The dream realm was shining like stars all around as I exited the last of the bad dreams. Tonight was a good night.
Just a couple of thousand bad dreams. Thirty or so that were bad enough to need my attention to check for actual Nightmares.
A total of one contained an actual Nightmare. A scrawny little thing that tried to turn into a clown to scare me. I’m not even afraid of clowns. It almost got away, I was so busy laughing at it.
Which might have actually been its plan. Fair enough, almost worked. Which made it smarter than most of its kind.
Even more important to smash it before it grew older and stronger.
I glanced up at the ‘sky’ above. It always reminded me of Luna.
Now… work over for now. What to do now? Get some actual sleep or…
I could go find Luna. I did plan to do that later in any case, but the question was if I wanted to do something else first.
Celestia maybe?
Ooh, I just remembered that idea I had earlier. Now, where is Cadence?
A small application of will and the silvery portals rearranged all around the area before the one before me was replaced to one that felt very much like Princess Cadence.
The silvery portal shimmered healthily. Someone was dreaming nice dreams. From the colour, they didn’t seem to be too private either.
I learned very quickly to stay far away from any dreams with a pink shine to them.
This one was nice and silvery with a slight clear blue hint to it. Nice and peaceful dream. Reaching out I touched the silvery surface before trotting through into her dream world.
Reality shimmered around me and congealed into a living room. In the middle was a little purple unicorn and a young, but still older alicorn, looking like she was in her young teens.
“Come on, Twily, you can do it!” she cheered on the little unicorn who had a deep look of concentration on her face, slowly lifting a couple of books, causing them to orbit around her.
D’aww!
They were adorable!
Still, not something I should really be intruding on. This was a happy memory for her.
I tapped my hoof against the floor, sending out a pulse of will and magic, solidifying the dream and making the dreamer aware of what was going on.
Cadence started slightly and blinked, looking around.
I gave her a small wave. “Hey Cadence.”
She blinked twice. “…Page? Is that you?” she asked before looking around again at the playing Twilight. “Am I dreaming?”
“You are,” I confirmed with a smile. “I was patrolling the dreamscape and thought I would stop by and say hi,” I said as I looked at Twilight. “She is adorable.”
Cadence smiled and looked at her. “Yeah. Yeah, she was,” she sighed before she looked back at me again. “What is it like? Dream walking?”
I shrugged my wings. “Like this. Honestly, I stay out as much as I can, I only check the really bad dreams for Nightmares. I try not to violate privacy when I can avoid it.”
“Nightmares?” Cadence asked with a frown.
“…You don’t want to know. How’s things in the Crystal Empire?”
Cadence smiled and then sighed. “Good, it’s a lot of work but things are going well. Even the... changelings.”
“No trouble then?”
She shook her head. “…No. I may not like them personally, but they haven’t caused any trouble,” Cadence admitted. “Model citizens while they gather their love.”
I nodded. I expected them to behave.
Changelings were very reliable like that. Not exactly prone to acting out.
“Actually, there is something I would like to ask you about…” I said and looked around before moving over to jump onto the couch to lay down, folding my wings again. “About Celestia.”
Cadence smiled and settled down in one of the armchairs. “Oh? Why me?”
“Well, it involves your Domain so I figured why not ask an expert?”
Smiling brighter, Cadence spread her wings. “Okay, this is what I know that she’d like. You should surprise her, none of these normal ‘surprise flowers or chocolates’ things, what you should try is to…”
“Not me!” I exclaimed, staring at her. “What? Cadence, are you okay? You do remember that I’m with Luna, right?”
Cadence's ears drooped a bit and she sighed, shaking her head. “So for whom then?”
I gave her a suspicious look. “… A friend of mine. Thunder Cloud, he is a member of the Royal Guard and I do know he finds her interesting and attractive. He is just… intimidated. He wouldn’t ever dare to approach her. I want Celestia to be happy.”
She looked thoughtful for a moment as she watched me. “Page, I’m not sure that will work.”
“Why?”
“Celestia needs someone that can keep up. Someone that can see her for her and not be intimidated by who she is,” Cadence said with a sad smile. “If he can’t do that on his own…”
“… I’m just looking to give him a chance to get to know her. Let her get a chance to know him. Anything else would be up to them.”
Cadence frowned. “I’m not sure it will work, Page. But if you just want to introduce them, why not hold a party and invite all your friends?”
I blinked at her in surprise. “…I’m such an idiot!”
“It come with being male I think, Shiny is the same at times,” she commented with a smile. “Just remember that anything more than introductions would be up to them.”
Cadance tried to jump on hooking up Page and Celestia way too quickly for my tastes. Something fishy is going on here and she knows. Page being Page fails to notice and follow up on why she was so eager. I am 100% certain this won't be a problem later.
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"you see page... you have horn and wings, celestia has horn and wings, you're made for each other!"
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"B-b-but Cadance, you also have horn and wings! Are you saying . . . that we are . . ."
8002888
When the Princess of Love says 'Gee, I don't know if that will work...' it's probably time to stop making plans. No offense to Page, but Cadence has probably forgotten more about love than Page will likely ever know; if her first instinct is 'does not compute' it probably isn't a good sign. It's an even worse sign that Cadence's mind automatically went to Page attempting to court Celestia. That was not a goof, that was a highly educated guess from someone whose instincts in this field are, at times, downright uncanny.
Couple that with the fact that Page has at least two other mare-friends (in the platonic sense) who may or may not also have feelings for him and the fact that it'll likely be months before he sees his significant other in person again... you don't have to be psychic to sense the shit-storm brewing just over the horizon. Batten down the hatches folks, this is gonna be a bad one.
Cadence are you implying a herd? The only other option is that he dump Luna and that's just as stupid.
Also, this song has gained new meaning in terms of Page and Luna in this story...
Dream a Little Dream of Me
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Oh oh, you got downvoted.
Someone doesn't like you trying to sink their ship.
Cadence gonna ship. It's get nature, her reason d'etre. But she's going to do it right!
Just accept it, page. You're going to get drenched in Alicorn musk you want it or not
I have to say, I did this at one point, a girl making fun of a guy for being a guy, and a few people had a shit-fit. Calling Celestia, who dismissed the words of the 'silly male', a sexist bitch. I never understood that, but then again my family is kind of casual with insults like that. My sister counted it as a victory anytime she got my mom to swear.
Well, Page is in for a shift storm that likely will backfire on his friend when Celestia thinks Page is showing interest in her.
Which will lead to Luna getting on his case for hurting her sister's feelings, giving a hard cold shoulder to him since no matter what. Never hurt a sibling, the other one will make the pain come back hard if they are a good one, a bad one will likely start a blood feud to seek vengeance.
8002949 That or they don't like Michael Buble.
Let's find out....
Page and Luna Forever!
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8002917 So, what you're saying is...I should go out with Discord?
8002917 I suddenly have a morbid curiosity of what would happen
In a rule 63 with Lacuna (Page.)
being the only female Alicorn, and having the brothers pine over her.
8002970
Everyone should date Discord.
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Sounds like a nightmare Page could be having in a few months if things go the way everyone is predicting they will. Would that be a FUN way for Luna to find out what her beloved has been up to in her absence.
I know some people aren't liking where things might be going, herd relationships are mostly implemented in clop fics and to see in T-rated and below stories are very far and in between. But I ask to consider this, if it does come to it, we might see a story of a polygamous relationship that doesn't simply devolve into a lust filled orgy every chapter or two. Instead, see the start of trials and upheavals that could lead to character growth and group dynamics for coming story arcs.
Besides, Page and every other male MC, always fail to realize the appeal that exists about them. They are virtually the only male friend that is the most familiar to the mare(s) due to closeness in friendship and consistency in their daily lives, to the point that they openly share everything with the MC to eventually engender feelings. Cadance was so quick to aid him to pair up with Celestia as if she knew it was a long time coming, that, or she's privy to Celestia's own feelings and was on a hair trigger on Page's utterance of Sunbutt's name
We also have to consider what Page is to Celestia, he is the only one she can talk informally to (besides her sister and Mane 6) and vice versa with him, he has saved her on several occasions during crises and has done enough to elevate into nobility and heroism so that his proximity to hers cannot be seen as a faux pas, but that is mostly seen as a benefit for his sake. She can be genuine with him, she knows his character and knows he would never pursue dishonest gain or power from her unlike the nobility.
But in the end, everything depends on Page's choice or to be precise, the author's decision to how things will proceed. Till next time
8003029 Please sir you deserve a medal. I shall raid my next monastery in your honor.
I like the idea of delving into the herding stuff especially since this is a teen rated fic. We might get some interesting development and not just sex everywhere like some 16 year olds smut fic. I say bring on the herds. (Slams tankard into bar)
I bet someone was expecting me to talk about crackers, right?
It's at least over 900, that should count as a Skyflakes cracker, much better than one cracker.
8003058 Save the books and scrolls, their words are delicious
I say bring in the herd. Honestly though it would be nice to see a honest non smuty look at herd dynamics.
8003100 your wish is acceptable I will not burn the library. But as far as pillaging and raping well a Viking has to do what a Viking has to do. (Proceeds to drink all of the mead)
Herds / polygamy are not inherently bad concepts for a story. They are often done badly but can be done well if justified. Why are so many interested in this person? What conflicts does this lead to?
Page (probably) has several interested in him which can actually be justified by his character's actions. At the very least it would be more than orgy-filled wish fulfillment.
Personally I'd prefer for this to not go into a herd direction, not because I have anything against them its just that I feel it would take the romance out of it and make their (Page & Luna) relationship seem less special.
Ive loved reading this series and seeing them build their relationship to what it is today along with all the wonderful,funny and adorable moments they've had together, so much that I would rank them as one of my favorite couples.
I do however find the idea of Celestia having feelings for Page interesting as it could make things more complicated for Page, but then again Celestia did say that she was interested in somepony (or cadence said that she did) and Page does strike me as the only one who could catch Celestia's eye so it will be interesting seeing how this possibility unravels.
But if I was to take a guess at how this all plays out I think it will either go in a herd direction or Celestia will end up with Thunder Cloud but then again they're the only scenarios I can think of.
On a sidenote I miss Luna and great chapter.
While it seems weird that Cadence is encouraging the idea of Page hooking up with Celestia, I did remember in the past the author mentioned how mares outnumber stallions 3-to-1 so polygamy is an uncommon but acceptable option for ponies. Plus there is that old law allowing Celestia and Luna can have up to 12 consorts each so...not that far of a stretch for the same law to apply to an Alicorn Prince. I prefer if you not to go in the direction of a Page harem but I won't be surprised if you do. (However I would most like to see Sunset and Twilight together instead! PLEASE!)
Regardless, Cadence does have a point; Celestia needs a pony that can't be intimidated easily. Hiver maybe you can pull a bait-and-switch at the party and find a different pony for Celestia to fall for.
OMC...what about Big Mac? He treats all ponies around him equally and doesn't intimidate easily. Plus it would be funny if Big Mac hooks up with Celestia and then later becomes an Alicorn himself? EVERY PONY IS HAPPY!!
8003343
Has Page ever actually met Big Mac?
8003029
You make some very good points there, but I have one concern with the polygamy angle: suspension of disbelief.
I may be alone in this, but I find it hard to not think of Page as a Gary Stu a lot of the time. Everything works in his favor, and he really doesn't seem to do much of anything for it. I mean, he's already basically married to Luna, become a famous author*, been trained as a war mage, become an alicorn, reformed the changelings, is BFF's with their queen, he's fixed Twilight's "mistakes" from canon, and has managed to more or less completely avoid any kind of consequences or political involvement from any of that. Besides the fact that the author seems to be actively trying not to portray him as a Stu, he fits pretty much every trope for a Gary Stu self-insert.
The only trope he hasn't picked up is the royal harem. It could certainly be interesting in a story like this, and it could lead to some really good character development, but I worry that it might be too much.
* I HATE the fact that Page is a famous author. I detest the fact that he's gotten famous by doing nothing but blatantly plagiarizing other people's work without ever writing a single original story. As someone who has spent most of his adult life studying literature, every time I'm reminded that he's famous it makes my blood boil. "Alicorn of dreams" my ass. And I'll freely admit, my hatred for that aspect of his character might be influencing my view of the rest of him.
lesson 101 how to date a princess treat them with respect but at the same time treat them like a normal pony.
Sorta reminds me of one of those PSAs that warn kids from hooking up, or doing drugs and/or smoking at parties. You know, peer pressure, or whatever.
Damnit, my comment seems to have disappeared.
Here we go again.
Sorta reminds me of one of those PSAs that warn kids off from doing drugs, smoking, or hooking up at parties. You know, peer pressure or something. I don't know.
8003029 Eloquently put. Truly if the consideration in this post would mirror most polygamous stories Id be apt to respect them more.
But to me, why does that mean he has to be physically intimate, or simply try to court Celestia? Can't he just remain as he is, a friend and confidant, and eventual brother in law? Just because of there gender? Cheapens the friendship a bit.
Not to mention it starts a slippery slope. First Luna, then Celestia, then Twilight, Sunset, Skitter. Next thing we know there is a royal harem and Page is the stud.
Nope.
8003247 here here.
This does beg the question, how does that conversation go in Equestria?
Does the mare start that conversation. How would the stallion do so without sounding like a a-hole?
Would Luna support this? DID SHE LEAVE SO IT WOULD?!
Yes she does, but since when does such flimsy things like facts matter for a shipper?
Page might first speak with Luna first about his plans!
It comes
8003950 That song...
-Ru
Excellent, now for the waiting game~
8003365
He did meet Applejack before and helped her on the farm (regretting it afterward due to the pain). So not far of a stretch to invite the Apple family in general. Personally I just want this ship SO BAD! Celestia needs a strong pony that is a good listener and unconditionally loyal. Big Mac is that pony!!
8004572 he's got the size Celestia likes....as in he is an earth pony and taller. What you think I meant?
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lolololol...tho seriously Hiver if you're reading this, please ship Big Mac and Celestia! LOOK AT THEM!!
Damn...read the whole series in two days. Now what?
8006453
What now?
Simple...
cdn.meme.am/cache/instances/folder212/67437212.jpg
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But Page has written an original story, more than one possibly. He wrote a spy story. He was inspired by the idea of the James Bond style spy stories but he never, ever based it off of an actual James Bond story. He also made mention that he wanted to make it his own creation (original) from the get go. And he also later made mention of wanting to write some short stories of his own when he was considering what to write next at one point.
You may have gotten confused by Sunset Shimmer's statement about recognizing "those stories" and her thought about him getting sued if the portal ever became public knowlege on the other side. She was only refering to the stories (only two of which that I am aware of) that he published from HIS EARTH (do remember the world on the other side of the mirror portal is not his Earth) because of the similarties (and he did 'adjust' them for Equestria so they are not exact copies).
Page has been writing more than 'plagerized' stories and mentioned many times about how his cutie-mark has apparently been making his authoring easier (more than the writing, the inspiration and development side of it too).
As to the Main Character having "everything going his way" so often... Well, there is no Dark Tag on this story, Page has been injured / beaten down resulting in other ponies having to save the day, he's basically powerless before Discord in All-Out-CHAOS-mode, and though he's found ways around many things in original MLP canon it all seems to be due to justifiable reasons. But that's my opinion.
Now, I can understand your feelings on his begginings, no one who practices/studies so hard for something likes to see anyone 'take a shourtcut' and get away with it. I am reminded of a scene from a movie called Dinotopeia.
Spoiler for the movie:
In it two brothers having become trapped on an island, isolated from the outside world, and inhabited by a society of humans and intelligent dinosaurs are taking a test in a class at the end of their education to help them learn of the society they are now part of. At the last part the "smarter" brother arrives to the class on time and begins writing out an essay of an answer. Near the end of the time for the test his "more rebellious" brother rushes into class and quickly prints out his 'answer' which, in the end, is recognized as the most inspirational answer ever given. It begins: "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality." Yes, he just plagerized the lyrics from Bohemian Rhapsody for "his" answer. The other brother was justifiably pissed, but there was nothing he could do. Bohemian Rhapsody was outside the Razor Reef that isolated the land from the outside world. His word against his brother's to the locals. Even if he could sing it without the music the locals wouldn't get it and would likely view it as him being sore over his brother doing better than him with far less effort. Their relationship as brothers was rocky before they became trapped and it was obvious.
So, I get it. Even though I'm not an author I get it. Understand, Page isn't a serial plagerist. He may be living a near fairy-tale life perhaps. But that doesn't make either the story or the character bad. If this has helped you see things differently, and if you haven't already, please give this story a reread and see what you think of it then.
Perhaps before you reread it, ask yourself: "If it had been me in his position, trapped in a new world with no realistic hope of ever going home, let alone have any contact with it, and wanting to hide my past as a human... If I cared so much about a story that had impressed me so and had the talent, could I just let it die with me? Could I spend my whole life not sharing it to a world that's cut off from mine? Or would I take the chance to share it with them in any way?"
Because, if I'm honest with myself, I would have done the same as Page even without any stress of financial concerns on me whilst trying to hide my identity. I would want to share such a story with my friends if they had never heard of it. And if it impressed them they would likely have wanted to share it with others, maybe even encouraged me to have it written or write it myself. I would want to respect the copyright still, but with no way home, and wanting to remain unidentified as an alien... If I had the talent, I would take the chance.
If you would not, I understand. Not everyone would and I get why you may not like it. I understand.
Or if you would, I understand. Because I feel I would in that situation. I understand.
Either way, if this has helped you see differently, this story deserves a reread without such clouds on judgement. And if it changed nothig, it's okay, I get that too.
...Afterall, as hard as it is for me to believe, there are people who don't like Star Wars. I met some of them during my time in the military. So, I get it. Not everyone feels the same on things.
And if by chance this is far to late and you are already a happy convert.
Seriously why are people so afraid of them tho. I’d find it funny too
Even after watching it
Maybe start as friends. Meet for tea or coffee and some Cake. Perhaps learn to make it himself?
8004572
Plus the guy that is crushing on her might not try because he doesn't see himself as worthy of her or is scared of being rejected. He might just need a push to try.
I have a animal expert as Celestias mate and father of a foal named Blueblood, a Guard might actually make it. If he has balls enough to put heart and hooves into it. 👍