Chapter 73: Skewed Conformity
If ever there were a sound that embodied determination, it would be the sound of strides taken in lockstep toward a common goal. The pony version, however, screamed that nothing in this world or the next could keep the ponies from their objective. The ground itself quaked at the show of unity presented by the Ponyville garrison as the almost imperceptible jangle of hastily-donned armor underscored that something serious was ahoof. They approached in standard battle formation, with earth ponies surrounding their unicorn partners while the pegasi provided top cover. Bystanders stopped to watch, amazed, as the garrison came to parade rest in front of the tree that housed the local library.
The show of force did not go unnoticed within. The top portion of the dutch door swung open before the troops were within five body lengths of their objective. Rarity poked her head out to assess the commotion. Upon spotting the guards, she exclaimed, "Oh my, Lieutenant Mocking Jay. What ever is the emergency?"
Turning her gaze skyward, she addressed the lead pegasus. "Please make haste to Sweet Apple Acres; I'm certain that Applejack, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash will be needed for whatever prompted this response." She concentrated for a moment before continuing. "Pinkie is at Sugarcube Corner, and Fluttershy should be in her cottage."
In a perfect rendition of the fashionista's voice, the lieutenant replied, "That won't be necessary, darling. Everypony we need is already present."
“Really?” Rarity asked skeptically. “It appears that you have brought enough support to wrestle a hydra. Are you sure that my friends and I are not needed to quell this ruckus?”
Mocking Jay gestured toward an armored mare whom Rarity recognized as the one who had fled the library earlier. "There is no need to discommode yourself. The good private has confirmed that the human, Petunia Dursley, is on these premises, and we simply must insist that she accompany us for an audience with the princesses in a most expedient fashion. Besides, no hydra has poked even a head up in our patrol zone of late for reasons unknown.
Rarity blinked. “Surely this can wait until she has recovered from her injury. The poor dear is not to speak for the remainder of the day.”
“Oh, but we must insist,” Mocking Jay said firmly. “To put it mildly, our illustrious leader is not known for outbursts of anger. After factoring in the reactions of the other two princesses, the colonel has issued priority orders to have any humans of interest brought before the princesses immediately, if not sooner. I do hope you appreciate my position.”
Bon Bon, still in human form, spoke up from behind Rarity. “There was a misunderstanding that has since been corrected. I’m sure those orders no longer apply to Petunia Dursley.”
Mocking Jay shifted her focus and with voice and accent matching Bon Bon’s said, “We have our orders. Any resistance to apprehension, any danger posed to ponies, is to be terminated with prejudice. I respect both of your opinions but my hooves are tied. I’m just happy that everything seems to be civil and hostilities don’t seem to be needed.”
Petunia came to stand beside Bon Bon, with a pink, lightly-glowing forehead. She pursed her lips and shot a glance towards the kitchen where Spike and Dudley were still snacking on sticky love honey.
“Don’t worry,” Bon Bon said, answering the unasked question. “This will be easy to clear up. I’ll keep an eye on your son while you’re gone.”
“I suppose there is no helping the situation.” Rarity sighed. “Let me just get Hedwig and she can carry us directly to Princess Celestia.”
“I am afraid that will not be possible.” Mocking Jay switched her accent and voice back to match Rarity’s. “Security dictates that we travel by pegasus carriage with a full complement. It may be slower, but it allows us to fend off any threats.”
Rarity sighed again. “Very well. Let’s get this over with.”
“Your cooperation is appreciated.” Mocking Jay nodded politely before changing her accent and voice yet again. “All right, bring tha flying deathtrap right 'round here. I want us in the air quicker than Pinkie Pie kin inhale a double chocolate and plum cupcake.”
Bon Bon was still watching the sky chariot disappear into the distance when Spike came from the kitchen with a pink-covered cracker. “What was that all about?”
“The guards just arrested Dudley’s mother and are taking her to see Princess Celestia,” Bon Bon said, not taking her eyes off the receding airborne procession, glad that the landbound members had returned to the garrison.
“Oh.” Spike took a bite from his cracker. “Let me guess, the guards haven’t gotten updated orders regarding anypony named 'Dursley'.”
“That’s it in a nutshell.” Bon Bon nodded.
“You do realize I could have sent a letter to the princess and she would have returned something to make this whole trip unnecessary.” Spike said, still chewing on his snack.
Bon Bon’s hand found her face with an audible smack. To her relief, hands proved to be much softer than hooves.
The tableau in the Victorian-themed family room looked like an encounter between mirror universe counterparts as two seemingly identical girls studied the cards in their hands. The eruption of flames was a minor distraction as the girls sorted their cards.
“Hey girls, what’s up?” Parvati asked, critiquing the hand she had assembled.
“Pinkie Pie Party Time!” Abigail declared, hopping in place excitedly.
“That’s brilliant,” Parvati said, putting down her cards. “Mind if Padma comes, too? I promised to spend the day with her.”
“Of course, she can come,” Hermione answered. “She is your sister; you need to spend time with her.”
“The more the merrier,” Sweetie agreed. “And you made a good point, we should include others from outside the herd. Draco, of course. That girl who Daphne always hangs out with, Tracy. Mmmm, probably not Hanna or Susan since Clouded is in Canterlot spending time with her family.”
“We shouldn’t go overboard,” Parvati cautioned. “It wouldn’t be fair to drop too many party crashers on Pinkie.”
“This is Pinkie Pie we're talking about.” Sweetie shook her head. “The entire town basically has open invitations to her parties, and out-of-towners are always encouraged.”
“I still think we shouldn’t overdo it,” Hermione countered. “At least not without asking first.”
“Um,” Padma interjected. “I’d love it if you invited Sue Li and Mandy. Being the only one in Ravenclaw who can pony up gets to be overwhelming at times.”
“Fair enough,” Sweetie said. “Gather 'round and Philomena will take us to get them.”
“Just a sec,” Parvati said, getting up and going to an archway that lead to the rest of the house. “Mother! Padma and I are going to a party! We’ll be back later!”
“Human or pony party?” came an answering shout.
“Pony!”
“Okay! Just remember to tell your friends that tomorrow and the day after are family time and they are not to come over.”
“Yes, Mum.”
Sugarcube Corner was well on its way to being transformed into a party venue. A clearly worried earth pony trotted up to the pink party pony setting up the beverage table.
“Pinkie,” Mr. Cake said firmly. “We know that parties are your thing and we are always happy to host them, but I want to make it abundantly clear. Firewhisky is never to be served in the bakery.”
“Okie dokie, Mr. Cake,” Pinkie said before slipping the shipping crate back into her mane.
At Sweet Apple Acres, shards of glass twinkled in the light as they danced within a lavender aura. Neighbor found neighbor as they arranged themselves back into their proper positions. They moved back into their frame and fused together, once again becoming a crystal-clear picture window.
“Thanks fer coming over to fix that,” Applejack said gratefully. “Normally, I’d be jus' fine with doing it the old-fashioned way, but with it being winter an all, the quicker the better.”
“Always glad to help,” Twilight said happily. “Besides, apparently, this is safer than picking flowers.”
“I just have to say,” Rainbow said defensively. “Despite the danger, those tulips taste pretty darned good.”
“I’ll jus’ take yer word fer it,” Applejack said. “Although Ah have to admit, the foals were mighty quick with that spell that freed us.”
“They took entirely too much pleasure from that,” Twilight said, studying her handiwork. “But it was enlightening seeing them perform magic.”
“Kinda drives it home that they are going ta school ta learn fancy stick waving,” Applejack agreed.
“So,” Twilight said, staring through the nigh-invisible glass, “you're telling me that the foals fly around on those brooms?” She gestured at the cleaning implements leaned in a corner of the room.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash both looked in the direction Twilight was pointing, shared looks with each other, then returned their gazes to the brooms.
Barnaby all but staggered as he followed the three mares through the town. The consequences of his actions weighed heavily on his mind. Who would have guessed that his earlier fun was as ill-advised as accepting lunch with the fae of legends? Not only was he not getting out of his marriage contract, he was also now attached to not just one, but three older women.
“Question,” Berry Punch said into the silence, ignoring the envious glares of the mares they passed. “Since when have we been a herd?”
“Obviously since some time this morning,” Carrot Top said, a joyful hop in her steps.
“It’s just that I started the day as a hopelessly single mare raising her daughter by herself,” Berry griped. “This is all happening way too quickly.”
“Wait,” Barnaby said. “Are you saying that I’m a stepfather on top of everything else?”
The three mares all stopped as well and shared worried looks. “Don’t fret,” Cheerilee said, dread evident in her voice. “We’ll keep Berryshine out of your way.”
“Why?” Barnaby asked.
The mares shared another look. “Um, stallions take a dim view of foals from other stallions in their herd.” Carrot Top ventured cautiously. “We’ll keep her away from you so you won’t feel threatened.”
Barnaby couldn’t help smirking. Finally, he had some leverage, and he intended to take full advantage. He wouldn't have to pretend to be friendly with the yet unmet brat, and he could hold it over the heads of the so-called herdmates to shape the relationship into something more to his liking. “You needn’t bother. Remember, I am human.”
“What exactly does that mean in this case?” Cheerilee asked.
Barnaby shrugged. “That Berry’s daughter is now family.”
“You’re not going to try and hurt her?” Carrot Top asked skeptically.
“No, why would you even think that?”
“You did try to harm a herd of foals,” Berry stated, unconvinced.
“I was targeting one who had harmed my family,” Barnaby said smoothly.
The three mares watched him suspiciously.
Barnaby made a show of sighing. “It won’t do for my family to think I might commit violence against them. This is not how I want our relationship to start. Tell you what. Let’s find someone with a transformation ring. I can change back and then make a magical oath not to intentionally harm any of the four of you.”
“Intentionally?” Cheerilee had noticed the stipulation.
“A common clause in oaths.” Barnaby shrugged again. “Lest people lose their lives and magic in the heat of the moment when tempers flare and unkind words follow or, Merlin forbid, an accident happens.”
“We need to show that we trust you, so an oath ensuring your loyalty to us three would be immoral,” Berry said. “But I admit I would be reassured if you made one concerning Berryshine.”
“My aunt has always said that relationships were an art of give and take,” Barnaby said. “It is important that certain ground rules are set for any marriage. I think it would be in my best interest to allay any concerns that I might harm my stepdaughter.”
The three mares stared at him with their mouths hanging open.
“Is there something the matter with that?” Barnaby asked, afraid that he had overplayed his hand.
Carrot Top looked around warily as if expecting a timberwolf to jump out of an alleyway. “With the way things just keep going our way today, getting better and better, I can’t help thinking something really bad is just waiting to happen. A stallion willing to take a binding oath not to hurt one of our foals from a previous relationship is a dream I would have never thought possible this morning.”
“Don’t jinx us.” Cheerilee warned.
“One thing is for sure,” Berry said. “If this is the way human stallions think, every mare is going to want one. That’s not even counting how affectionate ours is.”
Myrtle Warren had not realized how much she had been frozen in time. While her stint as a ghost had allowed her to keep current with wizarding trends, she had only seen the merest hint of what was happening in the muggle world. Now that she was able to experience it for herself, the changes had hit her with the subtlety of a double-decker bus. The culture shock of discovering the wizarding world was nothing compared to that from a forty-plus year jump.
If asked to identify the largest changes, Myrtle would have no choice but to say "everything". The austerity of wartime had given way to prosperity. Drab fashions had been overrun by a riot of colors and styles. Women in slacks had been almost scandalous when she had left the living world. Now, dresses were the novelty. The rare automobile that had been hobbled by petrol rationing had multiplied like rabbits, with modest models within reach for most. The telly that had been the toy of the rich was now masses' window to the world. Social expectations had morphed to where she would have no problem being taken seriously as a woman.
The glimpses of the world that generations of muggleborns had imparted should have left her better-prepared for the changes, but she had never imagined that such information would be of any use. She was still trying to get used to the idea of having a body again. Clothing felt so restraining, especially the new muggle undergarments. She'd have laid even money that even Houdini would have been confounded by that curse of a training bra that her niece insisted that she wear. The dungarees from San Francisco that had been forced on her made her feel more like a sailor than a proper witch.
Still, there were wonders to behold. Myrtle's first night home for winter break had been a veritable treasure hunt as she rummaged through her sister's pantry, cataloging, sorting and rotating the cornucopia of shelf stable products. Her mother and sister sat at the kitchen table, making conversation and laughing at her exclamations of surprise. There was no doubt that Myrtle had found true love with the rotund chef whose face graced the tins of ravioli. The younger Myrtle had started taking bets on how many tins her namesake would be cramming into her trunk for the return to Hogwarts.
The real treasure, however, was family. After over forty years of physical isolation, a familiar touch was worth its weight in gold. Her mother hovered about constantly, touching, hugging, kissing, and doing everything possible to assure herself that Myrtle was truly there in the flesh, living, breathing, and solid. Her grandniece Amy was just as attentive, following Myrtle like an infatuated puppy. Given the amount of time that Amy spent as a small green pegasus, a casual visitor might mistake her for a faithful pet. Myrtle feared that the behavior was a statute of secrecy infraction just waiting to happen.
The little pony was with her as Myrtle continued to explore the house, eventually finding her mother’s small office.
“What’s with the telly and broken typewriter?” Myrtle asked, examining the oddity.
“That’s Granny’s computer,” Amy replied cheerfully, from the ceiling. “Here, let me show you how it works.”
Yes, the world had really changed.
The scream ripped from the throat of a stoic mare crescendoed. Abruptly, a collision with a luckless, leafless apple tree cut it short as the impact dislodged the snow from the tree's slumbering limbs.
“AJ! Are you okay?” Twilight called out as she tried to extricate herself from a deep snowbank where she found herself half-buried head-first.
“Ah ain’t hurt too badly, sugarcube,” Applejack called back. “But this here ornery overgrown stick is starting ta ruffle mah mane.”
“I don’t see why you two are having so much trouble,” Rainbow Dash said from where she hovered above the trees on a borrowed broom. “These things are tame and kinda disappointing. I’ve tried going all out, and they are way too slow.”
“I think the ‘fastest pegasus in Equestria’ may have some unreasonable standards,” Twilight griped. “I’m positive you surpassed the one hundred and twelve kilometers per hour the humans are so fond of.”
“Eh, you’re not going to manage a sonic rainboom with one of these.” Rainbow shrugged. “But I guess they’ll do in a pinch.”
“Now, y'all are jus’ being cocky,” Applejack said before kicking off from the ground for another attempt. She immediately started flipping forward, going head over tail and looking like a drunk pinwheel before crashing into the snowbank within reach of Twilight.
Rainbow started laughing so hard that she fell off her broom.
Mayor Mare sat behind her desk and addressed the mare standing on the other side. “I have to admit that I’m finding your reaction to the news to be selfish in the extreme.”
The unicorn mare gritted her teeth before replying diplomatically, “That’s because you were born a pony. For a human, what you are demanding is illegal and immoral. This is taking the old adage ‘when in Rome’ to an absurd level. I can’t realistically complain, though. You are sheltering my husband from some very serious wrongdoings, but, at the same time, I can’t force myself to like it.”
“You’ll have to excuse me for lacking empathy here,” the mayor returned. “There are mares who never know the embrace of a stallion. Monopolizing one for yourself is self-centered and reprehensible.”
Tears slowly leaked from the mare’s eyes. “I understand why you would think that way. I can find no fault with your requirements of parole. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. I’ve given up so much for Fenton, and now, what you want is yet another sacrifice I must endure.”
“I fail to see how taking at least two loving mares into your herd is a sacrifice. You are reminiscent of a filly refusing to share her candy.” The Mayor started firmly before letting some softness enter her voice. “Love is not a finite thing. I'm sure your heart has room for two loving mares.”
“I don’t think either of us can fully comprehend the other’s position,” the mare stated sadly. “As I said, Fenton and I shall comply. We just have to accept that the loss of our hands isn’t the only change that comes with our new bodies. You have our gratitude for accepting us into your society. You have our gratitude for saving our family. That cannot be overstated.”
“I do wish you weren’t finding this so unpleasant.” The mayor relented. “I suppose there is nothing else to say on the matter.” She was rescued from the awkwardness by a knock on her office door.
“Mayor Mare,” her aide said, sticking his head in the room soon after, “I wanted to let you know that Dainty Lace and her herd are here to add their colt to their herd agreement. With all the commotion we’ve been having over human stallions in herds I thought you might like to be made aware.”
“No surprise there,” the mayor returned. “Send them in; we are done here and I need to inform them that any intimacy will result in the human’s ministry recognizing them as being legally married.”
“What!” A colt’s voice came from behind the aide. “My mum is going to kill me.”
The mayor sighed.
Rainbow Dash was still laughing while she and Twilight teamed up to pry Applejack loose from the tree branches where the earth pony had lodged herself.
“If’n y'all keep it up with all that yukking, Ah’m gonna go fetch a couple tulips and sic 'em on ya.”
Rainbow laughed harder.
“Girls,” Twilight admonished.
“I can’t help it.” Rainbow smirked. “I’ve never seen a backwards Fleetwing special with side drift before.”
Twilight sighed again. “You know, I can’t help thinking we’re forgetting something.”
In the ostentatious office of Canterlot’s top fiduciary, the mare fought to maintain a professional facade. She could ill afford to be distracted by the rustic charm of her client. The portfolio he presented was worth more than all of Griffinstone, and she was determined to make the most of it.
“Considering the magnitude of funds and properties in question, I think it’s only appropriate that we designate at least two ponies to exclusively manage this account.”
“Eeeeyup.”
What should have been a joyful occasion was dampened when a human colt approached the accumulated foals already present at the party.
“Harry, is that you?”
“Dudley.”
“You’ve got wings.”
“Yes, I do.”
An uncomfortable silence followed while the human colt wondered which filly was radiating more menace, the yellow one with a bow or the lavender one.
“Dad and Mum had a long talk with me last night.”
“Oh?”
“They say I’m not to call you a freak anymore.”
“That’s good.”
“They say I have to apologize to you, freaky or not.”
“You're doing a ruddy poor job of it,” the dayglow orange filly noted.
The human colt paused to gratefully pick up the sad eyed unicorn filly who had come over to comfort him. “They say it’s not your fault that everything has gone to pot.”
The foals listened to the sounds of silence as they waited.
“The doctor said I didn’t have any spells on me and that I was just a brat.”
More waiting.
“Mum didn’t say anything. It might have just been her throat being burned and all, but before, she always got mad when someone said that. This time, she just looked sad.”
“What do you want, Dudley?” Harry’s voice was still guarded.
“Before, Mum and Dad were always so proud of me. Now they aren’t. I’d rather they just hit me instead.” He buried his face in the fur of the unicorn filly he was holding. “I don’t know what I want. I don’t know what I want anymore." He sighed. "Everything before was a lie. Dad says that all the toys I got before were a poor substitute for what was taken from me. They said I have no empathy, that I never stopped to consider how I treated you or made you feel.”
“You hurt me. You hurt me badly.”
“I know . . . I’m sorry.”
“I don’t know if I can forgive you.”
“. . . I’m sorry,” the human colt said before retreating to the furthest corner, where he sank down to the floor. He began petting his friend, and let his tears flow freely.
He ignored all of the party food just out of his reach.
“Pinkie, stop!” Mrs. Cake said around her mouthful of pink tail fur.
“But he’s sad! I need to go cheer him up!”
“No, you can’t,” Mrs. Cake said. “He needs to be sad right now.”
“That’s wrong!” Pinkie protested. “He should be happy; it’s a party.”
“Pinkie,” Mrs. Cake said in an unusually serious tone. “Stop. As much as it may hurt, sometimes you have to let them grow on their own. This is one such time.”
“But. But.”
“Pinkie, no.” Mrs. Cake released her grip as the pink mare ceased her tugging. “Let him grow.”
A lone lime green earth pony colt watched the human boy sulk in the corner while lavishing attention on a lucky unicorn filly.
Draco didn’t know what to think. He understood wanting your parents to approve of you. He himself longed to hear those words of praise from his own father, words that would never come again.
The muggle was, ironically, in the same boat he was. The whole world had been turned upside down. His own mother had insisted that what he had been taught before was wrong. How could the fool not even acknowledge the superiority of his cousin? Yes, he was a half-blood, but that was head and shoulders above being muggle.
Wasn’t it?
When was the world going to right itself?
Mrs. Brown smiled indulgently as she watched her husband play the game their daughter and her friends had set up in the sitting room. It was obvious he was getting as excited about it as Lavender had been prior to leaving for a party. A wonder of muggle ingenuity, the console truly gave lie to all of the purebloods’ claims of overwhelming superiority. It was a welcome addition to the house, a nice way for her and her husband to spend an evening when the kids were away doing their own things.
Suddenly, Mr. Brown looked away from their entertainment. “Something is testing the wards,” he declared.
Mrs. Brown produced her wand; the building storm outside should keep anything even remotely dangerous in its lair. “Should we call in the aurors?”
“I’m sure we can handle whatever it might be.” Mr. Brown said brandishing his own wand. “It didn’t feel like a wizard prodding our defenses, something more feral. Probably just a boggart looking for a new home.”
“Let it bang its head against the wards all it wants then.”
“I’ll just go out and scare it away.” Mr. Brown said displaying the ethos of his former house.
“Don’t take any unnecessary risks.”
“I won’t,” Mr. Brown said, heading for the door, casting a warming charm as he went. “I doubt I’ll need to do anything more than put on a fireworks display.”
“I don’t like this,” Mrs. Brown added, following after.
In short order they were just outside the wards searching for the disturbance.
“Whatever it was, it’s gone now,” Mr. Brown said.
“I still don’t like it.”
“Okay, let’s go back inside. If it happens again, we’ll call in the aurors and they can worry about it.”
“You’re just saying that because you want to get back to the game,” Mrs. Brown chided.
“You have my number,” Mr. Brown said turning back towards the house.
“Look out!” Mrs. Brown cried as the form of a giant wolf in mid leap materialized from the falling snow, illuminated by the dying rays of the sun.
The witch and wizard both brought their wands to bear.
The snow muffled the twin thuds.
Crimson rain mingled with the falling snow.
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That's going to be a pretty miserable surprise for somepony, they finally get to join a herd and the bonded pair is so unhappy about it that the whole affair feels more like coercion than love. If polygamy is to work all involved need to be equally devoted to each other, lest jealousy rip the marriage apart. Those two are far too devoted to ever truly accept an interloper, they really ought to have brought Candace in to examine this relationship before condemning some poor mares to a loveless marriage.
Mistakes or not we are bit more concerned if you just killed the Browns out of nowhere.
The scene between Fenton's wife and Mayor Mare kinda struck me. Mayor Mare is being quite frankly rather unsympathetic and that irks me. Fenton's wife is distraught and doesn't like it but is willing to make it work. Mayor Mare is being a quite frankly cold-hearted bitch. She should at least sympathize with having to make a hard, major life change even if she can't understand why.
Doesn't Princess Cadance's talent magic allow two ponies to understand each other's hearts? I really feel that would be extremely useful for smoothing over these kind of situations and allow for more empathy for both sides.
I can't quite figure out what Barnaby is up to. He doesn't have to pretend to like Berryshine, but he's surprised when they ask if he would harm her. Although I get the feeling he's actually going to end up liking Berryshine and genuinely wish to raise her as his own.
It's nice to see that Dudley wasn't entirely stunted beyond growth. That he has a chance to grow and develop is a welcome thing. It's painful now, but everyone will be happier in the long run. Himself and all those he around.
Is Lavender's family about to be wiped out by Fenrir Greyback? This won't be something the Gryffindor Herd will take lying down, nor will the rest of their families...
Hmm.... if his intent is to bite and infect people with lycanthropy, but they've already turned pony at some point, are they immune?
A good chapter, if with some darker parts to them (and there's nothing wrong with that, just saying). Thank you very much for the update.
9659537
Yes, that's, literally, the Changelings' "Princess of Food" PureView...
9659555
Yeah, while reading these parts of the story I get the feeling that no one's managed to properly communicate the fact that the whole monogamy thing is a part of human nature, not British culture. Humans mono-focus on a singular partner, it's just the way we're wired. A significant portion of these human "stallions" are going to cause significant disharmony as they fail to integrate into ponish herd dynamics.
Just look at what's-his-name, Cheerilee, and her herd-mates. He's obviously putting his primary focus on her, and regards the other two as an extra. Ignoring the fact that he's got all the emotional maturity of a stereotypical teenager, he's not going to give the others the attention they expect.
Which brings me to a final thought, why would you expect a loving and fulfilling relationship out of an arranged marriage to some yahoo who only expected a one night stand? We know that's a terrible plan, didn't anyone tell the ponies? This isn't even going to achieve what they're looking for, as in just a few days word is going to get around that if you **** a pony you've put a ring on her. Then everyone'll get super puritanical and paranoid, lest somepony trap them in an unwanted marriage.
It's getting very hard to keep track of all these characters...
9659552
Out of nowhere no less. If true, this will be the first killing ever in this story. I mean the killing of innocents.
9659598
If its them might be the wolf
9659582
That's not wholly true. Whether you practice monogamy or polygamy is heavily influenced by culture. If you look at world maps, there is no small portion that practice polygamy.
Even who you marry is honestly a cultural thing. Nowadays it is you marry the one you love. For the majority of history it was you learn to love the one you marry. Arranged marriages used to be the norm, not the rare exception.
We're getting a bit philosophical here, though.
I will say though forcefully shoehorning in additional partners where they're not wanted is unlikely to leave anyone happy.
9659605
Let's hope the Browns are still OK in the next chapter. I still fail to see where the author want to go with this. My first thought was werewolf because normal wolf rarely go hunting alone, but it wasn't night time yet, so that was out.
9659555
Yeah, I mean Fenton is just a mass murderer, not like he did anything really wrong. Still, ponies DO tend to take a sincere "I'm really sorry" as sufficient grounds for a pardon
*repeats "I won't ask how, I won't ask how, I won't ask how, I won't ask how." to himself.*
My, my ... who might that be ...?
a magical oath not to intentionally harm any of the our fo you
9659731
it's Pinky...that's how.
This is going to be feelsy. Be very afraid.
Chef Boyardee is a gift to mankind.
Speaking of herds and Cadance, I don't recall if this has been addressed in the story, but how does her monogamous relationship work in this universe? Does she have her own herd, or is she simply going "I'm a Princess, I do what I want?"
9659582
Ehh, it's nurture more than nature. Biologically, human males are hard wired to try and impregnate as many females as possible because that's how we ensure our genes get carried on, while females are hard wired to look for the best to ensure strong genes for their offspring. Neither are bound to one partner biologically. Human culture (or most of them anyway) is what put a damper on this by going "no, you only have one partner with whom you have children."
And even that culture isn't a guarantee we'll actually listen to it. That's part of where cheating comes from: people thinking with their nature more than their nurture and wanting to do what our bodies are hard wired to do, so they go look for other partners.
That being said, I agree that forcing love is never going to work out. But then this whole Equestrian herds subplot has been rather squicky from the onset.
Someone should tell the Mayor a person isn't a bit of candy to be passed around. Then punch her in her stupid face.
A slow burn chapter but an enjoyable one. Curious to see what the next big event is...
9659944
The sticky parts of Pack animals and herd animals trying marry is just going to be more complicated.
That more than anything perfectly demonstrates how genuine Dudley's remorse is. It's not clear how much actually stems from his behavior, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.
On a related note, Mrs. Cake is an excellent mother.
On a note related to that note, Mayor Mare ordering two more people getting stapled onto a marriage feels even more loathsome when one of Ponyville's most notable couples lies prominently in the background. You don't see anypony being legally mandated to join Cup and Carrot. (And extending stallion behavior towards others' offspring to ponies is more than a little horrifying.)
Also, sudden wolf attack at the end.
No idea where you're going with that.
While I definitely do not agree with what Mayor Mare is doing I understand why it is happening and is consistent with the story somewhat.
We know that this Equestria is one of the mares massive outnumber the stallions Equestria. So unlike Earth where monogamy and polygamy is decided by culture, polygamy is decided by necessity in Equestria. It being so bad that mares go to extreme lengths to get stallions and Celestia having to go to very harsh lengths to curb that behaviors with exiles.
Even so Equestria and Earth will probably need to have a real talk about this.
It does beg question as 9660068 mentioned on how the Cakes are not being forced into this.
9659614
Humans are capable of either monogamy or polygamy, but humans who were raised to expect monogamy will not handle enforced polygamy well.
In this story, ponies appear to have a very strong biological impulse toward polygamy. Humans do not. In that sense, it is human biological nature that's causing the conflict here. Humans don't have a strong disposition toward either monogamy or polygamy and therefore our culture shapes what we want and expect. The ponies, having a biological impulse to polygamy, can't comprehend sexual jealousy (envy, yes, the feeling that someone else has what you want and you don't... but if someone else has what you have and you are sharing it, ponies don't get jealous. Humans do.)
This particular subplot is not just squicky, it's the most non-canon thing I've seen in this story, since not only is there no evidence of herds in the canon, there are a lot of married-only-to-each-other couples... Rainbow Dash's parents, Rarity's parents, Twilight's parents, Pinkie's parents, Fluttershy's parents, the Cakes, Shining Armor and Cadance... for that matter Applejack's parents, because there's no evidence they had another mare involved with them before they died.
Like any crossover, this story is an AU, but this particular plot marks it as having been very much AU before the crossover happened.
9660121
Mostly because, all things considered, the show has never really shown herding to be a thing. It was just an assumption fans made because of the early seasons having such a large mare to stallion disparity (one that has over time been largely levelled out, I might add).
The only hint we have had that herding exists at all over nine seasons is season 7's Hard to Say Anything, where the groupies pursuing Feather aren't showing any rivalry and the CMC seemingly encourage him to go after all three of them. But all that really tells us is that polygamy is a thing and accepted in Equestria, not that it's the main thing for couples.
Trying to make herding a mandatory thing means you get awkward situations like trying to explain the Cakes, or Cadance and Shining, or the Rich family, or the Apples, or the Sparkles, or the Shy family or- well, you get the idea.
9660151
Yeah, Herding being an accepted practice is one thing but forcing couples into a herd agreement makes no sense. Doing that just seems like you'd be asking for trouble when it becomes clear that the stallion is unwilling to give equal attention to the other mares. At the very least I'd think it should require the stallion's consent.
And like you said various canon couples contradict this bizarre rule.
9659848
Cadence isn't married in this story (she's still replaced by Chrysalis), but as pointed out there are a lot of monogamous couples in the show. Probably best to just consider the idea of mandatory polygamy an AU.
I've loved the story so far, but there is one thing I'm finding iffy, and that's the idea that anyone, pony or human, can be compelled into a marriage agreement, not of their choosing. It goes against every fundamental right to live free of intrusive government mandates.
Not really a fan of the whole, step-father not liking, or the implications of abuse, of kids that aren't theirs. I mean Celestia has laws that prevent colts and stallions from being abused by mares. But they get a pass with treating foals from previous single mares poorly? What about Quibble and his step-daughter, he adores that kid. Seams like a bad double standard. I mean they're ponies not a pride of lions.
Question: isn't Percy a minor at this point?
It's been bugging me since a few chapters ago, but, well, age of majority in the magical world is 17, and I don't think Percy is that age yet here. And I can see this becoming a legal snafu in a lot of ways here, especially if his magic doesn't acknowledge him to be married for some reason (for example, his legal magical guardian is the one the magic requires to acknowledge the relationship).
Soooo... Did that group of mares just commit a crime by being intimate with him? And is this a truly legal marriage/herd agreement if one of the participants is a minor?
9659582
That's not true at all.
Monogamy is an artifact of culture, not nature.
--Spade
9659582
Yeah, the mandatory herding and the marriage upon copulation are serious problems both in-universe and with the story itself at this point.
It's heavily hampering my ability to enjoy the story as a whole due to all the ways it could be abused and the clear misery it's already causing. On top of that we've already got teenagers abusing the equestrians' lack of common knowledge about ages of consent getting saddled with permanent relationships at an age that iirc is illegal in muggle Brittain specifically because they are considered too young to make those choices.
Hopefully this gets addressed in future chapters, because right now this is starting to really feel like a good story idea that's devolved into a fetish fic at the crossroads of multiple fetishes I do not enjoy, especially not together.
9659698
This honestly isn't about Fenton in this situation. It's about Mayor Mare and Fenton's wife. The only "crime" Fenton's Wife has committed in all of is she fell in love with and married him. He's been granted mercy, but she is sacrificing a lot to stay with him. Now on top of all of that Mayor Mare is demanding more of her with no empathy shown, and that rubs me the wrong way.
Are you saying Fenton's Wife is guilty by association? What about their children, who are now expected to open their hooves up to two new mother figures? Should sentencing for the crimes of the father be carried out on their children?
As for Fenton, there's a reason he's alive and in Equestria. He could have been found guilty and sentenced to be thrown through the Veil, but he was not. Fenton of all the previous Death Eaters (besides Severus Snape), sincerely feels remorse and regrets his previous actions. His wive is a muggle-born. The Spirit of Justice was directly involved in ensuring all possible charges against the Death Eaters ended up in Alice Rutter's hands. You can bet she also likely played a role in Fenton's sentencing. The Spirit of Justice is apparently satisfied with banishing him to Equestria.
IF you intend to throw all previous Death Eaters under the bus though, what about Severus? He committed murder in the Dark Lord's service. Should he also be thrown through the Veil? Or has his regret for his actions and attempts to make up for it earned him a reprieve? Why should the same not apply to Fenton?
This is not so clear cut as you would make it seem. It's a horrible godawful mess with no clean answer.
9660537
Severus is risking his life to act as Dumbledore's spy on Voldemort. In short, he's making an effort to rehabilitate himself.
IMO, Fenton is like a WWII concentration camp guard. Would you say "Yes, he did some bad things. But it was a long time ago, he has been good ever since, and punishing him would upset his relatives. So, let him go."?
You say "He doesn't deserve to be punished". I'd bet the rent money that you wouldn't find many of his victims' next of kin who would agree. IMO, they'd say "Having to obey the laws of the country you fled to is getting off damn easy."
Hey, here's a thought. It's too rough? Then don't do it. Go back to Earth. No? Then quit whining and accept the consequences of your actions.
9660391
No, this is not a fetish fic. These herd related things are meant to be a source of conflict for the story. I will eventually address them but you can expect things to get worse before they get better.
Given Ponyville's canon treatment of Zecora, the Mayor's callous and patronizing attitude regarding the whole polyamory thing is unfortunately in character. One of the few areas where Equestria really does suck is the near total lack of diversity beyond the three pony races and the *one* culture.
Why do I have the feeling Barnaby is going to meet with Berryshine to manipulate the mares only for the little filly to worm her way into his heart and make him genuinely love her. He does need some serious lessons n relationships though.
I admit it I laughed at the image of "And tonight Harry Houdini will escape from a training bra."
Percy you need to stall the marriage announcement till you can have a full wedding for your mother to attend.
I knew it Fenton and his wife, poor girl hopefully she'll eventually be happy with her enforced herdmates.
9660121
The thing is the law can be enforced with a lot more compassion to the human woman turned mare. Here it comes off as "We will assign two mares to your stallion you selfish brat." rather than "I understand this is hard for you humans and we'll give you time to find companions you're happy with." I mean Mayor Mare repeatedly calls her selfish and compares her to a child knowing she's not been a pony for long. The weird thing is Berrypunch having a daughter means she was in a relationship with one stallion long enough to have a child and no herd in sight.
9659555
This whole chapter feels like a sharp turn form wacky commedy to dark fic. As another person said its not likely to be Fenrir unless he's found a way to transform without the moon. On the other hand a wolf bypassing wards implies someone helped it.
9660264
Yep and it goes against pony nature of love and harmony as shown here and in the show. I'd expect a stallion to view a young foal from a mares previous relationship as just more to love.
I am also displeased with the forced herding idea.
I can accept herding being common and acceptable, but the show has several one mare/one stallion couples (this story has some too).
The bit about stallions commonly attacking foals is totally not on.
9660814
They weren't callous and patronizing towards Zecora though. They were terrified of her, because she was strange and new and unknown and it freaked them out until they had some sense slapped into them.
9660567
Severus only began acting as Dumbledore's spy because Lily's life was in danger... due to his own actions. Severus was the one who told Voldemort about the prophecy in the first place. It's kind of hard to act as a spy against Voldemort considering Voldemort's body was destroyed the same night as Lily and hasn't been seen since, isn't it? More on this below.
And Fenton hasn't been doing the same? Did you even read his sections? He had the pureblood mindset having been indoctrinated in it since childhood. His post-Death Eater years saw him coming to face hard truths within himself, confessing those beliefs to those who had given him a chance, and frankly doing his damn best to rehabilitate himself from who he was. He's actually said sorry and apologized to the family of his victims. He's admitted he deserves death.
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/371039/52/magic-school-days/chapter-47-books-books-books
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/371039/63/magic-school-days/chapter-57-the-forgotten
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/371039/72/magic-school-days/chapter-65-generation-blessed
Are you willing to hold Severus Snape up to that same logic? Because he committed crimes up to and including murder during his time under Voldemort, but has done no time for it. Until Voldemort's return in Goblet of Fire (which Magical School Days hasn't reach the point of yet), Severus could not act as any sort of spy against him. So technically at this point in the story, he's a Death Eater who is running free without punishment. His one act was to inform Dumbledore that Voldemort was aware of the prophecy and hunting James and Lily in hopes of protecting her. We know how that worked out.
So how do you think the relatives and next of kin of Snape's victims feel about all of this? Isn't he getting off rather easily? ... has Severus ever apologized in any form to the families of his own victims?
I did not say that. Don't go putting words in my mouth. I said he's already been punished with banishment, in accordance to Alice Rutter, Amilia Bones, and most likely the Spirit of Justice as well.
Hey, here's a thought. All those mares that were banished due to their attempted or actual rape of stallions? Now that they're in the UK, they're practically being given the very things they were punished and banished for in the first place. How is that fair to their victims in Equestria that they're being given the very thing they were banished for?
So apparently forcing mares (or mares forcing themselves) onto stallions that don't want them, is A-okay in your mind.
To get this cluster back on track. As I said BEFORE, that you so blatantly ignored, this was not ever supposed to be about Fenton himself.
This is about punishing Fenton's WIFE and his CHILDREN for things he did before he'd ever met his wife or their children were ever born. IF Fenton was on his own, this would be an entire matter entirely and I would have less issue with it... it would quite frankly be pretty much a mirror of Barnaby's current situation.
That is not the situation, and Mayor Mare is being an uncharacteristic cunt about it. Mayor Mare is not showing any care about the emotional trauma she is forcing on Fenton's Wife or their children. In fact she seems offended Fenton's Wife dare think differently than she does on the matter with no care for the fact that Fenton and his entire family grew up in a very different culture. It does not matter if the potential mares have the best of honest intentions, they are unwanted by Fenton's Wife and their children. It is going to result in an unhappy household for all involved unless Cadance decides to come along and use her magic to make sure everyone can actually understand each other's viewpoints to smooth things over.
Please let this be the end of this discussion.
Someone intimated that Fenrir Grayback may have murdered the Brown parents. I hope the opposite becomes evident.
Take that you wizarding troglodytes.
9661410
I will say that Snape's spying was revealed in Goblet of Fire, but he was working against V long before that. It's been a decade or more since I read it, but I remember Snape talking to one of the other Death Eaters & it was revealed that all the Death Eaters were magically aware that V had survived. (ICR exactly when they learned)
But, if Snape isn't already working as an informant, then I'm surprised that he's still alive. In fact, thinking about it, even if he WAS working for the government, I'm surprised that he wasn't exposed. I suppose Discord left him off Alice's list, but hasn't anyone asked "Hey, how come he got left out ?" & Yes if he's not a government agent, then IMO, he should have been punished
As to the EQ exiles, they're still exiled, it's just a more comfortable exile than they managed for themselves. The Wizard government knew what they did & agreed to take them because of a Wizard shortage . Basically, they got transferred to a minimum security prison on the grounds that they were unlikely to become repeat offenders and their victims weren't seriously harmed
As to "punishing a criminal is rough on his friends and relatives" Yes, it is. Not punishing Fenton is rough on the victims' friends and relatives . We're just going to have to agree to disagree on this. IMO, Fenton got off damned easy.
I would like to point out depending on the mares they might not mind not being as lived as third wheels to the Fenton's marriage. In a world where many go their whole lives without feeling a stallion's embrace, some would be happy just for the opportunity to become mothers. Any mare going into this relation obviously would need to be aware the unique circumstances and know they might never feel the love they may have always dreamed of having, but I still get there would be takers.
Changelings could be happy just being near such a love filled relationship.
And to those who keep trying to say polygamy does/doesn't work that way in the real world, the pony world is not the real world. This pony world is not even the official MLP Canon pony world. This is Dogger's pony world and he gets to decide what is natural vs what is cultural, along with how the magic works and how pony to human/human to pony transformation works and how that relates to the animagus.
Thank you Dogger's for this great story and here's hoping Lavender was not just made an orphan.
9660995
I'm not saying it's exactly the same, I'm saying it illustrates ways in which despite the ideal of harmony, ponies are canonically well-established to be a relatively benevolent yet also narrow-minded hegemonic culture.
9660622
This chapter helped solidify my thoughts on this story, which are that it's well written and entertaining, and that your characterization of MLPonies is too heavily influenced by knowledge of the behavior of wild non-sapient equines.
The whole thing with stallions being a potential threat to the safety of foals sired by another is some seriously pre Stone age level stuff.
Also this: 9659944
This version of Mayor Mare....
Could someone explain to me why Fenton has to take two mares. Herd agreements only apply to ponies. Fenton was a human. If he need to take mares because he's now a pony, his wife is also now a pony, so would only need one more mare.
9662615
That is kind of on purpose. The ponies of MLP are a little too perfect, being a children's show and all. And the are humanized for the consumer base, instead of being the alien species that they really are. It makes sense that I am going to draw upon to some source to introduce elements of alienness into their society. Good as well as bad.
Sadly, it is only recent generations that have come out so strongly against 'wife beating'. Before, it has always been an issue that hovered just below the surface of legal and social awareness. A dirty little secret that everyone would love to deny existed, and indeed, still exists today. This is a flaw that another species would find just as abhorrent as we find the concept of harming children from another farmer. But, it does not define our species. It is to be reviled and persecuted, but only the most naive will say it doesn't exist.
Add to this the fact that Barnaby has a history of harming foals.... well you see why the mares might be worried.
Granted, it is a longer stretch than the, by many, unwelcome characterization I have of Dumbledore. (Heck, I could pick up my phone right now and get in contact with five different psychologists who were convinced that Dumbledore was going to end up being the main villain of the entire series) But at the same time in does not fall outside the boundaries of extrapolated logic.
9662459
I'd say ignorant more than narrow minded. Narrow minded would mean they're not willing to listen or change their minds, but each episode that starts with ponies being in the wrong about something, also usually ends up with them realizing they were in the wrong and bettering themselves at the end of it.
9662684
Can't speak for anyone else but personally my issue is less with the stallion doesn't like foals of other stallions which i can sort of buy in a horse society (though the recent Quibble/step daughter episode disagrees with it) and more to do with the fact its so utterly different in tone from the preceeding storyline. Peace, love, tollerance, death and punishment in a wacky over the top style and then bam giant wolf attack implied to have killed two kids parents, forcing a human turned pony to adopt pony views while berating them for daring to think differntly (and considering this is coming up now I'm fairly sure it wasn't part of the original banishment deal), serious discussion of the concern that a teen manipulated into a herd relationship would harm a little foal. It's just so different from the rest of the story it pulled me out of it and made concerned about where your going in the future (especially with your it'll get worse before it gets better in the comments). There's a reason I tend to avoid the dark, gore, sad, etc tagged stories as I get enough of that in real life.
9662680
As I recall it's been stated previously that a herd is defined as 3 mares and a stallion so they are counting Fentons wife but basically forcing her to accept 2 uknown mares into their relationship because she's "selfishly hogging her husband to herself". Never mind the multiple 1 mare/1 stallion relationships in the show or the fact she hasn't even been in Equestria long enough to get to know other mares much less find 2 she'd be comfortable sharing her husband with after having grown up with an essentially alien mindset.