Chapter 12: Corruption and the Attack on Canterlot

Twilight barely, by the smallest of margins, managed to contain her fury and desire to do what she had done to Tirek onto the frail, defenseless caribou. Only her compassion and the reminder that, as much as it hurt, this wasn’t her home. It was a dark, awful reflection of it, but it wasn’t her home. Not really.

Closing her eyes, she focused on stopping her trembling hands, hoping to quell the rage within her. As seconds passed and her rage diminished, her logical mind came forth and noticed a few chinks in Dainn’s story so far. “Dainn… are you lying?” She asked, still unable to not glare at him.

“Ahhhh, I was wondering when you were going to pick on that,” Dainn replied, scratching his chin. “The answer is no. I am not lying. I warned you that my memory had… defects in certain aspects. Timeframes, for example, I remember them as one measurement now, but the next time it’s different. Each of them is as true to my senses and memories as those memories that are intact, non-morphing. This is, as you may imagine, incredibly confusing. So much so that I gave up on trying to figure out what the real version is,” he went silent for several seconds, his icy eyes focusing on nothing and everything at the same time.

“And yet… not everything is entirely forgotten either. There are true core memories there, fragments that speak truth. For example, I know the attack on Lindisbarne happened. How it made me feel and my decisions after… when exactly happened, how long it took to plan the assault, and the length of the raid, though? Utterly lost to me. Sometimes it's days, other times it's months or just weeks. The same goes for the Crystal Heart and the betrayal in the Crystal Empire,” he hummed deeply, a throaty, gurgled, pained, and angry growl rumbled in his chest. “I do not know what I did to the Heart… or if it was me directly. But I do know three things are true beyond measure: I tried to stop it, I felt more fear at that time than I have ever felt up to that point, and that regret soon followed.”

“I… see. I would hate to be in your position,” Twilight replied, her anger simmered to manageable levels, enough to let her speak calmly and analyze everything the caribou was telling her. “But why did you take the Crystal Heart? You said the Empire died a frozen death much longer after corrupting, right? Did you know that the main function of the Crystal Heart was to keep the blizzard away?”

“I’m sorry, what?” Dainn, for the first time since their exchange began, looked puzzled and surprised beyond his depressed stoicism. “But… the Empire froze over slowly but surely after months… that, I’m sure about. Maybe your Crystal Heart functions differently?”

“A likely hypothesis given our divergent dimensions, but the fact remains: the Empire froze, just like mine would freeze without the Heart. You, in your infinite stupidity and thirst for power, condemned an entire nation to death, Dainn. Congratulations, you are the biggest fucking idiot I’ve ever met, by a long shot. And to think the worst is yet to come!” Twilight exclaimed with dripping contempt, opening her wings and arms widely, as if to encompass the entire room, the castle, and Canterlot at the same time.

“The road to damnation is often forged by the acts born of compassion and well-meaning intentions,” Dainn replied, not bothering to rebuke her insults and taking them all in stride, knowing he deserved them. “First the horns, now this? And I dare to call myself a scholar? Something so basic and obvious missed my sight?” He chuckled, clenching his staff with shaky anger. “...and here I thought I couldn’t fall any lower. What’s next, I wonder?”

“Regardless of your feelings… you should’ve taken Oksho’s warning to heart, Dainn. I don’t like him… but he had sensible ideas and, dare I say, whatever passes for honor for your kind. Why didn’t you? Why did you ignore him?” Twilight asked, glaring at him.

“That’s… that wasn’t entirely my choice. I heard his warnings. I knew Storm and his experiments were dangerous. I know Ivangri and Vestri had their own agenda to fulfill and nearly everyone else in my Council,” he scoffed at the last word, a sour taste invading his mouth every time he had to remember them. “But there was nothing I could really do. If I didn’t try to balance my will to save our people from the Cycle with the ambitions and demands of my people, I may have been replaced and our destiny set ablaze once more.”

Twilight sighed, shaking her head. “Let’s… let’s just continue for now. So, the Spirit of Harmony showed up again. What did it say to you?”

“Painful words I was too ignorant to accept,” Dainn replied.

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“You again, spirit? What is it that you want from me?” I asked the spirit, shoving the pitfall of emotions roiling inside my heart to the side.

“You can see your wrongs yet do nothing to stop? Foolish or stupid? Ignorance is not an excuse nor a reason. Why can’t you stop? You know your actions are wrong, yet you push on. There’s still time to prevent the cold grasp of death and solitude from grabbing your throat. Stop,” the spirit said to me, never in anger, just painful pity.

“Enough with your riddles! Speak plainly! Is it wrong to want to achieve the survival of my people even if other species have to pay the price for our survival? They are weak, we are strong. We command, they obey. Only the strong survive and I will make sure the caribou remain strong, it is only right… the only one I know,” I confessed, unable to look at the spirit in the eye.

“Pariah of Pariahs, you are truly a beast of burden, nothing more. A blind fool with strings. Cut the ties. Stop. There is no salvation through your actions, only assured destruction. Do not feed the beast within. You can stop, say no more, even now. Your punishment will be great, demise will follow, but life can thrive regardless. Your punishment will be great, but not unbearable. Stop and you shall find peace. Continue and only brimstone shall cloud your future,” the spirit warned. It was a warning, a heartfelt one, yet all I heard was a threat.

I frowned, stupidly, accepting the challenge. “Punishment… you speak of punishment even though I have conquered the Crystal Empire? I tamed one of the alicorn princesses, converted Shining Armor, a proud male, into our ranks, and liberated countless stallions from female tyranny. What could possibly be my punishment for spreading the Light of Male Superiority?” I remembered biting my tongue after the words left my mouth. Had I changed so much without me noticing it… no, I was just searching for an excuse, something to shift the blame to, something to give me purpose, no matter how much I actually hated the reason, for I knew no other.

“An empire built on the backs of slaves forever rests upon fragile foundations. Dainn, you will crumble. Stop. Surrender. Cut the strings and stop dancing to the tune of the beast within and those around you. Or else--”

“Or else what?”

“Or else your fate shall be one you will come to regret,” the spirit said with a deep, disapproving frown, touching my snout. “Release the Crystal Heart, uncorrupted. Release it. Return it. The Crystal Heart is a force of protection, not a weapon. It defends and grants life, not control. Do not pervert it. Let it grant love, not lust. Stop, Dainn. Have the strength to stand up and be submissive no longer. Rise above your trauma. Stop. Stop. Stop.”

With that said, the spirit faded away, leaving me alone once more. After that, I spent several days pondering those words as we returned to our encampment. Ultimately, I discarded those accusations and carried on with the desires of my council, masking their demands and actions as my own. Weak. Useless. Pathetic fool!

In the end, shortly after arriving, Storm requested my presence and that of the council to show us the product of his research and tampering with the Crystal Heart. The feeling of dread I felt increased but, like a coward, said nothing.

“This better not blow up in our faces, Storm,” Anvari teased, to which Storm merely unveiled the Crystal Heart surrounded by dozens of his prized and ‘perfected’ crystals alongside complex rune carvings all around the floor.

“When I’m done showing the results of my investigation, you’ll praise me, Anvari!” Storm replied.

“We first need to actually see results, Storm,” Ivangri countered, earning several chuckles. I remained silent, my heart beating hard against my chest.

“Then results you’ll see. My king,” the kiss ass turned to me, “I have more or less confirmed that the power of the Crystal Heart is one of control: specifically, to make males docile to female suggestions and making them weak with a side benefit of somewhat repelling the harsh weather conditions surrounding the now defunct Crystal Empire. The power source is both external and internal. This artifact holds immense power and yet it responds to external interaction to project such power and, as you suspected, it is linked to that pink alicorn bitch to some extent.”

“And all of that means?” I asked, preferring to get on with it instead of entertaining the thought of what Storm had done to achieve such conclusions.

“It means, my king, that I figured out a way to alter the controlling effects of the Crystal Heart and reform it, so we may use it as a tool to liberate worthy males from the enslavement of female rule!” He explained enthusiastically and even Ivangri and Vestri, who mocked the academic and magic-related fields, smiled in excitement.

Not me. I remembered the words of the spirit, the warning freely given and I recoiled in fear.

“Storm, are you truly certain that you can… force this artifact to serve our needs without harming it?” I asked, staring at the pulsating blue light of the Crystal Heart.

“Of course, my king! It is perfectly safe,” Storm replied as his eyes began to glow, the ritual was about to begin. STOP HIM!

But I didn’t. I sat there, watching as the runes crackled with energy and the crystals began to glow. For several seconds nothing happened until, with a crack of lightning, the crystals began shooting black beams with purple rippling waves surrounding it. It was the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen. I could feel the sheer wrongness of those beams and how my dread nearly took over my rational mind.

Everyone else was either fascinated by it or looked uncomfortable at worst. I was the only one in that room glued to my seat in piss-dripping terror. But the worst was yet to happen. When the beams pierced the Crystal Heart, I felt it scream in pain and horror directly in my soul. It was worse than the cries of females in training or the cries of pain of some traitor being tortured.

That’s when Oksho’s warning surfaced at the front of my mind and I stood up, legs trembling, hands shaking, heart beating so fast I thought I was going to have a heart attack. “Storm! I’m having second thoughts about this! Stop it! We cannot risk such an important artifact this way!”

“You may have second guessings, but not me, Dainn!” Storm cried out, laughing.

I gritted my teeth in fury. “STORM, I ORDER YOU TO--”

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“A flash of pure darkness washed the room, a white noise knocked me out, and terrible nightmares swarmed me for three entire days. When I woke up, I discovered that Storm’s experiment had worked. He had… transformed the Heart, twisted its nature, and somehow it was reshaped into the Crystal Cock,” Dainn whispered, hands trembling and his regret more than palpable. “Do you wish to know what my nightmares were like? It was the same, replaying over and over again. A dark, powerful shadow standing over me, watching me with unblinking red eyes, a mocking smile, and… I don’t know how to describe it… contempt? Pride? It… it was horrible. I was utterly powerless and… and it made me realize something.”

“What did you realize, Dainn?” Twilight asked, whispering herself and slightly trembling. The sheer aura of dread and fear Dainn was giving was strong enough to affect her.

“That I, for all my troubles… I was still being seen, treated, judged, and played the role of a female. Submissive. Obedient. Docile. Svarndagr was long gone, but his training, and his chastisement stuck with me. I was a female in all but body… and my council knew it, abused it, and I was too weak to stop them or even question it.”

Silence reigned between the two for minutes on end, the howling wind being the only thing breaking the icy, monotonous quietness set between each other.

“What… What did Storm do to the Crystal Heart?” Twilight finally asked, somehow finding the strength to speak once more.

“I have no idea. The bastard was too impatient, his “thorough” research, as you may have guessed, was anything but. Can you see the mentality of those blinded by Male Superiority? The first thing Storm thought about the Crystal Heart was as a means of control and female enslavement. I should’ve… I should’ve studied it myself. I shouldn’t have let any of them dictate my actions. I should’ve listened! I SHOULD’VE DIED! FUCK ME! I…”

Dainn dropped to his knees and crawled to Twilight, his blue, icy eyes looking for her lavender ones in desperation. “Kill me, Twilight! Please, KILL ME! I don’t wish to live like this! I… I don’t want to keep suffering like this! The pain. The loss. The suffering… everything I unleashed upon the world, please, kill me… please… please, please, please, please…”

Twilight gulped hard, unable to look away from his pleading eyes. She could see it all oh so damnably clearly. The facade was broken and now she could see the real Dainn. A hurt, pitiful being so full of regret, self-hatred, and desperation to die that was heartbreaking. It was already hard to see him before with his mask of contempt, but without it… she couldn’t stop the tears from falling down her cheeks. She felt pity for the one being that deserved none. Life itself in this dimension had been eradicated by his actions. He, at every point in time, had the chance to stop, to be better.

But he chose the weakest path; either himself or pushed by others it didn’t matter. He was responsible for everything that surrounded her.

She placed a hand on his hooded head, and gently began to pet him. Dainn froze, but didn’t stop staring at her, pleading with his eyes for her to kill him. To end his miserable existence. But she couldn’t. “If… if I could grant you that mercy, I would. Believe me, I would. But you can’t die, Dainn. Whatever is keeping you alive… I’m sorry… so very sorry you have to live like this.”

Dainn said nothing. With a raspy howl of pain that echoed across Canterlot and froze the very air with melancholy, he rested his head on her lap, letting her pet him for as long as she wanted. His wish had been denied. His torment would continue. And that was the most horrific thing for him: to continue living among the ashes of his mistakes.

Days passed or maybe mere minutes, they didn’t know. Didn’t care. Not until Dainn pulled back and wordlessly returned to his seat.

“I… do not deserve death… not your kindness,” he remarked yet again. “Thank you, regardless. I… it’s been a long time since the last time I broke like that.”

“I can’t say I wouldn’t wish for the same thing in your position,” Twilight replied, softly and welcoming. “Dainn… before we continue, I wish to ask you something that doesn’t fit in the entire story.”

“That is?”

“You. As in, your physical appearance. You described yourself as average for a caribou and even slightly smaller in stature, yes? Then… why are your statues, murals, paintings, and other visual depictions so different from what I imagined you to be?”

“Ahhhh, yes,” Dainn cleared his throat. “Thramm… he was responsible for all of the redecorating. For a Master of Arts, he was incredibly bland and uninspired. He basically put my face on Svarndagr’s body and had that vision widespread to give the illusion of a mighty, invincible King. A true conqueror. Not a squalid scholar that couldn’t even lift a proper warhammer for more than a few swings. In fact, every piece of ‘art’ you’ve seen are the works of Thramm,” he chuckled. “Propaganda is a strong tool, wouldn’t you agree? Yet another sacrifice made on the altar of my stupidity. I allowed your vibrant, inspired, colorful art to be butchered in favor of Thramm’s dull, boring, repetitive, and bland works.”

“I can understand the dislike for such… art,” Twilight affirmed, gaining a nod from Dainn.

“I never cared for his art in particular. Here, let me show you something and forgive my atrocious skills,” with a boney finger, he began to draw on the dust-covered floor. After a minute or so, he pulled back.

With a gesture from his other hand, Twilight leaned forth and saw three figures. One was fairly similar to the ‘Dainn’ depicted on the statues and paintings. The second was smaller but still pretty buffed and strong-looking despite being rough sketches. The third was comparable to a stallion that worked out once a week. Certainly not out of shape but a twig compared to the other two. “Svarndagr,” she said, pointing at the biggest figure. “A warrior… Oksho?” Dainn nodded at her guess. “And that’s you?”

“Correct in all accounts,” Dainn said. “Even Gunne was better built than I ever was and he wasn’t precisely a warrior either. But Oksho? You do not achieve the rank of Champion and be seen as the greatest Warrior in caribou society without looking the part. And even Oksho was outclassed by Svarndagr. Easy to see why no one ever tried to defy him and was held as the Alpha Male of our species?” He said, mocking the titles of his once-mentor.

“Do you… miss anyone?” Twilight scoffed. “Forgive me, of course you do. That was tactless of me, I’m sorry.”

“No… don’t be. Those are some of the few happy memories I have. But yes, I miss those closest to me. Oksho and his warrior’s pride, culling what would’ve been blind obedience to Male Superiority. Gunne, my ever-loyal friend. Ginna, my dearest Ginna, a gentle soul if there ever was one. My Twilight, even after… falling, I enjoyed having long intellectual conversations with her. And… others.”

“I am not looking forward to that part,” Twilight breathed out. “Thank you, for answering my question, Dainn.”

“I have nothing to hide nor lose. Why should I ever lie to you?” Dainn relaxed his shoulders and gave out a long sigh before retaking a more serious posture. “Continuing with the story. After the Crystal Cock was reforged, I noticed the immediate change on Cadance. If she was acting like a whore before, she was completely unhinged after. No taboo was too far for her, no hedonistic desire off the table, no command issued by her ex-husband now Master went unanswered. But worst of all? Her smile. I can still see it. She never stopped smiling. Not ever. Not even when she was asleep. It was so hollow and full of perversion at the same time. I did everything within my power to interact with her as little as I possibly could,” he shuddered visibly.

Twilight also shuddered. Remembering Starlight’s village and their near-perpetual smiles was bad enough, but to imagine Cadance in such a position was a bit too much for her to comprehend. “W-What happened next?”

Dainn’s eyes faltered and shame filled his voice. “The planification of the coming Fall of Equestria.”

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“How many forces can we expect?” I asked inquisitively. Several days had passed since the final overthrow of the Crystal Empire and the acquisition of the Crystal Cock. Shining Armor warned me that Equestria would soon learn that something wrong had happened to the Empire and that he had to act quickly if we wished to have a chance to conquer Equestria in a single swoop.

“Around the main cities forces of the Royal Guard and militias can be found, no more than two thousand each. Canterlot, however, is staffed and protected exclusively by Royal Guards. Three thousand, maybe more,” Shining Armor scoffed while Cadance sucked his cock from under the table. “Won’t matter if we use the crystals first to show them the power of Male Superiority, my liege.”

“Hrrmmm,” I muttered, not voicing my distaste for Storm’s miracle weapons. Sure, they helped us immensely and we would need them to achieve victory. But it was exactly as Oksho had said: we were becoming too reliant on them for everything. “What about the nobles and civilians, will they fight?”

“Some will, I’m sure. The Wonderbolts will be a pain in the ass,” he hissed, thrusting his hips once to make Cadance choke on his cock. She only giggled in response. “The real issues will be Cuntlestia, Slutna, and my bitch of a sister. Not to mention Discord. If we want to win, we need to drag him out first.”

“Leave that to me,” I claimed. “And please call the Princesses by their actual names? I don’t wish to confuse any information,” in all honesty, I just wanted to stop hearing so much vulgarity.

“As you command, my king. Luna is a night owl, but I would rather not fight her at all. If we can contain her somehow, that’d be ideal. Twilight is the most powerful magic caster in the entire nation, but she’s also an insufferable bitch and won’t dare harm any innocent,” again, he scoffed, finding the idea funny. “As for Celestia? I’m not certain. She’s definitely the strongest by a long shot and yet I’ve never seen her go all out. But what I’ve seen infuriates me. How dare a lowly BITCH,” he said, reaching below the desk to force Cadance to gobble his cock, “stand above her male masters?”

“Calm yourself, Shining Armor. We need plans, not anger,” I replied, disturbed by Cadance’s happy mewling and soft gagging noises.

“I can take care of Luna,” Orestes spoke up, dragging a flag and planting it on Canterlot. “I have like-minded friends in the Night Guard that will be easy to sway or convert. With their help, we can make sure Luna is put out of the entire invasion for good. She loves drinking a certain brand of wine. Spice it up with the right stuff, and she’ll be taken care of.”

“Do so, you have my permission,” Ivangri said, smirking. Bastard.

“I am the king and my decision is the only one that matters, Ivangri,” I replied, reminding him of that little fact. He only shrugged and stared at me silently. Coward. Idiot. “But I approve. Go, see to it, Orestes. How do we deal with Celestia and Twilight?”

“Twilight will be tricky. My best bet is to launch a surprise attack, and take her out during the confusion before she can use her magic. Chop off her horn,” Shining Armor replied. “I could send her a letter and make sure she’s with my father and slut-mother when we invade Canterlot?”

“Brilliant idea,” I praised. I wish I could vomit. “Then… that leaves Celestia. If she truly is the strongest alicorn, then she must be some sort of warrior queen. How do we deal with her?”

“Overwhelming force, use the crystals on her and try to force her into her proper place. Failing that, subjugation. No matter how strong she is, she’s still a lowly, stupid cunt,” Vestri prattled, smiling as if victory was a foregone conclusion.

I nodded. “I believe this day should be the day of our assault. The Spring Festival. We will divide our forces across the major cities of Equestria and attack at the same time. There is much to do and plan for my subjects. Leave, organize your units and the troops. Shining Armor, I’ll put you in charge of the logistical efforts for the invasion. Ensure victory and you shall sit at my side,” the white stallion bowed before Cadance finally let go of his cock. I saw her crawl from below the table, her back adorned with a saddle.

Shining Armor mounted her and she began to crawl away with her ex-husband riding her back as if she was but an animal. Many laughed at the display. I could barely watch in silence. Turning around, I also left the room and entered my private studio. I had my own part of the plan to work on, and that involved tricking a literal God of Chaos.

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“Can you guess what the plan of attack was?” Dainn asked with a mirthless tone, a raspy chuckle meeting it.

Twilight closed her eyes for a moment, putting aside the anger and discomfort she felt for what she was about to hear, and set her mind on puzzling together an effective strategy where she was in Dainn's place. “Attacking during the Spring Festival was a good choice… I would’ve chosen Winter Wrap-Up, though. More commotion, fewer armed forces around the streets, and generally an element of surprise to consider. As for the Princesses, taking out Luna through deception and trickery was your best bet.”

“Indeed?” Dainn asked, intrigued. “Luna fell according to the plan set by Orestes, her capture was a trivial thing after that. Why, though? Luna never gave up, never submitted, ‘The Eternal Black Collar’ they called her. Was there something special about her that I didn’t know?”

Twilight sighed uncomfortably. “I know not about this dimension’s Luna, but judging by what you said… really? Not a single account of her exploits landed before your eyes?”

Dainn’s blue eyes shone with fury and regret for a moment. “My followers were… thorough during and right after the conquest. No book, parchment, scroll, or original statue or art piece survived the purge. Very few remained and that little I personally guarded jealously, though it wasn’t enough.”

“So no content with enslavement and mind controlling other species, your kind also enjoyed inflicting casual cultural genocide? Wonderful,” the alicorn said with dripping sarcasm. “But my point still stands. Taking her out was probably your best decision. Celestia is the strongest alicorn by far, and she’s a good fighter.”

“To that, I can agree… not very imaginative, though, as I’ve told you,” Dainn remarked. “Your remark about cultural genocide… I understood it too late in my life. How could have I known it before? The Strong rule, the Weak obey. Surely, the strong have the right to dictate everything about the weak, yes? My people… they saw the butchering and burning and raping and destruction of your culture as a means of curing you. Correcting your culture into the correct one. Ironic, is it not? My council manipulated me into believing our way of life would be destroyed if any diplomatic approach was to be had, and yet they happily eradicate any other culture in their wake.”

“I take it it wasn’t your idea, then? To rewrite our… this dimension’s history to your liking?” Twilight asked, narrowing her eyes.

“History is forged by the victors,” Dainn replied, but shook his head. “But no. Fauber, Master of Whispers, was in charge of that particular side of butchery. By far, he fitted his role to perfection. Maybe too much so. He thoroughly eradicated it and had it replaced and rewritten within the first few months after the invasion. Thramm and Thor aiding him was just the, what was your saying again? Ah, the cherry on top of the ice cream.”

A few seconds passed before he spoke again. “Their particular involvement comes later. For now, let us return to the topic at hand. So, am I to assume that Celestia was more focused on the intellectual side of power than her sister and not at all a true warrior?”

“More or less. Don’t misunderstand, though, Celestia, at least my Celestia, can fight.” Twilight nodded. “Luna, though? She’s the fiercest warrior in Equestria. I am not boasting about her nor am I blinded by admiration. Luna personally trains her Night Guards, she’s a master of over twenty forms of combat, she’s a brilliant tactician, and is the most savage of us all. She may have a liiiiiittle anger-management issue, but an enraged Luna is something to fear. She doesn’t go berserk. Oh no, she’s completely in control and uses her rage as a weapon. Had she been awake during Chrysalis’ invasion attempt, there would’ve been several hundreds of broken drones,” Twilight said with a shiver.

“...you must be joking, Twilight… but I sense no comedic angle in you. I always thought Celestia was the fiercest warrior in Equestria, a Warrior-Queen. How is it possible that Celestia, being the strongest alicorn by your own admission, was surpassed in martial prowess by her sister?” Dainn asked, awestruck and perturbed in equal measure.

“Power is just a word and there are many different types of ‘strength’, Dainn. My magic affinity, power, mind, and capabilities are my strongest assets, not to mention, in my humble opinion, my prodigal scientific mind. Cadance’s power was in empathy, understanding, diplomacy, and mind-weaving. But Celestia’s power came from her rather outlandish capabilities. In magic alone, she was second only to mine - and she knew how to control magic I did not. Her brilliance allowed her to be a master strategist, a manipulator, a chess-master, and her view of perfection was enough to soothe anyone looking at her. Don’t get me wrong, I have no idea what an irate, unleashed Celestia could achieve, but all I know is that she went to great lengths to limit herself every waking moment…,” comprehension landed on both their minds, as if finally speaking out-loud such inquiries had uncovered a secret hidden in plain sight.

“She could’ve ended me at any moment,” Dainn whispered, shaking his head. “But she didn’t… and we all paid the price of my stupidity. That… still doesn’t explain why she fought me on the ground. She had wings. She could’ve… it doesn’t matter now, does it?”

Twilight blushed a little. “Master strategist… not so much a tactician. Besides, Celestia always focused more on healing, defensive, and support magic…”

“Even so, if I could change the past, I would gladly die a warrior’s death - undeserved as it may be for the likes of me - and have Celestia spare those of my people that could be saved and spared than become… this,” he chuckled, his eyes set on empty space. “At least Oksho would’ve approved of such a death: no cowardice, only honor and pride. A death worthy of a true caribou stag. Unlike Anvari, Storm, Ivangri, Vestri… and so many, many more. Cowards. All of them. Then again, here I am. The greatest coward of them all. Gunne, Ginna, Oksho, can you see me? Mock me… mock me and be at peace wherever you are. I will never join you. I do not deserve to meet you again.”

“Dainn…” Twilight muttered, her heart aching at the sight of the broken caribou.

“Think nothing of it, Twilight. Ramblings and stupid ideas, nothing more. Nothing more,” Dainn breathed out, closing his eyes for a moment before turning his attention back to the lavender alicorn.

“...Dainn… since we are speaking about powerful beings. How were you able to tame Discord? The idea alone seems far-fetched. Tirek, the centaur I mentioned, tricked Discord into an alliance and he fell for his trap only because he understood friendship. Did you do something similar? Trick him using friendship?”

The caribou shook his head slowly, blue eyes shimmering and darting around in search of an answer that refused to show itself. “I… do not know, Twilight. My memory is a blank state regarding Discord. All I know is that we met, a deal was struck, and that we met a few times after, but nothing else. No words exchanged, no time spent alongside each other, no interactions, no nothing. I don’t even know what the deal was about or if it was a deal at all. The only thing I am certain about was his position regarding Fluttershy and how protective he was of her. Nothing more. I am sorry.”

“That is… it shouldn’t be possible. Then again, impossible is something Discord uses as a morning punch-line. Do you remember anything besides that? Anything at all? What did he do? Where he lived? Anything?” Dainn shook his head slowly, unable to provide any other answer. “I’m guessing that’s one secret I won’t be able to resolve, then.”

“But there is a secret that you will have in turn. When we attacked- Oh, give me a moment, please,” Dainn stood up and walked away into the darkness, leaving Twilight alone for several minutes until he returned carrying a rusty, worn-out, but still usable hunk of metal that was once a piece of armor. He set it on the table and pushed it to her. “As I was saying, when we attacked, we knew unicorn magic would be a problem. Luckily, or rather… unfortunately, we had this armor. The Nullifier, Storm called it.”

“Let me guess, it nullifies magic?” Twilight scoffed at the ugly piece of metal carved with several intricate-looking runes and symbols.

“It dispersed magic around it. It rendered all but high-level or more magic assaults utterly useless. Cheap to produce, fast to create, easy to maintain or replace. It was… marvelous. And do you see this rune right here?” He tapped on a semi-circle adorned with antlers. “Whenever the armor’s defenses activated, it would imbue the wearer with a spell called ‘Stag’s Heart’, giving them a boost in confidence, morale… and a rush of superiority, making anyone wearing it feel invincible for short periods of time.”

“Yes… yes, I can see it. I know next to nothing about rune crafting, but the basics are there… hmmm, it certainly looks like a perfect anti-magic armor, but I’m seeing a few flaws here and there. All it seems to target is offensive magic, right?” Twilight guessed, her tone mechanical and studious.

“Indeed! Indeed! Go on, try attacking it. The armor still works. Barely, but it works,” he encouraged and Twilight obeyed, shooting a beam of magic at it. As expected, the beam broke apart before it could touch the armor and whatever tendrils did touch it, flew into the armor for a split second, finishing the job and activating the rune he had tapped moments prior. “See?”

“I do. I’m not surprised as to why your invasion was a success as a surprise assault. You basically rendered all unicorn magic useless in one fell swoop,” said the alicorn, praising the hunk of metal for what it was and hating it for what it had been used for.

“And yet, the flaws made themselves known shortly after the invasion began. Defensive spells were still effective, so were illusions, and charming spells. Our armor didn’t react to them at all. Not to mention that we couldn’t mix it with our regular armor or the effects would be lost. Not that it mattered. When I fought Celestia, she shot me with a beam that I thought would do me no harm. It did. The armor weakened her strike, yes, but the ground around me had been reduced to ashes while my fur burned. Unicorns couldn’t use their magic to hit us? No problem, they used telekinesis to throw large boulders at my troops and enchanted puppets, or summon lighting, redirect fire, shoot pressure water… Anvari nearly died when a unicorn mare took the air from his lungs. No attack there.”

Twilight nodded in agreement before grabbing the armor and tossing it aside. She then used her magic to lift a pebble and, in the blink of an eye, shot it at the armor at ludicrous speeds. There was a clang of metal followed by a louder one once the armor hit the ground. Twilight levitated it back to the table only to reveal a small but deadly hole in it.

The caribou snorted. “So much for ‘invincible armor’. Useful, to be sure, but far from invincible. Indirect fire was something we were not used to nor expected to confront. Every caribou death during the invasion now brings me what little joy I can muster these days,” Dainn confessed. “Of course, Ivangri, the scoundrel rat, took the lessons in stride and capitalized them by throwing daggers at unruly ponies, using hostages or turned ponies to lure others out, or bargain for his safety. Fucking coward,” Dainn frowned, his eyes smoldering with bottled anger.

“All it takes is a little outside-the-box thinking to bring something once thought to be infallible down,” Twilight said, a sassy smirk playing on her lips.

“That is an expression my Twilight never made. Hmmm… if only my Celestia would’ve done something like that, instead of playing fair or holding back, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Nothing would make me happier… but here we are.”

Twilight sighed. “Celestia’s greatest weakness is her compassion. She always sees the best in others, believes in second and even third chances, and is motherly, welcoming, and joyful toward everyone. It wouldn’t… no. No, I’m certain she was holding back when she fought you, Dainn. Maybe she saw something in you or in the caribou. Maybe… I don’t know.”

“If she did, she never told me,” Dainn replied, his voice quivering. “Not when we battled, less so when she became a rage-infused beast, and never once the collar was placed around her neck,” he chuckled. “HOW GRAND OUR BATTLE WAS! An easy one-sided confrontation upon which I, King Dainn, had to do was swat away the Alabaster Cunt as easily as deflecting a mosquito. Lies, pure lies and propaganda uttered by Vestri and the rest of my council. I told you, did I not? Oh my, I didn’t! Celestia nearly killed me before I brought her down through trickery and deceit.”

Twilight felt her stomach void, her soul trying to leave her body, and all her senses heard nothing but white noise as she knew the worst part of the tale was about to start. “Tell me… Dainn. Tell me how the Fall of Equestria happened,” she murmured, afraid yet needing to hear his following words.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The sky could hardly be seen amidst the rising pyres of smoke, no birds nor the singing wind could be heard as they were choked behind the sound of battle, screams, and victorious laughter.

It was a day of conquest. It was a day of murder and rape and debauchery. It was the day I proved to be King.

It was the day I sentenced the world and everything in it to die without knowing it.

I was armored in the best suit that could be crafted and provided, fitted to my size perfectly. A warhammer held tightly in my hands, warding runes glowing against the strikes of a desperate, crying alicorn who was fitted with the greatest craftsmanship I’ve ever seen: an armor fit for a goddess, for she was no less than that. Her beauty was smeared by her tears and grief; a beauty so profound that not even Cadance’s could compare to hers. And yet, she attacked, I parried and I was flung to the side again, her massive bastard sword shining a bright light.

“Monster! Please, stop this!” Celestia cried out, begging me to stop. “You can still stop this madness! I’ve seen what you’ve done! What your people have done! Why!? Why did you do it!? What have we ever done to you!?” She asked, charging again and swinging her sword at me.

I dodged and jumped back. She was a million times the warrior I could ever hope to be. How fitting… She was taller than me, stronger, too, and a better warrior. However, she hesitated to strike me down. She showed mercy, compassion, and restraint. I did not. I tried my best to not show how terrified and awestruck I was at the same time before her. My face was a stoic one, barely showing my quickly mounting exhaustion. A little more time, I thought, I just have to buy a little more time.

“Why, you ask? Simple, Celestia. You are undeserving of standing at the top, of ruling the poor stallions that you’ve enslaved under the falsehood that is your matriarchy. I offer them freedom, I offer your mares another path, a proper path. No more suffering, no more doubts, just blissful servitude under the rightful rule of their Masters. I am Dainn, King of the Caribou, and you shall fall before me. You will kneel and bow and beg, you’ll become my pet, my slave, and my toy. Nothing more,” I said the words and the little speech I practiced so thoroughly, borrowing the lessons learned from my mentor and others around me.

“That’s it!? You conquer our land, you enslave my subjects just because you believe you have a divine right to rule!?” Another strike, another dodge. Her grief was making her sloppy, but her anger was mounting, I could see it in her eyes. “Don’t be foolish, Dainn! All you need to do is yield and we will help your kind! They need not suffer whatever drove you to commit such insanity!”

I wanted to surrender. I truly did. I would gladly pay the price, but I couldn’t. Every time I thought about surrendering, it was snuffed out by the thirst and hunger for conquest and subjugation. “The Strong rule, the Weak obey. Do you think not? Defeat me, prove me wrong. But you cannot. A mere cunt cannot defeat a mighty King,” I vomited each rehearsed word masterfully. By long tradition, the King had to face the ruler of every savage tribe we enslaved through combat. I honored that tradition, but only because I could do nothing else. If I died, I would be replaced. If I refused, I would be called a coward and replaced. Victory through battle was my only way to save my people.

Even if it meant dooming another. I would save my people, I would make things better after the conquest. How foolish of me for ever thinking so.

“Yield!” She shouted. “I don’t wish to kill you or your kind! I only wish for peace! We can help you if only you stop this madness, Dainn! Don’t force my hand, I beg you! Stop, surrender, and there may be space for us to--”

“AAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!” A sudden cry stopped our battle, cutting Celestia’s charge and forcing us to look at what had produced that noise.

I saw them. Ivangri, Storm, Anvari, Vestri, and many more warriors, but Oksho wasn’t there. I also saw many enchanted stallions, many still wearing the Royal Guard armor. And dozens of bound mares, many of them being raped right where they stood.

“Face your glory, Princess Celestia! HAHAHAHAHA!” Anvari cried out. “Our blood is strong, stronger than your pathetic pony blood!” Everyone, even the stallion, laughed in unison.

“They have seen the light of Male Superiority and even now, as we speak, droves of cuntish sluts are bowing before their new masters,” Storm declared, pulling out four large crystals from his pouches. “Come and join them, Princess of Cunts.”

I frowned and took a step forth, almost breaking my stoic facade. “You idiots, what do you think you’re doing? This is my fight, I am your King, it is my duty and honor to defeat her!” I shouted, fury blazing within me. Sure, I was waiting for the right moment to subdue Celestia with the ring I had with me, but I was trying to honor our traditions.

It never occurred to me that my own council would come and interfere, showing they had no faith in me whatsoever.

Ivangri, warhammer in hand, charged at the stunned Celestia, ready to claim her as his trophy. I moved to stop him when Celestia suddenly burst into flames. Her sword no longer irradiated light, now it was spewing flames hotter than magma. Her mane and tail became fire columns, her teeth became fangs, her eyes one magenta turned orange and shone with fiery rage. She even looked bigger, stronger, deadlier.

With a swing of her sword, she cut Ivangri’s warhammer in half alongside a deep, burning slice across his abdomen, chest, and right shoulder. He fell to the ground, crying in pain, as Storm threw the crystals at Celestia. The enraged alicorn swung her sword again, shattering the crystals but releasing their corrupting influence, hitting her in full.

I took my chance and charged at her, hoping to use her unease and distraction to my advantage. She turned to me, looking at me with the deepest, purest hatred I had ever seen to that day, and then opened her mouth to release a thick fiery beam of energy that engulfed me for a few moments. When the stream died out, I was still alive but she dropped to a knee, faltering. My armor saved my life, just barely. The ground around me was only ash and the leather on my armor was starting to burn.

I ignored the flames and jumped on Celestia. I burned my hands in the process, but I managed to ring her horn, cutting her from her magic. The fire stopped and she returned to her original form. I wasted no time and slapped a black collar around her neck, claiming her as my trophy even as she slumped to the ground, fighting against the enchantment, that vile corruption with all her strength.

I looked up to a stunned crowd, more had arrived to witness my victory, including Oksho and Gunne. The ponies that weren’t turned looked at their bested Princess with horror. My subjects were smiling, the turned were ecstatic, but Oksho and Gunne were neither. They were, in their own ways, disapproving of my actions.

“You… are defeated,” I breathed out, looking down at Celestia. Regret gripped my heart instantly, but it was soon replaced by the thrill of victory and the intoxicating sensation of superiority. I had won. I had conquered the Sun. And I liked it. I loved it.

“T-That may be so… but there are others who are not. They will fight… they will resist… and--and they will defeat you, monster,” she rasped her words. I could see in her eyes the enchantment at work, trying to make her docile, submissive, and obedient.

“Who else is there to fight? Discord joined us. Three of the Element Bearers have been captured and are in custody as we speak. Cadance and Shining Armor joined us willingly and your sister is in chains. Twilight Sparkle remains free, but she shall fall in due time. You have lost, Celestia. Equestria has fallen to the mighty Caribou,” I said, smiling, enjoying her terror and sorrow.

I then press my right dew-claw on her head, forcing her to the ground as I raise my warhammer to the sky in victory. I said nothing. I couldn’t say anything. I even lost my smile just to further impose the vision of a stoic King.

“All hail King Dainn, the true ruler of Equestria!” Vestri shouted.

Then the cheering and screaming began, mixing together. My name was called, chanted, praised. I had achieved victory for my people. Their survival assured.

And yet… their survival was the last thing on my mind as I heard Celestia whimpering. My victory was absolute.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Silence fell between them once more for what felt like an eternity until Dainn spoke up. “You… aren’t going to strike me again?”

“I can’t,” Twilight answered, her eyes free of tears. “It hurts… It hurts so much but I can’t cry. I’m… I’m more relieved that your kind doesn’t exist in my dimension. I’m not even angry at you anymore… I am so hollow right now,” she sighed, shaking her head. “I… I have to leave soon. I’ll come back tomorrow or the day after that but… before I leave, I have to ask, was that really Celestia?” She leaned forward. “I’ve seen her angry, annoyed, displeased, and disapproving plenty of times before, but never like… like that. Celestia actually trying to kill somepony, no matter how wretched they are? I can’t fathom it.”

“I can, for I have seen it. Pray, Twilight, that you never get to see Daybreaker in the flesh,” he said.

“Daybreaker? I don’t know who that-- wait, that’s what you called that form of hers!?” Twilight asked, insulted.

“No. Celestia named it herself. You didn’t know that?” Dainn asked softly, calmly.

Twilight shook her head and stared into the eyes of the caribou for a moment, piercing into him and her throat hitched. She could see a terrible anguish lingering behind his blue, icy eyes just waiting to be unleashed. She stood up in a hurry and Dainn followed suit.

A sudden clang caught their attention and they both looked down to see a beautiful almost transparent golden necklace, handcrafted to flawless intricate beauty adorned with seven different gems. A pearl, a peridot, a pink diamond, an aquamarine, a sapphire, and two very rare Sunstones. All of them perfectly aligned around the necklace, reflecting the colors of Celestia’s mane, her coat, and her nature as the Princess of the Sun.

“I was wondering when you’d show up,” Dainn whispered, shakily.

Twilight, jaw agape, reached for the necklace and took it without Dainn’s permission or refusal. “W-What is this? It’s… it’s beautiful, Dainn.”

“It’s something I’d rather forget about,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “I… made that necklace for Celestia after she turned into a red collar; an obedient, willing, submissive slave. It was a gift for her being a good pet,” he stopped for a moment, flopping back to his seat, his eyes never leaving the necklace. “Every time I think strongly about Celestia it… it just shows up, as if it has a mind of its own. I’ve tried everything to dispose of it except outright destroying it. It always comes back to me.”

“B-But why did you--”

“Because I tried to take examples from others more worthy than I. Oksho often crafted gifts for his pets and I wanted to do the same. Fitting for someone as he. He was one of the few that never wore anti-magic armor, calling it a source of weakness and wishing to have a real fight, a challenge, rather than rely on underhanded advantages,” he sighed, again, echoing throughout the entire room. “I never got the chance to give it to her. Never got the chance to… it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Twilight gulped, clutching the necklace a little tighter. “Can I… take it home with me? I’d like to show it to my Celestia and see what she thinks of it.”

Dainn shrugged. “Take it. Maybe it wants to go with you? I don’t really care… not anymore,” he choked on air before whispering. “Just… promise me you’ll bring it back? I…”

“Of course. Don’t worry, I’ll return with the necklace. I must go now, Dainn,” spreading her wings, she took flight, leaving a motionless, silent Dainn behind. She flew out of the castle and into the basement where the portal mirror waited for her. Just as she was about to walk through it, she heard it.

A soul-crushing, hauntingly void howl of pure anguish, remorse, hatred, sadness, and sorrow resonated throughout the land, impossibly chilling her very soul to her core. The very wind seemed to simultaneously go silent and carry out the howl of despair everywhere at the same time. A howl that originated from the throne room of Canterlot’s castle and that, as Twilight stepped through the mirror, she could hear an equally haunting howl belonging to that dimension’s Celestia.

Sleep would not come easily to her that night. If at all.