I lounged on my throne, the last of the sunlight filtered in from outside through the branches of the taller trees. It was very early night and with a holiday having been the night before the village was dead quiet, ponies sleeping in or trying to sleep off their hangovers.
I usually enjoyed these nights.
Usually.
Taking a deep breath, I looked at the three ponies standing at attention before me. A pair of earth ponies and a unicorn.
“You know,” I said as I studied them, “I usually enjoy the night after a holiday as much as the holiday. It’s usually a very light night for me. To spend time with my family. Usually. ”
“Instead, I’m here,” I said, “With you bunch,” I added and floated a parchment up to read it, “Drunk and disorderly. Destruction of public property. Making a disturbance.”
None of them moved.
“I recognise you three,” I continued, putting the parchment down, “You have been before me once before. I remember it being similar charges as well. I seem to remember the fine then being a hundred bits each as well.”
All three stayed at attention, eyes forward.
“Private Starswell, what do you have to say for yourself?” I asked the unicorn.
“Sir, I apologize, I had too much to drink, sir!”
I regarded him for several long moments. He stared straight ahead but I could see him swallow.
I switched my gaze to the other two, “Private Deep Well?”
The first earth pony stood even straighter if that was even possible, “Sir, I made a mistake, sir!”
“Private Steady?”
“Sir, I bucked up, sir.”
“Yes, yes you did,” I said and shifted my wings slightly as I regarded them, relaxing against my throne, crossing my forelegs on the throne before me as I relaxed, letting them sweat for a bit.
They were each from the Equestria training base up the track from here. And they did as soldiers always did when given money and getting time away from base.
They got drunk and got into trouble.
The ponies of Nocturnis did not like it. They didn’t like it at all. What they did like was the thousands of bits flowing into the local economy.
Which meant they had to put up with the tomfoolery in turn, but there was a limit they would put up with.
“I am well aware that each of you have had dealings with the guard before you ever came to my attention the first time,” I continued after some fifteen seconds.
None of them moved.
“And fining you does not seem to have worked,” I continued, “So instead, let’s try something else and see if that works better, shall we?”
I looked to Iron Shine, “Iron Shine, return these fine gentlemen to their cell if you please and send a messenger to their commanding officer that he needs to come get them in person.”
“Oh buck, Sergeant Steel Shoes is going to kill us,” one of them muttered.
I turned my head to Private Steady, “Sergeant Steel Shoes?” I asked and the inside of his ears turned a bit red at being caught, “Sergeant Steel Shoes is not your commanding officer, is he? That would be Captain Stormwind unless I’m mistaken.”
That had an effect. They turned white beneath their coats and each of them looked like I had announced a firing squad.
No, that’s not true, it’s like they would have volunteered for a firing squad if that was an alternative.
Captain Stormwind was the garrison commander of the entire Equestrian base. He would be displeased about getting that messenger I think.
I let things sink in for them for a couple of moments before I looked at Iron Shine again, “You have your orders, Lieutenant.”
The large earth pony saluted smartly, “Yes, your majesty,” she said before she turned to them, “Attention! Move out!”
All of them straightened up even more if possible before turning and being marched out with her following.
The door closed behind them before I sighed, “Well, they’re not the first and they’re not the last,” I said, “But I think this lesson may take a bit better than any fine. What do you think?”
“I would think so, your majesty,” Moon Glow agreed, “I think we may know when the messenger arrives as well, even we non-bats will likely hear it from here.”
I chuckled at that, “I wouldn’t be surprised. But don’t let me keep you, you have more important things to deal with.”
She was in charge of my personal guard after all.
Moon Glow nodded and saluted with her wing, “Any excursions planned today, sir?”
“No, I’m actually planning to stick around until lunch and then skive off I think,” I admitted with a smile, “Day after holidays are always really quiet.”
Moon Glow smiled a bit wryly, “More for some than others. Excuse me, sir,” she said and headed towards the balcony to do whatever it was she did night to nighty.
I turned my eyes to the last visible pony in the throneroom, “On that note, I seem to remember giving you the day off for sure, Flower.”
Flower Rain smiled at me from her small desk towards one side, “Just preparing some items for tonight, sir,” the petite bat pony answered, looking up from her papers, “We do have the griffon delegation arriving then if the train keeps to the schedule.”
“Oh yeah,” I admitted, “Almost forgot about that. Whatever would I do without you, Flower?”
She grinned, fangs on full display, “Do a lot more paperwork, sir?”
“More like being completely lost and not even knowing my own schedule,” I told her with a smile of my own, “Now, off with you. I can’t do without you, so I have to make sure you take care of yourself.”
“I’m almost done,” she said and returned to her papers, “Just double checking the planned accommodations.”
I really had no idea what I would do without Flower Rain as my assistant. I was absolutely terrified at the thought that she would get old and have to retire at some point, leaving me without her managing things.
Civilization would collapse.
I really have to ask Celestia at some point what I was to do, she had gone through that many hundreds of times by now.
Nice
Hot damn... That is actually a good point, one will mostly get the competent and skilled personnel assigned for leadership support, but not everyone is equally good and know the Inn and outs of a job.
Especially is when they are getting their position through entitled or overly corrupt through bribes position.
Unlike Page, Celestia probably has a lot of experience with it... also its consequences of undoing it.
Nocturnis is a new, but relatively stable territory within Equestria. Though i wonder what troubles they have to face?
Imagen the Storm King launching a surprise attack on it, alternative they go for indirect attacks with sabotage of the supply trains or their guidance supports.
Railway sabotage was rather common back then, even today sabotage on them have very strong reactions for little effort doing them.
Chrysalis and Skitter are still due to get a certain Alicorn Stud support for the young queen... when will Page work on bringing other Hives under Chrysalis& Skitter thanks to a impressive example.
The Griffon had a positive outlook on Page when he was a Unicorn, seeing him as Alicorn will be even more interesting.
Are the Griffon religious figuresheads to be visited by their Griffonstone belivers?
Wonder what Fern is doing these days...
Would it be morale acceptable to eat chocolate glaced fruit bats as a Thestral or not?
*Griffon convoi arrives at Nocturnis*
Page looks around and is surprised that a huge group of Griffons have arrived with a lot of construction tools in tow.
Suddenly he is requested to meet with the leader of the Griffons, but not the royalty, but their religious leadership.
Page:
"Welcome to Nocturnis, i am surprised to see that many Griffon visitors."
Griffon religious leader:
"Greetings my god, it is a honor to meet you in my lifetime. I have brought you the most skilled and deeply beliving belivers of our Alicorn Church.
In the name of friendship and belive of your growing leadership and that of the Sparkle sisters, we are here to join Nocturnis permanently in this devoted pilgrimage to your tribes prosperity."
Page:
"I am honored of this devoted... pilgrimage, but we can’t currently support that many new commers"-
Griffon religious leader:
Don't worry my god, we shall not be a burden and work hard to expand the glorious new Alicorn blessed to become City, joining in building and hunting to support its population to-"
Page:
"These are a... remarkable sets of work ethic, but we can’t just assume unplanned migration of so many new citizens will work out-"
Griffon religious leader:
"We are also determined to reclaim the holy Tempel that is rumored to exists in the jungle, we will reclaim it and give tribute-"
Page:
"Hold on, tribute is not necessary!
I will not have you or your fellow Griffons spill bloo-"
Griffon religious leader:
"The in magic stasis hold Mangos for the weekly Mango weekend is ready to become our tribute, it will be served starting next weekend!"
Page contemplating the difficulty to manage this change of situation all of the sudden, the paper work alone would be giving him bad dreams to come...
Than again Mango smoothies every Weekend...
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...♡
Page:
"I accept they responsibility and your weekly weekend tribute in the name of friendship, and
Mango smoothiesprosperity of ponies and Griffons alike!Together we can
party with Mango smoothieswork hard for equally beneficial gain."Starlight Glimmer:
"Where are these Mangos come from, who could have possibly been behind it all... where would the Griffons grow them..."
*Somewhere in the distance earsdropping*
Chrysalis:
"Hives mercy... A rival Hive has arrived! They are clearly after our little Predator to fight us indirectly for the first Changeling-Alicorn nymphs!"
Skitter:
"We must counter this insidious ploy! Our future Egg daddy must remain loyal to us alone!
The Skymango/Mellon farm we working on must become a success! For the Hive, our HIVE!"
Discord looking into this chaotic development:
"Boy... this escalated quickly... Daddy is so proud his daughter Eris came back in time, convinced a rival Changeling Hive to grow Mango farms and win Page stomach by Mango smoothies over, resulting in Nocturnis future Sky Mango farms... or was it Sky Mellons? ... Either way, Thestral smoothies weekend become a standard in Nocturnis increased population growth massively."
Looking forward to all the smoothies induced
Orgiespopulation growth of the near future""Griffon religious leader,who isn't actually a Changeling Queen in dispute of Chrysalis monopoly on Alicorn grade eggs of the future:
"This is where the fun begins... may the best Hive nest win."
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... Mango based bribery would likely work...
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Absolutely priceless.
Well that seals it, going to have fun with that story line in the comment section.
Comment section fun will be glorious ♤👍
The silent war between Chrysalis&Skitters Hive and Griffon posing Changeling Hive to try win Page heart through Sky Melon & Mango smoothies ♡
No matter who loses, Discord and Eris win in the chaos between these rivals going for the first Alicorn sired Changeling eggs 👍
Hm... our Page has so many equine mares... a Griffon or 'Non pony' might be in order to balance it out... imagen the chaos a Sphinx female going for Blank Page attention might cause
Who purrs better in his embrace?
Sphinx or Alicorn mare ✌
To lazy or busy to read long comments?
https://ttsreader.com
Copy&paste them, set language and reading speed, enjoy.
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camo.fimfiction.net/QtRebxMw8TFICFBOXJuIzcrPyuB-jrS08RuLXhyRpEA?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com%2Ff%2F5a6d85fd-9b35-4405-a84e-bf6193db873a%2Fd4nbfm0-e3a509fe-eba3-4046-b6ae-2915348f100b.png%2Fv1%2Ffit%2Fw_750%2Ch_368%2Flolponies__ceiling_derpy_is_watching_you__by_axemgr_d4nbfm0-375w-2x.png%3Ftoken%3DeyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9NDQyIiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvNWE2ZDg1ZmQtOWIzNS00NDA1LWE4NGUtYmY2MTkzZGI4NzNhXC9kNG5iZm0wLWUzYTUwOWZlLWViYTMtNDA0Ni1iNmFlLTI5MTUzNDhmMTAwYi5wbmciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9OTAwIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmltYWdlLm9wZXJhdGlvbnMiXX0.oaj1lf_jc7MAf2aGGGJwRlPZNK9W1IGs6V3R0xzfELM
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♡
*Meanwhile*
All Changelings around Batty ponies getting Mango Smoothies...
camo.fimfiction.net/HGKOVNTrPh_dQIegq-4XQTTfq37sBPSPcGN3_7ZAMFg?url=https%3A%2F%2Fderpicdn.net%2Fimg%2Fview%2F2014%2F7%2F10%2F671941.gif
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That's what I think happens every time I say it
Celestia: "I suggest you get really good at necromancy, Page."
Page: *chokes* "You're kidding, right!?"
Luna: "No, she's not, My Page. Other than my sister, Raven Inkwell is still her assistant from the time before my banishment."
Celestia: "After she died, I had searched far and wide for somepony as skilled as she was. Centuries, even."
Luna: "It took us both five tries before we finally got it right."
Celestia: "The third time, we thought we lost her for good when her body was reduced to ash. Fortunately, we were able to reverse that little mistake."
Luna: "The hard part was hiding the stitches to keep her scalp on."
Celestia: "Yeah, neither of us were very good as beauticians. Fortunately, I encountered Fleur de Lis about a dozen years after Luna was banished."
Page: "Wait! Fleur de Lis is nearly a thousand years old!? Did you use necromancy on her, too?? "
Celestia: "No, she's a vampony. But she was a fantastic beautician before she was bitten. I was able to convince her to stop being evil and help me with Raven. In return, I hooked her up with some SPF-500 sunblock so that she could go about in the day time without any problems. Did have the side effect of turning her pink. She used to be cyan colored, but she didn't mind the change."
Page: ""
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Lets have a Important conversation in Thestral:
I wonder who will be the next drama Lama in this story.
Though if Hiver ever Google or Fimfiction deity forbid, ever Google 'Mango Parasit' we might get a troublesome chapter concerning Fern the Timberwolve.
Ever see maggot being pressed out of a animal or human body like pimples?
Yep... i just see it on youtube happen and didn't know if to be horrified or intrigued.
So i was both...
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That was very entertaining 👍
Looks like they won't be in the guard much longer, if it's as bad as I expect.
...COUPLE OF DAYS LATER...
Stormwind: Good evening Prince Blank Page! We bring gifts for you and the locals! SOLDIERS! YOU HAVE YOUR ORDERS! GO!
Starswell&DeepWell&Steady: Sir Y-yes s-s-ir.
*The frazzled trio continue to stagger into town pulling their carriage*
Page: Wait..is that what I think it is?!
Stormwind: Why yes! Those are honeycombs from the Iron Storm Bees. Every pony in Nocturnis will now have honey for at least the season!
Page: Amazing! We only discovered the species two years ago but they are hard to track due to their nomadic nature.
Stormwind: One of my patrols informed me of the hive's recent location. I had my soldiers harvest them for you as punishment.
Page: ...But aren't those bees are the size of cats?
Stormwind: Good training exercise dodging those stingers!
Page: Iron Storm Bee live in STORM CLOUDS tho?! None of them are pegasi!
Stormwind: Stuffed them in rubber beekeeper suits and enchanted them with cloud walking magic! It was quite entertaining!
Page: PLEASE tell me you recorded it!
Stormwind: Why do you think I have a film reel and projector in my hooves? Movie night for every pony!
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Thanks!
Feels so good to be back contributing to the peanut gallery again! Also, looking forward to yours and Windy's contributions.
I just checked back and found the fic today. It's here yess.
Let's see what chaos page is going to cause now. I hope we get some Luna fluff soon.
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Sgt Murphy seems to want to help out with the Chaos as always. Besides, He helped them Griffins with a HUGE Mango Orchard for the batty bribe.
great chapter
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this is so so good
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That video is so feckin cute....... my heart
Generally the best way to handle indispensable personnel is to assign them a junior shadow to document everything they are doing and get them coffee. That way you can have the junior take over while you get the indispensable employee to train up a team of additional employees using the new documentation.
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cat-bee, caaat-bee, gotta get along in a world as a little cat-bee