Corruption of Harmony:Fall from Grace

CH0: Once upon a time...

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Once upon a time in the magical lands of Equestria, there once ruled two regal sisters, Celestia the goddess of the sun, and Luna the goddess of the night, both held balance of night and day, their balance remained for many years, until one day. Luna fell to the greed within her heart her envy of her sister to the love of the day, which had left her bitter, darkness swelled in her heart until she became a perverted creature of herself, Nightmare Moon.

Nightmare believed that she deserved the right to rule, to become more, Celestia attempted to challenge her and was defeated, as Nightmare had pilfered the Elements of Harmony, the greatest power in Equestria and the greatest source of magic to be wielded by any being. Nightmare's usurp of the throne left the ponies of Everfree and Equestria in an uproar, and soon civil rebellion and war ensued for the time to come.

Nightmare's failing as a leader, she became tyrannical in her rule and soon ponies began to die, with her cruelty she ordered mass violations and crimes against ponydom. Her madness continued till her own warriors betrayed her, the Lunar Knights who had once loved their benevolent princess overthrew her in a planned revolution. Releasing Celestia and the Elements of Harmony, Celestia judged Nightmare and banished her to the moon for 1000 years after realising that no such redemption of Luna's presence could be found.

Celestia decreed forever the celebration of the Summer Sun a memory of the terrible things that had come and gone, forever in Equestria's history, and a warning to the future. A terrible warning for the future…

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In the time that passed, Equestria prospered and flourished with the loss of Everfree, the rise of Canterlot and the creation of the expanding kingdom soon ensued and ponies lived in happiness and peace. For 1000 years there had been no wars or misery or pain, but that was to change, on the return of Nightmare Moon...

It was on the 1000 year on the day of the final summer celebration that true disaster was to come to the once peaceful lands of Equestria. In Ponyville, ponies called of the coming disaster, the rise of Nightmare Moon, and of the six friends who ventured forth into the abyss in search of a solution. Know this, forever this be a warning to anyone who lives in these troubled times, of what we once were.

-Twilight Sparkle- Slave of Shadows.

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It was night as usual, always the stars shining out, and the occasional twilight of day and night, but never the sun has appeared in the time of Nightmare's rise. But thankfully the clocks worked, and ponies kept time with when night and day were supposed to be, of course it didn't work well with some people, but it was either that or having no idea when to sleep or get up was.

The same night at this moment was 8:30AM, a pleasant time to be awake at least for those who'd like to see the twilight fading over the edge of night and the start of the morning night once more, and of course this was probably the most active time of the day for ponies to go shopping, and their usual business.

Ponies milled about at the stalls in the market, not much of a large variety of things, aside from night blossoms cherries, night sugar stalk, and everything that can survive the night time that can be produced, except for apples. The one stall that remained empty in the market was the apple family stall, for as long as it was remembered ponies have learnt to ignore the absence of the once proud apple family and their delicious apples.

Instead nearby there was a fruit stand with measly looking fruits, with the sign above, "Sweet Acre Harvests", and at the stall a young yellow filly stood idly by the stand selling fruits, including pears, the one thing she never imagined she'd be producing, and grapes, and oranges, it was a rather sombre sight for the young filly. But ponies were more inclined to buy from her with the exception of apples.

Nearby there were various newcomers, many larger stalls and flashier looking stands and producers, they had many stores with welcoming signs, and they were from various other states across Equestria and have been around since the announcement. Business for them was growing, as they secured their position in the town.

Rich's Barnyard Bargains had even expanded, and left the apple family after the business contract with the queen, Rich had expanded rather well, even though leaving the apple family dirt poor when he did so, but he believed it was the right choice, earning his place in the court's economic branch when he did so.

Further around the town various other changes were noticeable, large new buildings that replaced the once melancholy wooden and hay structures, such a sight would have shocked ponies of Ponyville but not anymore, the sight of new constructions were so common that it had left them rather accepting to the changes enforced by the queen.

Town hall had undergone some rather unique renovations including expansion of a courthouse in town, and the nearby punishment block, where ponies could see justice carried out by the night guards and the rangers and the shadow juries. There was such a time when ponies wouldn't have imagined such a horrible punishment, and too many were too scared to even commit the smallest crime in fear of the judgement.

But at least peace was maintained in the public eye, but underneath there was some undercurrent of rebellion and bitter and angry resentment to the new crown. But ponies wouldn't dare do anything, especially since the time of the 'Purge' the queen ordered her mysterious Lunar Knights into action and they obeyed and clobbered the resistance out of many ponies until they all bowed.

Then there was the Night Watchers, ponies she plucked from the country and announced them as the new law enforcement and sent them out to rout anyone who did wrong, or planned to. Their first targets were the elements of harmony, the ponies who escaped from Nightmare's judgement, thanks to a terrible price at the sacrifice of their friend, the others managed to get away.

But Nightmare's Night Watchers soon found their way to the other elements and soon found and routed the girls. There was no word heard from those taken to Nightmare when the purge ended. But ponies felt sorrow from then on, and began a terrible path of gorging themselves onto anything to forget the things that had happened.

In Ponyville anyone who asked of what happened would get the response, 'we don't know and we don't care'. And then there was the other changes in town, most of the morning is quiet; ponies go about their daily lives, at least until the afternoon. And then the real night begins, Ponyville was Nightmare's favourite spots to visit, as she frequented the various public spots and laughed and smiled as she witnessed the sufferings of her enemies and even went as far as to humiliate them.

But no the real gorging comes from what was once Carousel Boutique, the once beautiful home of a certain fashion mare, it had changed since it was last inhabited, the once classy boutique was perverted. Models standing outside posing in various plastic dresses now had mares posing in erogenous poses; there were even a few girls who had their sensual grind recorded on arcane crystals and projected.

The store/house was a large brothel that was over 7 stories high and held various rooms for recreation and desires, it was one of the most popular places to visit for the night, and it was under the management of the glamorous, young, rich and powerful mare in Ponyville, Rarity. Of course she was well known at least as in word, but not in image, Rarity never allows for her image to be portrayed unless she was in her comfort zone.

What had happened to the once beautiful and proud and generous lady of fashion? No one knows, aside from Rarity herself and Applejack and Nightmare, they only had pieces of the brothel owner. From the perverted house of glamour the changes of Ponyville are not absolute a few place remain untainted by the perversion that Nightmare had brought.

The northern entrance to the town, a regal old tree stands tall and still, it had grown quite a bit since the time of Nightmare's arrival which seemed odd for any resident who remembered it at all. It had grown a dozen new places, balconies and doors, windows and hatches all protruded, but there was the golden rule of Ponyville, the advice given by Nightmare when she returned with Twilight Sparkle.

"Do not go into the dwellings of Miss Sparkle… or you may never return." She didn't need to say it again.

A dozen ponies went in and only 3 have ever returned 9 mares and 3 colts. Twilight seemed to pick out the males from the mares, but even then, the males that did return were comatose and unable to survive without care from what Twilight had done to them, but still ponies who live off of thrill still believe that there was a way into the library and getting out unscathed.

But the tree library was still a dangerous place, ponies dared not step near more than a few meters from its presence before they feel the arcane energies being used inside, even with a protective bubble spell it was undeniable there was magic foul as anything being used inside the tree. Twilight or whatever remained of her was maddeningly increasing the field of magic; Nightmare had to put up one control spell just to ensure that the overspill of magic didn't rip the town to pieces.

But for residents of Ponyville the sounds of the screams was what made them shiver and watch the library, the screams of pain and ecstasy a constant chorus of carnal desires ceaseless until the twilight. It sent shivers through the spines of any being and it was a clear warning for others not to be tempted as to what awaited them on the other side.

From the library another noticeable change was apparent, one little bakery, Sugarcube Corner remained as bright as it did, and so bright that it looked like fibre glass, but there was another saying for ponies, do not be tempted by the rose, even as beautiful it has thorns. Sugarcube Corner was left alone after the sentence of Mr and Mrs Cake at the hands of Nightmare Moon, the sentence was oblivion.

The Cakes were ruthlessly tortured and executed by Nightmare personally when they hid Pinkie Pie from her. They left behind children who now reside in Sugarcube Corner, the only sound of laughter were them and the current resident and family member 'Diane Pie', there was an additional title but she stated. 'The storywriter doesn't need to add the damn thing, it's his choice.'

After saying that, Diane went and nursed her adopted children in her arms and breast fed them, the two foals were almost two years of age, and their birthday coming up it was a spectacle that ponies would love to see, especially since it was the only time ponies would see her in her happy persona, rather than her astute and cold response.

There were many ponies who knew that Diane would only act nice when the kids were around, but she seemed sad at times when ponies are present, and as soon as the children are gone, she threatens to cut the customer up if they ever speak of what they saw to anyone. She's never made good on the threat, but there was the odd death and mauling from ponies who speak of this out loud.

Diane was a well-known baker, but her reputation as a psychopath made it difficult for her to maintain public image, the store was going bankrupt after a year and a half in her ownership and she took up a mysterious job for the queen when she asked for financial help. There was also the rumour that Diane worked as a prostitute for Rarity for some months to pay for the tuition fees for her children who were still young, but she planned well ahead for them.

No one knows if Diane does anything aside from staying in the shop and staring into the oblivion or ponies faces, none have dared to go ask. And many remain not to go prying into the heart of the baker of Equestria; they knew they'd never like what they'd see.

Another notable difference was the absence of the weather patrol mare, Rainbow Dash, her absence of course had been replaced by another mare, but those who knew of the up and coming speedster had a shock when they heard of the new member of Nightmare's new Shadowbolt captain, the ponies couldn't believe that Nightmare had twisted Rainbow to her side.

Rainbow had seemingly betrayed the other elements as well, from the rumours Diane and Rarity were given up by her directly. There was also the rumour she betrayed Applejack as well, and broke the legs of Big Macintosh and had him sent to the quarries of Everfree as a guard and worker, the place that had been under constant attack by the diamond dogs, it was unlikely he would survive.

Since then Rainbow had become a celebrity and one of popular interest in the eyes of the public as the symbol Nightmare's reign, the loyalty to the new crown for glory and power, for riches. Anyone who knew Rainbow wouldn't dare down talk her, even Dumbbell had learnt the hard way when he ended up in the mines of Everfree with his wings broken.

Since the rise of the great celebrity, Rainbow had been preforming at every major venue to spread her reputation, and she was soon to set her sights on the Equestrian Grand Prix, over 50 races and many competitors, she had been assigned with a group known as the Dark Stars. She was certainly excited on the various arcane channels showing her enthusiasm as well as pride she'd win.

Ponies still looked up to her even though she was technically a traitor, and it was fast becoming clear how much of an influence she held public. Thankfully many ponies only viewed her sporting enthusiasm as her normal ego, but they'd never accept her as a follower of Nightmare. Rainbow had been adamantly clear on her position as Nightmare's representative in common Equine interests.

But for Rainbow it was clear that her intentions were slowly becoming more audacious, she planned new academies at Ponyville to train a new breed of racers and fliers. And rumours were that many pegasi were going to join her and soon.

From the public limelight, you could find only one of the least recognised members of the community, a sad reminder of herself. Only one known place held this last element of harmony, Applejack. AJ, the proud farmer and owner of Sweet Apple Acres, now indisposed as a common whore. AJ was only ever located at Carousel Brothel, her room being the second top room with 3 apples and a warning for ponies who don't have much strength not to ride her.

Applejack's life had gone out the window with such pain she couldn't continue, she resigned from the farm and accepted that she'd be put out of business with the lack of sun, and she was right. Her crops slowly died off and apples no longer grew, her crops suffered enough that she soon found herself offering unsavoury trade.

She sold half her cattle stock and lost a number of cows, the trees of apples cut down and sold as wood, her farm was uprooted and the spine broken beyond repair. All that was left was measly fruits they could barely use to feed themselves and the crops of other plants they grew. Applebloom had to give up school and AJ had been arrested and paid a bail for herself but left the farm on the edge of collapse.

She tried, but even the kindness of Ponyville wasn't enough to save the farm, she lost a lot of land and property. And when she fell into an alcoholic lull, she found herself trying to pick up something to keep the farm going, but as such a mare, it was difficult and soon she couldn't do aside from fuck and drink. Her reputation eventually crumbled down to nothing, she was claimed as another victim by Nightmare's reign.

But there was something ironic, Rarity offered to buy the farm and provide new fruits that could survive the night time and light crystals to help feed the farm, but at a high price, she owned the farm, and AJ's body and everything AJ was. Applejack couldn't believe it, and she didn't, she'd have to suffer for the rest of her life as a slave to Rarity and do as she wanted, it was either that or nothing.

Applejack signed her life away, her time was now spent having sex in the brothel and dressing lustily as she could and providing special services to nobles and celebrities, it was a horrible thing for AJ to be nothing more than a sex slave, but she didn't have much of a choice now did she? Applebloom could spare time for granny and Big Mac would get bail from the mines sooner.

Rarity spent time with AJ and even helped her relax, but it wasn't just that. AJ conferred with Rarity on one specific matter that had plagued her for so long, she wanted to kill her cousin Braeburn, with the absolute speed possible and as painfully as she could inflict, she wanted the once honourable and respected colt of Appleloosa dead.

Alas such cruelty, and betrayal, from the town ponies forget, there are those who've lived for so long from the eyes of ponies. And those who have decided to remain hidden. In the depths of Evefree Mountains, the hidden town of Evenfall existed, the town founded by an expeditionary young colt that went in search for diamonds.

The town was made from the very mountain, and it was unknown from pony eyes, aside from a few who heard of the old treasure hunter tales. The town of Evenfall was however alive once more, but with inhabitants that weren't all pony. The new inhabitants were a mix of diamond dogs, stone wolves, manticores, lamia, arachane, and a few other beings. But the one who lead them all here?

A butter mare with 4 wings, pink hair and green lingerie, she had come from Ponyville and had become the leader of this band of beings. She had suffered terribly at the hands of her own friends and others and hated and resented them, only the beastly creatures of the land were her only friends.

Alongside her was the figure of Angel, her bunny who had been encased in silver, Nightmare promised to let her little friend go in an eternity. Fluttershy remained at his side for as long as she could, and used him to push herself. She was gathering an army of beings to fight Nightmare and conquer Equestria and return it to the wilderness it once was.

Her plan had flaws, but she did this with a driving factor of those who she loved, Rainbow saved her and told her to run, as far as possible, and so she was here, and leading the new age. Fluttershy though not a great pony person was a good animal talker, and so she had convinced mostly the beasts of Evefree to join her, and some other sentient beings.

But there was a large difference for Fluttershy, she was no longer normal, her body had become twisted by nature, she was dumped by Nightmare into a pool of poison joke which transformed her into a part plant, the magical infusion leaving her looking less than what she once was. And with this new found body she soon understood the magic behind plant life, and nature.

She used the plant part of her to help grow the crops and help fuel their guerrilla war, and it was working to the extent that the quarries were being slowed, and the deforestation of Evefree would soon end. She however hadn't a clue as to how much she's done as there had been little contact with the rest of the world.

Zecora who once lived in Evefree had been arrested and turned into a slave for Nightmare to produce new magical potions and alchemic methods to help Nightmare continue control. Fluttershy would have preferred the aid of Zecora, but now that was out of the question. But Fluttershy had an idea, of what was going on in Everfree, Nightmare's new fortress, 'Shadow Star' would active soon and collapse significant portions of the forest using some sort of potion made to kill plants across the area.

Nightmare's guards would then begin mass lumbering. Fluttershy swore she'd stop the attempt, but she hadn't an idea of how she'd accomplish such goals. But the young Pegasus of nature did what she could, as desperate as she was. She believed in herself to kill others instead of care for them.

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And so our story entails such terrible suffering, such pain and misery, such tragedy, but not as tragic as the tale of one young colt. Braeburn of Appleloosa, the hero of the Lunar Rangers, the captain of the Rangers, and warrior of the Night. He served the queen without hesitation and beaten back the rebels over as many times as the night rose overhead.

He was the hero of the New Lunar Imperium, and a hated one at that. The name of Braeburn was struck from the Apple family records, his name smeared with black ink for hi deeds. He betrayed the family and did terrible things, the war with the buffalo and the genocide of the native inhabitants and then the burning of Dodge Junction in the south.

His name was heard as far as Los Pegasus to the Crystal Kingdom, the destroyer, the Lunar Enforcer, the Tyrant's Hand, and the Death Dealer, his hands were covered in more blood than he could imagine. But yet he continues onwards, even with all of what he had done, he continued to do as Nightmare ordered.

His home would get continued benefits of a town, supply of farming equipment, new rail lines, further potion enhancers for the fruit. Appleloosa was on the map for good, and he was happy keeping the name of Appleloosa above his own, he was contented, he had enough for the town and that was all he needed.

But with it came terrible backlashes, and further feelings of anger and despair, it also stemmed from the one event which he prayed he'd never do again, the hunt for Applejack, and the punishment that he had to execute. He personally raped his own cousin, and dragged her off to prison and even took Big Mac down and broke Granny Smith's hip.

He was a true traitor alright, but it was one question that he asked to anyone. "What would you have done?"

He believed what he did was right, no damn morals involved, it was survival of his home and his people, wasn't it? He didn't want Nightmare to destroy his home and everyone there, he loved it, so he did what he could to preserve it. And he got his wish, Nightmare provided all the support and he did as she told him to do for the rest of his life.

Braeburn now remained a reminder to all ponies, the path to hell is paved with good intentions.

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Not far from Braeburn's fall was a certain dragon, no longer a baby thanks to his growth spurt and diet, Spike had become a thing of legends in these terrible times. The young dragon was taken and sold by the Night Guard as a slave to the griffon kingdom, but the dirigible was hit by a storm and tossed far off course.

The balloon eventually crashed and the survivors scattered, the young dragon was only in Ponyville for a short time, and his isolation from Twilight ate at him, but lost in the unknown Spike searched for help. And by chance, a group of elder drakes of the Emerald Guard found him, and took him as their new recruit.

He was forced to accept a death contact for the next 3 years of his life, unless he paid early leave after a whole tour in service. Unable to decline, he accepted, and was then taken to witness what he'd never thought he'd become. He saw various battles that the Emerald Guard performed, hunting and killing and search and destroy.

Griffons were their primary target, and when Nightmare hired them, they went after ponies and diamond dogs. Spike had never witnessed the horrors of war, and it twisted his sense of mortality and instinct, he served well as a killer. For years he killed until he couldn't kill anymore, his retirement after a tour had him drinking rather heavily.

But he didn't break down, he continued as an adventurer of the night skies, looking for things to do, and things to kill and eat. Spike had almost forgotten what ponies even looked like, except Twilight, the one mare who cared for him, Celestia was lost to him, even though she was his surrogate mother.

He couldn't turn back yet, he wouldn't, as much as he wanted to. He believed that nothing good would come of him turning back to face his past, everything was wrong, wasn't it?

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(End…)

Okay, now I do admit this was a little bit rushed, I'm running on fumes here, haven't had coffee or sleep in over 48 hours and I'm nearly dead. Also I have paid 4 or 5 artists for commissions I'm going to be making for Corruption of Harmony, that costed me over 450 dollars AUD. And it wasn't easy organising over 5 artists and 20 or so images.

Also anyone who wishes to become a beta reader or helper, I'll provide details if you PM me or comment to do so, I'll give you my skype, its easier for real time chatter and I am online for every day makes it easier.

Also images and story boards are available on skype as well so it saves time for me to have to flipping tell you. As for what I plan, this is merely a teaser, of sorts, the story prequel at least for a couple of things, as this is non-linear.

I'll explain more to only beta readers!

Art from Artyl and Equestria Prevails, i don't own anything yet!