The dream seemed almost stereotypical for what you would expect the dream of an evil overlord being.
It was a throneroom. The throneroom in canterlot actually, but not quite. It was like he hadn’t seen it himself, but had it described or painted for him.
It was close, but not quite.
Celestia and Luna were shackled by the base of the dias the throne was setup on along with a purple and pink alicorn, looking very similar to Luna. He had never seen either of them.
The Storm King, or Arganon as was his actual name according to the dream, was sitting in the throne, his hand on a mage staff.
The rest of the throneroom was filled with creatures. Ponies, Griffons, his own people. Other species I had barely even seen before like bird people and diamond dogs. They were all bowing and groveling to him.
“I think we found the right one,” I commented to Luna.
She nodded and then shook her head, “I believe you are right.”
“How would you like to do this?” I asked, scraping my hoof against the marble floor.
Luna gave me a quick kiss, “You take the lead on this. You have a better record in talking down hostile powers than I do.”
“...Really?” I asked as I blinked up at her, “Surely you and Celestia spent a good amount of time negotiating during the formation of Equestria.”
Luna nodded, “Yes, but that was primarily my sister. It was also quite a while ago, your successes have been recent. You turned the Changelings to our allies, something we never managed.”
I looked up at him. He looked unbearable smug sitting there, overlooking all he had conquered.
“...I suppose I better have a talk with him then, ape to ape,” before I tapped my hoof against the ground, solidifying the dream and sweeping everypony else away from the chamber before stepping out of what seemed to him to be a cloud of black smoke.
“Greetings, Arganon,” I said, giving him a small bow.
“What!?” he exclaimed and surged to his feet, looking around.
I smiled and spread my wings, “I am Blank Page, alicorn of stories. I am of the understanding that your forces attacked Canterlot yesterday?”
Arganon grinned, “Come to surrender?”
“They were summarily defeated like a small band of bandits and thrown in the dungeons or killed. Their commander along with them,” I informed him as I folded my wings again, “Surrender yourself and your forces or be crushed underhoof.”
He stared at me for a long moment before he started to laugh.
“Oh, is that so? An invasion of ponies? I tremble in fear!” he laughed with a grin, heading down the stairs with his staff, “Is this why you came here in my dream, pony? To try to trick me?”
I shifted my ear, “No trickery required, I’m afraid,” I told him, “Now, I could continue to threaten you. Remind you of what the Minotaurs call Princess Celestia. Of the command of the weather our pegasi has, the magic of our unicorns. The control of the night of Princess Luna. Or our admittedly tenuous alliance with the Lord of fucking Chaos himself, Discord.”
I slowly moved around him, “I could do that, but I’m fairly sure you already had plans for all that. Though I doubt you really planned for the possibility of pissing off Discord if Fluttershy had gotten hurt. I’m sure he could be unpleasant if he actually got angry about something.”
“So you won’t do anything like that, huh?” He said, turning to follow me, “So why are you here?”
“To prevent a war,” I said, “I don’t want a war. Ponies and even your people would get hurt. I don’t want that. So we’re giving you an official chance to surrender before we get that far, or else.”
“Or else what, pony? We’re in a dream, you can’t hurt me.”
I looked up at him, “Oh really?” I asked, “You invaded my Luna's wedding. I’m not feeling overly harmonious at the moment. One more chance. Surrender.”
“No, pony!” He said and glared down at me, “Enough of this! You are to surrender to my forces or you will regr-”
The stone of the floor reached up and wrapped around his neck as I looked up at him, “Very well then,” I said, “Did you think that just because we’re in a dream, you can’t be hurt?”
He looked surprised down at me as he tugged at the stone around his neck.
“Well, you’re right,” I said as I took a couple of steps back, “A dream can’t hurt you, not really anyways. What I can do is to make sure you wake up screaming for the rest of your life, never getting more than a couple of minutes of sleep.”
I started to warp the dream around us, things moving in the darkness. Shapes shifting as eyes opened in places they had no business being.
Things That Should Not Be from the darkest dreams of Lovecraft himself formed behind me as I let my own form start to fade away into the darkness between them.
“Or never just let you wake up at all. We’ll see,” I said as I locked the dream in place, letting all the things run their course, “We’ll talk again… in say, a week? I recommend eight hours a night. It’s good for your health. Sweet dreams.”
Then I turned and left.
Page dont play.
Ooof.
Stormy boi fucked up.
When you stop and consider all that being able to easily and totally control someone's dreams can entail, it become horrifying very quickly.
What i bet Page is thinking right now regarding the Storm King.
Welp, Page is pissed.
Damn, Page has NO CHILL
Well, I wouldn't either after what he suffered...
So the Storm King was all the way back at his castle.
What this tells us is that his personal airship is fast enough to cross a continent in three days (the stated time frame he gave Tempest Shadow for his arrival time after she had captured Canterlot in the movie). It also tells us that he at least cares about actually ruling his own kingdom, just not enough to actually maintain the territories he conquers other than to make sure that they cannot strike back.
Blank Page gave Arganon a week, but I suspect that the Storm King will be spearheading a follow-up attack in about three days or so. Most likely with his larger airships. And probably more than just the eight that Tempest Shadow's strike force consisted of.
Page follows very similar rules to The Doctor... you get one offer, one chance to do the right thing, and if you don't take it, all bets are off for you.
Who gonna bet, that Storm KIng/Arganon after waking up will react with instant preparation to kill Page ASAP? That is usual way, that such sociopaths react toward things they honestly fear. Also Storm King is massive warmonger, that spread a lot of suffering around world, him being not overthrown is simply wrong. To give example close to many readers, it would be like USA would somehow scare Tojo and Japanese government into white peace without stopping them in other places instantly after Pearl Harbor and then return to happy isolationism, calling it day.
Who can guarantee, that Storm King will not simply avoid Equestria after this and will simply come for others, weaker nations for his routine? That is how peaceful Equestria is supposed to look? That only peace in Ponyland matter, we don't care for crimes done against others? Honestly, this guy invaded Canterlot with will to enslave population, killing inhabitants in process. I really don't want for this plot to end this way, it would be simply unjust. Yes, in war peoples die, but some things MUST be destroyed and some crimes must be punished, because otherwise there is not harmony nor justice.
No one:
Storm King:
Page: ‘Laughs in eldrich night-horror’
Me: “I wish I could do that.”
I was expecting that he would recreate a horror movie or game. Like Fnaf but okay
😱 HE summoned a Lovecraftian monster to torment the Storm King?!!! And trapped him in such torture for a week straight?!?!?!
.
.
.
.
That poor poor Storm King. Seeing monster which drive people into madness for a week straight.
Monsters which make even the worst Equis monster hide in fear.
My request is granted. You have my thanks and my loyalty.
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Nah. If he forced SK to dream for a week, he wouldn’t have recommended the eight hours. Also, a sleeping king can’t surrender.
What I’m really curious to see is Luna’s reaction. I wonder if there will be a moment of realization that much of Page’s success with negotiation has come from the fact that he is at least as naturally predatory/“monstrous” as the griffons or the ‘lings or whoever? He likes meat, has predatory instincts, and harbors a uniquely human mean-streak (see Lovecraftian abomination filled nightmares above).
9910308
yes, Lord Blankest of them Pages is a Bucking Fastard...
I LOVE IT SO!!!
Is it possible to make the Storm King die of nightmare-induced heart failure? Time to find out... for science!
Blank Page: Rushless invader of many nations, let me introduce you to the mercyless side of one that killed the one that was irredeemable, the one to go to any length to protect what was and ever is dear to him. The one your forces wedding ruined and endangered. Life treating and not killed by luck not lack of intend. Your permitted to gaze in awe at the defender of dreams. Well... In your case rather the living Nightstallion Page Blank. Enjoy your stay in your personal cell. It contains everything you own in your head to show you that after all you did your ultimativly own nothing. Not even your life. You hurt - killed the Innocent. You destroyed lifes. You showed no mercy and will now see how it feels to be on the reciving side. For the rest of your very limited time of your miserable existance. I am the eternal one you have dared to anger. Congratulations mortal. You have earn your place in the history books as the king of the Idiots that sealed there fate. Enjoy the little time you have left ... ... Do - you - like... ... CuPcAkEsSsssss...
33... make them face eatch other and you have a 8 let it fall to the side and you get the time ones received after screwed up so splendidly
A singel number with anything standing alone. That is telling more than thousands word. Well done
Half expected Page to want to play a game
I almost feel sorry for the Storm King just think of the horror movies and stories Page has at his disposal from his human heritage. ALL that or just the memories of history he can unleash on the storm king
*leaving dream*
Luna: So...how bad did you make it?
Page: Oh my sweet Sky. Some things are better off not known.
*within the dream little cute sea creatures surround the Storm King*
Sea Creatures: Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo~! Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo~! Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo~! Baby shark!
Storm King: Stop...fucking...SINGING...PLEEEEEEEEEASE!!
*DRAMATIC PAUSE*
Sea Creatures: *loud inhale* Mommy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo~! Mommy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo~!
“Your in my world now bitch!”
9910407
Shooo bee doo, shoo shoo bee doo. For something a little closer to home.
Wonderful chapter! I love how he handled the situation.
Things look to be off to a good start, but we shouldn't forget that Stormy is quite insane to begin with.
He might see the Lovecraftian shit as "entertainment". Likewise, with sending the likes of Freddy Kruger or Michael Myers at him.
Page should really have a back up plan ready.
Like the sea ponies from My Little Pony, Generation 1
Or (the other Mike Myers): Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery
Or Scooby Doo (& Scrappy, Too) Meets Super Friends
And if none of those are cringeworthy enough to drive someone already insane into a gibbering, drooling wreck, there's always:
this
Never underestimate the cruelty of human imagination
Fuck yeah go Page!!!
Storm king dun goofed.
Page is not a happy pony
Incorrect, he can't hurt you physically... mentally however
9910197
Yup, it's one of those things in MLP that get a lot more horrifying when you stop and think about it
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derpicdn.net/img/2012/1/19/880/medium.png
🎼🎵 We are such...happy flowers...
🎼We will now...sing...for hours
🎼Aren't we all UNBEARABLY CUTE?
🎼Watch me solo on this flute... 🎵
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiX5pbyoL_lAhU9UhUIHYPmBT4Q3ywwAHoECAkQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DQHanYNYqVAo&usg=AOvVaw0aBuWRvndZztS353s-BzH0
I'm surprised Page didn't get a few xenomorphs to make his point.
True lovecraftian horrors have been known to leave those who simply saw them as drooling vegetables. The Storm king may wake up from these nightmares but his mind may be on permanent vacation.
I wonder, if Page is able to create and alter dreams to his choosing, couldn't he just trap the Storm King in an endless dream loop, making him think that he's woken up when he's actually inside another dream? Granted, it might drive the Storm King mad wondering whether what he's seeing is reality or just another dream after a while, but I'm sure he'd be more open to negotiations by then.
See, this is why you DONT. CRASH. WEDDINGS!
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9910853
“Storm King, I’ve come to Bargain.”
9910308
Let him fear the night during the day. Let him see what he has and if it’s worth risking.
9910987
Really? Between the the two of them, I think Page is more akin to an unspeakable cosmic horror than Stormy is.
Oh come on, you can't have a serious nightmare without a little Metallica.
9911020
True but then I can’t make a Doctor Strange reference.
Give him a week or three of the Dunwich Horror (the book) with no release from sleep and show up with an overkill army at his island?
Maybe, I dunno.
no this is ho things should be handled.
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Well, that's old stormy dealt with.
9910235
I got the impression that Page isn't planing to let the Storm King wake up for a week as he stays trap in the nightmare...
9911957
Impossible, because Storm King need to be awake to order ceasefire for his army and that would risk killing him by dehydration, stress induced heart stroke, self-poisoning etc., which would be very counterproductive, as there is high chance, that his heir will try to avenge him.
There is one thing we are overlooking here. Megalomaniacs don't want to sleep. The Nazi's practically invented methamphetamine in the form of a pill called Pervitin. Maniacs who want to rule the world will do anything to not sleep. It gets in the way of grinding the poor fools who dared to sleep under their heals. Sleep is for the dead, not the winners.
What Page really needs to do is fix it so the Storm King can't wake up.
Storm King is about to spend the rest of his life screaming at things only he can see.
Win!
9912925
Mind and body will break down. Giving him exactly 1 week is a good time frame. After 2-3 days he will be aggressiv after 5 he will be exposed to fatigue that make his mind and body slow down. After the hole week he will surrender of go full force attack in desperation to get rid of his dream tormentor...