Adagio
"Y-you too, Prince."
He scampers away, following his mother.
I hope I got through to her. I'd hate for Shiny to snap because of her.
At the very least, I'll get to leave soon, considering many are following Velvet's lead.
"You are playing a dangerous game, Solus."
"Maybe", I reply to my mother, "but I'm sure he's worth it."
"Hmm, an Insight?"
A what?
"I guess?"
"Interesting... maybe she is really too hard on him..."
She shakes her head.
"Well, we shall see soon enough, considering you offered the services of your tutors."
"That's not a problem, is it?"
"Is it? It's not like they are doing anything right now. It's not because it's your birthday that they get to lay about, doing nothing."
That's one way of looking at it. Anyway.
"Can I be excused, Mother?"
"Hmm? Yes, yes. Goodnight, Solus."
"Goodnight Mother."
She seems pensive. I don't like her pensive. Let's go back, I don't to want to leave Mac or Cadance alone any longer than I need to.
Though I'll preempt a possible source of trouble.
"Proper?"
"Yes, Prince?"
"You've done a great job today. You can take your leave early."
"I... Very well, my Prince."
He leaves. Great! I hope the staff will be as docile.
They were as docile, fortunately, and I now find myself alone with Mac and Cadance. Mac is standing before me, but Cadance is laying on their bed, still as a rock. Their bed, was it so hard to procure two beds? I know, I know, ask stupid questions...
*sigh*
"How is she?"
"Bad. She won't peep a word."
"Right... what a mess."
"S-Solus", he trip on the word. "What did you do to..."
"They'll get a trial."
"A trial? Why?"
"I can't be like her, like the Empress. It would be to easy to take justice into my own hooves and turn it into selfish vengeance. If one alicorn can fall, what would... would prevent me from becoming like her?"
"You're nothing like her!"
"Because I don't allow myself to. Make no mistake about this Mac. She might be harsh, but my life is still something out of a fairy tale. She... she might be a tyrant, but she's a competent one."
"What are you saying?"
"That it would be much easier to give in."
"But you wouldn't, right?"
I keep silent.
"Right?!"
"...I don't know. It's easy to say that I would fight for Harmony, but will I stay true to that sentiment under duress? I don't know."
"If it's so hard, then why did you help us?!"
"Because I'm not stupid."
"What?"
"Only an idiot would choose evil. All those ponies claiming that optimism and idealism are stupid and childish, they do not realize they hold themselves back. Selfishness and cruelty are counterproductive. Oh, you might live a luxurious lifestyle by being selfish and cruel, you might win, you might even be remembered as a hero. But in the end, what's the point? You hoisted yourself up? Good for you! But what about the others? All those that suffered because of your actions? Even if you don't care, you still lose, for what will you leave behind? A legacy of misery? I'd be far more satisfied by helping make the world a better place. It might not be as easy, or even enjoyable, but it is definitely far more fulfilling. That's why I swore I'd never let myself be cruel, or cowardly. It isn't worth it. But I'm not arrogant enough to think that I will always think that way."
"But... why tell me?"
"You'll keep me grounded. You suffered so much in so little time... you will keep me from elevating myself beyond the common pony. Beyond, to the temptation of saying 'the end justify the means' without thinking about if the end itself is justified. You will be Honest and keep me in Harmony with the rest of the world."
"Really? But I'm just-"
"A slave? Are you going to let the Empress tell you what you are capable of?"
"N-no."
"Then do you accept?"
"Accept?"
"Of course. Why would I force my friend to do anything?"
"Friend?"
"Yes. If you want to."
"I do!"
I smile.
"Good. Then, as your friend, I promise I'll always listen. Do you promise to always tell me your Honest opinion?"
"I-I do! I promise!"
I hug him.
"Thank you, Macintosh."
"It's... It's nothing."
I let go.
"No. It's everything."
"If you say so..."
"I do, and I mean it."
He looks away, at Cadance.
"What about her?"
"...I don't know. I'm not a mind healer. The only thing we can do is be there for her."
"Oh..."
"The Empress might claim to be a goddess, but I know that alicorns can't perform miracles."
*sigh*
"We had a long day, let us rest."
"Will she be able to sleep?"
Hmm...
"Maybe..."
There has to be something about it...
I sit on the edge of the bed, petting Cadance mane.
Reach for the font, harmonize. Think about...joy, Love...Kindness...Home...
I begin to softly sing:
"La maison est derrière
Le monde est devant
Nombreux sentiers ainsi je prends
À travers l'ombre
Jusqu'à la fin de la nuit
Jusqu'à la dernière étoile qui luit
Brumes et nuages
Noyés dans l'obscurité
Tous va se mêler
Ooooh tous va...
se mêler."
I did it! I performed a Heartsong! YES!
"...what did you sing about?", a voice whispers.
"I sang about leaving the world you knew, how... hard, it is to do so, of the journey before you come home again."
"...did that happen to you?"
"...Yes..."
A pause.
"...thank you...for saving me..."
"Will you be alright? Is there anything I can do?"
"...i don't know..."
"That's okay. Just know that we'll be there for you. Me and Mac."
"...could you...give me one?"
"Give you what?"
"...a name..."
"Um, sure."
Sure I could give her "Cadance", but how do I justify it...
"What about Cadance?"
"...cadance?"
"Yes. You're one of the only ponies who witnessed a Heartsong in nearly a millenium, and I've got the feeling you could perform them too."
"...really?"
I smile.
"Yeah, really."
"... i love it, thank you..."
"Everybody deserves a good name. Rest now, tomorrow is a new day, full of new things."
"...Okay."
I kiss her on the forehead.
"Goodnight, Cadance."
She smiles. It's a little thing, but it was worth the effort.
I rise and turn to Mac.
"You too, Mac. Goodnight."
"You're not going to kiss me, are you?"
Cadance giggles softly. It's a wonderful sound, like little bells.
I shake my head.
"No you silly pony. Get to bed!"
"Okay, okay."
Cheeky little thing. Still, I'm glad he's comfortable enough to do this kind of thing.
I slip under the cover of my bed.
Tomorrow is indeed a new day. It might be worse than today, but it could also be better.
At the very least, I've got four elements now.
Loyalty. Honesty. Kindness. Magic.
Just two more.
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I assumed Cadence would be Kindness since I imagined after the attempted rape she would be more like Fluttershy.
oh daaamn
I think there is 5 elements at least if you count applejack...
8297461
Big Mac is replacing her.
8297469
spoilers? WHYY!!!???
8297471
Whoopsies. I thought I had made that clear!
I fear that Laughter would be hard to find; not sure about Generosity.
Just leaves generosity and laughter .... Or he could be generosity and sunset could be magic ...but if he stays magic ... then laughter could be troubleshoes and generosity could be derpy.... muffin? Or cadance could be generosity and derpy kindness
8297471
Solus already tried to pick up Applejack, but apparently the ONE group of people that Tyrant!lestia deemed to give rights exceeding the whimsy of the crown are the slave owners. Which unfortunately means that the only way to rescue her would be theft, which is thorny for a whole host of other reasons. Honestly... I'm more shocked that he's even thinking about the Elements at all, there's no guarantee that any of his companions would fit, and they're far too young to try anyway. Better to just try and help as many ponies as you can and hope that at least some of them are good prospective Elements.
Hey when you think about it AJ and Big Mac luck out if there parents are stuck rutting in cages they won't die by timberwolves. Good for them. They get to live and have sex ........ haha haha... Man I'm evil.
8297492
Mostly because Adagio was only one thousand words long and because they more or less happen at the same time.
Eeeh, isn't it a bit early to be calling elements? None of them have really had a chance to really express them, save for Mac a little. There's sufficient overlap that Cadance and Shiny could be several, depending on how you portray that expression. (Something I think the show did a poor job of, initially, for Applejack and Rainbow.)
8297532
The Elements aren't set in stone so Solus can easily lead his friends into certain directions and as long as they embody those traits and are his friends they can easily become the Bearers of Harmony.
I hope finding and using the elements is as easy as he thinks it will be. it just seems like this might be one of those "its too easy" moments. then again im not the writer so I can only wait, if I havent said it before i'll say it now, I really am enjoying this story author!
The gathering of the proxies is almost complete
I just realized i haven't given this story a like or comment. Whelp here's both keep it up!
Shining: Magic?
Cadence: Loyalty?
Solus: Kindness?
Mac: Honesty
Who will Generosity and Laughter represent?
Generosity: Sweetie Bot?
Laughter: Maud? (Or any other Pie sisters)
8297476
Yeah, I'm not too sure about where he'll find laughter either... But with Generosity he could wait a few years for Rarity to be born, as she's a Unicorn there's a chance he'd see her at an event eventually. But if the story is going with Ponies closer to Solus in age... Cherilee or Maude for Generosity? And others have suggested Troubleshoes for Laughter, but if Lateo wants the balance between tribes thing I can't think of an appropriate Pegasi. Though I guess any Pegasi can be chosen and fit the role of bearer if enough things happen in their life.
I love the double chapter but you should space them out by a day you get more time on the featured box that way and front page and I personally would rather wait for a chapter knowing that more people are going to see this awesome fic. Which yeah this fic is super awesome.
Kind of wanna say Corona either destroyed The Tree or hid the Elements all over the place... you know cuz she's evil but seem to be of the genre savvy type.
Hmmm. I thought the reference to Cadence's bell like laughter was a hint she was the element of Laughter not Kindess.
Also how does he know Shiny is Loyalty?
Not against it, just wondering if I missed a hint that was dropped?
8297546
And I know that, but Solus ended the chapter as if Shiny and Cadance's elements were set in stone. I was just commenting that it seemed a bit early to do that. I have faith that the author can swing it, but that part seemed odd to me.
8297768
I don't think Corona is able to destroy the tree. The tree of harmony is one of the most powerful entities in Equestria {beat Tirek with the power of all the alicorns). The best she can probably do is bury it under tons of rock.
My guess is Corona is trying to use Solus as a means to defeat Luna, since she doesn't want anyone to know about one of the only weapons that can defeat her.
8297794
"Corona" is a name Solus gave her to disassociate her from canon!Celestia.
When the chapter has the name Adagio I thought that we where going to see the person with that name but we did not and now I am disappointed.
(This is not supposed to be taken to seriously.)
8297784
I just think canon!Shining would make a good fit for Loyalty : Captain of the Guard, Knight in Shining Armour for his wife, BBBFF to Twilight...
8297845
Adagio is the musical term for when a piece must be played slower.
I feel like Solus thinks he's on top of the game... But Celestia has been playing the game for nearly a thousand years, he's gonna find that he might not be as good as he thinks he is.
8297846
I've never thought of that
8297851
Twilight Velvet is certainly an interesting character, married for love despite the negative backlash, she might genuinely love Shining but can't express it properly, she might be harsh with him not because she expects him to be better but as a mother, she knows he can be the best but just comes out as harsh criticism. It's easy to imagine that in the society Velvet lives in as a Noble Unicorn she had a similar childhood and actually doesn't know how to positively support Shining because that's not how she was raised.
It's sad but I want Shining to move out from his sister's shadow canon Twilight was just weird before the Ranboom she was an average Unicorn smart for her age but nothing special but all of a sudden she hatches a baby dragon which I don't think was actually meant to happen I think failing was more the test than hatching it was.
orig10.deviantart.net/8ebd/f/2017/195/1/9/rebel_elements_by_sipioc-dbgbb10.jpg
Whose next?
8297962
Amazing! I love it!
Something tells me that the element bearers are not who Solus would like them to be... or at the very least, his chosen bearers do not bear the elements he thinks they do.
You know....I'm having a thought. What if Luna didn't actually turn into NM? I mean, it depends on when Celestia lost her marbles, ut it's entirely possible that Luna could still be 'pure' as it were, while on the moon. So, maybe Solus could use the Elements to get her back instead of using them directly on Celestia, as their reload time is atrocious, especially if it's just one shot every hour or so, because if they miss, I wouldn't put it past Celestia to 'teach' them a lesson about powerful weaponry.
You forgot Proper! He totally seems like a shoo-in for 'laughter'. Nice chapters.
On a side note: Solus isn't named for the musical term, but now this chapter is named Adagio? I'm getting mixed messages here
8298145
It's for Cadance, Cadenza.
This may seam odd but is Shining Armor developing something of a crush on Solus? I forgot the name of that type of love. Its just from his behavior around Solus in general from the blushing at points in the story, to how Solus treats kindly him and how his mother has been treating him compared to his father, it just seem like a possibility. And I don't mean the gay kind just the kind of love and loyalty born from being seemingly the only light in someone life, the kind were you would willingly give your life with out hesitation just to keep that person safe. Were their well being matters more to you then anythings else.
Also given his status couldn't he get better beds for Mac and Cadence just makeup some excuse how he's just want's to keep his possessions in the best shape possible?
With Earth Ponies being the bottom wrung in this society it makes me wonder what dynamic will change in some other pairings.
Vinyl and Octavia?
Lyra and Bon Bon?
Written Script and Carrot Top?
I shudder to think of it.
Just my opinion, but it bugs me so greatly... Can you please give Celestia an actual punishment for what she's done?
Luna was banished to the moon for a thousand years for a single fight. Celestia has been a tyrant and oppressor for close to a thousand years. Don't just purify her, please.
I take offense to that, remove this part immediately or I will sue you 😈
Twilight is best pony needs more twilight.
or any twilight
I know she's not born yet.
8297391
MY apologies, I assumed you made it yourself and the pony creator image was for generally generic purposes. I don't traditionally look at pony art, with exception from the abridged series and cannon it's usually fan comics on smackjeeves and these are not exactly sought out.
8298510
The best punishment has always been true knowledge of what you've done that's what I think the elements will do. Or, they'll separate Celestia into two beings.
8297473
It is quite clear, just some people (and I don't know how to say this without sounding rude) require a bit more to realize that this is what you mean.
Hard to believe this is your first story on here, Though i honeslty expect more, Anyway; This is great- Honestly wish I Could find another book with a concept similair to this- But Fortunatly for you I Haven't Found one- meaning, Your unique... For now, Trust me someones gonna get the same idea eventually
"Only an idiot would choose evil. All those ponies claiming that optimism and idealism are stupid and childish, they do not realize they hold themselves back. Selfishness and cruelty are counterproductive. Oh, you might live a luxurious lifestyle by being selfish and cruel, you might win, you might even be remembered as a hero. But in the end, what's the point? You hoisted yourself up? Good for you! But what about the others? All those that suffered because of your actions? Even if you don't care, you still lose, for what will you leave behind? A legacy of misery? I'd be far more satisfied by helping make the world a better place. It might not be as easy, or even enjoyable, but it is definitely far more fulfilling. That's why I swore I'd never let myself be cruel, or cowardly. It isn't worth it. But I'm not arrogant enough to think that I will always think that way."
I love heroic speeches like this because they are essentially bullshit, virtue signalling, moral grand-standing, high-horse sitting "why your way of life sucks" speeches. They are always spoke with such conviction, as if they are objectively correct. Kudos for him even trying to address the loophole of not caring, even though he is completely wrong from an objective standpoint. He tried, and that's what matters. We get to see how this character thinks.
8306245
Really depends on where you set your moral event horizon tbh. It's also all based on moral relativism, but the fact is that keeping a binary or other form of divide between the sacred and the profane is what allows civilizations to flourish based on the keeping of various taboos.
8298510
FUCKING you no dammit I want her purified not punished I WANT GOOD CELESTIA
Also I'd love to see how she struggles with knowing what she's done
But... her name isn't Cadence. It's Mi Amore Cadenza. Cadence is a nickname.