Author's Note
You can tell where the inspiration came from, no?
Enjoy!
Ch 1
Twilight flipped a page and let a cheery "oh!" Only to ignore the sound of her door opening as a stallion trotted in.
She'd been studying for hours now in preparation for her next upcoming exam in the upcoming week and it was only because of her brother she was out and about at all at this moment.
"Twily, sometimes you really need to stretch your legs and get some fresh air." He had said.
She hadn't heard him of course because she'd been reading Stygian's Guide To Arcane Runeiccraft Vol. 3, and so her simply and automatic response had been a "mmmhm" with the added nod to give the false (and frankly bad) illusion she was actually paying attention. So when two seconds of silence passed with no response Twilight failed to see her older brother's sly grin.
"So you agree with me then?" Shining had asked with noticeable hint of mirth she couldn't quite place.
"Of course I do Shining. Now, um, if you don't mind?" Eyes refocused on script and continued to devour the words before them.
Shining Armor, Big Brother Best Friend Forever, grinned just a bit wider as his horn ignited with a brilliant glow of blue. "Oh yes, of course." His head bobbed in agreement and he threw a hoof in sure sign of leaving. "Wouldn't want to disturb you on your way out."
"Yes, well", another plage flipped in her glow "I'm glad you understand." The teen filly had said with oblivious reply.
It took several seconds for the words to replay in her head, an extre three for the gears in Twilight's brain to slowly click, and a single second for her to realize what she'd just allowed herself to be tricked into. Eyes widening, book dropping as she lost focus and got up off her vision to move; Twilight only managed to throw an accusatory hoof out as her eyes narrowed at her brother to say: "Don't you even think about--"
There was a flash, a cork sounding pop, and a crackle pop as Twilight reappeared on the doorstep outside her home, only for a shield to bump into her flanks as she blinked disorientation out of her eyes. Shaking her head to clear the fuzz of travel between and regain her bearing Twilight looked around. Frowned. Ears splaying as a small grimace formed, Twilight stomped a hoof in frustration and looked up to the window of her room where she saw a smiling brother wave to her from her open window.
"I'll leave your room as you left it!" And before she could put up a argument he shut the window and walked away.
Huffing and blowing a strand of cobalt blue out of her eyes, Twilight frowned then looked at her brother's shield. He'd been getting way better at casting those from the times she'd seen him in practice and this one didn't even waver or wobble when she'd bumped into it.
Looking down at her own hooves and thinking on what to do, Twilight entertained the idea of teleporting back inside but knowing Mom and Dad (especially since they weren't home) there was a good chance she'd just be poofed back to where she first came if she tried teleporting into a blink-warp guarded home.
Circling around to try and get a good look, the filly tried finding any opening in her brother's cone shaped shield spell and was disappointed to find no hole's or openings. She didn't want to break it either, because that would just hurt Shining.
"Ugh! Shining!" she called. "Just, please let me in! I was getting to the good part!"
"Shining's not home Twilight!" came the voice of her brother somewhere inside. "Come back later!"
"Shining! Drop your shield!"
"My what?!" the voice called growing fainter through the open windows of the backyard.
"Shield!" Twilight yelled, then sheepishly smiled as neighbors walked down the street with raised brows right by her.
"Shining!" she growled through grit teeth and darkening cheeks as her sheepish smile crumbled when the two rounded the street corner, "Let. Me. In!"
Music began to play loudly. And the sound of Shining Armor singing along was all she could hear.
Baby you let me into your heart!
Twilight groaned as her fate was sealed. Falling to her rump and shaking her head she sat there. She couldn't believe she just got evicted out of her own room. Waiting to see if he'd drop his shield if she waited a little longer Twilight sighed. It was obvious he knew she'd try to wait him out.
And I will always love youuuuuuuuuuu!
She couldn't help but roll her eyes as she got up to leave.
Walden's Hall of Books was engraved in blending looping letters in gold script on a wooden sign, a personal favourite. A three story brick building, each floor and even ground level holding various sections in all categories, in all kinds of subjects and topics. It was particularly a favorite because of its extension policy and the fact that they held quite a list of book copies in the Thaumaturgy section that weren't as easy to find in other libraries in Canterlot or required ordering from other places to be delivered. It made finds so much easier to pick and drop off and she could extend her renewals for an extra week before the due return date if she needed it.
Breathing in deeply as she entered, Twilight let out a content and happy sigh. She waved to Mr. Spindle who seemed to be helping a coral pink maned unicorn with her search of books, and then made her way up the stairs to begin a search of her own.
Books balanced on her back, Twilight took a seat at a large, polished wooden desk after sliding her bounty off to the table and sitting on a violet red cushion.
She moved to pick up a book in her glow, but paused when something caught her eye.
What is...
She looked around. Not a lot of ponies were in the Anthropology Magic section. Though it wouldn't surprise her somepony had irresponsibly just deposited their book there when they were done.
No respect for all the work it takes to organize these! She huffed, glanced around, then in a flash of violet and blue, the book was poofed right in front of her, held in her glow.
As she got up to go put it back, Twilight spotted a pattern on the hard cover, stopped to inspect and then stared at what she saw on the cover. Her muzzle scrunched up in concentration as she tried to determine what exactly she was looking at.
"Is...that a Minotaur's hand print?" She squinted at the crude white circles and odd shapes slapped over a burgundy red background. Vague shapes and forms roped neatly in a semblance of unity and form, almost but not quiet looking like a Minotaur hand. It was honestly difficult to tell, but she knew at least her terminology was right.
Looking over the spine of the book Twilight saw the author and her eyes widened. Written in chalk white bold, blocky letters that contrasted the rough and dark brown cover: A collaborative documentary by Stained Ink settled on the end of the book's spine.
She looked at the cover again, frowned at her inability to tell what she was seeing at the odd shapes and stared at the title. The Monkey's Paw.
Curiosity piqued, Twilight began looking at the book. Skimming through the its table of contents, her excitement rose when she found it to be a detailed documentary. Not just by Stained Ink but by many other writers and researchers that had contributed to this version. She skimmed through multiple list of names until she found the page number that held Stained Ink's version, as the rest could always be read later. Then she turned to the page, page 48, and looked at the title and strange paw print that appeared above it, along with finer print in smaller script saying: The Story of A Gentle King In A Trying Time.
Looking at the other books stacked beside her, Twilight pondered the option of this over her other selections.
Stained Ink was famous for her research of cultures outside Equestria. She'd travelled to the East and written many notes and theories on both magic and the cultures of those races which she later developed into small books that were expanded on. She was an inspiration to many anthropologists, and the stepping stone to a Post Discord free Equestria's chance at learning beyond the Herd.
Biting her bottom lip, staring at the white page with only title and author, Twilight turned the page with her magic.
Then got lost in the story of the book as she read.
During my explorations of the Monkey Provinces I began my research in the rulers of its past. Its locals, its culture, and the devoted respect they have to their rulers goes back all the way into a time during Discord's rule. Tracing back in particular to The Kind King of the East, King Fang, known by his real name King Xi Fang.
Xi Fang was the second Prince of the Long Fang Family, the most influential Prince of any Monkey Dynasty during Discourse and the successor to his brother, Xi Chow.
When Chow was executed by the western kingdoms at the defeat over land owned by the Apean Turfs (now Kong Territory), by his rival the Ape King Tau. Upon the message of his brother's death it is said Xi Fang became the successor to the kingdom and was thrown into a tense rule where war was near at the slightest nudge.
Contrary to our belief unlike the critters in our forests, particularly those of Everfree, Monkeys are an exceptionally intelligent sapient race and the Apes seemed to be their equal and their rival. I have heard my contemporaries have said that these two are not at all Sapient and walk along a unclear line close to it. I however would like to ask such travelers to suggest such an opinion to one of their rulers.
Unlike Equestrian government, the Monkey's held a noble system that was ruled by multiple royals, instead of a system like our diarchy or former aristocracy that yielded majority power to a single House. These royalties held control over various parts of their land, fended against invaders and did not rely on familial relations to maintain the unity of their bonds across territories. They argued over authority and ownership with their northwestern enemies on the other side of their nation, the Apes, over a central region of land that granted each access to the River of Gold1.
As a ruler during Discord's time where the concept of time and the laws of everything no longer mattered, it is exceptionally difficult to pinpoint the exact when of Xi Fang's birth and how long he lived after Discourse. Whether he was born before it and ruled during it, or was born in it and ruled through it or not, is a blurred line I cannot find.
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N1:Find sections titled River Gold & War Against Lyca.
SN 1: War Against Lyca covers battles fought against the Lupian Empire of the Wolves and the Royal Fox Brigade that served them at the time, versus the United Monkey Provinces
Due to the lack of consistency found in most nations during Discourse, even here there are many scholarly debates on the topic of his birth, as Xi Fang was said to have been the one that led the unity between the Monkey Provinces while others claim he inspired the unity but did not actually live to see it. These various viewpoints ultimately draw me to the conclusion that King Xi Fang was indeed born at some point in Discourse. By hypothesis I reason Xi Fang was born during the Second Period of Discourse of the three periods marking Discord's rule and fall.
This is chosen not out of pure fact from what I have learned, but from pure theory. The Second Period marks the era where Discord has (as we believe) obtained full dominion over the world. At this period he no longer plays with the government bodies that oppose him or makes random appearances off and on but maintains his presence for longer periods of time in a region before disappearing again then later returning. It is now my belief, these moments of disappearance and temporary drop of chaos magic in Equestria were due to Discord going to other nations to maximize the effect of his reign across the world.
As a result it is through this I assume that Xi Fang's appearance begins here. Discord's presence in these regions occurs during the western kingdoms owned by the Apes and eastern kingdoms owned by the Moneky's falling into increasingly high conflict. It is through this conflict that the legends so closely tied to King Xi Fang begin to emerge and where the legend of the Monkey's Paw begins.
Legend has it the Monkey's Paw has multiple abilities relating to luck, fortune, and the manipulation of fate and reality. Simply holding it or having it grants for a lucky day but was believed to weaken the holder when held for too long. This did not seem to apply to King Xi Fang, who was historically known as being extraordinarily lucky. Whether he possessed it during his reign as some theories say, or his magical luck was just that high remains to be discussed. However it is believed his luck was unrivalled, even after having to cut off his dominant right arm after being severely wounded in battle2 where death or immediate infection would have been the norm from such a risky procedure.
According to the most common legend, this mystical hand or paw belonged to Xi Fang. As he was the luckiest ruler to ever grace the Monkey Provinces, this reasoning makes sense. Though there is no way to fully prove this outside the feats he performed and the coincidence of his missing limb.
Historically King Xi Fang is known as the Kind King of the East because in any conflict he fought in (he fought many conflicts) the number of casualties recorded are significantly smaller than the casualties under any King before and after him. Before Xi Fang, conflicts were often ended in a bloody display3 of dominance. During the prime of his rule and others following, this tradition was ended. From records its believed this was a tradition done to assert one's position as Alpha over others, to assert one's position of dominance or recognition of respect by peers.
With this we come to a change in topic regarding the Monkey's Paw.
There are many stories that suggest different versions of how Xi Fang and how this Paw relate to one another. Some dictate that Xi Fang's arm was taken from him after his death. Cut away by a servant or his own son, Touji, to impart his luck upon the Kingdom after his passing. Enchantments or magical herbs placed and replenished for centuries to maintain the health of the hand to prevent Xi Fang's luck from fading.
Others say that Xi Fang lost one battle against an opposing king from the Monkey Provinces of his own land. In order to spare his troops the traditional act of being killed to display the victor's power, Xi Fang demanded his opponent chop off his right arm and take his dominant hand instead, in exchange of the lives of his troops.
There are some versions that state Discord himself (in the guise of the Wandering Jester he was known in these lands), blessed Xi Fang with luck. Only just to see what kind of misfortune would befall those that crossed the Kind King or if it would warp his heart like power had his predecessors.
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N2: In reference to the injury and loss of King Xi Fang's arm it is debatable whether he lost it in battle.
N3: The bloody traditions of the royal heads were only conducted internally in the Monkey Provinces. Royalty were spared of death due to political ties and needs, as well as to avoid the wrath of the subjects under that ruler but against outsiders the leading head would be humiliated in front of their army before all were executed.
This brings us to the other legends relating to Xi Fang that I have heard during my time in these regions.
King Xi Fang was said to be of exceptional good fortune. He enjoyed the happiness of his subjects that he desired to share his own good fortune. He created a court that allowed his subjects, to meet him and ask of a blessing (of a sensible kind) that he could grant them one thing, all he asked in exchange was a small fee of dun.
The only useful evidence I have found of this, is the historic Battle of Haojin, where a general asked the king's blessing for victory in battle as he went off to support their troops in the defense Haojin city. An army of 500 Monkeys from three different Provinces including his own kingdom, against an army of 15,000 of Ape King Lee Ten's soldiers. The battle that took place there from the records I have been shown had the lowest body count, as well as a turn around that went in King Xi Fang's favor.
This was said to be one of the examples that King Xi Fang had the power to share his luck with others. A gift that gave him the ability to grant wishes. Something believed to extend to the Monkey's Paw.
According to legends I've followed to this point there are many that believe this to be true. As after the Fang Dynasty fell the legends of the Monkey's Paw began to spread all across the nation and even went as far to reach the ears of Equestrians like myself centuries later.
It is believed the Princesses see it as merely a rumor and generally tend to deflect from this topic relating to the legend. Trivialities, as many would seem to see it.
The Monkey's Paw is said to grant luck by any that hold it, gift its holder a deteriorating number of wishes going as far as five, and is known to require some sort of penalty or fee in exchange for its wishes.
From what I've learned, if it really can grant wishes, its better off left alone. The penalties just don't seem to be worth it.
There are stories of those who wished to marry into royalty to better their lives, and were granted the request only to be thrown into war and then have their subjects turn and blame them for everything. Death by hanging or stoning, sometimes particularly bad endings relating to some of the royalties get pretty gruesome and are often tied to the Paw.
Rumors of those wanting magical artifacts and wishing for it only to have the Monkey's Paw bring it to them by coincidence and end it with them holding it as the life leaves their eyes.
The Monkey's Paw is said to have been King Xi Fang's strictly because of his own magical connection to luck and his ability to grant fortune, but if you ask me, I believe it grants more harm than it does good.
At least if the tales told about all those chasing after it are true.
The only good thing I've learned about it, is that it never stays in one place. Once used, it vanishes. Travelling around the cycle till it finds its way around4.
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N4: It is believed only 3 wishes remain of the Monkey's Paw.
Twilight closed the book. She said nothing as she stared at the cover and thought about what she'd just learned.
Stained Ink was well known for documenting all sorts of magical concepts pertaining to cultures outside Equestria. This one, wasn't one she found she liked.
She agreed with Stained. She hoped this thing didn't exist.
She doubted King Xi Fang would be happy knowing his gift (she couldn't stiffle the shiver at the thought of somepony cutting it off him) was being treated like a tool of personal gain.
Lips curving into a frown Twilight got up from her desk, and began the slow trot to look for where this book belonged. Tossing the occasional glance at the vague shapes of a legendary dead king's possible missing hand.
