10052780 Isn't that how it always goes? Fearing the creation of a monster from someone who 'has the potential to become one' (what does that even mean) gives rise to the very monster they feared to begin with?
Celestia made a big mistake here. She all but told all the noble family's that 'if I don't approve, i will ignore the law's that I do not like. And you can do nothing about it.'
With 1 move Shadow showed the nobles of Equestria that you cannot trust the royals. They are not on your side, and the laws they they wrote does not apply to them. This is how revolution starts.
This will also hurt her relation with the elements, slandering and unjustly incarcerating their loved on with nothing more than a hunch, and then threatening with death. And them knowing that the princes will break laws and sanctions to get her will. How long will it take for them to start to fully mistrust Celestia because she has an ax to grind with the human ?.
I have a feeling this whole plan is going to backfire, her intent to turn them against him with what is for all intents and purposes a biased perspective; will likely only solidify their relationship.
I think that is his plan in the end, he knew this would happen thus he is letting it happen for the sake of his relationships with the three. This also shows them her unrelenting hate for him AND gets his past out in the open without him having to tell it as it likely hurts him to talk about it.
I bet if Cadance were to come around again, she would feel unparalleled love and compassion from him for the three. He has likely not taken any romantic interest as he knew Celestia would do her damndest to kill it at its start.
I can’t really, honestly, understand her hatred for him. So far it would seem he has done nothing to really warrant it.
10053183 She essentially committed political suicide, and considering her opponent is a fellow immortal, he likely isn't going to forget such a blunder any time soon.
10053242 Ah but there in lies the problem. Metaphorically speaking, the night is still young. Perhaps this scene was showed to the girls for context as it might be difficult to grasp future information without this foundation. I look forward to what this story has to offer. It has captured my interest.
True, but I don't think Twilight or Fluttershy would have agreed to form a Herd with him even at pinkies request if they thought he could be a Danger to them. Fluttershy more then Twilight, as she tends to shy away from those that she thinks would hurt her.
But I think we will have to see, I will be VERY Disappointed if they turn on him. He seems to be Genuinely Happy and I fear what will happen should they fall to Celestia's Bias.
10053880 I’ll have to agree that it would be a huge disappointment if we find out in the next chapter that they would turn on him so easily. Luckily, I find such a situation unlikely to happen. Otherwise, all that build up would have been a waste of time. Taking such action would be very unwise.
However, in saying that, we cannot yet throw out the possibility of manipulation. After all, we find out in this chapter that Shade hasn’t really been all that forthcoming with the girls about his past. Only now are they finding out that there is beef between him and Princess Sunbutt. That may just be a power-play from him though. Considering how long they’ve know and studied each other, it’s not too far off to say that he knew this would happen and that she would take this course of action, in turn playing right into his hands.
No doubt you’ve seen the comments, chief among them Celestia’s questionable choice of disregard for her own laws. All part of his plan. An interesting thought would be if wether he would consider a partnership with Discord or not. At this point in the present, we are not sure if Discord has been reformed or is even free yet. I assume not since Flutterbutt makes no mention of him.
Maybe, but for all intents and purposes the beef seems one way. I have yet to see anything even close to Shade being intentionally hostile towards Celestia and all we have seen in terms of perspective is what Celestia has so far shown though memory and that is likely biased though her perceived thoughts of threat.
For all we know, Shade HAS told them some if not all of his past. But knowing Twilight, she wants to hear Celestias side of the story and is keeping quite, Fluttershy is likely following Twilight and Pinkie is...well pinkie and has likely read the Authors script
If this is a manipulation on Shades part then what does he gain? Celestia has said in he doesn’t care about the gold, influence, rules or leadership/ruling and if he is as invested in the country’s industry as she said he is then trying to depose her and her sister or hurt her and her sister’s reputation and trust from the nobles and commoners would only hurt him in the end.
10054695 Is it truly one way though? He is a human after all, and he is being portrayed as the scheming type. Perhaps he is one of those characters “who just want to watch the world burn.” Perhaps he does have a grudge against Celestia for something. The point is, we don’t know what the beef between them is in the first place. The bias on Celestia’s part is a given, though he could be using her bias as part of his plan.
In saying that, we as the reader have been a neutral party to this whole story, an outsider looking in. We are starting to see the events through Celestia’s eyes but have yet to see Shade’s perspective too. Perhaps Celestia made a brash decision that ended up hurting him because she thought she was trying to protect her citizens.
My theory is that he is slowly trying to undermine Celestia’s control over her country by turning all those close to her against her. By showing them that she isn’t the infinitely patient ruler they thought her to be he can slowly gain their trust while lowering their opinion of her. Maybe he doesn’t want the throne, maybe he just wants to see Celestia thrown off her high horse (pun intended). Maybe this is one of those revenge stories where he reveals his intentions to her when she has utterly lost the battle with no hope of regaining what was lost. This is all in speculation of course, it’s too early to be making assumptions.
10054753 When I said, “He is a human after all” I was merely implying that there are a metric shit ton of stories on this site where humans are portrayed as the conniving type. I meant nothing by it. From what little I have seen from him, I get the evil madman with secret plans to usurp the throne vibes from him. Kind of a Scar from the Lion King type character.
He is immortal, why rush? He has all the time he could ever want to slowly build up his connections and influence. Perhaps later on in the story we find out that he has his fingers in, like, 90% of Equestria’s industrial businesses. I’m just throwing out possibilities, a shot in the dark.
An interesting thought just came to mind. What if he is the reason Sombra gained his dark crystal magic? I mean it’s a little hard to believe a unicorn could somehow muster the strength to go up against an Alicorn. What if Sombra was a failed experiment of sorts? That could change everything considering Sombra has personally affected the lives of the mane six respectively.
On the terms of what she might have done to him... he did mention spending some time in that cell he was in. The Celestia in this story seems to be of the cautious sort but she doesn’t necessarily think her actions through all the way. A prime example being Shade’s unjust incarceration as well as her showing the girls the flashbacks. Perhaps she may have exploited him in secret for a number of years in that dungeon. Perhaps she used him for experiments. After all, it looks as if it’s not everyday that you come across a being without a magical core and still be alive. And she did mention that he had incredible regenerative abilities. It’s a stretch but it’s still plausible.
Maybe instead of coming out with her mistreatment of him, Shade elected to remain silent about the situation and get revenge in his own way. Keep in mind, before the whole incident in House Star, most if not all the nobles were on her side. If a hairless ape came running out into the streets spewing nonsense about how their fair and just ruler experimented on him they would just think him crazy.
As to your Sombra idea, while good, Sadly couldn’t have happened. Sombra was pre-Nightmare moon and was one of the reasons for her. If he is going off the timeline I think he is, then it would had been Discord > Grogar > Tirek > Sombra > Nightmare Moon. It’s already been referenced that He showed up Post Nightmare by some of Lunas statements.
If you, as they did, cast aside your own morality as you have done your humanity. If you become a monster. I will kill you."
"She who fights monsters should see to it that she herself does not become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."
Hey, tia! Ever hear of little thing known as a self fulfilling prophesy? Because it sure sounds like you're doing your best to make one happen
10052780
Isn't that how it always goes? Fearing the creation of a monster from someone who 'has the potential to become one' (what does that even mean) gives rise to the very monster they feared to begin with?
so he is a satyr while using magic
Celestia made a big mistake here. She all but told all the noble family's that 'if I don't approve, i will ignore the law's that I do not like. And you can do nothing about it.'
With 1 move Shadow showed the nobles of Equestria that you cannot trust the royals. They are not on your side, and the laws they they wrote does not apply to them. This is how revolution starts.
This will also hurt her relation with the elements, slandering and unjustly incarcerating their loved on with nothing more than a hunch, and then threatening with death. And them knowing that the princes will break laws and sanctions to get her will. How long will it take for them to start to fully mistrust Celestia because she has an ax to grind with the human ?.
I have a feeling this whole plan is going to backfire, her intent to turn them against him with what is for all intents and purposes a biased perspective; will likely only solidify their relationship.
I think that is his plan in the end, he knew this would happen thus he is letting it happen for the sake of his relationships with the three. This also shows them her unrelenting hate for him AND gets his past out in the open without him having to tell it as it likely hurts him to talk about it.
I bet if Cadance were to come around again, she would feel unparalleled love and compassion from him for the three. He has likely not taken any romantic interest as he knew Celestia would do her damndest to kill it at its start.
I can’t really, honestly, understand her hatred for him. So far it would seem he has done nothing to really warrant it.
10053183
She essentially committed political suicide, and considering her opponent is a fellow immortal, he likely isn't going to forget such a blunder any time soon.
10053242
Ah but there in lies the problem. Metaphorically speaking, the night is still young. Perhaps this scene was showed to the girls for context as it might be difficult to grasp future information without this foundation. I look forward to what this story has to offer. It has captured my interest.
10053792
True, but I don't think Twilight or Fluttershy would have agreed to form a Herd with him even at pinkies request if they thought he could be a Danger to them. Fluttershy more then Twilight, as she tends to shy away from those that she thinks would hurt her.
But I think we will have to see, I will be VERY Disappointed if they turn on him. He seems to be Genuinely Happy and I fear what will happen should they fall to Celestia's Bias.
10053880
I’ll have to agree that it would be a huge disappointment if we find out in the next chapter that they would turn on him so easily. Luckily, I find such a situation unlikely to happen. Otherwise, all that build up would have been a waste of time. Taking such action would be very unwise.
However, in saying that, we cannot yet throw out the possibility of manipulation. After all, we find out in this chapter that Shade hasn’t really been all that forthcoming with the girls about his past. Only now are they finding out that there is beef between him and Princess Sunbutt. That may just be a power-play from him though. Considering how long they’ve know and studied each other, it’s not too far off to say that he knew this would happen and that she would take this course of action, in turn playing right into his hands.
No doubt you’ve seen the comments, chief among them Celestia’s questionable choice of disregard for her own laws. All part of his plan. An interesting thought would be if wether he would consider a partnership with Discord or not. At this point in the present, we are not sure if Discord has been reformed or is even free yet. I assume not since Flutterbutt makes no mention of him.
10054288
Maybe, but for all intents and purposes the beef seems one way. I have yet to see anything even close to Shade being intentionally hostile towards Celestia and all we have seen in terms of perspective is what Celestia has so far shown though memory and that is likely biased though her perceived thoughts of threat.
For all we know, Shade HAS told them some if not all of his past. But knowing Twilight, she wants to hear Celestias side of the story and is keeping quite, Fluttershy is likely following Twilight and Pinkie is...well pinkie and has likely read the Authors script
If this is a manipulation on Shades part then what does he gain? Celestia has said in he doesn’t care about the gold, influence, rules or leadership/ruling and if he is as invested in the country’s industry as she said he is then trying to depose her and her sister or hurt her and her sister’s reputation and trust from the nobles and commoners would only hurt him in the end.
10054695
Is it truly one way though? He is a human after all, and he is being portrayed as the scheming type. Perhaps he is one of those characters “who just want to watch the world burn.” Perhaps he does have a grudge against Celestia for something. The point is, we don’t know what the beef between them is in the first place. The bias on Celestia’s part is a given, though he could be using her bias as part of his plan.
In saying that, we as the reader have been a neutral party to this whole story, an outsider looking in. We are starting to see the events through Celestia’s eyes but have yet to see Shade’s perspective too. Perhaps Celestia made a brash decision that ended up hurting him because she thought she was trying to protect her citizens.
My theory is that he is slowly trying to undermine Celestia’s control over her country by turning all those close to her against her. By showing them that she isn’t the infinitely patient ruler they thought her to be he can slowly gain their trust while lowering their opinion of her. Maybe he doesn’t want the throne, maybe he just wants to see Celestia thrown off her high horse (pun intended). Maybe this is one of those revenge stories where he reveals his intentions to her when she has utterly lost the battle with no hope of regaining what was lost. This is all in speculation of course, it’s too early to be making assumptions.
10054744
Being Human doesn’t mean one is manipulative, from the way she has described him he sounds like a mix of Tony Stark and a Roman scholar.
He has had what? A thousand years to build up his reputation and undermine hers? If that were his goal he could have done it by now.
Got any ideas or speculation on what she has done to him?
10054753
When I said, “He is a human after all” I was merely implying that there are a metric shit ton of stories on this site where humans are portrayed as the conniving type. I meant nothing by it. From what little I have seen from him, I get the evil madman with secret plans to usurp the throne vibes from him. Kind of a Scar from the Lion King type character.
He is immortal, why rush? He has all the time he could ever want to slowly build up his connections and influence. Perhaps later on in the story we find out that he has his fingers in, like, 90% of Equestria’s industrial businesses. I’m just throwing out possibilities, a shot in the dark.
An interesting thought just came to mind. What if he is the reason Sombra gained his dark crystal magic? I mean it’s a little hard to believe a unicorn could somehow muster the strength to go up against an Alicorn. What if Sombra was a failed experiment of sorts? That could change everything considering Sombra has personally affected the lives of the mane six respectively.
On the terms of what she might have done to him... he did mention spending some time in that cell he was in. The Celestia in this story seems to be of the cautious sort but she doesn’t necessarily think her actions through all the way. A prime example being Shade’s unjust incarceration as well as her showing the girls the flashbacks. Perhaps she may have exploited him in secret for a number of years in that dungeon. Perhaps she used him for experiments. After all, it looks as if it’s not everyday that you come across a being without a magical core and still be alive. And she did mention that he had incredible regenerative abilities. It’s a stretch but it’s still plausible.
Maybe instead of coming out with her mistreatment of him, Shade elected to remain silent about the situation and get revenge in his own way. Keep in mind, before the whole incident in House Star, most if not all the nobles were on her side. If a hairless ape came running out into the streets spewing nonsense about how their fair and just ruler experimented on him they would just think him crazy.
10054828
Hmm true, guess we will have to see.
As to your Sombra idea, while good, Sadly couldn’t have happened. Sombra was pre-Nightmare moon and was one of the reasons for her. If he is going off the timeline I think he is, then it would had been Discord > Grogar > Tirek > Sombra > Nightmare Moon. It’s already been referenced that He showed up Post Nightmare by some of Lunas statements.
"She who fights monsters should see to it that she herself does not become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."
I wonder if arithmancy can divide by zero.
Careful Luna, the dark side is a pathway to many opportunities Celestia finds...unnatural.
Barren —> Baron
Very well written, I’ve been waiting to read until you had more chapters but I’m impressed
10075910
You have my gratitude, I hope I can continue to impress.