The Grim and Dark Past (1)

"So, the papers have been burning up with rumors? What of it? How does it hurt my image anyway?"

The council was in full session, and the Shadow Mark's notification on the matter had brought quite the interesting circumstance for me to address. Rumors are not exactly something that will influence my reputation within the capital of the Empire, but have already spread like wildfire.

I knew that it had some impact, but I was more worried on the chances of this 'hurting' it within the notion of legitimacy. And many ponies in the council seemed to see that but-

"It's not a matter of 'hurting' your reputation, but the slanderous escalation this is having will surely end poorly if not treated accordingly," Platinum Blitz reasoned. "The sheer gall of some people! They have even posted... disgusting trash they define as fiction-"

"Erotic Fiction," Shadow Mark corrected, but the old Stallion slammed the side of his left hoof on the table.

"It is still horrible and an insult to our monarch!"

Some of the old guard nodded in agreement, and I could see where they were coming from with this reaction. It was actually a two-reasoned circumstance: 1) It used to be quite a 'forbidden' topic to address an important figure in such tone; 2) It used to be how people besmirched the reputation of many lords in the past, both in this world and in the one I came from.

Also, I found the notion that someone was writing legit porn on me somewhat... ironic. I had my share of writing that sort of stuff too in the past, but never once I considered someone that I wasn't familiar with doing it to me and to do it with someone I knew about.

Sure, I had this former classmate of mine that had a thing on writing fiction on us guys in the same classroom in Yaoi pairings, but it never got sexual. And while many would be pissed by this notion, I actually found it amusing and interesting. The only way I would get angry at any if it got too extreme in the kinks or too... trashy for my tastes.

I expect a degree of quality in portraying my exaggerated sexual figure, for Pete's sake!

Still, I had to agree that silence would just foster the bad sort of fiction to fester, hence why I decided that a reaction was indeed necessary, but not a brutal and repressive one. And I just had this one idea or two to test out the waters.

"I believe that a response is necessary, but I refuse to lower myself to the same level as Sombra's tyranny," I turned to Shadow Mark. "First, I wish to establish a Press Conference by the throne room in two days. The announcement can be posted later today."

I turned to check those that had looked forward for repression.

"I share your beliefs that leaving such a phenomenon to fester would be an invitation for greater trouble, hence why I shall solve it with a degree of answers. The reason why the rumors persist is within the ground of a lack of understanding and a desperate curiosity to find a truth, no matter how insanely constructed this may sound in the form of assumptions," I continued calmly. "Hence why I seek to provide some cold hard truth to establish a proper reasoning on some circumstances without going in too deep on the matter."

The ponies all nodded as Shadow Mark scribbled down the first order, then looking up at me in anticipation, realizing that I was up to something. But before I could go on, another voice interrupted.

"Will it entail your biology?"

All heads turned to the source of that peculiar question and the recent addition to the council hummed distractedly behind a journal she was perusing. Apocrita had accepted my offer and was thus recognized as part of the administration- while her main functions were tied primarily to Changelings' affairs, that didn't stop the Queen to pursue also a more active interaction on teasing and poke fun at me through her flirtatious and, at times, sexual manners.

As one would expect from me, I folded at times, but rebuked others.

"I believe it will not be necessary. And I dare to say that if the fictioners want to have fun in imagining over my potential size, then I will let them do it."

"...Boring."

A few scowls and glares later, and I was back on track as there was another order to address.

"For the second order of the day, I wish to create a proper commission that will study in an objective fashion these fictions, fish out the best candidates and then establish an 'Order of Writers' with the purpose of fostering a revival of our nation's literature."

Many eyes widened at this. Plantinum Blitz looked the most shaken as his voice soon showed.

"M-My liege, you wish to hire these deviants? That would- how- why?"

"The point is, High Commander, that we find ourselves in a world where we need to pick our battles without ignoring the ramifications each action we take will have not just on a simplistic point, but also within the concept of social awareness and understanding. People now are more conscious of harsh reactions and it will only draw more radicals to join potential opposition, that's not what anyone here crave to face because of this," I answered strongly. "Which is why, turning these chaotic elements in an orderly group that will be sanctioned by the government and be provided with the means to use these gift in writing for good deeds will not just prevent an escalation of the matter, but it will also bring us a greater prestige in the birth of a Modern Crystal Literature."

I leaned back once I was done talking and some hooves started to clop onto the table as if applauding to what I had just said. Some took longer to take on the action, but the entire table was soon rumbling due to the action. But the one that caught up the most out of it was Apocrita herself.

"Question, may I join said order if I applied for membership?"

"If you have written anything-"

"Yet. I have not written anything... yet~," The Queen assured, interjecting me and leaving me to sour before the giddy smile on her face.

Yep, I was already regretting this decision alright.

Lil' Nightmare was cackling in delight at the recent news.

I think Loona could have kept quiet about the event, but she had been lured in by the bratty filly into telling her what was up with her awkward mood. I couldn't blame her since the chibified villain was truly cuteness weaponized and could really pass any acted response as genuine inquiries.

But while I was willing to understand the source of the cackling, I was also quite willing in getting it out of hearing. From crackling, Moonie's voice shifted into a softer and childish one as giggled rumbled across the dreamscape much to Luna's deep amusement as she chuckled together with the crying filly while I kept on tickling the ever living silly out of her.

"T-That's not fair -hahahaha~- I- I am not -ghhahahaha~- a toy to t-tickle~!"

"Heh, but you are a cute squeaker," I complimented mirthfully, stealing a quick glance to Luna and deciding to bring the Princess in this too. "But I bet Luna used to be a cuter squeakerer."

A thin blush manifested and the chuckles ended abruptly, but the distracted Nightmare seemed to have something against.

"She is not! I am better than her as... a squeaker. No, wait- I mean... Urgh! I hate this, and I hate you both!" The filly exclaimed before using this chance to create a portal and leave our sight.

Not the first time this happened, and thus nothing truly concerning.

...

"So," I hummed, turning to Luna. "How are things your end regarding the rumors?"

"My sister has given me the assistance of specialists good with 'PR'," The Alicorn remarked, sounding quite... unnerved. "It's just frustrating that ponies have grown nosey on affairs that are private to their rulers."

"It's the so-called 'Paparazzi Effect' since 'everyone love to hear scandalous things on others'. It's like fiction, but real."

"Hmm," The alicorn approached and then crouched down to sit beside me as I was reading a few things I had to get done for the next few days. I just couldn't catch a break in that regard as many things were being done all at once.

With the 'Industrial Census' done, I had a full account on what national factories I could rely on. Most of the Heavy Industry was quickly subsized by the newly-created 'Crystal Factory' which was meant to work as a national conglomerate to set the pace on the consumer goods and other products.

The Arms Industry wasn't left behind as two major manufacturers were quick to gain relevance due to an increase in the military budget. The old things couldn't work anymore and being too reliant on the Equestrian War Machine was not how I planned to go for in case of major war with Chrysalis.

The Imperial Gunworks were established through the introduction of a few gun-makers seeking to create a local business in the furnishing of guns. The Equestria-made Lilia Rifle was akin to the French Lebel 1886- it was old, obsolete and unreliable in long wars. I couldn't expect machine guns to be a thing anytime soon since there was a strong emphasis on bolt-actions, but I could at least rely on 'expectations'.

Two orders were put for the creations of new rifles, the first one being a modernized version of the Lilia Rifle, the other being something as close as possible for the M1 Garand. We needed that last one ASAP, but the researchers expected it to take a few years to see some prototypes working as the current models of productions for arms were relatively weak compared to other major countries.

In due time, with the production picking up, that issue was gong to be solved, but for now we were stuck with this issue.

Hoplite was the next concern as it was a rudimentary workshop meant to 'revolutionize' armored warfare. While I was interested in the modernization of tanks and the introduction of an armored doctrine, I knew that it was too expensive at the moment to try and do that, so we will had to license production for the most recent armored vehicle in Equestria's arsenal.

Not the finest, but still the good ol' reliable tanks that weren't WW1-tier ones.

"Do you regret it?"

Luna's voice dragged me out of my own thoughts on these matters.

"No," I replied calmly, drawing some surprise from her. "And yes, I know that this could have all be avoided but... Luna, you're my friend."

"You don't need to repeat that-"

"I need to repeat that," I interjected flatly. "Luna, I can tell this got to you in a bothersome way. Tell me, what's wrong?"

"...I just want honesty. Do you regret it?"

"No."

"...And you mean it when you mean that-"

"I care a lot for you, Luna. You are someone I trust and rely on a lot and I know that I am not going to be disappointed in that," I replied without hesitation, causing her to look... annoyed.

Before I could have spoken any further I just felt her hooves cup my face in a surprisingly soft manner. Quite odd considering how sturdy hooves can be. I didn't get the chance to further think of this as I found her face quite close. Not a kiss by the lips, but our noses were booping at one another.

"John, you will let me finish, okay?"

... I nodded, quietly, surprised by that reaction.

"I do feel the same for you, you are someone I have come to trust from the very bottom of my heart and I know you are a good friend of mine. What I mean with these words is- do you understand what the implications mean to us?"

"...I do?"

"Do you? Or do you think that you do?"

"I am not sure I can answer that."

"Good, because I think it's time I speak," Luna hummed. "I want you to understand that, while we are friends, I am interested in knowing if you would be open to explore for something more."

I blinked. "Like... dating?"

"Yes," A smile appeared on her snout. "What I want, John, is that we go through a few private dates, that we enjoy some private time off and that we test the waters for something more. Do you get this?"

I nodded again, feeling a blush creeping in at how sudden this all was and how strong-willed she sounded at this point.

"Yes, but... how did you come up with this idea?"

"I read it in a book. You know, one of the recent ones depicting us in a romantic and flirtatious circumstance," The princess replied, this time her confidence growing weaker at the remembrance of that detail. "It was one of those were I am the one being the dominant partner."

I leaned back at this. "You... like to be in charge?"

"Not- Not out of pleasure, but I found the notion too interesting to ignore. How did I sound... just now?"

And now she was back to her shy self. Dear Lord, is a fun bundle alright. But one I wanted to gamble for.

"Wonderfully beautiful," I replied honestly and her face burned up at the praise. "You were so driven and so conscious of where you were going that you caught me off-guard."

Her head was literally glowing red at the sheer praising and I chuckled a bit. "And you know what? I read a few of those too. But I am always hooked ot the ones that seem to understand how cute you get when flustered."

"Ugh," She groaned quietly and I pulled her in a hug.

"You pick the place, and I pick the time," I offered, drawing a curious look on her face. "You know good places were we could find some privacy, while I could create a diversion on where we can be absent for different reasons and be left without any issues from others."

Luna smiled and I promised to provide something for the next night.

Still, the unusually awkward week wasn't over yet as I found an unexpected warm weight hugging my right leg as I woke up. I lifted the sheets, revealing a very flustered but still happy maid.

"M-Morning, sir."

"Cinnamon... why are you in my bed?"

"A-Acting as your personal h-heater for legs, sir."

"...Cinnamon?"

"Y-Yes, my liege?"

"My leg is wet."

"...My apologies. I will leave you to rest as you're clearly a bit delusional as you just woke up."

The leg continued to be wet even as the 'delusional phase' was through and I now had a very sneaking suspicions that my pony maid is plotting something for my plot.

...

Nah, Cinnamon can't be that invested into me... right?

Author's Note

And it's back from the dead! So... stuff to say? I can't justify much why it took months for this update, but I will just say that I found myself facing a bit of writer's block mixed with personal situations, other writing projects and the fact that my brain hurts when I plot on what path to take in some occasions. I am a dum-dum, I know.

Still, I think I will get it running at optimal pace now, but I will not make any promise just yet.

What I will say, however, is that I have a Discord server and my Patreon has recently been reworked. The links for both shall be posted in a journal that I will upload after posting this chapter.