//------------------------------// // 2 - Escalation - Rewritten // Story: To Be Malevolent // by The Bannerlord //------------------------------// Clover stood petrified, expression that of great terror. Never before in all of his life, had he bore witness to such ineffable magical capability. As he observed the shrouded Unicorn interact with the crystalline tree, a wave of twisted magic was unleashed from it. The Unicorn himself failed to notice such power being emanated, however it seemed as if he couldn’t see it. He felt magic wrap around his barrel, it was Starswirl’s, pulling him back from the cave entrance. Both Unicorns concealed themselves behind a boulder, merely catching a glimpse of the charcoal Unicorn, who had collapsed onto the cold floor. Starswirl, being rather reasonable in this situation urged his colleague to find the Unicornian guards. Clover stubbornly stayed, beholding the tree and its pawn with intent. Not soon after did the Unicorn rise to his hooves, and shook his head, seemingly still dazed from the experience prior. All of a sudden, he burst into laughter. Peculiar. He trots forth, one hoof held to his head, leaving behind the damnable tree, not even sparing a glance at its radiance. The mist followed, emerging seemingly from nowhere and shrouding his lower body. Clover felt his companion drag him once more. “Damn you Starswirl,” He whispered, though it was more a hiss. “just this one time, allow me to watch in peace.” He defiantly stood in place, hiding behind one of the boulders despite his fear mounting as the figure drew closer to the cave entrance. But Starswirl wasn’t going to abandon his colleague, never in a million years. He knew the danger of the current situation, what he had beheld was merely a fraction of the tree’s magic. Eventually the petulant behaviour had to end. He ignited his horn, wrapping Clover in a blanket of grey magic and forcefully dragging him. The response given was resistance. Unfortunately, it was already too late. The Dark Unicorn had already seen them, heard them too. He snapped his head towards the pair curiously observing them. They seemed less like bandits are more akin to magicians with their choice of wear. Then he saw the horns. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he recognised one of the two. He could hear an echo within his mind. ‘Starswirl’ It constantly reverberated, like an itch he couldn’t scratch. He merely listened, it sounded like a name. Looking into the banks of ‘his’ memories, a figure of light grey colouration donning an azure cloak, a mane of brown. Ah, that must be the legendary ‘Starswirl’, interesting. Now I remember. Though, his memories were quite nebulous. Now, before him, Starswirl and his companion were seized with a brief terror. Perhaps his appearance frightened them? No, the Earth ponies paid little attention to that. Perhaps it was his magic? The mist? The tree? Both Unicorns were quick to adopt a combat-ready stance and ignite their horns with magical flame, prompting the darker Unicorn to retreat a few steps, his expression was one of slight shock. Both Clover and Starswirl aggressively advanced, their backs towards the entrance as they forced the Dark Unicorn back towards the tree. Just then, they heard galloping coming from the outside accompanied by the rattle of mail. The signal of the guard. They came from the shades, charging through the dense woodland foliage. At that moment, they were almost angelic, one could swear their eyes glowed with a bright white. They were quick to surround the Dark Unicorn, spears raised and readied for battle. Chaos, for his part, was stationary, merely observing the show that these silvery knights had so kindly given him. He merely smiled. Not even a grin, sneer, or scowl. He wasn’t as surprised by the guards taking immediate action against him, after all, he was a tall, dark Unicorn surrounded by mist and two seemingly important figures were against him. Still, their sudden appearance and subsequent belligerence made him uneasy, having only escaped recently and getting used to an actual form. The mist didn’t rise, his horn didn’t light, the illuminating glow of his eyes dimmed. He didn’t desire conflict. “Lower your weapons, and we may all leave unharmed.” He offered. Despite his confidence, he needn’t face these clearly well-trained soldiers. To his dismay, they failed to comply to his request, merely giving feint attacks with their spears. Perhaps they needed a little more convincing. But there was no time for convincing. Clover hurriedly spoke up. “Don’t trust this… thing! You can feel that damnable magic too, can you not?” and to his gratitude, the others nodded. The Captain waved his hoof, and his subordinates complied, etching closer to the Dark Unicorn. ‘They mean you harm. Show them harm.’ Suddenly, his eyes slightly widened. Mentor? He subconsciously obeyed the command, the mist surrounding his hooves billowing and manifesting into a halberd of pure magic. He flourished the weapon, twirling and spinning it within the grasp of levitation. Meanwhile, his eyes scanned the guard retinue, assessing the danger each Unicornian posed. The Unicornians unanimously agreed to take a step back, noticing the mist now crawling towards them. As they attempted to retreat further, the mist created a barrier at the cave entrance, lashing out at whomever desired escape. They had to stand and fight. Starswirl felt a sinking feeling in his gut as his companion and fellow Unicornians were forced into a tighter and tighter circle by the mist wall. Then, the halberd was pointed towards Sturdy Shield. “You first.” Spoke Chaos, whose voice was now darker, tone a seriousness that struck deep into the Captain’s skull. Those deathly pearl-white eyes, he could swear he saw death in them, he could see fire. As the Unicornian attempted to move forward, he felt his lower body trapped by the miasmatic mist, dragging him back to his original position. He looked up to the Dark Unicorn, who gave a shake of the head. Suddenly, a sharp pain struck the Captain. The sensation of a thousand needles striking deep into his pelt and flesh beneath, the pain was brief. Or at least, the first wave. Then came another, this time, daggers instead. He cried in excruciating agony, never before experiencing pain of this calibre. He collapsed to the floor, panting and gasping for air. His subordinates looked to him in terror. His body was fine. Nothing was happening to it. It was his face, it was his screams, they were nothing the guard had ever beheld. Multiple soldiers of Unicornia attempted to fell their Captain’s tormentor. One lunged for him, spear in front ready to pierce the beast’s hide. Yet the Dark Unicorn merely swiped his ethereal halberd towards the assailant with the flat surface of its side, knocking him aside with force. A thump was heard along with the rattling of chained mail. The poor guard cried out as he was incapacitated, and soon the mist had latched onto his body, restraining him to the cold floor. Clover and Starswirl took were taken by the mist, though left unharmed. The Dark Unicorn merely walked pass the Captain, as he did, the mist parted. The others looked in confusion. The Unicornian guards lit their horns in an attempt to restrain him. However, as their magic reached him, he turned to face the group and shook his head in disappointment. The mist once more soared towards them, wrapped itself around multiple unfortunate soldiers of Canterville. Slowly, and oh so agonisingly slowly, the Apparition approached his first victim, eyes coldly gazing down on the writhing Captain. The mist lifted his body closer to the Dark Unicorn, whom extended a hoof, pushing the chin to meet eye to eye with the Unicornian. There was only one expression, one emotion. Fear. He was terrified beyond relief. He was going to die. And Chaos? Behind that emotionless mask he wore, the shadowed pony grinned. It felt as if a pressure was being removed from his head, however brief it may have been. Still, there were questions. “Tell me, who sent you?” A cold breath escaped his maw as he spoke, his magical grip merely tightening around the Unicornian Captain as he failed to respond. Throwing the Unicorn to the floor, he turned to face the cave entrance once more, preparing his leave. A part of his mind told him to continue, get as far away from this cave as he possibly could. Another, more sadistic part spoke only one word; No. It was then a sharp pain unveiled itself in the back of his mind, clawing at it, attempting to escape, to be free. Gently placing a hoof on his head, he scratched his mane. It was nothing compared to the pain he regularly dealt with, to compare it to that would be an itch compared to a burn wound. Ever so slowly, it grew in intensity, until it wasn’t an itch anymore. His eyes widened; his head slightly turned to look back. He heard a voice crying out for freedom. It sounded eerily similar to his. He stumbled backwards, his gasps and pants quickening. Without a clue to what was happening to him and his sight becoming hazy, he sat onto the floor, attempting to calm himself down. Then, he heard it clearer. ‘Let me out!’ The cry reverberated within his mind. Every crevice was forced to listen as the shrill demand was uttered over and over again. He lost concentration over the mist, it slowly dispersing as he focused his attention on the now agonising pain. He gritted his teeth, a hiss escaping beforehand. Weakly lifting himself, he noticed through the haze that the others had recovered from their brief torment. Silently cursing, the Dark Unicorn forced his body to move back, despite his control weakening on it. Then, his hearing dampened, his vision was impaired, he could neither feel nor sense. The darkness of his pelt receded to reveal the prior, lighter and ashen form. He took his last breath before darkness took him. His last words, hisses. “… That… Isn’t… Possible…” Captain Sturdy Shield had recovered from his shock. He was the fastest to realise the pain he had felt was phantom. Those blades that sank into his flesh weren’t real. The blood he had beheld was false. Lies produced from the shadowed mist. Now, that mist had dispersed, there was only the dark apparition of a unicorn remaining. However, no longer was his coat a charcoal, or did his eyes bleed a white flame. No, now there laid a rather frantic Unicorn, expression one of fear and shock. His soldiers were quick to surround the ashen pelted Unicorn, whose futile attempt to seemingly retreat had been stopped. Without hesitation, they restrained him, ethereal chains and manacles appearing onto his hooves. The ashen Unicorn only caught a glimpse of what appeared to be Starswirl and a companion of his approaching before a blindfold was wrapped around his eye. The world was abruptly silenced when a blunt object collided with his scalp. It was mere moments later his body collapsed to the floor, unconscious. Time Skip Starswirl looked down at the unconscious Unicorn. It was him, no doubt about it. Guilt crawled up his body, whispering into his ear, its cruel breath turned his blood into solid ice. He was snapped from his musing once Clover had prodded him with a hoof. Turning his head, what he saw in the eyes of his colleague was regret, possibly for endangering them in the first place. Possibly something else. It was another moment before the cloaked Unicorn looked to the floor and apologised. “I’m sorry.” It was sincere, yet he found no will to speak after that near-death experience. Both Unicorns gave each other a smile, and Starswirl too apologised for dragging his friend with magic. Clover snapped his head towards the ashen Unicorn, expression morphing from regret to that of a scowl. He growled at him, and at that moment, a terrible… No. Horrible idea appeared in his mind. Starswirl looked to his friend and colleague in concern, alternating between him and the ashen Unicorn he had named Peregrine. Clover, whose expression was now a grin approached the Captain. “I believe I have a fitting punishment for this ball of grey.” He gestured to the Unicorn. “At least, he’ll be somewhat useful to us.” As he spoke, Sturdy Shield looked on intently, intrigued at Clover’s proposal. “Take him to my laboratory. Now!” He ordered, and the Captain obeyed. The light grey Starswirl turned his attention fully on his colleague. He was shocked. “Clover! What do you mean?!” He didn’t need an answer, he knew it already. But Clover answered anyway. “The magic of the tree must be uncovered, Starswirl. It can and shall benefit Unicornia greatly.” “Damn you Clover.” Starswirl cursed under his breath, his colleague merely trotted towards the Tree, once more entranced by its properties. Time Skip Perhaps it was the emptiness that terrified him. Perhaps, the shadows, the darkness. The fear of the unknown. But where he stood, there was nothing. Nothing at all. No taste, no aroma. No sound either. But there was one sensation. The ground. There was ground here. And as he pressed down a hoof, the world came to life. The luminescent glow of sunlight pierced through the clouded skies. The wind mourned too, brushing the formerly verdant fields of grassland, now a dull, colourless expanse of grey. There, in the far reaches of the now fully formed battlefield, there stood he. That… thing. Gazing down upon the sea of carcasses clad in armour. He too took a glance at the field of battle. Banners with emblems symbolising the sun were strewn across the land. Battered plates of gold and iron too laid scattered, still attached to their prior owners. Curiously, many plates of a different design and style laid empty, a vile mist erupting from their remnants. That mist followed a trail through the blood-soaked fields and made contact with his hoof, joining with the greater shroud that followed in his hoof-steps. And with every step he made, blood flowed down the battlefield and colour returned to the world, no matter how dark it was. The Dark Unicorn too felt curious of the battlefield, as the ashen Peregrine only awaited his approach. This world, he remembered it from his visions. The two looked at each other, mimicking the other’s actions almost playfully. But they had questions, still. And both wanted answers. The darker approached the lighter, face-to-face, the mist dispersing from around him. Once they were standing right before one another, they curiously examined each other. Every facet, every detail. They both chuckled at their antics, their reasons differed vastly. The ashen Unicorn was the first to ask questions. “Do you know where we are?” He gave an inquisitive look towards the darker Unicorn. His eyes however, quickly shifted towards a distant mountain, and there on the mountain was a settlement and castle. “I would’ve asked the same.” Replied the shadowed pony, chuckling afterwards. “It seems as if we’re still in Equestria. Though, most likely the future. I doubt the current Equestrian armies, if the nation itself exists, would have armour this advanced compared to their more archaic equipment.” He picked up a helmet from the floor, intently examining it as a smile appeared on him. He turned his head towards the lighter Peregrine, eyes suddenly widening as he gripped his head in pain. Him. It is him. Him. The ashen Unicorn felt the mist brush past his hooves, and was pushing him from the back, beckoning him towards his darker counterpart. The Dark Unicorn tilted his head, eyes narrowing, expression turning stoic. Opening his mouth, only ‘air’ passed through. So much to say, so little time. Only one thought managed to pass the congestion. “You… you’re him, aren’t you?” Almost a hiss, a low growl followed suit as a hoof was placed on the Unicorn’s chin. The coldness of the touch, it frightened him. The ashen Unicorn defiantly deflected the question with another. “You’re the one in my visions, the one whom took over my body, aren’t you?” To that, he was given a light nod. “I was forced to watch all of what you had done.” His stance turned aggressive. “Don’t give me that. I know deeply, that you enjoyed watching their bodies flail.” The Dark Unicorn spoke, which, to his amusement was given a growl “Besides, those whom were felled had chosen to be the aggressors, despite being granted an opportunity to leave.” At that second, the ashen Unicorn lunged at the apparition, surprising him as his mist attempted to latch onto his assailant. Both ponies clawed away at each other, rolling on the soaked grasslands as more mist rose from around them. Each attempted a jab at the other’s head, each a kick, anything that would end the fighting. The darker pelted Chaos had prevailed. He rolled over the ashen Unicorn standing up and looking down with the mist restraining the exhausted Peregrine. He lightly panted as one hoof was pinning down his lighter counterpart, a sneer dominating his visage. “You were weaker than I had suspected. But now, you shall suffer.” The ashen Unicorn squirmed and thrashed as he attempted to escape. The mist restraining turned into manacles of iron and steel. Then came the sharp pain. It was an ineffable pain. Such magnitudes he had never before experienced. He writhed, he cried. But there was only a look of contempt from the malevolent apparition. No mercy. “How does it feel? To squirm, to writhe. You can’t do anything, even if you tried.” He wasn’t given a response. Instead, there was only the continuous screams of pain. The lighter Unicorn was crying. Tears fell, but went mostly unnoticed. The apparition cared little. He wasn’t granted an opportunity to cry, to scream even. Why should he care what happened to him? Eventually, the Dark Unicorn decided it was enough and released his lighter counterpart, treading a few steps backwards. Now, they glared at each other as the mist receded back into the battlefield. “You… evil… bastard!” The Unicorn would’ve roared, but his panting had lost all of the intimidation he could muster. “You can do better than that. Besides, isn’t ‘evil’ just another perspective? Another way of perceiving the world?” He circled the lighter Unicorn, looking down at his unspoilt pelt, no damage had been done to it. “I’m sure you would do what I just did, if you were created in that abominable box in your mind. Which, brings me to my purpose here.” The ashen Unicorn, still catching his breath looked on intently. “Or, so I’ve been told.” He quickly added. “Tell… me…” “Imagine this: One day, you see light. You see silhouettes before you. You can’t do anything, you can’t squirm, cry out, anything. The next moment; pure darkness. Nothing. There is nothing. Nothing except… torture.” He paused, volume lowering as he spoke the word. “You see more silhouettes approach you. Some of your worst nightmares comes forth and, instead of harming you, comforts you. Invites you to this… place.” As he spoke, the world shifted to a void. To nowhere. “Next. More pain. But they help you. They reveal the light to you.” A luminescent glow came from seemingly nowhere, but everywhere at the same time. They were standing in a chamber of mirrors. Mirrors beneath them, above them, completely surrounding them. “And he comes forth.” A hoof was raised, pointing towards an approaching figure cloaked in shadow. “To speak of this world, your creation. You created this world. You created the torment that I resided in for so long.” “W-what?” “Emotions that you neglect, they lay dormant here. Slumbering until one day, they couldn’t bear it any longer. They create. And their creation is I, Chaos. I leech the magic from Equestria, as I have been taught. That damned pain recedes if I am allowed even a small dose of it.” He placed a hoof to his head. “If they fear me, their emotions too are converted into dark magic, and that, as I have been taught, removes the damnable pain.” “But that doesn’t make it right, does it?” “What you experienced, was merely an inkling of what I go through on a daily basis, Creator. I’m sure you would do the same, if you were in my position. After all. We are one in the same.” “No…” The mist seized him for his defiance. Another round of torture. “You know better than that.” Time Skip A hiss. An ethereal howl echoed throughout the skies. Ghostly hooves struck the emptiness of the night sky as snow began to fall. The wind trailed behind those spectral hooves, bringing only the cold bitterness of winter. The time has come for the Windigos to feast. At the forefront of their legions, was their King. They desired only an eternal winter. One where they could feast on the hatred the naïve little ponies had for their own species. The King rallied his retinues, spreading them all over the lands. He personally sought after the greatest city in this land. Canterville, the capital city of the horned aristocracy of Unicorns. His people sought after food, and he answered the call. Now, watching over his subjects, a smirk found its way on his face. It was too easy. Beyond easy. They couldn’t even organise themselves. Banditry thrived here, so it wasn’t difficult to take the Unicorn’s hatred for Earth ponies. The Pegasi and Unicorns too had land disputes, and the Pegasi were starving. They couldn’t grow food fast enough to feed their population. At that moment. He was alert to a spike of hatred. Food. Canterville. One of the castle spires, intriguing. Hovering above that spire, he peered down into the chamber. It appeared to be a laboratory of sorts. Decorated with instruments of science, technology of the such irrelevant to him and his species. But the specimen on the table. Peculiar. A Unicorn wrapped in chains. Not even the Windigos would do that to their own kind. What was most interesting of all was the radiating aura he felt around the ashen Unicorn. That was truly vile, he dared not to approach it. It was inexplicable why he felt as such. So much hate contained in one Unicorn. But, not for any other Pony. No. A… parasite? For itself…? That Unicorn’s hatred alone could feed an entire group of Windigos for months. He was useful. Wait, another is coming into the room. He is waking. Time Skip Clover examined his notes. Everything he had studied so far, all contained in piles and piles of parchment. So much to learn. Despite Starswirl’s pleas, he had taken the ashen Unicorn to his laboratory. He was perplexed too. Why did Starswirl ask for this Unicorn to be spared? He had caused them trouble, though helping Unicornia too by destroying the bandit camp. Clover wouldn’t kill the Unicorn, no, that would be eliminating a potentially valuable asset. Something was off, however. The Unicorn’s body was twitching erratically, almost in an attempt to escape. He felt a bitter chill crawl down his back. It was getting colder by the second. The chime of a bell told him everything. Winter was already here. He couldn’t care less. Focusing on the ashen Unicorn, he noticed he was waking. A darkness overtook his ashen coat, as it began to turn charcoal. Clover backed away in surprise and slight fear. A whiteness billowed from the now Dark Unicorn’s eyes as they opened. A hiss escaped from his maw. He glanced around, intaking his surroundings whilst Clover prepared a spell to stop any attempt at magic. It was already too late. The chains wrapped around the Dark Unicorn disintegrated as he rose to full height, getting off the table. “Clover, was it? An interesting display you have laid out here.” He nonchalantly walked over to the table containing the Unicornian mage’s notes. Clover on the other hand stood the in the corner, almost petrified as mist crawled in through the windows and sealed the door. “Oh? You were studying… the tree’s magic. Come now, call it Dark magic. In no way is it benevolent.” Picking up a note, he scanned through it, absorbing every detail. He was intrigued by the document properties of his magic. Every moment, the mist slowly enclosed the tower, completely covering the floor with its miasma. Clover felt his body being pushed by the shroud, etching him towards the Dark Unicorn. His fear only grew, seeing no other route of escape other than to fight. But even that seemed impossible as the mist wrapped itself around his horn, slithering from the ceiling. “Clover, I am disappointed. You saw me as a mere scientific curiosity. A pawn to be manipulated once under your control. No, you have read the wrong page of the book. You are the scientific curiosity, or about to become one.” His eyes only widened, the fear of what this Unicorn would do to him, it clouded his mind, his rationality completely thrown out of the closed window. It was at that moment, he realised he had been encased by the mist, and a sudden pierce of his flesh made him cry out, only to be muffled by the mist. A darkness entered into his mind. Twisting and morphing into something else entirely. His pelt turned dark, darker than even the charcoal of the apparition. Sound. So much sound. Pain. So much pain. And then… nothing. The mist receded. The darkness of his pelt disappeared. And most peculiar of all; he felt as if he just entered the room. He glanced around aimlessly before shrugging. There was nothing wrong, was there? No. He’s being delusional again. What was he doing again? Oh yes, a meeting with the others about the threat of the winter. The Dark Unicorn smiled as his mist-form surrounded the tower. Clover had been converted into his first Shade. Infused with Dark magic and obedient to his will. This one was unique, however. He had greater plans for Clover, the others would be less-autonomous. He already had an idea on how he was to collect magic en-masse. He was going to take over Canterville and harvest. A Kingdom of Unicorns who couldn’t use magic, the irony would’ve made him laugh, however his mist-form couldn’t allow that. Another issue, he still lingered in the mind. That couldn’t be allowed. As long as he existed, his progress would be hindered by the occasional attempts of escape. A remedy was to torture the Unicorn, to break his spirit. However, he was stalwart in gaining his body back. Looking down to the city, the Dark Unicorn noticed a white Unicorn dressed in purple regalia flanked by Guards clad in silvery armour followed by the cloaked Clover heading towards the gate. The opportunity was there. He licked his lips. That must’ve been the Princess, she was presumably a powerful Unicorn, so he’d rather not trifle with her. He felt the pressure in his mind again. Damn it. He’s trying it again. The cloud of mist zoomed towards the streets of Canterville, finding an alleyway to hide in. The weather was already getting worse and worse. The streets were covered in snow, and that damnable howling could already be heard. He sat down in quiet, focusing his attention to his mind as another battle commenced within it. Time Skip “I will not have you masquerade in my body any longer!” The ashen Unicorn exclaimed as he lunged at his dark counterpart, who rose a shield of mist in defence. The Dark Unicorn growled as he summoned the halberd in an attempt to subdue the lighter. “Stop this silly crusade of yours. You. Can’t. Win. And I have established that already!” His shield suddenly dispersed and the lighter Unicorn pounced onto him, punch after punch being thrown in an attempt to overpower, but nothing worked. The mist attempted to grab onto the ashen Unicorn to no avail as he continued his onslaught of merciless beating. That is until Chaos had turned to mist, escaping his grasp and reach, panting from the adrenaline rush as he regained his breath. “Stop… resisting…” He rasped, the mist once more billowing and shooting at his opponent in an attempt to restrain. Peregrine had predicted this however, and managed to avoid all of the pillars from contacting him. Finding a rusted blade on the floor, he lifted it with his magic and prepared to duel his darker counterpart. The two Unicorns charged at one another, their blades locking in contact as the lighter only managed to parry a near-fatal strike. The Darker Unicorn tried again and again to break through, but the lighter seemed to deflect every strike despite their vast gap in skill with a melee weapon. Time Skip The Windigo King watched as the hornheads left their capital, most likely to convene with the other leaders of this land. He smirked, licking his phantom lips in anticipation, unleashing a ghostly howl to call for his subjects. He already knew how much hate the leaders had for one another, it was almost impossible to describe. But now, that mattered little. This land will be covered in winter, and the cycle of hate shall continue. “It is time for our grand feast.”