The Dark Mirror Saga: Book 1: The Tale of the Last Caribou

“The Grand Galloping Gala… we should’ve renamed it to something worthier,” Ivangri complained as he swirled around a cup of fine wine in his hand.

“There was neither time nor need to do so. It is a gala, it is grand, and galloping refers to the mingling of high-status males and what can be gained from such an event, not the running act itself,” Vestri replied next to his damnable, incompetent brother.

“Ponies are so… lame. They make good pets and slaves, though,” Hrathr said, careful to measure his words in my presence.

“True. It is bad enough that we have to… include lesser males,” Ivangri said, glaring at Fancy Pants and Hoity Toity talking avidly about their respective mares as they crawled next to them obediently.

I rolled my eyes, already having had enough of their idiotic dick-measuring contest. As I looked around the room, I saw that almost every caribou present was a shadow of their former selves. They were still strong and stood tall, but their bellies were now protruding; heavy with meat, bread, and wine. Even the guards were no better. I could no longer see the proud warrior spirit within them. They were all there just because it was their duty, nothing more.

In contrast, the stallions present were muscular, strong, lean, and ready for battle. They had not stopped training and becoming better. If anything, the Enchantment and their rediscovered ‘history’ urged them to be the best males they could be.

“Now now, Ivangri, don’t judge these lowly fucking animals so harshly. It isn’t fair to compare them to us, the mighty caribou,” Storm chuckled to himself as he sat on the back of a mare. “Hey, bitch, refill my drink.”

My eyes barely followed his arm extending to the side only to see a unicorn mare with her arms bound behind her back. She picked a jar with her mouth and refilled his mug. I only let out a disgusted sound as I reclined on my throne watching the atmosphere of the Gala. The rest of my councilors were mingling with powerful Warlords, Magistrates, and more from across my Kingdom. Prominent figures all… for what was a dying empire at best.

Most peculiar of all the guests was the delegation of zebras that came at the last minute. We’d have some conflicts with the zebras but nothing major. At least, nothing that I was informed about. They were hear to further relations, but their purpose was another.

‘Rank and dank and clank and spank, little eyes and little lies with little ties and little size. You cast not your wisdom into forth, dumbfounded ego set afoot. Beware those that seek red and stain, for all you’ll see will be murk and rain,’ the Spirit sang next to me, cryptic as always. But by this point, I simply stopped listening and took the verbal abuse much the same as when my mentor berated me.

I should’ve paid attention… not that it mattered at that point in time.

My attention shifted once more when two trumpeters announced the arrival of the one stallion I came to respect and that I had not seen for months now.

“Announcing the arrival of King-General Shining Armor of the Crystal Kingdom!” The two half-shouted at the same time. The gates opened… and my eyes grew to the size of diner plates.

There he was, Shining Armor. Tall, strong, proud, and wearing battle-ready armor, greaves, and a cape. His chest was marred with several wounds and scars, some looked fresh, others months old from what his armor allowed him to see. A few cuts were present across his face, too, and his cocky smile showcased nothing but pure strength and dominance. A grey circlet adorned his head, seemingly featureless but exquisite in artistry. Each step he took was marked with the grace of a King.

I should’ve seen it. Or rather, I saw it. His visage was not of a friend, but rather of a predator inspecting his next meal. The armor was heavy and masterfully crafted, fitting and elegant by the best artisans, blacksmiths, and armorers the Crystal Empire had to offer their All-But-In-Name Emperor. The arrogance in his eyes, the armor, and the way he strolled so sure of himself was like I was seeing an inferior version of Svarndagr come again; corrupted, tarnished, and lesser than he was… but mightier than I ever was, even with the changes my body had gone through.

A few guards, his escort, followed suit quietly and obediently, always ready to protect their King-General.

The mares, all of them red-collared, were crawling dutifully next to their Masters. Some of them were being used as mounts; a novel practice implemented by Shining Armor himself. But all of them were… I wouldn’t say mutilated, but it was a close comparison. There were even more cut marks and scars across their naked bodies than those of the stallions. Piercings could be seen across their nipples, clits, docks, and all over their bodies, almost as if placed there at random for no other reason than just because it could be done.

There were bruises and patches of seared-off and burnt fur and skin; the markings of branding irons and the old scars of whips cracking against their flesh. But above all else, their faces were the picture of pure ecstasy. There was no pain, longing, fear, or sadness in those eyes. Only joy. Only… desire.

And as if things couldn’t get worse, she arrived at the back of the group. She was stepping on two mares, broung, shackled, and blindfolded like two disobedient dogs. Her heels dug deep into their backs, causing them immense pain but they were moaning in pleasure.

Cadance had arrived, wearing nothing but a see-through loincloth that covered nothing. Her eyes were deep, hungry, and alluring. Her smile was profound, her cracked lips and the countless scars that should’ve deformed her beautiful face only enhanced that lustful, elegant radiance I saw on her once. Her nipples were linked together via a chain and piercings. And finally, she had a tattoo on her scarred belly, right above her crotch, over where her womb would be located. It was of her Cutie Mark, only inverted, a mockery of what she once represented.

Shining Armor pulled at the chain tightly gripped in his right hand and Cadance advanced after delivering a cruel, sadistic lashing to her servants’ rears, causing them to moan and climax in gratitude to their mistress.

“...Eeehhhhhh?” Hrathr mumbled, out of words for the first time in his life.

“Stooooorm?” Vestri asked, eyes half-closed in disgust while losing all appetite. He then turned to the Runemaster, who was in turn smiling widely at the arrived ex-Princess.

“...What in the--- Storm, should we be concerned?” I finally asked, stunned stupid, and disgusted as I stood up, unable to process what I was seeing.

“My Liege?” Storm replied, confused, while Ivangri looked as if he’d seen the best thing in his damned, cowardly life. “I… do not understand. Is there anything to be concerned about?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” I replied with all the sarcasm I could manage before pointing at the approaching Shining Armor and Cadance. “How about you start with that!? You’ve been in constant and regular contact with Shining Armor and Cad--his cunt! Why did you not inform me of… whatever happened to them!?”

“I don’t see what’s the problem here, my King,” Ivangri said, chuckling. His eyes were wide and longing. “As inferior as ponies are, Shining Armor is living my wet dream. To have such control over that beautiful slut? I am jealous, I must admit!”

“Jealous of… that?” Vestri, still disgusted, asked with incredulity. I must admit, I shared his sentiment. Despite being brothers, it was clear that Vestri had a limit to what he could accept and stomach, depraved as he was. Ivangri… not so much.

“Eeeeeehhhhh…,” Hrathr mumbled again, his brain unable to process what he was seeing or how Shining achieved that level of obedience from his pet.

“Magnificent, is it not?” Storm finally replied, smiling. “The glory of the Enchantment knows no bounds nor limits! Imagine, my King, if all stallions can achieve a level of commitment and visionary devotion to Male Superiority?”

“What I wish to know is what-” I angrily remarked as I pointed a shaky finger at Cadance, “-happened to her!? What’s wrong with Cadance!?”

Storm took a moment to process the question, then answered a single word in return. “Wrong?”

‘When a tower falls and a castle tumbles only dust is settled. Oh, King of Ignorance, are your goals yet rattled?’ The Spirit mocked.

Whatever I was going to say got caught in my throat when I heard Shining Armor calling my name. I turned to face him as he approached. I don’t know what drove me to climb down my throne in order to greet him, but I did. I clasped his hand and instantly felt that something was terribly wrong with him.

“King-General Shining Armor. I welcome you to the Gala,” I said, noticing that several guests had taken a keen interest in my personal greeting.

“King Dainn, my Liege,” he said, though his tone was almost mocking, “I have responded to your invitation and graced this event with my presence. I’m sure that you already know my bitch?” He said, yanking at the chain again causing Cadance to moan from the pain it caused her. “Greet our King, slut.”

It was… it was like watching a living nightmare. Or perhaps this is one of those parts in which my memory is foggy, but that is how I always remember it. Cadance moved with grace, elegance, and devotion… but in a way that twisted her movements with unending dark desire. I could see it in her eyes, the need to cause pain, harm, and pleasure all at the same time. She was not only a predator, but a devourer stalking onto whatever was unlucky enough to catch her attention.

She was seduction and allure, terror and desperation… and I couldn’t look away until she bowed deeply at my hooves. She kissed them, greeting me wholeheartedly. And in that instant, the monster was gone and only the grotesque thing she’d become; without a horn, with sheathed wings, and degraded to a point that I would not wish upon anyone, remained.

“My King,” she began, her voice like a twisted melody, “this lowly cunt greets you and hopes you are in fine health to lead your glorious Kingdom,” a simple greeting, a kind one too, but it was anything but.

“She is well trained, I see,” I replied, somehow managing to keep a straight face. “You seem… overly armored for a Gala event, Shining Armor. One could even think that you’re expecting to fight? Go to battle, perhaps?” I asked, trying to see if his choice in wardrobe was due to the desire for conquest… or something else.

“One would be wise to expect a battle everywhere, my King. Let us enjoy this outstanding event and see that our bonds remain as strong as ever?” He ended with a chuckle.

“In that case, we can start the Gala in full. Please, feel at home,” I said.

“Not quite,” Shining replied in a tone that he thought I couldn’t hear. “Hooks, stocks, and knives are missing~”

“Excuse me, what?” I asked, feigning that I didn’t hear him.

“Oh, nothing you should worry about, my King,” Shining replied.

I should’ve done something. Confronted him. Anything at all. And yet I did the same thing I only knew how to do: I kept quiet. So, instead of that, I moved to my throne and used a bell to get everyone’s attention. The groups remained the same, the zebras along with their own female zebra mare pets, and the rest of my guests turned to me, giving me their attention. Shining was now with Ivangri and Storm, talking among each other with Ivangri all but worshipping the stallion.

“My fellow males,” I began, my voice booming thanks to the enchantment of a rune, “I welcome you to the first Galloping Gala of my rule. Gentlemen, warriors, scholars, and equestrian guards, I extend to you my gratitude for your tireless efforts in building and maintaining our new Kingdom. A true society of equality where all males can enjoy the benefits that our birthright gives us. A dream that started when the survivors of our homeland arrived at the shores of Equestria and we saw the cruelty of a mare-dominated society!”

“We sought to correct this evil, this crime against the natural order, and we did. Together with fine stallions who saw the light and were liberated from the oppressive clutches of a matriarchal yoke, we brought down the false rulers, the tyrannical alicorns that kept worthy males from achieving their rightful place in the world.”

Every word was a lie crafted by the need to maintain order. And the more I spoke, the more I saw the error of my ways. The altruistic reign of Celestia had been turned into a twisted, horrid tyrannical tale of a mare that wished ill upon all males. The fierceness of Luna was stained as cowardice and stupidity. The loving, caring guide of Cadance was now the ideal path to follow for all females who knew their place beneath the hooves of males. And the intelligence and unrelenting spirit of Twilight Sparkle reduced to mockery and vile propaganda.

Their only fault was their weakness… nothing more.

“Before, the so-called heroes of Equestria used weapons called Elements of Harmony to defeat those that threatened their rule. But such things were naught but pieces of rock, painted and used to further bring the worthy stallions down to stupidity and ignorance. Relying on an all-mare team that supposedly saved their homeland? Pathetic! Lies! Where were they when we brought liberation? Cowering and fleeing. Now, they are nothing. Scattered across the land as trophies,” I said, my eyes drifting to Ivangri and the way he grabbed his crotch, still remembering the pain Applejack gave him before her escape.

When I remembered her, the others came to mind. Rarity was submerged in debauchery, taken by Cadance and I knew nothing more. Pinkie Pie… her mind almost lost, but still shined through from time to time, baking whenever she could. Rainbow Dash, fierce as always, never broken. Twilight Sparkle, along with my other pets, waiting for my return. And Fluttershy, safely kept by Discord who, I noticed, was not present.

“History was uncovered. The truth was finally open for all to see. Rejoice! For together we shall create a true Maletopia! A never-ending paradise for all males to enjoy in true equality! Eat, drink, and enjoy the festivities! For Male Superiority!”

“For Male Superiority!” Came the reply as cheers finally erupted in full force and the applause drummed against my ears.

After that moronic speech, I went around to meet and greet my guests personally. I barely touched any food there. I had already lost my sense of taste except for the treats Pinkie Pie made in her moments of sanity. I ignored the moans and cries of sexual pleasure coming from all around me and came to a halt near the balcony where no one would disturb me for at least a few minutes. Unfortunately, I was not far away enough to not hear two caribou soldiers spit-roasting a mare.

“I’m telling you, blanked mares are the best. They no longer have a single thought in their useless brains. They only obey! She sucks cock so good. Dumb bitch must think it’s a sprinkler!” The first one said as he drove his hips against the face of the lobotomized mare.

“Hear hear!” The one fucking her cunt agreed. “They’re always tight and wet. They’re way better than some noisy-ass black collar.”

Three more caribou were with them, watching and talking with the two guards. I leaned in closer to hear them better. “And now you’re just talking shit. Blanked cunts are good, yeah, but they are so damn boring! I like my sluts to scream when I beat or whip them! Nothing quite comes close to hearing a pony bitch crying her eyes out while begging me to stop hurting her!”

“Or when they shout stupid nonsense like ‘You’ll pay for this! I’ll cut off your cock! Have mercy, please, no more!’. Stupid cunts. It’s funny how much they think they have any value other than worshipping our cocks,” another one added.

“Red collars and blanked cunts are fine and all, but there’s something so… primal about breaking a black collar that just doesn’t happen with the other cunts. Griffon cunts are feisty, changeling whores are tricky, and these new zebra mares are just red collars. No challenge at all and no fun. But pony black collars? Wish there was a way to make more,” the third one added, smiling wickedly. “Nothing gets me harder than raping them while they beg me to stop~ Their tears and cries of pain are the fucking best.”

I had heard enough. My stomach lurched, my legs wobbled, and my anger intensified. But before I left, I heard one of them speak one last time.

“Hey, what if we come up with some sort of black-collar breeding program? I’m sure the King will love it!” He chuckled. “Or we could convince Lord Ivangri first?”

I left them after that, not wanting to hear any more of their perverted antics. I reached my throne once more and I sat down… and grimaced. At my side, the Spirit only smiled, empty and vacant, as if everything it was seeing was nothing more than a theatre play or a bad joke waiting for the punchline.

It was the latter.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dainn stopped and covered his eyes with his frail hands. “How can someone be as blind as I was? As useless and as cowardly and yet as destructive? I would give anything for a chance to rectify all of my mistakes, starting with the desire to save my kind. Perhaps… that was our destiny, but my compassion condemned my dimension…”

“Compassion is never something to be ashamed about, Dainn. Not many would do as you did, take the lengths you took to do what you initially thought to be the right thing,” Twilight said softly. “I can’t really judge you for your intentions, just your actions… and lack of actions. But, at least, I believe there is good in you.”

“Guilt and pain can be confused for goodness… but maybe you’re right. Not that it matters anyway,” Dainn replied, sighing. “Take those guards for example. If I had any strength like Svarndagr’s, I would’ve unleashed The Worst right on the spot for uttering such words. Useless… such needless violence. Unjust. Malicious. Vile… and yet I did nothing.”

“What could you do? Even if you went against your species, you’d lose whatever credibility you had and, at worst, would’ve got you killed in the end,” Twilight replied. “But those guards were disgusting. I understand sadism, but that? That was just cruelty because they felt like they had the right to do it. The Elements of Harmony would’ve turned them into stone, they were so vile,” she replied with a huff.

“So I understand now. But I never quite understood one thing. What are the Elements exactly? I always thought they were artifacts of great power,” asked Dainn.

“Not exactly. They are artifacts but not in the sense you know them to be. They aren’t physical, but they can be. In essence, the Elements of Harmony are the representation of, well, an element that, combined, create Harmony. Or an aspect of it at the very least. Magic, Laughter, Loyalty, Honesty, Generosity, Kindness. Things that to a caribou were anathema,” Twilight replied.

“Then what of the bearers? What is your purpose?” Dainn asked curiously.

“The Bearers can be whoever the Elements, or the Spirit, chose to embody a trait of said Element. We are not the masters of the Elements, we are simply a conduit. And we know not to abuse its power. Rather, we use it as a last line of defense or as punishment against villains that disrupted that Harmony. Alone, they are powerless,” Twilight sighed. “And in my dimension, we’ve used them quite a bit. Hopefully, that will change soon.”

“I share your sentiment. Mayhaps your new lack of reliance on the Elements will mark the beginning of a new era?” Dainn asked, intrigued.

“Perhaps, but for now, let’s continue. I want to hear how my brother and Cadance changed so much. Simply imagining that was… a gut punch. What did you create with that Enchantment? Not even Discord’s personality-altering magic or mind control spells work like… like that poison.”

“Poison… a curious choice of word to describe the Enchantment. Yes. It was a poison. A vile one. What little I can describe does nothing to convey the horror of what I saw in their expressions, those ugly, bleak eyes. And even now, I still don’t understand why it only worked on ponies. It wasn’t tailored-made to affect only ponies, yet it did. A blessing in disguise, perhaps? Unwittingly, we turned ponies into a new version of us caribou,” he ended with a chuckle, uncovering his eyes at last.

Twilight tilted her head. “What’s so funny?”

“Now that I say it out loud, it’s like a twisted joke only I now understand. We tried so hard to indoctrinate the ponies into accepting our ideals with countless lies, propaganda, fake history, and constant comparison to us that, in the end, it worked. We removed everything that made ponies, well, ponies, and instead reprogrammed their very essence into becoming Caribou 2.0. A more heartless, cruel joke I have never heard and it was entirely done in our pursuit of making them in our image. It worked a little too well!” Dainn declared with a single, mirthless laugh.

Twilight chuckled darkly. “I have to admit that it is kinda funny… in a dark, morbid kind of way. Be careful with what you wish for, eh? I hate that dark humor makes so many good points,” she said, shaking her head slowly. “Dark humor aside, I do have a few questions about the Gala. May I?” Dainn nodded. “Why were the zebras there? They’re friendly and mystical. We don’t see many of them in my dimension, but I wouldn’t expect the ones from your dimension to be much different.”

“The zebras present at the Gala were there for diplomatic reasons,” Dainn replied in a sarcastic tone. “It couldn’t be further from the truth. You see, Twilight, after our initial conquest, several Warlords and Generals tried to keep the conquest train rolling. They attacked in every direction available with little to no success in most cases. But none was more devastating than against the zebras.”

“What? Why? Their mystical magic is strong, but they’re not hostile. At least, not the ones I know,” the lavender alicorn asked.

“Simply put? The weather,” he replied.

“The weather? But how could that-- ohhhhh, you’re made for colder and temperate climates, but Zebrica is a hot savannah. You caribou would have a hard time just living there, let alone conquering,” she realized.

Dainn nodded. “That’s it precisely. The Warlords in charge were forced to rely on pony guards. They failed miserably. Without any caribou to keep them in check and give them orders, they did whatever they wanted. The zebras weren’t unscathed, though. Several villages were razed and their mares were taken as prisoners and raped by the pony guards. But they were nevertheless pushed back and out of Zebrica,” he scoffed, smiling. “The zebras were cunning. They pretended to send a delegation of diplomats to establish relations and they even sent several shipments of ‘gifts’ in the form of gold and tributes of obedient mares for us to enjoy.”

Twilight was taken aback. “W-Why would they do something like that? It sounds to me like they could defend themselves easily from further caribou attacks.”

“And I thought the same, but at the time I didn’t care much for that. One less enemy and a potential ally or subject was far more enticing than having to deal with them in battle. But as I said, the zebras were clever. The mares they sent were volunteers, knowing exactly what would happen to them but they didn’t care,” he hummed deeply, smirking coldly. “Their mission was one of infiltration and espionage. After all, who would ever think that a female could do anything remotely intelligent?”

“That… is certainly something the zebras would do. They rarely do things straightforward and prefer to deal with problems outside direct conflict if they can help it,” Twilight replied. “Did you, I mean, the caribou as a whole, not you directly, try to invade them again without using stallions? Why not wear heat-insulating enchanter armor? I think that even for someone as depraved and self-centered as Storm could figure that one out, no?”

“Oh, he did. He created armor that could allow any caribou to survive in the scorching, suffocating heat of Zebrica. But no further attempts were made,” Dainn replied, eyes narrowing. “The zebras promised to be subservient and their many tributes and gifts were more than enough to convince my councilors of their sincerity. They thought the zebras feared our might and buckled under our control rather than risk direct battle. The fools,” Dainn shook his head, chuckling darkly. “Tell me, Twilight, isn’t there something missing within these tributes?”

Twilight thought about it for a few moments, then her eyes widened. “They never offered you food.”

“Precisely,” Dainn replied, growing silent for several seconds. “Perhaps… I noticed their ploy and did nothing, hoping subconsciously that the sand castle I made finally collapsed… perhaps I didn’t, showing how truly ignorant I was,” he shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. They showered us with gold, trinkets, and females, but never gave us a crumb of bread.”

“And you bought food from other places when the stockpiles began to run out,” Twilight concluded. “Why didn’t you demand food as tribute?”

“Because of the same reason the armor Storm developed failed. Pride and ego. The armor on itself worked wonders but had a fatal flaw. It couldn’t be used alongside the anti-magic armor we have grown so accustomed to wearing. They canceled each other out, leaving us vulnerable. We either had to pick to be vulnerable to magic or the heat. The latter was picked,” Dainn puffed his chest, which wasn’t much there to puff.

“No self-respecting caribou would admit any sort of weakness! The perfect species, the greatest of all, defeated by mere weather? Nonsense!” Dainn returned to his normal posture and sighed. “We made a thousand and one excuses for every shortcoming of our species, all to always present ourselves as invincible. Powerful. Strong. Stronger than everyone else. What a joke. We had adopted the anti-magic armor like a second skin and refused to advance further. Stagnation and complacency are the preferred states of my kind, it seems,” he finished with a spitless spit.

“Not all of you,” Twilight replied, “I’m sure Oksho, his warriors, and Svarndagr would’ve used that armor instead of making excuses.”

“And you’d be correct, Twilight,” said the caribou King. “Svarndagr hated making excuses without fundament. It was either possible or not, and if it wasn’t, why? There was no time to preen feathers to make someone look better.”

“For all his faults, he was not one to tolerate bullshit,” Twilight said, chuckling. “What was the main goal of the zebras? Cause instability? Strike you from within?”

“I… don’t remember,” Dainn replied, closing his eyes and massaging his temples. “I remember them preparing to invade and replace us. Another memory says they were going to liberate Equestria. Another yet suggests they only wanted us to fall into a civil war… it’s one of those memories I can’t recall precisely no matter how hard I try.”

Twilight nodded. “I understand. What happened after the Gala?”

“The beginning of the end, what else?” Dainn replied grimly.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After the Gala ended, I retired for the night. I couldn’t withstand being near my idiotic council and I wanted to be as far away from Shining Armor and Cadance as I could be. Once I was alone in my quarters, my pets already asleep, I walked out to the balcony only to find the Spirit sitting by the railing already.

“Could you please not!?” I remarked angrily, almost begging. “I had a terrible night… you were there! Can’t just have a moment of peace?”

‘Peace, piece, pies, peas! Doom and cloak come crackling down, your eyes open and yet you don’t see! Warnings ignored, the path taken to set aside,’ the Spirit began, then turned to me, giving me a completely empty look. ‘So, how are things?’

“Look… if you have a problem with me and what I have done to ensure the survival of my species, why don’t you use your so-called powers to stop me? Surtr is still out there, causing havoc and I’m unable to stop him. He should be an easy thing for you to deal with, no?”

‘Culture dead, land poisoned, strength absorbed, power stolen. Why should one stop the death of a once beautiful land to deny the punishment deserved? Alicorns tamed, you believe this to be so. History broken. Traditions burned. Lies eclipsing truth. Broken and marred Celestia is. Weak and resentful Luna remains. Cadance tarnished. Twilight consumed,’ it smiled at me, from cheek to cheek. Unnatural and horrid. ‘Are you happy, Dainn? A goal accomplished. Lies believed and now there's no escape from the hole that was dug by hands dirty and stained. Innocent? Joke. Guilty? Joke. Let the final curtain fall.’

“Stop talking in fucking riddles and say what you came to say! I have had it with your crippling words! So what if I burnt and raped this land!? The ponies were weak! WEAK! I am stronger! I AM KING! I am Svarndagr’s only heir! I will save my people! I… I have done too much to stop now, Spirit. If I wasn’t in the wrong, then why didn’t you stop me? I know you have the power to do that and more… why let me continue?”

‘Aid was offered. Advise given. Implored. Begged. A thirsty Warlord - insecure child, nothing more- seeking to be greater. Respected. Not so. Your desire was fulfilled. A perverted land of defilement and waste, yours to claim. Ignorant fool, oh King of arrogance. To not understand my intent and my ways; my power is not mine to wield, only to lend prosper. You seek simple ways, can’t comprehend the nature of what is not in your mind.’

“I am not some ignorant fool!” I retorted, each word stabbing a dagger in my heart, for I knew the Spirit spoke the truth. “We are sinking in desperation! We wasted our riches! Destroyed machines and tools that did not fit our ways! Lavish banquets and feasts have drained our storages and little is produced! I know the catastrophe that is to come, Spirit! Stop us! Save your precious ponies!”

‘Precious? My form is not mine. Borrowed. Greatest of the alicorns. You snubbed her. You snubbed them all. Those that gallop and tread mark the path forth. Yours has been chosen, I can only watch. Observe. Laugh. Wait. My warnings you ignored, tossed aside. Now, your hearth is gone, the barren land strikes. Nothing done by my hand. Why must I strike you down when your actions do it alone?’ The Spirit giggled. ‘No need to act. Empty shall stop your tracks. Divided a house now stands. And in the ashes of the dead, you will forever step.’

I exploded in anger. “THAT’S IT!” I shouted, throwing a punch that went through the Spirit. As I vented my frustrations on the Spirit, I continued to punch it, but the Spirit never moved, didn’t budge. My efforts were worthless. “I’ve had it with you! You are just a DUMB FEMALE, SPIRIT! I am King! KING! I am always on the right! My will is absolute! What have I done wrong!?” I shouted, even though I knew the answers and how false my proclaims were.

“My people are safe in a new land! They are pleased! The Cycle has been ended by my hand! MINE! Not Svarndagr’s, not Ivangri’s, not Vestri’s, not Storm’s, not Oksho’s! MY HANDS ENDED IT!” I snarled in fury, my punches waning. “The ponies were weak and wicked! I saved them from the clutches of a matriarchy! They now serve me! For I AM STRONG and they are WEAK! The strong rule, the weak obey! THE STRONG RULE, THE WEAK OBEY!”

“My kingdom shall thrive forever! Nothing will fall! I shall be remembered for all time as the one who brought order to this land! The one who saved my species from extinction! And this is only the start!” A fire burned in my chest, odd and new. Strange. Powerful.

Dangerous.

“Equestria was just the first step. Soon, my legions shall spread across the world and conquer it! I shall place the natural order of things as they should be! Male Supremacy shall reign supreme and with it, the caribou shall forever stand at the top of the pyramid! All weaklings shall be enslaved, every female shall know her place beneath our hooves! WE ARE STRONG! STRONG! STRONG! STRONG!” I threw a final punch and I glared at the Spirit.

“And nothing will stop me! Discord is on my side! Other nations shall bend before my might! Nothing has the power to stop me! Or you would’ve done so already, you damnable Spirit! COME ON! I dare you to stop me! STOP ME, DAMN YOU!” My last shout caused me to cough and I fell on my knees, breathing harshly.

I remained there, kneeling in front of the Spirit for what felt like an eternity until a messenger tapped my shoulder. I turned to him and his expression drained the blood from my face. There was fear in his eyes, his hands were shaking, and his lips quivered.

“What do you want? Why are you here? Who let you in?” I asked as I stood up.

“M-My King… I knocked on your door… I… I’m terribly sorry but you didn’t answer in over an hour so… so I invited myself in. My King… you have to see this,” the young caribou, no older than fifteen, a page in all essence, said as he shakily offered me a piece of paper.

I took it and I lazily read it. I froze when I reached the point of greatest concern. I read it over and over again, not wanting to believe what I was reading. But it was true. I looked up at the messenger with as much collected calm as I could manage. “Leave. I need… to think.”

“My King,” he said, his worry diminishing thanks to my deceitful stoicism.

When he was gone, I read the paper one last time and despaired. “The… the last of our stockpiles are in the red and only a paltry amount is being harvested. Entire fields had been invaded by Rape Vines… others burned and destroyed by Surtr… and what little is produced is not even worth mentioning…,” I muttered to myself, shaking. I was a fool in many aspects, but not regarding this.

“Every report I received… was false before this one. Who sent this?” My eyes razed across the document to read a single name at the bottom. “Gunne… oh Gunne… What have I done?”

‘A starless sky greets you with a mocking smile. The last of your food is gone; no more crumbs to fill your bellies, no more wine to slake your thirst. Maybe that will be enough to stop your reign?’ The Spirit chanted without mockery or anger. That hurt the most, what made me hate it at that moment. There was only pity, sadness, and disappointment in those golden eyes and that melodious sing-song voice. A gripping sadness that made it clear a line had been crossed that shouldn’t have been.

“You… you knew! You caused this!” I countered, glaring at the Spirit, but it just shrugged.

‘Blind is not enough, deafness afflicts this fool. My prattle and battle are not the same. Nothing of my doing, only the consequence of your undoing. Of cause and pain, of terror and sadistic gain; you stand alone amongst the crows, watch yourself, for chaos comes in droves.’

With that said… the Spirit vanished from my sight. There was no gloating, no laughter, no cruel remark… only sadness and pity in those golden eyes. At least for that night, it would leave me alone. But I knew better.

The War of Food was about to begin.