"Your Majesty! Are you alright?!"
I smiled, "I am fine, Pepper. It wasn't as bad as it might have sounded."
Flower Rain looked at me with suspicion.
I smiled at her as well, "Don't look at me like that. I'm here and I'm clearly all better. How's everypony else doing? I saw a crowd on the square outside when we came in for landing."
Flower nodded, "Everypony was worried for you, Your Majesty."
It had been a long night and I much rather just go rest. But I really should address this first.
"What rumors were there?" I asked her with a small frown, "I know how these things usually go."
She hesitated so Pepper spoke up, "The usual you are thinking of. Mostly ponies were angry and worried. We... they thought we might have lost you."
I nodded to them, "I best go address everypony then," I said with a small smile and headed for the balcony, making sure not to show even a hint of being injured. It was easy, because the most I got was a slight ache where I had been hit.
As I walked out, the ponies beneath grew quiet, looking up towards me.
I smiled out at them, "Hello, everypony. It's good to be back home again. As you all can see, the reports of my horrible injuries may have been a bit exaggerated."
Nopony spoke.
I continued, "No need to look so disappointed!" I said with a grin.
That did get a reaction of soft laughter.
"I feel like I should tell you all that happened," I then continued, "As I'm sure news will arrive from Canterlot soon anyway, likely just as accurate as the ones that reported my horrible mangling in a wagon accident."
More laughter.
I shifted my wings, "What happened was a pony shot me with a crossbow in the middle of the street in Canterlot while I was on my way to visit a friend."
Silence again. But not just silence this time.
This time it was the kind of silence that spread through a crowd just before something got violent.
So I continued, "My guard drove them to escape and stopped my bleeding, getting me to the hospital with assistance from the Solar guard to get my wound tended to. After an investigation, the pony in question was caught. He was ill, seeing conspiracies and evil everywhere. He was sent to the hospital where he will remain until he stops being a danger to himself and others."
"So he's just getting away with it?!" a voice somewhere in the crowd yelled.
I shook my head, "I was the one to suggest it over the regular punishment for such a crime," I said firmly, "This pony is ill and deserves our pity and compassion, not our scorn. Because it was lucky it was me he hit."
Shocked silence.
I shook my head, "Because I could take a hit like that. If it had not been me, it could have been a poor griff or 'ling. Or a minotaur. Or if none of those had been available, maybe a pegasus or earth pony."
"What about next time?!"
A different voice.
"There may be a next time," I admitted, "Alicorns live for a long time. But I doubt it will be anytime soon. There is no grand conspiracy, it was a single ill pony who's delusions latched onto me because of what I represented in his mind. If I could do everything again, I would not change anything.. well, almost anything. I would admittedly likely have used a shield."
That did raise the mood a little I felt.
"So instead of focusing on the pony that did it," I continued and glanced back over my shoulder, "Let's instead focus on the ponies that drove him away. Shade Leaf and Leaf Shade, come out here."
Shade and Leaf both looked at me with wide eyes.
I smiled at them and motioned for them with a wing to join me.
Visibly swallowing, they shared a look before walking slowly out onto the balcony to join me as the crowd cheered for them.
I waited until they stood next to me and the crowd quieted down before I smiled, "Some of you know these ponies. Shade Leaf and Leaf Shade. Or rather some of you knew them, now you all know them. But there is something you don't know yet," I continued and looked out over the crowd, "I expect the news to arrive in a couple of days or so. But I wanted you all to know that Shade Leaf and Leaf Shade have both been awarded the Star of Equestria. The first recipients in well over a century."
The crowd started quiet. Then it grew. Those that knew what that meant filling the ponies around them in on it.
Soon I had to press my ears against my head from the cheering.
"So tonight we don't spend it in anger over a pony that needs our compassion!" I yelled, one hoof on the railing, using a spell to make myself heard, "Tonight we celebrate the ponies that deserve it! So break out the barbeques and the drinks! Because tonight we will celebrate the Night of Shadows!"
As usual when food and drink were mentioned, ponies cheered even louder.
Shade and Lead looked slightly pale. I smiled and spoke to them beneath my breath, "Just smile and wave, girls. Smile and wave."
They hesitantly did and the cheering renewed.
##############
The sun was almost at zenith before the celebrations started to calm down.
Luna and Twilight were being adorable talking quietly on the couch. Sunset was already in the bedroom. Yawning, I slipped off the chair I draped myself across and headed into the bedroom.
Sunset was stretched out on the bed, reading a book. When I entered, she glanced up before smiling, “Giving up?”
I nodded and climbed onto the bed, sinking down with a small sigh to lay next to her, “It’s getting very late,” I admitted and rolled onto my side to look at her.
“Mmm,” Sunset said just as sleepily with a small smile, “Luna and Twi still looking as adorable as when I went to bed?”
I couldn’t help but grin, “Very much so. I know they liked each other for a while, but this is pretty new. Assume it developed while I was having my nap. Do they know?”
Sunset smiled, “Luna does. Twi, I’m not too sure yet. But it's nice to see.”
They were being very cute. While selfishly I may have preferred more Luna time, I’d more than happily give some of it to Sparks if she kept My Sky looking that cute and happy. After all, admiring her was almost as much fun after all.
Also, the effect it had on Sparks was just as clear and made me just as happy.
…And admittedly, it was also a very enjoyable visual. Smiling to myself, I closed my eyes and started to slowly drift off to sleep.
“Mmm…. Page?” Sunset mumbled quietly.
“Mhmm?” I asked, more than half asleep.
“I want foals.”
My eyes snapped open and I suddenly didn’t feel sleepy at all as I looked into her eyes, “huh?” I asked intelligently.
“I want foals.”
“...With me?”
Sunset gave me a d’uh look, “No, Shining Armor. Yes, of course you!”
“Oh,” I said quietly and swallowed.
“So?” Sunset asked and bumped her nose against mine, looking into my eyes, “What do you think?”
I hesitated, “Sunset… I-I’m not sure it’s a good idea…”
She pulled back, looking hurt, “What? Why?”
I cringed slightly, “Sunset, It’s…” I started before I sighed and shook my head, “Sunset, we don’t even know if it’s possible. And if it is, the foal usually takes after the tribe of the mother.”
“And?”
“And I don’t want to watch them grow old and die!” I exclaimed, rolling onto my stomach and raising my head to look at her.
Sunset glared at me, “So I suppose I best just get out too, huh?”
“What, no! Suns-”
“Buck off,” she snarled and jumped off the bed, drying tears away with one hoof.
Before I could say anything else, the door slammed closed behind her, leaving me staring at it. What the buck just happened?
The door opened again and Luna slipped inside, closing the door behind her before she looked at me, “What did you do?” she asked in a not quite accusing tone, “Sunset just stormed in and is crying her eyes out against Twilight's shoulder.”
I cringed and sighed, “I… could have handled that better,” I admitted quietly and pushed myself up to sit, rubbing my hoof at my forehead, “Sunset brought up that she wanted foals. Just kinda sprung it at me. I told her it wasn’t a good idea as I didn’t want to watch them grow old and die.”
Luna shook her head, “Oh Page, please tell me you didn’t put it like that.”
“...Think it may have been worse actually,” I admitted and sighed, “I should talk to her.”
“No,” Luna told me firmly, shifting to stand before the door, “I will talk to her. Before you put your hooves even further into your mouth.”
“Luna, I think-”
She glared at me and I trailed off before I sighed and nodded, “Okay,” I admitted, “You three take the bedroom. I’ll find somewhere else to sleep,” I said and slipped out of the bed.
Luna sighed softly and walked over to me, brushing her lips against mine, “Page, you are a good stallion, but sometimes you need to think before you talk.”
“I know,” I admitted and sighed softly, “...I’m sorry.”
Luna smiled faintly and touched my side with her wing, “Go get some sleep, I’ll talk with Sunset. We’ll all talk tomorrow.”
“Are you sure I shou-”
“Yes.”
Sighing, I nodded, “Sweet dreams, Luna.”
“Sweet dreams, Page.”
With that I left through the balcony. Spreading my wings in the sunlight, I took to the air. I didn’t fly far though, just rounding the small palace and pulled up to the throneroom. I banked in through one of the openings and pulled up hard. I turned it into a flip and wrapped my tail around one of the supports of the roof.
Using my wings to stop the worst of the swinging, I then pulled my legs to myself and wrapped my wings around myself, closing my eyes, trying to sleep.
I felt like a dick.
11656629
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=onZRb2aTlj4
11656630
Darn it! you beat me to the utube video!
Nice.
Also I gotta admit. This is not like page. He didn't even take a second to think about it. But than again. He does have a point. But on the third hoof it was still a complete dick move. Maybe should have asked for some time to think it over and ask the other alicons if they had kids. But just out right refuse is a big dick move
FINALLY SOMEONE SAID IT!?!?
It's been, what, 6 stories since Page and Luna got together? Heck, maybe since Page became an alicorn!
I felt like a dick.
You ARE a dick Page.... that was awful.
Thank you for the chapter, Hiver!
Ffs Page... I get it, I really really do get it... But that take with Sunset is less of a hammer to the window and more of a dynamite.
Whelp, that was pretty heavy on the nose.
Not completely like Page, but it might be the case that he’s already thought that case through, and just presented his thinking a bit to quick and harsh.
And his logic might have been missing that it is Sunny’s small way of staying in there lives in a way after she is gone. (Just going from how I think about this)
Too be fair his reasoning is not wrong, and until we make Sunny into the Alicorn (of healing, since it was mentioned stories earlier) there is no happy ever after here.
Because of the storyline continues after S9 age we otherwise have a scene at her grave, and I’m not sure I could handle that chapter.
Yeah . I don't think they ever really discussed her mortality compared to him. They sorta sidestep the issue. It was one thing to advise others to go for it. You aren't the one who risk heartbreak then. At least hopefully we'll be getting babies soon. Though I do hope twilight if she goes for it is a better parent than in the show. Young children and babies require a lot attention and no schedule will change their minds.
SUNSET SLOWING DOWN IN A CLEARING...
Sunset: Stupid Page...stupid me for thinking he woul-- Umm is that cloud advertisement?? "Gorgeous stallion with large wingspan looking to settle with unicorn beauties"????
MEANWHILE AT THE JUNGLE PYRAMID...
Discord: How the buck did you do that?! Because I didn't help in this!
Statue: I saw an opportunity! What better way to re-introduce my existence than taking best unicorn away!
Discord: You are shameless...and that says a lot coming from me.
Statue: I regret nothing.
Great chapter
I think that is the biggest hoof in mouth moment I have ever read so far.
Well to Blank Page defense, after waking up many people need a few minutes to start their brain properly. Springing it on him right after waking him was a bad idea.
Sunset has a point, Blank Page is the best sire. But Luna would have first right, than the Changelings for political reasons.
Blank Page forget one thing, unless he sticks to immortals only than pain of losing liked and loved ones will come to him. Even Luna, Celestia, Twilight 1&2 and Cadance are not 100% guaranteed to give him Alicorn foals. Especially if it need to be earned and isn't a born trait to be immortal.
11656662
Dropping a bomb like that on a guy with zero warm up is asking for a software crash and a hardware overload. Watching GENERATIONS of offspring all keeling over for centuries.... that's a horrifying thought that immediately popped to mind.
11656854
Of course. That's why I understand why he doesn't want to but I also thought he was smart enough to not say that out loud right then and there
11656857
Well I guess the only solution is a line of alicorn foals that eventually dominate the world!
Thorax hearing about the incident from Amber.
Thorax:
"That stupid little Predator, of course his children are going to die eventually, be they mortal or Alicorns.
That why you keep making them, no enemies can kill hundreds of them.
Especially since our swarm will guard the non Ling foals, they are to valuable to the Hive to simply die of anything but old age or non Hive matters!"
Amber:
"What shall we do my Queen?"
Thorax:
"Make a lot of larve with him, than explain to that daft Predator that death is a part of life. As long the living stay ahead of death the math keep us going."
Amber:
"But ponies are very emotional and aliens made ponies seem to be the same way."
Thorax:
"That why I am a Queen and you are a drone, I will do the convincing. Should the chance arrive that he is to intoxicated to resist you will be read alongside other to milk him for all his worth.
For the Swarm and Hive!"
Amber:
"For Swarm and Hive my brilliant Queen!"
11656861
I’ve never been a fan of this idea. Having an average of one alicorn per millennia like in this story so far seems fine. Flurry Heart being a alicorn was probably a bad idea. There are very serious implications to inevitably having hundreds or eventually thousands of immortal super powerful beings running around. But maybe that’s because I prefer more of a low fantasy approach to these stories. I think few alicorns having to deal with mortal offspring is more interesting to explore.
Interested in seeing how this story continues!
Not like him to say something like that but ok guess the plot must be driven
11656907
There was an old story that actually did roll with that and tried to answer the question of what a society of incredibly powerful immortals would look like. I think it was a oneshot sequel to another oneshot of Twilight turning Rainbow into an alicorn. Can’t find it anymore, though.
Florist declare a medical emergency:
camo.fimfiction.net/FMEaTQFUeEn0P9apc4t-XaBmOG9R1P_ZbN-vC-gXbO4?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.chzbgr.com%2Ffull%2F8978850816%2FhAA2F01B1%2F
Florist Pony:
"My flowers are dying! They are not overwatered, the earth soil is rich and they have enough light thanks to mirror light redirection!"
Hospital Pony:
"This is a Nocturnis citizen medical facility mam, please consult the herbalist expert for flora related problems."
Florist ponie:
"O...k..."
Discord:
"It is a sad day when a Florist Pony has more sense about a dying plant, than Blank Page about dying in general. Very selfish in one Talon, yet understandable on the other paw.
After all:
It one thing to see someone beloved die, one different to see ones effort to raise something from birth to its eventual death after having nurturing it all its existence."
11656935
The end result of one story is in 'Cat cradle'.
Even immortal lives do not last forever...
I feel like both Page and Sunset could have handled that better.
While I do appreciate that Page was able to do damage control for his ponies to calm them down, he needs to also wisen up when he FULL ON shot himself when he said those words to Sunset.
Page your gonna have to step it up to make up for that mistake.
Because as we all know, the best time to discuss important life choices is immediately after waking someone up when they're still half asleep.
Can characters please act more intelligently here? We've already had "oh we're going to have a guard outpost without discussing it with you because drama", and we're now on "how dare you say something untactful when you've been woken up 30 seconds ago and had zero idea this topic would be brought up out the blue".
Pages phrasing was bad, but Sunset definitely has very poor timing. The guy just got recovered from being shot, had to avert his bats from going on essentially a anger driven jihad, and had just woken up. I get that the plot needs to move forward, but Shimmer coulda been less upfront, and Page could have thought before he spoke.
11656988
Yes but in truth none of the girls have really mentioned anything about the future and suddenly he gets woken up with a wish for kids . He was caught of guard and said something stupid. He is just being to come to terms with being alicorn and hardly seeing his wife Luna. Having another thing to deal with on top the fact he is still healing and just was woken up from his sleep. Yes he was rude but he still trying to find a way to figure everything out so everyone can be happy about everything.
11657080
It’s worth noting that while page’s actions can be explained away given the context, Sunset was completely in character, even if her choices weren’t the best.
11656940
I think this says it best plus page is still in recovery and he just was woken up. Not the best time for making life changing requests even if they are married to you.
You are most certainly a dick tgis time buddy... I don't wan tto see them grow old and die yet I'm seeing someone in that eact situation. BS... I would think you'd wan your partner to be happy and to have a family with them, even if you are immortal your still intitled to have blood famliy that isnt/ Childern truly make people hppy as they are the best of both part of their parents.
That was very smooth of Page, channeling the crowd’s angry energy into celebrating the guard. How he handled sunset, not so much.
11657116
More like a tired sore pony who just wanted to help and got more responsibilities than he ever wanted. He had to deal with a lot of problems and what he needs is real time to relax without responsibilities or fake tutoring sessions just to get him a date. He had to deal with the fact that he was shot at and stop and possible angry mob from forming and when he finally after a long trip gets some sleep sunset wakes him to talk about babies which she should have talked about when they became a couple in the first place instead just after the guy woke up. She has right to feel hurt but he also has had a lot to deal with and he has schedule a day off just to be able enjoy himself and he needs a real break before someone asks for more from him.
11657108
Indeed, write a comment like that earlier. Sunset probably hoped for a positive off guard answer, but gambling ha a chance to go the wrong way.
In my stories all ponies life over 100 years, Earthponys even up to 200.
No idea what the average times span of a ponies life is here, but Sunset isn't getting younger one way or another.
So her time is ticking away.
Also she said 'foals' not 'foal', meaning she wants at least 2 foals from him.
With how dangerous any world can be, very understandable.
1 can die to accidents, illness etc etc...
2 or more are unlikely to die, than again there are families that are 3 to 5 children yet they all died to accidents like car/airplane crashes.
Once I deliver a high end sleeping system to a client and was like:
"That a big house and damn fine furniture, you family is lucky to be financially secure this days."
The costumer than told me that unfortunately his 4 kids all died.
1 sickness.
2 car accidents.
His final and oldest child in a car accident.
His wife could not take it and died with a heart attack hearing their hole family children just had died before she can become a grandmother.
In short:
Life is unpredictable, no matter if you are rich or poor.
Some people lose anything they love for no good reason.
One should enjoy life as is and not wait, because later might come never...
11658073
I get it but at the same time most sensible people discuss these things before marriage not after. He hasn't had to say goodbye to anything but his old life on earth and he will come around in time but he just had to deal with too much. Imagine you are Jobe from the Bible now you pretty much were on top of the world they you lose everything including your health and to boot not only do friends say must be your fault but they still expect you to your job as well as before. That is what he going through emotionally. He may still have the girls but he came to close to losing it all because he was shot. The bat ponies would be even more hated for wanting revenge against the pony who did and war would break out. He just needs time where he doesn't have deal with the disaster of the week.
To be fair, I'm on Page's side with this. Granted, he could have worded it much better, but his point stands regardless. There is no greater curse, than that a parent outlives their child. No parent should outlive their child, period. Thus is the curse of immortality. He is not in the wrong here, but at the same he isn't in the right. It's a lose-lose scenario for him.
11658185
I think the comment section is not recognizing one other factor. Page did more than just say he's hesitant on kids. He specifically pointed out Sunset being an unicorn as the main factor...when all of his other mares are alicorns.
Page basically told Sunset that every other pony in his herd is worthy of having his foal EXCEPT HER. Page indirectly told Sunset that her place in this herd is temporary due to her mortality so her happiness is not worth the effort.
THAT is the true f*ck up of what Page did.
11658203
And it's exactly as I said, no matter what he would have said, it would be a lose-lose scenario. There would be no good outcome in that scenario for him or sunset.
11658211
Honestly I'm not giving Page much sympathy on this. Especially when Cadance (not MY Cadance. Hiver-canon Cadance) is an option.
Page could have said "I don't know how it would work with me being a male alicorn. I think we should talk to Cadance first. She has experience in this! We should talk about her so we have a better idea of what to expect."
THERE! Cadance as the therapist gives a perfect opportunity to explain all his concerns and for Page to listen to Sunset's.
11656662
Other than Cadence, the answer is no. They thought Alicorns were infertile because, over the thousands of years, Celestia and Luna never had foals.
11658077
He never married anyone buy Luna!
The are strictly speaking closest friends with benefits.
The only one that I see has a right by marriage would be Luna.
Well, that felt weird and out of character. This might be an instance of the story controlling the characters vs the characters controlling the story.
11656776
I don't think she would become an alicorn, of the cure she really wouldn't. and for me if other characters start to become alicorns it might spoil it a bit, their mortality and this drama is something that would come at one time or another something that needs to be developed.
this is what i think
11658185
the curse of immortality is not living forever, but losing everything along the way.
11658185
11668831
11658219
Ah, the old-age "immortality curse" rearing its ugly head again.1
Yes, Page royally fucked up.
And, yes, Page does have a point.
It is always hard for when a parent loses a child. However, the feelings of loss are greatly mitigated by two factors: how that child lived, and how that child died. We should be mindful of how we deal with losing a beloved pet that we naturally outlive because the situation is comparatively similar--that that this idea is to diminish the value of a human life, but to remind everyone that for those who have pets, those animals are as precious as our own children.
So, when we apply that standard, naturally a child whose life was cut short by violence or disease is always a tragedy.
Also, when a child has wasted their life by squandering their opportunities to devote their time to committing crimes is a tremendous disappointment.
But if the child has lived a rich, fulfilling life, spending his/her time helping and touching others in a positive fashion, then their life brings such joy and happiness to the parents.
However, in the cases of immortal parents, or just simply longer-lived mortal parents, when the child dies of old age--that's not violence nor disease, therefore it's not a tragedy.
Therefore, where in such cases their lives rich and fulfilling, regardless of how the child died, then the surviving parents should celebrate their children's lives and remember them--for as long as we remember, they still live. It is for this reason that pet owners will continue to acquire pets after their old ones have passed away....and immortal parents would continue to have mortal children.
[1]-(that sentence has so many naturally built-in puns that it's impossible to separate the accidental from the intentional--let's just say they're so quantum entangled that it's a "yes" to every question in the universe--even those where only "no" is the answer )
11675400
Well said. I could not have said it better myself.
Leaf, not Lead.
Also...
sd.keepcalms.com/i-w600/keep-calm-and-just-smile-and-wave-girls-smile-and-wave.jpg
I saw what you did there, Hiver. Or should I say... Skipper!
That ending... Oof.
11675400
Well said, indeed.
Hoof, meet mouth, now choke on it