Chapter 59
When somebody asks if you’re a god, you say yes!
That’s the wisdom of the Ghostbusters and suddenly felt a lot less funny as I looked up at a twice life size bronze statue of myself.
It must even be fairly new as it had thestral features.
It stood at a marble pedestal next to Lunas statue, equally sized up as mine was. Hers was older. Her wings raised.
Next was Celestia, her wings raised and spread, almost seeming to cover the chamber. On her other side was Twilight and Midnight, their statues identical and mirror images of each other, one looking towards the left and the other towards the right. On their other side was Cadance and Flurry Heart.
Somepony at this temple had a good relationship with a sculptor and bronze caster. And was very, very rich.
This is so bucking strange.
“Can I help you?” An old voice asked as a griffon with golden but greying feathers approached us.
Twilight looked over towards him, the illusionary griffon disguise over her matching her motions perfectly, “We’re…”
“Curious?” He asked with a smile, “Of the divinity of alicorns or of the crazy griffons that worship them?”
“A little of both?” Sunset asked, covered by an image of a silver feathered griffon.
The older griffon nodded with a smile, “Not an uncommon way of thought,” he said and gave us a small bow, “Hopefully I will be able to assist you. I am Goldenglow, Priest of this temple.”
“I’m Garak,” I said and then motioned towards Sunset and Twilight, “This is Sunny and Sparks.”
The priest nodded, “A pleasure. It is always nice to see new griffons at the temple.”
“Why alicorns?” Sunset asked, her illusionary wings shifting slightly with a rustle of feathers.
He nodded and looked between the statues, “Because they are divine. They raise and lower the sun and moon, they guard our dreams. They guide our love and friendship. They are magic and power.”
“But…” Twilight said and glanced towards the statues, clearly uncomfortable, “But they are still just ponies?”
Goldenglow smiled and looked at her, “Are they? Ponies, I mean?”
“Looks more or less pony shaped,” I admitted and looked at the statues.
He nodded, “Indeed, but because they are ponies or because they chose to be?” he asked, “Alicorns are eternal and their powers deeply woven into the very fabric of our world. They are our gods and they deserve our respect and worship.”
This is making me really bucking uncomfortable.
“Can you tell us about them?” Sunset asked, taking half a step forward.
“But of course,” he agreed with a smile and motioned towards the statues, “Princess Celestia, Goddess of the sun and fire. Ruler of Equestria and strongest of the alicorns. Princess Luna, Goddess of the moon and darkness. Sister of Princess Celestia and wife of Prince Page. Celestia and Luna once fought for control of the skies and Luna were banished to the moon for a thousand years, but by the efforts of Princess Twilight, she was restored from the darkness.”
Uhm, That’s not quite what…
“There is Princess Cadance, Goddess of love and fertility, she rules the land of the cold crystals to the far north,” he continued and motioned towards her statue, “And the young Princess Flurry Heart whoms realm has not yet been revealed to us.”
I’m so giving Cadance a sign with that on it. She can put it on her desk.
“The twin goddesses of Twilight and Midnight, Goddesses of Magic and Friendship,” Goldenglow continued and motioned towards her, “Student of Princess Celestia, Princess Twilight has been a defender of this world, turning Princess Luna from the darkness. Her twin, Midnight, was hidden from us until recently.”
He turned and motioned towards my statue, “Prince Blank Page, God of dreams, artists and stories, husband of Princess Luna, ruler of all things in the dark of night. He slew the mighty Centaur, tamed the Changeling, ruler of the thestral ponies. He rules the monsters of the jungle and the darkest of night.”
Might be giving me a bit much credit there.
“They are here,” I said, “Prince Page and Princess Twilight. In the city.”
Goldenglow nodded, “indeed,” he said and gave our statues a bow in turn, “To mediate between us and the horrible Yeti.”
“There was a duel?” I asked, my claws scraping against the stone as I walked up to look at my statue.
Goldenglow sighed and nodded, “Yes. One of our esteemed nobles thought it was a good idea to challenge a god to a duel,” he said before his tone turned dry, “It went about as well as expected,” before he shook his head, “But we horribly disappointed Prince Blank Page by it. Watching such violence… enjoying it… he declared it to be wrong and he was right to shame us for it. Duels are an archaic custom that should be banned.”
I shifted uncomfortably at that. I mean, yes, but… I didn’t… uhm…
“How many are members of the temple?” Sunset asked as she rescued me.
He turned towards her with a smile, “Thousands, just in the capital. Many more across the lands. Not just griffons either.”
As Sunset distracted him away with questions, I shared a look with Twilight. She shifted uncomfortably and then looked at her and Midnight's statues before turning to look up at Celestia..
It wasn’t just me that thought this was… strange and more than a bit creepy then. Goody.
Because it was.
And very. very… strange.
This is uncomfortable. I want to leave now.
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The fact that Page shifted from pegasi-alicorn to thestral-alicorn probably didn't help these wackjobs' idea that 'alicorn gods' can shoft form/species at will. It would sure be a shame if page were to trip and drop his illusion on the way out...
I wonder if they try to pull any life wisdom from Page's books.
I hope Page won't tell anyone a theory about the whole life being a dream (Matrix)...
I wonder if he thinks gods can bleed or not
Or if he'd justify it to himself that it "served the story" in Page's realm
I'm probably just a narcissist, but I would absolutely love it if people built statues of and worshiped me.
And of course Page would pick a name tailor made for lying.
11003164
Yeah, but to what extent? And how much of what you've done would you want them to know? I've more to add to this, but let's just start with those two questions.
I'd love to see the interaction if they found out the alicorns themselves were visiting
I don't get why they are so weirded out by this revelation... I mean, humans have diefied others for less than what he is. Page should be aware of that.
To be fair... They are created in a different realm...
Got to like they worthship something existing.
11003099
Absolutely PRICELESS ♡♡♡♡♡ ( ͡° V ͡°)
After leaving the temple...
"Amber?"
"Yes Sir?"
"Chrysalis can NEVER know about the "tamed the Changeling" bit of that religion."
"She already knows Sir."
"WHAT!?! HOW???"
"Princess Skitter toured the city a few days ago. She and her guards visited the temple and heard a speech similar to the one you received."
"Ah crap."
Finally all caught up!
Epic series. Great writing. And can't wait for more.
Awww I wanted them to go into the temple and Page pulls his illusion off and is like "im prince page"
Full iron man moment there.
11003118
believe it or not the matrix didn't invent metaphysical solipsism, the idea that everything is fake except yourself has deep roots in philosophy. it wouldn't be a foreign concept
11003230
for page it's absolutely a turnoff because he's already dealing with the fallout from that ancient alicorn that cursed the thestrals
for the twilights its probably a bit of a shock because they've been relatively sheltered
for celestia and luna its just another tuesday I suppose
11003141
its an interesting development that modern God is either completely invulnerable or not because ancient polytheistic religions had gods bleeding all the time, yet as well specifically catholicism has quite the bleeding god motif
MEANWHILE...AT THE TEMPLE OF THE SISTERS GIFT STORE...
Skitter: Hello I would like two of all five sizes of the Prince Blank Page figurines please?
Discord: I would like the same as well but of Princess Cadance!
Shopkeeper: Of course! Is there anything else?
Discord: Do you have body pillows?
Shopkeeper: We prefer the term "pray cushions" And yes we do. Do you want the battle armor, evening gown, and the default naked version?
Discord&Skitter:
...YES!
As a well known Spanish duo might say, it is tough to be a god.
11003379
♡
I love you for your humor
Nice.
Now my rant
"Hey dipshit I'm page here's my rules if you're going to worship me and the other alicorns cause I know we can't stop you from doing it. Also this is what really happened stop lying or I'll eat your leg or something. Peace"
In all fairness, they are gods in a sense. While this temple kinda put a metaphysical omnipotence to them, the alicorns can do some pretty godly things. Celestia and Luna have control over day and night, Cadance can see love in a literal way, the Twi's have done amazing feats of magic, Page practically has domain over creativity itself, and Flurry is a foal sized WMD.
11003172
"Oh, it's just--Garak. Plain, simple Garak."
I wonder, though.
Could Goldenglow be one of the local changelings?
11003214
Because Page, Twilight and Midnight were once regular ponies till they ascended to alicorn and kept somewhat humble about it. While they have strength in their realms they never pushed upon themselves as gods. Even Celestia and Luna never wanted to be gods, but their ponies believed that they were and let them due to being able to use to help them while governing.
I can so see Chrysalis sneak up to Page and whisper in his ear in a Snarky/Sexy voice "So My Predator, when are you gonna tame Me? "
This is uncomfortable. I want to leave now this is true Page but at the same time this is doing good for the Griffins if only a few for now.
11003379
You dirty, dirty pega you!~
11003439
On the spoiler: Page probably would have noticed the same way he noticed Fluttershy. And vice versa, which would have caused a momentary stumble whether the worship is genuine or not.
Certainly an interesting moment of introspection for Page, wonder if he'll try to interact with such worship in a more official manner
“Well, it’s strange but at least their aren’t any sacrifices or mistranslated literature that condones violence and bigotry.”
“…and Lord Page said on to the deceitful Press Pony: ‘Fuck off’”
“And also with you.”
“…it’s creepy it’s a hymn but I stand by it.”
11003379
"We have a gift store!?" -Page and Tiggles
11003529
I'm--pretty sure Fluttershy isn't a changeling. She a Thestral.
Yeah, this was predictably awkward for Page and Twilight. Not that ignorance of the matter would really be any better since they'd just have been hiding from it. Really, the worst part is their impotence in the matter, since simply straight up denying it would just be taken as a test of faith most likely. That's the problem with cargo cults.
11003439
11003172
Glad I'm not the only one who spotted that! Page's inner nerd is showing through again.
Grammar jackboot:
Plural error, there is only one Luna so it should be 'Luna was banished'
Additionally, there are two points where the tense shifts from past to present. The first one almost felt like an aside to the reader (or whoever is listening to Page recounting this in the future), but the second make me wonder if it's just an error, especially since the past tense doesn't usually seem very far in the past, barring the Tirek confrontation.
Pretending to be a god when you just don't age is a very bad idea
"If you could make God bleed, people would cease to believe in Him. There will be blood in the water, the sharks will come....."
At this point, Page should have transformed back and explained that their whole religion is wrong ,the same about their facts about them.
All they do is romanticize and bend the truth,making future problems for alicorns to solve
11003439
11003529
11003708
Yeah, I think Page only noticed Fluttershy's disguise because he was standing close to her and some other reason I can't remember.
Essentially he saw her illusion flickering on and off, something like that.
Maybe that other reason was that he became thestral? Or did he notice that way before he got transformed into one?
But yeah I don't think he would be able to notice that someone is a changeling.
Thought he could sometimes detect them in dreams, but not always.
He could only guess depending on their behavior, and also if he detected at night changeling's dreams in a close location to his.
Only another changeling would be able to immediately detect another one
Not suprising
Once again, not suprised
11003117
"Yes, on the surface it SEEMS to be porn, but once you take the time to really understand the themes--"
Not because I'm avoiding work, but after thinking about all this I now have a few questions about how the divinity is ranked. Obviously Celestia and Luna are on their own level, but Candy and Page pretty much just appeared out of nowhere. So are they the same type as the sisters, just willed into existence or something?
Sparky and Midnight have parents who exist, so are they treated as having been born mortal and then ascended, or were they always alicorns but chose to appear one way? And what about Shiny, how's he treated being married to a god?
What is a god, but a being we have not seen faults in.
Those who proclaim themselves gods proclaim their lies. And those who the people hold up as gods, fear the people's expectations.
11003522
...What? Hiver is showcasing Alicorns being seen as deities and you expect me not to talk about...
11003708
11003753
Something about the difference between stories, lies and illusions being one of context. In any case, I suppose we don't know either way because... well, being in griffon territory means that a few chapters ago was the first time changeling disguises even came up since Pincer, and before that would've been way back in the first story when they were hashing out the terms of Chrysalis' surrender.
Remembering a certain other statue there Page?
11003993
Yes!
11003753
Page straight up sees through a changelings disguise though...
11003993
Oh hello!~ Mind you I wasn't even thinking about Space Balls, my thoughts were more on a church selling possible 'adult' toys to the public.
So I guess its my mind that's truly in the gutter LOL!
11003711
To which they reply: "'Tis a test of faith!"
11003753
As for this, it's because of his domain as an alicorn. Page has a sort of short ranged truesight that pierces illusions, including changeling disguises.
11003974
You haven’t looked into actual mythology much, have you? Trust me, even human gods throughout history (including the guy in the book with the uppercase B) have always had plenty of flaws.
About the only defining feature of a “god” that I’ve found I can definitely settle on is that a god is what the actual story presents as such. Faults are not an issue and power level isn’t really a factor either -- for example, for all his arrogance and quasi-omnipotence Q is “just” a scarily powerful alien instead of a bona fide deity, simply because Star Trek doesn’t swing that way --, but if the author of a given tale tells us that character XY is a “god”, then for purposes of that story that’s just what they are.
11005703
I don't know if we would really call all Gods "Gods". Feels like there should be a different word of mythical beings with difference characteristics.
Is Posiden a God in the Same way that Oceanus was? The primordial God of the Sea wasn't *just* Old Gods of the Sea. They were the sea.
And consider Gods like Heracles, Imhotep, and Alexander? Mortals elevated to the status of God's (within their own myths). Or compare to Jesus or Rama. Gods who incarnated as mortals.
To say nothing of Thor, Odin, who could be slain. Compared to Brama, or Yaweh, who are just.... so much more.
Too call them all Gods, describes how humans interact with them. Stories. Devotion. Worship. Shrines. Etc. They have little in common with each other though.
I do think, at least in 21st century west, "God" implies both a measure of omnipotence and more importantly omnipresence. If I was them in my DnD , I'd probably take most of the Olympians to be rather potent Archfey, or Celestials. But Divinity? Maybe the Primordials.
But I think, a God could also be determined in terms of worship. What's the difference between Zeus Daughter Artemis, and his many nymph daughters? Why is one a Goddess and not the other? I think it comes down to worship.
It may not be able what humans find to be perfect. I think it may be more to do with what humans seem to be *worthy*.
An apt name to choose if you're lying about it.
I'm wondering how this Alicorn worship thing is going to be used in the story later on in the story. Because it doesn't seem likely to me that it was introduced as some fluff just to add to the word count. Of course I could be wrong and that's exactly what it is, but I don't think so.
I surprised that this is surprising to him considering what he felt after nightmare moon came back. Though he right about duels a duel just to test your strength is one thing but when it nothing but a petty fight it wrong.