she had him like at 10 when she hatched him which leads me to believe her or applejack are around 4 rarity 5 fluttershy and rainbow 2. They never really say but since RD can drink hard cider there all a minimum of 18 if there laws are like 90% of our world's legal age. But if I had to pick a background pony ..... octavia,derpy, or vinyl.
Hmm.
Probably a slave. I'm betting Griffin.
Or earth pone.
8290573
Hmmm, given how Celestia's court is all unicorns, that could explain why Solus haven't had much tutoring in flight and weather magic.
8290471
Do BATPONIES have their own magic? Or are they just odd-looking pegasi?
8290792
Actually Iron Rod is pegasus, so Solus did learn how to fly and use weather magic. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.
Thought that his 'present' would be Twilight, until I realized she hasn't been born yet.
I can't help but think this story will end in tragedy as I keep reading. The amount of stress that's being piled on him, people tend to BREAK under it, and when broken, there's no telling what a distraught person will do, to others or THEMSELVES to stop the constant pain.
This is heart breaking. Seeing her like this. Like it Mary Poppins was a serial Killer.
A revolution is overdue.
Down with the Sun Tyrant!!!
Keep it coming!!
Hmm, really starting to wonder if he'll start a rebellion/coupe once canon starts? Seems to me that Celestia could use a 1000 year timeout in the sun her own self. Also, I wonder what the odds are that Luna was the good pony in their fight a 1000 years ago?
Also... yeah, I'm not getting good vibes about this "present" either.
My prediction: the "present" is a non-alicorn cadence.
Time is our ally Solus. Form alliances where you can.
Play the studious prince. Save any you can on the way, grow strong yourself.
On the return of Nightmare will be your time to act. Time to save two perhaps?
8290849
All of these are good questions.
Questions that we will sadly have to wait for the answers to.
I WANT MOAR STOARY
i don't think the present is a specific pony after all he gets to choose
solus will probably pay a visit to the local slave market or something like that
I want to hug evil Celestia to see what will happen. I just want to hug her and then slap her silly. I just have a feeling that she will get less and less cruel toward her own son... maybe. I do want to see more interaction with Celestia and solus. Or more with the birth of twilight. Playing your cards right and you could have twilight in solus' care the day of her birth. Trust me, I don't know what happens when twilight was born but if you say there was a magical flare...
Well, long live empress Celestia!
8290852
Well, I was trying to convey disbelief, hence the statement-turned-question.
intersting
I want to see who else agrees with me.
I ship Shining and Solus.
8290996
only if cadence doesnt exist
8290792
He also hasn't been taught earthpony stuff, you tribist :p
8291094
Earth Pony master race.
8290996
Solus is a male, you know. It comes from the word 'prince'. This doesn't make a good shipping, unless it's gay.
8290996
A surpising shipping... I'd read it.
Great! Can't wait for more ^^
Will we get to see our sear little prince turn into a Dark Magic wielding Sith Cosplayer?
8290807
Still no earth pony training though? disappointing.
8291285
Well, personally, I think Earth magic is instinctive, even in the show, so you don't need training for it. However, it also increases with your lifeforce. Train and live well and you'll have more magic.
For all those who wondered what Solus looks like, here's a picture of him, older:
https://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=218700Solus.png
8290996
No. Not against it, but, not really my first choice.
I have a deep far that this is just a typical "Tyrantlesta" fic
Well this is interesting so far. Well done. I don't usually like alicorn self-insert OC's but you did well enough with this that I am actually interested in where this will go.
Edit: P.S. I put this on my tracking list.
8290996
no
i bet the slave is going to be a zebra or griffin if there female i hope a romance develops. like a secret zebra romance would add a little drama.
I'm also wondering who his dad is. So far i'm betting Proper
8290471
oh shit i didnt even think about that
seems more likely now
than not
8290703
You're forgetting that shiney is 6 too
That was adorable!!!https://media1.giphy.com/media/9NxGPWHEZGous/200w_d.gif
8292073
8291722
Considering the Dark/Gore tags, I think Celestia will have him pick a pet or slave, then proceed to execute it in front of him (Given the 'teach him a lesson in respect' comment earlier.) Besides, considering his human memories, he would probably instantly free a slave the moment he got one, even if doing so ticked of momma-tyrant.
Either way, its going to be an epiphany of some kind if the chapter title is to go by.
8290807
Out of curiosity, Is english a second language for you?
8290996
Personally I think he is setting up an eventual ship between Solus and Twilight, which I think would be much better in the long run as he tries to get the elements of harmony in order to reform both alicorns.
is it bad I sat looking at this fics cover for a half hour hoping to see updates, I mean so far this fic has a REALLY good update rate, better than anything I do but yeah?
so far, to me, it seems that cuntlestia is pretty much like the nightmare moon version of celestia and my guess is that luna would actually not be corrupted and instead be a fight against celestia.....
but that is like years away story wise....
(edited in spoiler for future proofing)
get a proofreader, nignog
Oh I so want to see the "why you suck" speech he gives Tyrantlestia when he finally defeats her.
8292449
really because the speech i want to see him give is along the lines take a step back and take a good hard look at yourself in the mirror
8291285
8291294
For tribalism, I assumed Celestia didn't want Solus to learn anything earth pony related until after he got his cutie mark to make sure his special talent isn't something "unfit for royalty". Just imagine queenie flipping out over Solus getting a sunflower butt tattoo.