Prince Sugar Hoof of Equestria

I didn't want to get up today, my bed was too soft. Still, I had too for many reasons, but the one most important right now: morning court. I had spent a week away from the throne room due to my alchemical mishap, but I had no excuse now. Getting to my hooves, I left the room and headed to the private baths so I could quickly freshen up.

Poplar was waiting for me at the entrance to the caverns, but I was still half-asleep and didn't notice her.

"Master, we've been going through those books from the storm king," She said in a barely understandable tone.

I grunted and kept moving to the private baths.

"We discovered a spell that will be quite useful to you." That was all she needed to say.

As soon as she mentioned magic, my eyes opened and I turned around to meet her. Fighting a yawn, I said, "Mmm?"

After I woke up and had a bath, I wasted no time getting to the throne room. Poplar mentioning magic was like setting off fireworks in my skull, and I was eager to see what magic this world has come up with.

The throne room was full of not just treants, but fairies, and even some desert creatures as well. Fish, cats, rats, and some other creatures. All of them here for morning court I imagine.

I did my best regal walk to the throne and noticed the long list of names Birch had. It seems Poplar's findings might have to wait.

"Bring in the first one." I said to Birch.

"The first courtier, master." Birch corrected.

I cleared my throat, "Yes, the first courtier." I thought courtiers were people trying to court their leaders... oops.

A fish man was called up to my throne and thankfully gave no ceremony, "You destroyed the storm king? But you're just a pony."

My treants grew angry at him, likely for many reasons, "The storm king laid claim to my rightful land, and paid the ultimate price for it." I explained calmly.

With all my treants and fairies glaring at him, he suddenly exploded, "You think just because you found a bunch of living trees, that your some kind've Faust? I know you brainwash the people you imprison!" He was tackled to the ground by multiple treants and tightly bound in roots and vines. "You like to think you're some hero who saved us from the storm king, but you're just another dictator with a big ego!" His mouth was filled with vines as he continued to scream. The treants dragged him out of the room.

With his imprisonment, some other desert creatures fled the caverns, fearing they'd have similar fates. I turned to Birch and asked, "Are you brainwashing people again?"

"No, nothing that foul." I immediately knew that he was brainwashing people. "Criminals must be punished, but we figured you may find use for them, so we refrain from killing them."

"You brainwash them as a form of rehabilitation." I said matter-of-factly.

"It's not brainwashing, just a few drops of your magic mixed in with their meals and after a month, the opinions they had on you and your rule greatly improve. The magic keeps them content and docile as long as they serve you." Everyone was pleased at this statement but me, even the few remaining desert creatures.

"Cut them off immediately! From now on, you are not to add any magic whatsoever to the food or the prisoners!" Nobody liked this statement but me.

"Yes, master." Birch said lowly, "Shall I bring in the next courtier?"

A single nod was given, and a finely dressed cat walked to my throne. While the fish gave no ceremony, the cat went overboard. He bowed far lower than even the treants bow, "My lord," He stated before he dashed in front of my throne and kissed my hooves. I was disgusted, but believe I did a good enough job of hiding it. "It would do me a great honor if you would consider reopening the slave trade." The cat said, never rising from his bow.

I attempted to order my treants to arrest the cat, but no words left my mouth. Instead of being able to speak, I found myself feeling farther and farther away. Then, without input from my brain, my mouth opened, "I shall consider it."

The cat and the rat behind him were ecstatic, "Thank you, oh wise master!" He somehow bowed even lower before turning and leaving with his rat companion.

As they left, the shadow fell back and I had control again. "Birch, kill those two." I ordered, holding my head with a hoof.

Birch left to kill them as I called for court to end early. Everyone left, but Poplar, Elm, Tempest, and Greg. I didn't even notice Tempest and Greg in the room behind all the treants.

"What just happened?"

The pony and griffon approached as Poplar cast an analysis spell on me, "Master, shadow magic has entered the space where your harmony magic used to be." Poplar explained.

"That would explain the recent changes in my bloodthirst." I said as I tried to stroke my beard before remembering that I no longer had a beard.

"I'm heading to the experimentation hall, bring gold and sapphires." I said, and left the room in a hurry.

Poplar and Elm left after, leaving only Tempest and Greg in the throne room. They both watched us leave before looking at each other.

"I didn't know he was a king." Greg said, brushing some sand out of his metal skin.

"He isn't officially, If what those mutated flying things told me is anything to go by, he's just a prince." Tempest explained.

"I don't think he really knows what he's doing." Greg whispered.

"I think he does," Tempest says, staring at the door, "It's just that what Sugar Hoof wants and what his treants want, are usually two different things."

"Hmm?" Greg grunted.

"I don't think Sugar Hoof really wants to be a ruler, I think it just sort've happened. Most likely, his treants built a throne and just put him at the top of it." Tempest explained.

"Why are the treants loyal to Sugar Hoof anyway? He's a pony, and they're trees." Greg asked.

"Why don't we go ask him?" Tempest offered.