The moon was high in the sky as I studied the chess board before me on the couch. Sparks were facing me across it which was just unfair.
The fact that she had even less practice than I did was the only reason I even had a chance here.
"So," I asked idly as I moved a Guard, "How much is being kept from me?"
Sparks looked at me in slightly guilty surprise, "What do you mean?"
"Investigation, political reactions from this, the general population's feelings, the ponies of Nocturnis. Everypony is very careful not to mention any of it," I commented, focusing on the chessboard, "Your move by the way."
Sparks shifted her wings uncomfortably, "Page, I..." she started before she sighed, "We just though-"
"That it would be easier for me to focus on recovering if I didn't worry about everything else," I told her gently, "And I know that Equestria is generally a matriarchal society. but I'm a big colt and can handle the truth. Still not made of glass last time I checked."
Cringing slightly, Sparks sighed, "...I know. I'm sorry."
Then she moved a sky knight. Damn I had hoped she would miss that opening.
"So?" I asked, looking at her as I moved a fortress.
Her wings shifted, ears folding back for a second, "It's complicated. The reaction to the news in Nocturnis were... negative. Ponies were beyond furious. I didn't even know Flower could get that angry."
Neither could I to be honest, Flower was almost as gentle as Fluttershy.
"Who's in charge while you're here?"
"Fluttershy and Spicy Pepper," Sparks said with a small smile, "I trust Fluttershy to be able to stop Pepper from mobilizing the guard. Luna has been sending them messages with updates in their sleep."
"We should head back soon," I said as Sparks somehow took a sky knight with a guard out of nowhere. Buck, completely missed that, "Steady says I'll be safe to travel soon."
Sparks nodded.
"...And the rest?" I then asked as she didn't volunteer any information.
She shifted before she sighed, "Page, I..." she said before she looked at me, "You know talking about Canterlot nobility will only make you angry."
"What did they do?"
Sparks scowled, "As soon as it was known, every single one of them came out of the woodwork to denounce the attack as a cowardly act by a random madpony."
"Oh yes, like they have not spent years badmouthing me and Nocturnis to anypony that will listen," I snorted, "At least in private."
"There are some decent ponies in the nobility you know," Twilight pointed out.
I nodded, "And I can count the ones I know without running out of limbs," I said and studied the board, "See, all calm," I then added, moving another fortress, taking a guard.
She relaxed again, moving her prince, taking the fortress from me.
"Which is why I wonder what you're not telling me," I continued, causing her to glance away guiltily.
"Stop reading my mind," she grumbled before she blinked and stared at me, "...Wait, is that something you can do with dream magic?"
I gave her a fang filled grin at her, "I knew you would say that."
"PAGE!"
I laughed and flinched as it made my shoulder ache before I shook my head, "No, it's not, I just know you. Besides, I think trying to mind read you would cause me to short circuit something."
Sparks glowered at me before she sighed, "It's nothing."
"Twilight Sparkle," I said, looking at her, "If it was nothing you would have no trouble telling me about it."
She flinched before she glowered at me, "Stop using my full name like that, it makes you sound like my dad!"
I smirked and opened my mouth to answer only for her to reach out and put her hoof over it,
"No!" Sparks said firmly with a glare as she blushed to the tips of her ears..
Grinning, I nodded before waiting for her to lower her hoof, "Now who’s reading minds? So, what's up, Sparks?"
She sighed and shifted, "Just... some ponies talking. Rumors. Saying that because you got hurt, you're not a real alicorn."
Huh. I guess somepony watched Iron Man Two.
...I should write that. Iron Mare. It was a good story.
I shrugged my wings, "So?"
She looked at me, "You're not upset?"
I shook my head, "Honestly, couldn't care less. Not only will not aging kind of prove it on its own, but I don't like the attention in the first place. You know that."
"I guess," Sparks admitted, "It's just so... ugh!" she groaned before she looked at me, "It's so disrespectful! After everything you have done for them!"
"I suppose if that was about one of you, I would be furious," I admitted thoughtfully and flicked one ear, "And likely less restrained."
Twilight smiled a bit at me and moved one of her pieces, "It's just ponies being dumb."
"What of the guards?" I asked, "Any difficulties with the investigation."
She shook her head, "A lot of reorganizing. Canterlot is still on a complete lockdown. Deliveries are still allowed, but nopony in or out. I even assisted in putting up an anti-teleport field over the entire city."
Now that would make a lot of ponies upset.
Sparks then smiled in a way that I could only describe as predatory, "And we were able to extract a magical signature from the teleport spot."
I'm surprised they got a magic signature given the time that has passed, but it will at least mean they'll probably catch the responsible party.
Neat
Send Tempest and have her suplex the criminal. It might hurt, but at least the pony will still be alive to interrogate.
Maybe we can use Fluttershy brother or Flash Sentry as body double, they might have a value in a story that way
Sooo... Riots in the Streets? Sound legit that some ponies are so dis-respectful towards Thestral that even a Alicorn with their traits is attacked!
Ponies might demand the assassin and his hiring party to be publicly burned alive. Or beheaded...
In my stories the nobility get purged for one reason or another, so far its in one writen yet and planned in all others.
Corruption and fanatics are no laughing matter and need to be rooted.
Oh good. Now everyone's on the hunt.
Thanks for posting this when you did, this helped calm my nerves a bit. Currently in the basement due to a tornado warning in my area. You sure you can't read minds?
Celestia:
"That is redicules, even Alicorns bleed. Next they say something stupid like 'moving the sun and moon' is only 'fancy magic', because 100 - 300 Unicorn can cast group magic to do it, even if it is done with a lot of effort! What my sister and myself do every day and night cycel with the ease of lifting a barrel of cake frosting."
Chrysalis:
"That was oddly specific."
Luna:
"I am currently planning a official test for the general intelligence of the nobel ponies, if they are to retarded they get stripped of titel for the safety of Equestria."
Cadance via Crystal ball communication:
"Fun fact: The Crystal Empire has that as a regular occurrence, every 10 years ones."
*Many noble ponies in Canterlot/Manehatten/Cloudsdale have suddenly a bad feeling about something*
Chrysalis:
"This is where the fun begins..."
Skitter:
"Its like a Train accident going to happen before your eyes... you can't look away and wish for some snacks to see the outcome."
Kevin:
"Funny, i was thinking the story Prince Blank Page is writing named 'Purge' isn't out yet. A interesting story about 'purging the corruption out of any social level'."
Celestia:
"O, hello Kevin. Here for some tea?"
Chrysalis:
"You have tea with the Sun princess?"
Kevin:
"On occasion, she like my tea biscuits."
Luna:
"You should meet up with us more often sir Kevin, we shall not be deprived of your biscuits any longer if my sister is singing their praises."
Cadance via Crystal ball communication:
"That's just not fair, i want some tooooo..."
Chrysalis:
"Can we get back to the topic?"
Celestia:
"What did we talk about again?"
Kevin:
"Idiot test of the nobel class and consequently purging them?"
Celestia:
"O right... Luna, i have faith in you."
Luna:
"This is where the fun begins..."
[After the meeting]
Chrysalis:
"Explain Kevin!"
Kevin:
"Royals love my tea biscuits" ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Chrysalis:
"I should make you a Changeling King, Skitter could need someone as persuasive as you!"
Kevin:
"But all i want is baking biscuits and drinking tea..."
Chrysalis:
"Snuggelbugs and tea biscuits... we will rule the world through snuggeling and tea biscuits."
*Queen Chrysalis starts drooling at the idea*
Ah man, remember when superhero movies were actually not shit?
Come to think of it... he has no clue. The kid left earth way before marvel gone woke and murdered itself.
Lucky horse.
Thanks for the chapter!
Have a great day!
11640152
Glad your comments are here so changelings get included in the story since the author doesn't seem to want to include them besides the few mentions of Chrysalis and Skitter, and the occasional Amber popping in from time to time. Seriously, as much time as Skitter and Page spent together, and she hasn't taken the time to go and see him after he got hurt? And Chrysalis isn't curious at all about the state of "her little predator"?
...A LOUD BANG IS HEARD FROM AN "EMPTY" DUMPSTER IN AN ALLEYWAY...
Assassin: OW! What in the stars was that feeling?! That was awful! Buck why did I take this job? Now I'm stuck in the pitch darkness until backup arrives.
*wormhole opens up and Discord whispers in Assassin's ears*
Discord: Trust me no allies are coming for you. I can deal with you now but that would be a MERCY. I'll let the alicorns enjoy the HUNT. Live the remaining time in FEAR.
...EVEN MORE BANGS AND SCREAMS HEARD FROM "EMPTY" DUMPSTER...
11640199
Exactly, I think Hiver should edit in Changeling involvement later on. It just feels like major characters just vanished into thin air.
11640112
I thought they never get a good clue about who could be the guilty party.
11640213
They're probably busy off screen doing all the investigating Page (and we) keep being told about second-hand.
11640159
Marvel "gone woke"? Where were these people when they made a point to stop using "girl" in codenames for grown women? Oh yeah, probably not even born yet. (I bet you only just realized that Jean Grey must have had a codename before she was Phoenix).
I can see with the Lockdown, ALL the nobles would "place" their "loyalty" with not hurting Page. Cause those who do know and helped are up a certain creek....
*Also those who want to go the WHOLE SHIT SHOW with the wokeness propaganda, answer ME this Question. What is your DEFINITION of Woke?*
(Cause all who supposedly have an answer are sooooo far off then they truly know.)
11640302
The problem with text based stories, if something isn't writen it might not exist.
Something a single sentence can change everything.
One reason I got embarrassed when I misstyp a singel word and a fan of mine had a verbal melt down I full deserved because it was a vital element
A sentence can sometimes be everything that counts.
Something missing like the Changelings all story sequel long?
It's like Starwars is missing the 'force'.
Stargate is missing 'star-gates'.
Startrek is missing good writing...
Nightsky is missing 'stars'.
The Changelings made a profound part of the story from the moment they appeared, now their missing just seem like a book that has hole Blank Pages in a printed book.
Great chapter
I feel as though “Twilight Sparkle” as a full name for this purpose is lacking an embarrassing middle name. Anyone have any thoughts about what this could be?
good stories make me angry and happy because my mind keeps thinking about probabilities of where this could all go. your story is giving me a very happy headache. thanks 😅
"Nobles" making the claim that page isn't a real alicorn... the audacity! To claim that they can identify an alicorn better then the goddesses that sit upon their throne! As if celestia or luna couldn't sniff put a fake better then any living creature! These honorless cowards scrambling about like cochroaches when the light comes on. The sun burning brighter with celestia's rage. Proof enough that attacking again would be a bad idea...
11640459
In many stories Twilight has not, but in the few I read throughout the years it was either redicules humorous or very deeply in meaning.
I can at least call out one line of stories where it's both 👍
11640459
My best guess is Twilight Andromeda Sparkle.
11640547
If a noble bleeds and their blood isn’t actually blue, does that mean they were never noble after all? Food for thought, perhaps...
11640658
Would be funny if Celestia & Luna started to mock the nobility like that for a day, better yet!
Hire a news paper for it!
Example:
Nobility:
"If a Alicorn can bleed, are they really devine entity's?"
Celestia:
"If Nobility is really better by birth, should they not bleed blue blood?"
Nobility:
"What makes Blank Page better than us?"
Luna:
"He isn't a self centered, brown nosing, cowards running away from any threat to his beloved and nation.
Further he literally sacrificed his life to defeat Tirek and Harmony/the Universe itself was so impressed with him it made him a towards time immortal blessed stallion with stamina like no other!"
Nobility:
"To mutch detail!"
Luna:
"O am just getting started..."
11640159
...that is NOT Windy_Prance approved in any shape or form.
(I legitimately don't know who I'm more disappointed with: the person making this horrid take or the 4 people upvoting it)
11640738
https://youtu.be/cj20I1vHQ4M
The chorus of this song WILL give you the TRUE understanding of most people today Windy_Prance.
Hivers story:
Secret of Flying
Chapter 34 in its entirety.
The why having Skitter and Chrysalis missing just feels wrong!
It went from:
camo.fimfiction.net/HGKOVNTrPh_dQIegq-4XQTTfq37sBPSPcGN3_7ZAMFg?url=https%3A%2F%2Fderpicdn.net%2Fimg%2Fview%2F2014%2F7%2F10%2F671941.gif
To:
camo.fimfiction.net/-kcEqsvO1EnHPdWtcdGHRPmhyG8lYo6oIOWvPE8iDo8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fderpicdn.net%2Fimg%2F2014%2F3%2F15%2F576165%2Ffull.png
O noooo... I finally realized! Hiver must have been replaced! By another Hive!
Dun duun duuun!
Sneaky Changelings
11640152
love the side bit there lol
11640964
Other comment section comedians have been making stuff up like this for years.
Enjoy the comment section ♡
Example:
Hiver story
'Secret of Flying'
Chapter 35:
*Angry mob besieg the throne room*
Nobility:
"This injustices needs to be corrected!"
Celestia:
"What is the meaning of this?!"
Nobility turning out to be all mares in closer inspection:
"We have a Alicorn stud, first in existence! But there a no stud service papers to fill out in triplicate!"
Celestia:
"Are you joking?"
Angry mob getting more angry:
"This is no laughing matter! We all could get Alicorn foals flying around and zapping anything around them while they fly by!"
Celestia:
"You do realize he is literally in a new born body?"
*Angry mob getting deathly quite*
Celestia:
"He is mentally adult, but his body is despite appearances like that of a newborn foal with mostly apperance being mature. He can bearly fly, his magic merely slightly above average and he hasn't even learned to use Earthpony magic actively.
Further just like a normal foal, he has to reach sexuell maturity as a Alicorn!"
*Nobility looking in absolut horror at Celestia*
Celestia:
"Let it be spoken in a official declaration, Blank Page is literally less than a year old in his current body, even if it behave like a adult mortal body it is a immortal less than a year old body!"
*Half the Nobility in attendance is fainting*
Celestia:
"He is only shooting blanks until he reaches sexuell maturity between 10 and 100 years of existence in his immortal body!"
*Rest of the Nobel mare fainting*
[Later]
Blank Page:
"And they believed you!?"
Celestia:
"Technically nothing was a lie, until you produce a heir for Equestria."
Blank Page:
Celestia:
"Now open wide!"
*Presents Applejam for foals in a spoon to feed Page*
Blank Page:
11640152
11641074
Did it in one of my stories already, backfire already of course since Economy and trade take a hard hit when the pencils being pushed lack experienced replacement.
Still better that than corruption to the core.
11641147
Experience can be gained, there is no cure for stupidity
11641249
Isn't the hard counter to stupidity:
Knowledge and wisdom to use it?
11641256
And when they are too arrogant or stubborn to gain wisdom? When they're too stupid to realize they're stupid?
11641266
Willfully being trapped in ignorance ? Hm...
Purge it with a flamesword or a Icesword?
11640996
lol eeyup
11640152
Who's Kevin?
We just thought-
reaction....was-singular/reactions....were-plural
11643075
Just another changeling that has sadly been forgotten by the writer
“If you can make god bleed, people will cease to believe in him.”
11738993
Didn't seem to work for someone