Finally! Just one more night and this horrible, no good, very bad week is going to be over!
"Somepony is looking happy", Cadance says.
"I am! Shiny just became my knight, nothing bad happened today and tomorrow will be the last day of this blasted celebration!"
"Eh, fair enough."
"Now, let's all go to sleep. You all have lessons tomorrow."
"But I'm not tired!", Shiny whines.
"That's the sugar speaking. You shouldn't have eaten all those sweets."
"You said I could eat whatever I wanted!"
"Shiny, there is such a thing as moderation. You should try it", I say with a smile.
He pouts and cross his forelegs.
"Why? My mom isn't here to tell me what to do! I can do whatever I want!"
I blink and stare at him. Shit. Have I just been promoted to parent?
"Shining, that's not how it works."
"Why not? Who's going to stop me?"
And I lost control of this conversation in ten seconds flat.
"I am."
"What? Why?"
"Your mother not being here is not a reason to forego discipline."
"Discipline? I thought you'd make it stop!"
"Discipline is necessary, for children and adult. I can't just let you eat yourself in a hyperglycemic fit every day."
"Who are you to tell me that? I'm free! I don't have to listen to anyone orders anymore!"
Well, someone was craving even the littlest bit of independence, and I lead him to believe he'd drown in it.
"Shining Armour! Being away from your family does not mean you get to party all day, everyday! You still have to follow rules and convention, like everypony else!"
And now he's giving me a kicked puppy look.
"W-why? Why do I have to?"
"I'm not doing this to hurt you, Shining. Any children needs discipline to grow up to be an healthy, well adjusted adult. Think of me as an older brother who's responsible for your well-being."
"I'm older than you! You're not my mom, or dad! You can't tell me what to do!"
"That's enough!", I say firmly, just shy of shouting.
Shiny wince and take a step back, his eyes having a wild look to them.
"Shiny, I want to help you, you know that, right?"
He keeps silent, looking on the verge of crying.
"Right?"
"...Y-yeah."
"I'm doing this to help you. What do you think would happen if I let you indulge your every whims?"
"I'd b-be happy?
"Shiny."
"I...I don't know! Why not?!"
"Have you ever met a noble who acted like he owned the world, taking but never giving?"
"Y-yeah?"
"How do you think he was raised to become like that?"
"He...he was born like that?"
"Some are, but most became this way because they were told since their birth that they could have whatever they wanted, whenever it pleased them. If I let you loose without any guidance or discipline, how do you think you'll turn out?"
"I'd never become like them!"
"You can't know that. Did you know Celestia used to hate slavery?"
"W-what?!"
"Yeah, and she also held Harmony as the supreme ideal to follow. And she changed. The earth ponies remember. They remember a benevolent ruler who assured peace and equality between the Pony Tribes."
"That's true, my Ma did tell me that", Mac says.
"But...what changed?"
"I don't know. But I do know that no one was there to stop her when she began to change. If I let you do whatever you want, who's going to tell you if you begin to change for the worse?"
"I...you?"
"I thought you said I couldn't tell you what to do?"
"But...I...I understand. Sorry for -sob- being a b-brat. Please d-don't hate me..."
I hug him, patting his head.
"Of course not. I understand why you'd want to be rid of any and all supervision."
I pull back, placing my forehooves on his shoulders.
"Will you let me give you the supervision you need to become the best pony you can be?"
"Y-yeah."
"Good", I say with a smile. "Now, let's all go to bed, okay?"
"Okay."
We stand up. I motion for Mac and Cady to go on ahead and I follow Shiny to his room.
"Solus? What are you doing?"
"Get in your bed", I say, smiling.
He does so, looking at me uncertainly. When he's finished, I use magic to lift his covers, tucking him in.
"Want me to read you a bed-time story?"
His eyes grows wide.
"Y-you don't have to do that!"
"I don't have to, but I want to."
"O-okay", he squeaked.
I look around his room, searching...
Hmm, ah! Bookshelf! Seems they brought his books here. I go to the shelf and peruse it's selection.
There! 'The Ugly Duckling'! Perfect! Strange, that it's in Equestria, but still, good!
I hop back on the bed and light a candle. The light of my magic might be enough, but it is exhausting in the long run, especially for a foal.
"Whoa! You can already cast a fire spell?"
"My mother is very insistent on me being trained as much as I can."
Is she ever.
"Anyway, let me read you the story of the Ugly Duckling: It was lovely summer weather in the country, and the golden corn, the green oats, and the haystacks piled up in the meadows looked beautiful. The stork walking about on his long red legs..."
"... Poor thing! he had no thoughts of marriage; all he wanted was permission to lie among the rushes, and drink some of the water-"
*snore*
Wha-Oh. He's asleep.
Eh, so cute. I lean over and kiss his forehead.
"Goodnight, Shiny", I whisper.
I get off the bed as quietly as I can and exit his room.
I close the door behind me and turn around-Ah!
"Solus?", Cady asks.
"You nearly gave me an heart attack! What are you two doing out of bed?"
"Well..."
She rubs her foreleg, looking away, much like Mac is doing.
"Do you want me to tuck you in too?", I say with a smile.
"...If you would, please."
"Of course!"
It's so easy to forget they're children with how serious they are all the time. I might not have wanted to adopt them, but they are my kids now, and I'll be damned if I let them down!
Plus, they're so adorable!
Nice
Just saw this as I went to bed. God I am loving this story! You have a real talent, Lateo!
I think there will be at least one more chapter before a time skip, or finding another element, but I don't think it'll be that easy at this point of the story.
Yay I'm early for once!
All aboard the hype train!
Yes it is, Hyperglycaemia is where the body can't process sugar correctly. It's one of the main symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
I need a picture of baby Cadence being tucked in... NAOW
wait a second...
what if apple bloom in this universe will be born as a daughter of applejack...
I wonder how Solus would react once he knows this fact...
I believe the correct word is 'hypoglycemic'
We still need Laughter and Genorosity, right? So many theories right now. Keep up the good work.
8319804
Nice pick of theme song.
Hyperglycemia - noun:
An excess of glucose in the blood stream, often associated with diabetes mellitus.
Derivatives:
hyperglycemic - adjective
There you go.
8321972
Thanks, it's just my corrector, then!
soulus is to nice for his own good
A little dose of cute is a welcome reprieve of what I suspect will be the proverbial stuffing hitting the fan in the next chapter. The previous couple have been a bit more happy. I just expect the other shoe to drop. Still I love this story.
interesting chapter, we see that shining and the others are still foals after all( being all about 6 year old) despite their more mature reflections, and still need to be rangle in to at least some self-discipline and structure in their decisions if only to avoid overindulgence once the strict regimented live will be decreasing when they grow up and granted more freedom in their lives, along will all the privileges a power they will wheel. the only part of the chapter that I would have a minor gripe about it beyond being short was the part where Solus claimed that Celestia hated slavery in the past and there was not mentions prier to this chapter that would have clear prof of that, other then what Bright Mac told him, him to that and I don't think his teachers(most of them at least) would tell him that she was ever wrong on anything or had changed her stance on anything in the past or cast her in a negative light to Solus. I wonder where he learned that fact in just a few days ago before his world was turned upside down with the truth? I don't think he ever had the change to see any records or legislation of things were better back them for Earth Ponies and ponies in general and don't think he would have any help from the adults for that matter.
8322078
Celestia once followed Harmony. He's simply assuming she used to be like canon!Celestia.
8322087
Yeah I guess so, it was just a bit jarring to wonder where he got that idea in his head, a little clarification in his thought would have been helpful to show he pulled in out of his ass or wishful thinking on his part even if he doesn't realize it himself.
You became his liege lord Solus, but for now, you're essentially his daddy
The ShiningXSolus ship is sailing once more. Seriously, Solus calls especially Shining "cute" every time he gets the chance. But he's six years old, so obviously no ship for now.
Maybe one day as an adult he will stay loyal to his former species name "Homo Sapiens", especially the "homo" part.
God this joke was bad...
Hurhurhur, he finds a 6-year-old to be adorable and cute! Clearly he must want to make sweet, sweet love to him, as well as his concubine and bodyguard, who are also 6-years-old and adorable. He's building his harem!
Seriously people, this needs to stop. He was a 16-22 year old human when he died. He's now interacting with a bunch of fluffy, innocent pony children. Of course he thinks they are adorable. It's like calling someone out on bestiality for finding kittens to be cute and adorable. Give it a rest.
8322258
I know, that's the (bad) joke. I'm aware that a 6 years old colt should have no interest in such things.
Sorry if I offended someone.
8322254
Sorry if I offended you. That was just a stupid joke, not meant seriously in any shape or form.
8322281
No worries, I wasn't calling you out in particular. There were like 5 comments of this type in the last chapter, so I was just heading off people posting a lot more of them.
The daaaaaawwww
Punctuation tips:
The comma should always go inside the quotation marks in dialogue, even when using "logical quotation". This is because the comma is replacing an imaginary period that would otherwise mark the end of the quoted sentence. Note how this sentence...
...ends with a period when it's by itself. Replace that ending period with a comma when writing dialogue. Correct version:
Here's a similar example:
You shouldn't have a comma there because the sentence "Do you want me to tuck you in too?" ends with a question mark, not a period. Question marks and exclamation marks are not replaced with commas in dialogue, only periods are. Correct version:
Hope that helps.
8322672
Thanks! I just assumed the comma should be outside, as a divider between the quote and the rest of the sentence. It just doesn't seem right to have a comma there.
'takes a sip' Mmmmmm, the diabetes in this chapter is delicioius.
Oh now that is just cute.
I would have gone with the story of Neigh-bor Hans by an Oscar Wilde stallion (you know the corrupted one about 'true' friendship) given the context, but to each thier own.
Just to celebrate unintentionally being the 666th comment.
8322753
By American English standards, I think it definitely is supposed to be inside the quotation. I'm no grammar Nazi, but it makes it more clear where the transition from quote-to-sentence occurs (and vice versa). This is most obvious if you look at a quote with an interruption in the middle of it, like the following:
I think it would be weird to see both commas directly bookending " said Celestia". Like how you wouldn't put a comma after an opening quotation mark:
Daddy Solus will look over you all.
Cool. I am glad I checked up on this story today. I think the writing has improved too.
Good chapter.
8321878
hyper = high blood sugar
hypo = low blood sugar
If he ate enough sweets to become diabetic both of these things can occur as diabetes is your body being unable to regulate it.
Solus x Shiny shipping intensifies
8323763
Well, I thought it was appropriate for Shiny. A bullied child who is welcomed by better persons who discover his hidden potential.
8325156
You do realize it's pure fantasy either way. I have a hard time believing anyone would be as generous as Hans, even Rarity has ulterior motives for her actions. Plus, I know there are people like the Miller in this world who genuinely think it's a sport to rip off others, but fail to notice when they're being ripped off like Amy Wong at a car dealership. I don't know if it's karmic balance, ignorance, or just arrogance blinding them to the blatantly obvious that they're choking on a gnat but willing to swallow a camel. And then, what are the odds a swan would loose their eggs like a Coo-coo bird to be razed humble among the quacks.
This one was cute.
8324009
Some of them might not be born at all, you know.
I need to stop reading now, this chapter was good, but I just can'T stop reading because I kind of need to know what is going to happen, either what I hope for or the exact opposite.