Life went on in the village below.
I looked out over it from the throne room, some papers laying on my throne behind me from before and for once, I was alone. The last audience had already come and gone. Flower had left for admin land, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Somewhere I didn't particularly want to be right now.
Sunny and Sparks were leaving for their vacation in six hours or so, so I had taken a short night to spend some time with them, but the papers I got from Tight Bit after our meeting a couple of nights ago was...
...We were doing worse than I had thought.
We weren't out of money and the fact that we now grew a lot of food to complement what we could harvest and import helped a lot, but we were still bleeding heavily from other imports and the wood, fruit and other goods we did export didn't cover it. Especially with the payment to the throne on our loans.
That was before we even talked about taxes! Sure, my ponies paid taxes to Nocturnis but none of it went on to the rest of Equestria. As a new colony, we had fifteen years before they would start collecting to help us build up.
That time was coming, not fast, but it was coming. If our economy still looked like this when it did, it'd kill the town.
I knew none of my ponies were rich.
Buck, as far as I knew I only had a thousand bits to my name and that was still more than 99% of ponies living in Nocturnis. The income from the royal guard training outpost helped a lot, they brought bits straight into ponies pockets and boosted local businesses, but they also caused a lot of headaches and friction.
Maybe this entire thing had been a bad idea from the start.
Sure, all I would need to do was ask and Luna and Celestia could prop the village up forever, but that felt wrong.
Did I really buck up that badly with this place? Should I just have made a village closer to Canterlot?
Would ponies have been better off if I just left things as is?
They wouldn't be happy, but at least they wouldn't be stuck in a jungle, slowly getting poorer. What more, I wouldn't be able to get a straight answer from any of them!
If I asked if it was worth it, it would just be 'of course it is, your majesty!'
Because I was a bucking alicorn. I didn't ask to be an alicorn, I didn't ask to be a bucking prince and I definitely didn't ask to be up in charge of anything!
I could barely take care of myself! That’s why I relied on Flower so much.
Maybe a survey?
No, that won't work, it'll be official. They’ll just say everything’s great.
I sighed, leaning against the pillar. I tried to take walks around the village, meet ponies, talk to them. But they all treated me like...
Royalty.
Like ponies treating Celestia or Luna.
What I needed was to find out what the regular bat thought and felt, what their concerns, worries and hopes were. If I knew that, maybe I could come up with a way for us out of this. Normally I would talk to Sparks and Sunny, they're both smarter than me, but they're going on vacation.
I'm not putting this on their backs just before they are set to leave.
I'll talk to Celestia, she'll know better than anypony what to do. And Midnight, she's as smart as Sparks for obvious reasons.
But bucking damn it, things would be a lot easier if ponies would just talk to me like I was a regular po-
A thought struck me and my ears went straight up.
A regular pony.
I needed to talk to Midnight. Spreading my wings, I jumped off the balcony and banked, turning and flying down across to her and Sparks lab. Landing on the balcony, I looked at the signal on the wall.
It was not turned to red, so it should be safe to enter. I knocked anyway, "Midnight?"
The door opened and she blinked at me in surprise, "Page? I would have thought for sure you'd spend the rest of the night with Twi and Sunset."
"I am, but I want to run something by you real quick. I have an idea, I need you to tell me I'm being dumb."
I told her.
She blinked at me, "...A necklace that make you look like a regular batpony so you can pretend to be a new arrival and see first hoof the difficulties of the normal ponies?"
I nodded, "Correct. We'll come up with some excuse why I'm missing. Like... I'll spend a week doing special alicorn meditation or something in seclusion. You can run court while I'm away."
Midnight looked hesitant, "I don't know if this is a good idea, Page."
"Why?"
"Well, for one thing Twi will staple my ears to the floor if you get hurt and don't have your guards along," Midnight pointed out, tapping a hoof against the floor.
"It'll be fine, Amber and Thorax can keep an eye on me without being spotted," I reassured her, "And I don't want Sparks or Sunny worried, I want them to focus on their vacation. Besides, I’m not going to do anything dangerous. After coming back from the train, I’m not going to leave the village or shield."
Midnight hesitated, "Maybe."
"Can you make the necklace?" I asked, "I can't hold an illusion for that long, especially while asleep. And I need it quick, I want to be able to pretend to have gotten off the train when it leaves this morning."
"Don't want much, do you?" she asked with a frown.
I shrugged, "...So? What do you think? Dumb or not?"
Midnight sighed, "I can see the value," she admitted reluctantly, "I don't like it, but I can see the value. Alright, I'll help. Go spend time with Twi and Sunset, I'll do some research and meet you by the train when they leave."
I gave her a quick hug, "Thanks Midnight, you're the best."
She shook her head but hugged back, "You're a good pony, Page," she said and then let go, "Now get going, I have a lot of work to do."
I left.
Short chapter but still good can't wait for more
So that's his plan. Lets see how this manages to blow up in his face.
Just as with the old cherry bombs [late 50's early 60's] chapter is a short fuse leading to a big bang.
Spike and Talon come to Blank Page for a audience:
"Hello Blank!"
"Hello Page!"
"Who exactly supplied the condoms?"
"Not that we have a personal reason to ask."
"We just want to know..."
"Also is there a child support system in place?"
"Not that we are in need of it..."
"...yet...:
Blank Page:
"Oooo... that happend..."
Starlight Glimmer:
"No wonder the Changelings are bloated like overfeeding ticks... their filly friend and becoming mother must be glowing in pre-joy of what is to come."
Somewhere two Changelings Queen lay bloated around:
"Sooo full..."
"Oooo yeahhhh..."
Nice
Not Blank Page in the Thestral only bar:
"Hello there, I am new in town. What can you tell me about Nocturnis?"
Bartender mare Thestral:
"Are you singel?"
Not Blank Page:
"I just arrived alone and..."
Bartender Thestral mare:
"Fresh stud everyone, run a train on him gently!"
Not Blank Page:
"Meep!"
Mare Thestral also a Bartender:
"Your welcome stud, I can wait for my round until later. "
Not Blank Page:
"You can not be serious!"
Bartender that is a Thestral mare:
"Welcome to Nocturnis, the Thestral breeding program. The weather is as moist as the mares almost all years around~♡"
The entire bar:
"Hello new stud ~♡
We will be gentle, unless you like it rough~♤"
Not Blank Page:
"I have questions!"
Thestral Bartender that is a mare:
"1.
No condoms allowed in Thestral on Thestral encounters, literally a breeding town!
2.
Don't hit on Spike or Talons filly friend unless you want to be dragon fire mailed to Canterlot and have to travel two weeks back to Nocturnis to overthink your decision.
3.
Changelings are called Snuggelbugs for a reason here in Nocturnis.
4.
No, don't hit on the Alicorn purple butts.
Blank Page will otherwise hit your butt... verbally and stuff.
5.
Yes you can do it in your dreams though, Blank Page don't mind it there, since it's safe ground to dream breed everyone there.
6.
Changelings openly feed on ponies here.
One climax at a time.
7.
Queen Skitter is still singel, but always open for safe sex, only Blank Page can tap that ass raw.
8.
Thestral foals get raised communal, don't worry if you knock up every-singel-mare-tonight-here-and-beyond-the-bar ~♡♤
9.
Mango smoothies every weekend thanks to the Griffons, give them some love in return, fair is fair~♡
Mmmmannnngoooo smmmmoothiessss ~♡
10.
We know it can be scary that all mares want your foals stud, but you didn't hit the Thestral only bar if your not up to non breeding.
11.
Your tap is on the house tonight, but no more than 3 mango smoothies per Thestral in Nocturnis, per weekend.
12.
The Griffons are for some reason as skilled as our resident snuggelbugs in bed, furthermore they are all open minded and practicing open relationships.
The flock orgy is every start of the week, if you want to join them for some fun.
13.
If your lucky your genetic legacy will spread all over Nocturnis, you literally become a founding member of your entire subrace of ponykinds Thestrals. That said, stay polite outside sex and stay hydrated as long you can, Thestral mares in heat will always get you dehydrated.
14.
Friction burn salve for stallions is free of charge in Nocturnis.
15.
Noone knows if Blank Page is swinging both ways, but he has all Alicorns with exception of Cadance and her daughter beded yet, should you accidentally break him, they will break you...
16.
I am not making this up as I go, this are official rules.
Also for your own safety check out the Nocturnis guard rules made by the Dragons.
Literally life saving!
17.
Changelings can become any creature, show them some loving, they make it worth your time.
18.
The Thestral stud Hiver is in fact no Changeling,but he is just as snuggly as his buggy name implies.
19.
Don't try to hit on Spike & Talon marefriend a second time. They have claws... teeth... and tails to give you a rimming you would not belive...
20.
Blank Page is officially cutest stallion alive, boop that snoot after every Court meeting he accepts."
Not Blank Page:
"That can't be all official rules!"
Thestral mare that happens to be a Bartender tonight:
"Blank Page is open for court speaking season every second day, your welcome to fact check.
OK mares, go get him"
*Not Blank Page get swarmed by Thestral mares*
Bartender that is a Thestral mare and not Queen Chrysalis all along:
"That is what you get for not fulfilling your promises to me in time little Predator~♤♡"
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"And here we see the Blankest of Pages in his natural habitat, doing what he appears to do best. That is, in point of fact, something exceedingly dumb.
This Alicorn Specimen appears to have absolutely no Survival Instincts whatsoever. It is a miracle that he still lives.
Let's witness his journey from here..."
David Attenborough on 'The Statistically Improbable Alicorns'.
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Nature is so fascinating:
camo.fimfiction.net/l8Is6_NpBNrNRtahSQdqo9QduFWIRmvzZ_dErhSS3Jw?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com%2Fi%2Ff484215b-4e9a-42b5-9feb-77c3dec3a385%2Fdbp4ts7-1a9f2940-d93e-460b-a330-fc12f1fc5731.png
The comment section is priceless:
camo.fimfiction.net/ij8N34VKlVQ0UP1OVtPesb6sUv6ZKpt5ncM3Bqb4MDA?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2F564x%2Fe4%2Fc6%2Fa2%2Fe4c6a202efb6bb4b48e1bff276abbb43.jpg
camo.fimfiction.net/uvb-MlBVzh0y7SsaqNLR_EaFnXApo-3TyxN5GW907dI?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.chzbgr.com%2FmaxW500%2F6137664512%2FhBDF2E885%2F
Day and night documentary (switch between day and night mode)
camo.fimfiction.net/iwNGWxUgSxRinAV5nmNHYxGBFf6rMvUmpDUtS-Fp0OY?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs20.postimg.cc%2Fgbg86u1b1%2FBatty_Scene_Break.png
*Sgt Murphy just looks and listened to Page's plan then rubs it's paws.*
Ah Page, I see that your doing your Best to invoke me. Worry not. For I'll be with you for when you employ your Dumb Idea.
Why wouldn't Page ask if Amber or Thorax could do what he is thinking of doing? Or contact Chrysalis or Skitter to see if they can spare another drone to help with this idea? I get that Page wants to be more hooves-on, but it feels like there's much simpler and practical solutions.
11843528
Blank Page, as he has pointed out in this chapter, is not the brightest. Midnight was taken from canon during the Season 5 finale and so probably still doesn't completely trust changelings to have ponies' best interests at heart. Amber and Thorax don't reveal themselves unless specifically addressed. That's everyone in a position to contribute to the scene accounted for.
11843383
So fucking awesome, especially that finalé!
And seriously, folks!! I DO wish more authors would consider how useful (and/or amusing) that #2 as a plot device in their stories could be. So far, it seems there's only been a handful of us in the peanut gallery who've ever seen the potential in that.
11843621
I have it pen down as reason why Spike always will be along the main six.
...FEW HOURS LATER...
Midnight: Alright I got your false papers all set! Just go on to Starlight's office to start on paperwork for housin--what?
Page:
Midnight: Hey! You said you wanted to look like a regular batpony! Remember?
Page: The wingspan you gave me is SO below average. "Regular" my hindquarters!
Midnight: I was rushing and you can still fly! You'll manage!
Page: But it's not fair!
Midnight: Hush or I'll give you Neighsay's mane and goatee as a permanent part of your disguise!
Page: You wouldn't dare?!
Midnight: TRY ME SILLY PRINCE.
Page: ...I'll take the tiny wings.
Midnight: Good. You chose wisely!
(This is Windy! Sorry I was a bit late! My toddler nephew is visiting and he is a handful!)
So much time spent on training, and he still severely struggles with the magic of delegating.
11843525
We will get presented one thing only to end up with something else entirely:
camo.fimfiction.net/x0zemtmn_p095KDK51c3X0jWL9paAtx1uDJsWf03MQY?url=https%3A%2F%2F64.media.tumblr.com%2F1066b7fe948ed2b7255ada482d77c24d%2Ftumblr_pin0834tIa1u4fzdzo1_1280.png
Well, pretty much yes. Trying to form a new colony in an incredibly remote, dangerous, and inhospitable part of the world with a community that can't self sustain and therefore relies on funding and external infrastructure. All while causing a load of self-inflicted hardship for many ponies by deliberately placing huge communication barriers in place.
And despite his stint at independence, he not only needs regular injections of funding, resources, as well as barely having a functioning economy which again is being propped up by the very people he's trying to be independent from to begin with.
You cannot have independence, bad transport infrastructure, and not being self sustaining. Almost all historical colonisation started out using good transport links via ocean, and resources of the host nation, and as the colony grew it became possible to sustain itself, which made independence from the host nation possible.
If he wanted to create a community for bat ponies, he could easily have founded a village in a safer location, or at least used that as a starting point for longer term plans. The entire thing was a monumentally stupid decision every step of the way.
By way of analogy, it's like instead of trying to colonise New York, with ready access to trade links via the ocean and the ability to ship in labour and resources, Page instead decided to avoid that part and go straight to colonising the Arizona desert.
Guessing this will be another blunder that leads him to actually getting the structure he needs, in this case just someone to communicate the average experience of his colony, either an elected representative or a spy master.
Honestly it would be better if Page wasn't getting so depressed by the news that they aren't doing as well as they thought, it just means they need to do better to come up with and try new ways to make money, not much of what has been tried so far has failed on him. Such an extreme move would have been better justified if some big thing they where trying had failed and Page realizes he needs a new prospective.
I'm not sure I get what the problem is? It's a new venture, of course it doesn't have tons of bits. Any value stored as coins rather than as resources or infrastructure is a waste right now. Is the problem that they haven't been investing it well, and it's all vanished? They're just about self-sufficient on food and that's like, the really important thing. They're also limited on expansion by crystals but it sounds like they aren't running out of space yet. The population is still growing and most other problems can be solved by throwing labor at them. So they're mostly just doing as expected, right?
At this point (and any point in the past really) they should be sending out surveyors to find what local resources are available for manufacturing or exports. I don't really get how understanding the sentiment of the population is going to help get them more stuff, and that seems(?) like what Page is worried about?
Well, at least Page’s latest scheme has one thing going for it...
...namely that he does not, as far as we know, also have an evil vizier plotting to ursurp him.
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Angel Bunny: *gibberish*
Discord: Yes. You ARE a joke. A running gag within the comment section in fact! Not even close to a threat!
Angel Bunny: