//------------------------------// // 6 // Story: An ANGERY Journey to become King (Title WIP) // by Nightmare723764 //------------------------------// <<>> I tried to keep my fidgets to a minimum as Celestia and Luna, or rather my Aunt and Mother as they’ve claimed,  introduced me to the Council which would in turn lead to my eventual reveal to the general public. It was going… just about as well as expected, especially when I got the whole story of Nightmare Moon from them both. Though Luna’s side of the story was especially revealing, and with some coaxing she revealed some things only she knew that Celestia would never even consider. So I understood why they were wary of Luna and myself, though I find it stupid. But I suppose it’s a collective failure of sorts. Neither Celestia or Luna ever educated their subjects of how impactful emotions, especially repressed emotions, are or how all beings of sufficient power always manifest a Nightmare self. And by the time Celestia possibly even had the notion of enlightening her subjects the damage had already been done. Nightmare Moon had been demonized and reviled and seeing as Luna is Nightmare she got tarred with the same brush. All the good things Luna had done before the Nightmare Moon incident had been completely forgotten or made out to be a plot. “It’s so disappointing really. I realize this is my reality and not a cartoon but… I dunno. Just seeing ponies being so human is… upsetting I suppose.” I was pulled out of my thoughts when I realized everyone had quieted down, the nobles all looked nervous whereas Celestia and Luna looked around amused? I looked around before spotting my reflection. Huh… had no idea my eyes changed color as well. Neat. “Shifty? Do you have something you’d like to say?” Celestia asked serenely, though I could clearly see some eagerness no doubt thinking about that blue streak I swore a while back. Well… I certainly don’t want to disappoint my dear hot Auntie. But… I have to remember my lessons with Screwball. “Yeah.” I said before I looked at the nobles and forced myself to relax and recall everything Screwball taught me. “When you’re inevitably introduced the Nobles will ‘test’ your mettle. They will try to drag you down and make you act like a ‘commoner’ and as good as it would feel you can’t let your emotions control you. If you need to you can always rant at me. Daddy knows I need a shoulder to lean on an vent to occasionally.” “Okay… okay. I can do this.” I thought as I gathered my thoughts.  “Uh, my name's Shifting Space and I won’t claim to fully understand everything. I won’t say who is more at fault or anything. All I do know is that Mom accepted me and has decided to teach me. And it’s most likely personal bias but I don’t believe she deserves all the sus-picion to be thrown at her. She ack-nowledges the wrongs she had co-mmitted as Nightmare Moon and is willing to make amends but to my ears it sounds like no one is willing to give her a chance.” I said slowly, both to articulate my thoughts and to sound more like the child I resembled as per Luna’s instructions. Which might look suspicious or something to the nobles but honestly? Fuck them, I just wanna go get a snack and take a nap. “Remember that Nobles are just ponies and ponies fear things just like anyone else. In this case it’s the Unknown, that is Luna and you, and the idea of losing their perceived power over the commoners. Things had been stable with only Celestia on the throne but with an unknown princess coming out of nowhere, who happened to be the entire nations boogiemare, threw that stability out the window. They’re wary of Luna not necessarily because of something that happened a millennia ago but because she’s a threat to their influence.” The nobles all started mumbling to one another and I honestly wasn’t willing to humor them anymore. Deciding to use my young appearance to my advantage again I looked at Luna. “Mom? Are we done here? I’m getting hungry and wanna take a nap.” I said with a not-quite-fake yawn. Celestia and Luna had a knowing look in their eyes, because of course they would. They’re old hats at this political song and dance, even if Luna has been cut off for a thousand years. Somethings just never change after all. “Of course.” Luna gave me a hug and looked at her sister, “Can my son and I be excused sister?” “Of course, after all I want my new nephew to grow up to be a strong stallion.” Celestia said with a faint giggle. Luna nodded before placing me on her back and started to trot off. <<>> “Such a cunning colt your sister’s found.” “Indeed. But how much of it was of his own making and what was from Luna and Screwball’s advice?” Shifty’s introduction to the Council went about like Celestia had predicted, she wasn’t oblivious to the Council’s disgruntlement over having the Balance of Power shift so violently but she had been so overjoyed to have her sister back after all these years she had decided to put off dealing with it. But now seeing just how things have devolved Celestia knew she had to do something, and it seemed like her favored subtle manipulations wouldn’t do. They were inadvertently threatening her family! All it took was a simple clearing of her throat that made the Council, who had been debating Shifty and no doubt plans to use him, fall silent. “This is probably, no. This is my fault entirely.” The Council all looked at Celestia with trepidation, “I knew Luna’s presence would destabilize things, however I was simply so overjoyed to be reunited with my sister I decided I would address the situation at a later date. And for the most part ponies have opted for a ‘wait and see’ policy regarding my sister. However the only ones that haven’t adjusted are you my dear Councillors.” “Princess-” Celestia cut the noble off. “Onyx Star, I’m aware of how upset you all are.” Celestia said, “However I want you all to consider this. Luna will do anything to prove herself worthy of ruling beside me, all she wants is respect which isn’t a costly thing I believe. And in her son Shifting Space we have a future general of great power.” Celestia hated sounding like she was taking advantage of Luna and her son, but sadly nobles only understood profit and benefits they could gain. So to get the Nobles back under control and stabilize the Council she took advantage no matter how much it made her sick. “Princess Celestia if I may.” A unicorn with a monocle stood up, his mane coufed to perfection and dressed in an opulent suit and tie, “And forgive me if I sound rude or even paranoid but… should the colt be trusted? With his… deformities and according to reports freakish strength he could be Eldritch Spawn?” And that comment sparked another round of debate, and Celestia felt the beginnings of a migraine take form right behind her horn. She knew Shifty wasn’t Eldritch Spawn, as did her sister, however the sad truth is that they’re suspicions weren’t entirely wrong. Shifting Space until the Guard found him didn’t exist. Celestia arranged a ritual to locate any blood ties and for the first time since the ritual's creation it failed. And if that wasn’t enough to suggest potential Beyond-origins, Shifting Space’s soul and magical signature were unlike anything Celestia had ever seen. Seeing the paranoia starting to ramp up Celestia banged her hoof on the floor like a gavel drawing everyponies attention back to her. “Cease this baseless speculation! Regardless of Shifting Space’s origins he has proven himself to me and Luna to be a colt capable of reason and logic. Something which most Beyond are not, so until he shows signs of being Beyond Spawn let the matter rest.” Celestia said, “Now we’ve spent enough time on the subject of my new nephew. Let us attend other matters such as the increased-” The rest of the meeting devolved into politicking and the nobles trying to get the most whilst giving the least. So, a regular day at the office in Celestia’s opinion.