Chapter LXII: Land (unedited)
After Starlight suggested that I do something with all the bits I've been saving along with seeking some kind higher education so that when I retired from my job, or more likely quit when I am certain that I'm no longer needed, I would still be able to do something with my life. Raising foals wasn't an option, since I still show no desire to find a romantic partner regardless of the storm of hormones that puberty is putting me through. Which was amusing when Cadence paid me a visit to help get me on the path of finding my 'one true love'. It ended with her almost practically pulling her mane out with her forehooves out of sheer frustration.
On the topic of love, is was only a four months after my house visit when I had to go to Applejack's wedding. Go figure the more stable one was the first to find 'true love'. Though Pinkie wasn't having such a good time, for after about five months after the wedding she was dumped by her coltfriend. I spent about a hour comforting her, my heart arching as I tried to suggest things we could to cheer her up. When I finally suggested baking a cake, that was when she finally perked up. Then forty minutes later she was rolling all over the kitchen floor, laughing hysterically at how I caused the cake we were baking to blow up in such a way that I somehow ended up being buried in the majority of the cake's remains. The odd part about it was that I didn't use magic when we were trying to bake the cake, just my hooves.
Nothing exciting happened as time passed by till two months later, when the scientists finally made a breakthrough with Project Sinkhole. After many hardships, along with Discord occasionally pushing the limits of their sanity, they were finally able to come up with a device that could draw in dimensional travel to Selene. This was tested on Magus after closing the primary gate, and then they tried to open a gate from the planet to Equus, only for them to end up on Selene instead. Furthermore, it was shown that the device made dimensional portals a bit unstable, which caused them to have a limited lifespan, yet thankfully Discord was able to tell that both Selene's and Magus's dimensional barriers weren't harmed by the experiment. Though we finally have the means to prevent a direct invasion of Equus, unless the aliens find a way to bypass it, the researchers wanted to improve on the device, such as seeing how much of a range it possesses at certain power levels. As long as Discord is there to let us know when the scientists have finally doomed us all to a horrible end or a life of slavery, I guess they can fulfill their curiosity if it could help us out in the long run.
Moving on, it wasn't till three month later, when I received some annoying news from none other than Princess Celestia on what my future may be, regardless that several months ago I was stocking up on various textbooks that Twilight recommended for me that would suit my natural talent with magic. Somehow, she caught word of Starlight's suggestion of purchasing land only for me to reject the idea, cause Celestia decided to grant the title of Baroness, along with a parcel of uninhabited fertile land north of Canterlot. At first I was wondering what she was plotting, till I started to get mail from various nobility that were congratulating me on my rise in nobility, along with an increase of invitations to some parties or social gatherings. Normally, I only get one every other month or so due to my position as the captain of the guard, but now I'm getting one or two a week now. While this made me wonder if the nobility are just a bunch of idiots that sat around spending their money on pointless social events, I can certainly tell that Celestia only grant me this new title to cause me more torment.
As a result, I decided it was time for some retaliation, which consisted of sneaking some laxatives into some of Celestia's cakes that were chocolate, though I was tempted to just devoured them. After that, I learned that Twilight was the one that informed Celestia of my boredom, due to a conversation she had with Starlight. In turn, I emptied out her library before spreading all her books all over the castle one night. They thought that Luna's therapy was able to bring me to a level of tolerable stability, at least in the anger and violence department. I guess I proved them wrong.
After my revenge episode, which involved Luna having to put a few extra sessions for me on Celestia's request along with some future plan to punish me for my actions, two months passed before the scientists discovered a third habitable world, which was given to the griffons in line of the treaty that they and the other species agreed to years ago. As part of the treaty, the Aegis Guard was a neutral military force that was supported by all nations as I suggested. Seven months after that, Equus was hit with another stroke of luck when a fourth world was discovered, which was Equestria claimed. A world that like Selene, received its light from a moon. Difference is the world had six moons, to Luna's delight.
Two months after the discovery of the fourth world, which has been named Nocturne, Celestia's revenge plan finally came into play. Apparently, even though I was willing to let the land she gave me sit unused, it turned out that there was some fertile land and valuable resources that can be used. This I found out when a letter arrived that bore the names of some ponies that wanted to settle on the land, which also came with a letter attached to it written by Celestia. Apparently, some of the ponies were poor farmers that needed to move to fertile land, but couldn't afford to immigrate to Magus nor Nocturne. However, they were interested in my land due to some government subsidies that Celestia apparently set up. The other ponies that wanted to settle were some poor miners, that learned that there was some rich mineral veins underneath my land. So, since Celestia clearly set things up so that I had to personally handle the matter, and that I couldn't refuse since that would be putting these ponies on the streets instead. I should've just went over to Canterlot and buck her teeth in instead of the laxatives.
"This is a buckin waste of time," I commented to myself while I was heading towards Twilight's castle. According to the letter, today the farmers and the miners were going to arrive at the castle so we can meet and discuss the nature of them being residents on my land.
"Now darling, I don't think it is a waste of time to hear to the appeals of these ponies who simply wish to make a living on your land," Rarity replied, who was accompanying to help me out in this matter. Though I personally think it was more of either Celestia ordering her to come with me, or Twilight requesting her to keep an eye on me. Regardless, I wasn't going to be rude to Rarity since either she was being sincere, or was just forced into this.
"Celestia only did this over the cake incident. I'm not like most nobles, so I would just be fine with them just settling on it and doing what they want as long as they don't wreck the place."
"But darling, if they are living on your land, then you have a responsibility to take care of them. Even if other nobles impose restrictions or taxes on their tenants, they make certain that the tenants are happy with their arrangements," Rarity explained.
"Which is still something that Celestia can take care of. This is just going to pull me into the political world more than I already have. Dear Luna, I'm tempted to start a bonfire with all the letters the nobility have sent me lately," I responded with a huff. Before Rarity could make a reply, we arrived at the castle to spot a group of wagons with some ponies that looked rather down on their luck. Though what stuck me odd the most was the fact that there was some foals with the group. I stopped as I saw a pair of earth ponies approaching us, though Rarity grimace slightly at the amount of dirt they had on their coats.
"Greetings Baroness Aether, it is an honor to have you hear our reque—" said a green coated stallion before I decided to interrupte him.
"Cut it with the pleasantries, I just rather get straight to business," I interjected, causing Rarity to eye me in annoyance. "You'll probably expecting me to be like the other nobles, but I'm not. Just give me your requests and ideas, and I'm likely going to approve of them unless they harm the land."
Upon hearing my words, the two ponies muzzles took on some mild grins as a yellow mare said, "Thank you Ba—" only for me to hold up a hoof to single her to drop the use of my title. "We just plan to raise our family and some crops on the land, but we will respect it and make certain to preserve the land."
Nodding, the stallion added, "My family and I will do the same, we'll keep our mining from damaging the landsc—" before I tuned him out as I eyed the families of the two ponies. That was when I noticed just how poor they were, with the adults being rather thin, while the foals were just playing with sticks and rocks. Just as the stallion finished with whatever he was saying, Rarity was about to respond when I raised a hoof to silence everyone.
"Big question, how are your families going to pay for all this changes? I know Celestia is offering subsidies, but something tells me that it may not be enough," I asked, while pointing a hoof at their wagons, only to cause the two to become nervous. "Relax, just tell me what you and your families may need to get yourselves set up properly." Apparently, other ponies aren't normally kind to them, based on their pupils widening with hope at what I told them. Rarity, on the other hoof, was smiling at my declaration, which only caused me to roll my eyes at her in response. "So how about we head inside and work this over in my office. Rarity, mind taking their families to someplace where they can get a meal?"
After dealing with the two ponies, I ended up drawing some funds from my bank account to cover all the materials the families would need to set up their livelihoods, while hiring a contractor who would be building them homes and whatever structures they needed. Shortly after the two ponies left, Rarity arrived in my office as I just sat there rubbing my forehead with a hoof.
"That was quite generous of you, Aether," Rarity said with a smile as she look at me, which quickly turned into a frown when she saw my expression. "Though I'm surprise that you're putting up such a fuss over it now since it didn't seem to bothered you earlier."
"It's not a bother for me to help those in need, Rarity," I said with a sigh. "I was in the same position as they were in my past life. I wouldn't be any different from those that caused so many species to live on the streets if I deny them help when I can afford to. I'm just annoyed by Celestia. And before you ask, yes I will get Celestia back for this."
"Do you really have to be so petty, Aether?" Rarity asked with a scowl, to which I just smirked at her in response.
"Of course, Rarity. Do you really have to ask?"
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so what the enemy doing?
Gah.. Aether needs to get laid... Then nkick the ass of whoever did it.
Aether could steal all the chairs in Canterlot, including the thrones, then when Celestia eventually personally turns up to collect them, Aether gives them to her. One at a time. To the face.
Be careful Aether, you just became a major player among the lower nobility, it'd be best you start making friends despite your feelings for the nobles. You wouldn't want to be strong-armed in politics because you offended a marquee or duke, your military importance doesn't cover squabbles over land or being cornered financially by markets controlled by them.
I recommend seeking like minded or at least kind members of the higher nobility, perhaps, Fancy Pants?
So Aether definitely needs to have a vacation - otherwise the nobles will make her snap and she'll beat all of them into unconsciousness and/or submission, along with the princesses.
I really want to see this.
6907888 Why does she need to get laid? She definitely needs a hobby, as she still seems to have too much free time.
6907933 to remove the stick up her backside....
metaphorically...
6908004 What stick? Aether isn't stuck up.
6908006 a stick up someone backside can mean a lot of things, not just being snobish, stuck up
I'm starting to get bored with the story... The part for the poor ponies was great!
Just feels like it's starting to slow down now
6908010 No, not really. At least, not that I've heard of.
6908017 I know the feeling, but have no fear! The timeskips are nearing the end, and I'm giddy about what is to come.
Found her hobby.
Playing real life Farmville.
6908027 Just to make sure, her hobby is playing real life farmville right?
6907933 Exactly!
6908052 Just because Aether's got a lot of free time doesn't mean she needs to get laid. She has no interesting in romantic relationships and I doubt she has any in sexual ones.
I'm surprised she didn't just straight-up give them the land -- like not just the use of it, but actual ownership. It would've gotten the migrants off to a great start, gotten land holdings she never wanted out her hooves, possibly disqualified herself from her new title that she also never wanted, and spited Celestia and the entire nobility as a bonus.
Oh, Celestia. When are you ever going to learn? Aether really, really doesn't like being manipulated. She needs to get it through her thick skull that Aether doesn't want to be involved in Politics. In addition, I know Celestia is a prankster, but I would never ever go up against someone like Aether. We can clearly see just how vindictive she is, and how creative. Just give up Celestia, before anyone gets caught in the crossfire. At least this one point of manipulation with the farmers and miners worked out. Shows she knows Aether somewhat. Can't wait till the action picks up. Its getting kinda dull.
Well, what's going to go down in a massive fireball, and/or chairsplosion?
6908056 This comment was more of a joke than anything else.
6907928 I cry for bonus chapter of seeing those to talk. it be entertaining.
6908137 In addition Aether is being raised by Pinkie and has delveloped some of her abilites. Pranking Aether is like pranking Pinkie except Aether is more vindictive.
Okay who did Applejack marry?
Heh, Aether could represent all the elements of harmony (or not, I don't think she would be a good element of kindness), and she's a bit like me, except I'm a bit less, um... evil, for the lack of better word? Eh, dunno.
6908128 I thought she was going to do that too.
6908205 Random OC. Or Caramel.
6908317 Or maybe Rarity or Dash.
I'll wait for the author to say.
6908137 It's not like she can just mail Celestia a tazer wired to pop out of the box and zap her. (Think like a Jack in the box but replaced with a tazer).
6907921 Or just taze them into submission.
6907928 So do I, so do I. I can't even imagine who her 'soulmate' would be.
6908027 Are you going to have Aether get revenge on Pinkie's Ex? Or have aliens begin scouting either the planet or a colony? It would be funny if it was the latter. I can only imagine how it would be like:
I'd like to have seen the whole bit with Caddy there... Also if she can control the cakesplosions it would make for a perfect prank on Celestia.
Loved the chapter and I agree that I would have loved to seen Cadence trying to set Aether up with someone. Also I'm surprised that Aether didn't just grant the land to the families that wanted to farm and mine it.
6908358 She's only annoyed or scared the nobles due to the alien threat but now that several worlds are open for exploit as well as securing a world to act as a sacrifice to invasions; they're free to return to the status quo. Her position in the barony has raised her political power to a marginal degree than to that as a lady, including the very fertile property within the heartlands plus its proximity to the Capital, she's primed to raising the land into a potentially powerful money base; not to mention how technology is advancing under her supervision, it would be best assumed that her territory would receive first grabs at anything of use, be it transport, agriculture, communications, everything.
This is why those letters are pouring in, the nobles know this, any who can gain favor or recruit her under their respective parties can see benefits to their holdings as the times progress. Small fry will flock to her, earls to dukes will try to tempt her, send their sons (or daughters) to try to marry her, anything to not let a dangerous power go uncontrolled.
In the end I'm anticipating for her to ascend into a Palkia-*cough cough* alicorn
6908004 and put a different kind of stick up there
6908576 if she does, I call haks
6908585 lol, same
6908590 although the 'tazer in a box' idea would be epic!
6908593 Or a lightning storm in a bottle
6908594 or both!
6908597 Alright, so we get a box spring loaded to shoot her with taser barbs that's connected to a bottled storm
OR
A spring loaded bolo n a box with a mechanism set to uncork said bottled storm
6908602 the first one would be awesome, don't quite get the second one.
6908606 The second one would ensnare her before releasing the storm with her in the middle of it
6908611 why not combine the two ideas and use that?
6908618 ...... Perfect
But we need to disguise the whole thing as a boxed cake
Or is that going too far?
6908622 no no no! That's Perfect! Think of Celestia's love of cake and add to that, Aether already got access to the cake. She can do the same thing again. But replace it with her 'cake' and when Celestia goes to take a bite, BOOM! The trap springs and she gets a load of lightning and electricity running through her body. And to top it off, a note underneath the device with Aether's troll
face and a short note.
6908576
...
This is starting to feel like an RTS game that's well into a session...
That was fun, may I have another? Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
6908578 Oh my...
Hahaha
I don't know whats gonna happen but it's going to be big
i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr289/axlthehedgehog_2008/responses/tumblr_mw9qxhobDd1sr9xeao1_r1_500.png
stayclassy
6908685 all hail Princess Aether Aura, Alicorn of Torment
strangely I want this to be a thing, mostly because the number of marriage proposals from the nobles would annoy Aether to no end
6908685
Princess of Pain
Surprised no one noticed this.
You seem to be missing part of the sentence here.
--
Surprised Aether isn't even more Angry. After all, Celestia must have seen these ponies if they requested to move onto the land and she brings it up to Aether, yes? So Celestia should have saw how homeless, poor, and starved they and their children were. And yet Celestia did nothing about it. What if Aether declined them without meeting them, or was like the other nobles and take advantage of them because of how desperate and poor they are? What if Aether didn't donate his money to help them even get started?
I'm honestly surprised Aether isn't even more mad at Celestia. Wasn't Equestria meant to be a place of peace and love, that hasn't had war or crime in a long time? Aether lives in, what used to be, a very very small town. And yet everyone is happy and able to support themselves. So then how can there be ponies so poor they can barely feed themselves and their kids? Aether helped them out, but something made them poor to begin with, surprised she didn't try to find out what it was.