//------------------------------// // 124- Airmid // Story: Changing Expectations // by KKSlider //------------------------------// The ponies were in various states of grief, I noticed. Cadence was in denial. The idea that such heinous acts could take place right here in Canterlot, right under her own nose was inconceivable. She was grilling Lacewing for more details, trying to identify the ponies responsible for the crimes committed against the changelings. She probably thought that the actions were committed by a small group. The actions of a few radicals, rather than some systematic belief or organization." Shining Armor was angry. He paced the ground next to Cadence while they listened to Lace, though I suspected with less kind motives. From his mutterings, I could tell he wanted to know the identity of these ponies because they were Royal Guards, and he was thus responsible for all their actions. He wanted their hides, metaphorically speaking. ‘At least I no longer have to convince him to deliver justice. He’s going to be hunting down every last Inquisitor now out of sheer anger, both at them and himself. Well Shining, good luck to you with that. I’ll lend any help I can at finding the rat-bastards.’ Thorax, who I am throwing in with the ponies because he’s not dealing with this so well, was looking about as down in the dumps as he possibly could. Coxa was torn between comforting Thorax and providing support for Lace. I found myself in a similar situation, torn between helping out Thorax and helping out Celestia. Luna was… closed off. The emotions I sensed suggested that she had accepted what happened, and was ready to chop some heads off. Or rather, given that she’s a pony, lock up the Division-P Inquisitors and throw away the key. I wasn’t worried about her, no. It was her sister that was taking this a lot worse. Luna was still half in the past, so her mindset wasn’t quite as modern as her shrunken counterpart. Furthermore, Celestia actually was responsible for this. At least, that’s what she believed. Celestia poured herself another drink. She had to hold it with her magic, her hoof was shaking so much. Luna gave me a concerned glance, “See to your friends, I shall see to my sister.” “Alright.” I walked over and nodded to Coxa. He nodded back and left Thorax to attend to Lacewing, who was beginning to yell at Cadence. Thorax was rocking back and forth on the bench when I sat next to him. I wrapped a foreleg around his withers and pulled him into a tight hug. Thorax buried his face into my shoulder. “I don’t like this, Phas. I don’t like any of this. Why can’t things just be simple? Why did they hurt so many changelings?” “Because they gained from our suffering. A bit like how we gained from theirs.” “I don't– that’s not– no, Phas! This is nothing like feeding on ponies! How are you even this calm?!” I shrugged, “It’s bad, yes, but to be honest, I expected worse…” “Worse? Lace was tortured! Lings died!” “I’m not saying any of this is good, Thorax, just… it could have been worse. Much worse. And if you don’t believe me, then just be thankful that your imagination doesn’t reach the levels that the bad guys from my world did.” “.... What do we do, Phas? What do we do about any of this?” I sighed, “No death penalties. I’m sure Celestia won’t offer much resistance if I would suggest them, but… again, it’s not as bad as I thought. I’m sure life in prison will sit well enough with the ponies, and they do love their reformative sentencing, rather than punishments. We wouldn’t be here if they weren’t willing to forgive others.” “And us? What if we don’t forgive them?” “That’s… our problem. We’ll make sure nothing like this ever happens. Then, we’ll hold it over their heads and make sure we never have to pay income taxes ever again.” “Fff–Phas!” Thorax tried to not laugh. “How can you joke about this stuff?!” He broke from the hug and looked up at me, trying to look cross. “I dunno, Thorax. Once you deal with demons from hell trying to lobotomize you, anything else seems kinda… not as bad. I’m desensitized, I guess. Don’t get me wrong, I’m mad as hell about this, but hearing Lace’s story… it just makes me sad. All those lings suffered and died and I couldn’t save them. Well, I’m here now. I can help the survivors, and make sure nothing like this ever happens again.” Thorax shook his head, “I don’t think I could ever be so calm about anything like this.” “Then don’t be. The survivors need help, right? If you’re so fired up or upset, then go and help them. Make sure they’re all well fed, or listen to their stories, help them find positions within the Fifth Hive in Manehattan, or find whatever way you can to help. You’ve got a strong heart, Thorax. Stronger than anyone else I’ve ever met. If you want to go and help, go and help. I can handle these negotiations without you.” Thorax smiled, “I suppose you can, but leaving right now would make me feel like I’m abandoning your friends. Besides, Diamond already paid for the train ticket to Canterlot. They don’t give refunds for those.” “The survivors are still down in the Crystal Caves while we sort out the Fifth Hive’s status within Equestria, so you won’t have to leave Canterlot to help them out. Go take a break, and then check in with whoever's in charge down there. We’ll meet back up for dinner here at the Palace.” Thorax snorted, “Is your marefriend okay with you inviting other people to her house?” “If she does have a problem, then she’s going to have to take that up with me. Worst case scenario, she’s got spare bedrooms for you to spend the night in.” “That sounds like fun. Thanks, Phas.” “Yeah, I bet you always wanted to be a princess living in a castle.” Thorax laughed and punched me in the shoulder. I briefly checked up on the two lover duos. Lace seemed to be taking things well enough, and Coxa was there for her in case she needed someone to yell at, or hug, depending on her mood. Cadence had calmed down a bit, and had thankfully moved the conversation topic from war crimes to hobbies that the two girls shared. Shining wasn’t any calmer. I could feel the anger beneath his cool exterior, like a shark swimming as slow as it wanted. ‘Seems like the kind of slow-burn anger that you definitely don’t want to be a part of.’ He caught my stare and nodded to me with a steely look. I nodded back. ‘Seems like we’re going to have a conversation about Division-P and sentencing later.’ That just left the alicorn sisters. Celestia was by the edge of the balcony, slumped over the railing, while Luna sat next to her, in the middle of telling her some story from ages past. When I joined them and sat down on the other side of Luna, Celestia sat up straight and outwardly pulled herself together. She seemed to put her emotions in a tight clamp, something she did with disturbing levels of skill and effectiveness. ‘Centuries of putting your nation before your own well being really teaches you how to feel dead inside, I bet.’ “Hello Phasma,” Celestia said, cutting Luna off mid-story. “I’m sorry Luna, but I’m not really paying attention to your story…” Luna huffed, “I can see that, Celestia. I was telling it anyway, because I know you appreciate my company regardless. I want you to feel comfortable, not paying attention.” Celestia smiled sadly, “Ah. I’m sorry, I’m not used to being around somepony who can read me so well.” “I know you are not. But get used to it, because I am not leaving anytime soon.” “Thank Harmony for that. Now Phasma, I suppose we should address the elephant in the room: Division-P…” “I don’t want death sentences,” I interrupted. “What?” Celestia asked, genuinely shocked. “But all those things they did… torture, experimentation, denying treatment…” I shrugged, “I think at the end of the day, your method of rehabilitation and reintegration are superior to my desires for punishment. I still want changelings on the juries, but maybe sticking with the Equestrian methods will make things better than otherwise. Don’t get me wrong, I will make sure every damned person in Equestria knows what happened here, but you ponies have proven that you’re quite adept at correcting your behavior, and the behavior of ‘villains,” I said, making air quote motions with my hooves. “We have never dealt with crimes of this substantial nature, though. I admit that I am at a bit of a loss as to how we should treat the Inquisitors…” Luna guffawed, “Of course you do! We will treat them as the criminals they are! They might have had a blank check from Daybreaker for their actions, but at the end of the day, their actions are their own. Arrest them all, and throw them in prison! Hunt them down, if you must. Tartarus, I would relish the chance to do so, and I know that I am not the only one.” Celestia shook her head, “I did not mean capturing them. I fully intend on doing that. You, your thestrals, and Shining ought to work together to bring them to justice. I was talking about after we have them all. I… I don’t know how they did what they did. I mean, I know how they did it, but not why. In times past when I have sentenced individuals to life in prison, our harshest sentence, it was because they were monsters in their own right. It was simply impossible for them to feel sorry for their own actions, and their presence was a danger to others around them. Division-P is different. It is not a single villain or monster acting out, it is an organization I created, and one that drew from Canterlot’s citizenry. Their actions and crimes feel like failures on my part to instill the virtues I have tried to live to.” “Nonsense!” Luna admonished. “Nopony is asking you to control their lives. Even here in Canterlot, where you live every day, how many ponies actually see you? Talk to you? How many receive personal lessons on how to be kind to others? You think you should micromanage each life within this city?” “No–” Celestia began. Luna continued, “Then you wash your hooves of their actions! They are all adults. They all understand that their lives are their own. The fact that it has taken so long for so many individuals to do this much damage is testament to your skills at managing the country without me. Alone, you have kept the worst at bay for as long as possible, and need I remind you that Daybreaker formed Division-P, not you?” Celestia sighed, “I will accept that Daybreaker’s actions were not my own the moment you accept that Nightmare Moon’s actions were not your own.” Luna crossed her forehooves, “.... Deal.” Celestia blinked, “What?” “I said deal.” Luna smiled, “Spending too much time on what was and what could be is what damned me all those years ago. Now that we both have actions that we regret, moments of weakness that were exploited, then it is only more important that we both move on. Let us work together to accept what has happened, and not let it guide our actions.” “... It sounds like you are suggesting therapy,” Celestia frowned. “Is that what I am doing?” “Yes.” “Will it help us?” “I suppose it would…” “Then it is what I am suggesting! We shall do this ‘therapy,’ and we shall become stronger for it!” I chuckled, “You do realize that therapy is talking to someone about your past and your feelings, right?” Luna sagged, “It is? No chance that therapy involves going out and slaying a monster, then drinking until we do not feel pain anymore?” Celestia laughed, “Ha! Not anymore, it doesn’t.” “Then… we shall do it anyway!” Luna wrapped a wing around me and pulled me close to her side. “And Phasma will do it, too!” “I am?” “He will?” “Yes! If I am to suffer this, then so shall he! Besides, you need to accept your past, too, Phasma. I can not imagine how your death has affected you, but I know that your process of healing should be at least similar to ours, no?” I grumbled, “... I guess.” “Huzzah! It is decided! We shall all attend therapy!” Celestia shook her head and tried not to smile, “I have never in my days ever heard somepony so excited for that nonsense.” I cleared my throat, “Can we still do the monster slaying and drinking part?” Luna nodded to me and we gave Celestia our best puppy eyes. When she noticed us, Celestia groaned and rolled her eyes. “We’ll see what the shrinks have to say. Because, though I love you, Luna, there’s no way in Tartarus that I can do group therapy. Not at first, at least. They may suggest group sessions eventually, given our closeness, or soon-to-be-closeness in your case, Phasma. I am warning you, Luna, this isn’t going to be fun or pleasant.” “I will do paperwork every day for a century, if that is what it takes to make things right again,” Luna said. “But only a century. Anything more than that and I am cutting my losses and eloping with Phasma.” “Will your coltfriend help us out in fixing Equestria?” Celestia asked, motioning to me. “I’ve got my own kingdom to worry about, but I’ll help where I can. Especially since I plan on relegating duties to my upper command, so I can spend my days golfing, or whatever rich people do when they are not exploiting the working class.” “Excellent. I hope you don’t mind, but I may just make you a full Prince of Equestria, just so I have that much less paperwork I have to fill out everyday.” I snorted, “You’d really do that, huh?” “Yes. You will be a Prince eventually, if Luna has anything to say about it.” “Big wedding,” Luna confirmed. “In a bit, however. No need to rush it.” “There you go. You get stability and close ties with the strongest nation on the planet, Luna gets… well, you, and I get another set of hooves for paperwork. As much as I try, there is only so much that can be relegated to non-royalty. You are quite lucky that your Hive doesn’t have a noble class.” I scratched my head, “Okay. I guess that works. But I do have to warn you, I’ve got plans for the future that will need my direct guidance for.” “Ooh,” Luna wiggled her eyebrows, “and pray tell, what are those plans?” I cleared my throat, “The changeling race is more or less on the brink of extinction. It’s going to take a lot of work to fix that, and I don’t intend on just hoping it happens naturally. First, I’d like to get a team together to examine the ruins of the Third Hive, and see if there’s anything left of it. Then, I want to look into establishing another Hive.” “Another Hive?” Celestia asked, looking confused. “I am certain your Hive will do well enough once you are integrated– even if only at the surface level– with Equestria.” I nodded, “I think the Fifth Hive is more than capable of saving the changeling race, too. However, I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket. The more ways changelings have of surviving, the better.” “So you wish to establish another Hive?” Luna asked. “Yeah. It’ll be more or less subservient to me, but most importantly it will be another place where changelings can grow our numbers.” Celestia ribbed her chin, “Have you any ideas for a location, then? I can’t imagine there are many possible candidates.” I sighed, “Not yet. The best locations might be in other nations, like the Griffons’. Any news from them, in that regard? Last I heard, they were in a civil war.” Celestia nodded, “Yes. A three way civil war, in fact. There is indeed some news, but…. Let’s just say I doubt its validity. Rumors like it have emerged in the past, and every time they have proven to be false. Long story short, we might see their civil war ending soon.” “Then once the conflict with the Fourth Hive is resolved, I’ll think about sending some scouting teams to Griffonia to investigate,” I said. “Good luck with that. If the teams are caught, they have nothing to do with Equestria.” I smiled, “Of course. But I don’t think anyone is really capable of detecting changelings without the use of changelings.” “A problem Daybreaker struggled with daily,” Celestia said. “Now, this was a productive conversation. But I am afraid that we must get ready for this afternoon. The announcement to our ponies will draw quite the crowd, and we must look presentable.” “And unlike you, we are incapable of simply altering our appearance,” Luna winked. I laughed, “Sucks to be you. I’ll leave you girls to your makeup and sacrificing of virgins to attain eternal youth, then.” “He really does have your sense of humor,” Celestia mumbled. “We shall meet up in the Gold Room in say, two hours? I will have staff accompany you where you go, just in case you get lost. And don’t wear your wargear, please.” “You’re no fun. I’ll check up on the Fifth Hive in the meantime. See you two soon.” “Oh, Phasma, one last thing,” Celestia said, reaching out a hoof to stop me. “Have you given the order to free the ponies you have captured?” “No. I’ll give the order right now.” “Thank you.” “I’ll send you the bill for their living expenses in the mail.” Celestia didn’t find that joke to be very funny.