Who Were They?

A one thousand strong caribou army marched along the countryside along with their hovercraft and motorized bicycles. In front of the troops was a hovercraft that carried their commanding officer Dainn and his second-in-command Gefroy.

"The moment we cross the border into Equestria, I want the troops to split up and go town to town and tell these ponies that are now under Caribou military occupation and martial law until further notice." Dainn instructed without much emotion. Gefroy nodded and wrote everything down on a piece of paper before giving it away to a messenger on a bike next their hovercraft.

As soon as the messenger disappeared into the crowd to relay the order, they reached the border checkpoint. All they saw was a single shack with a wooden beam block the road and a single female guard. "What the?" said the guard as she awoke from her nap to see a massive line of soldiers at the gate. "What is this?" she asked. "You know we charge per axle and legs right?"

Gefroy got off and walked up to the guard. "This is an invasion ma'am." he explained. "We are here to conquer and occupy your kingdom." he continued. "Now I suggest you step aside and let us through."

"If this is an invasion, then how come I never received a formal deceleration of war?" asked the guard. "You need one in order to invade according to the Rules of War Convention." she warned.

Every caribou within earshot just laughed at her statement. "You silly females," chuckled Gefroy. "trying to place rules into warfare." he continued. "Last time I checked ma'am, war has ZERO rules." he stated. "Now you either let us in peacefully or we'll force our way through." he warned.

The female border guard was defiant. "I'm sorry, but we Equestrian's follow the rules, so unless you produce a formal document declaring war against us within the next 30 seconds, I'm going to have to tell you turn back and never return until you do have it."

Gefroy turned Dainn for approval, only to be met by an approving nod from him. Gefroy's antlers began to glow. "You will let us cross." he instructed.

"I will let you cross." said the guard who was suddenly in a catatonic state. She obediently moved the wooden barrier away from the road and cleared the path for them. "Enjoy your stay in Equestria." she motioned the army in without a thought.

"Thank you ma'am, we'll make sure you end up with a red collar once we're done." the second-in-command complimented before he lead the caribou army inside. The guard thought nothing of it.

Gefroy gave a confident smirk, his psychic abilities were top notch, but second only to the great Dainn himself. Unfortunately there are limits, such as that it hardly works on other caribou and it is extremely difficult to override the brain's survival defenses, but rumor has it that Dainn is the only one capable of doing it.

In the rocky shrub desert far away, Luna walked, her armor and regalia gone, she felt unworthy to wear those things after what she did. She promised herself to never let the monster out, but she did and she killed in the most horrifying manner; making her worst nightmares come true. Luna looked around for any familiar landmarks, yet still does not recognize her surroundings, she can't teleport home without knowing where she is first.

She soon saw a large cloud of dust appear in the far horizon. "A dust storm?" wondered the princess to herself. But upon closer inspection, she saw it was not the case, it was in fact a stampede headed towards her. "Wait...I know them." she looked closer to see it was a stampede of cattle. "I must be in the just outside the prairie." she then witnessed the cattle immediately stop in their tracks before.

"Woah there," announced a grown bull as the entire herd stopped around the Equestrian princess. Luna stood her ground, uncertain about what was going to happen next. "Princess Luna?" asked the bull. The voice sounded familiar to her.

"Texas I assume." nodded Luna.

"What are you doing all the way out here?" Texas asked.

"It is a very long story, but what I can say is that I need help getting my bearings correct so I can go home, Equestria is in trouble." the princess explained.

"What kind of trouble ma'am?"

"An invasion Texas, and from a most dreaded enemy." she stated.

"I wish us cattle can help your kingdom, but we are in the middle of a bad drought and we must find a new place to graze." the bull explained. As he said that, a young calf intently listened with interest. "But I promise that I'll send aid once we are able to."

"You can help by pointing me to the nearest landmark." Luna stated.

"Well, that'll be Chimney rock just about a mile to the north." Texas pointed out.

"Chimney rock, I have heard of it and I have been there, I know where I am now, thanks." she nodded, glad that once she reaches the landmark, she can teleport to Canterlot. "Good luck in finding a new place to graze."

"And good luck repelling the invasion." smiled Texas.

The both bowed to each other before Luna made her way to the landmark with new determination. "And I'll do it without revealing the monster." she promised herself.

The hot air balloon landed in front of the Royal Library, Twilight, Sombra, Platinum and Jewel disembarked to see the whole city abandoned and silent, the palace intact, but also abandoned and with some parts damaged. "I hope the forbidden section is okay, we need those books." worried Twilight.

"I'm sure it is, but we need to hide them so no one else can get them." stated Sombra with determination before he walked inside. Twilight and Platinum followed suit while Jewel kept watch of the hot air balloon.

The three unicorns trotted down to the basement where the forbidden section of located. Tucked away underground and far away from the main entrance. They soon reached a large golden cage separating the forbidden books from the rest of the archive, to Twilight's surprise, the main door was slightly open. "That's odd, this door is always locked and closed." she stated suspiciously.

Sombra took that as his cue to get ready to attack as the three slowly walked through the cage wall door. "Bealucræft léoma" he heard someone whisper before a magic beam crossed before them, stopping them in their tracks. Sombra quickly turned into shadow and rushed himself to the source of the whisper. A scream was heard as Sombra quickly returned with a dark furred unicorn in his shadowy grasp. "Put me down!" she exclaimed. The shadow stallion did as told and dropped her to the floor. "ooof."

"Okay, who are you?" asked Twilight to the fallen unicorn.

The unicorn got up on all fours and gathered her bearings. "My name is Oleander, and I'm the keeper and protector of the forbidden books around here." she said. "Or at least was forced to be one by Princess Celestia." she stated.

"Oleander, the Element of Magic in my world, it can't be, her mane is white not black." said Platinum in her mind.

"I heard legends about you," began the lavender unicorn. "you sneaked into the abandoned royal castle and stole the most dangerous spell book ever written; the Unicornomicon." she stated. "She exiled you down here to prevent yourself from hurting others and to protect you."

"That was five years ago Miss Twilight." stated Oleander. "My entire village and family shunned me for becoming an abomination." she explained.

"Why did you do that?" asked Twilight.

"Because the book told me of a prophecy that said that should Princess fall and the balance be disrupted, six new elements of harmony from around the planet would appear to bring balance to the world and set things right." the dark mare explained. "And from what I heard, everything he said is coming true." she looked over to the Unicornomicon that rested peacefully on a book stand. A green and purple glow emanated from the book.

"The sisterhood used one of the spells from that book to turn me into what I am today." explained Sombra as he walked over to the book.

"I suggest you don't-" Oleander warned before Sombra opened the book before four glowing purple eyes appeared on the pages.

"Who is't did wake me from mine own slumb'r!" said a timid yet intimidating voice. Sombra looked on blankly, not phased at all.

"It's me Fred, Sombra, remember?" he answered dryly. "You seriously need to work on your intimidation skills."

"S-Sombra?!" the book stuttered. "Oh my goodness, that is really you, how long has it been since I was taken away from your possession by the Royal sisters?"

"Too long to count Fred." the dark king answered. "And how have been holding up in here?"

"Boring sometimes, but that mare over there is a quick study, she would make a much better match for you Sombra." said the book as a clawed hand appeared and pointed at Oleander.

"That would be nice, but I prefer my mares to have some field experience and proper training." clarified the stallion.

"So what is it that brings you here?" asked Fred who sounded curious.

"I want you to help me teach Twilight Sparkle the dark arts." explained Sombra. "She has trained under Celestia and is the Element of Magic, so she has put her expertise into practice, but Celestia has shielded her from the dark arts and her heart is too pure as her mind is too innocent."

"Breaking her in would takes years under normal conditions sir." said the book. "Why not go with Oleander instead, her heart is already dark and her mind is already corrupted."

"I know there is a way to make the process quicker Fred." the dark king said. "And our time is too short enough for me to consider that option."

"You could kill her sir." Fred said completely stunned.

Twilight heard the entire thing and walked up to the stallion and book. "I can do this." she said determinedly. "I'm willing to take the risk."

Sombra was stunned. "Are you sure Twi?" he asked. "If you do this, you will forever be corrupted, there will be no turning back from this." he warned.

"I'm willing to take that risk if it means saving Equestria." nodded the mare with some doubt, but willingness to do this.

Sombra looked into the mare's eyes to see determination in them. He really did not want to subject the mare he loves through this, but if she was that adamant, he had no choice but to comply. He turned to Platinum and Oleander. "Platinum, take the hot air balloon and go to the Crystal Empire to retrieve the Elements of Harmony, while Oleander can serve as your guard."

"What do you have planned Sombra?" asked Platinum to her alternate father.

"You should know." he said ominously. Without saying a word, Platinum just nodded and then escorted Oleander out of the library. The dark unicorn mare looked back with worry, she also knew what was going to happen.

The dark king turned to his love. "Last time I'll ask Twi, are you absolutely certain that you want to go through this?" he asked. He secretly hopped she would say no, but he knew that was not going to happen.

"I am absolutely sure Sombra." Twilight confirmed. "For Equestria..."

The stallion nodded and levitated the book over to himself. "Fred, turn to the page detailing the corruption ceremony." he asked as the pages began to quickly flip to the spell.

That was the last thing Twilight could remember before the ordeal began.

At the same time, the caribou army reached the first village on the way to Canterlot. Several troops scattered searching for the village mayor. "Make sure we keep the mayor alive and untouched, we want him to be willing to sign away control." ordered a commanding officer to his troops.

Several others placed posters detailing the news of their occupation on every available doorway while a loudspeaker was brought in to broadcast propaganda.

Dainn saw the whole thing unfold from a nearby ridge. He turned over to his second-in-command. "Gefroy, I want you to lead Eagle squad to Ponyville, capture it, occupy it and capture the remaining Elements of Harmony, understood?" he whispered to him.

"I will sir, it's an honor to lead the elite unit." he nodded with agreement.

"Oh, and you and your stags are free to commit total war, so feel free to kill, pillage, rape and destroy until your heart is content."

A large grin formed on Gefroy's face. "My stags will enjoy that greatly." he gave a quick bow to Dainn and marched off to grab the squad. He looked around the temporary encampment to find a group of eight stags sitting around a campfire, cleaning their rifles. These eight were distinguished by an eagle on their capes and a large red eagle on the banner that flew above them. He marched up to them and the eight stags quickly stood up to salute their superior officer. "At ease stags." began Gefroy. "We have a new mission, we move out in ten minutes."

The eight quickly scattered to pack and prepare.

Little did the caribou soldiers knew, but back home, a group of females have herded all the surviving palace guards into the palace courtyard. Many of there guards were ashamed and disgusted at being defeated by inferior females, but then again, the only reason they got the job as guards was because of their loyalty to Dainn and blatant extreme sexism, and not because of their competence for the job.

Inside the palace radio booth, a caribou female gave an address to the citizens of the Rangifer Kingdom. "Dear citizens of the Rangifer Kingdom, I am Dye, leader of the resistance, I have come here to announce that a new order has been established here, and as the first act as the leader of the resistance, I declare that there will no longer by any collars, and no more stocks and no more sexual abuse. Any and all laws that subject females to such humiliation will hereby be nullified. So females, remove those collars you have around your necks, leave those abusive households and if your male objects, beat them until they relent. The revolution starts now, female power forever!"

In the streets, a mob of females ran out of their homes and took of their collars. Many chucking them at any male soldier they encounter. All females they saw in the stocks were forcibly freed. "Doe power! Doe power! Doe power!" the females chanted.

At another part of the kingdom, the nurse who helped Applejack earlier who listened to the entire broadcast slowly, but happily, removed her collar and threw it across the room away from her.

In the palace, Dye walked out to meet with Velvet, Applejack and Rainbow Dash. "Thanks you three for helping us build the courage to instigate this revolution." she smiled.

"No problem." said Velvet. "But this revolution will become pointless if the caribou army successfully takes Canterlot, if they take it, then there goes our support." she explained.

"We need to get to Canterlot before they get there!" exclaimed Applejack with worry.

"But how?" wondered Rainbow Dash. "The only trains running from here to Equestria are supply trains, by the time the first train leaves, it'll be too late."

"I think I have an idea." said Dye.

Next thing they knew, they found themselves in front of an air ship. A wooden boat attached to a giant hydrogen filled balloon. "It's the only airship this kingdom has, and has never been used." explained Dye to the three foreigners.

"The colors are drab, but it'll do, thank you Dye." stated the reindeer. She then turned to her ice sprites. "Okay sprites, get this ship, ship-shape and fast." she ordered.

The sprites saluted and did as told.

"Ah hope we're not too late." said Applejack with worry, especially for her granny, brother and little sister still at the farm.

The nine caribou soldiers, including their officer Gefroy all marched down the path towards Ponyville. They past a sign that read 'Ponyville 5 kilometers ahead' and with it, the first sign of civilization, a farm.

Gefroy gave the signal and all eight males ran to the farmhouse. Four went to the fields to grab as much food as they can, while the other four went inside the house to grab the occupants. A stallion, a mare and two fillies were dragged out and pushed to the ground.

"Your farm has been confiscated and ordered to be utterly destroyed to prevent you from feeding your kingdom." explained one of the soldiers. "Cooperate and obey and we'll go easy on you."

"This is madness!" snarled the stallion before being hit hard by the butt of a rifle. He was knocked unconscious.

The mare and her daughters hugged each other tightly. "Please, just don't hurt my daughters, that's all I ask." begged the mare.

"Oh, don't worry, we won't hurt your daughters, we caribou avoid fiddling fillies without a proper education." he gave the other three the signal and they grabbed the mare and dragged her to the barn kicking and screaming.

Gefroy walked up to the soldier. "Make it quick Aldous, we need to get to Ponyville as soon as possible." he warned.

"You're right sir." he agreed, he then whistled to the three soldiers with the mare, grabbing their attention. "Hugh, Guy, Fulk, you have 30 minutes, not a second longer!" Aldous yelled. The three nodded with agreement before they threw their captive inside and locked the barn door shut.

"And Bevis, Curtis, Drogo and Eden?" Gefroy asked.

"They are in the fields picking the place for food and then afterwards, they'll burn all the crops."

"Excellent." Gefroy smirked. He then looked over at the two scared fillies. "Don't worry, once we finishing teaching your mother her proper place in society, we'll be on our way." he gave a somewhat creepy smile at them as screams emanated from the barn.

To be continued...