The Pathfinder were empty other than the members of the Legion. Not much of a Legion if I’m to be honest, not enough ponies.
I had made sure to hire the place for a private party, sending somepony to talk to the owner before I picked everyone up from the barracks.
I had sent them Sunset on ahead as I took care of some paperwork to finish everything up for now before I followed them.
Pushing the door open, I shook the snow from my mane. The place was silent other than the sound of cups clicking against the tables, a warm fire crackling in the central fireplace.
Not at all the normal atmosphere of the place.
Everypony just looked… tired and defeated.
That just won’t do. That won’t do at all.
I headed up to the bar, “Barkeep, something strong and warm.”
He nodded, “Wintercider, coming right up,” he agreed and headed to get it.
Turning I looked over the pub, “What’s with all the downer looks?”
“…We got our tails kicked, sir,” Bright Glow answered from her table, “Badly.”
I looked at her and then across the group, “Is that how you all feel?”
There was a smattering of nods and mumbling, a lot of ponies not meeting my gaze. Sunset was looking on with a curious look on her face from her seat furthest from the door.
“That’s fucking stupid,” I said and shook my head, “Look at yourselves! Look at what happened!”
Confusion.
I grinned at them, “You have been training for a year. You went up against the First Solar Guard. The Elite of the elite of the Solar guard, the Canterlot Castle garrison. They outnumbered you ten to one. They have traditions tracing back since the beginning of Equestria and the experience to go with it… and we almost won. Does that sound like a bunch of losers to you?”
You could almost feel the mood of the tavern rising.
“We had an alicorn on our side. Without you making sure they couldn’t sleep…”
“They had Celestia!” I countered with a grin and picking up the mug of heated strong cider from the bar, rising in the air in a salute to them, “The Princess that with her sister united Equestria into a force to be reckoned with. I’m a brand new alicorn that rule dreams. Let’s say at absolute best, Princess Celestia and I cancel each other out. What does that leave you against the Solar Guard?”
Some excited muttering between them.
“I’ll tell you where that leave you,” I continued, “That leave you standing up against the most powerful army of the land and not breaking. You accomplished your objective. You got me into that throneroom against all odds.”
Grinning at them, I pointed at one of the pegasi, “You, Storm Swell. I personally saw you lead a group of twenty ponies on a wild goosechase halfway across the city. Brilliant.”
Her ears flicked and she folded her wings a bit tighter at being singled out, “They tagged me though, Sir.”
“But not without you tagging three of them with your crossbow. One against twenty and you still took some down and bought your squad time to handle even more,” I saluted her with my cup, “You brought glory to the legion.”
I turned to look across them, meeting each of their eyes, “I could tell similar stories about each and every one of you. Whatever happen next time, you won’t be underestimated again. They know to fear you now.”
Bright Glow blinked at me, “Next time!?”
I gave her a predatory grin, “Next time. Don’t you want a rematch?”
She hesitated for a split second before she set her jaw stubbornly, “I do.”
I nodded, “So do I,” I agreed before looking at the rest and raising my voice again, “What say you!?”
“YES!”
“Good!” I agreed and spread my wings, drinking down the entire mug of cider, “But that’s for another day. Now! Drink and be merry! Enjoy yourselves because tomorrow, you’ll all be too damn hungover to!”
With that, I smashed the wooden cup against the stone floor, “Everything tonight is on me!”
I exclaimed, “A round to everyone!” I commanded the barkeep and the tavern erupted into cheers.
Grabbing another pair of mugs of the warmed cider, I crossed the tavern as I folded my wings before sitting down across Sunset, sliding one over to her.
She caught it with her hoof and smiled at me, “You’re so hot right now.”
“Damn right,” I agreed and sipped the cider, “That was a kind of spur of the moment thing. How did I do?”
“Right now if you told them they’d do it all over tomorrow, they would,” Sunset answered and took in the scent of the her drink, “…It was just what they needed.”
“Well, I am the Alicorn of Inspiration,” I said and shifted my wings, “Kinda anyway…I think it may have been about time I did something on that side of things.”
It just… kind of felt like the right thing to do.
[SHIPPING INTENSIFIES]!
And then the other boot of his punishment from Celestia drops.
A very nice speech, best they enjoy the present, because for Page his future isn’t gonna be pretty.
The most sadistic thing I think Celestia could do to Page, as the title suggests, would be to force him to take up the title of prince and perform the royal duties of such a station for the foreseeable future.
“Oh my head.” Page woke with a ringing in his ears. “What time is it?”
“Too damn early.” Sunset said from his bedside, happy fun time hair obvious.
“Sunny?! What are you?” He exclaimed
“Too Damn Early, Page.” Luna said from the other side.
please rename the Dream Guard to Pages Battle Maids.
Someone is channeling their inner-thor I see.
Do it Sunny, DO EEEEET
9123789
Which, of course, is evident from the story's cover art...
I still think you should have had page win. The fact he lost is just ruining the story for me
9123944
The book's name (Duties) and the picture for the story kinda' already predefined this outcome. I was certain he would lose - this way Celestia can dump some of her responsibilities on him, hence the name and the picture.
I also think this defeat actually developed Page's character further - evidenced especially how he managed to rally morale in this chapter. Maybe new responsibilities will make our hero grow even more.
9123791
“Could you three keep it down. Celestia is still asleep.” said Twilight, still wrapped in the solar alicorn’s wings at the foot of the bed.
Stay away from Sunset that way leads to heartache. Unless she can fullfill her destiny.
9123992
That maybe so but all that effort just to lose? It felt really rushed and not well done and this new chapter has made me rethink whether to continue following this series. Which is a terrible way to feel since I’ve been following it since book 2
9123924
The cover was made based on the description alone though.
9124129
“Fine, I’m just gonna go-eeep!” Page reels as he nearly trips over his commander and the rest of the legion they lay strewn about on various pillows.
“Geez. This harem thing really sneaks up on a guy.”
9124174
I do think that it is worth to wait out further chapters. As stated in my previous comment, the main goal of this book might be to teach Page how to be responsible, and this whole contest with Celestia was likely only a setup for this situation, and not the main point of the story. A Prologue, if you will.
If anything, you can't deny that the author usually gives Page a big win at the end of each book. I expect something similar - maybe saving the world once again from a newly introduced foe? I believe it is definitely worth it to stay and find out.
This saga has been more of a light-hearted reading for each evening before sleeping, rather than a serious adventure novel. If you want, I would be happy to recommend some more valiant adventure stories with epic moments and victories. At the same time, I prefer this story the way it is
9124596
Nah that’s ok I’ve already unfavorited and untracked the story. The story went somewhere I didn’t like so this is the top where I get off. Unless Hiver changes it so Page wins I don’t think I’m going to be coming back to the story, these last two chapters were not worth the wait for the previous ones
9124207
And after side stepping his way over to the end of the room, he turns the corner to see...the rest of the Solar Guard, Sktter's Changelings, and a bunch of Lunar Guard casually chatting in the corner.
Turns out inspirational speeches can be inspiring for multiple purposes.
9124763
Alicorn of Passion clearly.
9123992
As a number of people including myself (9119922) pointed out last chapter, the problem wasn't that Page lost, it was how he lost. There were a lot of balls in the air and lots of Checkov's guns set up building towards a spectacular finale, and then it just sort of ended with no payoff for any of it. There are a lot of ways Hiver could have gotten to this outcome in a satisfying way, but the fact of the matter is that he didn't and now people are justifiably displeased with him. Throw in the fact that he hasn't made any indication that he has even read the comments about it, let alone acknowledged the problem, and I also have serious issues with this story now. I'm not giving up on it and giving it a thumbs down like I'd assume 9124632 did, but I did knock it from my visible favorite to my hidden tracking list and removed my thumbs up.
9123822
Another!
9124207
Damn! Page really gets around.
The Sun Page ship is still sailing strong I see.
Sigh...You "Special Snowflakes" and your self-righteous comments.
The rematch will be glorious. Perhaps in 'Welcome to the jungle' ?
Get wasted with his troops. Glorious
9127087
Mostly sailing in circles with no clear mind to embark into sea or to head back to shore…
New Legion vs experienced elite Guard, indeed they did magnificently.
Sooo...when do they put Page in a maid outfit?
Motivation speeches, it's a rare treat that only a few heros seem to have mastered.
Motivation through Inspiration, stud did g00d like she sh0uld