Chapters End of Balance: the Warlord´s path
"I have decided, i will see to bringing the umbrum to power." Your announcement didn´t seem to faze Fate in the slightest, knowing the eldritch being he knew your choice well before you did.
"Very well, my Little resolve, as a boon to your natural abilities i will give you the ability to drain life force from all that lives, this will in turn bolster your own power but may prove lethal to your donors, Keep that in mind as you proceed, killing all in your path may turn out badly for you."
As he finishes a light envelops you before you black out.
You awaken in the Wastelands far outside the Crystal Empire, your Body was wracked from the strain of pulling against the chains seeking to bind you back into the Underground of that accursed place.
It had all gone so well, Your kin had sent one of them, a runt they remodeled, to the cold outside, to either be picked up or perish...
But then that meddlesome Thing called Love entered the Picture, in the form of Radiant Hope. She ran off and called the Princesses on him, ending the first Liberation attempt before it started.
You, however, were smart, the second the road was open you fled the empire without turning back... you were almost too slow but managed to resist and pull yourself free... but it had taken a hefty toll on you... you were weakened... extremely so, barely enough to maintain a small faery appearance... barely enough of yourself to fill a jar.
You had time to worry about that later however... now you had spotted a cute Little birdie, pecking in the dust.
To your immense surprise, something gave... the power... life itself flowed into you as the bird´s struggling weakened... deciding to make it quick you pulled out all the life it Held, the bird felt no pain... it just dropped... why does it concern you if it did?... maybe you didn´t get out unscathed after all...
now with your life no longer in immediate danger, and a powerful new way of gaining strength you felt about ready to take on the world and take whatever you liked... but first you had to rely on pity... you could take on the faerie appearance... but would you identify as a male, or a female? not that it really changed much except your Looks, heck you could attempt to construct a believable "both" if you felt like trying.
Author's Note
votes:
the "gender" can later on be adjusted as you take new forms but this vote will determine how our shady warlord sees itself.
End of Balance: the Warlord´s path
Fate hated playing around with its' own creations, but they were technically only as alive as their hosts, and it could not play favourites, not even with its' chosen.
Your first transformation was done and you had gone from a formless glob of black misty goo to an adorable tiny pony with butterfly wings and antennae, a breezie, even if those who had seen one before would be able to tell that you looked kinda gothic compared to those soft hearted beings, and you were sure you could handle air and leaves much better than them...
"hmm... maybe i can arouse someone's sympathy... anyone at all would do."
You took a deep breath and ampllified your voice with all the power you could spare, before letting out a wail that sounded fairly akin to an adorable little critter in pain.
"H-hello? can you please help me?"
You talking to it seemed to have effect.
"Involvement goes against directive, passivity will result in extinction of an intelligent species, preservation directive overrides orders to passivity, offering assistance."
The machine spoke in an odd way, but you understood that it would help you, as it picked you up and carried you to the strange vessel.
"listing possibilities: transport near populated area to gain native assistance, transport to orbit for stasis-safekeeping or transport to orbit for medical treatment."
Apparently it expected an answer from you, you had to choose,
"I'll always be grateful for your help, but if you could get me near civilization that will do nicely."
"Acknowledged, minimizes involvement, can be excused before superiors."
The vessel closes around you and this strange being lifting up and you feel it accelerate.
It loaded you off further south, past a chasm you never have crossed on your own power and you catch glimpse of a town in the distance as the vessel came to a halt an the automaton stepped out placing you carefully on a treestump in a forest rather befitting your looks.
"possible native assistance is nearby, this unit will not get involved any further, good luck, little creature."
With that it leaves you to your own devices and you let out another amplified Wail, hoping to be found.
You were broken out of pondering this ceasefire with the chaotic forest when you heard hoofsteps approach and what looked to be an earth pony with stripes entered the clearing with the stump, thankfully missing the firewood that used to be a dangerous beast of the forest, or she might have taken a guess at your potential.
"What in Elysium's name is this i see, a darkened harmed and pained breezie?"
"G-greetings, i'm sorry to pop in unannounced... but the others exiled me when the taint befell me. they were afraid of me... please... i need help."
She looked a bit unsure, you had admitted to a taint being on you, and it being the reason you had been cast out after all, not the best excuse you could have made but she had felt your darkness, better if she believes you a victim of it, rather than the source.
"P-please, i don't wanna go like this... i just want to see my family again."
That last sentence gave her pause, it seems patheticness had a power all its' own. she came closer and scooped you up carefully, something you were grateful for, the breezie form you had taken was rather frail.
"Your wounds i can quite easily mend, for the taint you'll need my friend. outside this forest you find ponyville, seek twilight out there, if you will."
You gave a soft nod and hugged against her chest, Radiant hope had given you plenty of practice in feigning innocence.
It was a few days under Zecora's care, and a few secret trips draining critters on your own before you felt well enough to make the trip, the burn wounds the love blast had caused you healed over but scarred you just a bit, that aside however Zecora had been very helpful towards you.
You pondered though, should you keep playing innocent and go to twilight's, make a detour to Fluttershy, or do something else altogether?
Author's Note
writing a rhyming character, never again, i'll use passive speech when Zecora is involved from now on.
End of Balance: the Warlord´s path
From what you had heard about Fluttershy over the last few days she had a house chock full of little animals, and big ones too, that she took care of, she could also speak with them, this would be interesting for sure, you asked Zecora to take you to her so you could meet her and possibly gather some support.
Sure enough her home was secluded from the rest of town and surrounded by birdhouses. some of the birds in them, particularly the more intelligent ones, eyed you with intrigue,
That little meet and greet done it was time for the next, as Zecora knocked at the door of the cottage. it opened to reveal the butter yellow pony, and right away you felt something odd, she was connected to the creatures of the wild in a way no mortal being was.
"you poor thing, i'll get you something for that right away."
Ah, that was the nature of the maidens, you faintly recalled back in the day Umbrum would corrupt strips of forest to lure them and then corrupt them to gain the whole forest, keeping them around as medical support for their slaves and so that the animals connected to them could be used as fodder. it was a stroke of luck to find her.
"th-thank you miss fluttershy, i'm sorry to inconvenience you."
you still had to act the part, the ravens felt what you were, and one of these critters, her familiar, would feel it too. you looked around for her guardian, dismissing the bear after a second look, he was dumb as a brick and familiars were cunning.
"it's fine, i was just about to finish feeding the animals, Angel helped me."
That name froze you, familiars were often given names like that, a testament to the lacking capacity of the light dwellers to use their brains.
You also remembered the major problem these familiars caused, Killing the bunny was out of the question because it meant Fluttershy too would die, you needed her if you wanted to get anywhere significant in a timely fashion, you could corrupt Angel, but that would take time, in which he could cause lasting damage. Umbrum were often thwarted by these pests.
"m-miss shy, could me and Angel talk for a moment?"
"oh of course, i was going to put on some tea anyways, be nice with each other."
with that she left and you and the bunny faced each other directly. Up close and personal he was a fair bit bigger than you, sure enough he demanded ou get and stay away from her quickly.
"we both know that that is not going to happen bunbun, she'll be mine, and you will too."
In return he just grinned and leapt, paws alight with the power he wanted to use to exorcise you, big mistake.
"i'm not the average umbrum, i can keep you just barely strong enough to breathe and have fun all i want while you can't lift an ear to stop me."
the bunny drooped and you knew you had won, now you had to secure your catch.
"Miss fluttershy, something is wrong with Angel bunny!"
the pegasus quickly rushed up and put th pest to bed, the other critters were owed into acting normal, they knew angel was the strongest of them, and Harry didn't get what was wrong, you had planted the corruption, draining your reserves almost dangerously, asevery last of fluttershy's little friends, her guardian Angel, and she herself now were well on the way to becoming your slaves, a good start, but tiring.
All said and done you told Zecora you'd stay over, something Fluttershy readily agreed to, a new kingdom was founding, surrounded by your now helplessly loyal followers you took to rest.
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End of Balance: the Warlord´s path
Magic in the air, in the Tree... and in the dragon?
It felt like months had passed when you awoke the next morning, feeling not just refreshed but stronger than ever before.
Now however it was time to broaden your approach, with the Angel Bunny being a fallen angel at best now he was no longer able to snuff you out completely, and would instead in time be your most loyal pet, and with him came Fluttershy, always the package deal.
Over the day you conversed with the Yellow Pony and sure enough she took care of just about any pet in ponyville, being a voluntary assistant to the local vet as well, she took the less serious cases that just need special food or fur care. apparently she had to give a documentary promise to go to a real vet for anything more serious, probably a story behind that...
Your talks also revealed a side to her friends that was very interesting, apparently the six of them were Equestria's most successful defense. being able to stop nightmare moon and even Discord, the latter of which she didn't actually sound very happy about.
Knowing that such a wellspring of raw might could be incredibly useful, you decided to continue catering to this wish of the forest, setting your sights on the other Elements, and most importantly, the Element of Magic.
No, you had to go to her today, find another pillar upholding her mind's peace and strength and break it. Then you could lean back and take care of the other four with relative impunity.
The walk to the town center was also a good time to review your story, being befallen by the taint and ousted by the breezies was easy enough to claim, without any others around it was impossible to prove after all, but she would inquire about the source of that corruption and you drew a total blank on that front... eh, you could blame the everfree nopony really knows what's going on there.
You also got a glimpse of a pink pony gasping and disappearing suddenly, had Fluttershy not told you about her that might have made you worry about being found out.
Then you felt it, power, not in any raw or unrefined form but more a Beacon of Arcane energy, a powerful Unicorn mage's dwelling... in a tree?
Your Dwelling on the matter was cut short though, the next greatest wizard in equestria had just opened the door.
"Hmm? Oh, hello Fluttershy, can i help you?"
"Oh, umm, n-not exactly me but... if it's fine... and not a bother... could you take a look at my friend here? he's not feeling very well."
"It's a he?"
"I get asked that all the time Miss... and i never answer because it's fun to keep them guessing... but i have an actual problem too... you can probably tell by looking at me... but i've been struck by magic corruption in the Everfree... and need help getting that cleaned."
Her horn lights up and her magic washes over you for a moment before she all but recoils.
"Oh yes, i can feel it, this is a very serious case too, come on in, i'll have to read up on that."
Of course she did... did i mention that Arcane wizards are without exception utter nerds?
"Who's that?" you asked as innocently as you could muster.
"Oh, that's Spike, a baby Dragon and my number one Assistant."
"I thought baby dragons are closely guarded by their moms in the volcanic lands?"
"Oh, no i hatched him from an egg about... ten years ago i think, it was my entrance exam into Princess Celestia's school for gifted unicorns."
So they still had that egg test... an unfertilized dragon egg that would sponge up the magic to be measurable, and this unicorn not only blew it up but used the genes of the not-mother to give her magical surplus form... and they were still connected, her being his lifeline and him being her safety vent... oh this was an opportunity not of Gold but of Platinum.
You could openly accuse her of conducting dangerous experiments by creating life, accident or not.
You could confidentially talk with spike and point out his makings, telling him that Twilight created him for the sake of herself alone...
Or you could let Twilight and him know the truth, informing them that their favourite Solar diarch knew the entire time and lied to them.
Author's Note
phew, WAY too long on this one but suddenly i felt inspired and here we are, vot in the comments as always loyal readers, and if you're new to it, welcome.
End of Balance: the Warlord´s path
The assignment and the first choice
Balance, Fate clearly put immense importance to such a simple word, though his reasoning seemed Sound enough. if it even was a he at times it sounded more feminine, though you supposed that was ultimately a manner of Fashion rather than a certainty when you were a bodiless Entity... where had your thoughts gone again? oh yes, Balance.
Apparently there was an inhabited world chock full of species, in which one, Equinity or ponykind had gotten too powerful, his first solution, split them apart, there was only a Problem, even now that they were halved and a new Nation had popped up, they refused to be openly hostile to each other, something about your predecessor being too good or rather not evil enough.
From what you could gather, or rather was dumped into your brain, he had been a Pegasus convict that broke free, then proceeded to gather help and ressources before making himself a public appearance. Add to the equation how poorly Equestria handled his presence and he quickly gained half the Nation´s adoration, which he then used to found his own Nation, all in all he was pretty admirable, except that it was very much not Fate´s Intention.
Such were seemingly the pitfalls of giving your Agent free will and making him Forget he was your Agent, not that Fate could go about it differently, apparently he had a Boss too and that one carefully watched that he didn´t go too far in intervening.
So here you were, another "Resolve", another Agent sent to Change the Status Quo, made to use the Hand me down choices your predecessor didn´t take and make something of the mess he currently locked Equestria and his new Nation Tempesta in.
"As it is, I must apparently go for a threat from outside ponykind. And as luck would have it a few opportunities are there."
"Is it really luck when you are involved?" You had figured out the whole speech without an anything rather quickly.
"You raise a good Point and maybe I shall discuss it with another Resolve that is philosophically inclined."
"How many of us Agents do you have anyways?"
"As many as i deem necessary. Usually just one, but that didn´t work this time." Yeah, you about expected as much.
"Alright, so... my Job?"
"You will have to go down there and become one with a Champion of your choice, guiding their Actions, but more importantly Setting the path you will walk through your choices. I am sorry to tell you that your Options are more limited than those of your predecessor, but in a way, his work brought your possibilities about."
"Basically, go down there and do whatever i want."
"I have found that that is usually the best way to go about it, i cannot interfere a lot after all."
"So then, do i get the rundown of my Options?"
"Straight to the Point i see, the last one was more curious."
Three orbs materialize before you.
"The first is a fledgling of a species made of pure malice, an umbrum. It escaped an artifact made to imprison them, but paid dearly. It is alone but powerful and its' power grows as he gathers Followers. There are many species and it can take Control of them... Your path will be one of growth in all aspects."
The shadow pony you saw looked to be in pain, it would take steely Determination, you, to make it.
"Not choosing to aid it will Keep it off your back as well, as it will depend on you to even muster the will to go on."
"Hmm, i´ll consider it."
Another orb Pops up.
"The next Comes from a species that Long ago shaped this world, uplifting the many species of it, and then being banished as they did not want to fight their children."
Visible was a Thin figure on two legs, most of the Skin covered by a suit and only few of them and a lot of machines around.
"They have since rediscovered their abilities for combat and seek to contact them once more, their orders are to observe, take samples and learn of them, but the festering resentment of the Precursors could, with a little push, become the Will to reclaim rulership. Your path would be one of subjugation and rulership, you would have to claim them and keep them in line. Without you they will simply go on their Mission, largely ignoring the politics of the world."
"Hmm, this could get interesting."
The third and last orb Shows up.
"The third candidate is a mere officer in the Changeling Swarm, following the Queen named Chrysalis, though he has Long ago grown discontent with her obsessions and gathered help in the Swarm and outside it too, he isn´t fully committed yet, but you may Change that. You would be the one to take down the Queens and Claim all Swarms before falling over Equestria, taking the sustenance they would deny you by force."
The insectoid creature you see is looking over a wall covered in cocoons, in each the silouette of more of them is outlined.
"These three candidates may never meet, but they each hold equal chances of success or disaster, each of them could be the ruler of Equis if given the time and dedication. But i must warn you, their life will become yours and I cannot give you a do-over."
You nodded, or you would have if you had the Body to do so, before looking the orbs over. each of them were known enemies to ponykind, or forgotten enemies too, and each would ultimately wind up waging war, a friendly Nation behind them, plenty of enemies before them, it was time to choose.
Author's Note
So, here we go for the second time. Comment vote driven like before, and only comment votes, upvoting a comment that fits your pick does not Count. just to clarify.